The McClain Method
Welcome to The McClain Method—the podcast for interior designers who are done playing small and ready to be seen. I’m your host, John McClain—designer, business mentor, author, and your go-to branding bestie. This isn’t about toss pillows or paint swatches. Around here, we dive deep into the business of design—mindset, marketing, visibility, systems, and everything in between. So if you’re ready to build a bold, profitable, and well-run business that truly reflects your brilliance... You’re in the right place. It’s time to let it shine.
Episodes
Do it Afraid: Navigating Fear and Change in Design
In this episode of the McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain speaks with Katie Derek Erickson, founder of Success by Design.
They discuss the importance of grit, perspective, and intuitive decision-making in business. Katie shares her journey from flipping houses to leading a multimillion-dollar commercial design firm and emphasizes the significance of sustainable design. The ep...
Episode 79: Clutter-Free Life – Transform Your Space, Transform Your Mindset with Helen Sanderson
In today’s episode of The McClain Method Podcast, we’re diving into the powerful connection between your home environment and mental wellness. I’m joined by Helen Sanderson, the UK’s leading expert on the psychology of clutter and the author of The Secret Life of Clutter.
Helen is here to show us how to clear the physical clutter in our...
Episode 78: How Instagram’s Search Engine Update Can Help You Get Found and Grow Your Business
Hey y’all, welcome back to The McClain Method Podcast! Today, I’m bringing you some amazing information from my YouTube channel and adapting it for the podcast. If you haven’t subscribed to my YouTube yet, check out https://www.youtube.com/@mcclainjohn for more content with visuals!
In today’s episode, we’re diving into a game-changing shif...
What do interior designers, creatives, and wellness founders have in common? Most of them hate selling—but still need to do it daily.
In this episode, John sits down with Christopher Francis, engineer-turned-entrepreneur and founder of Home Plunge, the world’s first cold plunge designed for your home bathtub.
Drawing inspiration from Steve Jobs and his own experience bridging product design with human connection, Christoph...
76: You’re Not Lazy—You’re Exhausted: Rethinking Productivity and Self-Worth
📝 Episode Description / Show Notes:
What if the real problem isn’t your motivation, your to-do list, or your morning routine?
What if you’re not lazy—you’re exhausted?
In this powerful conversation, John McClain sits down with wellness expert and founder of bnourished, Katie McDonald, to challenge everything we’ve been taught about productivity, hustle cultur...
ACCESS MY FREE 5 PART PODCAST SERIES COURSE HERE!
"5 Things I Would Do Differently I Were Starting My Design Business Today"
https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/free-podcast-series
Episode 75: The Power of Your Voice: Storytelling in the Age of AI with Jude Charles
In a world of AI-generated content and generic captions, how do you make your brand actually stand out? In this powerful episode, John is joined once again by st...
Episode Summary:
If your Instagram posts feel like they’re disappearing into the void lately—you’re not imagining it. In this episode, I’m breaking down the just-revealed 2025 changes to Instagram’s algorithm and content strategy, based on a brand-new interview with Instagram Head Adam Mosseri on the Build Your Tribe podcast with Brock Johnson.
From why hashtags aren’t helping anymore, to why Reels still matter (but only if you...
🎙️ Episode 73 — How Breegan Jane Built a Bold Design Brand—and Landed 13 HGTV Shows
In This Episode:
If you’re an interior designer dreaming of being on television, this episode is your roadmap. John McClain sits down with HGTV star, product designer, author, and branding powerhouse Breegan Jane for an unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to get noticed by TV networks—and how building a bold, authentic brand is t...
🎙️ Luxury Clients Aren’t Booking You—Because You Look Budget
📌 Episode Summary:
You say you want luxury clients… but does your brand actually look the part?
In this bold and necessary solo episode, John McClain pulls back the curtain on why so many talented interior designers are struggling to attract high-end projects. Spoiler: it’s not your portfolio—it’s your presentation.
From outdated websites and inconsistent posting to ...
