The Green Building Matters Podcast with Charlie Cichetti

Charlie Cichetti
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Do green buildings matter to you? This podcast fuels your fire with inspiring interviews from industry and nonprofit leaders across the built environment. Not sure if green building matters? Listen to the personal stories of our guests and let Charlie’s passion help convince you why green buildings are essential to our shared future. Each episode illustrates a unique journey through sustainability and towards resilience. Charlie explores the challenges and celebrations of the movers and shakers in the green building industry. Hear behind the scene stories from the inner world of green and healthy building design, construction, and management.

  1. Karl Borree on Making Sports Floors Smarter, Safer, and More Sustainable

    -1 ДН.

    Karl Borree on Making Sports Floors Smarter, Safer, and More Sustainable

    🎯 The Green Impact Report Quick take: This episode is a must-listen for architects, contractors, and LEED Pros looking to level up athletic spaces. Karl Borree shares how flooring can dramatically impact health, sustainability, and even climate goals — if you design it right. 🎓 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Karl Borree is a veteran of the performance flooring industry and a passionate advocate for sustainable product innovation. As a key voice at Action Floors, Karl works at the intersection of health, athletics, and material science — driving forward the only carbon-negative maple flooring solution on the market today. With a background in coaching, economics, and rhetorical theory, he brings a unique human-centered lens to sustainable product strategy. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building 💡 Key Insight #1: Flooring Isn’t Just About Bounce — It’s About Emissions, Safety, and Lifecycle The Challenge: Traditional gym floors often use PVC-based pads that off-gas and lose performance over time. The Solution: Action Floors uses natural rubber pads that don’t off-gas, last longer, and offer superior restitution for athletes. ROI: Improved air quality, safer impact absorption, extended lifespan — with verified carbon-negative. 💡 Key Insight #2: One Size Doesn’t Fit All — Design for the Athlete, Not Just the Space The Challenge: Many school districts default to “standard” flooring systems without considering age, activity, or use-case. The Solution: Action Floors offers 14+ custom subfloor systems tuned to the specific athlete profile — from preschoolers to pros. ROI: Reduced injuries, enhanced performance, and floors that align with building lifecycle and functional demands. 💡 Key Insight #3: Carbon-Negative Sports Flooring Exists — If You Know Where to Look The Challenge: Most stakeholders assume performance floors are carbon-intensive due to manufacturing and global shipping. The Solution: Action Floors sources maple from the UP of Michigan, leveraging cold climate slow-growth trees, and runs a verified carbon-negative operation. ROI: Global shipments with a smaller footprint than local competitors — backed by SGS-certified EPDs. 🎧 Sustainable Soundbite “Follow your passion, not your pension — that’ll bring you everything you really want.” – Karl Borree 🌍 Episode Overview Think sports flooring is just about looks or bounce? Think again. In this episode, Karl Borree of Action Floors pulls back the curtain on a massively underappreciated part of green building: what’s under your feet. From carbon-negative maple to all-natural rubber pads engineered to reduce concussions, Karl shares how performance flooring is being reimagined with sustainability — and athletes — at the center. ✅ Your Green Building Action Plan This Week: Ask your flooring vendor if they have an EPD — and what’s under the surface. This Quarter: If you’re designing a space for athletes (of any age), evaluate whether your flooring supports performance and long-term health. This Year: Shift from lowest-bid procurement to lifecycle-focused design — especially in public education and athletic facility projects. 🔗 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: 📄 Read the transcript: 🔗 Connect with Karl Borree: [] 🏗️ Explore 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: ✉️ Want More Green Building Insights? Get exclusive tips, expert interviews, and green design tools — delivered twice a week. 📬 Subscribe FREE →

    30 мин.
  2. Yaron Dycian on Cracking the Code of Water Waste in Buildings

    8 ОКТ.

    Yaron Dycian on Cracking the Code of Water Waste in Buildings

    The Green Building Matters Podcast with Charlie Cichetti

    27 мин.
  3. Episode 400: Charlie Cichetti on 8+ Years of Green Building Conversations That Matter

    1 ОКТ.

