Podcast · 28 episodes
Design Nerds Anonymous
by ThinkLab and SURROUND · English
Design Nerds Anonymous is a podcast about what’s next, shaped by design, human behavior, and data.
Latest episodes
Mass Customization: The Next Workplace ChallengeMass customization in the workplace—how far organizations should individualize work (especially in-office/remote policies) while maintaining fairness, trust, and business performance sustainability.17 Sep 2026 · 39 min
The System Wasn’t Built for Everyone. Now What?The workplace system wasn’t built for everyone; organizations must stop assuming one person’s experience is universal.3 Sep 2026 · 40 min
The Oprah Encore: What Jean Twenge Says We’re Getting Wrong About Gen ZUsing Jean Twenge’s generational research to explain what’s different about Gen Z at work—especially mental health, work-life balance, loyalty, and communication—and what leaders should do (and not…27 Aug 2026 · 36 min
All episodes
Mass Customization: The Next Workplace ChallengeMass customization in the workplace—how far organizations should individualize work (especially in-office/remote policies) while maintaining fairness, trust, and business performance sustainability.17 Sep 2026 · 39 min · 17 chapters
The System Wasn’t Built for Everyone. Now What?The workplace system wasn’t built for everyone; organizations must stop assuming one person’s experience is universal.3 Sep 2026 · 40 min · 11 chapters
The Oprah Encore: What Jean Twenge Says We’re Getting Wrong About Gen ZUsing Jean Twenge’s generational research to explain what’s different about Gen Z at work—especially mental health, work-life balance, loyalty, and communication—and what leaders should do (and not…27 Aug 2026 · 36 min · 16 chapters
The Story Behind the Story of Work for What’s NextAmanda Schneider (author of Work for What’s Next) shares the “story behind the story” of how she researched and built her future-of-work ideas, then connects them to her upbringing, parenting, and…20 Aug 2026 · 35 min · 17 chapters
We Tested a Gen Z Advisory Model. Here's What We Learned.ThinkLab’s Gen Z advisory cohort (modeled after Gucci’s “shadow board”) tests how intentionally giving young people a seat at the table can improve organizations.6 Aug 2026 · 45 min · 16 chapters
The Road Show Begins: Come Build What's Next with UsDesign Nerds Anonymous launches the Work for What’s Next Roadshow—live North America recordings, keynotes, and experiential research events—plus a podcast feed that brings conversations back to…23 Jul 2026 · 7 min · 3 chapters
Signals of the Future: A Playbook for What’s NextWork feels harder because digital-first work wasn’t matched with redesigned systems, communication, decision-making, and boundaries; friction is a pattern across roles/industries, not just “hybrid…14 May 2026 · 15 min · 7 chapters
BONUS EP: LIVE from the PDC Healthcare Summit 2026Live coverage from the PDC Healthcare Summit 2026 on how healthcare owners, architects, and designers should plan and design facilities—especially emergency/behavioral health spaces—to improve…7 May 2026 · 1 h 1 min · 30 chapters
Mentorship and Learning for What’s NextHow mentorship and learning must evolve post-pandemic for hybrid work—balancing digital and in-person, decentralizing mentorship, and building equitable, adaptable learning cultures so talent can…30 Apr 2026 · 34 min · 17 chapters
Communication and Collaboration for the New Rhythm of WorkHow modern workplaces can have more communication and tools yet less alignment; communication either builds velocity or friction.23 Apr 2026 · 36 min · 16 chapters
The Power of Microcultures: Designing Culture and Purpose That StickMicrocultures and purpose in action—how leaders translate abstract “purpose statements” into daily behaviors that frontline employees can see, feel, and follow; why performative purpose erodes trust;…16 Apr 2026 · 33 min · 13 chapters
The New Rules to Recruit and RetainRecruitment and retention “new rules” amid a trust gap—argues that loyalty isn’t dead; people stay where they grow, feel seen, and get transparent, values-aligned information.9 Apr 2026 · 42 min · 18 chapters
Digital Sparks, Human Sticks: Trust & Connection in the Phygital FutureTrust and connection in the “phygital” (physical + digital) future of work—how to build teams that thrive amid uncertainty without predicting the future.2 Apr 2026 · 34 min · 30 chapters
Why Fixing Work Fixes EverythingWork and workplace design as a “software problem” (culture, rituals, systems) that can’t be fixed by “rebooting hardware” (e.g., return-to-office).26 Mar 2026 · 40 min · 18 chapters
Education Decision Making in Practice LIVE from EdSpaces in ColumbusRecorded live at the EDspaces conference in Columbus, this episode delves into how education leaders make high-stakes decisions under pressing timelines.5 Feb 2026 · 32 min · 18 chapters
What Shapes Hospitality Decisions Behind the Scenes: Behind Thinklab’s Private ResearchIn this episode, Amanda Schneider and Erica Waayenberg discuss ThinkLab’s research on decision-making processes in the hospitality sector.29 Jan 2026 · 30 min · 20 chapters
What Drives Healthcare Design Decisions Today: LIVE from HCD in KCA podcast focused on the interiors industry, intersecting business and design.22 Jan 2026 · 32 min · 15 chapters
Inside Corporate Decisions for the Built Environment: LIVE from ChicagoLive Chicago “corporate end user hackathon” on how decisions for the built environment are changing, why corporate projects feel slower, and what partners can do to reduce friction.15 Jan 2026 · 30 min · 13 chapters
Radical Futures: What Could 2040 Really Look Like?A live panel “highlight reel” closing Design Nerds Anonymous season 8, recorded at Neocon 2025, reflecting on what 2040 could look like across the built environment and related industries.23 Oct 2025 · 29 min · 13 chapters
What Is Next for Hotels and Hospitality Spaces? The future of hotels and hospitality—how Marriott is redesigning spaces and services for adaptable, experience-driven travel in a world where digital change is faster than physical renovation.16 Oct 2025 · 30 min · 13 chapters
What Kind of Homes Will Gen Alpha Want?What kind of homes Gen Alpha will want, and how anticipatory AI, connected devices, privacy/security, and adaptable physical design should shape future housing.9 Oct 2025 · 38 min · 13 chapters
Work, Reimagined: Gen Z’s Blueprint for the FutureGen Z’s preferences and the future of work—remote vs in-person, the metaverse/extended reality for more immersive collaboration, and how AI will change human roles and required skills.2 Oct 2025 · 29 min · 13 chapters
How Will AI Shape the Future of Healthcare?How AI and changing patient behavior will reshape healthcare by shifting care from hospitals to connected, proactive ecosystems—especially through built environment design (homes, clinics, schools,…25 Sep 2025 · 33 min · 11 chapters
What Does the Future of Learning Tell Us About the Future of Work? How AI is reshaping learning and work, and why “agency” (initiative and self-knowledge) plus authentic, design-rich education will matter more than pure intelligence.18 Sep 2025 · 34 min · 14 chapters