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

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

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

Do you live in fast forward? Always rushing, always busy, always distracted?
Do you yearn to slow down? These are just a few of the questions our guest, Carl Honoré, asked himself years ago. This has led him on an epic journey to understand the concept of slowing down and to help others learn to see that we live in a world addicted to speed, and that slowness is a superpower. Carl is an award-winning writer, broadcaster, and TED speaker. His first TEd Talk called the Power of Slow has over 3.2 million views! He is considered THE voice of the global Slow Movement and many refer to him as the Guru of slow. Slow down, pause, and take time to hear Carl’s story - enjoy the show!

S8 Episode 47: Carl Honoré - The Design Of Building a Slower (and Better) Life

Many of us have found these last few years the need to shift, reevaluate, celebrate what is good, and move into spaces that will help us grow and feel life in a new way. This next episode highlights this experience for a musician who is exploring his voice as a singer-songwriter, husband, father, and socially-minded nonprofit leader through music, actions, and having his eyes and heart wide open. Enjoy this episode of exploring the Voice (pun interned) of musician James Tutson.

S8 Episode 48: James Tutson - The Design Of Discovering an Authentic Path and Voice

Social media influence depends on the follower base. How active they are, how likely they are to engage, and more. This presents an interesting challenge for those exploring the lifestyle of how to live a curious life while being more present with less.

Add taking on a hobby and some massive social media success to that mindset and you will be ready to hear the journey and story of Melissa Colemen, aka The Faux Martha. Melissa is a designer, home cook, baker, dishwasher, wife, mother, friend, cozy minimalist, author, simplicity chaser, and believer in ordinary magic. This episode has so many wonderful moments and before we get to some of that magic, we get to explore the reality of technology updates…enjoy the show.

S8 Episode 49: Melissa Coleman aka The Faux Martha - The Design Of Minimizing and Reducing an Ideal

David Wallace Haskins is an American interdisciplinary artist using light, space, time, and sound to create experiential installations, sculptures, and architectural interventions. His works often invite exploration and participation, challenging visitors’ assumptions while highlighting the interrelational dynamic they share with themselves, others, and the world around them.

Haskins develops and contextualizes his work with a team of creative technicians—often partnering with specialists in psychology, ecology, physics, and philosophy. DWH Studio is based in Chicago, Illinois and we are excited to share the story of this incredible artist and visionary!

S8 Episode 50: David Wallace Haskins - The Design Of Light, Space, Time, and Sound

Singer, rapper, and writer Dessa has made a career of bucking genres and defying expectations. Her résumé as a musician includes performances at Lollapalooza and Glastonbury, co-compositions for 100 Voices Choir, performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, and Top 200 entries on the Billboard charts. She contributed to the number-one album The Hamilton Mixtape and the RBG documentary; her track “Congratulations” has notched over 20 million streams.

As a writer, she’s been published by the New York Times and National Geographic Traveler, broadcast by Minnesota Public Radio, and published a memoir-in-essays (My Own Devices, 2018) in addition to two literary collections. As a speaker, Dessa has delivered keynote speeches and presentations on art, science, and entrepreneurship; guest lectures at universities and colleges across the United States; and a TED Talk about her science experiment on how to fall out of love.  She’s also the host of Deeply Human, a podcast created by the BBC and American Public Media. Dessa has been covered by Pitchfork, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and more. The LA Times says she “sounds like no one else.” NPR’s All Songs Considered calls her “a national treasure.” On the stage and on the page, Dessa’s style is defined by ferocity, wit, tenderness, and candor. For more go to: https://www.dessawander.com/

S8 Episode 51: Dessa - The Design Of a Unique Sound, Approach, and Style

Travis Thrasher has known since the third grade that he was meant to tell tales and shape big ideas. His dream of being an author led him to write original works for over a decade — ranging from fiction to nonfiction to children’s books.

Travis’ unique talent has resulted in many unique experiences including collaborative writing for a range of celebrities including musicians such as Blake Shelton and Jonathan Cain from Journey, reality TV show host Ty Pennington, SNL comedian Chris Caton, and White House Chef Andre Rush — just to name a few.

Get ready to listen to the chapters of Travis’ life and be inspired by everything that can happen when you decide to finally write the story that you’ve always dreamed of.

S8 Episode 52: Travis Thrasher - The Design Of Writing, Collaborating, and Authoring Your Dream

This episodes guest writes something that I think may resonate with you: When you’re constantly focused on what you can do for others, how you can show up in the world and “make things happen”, without balancing that effort with rest, support and love you end up exhausted and overwhelmed or worse, you start to lose sight of possibility and your sense of purpose.

Patty Lennon's mission is to ensure that you and every other good person know exactly how to build those receiving muscles so that life feels easier and love expands in your life. Because Patty believes: You are not alone. The Divine loves you. The Universe does have your back. You just need to learn how to receive at the same level you give to experience that love and support.

I’m excited to share Patty’s story and the magic she helps people find - so my friends be open, enjoy, and great ready to receive.

S8 Episode 53: Patty Lennon - The Design Of Creating Space for Receiving Magic in Life and Business

“Music is completely emotion-driven for me. If I don’t feel it, I can’t fake it. That’s why I keep writing, to stay close to that feeling.”

In this deeply reflective episode of The Design Of, Justin Ahrens sits down with musician, composer, and sonic storyteller Ryan O’Neal, best known as Sleeping At Last. With millions of listeners around the world and a body of work that’s as emotionally rich as it is expansive, Ryan shares how he intentionally designs not just music, but meaning.

We explore how Ryan’s creative process is rooted in emotion, curiosity, and the desire to stay connected to what truly moves him. From writing songs inspired by the Enneagram to scoring film and television, Ryan talks about chasing wonder, navigating vulnerability, and using music as a mirror for growth.

While Ryan is a musician, his approach offers powerful insights for anyone in business, branding, or leadership. His creative process models how to:

+ Lead with emotional intelligence, understanding the power of empathy in connection
+ Tell stories that resonate, by tapping into universal emotions and personal truths
+ Build a brand with heart, that earns trust, loyalty, and long-term impact
+  Design experiences that feel human, not just polished

If you're trying to inspire teams, connect with customers, or create more meaningful marketing—this episode will remind you why feeling is often more powerful than strategy alone.

S10 Episode 60: Ryan O'Neil of Sleeping At Last- The Design Of a Brand With Heart

The Design Of isn’t a podcast about graphic design. It’s about the intentional design of how we live, lead, create—and pursue what matters most.

Hosted by brand strategist and storyteller Justin Ahrens, The Design Of explores the moments, decisions, and values that shape how people find purpose, navigate change, and create meaningful impact in their lives and work.

Through powerful, human-centered conversations with startup founders, bestselling authors, artists, teachers, business leaders, everyday innovators, and even Olympic medalists and an Oscar winner—each episode reveals what it really takes to build a life (and legacy) with intention.

Whether you’re leading a business, building a brand, making art, or simply trying to live more intentionally, The Design Of invites you to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.

Brought to you—intentionally and with purpose—by Rule29 and O’Neil Printing.

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S10 Episode 60: Ryan O'Neil of Sleeping At Last- The Design Of a Brand With Heart

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