While we know the world of design is constantly evolving, it’s hard for interior designers to take time away from already-overscheduled workdays to study up on the best ways to build, maintain, and further their businesses.

But thanks to the recent explosion of podcasts that are actually designed for the unique business of interior design, it’s never been easy to connect to a community of design pros willing to share their tips about how to succeed — no matter where you are in your career. (And the beauty of a podcast is that you can listen while you’re invoicing, pulling samples, or are in the car between appointments.)

Whether you could use some help jumpstarting your design career, finding efficiencies in day-to-day operations, drumming up new business, creating more seamless relationships with clients and partners, or you could simply use a daily dose of inspiration from industry icons, these are the best podcasts that can help take your design business to the next level.

The Interior Design Business

This monthly pod out of the U.K. offers practical solutions to both the short- and long-term challenges interior design pros face. From tips on attracting the right clients, cutting through greenwashing, and building good relationships with suppliers, the firsthand advice from insightful members of the design community is approachable and entertaining. (And bonus: all the tips are delivered in charming British accents!)

Profit is a Choice

“What you own, you can change.” That’s the motto of Michele Williams, a strategic profitability coach for the interior design industry. And if you’re one of the many design pros whose valuable experience and hard work aren’t aligning with your revenue, her collection of helpful podcasts is a tremendous resource. Whether you’re just looking to streamline your daily workflows or are in need of a total overhaul, her chats with a wide range of guests (covering marketing strategies, financial wellness, business systems, and how to be the best leader you can be) can help you take better control of your business.

Business of Home

Hosted by design insider Dennis Scully — who has held sales and marketing roles at the original Domino magazine and brands like Waterworks — the Business of Home is the podcast from the home industry's top independent news organization of the same name, which was founded by shelter magazine alum Julia Noran Johnston in 2009.

Each week features a different A-lister from the world of design sharing their best tips for building, branding, maintaining, and evolving a design business. We’re talking icons like Bunny Williams and Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the dynamic design duo behind Nickey Kehoe, Elle Decor’s Editor-in-Chief, and CEOs of global brands like LVMH.

Design Curious

If you’re new to the world of interior design or are considering switching to the profession, consider Rebecca Ward your mentor/interiors fairy godmother. Whether she’s interviewing another member of the design community or flying solo, the designer and consultant tackles issues that every designer faces when starting out, from getting your career off the ground to building a portfolio, efficient project management to finding top-tier tradespeople.

A Well-Designed Business

With 35 years of experience in the design space, LuAnn Nigara knows that it takes more than just raw talent to have a thriving career as an interior designer (and that even the best schools don’t teach everything you need to know about running a successful business).

She helps design pros fill in those gaps in knowledge with a massive library of podcasts ranging from best business practices (managing cash flow) to marketing (social media strategy; creating media opportunities). But she also delves into trickier issues that most podcasts don’t, like work-life balance and wellness (building a business while building a life; an honest conversation about mental health in the interior design industry).

The Chairish Podcast

Do showhouses actually benefit a designer’s career? Should you take your clients shopping? What’s the best way to deal with project delays and disruptions? And how can designers stay creative while avoiding burnout?

Chairish’s Michael Boodro launched this podcast for the design community during the dark days of 2020, and has been asking and answering the tough questions ever since — with a little help from friends like Mary McDonald, Christopher Spitzmiller, and Jonathan Adler.

The Interior Design Business CEO

Interior designer and certified life and business coach, Desi Creswell, wants to help fellow designers who are feeling stressed and overwhelmed by their work by sharing empowering tips and tools. Her main focus: building a profitable design business, making more money while working fewer hours, and achieving a sustainable work-life balance. Count us in!

Hot Young Designers Club

The tongue-in-cheek title of this podcast tells you everything you need to know about co-hosts Rebecca Plumb and Shaun Crha (“They're not that hot, or that young,” the self-deprecating designers say of themselves). The duo’s fun and fresh approach infuses humor into even the most mundane design business tasks: in the “Squad Goals” episode, they share how to build and keep a roster of top-notch tradespeople. In “How We Stopped Getting Shopped,” they advise how to prevent clients from going rogue shopping for themselves…and how to handle it when they do it anyway.

Resilient by Design

Maybe you’re suffering from imposter syndrome — feeling intimidated by designers with more experience. Perhaps you’re juggling your new design career with another job that’s actually paying the bills. Or, you know interior design is your calling…but you aren’t as confident when it comes to the business side of things. Whatever roadblocks you might be facing in your design career, Rebecca Hay has been there, and she knows how to help.

A podcast can be just the right kick in the butt you need when you’re feeling unmotivated,” she says. “Quite often we know all the things we need to do for our business but hit walls when it comes to execution. This podcast gives you the motivation and the tools to move the needle, even just a little bit, every day.

Dialogues on Design

While it’s technically not a podcast, you can listen to (or watch) this interview series from the New York School of Interior Design via YouTube. Design superstars like Nate Berkus and Nina Campbell chat about their inspirations and influences, as well as practical advice on topics like tackling challenging projects and navigating unrealistic client budgets.

While these conversations with industry vets will engage designers of any age and level, the audience Q&A at the end of each interview will be especially helpful for industry newbies since NYSID students get a chance to ask them questions about breaking into the biz.