Nick Deacon, Development Manager at Johnson Development, talks about moving from resident-facing lifestyle programming into land planning, and how that shift changed the way he approaches amenity design.

We cover why leaving open land inside an amenity site pays off years later, how development choices like pool layout can impact lifeguard staffing and quietly affect an event budget, and why predicting the next popular amenity is harder than it looks.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

01:04 Nick Deacon's background in hospitality and event management, and the internship that led him into master-planned communities.

02:31 Moving from a single lifestyle director role to overseeing lifestyle across the Johnson Development portfolio.

03:36 The Crawfish Boil that became one of Riverstone's most popular resident events.

08:11 Why small, sensory details in event design are what residents remember most.

14:01 A pool design detail that quietly added lifeguard staffing costs to community events.

20:35 Balancing resident surveys against the needs of a community that hasn't fully built out yet.

22:41 Leaving open land inside amenity sites so residents can add what they want later, like pickleball at Riverstone.

27:22 Why the most-requested amenity keeps changing, from trail systems to wellness.

33:10 Advice Nick would give his 25-year-old self.

Thank you for listening to "Communities Connected: A Land and Lifestyle Podcast by Alosant." If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss any future episodes.

You can find more about Alosant on our LinkedIn page and alosant.com

Resources Mentioned:

Johnson Development:

https://www.johnsondevelopment.com/

Riverstone:

https://www.riverstone.com/master-plan

Jubilee Community:

https://www.liveinjubilee.com/

Central Fort Bend Chamber:

https://www.cfbca.org/

Texas Festival and Events Association:

https://www.tfea.org/

#ResidentExperience  #MasterPlannedCommunities  #LifestyleManagement

About the Hosts

April is the CEO and Co-Founder of Alosant. She is an experienced entrepreneur and real estate technology expert with an innate curiosity for consumer behavior. Alosant-powered apps make it easy for users to stay informed and engaged, offering solutions to connect with everything their community has to offer.

Danette is the VP of Marketing at Alosant, where she brings 20 years of experience helping brands create exceptional consumer experiences. Today, she focuses on sharing how real estate professionals are shaping the next evolution of resident experience, and how Alosant helps support their work.

Colby Cox, President and Founder of Convergence Communities, joins us to explore how 20 years of master planned community development has shaped a philosophy rooted in human connection. We look at how The Granary, a 1,350-unit master plan in Milton, Delaware, is being built around three pillars: connection to nature, connection to each other, and connection to self.

We discuss how to enter an established community with humility, why a brewery incubator can be a legitimate community amenity, and what it means to approach development as a legacy rather than a transaction.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

00:00 Introduction.

01:00 How a college competition led to Colby's first role at Centex Homes and his pivot to founding his own company.

03:30 Starting with $4,000 and a general contracting firm, and how 20 years of development shaped a values-centered philosophy.

06:30 Why placemaking comes down to one question: what does it take to create a community?

08:30 The Granary, a 1,350-unit master plan in Milton, Delaware.

15:05 Why you can design spaces for people to gather, but if they don't actually gather, there is no community.

18:45 How a brewery incubator at The Granary funds startup brewers, creates a tasting room gathering space, and puts human connection at the center of the community.

25:40 The case for approaching established communities with humility, and why tax revenue is not a community benefit story.

27:05 Why alignment of values — with capital partners, consultants, and staff — is critical to building with a legacy mindset.

31:00 The people who inspire Colby: everyday people living the human experience and trying to have an impact.

32:00 What Colby would tell a 22-year-old today: the future is promising, and you are here to help create it.

Thank you for listening to “Communities Connected: A Land and Lifestyle Podcast by Alosant.” If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss any future episodes.

You can find more about Alosant on our LinkedIn page and alosant.com

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Convergence Communities:

https://www.convergencecommunities.com

The Granary Milton:

https://www.thegranarymilton.com

Pure Madness Group (Craft Beer):

https://www.puremadnessgroup.com

About the Hosts

April is the CEO and Co-Founder of Alosant. She is an experienced entrepreneur and real estate technology expert with an innate curiosity for consumer behavior. Alosant-powered apps make it easy for users to stay informed and engaged, offering solutions to connect with everything their community has to offer.

