Artificial stone slabs are made primarily from quartz, a mineral that contains high levels of silica — often more than 90%. As the use of engineered stone has grown, so have cases of silicosis, especially in California. This serious and preventable lung disease is impacting workers across the construction, fabrication, and design industries.
In this episode, Christine Peter and Kelsey Sebastian sit down with leading experts in occupational and public health to break down what silicosis is, why cases are rising, and what it means for the Architecture and Design (A+D) community. Together, they explore the health risks associated with silica exposure, current regulations, and the steps designers, specifiers, and industry leaders can take to help prevent this disease.

Featuring insights from:
Kristin J. Cummings, MD, MPH, ATSF — Chief, Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health
Jenny Houlroyd, DrPH, CIH — Occupational Health Group Manager, Safety, Health, Environmental Services (SHES) at Georgia Tech
Lisa Patrick-Mudd, MPH — Policy and Programs Manager, Office of Worker Health and Safety, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Join us for an important conversation about material health, worker safety, and the role the A+D community can play in protecting lives.

This episode is sponsored by Bentley Mills

The “Trauma Informed Design” discussion will address the importance of acknowledging the pervasive nature of trauma and why it is a pillar of Inclusive Design. The nuances that allow occupants to recover, regulate if needed, and foster inclusiveness and empowerment.
The event will explore relationships between trauma and workplace experiences and how physical space can influence persons wellbeing.
The event is organized by IIDA SoCal EDI Sector
Panelist:
Dr. Lauren Gant (https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurengant/), Senior Ergonomics and Wellness Strategist at HNI Corporation (https://www.hnicorp.com/)
Moderator:
Jesus Morello – IIDA SoCal San Diego EDI Ambassador | Gensler (https://www.gensler.com/)
Tickets:
Member: Free
Non-Member: $35
Students: Free
This event is also being held in Orange County (https://iida-socal.org/events/edi-trauma-informed-design-orange-county-02-18-26/) and Los Angeles (https://iida-socal.org/events/edi-trauma-informed-design-los-angeles-02-19-26/).

Today on “Living Your Truth” we are thrilled to spotlight
a new campaign, “I Am IIDA.” Joining us for this special
episode is Justin Castillo, our Vice President of
Membership.

Justin will share his personal journey into the design
industry — how it all began, the challenges he faced, and
the ways he overcame adversity to become the best
version of himself. He’ll also reflect on how joining IIDA
years ago ultimately led him to his current leadership role
on the IIDA Southern California Board.

His genuine passion for life and people is sure to inspire
you — and perhaps help you discover something new
within yourself. Join us for this meaningful and authentic
conversation with Justin Castillo.

Sponsor:
Taylor Design
At Taylor Design we firmly believe that great design can empower people to be, and do, their best. Serving clients for over 45 years with offices across California, our practice delivers architecture, interior design, medical planning, lab planning and design strategy services in the healthcare, science and technology, higher education, and senior living sectors.
www.wearetaylor.com

I’m excited to announce our next episode, which will delve into the pillars of sustainability, specifically examining how irresponsible overproduction, manufacturing, and development practices are impacting many neighborhoods. Our focus is on disadvantaged communities, where these practices have resulted in adverse effects on health, cultural identity, and social standing.

We will:

- Explore the key pillars of sustainability

- Highlight the challenges faced by communities impacted by unsustainable practices

- Discuss the interplay between environmental, social, and economic factors

This discussion will set the stage for a more in-depth exploration during our upcoming panel discussion on August 13, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. We're eager to create a collaborative environment for exchanging ideas and identifying actionable solutions to help these communities thrive.

This series is brought to you by our sponsor Bently Mills

We are thrilled to share some exciting news from the IIDA EDI Southern California Chapter!

We are launching a new series on our podcast, focusing on sustainability. This endeavor has been in the making for some time, and we’re excited to finally kick it off! 🌿 Our new platform will dedicatedly support all things substantial, allowing us to dive deep into the crucial topic of sustainability.

We are honored to announce that Bently Mills will be our sponsor for this series, celebrating our shared commitment to bring important discussions around sustainability to our members.

As part of this initiative, we will also be rolling out a new EDI Sustainable Ambassador role, alongside an **EDI Sustainable Student Ambassador Role. These positions are designed to engage our community in these vital conversations and further contribute to our mission.

We are excited to invite you to today's podcast, where we will engage in a fascinating and insightful discussion about artificial intelligence. More importantly, we will delve into the essential topic of ensuring that AI is more inclusive.

Joining us is the incredibly talented Tovah Cook, who is taking on the daunting challenge of addressing not only AI itself but also the complexities and dysphoria that it presents to new users. Tovah will share insights on how we can overcome these obstacles to obtain the most relevant data and insights when seeking AI's support in critical areas of industry growth.

As we see AI making its mark in sectors like healthcare, business development, design, architecture, and education, it is clear that the potential applications are vast. However, we must remember that the information fed into AI must reflect the forefront of our society and the communities we serve.

This is where innovative thinkers like Tovah Cook play a crucial role. Her expertise highlights the importance of inclusivity in AI development, and her vision makes her a true change-maker for our future.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn, engage, and be inspired!

This Week on Open Mic: We're joined by Kevin Maxwell, National Manager at Cube World USA, for an inside look at how they're transforming workspaces across the country.

Whether you're furnishing a new office or upgrading an existing space, Cube World USA offers turnkey solutions for projects of any size. Kevin shares practical tips, industry trends, and what sets Cube World apart when it comes to planning, furnishing, and servicing offices, facilities, and more.

Learn more at cubeworldusa.com

Series “In My Own Words”: This episode of The Conversation Continues Podcast features Cabello Costa from Interface, who shares his journey from growing up in Brazil to building a life and career in the United States. He reflects on how his childhood memories shaped his perspective, the challenges of adapting to a new culture, and the experience of overcoming language barriers. Cabello talks about finding meaningful connections, breaking stereotypes, and embracing new opportunities with resilience and determination. His story highlights the power of perseverance, the importance of community, and the personal growth that comes from stepping outside your comfort zone.