Podcast Videos

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-…

Most leaders think resistance is the problem during change. It’s not. In this clip from Activating Curiosity, we break down why asking better questions—not giving more direction—is what actually drives clarity, commitment, and progress within teams. Instead of asking “why are they resisting,” strong leaders ask: What’s unclear right now? What’s making this difficult? How do we stay committed when things get hard? This is the shift from managing change… to building a stronger relationship with change. If you’re leading teams in construction, AEC, or any fast-moving industry, this mindset will change how you lead. Watch or listen to the full episode here. https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/building-a-stronger-relationship-with-change-in-construction-leadership/ https://youtu.be/M_yXoMybyDg?si=gy-BzBRrTjYch1by

Massive shifts in technology, project delivery, and industry expectations are creating ongoing change across the construction industry. For many leaders, this leads to change fatigue — where constant transformation creates resistance, uncertainty, and stress across project teams. In this episode, Ryan Ware explores how construction leaders can build a healthier and more resilient relationship with change by applying the Five C’s of Change: Choice, Control, Clarity, Commitment, and Curiosity. These principles help leaders reflect on their past experiences with change, navigate current challenges more effectively, and lead construction teams with greater confidence. In this conversation, you’ll learn: • Why change fatigue is common in the construction industry • How leaders can reframe their relationship with change • The Five C’s framework for navigating transformation • How curiosity helps reduce resistance within teams • Practical leadership insights for navigating industry disr…

This clip from the last episode of Activating Curiosity, explores how AI can transform leadership and change management in the AEC industry. Listen to Ryan Ware and Kristin Kautz of JAM Idea Agency as they reveal practical strategies to turn resistance into momentum, elevate project delivery, and develop leadership development programs for modular and prefab construction. Learn how to align operations with AI-enabled workflows, foster curiosity, and lead change across construction projects. https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/kristin-kautz-ai-aec-firms/

Activating Curiosity | Leading Change in the Construction Industry features Ryan Ware in a deep dive with Kristin Kautz of JAM Idea Agency on AI in the AEC sector. They explore change management challenges in construction, the slow pace of technology adoption, and how storytelling can overcome resistance to AI integration. Kristin highlights curiosity and strong leadership as essential to navigating the evolving AI landscape, stressing that AI is not just a tool but a core part of modern construction workflows. The discussion covers construction leadership development, coaching, and training to preserve human agency while embracing innovative technologies. Listeners will gain actionable insights on leadership clarity, how AI can solve industry challenges, and strategies for leading change in construction projects. This episode delivers practical tools and perspectives for AEC leaders pursuing digital construction innovation and sustainability through effective change management an…

The Hidden Barriers to Change Most Businesses Refuse to Face. Fear and inertia often stall transformation in construction — but understanding these forces is the first step to overcoming them. In this clip for an upcoming episode of Activating Curiosity , Kristin Kautz dives into why change in the construction industry feels slow and what leaders can do to accelerate progress. She unpacks the emotional barriers behind resistance to digital transformation, leadership development, and innovation in projects like modular and prefab construction. Learn how fear of losing jobs or control fuels inertia and how recognizing these barriers is crucial to leading change effectively in the AEC industry. What you’ll learn: Why change in construction is slow and how to accelerate it How fear and inertia hinder digital transformation and leadership development Practical steps to move from resistance to action in change management for construction teams The mindset shifts that turn perceived tech …

Why AI Isn't a Strategy — It's a Lens That Transforms How You Work. This clip of the upcoming episode with Kristin Kautz of @jamideaagency reframes AI as a lens that enhances, not overwhelms, your construction leadership and change-management efforts. What you’ll learn AI isn’t separate from leadership or project delivery; it’s a lens that boosts efficiency and insight How to approach AI as an everyday tool for growth in construction leadership Practical steps to weave AI thinking into change management for construction teams The mindset shift that turns tech overwhelm into a strategic advantage The role of leadership coaching in navigating digital transformation in the AEC industry Why it matters Ignoring AI’s potential can stall growth and project delivery. See how curiosity-driven thinking with AI can unlock smarter decisions, better team alignment, and future-ready leadership. Who this is for Construction managers, project leaders, change managers, and leaders in the AEC indu…