Net Podsitive: Regeneration + Resilience

Richard Garrett

Net Podsitive features conversations with the people shaping regeneration, resilience, and climate action across the built environment. Hosted by Richard Garrett, each episode explores the ideas, relationships, and systems behind a more livable future, from sustainable design and decarbonization to materials, community, culture, and climate leadership. Through thoughtful interviews with practitioners, advocates, designers, and systems builders, Net Podsitive looks at how hope becomes action, and how climate solutions become real in the places we live, work, and gather.

Episodes

  1. Vincent Martinez: Climate Action Is a People Problem | Net Podsitive

    1d ago

    Vincent Martinez: Climate Action Is a People Problem | Net Podsitive

    What does it really take to decarbonize the built environment at scale? In this episode of Net Podsitive, Richard Garrett speaks with Vincent Martinez, CEO of Architecture 2030, about nearly two decades of work helping move building decarbonization from an edge-case conversation into a mainstream expectation. Vincent shares how he joined Architecture 2030 in its earliest days, what he learned from Ed Mazria’s vision, and how the movement has evolved from passive design and operational energy toward a broader understanding of embodied carbon, infrastructure, policy, culture, and the full built environment. One of the central ideas of this conversation: climate action is not just a technology problem. It is a people problem. The tools exist. The harder work is aligning designers, owners, policymakers, funders, communities, utilities, advocates, and institutions around solutions that are technically sound, culturally meaningful, and possible to implement. Richard and Vincent discuss: • Why climate action depends on people, not just technology• How Architecture 2030 helped move decarbonization into mainstream practice• Why the built environment must be understood beyond individual buildings• How existing buildings create a major decarbonization opportunity• Why designers have agency, but policy and market systems matter• How embodied carbon expands the conversation into materials and infrastructure• Why culture, heritage, and traditional knowledge can inform future solutions• How collaboration may be the next operating system for climate progress• Why the strongest climate messages often begin with affordability, livability, health, resilience, and community This conversation is for architects, engineers, designers, sustainability leaders, policymakers, students, and anyone working to turn climate concern into practical action across the built environment. Guest:Vincent Martinez, CEO of Architecture 2030 Hosted by:Richard Garrett, Net Podsitive Learn more about Architecture 2030:https://architecture2030.org Learn more about The Bushwick Book Club Seattle:https://bushwickbookclubseattle.com Subscribe to Net Podsitive for more conversations with the people shaping regeneration, resilience, and climate action across the built environment. https://netpodsitive.com

    1h 2m
  2. Josh Bergeron: RADICAL by Design, Regenerative Architecture for Community Repair | Net Podsitive

    Jun 4

    Josh Bergeron: RADICAL by Design, Regenerative Architecture for Community Repair | Net Podsitive

