Podcast
Once Upon a Project
Hosted by SANDOW Design Group and SURROUND · EN
As interior designers, we’re accustomed to celebrating the end of a project. But what about the people and process behind those designs? Once Upon a Project delves into the stories of creating the spaces that we inhabit with the designers who dreamed them up. Join AJ Paron, EVP and Design Futurist of SANDOW Design Group, in unraveling what it takes to bring interior design projects to fruition—from the designer’s inspiration to the setbacks, surprises, and serendipitous events along the way.
Once Upon a Project is part of the SURROUND Podcast Network by SANDOW Design Group—the home of design brands you know and love like Interior Design magazine, Metropolis magazine, Luxe Interiors + Design, Thinklab and more.
See our show notes, and discover more design podcasts at surroundpodcasts.com
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Building Hope in Motion
Nov 2600:32:45Tap to summarizeWhen a space is designed to heal both body and spirit, it becomes more than a building, it becomes a catalyst for change. In the season four finale, AJ welcomes Lily Diego and Michael Schur to share the story behind the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson's Wellness in Detroit. Together, they explore how thoughtful environments can empower individuals, support families, and inspire hope through every detail. What began as a mission to improve lives has evolved into a model for community connection.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract .See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Biohacking Healthier Workplaces
Nov 1200:34:32Tap to summarizeWhen a loved one’s health challenge sparks a professional mission, design takes on new meaning. In this episode, AJ welcomes Erin McDannald, CEO of Elevated, to explore how biohacking principles are reshaping the modern workplace. From clean air and thermal comfort to the subtle influence of lighting and CO₂ levels, Erin shares how her personal journey inspired a new way of thinking about wellness at work. Together, they uncover how genetics, research, and interior design can converge to create healthier, more effective environments where people and ideas can thrive.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract .See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Design Blueprint for Healthy Living in Asia
Oct 2900:34:02Tap to summarizeIs it possible to design cities that actively promote human wellness? Yes, and to find out how, host AJ Paron speaks with Stefano Tronci, Asia Pacific sustainability leader at SOM, about strategies for embedding health and sustainability into the built environment. From biophilic design and air quality to holistic spatial planning, Stefano shares how his team collaborates with developers, engineers, and city officials to create spaces that reduce stress, support wellbeing, and shape the future of thriving communities.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Design Groundwork for Healing Spaces
Oct 1500:36:36Tap to summarizeHow can design fuel healing and transform lives before a single brick is laid? Host AJ Paron explores a groundbreaking wellbeing initiative aimed at curing congestive heart failure. This unique collaboration brings together a design firm, a healthcare system, and an organization devoted to happiness. Joined by Nancy O’Brien of Experience Happiness and Deanna Hokanson, who worked with Hennepin Healthcare, AJ gets to the bottom of a revolutionary use of experience-based co-design. Together, they reveal how authentic happiness, deep listening, and community-building can shape environments that empower both patients and healthcare professionals.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Building a Non-Toxic Hospital
Oct 100:42:31Tap to summarizeWhat if hospitals could heal without exposing patients to harmful toxins? In this episode of Once Upon a Project, host AJ Paron sits down with sustainability provocateur (and stand-up comic) Eric Corey Freed of CannonDesign to explore radical new approaches to the built environment. From designing a toxin-free hospital to leveraging neuro-architecture and assumptions mapping, Eric shares how questioning defaults can unlock healthier, more sustainable design solutions.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Unlocking Creative Wellness: The Ongoing Project
Sep 1700:39:13Tap to summarizeHow can designers protect their creativity while thriving in a fast-paced, high-pressure industry? Recorded live at NeoCon 2025, host AJ Paron sits down with a panel of experts from Shaw Contract to explore the vital topic of creative wellness in design. Together, Shannon Crider Langley, Kaley Decker, and Ashley Olson share practical tools and strategies for preventing burnout, sustaining passion, and finding balance between work and well-being. Tune in for candid insights and actionable takeaways that will help you nurture both your creativity and your career.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.This episode was recorded live in the NeoCon Podcast Lounge Powered by SURROUND. Thank you to our Lounge sponsor, Material Bank, and product partners: HÅG, Stylex, KI Wall, and Turf.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Building Glass Houses on a Mountainside
Sep 300:33:34Tap to summarizeTake a journey to the mountains with architect Michael Upwall and builder Gary Hill. Together, they explore their collaborative process in designing the stunning Pinnacle Sky home in Park City Utah. From their first project to the intricacies of constructing modern homes in harsh mountain environments, Michael and Gary share stories, challenges, and their unique bond. Passion, and effective communication are important in long-term collaborations, which Michael and Gary bring to every project.This episode is brought to you by Marvin, a must-watch for anyone interested in architectural design and construction. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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How to Get Students in the Classroom Through Design
Jun 2500:42:33Tap to summarizeRecorded live at the NeoCon Podcast Lounge, AJ is joined by Bryan Ballegeer, Vice President of Education for KI, and Jason Lazarz, KI's A&D Market Lead. Together the group explores the transformative power of well-designed educational environments. Learn about KI's inspiring Classroom Furniture Giveaway program, which empowers teachers and students to create dream classrooms tailored to diverse learning needs. Discover how inclusive design can improve student engagement and outcomes, and why the future of educational design lies in addressing the sensory and neuroaesthetic needs of all learners.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by KI.This episode was recorded live in the NeoCon Podcast Lounge Powered by SURROUND, sponsored by Material Bank, and in partnership with HÅG, Stylex, KI Wall, and Turf.Once Upon A Project is produced by Rob Schulte and Rachel Senatore at SANDOW DESIGN GROUP and is a member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Power of Multisensory Design
Jun 1300:39:52Tap to summarizeSensory design expert Russell Jones sits with AJ to explore the fascinating world of multisensory design in the built environment. Learn how Russell and his team transformed the iconic John Lewis & Partners department store into a testbed for sensory innovation, balancing the needs of neurodiverse visitors, enhancing brand experience, and creating environments that are both immersive and inclusive.Russell's eBook: Designing For Humans: How cross-modal neuroscience can transform the built environment.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by KI.Once Upon A Project is produced by Rob Schulte and Rachel Senatore at SANDOW DESIGN GROUP and is a member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Unveiling the Intersection of Design and Neuroscience
May 2800:41:49Tap to summarizeExplore the powerful connection between design and neuroscience with Suchi Reddy an NYC based architect, designer, and artist. Discover how design can influence our emotions, well-being, and human connection through compelling stories and innovative projects. Suchi shares her journey from architectural practice to art installations at Salone del Mobile and discusses the groundbreaking work in neurasthenics. This thought-provoking conversation uncovers how spaces can evoke physiological and psychological responses to enhance human potential.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by KI.Once Upon A Project is produced by Rob Schulte and Rachel Senatore at SANDOW DESIGN GROUP and is a member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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