Rachel Marie-Crane Williams believes that story is a pathway into empathy. It is a causeway of understanding and connection to other people. This belief is just one of the amazing perspectives of Rachel’s who is a professor at the University of Iowa in both Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies and the School of Art and Art History. If that wasn’t interesting enough she is also an artist, author, comic nerd, and graphic novelist. As a product of the public education system and a seasoned teacher in prisons and juvenile facilities, she believes in the potential of all people to benefit from transformative experiences and access to education. Get ready to hear some of Rachel’s exploration of story on this episode of Design Of. Rachel's site: http://rachelwilliams.squarespace.com/ Rachel's books: https://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Marie-Crane-Williams/e/B08SW47NGH%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share 8qlVbUuxJ3ESztcOjGN9

Design Of Podcast

S7 Episode 46: Rachel Marie-Crane Williams - The Design Of Broadening Imagination and Openness

Many of us dream of creating a new path, a new career, or just some new life options, but more often than not they stay just that- dreams. David Jon Walker is a graphic designer of color, educator, and community advocate from Tennessee that is just now beginning a new chapter all thanks to chasing his dreams. Through his lettering and design works, he strives to express perspective and question messages that are culturally popular with added context to appeal to a wider range of audiences. He is a past president of the AIGA Nashville Chapter and a current Design for Democracy Committee Member. As a design educator at Austin Peay State University, he shares the importance of design social and civic involvement with his students through projects and partnerships. Don’t miss his full story on this next episode. David's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidjonwalker/ David's Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhealistic/

S7 Episode 45: David Jon Walker - The Design of Lettering a New Career

We all have the potential to step up and help those around us. The question is: will you do that when the situation presents itself? If we take an honest look back we will see and remember the people who extended a helping hand. This episode highlights the incredible story of Ed Hess, one of the preeminent authority figures on organizational and human high performance. A Professor Emeritus at the Daren School of business, Ed has much to share about learning, technology, culture, and kindness. Hear how those who have helped him get to where he is freed his mind and opened his eyes to new opportunities and the importance of helping those around you be the best version of themselves. What started as a humble beginning was changed forever by the kindness of the most unexpected people in his community. Get ready to hear Ed’s story.

S7 Episode 44: Ed Hess - The Design Of Kindness and High Performance

Scott and Madison Toal are the father-daughter duo behind eMite, a non-profit dedicated to connecting donors with impactful charity around the world. Serving people throughout the globe has a family lineage and means a great deal to these leaders aiming to bring all ages and at any donation amount into the celebration of giving. Described as a “matchmaker for donors and charities”, eMite’s mission is to join givers and charities in first class, trustworthy humanitarian outreach. In our fast-paced world the wonderful benefits that generosity provides can often be lost. eMite strives to reveal those benefits and build a community of givers who are making an impact on the world.

S7 Episode 43: Scott & Madison from eMite - The Design Of a Matchmaker for Donors and Charities

Stefan Mumaw is a man of many talents. A tall, former college basketball player, jokester, creative, best-selling author, idea generator, LinkedIn instructor, cinephile (watches 120 movies a year), and storyteller. He has led a career working with companies like Coke, Hurley, Chevrolet, and Hallmark. His ability to help organizations learn how to generate ideas, be more creative, use stories, and all while having fun doing it is a true gift. In this episode, you get to hear his story from awkward tall kid to master storyteller and all the steps in between.

S7 Episode 42: Stefan Mumaw - The Design Of a Storyteller, Speaker, and Idea Shaman

Ashley Easter grew up and lived in a cult for 22 years. Thankfully, she was able to break free and decided to take control of her life. Join Justin Ahrens and guest co-host Katie McConville in this episode as they discuss Ashely’s experience and world-shift as she began her healing journey while also founding and creating an amazing organization Courage 365 which seeks to transform the lives of other abuse survivors through a community of understanding, inspiration, and empowerment. They cover topics of oppression, abuse, patriarchy, feminism, and more. PSA: If this episode spoke to you or if you or someone you know needs help right now go to: www.courage365.org/need-help for a variety of resources from abuse, suicide prevention, legal and counseling services.