Danette is the VP of Marketing at Alosant, where she brings 20 years of experience helping brands create exceptional consumer experiences. Today, she focuses on sharing how real estate professionals are shaping the next evolution of resident experience, and how Alosant helps support their work.

#ResidentExperience #MasterPlannedCommunities #LifestyleManagement

Kimberly Banach, Senior Director of Marketing at Howard Hughes Communities, joins us to discuss the brand strategy and long-term vision behind Teravalis — a 37,000-acre master-planned community on the western edge of Phoenix with a 50-year build-out plan.

From naming conventions rooted in Latin and landscape to campaigns that evolved alongside the community's development, Kimberly shares how the team is building a place designed to sustain itself for generations.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

00:00 Introduction.

02:04 How the team developed the Teravalis name and brand identity from the land itself. 

04:30 Why the community logo was built directly from a sunset photo taken on the property.

06:12 How the first village, Floreo, and its seven bloom-named parks carry the pollinator theme into everyday design. 

09:15 The three brand campaigns that took Teravalis from pre-launch to grand opening to "Belong Here." 

10:45 How homes priced from the low 300s are making homeownership accessible to first-time buyers. 

13:20 Why Teravalis is targeting 1.2 jobs per household and what that means for the surrounding region. 

13:45 The long-term vision for major employers and potentially Major League sports teams at Teravalis.

Thank you for listening to “Communities Connected: A Land and Lifestyle Podcast by Alosant.” If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss any future episodes.

You can find more about Alosant on our LinkedIn page and alosant.com

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Teravalis:

https://www.teravalis.com/

Howard Hughes Communities:

https://communities.howardhughes.com/

RCLCO:

https://www.rclco.com

John Burns Research and Consulting:

https://jbrec.com/

Urban Land Institute:

https://www.uli.org

#ResidentExperience #MasterPlannedCommunities #Proptech

About the Hosts

April is the CEO and Co-Founder of Alosant. She is an experienced entrepreneur and real estate technology expert with an innate curiosity for consumer behavior. Alosant-powered apps make it easy for users to stay informed and engaged, offering solutions to connect with everything their community has to offer.

Danette is the VP of Marketing at Alosant, where she brings 20 years of experience helping brands create exceptional consumer experiences. Today, she focuses on sharing how real estate professionals are shaping the next evolution of resident experience, and how Alosant helps support their work.

Amy Levi, Co-Founder and CEO at Strada Made, LLC, joins us to explore how brand, story, and place work together in master-planned community development. The episode covers why Strada Made starts with the “why” before the “what,” how early activation builds community trust before a single home is sold, and what it means for a brand to grow with a place over time.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

00:00  Introduction.

07:!0  Placemaking starts with curiosity about what already exists, not what to impose on it.

10:12  People aren’t anti-growth; they’re anti-change happening to them without their input.

11:05 Getting to the “why” before the “what” changes every amenity decision that follows.

17:15  Brand and place are co-evolutionary, shaping each other across every project milestone.

21:35  Early analog experiences at Great Park built community trust before entitlement was complete.

28:12  Digital tools work best when they free people for the analog experience, not when they replace it.

30:05  Creating a “third place” first gives buyers an appetizer of what the community will become.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Amy Levi

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-levi-1417325/

Strada Made, LLC | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/strada-advertising/

Strada Made, LLC | Website

https://stradamade.com

Two Step Farm

https://twostepfarm.com/

Great Park Neighborhoods

 https://greatparkneighborhoods.com/

Pecan Square

https://www.pecansquarebyhillwood.com/

Ramble (Celina, TX)

https://www.ramblebyhillwood.com/celinas-new-backyard/

Thank you for listening to “Communities Connected: A Land and Lifestyle Podcast by Alosant.” If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss any future episodes.

You can find more about Alosant on our LinkedIn page and alosant.com

About the Hosts

April is the CEO and Co-Founder of Alosant. She is an experienced entrepreneur and real estate technology expert with an innate curiosity for consumer behavior. Alosant-powered apps make it easy for users to stay informed and engaged, offering solutions to connect with everything their community has to offer.

