
Design Matters with Debbie Millman
TED Audio Collective
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.
Location:
Tempe, AZ
Networks:
TED Audio Collective
Description:
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.
Twitter:
@debbiemillman
Language:
English
Episodes
20th Anniversary celebration with typographers and lettering artists Marian Bantjes, Oded Ezer, Jessica Hische, Tobias Frere-Jones, Matthew Carter, and Kris Holmes
12/15/2025
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Design Matters, Debbie Millman shares excerpts from interviews with typographers and lettering artists Marian Bantjes, Oded Ezer, Jessica Hische, Tobias Frere-Jones, Matthew Carter, and Kris Holmes, reflecting on legibility and expression, how letters behave, the discipline of refinement, and how type has evolved from hand-crafted processes to the digital tools we use today.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:46:33
20th Anniversary celebration with theatre designers David Korins, Ina Mayhew, David Rockwell, Es Devlin, and Dane Laffrey
12/8/2025
For the 20th anniversary of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits conversations with theatre designers David Korins, Ina Mayhew, David Rockwell, Es Devlin, and Dane Laffrey. From Broadway landmarks to innovative film and live performance design, these excerpts reveal how sets and spaces shape emotion, deepen story, and draw audiences into the moment.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:48:39
20th Anniversary celebration with technology pioneers Bill Moggridge, Jason Kottke, Anil Dash, and Kevin Kelly
12/1/2025
For the 20th anniversary of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits past interviews with technology pioneers Bill Moggridge, Jason Kottke, Anil Dash, and Kevin Kelly. These excerpts reflect on how technology emerged, how it shapes the way we live, and how these early thinkers imagined the future unfolding.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:44:47
Guess the Guest: Surprising First Questions Part Two
11/24/2025
As part of the 20th anniversary of Design Matters, Debbie Millman shares Part Two of her most surprising first questions, the curious openings that sparked honesty, humor, and revelation. These excerpts highlight the unexpected moments that shaped some of the show’s most memorable conversations.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:30:31
20th Anniversary celebration with photographers Catherine Opie, Albert Watson, Pete Souza, Lynn Goldsmith, and Mary Ellen Matthews
11/17/2025
To celebrate 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits standout moments from past conversations with photographers Catherine Opie, Albert Watson, Pete Souza, Lynn Goldsmith, and Mary Ellen Matthews. These excerpts explore how they approach craft, capture truth, and use the camera to tell the stories that define us.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:49:46
20th Anniversary celebration with culinary creatives Julia Turshen, Christina Tosi, Gabrielle Hamilton, Fanny Singer, and Will Guidara
11/10/2025
To mark 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits standout moments with Julia Turshen, Christina Tosi, Gabrielle Hamilton, Fanny Singer, and Will Guidara—voices who reimagined how we cook, write, and welcome. From recipe testing as poetry to tinkering with desserts, from building a neighborhood bistro to building a culture of “unreasonable hospitality,” these excerpts show how design shapes flavor, service, and the shared joy of a good meal.
Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:
TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:52:15
20th Anniversary Celebration with Visionary Illustrators Brian Rea, Maira Kalman, Barry Blitt, Edel Rodriguez, and Christoph Niemann
11/3/2025
To celebrate 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits standout moments from past conversations with illustrators Brian Rea, Maira Kalman, Barry Blitt, Edel Rodriguez, and Christoph Niemann. These excerpts explore how ideas drive style, how collaboration and constraint shape the work, and how a single image can speak fast and stay with you.
Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:
TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:51:34
20th Anniversary celebration with podcast hosts Krista Tippett, Ira Glass, Hrishikesh Hirway, Kara Swisher, and Jad Abumrad.
10/27/2025
To celebrate two decades of Design Matters, Debbie Millman gathers favorite moments from past interviews with podcast hosts Krista Tippett, Ira Glass, Hrishikesh Hirway, Kara Swisher, and Jad Abumrad. These excerpts trace how each host found their voice, shaped a format, and learned to listen, revealing the craft and conviction behind the shows that shaped podcasting.
Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:
TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:51:09
20th Anniversary celebration with iconic musicians Kaki King, David Lee Roth, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Michael Stipe, and the Indigo Girls
10/20/2025
In honor of 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits unforgettable moments from her conversations with iconic musicians Kaki King, David Lee Roth, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Michael Stipe, and the Indigo Girls. Through their stories and songs, this special episode reflects on the meaning of a creative life and the artists who have shaped the sound of our time.
Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:
TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:49:41
Neil deGrasse Tyson at On Air Presents
10/13/2025
Neil deGrasse Tyson—world-renowned astrophysicist, Emmy-nominated host, science communicator, and author—is one of the most influential voices in modern science. In this live conversation, recorded at On Air Presents, he joins Debbie Millman to explore the role of science education and why defending science has never been more vital.
Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:
TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:01:09:58
Surprising First Questions
10/6/2025
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, unexpected, and revealing. In this special anniversary episode, listeners will hear some of Debbie’s favorite first questions and the illuminating answers they inspired.
Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:
TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:35:21
20th Anniversary celebration with memoirists Elissa Altman, Thomas Page McBee, Ashley C. Ford, Josh Brolin, and Isaac Fitzgerald
9/29/2025
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, resilience, and storytelling power of five voices who have turned personal experience into unforgettable art.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:54:08
20th Anniversary celebration with legendary artists Bisa Butler, Deborah Kass, Marilyn Minter, Amy Sherald, and Ai Weiwei
9/22/2025
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 voices of five visionaries whose work challenges conventions, sparks dialogue, and redefines the role of art in our culture.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:46:24
Stephen J. Dubner
9/15/2025
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 everything, and challenging us to question what we know.
For a chance to give your own TED Talk, fill out the Idea Search Application: ted.com/ideasearch.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:01:25:02
Suzanne Vega
9/8/2025
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega reflects on her pioneering career, the artistry behind her storytelling, and the lasting cultural impact of songs like “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner.” She joins to discuss her new album, “Flying with Angels,” which poignantly captures the struggles and resilience of our time.
For a chance to give your own TED Talk, fill out the Idea Search Application: ted.com/ideasearch.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:01:01:20
20th Anniversary celebration with non-fiction writers Lisa Taddeo, Malcolm Gladwell, Anne Lamott, Maria Konnikova, and Alain de Botton
9/2/2025
To mark 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits some of her most memorable conversations with acclaimed non-fiction writers Lisa Taddeo, Malcolm Gladwell, Anne Lamott, Maria Konnikova, and Alain de Botton. This anniversary collection captures the insight, candor, and wisdom of five extraordinary thinkers whose work continues to shape how we see ourselves and the world around us.
For a chance to give your own TED Talk, fill out the Idea Search Application: ted.com/ideasearch.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:49:37
20th Anniversary celebration with graphic novelists Chris Ware, Alison Bechdel, Roz Chast, Seth and Lynda Barry
8/25/2025
In honor of 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits standout moments from her conversations with some of the most celebrated voices in graphic storytelling—Chris Ware, Alison Bechdel, Roz Chast, Seth, and Lynda Barry. This special retrospective highlights the artistry, humor, and humanity of five groundbreaking creators whose work has transformed the world of comics and beyond.
For a chance to give your own TED Talk, fill out the Idea Search Application: ted.com/ideasearch.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:40:16
20th Anniversary celebration with design legends Massimo Vignelli, Michael Bierut, Paula Scher, Chip Kidd and Louise Fili
8/18/2025
To celebrate 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits some of her most memorable conversations with design legends Massimo Vignelli, Michael Bierut, Paula Scher, Chip Kidd, and Louise Fili—icons whose voices and vision have shaped the field.
For a chance to give your own TED Talk, fill out the Idea Search Application: ted.com/ideasearch.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:00:40:09
Betty Buckley
8/11/2025
Betty Buckley—Tony-winning Broadway legend, Olivier nominee, and beloved “Voice of Broadway”—has spent nearly six decades in theater, film, television, and music. Best known for Cats and Sunset Boulevard, she is an American Theater Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the American Songbook Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. She joins to discuss her remarkable career, enduring artistry, and the stories behind her most memorable roles.
For a chance to give your own TED Talk, fill out the Idea Search Application: ted.com/ideasearch.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:01:14:21
Tim Ferriss
8/4/2025
Tim Ferriss is a five-time New York Times bestselling author, a legendary podcaster with over a billion downloads, a prolific angel investor, and a relentless experimenter. During his fourth visit to Design Matters, he shares the story behind Coyote, a new card game he’s quietly been crafting—and the mindset that brought it to life.
For a chance to give your own TED Talk, fill out the Idea Search Application: ted.com/ideasearch.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Duración:01:24:38