Affordable Housing Design That Works: Durability, Creativity & Community

How Restaurants Build Communities: Jeff Good on Entrepreneurship, Workforce & Revitalization

In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with Jeff Good, President of Mangia Bene Restaurant Management Group, to explore how restaurants can serve as powerful catalysts for community development, workforce training, and neighborhood revitalization. Jeff shares his unlikely journey from selling computers to building one of Mississippi’s most recognized restaurant groups, including Bravo!, Broad Street Baking Company, Sal & Mookie’s, and a growing portfolio of community-focused ventures. Along the way, he reveals how grit, relationship-building, and a commitment to place helped transform a simple restaurant concept into a platform for lasting social impact. The conversation explores Jackson’s challenges and opportunities, the role restaurants play in creating vibrant third spaces, lessons learned from affordable housing and neighborhood reinvestment projects, and the importance of workforce development programs like Refill Café. Jeff also offers candid insights into hiring, leadership, customer service, and what it takes to build trust in both business and community. Whether you're a developer, entrepreneur, economic development professional, or community builder, this episode offers a compelling look at how local businesses can drive meaningful change far beyond their front doors. Key Takeaways: • Restaurants can be powerful drivers of community development and neighborhood revitalization. • Workforce development starts with creating opportunities and meeting people where they are. • Strong communities are built through intentional investment in people and place. • Third spaces create connection, belonging, and economic activity. • Customer trust is earned through consistency, accountability, and service. • Great operators understand that business success and community impact can go hand in hand. • Sometimes the best opportunities come from taking risks and building something where others see challenges. Resource Links: Mangia Bene Restaurant Group - https://mangiapartners.com/ [https://mangiapartners.com/] Bravo Italian Restaurant - https://mangiapartners.com/our-restaurants/bravo-italian-restaurant/ [https://mangiapartners.com/our-restaurants/bravo-italian-restaurant/] Refill Cafe Program - https://refillcafe.org/ [https://refillcafe.org/]

Affordable Housing Design That Works: Durability, Creativity & Community

In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with Sarah Harjung, Director of Design at Wilshire Pacific Builders, to explore the hidden design decisions that shape affordable housing communities. With more than 20 years of interior design experience, Sarah now leads multifamily renovation projects across the country, working at the intersection of design, construction, and compliance. She shares how thoughtful material choices, durable products, and creative design solutions can improve resident experience while keeping projects within strict budgets and regulatory requirements. The conversation dives into how design teams approach renovations of older properties, balance aesthetics with long-term maintenance, and create community spaces that residents actually use. Sarah also shares lessons learned from historic renovations, the value of collaboration with contractors and vendors, and why durability is one of the most important design strategies in affordable housing. Whether you're a developer, architect, designer, or housing advocate, this episode offers practical insights into how design decisions impact the long-term success of multifamily housing. Key Takeaways * Affordable housing design is about durability and long-term performance, not just aesthetics. * Renovation projects often require creative solutions to meet ADA and modern building standards. * Material choices such as quartz countertops and luxury vinyl plank flooring can reduce maintenance costs over time. * Community spaces are where designers can create the most meaningful resident impact. * Successful projects require collaboration between designers, contractors, vendors, and ownership teams For more information visit https://wilshirepacific.com/ [https://wilshirepacific.com/]

Beyond the Hype: What AI Really Means for AEC Firms and Their Future

In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with Kristin Kautz, founder of Jam Idea Agency, to unpack one of the most pressing shifts facing the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry today: artificial intelligence. Kristin shares why this moment in AI adoption is fundamentally different from past waves of technology and why AEC firms can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. Rather than replacing jobs, AI is reshaping roles across every level of an organization, requiring firms to rethink how teams operate, how work gets done, and how value is delivered to clients. At the center of the conversation is Jam Idea Agency’s five-phase AI accelerator, a structured framework designed to help firms move from curiosity to implementation. Kristin emphasizes the importance of defining a clear “why” before adopting AI, aligning leadership around that vision, and embedding AI into existing workflows rather than treating it as a side initiative. The discussion also explores how client expectations are evolving, with increasing demand for speed, quality, and insight, and what that means for pricing, differentiation, and long-term competitiveness. For leaders navigating this shift, Kristin offers practical guidance on training teams, building internal buy-in, and approaching AI as a people-first transformation, not just a technology upgrade. This episode is a must-listen for AEC leaders, marketers, and business developers looking to understand how AI will shape the future of their firms  and how to take the first step with clarity and confidence. Key Takeaways: * AI is not just another tool — it represents a fundamental shift in how work gets done across AEC firms * The impact of AI is organization-wide, transforming roles rather than replacing them * Successful adoption starts with a clear “why” tied to business goals and client value * Leadership alignment and training are critical to driving meaningful change * AI should be integrated into existing workflows, not treated as a standalone initiative * Clients will expect faster turnaround, higher quality, and more strategic insight * AI does not automatically mean lower fees — it can elevate value and positioning * Delegating AI to already busy staff without structure will limit success * A phased, strategic approach (like a structured accelerator) improves adoption outcomes * People — not technology — remain the key driver of innovation and long-term growth You can find Jam Idea Agency online at www.jamideaagency.com [http://www.jamideaagency.com]

Reviving Downtown Monroe: Leadership, Storytelling, and the Future of North Louisiana

In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with State Representative and Real Estate Developer Michael Echols to explore how leadership, storytelling, and strategic investment are shaping the future of Monroe and the broader I-20 corridor. Michael shares his journey from private sector developer to public servant, offering a firsthand perspective on what it takes to move a community forward. At the center of the conversation is the revitalization of downtown Monroe — and why strong downtowns serve as both the cultural and economic heartbeat of a region. From historic preservation to housing development, he unpacks how thoughtful planning and community buy-in can create lasting impact. The discussion also dives into the realities of economic development in Louisiana, including the need to balance affordable and market-rate housing, strengthen public safety and education, and create a business environment that attracts long-term investment. Michael also reflects on his radio show, Echols at 8, and how consistent communication and storytelling can elevate important issues and connect people to progress in a meaningful way. This episode highlights the intersection of policy, development, and communications, and why saying “yes” to opportunity (paired with a clear vision) can unlock momentum for communities across Louisiana and beyond.

When Construction Becomes a Classroom: Rethinking Workforce Development

In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini explore workforce development through a very literal lens: the construction site. Their guest is Aaron Frumin, founder and CEO of Uncommon Construction, a nonprofit that has spent more than a decade transforming how young people enter the workforce. Uncommon Construction brings high school students from across New Orleans together as paid construction apprentices, turning the process of building a house into a real-world classroom. Over the course of a semester, students earn wages, academic credit, and hands-on experience while developing the technical, leadership, and soft skills needed to succeed on job sites and beyond. The homes they help build enter the housing market, allowing buyers to invest not only in a property, but in the future of local youth. Aaron shares the origin of the program, why economic participation is central to youth empowerment, and how paying students for their labor creates confidence, accountability, and long-term opportunity. The conversation also dives into the role of industry partnerships, the realities of workforce shortages in the construction sector, and Uncommon’s expansion beyond Louisiana into Minneapolis — offering a glimpse into how this model can scale nationally. This episode is a thoughtful look at how education, housing, and workforce development intersect — and how reimagining the classroom can help build stronger communities, stronger industries, and a more prepared next generation. To learn more or to support this organization visit www.uncommonconstruction.com [http://www.uncommonconstruction.com]