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.

#299 - Networking and Community at the AIA Conference

In this episode we discuss our experiences at the 2023 AIA Conference on Architecture and the election of Evelyn Lee, FAIA as the 2025 President elect. The conversation also touches on the increasing role of AI in architecture and the need to reinvent the profession for the future.

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#298 - Prototyping Ideas and Making Stuff with Cam Anderson of BlacktailStudio

In a conversation about woodworking and content creation, Cam Anderson of BlacktailStudio joins the podcast to discuss the importance of making interesting projects rather than chasing algorithms or demographics.

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#297 - Literal and Figurative Scars

We discuss scars from our youth and scars from the profession, object visualizers versus text-based learners, the lack of hands-on education in schools and the devaluation of blue-collar work, and the result of a disconnection between architects and the physical construction process.

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#296 - From Ice Cubes to CEUs

Sparked by a new offer, we revisit the value of NCARB membership.

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#295 - AI in Architecture

Evan and Cormac discuss the use of AI in architecture, including image and text generation, automating mundane tasks, increasing productivity, as well as the ethical implications of its use, and more.

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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!
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#294 - ‘Three Recessions Away from Extinction’, with Evelyn Lee

Special guest Evelyn Lee joins Evan and Cormac to discuss the pressing need for architectural firms to evolve in order to survive during economic downturns.

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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!
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#293 - Architecture School is ___K__

Evan and Cormac talk about the importance of understanding the "why" in architecture education and transitioning into a career in architecture.

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#292 - ‘Out of Architecture’, with Jake Rudin

We have a conversation with Jake Rudin, co-author of the recently published book titled "Out of Architecture" to discuss the need for architects to appropriately value themselves and their skills to create a more positive and sustainable profession, or perhaps to leave it altogether.

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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!
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#291 - Architects are an Endangered Species

We discuss the value of negotiation during a job search, the lack of training in architectural education about money and business, the ongoing talent drought, waning architectural publications as an analogy to the profession, and provide our take on a provocative LinkedIn post.

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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!
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#290 - “Rough” Inspections

We discuss the value of doing home renovations and learning construction skills as an architect, talk about the importance of compromise, collaboration, and learning from hands-on experiences.

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#289 - An Architect Walks Into a Building

We have a conversation about the process of becoming a licensed architect in the United States and discuss the challenges of taking multiple Architect Registration Exams (ARE), NCARB’s rolling clock policy changes, and the need for change in 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!
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#288 - Birth Control for Engineers

We discuss Evan’s tireless experience of the “sufferfest” that is moving one’s family into a new home, Cormac’s recent experiences with the ACE Mentor program, and we ask the question more people in the profession should be: Would people become architects if the we were honest about what it’s really like to be 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!
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