Convo By Design Podcast
Hosted by Convo By Design
A podcast for design professionals exploring the business, philosophy, and practice of architecture through interviews with industry leaders.
A trade-focused podcast that treats architecture and design as a serious profession facing complex challenges. Host Josh Cooperman uses lengthy, thematic monologues to frame conversations with principals of architecture firms and other industry experts. Episodes dig into the 'why' and 'how' behind design, discussing everything from the death of the open floor plan to the ethics of justice architecture and the challenges of rebuilding after climate disasters.
“The host's signature is a lengthy, scripted monologue that opens each episode, setting a specific theme for the conversation. The show also features a recurring 'Icon Registry' segment, inducting notable figures or firms, and a mix of formats including deep-dive interviews, expert panels, and solo commentaries.”
Who hosts this show
Convo By Design is a long-running weekly podcast hosted by Josh Cooperman that targets architects, designers, and others in the shelter industry. Cooperman, who has a background in journalism and has held various roles in radio, engages in detailed conversations about the evolving nature of design. The show features a mix of one-on-one interviews, panel discussions, and solo episodes covering topics from firm philosophy and client dynamics to material innovation and the impact of societal shifts on the built environment.
Credentials & credits
- Host and Publisher, Convo By Design
- Degree in Journalism
- Degree in Social Sciences, Washington State University
- Former Director of Motorsports, CBS Radio
- Former General Manager & Program Director, Playboy Radio
Other ventures
- Shelter Republic (exclusive online community for design professionals)
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United States
- Region
- usa
When new episodes drop
- 01
- 02
- 03The Experience of Architecture Beyond Form, Function & Feel | 669 | Ben KasdanJun 16, 2026 · 1h 27m
- 04
- 05
- 06
- 07
- 08
Notable episodes
- 01Architecture After Disruption: Health, Resilience, and the Future of the American Home | 670
A panel of five architects discusses the end of the open floor plan and other major shifts in residential design since the pandemic.
- 02The Experience of Architecture Beyond Form, Function & Feel | 669
A deep dive into architectural philosophy, contrasting buildings as 'living organisms' versus 'machines' using famous case studies like the Disney Concert Hall.
- 03Convo By Design June 2026 ICON Parkin Architects | 671
A unique episode inducting an entire firm into the 'Icon Registry' and previewing the niche topic of 'Justice by Design'—the architecture of correctional facilities.
What you'll be asked on this show
Josh Cooperman acts as a facilitator who frames the entire conversation with a long, thematic monologue at the start. He builds rapport with light small talk before posing broad, often provocative, questions to his guests, such as asking about the state of American innovation or the fix for the housing crisis. He uses well-known architectural works as case studies to ground abstract ideas and often asks guests to reflect on the barriers and challenges they face in their practice. His style is less about rapid-fire questions and more about setting a topic on the table for his expert guests to dissect.
The format varies between one-on-one interviews, multi-guest panel discussions, and solo episodes. Host Josh Cooperman often begins with a detailed, thematic introduction before bringing in guests. The tone is that of an industry insider, using specific architectural projects and professional jargon to explore high-level concepts.
Questions Convo By Design keeps coming back to
8 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when Convo By Design reaches for it.
controversy
2- Q.01
“Have we ceded American architectural innovation to the international community?”
A provocative, high-level question used to elicit a strong opinion on the state of the industry.
- Q.02
“What's the fix for the housing crisis?”
Posed to a panel of experts to solicit solutions for a large-scale, systemic problem.
process
3- Q.01
“Is this the death of the open floor plan, or just a pause?”
Asks guests to weigh in on the permanence of a major post-pandemic design trend.
- Q.02
“How do you tell your clients 'no'?”
This question probes the delicate balance of client management and professional responsibility.
- Q.03
“Talk to me about the way you think about architecture and your process.”
A broad, open-ended prompt for a guest to articulate their core professional philosophy.
industry
1- Q.01
“What are the barriers to change you face right now?”
A direct question to identify the most pressing challenges and obstacles in the industry today.
personal
2- Q.01
“Where are you based?”
A standard rapport-building question used during the initial small talk.
- Q.02
“What's a mall?”
Used as a humorous aside to punctuate a point about a significant societal or behavioral shift.
Signature segments
- · The Convo by Design Icon Registry
- · Long thematic opening monologues
- · Promotion of the 'Shelter Republic' community
- · The host's mantra: "The most important word in the design industry is service."
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are typically principals and partners from established architecture and design firms. The show books experienced practitioners to discuss their firm's philosophy, response to industry trends, and specific, often complex, projects.
- Ben Casdenon The Experience of Architecture Beyond Form, Function & Feel | 669
- Tim Barberon Architecture After Disruption: Health, Resilience, and the Future of the American Home | 670
- Kelly Beckeron Architecture After Disruption: Health, Resilience, and the Future of the American Home | 670
- David Stoneon Architecture After Disruption: Health, Resilience, and the Future of the American Home | 670
- Ari Engelmanon Architecture After Disruption: Health, Resilience, and the Future of the American Home | 670
- Katie Peterson Heskethon Architecture After Disruption: Health, Resilience, and the Future of the American Home | 670
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
Sponsors are primarily from the building materials and high-end home appliance sectors, such as TimberTech and Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. The host also promotes his own paid community, Shelter Republic, an 'anti-social media platform' for design professionals.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch Convo By Design
c•••@•••.comFree: limited reveals · Pro: unlimited reveals + CSV export
You’re only charged when we return a verified hit.
People also ask
- Who is the host of Convo By Design?
- The host is Josh Cooperman, a journalist with a background in radio.
- Is the podcast still being produced?
- Yes, the podcast is active and releases episodes on a weekly basis, with recent episodes published in June 2026.
- What is the format of the show?
- It's primarily an interview show with a mix of formats, including one-on-one conversations, expert panel discussions, and occasional solo commentary episodes from the host.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available on YouTube and major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts.
- What is the 'Icon Registry'?
- The 'Icon Registry' is a signature monthly segment where the host inducts a person or firm who has made a significant impact on the design industry.
- Who is this podcast for?
- It is created for professionals in the 'shelter industry,' such as architects, interior designers, and builders, focusing on the business and practice of design.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
Podcasts like Convo By Design Podcast
The Wolf Of All Streets
Scott Melker
A daily show from trader Scott Melker breaking down crypto, macro, and trading news with market experts and industry builders.
We In Miami Podcast
A Miami-based interview show where host Stunt Lifestyle gets hip-hop and reality TV stars to talk about their careers, feuds, and personal lives.
Simple Hai!
Vivek Law
A veteran Indian financial journalist demystifies money and markets by interviewing the C-suite executives running India's top financial institutions.
Cultaholic Wrestling
Cultaholic Wrestling
A daily news and discussion show from a team of British wrestling journalists known for its blend of candid reporting, community in-jokes, and humor.
Always Irish
Always Irish
A passionate, fan-driven YouTube show covering Notre Dame football recruiting and news with a raw, unfiltered perspective from host John Kennedy.
Vishal Kalra Official
Vishal Kalra
A veteran Indian TV journalist interviews astrologers, numerologists, and prophecy interpreters about future events and personal fortunes.
The Casuals MMA
A comedic MMA news and recap show hosted by self-proclaimed 'casual fans' who prioritize humor and entertainment over technical analysis.
Manchester United Muppetiers
A daily, fan-driven livestream breaking down the latest Manchester United transfer news and rumors with a healthy dose of skepticism.