Who: Jill Nickels, Digital Experience Design Leader in Gensler’s San Francisco Office

What: How I Built This by NPR with host Guy Raz and Hidden Brain by NPR with host Shankar Vedantam

Why: My daily commute is often spent listening to podcasts for inspiration. One of my favorite podcasts is How I Built This. Host Guy Raz sits down for lengthy interviews with entrepreneurs from some of the most innovative companies. Every episode is motivating. People like James Dyson, LARABAR energy bar founder Lara Merriken, and serial entrepreneur Marcia Kilgore discuss their careers in depth. Raz often asks his guests if their success is from luck or hard work. The answer is often surprising.

Another favorite of mine is Hidden Brain. The series reveals the science and storytelling behind the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior. Host Shankar Vedantam provides insights that apply to our work and lives. Episodes that investigate economics, anthropology, and sociology are always supported by captivating research. The way he weaves research into his reporting makes listeners embrace the unusual or unexpected.

Who: Richard Chang, Greater China Retail Leader in Gensler’s Shanghai office

What: TED Radio Hour by NPR with host Guy Raz

Why: Based on the original TED talks, the podcast explores similar themes that happen in our everyday routines. Episodes always feel relevant. Topics touch upon the more experiential aspects of life such as human senses or how people make decisions. The stories are relevant for our work at Gensler since we are emphasizing experiences in our designs these days. We’re constantly looking for refreshing thoughts and trends within the lifestyle sector. These various insights are presented in intriguing stories and they help me stay informed on the latest trends impacting other industries to solve problems — always a value-add to the design process.

Who: Cathy Terashita, Work Brand Design Leader in Gensler’s San Francisco office

What: Invisibilia by NPR with hosts Hanna Rosin and Alix Spiegel and Every Little Thing by Gimlet Media with host Flora Lichtman

Why: Invisibilia focuses on the unseeable forces that shape human behavior, experiences, and ideas. I’m fascinated by the way people interact with the world around them. The series is a source for me to hear how people process emotions, thoughts, or interactions, and I can better empathize and understand different perspectives after listening to an episode. The hosts have an elegant format for storytelling.

Every Little Thing is another podcast that asks engaging questions and generates thoughtful answers. No question is too big or small. The podcast looks for the extraordinary in everything. Episodes cover stories like the origin of the Cha Cha Slide, what your body does in space, and how famous voice actors got their start. I usually learn about something I never would have considered. It’s a good reminder how a great story communicates and simplifies complex ideas to make the unfamiliar more approachable.

OTHER PODCASTS WE’RE LISTENING TO

City of the Future by Sidewalk Labs with hosts Vanessa Quirk and Eric Jaffe

It’s no secret that cities are progressing to keep up with the times. Rapid urbanization, driverless cars, and evolving infrastructure are challenging cities to adapt. Hosts Vanessa Quirk and Eric Jaffe discuss one subject in detail each episode. The series is launched in March and is just a few episodes in, but has already caught our attention. The duo kicked off their inaugural episode with a conversation about mass timber. Skyscrapers wouldn’t have happened without the early innovations of structural wood. The hosts are joined by wooden buildings leader Michael Green and Sidewalk’s Director of Building Innovation Karim Khalifa to discuss how wooden buildings are making a comeback.

Winners and Losers in a Digital Age by L2 with host Scott Galloway

Winners and Losers in a Digital Age dives into weekly news driven by digital technologies and advancements. Host Scott Galloway takes on topics like crypto currency and what brands are shaping the economy. Galloway is the founder of L2, a research and business intelligence firm, as well as a professor at the NYU Stern School of Business. He teaches brand strategy and digital marketing. Each episode is great at tackling the nuances of each topic while illustrating the whole picture and its impact on the world.

Bulletproof Radio by Hubspot with host Dave Asprey

Bulletproof is known for their signature coffee and other healthy products, but the company is also a resource for learning about nutrition, technology, and science. Hosted by founder and CEO Dave Asprey, the series welcomes guests from the healthcare world to share tips on how to improve your mind and body. In a recent episode, Asprey interviewed neuroscientist Dr. Eric Kandel. Kandel is considered one of the pioneers of brain science today. In an informative talk about memory, Asprey and Kandel break down the relationship between science and art. Asprey brings the same energy to building a business as hosting a podcast.

Design Matters by Design Observer with host Debbie Millman

It has been 13 years since writer, designer, and educator Debbie Millman launched Design Matters. As an early adopter of the podcast, Millman has interviewed over 400 innovative minds. Marina Abramović, Milton Glaser, Malcolm Gladwell, Shepard Fairey, and Barbara Kruger are just a few people who have sat across to speak with Millman. The series is a go-to source for anyone fascinated or working in design.