167: Birdhouse for the Soul

167: Birdhouse for the Soul

Author: Hot Young Designers Club March 13, 2026 Duration: 1:01:22

Rebecca and Shaun meander their way through beauty routines, personal style, creativity, books, and the importance of staying curious as creative people. What starts as a conversation about video backgrounds and ChatGPT turns into a thoughtful reflection on how curiosity shapes not just personal style, but design work, aging, and creative fulfillment.

In this episode, they talk about using AI as a practical life tool, from building skincare routines to experimenting with fashion and body-type analysis. They also explore how inspiration often arrives when you have the space to receive it, leading into a fascinating discussion about spirit houses, cultural research, and why staying open to new ideas is essential for designers and humans alike.

In this episode they discuss:

  1. Rebecca’s recent ChatGPT experiments, including using it to organize her skincare routine and help define her personal style
  2. Color analysis, Kibbe body types, and the evolving relationship between fashion, self-expression, and “flattery”
  3. Preparing for new brand headshots and how styling, clothing, and environment all shape visual identity
  4. The tension between buying statement pieces versus building a lived-in wardrobe with quality staples
  5. Creative inspiration through books, music, and storytelling, including a moving conversation about the novel Theo of Golden
  6. How curiosity, rest, and mental bandwidth help creatives reconnect with ideas and inspiration
  7. Shaun’s deep dive into Cambodian spirit houses and how one small design question can open an entirely new creative rabbit hole
  8. Why staying curious as you age matters, both for your design work and for staying connected to culture and people

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  7. Design Resources - Check out our shop


Ever wondered what it really takes to run a creative business beyond the beautiful mood boards? Hot Young Designers Club pulls back the curtain on the interior design industry, one candid conversation at a time. Hosts Rebecca Plumb and Shaun Crha-practicing designers themselves-bring their combined experience from Studio Plumb and Wrensted Interiors to the table. They’re here to discuss the unglamorous details, the client negotiations, and the small victories that define a modern design practice. Each episode feels like grabbing a coffee with colleagues who aren’t afraid to be honest about the emotional rollercoaster, the practical logistics, and the outright funny moments that happen behind the scenes. This podcast serves as a weekly check-in for anyone navigating the business of aesthetics, offering a sense of community and shared understanding. You’ll hear real stories about pricing projects, managing workflows, setting boundaries, and maintaining a creative spark amidst the administrative tasks. Tune in for a blend of strategic advice and personal reflection, all delivered with a dose of humor and relatability. The Hot Young Designers Club is essentially your audio companion for building a more sustainable and joyful design business, proving that success isn’t just about taste-it’s about resilience, adaptability, and a good laugh along the way.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Hot Young Designers Club | Interior Design Business Podcast
Podcast Episodes
166: Life is a Highway and I’m Gonna Ride It All Night Long [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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164: Not every piece can be the Beyoncé (but you need at least one) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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162: Getting out of our own way and other business goals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:24
In this kickoff episode for 2026, Shaun and Rebecca get real about what’s holding them back in their design businesses—and what they’re doing about it. From car accidents to calendar overhauls, they unpack how they’re us…
161: 2025 Reflection, it wasn't as bad as we thought [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:47
Shaun and Rebecca are back to wrap up 2025 with their annual year-in-review tradition—and it turns out, it wasn’t all bad! In this episode, they share a candid look at the highs, lows, and the messy middle of running the…
160: Renee Biery, “The Only Girl on the Job Site” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:32
Shaun and Rebecca sit down with guest Renée Biery of deVignier Design and host of the podcast Only Girl on the Jobsite. With a career spanning over 30 years, Renée has worked on complex construction‑heavy design projects…
158: Why You Shouldn't Photograph Every Project with Jessica Burke [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:36
In this episode of the Hot Young Designers Club, Rebecca and Shaun welcome interior‑photographer turned editor and marketing strategist Jessica Burke to unpack when and why designers should not photograph—or publish—ever…
157: Las Vegas Market, Logistics for Designers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:25
In this episode, Rebecca and Shaun dive into everything designers need to know about attending Las Vegas Market — from travel logistics to strategy, networking, sourcing and setting up your post‑market follow‑up. Whether…