Once Upon a Planet

In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Rottet — the only woman ever elevated to Fellow status by both the AIA and IIDA — to explore her remarkable journey from architect to interior and product designer. As Founding Principal of Rottet Studio, Lauren has led award-winning projects around the world and launched a celebrated furniture line, all while challenging the status quo. We talk mentorship, leadership, and what it takes for women to not only enter the design professions, but to lead them. Plus, Lauren shares the story behind one hotel inspired by a trailblazing woman — and the quote that guides her: “Well-behaved women seldom make history.”

This season of Break Some Dishes is presented by Humanscale.

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In this episode of Break Some Dishes, Jon and Verda talk with Jane Abernethy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Humanscale about everything from sustainable products to gender equity in industrial design. Jane shares her journey from industrial designer to sustainability leader, why women’s voices are essential in shaping our built environment, and how bias in design can have lasting consequences. We also dig into circularity, regenerative futures, and how young designers can lead us toward a more inclusive, sustainable world.

This season of Break Some Dishes is presented by Humanscale.

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Jon and Verda dive into the intersection of gender, sustainability, and regenerative futures in industrial design. We’re joined by two powerhouse designers, Baillie Mischler, Founder at PROWL, and Lauryn Menard, CEO of GOB. Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities for women in industrial design, the systemic gender biases embedded in everyday products, and the urgent need for diverse voices in shaping the future of design. We also discuss what a ‘regenerative future’ means and how companies like PROWL and GOB are pushing the boundaries of sustainability.

RESOURCES AND FURTHER READING

·  Women in Design: Building Diversity in Industrial Design (IDSA)

·  “Shrink It and Pink It”: Gender Bias in Product Design (Harvard  Advanced Leadership)

·  PROWL – A Female-Founded Industrial Design Studio

·  GOB EARTH – Regenerative Material Innovation

· The book Jon and Verda are reading:  Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez

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In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Schneider, founder of ThinkLab, to explore gender disparities in the architecture and interior design industries. We dive into the numbers—why do women make up 50% of architecture students but only 25% get licensure and even less than 10% are in leadership roles? Does it matter who leads? We discuss systemic barriers, the impact of workplace culture, and what it takes to create a more equitable future. Plus, Amanda shares insights on domestic inequality, generational shifts, and how the industry can drive real change.

This season of Break Some Dishes is presented by Humanscale.

RESOURCES AND FURTHER READING 

Amanda Schneider’s 2024 TEDx Talk: Watch here

ThinkLab US Design Industry Benchmark Report (2025): Access the report

Ashley and Scott Delano Working Parents Initiative: Learn more

Nate Bargatze Comedy Clip: Watch on YouTube

Follow Amanda Schneider on LinkedIn: Connect here

Design Nerds Anonymous Podcast (Diversity Episode): Listen here

McKinsey Women in the Workplace 2024 Report: Read the report

Reshma Saujani, Author of Pay Up: Follow her on LinkedIn

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For this first episode of Season 6 Jon and Verda speak with Keshia DeFreece Lawrence, a Ramapough Lenape Munsee environmental political scientist and Indigenous expert at Harvard Forest, a 4,000-acre living laboratory on traditional Nipmuc land. We explore the concept of Sovereign Science—an approach to environmental stewardship that prioritizes protection, care, and deep relationship with the land, and discuss the rematriation of physical space, the shift from patriarchal land management to matriarchal ecological care and kinship. Keshia shares how Indigenous knowledge challenges and expands Western paradigms of sustainability.

This season of Break Some Dishes is presented by Humanscale.

RESOURCES AND FURTHER READING

Defining Rematriation

On Ecological kinship

More on Sovereign Science & Indigenous Mapping

More on the red-tailed hawk

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In this wrap-up of Season 5, Jon and Verda reflect on the role we all play in shaping a better future. Jon shares his biggest takeaway from his favorite episode, and Verda calls for action, urging designers to embrace activism and leverage their unique influence to drive systemic change. 

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Jon invites fellow Connecticutian Tabitha Sookdeo on the podcast to dig deep on climate migration. It's happening right here within our own borders and we need to understand this multifaceted issue that is impacting all of us. After this episode we hope you will think differently and find empathy for those that have lost their corners of the world. 

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In this episode, Jon and Verda speak with veteran NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, who has completed two spaceflights and spent extended time aboard the International Space Station. Nicole shares her insights on how space exploration can help us improve life here on Earth. From working alongside an international team to understanding the challenges we face as a global community, Nicole will get us thinking about “spaceship Earth” and how we are all crewmates together.

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Isaias Hernandez, AKA the Queer Brown Vegan joins Jon and Verda to examine tackling climate change education thru social media and engaging with fringe communities who often get left behind. Isaias is taking on all the complex issues around climate change and social equity through the eyes of a young activist and a child of immigrants. We often don’t consider the impact climate change has on minorities and marginalized communities, and Isaias is shedding light onto issues like Petromasculinity and Collective Liberation!

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Learn the amazing story of a biologist turned bird aviator! Austrian biologist, Johannes Fritz speaks with Jon and Verda about the Northern Bald Ibis, which was completely extinct in the wild 50 years ago. Through careful re-introduction Fritz began to bring them back. Then, when climate change made their winter migration route unpassable, Fritz began teaching these birds a new migratory route by flying an ultralight to lead them across the Alps and into Southern Italy to winter.

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