Break Some Dishes

In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Schneider, founder of ThinkLab, to explore gender disparities in the architecture and interior design industries. We dive into the numbers—why do women make up 50% of architecture students but only 25% get licensure and even less than 10% are in leadership roles? Does it matter who leads? We discuss systemic barriers, the impact of workplace culture, and what it takes to create a more equitable future. Plus, Amanda shares insights on domestic inequality, generational shifts, and how the industry can drive real change. This season of Break Some Dishes is presented by Humanscale. RESOURCES AND FURTHER READING  Amanda Schneider’s 2024 TEDx Talk: Watch here ThinkLab US Design Industry Benchmark Report (2025): Access the report Ashley and Scott Delano Working Parents Initiative: Learn more Nate Bargatze Comedy Clip: Watch on YouTube Follow Amanda Schneider on LinkedIn: Connect here Design Nerds Anonymous Podcast (Diversity Episode): Listen here McKinsey Women in the Workplace 2024 Report: Read the report Reshma Saujani, Author of Pay Up: Follow her on LinkedIn See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For this first episode of Season 6 Jon and Verda speak with Keshia DeFreece Lawrence, a Ramapough Lenape Munsee environmental political scientist and Indigenous expert at Harvard Forest, a 4,000-acre living laboratory on traditional Nipmuc land. We explore the concept of Sovereign Science—an approach to environmental stewardship that prioritizes protection, care, and deep relationship with the land, and discuss the rematriation of physical space, the shift from patriarchal land management to matriarchal ecological care and kinship. Keshia shares how Indigenous knowledge challenges and expands Western paradigms of sustainability. This season of Break Some Dishes is presented by Humanscale. RESOURCES AND FURTHER READING Defining Rematriation On Ecological kinship More on Sovereign Science & Indigenous Mapping More on the red-tailed hawk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this wrap-up of Season 5, Jon and Verda reflect on the role we all play in shaping a better future. Jon shares his biggest takeaway from his favorite episode, and Verda calls for action, urging designers to embrace activism and leverage their unique influence to drive systemic change.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jon invites fellow Connecticutian Tabitha Sookdeo on the podcast to dig deep on climate migration. It's happening right here within our own borders and we need to understand this multifaceted issue that is impacting all of us. After this episode we hope you will think differently and find empathy for those that have lost their corners of the world.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jon and Verda speak with veteran NASA astronaut Nicole Stott.