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. Jul 1

    Legacy, Luxury & Leadership: Insights from Claudine Leger-Wetzel of STOCK Development

    Monaca and Callie sit down with Claudine Leger-Wetzel, VP of Sales and Marketing at STOCK Development, for an uplifting and candid journey through the worlds of hospitality, placemaking, and luxury community building. With over 25 years at STOCK and nearly four decades in Naples, Florida, Claudine’s story is one of deep roots, family legacy, and unwavering dedication to her community. They trace Claudine’s unique path from Ritz Carlton hospitality to shaping the culture and brand of STOCK Development, discussing how genuine service, empowered teams, and personal human touches set great communities apart. Claudine recounts lessons from the “unreasonable hospitality” of the Ritz, the importance of empowering teams on the ground, and what it actually means to be the “keeper of the brand”, from fixing a luxe bedspread to creating unforgettable welcome moments for new residents. The team dives into STOCK’s latest landmark projects, including the much-anticipated Ritz Carlton Residences in Naples, the innovative Wild Blue at Waterside collaboration, and why early, thoughtful lifestyle planning is the unsung hero of successful communities. Along the way, they talk about what distinguishes family-run businesses, how to cultivate leadership longevity, the role of fun in work, and the everyday actions that build company culture, not just the statements on a wall. Claudine closes with a moving reflection on her personal “Smith Lane,” the story of Brightwater Drive, family resilience, and the generosity of neighbors that shaped her vision of community.

    40 min

  2. Jun 10

    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

  3. May 20

    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

  4. Apr 29

    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

  5. Apr 1

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

    Mar 18

    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

  7. Mar 4

    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

  8. Feb 18

    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
See All (43)

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

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
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © OnPlace Collective
  • Show Website
    Smith Lane Podcast

You Might Also Like