26 episodes

Have you ever wondered about the people who made your favorite mug, shirt or chair? In Why Do We Have Things?, Rita Mehta of The American Edit and Erin Husted of Hackwith Design House interview the independent designers, artists, small business owners and creatives behind our favorite things.

Why Do We Have Things‪?‬ The American Edit | Rita Mehta & Erin Husted

    • Arts
    • 4.7 • 93 Ratings

Have you ever wondered about the people who made your favorite mug, shirt or chair? In Why Do We Have Things?, Rita Mehta of The American Edit and Erin Husted of Hackwith Design House interview the independent designers, artists, small business owners and creatives behind our favorite things.

    S2 01: Melissa Coleman, The Faux Martha & The Minimalist Kitchen

    S2 01: Melissa Coleman, The Faux Martha & The Minimalist Kitchen

    Rita talks to Melissa Coleman, blogger at The Faux Martha and author of The Minimalist Kitchen, about things.

    • 48 min
    024: Jaime Derringer, Design Milk

    024: Jaime Derringer, Design Milk

    Get to know Jaime Derringer, the founder of Design Milk, Dog Milk and Adorn Milk, cohost of the Clever podcast, an artist, podcaster, musician, etc., etc.  

    Jaime talks to Rita about the process of starting Design Milk,  about slowly and practically furnishing her home, about maintaining an identity outside of her brand(s), the things she finds the most exciting in design, and even about virtual reality and 3d printing.

    • 1 hr 3 min
    023: Building a smart, thoughtful business with Lizzie and Kathryn Fortunato of Lizzie Fortunato

    023: Building a smart, thoughtful business with Lizzie and Kathryn Fortunato of Lizzie Fortunato

    Get to know sisters Lizzie and Kathryn Fortunato, owners of the jewelry brand, Lizzie Fortunato. Rita talks to Lizzie and Kathryn about starting their business, the locations and experiences that influence the collection, focusing on thoughtful, responsible production and collections and designing a home. 

    • 1 hr 7 min
    022: Aligning Your Business With Your Artistic Process with Rebecca Atwood of Rebecca Atwood Designs

    022: Aligning Your Business With Your Artistic Process with Rebecca Atwood of Rebecca Atwood Designs

    Today’s guest is Rebecca Atwood, the founder and maker behind Rebecca Atwood Designs, a Brooklyn-based line of home goods that focus on the artistic process. Erin & Becca talk about how Becca's career experience designing for key retailers led her to launch her own collection, about learning all of the different aspects of owning your own business, and about building a thoughtful business that aligns with your own ideals. 

    • 56 min
    21: "It's Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too)" with Nora McInerny Purmort

    21: "It's Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too)" with Nora McInerny Purmort

    Get to know Nora McInerny Purmort, author of “It’s Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too), a memoir written after Nora’s husband, Aaron, died from brain cancer.  Nora, Erin, & Rita talk about Nora’s experiences writing the book, navigating social media – from hate follows to finding support through people you’d have never found otherwise, and Nora’s perspective on “things” – the reminders and memories she has of Aaron, why they matter, and, also, why they don’t. 

     

    Instead of a sponsor for today’s episode, we’re sponsoring Nora’s organization, Still Kicking. Thank you so much for listening and supporting our sponsors, which in turn allows us to share incredible stories and support really good people.  

     

     
     

    • 1 hr 16 min
    020: Creativity through Constraints with Mary MacGill of Mary MacGill Jewelry

    020: Creativity through Constraints with Mary MacGill of Mary MacGill Jewelry

    Today’s guest is Mary MacGill, an incredible jewelry designer who makes her entire collection by hand in her studio in New York. Mary and Rita talk about the insight that led her to find a new way to make jewelry, the places and art that inspire her collection, and about finding different ways to be creative as your business grows. 
    This episode is sponsored by Wright Bedding. Use code "theamericanedit" for 15% off your purchase at www.wrightbedding.com

    • 38 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
93 Ratings

93 Ratings

cactus_cat ,

Come back!

I miss this thoughtful podcast.

Jessie Artigue ,

So Glad Season 2 is Here!

I was so delighted to see a new episode (and shiny new album cover) in my podcast subscriptions this morning! Already excited for what the upcoming shows have in store and grateful for the return of these heartfelt discussions.

Kearney2 ,

SPLENDID

Really interesting talks with well curated makers, business people, artists, etc. Really enjoyed this whole podcast and the relaxed environment. A lot of great questions and it really kept me thinking. Hoping there is more to come!

Top Podcasts In Arts

Fresh Air
NPR
The Moth
The Moth
99% Invisible
Roman Mars
McCartney: A Life in Lyrics
iHeartPodcasts and Pushkin Industries
Fantasy Fangirls
Fantasy Fangirls
Snap Judgment Presents: Spooked
Snap Judgment