Smith Lane Podcast

OnPlace Collective

Presented by OnPlace, Smith Lane Podcast is all about community building and placemaking. In each episode, your hosts Monaca Smith Onstad and Callie Friedman, will take you behind the scenes with industry experts and will dive deep into what’s shaped their community, or, their own personal Smith Lane. We’ll hear success stories, have discussions around emerging trends, and hear valuable insights from developers, architects, engineers, tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and more placemakers.

  1. 10 Jun

    Market Shifts and Migration Moves with Lesley Deutch of John Burns Research & Consulting

    Monaca and Callie return with their very first guest, Lesley Deutch of John Burns Research & Consulting, for an energetic, deeply relevant conversation about affordability, migration, and the shifting meaning of community in today’s housing market. Reflecting on how far Smith Lane - and their business, now OnPlace Collective - has come since its scrappy beginnings, the trio traces the fast-evolving trends shaping who moves where and why, what buyers want, and how builders are rethinking the very concept of “home.”

    34 min

  2. 20 May

    The Power of Play: Designing for Belonging and Community with Paul Kalbfleisch

    Monaca and Callie are joined by Paul Kalbfleisch, co-author of The Joy Experiments, for a vibrant conversation about the pivotal role of joy, play, and genuine connection in shaping cities and communities. Paul’s background, spanning global brand building at BlackBerry and urban consultancy in Waterloo, Canada, sets the stage for a timely discussion: How can we reimagine urban life to foster real participation, belonging, and ownership in our communities? They dig into what’s lost, and what can be gained, when corner stores, communal routines, and organic gatherings disappear from our daily lives. The team explores the difference between nostalgic “going back” and designing new kinds of participation for the future, asking how communities and public spaces can invite playful interaction and collective storytelling. Along the way, Paul shares stories from big-city parks, playful public art, and why small touches (like a few $2,000 spun chairs) can spark more belonging than million-dollar installations. From practical developer tips to personal stories (and a deep dive on the power of Halloween!), this episode uncovers the frameworks, stats, and human stories that show why joy is much more than a fuzzy feeling: it’s the missing ingredient in vibrant, resilient places. The episode closes with Paul’s own “Smith Lane”, a multicultural city park lit with golden-hour sunlight and filled with the sounds and smells of joyful community gatherings. Listen, share, and join the movement to build more meaningful, connected communities, where joy isn’t the exception, but the rule. Timestamped Overview 00:00 Career in marketing and city planning 05:24 Discussing forms of playful interaction 07:53 Creating community ownership 09:59 Creating connected urban spaces 13:25 The evolving space in Atlanta 17:18 Community storytelling through murals 21:15 Community networking and collaboration event 22:55 Brainstorming and feedback process 26:38 Early community participation and play 31:02 Pitching an interactive sales trail 35:33 Design for Joy workshops 38:11 End of summer picnic scene 40:00 Designing spaces with invitations

    41 min

  3. 29 Apr

    Redefining Land Development: Innovative Tools, Authenticity, and Building Trust with Ryan Glick | Season 3, Episode 6

    Monaca and Callie welcome Ryan Glick - co-founder & CEO of Groov and host of The Land Development Podcast. Ryan shares his journey from a tech-focused upbringing in Iowa to building a software company modernizing the land development industry. What started as a simple effort to solve a builder’s problem - accessing lot inventory - evolved into a platform that streamlines both lot management and land acquisition for developers. The conversation dives into the real challenges of bringing innovation to a traditionally analog industry, the role of AI (and where it shouldn’t be used), and why relationships and authenticity still matter more than automation. Ryan also shares how his podcast unexpectedly became a powerful industry platform, proving that storytelling and community can drive just as much impact as technology.

    33 min

  4. 1 Apr

    Social Architecture: Why the Feeling is the Feature with Monaca Onstad & Callie Friedman | Season 3, Episode 5

    Monaca and Callie explore the concept of social architecture, the intentional design of systems, interactions, and environments that foster meaningful human connection. Moving beyond traditional “lifestyle” programming, they break down how thoughtful planning from amenities to programming and what creates vibrant, connected communities. Through real-world examples (from retail fitting rooms to fitness centers and farmers markets), the conversation highlights how developers can design not just physical spaces, but the experiences and relationships that make communities thrive. They also dive into why social architecture is no longer optional, how it impacts sales and resident satisfaction, and what questions developers should be asking from the earliest stages of a project.

    16 min
  5. Designing From the Inside Out: Elevating Amenities & Community Experience with Paige Byrd | Season 3, Episode 4

    18 Mar

    Designing From the Inside Out: Elevating Amenities & Community Experience with Paige Byrd | Season 3, Episode 4

    Monaca and Callie sit down with Paige Byrd, Owner and Co-President of Thiel & Team, an award-winning architectural, interior design, and procurement firm specializing in hospitality and multifamily amenities. The conversation explores why interior design should be prioritized earlier in the development process, how thoughtful amenity design shapes community experience, and what it means to design “from the inside out.” Paige shares insights from nearly two decades in the industry, including lessons from large-scale historic renovations, brand-driven environments, and the growing importance of wellness-focused amenities. They also dive into team culture, budgeting strategy, and the evolving expectations of modern residents, ultimately highlighting how intentional design and strong collaboration lead to better communities.

