Clever

Clever takes a broader view of design than most podcasts on this list, but interior design and the built environment are central threads running through its 340 episodes. Host Amy Devers, an award-winning designer and maker herself, sits down with architects, furniture designers, product creators, and interior designers for candid conversations about their creative process, personal history, and the ideas behind their work. The tone is more NPR than industry trade show — thoughtful, unhurried, and genuinely curious. Amy has a talent for drawing out stories that guests do not normally tell in standard promotional interviews. The show also includes a companion series called Clever Confidential, which explores darker, lesser-known stories behind famous design objects and movements. Since launching in 2016, Clever has maintained its independence as a self-produced show, which gives it editorial freedom that sponsor-heavy podcasts sometimes lack. The 4.6-star rating across 469 reviews reflects an audience that appreciates depth over quick tips. If you are interested in the human stories and cultural context behind how our spaces are designed — not just which throw pillows to buy — Clever rewards close listening.