Level Design Podcast

The conversation explores the history and challenges of underground infrastructure. From the complexity and challenges it presents today, the transition to clean energy, regulatory challenges, and the importance of planning for the future.

It highlights the shortage of knowledge and expertise in maintaining these systems and the overwhelming amount of underground infrastructure that requires creative solutions.

Chapters

00:37 Infrastructure in the early 1700s

5:42 Foundations of American Infrastructure

7:32 Early Water Distribution Systems

8:11 Challenges of Sanitation and Waste Disposal

9:05 Overview of Underground Infrastructure

12:06 Evolution of Water Mains

15:23 The Need for Creative infrastructure Solutions

16:17 Overview of Underground Infrastructure

20:28 Complexity and Challenges

21:06 Contractor Responsibilities and Insurance

22:16 Ownership and Responsibility of Underground Facilities

23:14 Job Security and the Future of Infrastructure

25:12 Shortage of Knowledge and Expertise

27:31 The Overwhelming Amount of Underground Infrastructure

28:20 Modern Solutions: Tunnels and Boring Machines

29:35 The Transition to Clean Energy

41:44 Regulatory Challenges and Planning for the Future

44:45 An exciting advancement in Water Filtration Technology

Keywords

US infrastructure, engineering, architecture, infrastructure, water systems, Job Security, Water Mains, Water Distribution Systems, Sanitation, underground infrastructure, water filtration, tunnels

Connect with us:

The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security.

Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet.

Podcast website: ⁠https://www.leveldesignpod.com⁠

Get involved: ⁠https://leveldesignpartners.com

Many people aren't aware of how roads are designed, funded, or function. Road infrastructure is crucial in our society, connecting communities and enabling easy travel. In today’s episode, we dive into this topic to reveal insights about modern civil engineering and how we got here.

Scott talks a lot about how taxpayer dollars are actually being used (or misused) to support our infrastructure. Today, we get an inside look with guest Whitney Pogue, Civil Engineer, P.E., Value Engineering & Estimates Coordinator for ODOT (Oklahoma Department of Transportation) for 10 years and now with Level Engineering.

Part of Whitney’s role is to ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. After working in roadway design for three years, Whitney transitioned to a project management role in one of ODOT’s field offices. There, she was able to be the project manager on projects totaling over $250 million, including the largest project in ODOT history at the time of its construction.

We get an inside look at her career, her passion for value engineering, the current state of infrastructure and what the future holds.

We discuss:

Keywords

US infrastructure, Transportation, Construction, Project Management, Roadways, Value engineering, mentoring

Connect with us:

The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security.

Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet.

Podcast website: https://www.leveldesignpod.com

Get involved: https://leveldesignpartners.com

“The bridges and highways we fail to repair today will have to be rebuilt tomorrow – at many times the cost.” - President Ronal Reagan.

Our conversation begins with a story set in the 1680s, describing the simple life of a young woman named Abigail in the Connecticut colony. We explore the evolution from local self-reliance to national and international interdependence and the speed of change.

We take a look at the latest Transportation bill - how it’s broken up, what it actually means, and what the future could look like. Scott highlights the importance of clean water and the need to replace lead service lines.

They also discuss the economic impact of infrastructure investment and the potential for job creation. The conversation concludes with a call for better communication and transparency regarding infrastructure projects.

Timestamps

00:00 Life in the 1680s: Challenges and Resilience

06:18 From Self-Reliance to Interdependence: The Evolution of Society

11:36 The Importance of Investing in Water Systems

12:06 The Economic Impact of Infrastructure Investment

19:11 Improving Communication and Transparency in Infrastructure Projects

Keywords

US infrastructure, history, tradespeople, engineering, architecture, mentoring, infrastructure bill, water systems, transparency

Connect with us:

The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security.

Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet.

Podcast website: https://www.leveldesignpod.com

Get involved: https://leveldesignpartners.com

Join us as we explore the state of infrastructure in the US, the cost and burden on taxpayers, the economic impact of infrastructure investment, and the need for increased investment.

We dive into the political nature of infrastructure, the importance of infrastructure for competitiveness as a country, and the declining interest in civil engineering.

Scott shares his thoughts on why civil engineers are underpaid and what the future holds for them. He’s got a compelling case for why engineers and architects should be excited about the industry’s future. Spoiler: It’s looking bright!

Chapters

00:23 The State of Infrastructure in the US

02:58 The Burden on Taxpayers

04:12 The Economic Impact of Infrastructure Investment

05:26 The Connection Between Infrastructure and the Economy

08:07 The Need for Investment and the Broken System

09:21 The Political Nature of Infrastructure

10:11 The Importance of Infrastructure for Competitiveness

11:36 The Role of Engineers and Architects

12:23 The Decline in Interest in Civil Engineering

14:12 The Low Compensation for Civil Engineers

15:05 The Future Opportunities for Engineers

16:39 The Positives and Potential in the Industry

19:40 The Distraction and Disconnect from Infrastructure

21:00 The Exciting Future for Engineers

23:52 Summary of Positives and Opportunities

24:27 Historical Context: American Infrastructure in the 1670s

Keywords

US infrastructure, history, civil engineering, engineering, architecture, shortage of engineers

Connect with us:

The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security.

Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet.

Podcast website: https://www.leveldesignpod.com
Get involved: https://leveldesignpartners.com

In this conversation, Miles and Scott explore the technical and non-technical skills that design professionals should focus on, such as keeping up with technology and developing strong people skills.

