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The McClain Method
Welcome to The McClain Method—the podcast for interior designers who are done playing small and ready to be seen.
I’m your host, John McClain—designer, business mentor, author, and your go-to branding bestie.
This isn’t about toss pillows or paint swatches. Around here, we dive deep into the business of design—mindset, marketing, visibility, systems, and everything in between.
So if you’re ready to build a bold, profitable, and well-run business that truly reflects your brilliance...
You’re in the right place. It’s time to let it shine.
Episodes
86 episodes
86: Three Reasons Designers Stay Stuck (And How to Break Through Before 2026)
Three Reasons Designers Stay Stuck (And How to Break Through Before 2026)If you’ve been feeling stuck in your design business — stuck at the same income level, stuck recreating your processes every time a new client reaches out, s...
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Season 3
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Episode 86
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16:54
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85: The Hidden Reason Your Clients Don’t Feel Fully Taken Care Of
The Hidden Reason Your Clients Don’t Feel Fully Taken Care OfEven the most talented designers can unintentionally miss the small-but-critical details that shape how clients feel throughout (and especially at the end of) a...
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Season 2
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Episode 85
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11:52
84: Before You Scale: Why I Chose Alignment Over Expansion
What if the version of success you’ve been chasing… isn’t actually yours? In this episode, John McClain gets personal about what happened when his business grew beyond what his soul was ready for — and why he made the decision to choos...
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Season 3
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Episode 84
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19:35
83: 5 Proven Strategies to Build a Successful Interior Design Brand with Alena Capra
In this episode of The McClain Method Podcast, I’m joined by nationally recognized designer, TV personality, and NKBA Person of the Year Alena Capra — a powerhouse in the world of interior design and brand partnerships.We’r...
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Season 3
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Episode 83
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1:00:44
82: How To Use ChatGPT To Write Your Instagram Captions (The Right Way)
If your Instagram captions or newsletters sound like a bad Hallmark card… I hate to break it to you, but I know AI wrote them.And so does your audience. 👀Here’s the deal: AI isn’t the problem. It’s actually a powerful tool — but i...
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Season 3
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Episode 82
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18:07
81: How to Avoid Common Interior Design Business Mistakes with Ronniesha Rivera
How to Avoid Common Interior Design Business Mistakes with Ronniesha RiveraIn this episode of the McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain discusses overcoming difficulties in the interior design business with guest Ronniesha ...
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Season 2
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Episode 81
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57:18
80: Do it Afraid: Navigating Fear and Change in Design with Katie Decker-Erickson
Do it Afraid: Navigating Fear and Change in DesignIn this episode of the McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain speaks with Katie Derek Erickson, founder of Success by Design. They discuss the importance of grit, pe...
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Season 2
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Episode 80
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1:12:24
79: Clutter-Free Life: How Clearing Your Space Can Transform Your Mindset with Helen Sanderson
Episode 79: Clutter-Free Life – Transform Your Space, Transform Your Mindset with Helen SandersonIn today’s episode of The McClain Method Podcast, we’re diving into the powerful connection between your home environment an...
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Season 2
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Episode 79
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54:47
78: How Instagram’s Search Engine Update Can Help You Get Found and Grow Your Business
Episode 78: How Instagram’s Search Engine Update Can Help You Get Found and Grow Your BusinessHey y’all, welcome back to The McClain Method Podcast! Today, I’m bringing you some amazing information from my YouTube ...
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Season 2
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Episode 78
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29:33
77: How to Sell Without Feeling Salesy: The Steve Jobs Strategy for Designers + Creatives
What do interior designers, creatives, and wellness founders have in common? Most of them hate selling—but still need to do it daily.In this episode, John sits down with Christopher Francis, engineer-turned-entrepreneur and founder of H...
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Season 2
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Episode 77
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43:15
76: You’re Not Lazy—You’re Exhausted: Rethinking Productivity and Self-Worth with Katie McDonald
76: You’re Not Lazy—You’re Exhausted: Rethinking Productivity and Self-Worth📝 Episode Description / Show Notes:What if the real problem isn’t your motivation, your to-do list, or your morning routine?...
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Season 2
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Episode 76
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1:03:45
75: How to Grow Your Business Using Your Own Story with Jude Charles
75: How to Grow Your Business Using Your Own Story with Jude CharlesIn a world of AI-generated content and generic captions, how do you make your brand actually stand out? In this powerful episode, John is joined once aga...
