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Design Matters with Debbie Millman

Design Matters Media
Rosanne Cash
The Wheel
Music Industry
Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame
Design
John Leventhal
Grammy Awards
Human Progress
Creative Growth
Black Lives Matter
Creativity
Habits
Lucy Wainwright Roche
Dirtbag, Massachusetts
Space Oddity
Stories We Tell
Coda
New York City
Social Media
Comedy

Design Matters with Debbie Millman is one of the world’s very first podcasts. Broadcasting independently for over 15 years, the show is about how incredibly creative people design the arc of their lives.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes665Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DesignArts

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Artwork for Design Matters

Latest Episodes

Lidia Yuknavitch is the bestselling author of The Chronology of Water, Reading the Waves, and The Big M, and a writer whose work blurs genre to explore themes of memory, embodiment, grief, and transformation. She joins to discuss her childhood, her e... more

YouTube

Jack Schlossberg—writer, lawyer, political correspondent, and the only grandson of President John F. Kennedy—joins live at the On Air Fest to discuss political legacy, internet culture, and the future of Democratic leadership. With humor and candor, ... more

YouTube

Kim Hastreiter—co-founder and longtime editor of Paper magazine—joins to reflect on a life at the center of downtown New York’s art, fashion, and nightlife, from scrappy newsprint beginnings to the cover that “broke the internet.” She also discusses ... more

YouTube

C. Thi Nguyen—philosopher, professor, and author of Games: Agency as Art—joins to discuss his new book, The Score: How to Stop Playing Somebody Else’s Game, and how metrics, from grades to likes, quietly reshape what we value and who we become. Toget... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jack Schlossberg
Young candidate for Congress and public figure from a prominent political family
Candidate for New York's 10th/12th district (context within episode)
Episode: Jack Schlossberg
Kim Hastreiter
Co-founder and long-time editor of Paper Magazine
Paper Magazine
Episode: Kim Hastreiter
C. Thi Nguyen
Philosopher and author focusing on the implications of gaming and metrics on personal values.
University of Utah
Episode: C. Thi Nguyen
Quiara Alegria Hudes
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, known for 'In the Heights' and author of the memoir 'My Broken Language'
Episode: Quiara Alegría Hudes
Chris Duffy
Comedian, teacher, and host of the podcast How to Be a Better Human
How to Be a Better Human Podcast
Episode: Chris Duffy
Ruth Ann Harnisch
Investor, philanthropist, social activist, and media producer
Episode: Ruth Ann Harnisch
Rick Rubin
Renowned record producer with multiple Grammy wins, known for his diverse music influence.
Episode: 20th Anniversary celebration with the most memorable guests: Jason Reynolds, Marina Abramović, Chris Ware, Richard Saul Wurman, Rick Rubin, and Roxane Gay
Jason Reynolds
Author and MacArthur Fellow, known for his impactful storytelling in literature.
Episode: 20th Anniversary celebration with the most memorable guests: Jason Reynolds, Marina Abramović, Chris Ware, Richard Saul Wurman, Rick Rubin, and Roxane Gay
Marina Abramović
Legendary performance artist known for her innovative and often controversial works.
Episode: 20th Anniversary celebration with the most memorable guests: Jason Reynolds, Marina Abramović, Chris Ware, Richard Saul Wurman, Rick Rubin, and Roxane Gay

Host

Debbie Millman
Host of a long-running design and creativity interview series, known for deep research, thoughtful questions, and a warm interviewing style.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.3k ratings
  • Not engaging

    Initially was excited to follow this show. But after several tries, had to abandon the effort. Guests seemed intriguing, but missed opportunities by the host to be engaging. It felt like listening to paint dry.

    Unfollowed.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    SheSheOak
    United States3 months ago
  • Listen while I ride

    I’m a long-time listener and absolutely love your show. My husband and I take long motorcycle rides, and getting to binge your podcast along the way is such a treat. I always learn something new—it’s informative, engaging, and full of fresh perspectives. Thank you for all the time and effort you and your team put into making it so consistently great. I’m truly grateful for what you do.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Uslover2001
    United States8 months ago
  • The best podcast out there!

