The Building Culture Podcast
by Austin Tunnell
Fusing the liberal arts with architecture, construction and real estate to build a more beautiful, resilient, and thriving world for PEOPLE. I believe a more thriving world is possible through restoring our built environment. But today's hyper-segregated, financialized building industry is not conducive to solving complex problems or creating dynamic places for human flourishing. I interview a wide range of guests involved with crafting the built world: developers, architects, urban designers, builders, investors, inventors & officials, exploring holistic solutions to a better human habitat.
Episodes
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#50: Alexandra Vondeling: The Neighborhood IS the amenity
Alex Vondeling has spent her career digging into the part of the problem most people skip past. Not whether we need more housing, we clearly do, but what kind, at what scale, and arranged in what way. She is a principal at Opticos Design, the Berkeley firm that coined the term missing middle...
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#49 Alicia Pederson: How We Designed Families Out of the City
Alicia Pederson spent her twenties living in a 16th-century palazzo in Florence, and it changed everything about how she sees cities, density, and what American urbanism has quietly abandoned. She's the founder of Courtyard Urbanist and holds a PhD in English from Northwestern with a specialty in...
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#48 Mike Hathorne: The Great Housing Reversal - It's not a housing shortage, but a mismatch.
Mike Hathorne spent 30 years in real estate and development trying to understand why the industry keeps building the wrong thing. His answer is in his book, The Great Housing Reversal.It's not a housing shortage. It's a housing mismatch. 64% of American households are one or two people. Over half...
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#47 Apollo Workspace: There's a Better Way to Work
This episode is a personal one. I sat down with Sarah — my wife, my partner in all of this — to talk about Apollo Workspace: what it is, why we’re building it, and what it means within our larger project, Townsend, in downtown Edmond.We met in the Peace Corps in Uganda, got married after a...
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#46 Jan Sramek: California Forever - Building the Next Great American City
In this episode, I sit down with Jan Sramek, Founder and CEO of California Forever, to talk about one of the most ambitious development efforts in the country: they're building the next great American city. Chapters 0:00 — Why This Conversation Matters 02:05 — Meeting Jan and the Origins of...
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#45 Aleksandr Gampel: Reinventing Homebuilding with Mobile Micro-Factories and Cuby Technologies
What if the future of affordable housing doesn’t come from prefab or 3D printing, but from building vertically integrated factories that travel to where homes are needed most? In this episode, I sit down with Aleksandr Gampel, co-founder and COO of Cuby Technologies, to talk about their radical...
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#44 Ann Sussman and Kelsey Bradley: Cognitive Architecture – Stone Age Brains In A Modern World: What Neuroscience Can Teach Us About Making Places People Love
What if the key to designing better cities wasn’t just in concrete, code, or cost, but in understanding how our brains actually work? In this episode, I talk with Ann Sussman and Kelsey Bradley of the Human Architecture and Planning Institute (HAPI) about a subject that’s as profound as it is...
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#43 Isaac French: You Can Just Do Things – How a First-Time Developer Built One Of The Most Beloved Retreat Brands In The Country
In this episode, I talk with Isaac French, founder of Live Oak Lake and one of the most thoughtful voices I’ve come across in the world of experiential real estate. Isaac’s story reads like an adventure novel: raised with eight siblings on a Texas farm, homeschooled, steeped in grit. Well before...
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#42 Charles Duff: North Atlantic Cities - The Forgotten Blueprint for the Future
New episode out now with Charles Duff, author of The North Atlantic Cities. This is one I’ve wanted to record for years, ever since I read his book. Charles lays out a vision of city building that’s neither skyscraper-packed Manhattan nor endless suburban sprawl, but something in between.…
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#41 Joachim Tantau: Sacred Geometry, Beauty, and the Universal Language of Nature
In this episode, I sit down with Joachim Tantau–a cabinetmaker, artist, teacher, and occasional architect to explore the quiet power of sacred geometry. Joachim works at the intersection of tradition, craftsmanship, and cosmic math. His approach to design isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about...
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#40 Inflation, Architecture, and the Death of Beautiful Buildings - a Yoeman Podcast Guest Episode
A hundred years ago, people in small towns were building things that still stop us in our tracks. Two-story brick shops on the corner of Main and Commerce. Sturdy. Modest. Enduring. And beautiful. So the question is: what changed? I joined Geoff Graham on his Yeoman podcast, alongside Jaime...