    Episode 400: Charlie Cichetti on 8+ Years of Green Building Conversations That Matter

    📣 The Green Impact Report Quick take: In this milestone 400th episode, host Charlie Cichetti reflects on over eight years of interviewing green building pioneers. He shares timeless lessons, celebrates the community, and previews what’s next in the world of sustainability storytelling. 👋 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Charlie Cichetti is one of the most credentialed experts in the green building world and a LEED Fellow. He’s the founder and host of Green Building Matters, a passionate educator, and a leader in sustainability-driven entrepreneurship. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this special solo episode, Charlie flips the script to reflect on how Green Building Matters became the most downloaded podcast in its space — and why that matters now more than ever. 🧠 Key Insight #1: Storytelling Inspires Action The Challenge: Technical content can alienate early-career sustainability pros. The Solution: Focus on personal stories, authentic journeys, and real-world projects. ROI: Listeners report earning credentials, launching new roles, and pushing for green certifications. 🧠 Key Insight #2: There’s No One Path to Green Building Leadership The Challenge: The industry often emphasizes rigid roles or career tracks. The Solution: Showcase diverse voices — from LEED Fellows to students, sales pros to engineers. ROI: Encouragement and validation for professionals forging unique green careers. 🧠 Key Insight #3: Consistency Builds Community The Challenge: Maintaining weekly momentum for 8+ years is rare. The Solution: Leverage virtual teams, strong systems, and personal commitment. ROI: 400+ episodes, a global audience, and top 3% status in the podcasting world. 🎧 Sustainable Soundbite “This podcast is a megaphone for the green building movement — and you’re the reason it matters.” — Charlie Cichetti 📘 Episode Overview What started as a passion project has grown into a global platform for green building professionals. In this special solo episode, Charlie Cichetti marks Green Building Matters’ 400th episode with a heartfelt reflection on the podcast’s journey — from humble beginnings to becoming a top 3% podcast worldwide. He shares behind-the-scenes stories, key lessons learned, gratitude for the people who’ve helped shape the show, and a powerful vision for what comes next — including deeper dives into AI, regenerative design, and community engagement. Whether you’re a longtime listener or just tuning in, this is an inspiring reset on why this platform — and this mission — matters. ✅ Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Reflect on your own sustainability journey. Share an episode with a colleague who needs encouragement. This Quarter: Revisit favorite episodes and reach out to past guests for insight or mentorship. This Year: Join the growing Green Building Matters community through LinkedIn, events, or by becoming a guest yourself. 🔗 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: 🗒 Read the transcript: 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: 💌 Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. 👉 Subscribe to our FREE newsletter here: Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

    29 мин.
  4. GBES Episode 399 — Live from Blueprint Vegas 2025 - The Future of the Built World

    25 СЕНТ.

    GBES Episode 399 — Live from Blueprint Vegas 2025 - The Future of the Built World

