Episode 30: What is Trauma-Informed Design?

Mike Hardesty, a realtor and historic preservationist, has found a way to make everyday people care about historic preservation in a city that's obsessed with newness. He makes fantastic videos of buildings he thinks are cool, buildings in danger, and sometimes, even buildings that could not be saved. Mike is bringing important stories about Phoenix to the eyes and ears of the whole world through his Instagram page @discover_phoenix. Listen to our conversation about what brought Mike to the Valley and how he got into preservation.

ASU wanted to tear down the historic Emerson House for "open space". The preservation community rallied together and saved the building from demolition. Hear all about this preservation victory in this interview with the chair of Preserve PHX, Erin Lindsey.

Architect and professor Kate Dudzik-Smith, an expert on trauma informed design, tells us how designing for the needs of the human body is central to all design considerations especially when dealing with vulnerable populations like the homeless and even those pioneers who go up in space. This conversation is for everyone because trauma-informed design is just good, thoughtful, and universal design that benefits all people, regardless of status, background, and whether you have plans to go to outer space.

Historic Preservation advocate and Developer Ashley Harder is running to be the councilperson for District 4 in Phoenix. She tells us about her vision for our city. She believes that historic preservation and affordable housing are not at odds but in fact can make sense together. She wants to see equitable development along the light rail lines and wants to strengthen our public transportation options like Bus Rapid Transit. Find out what else she is advocating for in her bid for Phoenix City Council.

Phoenix-based Interior Designer Maegan Blau tells us about accessible design from her perspective as a wheelchair user. She tells us what's missing in the American with Disabilities Act and how the accessibility law needs to keep evolving to address more real-life situations. She explains the difference between accessible design on paper versus accessibility in real life.

No Festival Required does it again! Executive Director Steve Weiss is showing three architecture films sure to take our breath away at this year's Architectural Film Showcase. The first film will be shown on Thursday April 16, 2026 at the 7pm at the Third Street Theater. It's called "Ancestral Artistry: The Influence of Africans and Creoles of Color on Louisiana Architecture" and features artisans responsible for the gorgeous and intricate buildings of New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana. The second is called "Remembering the Future with Herb Greene" and highlights the work of the legendary and groundbreaking organic architect Herb Greene. This film will be shown on Saturday April 18, 2026 at 7pm at the The Pavilion at Taliesen West. The final film of the Showcase, "Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace", will show stunning movie palaces of yesteryear and many that still live on. Appropriately, it's showing at our own historic movie palace, The Orpheum Theater on April 21, 2026 at 7pm. Tickets for all showings are available at www.nofestivalrequired.com!

Listen to my conversation with former State House representative, housing advocate and architect Christian Solorio about equitable neighborhoods and the recently passed state laws mandating fewer restrictions on accessory dwelling units and missing middle housing. Christian was heavily involved in the passing of these laws and he tells us why he thinks they're so important. He also introduces a new City of Phoenix program where homeowners can choose from approved standard ADU plans instead of creating plans from scratch and how this program will make it that much easier to make affordable housing and equitable neighborhoods in Phoenix a reality.

Environmental Artist Joan Baron has long been interested in earthen materials. She is currently obsessed with adobe and making earthen ovens or hornos as a way to empower everyday people to not only make their own food, but build their own earthen oven too! She, along with artisan Clint Plecas (who was a previous guest on Tea with Taz), lead adobe workshops teaching everyday people how to make adobe bricks and how to build with them. Making your own earthen home with adobe, Joan believes, could be an answer to the housing affordability crisis young people are facing. We also talk about the role of art in the built environment and how it can be used for placemaking. You won't want to miss this conversation with Joan, who is a powerhouse of an artist, community builder, and activist!

What does a real estate developer actually do? Ryan Hilbun, a local up-and-coming Phoenix developer illuminates the inner workings of the development world in this podcast. He tells us what matters to developers and how they make decisions. (Hint: It's not always JUST about the bottom line.) We also talk about Ryan's passion for Placemaking and how it impacts the work he does.

Everyone has gone through some level of trauma, but some have to deal with more serious trauma than others - think of people who have lost housing in a natural disaster or war, people recovering from domestic abuse or hospitalized patients. These may be examples that don't apply to you but designing with a trauma-informed approach benefits everyone! RJ Millhouse, Assistant Professor at the ASU Design School, breaks it down for us and explains how trauma-informed design is a thoughtful approach that would improve design for all demographics.