Most Podern Podcast

What if a pool could clean a river—and a building could rewrite culture? Would you swim in the East River? What does “local” look like when it doesn’t mimic the block around it?

Architect Dong-Ping Wang (FOOD Architects)—who’s collaborated with Kanye West and Virgil Abloh—breaks down architecture as a cultural engine, from hyperlocal listening to rapid, messy sketching that invites feedback fast. He shares a Barbados culinary design studio with Pierre Seurat (Ghetto Gastro), why WhatsApp-level intimacy with clients beats sterile presentations, and how a tiny 6–8 person team caps projects to stay deeply hands-on.

We dive into PLUS POOL: the plus-shaped, river-filtering pool that turned a single rendering, a patent, and a site into a movement—and why the biggest risk isn’t tech, it’s convincing New Yorkers to jump in. DPW also opens up about shaping an Asian-American architectural language, rethinking practice as an “architectural production studio,” and the simplest way to read a space: look up at the ceiling.

https://food-arch.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dongpingwong/

https://pluspool.com/

https://www.instagram.com/foodmahjongclub/

00:00 The Importance of Local Culture in Architecture02:02 Navigating Client Relationships and Intimacy05:27 Architecture as a Cultural Vehicle06:49 Fluidity in Architectural Practice09:09 Working with Creative Clients10:21 Scaling Intimacy in Architecture12:28 The Architectural Production Studio Model16:04 The Plus Pool Project: Origins and Development24:25 The Power of Packaging in Architecture27:40 Local Context and Cultural Identity30:34 Post-Occupancy Analysis and Success Metrics32:58 Exploring Scales of Architectural Practice37:02 Cultural Identity and Architectural Expression39:43 Lessons from Other Creative Fields45:36 Cultural Shifts and Future Perspectives

What happens when cities expand into fire-prone landscapes—and what can we do about it? Jonah Susskind, Director of Climate Strategy at SWA, unpacks the overlooked realities of wildfire risk, why most modern cities are spreading in all the wrong directions, and how smart design can turn parks, neighborhoods, and planning policies into climate-resilient systems. From the “wildland-urban interface” to shelter-in-place strategies, this conversation blends environmental science, urban planning, and design thinking to illuminate the future of where and how we live.

Subscribe to Most Podern on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podern

Links & References

Jonah Susskind - https://www.swagroup.com/principals/jonah-susskind/SWA Group - https://www.swagroup.com/Playbook for the Pyroscene (Free PDF) - https://www.swagroup.com/ideas/playbook-for-the-pyroscene

Chapters

0:00 – Intro: Urban Futures in a Burning World

2:11 – What Is a Landscape Urbanist?

5:24 – Why “Natural Disasters” Aren’t Natural Anymore

8:16 – What Is Wildfire, Really?13:20 – Smoke, Soil, and the Carbon Cost

13:44 – Designing for Fire: Myths and Realities

16:10 – Lessons from Australia and the U.S.18:26 – Who’s Responsible at the Edge?

19:30 – What Homeowners Need to Know

21:54 – Policy, Enforcement, and the Zone Zero Debate

25:36 – Why We Need Local, Nuanced Research30:56 – Rethinking the Wildland-Urban Interface

33:10 – The WUI: Conflict, Desire, and Inequality

37:12 – Building Pragmatic, Resilient Communities

39:07 – Why East Coast Listeners Should Care Too

42:35 – This Moment: On the Precipice

44:12 – Where to Learn More

Keywords

wildfire resilience, built environment, suburbanization, urbanism, architecture, landscape architecture, design, urban planning, climate adaptation, landscape urbanism, wildland-urban interface, Jonah Susskind, SWA Group, climate strategy, suburban development, wildfire design, zone California, fireproof cities, smoke exposure effects, urban development

What if the secret to a better life wasn’t a bigger house or higher salary, but simply living closer to your friends? Phil Levin, co-founder of Live Near Friends, reveals how proximity can drastically increase happiness, cut housing costs, and reshape how we think about community. From building a 10-home campus in Oakland to redefining what “neighbor” really means, we explore how small shifts in where—and who—you live near can change everything.

