The Designer Within
The Designer Within podcast is where creativity and business savvy collide, offering a fresh perspective for interior designers and innovative entrepreneurs.
Created by John McClain, a seasoned creative entrepreneur who’s faced the ups and downs of the industry, this show is all about sharing real, unfiltered insights. If you’re ready to channel the same creativity you use for your clients into your own business, then this podcast is for you.
Join us as we dive deep, reimagine success, and transform both your business and your life from the inside out.
Episodes
52 episodes since 2023
How to Fully Craft Your Client Journey: Part 2 with Brittany Farinas
How to Fully Craft Your Client Journey: Part 2 with Brittany FarinasIn the concluding episode of Season 1, John McClain celebrates the one-year anniversary of 'The Designer Within' podcast and shares exciting plans for Season 2...
July 17, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 52
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46:40
Brand Perception, Authenticity and Strategy: Part 1 with with Brittany Farinas
In this engaging episode (Part 1 of 2) of the Designer Within Podcast, host John McClain welcomes Brittany Farinas, CEO, and Creative Director of House of One, to discuss her journey in the interior design world. Together, they delve into Britt...
July 10, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 51
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38:28
7 Words To Avoid In All Business Conversations & What To Use Instead
Can the words you choose truly shape your business success? Discover the transformative power of language in our 50th milestone episode of the Designer Within Podcast. I'll unveil how the words you use can either build bridges or create barrier...
June 25, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 50
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26:27
The Intersection of Luxury Design & Entrepreneurship: Jamie Gasparovic on Pricing, Clients, & Confidence
What if you could turn your passion into a thriving career? This week, I sit down with Jamie Gasparovic, the visionary founder and principal designer of Studio Gaspo, to uncover the secrets behind her meteoric rise from a marketing professional...
June 17, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 49
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50:37
How To Combine Excellent Client Communication & Creative Risks For Ultimate Success with Sarah Wilson
Ever wondered how a background in IT could transform the world of interior design? This episode of The Designer Within Podcast with John McClain promises an engaging exploration of career transitions with our inspiring guest, Sarah Wilson, the ...
June 10, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 48
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1:02:43
Turning Consultations Into Sales: Ten Steps for Mastering the Interior Design Consultation
Can you imagine transforming every client consultation into a surefire sales opportunity? That's exactly what you'll learn in this episode of the Designer Within Podcast with me, John McClain. We explore the essential strategies for mastering s...
May 31, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 47
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24:21
Creating Harmonious Homes: Ethical and Vegan Interior Design with Deborah Dimare
Imagine transforming your home into a sanctuary that not only soothes your soul but also stands as a testament to ethical living. Join me, John McClain, and pioneer Deborah Dimare as we navigate the intersection of interior design and moral res...
May 17, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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48:24
Essential Productivity Hacks For Designers That You Can Do Today From Amber De La Garza
If you have ever felt behind schedule before you even opened up your laptop or found yourself chasing the clock to get something done by a deadline. Well, you're not alone. We have ALL been there my friend, but guess what? There are sol...
May 04, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 45
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48:48
How To Diversify Your Design Talents For Success With Christopher Todd
I love having talented and successful friends on the podcast and Christopher Todd Hall is that and so much more! Christopher not only is a successful 30 year veteran of the design industry, but also has lots of exciting ventures wi...
April 25, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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1:09:13
Burnout and Boundaries: Embracing Mindfulness in the World of Design with Lori Miller
Have you ever felt the wear and tear of burnout creeping into your life, inching its way into your creative soul? I know I have, and it's time to talk about the lifeline that boundaries are in our industry. Today's episode of the Designer Withi...
April 16, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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52:58
Live Seminar! Essential Systems & Processes from High Point Market
As I head to High Point Market Spring 2024, I thought I would play some of a seminar that I taught LIVE at the fabulous Universal Furniture Learning Center about a year and a half ago. The information STILL stands trust me. It's all about Essen...
