Building Good

Vocal Fry Studios

This is a show about building a better world. Literally. The construction industry might seem like a conservative place, but we’re changing it. Building Good is a platform for conversations around topics like indigenous architecture, hiring and retaining women in trades and building sustainable energy grids. We want to build a better world, and we think the way to do that starts with the construction industry… so come and help us build good.

  1. Looking Back at Season Six

    02/24/2025

    Looking Back at Season Six

    As Building Good wraps up its sixth season, we’re looking back at the big ideas shaping the future of construction. A few key themes kept emerging. First, sustainability still faces financial and regulatory roadblocks. Second, meaningful change needs community buy-in to succeed. Third, bold ideas are the skeleton keys to unlocking the construction industry’s biggest brain teasers. Co-hosts Jen Hancock and Geoff Capelle revisit the season’s most thought-provoking moments: from researchers developing sci-fi worthy building materials to expert navigators of the twisty, ever-evolving road of regulatory landscapes to multihyphenates using generative AI to reimagine community engagement. Join the Building Good community today: https://www.buildinggood.caLinkedIn

    23 min
  2. Why Mass Timber Feels Good - with Andre Lema

    02/18/2025

    Why Mass Timber Feels Good - with Andre Lema

    For thousands of years, humans have built with wood. Today, mass timber is changing the way we design, build, and experience our spaces. It’s strong, fire-resistant, and capable of storing carbon, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. And beyond its structural benefits, wood also connects us to nature, improving well-being through biophilic design. Andre Lema, Business Development Manager at Western Archrib, breaks down the benefits of biophilic design, how mass timber is reducing carbon emissions, and why architects and developers are embracing wood for everything from rec centers to high-rises. Join the Building Good community today: https://www.buildinggood.caLinkedIn

    21 min
  3. The Future is Electric - with Mariko Michasiw

    02/11/2025

    The Future is Electric - with Mariko Michasiw

    Canada’s path to net zero hinges on electrification. As the world’s fourth-largest producer of hydroelectricity, we’re primed to take a global leadership role. With the provinces and territories at different stages of grid decarbonization, electrification doesn’t have to be “all or nothing” — regions with a longer way to go can take a phased approach, incorporating supplemental energy sources. But what about chilly Canadian winters? Cold-climate heat pumps now operate efficiently at -25°C. Of course, the best time to electrify may be during the initial build. But the second best time is now. Mariko Michasiw, program manager for B2E, the Building to Electrification Coalition - a program area of the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre (ZEIC) - explains how cold-climate heat pumps, strategic retrofits, and grid planning are key to scaling electrification. Join the Building Good community today: https://www.buildinggood.caLinkedIn

    25 min
  4. Why Climate Action is Good Business - with Heather Taylor

    01/21/2025

    Why Climate Action is Good Business - with Heather Taylor

    Climate change is polarizing. Between inflation, investor pressures, competitiveness, high interest, and economic sluggishness, climate change can seem like a far-off problem — just another thing to worry about. Sustainability often takes a back seat, becoming a “nice to have” instead of a “need to have.” But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Heather Taylor of EY Canada breaks down how prioritizing climate action is actually a smart investment strategy. Editor's Note: After publishing, we received an email from Heather & her team with two further points. First, during the episode, we mentioned that global warming could reach up to 3 degrees by 2100. In January, a report came out saying that 2024 was the first year to exceed 1.5 degrees of global warming. Second, Heather & her team shared this excellent observation: "For the construction industry which is seen as an economic driver in Canada - there is an opportunity to for the industry to inform and influence public policy. The construction industry can stimulate jobs and domestic investment when the industry is thriving. Given the significant capital it will take to get buildings to a resilient and lower carbon footprint, there is an opportunity for Canada to ensure the construction materials are domestic products. The new Trump administration’s threat of tariffs may create a tariff war which may create a significant impact on the construction industry." Thanks to Heather & her team for the engaging comments! Join the Building Good community today: https://www.buildinggood.caLinkedIn