Subscribe to Most Podern on:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podern

Keywords

community, co-living, housing, quality of life, social connections, urban living, real estate, friendship, shared spaces, neighborhood design, built environment

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Crocs Distance and Its Importance00:40 Building a Community: Life at Radish01:56 The Cadence of Living Near Friends04:03 The Science of Happiness and Friendship06:33 The Pandemic's Impact on Co-Living Trends08:58 Barriers to Living Near Friends11:07 Live Near Friends: The Enterprise13:29 Target Demographics for Co-Living15:48 The Difference Between Co-Living and Living Near Friends18:19 Cultural Context of Living Near Friends20:32 Sharing Spaces: What Works and What Doesn't22:14 The Joy of Shared Living24:28 Navigating the Home Search Process27:26 Flexibility in Living Arrangements28:18 Rethinking Urban Design for Community39:32 The Dizziness of Freedom and Community Anchors

Links

Phil Levin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillevin/

Live Near Friends – https://www.livenearfriends.com

Radish – https://radishoakland.com/

Supernuclear (Blog + Substack) – https://supernuclear.substack.com

Framingham Heart Study – https://www.framinghamheartstudy.org

Culdesac (Car-Free Community) – https://culdesac.com

What if plumbers and HVAC techs are America’s newest millionaires—and the secret heroes of our economy? Why is fixing your sink so expensive, and how is the skilled trades shortage reshaping everything from infrastructure to green energy? Could these hands-on careers actually be more future-proof—and profitable—than a traditional college degree?

Dive into a revealing conversation with Ruchir Shah, CEO of SkillCat, who’s dismantling myths about trades work and spotlighting why these jobs are booming—some even building $100 million businesses. From the surprising political and environmental impact of the skilled trades shortage to how online training is making this career path accessible to thousands, this video uncovers the untold story behind America’s evolving workforce.

Discover why tradespeople enjoy higher job satisfaction, why these careers are almost AI-proof, and how a resurgence in skilled trades could fix not just pipes but the very fabric of our society. If you think the trades are just “blue collar” dead ends, think again. Ready to challenge what you thought you knew and explore an overlooked path to wealth and fulfillment? Watch now and get inspired by America’s new millionaire class.

Subscribe to Most Podern on:

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrp

Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodern

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/most.podern

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podern

Links:

https://www.skillcatapp.com/

[email protected]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchirshah2/

Chapters:

00:00 The Importance of Skilled Trades

01:08 The Shift in Perception of Trades

03:26 The Impact of Aging Workforce

05:53 SkillCat's Role in Training08:05 The Evolution of Training Methods

10:47 Measuring Success in Skilled Trades

13:29 The Ideal Profile for Tradespeople

16:42 Exploring the Trades: A Hidden Opportunity

18:43 Breaking Barriers: Awareness and Access in Trades

21:06 The Dignity of Work: Fulfillment in the Trades

25:14 AI and the Future of Trades: Job Security

26:52 The Role of Trades in Green Energy and Infrastructure

28:56 Debunking Myths: The Financial Reality of Trades

30:44 Education and the Future of Trade Skills

Why does every conversation about climate change feel like we're being asked to sacrifice something? Josh Dorfman, host of the popular Supercool podcast, reveals how this narrative is completely backwards. From Formula-E racing that attracts 500 million viewers without mentioning climate to pneumatic trash systems that make cities cleaner while cutting carbon by 90%, Josh shares how the most effective climate solutions are actually upgrading modern life rather than restricting it. Discover why we're not in an age of climate awareness anymore but rather an "age of adoption," where $2 trillion in annual clean energy investment is quietly revolutionizing everything from home electrification to urban design. Learn about innovative financing approaches that put your money to work for climate solutions while you sleep, and why the future of sustainability isn't about guilt—it's about better living.

