The DesignDash Podcast

Episode 31: Defining Success on Your Own Terms

Hey design dashers, today it's just the two of us having a real talk about success, leadership, and navigating boundaries in the creative world. If you’ve ever wondered what success looks like beyond the numbers and metrics, this one’s for you.
Let’s get honest—how do you define success? Is it all about reaching goals, or does it go deeper? For us, success has evolved. Early in our careers, it was all about hitting the data, the conversions, the followers. But now? It’s the vibe. We’re talking about how the energy of your team, the positivity in the office (or on Zoom!), and the way you feel at the end of the day truly define success.
But we’re not stopping there. We dive into boundaries—yeah, we said it. How do you set them? How do you keep the creative juices flowing without burning out? As leaders, how do we balance it all? Spoiler alert: we don’t always get it right, and we’re sharing what that looks like, too.
Tune in for the full episode!
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Episode 30: Candid Conversations

Hey design dashers, today, we're diving deep into something that most of us avoid—candid conversations. Let’s be real, how many times have you sugarcoated feedback to avoid hurting someone’s feelings? I know I’ve done it more times than I can count. But here’s the thing: being overly positive doesn’t always help. Sometimes, it actually hinders growth.
Melissa and I get into the nitty-gritty of how we’ve each learned (or are still learning!) to have tough conversations in the workplace. I’ll admit, I’m the eternal optimist—I want to spin everything in a positive light. But Melissa? She’s the master of direct feedback. Together, we break down why it’s so crucial to strike the right balance between honesty and kindness, especially when leading a creative team.
We’ll talk about the importance of creating a culture where feedback flows freely, why sugarcoating can actually be dishonest, and how each of us has had to adapt our styles to better lead our teams.
Tune in for the full episode!
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Episode 29: Kerstin Kirchsteiger

Hey design dashers, today, we're diving deep into a conversation that every ambitious woman needs to hear. We had the incredible pleasure of chatting with Kerstin Kirchsteiger, the powerhouse behind the Work-Life Flow Podcast, a guest who knows exactly what it means to walk that fine line between ambition and burnout, and let us tell you – she did not hold back!
If you’ve ever felt like you’re on the verge of burnout, if you’re tired of juggling a million things and feeling like you’re not doing any of them well – this episode is your permission slip to take a breath. To challenge the systems that weren’t built for us and to build something better.
As Kerstin so beautifully put it, “We want to do well; we just don’t always have the capacity to do so.” And isn’t that the truth?
Tune in for the full episode!
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Episode 28: What Happens When You Feel Like Your Purpose Is Gone?

Hey design dashers, it’s Laura and Melissa here, back with a conversation that hits home for so many of us. You ever have those days where the work you once loved suddenly feels like a never-ending grind? Like, where did the passion go? Trust us, we’ve been there too. This week, we’re digging into that tricky, messy space where purpose seems to vanish—how it happens, why it happens, and, most importantly, how to get it back.
We’re getting real about those seasons of burnout, where the little things just pile up, and before you know it, you’re questioning everything: "Is this really what I want to do forever?" Sound familiar? We get into all of it, from losing sight of the bigger picture to getting stuck in the weeds on things that don’t light us up anymore (hello, pillow trim choices!).
But it’s not all doom and gloom! In this episode, we’re sharing how we’ve found our way back to passion—whether it’s through stepping back, reconnecting with our vision, or even realizing it’s okay to let go and move on. You’ll hear us talk about the importance of lifelong learning, finding meaning outside of work, and those times when, let’s be honest, you just have to burn it all down and start fresh.
Tune in for the full episode!
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Episode 27: Lauren Payne

In this episode of Design Dash, we’re talking with Lauren Payne, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and founder of Clinic Concierge. What started as a solution to at-home COVID testing has now grown into a thriving healthcare service that’s disrupting traditional medicine.
Lauren shares her journey from running a makeshift “testing center” out of her dining room to expanding her business across Texas, with plans for national growth. As a busy mom and entrepreneur, she knows firsthand the challenges of juggling family, work, and wellness. She’s on a mission to make healthcare more accessible, personal, and preventative—without sacrificing time or quality.
Join us as we dive into Lauren’s inspiring story of innovation, and explore how she’s changing the game by making healthcare fit into the busy lives of entrepreneurs, moms, and families.
Tune in for the full episode!
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Episode 26: Katie Decker-Erickson

