Opening doors to what's possible
when you love what you do.
Love What You Do is a podcast about the people who bring design to life. Through stories, insights, and honest conversations, we explore what really changes when you love what you do–and how optimism, care, and creativity open the door to what's possible.
Hosted by Doug Shapiro, Love What You Do is an unfiltered, human-first podcast where conversations unfold naturally—with the people shaping the future of furniture and design. Each episode is unscripted, uncut, and deeply personal, offering a rare glimpse into the passions, challenges, and moments that define creative work.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify or watch on YouTube.
“This podcast is for you all. It's for the people who build, who design, create, think, who help make the spaces of our lives better. And it's for the ones who might need a little reminder of why they love what they do.”
– Your Host, Doug Shapiro
Episode 20 - UNCUT
Driven by Passion | Aneetha McLellan
In the latest episode of Love What You Do, Aneetha McLellan - NCIDQ, IIDA, LEED AP BD+C, Executive Director of JSI Health and A+D, shares how a pivotal moment early in her career revealed the purpose that has driven her ever since. She opens up about pushing herself to the point of burnout, and the health scare that forced her to rethink her leadership and redefine passion as something sustainable. Aneetha also shares why she believes healthcare spaces need to work for caregivers, not just patients and families alone. It's a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and reimagining design with people at the center.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 19
Permission to Pursue | Stacy Murphy
Stacy Murphy, Vice President of Marketing for FMG Austin and author of Permission to Pursue, joins Doug Shapiro at Design Days. Stacy shares a career shaped by design, leadership, and a willingness to pursue work with real meaning. They talk about showing up with intention, building authentic relationships, and finding the confidence to use your voice. It is a conversation about personal brand, leadership, and creating a career that fits who you are.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 18 - UNCUT
Your Personal Brand | Aga Artka
In the latest episode of Love What You Do, Aga Artka, Founder and Author of The Brand of You, shares why the strongest personal brands for designers aren’t measured by a portfolio. They’re built through the relationships they cultivate, the promises they keep, and the values they consistently demonstrate through their work.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 17
Own Your Gifts | Dianne Kimiko Murata
Doug sits down with Dianne Kimiko Murata, Furniture Planning Strategist, Accidental Environmentalist, and Founder of Kimiko Designs, for a conversation about recognizing your strengths and making room for others to bring theirs. Dianne shares why the best outcomes often come from leaving space for the unexpected and learning to see potential where others might overlook it. From furniture strategy to rescue animals, it’s a thoughtful reminder to own your gifts and help others do the same.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 16
The Summer of Possibilities | Alexandra Tseffos
As excitement builds for Design Days, Doug sits down with Alexandra Tseffos - founder of Design Pop and champion of the design community. It's a conversation that goes all over the board. They talk about the future of learning in the commercial interiors industry, aura readings, loving what you do and what makes our industry's designers unique.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 15 - UNCUT
Future Self & Future Work | Valerie Jardon
IA Managing Director, Valerie Jardon, weighs in on personal growth and the future of work. She shares her inspiring journey from a difficult upbringing and early self-doubt to leadership and shaping workplace strategy. The conversation explores everything from humanoid robots and techno-optimism to impostor syndrome, future selves, and the assumptions we make about work, identity, and change. Valerie also reflects on the emotional impact of receiving a major leadership honor, the role her family played in her success, and her belief that the spaces and systems we create ultimately echo back to us. The conversation is thoughtful, funny and deeply human.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 14
Instinct Over Ego: Leading Through Change | Christian Giordano
In this episode of Love What You Do, Doug Shapiro sits down with Christian Giordano, President of Mancini Duffy, to explore leadership, culture, and the evolving role of AI in design. Christian shares his “word of the year”, replacement, covering both the opportunities AI creates and the deeper concerns around human purpose and early career pathways. The conversation dives into how strong cultures are built through instinct, humility, and a shared commitment to client service. Christian also reflects on the power of lofty goals, organized thinking, and creating space for others to step up as a company grows.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 13 - UNCUT
The Power of Perseverance | Joanna Jablonski
On this episode of the LWYD podcast, Doug sits down with Joanna Jablonski to explore how perseverance shaped her journey from immigrating to the United States to becoming a design leader at Henrickson.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 12 - UNCUT
