Happy Space Podcast with Clare Kumar

About Happy Space Podcast with Clare Kumar

🙂 Welcome to the Happy Space® Podcast where we explore designing neuroinclusion. Tune in for conversations with shapers of space, creators of culture, and engineers of experience as we highlight astonishing contributions tempting a more tender world. We know that diversity leads to richer results, so let’s accept that #productivityispersonal and commit to designing with greater respect for humanity. I aim to leave you with ideas to better support your colleagues, customers, community, and not least of all, yourself and those who matter most. For, everyone, including you, deserves a Happy Space. 🙂 If you or someone you know will enjoy exploring this topic with a supportive community, check out or share https://www.HappySpacePod.com 🙂 sign up for Clare's the Happy Space monthly "museletter" on Clare's homepage, clarekumar.com and subscribe to her Substack: DesigningHappySpace.Substack.com 🙂 Find out more about your host at https://clarekumar.com/

Publisher

Clare Kumar

Category

arts · business · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Mar 2022

Latest episode

27 Nov 2025

Latest episodes

74 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   27 Nov 2025

   Sound and Social Conflict - with Jan Doering

   Jan Doering, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto explores the complex relationship between sound, behavior, and social conflict, unpacking the social, cultural, and neurological dimensions of sound, and discussing how we can move toward a more considerate coexistence in our shared environments. Sound that delights one person can deeply distress another. Clare and Jan explore how our appreciation of sound is deeply subjective and why this gap often turns into tension in urban life. Through examples from everyday environments, they discuss how noise reflects culture, how it can become a form of power and resistance, and why some people respond to it with frustration or even aggression. The conversation challenges policymakers, urban planners, and designers to take sound seriously as an issue of well-being issue and accessibility, highlighting how neurological safety and collective responsibility can help create more peaceful and inclusive soundscapes. Clare and Jan also reflect on the deeper psychological and emotional layers behind how we relate to sound, revealing that finding peace in a noisy world might start with changing how we listen. Jan Doering is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto. His research explores social control and conflict in urban neighborhoods, as well as how individuals experience and respond to discrimination. He has received research funding from the National Science Foundation, the Fulbright Commission, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Councils. His first book, “Us Versus Them: Race, Crime, and Gentrification in Chicago Neighborhoods” (Oxford University Press, 2020), examines the dynamics of community conflict and identity during the era of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. Key Takeaways Hearing is a sense we cannot turn off, making sound a constant, shared experience. Noise is not just about volume - there are more elements to consider Urban “vibrancy” often comes at the expense of rest and recovery, highlighting a policy blind spot. Municipalities, designers, and leaders can promote neurological safety by designing environments that support well-being and reduce sensory stress. CHAPTERS 03:00 Introduction 06:05 Tension Around Noise 09:10 Defining Noise and Perception 12:16 Reframing Noise Experiences 18:05 Joy in Noise: Machines and Gender 22:18 Noise and Cultural Responsibility 29:08 Government and Policy Failures 36:50 Consequences of Noise Stress 45:50 Allergic to Peace? 51:31 Sadism, Pleasure, and Noise-Making Behavior 58:45 Emotional vs. Intellectual Arguments for Quiet 01:04:40 Density, Well-being, and Cultural Vision 01:08:00 Creative Solutions and Happy Spaces Sources Clamor by Chris Berdik — https://www.chrisberdik.com (https://www.chrisberdik.com) Golden: The Power of Silence in a World Full of Noise by Justin Zorn & Leigh Marz — https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Power-Silence-World-Noise/dp/0063027607 (https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Power-Silence-World-Noise/dp/0063027607) Just Think: The Challenges of the Disengaged Mind – Wilson, T.D. et al., Science (2014) — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4330241 (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4330241) Epstein, M. J. (2020). Sound and noise: A listener's guide to everyday life. McGill-Queen's Press-MQUP....

2. 

   22 Jul 2025

   Giving the Disabled a Voice in Airport Design - with Ernesto Morales

   Dr. Ernesto Morales discusses evidence-based research for accessible airports and airplanes, emphasizing co-design, sensory needs, and the need for accountability in aviation accessibility. In episode 61 of the Happy Space Podcast, I spoke with Dr. Ernesto Morales, Full Professor at Université Laval, about two federally funded projects on accessible aviation in Canada. One focuses on airport accessibility, while the other addresses aircraft lavatories. Ernesto shares how involving 72 participants with diverse disabilities through walking interviews and mockups helped surface nuanced barriers and identify improvements. We also discuss the challenges of coordination between stakeholders, the need for sensory-friendly spaces, and the importance of dignity in travel. Ernesto stresses the value of co-design and inclusive research methods, calling for regulatory clarity and deeper accountability in delivering equitable air travel experiences. Ernesto Morales studied architecture and finished a Masters’ Degree in Industrial Design in Mexico City. He obtained a grant from the Government of Mexico to study his Ph.D. in Design at the Faculté de l’aménagement, of the University of Montreal. He did his first post doc in “Environmental Gerontology” at the Research Centre from the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal and a second post-doc at the Research Centre for Innovation in Health Care at Utrecht, the Netherlands on “Healing Environments”. He is Full Professor at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine at the Universté Laval and he is a Researcher at the Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale in Quebec City. He is also a member of the Quebec government's Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Safety of Buildings for Persons with Disabilities. His research interests fall into the following areas: Inclusive design and adaptation of the physical environment. Design solutions to improve the quality of life of people with permanent or temporary disabilities (either cognitive, motor or sensory) in terms of objects, home spaces or urban design. Working and care environments in health institutions (acute and long-term care) and accessibility in emergency situations. CHAPTERS [00:00] Meeting Ernesto Morales and Project Overview [02:00] Walking Interviews at Airports [04:00] Designing Solutions Collaboratively [06:00] Challenges in Airport Coordination [08:00] Public and Private Reporting [09:00] Ernesto’s Personal Motivation [11:00] Co-Design as a Core Practice [13:00] From Heritage Sites to Airports [14:00] Merging Qualitative and Quantitative Data [16:00] Why Canada is Leading in Accessibility [18:00] Federal and Ministry Involvement [20:00] Autism, Sensory Input, and Airport Design [23:00] Stress at Security Checkpoints [26:00] Benefits of Hidden Disability Lanyards [28:00] Advertising and Sensory Overload [30:00] Sensory Zones, Not Just Rooms [33:00] Washroom Accessibility and Service Dogs [36:00] Dignity in Air Travel [38:00] Future Reports and Timelines [39:00] Centralizing Responsibility for Accessibility [41:00] Systemic Change Through Procurement and Training LINKS Rick Hansen Accessibility Certification (https://www.rickhansen.com/become-accessible/accessibility-training-and-education) Accessibility Standards Canada (https://accessible.canada.ca/) Airports Quebec City Calgary Airport Ernesto’s Website (https://www.cirris.ulaval.ca/researchers/ernesto-morales/) IMAGE CREDITS (see images on Youtube video) LOGO - Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Plane Mockup Photos -...

3. 

   8 Jul 2025

   Learn about Accessible Aviation - For Free! - with Dr. Ivan Berazhny

   Clare Kumar interviews Dr. Ivan Berazhny about INCLAVI, a free EU initiative providing certified aviation training, which equips professionals to support diverse travelers and promotes accessibility.

Who has been a guest on Happy Space Podcast with Clare Kumar

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Ivan Berazhny
• Jason Lauritsen
• Kay Sargent
• Megan Henshall
• Ryan Anderson

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 61 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

69

Social presence

94

YouTube

0

Engagement

82

Contact Happy Space Podcast with Clare Kumar

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Happy Space Podcast with Clare Kumar