How do you find balance between creative passion and business success? Can your intuition guide you to make the right decisions, even when faced with overwhelming growth? In this episode, Katie Decker-Erickson reveals the deeply personal and professional journey that took her from solopreneur to leading a thriving design firm—and the life lessons learned along the way.
Katie’s story is all about grit, growth, and letting your intuition guide the way. Starting in 2007, she took ColorWorks from a solo venture to a fully-fledged firm that serves multifamily, commercial, medical, and government clients. But it didn’t happen overnight—Katie shares the hard-earned lessons from her journey, and the moments that shaped her both personally and professionally.
This conversation goes deep, y’all. We cover everything from how Katie transitioned out of residential design (“I realized it just wasn’t for me!”) to her love for the business side of design. But more importantly, Katie gets real about the importance of knowing when to say no and why she’s passionate about helping other women succeed in this industry.
Tune in for the full episode!
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
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Episode 25: Parenting Through the Toughest Years

Today’s episode is a little different—an honest chat about something we’re both knee-deep in right now: parenting teen girls.
We’re not here to talk about business or design today. Nope, this one’s for the parents who are in the trenches, trying to figure out what happened to their sweet, chatty children who suddenly seem like strangers. 
In this episode, we get real about the struggle to stay connected with our children as they pull away to become their own people. We talk about the delicate dance between giving them independence and trying to hold onto those precious moments where they still need us. And let’s not forget the minefield that is social media—how do we protect our kids without turning into the “uncool” parents? We’ve got some thoughts on that, too.
But this isn’t just about our stories—it’s about creating a space where we can all share the challenges and victories of parenting through these tricky years. So, if you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Am I the only one who feels like they’re winging it?”—you’re not. We’re right there with you, figuring it out as we go.
Tune in to hear about the chaos, the confusion, and the small victories that come with raising girls on the cusp of their teenage years.
Check out our website too:
https://designdash.com/
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Episode 24: Nicole Malachowski

Nicole Malachowski is no ordinary guest; she is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and the first woman to fly with the elite Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds. Her remarkable military career spans over two decades, during which she broke barriers, served in high-profile positions, and earned accolades that few can claim. 
In this episode, Melissa and I sit down with Nicole to dive into her awe-inspiring journey—one that took her from soaring through the skies to confronting a debilitating illness that forced her to redefine success and find new purpose. We talk about everything from balancing our careers with family life (because let’s be real, the struggle is real) to the power of vulnerability in leadership. Nicole shares how she’s learned to set boundaries, ask for help, and lead with authenticity, all while embracing the mantra “yield to overcome.”
Nicole reveals her strategy for balancing a demanding career with family life, highlighting why "work-life balance" is a myth and how to achieve "work-life harmony" instead. "I discovered that instead of chasing balance, what I needed was harmony—a rhythm that allowed me to be fully present in each role when it mattered most."
Tune in to hear how Nicole's journey from fighter pilot to motivational speaker is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit.
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Episode 23: Erika De Pellegrin

In this episode we’re diving deep into a conversation that hits home for so many of us—finding balance in the beautiful chaos of life. You know how it is—juggling work, family, passion projects, and somewhere in between, trying to find a moment to just breathe.
This time, we're joined by a special guest, Erika De Pellegrin. Erika’s someone who really gets it. She’s a strategic legal consultant, a powerhouse of wisdom, and the voice behind the Balance Theory podcast. Together, we’re peeling back the layers on what it truly means to live a balanced life—spoiler alert: it’s not about having everything perfectly in place.
We talk about the moments when life feels like a rollercoaster—those highs where you’re on top of the world, and the lows where you just want to hide under the covers. Erika shares her journey from trying to be superwoman to embracing the ebbs and flows of life with grace. Trust me, her insights on prioritizing what truly matters, and the mindset shifts that keep her grounded, are things you don’t want to miss.
Checkout Erika De Pellegrin podcast - Click here
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Episode 22: Diana Indries

Ever wondered if a game could save your relationship? Join us on this episode of the Design Dash Podcast as we explore the art of meaningful conversations with Diana Indries, co-owner and CEO of Better Topics, a revolutionary card game designed to deepen relationships through playful interaction.
Diana shares her personal journey from a soul-draining corporate job to creating a game that has transformed thousands of couples' lives across 170 countries. Learn how Better Topics breaks down communication barriers and brings couples closer together with its unique blend of engaging questions and rewarding gameplay.
Key Highlights:
Diana’s inspiring transition from NHS management to entrepreneurship.
The importance of communication and how Better Topics makes it fun and effective.
How to tailor the game for both new and long-term relationships.
Real-life success stories from couples who have rediscovered their connection.
Tune in now to discover how you can transform your relationship, one question at a time. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the Design Dash Podcast!
Connect with Diana Indries
Website: Better Topics
Instagram: @bettertopics
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