You Belong in the Room | Scott Delano
Doug Shapiro talks with Scott Delano, Design Principal at StudioGC, about mentorship, creativity, joy, and the responsibility of leadership. Scott shares why design is ultimately an act of optimism, how great teams are built around strengths rather than sameness, and why helping people feel like they belong can unlock their best work. It’s a thoughtful conversation about purpose, perspective, failure, and creating environments where people can grow.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 11 - UNCUT
Mosaic Thinking for Design and Life | Cheryl Durst
Cheryl Durst, CEO of IIDA, joins Doug Shapiro for a wide-ranging, soulful conversation about kinship, optimism, and the power of imperfection. From “word of the year” reflections to mosaics, quilts, and mixtapes, Cheryl explores how unlikely combinations shape meaningful leadership and design. Cheryl shares how energy, memory, and human connection influence the spaces we create and the teams we build. It’s a thoughtful, funny, and deeply human dialogue about why design and life are at their best when they’re a little imperfect.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 10 - UNCUT
Grit and Gratitude | Roby Isaac
Roby Issac is the Design Insights Leader at Mannington Commercial. In this episode, he shares his journey from a kid who loved to draw to finding his place in design through apprenticeship and taking risks. He talks candidly about cultural identity, assimilation, and how those experiences shaped the way he works and leads. Doug and Roby reflect on craftsmanship, longevity, and the responsibility that comes with making things that last. At its heart, this episode is about perseverance, gratitude, and finding meaning in the work.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 9 - UNCUT
The Map of a Meaningful Career | John Sadlon
This episode of Love What You Do goes beneath the surface of a creative career with John Sadlon, Principal and Global Workplace Leader at Perkins&Will. Guided by a personal map of sketches—from the Guggenheim to Brancusi’s Bird in Space—John shares the stories and lessons that have shaped his work and worldview.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 8 - UNCUT
Bring your Designer | Julia Machado
Doug sits down with Julia Machado, Vice President of Internal Operations at Price Modern. Julia shares her journey from designer to operations leader, and why the most impactful sales meetings include the designer. She discusses the beauty of uncovering “I didn’t know that” moments, both in business and in life, and how those moments can spark transformation.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 7
The Optimism Equation | Shreya Somani
Doug Shapiro sits down with Shreya Somani, Senior Designer at Arcadis in Washington, D.C., to explore the science and philosophy behind optimism. The conversation weaves through themes of resilience, patience, and curiosity, connecting optimism to the act of questioning, the delay of gratification, and the pursuit of meaning in design and life.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 6 - UNCUT
Don't Rush the Good Stuff | Mike Goetz
Doug talks with HOK’s Mike Goetz about design that feels, leadership that cares, and why TikTok counts as “cultural research.” They explore how creativity, curiosity, and care shape great work — and why slowing down might be the key to loving what you do.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 5 - UNCUT
Never Complete | Krystal Lucero
In this episode we hear from Krystal Lucero, designer, mom, and survivor whose story blends grace, grit, and joy. From navigating motherhood and design to overcoming cancer twice, Krystal shares candid insights on resilience, wellbeing, and staying true to yourself. Her journey is a reminder that the pursuit of getting to better is never complete.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 4 - UNCUT
What If We Get It Right? | Jane Hallinan
Jane Hallinan, Perkins Eastman, proves that climate talk doesn’t need doom and gloom. She shows how humor and good stories can spark greener choices. Jane gives us a list book recommendation and would like your help in finishing her list. It’s a feel-good episode with a Mr. Rogers-style of neighborliness!
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 3 - UNCUT
Born Twice | Gilbert Broco
Gilbert Broco grew up in Puerto Rico and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design Architecture from the University of Puerto Rico in 2002. He moved to Florida in 2006 where he became NCIDQ Certified and a Florida Registered Interior Designer. Gilbert is the President for the CI Group, a Contract Furniture Dealership with 8 locations across the Southeast.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 2
From Burnout to Belonging | Rex Miller
In this episode, Doug sits down with Rex Miller for some real talk about work, purpose, and finding balance. We talk about what it means to love what you do — and how grace plays a big role in making that possible.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Episode 1 - UNCUT
The Color of Optimism | Cheryl Durst
She’s a legend. And she’s our first guest.
In our premiere episode, Cheryl Durst, EVP & CEO of IIDA, discusses design, optimism, and what it means to wonder well.
Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
