SURROUND Expands Podcast Network With Work Better & Design Fuel in 2026
SANDOW DESIGN GROUP has expanded its SURROUND podcast network with two respected industry shows: Work Better and Design Fuel.
The announcement, made on 19 February 2026, marks a significant development for professionals across architecture, workplace strategy, interior design, healthcare design, and organizational leadership. With new seasons of both podcasts already underway, SURROUND is strengthening its position as a leading voice in design-driven media.
Here’s what the expansion means for listeners — and why this move could reshape conversations around work, equity, innovation, and the future of design.
SURROUND, the podcast network powered by SANDOW DESIGN GROUP, has steadily built a curated portfolio of industry-focused shows. By welcoming Work Better and Design Fuel, the network is deepening its commitment to:
Forward-thinking workplace conversations
Research-backed discussions on productivity and wellbeing
Equity-driven design storytelling
Leadership insights from global design influencers
The addition signals a broader trend: design media is evolving from print and digital articles to immersive, conversation-driven audio platforms.
In a year where hybrid work, inclusive design, sustainability, and workplace psychology dominate industry discourse, the timing couldn’t be sharper.
Work Better Launches Season 8 With Future-Focused Conversations
Produced by global workplace leader Steelcase, Work Better enters its eighth season under the SURROUND umbrella — and it’s arriving with timely, research-rich insights.
What Work Better Explores
The podcast dives deep into:
The future of workplace environments
Hybrid and remote work dynamics
Employee engagement strategies
Psychological safety in offices
Productivity research
Organizational culture shifts
Rather than surface-level commentary, Work Better leans on expert voices and data-backed insights, positioning itself as a go-to resource for HR leaders, architects, designers, and executives navigating post-pandemic workplace transformation.
Season 8 Guests: Big Thinkers Shaping the Future of Work
The latest season features influential authors and thought leaders who are actively redefining workplace strategy.
Peter Cappelli & Ranya Nehmeh
This season includes conversations with Peter Cappelli and Ranya Nehmeh, co-authors of:
In Praise of the Office
Their work challenges the narrative that offices are obsolete, arguing instead that thoughtfully designed workplaces can strengthen collaboration, innovation, and culture.
Key themes include:
Why physical workplaces still matter
Balancing flexibility with cohesion
Designing offices people want to return to
Bill Schiffmiller: Accessibility & Auditory Health in Design
Accessibility and inclusive design continue to gain urgency across sectors. This season spotlights Bill Schiffmiller, a leading voice in auditory wellbeing and workplace accessibility.
His insights explore:
The impact of sound on productivity
Designing for neurodiversity
Inclusive acoustic strategies
Health-forward workplace environments
As organizations increasingly prioritize wellbeing, these conversations reflect a major industry shift.
Ethan Kross: The Psychology of Work
Renowned psychologist and author Ethan Kross also joins the lineup.
Known for his research on emotional regulation and performance, Kross examines:
The psychology of workplace stress
Managing internal dialogue in professional settings
Emotional resilience in hybrid teams
Productivity through mental clarity
His appearance signals the podcast’s commitment to blending behavioral science with design strategy.
Why Work Better Matters in 2026
The conversation around “return to office” has matured. It’s no longer about mandates — it’s about meaningful design and human-centered workplaces.
Work Better’s new season addresses pressing questions:
How can workplaces improve employee retention?
What does engagement look like in hybrid models?
How do space, technology, and culture intersect?
What role does leadership play in shaping environment?
For decision-makers, this podcast is more than commentary — it’s strategy.
Design Fuel Returns With Season 2 Under SURROUND
Joining the network alongside Work Better is Design Fuel, produced by global architecture and engineering firm CannonDesign.
Season two is set to roll out by the end of February 2026, and it promises a compelling exploration of design’s power to shape a more equitable, healthy, and beautiful world.
What Design Fuel Focuses On
Unlike workplace-centric Work Better, Design Fuel broadens the conversation to explore:
Equity in architecture
Health-centered design strategies
Community-focused urban planning
Leadership in design innovation
Impact-driven projects
The podcast highlights the intersection between creativity, responsibility, and systemic change.
Season 2 Guests: Influencers in Equity & Urban Futures
The new season features a powerful lineup of industry leaders.
Jonathan Moody
CEO of Moody Nolan, Jonathan Moody joins the show.
Moody Nolan is one of the largest African American-owned architecture firms in the United States, and Moody brings critical perspective on:
Diversity in design leadership
Community-driven architecture
Expanding access in the profession
David Grandy
Healthcare strategist and executive David Grandy contributes insights into:
Hospital and healthcare innovation
Patient-centered environments
Designing for wellness at scale
With healthcare systems under transformation, these conversations feel especially timely.
Wellington “Duke” Reiter
Urbanist and academic leader Wellington Reiter, founder of Ten Across and senior advisor to the president at Arizona State University, brings a macro lens.
His discussion explores:
Climate-responsive urban design
Infrastructure challenges
Cross-state regional planning
The future of American cities
Why Design Fuel Is Gaining Momentum
Design professionals are increasingly expected to solve complex societal challenges. Design Fuel captures this shift by spotlighting leaders who:
View design as a social tool
Prioritize health and sustainability
Challenge inequities in the built environment
Think systemically about community impact
The podcast appeals not only to designers but to policymakers, educators, and civic leaders.
Official Statement From SURROUND Leadership
Rachel Senatore, Senior Director of Marketing at SANDOW DESIGN GROUP, commented on the expansion:
“Work Better and Design Fuel are exactly the kind of thoughtful, forward-looking shows SURROUND was built to support. We’re excited to welcome both teams to the network and to help amplify conversations that are shaping how design and work evolve.”
The quote reinforces SURROUND’s editorial direction: substance over noise, insight over trend-chasing.
The Bigger Picture: Podcasting’s Role in Design Media
The addition of two established shows highlights a wider shift:
Audio Is Becoming a Primary Industry Platform
Professionals are increasingly consuming:
Long-form interviews
Deep-dive research discussions
Leadership insights
Cross-disciplinary conversations
Podcasts offer a more intimate format than traditional articles, allowing nuanced discussions that resonate beyond headlines.
What This Means for the Design Industry
This expansion could influence:
How workplace trends are debated
How equity conversations reach wider audiences
How design firms communicate thought leadership
How research translates into practice
With two new seasons launching simultaneously, SURROUND is positioning itself at the center of design-driven dialogue in 2026.
Where to Listen
Both Work Better and Design Fuel are now available on:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
Major streaming platforms
New episodes from Work Better are currently rolling out as part of season eight, while Design Fuel’s second season will release episodes through late February.
Final Take: A Network That’s Building Momentum
SURROUND’s decision to onboard these two respected podcasts reflects a broader recognition: design and work conversations are more complex — and more critical — than ever before.
From office psychology to urban equity, from acoustic health to healthcare strategy, the expanded network offers listeners access to:
Research-backed insights
Diverse leadership voices
Cross-industry innovation
Future-focused design thinking
As 2026 unfolds, these conversations will likely shape not just how we work — but how we build the environments that define our lives.
