Podcast Videos

In construction and manufacturing, we don’t hesitate to invest in our equipment. We maintain it. We schedule it. We protect it. But when it comes to people? We often expect them to just keep performing — without the same level of intentional investment. And when we do invest, it’s often surface-level. A training. A checkbox. A requirement. That’s not development. That’s compliance. If we want to actually move the industry forward, we need to rethink how we invest in people — not just machines. #ConstructionLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #ChangeManagement #FutureOfConstruction #AEC

Everyone talks about committing to change. No one talks about what happens next. The reality? You’re going to struggle. You’re going to feel uncomfortable. And for a while — you’re not going to be very good at it. That doesn’t mean it’s not working. It means you’re in the part of change where growth actually happens. In construction, we’ve been trained to value certainty and experience. But the future of leadership requires something different — the ability to move through the unknown, together. That messy middle? That’s not failure. That’s the rebuild. #Leadership #ChangeManagement #ConstructionLeadership #FutureOfConstruction #Growth”

We spend a lot of time debating climate policy. But not a lot of time understanding how it actually took shape. In this clip, Laura Steinbrink explains how climate policy didn’t just emerge from science—it moved forward through a legal process that ultimately reached the Supreme Court. That decision wasn’t only about emissions. It was about whether rising sea levels posed a real threat to state sovereignty—and whether the EPA had the authority to regulate greenhouse gases. Understanding that sequence—science, law, then policy—changes how you see what’s happening today. 🎙️ From the full episode: Climate Policy Whiplash: AEC’s Next Move If you're in the AEC industry or navigating sustainability and infrastructure decisions, this context matters. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFeAM37ZTLCHmx2vq4iGOSdi6dJE8d9fY&si=acLHPdMSTyI3s65t https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/episodes/ https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/ #ClimatePolicy #Sustainability #BuiltEnvironment

We don’t experience climate change as policy—we experience it through our health. In this clip, Laura Steinbrink (CEO of Emerald Built Environments) explains how air quality, water, and building materials directly impact how people perform, learn, and live. As awareness grows, companies are starting to connect the dots: Healthier environments lead to better performance Lower risk reduces long-term costs And reputation matters more than ever This isn’t just about regulation—it’s about responsibility and real-world outcomes. 🎙️ From the full episode: Climate Policy Whiplash: AEC’s Next Move If you’re in architecture, engineering, or construction, this is a shift worth paying attention to. https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/episodes/ https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/ #Sustainability #BuiltEnvironment #HealthyBuildings

Most people think climate policy drives change. But what if that’s not actually true? In this episode, we break down the 2026 EPA decision to rescind the Endangerment Finding—and what it really means for the AEC industry, sustainability, and the built environment. Ryan sits down with Laura Steinbrink, CEO of Emerald Built Environments, to unpack the bigger picture: How we got from the 2007 Supreme Court case to the 2009 EPA ruling What actually changed in 2026—and what didn’t Why this decision is legal, not scientific Where real control still exists for AEC leaders How communities, not policy, are driving climate action Because while policies shift… markets, risk, and reality don’t. You’ll also hear how: Local climate action plans are shaping the future Energy demand, AI, and infrastructure pressures are accelerating change Smarter buildings are becoming a competitive advantage—not a nice-to-have If you’re in architecture, engineering, construction, or development—this conversa…

Change in construction isn’t just about new materials or new methods. It’s about people. In this clip from Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware and Kristin Slavin talk about one of the biggest challenges facing the AEC industry—unlearning. As the industry explores mass timber, prefabrication, and new delivery models, many professionals are interested in learning. But hesitation still exists. Concerns around risk, fees, efficiency, and making mistakes often slow down progress. Real change requires more than knowledge. It requires a willingness to step back, rethink assumptions, and create a culture where learning and iteration are part of the process. Watch this clip, then check out the full episode for a deeper conversation on leading change in construction. https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/episodes/ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFeAM37ZTLCHmx2vq4iGOSdi6dJE8d9fY&si=afb-oUBcLdeb-sxB #Construction #AECIndustry #MassTimber #Prefabrication #IndustrializedConstruction

You can’t learn construction from a conference room. In this clip from Activating Curiosity™, Kristin Slavin explains why hands-on experience is critical to understanding how projects actually come together—especially when working with alternative methods like mass timber and prefabrication. Most training in the AEC industry happens in presentations, meetings, and classrooms. But real learning happens on the job site. When designers understand how things get built, and builders understand why decisions are made, collaboration improves across the entire project team. This is especially important as the industry continues to explore mass timber, prefabrication, and industrialized construction. Watch the clip, then listen to the full episode for a deeper conversation on how to better prepare teams for change. https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/episodes/ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFeAM37ZTLCHmx2vq4iGOSdi6dJE8d9fY&si=2C5-6PqMm32-HoNQ #Construction #Prefabrication #MassTi…

Architects are often seen as designers of buildings. But what if that’s only a small part of the role? In this clip from Activating Curiosity™, Kristen Slavin explains how architects are trained in design thinking—and how that skill applies far beyond buildings. From structuring teams to shaping how projects are delivered, design thinking plays a critical role in how the construction industry evolves. This connects directly to larger challenges around mass timber, prefabrication, and industrialized construction—where success depends not just on materials, but on how people collaborate and make decisions. Watch this clip, then check out the full episode for a deeper conversation on leading change in the AEC industry. Listen to the full episode "Trailblazing Mass Timber Adoption: Leading Sustainable Construction Innovation" wherever you find your podcast https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/episodes/ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFeAM37ZTLCHmx2vq4iGOSdi6dJE8d9fY&si=oL-mZWkv…

Mass timber construction is rapidly gaining attention as a sustainable alternative to steel and concrete. 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 this episode, Ryan Ware sits down with Kristen Slavin, founder of Conifer Advising and a leader in mass timber development, prefab manufacturing, and construction advisory. Kristen shares her journey from sustainable design in Portland to product development in mass timber manufacturing and now advising project teams across the architecture, engineering, and construction ecosystem. Together they explore: • Why mass timber adoption is accelerating • The real barriers slowing adoption in construction • How insurance, financing, and building codes influence project decisions • Why collaboration…

Most leaders are told the same thing when it comes to change: “Just manage it.” But what if that’s the problem? In this clip from Activating Curiosity, Ryan Ware challenges the idea that change can be managed at all. Whether in construction, leadership, or personal growth, change isn’t a one-time event you control — it’s an ongoing experience you participate in. When leaders shift from trying to manage change to building a relationship with it, everything changes: how they respond to uncertainty how their teams engage and how change actually sticks This perspective is grounded in the 5 Cs of Change — Choice, Control, Clarity, Commitment, and Curiosity — which help leaders reflect on how they’ve experienced change in the past and how they show up to it today. If you’re leading change in construction or the AEC industry, this clip will challenge how you think about change management and leadership. https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/building-a-stronger-relationship-with-change-…