studio.chats the podcast

McGovern Project is a full-service interior design firm based in New York. Founded in 2018 by Chris McGovern, a former investment banker, graduate engineer, and long-time design enthusiast. Services offered include interior design, full-scale renovations, and project and budget management. Prior to launching McGovern Project, Chris cultivated his long-time interest in design and architecture through his own real estate investments and renovations. McGovern Project's work can be seen throughout the NYC Tri-State area, Denver and LA. Helen joined Chris in 2020 and brings a background in architecture, engineering, and fashion. Earlier in her professional career, she wore a business hat and financed affordable housing and infrastructure in emerging markets. Although she had always worked with a multidisciplinary team of urban planners, architects, and craftsmen, she discovered her love for "holding the pencil," went back to school, and switched hats to the design side. Chris Design Crush: Jean Stoffer @jeanstofferdesign Pump-up Jam: "eclectic" assortment for running, including "Come Alive" from The Greatest Showman to "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen Helen Design Crush: Leanne Ford @leannefordinteriors David Rockwell (@rockwellgroup) Pump-up Jam: opera for cleaning the house; Gotan Project for drawing sessions; anything Miles Davis or Charlie Parker (with a cocktail in hand) for ideating

We can't wait for you to join today's chat with T. Camille Martin-Thomsen! From civic, to high-end residential, to teaching sophomore design studio, opening her own practice and now the Assistant Dean at Pratt Institute! Camille has over 20 years in the Architecture & design industry. Receiving Bachelor's was a BA in Architecture and a minor in Art History with a concentration in East Asian Art from Miami University, and then her Masters of Architecture from Washington University in St.Louis. She is both a practicing AIA, NCARB, NOMA Architect along with the Assistant Dean at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. It was a honor to get to chat with and share Camille's design journey, pedagogy and empathy with you! We can't wait for you to join us and hear what resonated most with you!

In an industry of so many opportunities, knowing your personality and what works for you is a great indicator to figure out which facet aligns best! We can't wait to have you join today's chat with Johnnie Cuellar! Originally from Wisconsin and starting out as a graphic designer, Johnnie has worn many hats in the industry in the last twenty plus years! Johnnie is an Interior Designer turned Market Manager for Luum Textiles in New York City. Johnnie has over 15 years of experience in the New York City design industry.

Is starting a business during a pandemic, something your gut is telling you to do? If so, this ones for you! Today's chat is with Erica Alvarez Castro! Trusting your gut and staying true to yourself, even when the world is telling you to play it safe, was the theme of this chat! Along the steps she took to open up her own brick and mortar shop and holistic design studio in the middle of the pandemic! Erica is the founder and owner of The Co. A small women owned company, based Hoboken, NJ and believes it takes more than just good design to turn a house into a home.

Come say hi to us on the IG! @studio.chats @theco.online

Sales is…(fill in the blank). This chat is likely to shift your perception of the relationship between designers and manufacturers. We can't wait for you to join today's chat with Angeline Kenny! Angeline Kenny has worked in design manufacturing for almost 15 years. Currently, she is the Business Development and Design Manager - North America for TSAR Carpets! She received her degree from The Fashion Institute of Technology in Textile Development and Marketing, Home Product Development. There were so many points that resonated and offered tangible tips to improve as designers. These were a few of my favorite parts of our chat! 1. How she helped bring multiple global companies into the US market & how they differ 2. How she's created a collaboration over sales approach 3. Pivots that she's taken to flourish in business throughout the pandemic Come say hi to us on the IG! @studio.chats

"When you are there looking up at a whole career, it just seems like you don't know what to do and if you can do it. And you can, you really can." Today's chat is with some who is at the top of their career and has almost seen it all in the industry. We had the pleasure of chatting with Bob Beck, the Publisher of @officeinsight magazine! Bob gave us a full scoop into his career journey and how he became the publisher. Along with an insight on what it is like to hold that position and produce a weekly digital magazine and website to give a voice to those who create workplace design and furnishings! He is honest, transparent and welcoming in his stories that he shared. We are very excited to share this one with you!!

You are worthy of wellness, always. We are excited to share today's chat with Kimberly Writt of BeHUE Wellness! Kimberly Writt is an Integrative Wellness Coach, Founder at be HUE Wellness. She is based out of Chicago! She has over a decade of experience in marketing and brand strategy for top interior, architecture, and real estate clients. Be HUE is a wellness brand that empowers design experts to overcome stress, increase energy and improve mental clarity to heighten their personal curb appeal and attract like-minded people and clients! Here are our favorite takeaways! 1. Breath Work is powerful 2. Mindful walking meditation is a great midday way to recenter 3. There is no such thing as balance, it's all about creating a healthy current 4. When you take care of your energy, you affect all the people around you in a positive way This chat was filled with so many great takeaways! We can't wait to see you in the chat!! Come say hi to us on the IG! @studio.chats @behuewellness

Are you on clubhouse? Either way, this chat will give you the scoop! We can't wait for you to join today's chat with Kristi Close + Elle Liu! If a conference + a podcast + late night chats in the studio with people globally had a baby, that is what this app has to offer! And the opportunities of the platform are so unique! Kristi Close is the owner of Kristi Close Design! She received her Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design from Oklahoma State University. Currently in Colorado, she is relocating to Tempe, AZ soon! Elle Liu is an NYC hospitality designer at Rockwell Group. She received her MFA in Interior Design from Pratt Institute. In addition, she is also the host of the Right Angle Podcast! They shared how did they get into it? As a designer, what do they see as the benefits of using clubhouse? And their experience so far! Together we've created the Interior Arch + Design clubhouse and have been hosting weekly chats at 8 pm EST! We are so grateful to get to connect with you on the podcast and here on Instagram! Looking forward to connecting even more in @clubhouse too!! Come say hi! We love hearing your takeaways and topics you'd love to hear about! @studio.chats [email protected]

There will always be so much value in learning from the people at the top of their game, and in addition, there are tons to be learned from other designers just a few steps above you too! Today's chat is with Isabella Ramirez! She is a go-getter emerging designer based out of New Jersey and shares with us what she is doing to lay a solid foundation for her career! There are tons of tangible nuggets of wisdom in this chat, and what I admire most about Isabella was her drive to pursue a dream position of hers despite the pandemic, her self-awareness, and her dedication to start the road to becoming a certified Interior Designer early in her career. Come say hi & let us know your takeaway from this week's episode on IG @studio.chats ! Or shoot us an email if you want to nominate someone to be a guest! [email protected]

What is it like to be a Director of Design, a Principal of an Architecture firm & teaching a studio at a major university? We were so curious too! We are very excited about today's studio chat with Julia Nagele! Today's chat is all about leading by example, connecting the dots in your career path, the synergies between leading a design studio and teaching one, along with fostering an inclusive environment! Julia is the leader of architectural design at HEWITT & has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. She is also an affiliate assistant professor of Architecture at the University of Washington. Julia holds a B.A. in Architecture from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. Her Master of Architecture was completed at the University of Maryland, College Park, including a Study Abroad Programs. In addition, her work has been featured in Forbes, Seattle Met, and the Daily Journal of Commerce. She shares with us how she got to where she is today, some lessons learned while working on multiple skyscrapers in the Seattle skyline, and how she helps lead by example even in a challenge. We can't wait to see you there!! Come say hi & let us know your takeaway from this week's episode on IG @studio.chats !