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Sound Cave Labs Podcast | Season 3

“I thought I might be a lawyer… but design kept calling.” In this Sound Cave Labs Short, designer and former professor Lori Brunner shares how exploring different paths — from urban planning to law — ultimately led her back to what she truly loved: design and creativity. 🎧 Watch the full conversation on our channel!
Lori Brunner: When Passion Redefines Your Path
From classrooms to canvases, Lori Brunner’s journey is all about design, creativity, and impact. In this episode of the Sound Cave Labs Podcast, we sit down with Lori Brunner, former professor of interior design and architecture, artist, and entrepreneur. Lori shares her path through academia at Iowa State and Arizona State University, her passion for mentoring students, and her decision to step away from teaching to focus on art, interiors, and mentoring adults through design consulting. We explore her perspective on architectural design, interior trends, and how art shapes the mood and function of spaces. Lori also opens up about the leap into entrepreneurship, balancing personal passion with professional purpose, and why good design — like good acoustics — should feel natural and effortless. 👉 Explore Lori’s artwork & consulting: https://loribrunner.com/ 👉 Follow Sound Cave Labs: https://soundcavelabs.com/ 📖 Chapters 00:00:00 – Introduction & building MD Acoustics’ test chamber 00:02:09 – Growth of the firm & investing in space for acoustics 00:04:04 – Vision: separating from competition & building a think tank 00:05:43 – Teaching at ASU & approachable mentorship style 00:07:19 – Passion for design from early education to architecture 00:08:50 – Discovering research & transition into academia 00:12:22 – Degrees across architecture, urban planning, interior design & education 00:13:17 – Work in urban planning & economic development 00:14:08 – Drawn back to interior design & human-centered spaces 00:15:31 – Teaching at Iowa State & Arizona State University 00:16:48 – Decision to leave academia for more design & creation 00:17:49 – Mentoring adults through design consulting 00:19:24 – Sharing art: from private passion to public practice 00:22:01 – Intersection of art, interiors & product design 00:23:12 – Abstract art, inspiration from California & Arizona 00:26:33 – Design vs. art: problem-solving vs. inspiration 00:29:13 – Expanding into products: napkins, towels, home goods 00:30:32 – Why design became her lifelong passion 00:33:55 – Interior design trends, eclecticism & timeless style 00:36:30 – Mixing styles, vintage pieces & layered aesthetics 00:39:55 – Living with design & partnerships at home 00:40:17 – Launching loribrunner.com for art & consulting 00:42:00 – The importance of mood, conversation & client guidance 00:43:34 – Parallels of good acoustics & good design 00:44:31 – Advice to her younger self: trust your interests & pivot when needed 00:46:10 – Leaving academia: push, pull & finding creative fulfillment 00:48:24 – Building a business at the intersection of art & interiors 00:50:22 – Entrepreneurial satisfaction, SEO, and bootstrapping 00:53:16 – Closing reflections on mentorship & making an impact
Design, Mentorship & Art | Lori Brunner on Art, Interiors & Entrepreneurship
Most people think you have to be born with certain abilities. But skills are built — through curiosity, repetition, and showing up even when you're unsure. You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. Just start. Full conversation on Sound Cave Labs Channel! Like, Subscribe and Share!
Skill Is Built, Not Born
We’re not just here to solve problems. We’re here to connect, listen, and understand the people we’re solving them with and for. Communication is a skill — and yes, you can learn it. Listen. Learn. Stay curious. Featuring Chris Canfield on Sound Cave Labs.
Engineering Isn’t Just Technical — It’s Human
We hold ourselves back because we’re afraid of being judged. But the truth? Most people are too focused on their own lives to worry about what you're doing. So take the risk. Try the thing. Start anyway. Featuring Chris Canfield on Sound Cave Labs. Listen. Learn. Stay curious.
No One Is Thinking About You As Much As You Think!
“What if I fail?” It’s a question every builder, creator, and leader asks at some point. But belief isn’t about knowing the outcome — it’s choosing to move anyway. In this clip, Adam Baugh shares why confidence, resilience, and self-trust are the real engines behind progress. Keep going. You’re closer than you think. Sound Cave Labs · Produced by MD Acoustics
Believe In Yourself — Even When Failure Feels Close
From shop floor curiosity to launching rockets. In this episode of the Sound Cave Labs Podcast, we sit down with Chris Canfield, aerospace engineer and LinkedIn storyteller, to explore his journey from tinkering in his dad’s shop to working on rocket launch vehicles at Orbital ATK and Northrop Grumman. Chris shares how he navigated imposter syndrome, carved his own path into cutting-edge projects, and discovered the value of communication in engineering. We dive into his role in composite material development, lessons from large-scale aerospace programs, and why rapid iteration (and failure) can accelerate progress in space exploration. Chris also opens up about risk, career pivots, mentorship, and advice for the next generation of engineers. 👉 Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ChrisCanfield 👉 Follow Sound Cave Labs: https://www.SoundCaveLabs.com 📖 Chapters 00:00:00 – Introduction & early background (California roots, Arizona, mechanical engineering) 00:01:23 – Discovering aerospace through internships at Orbital ATK 00:02:26 – First projects & lessons from structural analysis and composites 00:03:40 – Imposter syndrome and finding mentors on the shop floor 00:04:54 – Landing on NASA’s Tipping Point project through initiative 00:06:07 – Coding, automation, and proving value as a young engineer 00:07:39 – Communication challenges in engineering & breaking stereotypes 00:09:09 – Lessons from mentors: balancing rigor with communication skills 00:11:05 – The “skill stack” concept: combining technical & communication skills 00:13:11 – Intangibles: connecting people, curiosity, and social dynamics 00:16:13 – Career highlight: composite material characterization & testing 00:17:50 – Supplier substantiation & challenges in aerospace supply chain 00:20:06 – Double ramp region, subscale testing & structural design challenges 00:21:53 – Defining requirements: DoD customers, standards, and heritage data 00:23:23 – Iteration cycles in aerospace vs. SpaceX’s rapid testing approach 00:27:02 – Long timelines of material characterization vs. rapid development 00:28:14 – Failure as a driver of innovation and growth 00:29:45 – Chris on career shifts, LinkedIn writing, and future goals 00:30:31 – Advice for young engineers: don’t worry what others think, take risks 00:31:35 – Increase your “surface area of luck” by being bold and curious 00:32:30 – Professional advice: labs, internships, and networking opportunities 00:34:12 – Growth comes from discomfort & nontraditional paths 00:35:43 – Networking, adding value, and building authentic relationships 00:36:45 – Final thoughts & closing
From Rockets to Risk-Taking | Chris Canfield on Aerospace & Career Growth
Ever wonder where motivation actually starts? For Adam Baugh, it came from hands-on work, learning to hustle young, and figuring things out one step at a time. Listen. Learn. Stay curious. Sound Cave Labs · Produced by MD Acoustics
Where Entrepreneurial Drive Really Comes From
Not everything comes down to technical skill. Being patient, collaborative, and likable goes a long way — no matter what field you’re in. Listen. Learn. Stay curious.
The Most Underrated Skill in Any Career
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