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#39 Alli Thurmond Quinlan - The Field-Tested Guide to Terraforming Your City
You’re not supposed to be good at everything. But somehow, Alli is. Architect, landscape architect, developer, GC, policy reformer, zoning translator, builder of teams, builder of trust, builder of actual buildings-it’s no wonder we spent the first five minutes of this episode just trying to list...
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#38 Jeral Poskey: Urban Transportation of the Future? Retrofitting Suburbia with Swyft Cities.
In this episode, I talk with Jeral Poskey, former project executive at Google, and current Founder and CEO of Swyft Cities, about a radically different approach to urban transportation that’s fast, flexible, and surprisingly affordable. Spoiler: it's not autonomous or flying cars. When I first...
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#37 Ryan Johnson: Culdesac - Building America’s First Car-Free Neighborhood From Scratch
In this episode, I talk with Ryan Johnson, co-founder and CEO of Culdesac, about building the United States’ first car-free neighborhood from scratch. We discuss everything from winning over the fire department with foldable ladders to building hundreds of units without building a single parking...
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#36 Stephen Smith: Safety vs. Sanity: The Surprising Cost of Over-Regulating Our Built World
In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Smith, founder of the Center for Building, to uncover the labyrinthine world of building codes—how they’re made, who really influences them, and why they end up stifling the very innovation and affordability we need. From the peculiarities of elevator...
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#35 Moses Kagan: Building Generational Wealth with Generational Assets - "Indefinite Holds" in Real Estate
Moses Kagan has a unique take on real estate development and investing – and he’s influenced my thinking substantially over the past couple of years. He is a highly successful syndicator, investor and developer with over $200 million in assets under management. He runs Adaptive Realty, having...
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#34 Coby Lefkowitz: Building Optimism - Rethinking Cities, Architecture, and the Future of Urban Design
What if our cities weren’t just places we lived, but places that made us feel alive? In this episode, we welcome back Coby, an urban planner, developer, and author of Building Optimism, to talk about how we can move beyond pessimism and reclaim the built environment. We dive into the philosophy…
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#33 Matthew Plechan: How to Paint Masonry. The Durable, Breathable Beauty of Mineral Stains.
Most Americans think painting brick is as simple as grabbing a bucket of latex or oil-based paint, but this common approach can wreak havoc on your home–and is uglier to boot. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Plechan, the founder of Mineral Stains. We dive deep into the art and science of...
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#32 Citymakers Collective: Empowering the Next Generation of Architects, Developers and Builders
I’m excited to share this conversation with Will McCollum and Matthew Marshall, the passionate minds behind Citymakers Collective. This summer, they’re hosting a transformative two-week program in Charleston, featuring some of the top practitioners in the New Urbanism and human-centered design...
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#31 Wrapping Up the Year: Building a Business, Management, Branding & Vision, Tech Stack, Resources, Updated Thinking, and a Merry Christmas from Building Culture
Hi everyone! I’m excited to share our final episode of the year, marking one full year of the Building Culture Podcast! This episode is a solo reflection—something new for me—where I dive into the evolution of our brand, key business learnings, our tech stack, updated thinking, and personal…
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#30: Sarah Campbell: All About Windows for Design Nerds
In this episode, I chat with Sarah Campbell, an architectural consultant at Sierra Pacific, to explore the key details that matter when selecting one of the most significant investments in any building: windows. Whether you're an architect, developer, builder, or planning a home renovation or new...
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#29 DEBATE: Chuck Marohn & Nolan Gray - Strong Towns & YIMBY Approach to the Housing Crisis
In this episode, I sit down with Chuck Marohn from Strong Towns and Nolan Gray from California YIMBY to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: the housing crisis in America. It started with an exchange on X (Twitter) where I saw Nolan and Chuck disagreeing. Surprised, I asked them on...
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#28 Jen Griffin: Fast-Tracking Affordable Housing: How Pre-Approved Building Plans Are Enabling Infill & Changing Communities
In this episode, I sat down with architect and advocate Jennifer Griffin to delve into real-life examples of missing-middle, pre-approved plan programs and their potential to transform local development. While fixing zoning laws is essential, it’s not enough to significantly increase missing…
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#27 Steve Mouzon: Catching Up with an OG in the New Urbanist Movement
In this episode, I sit down with OG Steve Mouzon, a well-known architect, designer and instigator of the New Urbanist movement, to explore the art of building places that truly matter. Steve shares compelling stories from his journey in urbanism, including projects like Mahogany Bay Village and...
