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.

#350 - Coffee, Hurricanes, and Leadership

In Archispeak's 350th episode, we celebrate with a "Coffee Boy" bean unboxing and explore Evan's Florida un-conference experience.

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#349 - ’Experiencing Infratecture‘, with Slade Sheaffer

Explore innovative architecture with Slade Sheaffer as he shares insights from his travels across Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany. This episode highlights the fusion of infrastructure and architecture, featuring projects like Copenhagen's Camp Adventure Tower and Copenhill, a unique urban skiing experience.

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#348 - Witnessing the Birth of Passion

Cormac discusses his recent teaching experience highlighting a studio project where students tackle real-world constraints in an adaptive reuse project in Flint, Michigan.

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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!

#347 - Evan’s Summer Adventures

Join us as we discuss Evan’s summer family road trip and a new development in his architectural career.

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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!

#346 - Balancing Academia and Professional Practice

This episode explores Cormac's new role as an adjunct faculty member at Lawrence Technical University. We talk about teaching challenges in architectural education, the importance of understanding design rationales, and the value of PhDs in the field.

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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!

#345 - Cormac's Continued Architectural Summer Adventures

Join us as we dive into Cormac's continued architectural summer adventures. This time he’s exploring the East Coast, Prince Edward Island, and visiting one of his architectural hero in Nova Scotia.

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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!

#344 - He Pulled it Out of His _____

Pen refills and alignment OCD, the significance of what makes some architecture lovable, a review of the book '100 Buildings' by Thom Mayne, why certain buildings are preserved with immense dedication, 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!

#343 - Punching the Building

What is a punch list? Who should be creating them? Why do they exist? We also talk about the practice of architecture being an adhocracy, what that means, and wonder if there’s any way our profession can change.

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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!

#342 - From Idea to Execution

Cormac recently went on a road trip with special guest Angelo Pirali to explore many (yes many!) remarkable Midwest architectural landmarks, and they’re here today to share it with us.

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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!

#341 - The Kevin Bacon of Architecture

Hats, road trips, and architecture: a chat about summer adventures.

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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!

#340 - AIA’24 Recap

Join us in this episode as we recount our time at the 2024 AIA Conference on Architecture recently held in Washington DC. We highlight the travel, keynote speakers, the expo hall, the incredible museums, and the architectural community.

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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!

#338 - Musical Appreciation

We use another podcast’s deep analysis of Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' as the basis for a discussion about the unrealistic project timelines of HGTV-like home makeover shows compared to the actual architectural design process.

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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!

#337 - Time For a New Project

Cormac is on a new project which leads the conversation into exploring the complexities of working with historic buildings and the nuances of adaptive reuse projects.

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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!

#335 - ‘Multiple Pathways to Architectural Licensure’, with Jon Baker

Jon Baker joins us to discuss different licensure pathways offered by NCARB. He talks about the importance of licensure, the IPAL program, integrating practical experience with education, how licensure can expand career options, 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!

#334 - ‘Evolving Architectural Practice’, with Je’Nen Chastain

Je’Nen Chastain joins us to discuss architectural practice challenges, firm management, leadership, mentorship, and organizational adaptability. She also shares her personal and professional journey, the economic downturn's effects on her generation, and the importance of mentorship and communication in creating a supportive workspace.

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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!

#332 - ‘Navigating Internships and Early Career Steps’, with Michael Ermann

In this episode, Michael Ermann of Amber Book and Virginia Tech joins us as we tackle the topic of architectural internships – both for those seeking and for the firms providing them.

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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!

#331 - ‘The Business of Architecture’, with Enoch Sears

Fellow podcaster Enoch Sears joins us to discuss the evolution of architectural podcasting, running an architecture practice, and the necessity of proper systems and a business mindset for success.

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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!

#330 - Pseudo Productivity and the Right to Disconnect

We discuss Australia's 'Right to Disconnect' law, its protections, and its implications. We also discuss modern work challenges like constant connectivity, email impact, and technology's dual effect on work-life balance. We end with thoughts on managing workloads and boundaries in the digital age.

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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!

#329 - AU - Designing the Future of Multifamily Living

The Archispeak University (AU) series introduces educational content for architects and designers. Sara Schneider of TCA Architects joins us to talk about design trends in multi-family and mixed use project types.

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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!

#328 - Losing Track of Time

In this episode, we discuss being “in the zone”, the significance of failure in learning, the concept of ‘flow state’ in problem-solving, self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and the role of intrinsic motivation and habits in success.

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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!