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Welcome to The McClain Method — the go-to podcast for interior designers who want to grow a profitable, polished, and well-run design business.
I’m your host, John McClain—award-winning interior designer, business mentor, author, and branding strategist. If you want to learn how to:
• price your interior design services
• attract high-value clients
• streamline your design process
• improve your client experience
• elevate your brand and visibility
• run your design firm with confidence
…you’re in the right place.
This podcast isn’t about pillows and paint swatches.
Here, we focus on the business of interior design—marketing, pricing, branding, sales, systems, visibility, mindset, and everything it actually takes to build a thriving design firm.
Each episode gives you clear strategies, actionable tools, and behind-the-scenes insights you can use immediately to grow your business and elevate your clients’ experience.
If you’re ready to step into your next level as an interior designer—and finally run a business that reflects your brilliance—welcome home.
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104: You Can Be Ambitious and Still Want Peace: Lessons From a Sabbatical
I went to Thailand for a sabbatical half expecting a big revelation. A temple, a sunset, a bowl of noodles, and then lightning. That never happened. What happened was quieter, and it changed how I think about ambition, rest, work, and home.
103: How I Actually Use AI to Run My Business: 10 Real Ways with ChatGPT and Claude
AI is my assistant. It is not my brain. Everything I teach came from years of running my design firm, working with clients, pricing projects, and making plenty of mistakes along the way. AI didn’t give me any of that. What it has done is he
102: What Dolly Parton Taught Me About Business and Life
What Dolly Parton Taught Me About Business and Life When Dolly Parton died, I found myself thinking about just how much she had shaped the way I see business, success, reinvention, kindness, and life. In this episode, I share the lessons I
101: Live From Italy: How to Get Your Creativity Back When You Feel Stuck
This is a replay, and it is one of my favorites. A while back I was in Italy for Marmomac, the natural stone show in Verona, sponsored by the Italian Trade Agency. I added almost two weeks onto the trip and traveled alone through Verona, Bo
100: 10 Business Lessons From 100 Episodes: What Every Designer Should Steal
Episode 100 is here, and I am recording it on my iPhone from a makeshift desk in Bangkok, where I am living and running my whole business for the next four months. Three years ago I turned on a microphone with no plan and no idea if I would
99: How to (Profitably) Use Antiques in a Modern Interior Design Business with Debbie Mathews
Episode Overview In this episode of The McClain Method Podcast, John McClain sits down with Debbie Mathews LeRoy, owner and principal designer of Debbie Mathews Antiques and Designs in Nashville, to talk about antiques, sourcing, retail, an
98: Stop Trying to Keep Everyone Happy: 5 Permission Slips You Need Today
Stop Trying to Keep Everyone Happy: 5 Permission Slips You Need Today What happens when you speak honestly, hold a boundary, or make a decision that is right for you, and someone else does not like it? In this episode, John shares the story
97: The Science of How Interior Design Affects Behavior, Wellbeing, and Daily Life with Eryn Oruncak
The Science of How Interior Design Affects Behavior, Wellbeing, and Daily Life Interior designers know when a room feels right. But what is actually happening beneath the surface? In this episode of The McClain Method Podcast, John McClain
96: Confessions from a Trade Show: Designing for the Way People Actually Live
After attending Milan Design Week and then heading straight to High Point Market, I found myself sitting with a lot of thoughts about our industry, our clients, and what actually matters when it comes to design. This episode is a very hones
95: Why Interior Designers Need to Understand Construction to Grow Their Business with Renee Biery
Most designers are comfortable talking about design. Very few are comfortable talking about what happens after. In this episode, I sit down with Renee Biery to unpack what actually happens when a project moves into construction. We talk abo
94: How To Set Up Your AI Once So It Actually Works Every Time
Episode 94: Set Up Your AI Once So It Actually Works Every Time Most designers are using AI. But they’re barely scratching the surface. And it’s costing them time every week. In this episode, I break down what I saw at Design Edge and why m
93: AI Is Changing Interior Design. Here’s How to Stay Irreplaceable
AI is everywhere right now, and for many interior designers, it brings a quiet but very real fear. Not fear of learning something new. Not fear of using new tools. But fear of becoming irrelevant. In this episode, McClain shares highlights