    🌍 The Green Impact Report Quick take: Live from the Blueprint Vegas 2025 conference, Charlie Cicchetti unpacks how AI, automation, and sustainability startups are shaping the built world. Whether you're a green building professional, an entrepreneur, or curious about the latest tech in construction and real estate, this recap offers major takeaways from one of the industry's most influential events. 👤 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Charlie Cicchetti Charlie is the founder of Green Building Education Services (GBES) and Schema. A LEED Fellow and one of the most credentialed green building experts globally, he’s dedicated to scaling sustainability through tech, training, and thought leadership. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this special episode, Charlie breaks down innovations and insights straight from the Blueprint Vegas 2025 conference — where the future of the built world is being written. 🧠 Key Insight #1: AI is not just a cost-saver — it's a growth engine The Challenge: Traditionally, AI in real estate has been used primarily to reduce operating costs. The Solution: Charlie emphasizes AI’s broader potential — automating repetitive tasks to let professionals focus on creativity and customer experience. ROI: Boosted efficiency and employee satisfaction, while increasing the quality of customer engagement and problem-solving. 🧠 Key Insight #2: Robotics are entering construction — literally The Challenge: Labor shortages and inefficiencies continue to plague the construction industry. The Solution: Real-world applications of robotics were showcased on the expo floor, from automation in logistics to on-site tasks. ROI: Potential for reduced delays, lower costs, and improved safety in construction projects. 🧠 Key Insight #3: Startups like Mill and Switch are redefining climate tech The Challenge: Finding scalable, tech-driven solutions that actually move the needle on sustainability. The Solution: Mill is revolutionizing food recycling (not just composting), while Switch Automation is pushing AI and ML in building controls. ROI: Measurable impacts on waste reduction and energy efficiency across building portfolios. 💬 Sustainable Soundbite "Don’t look at AI just to save money. Ask — how can you use AI to really grow your business?" – Charlie Cicchetti 📈 Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Connect with sustainability-focused startups like Mill and Switch. Explore their offerings and how they can integrate into your current workflow. This Quarter: Attend an industry conference like Blueprint Vegas, Net Zero, or Greenbuild to network, discover new tools, and gain cross-sector insight. This Year: Start an intrapreneurial initiative within your company. Identify one area where tech and sustainability intersect and champion a pilot project. 📌 Episode Overview In this special episode of the Green Building Matters Podcast, we’re coming to you from Blueprint Vegas 2025 at The Venetian, Las Vegas — the premier event on the future of the built world. With over 3,000+ attendees, 250+ speakers, and 50+ countries represented, Blueprint brings together the brightest minds in real estate, construction, technology, and sustainability. ♻️ Why Blueprint Matters for Green Building Blueprint isn’t just another real estate tech event — it’s where the future of sustainable construction and operations takes shape. From decarbonization strategies to AI-driven building management, this year’s conversations spotlight how the built world is adapting to climate goals and net-zero commitments. 🔗 Connect & Learn More Resources & Links 🌐  🎧 More episodes of the 📩 Contact us to share your green building story: [] 📖 Read the transcript: 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: ✉️ Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter here: Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

    16 мин.
  5. Brian Sheng on Turning Air into Water

    17 СЕНТ.

    Brian Sheng on Turning Air into Water

    🎯 The Green Impact Report Quick take: This week’s episode goes beyond bricks and beams. Brian Sheng, co-founder and CEO of Aquaria, is tackling one of the planet’s most overlooked sustainability challenges: water. His team is building clean water infrastructure by literally harvesting water from air — a breakthrough that could redefine how communities access one of life’s most critical resources. 🤝 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Brian Sheng is the co-founder and CEO of Aquaria, a company pioneering atmospheric water generation at scale. A first-generation American who grew up in New York, Brian studied at Princeton before building a career as both an entrepreneur and investor in future-focused technologies. After leading Fresh, an early-stage venture firm that backed AI, climate, and government tech, Brian shifted to operating in climate innovation. At Aquaria, he’s on a mission to make reliable, abundant, and sustainable water accessible to communities everywhere. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Brian Sheng revolutionizes traditional thinking about water and infrastructure 🧠 Key Insight #1: Water is the overlooked frontier of sustainability. The Challenge: Infrastructure projects are stalled by insufficient access to clean water. The Solution: Aquaria generates water directly from air, creating a new and abundant supply chain. ROI: Reliable, decentralized access to clean water for homes and communities, reducing strain on existing systems. 🧠 Key Insight #2: Startups can shift how infrastructure is built. The Challenge: Water infrastructure is costly, slow, and dependent on outdated systems. The Solution: Aquaria approaches water like solar — distributed, scalable, and technology-driven. ROI: Faster deployment, more resilient communities, and the potential to scale from individual homes to entire cities. 🧠 Key Insight #3: Mission-driven innovation requires intentional culture. The Challenge: Founders often struggle to balance speed with sustainable talent growth. The Solution: Brian builds teams with intentional mentorship, complementary co-founders, and a mix of in-person and distributed collaboration. ROI: A resilient, mission-aligned company culture that scales alongside the tech. 🌏 Sustainable Soundbite "We are like solar, but for water — energy from the sun, water from the air." – Brian Sheng 📌 Your Green Building Action Plan: Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Evaluate where water access could bottleneck your building or community projects. This Quarter: Explore distributed water solutions like atmospheric generation to reduce risk. This Year: Build partnerships with innovators that scale sustainable infrastructure, not just energy, but also water. 🔗 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources 🗒 Read the transcript 🔗 Connect with Brian Sheng: Website:  Brian on: Brian on: Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. 👉 Subscribe to our FREE newsletter here: Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

    34 мин.
  6. Kristen DiStefano on Designing for Future-Ready Sustainability

    10 СЕНТ.