S7 Episode 41: Ashley Easter - The Design Of a Survivor and Abuse Advocate

Sam Harrison has been on all sides of business storytelling and working in creative communications, marketing, and branding – the agency and freelance side, the client and corporate side, and, most recently, the academic and coaching side. This includes years of crafting his skills to be a sought-after and engaging speaker. In this episode, we dig into that speaking process, preparation, and the reality that great speaking and presentations are a performance. Sam speaks, trains, writes, and coaches on creativity-related topics and on presentation skills. He is an in-demand professional speaker and member of the National Speakers Association, presenting highly rated keynotes and workshops at conventions, retreats, and in-house sessions throughout North America and beyond. He is the author of three best-selling books: ZING! Five steps and 101 tips for creativity on command, IdeaSpotting: How and where to find your next great idea, and IdeaSelling: Successfully pitch your creative ideas to bosses, clients, and other decision-makers. Sam is a frequent contributor to Fast Company, HOW Design, The Communicator, and other business and lifestyle publications

S7 Episode 40: Sam Harrison - The Design Of Speaking as a Performance

The New York Times once wrote about David Baker, “What’s so compelling about Mr. Baker is that he’s an expert on being an expert”. This week’s guest, David Baker, is a well-known author of five books (so far), an international speaker, co-host of his podcast 2 Bobs, and advisor to over 900 firms. Enjoy this conversation about David’s start living among a remote Mayan community to becoming a leading authority on positioning, reinventing, and selling for firms in the creative and digital space.

S6 Episode 39: David C. Baker - Advisor, Expert, Author

You will hear people often debate what makes a legend, or the G.O.A.T. of a sport. Is it the record? Championships? Or is it how you respond to what life throws at you and how you turn that into the fuel to propel you? All of those incredible questions are a part of the life of the legendary wrestler and coach Dan Gable. As a wrestler, Dan compiled an unbelievable record of 181-1. He was undefeated in 64 prep matches and was 117-1 at Iowa State University. His only defeat came in the NCAA finals his senior year. Gable won a Gold Medal at the famed 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, without surrendering a single point. The Soviets came to the Olympics with only one goal in mind: to defeat Gable. They were unsuccessful. In Gable’s final 21 Olympic qualification and Olympic matches, he scored 12 falls and outscored his nine other opponents, 130-1. During his six matches at the Munich Olympics, he went unscored upon. As the University of Iowa’s all-time winningest coach from 1976 to 1997, Gable won 15 NCAA National Wrestling Team Titles while compiling a career record of 355-21-5. He coached 152 All-Americans, 45 National Champions, 106 Big Ten Champions, and 12 Olympians, including four gold, one silver, and three bronze medalists. The Hawkeyes won 25 consecutive Big Ten championships, 21 under Gable as head coach and four while he was an assistant coach and administrator. He had a winning percentage of .932 and captured nine consecutive (1978–86) NCAA Championships. At the time, that equaled the longest streak of national titles won by any school in any sport and is one that is also held by Yale golf (1905–13) and Southern Cal track (1935–43). All of these statistics are not the most interesting thing about Dan, in my opinion. It’s truly the moments of loss and failure that propelled him to drive for and achieve the excellence the world uses to assess a career. Enjoy this episode with a truly great athlete, coach, and man.

S6 Episode 38: Dan Gable - Coach, Legend, Olympian

In an open letter to the public, Vernon Lockhart wrote the following: AS A BLACK MAN who grew up in one of the toughest areas of St. Louis, I didn’t think I would live to see 21. The neighborhood I grew up in wasn’t much different than the one many Black youths who live in impoverished urban neighborhoods in the U.S. are navigating. Even with everything I saw happening around me, I was still able to tap into the creativity within me. I have my Baby Girl “Mama” to thank for that. As a talented design hopeful herself, she encouraged me to explore my talent. She always told me, “Baby, you can be and do anything you want.” And I believed her. That belief is probably what saved my life. Fast forward to 2020. In a design career that has spanned decades, I consider myself fortunate. THIS LIFE LESSON TAUGHT ME THAT WE ALL HAVE THE HUMAN RIGHT TO BE CREATIVE! MORE THAN EVER WE NEED TO CREATE RESOURCES AND SPACES TO NURTURE OUR YOUTH! I challenge you—in your own community—to see how you can invest in ALL youth who may just need someone to show them that there is a way out. That their dreams do matter. This episode we talk about what Vernon's family and community did to help him get to where he is at, and what we can all do to live out our unique hero to make a difference.