71: Exploring Color and Creativity: 3 Specific Strategies from Meredith Heron
In this episode of the McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain speaks with Canadian design powerhouse Meredith Heron. They discuss the importance of dealing with decision-makers, aligning values in business relationships, diversifying ventures, and staying true to passion and creativity.
Meredith shares insights from her journey from working at Home Depo...
In episode 70 of The McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain continues his insightful conversation with Luann Nigara, a leading figure in the interior design industry.
They delve into key aspects of running a successful design business, including mindset, pricing, and branding strategies. Luann shares her journey, emphasizes the importance of being unapologetically yourself, and discusses the value of professional guidance.
They ...
The McClain Method Podcast Episode 69: Get Out of Your Own Way: Lessons from LuAnn Nigara
In this episode of The McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain welcomes LuAnn Nigara, a pioneer in the interior design business world. They discuss LuAnn's journey from helping her husband start Window Works to becoming a celebrated media personality with her podcast 'A Well-Designed Business.'
LuAnn shares how she identified t...
🎙️ Episode 68 is here, y’all!
Say hello to the very first episode of the newly rebranded McClain Method Podcast — and let me just say… she’s bold, she’s brilliant, and she’s ready to take center stage. 💁♂️✨
In this kickoff episode, I’m pulling back the velvet curtain on why I rebranded the podcast, what The McClain Method really means, and how YOU can stop playing small and start building the visible, profitable, soul-aligne...
67: How to Create a Dream Team and Streamline Your Design Processes with Jessica Harling
In episode 67 of The Designer Within Podcast, host John McClain sits down with Jessica Harling, founder of Behind the Design, to discuss the essentials of building a successful design team. They explore strategies for defining core values, setting realistic goals, and hiring the right talent.
Jessica shares her expertise on the importance of a s...
66: LIVE FROM KBIS! The Future of Luxury Baths: Tech Advances & Entrepreneurial Lessons with BainUltra.
In this special live edition of the Designer Within Podcast recorded from the floor of KBIS 2025 in Las Vegas, host John McClain welcomes Jean-Michel LeBeau and Kim Frechette from Bain Ultra. Together, they discuss the fearless entrepreneurial spirit and innovation driving Bain Ultra’s focus on wellness through luxury bat...
Welcome to Episode 65 of The McClain Method Podcast, where host John McClain explores the intersection of creativity and intentional design in home and life.
This episode features special guest Barb Davids, a digital marketing and SEO expert from Compass Digital Strategy, who breaks down SEO in an easily understandable format for interior designers and other creatives. Barb discusses the importance of blogging for SEO, optimizing we...
64: How Photorealistic Renderings Can Serve Luxury Clients & Increase Your Revenue - with Mina Duque
In this episode of The Designer Within Podcast, host John McClain chats with Mina Duque from Duke Renders about the significant impact photorealistic renderings can have on an interior design business.
They delve into Mina's journey from handling her design business to heading client success at Duke Renders and discuss the external support and benefits that outsourcing renderings can bring to designers.
They cover how renderin...
In episode 63 of The Designer Within Podcast, recorded LIVE as he walks the streets of ever-inspiring Italy, host John McClain shares his transformative experiences from a trade show in Verona to the picturesque streets of Florence, and finally, the bustling city of Milan on a solo soul finding trip through Italy.
John reflects on much-needed inspiration and offers insights on refueling creativity, maintaining originality, and ...
In episode 62 of The Designer Within Podcast, hosted by John McClain, we delve into the world of brand collaborations and PR strategies. John chats with Jocelyn Hutt, a seasoned marketing and PR expert, about effective brand partnerships, storytelling in design projects, and the importance of both regional and national PR.
Jocelyn shares invaluable tips for designers and creatives on how to elevate their projects and visi...
The Designer Within Podcast Episode 61: How to Create A True Client-Centric Design with Michael Mitchell
In this episode of the Designer Within podcast, host John McClain discusses the art of creating client-centric designs with Michael Mitchell. They explore Michael's approach to blending diverse styles, his extensive sourcing trips, and the importance of understanding clients' unique stories.
Michael ...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!