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#26 Daniel Herriges: The Strong Towns Approach to the Housing Crisis
In this episode I sit down with Daniel Herriges, the new Policy Director for Parking Reform, and co-author of The Housing Trap, a book he wrote alongside Strong Towns' Chuck Marohn. We delve into the complex issue of housing affordability, discussing how it goes far beyond the usual culprits of...
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#25 Jaime Izurieta: Reviving Main Street - Designing Authentic Experiences with “The Storefront Guy”
I sit down with Jaime Izurieta, founder of Storefront Mastery, to explore the transformation of local businesses into powerful engines for community engagement and downtown revitalization. Drawing on his diverse background in architecture, urban planning, and retail design, Jaime shares how he...
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#24 Thomas Dougherty: Designing a One Acre Infill Townhome Neighborhood & Good Suburban Development
I invited Thomas Dougherty, or lead urban designer, back on the Podcast to discuss real life lessons behind several of our current projects at Building Culture. We discuss Townsend, a 1+ acre infill site with 19 townhomes, a couple live/works and 10,000 SF of boutique commercial, that we are...
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Welcome to The Building Culture Podcast
Inspiring and equipping architects, developers, and anyone working in the built environment to craft a more beautiful and resilient world for people.
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#23 Sara Bega: Las Catalinas - Building a Stunning Car-Free, Kid-Friendly, Multi-Generational Town
Las Catalinas might be the most beautiful town built in the 21st century. And my guest today, Sara Bega, has stewarded its evolution as Town Architect for a decade. Las Catalinas is a car-free, kid-friendly, multi-generational community in Costa Rica. Their goal is to create a pedestrian-first...
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#22 Alan Pullman: Creating Meaningful, Mixed-Use Infill Projects that Make Our Cities Better.
Today I get to speak with Alan Pullman, founder of Studio One Eleven, an architecture, urban design and landscape architecture practice focused on human scaled, mixed-use infill projects. They have a truly impressive portfolio of work. I love their “practice themes” which I think will resonate…
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#21 Bobby Fijan: Building Multi-Family Apartments for Families with Simple Adjustments
I had the opportunity to speak with Bobby Fijan today, who sometimes refers to himself as the Bill James of floorplans. His focus? Building apartments for families – and helping others do it too. He’s a developer, entrepreneur and consultant. We discuss the lack of family-friendly apartment...
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#20 Rob Parker: Trilith President - Town Builders of the 21st Century and the New Walkable City
Trilith is a newly built (and growing) walkable community located next to Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. It is one of the most successful TNDs and New Urbanists communities in the country. Rob Parker, as President, leads a team of designers, architects, planners and builders in creating the...
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#19 Justin Mares - Pt 2: Fixing the Broken Food & Health Systems
In part 2 Justin Mares and I discuss the broken food and health systems in the US and the need to prioritize human flourishing. We get into the weaponization of our instincts by companies that produce addictive food, the importance of fixing our environment and food system, and the role of human...
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#18 Justin Mares - Pt 1: The Great American Poisoning
Justin Mares is the founder of Kettle and Fire, Perfect Keto, and Surely Non-Alcoholic Wines, and is working on his fourth company: Truemed. I am super impressed with what Justin has accomplished, and am a big fan of Kettle and Fire. My wife and I drink their bone broth regularly. What I am most...
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#17 Andy Boenau: Rethinking Traffic Engineering: Questioning Established Norms & Prioritizing Human Well-being in Urban Planning
I got the chance to chat with Andy Boenau today, who sometimes refers to himself as a Plangineer, with a background in urban planning and engineering. We chat about the flaws in traffic engineering and the need for a different approach to the built environment. Andy is passionate about…
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#16 Micah Springut: Revolutionizing Architecture with AI & Robotic Stone Carving
Micah is the founder of Monumental Labs, one of the most exciting companies in the architecture and construction industry right now. It blends humanistic values with tech – much like Apple did to revolutionize the computer industry in the 80’s. His company is building robotic stone carving...
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#15 Matt Dean: Creating an Authentic Brand in Commercial Real Estate & Caring About People
In this episode I get to chat with Matt Dean of Dean & Co, an award-winning agency that we at Building Culture hired to collaborate on our Townsend project, an urban infill, mixed-use neighborhood breaking ground later this year (2024). While out of LA, he made a trip to Oklahoma City in the…
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#14 Devon Zuegel: Building a People-First Town From Scratch with Esmeralda & Rethinking How We Live
Devon Zuegel is planning a bold, people-centered town from scratch. She has a background in software engineering and has worked at some of the big firms in Silicon Valley. She discovered a passion for urbanism and housing while living in San Francisco when she started looking into why there…
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#13 Philippe Block: The Incredible Future of Sustainable Construction
I met Philippe Block while studying historic masonry structures in Spain last summer. He presented his work and I was blown away. He is a pioneering structural engineer who, as part of his research group Block Research Group, is inventing the future of sustainable construction by blending old...
