ARCHITECTING Podcast - Career + Lifestyle Mentoring for Architects looking to move beyond overwhelm and make a difference through design

AI and Your Cognitive Burden: Interview with Peter Swimm

Your workday is filled with mundane tasks that drain your time and energy. Plus, doing less than top of license work is hardly a great financial strategy. But is AI really the solution? My guest Peter Swimm of Toilville gives you the lowdown on why open AI is just a time suck rife with hallucinations. Listen in to learn how a bespoke conversational AI system will solve your unique problems better and  relieve your cognitive burden in the process.
If your AI platform isn't aligned with your process it's not going to produce much that's reliable or of value.
Since AI is predictive based on the process it is designed for, anything that deviates will lead to hallucinations. That's why creative firms whose processes are more complex and have more variables need a customized model.
Don't abdicate your responsibilities to AI, use it as a tool to accomplish repetitive, low skill tasks based on the process you define. 
More software never makes people more productive, simplify instead of over-complicating.
The questions you ask determine the solutions available to you. Effective problem solving and design requires a true understanding of the client's pain points. These "desire lines" can be overlooked when solutions are generated too quickly and an error was made in the early stages of the process.
CONTACT PETER:
https://www.toilville.com/
peter@toilville.com
 
💡Give Architecting a Google review- be sure to name the episode! https://g.page/r/CVYGVmEtsUjdEAI/review
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
YouTube, Instagram,  LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Facebook
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

From Attendee to Thought Leader: Leveraging Conferences and Social Media

Attending a conference is not a passive learning experience. In this episode, I walk you through the pre-work needed to show up string and build your subject matter expertise street cred using social media. 
Look at attendee list especially speakers who are subject matter experts in something you want to develop- connect with them on social media
Come up with one good question to ask for each session you plan to attend
Make sure to follow the conference and event organization on social media and note any conference hashtags.  Decide on your own set of SME hashtags.
If you see a speaker or the event positing anything about content you flagged as of interest, leave a comment saying why you can’t wait to attend!
Make sure you attend networking events
Take a photo of the speaker or a slide they present and post a thoughtful insight about it. Use the conference and SME hashtags but also tag the host organization and the speaker
Remember just choosing to attend the event call you out as someone associated with the issues represented by the conference 
ACCESS THE CONFERENCE PLAYLIST: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/18VqQmcWWNP4OdobLSeNZz?si=7NGW-l0IS5C2LMj_DOwQ2g 
GET THE NETWORKING GUIDE: https://architectingpodcast.com/index.php/networking/
💡Give Architecting a Google review- be sure to name the episode! https://g.page/r/CVYGVmEtsUjdEAI/review
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
YouTube, Instagram,  LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Facebook
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

Environmental Burnout Triggers that Exhaust Your Nervous System: Interview with Garrett Wood

Most people think they're burned out because of what they have to do. They're missing a huge contributor when they don't also look at where they do it. In this episode, Garrett Wood shares neuroscience based insights on how the built environment can impact productivity, executive function, cognitive presence and energy levels. 
The world is biased towards a sensory setpoint that was deemed "normal." Unfortunately, most people don't match this setpoint.
An environment filled with sensory micro-stressors adds an extra stress load.
Spaces that overwhelm even one sense can fragment your attention and generally require you to give more effort than the task should require.
Environmental sensitivity is not an introvert/extrovert thing.
We often give energetic pushes to meet a deadline but fail to give ourselves recovery time making the workplace ground zero for stress and burnout.
A sign of burnout is going into energy conservation mode where we can't seem to resist things like binge watching or doom scrolling because our brain needs a break.
CONTACT GARRETT:
https://www.gnosistherapy.com/
Garrett@GnosisTherapy.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gnosistherapy/
 
Sign up for the Leadership Challenge: https://architectingpodcast.com/index.php/leadershipchallenge/
💡Give Architecting a Google review- be sure to name the episode! https://g.page/r/CVYGVmEtsUjdEAI/review
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
YouTube, Instagram,  LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Facebook
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