    This is the single podcast I consistently listen to. Debbie does such a great job of researching and asking great and sometime hard questions. She talks to perfect amount. I’d listen to anyone if Debbie was leading the way.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Suzeet
    United Statesa year ago
  • A treasure

    The Design Matters podcast is an absolute treasure for anyone who loves creativity and storytelling! Debbie Millman’s conversations with artists, designers, and thinkers are so insightful and beautifully crafted. Every episode feels like an intimate look into the minds of some of the most inspiring and innovative people, covering not only their creative journeys but also the philosophies and personal stories that drive their work. Debbie’s interviewing style is warm, thoughtful, and truly brings... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    savvy_entrepreneur
    United Statesa year ago
  • Quality content

    Debbie & Roseanne are beyond compare. Quality & care shine from these episodes. I have learnt so much, from people I would never have crossed paths with. I’m so grateful. I hope this podcast stays for a long time to come. Nothing compares to what Debbie does 💖

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lostincolour
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A highly respected interviewer known for thoughtful, well-researched conversations that surface deep insights from diverse guests.
Listeners appreciate the breadth of guests and the depth of storytelling, though some episodes may feel slower or more introspective depending on the guest.
Feedback often highlights high production quality and the host's ability to let guests shine while guiding with strong questions.
The show is a treasure for creatives, offering inspiration and practical takeaways across disciplines.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#5
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#113
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#5
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#12
United Kingdom/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#107
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#154
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jack Schlossberg
Q: What would be the first thing you would do if elected?
He would prioritize winning back the House and then use that position to subpoena and investigate misconduct, ensuring accountability and transparency for the public.
Jack Schlossberg
Q: What fueled your evolution in thinking and how do you think differently now?
He explains that his Harvard and environmental-law training exposed him to nuanced trade-offs and the idea that progress requires both regulation and strategy, leading to a more pragmatic, policy-focused approach.
Chris Duffy
Q: Why a book and why now?
He wanted to address misconceptions about humor, emphasizing its importance in fostering connections and reducing the societal pressure for perfection.
Chris Duffy
Q: How did that opportunity come to be?
Chris discusses how he landed the role as host for TED's podcast, highlighting his unique blend of comedy and earnest conversation.
Quiara Alegría Hudes
Q: How did you like doing some film and TV writing for a year?
For me, it's not so much about like what medium I'm working in, but like what the story is and if my connection to the story is there, I'm there.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Design Matters

What is Design Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A long-running, design- and creativity-focused interview series featuring a diverse roster of designers, artists, writers, filmmakers, and thinkers. Episodes center on creative process, personal journeys, and the broader social and cultural implications of design, storytelling, and art. Guests range from legendary typographers and photographers to acclaimed directors and writers, often weaving in lessons about resilience, collaboration, and the power of interdisciplinary thinking. The show is noted for deeply researched questions, thoughtful pacing, and a warm, exploratory interviewing style that surfaces both craft technique and human-centered insights. It's particularly noteworthy for its peerless access to high-profile guests and its abi... more

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How many listeners does Design Matters get?

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What are the audience demographics for Design Matters?

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How many subscribers and views does Design Matters have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Design Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Design Matters:

1. Design Better
2. On Being with Krista Tippett
3. Fresh Air
4. Hidden Brain
5. Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso

How many episodes of Design Matters are there?

Design Matters launched 17 years ago and published 665 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Design Matters?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Design Matters?

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What guests have appeared on Design Matters?

Recent guests on Design Matters include:

1. Jack Schlossberg
2. Kim Hastreiter
3. C. Thi Nguyen
4. Quiara Alegria Hudes
5. Chris Duffy
6. Ruth Ann Harnisch
7. Rick Rubin
8. Jason Reynolds

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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