April 07, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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58:44
Vendors & Trades: Insider Secrets Every Designer Needs To Know
Let's talk about finding specific ways to find success with our trades and vendors!Welcome to the episode my lead designer, Heather Rau. In this episode, Heather and I discuss the backbone of a design project that involves any sort of labor...
March 31, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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36:44
The Keys To Big Design Business Success In A Small Town With Nicole Roe
Welcome Nicole Roe of R. Nickson Interiors to this episode of The Designer Within podcast! Nicole is the founder of R. Nickson Interiors and has over 10 years of experience in the design field. With a degree in construction, Nicole has interned...
March 24, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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1:04:04
How To Bring Your Past Skills Into Your Current Business
They say "you don't know what you don't know," but I'm here to flip the script and remind you that you "DO know what you DO know!" And that's a lot!It's time we take pride in our past and value our skills and accomplishments. B...
March 16, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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24:30
Difficult Clients & Difficult Conversations with Valerie Darden
Welcome to an interview episode of The Designer Within with Valerie Darden.Valerie founded Brexton Cole Interiors in 2014. As the founder, Valerie named her company after her two sons Brexton and Cole. Brexton Cole Interiors have completed ...
March 09, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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55:56
7 Pieces of Technology I Can't Work Without
Tech has become a huge part of my business success. It's actually like it's another employee in my firm! From scheduling appointments to signing agreements, technology has fully been embraced in John McClain Design, and for the better!I...
March 01, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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29:38
That Time A Client Sued Me
On this episode, well over half a year after launching this podcast, I decided to pull out my very first episode to help explain my "why." If you have not listened to this episode, it's a must listen. If you have listened to it, well, ...
February 24, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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44:49
Actionable Ways To Increase Your Press & Marketing TODAY
After Market... Marketing. What in the world am I talking about? Well it's actually simple! After Market Marketing is a technique I use to create more awareness around a piece of press or any marketing exposure you have received for yourself or...
February 16, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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26:48
The Audacity of Authenticity with Joshua Smith
Let's go deeper. Let's go beyond the fabrics, the wallcovering, and even the paycheck.On this episode of The Designer Within Podcast, Joshua Smith and I have a heartfelt conversation around so many of the events that occur in our lives:...
February 08, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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1:07:53
The Personal Side Of Interior Design With Amala Raj Swenson
I'm so delighted to bring on fellow designer and friend, Amala Raj Swenson to the podcast today. Amala is the Principal Designer & Founder of Amala Raj Interiors based in San Diego, California.We cover so much in this fun and inform...
February 02, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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47:39
How Many Unpaid Jobs Do You Have?
They say when you become an entrepreneur, you trade your 8 hour day for an 18 hour day, which, is kind of true in some ways. BUT.... what about all of the time that you allow to become a part of your workday? You know? Those unpaid...
January 26, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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36:53
How Relationships Can Grow Your Business Inside & Out With Susan Hayward Interiors
In this episode, I welcome Susan Hayward and Jillian Hayward Schaible. They are are the mother and daughter design team behind the successful firm, Susan Hayward Interiors in Milton Massachusetts. In this episode, Susan and Jillian...
January 19, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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1:01:17
How To Overcome The Fear of Pricing Your Services For Your Value
Hi Friends! Can I celebrate episode 30 with you for a moment?! That's 30 weeks of podcasts in your earbuds from me, & I'm so thankful that you take this journey of learning with me every week.Today's episode is another BTS epi...
January 12, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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28:06
Don't Price Another Project Before Listening To This Episode!
And I mean that! :)In this short but powerful episode, I am sharing with you some insights that I shared during a coaching session recently with a student of mine. The student was having issues with clients trying to dictate the investm...
January 04, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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17:54
The Good, Bad, & Ugly of My 2023 & 3 Easy Steps For You To Plan Your Own Year
Ok friends, I'm being even more open and vulnerable today than ever. I'm sharing with you my own year end review and the results of that. I took a deep dive into my own 2023 and found out the good, the bad, and the ugly of this past yea...
December 29, 2023
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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58:59