A Somatic Approach to Life, Work and Purpose: Interview with Owen Marcus

It might sound crazy, but thinking and strategizing are often not the best ways to solve problems, make life decisions, connect with others or navigate the workplace. My guest Owen Marcus is a noted psychologist whose work applies the science of somatics to combat stress and the resulting dissociation with our body. Listen in to learn more about how to develop healthier life patterns, unlock your productivity and be better guided by your intuition to the choices that are best for you.
The dissociation or stress becomes a default setting over time, making us feel more and more isolated from the people in our lives.
Developing connection and quality relationships relies on establishing clear goals, boundaries and giving yourself agency.
We are all intuitive, but have stopped listening to the somatic signals it give us.
Addictions can arise from a lack of healthy connectivity
Toxic masculinity and a culture of codependency in the workplace has had negative impacts for men and women. Communicating and connecting better can over come this and lead to higher performing teams.
CONTACT OWEN:
owen@meld.community
https://meld.community/
Sign up for the Leadership Challenge: https://architectingpodcast.com/index.php/leadershipchallenge/
💡Give Architecting a Google review- be sure to name the episode! https://g.page/r/CVYGVmEtsUjdEAI/review
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
YouTube, Instagram,  LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Facebook
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

Gatekept: Why Architects Feel “Too Much,” “Not Enough,” and Still Stuck

You can't make career power moves if you give all your power to others. Gatekeepers who will mirror you inner doubts and tell you exactly why you are both too much and not enough to get that next big opportunity. It's time to shine the light on the sneaky ways they get away with it and start moving towards the career you know you were meant to have.
Gatekeeping- the attempt to control who gets access to resources and opportunities is the ultimate power play - if you allow other people to define you. No one can play on insecurities you don't have.
Get clear on what you want, know that you deserve it even if you have to work to get all the qualifications, and give yourself permission to take action toward achieving it. Make a plan with a clear timeline and communicate it to others so expectations are aligned.
Make your own opportunities instead of waiting for ones to be given to you at your current job. Leverage professional organizations and your network to proactively get the skills and experience you need.
Don't make assumptions. ask for explanations. Have the hard talks about what you want, why you want it and what you need to do to get it.  
Gatekeeping red flags: bad fit, toxic behavior, moving the goalposts, vague criticism that doesn't match the facts.
Sign up for the Leadership Challenge: https://architectingpodcast.com/index.php/leadershipchallenge/
💡Give Architecting a Google review- be sure to name the episode! https://g.page/r/CVYGVmEtsUjdEAI/review
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
YouTube, Instagram,  LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Facebook
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

Workplace Conflict and Competition Handled: Interview with Dan Tocchini

Meeting resistance (from others and within ourselves) with curiosity is your career superpower. My guest Dan Tocchini deep dives into what resistance is really telling you and how to leverage it to build teams that produce creative solutions.
Every interaction is a design challenge to create psychological safety - get to the why with each team member.
We are hardwired with two mandates: stay alive and conserve energy. This is translated to us as looking good, feeling good, being right and staying in control. When we don't have any of these factors, we go into resistance.
Criticism, contempt, stonewalling or defensiveness are the ways we protect ourselves from perceived threats.
Envy and competition show up when an individual feels threatened by th excellence of others.
Creativity is about having an opinion. Design is about refining your field of options. All new possibility presents itself as a threat at first, so you have to release attachment to those opinions.
Preparing others to lead and succession planning are signs of a healthy work culture where excellence is celebrated not feared.
Sign up for the Leadership Challenge: https://architectingpodcast.com/index.php/leadershipchallenge/
 
Connect with Dan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantocchini/
https://takenewground.com/
💡Give Architecting a Google review- be sure to name the episode! https://g.page/r/CVYGVmEtsUjdEAI/review
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
YouTube, Instagram,  LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Facebook
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

