Design Matters

Ai Weiwei joins to discuss his new memoir “1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows,” depicting a century-long epic tale of China told through a story of his family.

Rob Walker discusses his interest in death and how our digital records remain online, being shy and how this influenced his decision to become a journalist, writing about the sleeved blanket known as the snuggie, and the wish to brand the idea of "be happy for what you have."

Ashley C. Ford joins to discuss her memoir “Somebody’s Daughter,” capturing a complex childhood shaped by family secrets, incarceration, and resilience.

Shaped by music and activism, Toshi Reagon reflects on her upbringing and remarkable career writing, playing, singing, and producing music.

Reflecting on his remarkable life and career, Nick Offerman shares his insights on acting, marriage and the current state of the world.

Alisa Cohn—named Top Startup Coach in the World—shares her secrets, insights and strategies from nearly 20 years of turning startup founders into world-class CEOs.

Adam J. Kurtz delves into the human experience and explores the duality of time—everything changes, yet tomorrow isn’t promised—in his new book, “You Are Here (For Now).”

Amy Koppelman penned A Mouthful of Air, a powerful novel years ahead of its time—and now, 20 years on, she discusses the film version of it she directed that hits theaters this month.

Long a believer in the impossible, Rickie Lee Jones has lived an extraordinary life of song. Here, she reflects on five decades of making music.

What makes you feel most alive? Jonathan Fields is here to help you figure it out—and infuse it into your career in truly transformative ways.

In our short-term world, Dorie Clark is proof positive that there’s incredible power in long-term strategy—and here she riffs on her new book, “The Long Game.”

At 8 years old, Catherine Opie realized “that history is made within an image culture”—and here, she discusses her incredible life as a photographer driven by culture.

After surviving intense abuse as a child, V grew up to pen powerful prose and plays—and today fights for women suffering around the world.

In his third Design Matters interview, writer Seth Godin riffs on his 20th book—“The Practice”—a milestone text exploring creativity and the sheer power of doing the work and putting it out into the world.

From the Groundlings and “Chelsea Lately” to fashion illustration, textile work and beyond, Carly Kuhn—aka The Cartorialist—may not have set out to become an artist, but she became a brilliant one.

After dreaming of becoming a musician, Quiara Alegría Hudes found her true future on the page—and in such works as “My Broken Language” and “In the Heights.” Here, the Pulitzer winner meditates on the many muses that were instrumental in her becoming the creative she is today.

Forging on past failure, Suneel Gupta began to ask wildly successful people about their less-successful moments—and that laid the foundation for his own career highs, not to mention his new book that helps anyone with a great idea become Backable.

Bobbi Brown had a revolutionary idea: to create a natural-look makeup line that would make people feel like the best version of themselves. She launched it from her home to overnight success, and today is back with her blockbuster clean DTC brand, Jones Road.

At 10, she announced that money or no money, she would be true to her art—and there was no plan B. And, well, actress Claire Danes stuck to it.

Fiber artist Bisa Butler discusses the AfriCOBRA tradition, the artistic breakthrough that led to her finding her voice, and the process behind her amazing life-size works.

Writer, director and actress Miranda July discusses the surreality of releasing a surreal movie in an even more surreal time—and the eternal magic of kissing, cakes and clothes.

Feeling like an outsider, Jonny Sun turned to performance, comedy and Twitter—eventually channeling his thoughts into Jomny Sun and his signature Aliebn, and now his beautifully, happily sad book, “Goodbye, Again.”

Alison Bechdel. Eileen Myles. Kenny Fries. Saeed Jones. Four icons reflect on their journeys in this special Pride episode of Design Matters.

Ping Zhu’s parents were afraid her interest in illustration might just be a phase … and then she landed her first assignment ever at The New York Times. Here, she discusses her career trajectory.

Fabien Baron wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps—so he dropped out of school to conquer the magazine world, and has since realized that storytelling is at the core of everything he does, including his latest passion: film.

Susan Orlean takes what appears to be ordinary corners of everyday life—and brings them to the page with startling wonderment and wit.

Nick Cave and Bob Faust discuss the incredible life of creativity, courageousness and community they have built together.

She was a teenage media mogul—and now her story extends to the page and the stage … not to mention the reboot of “Gossip Girl.” Get to know Tavi Gevinson.

Beeple began creating a new piece of art each day with his aptly titled “everydays” series … which ultimately led to an astonishing $69 million NFT sale. Here, he breaks down how it all happened.

Across 50 years in the art scene, Futura has undergone a brilliant evolution from graffiti prodigy to design master.

Tanya Selvaratnam has said that when life throws you lemons, make art—and she has profoundly done just that in the face of unimaginable circumstances over the course of a long career blending activism and creativity.

From the profound experience of making “Dead Poets Society” to the “Before” trilogy and his new book, Ethan Hawke discusses a life spent celebrating creativity in its many forms.

From finding and focusing in on your artistic voice to staying passionate and purposefully driven, creative sherpa Lisa Congdon once again helps listeners take their work to new heights.

Robert Wong ditched accounting and pursued his artistic dreams, criss-crossing the world before co-creating the innovative Google Creative Lab.

From creativity to creative struggles and what makes or breaks a “This American Life” story, Ira Glass reflects on a career in the airwaves.

Robyn Kanner’s sponsor asked what her goals were. She said she was going to elect the next president of the United States. And in this episode exploring her powerful journey, she breaks down how she helped do exactly that.

Randa Jarrar has made the world a sexier and more thoughtful place—and on this episode, she discusses her powerful new memoir, "My Love is an Ex-Country."

In her inspiring creative journey, author Jacqueline Woodson went from struggling with words as a child to mastering them today.

The legendary David Byrne reflects on his formative years, the mystery that underpins making music, and his cathartic Broadway experience, “American Utopia.”

From her trend-setting career with J.Crew to the medley of new projects she has launched over the past year, Jenna Lyons has perpetually made the world a more stylish, joyful place.

In an illuminating and cerebral discussion, Adam Grant discusses his new book “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know”—and the value of checking in and checking up on yourself.

Sex, power, feminism—Marilyn Minter reflects on her rise, being banished from the art world, and her return and personal revolution.

Esther Perel explores the fascinating design of marriage, modern intimacy and relationships—and the complex dynamics of infidelity.

Belonging. Human connection. Vulnerability. Failure. Perseverance. On this episode, Brené Brown discusses the highs and lows of her creative journey—and the essential elements of a life lived bravely.

Marina Abramović reflects on all the moments that made her the performance genius that she is today—in which the artist is, indeed, utterly present.

From practicing on his first piano—drawn on a piece of paper—to recording albums and launching the podcast and Netflix show “Song Exploder,” Hrishikesh Hirway has lived a marvelous life of music.

On this special episode of Design Matters, we take a look back at 2020, revel in the collective brilliance of Bisa Butler, Miranda July, Marilyn Minter and V—and close the year out with a performance by Lucy Wainwright Roche.

Hailing from Lebanon and Alabama, respectively, Wael Morcos and Jonathan Key discuss their amazing journeys that coalesced into their groundbreaking design work as MorcosKey today.

Karen Finley reflects on her legendary performance pieces, censorship and decades of groundbreaking work—and the sheer joy in creating art.

Laurie Haycock Makela discusses her revolutionary typography days at Cranbrook with Scott Makela, surviving two brain hemorrhages—and arriving at “the project of a lifetime.”