Terry sits down with author and sustainability leader, Lucia Athens, who spent 10 years leading Seattle’s Green Building program, and recently retired following over a decade of service as the city of Austin’s first Chief Sustainability Officer. Terry and Lucia discuss the details of climate-positive policy on a local, state, and national scale, as well as the release of her latest book, The Sustainability Revolutionists.

From Vision to Viable Policy: Making Sustainability Personal with Lucia Athens

Terry sits down with sustainability advocate Dave Bennink of RE-USE Consulting and Innovation Center in Bellingham, WA. Dave discusses the issue of waste in the construction industry — particularly in the process of demolition. Tune in to learn more about this issue and the various ways leaders like Dave aim to change it.

Deconstruction over Demolition: Reclaiming Old Buildings For the Circular Economy with Dave Bennink

Terry sits down with Ellen Southard and Marin Bjork of Site Story, a local service organization focused on sustainability issues faced by communities in the Puget Sound region. Ellen and Marin discuss the importance of water conservation, healthy filtration systems, and the importance of water infrastructure in communities, and how Site Story is working to make these systems more sustainable and accessible.

Cultural Climate Action: Water Conservation as Social Justice with Ellen Southard & Marin Bjork

Join host Terry Phelan as she takes a ‘virtual walk in the woods’ with guest Rachael Jamison. Rachael serves as Vice President of the American Wood Council, which represents 86 percent of structural wood products in the United States. Terry and Rachael discuss building with wood as a sustainable carbon “win-win” solution, as well as carbon sequestration and diversity within the timber industry.

Natural Carbon Capture: The Role of Wood in a Sustainable Future with Rachael Jamison

On this episode of Living Shelter, Terry sits down with guest David Eisenberg to discuss his work to incorporate sustainable materials such as straw bale, cob, clay, and rammed earth into building code policies. David serves as Head of the Development Center for Appropriate Technology headquartered in Tucson, Arizona.

Building Better Codes: A Regulatory Approach to Systemic Sustainability with David Eisenberg

On this episode of Living Shelter, Terry sits down with guest Jonnie Pedersen of Hempitecture to discuss the many uses of hemp as a non-toxic building and agricultural product. Jonnie and Terry explore the origins and history of the plant, as well as strides organizations like Hempitecture are making towards establishing hemp as an standard material in the building, construction, and agricultural industries.

Bio-Based Buildings: How Hemp Can Make Our Homes and Planet Healthier with Jonnie Pedersen

On this episode of Living Shelter, Terry sits down with guest Jessi Bloom, founder of N.W. Bloom EcoLogical Services. Terry and Jessi discuss all-things permaculture, from its theories and ethics to its application in urban environments. Jessi also discusses her books Practical Permaculture and Backyard Chicken Gardens, as well as her recent election to the King County Agriculture Commission.

Backyard Environmentalism: Using Permaculture for Climate Resilient Spaces with Jessi Bloom

On this episode of Living Shelter, Terry sits down with guest Alistair Jackson to discuss the history and current state of sustainable design, as well as where it's heading. Terry and Alistair explore the development of building and energy codes in the western US, as well as the work of O’Brien 360, a nationally recognized leader in sustainable building.

Evolution of the Built Environment: How Buildings Must Change with the Climate with Alistair Jackson

In this penultimate episode of the Living Shelter podcast, Terry invites Board & Vellum Founder & Managing Principal, Jeff Pelletier, to the studio to take a turn at being podcast host, interviewing her about how she’s witnessed sustainable practices evolve over her 30+ year career as an architect.

30 Years of Sustainable Practice: Looking Back with Terry Phelan

With Terry Phelan’s retirement on the horizon, in this final episode of the Living Shelter podcast, Terry is joined by Board & Vellum Founder & Managing Principal, Jeff Pelletier, to discuss her impact on Board & Vellum and what is next for Board & Vellum’s efforts in the world of sustainable design.

Passing the Torch to New Leaders: Looking Ahead with Jeff Pelletier

A podcast hosted by Terry Phelan, an architect and sustainability specialist with 30+ years of hands-on experience.

Presenting today’s innovative people, processes, and materials that help us create healthy, energy efficient, and joyful places to live, the Living Shelter podcast dives deep with other green building groundbreakers in conversations to inspire the next generation of passionate architects and designers leading us into the future.

Living Shelter Podcast

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