S6 Episode 37: Vernon Lockhart - Creative Therapist, Mentor, Ultraman

Some may think being a lineman in the NFL is a relatively simple position, one that doesn’t require much brain power. The reality is that offensive linemen are among the smartest players on the field. The various plays, blocking schemes, and last-second changes that need to be made makes their capacity to know almost everything that goes on the field critical to their success. Rudy Niswanger is an unassuming giant of a man who is both sharp in his wit and his perspective. He has won at every level on the football field and is now winning at life by running several companies and raising his amazing and growing family. Meet Rudy, a simple kid from Louisiana, who knows how to make the most of what life has to offer.

S6 Episode 36: Rudy Niswanger - NFL Lineman to CEO - Humble, Leader, Athlete

Christian Vande Velde is a former professional cyclist who now serves as a cycling analyst for NBC Sports. Christian is joining DesignOf for his second episode where we talk about life, the current state of cycling during a pandemic, and the hopeful return of the Tour De France. We hope you enjoy this conversation with a two-time Olympian turned pro cycling analyst.

S6 Episode 35: Christian Vande Velde - Professional Cyclist and Analyst - Cyclist, Olympian, Fan

Kathy Eldon's life has been and continues to be, one of reinvention and transformation. Hear the story of a woman that has lived a life of adventure and it's fair share of tragedy, but through it all, her commitment to making the world a better place has stayed in focus. In this episode, we talk about her midwest roots, her son Dan Eldon, and how she and her daughter Amy have created a world-changing organization, Creative Visions. Together, their organization has incubated 400 projects and productions on 5 continents impacting more that 100 million people. Kathy is also an accomplished author of 17 books, including, "In the Heart of Life," a memoir of her life journey to date. Kathy also continues to speak, write, and play an active role in Creative Visions located in the Dan Eldon Center for Creative Activism in Malibu.

S6 Episode 34: Kathy Eldon - Founder of Creative Visions - Creative Activist, Filmmaker, Purposeful

“The time is now for uncomfortable conversations”- Nichole Carter In this episode of Design Of, meet Nichole Carter. A woman of many roles. Mother, wife, fighter, advocate, leader, and academic. Together, we have an open and honest conversation about race, #BlackLivesMatter, privilege, and what America feels like for people of color. Nichole is the Senior Program Director at Bright Star Community Outreach where they work to empower residents of Bronzeville and the greater Chicago area to share in the responsibility to build community through resource development and collaborative partnerships. Nichole is committed to making the streets of Chicago a safer place and lives by the mantra of, “Changing the world, one family at a time.”

S6 Episode 33: Nichole Carter - Senior Program Director of BSCO - Family Advocate, Change Maker

Humans are designed to understand and process information through storytelling whether we are sharing our experiences or building a community. Dr. JJ Peterson has spent his lifetime exploring how to define stories and their impact. This episode shares that adventure. JJ is the Chief of Teaching and Facilitation at Storybrand(https://storybrand.com), a marketing company started by the New York Times best-selling author Donald Miller. Storybrand teaches companies how to clarify their message and connect with their customers through a proven methodology. Get ready to learn about JJ’s new book(Marketing Made Simple - https://amzn.to/2A8NjyR), his acting career in Hollywood, his teaching experience, and his impact on helping run one of the fastest-growing marketing companies in the industry. He also has a giggle that will brighten your day. Enjoy!

S6 Episode 32: Dr. JJ Peterson - Chief of Teaching at Storybrand - Storyteller, Author, Giggler

Design Of is a storytelling exploration (aka, a podcast) featuring interviews with known and unknown extraordinary people doing extraordinary things. Each episode will explore how creativity, process, and wonder is woven into culture-shifting ideas and achievements across a range of disciplines. Along the way, conversations will delve into initial inspiration, the pain of disappointment and difficulty, and what it feels like to walk away from a completed endeavor. Join host Justin Ahrens and the rest of the creatives from Rule29, a strategic creative firm in Geneva, Illinois, for new ideas and great stories.

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Design Of Podcast

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