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Season 2
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Episode 75
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1:13:53
74: Brand-New Instagram Changes for 2025: Why Your Posts Aren’t Getting Seen (and What to Do Now)
Episode Summary: If your Instagram posts feel like they’re disappearing into the void lately—you’re not imagining it. In this episode, I’m breaking down the just-revealed 2025 changes to Instagram’s algorithm and content str...
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Season 2
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Episode 74
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16:11
73: How Breegan Jane Built a Bold Design Brand—and Landed 13 HGTV Shows
🎙️ Episode 73 — How Breegan Jane Built a Bold Design Brand—and Landed 13 HGTV ShowsIn This Episode: If you’re an interior designer dreaming of being on television, this episode is your roadmap. John McClain sits down ...
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Season 2
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Episode 73
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1:00:45
72: Luxury Clients Aren’t Booking You—Because You Look Budget
🎙️ Luxury Clients Aren’t Booking You—Because You Look Budget📌 Episode Summary: You say you want luxury clients… but does your brand actually look the part?In this bold and necessary solo epi...
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Season 2
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Episode 72
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32:00
71: Want a Product License? Here Are 3 Specific Strategies from Meredith Heron
71: Want a Product License? Here Are 3 Specific Strategies from Meredith HeronIn this episode of the McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain speaks with Canadian design powerhouse Meredith Heron. They discuss the importance of d...
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Season 2
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Episode 71
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54:10
70: You’ve Got the Talent—So Why Aren’t You Profitable Yet? Part 2 with LuAnn Nigara
In episode 70 of The McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain continues his insightful conversation with Luann Nigara, a leading figure in the interior design industry. They delve into key aspects of running a successful design bus...
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Season 2
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Episode 70
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46:39
69: Get Out of Your Own Way: Lessons from LuAnn Nigara
The McClain Method Podcast Episode 69: Get Out of Your Own Way: Lessons from LuAnn NigaraIn this episode of The McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain welcomes LuAnn Nigara, a pioneer in the interior design business world. They...
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Season 2
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Episode 69
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1:00:51
68: Branding, Boldness & Brilliance: The McClain Method Podcast Debut Episode!
🎙️ Episode 68 is here, y’all! Say hello to the very first episode of the newly rebranded McClain Method Podcast — and let me just say… she’s bold, she’s brilliant, and she’s ready to take center stage. 💁♂️✨In ...
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Season 2
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Episode 68
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22:24
67: How to Create a Dream Team and Streamline Your Design Processes with Jessica Harling
67: How to Create a Dream Team and Streamline Your Design Processes with Jessica HarlingIn episode 67 of The Designer Within Podcast, host John McClain sits down with Jessica Harling, founder of Behind the Design, to discuss the essentia...
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Season 2
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Episode 67
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59:15
66: LIVE FROM KBIS! The Future of Luxury Baths: Tech Advances & Entrepreneurial Lessons with BainUltra
66: LIVE FROM KBIS! The Future of Luxury Baths: Tech Advances & Entrepreneurial Lessons with BainUltra.In this special live edition of the Designer Within Podcast recorded from the floor of KBIS 2025 in Las Vegas, host John McCla...
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Season 2
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Episode 66
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43:05
65: SEO for Designers: How to Gain 1000 New Website Visitors Fast with Barb Davids
Welcome to Episode 65 of The McClain Method Podcast, where host John McClain explores the intersection of creativity and intentional design in home and life.This episode features special guest Barb Davids, a digital marketing and SEO exp...
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Season 2
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Episode 65
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1:02:49
64: How Photorealistic Renderings Can Serve Luxury Clients & Increase Your Revenue - with Mina Duque
In this episode of The Designer Within Podcast, host John McClain chats with Mina Duque from Duke Renders about the significant impact photorealistic renderings can have on an interior design business. They delve into Mina's journey...
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Season 2
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Episode 64
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48:50
63: Live From Italy! How to Unlock Your TRUE Creative Potential & Unchain Your Past
In episode 63 of The Designer Within Podcast, recorded LIVE as he walks the streets of ever-inspiring Italy, host John McClain shares his transformative experiences from a trade show in Verona to the picturesque streets of Florence, and finally...
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Season 2
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Episode 63
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40:58
62: Mastering PR, Branding, & Marketing in the Design Industry With Jocelyn Hutt
In episode 62 of The Designer Within Podcast, hosted by John McClain, we delve into the world of brand collaborations and PR strategies. John chats with Jocelyn Hutt, a seasoned marketing and PR expert, about effective brand partnerships, story...
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Season 2
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Episode 62
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58:04