Joachim Baan is a creative director, photographer, and brand strategist based in Utrecht. Together with Christoph van Veghel, he leads Another Everything — a consultancy creating outstanding brands and cultural projects through strategy, design, and execution. His career has moved between independent studios, publishing, and global agencies, with collaborations for Nike, Rapha, KLM, Van Gogh Museum, Red Wing Shoes, Skins Cosmetics, and Atelier Munro. Always guided by controlled chaos and storytelling, Joachim has built an ecosystem that blends aesthetics, strategy, and cultural depth.

What if the strongest brands — and lives — are built not on data, but on stories?

In this episode, Joachim speaks about resisting hustle culture, balancing chaos with control, and why he believes sameness is killing creativity. He reflects on building brands with history, the struggle with consumerism, and the role of taste in predicting the future.

We talk about his health challenges, his project Speed of Solitude, and how long-distance running taught him lessons no studio ever could. Above all, Joachim shows that creativity is not about perfection, but about curiosity, resilience, and the courage to make the world a little more beautiful.

Mohamed Chajid is a Rotterdam-based creative director, designer and concept engineer whose practice spans 3D animation, fashion, branding, and cultural collaborations. At just 27, he has worked with Nike, New Balance, Disney, Drake, Donda and Virgil Abloh, while staying rooted in curiosity, experimentation, and a mission “dedicated towards creating.

What if saying yes — again and again — is the fastest way to grow, learn, and create work that shapes culture and find your why along the way?

In this episode, Mohamed shares his path from a philosophy-obsessed teenager sketching in notebooks, to discovering design through Apple, to building an international client list by posting 3D experiments online. He talks about the role of Virgil Abloh as a mentor-from-afar, learning business the hard way by charging money for global campaigns, and finding balance between speed, consistency, and frequency.

We explore how he deals with imposter syndrome, the hidden value of underdog projects, and why his biggest ambition isn’t more logos or campaigns — but education, collaboration, and using creativity to shape systems that impact daily life.

Tom Dorresteijn is Partner and Strategy Director at Studio Dunbar, part of the global DEPT network. His path has been anything but linear: from exploring the possibility of entering a conservatory, to studying and working in communications, to becoming the strategist of the design studio behind brands like OpenAI, Instagram and Spotify.

What if the highest performance comes not from forcing — but from loosening up and daring to discover your true core?

Tom’s philosophy is rooted in intuition and culture. He believes organisations reach their highest performance when individuals dare to discover their true core — not by forcing, but by loosening up, shedding appearances, and building from authenticity. At Studio Dunbar, this translates into a culture that is both tough and supportive: constant reviews, radical openness, and a demand for quality that pushes people to grow.

In this episode, Tom speaks about his own journey and the lessons of working with clients, and the balance between empathy and professionalism. He explains why strategy is never about models or trends, but about reading people, culture, and context — and why without strategy, “life is what happens to you.” If you want to understand how one of the most respected design studios in the world thinks about growth, culture, and the future of branding, this is the episode to listen to.

What if pressing pause on your studio was the most radical creative act you could make?

For more than two decades, Simon Brown has worked at the intersection of design, publishing, and cultural production. Through his studio AND, he has shaped books, exhibitions, and collaborations that challenge how design is made and remembered—from Content with Rem Koolhaas to Figures of Speech with Virgil Abloh.

His journey has never followed a straight line. At one point, Simon shut down his studio entirely and disappeared into six months of fishing—only to return with a sharper focus on ideas, resilience, and what it really means to be a cultural engine. He speaks candidly about failure, vulnerability, and the need to reframe success beyond awards or client lists.

In this episode, Simon reflects on his creative evolution: how running and nature keep him grounded, why collaboration is a form of mentorship, and how saying “good morning” became an antidote to isolation. He shares his philosophy of selecting projects that shift culture—his own filter for what truly matters.

If you’ve ever questioned whether ambition, failure, and resilience can coexist, this episode is your reminder that ideas live longer when they’re shared.

Daria Zvereva is a creative strategist, cultural connector, and architectural thinker currently working at AMO—the think tank of OMA—alongside Samir Bantal. Originally from Crimea, Daria fled her home twice—first during the 2014 occupation, and again in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. With no passport and no guarantees, she crossed borders by bus and train until she reached Rotterdam, where she joined OMA as an intern and carved her path into creative direction.

In this episode, we trace her remarkable journey—from dancer and refugee to architect and curator. Daria shares what it means to choose freedom over safety, how hip-hop culture shaped her way of thinking, and why she believes architecture must evolve beyond buildings to serve as a vehicle for systems, curation, and radical imagination. We talk about mentors, identity, decision-making, and why the most powerful form of support is often learning to back yourself, even when you don’t like yourself yet.

She reflects on working closely with Samir Bantal, the value of being a dot connector over a title holder, and how she helps others access resources to bring their creative visions to life. This isn’t just a story of resilience—it’s a manifesto for future-making, one bold, terrifying, and beautiful decision at a time.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:21 Daria's Background and Name

01:14 Career Journey and Challenges

02:14 Life in Crimea and Moving to Moscow

04:57 Architectural Career and Personal Growth

07:59 Impact of War and Relocation to the Netherlands

10:11 Starting Over in the Netherlands

15:22 Personal Reflections and Self-Support

20:01 Joy and Inspiration

27:32 Authenticity and Future Potential

29:45 Exploring the Concept of 'More'

30:33 Personal Preferences and Self-Identification

31:46 Responsibility and Societal Change

32:59 Mentorship and Influences

39:53 Career Evolution and Architecture

42:00 The Role of Creative Directors

46:00 Personal Branding vs. Universe Building

47:54 Fashion as a Discipline

49:46 Learning from Fashion Mentors

58:44 Dreams and Aspirations

Paul Cournet is an architect, researcher, and founder of CLOUD, a multidisciplinary design studio based in Rotterdam, next to being the Deputy Editor of CAPSULE. After over a decade at Rem Koolhaas’s OMA, Paul chose a different path: one defined by community, autonomy, and cultural impact over scale or legacy.

