The Trend Report
Welcome to The Trend Report, your inside look at the people, products, and ideas shaping the future of workplace design. This podcast takes you behind the scenes of the office furniture industry and the broader interior design community. Hosted by industry veteran Sid Meadows, each episode dives deep into the conversations, trends, and strategies shaping the future of our industry.
From insightful interviews with industry innovators, brand builders, design leaders, CEOs, and changemakers to real-world discussions on workplace trends, sales strategies, and furniture design, The Trend Report delivers the knowledge and inspiration you need to stay ahead. Whether it’s exploring how workplace design impacts the future of work, uncovering innovations in commercial furniture, or understanding the connection between real estate and design, this is your inside look at the ever-changing world of contract interiors.
If you’re an architect, interior designer, manufacturer, dealer, or simply passionate about the office furniture and design industry, this podcast is your trusted guide to what’s now and what’s next.
To learn more, please visit https://www.sidmeadows.com/podcast
Episodes
171 episodes
CEO Chat with Bryce Stuckenschneider of Loftwall
We kick off season seven with Bryce Stuckenschneider, CEO of Loftwall, to explore how privacy-first design, flexible architecture, and AI-forward practices can reshape the workplace while keeping people at the center. We also unveil...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 171
•
51:30
Bonus Episode: Season 7 Trailer
Welcome to Season 7 of The Trend Report. This opens with a clear plan and a sharper purpose: weekly episodes that blend deep interviews, fast Hot Takes, and 10‑minute professional wins. We invite listeners to help shape topics, join a new Insid...
•
Season 7
•
Episode 170
•
11:06
%20(8).png)
The Deep Dive: Season Six Wrap Up
We're doing things a bit differently today. In an effort to show you practical uses for AI, I've put all of the transcripts from Season 6 in and AI platform called Notebook LM. It then created what it calls "The Deep Dive", a podcast episode wi...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 169
•
20:18
.png)
Design As a Force for Good with Lisa Gralnek of iF Design
We explore how design moves beyond aesthetics into systems, platforms, and policies, and how iF Design advances that mission through a global award, a new academy, and a rising sustainability standard. Lisa shares practical examples, from packa...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 168
•
46:52
CEO Chat with Karen John with Heartwork
We sit down with Heartwork founder Karen John to explore how travel, Italian design culture, and a love of craft shaped a U.S. manufacturing brand that treats storage as a culture-building tool.We chat about:• curiosity, travel, ...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 167
•
40:41
Content Creation Steps with Adrian Leal
Adrian Leal returns to discuss practical steps for starting or improving your content strategy and focusing on authenticity and impact rather than perfection.Resources:Episode 163
•
Season 6
•
Episode 166
•
1:02:39
10 to Win: Professional Development Starts with You
Professional development is your responsibility, not your employer's. People who take ownership of their personal growth receive salary increases 2.5 times higher than those who don't actively invest in themselves.• Professional growth ...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 165
•
11:56
%20(7).png)
Federal Government Myth Busters with Michelle Warren and Ryan Hay
Public sector sales represent a third of the furniture industry's market at approximately $4-6 billion annually, offering recession-proof opportunities with transparent purchasing processes and accessible information for strategic selling appro...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 164
•
37:10
.png)
Content + Thought Leadership with Adrian Leal
Join Sid as he and Adrian Leal explore how creating authentic content and establishing thought leadership can transform sales success in the office furniture industry. They discuss how content creation builds lasting professional relationships ...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 163
•
40:52
Understanding Industry Technology with Kari Anderson
Kari Anderson, of the Techbox Creative, joins Sid to dive into the complex world of technology in the office furniture industry, exploring challenges, solutions, and future trends that impact every aspect of the business.• Technology sh...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 162
•
40:01
10 to Win: The Power of Everyday Innovation in Your Business
We are exploring the power of everyday innovation in business, looking at how small, thoughtful touches can transform customer experiences and create lasting value.Innovation creates new value by transforming ideas, methods, or prod...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 161