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#12 Ruben Hanssen: Dutch City Building; Beauty & Culture; Everyday Experience; Tradition v Modernity
Today I interview Ruben Hassan, a Dutch podcaster and founder of the Aesthetic City podcast. Ruben shares his journey from being an engineer to becoming a full-time podcaster and filmmaker. We discuss the state of construction and development in the Netherlands and the importance of creating...
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#11 Thomas Dougherty: Infill Development; Smaller Scale & Vibrancy; Humanism
Today, I have friend and colleague Thomas Dougherty on the podcast. Last year Tom joined the Building Culture team as our lead Urban Designer. He studied architecture and urban design at Notre Dame and focused on inner block development and has become known as the "alley-guy" for his expertise in...
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#10 Coby Lefkowitz: Beliefs Inform Building; Personal Agency; Creating a Better World for All
I'm thrilled to have Coby Lefkowitz on the show today. Coby is an urbanist, real estate developer, writer, and consultant based in New York, and I would add, all around optimist. I've been following him on X for several years, and while it was our first conversation it felt like we had known each...
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#9 Sam Day Pt. 2: Retrofitting Suburbia, Importance of Centers, Architecture School & Development
Today I'm dropping the second half of my conversation with Sam Day. In case you missed Part 1, head back to Episode 8 in our Podcast series to check it out. Sam is an architect, urbanist, and infill developer based in Oklahoma City--a rare combination of someone designing buildings (architect),...
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#8 Sam Day Pt 1: Tackling Housing, Retrofitting Suburbia, Land Value Tax & Infill Development
In the first half of today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with a friend and colleague, Sam Day. Sam is an architect, urbanist, and infill developer based in Oklahoma City--a rare combination of someone designing buildings (architect), creating spaces with those buildings (urbanist)…
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#7 R. John Anderson - An Insightful Journey From Tradesman to Developer
Today I sit down with the infamous and inspiring R. John Anderson, also known as 'R John the Bad'. We dive into John's unique story, from his early days quitting high school to pursue his passion in the trades, to his transformative experiences as a developer and influential figure in urban...
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#6 Matthew Myers - A Deep Dive on Community, Culture & Real Estate Development
Today I get to chat with my business partner and mentor Matthew Myers, a successful entrepreneur, syndicator and real estate developer of unique, infill projects. As a local developer renowned for his work on infill pocket neighborhoods, Matthew shares a wealth of knowledge and personal insights....
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#5 Austin Tunnell - Accepting Suffering, Finding Meaning, the Future of Building Culture
In this conversation, Austin Tunnell shares a personal story of surviving a bus accident and the life changes and challenges he has faced since then. He discusses the importance of identity and acceptance in adapting to new circumstances. Austin also talks about the evolution of Building…
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#4 Trevor Acorn - The Future of Construction w/ Structural Mastery from a Structural Engineer
In this conversation, Trevor Acorn, a structural engineer, discusses his background and experience in the field. He explains his interest in structural masonry and how he became familiar with it through restoration work. The conversation also covers the strength and durability of masonry compared...
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#3 Anthony Catania - Designing Vibrant Communities for PEOPLE
In this episode, Austin interviews Anthony Catania, an experienced architect and urban designer who specializes in New Urbanist communities and TNDs. They delve into the essence of building for people, the challenges faced in the process, and the vision required for creating vibrant, walkable...
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#2 Matt Hayes: What Every Architecture Student Needs to Know
Listen in on the one-year anniversary of Matt Hayes joining the Building Culture team. Whether you're considering architecture as your field of study, want to hear what the day to day of working for a Design & Build small business is like, or are just curious to hear more on what makes beautiful...
About this show
Fusing the liberal arts with architecture, construction and real estate to build a more beautiful, resilient, and thriving world for PEOPLE. I believe a more thriving world is possible through restoring our built environment. But today's hyper-segregated, financialized building industry is not conducive to solving complex problems or creating dynamic places for human flourishing. I interview a wide range of guests involved with crafting the built world: developers, architects, urban designers, builders, investors, inventors & officials, exploring holistic solutions to a better human habitat.
Hosted by
Austin Tunnell