What If It’s Not a Staffing Problem in AEC—But a Work Model Problem?

Discomfort to Innovation: How Architects Can Lead Climate Action with Biochar

What happens when architects and construction leaders stop accepting the limits of traditional building materials—and start asking better questions? In this episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Allison Dring, CEO and Co-Founder of Made of Air, to explore how discomfort drives curiosity, innovation, and change in the built environment. With the construction industry responsible for nearly 40% of global emissions, this conversation challenges a common assumption: sustainability is about reducing harm. Instead, it introduces a more ambitious idea—buildings as active participants in climate action. At the center is biochar, a carbon-negative material that can turn buildings into long-term carbon storage systems. But this isn’t just about materials—it’s about leadership, mindset, and what it takes to drive change in an industry shaped by legacy systems, risk aversion, and complex supply chains. Together, they unpack why sustainable materials face resistance, how certification and procurement slow innovation, and why change often starts with individuals—not systems—willing to think differently. This episode reframes the opportunity: not just to build less harm, but to build in a way that actively contributes to solving climate challenges. What you’ll learn: *  Why material choices drive construction emissions  *  How biochar enables carbon-negative building materials  *  The real barriers slowing sustainable material adoption  *  Why certification and procurement resist innovation  *  How curiosity and leadership drive change in construction  Who this is for: Architects, engineers, developers, and AEC leaders focused on sustainability, innovation, and leading change. Chapters 01:06 - Meet Allison Dring and Made of Air 06:02 - Why materials drive construction emissions 11:40 - Why the industry struggles to adopt new materials 17:01 - What biochar is and how it stores carbon 25:39 - The carbon budget and why it matters 33:15 - The real cost of doing nothing 45:42 - What success looks like for carbon-negative buildings Guest Allison Dring is CEO and Co-Founder of Made of Air, transforming wood waste into carbon-negative building materials that store carbon for decades. With a background in architecture and material innovation, she focuses on scaling biochar-based materials to help the construction industry move beyond carbon neutrality toward carbon removal. https://www.madeofair.com/ [https://www.madeofair.com/] Send us your thoughts, ideas, questions [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517774/fan_mail/new] Connective Consulting Group [https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/] Helping construction leaders simplify change, strengthen trust, and move forward with clarity. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517774/support] Follow Ryan at the following:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankware/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/connective-consulting-group-llc https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/ https://connective-coaching.com/ https://ryanware.me/ Don't miss out on future episodes! Follow & subscribe now to our newsletter [https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/newsletter/] and stay informed about the latest trends and insights in the construction industry. If this show helps you, please consider supporting [https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/support/]it. Just $3/month helps cover production and keeps the conversations going. ⭐ “Love the show? Toss some stars my way, it’s the easiest applause ever.

What If It’s Not a Staffing Problem in AEC—But a Work Model Problem?

What if the AEC industry’s biggest challenge isn’t a staffing shortage—but a work model problem? In this episode of Activating Curiosity™ [https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/], Ryan Ware sits down with Erin Fantozz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/efantozz/], Founder of EFDesigns [https://www.efdesigns.co/], to explore how architecture and construction firms are navigating a deeper shift in leadership, change management, and the future of work. As workforce pressure continues across the AEC industry, many firms focus on hiring more people without rethinking how work is structured. This conversation challenges that assumption—highlighting why aligning talent to projects, not payroll, may be a more effective path forward. Drawing from her journey through traditional practice and into building a decentralized workforce model, Erin shares how flexible, fractional teams can improve efficiency, reduce overhead, and better support both firms and individuals. Together, they unpack the real barriers to change—outdated business models, communication gaps, and deeply rooted assumptions around billable hours, proximity, and control. This episode is about more than workforce strategy—it’s about leadership. How we create clarity, build trust, and lead change in a way that allows teams to adapt and perform in an evolving industry. Because the future of work in AEC isn’t just about finding talent—it’s about building a model that actually works.  What you’ll learn: *  Why the AEC workforce challenge is really a work model issue  *  How decentralized teams can improve efficiency and flexibility  *  The limitations of billable hours and traditional staffing models  *  Why communication—not proximity—drives performance  *  How leadership mindset impacts adoption of new work models  Chapters 01:45 - Early career and the 2020 shift 05:30 - Why the 40-hour model breaks down 10:15 - Communication vs proximity 15:30 - The real issue: how work is structured 20:30 - From staffing firms to staffing projects 26:00 - Building a decentralized workforce 32:00 - Leadership, flexibility, and trust 38:00 - Rethinking the future of work in AEC Guest Erin Fantozz is Founder of EFDesigns, a strategic BIM execution firm helping architecture practices scale without adding internal staff. After experiencing burnout in traditional practice, she built a flexible, fractional model that aligns talent to projects instead of payroll—helping firms increase capacity without the constraints of hiring. Her work focuses on decentralized teams, leadership mindset shifts, and redefining how work gets done across the AEC industry. https://www.efdesigns.co/ [https://www.efdesigns.co/] Send us your thoughts, ideas, questions [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517774/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517774/support] Follow Ryan at the following:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankware/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/connective-consulting-group-llc https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/ https://connective-coaching.com/ https://ryanware.me/ Don't miss out on future episodes! Follow & subscribe now to our newsletter [https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/newsletter/] and stay informed about the latest trends and insights in the construction industry. If this show helps you, please consider supporting [https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/support/]it. Just $3/month helps cover production and keeps the conversations going. ⭐ “Love the show? Toss some stars my way, it’s the easiest applause ever.