Danette is the VP of Marketing at Alosant, where she brings 20 years of experience helping brands create exceptional consumer experiences. Today, she focuses on sharing how real estate professionals are shaping the next evolution of resident experience, and how Alosant helps support their work.

#ResidentExperience #MasterPlannedCommunities #Proptech

Founder and CEO Monaca Onstad and Vice President of Operations Callie Friedman talk about the evolution of their company, OnPlace Collective. They dive into why lifestyle planning should come before amenity design and how intentional community building drives long-term sales momentum.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

03:15 The company has grown to 110 employees and recently evolved its brand into three service lines.

06:10 The rebrand was driven by client feedback; over 50 client interviews revealed how the company was seen externally, including being described as "gritty go-getters."

09:20 Lifestyle should function as social architecture — a strategic planning process that begins before amenity design, not after.

11:05 Surveying future residents before amenity decisions are made helps developers avoid overspending on features the community won't actually use.

13:20 Getting granular matters — OnPlace Collective's input extends to specific fitness equipment choices based on what sister-community residents actually use.

16:30 Lifestyle directors are increasingly seen as key sales drivers, not just event coordinators, and are hired for hospitality and sales backgrounds.

20:45 Spanning every service line — from amenity visioning and fractional marketing director to welcome center and lifestyle.

27:30 A farmer's market started on a dirt lot two years before sales opened — early activation created trust and a strong sales runway.

33:30 The company's three-year strategic plan is built around three pillars: Deepen the Moat, Winter Is Coming, and Brand in a Box.

Resources Mentioned:

Monaca Onstad

https://www.linkedin.com/in/monacaonstad/

Callie Friedman

https://www.linkedin.com/in/callie-friedman-b0153714a/

OnPlace Collective | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/onplacecollective/

OnPlace Collective | Website

https://onplace.life/

Smith Lane podcast

https://onplace.life/smith-lane/

Sunterra

https://sunterratx.com/

Rye Ranch

https://www.ryeranch.com

Furst Ranch

https://www.furstranch.com

Thank you for listening to “Communities Connected: A Land and Lifestyle Podcast by Alosant.” If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss any future episodes.

You can find more about Alosant on our LinkedIn page and alosant.com

About the Host

April is the CEO and Co-Founder of Alosant. She is an experienced entrepreneur and real estate technology expert with an innate curiosity for consumer behavior. Alosant-powered apps make it easy for users to stay informed and engaged, offering solutions to connect with everything their community has to offer.

#ResidentExperience #MasterPlannedCommunities #Proptech #LifestyleManagement 

We explore what it takes to design communities around how people actually want to live. From wellness as a trend to wellness as a foundation, this conversation looks at how the environment shapes behavior, habits, and long-term outcomes.

Haley Peck, Vice President of Marketing at Johnson Development Corp, joins us to share how Jubilee was built around physical, social, and mental wellness, and what it takes to bring that vision to life across design, partnerships, and operations.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

04:10 Building a community around wellness, not amenities.

06:05 Designing for healthier daily living.

07:25 Structuring communities with wellness zones.

08:15 Adding mental wellness to community design.

10:05 Using design to encourage balance and reflection.

11:30 Embedding positivity into community identity.

17:15 Aligning builders with wellness standards.

18:05 Making healthier homes accessible at scale.

22:10 Using third-party certification to validate design.

Resources Mentioned:

Haley Peck

https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-peck-01462880/

Johnson Development Corp

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-johnson-development-corp/

International WELL Building Institute

https://www.wellcertified.com/certification/v2/

Infinity Water Solutions

https://water.energy/

GE Lighting (Jasco)

https://byjasco.com

Harvest Green Community

https://www.harvestgreentexas.com/

Jubilee Community

https://www.liveinjubilee.com/

Thank you for listening to “Communities Connected: A Land and Lifestyle Podcast by Alosant.” If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss any future episodes.

You can find more about Alosant on our LinkedIn page and alosant.com

About the Host

April is the CEO and Co-Founder of Alosant. She is an experienced entrepreneur and real estate technology expert with an innate curiosity for consumer behavior. Alosant-powered apps make it easy for users to stay informed and engaged, offering solutions to connect with everything their community has to offer.