    🧭 LF26 Field Notes: Onsite at Living Future 2026How can design move beyond sustainability to repair, restore, and empower communities?In this episode of Net Podsitive, Richard Garrett speaks with Josh Bergeron, founder of  @TikunDesign , about regenerative design, community engagement, and how architecture can become a tool for social and environmental healing.With more than 20 years of experience in architecture and design, Josh brings a deeply values-driven approach to sustainability and regenerative practice. His work with nonprofits and underserved communities reveals how design can foster thriving, equitable places rooted in trust, collaboration, and long-term resilience.Through his “RADICAL by Design” philosophy, Josh challenges conventional design methods that prioritize aesthetics or efficiency without fully addressing community needs, ecological context, and social impact. Instead, he invites designers to rethink what it means to listen deeply, build trust before transactions, and create spaces that reflect the values and aspirations of the people they serve.🌐 They explore:- RADICAL by Design: How Josh’s framework rethinks traditional design methodologies through relationships, adaptability, deep listening, integration, context, aliveness, and life-giving impact- Trust Before Transaction: Why meaningful design starts with deeper relationships before contracts, budgets, and deliverables- Community Engagement: How involving community members early can help projects reflect local values, lived experience, and real needs- Nonprofit Collaboration: Why resource limitations, diverse stakeholder voices, and funding complexity require patience, flexibility, and creativity- Regenerative Practice: How design can support environmental resilience, social equity, and long-term community well-being- Learning Through Challenge: Why setbacks, constraints, and uncertainty can become opportunities for growth and innovation🛠️ This episode is for:- Architects, designers, planners, and project teams exploring regenerative practice- Nonprofit leaders and community organizers thinking about place-based development- Sustainability and climate justice advocates seeking actionable models for positive change- Students and emerging professionals looking for permission to begin before they feel like experts- Anyone interested in how architecture, community, and sustainability can work together to create meaningful change🔑 Key takeaways:- Prioritize collaboration by engaging communities throughout the design process- Build trust before transactions to create deeper alignment and stronger outcomes- Embrace flexibility when funding, timelines, and stakeholder needs shift- Focus on designs that advance environmental resilience and social equity- Use challenges as opportunities for learning, adaptation, and innovation🔗 Learn more about Tikun Collective:https://www.tikuncollective.com📺 Subscribe for more conversations on regeneration, resilience, climate action, and hopeful futures.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Regenerative Design and Josh Bergeron01:47 Josh's Journey: From Architecture to Regenerative Design05:43 The Meaning Behind Tikkun and Its Relevance07:07 Challenges of Working with Nonprofits and Underserved Communities08:35 Building Trust Before Transaction: A New Approach12:49 Navigating Nonprofit Dynamics and Project Management18:37 Friction Points in Community-Based Projects21:30 Working Smarter: Process Improvements and Lessons Learned25:00 Radical by Design: A Framework for Change27:42 Engaging Stakeholders for Deep Listening29:37 Radical by Design: Overcoming Barriers31:44 Navigating Discomfort in Design Work33:32 Community Challenges and Pushback35:23 Advice to My Younger Self39:03 The Rose Thorn Bud Framework44:31 Hope for the Future and Community Engagement46:55 Finding Connection in Nature49:17 Gratitude and Acknowledgment

    53 min
  3. 06/02/2025

    From Brother to Book: Drawn from Life, Illustrated for Impact

    In this episode of Net Podsitive, Richard Garrett speaks with Antonio Holguin about the importance of making sustainability accessible and relatable, particularly through storytelling. Antonio shares his personal journey, including his advocacy work and the creation of his children's book, 'The Adventures of the Arroyo Amigos.' They discuss the significance of community initiatives like the Texas Materials Initiative, the power of storytelling in advocacy, and the importance of maintaining optimism in the face of challenges. The conversation emphasizes the need for inclusivity in sustainability discussions and the impact of mentorship and personal growth. Takeaways Sustainability must be made accessible and compellingStorytelling is a powerful tool for advocacyPersonal experiences shape our commitment to sustainabilityCommunity initiatives can drive significant changeImposter syndrome is common among advocatesMeeting people where they are is crucial for effective communicationThe conversation around sustainability is growing and becoming more inclusiveChildren's literature can play a role in sustainability educationCelebrating small victories helps maintain optimismBig changes often start with small, incremental steps Chapters 00:00 Transforming Eco-Anxiety into Action 01:54 The Journey to Sustainability Advocacy 08:43 Building the Texas Materials Initiative 13:12 The Power of Storytelling in Advocacy 20:41 Creating a Family Legacy through Storytelling 21:13 Bridging Sustainability and Storytelling 23:39 Cultivating Optimism in Advocacy 26:56 The Journey of Advocacy 28:29 Community Engagement and Inclusion 32:07 Hope for Future Generations 34:05 Mentorship and Personal Growth 37:14 Nature as a Source of Inspiration 38:01 The Power of Storytelling in Advocacy Keywords #sustainability #storytelling #eco-anxiety #advocacy #communityimpact #optimism #childrensbooks #materialtransparency #personaljourney

    43 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Net Podsitive features conversations with the people shaping regeneration, resilience, and climate action across the built environment. Hosted by Richard Garrett, each episode explores the ideas, relationships, and systems behind a more livable future, from sustainable design and decarbonization to materials, community, culture, and climate leadership. Through thoughtful interviews with practitioners, advocates, designers, and systems builders, Net Podsitive looks at how hope becomes action, and how climate solutions become real in the places we live, work, and gather.