92: Your Next Hire Doesn't Need Benefits: How Interior Designers Can Build an AI Team
If AI hasn’t worked for you yet, it’s probably not the tool. It’s not the prompts. It’s not that you’re behind. And it’s not that AI “doesn’t work for designers.” It’s an organization problem. In this episode, John breaks down why most inte
91: What Holds Interior Designers Back: Sourcing Fear, Pricing Pushback, and Building Better Systems with Heather McManus
Interior design can feel isolating, and sourcing can feel risky, especially when clients shop online and question your pricing. In this episode, John McClain sits down with interior designer Heather McManus to talk about what actually holds
90: The Fear of Losing Clients When You Speak Your Values
This episode is a little different. In a time that feels heavy, confusing, and deeply human, John speaks honestly about the fear many business owners carry when it comes to speaking their values. This conversation is not about shouting onli
89: The Most Expensive Lie Designers Tell Themselves with Staci Davidson
The Most Expensive Lie Designers Tell Themselves Most designers don’t struggle because of their creativity. They struggle because they believe a lie: “I’m a designer. I shouldn’t have to deal with the backend of my business.” In this episod
88: 5 Hard Truths That Changed My Design Business in 2025 (And What You Need to Know Before Next Year)
88: 5 Hard Truths That Changed My Design Business in 2025 (And What You Need to Know Before Next Year) SHOW NOTES: In this episode of The McClain Method Podcast, John McClain asks: are you running a beautiful design business that feels chao
87: Be the Unicorn in the Room: Visibility, Partnerships & Mindful Success with Antonio DeLoatch
EPISODE 87 — Be the Unicorn in the Room: Visibility, Partnerships & Mindful Success with Antonio DeLoatch If you're an interior designer craving more visibility, confidence, and high-quality clients, this episode is your new playbook. I’m j
86: Three Reasons Designers Stay Stuck (And How to Break Through In 2026)
Three Reasons Designers Stay Stuck (And How to Break Through In 2026) If you’ve been feeling stuck in your design business — stuck at the same income level, stuck recreating your processes every time a new client reaches out, stuck second-g
85: The Hidden Reason Your Clients Don’t Feel Fully Taken Care Of
The Hidden Reason Your Clients Don’t Feel Fully Taken Care Of Even the most talented designers can unintentionally miss the small-but-critical details that shape how clients feel throughout (and especially at the end of) a project. And let’
84: Before You Scale: Why I Chose Alignment Over Expansion
What if the version of success you’ve been chasing… isn’t actually yours? In this episode, John McClain gets personal about what happened when his business grew beyond what his soul was ready for — and why he made the decision to choose ali
83: 5 Proven Strategies to Build a Successful Interior Design Brand with Alena Capra
In this episode of The McClain Method Podcast, I’m joined by nationally recognized designer, TV personality, and NKBA Person of the Year Alena Capra — a powerhouse in the world of interior design and brand partnerships. We’re pulling back t
82: How To Use ChatGPT To Write Your Instagram Captions (The Right Way)
If your Instagram captions or newsletters sound like a bad Hallmark card… I hate to break it to you, but I know AI wrote them. And so does your audience. 👀 Here’s the deal: AI isn’t the problem. It’s actually a powerful tool — but if you’r
81: How to Avoid Common Interior Design Business Mistakes with Ronniesha Rivera
How to Avoid Common Interior Design Business Mistakes with Ronniesha Rivera In this episode of the McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain discusses overcoming difficulties in the interior design business with guest Ronniesha Rivera, foun
80: Do it Afraid: Navigating Fear and Change in Design with Katie Decker-Erickson
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 intuit
79: Clutter-Free Life: How Clearing Your Space Can Transform Your Mindset with Helen Sanderson
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.
78: How Instagram’s Search Engine Update Can Help You Get Found and Grow Your Business
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 f
77: How to Sell Without Feeling Salesy: The Steve Jobs Strategy for Designers + Creatives
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
76: You’re Not Lazy—You’re Exhausted: Rethinking Productivity and Self-Worth with Katie McDonald
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 exhau
75: How to Grow Your Business Using Your Own Story with Jude Charles
75: How to Grow Your Business Using Your Own Story 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 storytelling