•
11:54
The Birth of Kabin: From Cardboard to Revolution with Walter Craven
Walter Craven created Kabin during lockdown to solve his desperate need for personal space, transforming a cardboard prototype into a revolutionary office product that gives users control over their environment.Kabin is not an acous...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 160
•
36:03
Meet the Collaborative Network
Get ready for a different kind of episode. Rex Miller takes the mic and interviews Sid and three other industry veterans who have united to create The Collaborative Network. This is a game-changing initiative providing structured support progra...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 157
•
41:10
CEO Chat with Natalie Hartkopf of Hightower
Natalie Hartkopf, CEO of Hightower, shares her journey in the furniture industry and how this family-founded business evolved from importing European designs to creating their own award-winning Hightower Studio products while becoming a certifi...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 159
•
45:07
Accelerating Growth with Sara Marberry
Ever wondered how to tap into specialized vertical markets that offer substantial growth opportunities? Sara Marberry, a healthcare and senior living design knowledge expert, shares explore the untapped potential these sectors hold for furnitur...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 158
•
47:26
10 to Win: Everyday Decisions, Big Impact
We make nearly 35,000 remotely conscious decisions each day—that's one choice every 1.6 seconds during our waking hours. Each of these decisions has the potential to impact our lives and the lives of those around us in both positive and negativ...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 156
•
14:19
%20(6).png)
Why Neurodivergent is Not a Trend with Kelly Colón
Kelly Colón shares her expertise in neurodivergent-friendly design and shows how designing with all brain types in mind can improve spaces for everyone. She challenges the traditional ways our industry approaches built environments, pointing ou...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 155
•
49:39
%20(5).png)
Navigating the Future with Shelley Rosetta of Solomon Coyle
What does it take to thrive in the office furniture industry during these turbulent times? Shelley Rosetta, Principal at Solomon Coyle, brings a wealth of knowledge from her journey from bedroom space-planner to dealership principal to industry...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 154
•
48:47
%20(4).png)
CEO Chat with Collin Cavote of BIOME
What happens when you combine cutting-edge technology with the restorative power of nature? Collin Cavote, founder and CEO of Biome, joins us to share how his company is revolutionizing biophilic design with self-sustaining living walls that re...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 153
•
38:17
%20(2).png)
"Creating Your Success Story" with James Strole of Workspace Resource
James Strole, founder of Workspace Resources, shares his journey from bank teller to leader in the office furniture industry, discussing pivotal moments, the importance of customer experience, and the integration of AI in business. Listen as he...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 152
•
46:16
%20(1).png)
Love What You Do with Doug Shapiro, VP of Sales at JSI
Doug Shapiro, the VP of Sales at JSI, discusses the evolution of sales in the office furniture industry, emphasizing the importance of listening and asking the right questions to understand client needs better. Learn all about his t...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 151
•
54:43
.png)
10 to Win: Habits to Propel You to Success
Experience the transformative power of habits. We're exploring four key practices—exercise, reading, journaling, and celebrating daily wins—that propel personal and professional success and why small, sustainable changes can lead to significant...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 150
•
16:01
.png)
Welcome to Season 6 of The Trend Report
Ever felt like life's commitments were pulling you in all different directions?That's exactly where I found myself last year. I was overwhelmed and on the verge of "pod fade." But now, I’m back, rejuvenated and ready to kic...
•
Season 6
•
Episode 149
•
10:50
.png)
Becoming a Sales Superstar with Maryanne Hewitt of SalesStar
What if building meaningful relationships could revolutionize your sales strategy? Join me, Sid Meadows, and my guest Marianne Hewitt from SalesStar, as we explore the profound impact of relationship-driven sales in the office furniture industr...
•
Episode 148
•
51:29
The Evolution of a Technology Company with Amy Edington of Cyncly
What if merging two industry giants could revolutionize an entire market? Join us as we chat with Amy Edington, Product Manager for Commercial at Cyncly, who takes us through the thrilling creation of Cyncly from the merger of 2020 and CompuSof...
•
Episode 147
•
38:56