Visibility in Prefab Manufacturing: Scaling Offsite Construction

In this episode of Activating Curiosity™ [https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/], Ryan Ware sits down with Vikas Murali, Co-Founder and CEO of Offsight [https://www.offsight.com/], to explore why visibility inside prefab factories may be one of the biggest barriers to scaling offsite construction. As contractors and manufacturers expand into prefabrication, modular construction, and industrialized construction, many still rely on manual processes, disconnected systems, and limited production visibility. This lack of transparency creates uncertainty around progress, quality, and delivery—making it difficult for project teams and owners to trust the prefab process. Vikas shares how his background in manufacturing technology led to Offsight and how digital tools are helping prefab factories transition from construction-style workflows to manufacturing-driven operations. Together, they explore how real-time production tracking, digital workflows, and better reporting improve factory performance while giving contractors, developers, and project teams the visibility needed to make confident decisions. This conversation also highlights the human side of change—why change management, leadership, and culture are critical to adopting new technology and scaling prefab successfully. If you're focused on offsite construction, prefab manufacturing, modular building, construction technology, or industrialized construction, this episode offers practical insights into how visibility and data can accelerate adoption and improve outcomes. What you’ll learn: *  Why lack of visibility slows prefab and offsite construction adoption  *  How digital workflows improve factory efficiency and project outcomes  *  Ways to build trust between factories, contractors, and owners  *  How data and reporting reduce risk in prefab projects  *  Why change management is critical to scaling industrialized construction  Chapters 6:20 - The Role of Technology in Prefab 15:52 - Overcoming Manual Process Barriers 24:45 - Building Trust Through Data Visibility 35:48 - Change Management in Manufacturing 46:55 - Future of Prefab and Industry Insights Guest Vikas Murali is Co-Founder and CEO of Offsight, a software platform for prefab, modular, and offsite construction. With a background in enterprise technology and manufacturing systems, he helps factories replace manual processes with data-driven operations to improve visibility, efficiency, and scalability. https://www.offsight.com/ [https://www.offsight.com/] Send us your thoughts, ideas, questions [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517774/fan_mail/new] Connective Consulting Group [https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/] Helping construction leaders simplify change, strengthen trust, and move forward with clarity. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517774/support] Follow Ryan at the following:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankware/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/connective-consulting-group-llc https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/ https://connective-coaching.com/ https://ryanware.me/ Don't miss out on future episodes! Follow & subscribe now to our newsletter [https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/newsletter/] and stay informed about the latest trends and insights in the construction industry. If this show helps you, please consider supporting [https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/support/]it. Just $3/month helps cover production and keeps the conversations going. ⭐ “Love the show? Toss some stars my way, it’s the easiest applause ever.

Human-Centered Construction Leadership: Moving Beyond the Industry’s Toughness Culture