In this episode, Paul shares the journey from the early days of graffiti to building his own studio rooted in radical transparency, values-driven work, and trust. He reflects on walking away from a high-profile corporate role, the risks of independence, and how becoming a father reshaped his understanding of productivity, leadership, and time.

He also shares his Cloud Manifesto—ten principles that guide him, including building community, not buildings, no unpaid competitions, and staying radical. We also discuss the impact of research, the politics in architecture, and how CLOUD is carving out a space that resists easy categorisation.

This is more than a story of architectural practice—it’s about how to design systems for people, build spaces for dialogue, and let go of control to create something that lasts.

Inger Kammeraat is the Executive Director of ULI Netherlands and a strategic adviser on sustainability, equity, and leadership in the built environment. With a background in architecture and over five years as Managing Director at MVRDV—one of the most prominent architecture firms globally. But behind the titles is a deeper story.

In this episode, Inger reflects on her journey from Mozambique to Uganda to managing a global architecture firm with over 350 employees. She shares what it means to lead with values, how to find clarity in transitions, and why trusting your gut can be the most strategic decision.

We talk about how to build a culture with care, lead without ego, and why intuition is more strategic than we think. She also discusses the power of reflection and journaling and why she focuses on improving this world.

This is a conversation for anyone at a crossroads—personally or professionally—seeking more honest leadership, social equity, and sustainable progress.

Chapters:

1. Starting the Day: Between Intuition and Routine
2. Growing Up in Zeeland and Choosing Architecture Without a Plan
3. Early Fieldwork in the Bijlmer: Learning Through People
4. Discovering That Organising, Not Designing, Was Her Path
5. The Power of Taking Responsibility Early in Your Career
6. Finding Energy in Building Processes, Not Just Buildings
7. From Working Student to Managing Director at MVRDV
8. Leadership, Trust, and Letting Others Grow
9. Staying Calm When Things Fall Apart
10. Mozambique: A Turning Point in Perspective and Resilience
11. The Challenge of Leadership During the Pandemic
12. The Compliment Notebook: Holding On to Kindness
13. Staying True to Yourself in Fast-Paced Environments
14. Sustainability as a Lifestyle and Responsibility
15. Being a Human Being First, Always

Aric Chen is a curator, writer, and cultural strategist shaping the future of design, architecture, and creative institutions. As General & Artistic Director of The Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam, Aric has led some of the most forward-thinking conversations around architecture, digital culture, and societal transformation. Before this, he was a curator at M+ in Hong Kong, creative director of Beijing Design Week, and curatorial director at Design Miami.

In this episode, Aric reflects on his unconventional career path—from architecture to anthropology to curatorial leadership—where intuition and curiosity shaped his decisions more than rigid plans. He discusses the importance of seeing beyond binaries, how his background in anthropology informs his work today, and why he resists the pressure to define himself within a single discipline.

We also discuss the challenges of managing creative institutions, the tension between public perception and reality, and how he balances long-term vision with the fast-paced world of cultural production. Aric’s approach to leadership is as nuanced as his curatorial philosophy—he shares how staying calm, observant, and adaptable has allowed him to navigate everything from international design biennales to institutional transformations.

This episode is for those who think beyond labels, embrace complexity, and want to challenge the way we engage with culture today.

Telmo Pieper is an image-maker, painter, and mural artist—best known as one half of the internationally acclaimed duo Telmo Miel. His large-scale murals and studio works blend surrealism, realism, and precision, creating visually stunning pieces that can be found across Europe, the US, Argentina, and Australia.

In this episode, Telmo shares his journey from skipping art school classes to paint graffiti, to traveling the world for large-scale commissions, and now stepping into a new era of personal artistic exploration. He opens up about the tension between creative freedom and financial stability, the physical toll of mural painting, and how injury pushed him toward new artistic directions. We also discuss the mental discipline behind long-term artistic success, the challenges of working in public spaces, and why every artist needs to embrace uncertainty to grow.

This is an episode for anyone looking to build a creative career, find balance in ambition, and redefine what it means to create on your own terms.

Simone van Neerven is not your typical corporate leader—she’s an Innovation & Change Catalyst who has spent nearly two decades shaking up traditional industries. From leading innovation at KLM and Vueling Airlines to working with global brands like LEGO, Chanel, IKEA, and Miele, Simone helps organisations embrace rebellious talent to drive real change. She’s also the founder of reBella, where she challenges outdated leadership models and empowers people to think and act differently.

Simone shares how her restless curiosity and instinct for disruption led her to redefine her career multiple times. She talks about the importance of leaning into discomfort, navigating corporate resistance, and creating opportunities where none exist. She also reflects on why rebels are often misunderstood, how organisations can harness their potential instead of suppressing them, and why slowing down is the key to making bold moves.

This is an episode for anyone who has ever felt like they don’t quite fit in—or who wants to challenge the status quo and build something better.