Coded in Gold

We Designed Community Out of Our Lives. Here's How to Build It Back.

What if the way we build homes is making us sick, lonely, and disconnected — and what if real estate is actually the key to fixing it? My guest today is Neil Collins, founder of Hamlet Capital and a pioneer in what he calls regenerative real estate. Neil grew up in South Louisiana, watched Hurricane Katrina reshape everything he knew, served in the Peace Corps in the Republic of Moldova, and has since worked everywhere from the Maldives to the Pacific Northwest. He now lives on a 5-acre biodynamic homestead on Whidbey Island and is doing something I think is genuinely radical: reimagining what real estate can be — not just as a financial instrument, but as a vehicle for healing land, building real community, and creating something worth passing down. In this conversation we get into: * Why the world we have is the world we've invested in — and what it would look like to invest differently * The difference between asking "what do you need?" vs "what do you want to create?" and why it changes everything * Why so many people's first reaction to community-centered living is "that sounds like a cult" — and what that reveals about how far we've drifted * What regenerative real estate actually means in practice (agrihoods, conservation communities, farm-to-table hospitality) * How Hamlet Capital is building the financial infrastructure to fund this kind of development at scale * The affordable housing crisis and why mixed-income, mixed-generational neighborhoods might be hiding in plain sight * Why blue zones are really a design problem — and what it means to build for human thriving Neil has one of those minds that makes you see something familiar — in this case, the street you live on, the neighborhood you grew up in — completely differently. I hope this conversation stays with you the way it's stayed with me. Learn more about Neil's work: Latitude Real Estate: https://chooselatitude.com/ Regenerative Real Estate Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@chooselatitude Find Neil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-collins-723515112/

In Between Nations, In Between Selves

Leo Chiang left Taiwan at 15, built a career documenting stories from the margins, and eventually found himself back where he started — except nothing felt the same. In this conversation, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker behind Island in Between and Our Time Machine talks about growing up as a parachute kid, what it means to be a transnational queer artist, and why he stopped trying to find a place to belong. Featuring honest conversation about Taiwanese identity, the cross-strait relationship, and building a life in the in-between spaces most people just pass through. Follow Leo's Work: https://sleochiang.com/

fnnch Reveals The Real Value of Street Art

What is the real value of street art and why does it matter today? In this episode of Coded in Gold, we sit down with fnnch to explore the meaning behind his work, what inspires it, and why he chooses to remain anonymous. From his iconic honey bears to the streets they live on, we unpack how street art shapes culture and transforms public spaces. We talk about the tension between street art and fine art, the power of creating outside galleries, and why anonymity can change the relationship between artist and audience. Topics include street art meaning, fnnch honey bear, urban art culture, graffiti vs street art, anonymous artists, and public art.

Portland's Homelessness Crisis: "The Ideas Are Great. The Delivery Is Terrible."

Laura Golino De Lovato has spent decades in the trenches of Portland's housing crisis and she's not interested in the usual talking points. As Executive Director of Northwest Pilot Project, she's watched the city pass tax measure after tax measure, collect hundreds of millions of dollars, and still fail to move the needle. In this conversation, she breaks down exactly why: who controls the money, who gets left out of the decisions, and what would actually need to change. If you live in Portland, another major city experiencing this crisis or have ever wondered why good intentions keep producing bad outcomes this one's for you.

You're Not Failing. You're Dysregulated. With Dr. Chris Lee

You're Not Failing. You're Dysregulated. Episode 28 Most of us were never taught how our nervous system works. We were told to calm down. We were told to try harder. We were told to be professional. But no one taught us how to regulate. In this episode of Coded In Gold, I'm joined by Dr. Chris Lee, a medical neuroscientist who works with high-performing executives and leaders. Together, we break down: * The five pillars of self-regulation * Why shame isn't the enemy, but shaming yourself is * How to repair conflict with your partner and your kids * How to stay steady in chaotic environments This might be one of the most practical conversations we've had on the show. Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts and watch on youtube: https://youtu.be/QygH_EdYlcU [https://youtu.be/QygH_EdYlcU] Follow Dr. Chris Lee: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchrislee/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchrislee/] Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drchrislee/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/drchrislee/?hl=en] Website: https://www.drchrislee.com/ [https://www.drchrislee.com/] Follow Coded In Gold: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coded-in-gold/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/coded-in-gold/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/codedingold/ [https://www.instagram.com/codedingold/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/codedingold [https://www.facebook.com/codedingold]