LAUREN MAKIN is probably the greatest sibling you could ever ask for – she is someone with the unique ability to be a great spouse, loving mom, devoted daughter, amazing aunt, and a talented professional. She navigates life with her magnetic personality, profound hustle, and unmatched sense of humor. As she has gotten older, I have loved to watch her live life with transparency and grace, loyalty and joy. Our shared childhood was not always easy, we overcame a lot together, and I have always bee...
Mar 15, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 10
MARLON BLACKWELL is one of the most accomplished and successful Architects I know. His work has received almost every award and recognition imaginable. His Architecture is elegant, timeless, and rooted in place. However, for me, what makes Marlon special is his profound wisdom and perspective. Our relationship began as a cold call 14 years ago only to evolve into a mentorship and now a friendship. Beyond his immense talent, Marlon is kind, generous, and thoughtful and those may be his greatest g...
Feb 27, 2023•48 min•Season 2Ep. 9
JOEL DANIELS is my former pastor and current Interfaith Chaplain at Claremont University. I have known Joel since we moved to Boston 11 years ago. Where he jump-started a faith community in Somerville called Reunion. Beyond his spiritual influence, Joel has been someone who continues to see life through a prism. To consider, acknowledge, and understand multiple perspectives at the same time. His greatest strength (beyond his sense of humor) is his ability to articulate and navigate the intersect...
Feb 13, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 8
ALLI PETRONE is one of our closest family friends. She has known us for 11 years and become an integral part of our lives here in Watertown. She is intelligent and determined, driven and adventurous. We are especially fortunate to have her in our daughter’s lives – where she is a role model and a constant source of love and kindness. Alli is simply a wonderful friend who is always ready to think deeply and act generously which is why this conversation will undoubtedly be so special. During our c...
Jan 31, 2023•49 min•Season 2Ep. 7
NICHOLAS RUIZ is an unforgettable person. He is energetic and talented, entrepreneurial, and inspired – most of all he has a wonderful laugh. We grew close during a very formative period of our design careers when we were roommates in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Ever since he continues to impress me with his relentless pursuit of what is good and meaningful. Whether in life or design, Nick's value-based approach is a refreshing way to think about life. During our conversation today, you are goin...
Jan 18, 2023•51 min•Season 2Ep. 6
TESSA AND TOBIAS HATHORN are a dynamic, authentic, and loving couple that I have been fortunate to know for a long time. Tessa and I went to Architecture school together 22 years ago – yikes. But since that time we have grown incredibly close balancing life, kids, and work despite our current geographic distance. Her husband Tobias came along later and was the best spouse-friend you could ever ask for - funny, creative, and talented! When you meet people like Tessa and Tobias you are inspired to...
Dec 19, 2022•56 min•Season 2Ep. 5
JOSHUA PEDERSON is one of the most intelligent and kind people I know. I met Joshua 4 years ago while dropping our kids off at the same daycare. Then created a wonderful connection during Pre-K registration – waiting outside on an early January morning. Since that time our friendship has grown and flourished based on a deep love of teaching, books, writing, and karaoke. If you don't know Joshua well this is what I can tell you... Joshua is a tenured professor, a thoughtful writer, and a wonderfu...
Dec 12, 2022•58 min•Season 2Ep. 4
JOSH BLANCHARD is the bravest person I know. We met him and his wife Christy back in 2015 and I found an instant connection through our love of BBQ, the Chiefs, and Chevelle. More recently Josh and his family moved to DC and we always look forward to his periodic visits back. Which leads us to this special in-person episode. If you don’t know Josh here’s what I can tell you… Josh is one of those people who would do anything for those around him. He encourages and challenges you with how he lives...
Nov 07, 2022•45 min•Season 2Ep. 3
NATASHA LARSEN and her husband Gershon have been friends of ours since2012. We found an immediate kinship over serving others and meeting over coffee at extraordinarily early hours. Since that time, she has become a constant source of joy and encouragement our lives. When you meet Natasha you never forget her. She is intensely kind and full of joy. Her smile will light up a room and somehow encourage you at the same time. Nothing seems out of reach after you have been lifted up by a conversation...
Oct 19, 2022•55 min•Season 2Ep. 2
HEATHER NICHOLS is in some ways the perfect person to start Season 2 - she may be one of the wisest people I know. We met during a financial planning course in 2014 and immediately hit if off when we realized we were both “struggling” to not charge anything as we hung out for drinks after each class. Since that time, she has become one of my wife’s closest friends and I like to think I am not far behind. We have packed a lot of life experiences into 8 years of knowing each other – Sunday meals, ...
Oct 04, 2022•49 min•Season 2Ep. 1
It has been a minute! We have taken about 18 months off to collectively take a breath and work through all those Covid variants – Delta, Omicron, and whatever is happening now. But there does seem to be a renewed optimism as we transition to the fall and back to school. New York City just lifted its subway mask mandate and our children don’t have to wear masks in schools anymore. It seems we can now re-emerge into our new normal world with fresh eyes and renewed perspective. The timing seems rig...