Construction leadership development today requires more than toughness—it demands a human-centered approach to leading change. In this episode of Activating Curiosity™ [https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/], Ryan Ware sits down with Ed DeAngelis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwarddeangelis?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios], CEO and Founder of EDA Contractors [https://www.edacontractors.com/], to explore how trust, emotional intelligence, and curiosity are reshaping leadership in the construction industry. As the AEC industry faces workforce challenges, change resistance, and increasing complexity, Ed shares why “humanity as a strategy” is not a soft skill—it’s a competitive advantage. Together, they unpack how construction leaders can build psychological safety, strengthen culture, and create environments where people—and performance—improve together. This conversation challenges the traditional “toughness” mindset in construction and offers a more effective path forward: one grounded in trust, self-awareness, and intentional leadership. What you’ll learn: *  Why trust is the foundation of effective construction leadership  *  How emotional intelligence improves team performance and retention  *  Practical ways to build psychological safety on project teams  *  Why resistance to change is often rooted in human experience  *  How curiosity unlocks better leadership and business outcomes  Who this is for: Construction leaders, executives, and AEC professionals focused on leadership development, culture, and leading change more effectively. Chapters 02:10 - Entrepreneurial lessons from being a paperboy 07:01 - Industry roughness and the need for cultural change 12:14 - Balancing personal life and leadership growth 20:12 - Building trust through authentic connections 30:35 - Practices that foster curiosity and innovation 40:10 - The cost of neglecting humanity in business 47:59 - Redefining success beyond profit Guest Ed DeAngelis is Founder and CEO of EDA Contractors, a construction firm known for its people-first culture and innovative exterior envelope solutions. With 25+ years of experience, Ed champions “Humanity as a Strategy,” integrating emotional intelligence, trust, and psychological safety into business performance and growth. He serves on multiple industry and nonprofit boards and has been recognized as a Philadelphia Titan 100 CEO (2025) and one of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs (2024). https://info.edacontractors.com/ed-deangelis [https://info.edacontractors.com/ed-deangelis] Send us your thoughts, ideas, questions [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517774/fan_mail/new] Connective Consulting Group [https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/] Helping construction leaders simplify change, strengthen trust, and move forward with clarity. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517774/support] Follow Ryan at the following:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankware/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/connective-consulting-group-llc https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/ https://connective-coaching.com/ https://ryanware.me/ Don't miss out on future episodes! Follow & subscribe now to our newsletter [https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/newsletter/] and stay informed about the latest trends and insights in the construction industry. If this show helps you, please consider supporting [https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/support/]it. Just $3/month helps cover production and keeps the conversations going. ⭐ “Love the show? Toss some stars my way, it’s the easiest applause ever.

Housing Instability: Why Construction Leaders Should Care | Systems Over Structures

Affordable housing isn’t just about building more homes—it’s about whether people can actually sustain a place to live. In this bonus episode of Activating Curiosity™, Ryan Ware sits down with Nneoma Albert-Benson, founder of BEFA Women and Child Care Foundation, to explore how construction leadership and change in the AEC industry must go beyond supply and into the systems that determine long-term stability. This conversation challenges a common assumption: that homelessness is the problem. Instead, Nneoma reframes it as the result of compounding pressures—rising costs, lack of support systems, and environments not designed to catch people before they fall. Drawing from her experience in human rights law, social impact, and construction, she introduces a new way of thinking about housing—one centered on stability by design. Through BEFA Haven, she’s building a model that integrates housing, childcare, economic opportunity, and community into a system that prevents vulnerability instead of reacting to it. This isn’t just a conversation about sustainability in construction—it’s about redefining what it means to lead change in how we build, support, and design for people. What you’ll learn: *  Why homelessness is often the result of system failure—not individual failure  *  How “stability by design” changes the way we approach housing and development  *  The hidden pressures that push working individuals and families into instability  *  Why building more homes alone won’t solve the housing crisis  *  How integrated systems (housing, childcare, economic support) create long-term outcomes  Who this is for: Construction leaders, developers, architects, and AEC professionals ready to think beyond buildings and take a more human-centered approach to housing, community, and change leadership. Chapters 1:08 - Nneoma's Journey and Vision 3:03 - Redefining Affordability and Stability 8:42 - Building Systems to Prevent Vulnerability 21:06 - Engineering Outcomes Through Construction 32:30 - Replicating the BEFA Haven Model Guest Nneoma Albert-Benson is an international human rights lawyer, social impact developer, and founder of BEFA Women and Child Care Foundation, a nonprofit advancing the rights and dignity of women and children facing poverty, violence, and systemic injustice. She is also co-founder of Helichrysum Construction and is leading the development of BEFA Haven—an integrated housing model designed to support long-term stability through community, economic empowerment, and sustainable design. https://www.befafoundation.org/ [https://www.befafoundation.org/] Send us your thoughts, ideas, questions [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517774/fan_mail/new] Connective Consulting Group [https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/] Helping construction leaders simplify change, strengthen trust, and move forward with clarity. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2517774/support] Follow Ryan at the following:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankware/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/connective-consulting-group-llc https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/ https://connective-coaching.com/ https://ryanware.me/ Don't miss out on future episodes! Follow & subscribe now to our newsletter [https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/newsletter/] and stay informed about the latest trends and insights in the construction industry. If this show helps you, please consider supporting [https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/support/]it. Just $3/month helps cover production and keeps the conversations going. ⭐ “Love the show? Toss some stars my way, it’s the easiest applause ever.