Share

cover art for Debbie Millman: Imagine Immensities [Best of]

Good Life Project

Debbie Millman: Imagine Immensities [Best of]

Debbie Millman is a creative, design and storytelling force of nature.

Millman was drawn into the world of news and print in her early twenties, cultivating an appetite for artful communication, storytelling and news. By her early thirties, though, life had dealt a series of challenges.

In quick succession, she found herself without a job or a sense of purpose, bound by her own self-loathing. Unlocking and even mining that negative cycle, though, was the key to her turnaround.

She started down a path of discovery that would lead to a series of serendipitous adventures, eventually becoming a leading voice in the world of design, branding and media, and co-founding and chairing the Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts in New York. She's also hosted the acclaimed Design Matters podcast for 11 years, which was a major inspiration for our show.

As Debbie shares in this conversation, you "have to create your own happiness."

On this "Best Of" episode of Good Life Project, Debbie Millman gets real about living with uncertainty, creativity and freedom, diving into the world of design, art and media.

And, as we reflect on the year behind us, and think about the year to come, she reminds us to imagine immensities, then make them happen.

We first aired this conversation in April 2014. I'm so excited to share this "Best Of" episode with you now.

More episodes

View all episodes

  • What 100 Silent Retreats Revealed That Changed His Life | Pico Iyer

    56:48|
    Step away from the noise and unlock profound clarity by learning from silence. In this insightful conversation, bestselling author Pico Iyer shares life-changing wisdom from his new book Aflame: Learning from Silence on how solitude can help you rediscover your deepest self, rekindle your passions, and foster more authentic connections with others.You can find Pico at: Website | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Pico about finding nirvana.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • Introducing: The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris & Malcolm Gladwell

    50:02|
    Join Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell as they bypass pleasantries and promotional banter to deliver raw, unfiltered conversations with some of today’s most influential figures. Featuring titans across a spectrum of professions (from Olympic gold medalists to trailblazing Fortune 500 CEOs and everything in between), The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell pulls back the curtain to offer listeners unprecedented access to the minds of the world’s most extraordinary individuals and their distinct paths to success.
  • Genetics Doctor: The Truth About Genetic Testing. Should You Get It? | Dr. Farrah Rajabi With Guest Host Samira Rajabi, Phd

    57:05|
    Experience something truly special - an enlightening genetic journey guided by guest host Samira Rajabi, PhD and her sister Dr. Farrah Rajabi, a leading pediatric geneticist. With warmth and wisdom, Farrah demystifies genetic testing, providing a compassionate roadmap to preventative care, emotional wellbeing, and embracing new possibilities. This insightful sibling duo's energetic repartee will leave you feeling empowered to optimize your holistic wellbeing by unlocking the profound power of your genetic blueprint.You can find Samira at: Website | LinkedIn | Episode TranscriptYou can find Farrah at: LinkedInIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Samira Rajabi about navigating wellbeing.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • Leading Neuroscientist: Turn Anxiety and Anger Into Peace and Power | Ethan Kross

    01:04:44|
    Ever feel like your emotions are running the show? Learn breakthrough tools from Ethan Kross, PhD, leading expert on emotion regulation and author of Shift: Managing Your Emotions - So They Don't Manage You. Discover potent "sensory shifters," attention deployment tactics, and a step-by-step process to master your emotional world once and for all.You can find Ethan at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Ethan in an earlier conversation about overcoming mental chatter.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • Psychology Researcher: Why Always Being Good Can Be Incredibly Bad for You | Dr. Sunita Sah

    54:40|
    Are you living a life true to your deepest values or just going along with what others expect? Sunita Sah, author of Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes, reveals how our cultural conditioning to comply holds us back from authenticity. Learn the stages of healthy defiance to courageously honor your agency while navigating power dynamics. Reframe defiance as a positive force aligned with your most profound principles.You can find Sunita at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Zoe Chance about influence and persuasion.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • How to Make Every Moment Count (Without Changing Your Whole Life!) | New Beginnings Pt 5

    01:01:03|
    As part of our New Beginnings series, unlock the secrets to savoring the beauty in every ordinary moment.In this insightful culminating episode, Jonathan shares a powerful roadmap for crafting days overflowing with presence, purpose and joy. Discover transformative yet simple practices like mindful check-ins, designing your day with intention, finding delight in creativity, and starting/ending with gratitude. Learn how establishing these intentional daily rhythms can help you experience the extraordinary in the seemingly mundane - making 2025 your most present, meaningful year yet.Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode:You can find the 1-page worksheet HERE.Find all of the New Beginnings: Redesigning Your Life in 2025 episodes.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • The Truth About Power, Money & Freedom | Spotlight Convo

    01:08:14|
    Unlock your power to create the life you want on this insightful episode. Vivian Tu shares bold strategies for building real wealth, while Kemi Nekvapil redefines power as an empowering dance of presence, ownership, wisdom, equality and responsibility. Hear their thought-provoking perspectives on money, equality, agency and living a truly good life.Episode TranscriptYou can find Vivian at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with VivianYou can find Kemi at: Website | Instagram | Listen to Our Full-Length Convo with KemiCheck out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • 5 Habits That Change Everything | New Beginnings Pt 4

    01:01:34|
    As part of our New Beginnings series, unlock the power of 5 transformative yet simple habits to redesign your life in 2025.In this insightful episode, Jonathan shares potent daily practices like morning hugs, breathing exercises, mindful movement, nature immersion, and present-moment meditation. Discover how establishing these keystone habits can profoundly impact your psychology, physiology, and overall well-being without willpower - making personal growth and life changes virtually effortless this year.Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode:You can find the 1-page worksheet HERE.Find all of the New Beginnings: Redesigning Your Life in 2025 episodes.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes
  • He Quit Screens for 7 Weeks, You Won't Believe What Happened | Carlos Whittaker

    01:02:26|
    Are you feeling overwhelmed by constant screen time and digital inputs? In this fascinating episode, author Carlos Whittaker shares his transformative experiment from the book Reconnected: How 7 Screen-Free Weeks with Monks and Amish Farmers Helped Me Recover the Lost Art of Being Human.Discover how stepping away from devices allowed him to rediscover forgotten human abilities like savoring moments, exercising intuition, and prioritizing real community over virtual connection. If you're craving more presence and authentic living, this is a must-listen.You can find Carlos at: Website | Instagram | Chapter 1 of Reconnected | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with Tara Brach about dropping out of the trance of distraction and dropping into life.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes