What does it take to truly listen? To the land, to your clients, and to yourself?

In Part Two of this incredible conversation, award winning building designer and the Design Director of Adrian Ramsay goes deeper, sharing the personal journey that shaped his creative philosophy and the tools he uses to help people build spaces and lives that genuinely mean something.

Adrian opens up about his childhood challenges and the resilience that grew from them. He talks about the mentors who believed in him, the family dynamics that built his character, and how those early experiences quietly became the foundation of everything he creates today.

He introduces land whispering, his powerful approach to connecting with the energy of a site before a single design decision is made, and explains how this practice mirrors the deeper work of understanding ourselves. He also shares how vulnerability in sales and business is not a weakness but one of the most honest and effective tools we have.

Adrian speaks about the power of asking, in life, in business, and in relationships. It sounds simple. But most of us never do it. His reflections on gratitude, perspective, and purpose are both practical and genuinely moving.

This episode is for anyone who believes that great design, great leadership, and a great life all start with one thing. Knowing who you are and having the courage to build from that place.

Follow Leading Our Own Way on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review if this one moves you.

Connect with Adrian

Designer Director: ⁠⁠https://www.ardesignhouse.com⁠⁠

National Award Winning studio for new homes and renovations

TV Host: 9Life “Dream Homes Revealed”

⁠⁠https://www.9now.com.au/dream-homes-revealed⁠⁠

Season 3 + 4 + 5 Queensland

Podcast Host: ⁠⁠https://www.talkdesign.show⁠⁠

Ranked; Global Top 20 Design podcasts

Host Feast Experiences Design Tours

⁠www.feastexperiences.com⁠

Stetson Legendary Hats, Scotch & Soda Clothing

⁠https://⁠www.stetsonaustralia.com.au⁠ ⁠⁠

⁠https://www.scotch-soda.com.au⁠⁠

Youtube

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@talkdesignpodcast⁠⁠

Spotify

⁠⁠https://www.open.spotify.com/show/0UZXqPxvzjhxr8Fkz1rpIE⁠⁠

Instagram

https://www.⁠instagram.com/talkdesignwith⁠

Key Topics

- Land whispering and listening to land as a design principle

-The role of vulnerability as a superpower in business and life

-Adrian Ramsey's childhood challenges and resilience building

-The importance of asking and self-care in personal growth

-Mental models and shifting perspectives for success

Chapters

🔴 (00:00) Introduction to Adrian Ramsey and land whispering

🔴 (04:00) The role of resilience and moving away from hurt

🔴 (06:00) Land whispering and listening to land as a design principle

🔴 (08:02) Vulnerability as a superpower in business

🔴 (10:04) Childhood family dynamics and their impact

🔴 (11:57) Adrian's journey of self-discovery and gratitude

🔴 (15:04) The importance of asking and self-belief

🔴 (18:01) Shifting perceptions and the power of gratitude

🔴 (19:57) Living with Alzheimer's and family reflections

🔴 (21:45) The influence of family and childhood on Adrian

🔴 (23:59) The biggest life lesson Adrian has learned

🔴 (25:56) The power of thoughts and mindfulness

🔴 (27:53) The importance of asking and taking action

🔴 (30:02) Adrian's future plans and projects

🔴 (36:00) The value of network, generosity, and purpose

🔴 (38:12) Self-care and personal growth practices

🔴 (39:59) The importance of asking and belief in oneself

🔴 (42:59) The role of who not how in achieving goals

🔴 (44:05) Final advice: self-care, asking, and purpose

🔴 (44:55) Closing thoughts and gratitude - Thank You Adrian

Everything Leading Our Own Way

🪪 ⁠https://www.link.me/leadingourownway⁠

🌐 ⁠https://www.leadingourownway.com ⁠

Proud Sponsors

🤝 ESHU Skincare: ⁠https://www.eshuskincare.com/⁠

Discount Code: ESHU15LOO

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

📺 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnW

Keep Leading Your Own Way!

Welcome to Tuesday Truths, your weekly bite-size burst of real conversation and genuine insight from Leading Our Own Way.

This week's truth comes from our full conversation with award winning building designer and the Design Director of Adrian Ramsay designer, TV host, and Talk Design podcast host Adrian Ramsay. And it is a truth that goes far beyond design.

Adrian shares why understanding who your client truly is, beneath the brief, beneath the budget, and beneath the surface, is the difference between work that is good and work that genuinely changes lives. He talks about the profound role that real relationships play in creative and professional work, and why choosing the right clients is not just a business decision. It is a personal one.

He also speaks honestly about vulnerability as a tool for connection, and how showing up as your authentic self in client relationships does not make you less professional. It makes you unforgettable.

Whether you are in design, business, coaching, or any people-first profession, the truth in this episode will shift how you show up, who you say yes to, and why the work you do matters.

Big conversation. Bite-size truth. Maximum impact.

Follow Leading Our Own Way on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for your Tuesday Truths every week. Leave us a review if this one hits home.

Connect with Adrian

Designer Director: ⁠ ⁠https://www.ardesignhouse.com⁠⁠

National Award Winning studio for new homes and renovations

TV Host: 9Life “Dream Homes Revealed”

⁠⁠https://www.9now.com.au/dream-homes-revealed⁠⁠

Season 3 + 4 + 5 Queensland

Podcast Host:⁠ ⁠https://www.talkdesign.show⁠⁠

Ranked; Global Top 20 Design podcasts

Host Feast Experiences Design Tours

⁠⁠https://www.feastexperiences.com⁠⁠

Stetson Legendary Hats, Scotch & Soda Clothing

⁠https://⁠www.stetsonaustralia.com.au⁠⁠

⁠https://www.scotch-soda.com.au

Youtube

⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@talkdesignpodcast⁠⁠

Spotify

⁠https://www.⁠open.spotify.com/show/0UZXqPxvzjhxr8Fkz1rpIE⁠⁠

Instagram

⁠https://www.⁠instagram.com/talkdesignwith⁠⁠

Key Topics

- The importance of understanding clients' true selves

- The role of vulnerability in client relationships

- How to select the right clients for meaningful work

- The impact of emotional connection on project success

- The process of building trust and authenticity in design

Takeaways

- Great projects are driven by great people, not just the project itself.

- Choosing your clients carefully can prevent stress and protect your mental health.

- Getting clients to share their true selves helps tailor your work to their needs.

- Building trust involves understanding clients' vulnerabilities.

- The relationship with clients is a long-term process, not a one-time transaction.

Chapters

🔴 (00:00) Introduction and episode overview

🔴 (01:23) Adrian Ramsey's background and approach to design

🔴 (05:10) The importance of client relationships over project type

🔴(08:08) How to understand clients through their behaviour and emotions

🔴 (010:16) The significance of choosing the right clients

🔴 (12:12) The process of building trust and connection with clients

🔴 (15:32) Using vulnerability to deepen client relationships

Everything Leading Our Own Way

🪪 ⁠https://www.link.me/leadingourownway⁠

🌐 ⁠https://www.leadingourownway.com ⁠

Proud Sponsors

🤝 ESHU Skincare: ⁠https://www.eshuskincare.com/⁠

Discount Code: ESHU15LOO

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

🎧 Spotify: ⁠https://www.bit.ly/43H0Mr6⁠ 📺

🎧 Apple: ⁠https://www.apple.co/3J34tOs⁠

🎧 Amazon Music: ⁠https://www.bit.ly/3IIyCFC⁠

📺 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnWay⁠

📚Buy My Book 📚

‘How To Lead With Purpose’ by Andrew White & Mike Nichols ~ ⁠https://www.azonlinks.com/B0C9SNQL6C⁠

Newsletters

📰 ⁠https://substack.com/@leadingourownway⁠

Keep Leading Your Own Way.

What if the most important thing an architect could design is not a building, but a feeling?

Adrian Ramsay is an award winning building designer and the Design Director of Adrian Ramsay, interior designer, TV host co-host of Dream Homes Revealed, and podcast host of Talk Design, where Andrew recently appeared as a guest. Now the tables turn, and Adrian opens up in a conversation that is warm, funny, and genuinely profound.

In this episode, Adrian shares his unique philosophies on emotional design, land whispering, emotional floor plans, and wellness intelligence, revealing how deep human understanding drives truly transformational spaces. He also gets honest about the art of critique, navigating public and private identity, choosing the right clients, vulnerability in business, and the power of gratitude as a daily discipline.

Beyond design, Adrian shares his personal journey, from a creative childhood and the mentors who shaped him, to building resilience through adversity and dreaming big about flipping houses and expanding internationally.

This is a conversation about design, yes. But more than that, it is about knowing yourself, building with purpose, and creating a life that reflects the person you are still becoming.

Follow Leading Our Own Way on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a review if this one moves you.

Connect with Adrian

Designer Director: ⁠www.ardesignhouse.com⁠

National Award Winning studio for new homes and renovations

TV Host: 9Life “Dream Homes Revealed”

⁠https://www.9now.com.au/dream-homes-revealed⁠

Season 3 + 4 + 5 Queensland

Podcast Host : ⁠www.talkdesign.show⁠

Ranked; Global Top 20 Design podcasts

Host Feast Experiences Design Tours

⁠www.feastexperiences.com⁠

Stetson Legendary Hats, Scotch & Soda Clothing

⁠www.stetsonaustralia.com.au⁠ ⁠www.scotch-soda.com.au⁠

Youtube

⁠https://www.youtube.com/@talkdesignpodcast⁠

Spotify

⁠open.spotify.com/show/0UZXqPxvzjhxr8Fkz1rpIE⁠

Instagram

⁠instagram.com/talkdesignwith⁠

Key Topics

- The art of critique in architecture

- The role of emotional connections in design

- Land whispering and natural energy

- The concept of wellness intelligence

- How personal history influences creativity

- The importance of vulnerability in client relationships

- The process of designing for human behaviour

- The significance of land orientation and natural elements

- Building trust and understanding in design projects

- The impact of mental and emotional states on space

Chapters

🔴 (00:00) Introduction to Adrian Ramsey and the episode's focus

🔴 (02:17) The art of critique in architecture and design

🔴 (09:15) The importance of critique and collaboration in architecture

🔴 (10:04) Marlon Blackwell's insight: It's all in the edit

🔴 (12:05) How we edit ourselves and present in different contexts

🔴 (13:16) The public, private, and secret lives we lead

🔴 (14:50) Designing for human behaviour and emotional needs

🔴 (22:12) Adrian's experience on TV and behind the scenes

🔴 (32:22) Land whispering: Connecting with natural energy

🔴 (38:07) The concept of wellness intelligence and emotional floor plans

🔴 (42:08) The impact of land and space on well-being

🔴 (47:47) Deepening understanding of clients through vulnerability

🔴 (55:35) The magic of designing spaces for human experience

🔴 (01:13:59) Conclusion and heres what is in for part two

Everything Leading Our Own Way

🪪 ⁠https://www.link.me/leadingourownway⁠

🌐 ⁠https://www.leadingourownway.com ⁠

Proud Sponsors

🤝 ESHU Skincare: ⁠https://www.eshuskincare.com/⁠

Discount Code: ESHU15LOO

Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:

🎧 Spotify: ⁠https://www.bit.ly/43H0Mr6⁠ 📺

🎧 Apple: ⁠https://www.apple.co/3J34tOs⁠

🎧 Amazon Music: ⁠https://www.bit.ly/3IIyCFC⁠

📺 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@LeadingOurOwnWay⁠

📚Buy My Book 📚

‘How To Lead With Purpose’ by Andrew White & Mike Nichols ~ ⁠https://www.azonlinks.com/B0C9SNQL6C⁠

Newsletters

📰 ⁠https://substack.com/@leadingourownway⁠

Keep leading your own way.