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How Demographics Shape Our Future: Insights on Design, Trends & Society with Simon
In 2017 Simon, together with Bernard Salt, co-founded The Demographics Group. The group provides specialist advice on demographic, consumer and social trends for business.
Simon has presented to corporate, government and industry groups across Australia on demographic trends, consumer insights and cultural change in Australia.
His presentations and quirky observations are enjoyed by audiences from the financial services, property, government, education, technology, retail and professional services industries, among others.
Simon is a columnist for The New Daily newspaper and is a contributor to The Australian newspaper. He is a prolific media commentator on demographic and data matters.
Simon has amassed 700,000 global followers on social media and reaches over 35 million people every month. He ranks as one of the world’s Top 10 influencers in data visualisation. Simon holds degrees in geography from leading universities in Berlin and Melbourne and worked for 4 years as a consultant with KPMG Australia.
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AUSTIN HOME TOURS 2025: Candace Wong
53:39|This 1981 Acorn Deck House got its start as the model home for Central Texas in an effort to expand the Massachusetts-based company’s modular home business. Although the home featured an abundance of rich textures, expansive windows/doors, and a spacious layout, it felt dated and never fully embraced its tree-lined site and downtown views.Four homeowners later, the home now goes by the name of The Sterling Cooper Residence as an homage to AMC’s show ‘Mad Men’ and its quintessential mid-century-cool vibe, and as a way to guide the aesthetic aspirations of the two-part remodel/addition.Phase 1, completed in 2017, focused on remodeling the interior by opening spaces, expanding the kitchen, reimagining a secondary family room, and modernizing and brightening the material palette.Phase 2, completed in 2024, concentrated on enriching the connections of the home to its site by adding a series of exterior spaces, a floating architectural stair, and an infinity pool that juts out into the valley.The final product is a careful balance of deck house influence and modern expression in a home that invites visitors to stay for a cocktail or two.AUSTIN HOME TOURS 2025: Annie and Arthur
53:35|In this episode, architects Annie and Arthur of Side Angle Side discuss their project, the Harvey House, a featured home on the 2025 AIA Austin Homes Tour. The firm, which they started in 2016, focuses on creating thoughtful, custom homes that respond to the environment. Their philosophy is to listen intently to their clients' needs, ensuring each project feels like the client's home, not a signature stamp of the firm.The Harvey House project is a renovation and addition to a 1935 bungalow. The journey began six years ago with a young couple who fell in love with the historic home. Initially, the couple decided to pause the main renovation and first build and live in the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in the back. Over the years, as their family grew, they became a hub of their community, hosting friends, neighbors, and musicians. This deep connection to their neighborhood heavily influenced the final design when they revisited the main house renovation. The project became a "labor of love," focused on preserving the spirit of the original home despite significant structural issues like rot. This included salvaging and reinstalling original materials like the longleaf pine flooring and trim.The exterior features a distinct contrast between the original home's white siding and the addition's dark, burnished stucco. This was an intentional choice to differentiate the addition from the original structure. The house is U-shaped, wrapping around a central courtyard and pool, allowing the homeowners to keep an eye on their children from the kitchen. A truly unique feature is the children's attic playroom, which includes a large hammock-like net floor overlooking the den below, accessible by a red ladder. The spacious kitchen features a large blue island designed to feel like a piece of furniture. The client, Holly Beth, is an interior designer who made all the selections and has since joined the Side Angle Side team. To maintain privacy from a close neighbor, the primary bathroom features a massive skylight over the tub that floods the plaster-walled space with soft, natural light.The project's photographer, Robb Gomez, noted that the home was a joy to shoot due to its incredible natural light. He also witnessed the family's strong community connection firsthand when the neighbors and their children came over to play and share a meal.Don't miss the chance to experience the magic of the Harvey House and other stunning works of architecture. Join the AIA Austin Homes Tour on October 25th and 26th, 2025.A Lineage of Design: Hamish Muir on Architectural Legacy, Client Connection & The Responsibility of Place
01:07:13|Hamish M. Muir is a third generation Otago Architect, who is proud to be leading New Zealand’s first architectural practice.With over 20 years professional experience, he has been responsible for a wide range of project types and sizes, for discerning clients of all types throughout New Zealand, and overseas.He enjoys being personally involved with projects from concept to completion, and encourages a collaborative and integrated approach to all stages of the architectural process, with clients, contractors and consultants alike.Hamish has been recognised by various awards and publications for his built work including world leading sustainable design and high quality houses, and in 2024 was recognised as a Fellow Member in 2024 by the New Zealand Institute of Architects, for his high standing in the profession, degree of eminence, and service to the Institute.Hamish is dedicated to the practice of architecture, with a vision to enrich people’s lives and make a positive contribution to both built and natural environments.The Timeless Blueprint: Stephen Collette on Heritage Wisdom, Building Biology & The Psychology of Space
