The Building Culture Podcast

• #39 Alli Thurmond Quinlan - The Field-Tested Guide to Terraforming Your City

  You’re not supposed to be good at everything. But somehow, Alli is.Architect, landscape architect, developer, GC, policy reformer, zoning translator, builder of teams, builder of trust, builder of actual buildings-it’s no wonder we spent the first five minutes of this episode just trying to list all the roles she plays.In this conversation, Alli joins me to talk about what it means to be a true generalist in an era obsessed with specialization. We cover her journey from flipping houses as a teenager to running a growing team at Flintlock Lab, directing the Incremental Development Alliance, and quietly (or not so quietly) reshaping how development works across the country-starting in her hometown of Fayetteville, Arkansas.We dig into building science, incremental housing, the limits of Revit, and why being a builder makes you a better architect (and vice versa). But we also get into the harder stuff-like learning to lead, facing city bureaucracy, and what to do when the guy reviewing your permit might genuinely want to run you over with his truck.This one’s as practical as it is philosophical, and it left me feeling more hopeful-and a little more fired up-about what’s still possible if we’re willing to roll up our sleeves and terraform our own backyards.CHAPTERS00:00 Community Engagement and Local Impact02:51 The Multifaceted Career of Ali05:51 Navigating Development and Housing Challenges09:09 The Unique Economy of Fayetteville11:56 Balancing Growth and Community Needs14:57 Career Trajectory and Intentionality18:06 Building Science and Sustainable Practices20:49 Design-Build Workflow and Efficiency24:07 Entrepreneurial Spirit in Development31:57 The Design-Build Approach: Learning Through Doing34:51 Scaling Up: The Challenges of Growth39:10 Understanding the Market: Design Meets Demand41:55 Terraforming Communities: The Role of Local Investment44:11 Building a Culture of Collaboration: The Fayetteville Experience49:50 Changing the Narrative: Zoning and Community Engagement57:04 Navigating Conflict: Building Relationships with City Staff01:08:20 Building Relationships in Local Governance01:15:06 Navigating Conflict with City Staff01:20:01 Growing a Business: Challenges and Changes01:26:09 Tools and Software for Efficiency01:34:00 Learning from Failures and GrowthCONNECT WITH AlliFlintlock Lab: flintlocklab.comIncremental Development Alliance: incrementaldevelopment.orgInstagram: @flintlocklabLinkedIn: Alli’s ProfileCONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELLNewsletter: https://playbook.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://twitter.com/AustinTunnellCONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTUREhttps://www.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/ https://twitter.com/build_culture https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/ SPONSORSThank you so much to the sponsors of The Building Culture Podcast!Sierra Pacific Windows: https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/ One Source Windows: https://onesourcewindows.com/ 

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• #38 Jeral Poskey: Urban Transportation of the Future? Retrofitting Suburbia with Swyft Cities.

  In this episode, I talk with Jeral Poskey, former project executive at Google, and current Founder and CEO of Swyft Cities, about a radically different approach to urban transportation that’s fast, flexible, and surprisingly affordable. Spoiler: it's not autonomous or flying cars.When I first heard about Swyft’s solution, I was skeptical.  But I’m increasingly excited about the possibilities, and how it could unlock walkable districts and neighborhoods within the suburban sprawl context (so basically everywhere).  We get into how Jeral’s experience inside Google’s real estate division led to the birth of Project Swyft, why traditional mass-transit infrastructure isn’t feasible (at least on its own), and how Swyft’s solution solves for the last few miles, weaves between buildings, and adapts to cities as they grow.If you're into urbanism, real estate, autonomous vehicles, or just want to understand what could actually make our cities function better (without waiting 20 years and wasting billions of dollars for a new train–looking at you, California), this one’s worth your time.  And excitingly, Swyft has numerous projects underway around the world beginning in 2026.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Project Switch and Urban Transportation01:48 The Origins of Swyft Cities05:08 Innovative Transportation Solutions10:31 Skepticism to Curiosity14:09 The Last Mile Connection and Urban Challenges17:34 Economic Models and Urban Growth19:23 Modularity and Network Effects in Urban Transit21:16 AI and Efficiency in Transportation Systems23:40 Cost Comparisons and Infrastructure Decisions24:15 Understanding the Station Design and Functionality26:22 Infrastructure Flexibility and Cost Efficiency29:09 The Competition: Self-Driving Cars and Urban Mobility32:52 Private vs. Public Sector Transportation Solutions35:16 Real-World Applications and Case Studies40:01 Overcoming Skepticism and Educating Stakeholders43:45 Induced Demand: A Positive Perspective on Urban Transportation48:13 Future Vision: Scaling and Real Estate IntegrationWebsite: https://swyftcities.com/Newsletter: https://swyftcities.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=04dae35275c37b51b049b89c9&id=349fe9a899Twitter: https://x.com/jeralpo Twitter: https://x.com/swyftcitiesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jposkey/CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL:Newsletter: https://playbook.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/ https://twitter.com/AustinTunnellhttps://www.buildingculture.com/ https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/ https://twitter.com/build_culture https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/ SPONSORS:Thank you so much to the sponsors of The Building Culture Podcast!Sierra Pacific Windows: https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/ One Source Windows: https://onesourcewindows.com/ 