    32 min
  5. Carbon Negative Construction with Engineered Bamboo - with Amir Mofidi

    01/14/2025

    Carbon Negative Construction with Engineered Bamboo - with Amir Mofidi

    In Asia, bamboo has been used as a construction material for thousands of years. Prized for its availability, strength, and flexibility, it has over a thousand uses—including scaffolding during the construction of high rises in Hong Kong. So why has it been slow to be adopted by the global construction industry? It’s a sustainability advocate's dream: it sequesters carbon; provides wildlife habitats; supplies biofuel. Some species mature in just five years and can auto-regenerate after harvesting. But how does it stack up against concrete, steel, and timber? With the right ingredients, engineered bamboo shows major promise as a regenerative building material of the future. Brock University's Dr. Amir Mofidi is an expert in bio-based composites and he's developing cold-hardy, construction-ready strains that can handle North American climates. Join the Building Good community today: https://www.buildinggood.caLinkedIn

    21 min
  6. Cities as Exercise Machines - with Avi Friedman and Alexandra Pollock

    01/07/2025

    Cities as Exercise Machines - with Avi Friedman and Alexandra Pollock

    What if your city wasn’t just a place to live, but a tool to keep you healthy? Dr. Avi Friedman, Professor of Architecture at McGill University, and Alexandra Pollock, landscape designer and urban planner, discuss how our cities impact our health—and how they can be redesigned for a better future. Avi and Alexandra dive into the concept of cities as “exercise machines,” where walkable streets, green spaces, and accessible design promote both physical and mental well-being. They explore how planning for “15-minute cities” can combat urban sprawl, reduce isolation, and bring communities together, all while tackling environmental challenges. Read Fundamentals of Planning Cities for Healthy Living (Anthem Press, 2023). Join the Building Good community today: https://www.buildinggood.caLinkedIn

    28 min
  7. From Moods to Microbes: Designing Better Indoor Spaces - with Emily Anthes

    12/04/2024

    From Moods to Microbes: Designing Better Indoor Spaces - with Emily Anthes

    New York Times science journalist Emily Anthes, author of The Great Indoors, has spent a lot of time thinking about how buildings shape our lives, from mood to mortality. From designing hospitals that speed up recovery, to developing autism-friendly apartments, to rejigging offices to boost productivity — the interior of the built environment can be a crucial factor in determining human health and happiness. After all, we spend 90% of our time inside. So why not use soundproofing, plants, and universal design to make our inner worlds a dreamy place to be? Join the Building Good community today: https://www.buildinggood.caLinkedIn

    34 min
  8. Overcoming Capital Barriers for Indigenous Communities - with Mark Podlasly

    11/05/2024

    Overcoming Capital Barriers for Indigenous Communities - with Mark Podlasly

    Because of the Indian Act, Indigenous communities have been blocked from accessing capital markets, which means they haven’t been able to invest in critical infrastructure projects happening in their territories. For the past ten years, First Nations Major Projects Coalition has been working to change that. FNMPC is a non-profit, Indigenous-led organization working to empower Indigenous communities to secure equity stakes in mining, clean energy, regulated utilities and pipelines. FNMPC’s Chief Sustainability Officer Mark Podlasly Mark explains how First Nations are becoming full partners in the next chapter of Canada’s development—and why it’s a crucial element to meeting Canada’s international obligations around accessing export markets. Join the Building Good community today: https://www.buildinggood.caLinkedIn

    30 min
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Trailers

About

This is a show about building a better world. Literally. The construction industry might seem like a conservative place, but we’re changing it. Building Good is a platform for conversations around topics like indigenous architecture, hiring and retaining women in trades and building sustainable energy grids. We want to build a better world, and we think the way to do that starts with the construction industry… so come and help us build good.

Information

  • Channel
    Vocal Fry Studios
  • Creator
    Jen Hancock, Geoff Capelle
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All Rights Reserved | buildinggood.ca
  • Show Website
    Building Good

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