Subscribe to Most Podern on:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podern

Links
Supercool Podcast and Newsletter: https://getsuper.cool/Supercool on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTcMrkjAmgqzv6Jhg6-V52gShRWKdc3t4&si=LXeo-aUlGkoiQbjiSupercool on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/supercool/id1758404839Supercool on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4IUql4twk6OLOl8FTIwN5ZJosh Dorfman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorfmanjosh/

Keywords

climate solutions, sustainability, clean energy investment, electrification, climate tech, renewable energy, Formula E racing, sustainable cities, climate finance, carbon reduction, solar energy, battery storage, climate innovation, green technology, urban planning, sustainable transportation, climate action, environmental technology, clean energy transition, climate entrepreneurship, urban design, architecture, builodings

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:24 - Challenges in Climate Change00:01:37 - The Slow Progress of Sustainability00:03:35 - The Rise of Sustainability00:04:23 - Personal Journey into Sustainability00:04:37 - The Emergence of Sustainable Design00:07:44 - The Growth of the Sustainability Movement00:10:22 - Sustainability Becomes Cool00:12:10 - The Profitability of Sustainability00:12:56 - The Future of Sustainability00:15:09 - Ingenious Energy Efficiency00:16:09 - The Clean Energy Revolution00:20:03 - The Cost and Adoption of Solar Energy00:20:52 - The Transition to Cleaner Energy Sources00:24:36 - The Role of Policy in Energy Transition00:27:53 - Global Sustainability Efforts00:30:15 - The Cultural Shift Towards Sustainability00:30:47 - Sustainable Urban Planning: The NVAC System00:34:34 - The Role of Leadership in Sustainable Urban Planning00:35:20 - The Success of Sustainable Housing Renovations in Lincoln, Nebraska00:37:13 - The Challenge of Thinking Outside the Box00:42:27 - The Role of Self-Interest in Sustainability00:42:57 - The Success of Formula E and Sustainability in Entertainment00:46:11 - Sustainable Changes in Cities: Examples from Around the World00:49:28 - Individuals Making a Difference in Climate Change00:49:53 - Innovative Financial Tools for Climate Change00:52:27 - The Current Moment in Sustainability: The Age of Adoption

Architect Ruben Segovia joins Alex Yuen and Minkoo Kang to reveal how Mexico is transforming its urban development. From Monterrey to Tulum, young designers and developers are creating walkable, mixed-use communities that prioritize public space and human-scale design. Segovia explains why the "developers are evil" narrative is shifting, how policy changes are enabling innovative real estate projects, and what American cities can learn from Mexico's bold urban experiments. Discover the ground-floor activation strategies, transit-oriented developments, and collaborative design processes transforming Mexican cities into 15-minute neighborhoods that actually work.Ruben Segovia is the co-founder of LS-LAB, an urban, architectural, and landscape design office, and the director of the Master’s in Architecture and Urban Design at the School of Architecture, Art, and Design at Tecnológico de Monterrey. He holds a degree in Architecture from Tec de Monterrey, Monterrey Campus, and a Master in Architecture II from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Subscribe to Most Podern on:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podern

Links

Ruben Segovia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruben-segovia-6a464a67/?originalSubdomain=mxLS-LAB: https://ls-lab.com/LS-LAB on IG: https://www.instagram.com/l_s_lab/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ruben Segovia and LS Lab01:28 Returning to Mexico: Urban Opportunities03:07 Current Urban Development in Mexico04:29 Housing Market Challenges06:28 Historical Context of Housing Scarcity08:15 Urban Growth Models and Political Influence10:02 Mobility and Urban Sprawl12:29 Community Awareness and Urban Advocacy14:06 Characteristics of Mexican Cities15:43 Role of Developers vs. Government16:50 LS Lab's Design Philosophy20:02 Collaboration in Urban Projects22:11 Developers and Urban Safety23:34 Policy Influence on Development25:33 Young Developers and New Standards26:10 Architects and Developers: A Changing Relationship28:33 Shifting Perspectives on Design Value29:17 New Generations in Policy Making32:00 The Future of Urban Development in Mexico34:17 The Importance of Good Developers36:30 Visible Changes in New Developments38:44 Creating Community Through Architecture41:01 The Tulum Case Study: Balancing Tourism and Environment46:31 Sustainable Building Practices in Mexico52:11 Adapting to Climatic Contexts in Design57:26 The Future of Mexican Cities: Optimism and Challenges01:02:22 Lessons from Mexico: Design and Public Space01:04:22 Influential Architects and Designers in Mexico01:08:59 Awareness and Purpose in Contemporary Development

Keywords

Mexican urban development, real estate development Mexico, walkable cities Mexico, mixed-use development, urban planning Mexico, Mexican architecture, Monterrey development, Tulum real estate, transit-oriented development, ground floor activation, 15-minute city, public space design, young developers Mexico, urban design innovation, Mexican cities vs American cities, sustainable urban development, how Mexico builds better cities than America, Mexican real estate development trends 2025, walkable neighborhood development Mexico, urban planning lessons from Mexico, mixed-use real estate projects Mexico, Mexican architect urban development, public space activation strategies, Mexico City urban planning, Yucatan Peninsula real estate, Quintana Roo

What happens when an architect develops their own projects, stops chasing profit, and starts designing for people, planet, and purpose? Jeremy McLeod, founder of Breathe and Nightingale Housing, shares how a single prototype sparked a housing movement in Australia. From ditching car parks and private laundries to designing rooftop commons and slow elevators, Nightingale flips the development playbook — proving that sustainability, affordability, and community aren't just compatible, but catalytic. With a waitlist over 21,000 strong, this conversation reveals how one radical idea changed the market and inspired a new model of ethical housing.

Subscribe to Most Podern on:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podern

Keywords

Jeremy McLeod, Nightingale Housing, affordable housing, nonprofit developer, ethical development, triple bottom line, sustainable housing, Melbourne architecture, car-free housing, shared laundries, rooftop commons, housing affordability crisis, build-to-sell, housing without profit, real estate innovation, alternative housing models, climate-resilient design, housing as a human right, community-focused development

Chapters

0:00 — Why Profit Gets in the Way

2:00 — Building the Prototype Without a Developer

5:00 — When 1,000 People Lined Up

8:00 — Launching Nightingale from a Manifesto

10:00 — Triple Bottom Line: Sustainability, Community, Affordability

14:00 — Nonprofit Development in a For-Profit World

17:30 — Why Australia's Housing Market Is Broken

21:00 — The Rising Cost of Homeownership

24:00 — Designing for Community, Not Just Residents

28:00 — Rooftop Laundry, Not Penthouses

31:00 — Slow Elevators and Street-Level Encounters

34:00 — System Redesign: Finance, Rules, and Ballots

36:00 — Powering Every Building with Renewables

38:00 — The Market Starts Paying Attention

41:00 — Ditching Car Parks for Shared Cars

44:00 — Lessons in Scaling: Trade-offs and Adaptations

51:00 — Designing Meaningful Imperfection

54:00 — What It Takes to Start Something Bold

56:00 — The Future Will Ask: Why Didn’t We Fight Harder?

Links

Jeremy McLeod (LinkedIn) - https://au.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-mcleod-architectNightingale Housing - https://www.nightingalehousing.org/Breathe Architecture - https://www.breathe.com.au/Let My People Go Surfing - https://www.patagonia.com/product/let-my-people-go-surfing-revised-paperback-book/BK067.html

Why do we need to keep building skyscrapers and what separates them marvels or monstrosities?

Dr. Antony Wood, one of the world’s foremost experts on tall buildings, reveals why cities go vertical, what drives the global icon race, and how most towers fall short. From skybridges and carbon-sequestering timber to the 5% of skyscrapers that actually work, this conversation reimagines the high-rise as more than a symbol, but rather as a system for living, density, and urban ambition.

Subscribe to Most Podern on:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podern

Keywords

skyscrapers, tall buildings, vertical urbanism, sustainable architecture, high-rise design, mass timber construction, urban density, carbon emissions, skybridges, public space in cities, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, Antony Wood, CTBUH, skyline architecture, mixed-use towers, high-rise housing, vertical infrastructure, future of cities, architectural sustainability, iconic skyscrapers

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome + Guest Intro

01:00 – Why Do We Build Tall?