01:11:22|Stephen Collette, BBEC, BBNC, LEED AP, CAHP, BSS is a Certified Building Biology Environmental Consultant, Building Biology New Build Consultant, and retired owner of Your Healthy House, living in of Lakefield, ON, Canada. Stephen is a retired straw bale builder, having worked on two dozen straw bale structures across Ontario and Quebec. Stephen has an engineering background and became passionate about healthy housing when his family became ill due to exposure to mould. Stephen carried out a few thousand indoor environmental inspections on houses and other buildings to determine health impactors based on building science and environmental health concerns. Stephen Collette is also the Building Audit Manager for Faith & the Common Good. Stephen created the Green Audit after seeing an opportunity to improve the connections between faith, buildings, and the existing passion of people to want to do the right thing within their faith community. The Green Audit has been delivered to hundreds of faith communities across Canada to rave reviews. Recently, Stephen has expanded the audits available to faith communities and heritage properties to include climate disaster preparedness audit.Stephen is a LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional) from Canada Green Building Council. Stephen has a Building Science Certificate from the University of Toronto and is a certified Building Science Specialist. He is a professional member of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals. As a consultant Stephen helps people make more environmentally sustainable building choices. Stephen is a published author who writes and lectures across North America on sustainable buildings.The Healthy House Blueprint: John Banta on The Science of Mold, Building Biology & Our Health
02:36:44|John is an Indoor Environmental Quality Specialist with a Degree in Environmental Health Science and over 35 years of experience. Twenty-five years ago he coauthored a pioneering book with architect Paula Baker-Laporte and medical doctor Erica Elliott titled Prescriptions for a Healthy House: A Practical Guide for Architects, Builders, and Homeowners (use code BANTA at checkout for 10% discount) also in e-book format. For the last 27 years John has specialized in mold and water damage problems in buildings. He conducted investigations, and supervised crews in water damage, flood and mold remediation throughout the United States. He trained workers in restoring water damaged buildings, contaminated water clean-ups, mold remediation and worker health and safety programs throughout the United States and Canada as well as England, Australia and New Zealand.He currently specializes in medically important investigations with 85% of his clients either being referred to him by their physician or currently undergoing medical treatment. He is the developer of the Pathways Testing system offered through RestCon Environmental. John's upcoming book Mold Controlled is about recovering buildings from mold and other water damage organisms, finding, avoiding and fixing problems.The Backyard Revolution: Cam Levick on Brisbane-based startup “Plungie” where Every Australian deserves a pool
01:30:44|Cameron Levick has been helping organisations map out a clearer path to growth for almost three decades. His track record of success begins with some of Australia’s best known organisations in the food and beverage and telecommunication sectors - and continues with Plungie.He helps SMEs, private equity firms, and other investors build growth paths that are simpler, more effective, and less demanding on business owners’.Cam combines considerable expertise in strategic sales and marketing, organisational transformation, brand development, and performance enhancement, with a commitment to premium quality service, breakthrough thinking, inspiring vision, and market-leading results.Blueprints, Mindsets, and Mastery: Ben Mumme's Dialogue on Designing Greatness
01:11:55|Ben is driven by a singular, powerful mission: to serve as a catalyst for human potential. He operates on the core belief that an extraordinary life is not a matter of chance, but of intentional design, built upon a fusion of the right mindset, effective strategies, and a deep commitment to holistic well-being. He empowers individuals to move beyond their perceived limitations, providing them with the intellectual and emotional tools needed to architect a life of both profound purpose and exceptional achievement.Through his globally recognized podcast, Ben puts this philosophy into practice. The show serves as a transformative platform, inspiring millions of listeners worldwide to actively pursue greatness in every aspect of their lives. Each episode delivers actionable insights, compelling expert interviews, and practical frameworks designed to enhance personal and professional growth. Ultimately, he guides his audience not only to reach ambitious goals but to simultaneously cultivate a rich inner world, fostering a sustainable sense of fulfillment and enhancing their overall well-being.Andrea Keller on Architecture, Belonging & Building a Better Connection with Nature
01:48:35|Andrea Keller is a licensed architect with 25 years of experience in multifamily, residential and boutique hotel design. Her work seeks to bring people into greater alignment with their core values, their communities and the earth.A key component of Andrea’s work lies in the life-long study of sacred geometry, symbols and pattern language. Andrea uses unique geometry and proportion systems for each project, bringing power and resonance to the design. As we know from epigenetics, our environment can literally change our genes – her mission is to use architecture for healing, activation, and amplification of personal power. She is currently designing healing centers worldwide.She was a professor of Architecture at both USC School of Architecture and Otis College of Art + Design. She holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania (B.A., Design of the Environment) and UCLA (M.Arch), and studied Sustainability through Gaia Education. She lectures regularly for the Institute of Classical Art + Architecture.Gil Stunner
02:06:14|Gil Stunner is an internationally recognized fine art photographer and storyteller, known for his cinematic style laced with gritty realism. A former hands-on mechanic turned visual craftsman—his motto, "From wrenches to lenses," is no gimmick. It's how he lives.Gil’s work spans humanitarian missions in West Africa, vintage racing on East Coast beaches, and raw, emotional portraits from around the globe. His fine art prints have been featured in various magazines, Photographize’s 100 Inspiring Artists of the Year (2024) Book , Masters of Monochrome Vol. 1 (coming Soon), and showcased by Gallery Canyons, LDN Collective, and Helm + Oar.You’ll find him wherever there's character to be captured—on the track, in the jungle, at a gallery, or somewhere in between.1. Sierra Leone – JOKANDACaptured during a humanitarian mission with Doctors Without Borders and the Saving Lives Initiative, this project documents strength and vulnerability in the face of adversity. JOKANDA is a raw portrait series showcasing the grace and pain of communities often overlooked.2. The Black Cat – Rob Ida x Jaguar XK120An homage to elegance in motion, this project documents Rob Ida’s iconic Jaguar—blending sleek automotive design with the grit of New York’s streets. A love letter to curves, shadows, and engineering perfection.3. TROG – The Race of GentlemenShot on the sand in Wildwood, NJ, this adrenaline-drenched series captures the spirit of American nostalgia—vintage metal, roaring engines, and the wild hearts who bring the past to life.4. Guadalajara, Mexico – Celebration in Motion Part of an ongoing study in color, movement, and joy, this project celebrates traditional Mexican dance and the beauty of culture in motion—captured mid-spin with a painterly lens.