The conversation highlights the changing business model in the industry and the need for engineers and architects to adapt to new technologies like AI. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of preparation and continuous learning in order to thrive in this field.

Timestamps

0:19 Settling Around Waterways in the 1660s

3:02 Drinking and Wasting in the Same River

5:35 Cold Winters and Lack of Amenities

8:23 Building Codes and Urban Fires

11:22 Technical and Non-Technical Skills for Design Professionals

19:00 Specialization and the Changing Business Model

20:57 The Need for Technical and People Skills

23:43 The Importance of Communication Skills

26:13 The Impact of AI and the Future of the Industry

28:33 The Ripple Effect of Being a People Person

30:32 Preparing for a Thriving Career in Engineering and Architecture

Keywords

US infrastructure, history, tradespeople, engineering, architecture, mentoring, environmental protection, shortage of engineers

Connect with us:

The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security.

Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet.

Podcast website: https://www.leveldesignpod.com
Get involved: https://leveldesignpartners.com

Why are Architects & Engineers leaving the industry in the US while the market is increasing and our country is in dire need of more designers?

Scott shares his journey in engineering, why many of his peers (especially younger generations) are leaving, the need to restore value to the profession, and what we’ve been working on for the past 10 years to solve this problem.

Scott describes how his company (Level Engineering & Architecture) is gradually shifting the culture of designers in the US to impact the planet and increase the value of the designer and why this is imperative to our future.

They discuss the growing value of tradespeople, challenges with water and sanitation, the limitations of government in environmental protection, as well as the 1650’s in their ongoing “How We Got Here” History series.

Chapters

03:00 The Value of Tradespeople

06:00 Challenges of Water and Sanitation

10:00 The Importance of Human Convenience

12:00 The Limitations of Government in Environmental Protection

16:00 The Motivation for Creating Level Engineering and Architecture

22:00 Scott's Journey in Engineering and Architecture

26:00 The Decline of Enjoyment in the Industry

30:00 Restoring Value to Engineering and Architecture

35:00 Mentoring and Passing on Knowledge

36:00 Future Episodes and Behind-the-Scenes of Level Engineering and Architecture

Keywords

US infrastructure, history, tradespeople, engineering, architecture, mentoring, environmental protection, shortage of engineers

Connect with us:

The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security.

Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet.

Podcast website: https://www.leveldesignpod.com

Get involved: https://leveldesignpartners.com

In this conversation, Miles and Scott discuss the history of infrastructure in the US in the 1940s, increasing complexity of building regulations, AI’s impact on construction projects, improving existing buildings, and the shortage of engineers and architects in the US and the impacts of outsourcing.

Where is there more opportunity and job security for A&E’s? Should we be focusing on new and exciting projects, or fixing and maintaining existing infrastructure?

Are existing projects more important than new projects?

Is AI going to take our jobs or create new jobs?

Are A&E’s excited about their work?

Chapters

00:48 How we got here (1640s)

01:18 The Growing Code Industry and Regulatory Environment

12:12 The Potential Impact of Outsourcing Engineering Work

25:27 The Importance of Maintaining and Improving Existing Buildings and Infrastructure

Keywords

US infrastructure, history, regulatory environment, engineering, architecture, code industry, timber-framed buildings, shortage of engineers, outsourcing, AI, maintaining existing buildings

Connect with us:

The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security.

Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet.

Podcast website: https://www.leveldesignpod.com

Get involved: https://leveldesignpartners.com

After 17 episodes, we took a break to refocus on business. Now we’re back with a completely new format.

You can expect 2 episodes a month (Audio + video) with a new cohost (Miles) and some incredible guests.

We’ll be sitting down with engineers, architects, business leaders and entrepreneurs, city officials, and infrastructure experts to explore how we got here, what’s happening today, and how to build a better industry and world.

We’ll also be discussing some new and exciting opportunities for design professionals to dramatically change the way they work.

In this conversation, we explore the cost of neglecting infrastructure and the ripple effect it has on so many areas of our lives.

We also discuss the responsibility of design professionals and the economic impact of infrastructure investment. The conversation delves into the need for a shift in perspective and the potential solutions to address the expanding knowledge gap.

We Cover:

Introducing Miles as the New Co-host

Bringing a Different Perspective

The Importance of Understanding Infrastructure History

The Cost of Neglecting Infrastructure

The Ripple Effect of Infrastructure on Cost and Convenience

The Current State of American Infrastructure

Whose Responsibility is Infrastructure?

Advancements in Materials and Physics in the 1630s

The Impact of Trade Routes on Infrastructure

The Influence of Rivers on City Planning

Connect with us:

The Level Design Podcast is a podcast for Architects and Engineers who want to thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, fulfillment and financial security.

Join us in uncovering how to restore value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers and caretakers of our built world and why it’s essential to the future of our society, our industry, and our planet.

Podcast website: https://www.leveldesignpod.com

Get involved: https://leveldesignpartners.com

Scott sits down with Wade Williamson and his team at Axium Inspections.

Colorado's #1 inspection company and growing nationally.

Over 20 Certified Home Inspectors who offer full-service home and commercial inspection services, including radon testing, sewer scopes, well & mold inspections, lead testing, asbestos inspections, drone inspections and more!

So what are inspections? Why do we need them? How did we get here?

Axium Inspections website: axiuminspections.com

Level Engineering website: levelengineering.com

We're hiring: https://www.levelengineering.com/jobs