Sep 23, 2022•5 min
KELLY KURLBAUM is this week’s special guest, someone who knows me better than anyone else – my faithful friend and amazing wife. I have known Kelly for 19 years and been married to her for 13. We have two amazing girls Rowan and Leyton who make us the family I have always hoped for. Kelly and I moved to Boston in 2011 for a two year graduate school run, but ending up loving it here and we never left. Kelly inspires those around her with her sage advice, honest perspective, and beautiful vulnerab...
May 26, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 10
TYLER AND ALYSSA THOMPSON are two very special guests that inaugurate our first ever couple show. Alyssa is a dear friend who is thoughtful, funny, loving, and driven. Tyler is (just as funny and) an avid Carolina fan, a Virginia Tech Alum, a talented Architect, a father, and a stroke survivor. I have known these two since we moved to Boston in 2011. For almost ten years we have become like family to one another. Of course, we have a lot in common – all great friends do – we love pop music and d...
May 11, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 9
PASTOR STEPHEN NYAKAIRU is a Faith Leader, Community Activist, a Volunteer, and an Advocate. I have known Stephen for a few years now and have developed a deep kinship over our love of the Enneagram, reading, and podcasts. He also happens to be our Location Pastor for Grace Chapel in Watertown. His story, life, and mission will inevitably inspire you to loving and caring for others. He inspires action and growth, values and purpose. Pastor Stephen is someone who calls you consistently and cares ...
Apr 26, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 8
GUSTAVO RAMIREZ is an Architect, an Adventurer, an Activator. I have known Gustavo since our Architecture school days at Kansas State where he and my wife were in the same graduating class. Since that time we have continued to cross paths in New York and now when he visits in Boston. Gustavo is generous, thoughtful, and talented – full of wisdom beyond his years informed by the places that have shaped him from his native Mexico to study abroad in Italy and his travels around the world. Gustavo i...
Apr 12, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 7
MICAH WHITSON is a modern-day renaissance man. We have known he and his wife Marianna since we moved to Boston in 2011. We have grown together and raised our kids side by side. Micah is someone with immense creativity and dedication – his talent inspires, and his work connects. Each project demonstrates a passion for craft and love of place. Micah’s creative direction has led him through advertising, graphic design, and healthcare. He and his wife founded the Old Try in 2011 with the ambition to...
Mar 29, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 6
LINDY PARKER VEGA is a brilliant writer who loves books. We met her and her husband Javy through our church and immediately found that Kelly and I adored them. Today Lindy has a job where she writes, read things, and talks about them…a seemingly perfect fit . She lives with her husband Javy and their son Kobe in Sayulita, Mexico and run a restaurant called Alquismista. Lindy’s story is one of endurance and patience, gratitude and slowness. When you read her writing you will find yourself immerse...
Mar 16, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 5
JOE BIONDO is one of my former teachers – a great architect and mentor who I now can call a friend. Joe is joining us to talk about his lesson “Empty Your Tank”. I met Joe as a 4th year architecture student. He was my professor. At the time, I knew very little about his background or his amazing talent to teach and inspire, design and mentor. I suppose the best teachers are usually like that – their most profound lessons happen long after the course has ended. Somehow during our short time toget...
Mar 01, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 4
QUINN NEIDIG is a very special friend of mine joining us to talk about her lesson “Wear Elastic Waistbands” – before you think this is about Pandemic Fashion trends – please listen to the beautiful metaphor unfold – about acceptance and the beauty of vulnerability . This is a very special show. My wife and I met Quinn and her husband Joe 11 years ago in New York City diner. We attended the same church and cemented our friendship over a mid summer brunch in Union Square. We quickly found many sim...
Feb 15, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 3
JILL SORNSON KURTZ has been a friend of mine for 21 years and someone whom I admire very much. Jill has a beautiful family and finds tremendous success in her career, but that is not what is most impressive – it’s how she finds balance in everything she does. I have seen Jill reinvent and recalibrate and rebrand herself over and over again. Each time a better, more informed, more focused, more driven version of herself. In addition to her amazing commitment to self-development she is a deeply ca...
Feb 01, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 2
IAN SCHERLING is one of my very best friends, in whom I have tremendous admiration. He’s the type of person who makes everyone feel important and listened to and cared for. We have a lot in common and when we first met it seemed we had already known each other for years. We went to the same undergrad and studied in the same building. We have been shaped be iconic Designers in our respective fields. We love to draw, text each other songs and talk about life. In some ways He is a gentle soul, sage...
Jan 18, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 1
My name is Ryan Kurlbaum – I am an architect, a father, and a husband who loves to design, to teach and who loves wisdom . Perhaps now in these turbulent times – a global pandemic, a political insurrection, racial reconciliation. One could argue that wisdom could be our most valuable and unrealized asset. Truth is I have always been fascinated by the wise – the people who have lived life well and shared their stories, knowledge, understanding – their wisdom with others. Perhaps this fascination ...
Jan 10, 2021•5 min
