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Once Upon a Project: Daily Summaries Delivered
by SANDOW Design Group and SURROUND
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
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- 2 days ago39 min
Design Blueprint for Liquid Architecture
Michael Ford, “The Hip Hop Architect,” explores his collaboration with Momentum, blending influences from music, architecture, and community into expressive textile and wallcovering design.This episode is presented by Momentum and recorded in the NeoCon Podcast Lounge Powered by SURROUND. Thank you to our Lounge sponsor, Unika Vaev, and partners: B+N, DARRAN, Framery, Momentum, and UpSpring.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Nov 26, 202532 min
Building Hope in Motion
When 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.
- Nov 12, 202534 min
Biohacking Healthier Workplaces
When 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.
- Oct 29, 202534 min
Design Blueprint for Healthy Living in Asia
Is 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.
- Oct 15, 202536 min
Design Groundwork for Healing Spaces
How 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.
- Oct 1, 202542 min
Building a Non-Toxic Hospital
What 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.
- Sep 17, 202539 min
Unlocking Creative Wellness: The Ongoing Project
How 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.
- Sep 3, 202533 min
Building Glass Houses on a Mountainside
Take 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.
About Once Upon a Project
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
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Frequently Asked Questions
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