Leveraging the Power of Choice in Your Career

Let's move into 2026 by stepping fully into our power. This means embracing choice (my word for the year) over control to get even more success on our own terms. Listen in to learn more about how leveraging choice ups your game from good to great without the burnout.
Choose to celebrate the wins
Choose to see the potential in every situation
Choose to be more discerning and less concerned with people pleasing
Choose to give up control and be open to possibilities
Choose to let go of perfectionism and external validation
Sign up for the Leadership Challenge: https://architectingpodcast.com/index.php/leadershipchallenge/
💡Give Architecting a Google review- be sure to name the episode! https://g.page/r/CVYGVmEtsUjdEAI/review
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
YouTube, Instagram,  LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Facebook
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

Career Strategy for Constant Change: Interview with Jillian Reilly

Newsflash: predictable structures are collapsing. The old if/then models don't work, especially around your career path. Jillian Reilly, author of The Ten Permissions shares her research and insights on how to be come mentally fit to navigate a world where change and unpredictability are the new normal. 
We all have conscious and unconscious limits around what we feel we are allowed to do or be. Navigating change begins with giving yourself permission to go beyond what you view as your limits.
The old paradigm of "the way" which comes from a fixed and predictable structures has fallen. To be successful in today's fluid world, you need to get clear on what is "your way."
Once you know what you want, you have to go out and create it.
Start with micro-challenges and low consequence actions. Build mental fitness like you would physical fitness.
Leverage spatial cues to place yourself in environments that give you permission, empower you and provide agency.
Contact Jillian: https://tenpermissions.com/
💡Give Architecting a Google review- be sure to name the episode! https://g.page/r/CVYGVmEtsUjdEAI/review
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
YouTube, Instagram,  LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Facebook
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

They Said No: Drew Ann Long on why she did it anyway

You know what’s right. But what do you do when every gatekeeper says no? In this episode, Drew Ann Long, inventor of Caroline’s Cart, shares the story of refusing to let a necessary idea die. Her vision was simple—and radical: a shopping cart that makes the retail experience accessible for people with disabilities and mobility challenges. The industry pushed back. Manufacturers said no. Retailers avoided the conversation. Funding didn’t show up. So she invested personally and kept advocating for a need others wouldn’t acknowledge, and stayed the course anyway.
Despite the special needs community being the world's largest minority group, products designed for their needs are lacking. This creates a barrier to access not only for them but for their families and caregivers. By introducing more inclusive products like Caroline's Cart, the world was opened for those with mobility challenges, autism and dementia.
Success means believing in your cause and taking risks to make it happen no mater what.
When the establishment tells you no, cultivate support in the community you want to serve.
Innovation happens when you focus on the solution not the problem.
Contact Drew Ann: https://www.drewannspeaks.com/
Donate to Caroline's Cause scholarship fund: https://www.carolinescause.com/carolines-cause/
💡Give Architecting a Google review- be sure to name the episode! https://g.page/r/CVYGVmEtsUjdEAI/review
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
YouTube, Instagram,  LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Facebook
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019

Architecture Careers Decoded: Interview with Recruiter Bryce Batts

Architecture school taught you how to design buildings not how to not how to survive, grow, or lead in your career. In this episode of Architecting, AEC Industry recruiter Bryce Batts calls out the rules that quietly keep you small and compliant. This isn’t about chasing the next job. It’s about designing your career on purpose — with clarity, self‑advocacy, and connections that actually move the needle.
Architects without personal career clarity get overlooked — even when they’re highly skilled
Every architect who advances has a sponsor, not just a mentor. Sponsors can see your potential within the firm and advocate for you to get opportunities.
Your career requires constant recallibration in order to be aligned with what you want to achieve at any given point in your life.
Keep the receipts of accomplishments and positive reviews- they give you confidence about your strengths, proof of what you have accomplished and reveal patterns around what you truly value.
Know when it’s time to renegotiate your role, change firms, or redesign your path
Contact Bryce: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-batts-recruiter/
https://brycebatts.co/
Get The Career Architect Book: https://www.amazon.com/Career-Architect-Aligns-Vision-Values-ebook/dp/B0FSYM4QLZ?ref_=ast_author_mpb
💡Give Architecting a Google review- be sure to name the episode! https://g.page/r/CVYGVmEtsUjdEAI/review
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
YouTube, Instagram,  LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Facebook
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019