Generational Trends Shaping the Future: Lear’s presentation on generational dynamics delivered a thoughtful and thought provoking exploration of how different generations view work and what this means for the future of organizational culture.

he modern office is no longer a static destination but a flexible platform that enables focus, creativity, and connection wherever work happens. Designing for comfort now means designing for engagement—supporting how people work, not simply where.

One breakthrough evident throughout the conference was behavioral health design’s move into mainstream healthcare. No longer a specialized niche, behavioral health strategies are now woven into broader care paradigms.

What happens when leadership, community, and design come together to create real change? In this episode of the ONEder Podcast, host CCB sits down with Ashanti Bryant, Senior Program Officer at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, to explore how placemaking—the intentional design of spaces where people live, learn, and gather—can drive equity, belonging, and opportunity. From his roots in Detroit to his transformative work in Grand Rapids, MI, Ashanti shares how investing in early childhood education, community development, and listening with humility can reshape the future for children and families.

How can thoughtful, intentional design make people feel truly seen and valued in healthcare spaces? This episode of the ONEder Podcast explores Providence Healthcare’s groundbreaking Design for Belonging initiative with Lauren Cole (Providence) and Jessica Radecki (NBBJ). Learn with us how their research identified design choices that will transform emergency departments and beyond—using data, empathy, and creativity to foster safety, dignity, and belonging for patients, visitors and staff.

Healthcare design researcher and nurse Terri Zborowsky shares how her clinical background led her to champion design as a tool for healing, dignity, and equity. Drawing on stories from her career, Terri illustrates how environments profoundly influence patient and caregiver experiences, from the need for sensory-inclusive spaces to the importance of co-designing with marginalized communities. She emphasizes that design communicates values, shapes systemic change, and can either foster or undermine belonging. The conversation highlights practical lessons—from activating community health needs assessments to recognizing power dynamics in engagement—and underscores Terri’s call to see design as a powerful force for equity, compassion, and human connection

What if the spaces we live and work in could help us heal? Dr. Esther Sternberg, a physician and scientist blending neuroscience, architecture, and integrative medicine, shares how factors like light, air quality, noise, and design impact our stress, focus, and health. Drawing on her research at NIH and the Andrew Weil Center, she shows how well-designed environments—whether offices, hospitals, or senior living—can support emotional and physical well-being. Through integrative health’s broad lens, Dr. Sternberg makes a compelling case for rethinking our surroundings to better nurture how we live, work, and heal.

When classrooms are organized with clarity in mind, students can concentrate better, process information more easily, and feel more in control of their environment. Decluttering isn’t just a design choice—it’s a teaching tool.

From Michelin-starred kitchens to mission-driven healthcare systems, Eric Eisenberg’s journey is anything but ordinary. On this episode of the ONEder Podcast, Eric shares how his love of food and theatrical flair led to a decades-long leadership career in healthcare and senior living foodservice. Now as a consultant and co-founder of Quadra Alliance, he’s on a mission to empower teams, modernize operations, and help people thrive—both in the kitchen and at the table. Tune in to hear how systems thinking, empathy, and a passion for good food are reshaping the future of foodservice management.

The modern workplace is under pressure to deliver more, to support individual productivity, foster collaboration, and most critically, to rebuild a sense of connection. By rethinking five essential workplace settings through the lens of Community-Based Design, organizations can turn missed opportunities into vibrant, multifunctional environments that help people thrive.

What does belonging look or feel like in a healthcare environment? Ysabel Duron, drawing on decades as both a journalist and patient advocate, offered a clear answer: respect. “You have to respect the patient,” she said. “Too often, healthcare environments are cold and exclusive. Equity means feeling seen, heard, and supported—regardless of socioeconomic standing”.

We’re committing to measurable reductions in our direct and indirect emissions and taking a closer look at the broader impact of our supply chain and operations. Through this commitment, One Workplace is aligning with global climate goals and doing our part to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.

"...and here’s the thing: designing for neurodivergence doesn’t just benefit a specific population. It improves the experience for all. As Kay put it, “When we design for the extreme, everyone benefits.” Just like curb cuts or closed captions, what starts as inclusive design quickly becomes universal design."

In this ONEder Podcast episode, Lance Hayes and Yi-Chun Lin of Board & Vellum, a Seattle-based design firm, explain the process and insights from their research project funded by the ONEder Grant. Their study explores the concept of workplace attachments in today's work environment, investigating what are the types of connections that create the strongest attachments to the workplace, in the context of hybrid, remote and in-person work.

In this ONEder Podcast episode, Claudia Saunders and Stacy Crumbacher from Mahlum discuss their 2024 ONEder Grant-winning project, Unlocking Space Potential: Aligning the Power of People, Practice, and Place in Middle School Learning Settings. Their research focuses on improving middle school learning environments by addressing the gap between educational practices, student experiences, and the physical design of schools.