    Kristen DiStefano on Designing for Future-Ready Sustainability

    The Green Impact Report Quick take: What if your master plan was smart enough to beat policy to the punch? Kristen DiStefano shares bold strategies from Atelier Ten that are shaping the future of zero-carbon communities — before the ink is dry on today’s code. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Kristen DiStefano is a Director at Atelier Ten and a leading voice in environmental design. Trained in both civil engineering and architecture, she brings technical fluency and people-centered creativity to some of the West Coast’s most ambitious sustainable projects. From net-zero campuses to district-scale reuse systems, her work bridges policy, performance, and people. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Kristen DiStefano revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: Key Insight #1: Building a blackwater-powered future in Mission Rock The Challenge: Water reuse wasn’t even legal when the project began. The Solution: Design a district-wide blackwater treatment and reuse system anyway. ROI: Now required by code, the system will save an estimated 16 million gallons annually. Key Insight #2: Rethinking energy at California College of the Arts The Challenge: Maker spaces with kilns, glass furnaces, and labs have huge loads. The Solution: Dual strategy — reduce architectural demand and work directly with studio leaders to tackle equipment use. ROI: Smart controls + future microgrid + PV = a scalable model for low-carbon academic buildings. Key Insight #3: Expanding what "zero carbon" really means The Challenge: Too many sustainability frameworks stop at operations. The Solution: Kristen argues for a broader carbon scope: refrigerants, site work, EV infrastructure, and even transportation emissions. ROI: A regenerative, resilient framework that keeps pace with reality—and policy shifts. 🌎 Sustainable Soundbite "Eventually the goal would be to never emit carbon to begin with. But we’re not quite there yet. So let’s chart the path." — Kristen DiStefano 📌 Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Revisit your project’s early-stage energy and water assumptions — are you future-proofing or checking boxes? This Quarter: Map your carbon strategy across all five pillars: operations, embodied materials, refrigerants, transportation, and site impacts. This Year: Pilot one regenerative or district-scale solution — even if it’s ahead of current code. Be the reason it's normalized later. Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: [] 🗒 .** 🔗 Connect with Kristen DiStefano: [] | [] Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter here: Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

    43 мин.
  7. Decarbonizing Real Estate: Christopher Naismith from Audette on Turning Buildings into Financial Engines

    3 СЕНТ.

    Decarbonizing Real Estate: Christopher Naismith from Audette on Turning Buildings into Financial Engines

    The Green Impact Report Quick take: Most commercial buildings are controlled by 200 global logos—and the way they’re financed makes decarbonization almost impossible. Christopher and his team at Audette are flipping that script, proving sustainability and ROI can—and must—go hand in hand. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Christopher Naismith grew up on Vancouver Island surrounded by forests and ocean. After starting as a civil engineer, a career pivot led him into construction, building science, and eventually founding Audette, a fintech company redefining how real estate owners invest in decarbonization. Today, his platform models over 30,000 commercial buildings, helping some of the world’s largest portfolios cut emissions and boost asset value. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building Key Insight #1: Real estate finance is the real barrier to decarbonization. The Challenge: Property owners avoid upgrades because they eat into short-term profits. The Solution: Audette models both physical systems and financial ownership structures to reveal where decarbonization adds long-term value. ROI: Turns sustainability from a cost center into a proven value-driver. Key Insight #2: AI makes the “my building is special” excuse obsolete. The Challenge: Operators claim buildings are too unique to standardize solutions. The Solution: Audette uses AI and machine learning to pre-model millions of buildings, identify retrofit patterns, and predict energy use. ROI: Portfolio owners get audit-level insights instantly, accelerating retrofit adoption at scale. Key Insight #3: Stability sells. The Challenge: ESG has become politicized, and many owners fear added costs. The Solution: Reframe sustainability as modernization and risk management—keeping operating costs predictable and assets resilient. ROI: Attracts tenants, protects asset value, and opens new revenue streams from grid participation and resilience. Sustainable Soundbite "At some point, all of these outdated systems will be as obsolete as a coal furnace in your basement." — Christopher Naismith, Audette Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Start framing decarbonization not as “ESG” but as asset stability in conversations with stakeholders. This Quarter: Audit your portfolio for low-hanging fruit like rooftop units—swap gas-fired for heat pumps. This Year: Explore fintech-style tools to connect building upgrades with long-term value creation. Connect & Learn More 🌿 Explore resources from this episode: 🗒 . Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Stay tuned. Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

