Episodes

What’s it really like to work in architecture? The hosts of Archispeak know, and they’re here to share real-life experiences. Since 2012 architects Evan Troxel and Cormac Phalen have been podcasting their brand of real talk on everything from design, tools, and work/life balance to generational differences, mentoring, job hunting, and more. Probing questions, revelatory interviews, and unique insights have grown their audience and become a weekly ritual for students and seasoned professionals alike.

#73 - Presentation Skills

Our words matter. Presentations. Interviews. Meetings. We are either selling ourselves (and/or our expertise, process and services) to get the job in the first place, or we are selling the work we are in the midst of doing in the form of charrettes and presentations in-house. Listen to Episode #73 of Archispeak as we discuss presentation skills that will help you craft and deliver messages that resonate with audiences.

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#72 - [EQxD]

Archispeak welcomes back Rosa T. Sheng, Architect and Senior Associate with Bohlin Cywinski Jackson to discuss Equity. Rosa updates us on the progress and impact she and her team have had on the architectural profession. Join us for an enlightening episode how one person can change the world one bite at a time.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#71 - The Role of the Designer

In episode 71, join Archispeak for a spirited conversation discussing the role of the Designer. While generally thought of as the "fun" part of the architectural profession, the Designer is the one that puts their work up on the wall for everyone to see, criticize, tear apart and comment on. The Designer gets to hear how they did it wrong and listen to how all the armchair quarterbacks would have done it. Putting it out there might actually be the toughest part of the job.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#70 - All About Design

Archispeak welcomes Alice Kimm of John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects to talk about the upcoming Monterey Design Conference (MDC). Listen in to learn more about the MDC, the setting and the speakers appearing at this unique conference that is, all about design.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!
In Tags

#69 - The Cormac Show

Is anything real? Architecture is real, which is what makes it so good to watch. In Episode 69, Archispeak turns the camera upon itself to discuss the very real life experiences of changing jobs and remembers what it is like on the first day in a new office.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#68 - Office Space

In episode 68 of Archispeak we discuss the signs that maybe your current job is not the right one (hint: if you're not fulfilled, that's a clue) and if not, how to leave it. Join us for a lively discussion and don't forget to put a coversheet on your TPS reports before they go out. That'd be great. All right!

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#67 - 40 to Life

Are you just starting your career and don't know if you're ready to 'marry' yourself to a niche in the architectural profession? Inspired by a listener, Episode 67 of Archispeak explores the questions that face many new practitioners when it comes to selecting a firm at which to work and/or considering moving to another firm. Join us as we chase the dream of finding your place in architecture.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#66 - House Plans

Archispeak returns to discuss the subject of Episode 29 - Plans "Я" Us, which is the most commented episode of the podcast. This time we talk with special guest host Gregory La Vardera Architect. He helps us navigate this supplemental income opportunity and argues that this is something that architects should be doing to introduce better quality design for everyone.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#65 - Coffee Talk

Coffee. Fonts. Consultants. How are these topics related? They are each subjects of Episode 65 of Archispeak. Tune in to hear our thoughts on our favorite coffee, which fonts you should be using on your construction documents and how to live peacefully with your consultants.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#64 - The Future is Virtually Here

In Episode 64 we discuss the virtual office and who better to join us for this conversation than the person who has moved to just this sort of work environment, Mark R. LePage of Entrepreneur Architect. Mark helps up explore some tools that you can use as we question if the virtual office the future of architectural practice.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#63 - Back to Reality

Archispeak gets back to reality after the AIA Convention in Atlanta. In Episode 63 we discuss the issues and complications that arise after taking time off to attend professional events. We also explore the benefits to taking a break which can lead to you coming back recharged and more passionate about the profession!

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#62 - Day Three #AIACon15

In our last episode from the great host city of Atlanta, Archispeak discusses the value of attending #aiacon15 as we recap the second day and look forward to day three of the AIA Convention.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#61 - Day Two #AIACon15

Archispeak looks back on the first full day at the AIA Convention in Atlanta, which included some inspiring and not so inspiring Keynote speeches headlined by former President Bill Clinton. We also discuss the results from the NCARB Task Force and their stand on the use of "intern" plus a look at the Death of the Tweetup.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#60 - Day One #AIACon15

The social media Illuminati gathers in Atlanta to discuss Equity by Design and what we're looking forward to doing on Day One of the AIA Convention in Atlanta. Join Archispeak for as we discuss what we are looking forward to at #AIACon15 Day One.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#59 - Three Architects Walk Into a Bar - Part Two

In part two of a special episode, Archispeak continues the discussion and explores work flexibility, what are the tradeoffs and/or benefits, and how school is not preparing architects to work nine to five. We also consider the process of creativity and how it does not happen on a schedule. Can an architect turn their brain off so it only works during office hours? We wrap up the conversation that happens when three architects walk into a bar.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#58 - Three Architects Walk Into a Bar - Part One

In the first of a two part episode Archispeak begins the discussion with a question about how architects address staffing in an improving economy and expands to include various related topics. In part one we explore what are "normal" business hours, having a strategy for growth verses just reacting to a changing market, plus the challenge of finding staff that "speaks" the same CAD/BIM language. It's what happens when three architects walk into a bar and conversation ensues.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#57 - SQUIRREL!

Interruptions and distractions are something that all architects deal with in life, school and the profession. How do we deal with them? In Episode 57 Archispeak… oh, did we forget to mention we will be attending the AIA Convention in Atlanta in May? Wait, what was that again? Oh, yes, distractions caused by co-workers, notifications on our computers and phones make it difficult to stay productive. We provide tips and… oh, and we are also going to be doing daily episodes from the AIA Convention… so listen in as we share some neuroses of some of our coworkers and challenge our audience to do the same.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#56 - The Same But Different

Whether you are a Google or an Apple user you are likely heavily invested in products or services from each company. They both have differing ways each goes about its business and products. In Episode #56 Archispeak discusses how these different approaches to their products and services influence the architecture for their new corporate campuses.

Also, listen for a special announcement concerning Archispeak and the 2015 AIA Convention. No spoilers! You will have to listen to find out.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#55 - This Episode is Rejected

Architects face rejection all the time, from the very first critique all the way through their professional careers. How one deals with that rejection can make a huge difference in their personal and professional lives. In Episode 55, Archispeak explores the different rejections architects encounter, including turning the tables and rejecting potential clients, then provides insider tips on how best to turn those rejections into positives.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

#54 - Agent of Change

Sometimes, how we start our architectural careers can ultimately pigeonhole us. Are you tired of the same old routine day after day, week after week, or project after project? Do you feel like you or your employees are in a rut? If so, tune in and listen to Episode 54 of Archispeak as we talk about how to break free of monotony and ways leaders can help their people get unstuck.

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Comment Rules: Be cool like the Fonz. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, we’ll delete your stuff. Please do not put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials and not your business name, as the latter comes off like spam. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!