Journalist and biographer William Middleton joins me to trace the thread from Houston's legendary Menil family to Karl Lagerfeld's world at Chanel and H&M. We talk fashion, art, power, and what it really takes to write definitive biographies while designing a life between cities.

Let’s be honest: Glinda’s bubble was cute until it wasn’t. And “good” was working for her… until it really, really wasn’t.

What happens when your biggest career high collides with your hometown's worst nightmare?

In this episode, I sit down with jewelry designer Jill Reno, whose path to Paris Haute Couture Week started with plastic Michael's beads on a not-so-glamorous layover in Milwaukee.

In today's episode, recorded LIVE!, I'm joined by my longtime friend, Australian hairdresser, and salon owner David Bamford—a man who once rocked twin blue mohawks, won international awards by surprise, and opened a gorgeous River Oaks salon… five weeks before the world shut down. We trace his wild path from architecture student to behind-the-basketball-court barber

Ever worn a label that felt perfect—until it started itching like a bargain-bin T-shirt? Same.

In this episode, I unwrap the identities I've collected (and returned) over the years:

• The week I was German, Lebanese, Egyptian, and Irish—no layovers required.

What do fashion tariffs, Blake Lively's alleged text-message nuclear codes, and Instagram's sneaky Discover feed have in common? They all escalated—fast.

Welcome to the inaugural "Well, That Escalated…"—the once-a-month segment where I drag my favorite opinion-sharpshooter Laura Max Rose out of our group-chat bunker and into the studio. It's basically the audio version of us texting "WAIT, DID YOU SEE THIS?" at 1 a.m.

I'm joined once again by my friend, writer, podcaster, and self-proclaimed Colleen Hoover expert Laura Max Rose for a conversation that's part literary therapy session, part red carpet roast, and part adaptation wish list. We dig into the controversies, casting choices, and unexpected emotions that came with the It Ends With Us adaptation—Laura's seen it six times, so she's got notes—and talk about what works (and what doesn't) when a beloved book becomes a movie.

In this solo episode of Inside the Design Studio, I get into a question that's more political than it might seem: Do Americans really want things to be made in America?

It sounds good on paper—and even better on a campaign trail—but the reality is messier. As someone who has spent the past 15 years making clothes in Houston, I'm here to tell you: wanting the label is not the same as supporting the labor.

🎭 How does a Tony-winning Broadway actress transition to television, balance family, and keep reinventing herself?

In this episode of Inside the Design Studio, I sit down with the legendary Kelli O'Hara to talk about her journey from small-town Oklahoma to Broadway's biggest stages and HBO's The Gilded Age. Kelli shares how she:

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend, Travis Paul Martin, who went from aspiring actor to fashion PR powerhouse. We met over 20 years ago at Parsons Paris—back when we were young, stylish, and slightly delusional about how the industry worked. Now, after working with brands like Gucci, Barneys, and Rothy's at top agencies like KCD and BPCM, Travis has built his own firm, TPM Consulting, helping brands craft stories that truly make an impact.

Katharine Quinn never set out to run Broadway's most innovative social media campaigns (have you SEEN "The Great Gatsby" on Instagram and TicTok?), but here she is—shaping the future of theater marketing, one viral moment at a time. In this episode, we dive into her fascinating journey from performer to director to creative brand strategist, her accidental foray into social media, and how she built a business that's redefining Broadway marketing.

Love is in the air… or is it? In this special Galentine's Day edition of Inside the Design Studio, I'm joined by Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman and Shavonnah Roberts Schreiber for a no-holds-barred conversation about Valentine's Day—romantic, cynical, and everything in between. From pop culture's best (and worst) love stories to the joy of Galentine's, Hallmark movies, bad date-watching at Steak 48.

Is AI the ultimate creative sidekick—or is it slowly replacing human originality? In this episode of Inside the Design Studio, I sit down with poet, educator, and someone who is deeply engaged with AI in education, Scott Chalupa to explore the tension between AI and creativity.We tackle: 🎭 AI's role in art, poetry, and film (yes, including The Brutalist controversy!) 📚 Whether AI is inspiring new ideas or just remixing old ones 🤖

What's in a word? Everything, if you're David Peck. In this solo episode of Inside the Design Studio, David reflects on his annual tradition of choosing a word to guide his year—and reveals the word he's chosen for 2025. Along the way, he revisits past selections like Effortless, Consistency, and Abundance, exploring how these words shaped his personal growth, challenges, and victories. Curious about the word setting the tone for 2025? Tune in to find out and get inspired to design your year with intention.

In this special live episode of Inside the Design Studio, recorded in front of an engaged audience, I dive into the remarkable story of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, better known as the Widow Clicquot, alongside guests Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman and Shavonnah Roberts Schreiber. This isn't just about champagne; it's about a woman who defied societal norms, took bold risks, and revolutionized an entire industry—all while crafting a legacy of luxury that still inspires us today.

In this live episode of Inside the Design Studio, I sit down with Hillary Hart and Dan Knechtges of Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) to explore how they're opening new doors for Houston's theater scene. We discuss TUTS' bold vision for the future, including an innovative new building, the reimagining of Frozen from the ground up, and how their programming reflects the vibrant diversity of Houston.

So it's Election Day, and you've probably already seen about 32 political ads (and counting). Whether you're voting red, blue, or writing in your cat for president, one thing's for sure: it's stressful. Today, I'm giving you a break with a podcast episode that dives into politics in a different way. Recently, I joined my friend Laura Max Rose on her podcast (I Just Have to Say) to get into a topic many of us don't talk about: breaking out of the beliefs we were raised with as children.

Pack your bags and grab a croissant, because in this solo episode of Inside the Design Studio, I'm taking you on a personal journey through my latest trip to Paris. Why was this trip so important? Well, it's not every day you get to revisit the city that shaped your career and your life—oh, and casually hang out near Kate Moss at Bar Hemingway. No big deal.

Pack your bags and grab a croissant, because in this solo episode of Inside the Design Studio, I'm taking you on a personal journey through my latest trip to Paris. Why was this trip so important? Well, it's not every day you get to revisit the city that shaped your career and your life—oh, and casually hang out near Kate Moss at Bar Hemingway. No big deal.

In this book club edition of Inside the Design Studio, David Peck sits down with Matt Layfield to dissect Barbara Kingsolver's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Demon Copperhead. Set in the heart of Appalachia, the book is a modern retelling of Charles Dickens' David Copperfield, but with a contemporary twist that tackles everything from the opioid crisis to systemic poverty.