    28 мин.
  8. Gregg Holladay on Revolutionary Heat Pump Water Heaters That Pay for Themselves

    27 АВГ.

    Gregg Holladay on Revolutionary Heat Pump Water Heaters That Pay for Themselves

    The Green Impact Report Quick take: 16-year heat pump water heater evangelist Gregg Holladay reveals how homeowners can slash energy costs by $400+ annually, why May 2029 changes everything for 50% of American homes, and his "proactive replacement" strategy that turns water heater failures into profitable opportunities. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Gregg Holladay is Business Development Manager for Specialty Markets at Bradford White, where he champions heat pump water heater technology across residential and commercial markets. The industry's only 16-year veteran of heat pump water heaters, Gregg introduced America's first Energy Star-rated unit while at GE in 2009. A sustainability pioneer who built his first energy-efficient home 33 years ago on a Kentucky farm, he's known for translating complex technology into compelling financial stories—like how homeowners can save $400+ annually while achieving 420% efficiency. Gregg teaches contractors nationwide that water heaters are evolving from "failure replacement" to proactive upgrades that actually pay for themselves. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Gregg revolutionizes traditional water heating approaches: Key Insight #1: The Stone Age to Space Age Efficiency Leap The Challenge: Traditional electric water heaters operate at 90-93% efficiency, forcing homeowners into incremental upgrades The Solution: Heat pump water heaters achieve 420% efficiency in one revolutionary step using proven refrigerator technology ROI: $400+ annual savings with 2-3 year payback when combined with utility rebates and 30% federal tax credits up to $2,000 Key Insight #2: Proactive Replacement Beats Emergency Failures The Challenge: Water heaters are only replaced when they fail at 10 PM on Saturday nights, creating expensive emergency situations The Solution: Educate homeowners during routine service calls about Energy Star upgrades that pay for themselves ROI: Contractors transform reactive service calls into profitable planned installations while customers save thousands over 10-year warranty periods Key Insight #3: Focus on Electric-to-Electric First, Not Gas Conversion The Challenge: Industry obsesses over difficult gas-to-electric conversions that require expensive electrical upgrades The Solution: Target the 50% of American homes with existing electric water heaters for simple 30-amp swaps ROI: Fastest path to decarbonization with same electrical service, immediate 3,000 kilowatt hour reduction per home, and grid-wide impact Sustainable Soundbite "There's never been a product that I'm aware of in the home that has had this kind of payback story. This opens the door to proactive replacement through education—not waiting until 10 o'clock on a Saturday night when a water heater fails." – Gregg Holladay Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Calculate potential savings for electric water heater replacements using local utility rates and available rebates—Tennessee offers $1,300 rebates that dramatically improve payback This Quarter: Train your team on the "refrigerator reliability" story to help clients understand heat pump technology through familiar analogies This Year: Prepare for the May 2029 mandate requiring all residential electric water heaters above 35 gallons to be heat pump units—get ahead of the curve Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: 🗒️ Read the transcript: 🔗 Connect with Gregg Holladay: Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

    31 мин.
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Do green buildings matter to you? This podcast fuels your fire with inspiring interviews from industry and nonprofit leaders across the built environment. Not sure if green building matters? Listen to the personal stories of our guests and let Charlie’s passion help convince you why green buildings are essential to our shared future. Each episode illustrates a unique journey through sustainability and towards resilience. Charlie explores the challenges and celebrations of the movers and shakers in the green building industry. Hear behind the scene stories from the inner world of green and healthy building design, construction, and management.

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