by Austin Tunnell
Fusing the liberal arts with architecture, construction and real estate to build a more beautiful, resilient, and thriving world for PEOPLE. I believe a more thriving world is possible through restoring our built environment. But today's hyper-segregated, financialized building industry is not conducive to solving complex problems or creating dynamic places for human flourishing. I interview a wide range of guests involved with crafting the built world: developers, architects, urban designers, builders, investors, inventors & officials, exploring holistic solutions to a better human habitat.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/29/2023
Email Addresses
1 available
Phone Numbers
0 available
April 17, 2025
<p>You’re not supposed to be good at everything. But somehow, Alli is.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>CHAPTERS</strong></p><p>00:00 Community Engagement and Local Impact</p><p>02:51 The Multifaceted Career of Ali</p><p>05:51 Navigating Development and Housing Challenges</p><p>09:09 The Unique Economy of Fayetteville</p><p>11:56 Balancing Growth and Community Needs</p><p>14:57 Career Trajectory and Intentionality</p><p>18:06 Building Science and Sustainable Practices</p><p>20:49 Design-Build Workflow and Efficiency</p><p>24:07 Entrepreneurial Spirit in Development</p><p>31:57 The Design-Build Approach: Learning Through Doing</p><p>34:51 Scaling Up: The Challenges of Growth</p><p>39:10 Understanding the Market: Design Meets Demand</p><p>41:55 Terraforming Communities: The Role of Local Investment</p><p>44:11 Building a Culture of Collaboration: The Fayetteville Experience</p><p>49:50 Changing the Narrative: Zoning and Community Engagement</p><p>57:04 Navigating Conflict: Building Relationships with City Staff</p><p>01:08:20 Building Relationships in Local Governance</p><p>01:15:06 Navigating Conflict with City Staff</p><p>01:20:01 Growing a Business: Challenges and Changes</p><p>01:26:09 Tools and Software for Efficiency</p><p>01:34:00 Learning from Failures and Growth</p><p><br></p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH Alli</strong></p><ul><li><p>Flintlock Lab:<a href="https://flintlocklab.com"> <u>flintlocklab.com</u></a></p></li><li><p>Incremental Development Alliance<strong>:</strong><a href="https://www.incrementaldevelopment.org"> <u>incrementaldevelopment.org</u></a></p></li><li><p>Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/flintlocklab"> <u>@flintlocklab</u></a></p></li><li><p>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alli-thurmond-quinlan-aia-rla-4a43368"> <u>Alli’s Profile</u></a></p><p><br></p></li></ul><p><strong>CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL</strong></p><p>Newsletter: <a href="https://playbook.buildingculture.com/"><u>https://playbook.buildingculture.com/</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/"><u>https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell"><u>https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell</u></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.buildingculture.com/"><u>https://www.buildingculture.com/</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/"><u>https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/build_culture"><u>https://twitter.com/build_culture</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/"><u>https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/</u></a> </p><p><br></p><p><strong>SPONSORS</strong></p><p>Thank you so much to the sponsors of The Building Culture Podcast!</p><p>Sierra Pacific Windows: <a href="https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/"><u>https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/</u></a> </p><p>One Source Windows: <a href="https://onesourcewindows.com/"><u>https://onesourcewindows.com/</u></a> </p><p><br></p>
April 3, 2025
<p>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.</p><p>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). </p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>CHAPTERS</p><p>00:00 Introduction to Project Switch and Urban Transportation</p><p>01:48 The Origins of Swyft Cities</p><p>05:08 Innovative Transportation Solutions</p><p>10:31 Skepticism to Curiosity</p><p>14:09 The Last Mile Connection and Urban Challenges</p><p>17:34 Economic Models and Urban Growth</p><p>19:23 Modularity and Network Effects in Urban Transit</p><p>21:16 AI and Efficiency in Transportation Systems</p><p>23:40 Cost Comparisons and Infrastructure Decisions</p><p>24:15 Understanding the Station Design and Functionality</p><p>26:22 Infrastructure Flexibility and Cost Efficiency</p><p>29:09 The Competition: Self-Driving Cars and Urban Mobility</p><p>32:52 Private vs. Public Sector Transportation Solutions</p><p>35:16 Real-World Applications and Case Studies</p><p>40:01 Overcoming Skepticism and Educating Stakeholders</p><p>43:45 Induced Demand: A Positive Perspective on Urban Transportation</p><p>48:13 Future Vision: Scaling and Real Estate Integration</p><p><br></p><li><p>Website: <a href="https://swyftcities.com/"><u>https://swyftcities.com/</u></a></p></li><li><p>Newsletter: <a href="https://swyftcities.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=04dae35275c37b51b049b89c9&id=349fe9a899"><u>https://swyftcities.