Register Now for Collective Leadership Co-op's Becoming Human Again Event Series!
Activating Curiosity™

Check Out All Activating Curiosity™ Episodes

Curiosity shouldn’t be passive, sometimes it needs activated!
April 14, 2026

Industrialized Construction: The Key to Solving the Housing Crisis

Summary The housing crisis isn’t just a policy problem, it’s fundamentally a production problem requiring innovative construction industry change and leadership for change management in construction. In this episode, host Rya...
Guest: Ryan E Smith
April 2, 2026

Climate Policy Whiplash: AEC’s Next Move

Summary Most of us feel stuck when policy shifts overnight, especially in the fast-evolving AEC industry. When the EPA rescinded its 2009 Endangerment Finding in 2026, the real question wasn’t just what changed—it was: Now what do we do? In this bonus episode, Ryan and Laura Steinbrink, CEO of Emer…
March 24, 2026

Trailblazing Mass Timber Adoption: Leading Sustainable Construction Innovation

Summary Mass timber is rapidly emerging as a leading solution for sustainable construction, but adopting new building systems in the AEC industry requires more than advanced materials. It demands new mindsets, stronger collaboration, and leaders willing to challenge traditional industry norms. In t…
March 19, 2026

Building a Stronger Relationship With Change in Construction Leadership

Summary Mini Series Part 6: Most industries — especially the construction industry — struggle with change fatigue caused by new technologies, evolving project delivery models, and shifting market demands. Construction leadership must navigate this ongoing transformation effectively through strong c…
March 10, 2026

Curiosity, AI, and the Future of Change in AEC Firms

Summary In this episode of 'Activating Curiosity | Leading Change in the Construction Industry,' Ryan Ware sits down with Kristin Kautz of JAM Idea Agency to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. T…
Feb. 24, 2026

Overcoming Resistance: Embracing the Human Side of Modular Construction Innovation

Summary In this episode, Ryan Ware sits down with Ali Salman of Workspace Modular Structures , a seasoned entrepreneur, to explore the transformative potential of prefab and modular construction within the construction indust...
Guest: Ali Salman
Feb. 19, 2026

Curiosity-Driven Change Leadership in the Construction Industry

Summary Mini Series Part 5: In this episode, Ryan Ware explores the critical role of curiosity in leading change management within construction projects and advancing construction leadership development. Building on the first four foundational C's of change—choice, control, clarity, and commitment—…
Feb. 10, 2026

Reducing Friction in Construction Decision-Making Without Replacing Expertise

Summary In this episode of Activating Curiosity, Ryan Ware and UpCodes Co-Founder and CEO Scott Reynolds explore how technology and AI are transforming change management and leadership in construction projects by reducing friction in decision-making processes without replacing professional expertis…
Jan. 27, 2026

Micro Hospitals, Macro Impact: Leading Change in Construction for Rural Healthcare

Summary In this episode of Activating Curiosity | Leading Change in the Construction Industry, Ryan Ware explores how micro hospitals are expanding access to healthcare in rural communities—and what this shift reveals about l...
Jan. 22, 2026

Commitment Isn’t Motivation: How AEC Leaders Keep Change Alive

Summary Mini Series Part 4: Building a Stronger Relationship with Change. In this insightful episode, Ryan Ware dives deep into the critical role of commitment within change management for construction leaders. Focusing on th...