Design Minded: How a Podcast Explores Design’s Impact on Indianapolis

The show focuses on Indianapolis and Indiana, highlighting how design decisions impact neighborhoods, public spaces, and quality of life. Sometimes design enhances a community, and sometimes it creates obstacles. This balance is what makes the podcast insightful, engaging, and important.

The Origins of Design Minded

Design Minded started as a radio show on WQRT 99.1 FM. The goal was simple: to create a platform where thoughtful conversations about design could happen. Over time, the show expanded into a podcast to reach a wider audience and make episodes accessible on demand.

For Lee Alig, the podcast was a way to combine curiosity about the city with a desire to highlight people who are making intentional design choices. He wanted a program that could examine both the successes and the challenges of design, focusing on real stories rather than theory.

What the Podcast Covers

Each episode of Design Minded features interviews with architects, urban planners, designers, artists, and community leaders. The common thread among guests is their belief in the power of design to shape communities and experiences.

Topics range from the planning of public spaces and parks to the design of buildings, streets, and neighborhoods. The podcast also explores how design decisions affect residents’ daily lives, from accessibility and safety to aesthetic appeal and community identity.

The discussions are approachable, making the subject matter accessible even to listeners without a design background. The hosts ask questions that reveal not only the “how” of a project but also the “why,” helping listeners understand the intentions behind the design choices.

Why Design Matters

One of the key messages of Design Minded is that design is never neutral. Every choice has consequences. A sidewalk that abruptly ends, a park with limited seating, or a building that ignores community input can influence who feels welcome and who does not.

By examining both successes and missteps, the podcast highlights the importance of intentional design. Listeners gain insight into how thoughtful planning and creativity can improve quality of life, and how neglect or oversight can create lasting challenges.

Indianapolis as a Living Classroom

Indianapolis serves as more than just a backdrop for the podcast. It is a living classroom for exploring design in action. Listeners hear familiar streets, neighborhoods, and buildings discussed in detail, offering a new perspective on spaces they may have taken for granted.

This local focus keeps the conversations grounded and relevant. The lessons shared by guests often apply to other cities and communities, but they remain deeply connected to the experiences of Indianapolis and Indiana residents. By paying attention to local examples, the podcast encourages listeners to observe, question, and appreciate the design decisions that shape their environment.

The Role of Hosts

Cornelius (Lee) Alig and Steve Mannheimer bring curiosity and thoughtfulness to every episode. Their interviews are conversational, giving guests space to reflect on their work and share insights. The hosts avoid jargon and focus on real stories that show how design affects people, communities, and daily life.

Lee Alig is particularly interested in highlighting individuals who have made design a core part of their work and values. He believes that good design is not just about aesthetics but also about functionality, inclusivity, and the impact it has on people. This perspective guides the selection of guests and topics for the podcast.

Reaching Listeners Beyond Radio

While Design Minded began on the radio, the podcast format allows listeners to engage on their own schedule. Episodes are studio-recorded and then posted online, making them accessible on multiple platforms.

The show has produced more than fifty-five episodes over the past five years, covering a wide range of topics and perspectives. Each episode contributes to an ongoing conversation about how design shapes cities and communities.

Listeners can engage with the podcast in several ways. Updates, clips, and additional content are shared on social media, providing opportunities to explore design topics outside of the episodes themselves.

The Impact of Design Minded

The podcast has become a trusted resource for both professionals and community members. It highlights best practices and encourages thoughtful reflection on how design can create meaningful experiences.

By showing both the benefits and the shortcomings of various projects, Design Minded promotes awareness and dialogue. It helps listeners understand that design is not just decoration. It is a tool that shapes how people live, interact, and feel about their surroundings.

The accessibility of the podcast makes it valuable for anyone interested in the city, whether they are students, residents, professionals, or casual listeners. The conversations inspire listeners to look at their own environment more closely and consider how design decisions influence daily life.

Why You Should Listen

Design Minded is more than a podcast about architecture or urban planning. It is a show about people, community, and the choices that create the spaces we inhabit. Listeners can expect thoughtful conversations, real-world examples, and practical insights.

Whether you are interested in how parks are planned, how streets are designed, or how communities evolve, the podcast offers a fresh perspective. It is a platform that makes design understandable, engaging, and relevant to everyday life.

Where to Listen

Episodes of Design Minded are available on several platforms. You can listen to the show and explore past episodes at:

• MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/designminded/
• WQRT Show Page: https://www.wqrt.org/shows
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designmindedindiana/?hl=en

Listeners can follow the show on Instagram for updates, episode announcements, and highlights from past conversations.

A Podcast for Thoughtful Design Conversations

Cornelius (Lee) Alig and Steve Mannheimer continue to use Design Minded to explore the influence of design on Indianapolis. The podcast provides a platform for discussion, reflection, and discovery.

It is a space where the impact of design is made visible, and where listeners can connect with ideas and stories that shape the city. By making design approachable and relevant, Design Minded invites everyone to think critically about the spaces they inhabit and the choices that affect their community.

For anyone who wants to see their city with fresh eyes, Design Minded is a resource worth exploring. It shows that good design is not just about beauty or function. It is about creating environments that work for people, improve daily life, and build stronger communities.