04:50 – Does Density Mean Height?

07:20 – 94% of Skyscrapers Built After 2000

08:20 – Why Asia Builds Higher

11:20 – The Global Icon Race

13:40 – Vertical Access & Skybridges

16:30 – How We First Built Tall

18:00 – The Skyscraper Problem: 95% Are Bad

21:20 – What the Best 5% Get Right

24:30 – Defining 'Tall' (And 'Supertall')

27:30 – Why the U.S. Isn’t Building the Tallest Anymore

29:40 – The Shift from Office to Mixed-Use

31:45 – What Singapore Got Right

34:30 – Mass Timber: A Building Revolution

38:10 – The Roadblocks to Mass Timber

41:00 – Rethinking Land, Forests, and Verticality

42:15 – Antony’s Top 5 Tall Buildings

46:20 – How Height Changes Human Experience

51:00 – Fighting NIMBYism with Better Towers

53:40 – The Future of Tall Buildings

56:00 – Where to Follow Dr. Antony Wood

56:56 – What Moment Are We In?

Links

Dr. Antony Wood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antony-wood/

Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CUTBUH): https://www.ctbuh.org/

What’s driving architects to rethink their role in a tech-driven world?

Evelyn Lee, FAIA, NOMA, shares her journey from traditional architecture to tech leadership, offering insights on how architects can adapt and thrive. Discover how she blends design thinking with business strategy to redefine the profession’s future.

Subscribe to Most Podern on:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podern

Keywords

architecture innovation, Evelyn Lee, tech in architecture, design thinking, architectural practice, business strategy, Practice of Architecture, diversity in design, future of architecture

Chapters

00:00 Defining the Role of the Architect Today

04:46 Expanding Traditional Practices in Architecture

07:38 Challenges Facing New Architects

10:42 Transitioning from Architecture School to Practice

13:46 The Value of Studio Experience

16:41 Innovation and Risk in Architectural Practice

19:32 The Shift Towards Product-Based Architecture

22:56 Emerging Trends in Modular and 3D Printed Architecture

25:41Consulting and Advising in Architecture

31:00 The Future of Architecture and Its Boundaries

32:44 The Architect's Identity Crisis

40:00 Navigating the Changing Landscape of Architecture

48:33 Understanding Value in Architecture

55:07 The Future of Architecture and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Links

Evelyn Lee: evelynlee.com

Practice of Architecture: practiceofarchitecture.com

Evelyn Lee on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/evelynlee

Mighty Buildings: https://www.mightybuildings.com/

Intelligent City: https://intelligent-city.com/

What if the bricks and mortar of tomorrow existed first as pixels? Discover how Manwen Li turned physical fabrics, tiles, and surfaces into ultra‑realistic digital twins—fueling faster iterations, richer creativity, and sampling. From pioneering Under Armour’s first virtual material library, she reveals the tech, the standards, and the surprising human challenges behind making “the physical digital.”

Links:

Manwen Li: https://www.manwenli.com

Under Amrour: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_Armour

Material Bank: https://www.materialbank.com/

Swatchbook: https://www.swatchbook.us/

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Digital Material Mission

00:25 Why Pixel‑Perfect Materials Matter

01:38 Beyond Renderings: Fashion & Footwear

02:43 Material Bank’s Sampling Revolution

05:27 Anatomy of a PBR Data Package

08:04 Chasing Realism: Fidelity vs. Cost

10:11 Photogrammetry vs. Procedural Workflows

14:10 Everyday Digital Twins: Cars to Homes

17:24 Economics of Digital vs. Physical

19:04 Capturing Imperfection & Beating the Uncanny

25:30 Speed vs. Depth in Creative Feedback

28:22 Industry Fragmentation & the Library Gap

33:16 Fashion Lessons for AEC Professionals

39:41 Birth of the Digital‑Physical Co‑Twin

47:33 Characterizing Today’s Information Era