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  52:35
• #37 Ryan Johnson: Culdesac - Building America’s First Car-Free Neighborhood From Scratch

  In this episode, I talk with Ryan Johnson, co-founder and CEO of Culdesac, about building the United States’ first car-free neighborhood from scratch. We discuss everything from winning over the fire department with foldable ladders to building hundreds of units without building a single parking garage. Ryan also opens up about how designing for people—rather than cars—has paid off big time for both residents and local retailers, and why he believes autonomous vehicles, ride-sharing, and a passion for walkability will reshape cities nationwide.TAKEAWAYSWalkability Isn’t a Niche Luxury—It’s a Mass Market Demand. The majority of Americans would pay more to live in a walkable neighborhood, and 92% of Gen Z is on board. This isn’t just a trend—it’s a tidal wave.Car-Free Living Works—Even in Phoenix. If a walkable neighborhood can thrive in a sprawling, car-centric city like Phoenix, it can work anywhere. The key? Thoughtful design, mixed-use spaces, and actual community-building.Parking Garages Are the Next Real Estate Mistake. Developers still pouring millions into structured parking are setting themselves up for regret. AV ride-hailing, changing transportation habits, and shifting zoning laws are making them obsolete faster than people realize.Retail Thrives When It’s a Destination, Not an Afterthought. Culdesac started with six planned retail spaces—now they have 21, and local businesses are thriving. Why? Because people actually want to be there.Building for Humans, Not Traffic Engineers, Changes Everything. The way we build cities has quietly been making us more isolated, unhealthy, and unhappy. Culdesac’s design flips that script—prioritizing gathering spaces, green areas, and human-scale density.CHAPTERS00:00 The Need for Change in Urban Design02:57 Introducing Cul-de-Sac: A New Vision for Neighborhoods06:12 Designing Walkable Communities: The Cul-de-Sac Approach08:54 Innovative Infrastructure: Rethinking Parking and Access11:50 Financing the Future: Capital Strategies for New Developments15:04 Community and Belonging: The Heart of Urban Living18:07 Navigating Challenges: Working with City Regulations21:07 Phased Development: Learning and Adapting in Real Time24:00 The Impact of COVID-19 on Construction and Costs26:58 Market Dynamics: Setting Rents in a Changing Landscape29:43 The Evolution of Walkable Neighborhoods32:03 Creating Community Through Intentional Design34:48 Retail and Community Engagement37:59 The Role of Local Businesses in Urban Development40:50 Innovative Urban Design and Architecture43:54 Challenges and Surprises in Development45:41 The Future of Walkable Communities50:18 Leadership and Vision in Development55:41 Advice for Aspiring DevelopersCONNECT WITH RYANCuldesac: https://culdesac.comLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjohnsonazInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveculdesac/Twitter: https://x.com/ryanmjohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorCONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELLNewsletter: https://playbook.buildingculture.com/https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/https://twitter.com/AustinTunnellCONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTUREhttps://www.buildingculture.com/https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/https://twitter.com/build_culturehttps://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/SPONSORSThank you so much to the sponsors of The Building Culture Podcast!Sierra Pacific Windows: https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/One Source Windows: https://onesourcewindows.com/

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  59:46
• #36 Stephen Smith: Safety vs. Sanity: The Surprising Cost of Over-Regulating Our Built World