#ResidentExperience #MasterPlannedCommunities #Proptech 

David Langhout, Vice President of Land at Starwood Land Advisors, joins us to discuss how discipline, lifestyle planning, and long-term vision shape successful master planned communities. We explore how first impressions, early lifestyle programming, and operational rigor influence buyer confidence, resident experience, and long-term performance across large-scale developments.

Throughout the episode, we discuss how Starwood approaches community planning across different stages of development, why lifestyle begins well before amenities are complete, and how consistent execution supports both residents and capital partners.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

00:51 Starwood prioritizes early investment in amenities and first impressions.

02:18 Strong first impressions drive the long-term performance of master planned communities.

05:56 High sales velocity is supported by integrating the welcome center, HOA, and lifestyle teams.

10:02 Strict forecasting and constant communication allow Starwood to manage complex, multi-market developments.

14:37 Digital tools extend the welcome center experience by helping prospects explore community lifestyle, activities, and builders early in the journey.

17:40 Growth shifts leadership focus toward tackling complex projects and applying past experience.

20:32 Career growth comes from choosing roles where you can learn from people who are smarter than you.

Resources Mentioned:

David Langhout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-langhout-4266104/

Starwood Land Advisors | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/starwood-land-advisors/

Starwood Land Advisors | Website

https://starwoodland.com

Thank you for listening to “Communities Connected: A Land and Lifestyle Podcast by Alosant.” If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss any future episodes.

You can find more about Alosant on our LinkedIn page and alosant.com

About the Host

April is the CEO and Co-Founder of Alosant. She is an experienced entrepreneur and real estate technology expert with an innate curiosity for consumer behavior. Alosant-powered apps make it easy for users to stay informed and engaged, offering solutions to connect with everything their community has to offer.

#ResidentExperience #MasterPlannedCommunities #LifestyleManagement 

Michael Swanson, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Alosant, discusses how technology strengthens the connection between residents, physical spaces, and the sales experience. Michael reflects on how his role is evolving as the company grows, with a focus on guiding product direction while staying closely connected to clients and internal teams.

Alosant centers its approach on resident-driven content, personalization, and connected channels that reflect everyday life inside a community. Michael explains how authenticity, flexible systems, and early technology choices shape both resident engagement and how communities present themselves to future buyers.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

02:03 Technology supports communities when it encourages real-world interaction.

03:44 Marketing works best when it reflects everyday community life.

05:19 Resident involvement helps build credibility and trust within community storytelling.

09:19 Homebuying decisions include lifestyle and connection, not just the physical home.

11:35 Sales centers become more engaging when content reflects current community activity.

15:40 Early technology choices shape how communities evolve and stay flexible over time.

20:08 Resident-led activities create organic moments that strengthen community identity.

28:33 AI enables scaling by identifying patterns and triggering relevant experiences.

Resources Mentioned:

Michael Swanson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikejswanson/

Alosant | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alosant/

Alosant | Website

https://www.alosant.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Stay and Play

https://www.alosant.com/customer-success/case-study-amblebrook-elevates-stay-play-with-an-alosant-powered-app

Teravalis Community

https://www.teravalis.com/

Kissing Tree

https://kissingtree.com/

Urban Land Institute (ULI)

https://www.uli.org/

HubSpot

https://www.hubspot.com/

Thank you for listening to “Communities Connected: A Land and Lifestyle Podcast by Alosant.” If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss any future episodes.

You can find more about Alosant on our LinkedIn page and alosant.com

About the Host

April is the CEO and Co-Founder of Alosant. She is an experienced entrepreneur and real estate technology expert with an innate curiosity for consumer behavior. Alosant-powered apps make it easy for users to stay informed and engaged, offering solutions to connect with everything their community has to offer.

#ResidentExperience #MasterPlannedCommunities #Proptech

Ryan Rosen, Founder and Creative Director of Friendly Futures, shares how play can be intentionally designed to strengthen relationships, improve wellness, and create more connected communities. Drawing from a background in architecture, photography, and community design, Ryan explains how his early experiences with intergenerational play shaped his focus on social connection.

Friendly Futures centers on the idea that space alone does not create community. Ryan discusses how combining physical environments with games, storytelling, and clear invitations to participate can encourage interaction across generations. He reflects on designing for belonging and using play as a practical tool to support social health.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

01:25 Play supports social health by helping people build and sustain relationships.