    34 min

  6. 4 Mar

    Ladies in Land: Building the Future of Development with Erica Sinner | Season 3, Episode 3

    Episode Description Monaca and Callie sit down with the Ladies in Land founder, Erica Sinner, to discuss how she found her way into land development, why confidence is the single biggest career differentiator for women in the industry, and how a simple idea - putting women in a room together to learn - has grown into a multi-city national movement. The conversation covers her early career path from marketing and sales into land acquisition, the moment she realized women needed more than networking- they needed education - and how Ladies in Land evolved from informal meetups into structured chapters offering certifications, professional credits, executive coaching, and university outreach. They also explore expansion into nearly 21 cities (with a goal of 35+), the upcoming conference, a new engineering credit initiative, national partnerships, and the launch of a parallel initiative for men called Dudes in Development. The episode ultimately centers on confidence, mentorship, and building better communities through better-trained professionals.

    46 min

  7. 18 Feb

    Don’t Bet Against Houston: Building The Grand Prairie with EMBER | Season 3, Episode 2

    Episode Description Monaca and Callie sit down with Harry Masterson of EMBER to explore what makes master-planned communities truly work. From how Harry unexpectedly found his way into land development to why Houston remains one of the most resilient growth markets in the U.S., the conversation centers on EMBER’s signature West Houston project, The Grand Prairie, and its prairie-first identity. They unpack how EMBER builds both internal culture and external brand with intention, how “decompression” becomes part of the arrival experience, and how thoughtful design choices—sunsets, overlooks, and authentic landscape storytelling—can turn a perceived challenge (not being right off the freeway) into a defining advantage. The episode closes with Harry’s personal “Smith Lane,” a childhood coastal community on Galveston Bay, and how that sense of freedom shapes his vision for The Grand Prairie.

    37 min
  8. Welcome to Season Three! | Smith Lane Podcast

    4 Feb

    Welcome to Season Three! | Smith Lane Podcast

    Monaca and Callie kick off Season Three of Smith Lane with some major updates: a brand-new set, a growing team, and a bold evolution of the company behind the podcast, OnPlace Collective. Monaca and Callie reflect on how Smith Lane began, why placemaking and community remain at the heart of everything they do, and how growth has shaped both their business and their mission. This episode sets the stage for what’s ahead in Season Three: deeper conversations, more visibility through video, and continued storytelling around building meaningful, connected communities. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Welcome to Season Three A new professional set, upgraded production, and the excitement (and nerves) that come with leveling up. What Is Smith Lane? The origins of the podcast and why it was created alongside a fast-growing company. The personal meaning behind the name “Smith Lane” and its roots in community. The Evolution of the Company Transition from OnPlace to OnPlace Collective Why this wasn’t a rebrand, but a true evolution. How client needs shaped the expansion of services over time. Breaking Down the Collective OnMenity: Amenity and lifestyle planning at the raw land stage OnSpire: Welcome centers, social media, and fractional marketing services OnVie: Lifestyle management, programming that drives sales performance Why Early Planning Matters The value of integrating amenities and lifestyle strategies early in development. How thoughtful placemaking leads to better outcomes for residents and developers. Big Milestones Launching video podcasts and expanding onto YouTube Opening the first satellite office in Houston Hiring a Texas division leader Celebrating the company’s 100th employee Growing with Intention Building internal systems like HR, learning & development, and performance tracking Remaining a bootstrapped company focused on sustainable, client-driven growth Investing in people, training, and long-term culture What’s Ahead for Season Three Continued conversations about placemaking, lifestyle, and community Sharing lessons learned from growth, execution, and innovation Bringing listeners deeper into the story behind the work YouTube Chapter Markers 00:00:00 Welcome to Season Three 00:00:25 A New Set, New Energy, and Gratitude for the Team 00:00:55 What Is Smith Lane? 00:01:12 The Origin of Smith Lane and Its Meaning 00:01:31 Why Placemaking and Community Matter 00:01:50 Introducing the Company Evolution 00:01:54 From OnPlace to OnPlace Collective 00:02:21 How Client Needs Drove Growth 00:02:38 The Shift from Planning to Execution 00:03:26 The Birth of Lifestyle Management (OnVie) 00:03:42 Expanding Services and Welcome Centers 00:04:05 Why the Old Brand Became Confusing 00:04:46 Breaking Down the Collective Divisions 00:05:09 Introducing OnSpire 00:05:28 Creating a Clear Client Journey 00:05:40 The Evolution of the Smith Lane Brand 00:05:57 New Logo Inspiration and Design Story 00:06:27 Supporting Connection Through Integrated Services 00:06:56 Why Early Planning Creates Better Communities 00:07:24 Smith Lane Goes Video (YouTube Launch) 00:07:44 Opening the Houston Office 00:08:02 Building the Texas Team 00:08:10 Celebrating 100 Employees 00:08:31 Lessons Learned from Rapid Growth 00:08:55 Investing in HR and Learning & Development 00:09:09 Scaling Systems and Tracking Impact 00:09:33 Growing as a Bootstrapped Company 00:10:08 Investing Back into Culture and Community 00:10:36 What to Expect in Season Three 00:10:50 Closing Thoughts and What’s Next

    11 min
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About

Presented by OnPlace, Smith Lane Podcast is all about community building and placemaking. In each episode, your hosts Monaca Smith Onstad and Callie Friedman, will take you behind the scenes with industry experts and will dive deep into what’s shaped their community, or, their own personal Smith Lane. We’ll hear success stories, have discussions around emerging trends, and hear valuable insights from developers, architects, engineers, tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and more placemakers.

Information

  • Creator
    OnPlace Collective
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © OnPlace Collective
  • Show Website
    Smith Lane Podcast

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