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Artwork for Design Matters

Design Matters with Debbie Millman

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

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.

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PublishesWeeklyEpisodes642Founded16 years ago
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ArtsDesign

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Artwork for Design Matters

Latest Episodes

In celebration of 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits one of the show’s most endearing traditions—the very first question. For years, she’s opened each conversation with a playful, deeply researched inquiry: something personal, unexpe... more

In honor of 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits memorable conversations with memoirists Elissa Altman, Thomas Page McBee, Ashley C. Ford, Josh Brolin, and Isaac Fitzgerald. This anniversary collection reflects on the candor, resilienc... more

To celebrate 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits highlights from her conversations with groundbreaking artists Bisa Butler, Deborah Kass, Marilyn Minter, Amy Sherald, and Ai Weiwei. This anniversary collection brings together the voic... more

YouTube

Stephen J. Dubner is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and co-creator of Freakonomics—the cultural phenomenon that, over the past 20 years, has grown into a global franchise, changing how millions think, revealing the hidden side of ev... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Amy Sherald
Artist known for her vibrant portraits of African Americans, including the official portrait of Michelle Obama
Episode: 20th Anniversary celebration with legendary artists Bisa Butler, Deborah Kass, Marilyn Minter, Amy Sherald, and Ai Weiwei
Marilyn Minter
Artist known for her provocative and photorealistic imagery
Episode: 20th Anniversary celebration with legendary artists Bisa Butler, Deborah Kass, Marilyn Minter, Amy Sherald, and Ai Weiwei
Deborah Kass
Multimedia artist who combines pop sensibility with politics, feminism, and art history
Episode: 20th Anniversary celebration with legendary artists Bisa Butler, Deborah Kass, Marilyn Minter, Amy Sherald, and Ai Weiwei
Bisa Butler
Fiber artist known for her quilted portraits of African Americans
Episode: 20th Anniversary celebration with legendary artists Bisa Butler, Deborah Kass, Marilyn Minter, Amy Sherald, and Ai Weiwei
Stephen J. Dubner
Award-winning journalist and best-selling author, co-creator of Freakonomics
Freakonomics
Episode: Stephen J. Dubner
Suzanne Vega
A distinguished musician known for her hits such as Luka and Tom's Diner.
Music artist
Episode: Suzanne Vega
Alison Bechdel
Renowned cartoonist known for her graphic memoirs and Dykes to Watch Out For
Self-Published
Episode: 20th Anniversary celebration with graphic novelists Chris Ware, Alison Bechdel, Roz Chast, Seth and Lynda Barry
Chris Ware
Award-winning illustrator and graphic novelist
The New Yorker
Episode: 20th Anniversary celebration with graphic novelists Chris Ware, Alison Bechdel, Roz Chast, Seth and Lynda Barry
Roz Chast
Cartoonist and author, known for her work in The New Yorker and graphic memoirs
The New Yorker
Episode: 20th Anniversary celebration with graphic novelists Chris Ware, Alison Bechdel, Roz Chast, Seth and Lynda Barry

Host

Debbie Millman
Host of Design Matters and renowned designer, author, and educator known for her insightful interviews with leading creative minds.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.3k ratings
  • 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 States3 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 States9 months 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 Kingdoma year ago
  • Love Listening While Creating

    Thanks for infusing my life with such incredibly creative and thought provoking guests. I’ve been listening in my studio for years and always inspires me to keep going.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kathy Designs
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

The show's emphasis on creativity and personal storytelling resonates strongly with its audience, making it a favorite among those in creative professions.
While many comment on the high-quality production and depth of content, some critique the show for not being focused enough on design aspects alone, suggesting a desire for more specific discussions in that regard.
Listeners praise the engaging and insightful nature of the interviews, highlighting the host's skill in facilitating meaningful conversations with diverse guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#4
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#49
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#5
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#14
United Kingdom/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#162
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#162
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Stephen J. Dubner
Q: What do you hope the lasting legacy of Freakonomics will be?
To emphasize the importance of storytelling backed by data in journalism and to remind economists to remember the human side of their work.
Stephen J. Dubner
Q: How has your lifelong fascination with questions about identity and belonging shaped your worldview?
It prompted me to pursue connection and understanding in life, affecting both my career choices and personal relationships.
Suzanne Vega
Q: How did your childhood experiences impact your songwriting?
I learned to define myself from the inside and not cling to cultural identity, which shaped my perspective as an observer.
Suzanne Vega
Q: What did you learn about yourself through your experiences with music and performance?
I've come to believe that I probably am somewhat neurodivergent, which affects my emotional processing and performance.
Betty Buckley
Q: Where does your strength and tenacity come from?
My first thought was meditation, but I also grew up in Texas at a time when Texas women were very bold and brash.

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?

Focusing on the intersections of creativity, design, and personal journeys, this podcast features insightful conversations with notable figures from various fields, ranging from music and graphic novels to journalism and activism. The host engages guests in discussions that explore their creative processes, challenges, and significant life experiences that shape their work, often weaving in broader societal themes such as identity, mental health, and social justice. This mix of heartfelt storytelling and professional insight provides listeners with a unique perspective on the creative lives of their favorite artists and thinkers, making it an enriching experience for anyone interested in the arts or personal development.

Where can I find podcast stats for Design Matters?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Design Matters. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Design Matters and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

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?

To see how many followers or subscribers Design Matters has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Design Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Design Matters:

1. Design Better
2. Creative Pep Talk
3. Creative Confidence Podcast
4. On Being with Krista Tippett
5. Worklife with Adam Grant

How many episodes of Design Matters are there?

Design Matters launched 16 years ago and published 642 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Design Matters from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Design Matters?

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What guests have appeared on Design Matters?

Recent guests on Design Matters include:

1. Amy Sherald
2. Marilyn Minter
3. Deborah Kass
4. Bisa Butler
5. Stephen J. Dubner
6. Suzanne Vega
7. Alison Bechdel
8. Chris Ware

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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