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=04dae35275c37b51b049b89c9&id=349fe9a899</u></a></p></li><li><p>Twitter: <a href="https://x.com/jeralpo"><u>https://x.com/jeralpo</u></a> </p></li><li><p>Twitter: <a href="https://x.com/swyftcities"><u>https://x.com/swyftcities</u></a></p></li><li><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jposkey/"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/in/jposkey/</u></a></p><p><br></p><p>CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL:</p><p>Newsletter: <a href="https://playbook.buildingculture.com/"><u>https://playbook.buildingculture.com/</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/"><u>https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/"><u>https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell"><u>https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell</u></a></p><p><br></p><p><a href="https://www.buildingculture.com/"><u>https://www.buildingculture.com/</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/"><u>https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/</u></a> </p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/build_culture"><u>https://twitter.com/build_culture</u></a> </p><p><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/"><u>https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/</u></a> </p><p><br></p><p>SPONSORS:</p><p>Thank you so much to the sponsors of The Building Culture Podcast!</p><p>Sierra Pacific Windows: <a href="https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/"><u>https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/</u></a> </p><p>One Source Windows: <a href="https://onesourcewindows.com/"><u>https://onesourcewindows.com/</u></a> </p><p><br></p></li>
March 20, 2025
<p>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.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>TAKEAWAYS</strong></p><p><strong>Walkability Isn’t a Niche Luxury—It’s a Mass Market Demand. </strong>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.</p><p><strong>Car-Free Living Works—Even in Phoenix. </strong>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.</p><p><strong>Parking Garages Are the Next Real Estate Mistake. </strong>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.</p><p><strong>Retail Thrives When It’s a Destination, Not an Afterthought. </strong>Culdesac started with six planned retail spaces—now they have 21, and local businesses are thriving. Why? Because people actually want to be there.</p><p><strong>Building for Humans, Not Traffic Engineers, Changes Everything. </strong>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.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>CHAPTERS</strong></p><p>00:00 The Need for Change in Urban Design</p><p>02:57 Introducing Cul-de-Sac: A New Vision for Neighborhoods</p><p>06:12 Designing Walkable Communities: The Cul-de-Sac Approach</p><p>08:54 Innovative Infrastructure: Rethinking Parking and Access</p><p>11:50 Financing the Future: Capital Strategies for New Developments</p><p>15:04 Community and Belonging: The Heart of Urban Living</p><p>18:07 Navigating Challenges: Working with City Regulations</p><p>21:07 Phased Development: Learning and Adapting in Real Time</p><p>24:00 The Impact of COVID-19 on Construction and Costs</p><p>26:58 Market Dynamics: Setting Rents in a Changing Landscape</p><p>29:43 The Evolution of Walkable Neighborhoods</p><p>32:03 Creating Community Through Intentional Design</p><p>34:48 Retail and Community Engagement</p><p>37:59 The Role of Local Businesses in Urban Development</p><p>40:50 Innovative Urban Design and Architecture</p><p>43:54 Challenges and Surprises in Development</p><p>45:41 The Future of Walkable Communities</p><p>50:18 Leadership and Vision in Development</p><p>55:41 Advice for Aspiring Developers</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH RYAN</strong></p><p>Culdesac:<a href="https://culdesac.com" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://culdesac.com</a></p><p>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjohnsonaz" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjohnsonaz</a></p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/liveculdesac/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/liveculdesac/</a></p><p>Twitter: <a href="https://x.com/ryanmjohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://x.com/ryanmjohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor</a></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH AUSTIN TUNNELL</strong></p><p>Newsletter:<strong> </strong><a href="https://playbook.buildingculture.com/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://playbook.buildingculture.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/austintunnell/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-tunnell-2a41894a/</a></p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/AustinTunnell</a></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.buildingculture.com/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.buildingculture.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/buildingculture/</a></p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/build_culture" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/build_culture</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/BuildCulture/</a></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>SPONSORS</strong></p><p>Thank you so much to the sponsors of The Building Culture Podcast!</p><p>Sierra Pacific Windows: <a href="https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.sierrapacificwindows.com/</a></p><p>One Source Windows: <a href="https://onesourcewindows.com/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://onesourcewindows.com/</a></p><p><br /></p>
Strong Towns
Strong Towns
Katie Herzog and Jesse Singal
Russ Roberts
Slate Podcasts
The Free Press
New York Times Opinion
WNYC Studios and The New Yorker
ABC News, 538, FiveThirtyEight, Galen Druke
David Roberts
Hacks On Tap
The Ringer
Rick Rubin
Modern Craftsman
The War on Cars, LLC
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at [email protected] for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.