T-scales Podcast
An architect interviews designers, makers, and thinkers about the practical, technological, and philosophical future of creative industries.
This is an interview podcast where a practicing architect talks shop with other design professionals. Conversations dig into the messy reality of creative work, from the business side of running a firm and the ethics of internships, to the practical application of new tech like AI and 3D printing. The host often challenges industry dogma, particularly around terms like 'sustainability', pushing for more grounded definitions.
“The host's identity as a practicing architect (Ar. Madhavi Ojha) grounds the conversations in professional reality. Unlike purely inspirational or technical design shows, T-scales stands out by directly addressing uncomfortable topics like pay gaps, client compromises, and the financial struggles of running a practice.”
Who hosts this show
Hosted by architect Madhavi Ojha, T-scales features in-depth conversations with professionals at the intersection of design, technology, and entrepreneurship. The show deconstructs the systems, tools (like AI), and business realities shaping creative fields, moving beyond buzzwords to tackle practical and ethical challenges in architecture, product design, and more.
Credentials & credits
- Architect
- Podcast Host
Other ventures
- Ma2n Labs
What kind of podcast
When new episodes drop
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04Ar. Chitra Vishwanath on Designing Living Ecosystems, Not Buildings | TSP 15Apr 1, 2026 · 1h 03m
- 05The AI-Designed Basilisk Shoe That Got Sam Altman’s Attention | TSP 14Mar 15, 2026 · 52 min
- 06Sarang Sheth on Product Design, Press Kits & India’s New Design Wave | TSP 13Dec 12, 2025 · 44 min
- 07
- 08
Notable episodes
- 01The AI-Designed Basilisk Shoe That Got Sam Altman’s Attention | TSP 14
A case study on how a designer used AI (DALL-E) to create a concept that became a real, 3D-printed shoe, demonstrating the podcast's focus on technology's practical impact.
- 02Ar. Chitra Vishwanath on Designing Living Ecosystems, Not Buildings | TSP 15
Features a respected veteran architect challenging the industry's use of 'sustainability', embodying the show's critical and grounded approach to design discourse.
- 03When the World Outgrows Its Systems - Eve Nnaji on Unlearning, Ecology & Uncertainty TSP 16
This episode highlights the show's philosophical side, exploring how creatives must adapt when established frameworks no longer match reality.
What you'll be asked on this show
Host Madhavi Ojha runs a deeply informed and relational interview. She often opens with a personal, philosophical monologue to set the episode's theme before introducing the guest. Her questioning is direct and practical, frequently probing into the financial and ethical realities of the guest's profession with questions like "How do you run a business with architecture?" or "Are you okay with firms paying interns very low stipends?". Ojha builds rapport by sharing anecdotes from her own architectural education and career, and in some cases, reveals a pre-existing relationship with the guest (e.g., her former professor). She effectively uses guests' physical products as conversational centerpieces and often summarizes their points to connect them back to broader industry themes.
Each episode typically begins with a thematic monologue from the host that sets a philosophical frame for the conversation. The interview style is conversational and informed, often leveraging the host's personal connections with guests, who have included her former professor. This rapport allows for direct, candid questions about money, process, and industry ethics.
Questions the host keeps coming back to
12 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when the host reaches for it.
personal
1- Q.01
“Before we begin, who are you and what do you do?”
A standard opening to allow the guest to introduce themselves in their own words.
money
3- Q.01
“How do you run a business with a creative practice like architecture?”
This question directly addresses the financial and entrepreneurial challenges often overlooked in design discussions.
- Q.02
“Is eco-friendly building actually as expensive as people think?”
This serves to debunk common misconceptions and get a practitioner's view on cost.
- Q.03
“How were the sales for this product?”
A direct inquiry into the commercial viability and success of an innovative design.
mindset
1- Q.01
“Why do you seem to run away from the word 'sustainability'?”
The host uses this to challenge popular industry buzzwords and ask for more precise, honest definitions.
process
3- Q.01
“How important is research time versus a client's timeline and budget?”
This question surfaces the core tension between creative ideals and business realities.
- Q.02
“You wear many hats as a designer, marketer, and business person. How does that work for you?”
She asks this to explore the multifaceted role required of modern independent creators.
- Q.03
“Do you get to choose your clients?”
This question seeks to understand the power dynamics and selection process in a client-service business.
controversy
1- Q.01
“Are you okay with the industry practice of paying interns very low stipends?”
A direct question used to probe the ethical standards and labor practices within the design industry.
origin
2- Q.01
“Tell us about the tool or process you used and how it became a real product.”
Used to ground abstract concepts in a concrete origin story, especially for tech-heavy projects.
- Q.02
“How did a specific place, like Lagos, become so crucial to your work?”
This question explores the influence of geography and culture on a designer's perspective and work.
craft
1- Q.01
“Where do your inspirations come from?”
A classic question to understand the aesthetic and cultural influences behind a guest's work.
Signature segments
- · Host's opening philosophical monologue
- · Sign-off: "This is T-Scales. Let's go."
- · Typewriter sound effect in intro
- · Flashing title cards with words like 'DESIGN', 'STRATEGY', 'SCALES'
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are typically established or emerging leaders in design-related fields, including architects, computational designers, industrial designers, and design journalists. Many guests have a connection to the Indian design and architecture scene, but the topics discussed are globally relevant.
- Eve Nnajion When the World Outgrows Its Systems - Eve Nnaji on Unlearning, Ecology & Uncertainty TSP 16
- Chitra Vishwanathon Ar. Chitra Vishwanath on Designing Living Ecosystems, Not Buildings | TSP 15
- Kedar Benjaminon The AI-Designed Basilisk Shoe That Got Sam Altman’s Attention | TSP 14
- Sarang Shethon Sarang Sheth on Product Design, Press Kits & India’s New Design Wave | TSP 13
- Saaransh Singh Rajputon The Honest Side of Being an Architect with Saaransh | Pressure, Pay and Purpose | TSP 12
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast appears to be a self-promotional effort, with ads for the host's own brand, TSCALES. This suggests it's a passion project or a tool for brand-building. Sponsorships would likely appeal to companies selling software, materials, or services to design and architecture professionals.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
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People also ask
- What is the host's real name and background?
- The host is Madhavi Ojha, a practicing architect. Her professional background informs the podcast's practical and critical perspective on design.
- What is the format of the podcast?
- It is a long-form interview show. Each episode features a conversation between the host, Ar. Madhavi Ojha, and a guest from a design-related field.
- Is the T-scales Podcast still active?
- Yes, based on the episode release dates, the podcast publishes new episodes on a monthly basis.
- Who are the typical guests on the show?
- Guests are typically architects, industrial designers, computational designers, and design journalists who are actively shaping their fields.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The T-scales Podcast is available on YouTube.
- What makes this podcast different from other design shows?
- It focuses heavily on the business, ethical, and practical realities of a creative career, rather than just aesthetics or theory. The host's direct questions about money, labor, and industry buzzwords set it apart.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]Sarang Sheth on Product Design, Press Kits & India’s New Design Wave | TSP 13youtube.com
- [02]Curves meets corners: Megha Dugar on Meaningful Interiors | TSP 09youtube.com
- [03]Chitra Vishwanath - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
- [04]Biome Environmental Solutions: Pioneers of Ecological Architecturethearchitectsdiary.com
- [05]The Designers Working With Zellerfeldlaceless.design
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