  In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Smith, founder of the Center for Building, to uncover the labyrinthine world of building codes—how they’re made, who really influences them, and why they end up stifling the very innovation and affordability we need. From the peculiarities of elevator requirements to the often overlooked role of local politics and special interests, we unpack how these complex rules shape our homes, buildings, and cities more than we might realize.TAKEAWAYSWhy Building Codes Matter: Even if you’re not a builder or developer, codes dictate your home’s layout, the price of housing, and whether your favorite small condo project can even get off the ground.The ICC (International Code Council) Isn’t Really “International”: You’ll learn how this non-governmental body, which writes most U.S. building codes, can be both extremely influential and surprisingly insular.Over-Regulation’s Real-World Costs: We break down how elevator mandates, fire codes, and accessibility requirements—though well-intended—sometimes create perverse incentives that drive up costs or discourage better solutions.Local Politics & Hidden Interests: Discover how “government members” and private manufacturers shape these codes, and why your mayor or city council may have little say in regulations that affect everyone.A Path Forward: Stephen shares practical ways policymakers and citizens can get involved in reforming the system, focusing on a more human-centered approach that balances safety, cost, and beautyCHAPTERS00:00 The Challenge of Building Codes in the U.S.03:06 The Role of Building Codes in Urban Development05:46 Understanding the American Way of Building09:09 The Impact of Building Codes on Housing Costs12:09 Elevator Regulations and Their Consequences14:52 Harmonization of Codes and Standards18:11 Over-Dimensioning in American Construction21:05 Labor Issues in the Construction Industry23:57 The Need for Code Review and Justification26:49 The Tyranny of Bureaucracy in Building Codes38:49 The Grenfell Fire and Its Aftermath45:05 Design Innovations in Building Codes48:25 Understanding the ICC and Code Writing58:09 The Revolving Door: Industry and Regulation01:07:26 The Role of Government in Building Codes01:15:20 Getting Involved: Supporting Change in Building CodesCONNECT WITH STEPHENCenter for Building https://www.centerforbuilding.org/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenjacobsmith.com Email: [email protected] RESOURCESElevator research: https://admin.centerforbuilding.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Elevators.pdf CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELLNewsletter: https://playbook.buildingculture.com/https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/https://twitter.com/AustinTunnellCONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTUREhttps://www.buildingculture.com/https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/https://twitter.com/build_culturehttps://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/SPONSORSThank you so much to the sponsors of The Building Culture Podcast!Sierra Pacific Windows: https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/One Source Windows: https://onesourcewindows.com/

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  1:17:57
• #35 Moses Kagan: Building Generational Wealth with Generational Assets - "Indefinite Holds" in Real Estate

  Moses Kagan has a unique take on real estate development and investing – and he’s influenced my thinking substantially over the past couple of years.He is a highly successful syndicator, investor and developer with over $200 million in assets under management. He runs Adaptive Realty, having renovated over 100 multi-family buildings in Los Angeles, managing them in-house while specializing in the "indefinite hold” strategy for long-term wealth building.He is the Co-Founder of ReSeed, a platform offering long-term GP and LP capital, along with mentorship for emerging real estate operators nationwide.  He also hosts Reconvene, a highly regarded annual “unconference” for real estate operators and passive investors to connect and share knowledge. I attended last year, and it was awesome!And lastly, he is a Twitter personality and avid blogger, sharing valuable insights on real estate and business. I highly recommend you follow him.This is an excellent conversation about practical investment and real estate development philosophy, and I hope this conversation has as big of an impact on you as meeting Moses has on me!TAKEAWAYSHolding real estate indefinitely often leads to better investment outcomes than IRR-driven flipping.Traditional real estate models incentivize risky short-term decisions, while sustainable strategies benefit both investors and communities.Investors should focus on post-tax returns rather than pre-tax IRR, as tax considerations play a crucial role in long-term profitability.Wealthy families and patient capital partners are more aligned with indefinite hold strategies than institutional investors.Unlevered yield on cost and all-in price per square foot are key financial indicators for long-term real estate success.Building direct relationships and trust at scale is essential for securing capital, especially for indefinite hold investments.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Real Estate Development Philosophy06:06 Understanding IRR and Its Implications11:55 The Importance of Long-Term Thinking in Real Estate17:59 Finding the Right Investors for Long-Term Strategies25:50 Investing with Wealthy Families and Professional Money Managers40:20 Understanding Capitalization and Investor Liquidity46:11 Building Trust and Relationships in Real Estate Investment55:41 Building Trust at Scale in Real Estate58:01 The Democratization of Capital Raising01:04:29 New Urbanism and Walkable Neighborhoods01:06:00 Challenges of Ground-Up Development01:09:03 Zoning and Building Code Challenges01:11:57 The Impact of Bureaucracy on Development01:14:07 Introducing ReSeed: Supporting Emerging Operators01:17:08 The Importance of Community in Real EstateCONNECT WITH MOSESX:https://x.com/moseskagan?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moses-kagan-2638ab2/Adaptive Realty: https://www.adaptiverealty.com/ ReSeed: https://reseedpartners.com/Moses Newsletter: https://kagansblog.com/blog/MENTIONED RESOURCESThe Fort Podcast Interview on ReSeed: https://www.thefortpod.com/videos/moses-kagan-rhett-bennett-co-founders-of-reseed-partners-the-y-combinator-for-re-operators/CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELLNewsletter:https://playbook.buildingculture.com/https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/https://twitter.com/AustinTunnellCONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTUREhttps://www.buildingculture.com/https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/https://twitter.com/build_culturehttps://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/SPONSORSThank you so much to the sponsors of The Building Culture Podcast!Sierra Pacific Windows: https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/One Source Windows: https://onesourcewindows.com/

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  1:19:07

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