04:29 Friendly environments emerge when space, games, and storytelling work together.

08:32 Interest in community and social wellness continues to rise.

11:30 Games designed for all ages help strengthen a sense of belonging.

15:18 Co-creation reveals what residents value most about a place.

19:05 Technology can support real-life connection when used intentionally.

28:05 Flexible third spaces encourage everyday interaction among neighbors.

37:20 Pursuing passion and curiosity can shape meaningful long-term work.

Resources Mentioned:

Ryan Rosen

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-k-rosen-the-friendly-designer/

Friendly Futures | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/friendly-futures-art-architecture/

Friendly Futures | Website

https://www.friendly-futures.com/

Neighborhood Games

https://www.friendly-futures.com/neighborhood-games#:~:text=It's%20a%20new%20category%20of,More%20options

Indigo

https://www.indigocommunity.com/

Painted Tree

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.readinsite.paintedtreetx&hl=en

Harvard Study of Adult Development

https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/

ULI Fall Conference

https://fall.uli.org/

Thank you for listening to “Communities Connected: A Land and Lifestyle Podcast by Alosant.” If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss any future episodes.

You can find more about Alosant on our LinkedIn page and alosant.com

About the Host

April is the CEO and Co-Founder of Alosant. She is an experienced entrepreneur and real estate technology expert with an innate curiosity for consumer behavior. Alosant-powered apps make it easy for users to stay informed and engaged, offering solutions to connect with everything their community has to offer.

#ResidentExperience #MasterPlannedCommunities #Proptech

This compilation highlights four 2025 perspectives on what makes places feel worth returning to, from emotional resonance to everyday livability. Kevin Kelley, Principal and Co-Founder of Shook Kelley, shares how placemaking can reduce friction and build belonging. Monaca Onstad, Founder and CEO of OnPlace Collective, focuses on designing experiences that reflect local culture. John Darby, CEO and Chairman of the Board of The Beach Company, discusses shaping identity through land and lifestyle. Sarah Phelps, Managing Director, Astronaut Sales, Commercial Partnerships, and Customer Experience and Hospitality of Blue Origin, brings lessons on hospitality and awe-driven community experience.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

01:21 Thoughtful placemaking starts with how a place makes people feel.

03:19 Language and labels in community spaces can reduce anxiety or increase it.

04:46 Social proof and visible connection help visitors imagine themselves belonging.

05:26 Lifestyle programming thrives when it builds on the natural character of the land.

07:39 Early relationship building with local partners supports long-term community energy.

10:42 Successful communities differentiate by honoring local history and setting a clear identity.

12:24 Intentional choices in amenities and scale shape a more casual, human experience.

16:08 Authentic experiences come from aligning design with the culture and roots of a place.

Resources Mentioned:

Kevin Kelley

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinervinkelley/

Shook Kelley | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/shook-kelley-inc-/

Shook Kelley | Website

http://www.shookkelley.com/

“Irreplaceable” by Kevin Ervin Kelley

https://www.amazon.com/Irreplaceable-Create-Extraordinary-Places-Together/dp/1637744749

Monaca Onstad

https://www.linkedin.com/in/monacaonstad/

OnPlace Collective | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/onplacecollective/

OnPlace Collective | Website

http://www.onplace.life/

John Darby

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-darby-5b4819118/

The Beach Company | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-beach-company/

The Beach Company | Website

http://www.thebeachcompany.com/

Sarah Phelps

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahphelps99/

Blue Origin | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-origin/

Blue Origin | Website

https://www.blueorigin.com/

Thank you for listening to “Communities Connected: A Land and Lifestyle Podcast by Alosant.” If you enjoyed the show, please leave us a 5-star review and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss any future episodes.

You can find more about Alosant on our LinkedIn page and alosant.com

About the Host

April is the CEO and Co-Founder of Alosant. She is an experienced entrepreneur and real estate technology expert with an innate curiosity for consumer behavior. Alosant-powered apps make it easy for users to stay informed and engaged, offering solutions to connect with everything their community has to offer.

#ResidentExperience #MasterPlannedCommunities #Proptech