Inside the Design Studio with David Peck
This podcast is where creativity meets real lifeācandid conversations on reinvention, identity, and designing a life that fits (with a bit of humor, because why suffer twice?).
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Guests, not gurus.
(Smart people, great stories.)
I sit down with designers, founders, artists, authors, and culture-makersāand sometimes go soloāto pull practical insights from real careers, real pivots, and real behind-the-scenes moments.
Expect thoughtful takes on creativity and designing a life you love, with enough humor to keep it from feeling like homework. No perfection requiredājust smart conversations you can actually use.
46. She Nearly Died in a Houston ER. Now, Rayna Reid Rayford Is Building the App Every Black Mother Needs
Rayna Reid Rayford was sent home from a Houston ER twice while suffering from acute necrotizing appendicitis ā and it took five physician family members to save her life. Now she's building the app she wished had existed.
Episode 40. From the Menils to Karl Lagerfeld: William Middleton on Fashion, Power, and Paris
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.
Episode 38. From Kerrville to Couture: Jill Reno on Holding Beauty and Grief Together
Jewelry designer Jill Reno went from plastic Michaelās beads on a Milwaukee layover to Paris Haute Couture Week, all while navigating devastating loss and rebuilding at home in Kerrville.
37. Brisbane to Birkin: Ghosts, Glam, Grit
One of my best friends, Australian stylist and salon owner David Bamford, joins me for a wild, hilarious, and unexpectedly moving conversation. From blue mohawks and Farrah Fawcett helping his green card, to opening a River Oaks salon five weeks before lockdown, to bringing a Birkin to mediationāthis is grit with glam.
35. Well, That Escalated: Pop Culture, Business Strategy & Digital Chaos
Pop culture meets business strategy as David and Laura dissect the Blake Lively-Justin Valdoni case, Taylor Swift's chess moves, manufacturing ethics, and why Instagram's algorithm changed everything.
34. BookTok, Box Office, and Casting Controversies
Dive into the BookTok phenomenon and controversial casting decisions with expert Laura Max Rose, discussing Colleen Hoover adaptations, box office trends, and which books shouldāand shouldn'tābecome films
Episode 32. Kelli O'Hara: Broadway Star to TV's Gilded AgeāCareer, Family, & Creative Risk-Taking
Tony Award-winning actress Kelli O'Hara shares her journey from small-town Ohio to Broadway stardom, and why she'll always choose craft over celebrity.
Episode 31. Hustling Into Fashion PR: Travis Paul Martin on Reinvention, Grit, and Making It Work
David talks with longtime friend Travis Paul Martin about building a career in fashion PR, the importance of proximity and timing, and designing a life you truly love.
Episode 30. Burnout, Broadway, & Big Ideas: How Katharine Quinn Manages It All
Katharine Quinn shares her journey from conducting orchestras to designing for Broadway, exploring the intersection of music, theater, and creative mentorship.
Episode 29. Galentine's Day, Rom-Coms, & Pop Culture's Best (and Worst) Love Stories
Celebrate Galentine's Day with David, Leisa, and Shavonnah as they discuss pop culture's greatest love stories, the nuances of romantic vs. platonic love, and introduce Culture Club HTX's new Intimacy Wellness Consultancy.
Episode 28. The AI Dilemma: Creativity Killer or Ultimate Muse?
With generative AI reshaping education and creative work, is it a threat to human creativity or a powerful tool? Scott Chalupa shares insights from his AI training work.
Episode 24. From Bubbly to Business: What The Widow Clicquot Can Teach Modern Entrepreneurs
Join David Peck, Leisa, and Shavonnah as they dive into Tilar Mazzeo's biography of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, the pioneering woman who built a champagne empire in early 19th century France.
Episode 26. For the First Time in Forever: TUTS Is An Open Door for New Theatre
Hillary Heart and Dan Knechtges from Theatre Under The Stars discuss inclusive theater programming, TUTS' $47 million annual economic impact, new collaborative facilities, and the transformative power of musical theater in Houston's diverse community.
Episode 25. Rethinking Belief: An Election Day Conversation on Faith and Politics with Laura Max Rose
Join David Peck and Laura Max Rose on election day for a candid conversation about faith, belief, patriarchy, and political evolution. From Independent Fundamental Baptist upbringings to heterodox thinking, explore how we form beliefs and maintain empathy across divides.
Episode 23. Wickedly Creative: Jennifer Kahn on Upcycling Broadway and Building Scenery Bags
Former Broadway stage manager Jennifer Kahn founded Scenery Bags to upcycle theatrical sets and costumes into unique, sustainable accessories. Discover how she turned a maternity project into a thriving business, the stories behind Broadway's most popular shows, and what's coming with the Wicked movie.
Episode 21. Hillbilly Elegy vs. Demon Copperhead: A Tale of Two Appalachias
David and guest Matt Layfield dive into Barbara Kingsolver's powerful novel about resilience and systemic inequality in Appalachia. A must-read for anyone seeking authentic perspectives on complex social issues.
Episode 20. From War-Torn Georgia to Surviving, Thriving, and Designing Across Continents: Marina Saba (Recorded Live)
International award-winning fashion illustrator and designer Marina Saba joins David Peck to discuss her unique journey from Georgia to becoming a globally recognized artist, educator, and creative voice in fashion design and illustration.
Episode 19. Money Makeover: How to Have Fun with Your Finances (Without the Guilt!)
Financial coach Kelsa Dickey challenges the "right way" to manage money. Learn why personal finance isn't just math, how to personalize your financial strategy, and why binary thinking is damaging your relationship with money.
Episode 16. Blake Lively, Colleen Hoover, and the Verity of It All with Superfan Laura Max Rose
David sits down with returning guest Laura Max Rose, a Colleen Hoover super fan and brilliant podcaster, to dive deep into the twisted world of Verity and discuss the drama surrounding the It Ends with Us movie adaptation.
Episode 15. From Refugee to Haute Couture: Natalia Fedner on Dressing BeyoncƩ and Building a Fashion Brand
From refugee to fashion industry iconādiscover how Natalia Fedner built a globally recognized brand by balancing artistic vision with business acumen.
Design a Life You Love
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