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. Kristen DiStefano on Designing for Future-Ready Sustainability

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    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.

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

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    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.

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

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    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.

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  4. Michael Wagner on Disrupting Roofing with Nano-Ceramic Technology

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    Michael Wagner on Disrupting Roofing with Nano-Ceramic Technology

    The Green Impact Report Quick take: Michael Wagner reveals how nano-ceramic coating technology can extend roof lifespans by decades while eliminating millions of shingles from landfills—plus the franchise strategy that's scaling this green innovation nationwide. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Michael Wagner is a seasoned franchise executive and the newly appointed brand president of Roof Scientist. With nearly two decades at Coastal Training Technologies (later acquired by DuPont), Wagner built international operations across Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, India, and the Philippines. He's successfully launched multiple franchise brands including Pool Scouts (97 locations) and appeared on Shark Tank with his balance bike company Kazam, securing investment from Mark Cuban. Wagner operates under Homefront Brands, overseeing franchise development for innovative home service solutions. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Michael revolutionizes traditional roofing approaches: Key Insight #1: Nano-Ceramic Coating Eliminates Roof Replacement Waste The Challenge: Asphalt shingles are petroleum-based products that take decades to decompose in landfills, with quality declining while prices skyrocket The Solution: Cerakade nano-ceramic coating creates a 6-millimeter protective barrier that extends roof life without tear-off and replacement ROI: Dramatically reduces landfill waste while providing homeowners a more cost-effective alternative to full roof replacement Key Insight #2: Resin Technology Stops Granule Pollution at the Source The Challenge: Traditional asphalt shingles shed ceramic granules that flow into gutters and water systems, creating environmental contamination The Solution: The nano-ceramic resin system adheres to shingles and prevents granule loss while providing wind, hail, and fire protection ROI: Protects water systems from granule pollution while offering homeowners enhanced durability and potential energy savings through heat dissipation Key Insight #3: Target Housing Market Trends for Maximum Sustainability Impact The Challenge: Rising housing costs force homeowners to maintain existing assets longer rather than relocate, but traditional roof replacement is expensive and wasteful The Solution: Focus on repair and restore over replace—extending roof life fits perfectly with homeowners' need to invest in their current properties ROI: Recession-resistant business model that serves growing market demand while reducing construction waste on a massive scale Sustainable Soundbite “We can extend the life of a roof without tearing off the shingles and dumping them into landfills—shingles take a long time to degrade and decompose and the energy savings payback is also there.” – Michael Wagner Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Assess your building portfolio for roofs nearing replacement—identify candidates for coating restoration instead This Quarter: Research nano-ceramic coating options and calculate waste reduction potential versus traditional replacement This Year: Implement roof restoration protocols that prioritize repair and restore over replace, potentially exploring franchise opportunities in the growing restoration market Connect & Learn More 🌿 Learn about Roof Scientist: 🔗 Connect with Michael Wagner: 📚 Recommended reading: 🗒️ Read the transcript [here] Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

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  5. Scott Donachie on Calming the Fears of Decarbonization

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    Scott Donachie on Calming the Fears of Decarbonization

    The Green Impact Report Quick take: Former Wall Street trader Scott Donachie reveals why relationship-building trumps technology pushing in decarbonization deals, shares the HVAC foam that saved Mandalay Bay $15M, and explains his "calm the fears of the unknown" approach to navigating Local Law 97 compliance. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Scott Donachie is the Chief Executive Officer at Companies for Net Zero, connecting decision-makers across real estate, finance, and technology to drive sustainable impact. Based in New York, he leads an ecosystem of 300+ organizations transforming the built environment and infrastructure. A former Wall Street trader turned decarbonization evangelist, Scott discovered sustainability eight years ago after learning about 400 dormant landfills in New Jersey. He hosts invite-only Decarb Summits that bring together building owners, investors, and technology providers to share real-world lessons from the trenches. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Scott revolutionizes traditional building decarbonization approaches: Key Insight #1: Finance Background Creates Sustainability Superpower The Challenge: Most sustainability professionals struggle to navigate complex deal structures and financing decisions The Solution: Combine deep finance experience with sustainability expertise to become "dangerous" in both arenas ROI: Ability to champion deals through complicated decision-making units and secure financing for projects others can't close Key Insight #2: Pragmatic Solutions Beat Flashy New Construction The Challenge: Industry focuses on $40M new green buildings while ignoring immediate retrofit opportunities The Solution: Prioritize proven technologies with strong case studies—like the patented HVAC foam that saved Mandalay Bay $15M annually ROI: Faster implementation, lower risk, and demonstrated returns that build credibility for larger future projects Key Insight #3: Relationship-First Approach Wins Over Product Pushing The Challenge: Technology vendors lead with features instead of understanding the full decision-making ecosystem The Solution: Build deep personal relationships, learn clients' kids' names, and address the needs of CFOs, facilities managers, and building owners simultaneously ROI: Long-term partnerships that create referral networks and repeat business in an industry built on trust Sustainable Soundbite "Calming the fears of the unknown. How do you do that? Just collaboration with very intelligent people that are in the room...everyone can be calm and positive because they are sharing their ideas and are not working in silos.” Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Identify the three key stakeholders in your next decarbonization project (CFO, facilities, building owner) and map their individual concerns and success metrics This Quarter: Research local and state incentives beyond federal programs—Scott emphasizes hyper-local public-private partnerships are expanding as federal support shifts This Year: Build your "lessons from the trenches" database by connecting with building owners who've completed similar retrofits and can share real operational data Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: 🔗 Connect with Scott Donachie: 📚 Recommended reading: Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

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  6. Scott Donachie on Calming the Fears of Decarbonization

    ١٣ أغسطس

    Scott Donachie on Calming the Fears of Decarbonization

    The Green Impact Report Quick take: Former Wall Street trader Scott Donachie reveals why relationship-building trumps technology pushing in decarbonization deals, shares the HVAC foam that saved Mandalay Bay $15M, and explains his "calm the fears of the unknown" approach to navigating Local Law 97 compliance. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Scott Donachie is the Chief Executive Officer at Companies for Net Zero, connecting decision-makers across real estate, finance, and technology to drive sustainable impact. Based in New York, he leads an ecosystem of 300+ organizations transforming the built environment and infrastructure. A former Wall Street trader turned decarbonization evangelist, Scott discovered sustainability eight years ago after learning about 400 dormant landfills in New Jersey. He hosts invite-only Decarb Summits that bring together building owners, investors, and technology providers to share real-world lessons from the trenches. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Scott revolutionizes traditional building decarbonization approaches: Key Insight #1: Finance Background Creates Sustainability Superpower The Challenge: Most sustainability professionals struggle to navigate complex deal structures and financing decisions The Solution: Combine deep finance experience with sustainability expertise to become "dangerous" in both arenas ROI: Ability to champion deals through complicated decision-making units and secure financing for projects others can't close Key Insight #2: Pragmatic Solutions Beat Flashy New Construction The Challenge: Industry focuses on $40M new green buildings while ignoring immediate retrofit opportunities The Solution: Prioritize proven technologies with strong case studies—like the patented HVAC foam that saved Mandalay Bay $15M annually ROI: Faster implementation, lower risk, and demonstrated returns that build credibility for larger future projects Key Insight #3: Relationship-First Approach Wins Over Product Pushing The Challenge: Technology vendors lead with features instead of understanding the full decision-making ecosystem The Solution: Build deep personal relationships, learn clients' kids' names, and address the needs of CFOs, facilities managers, and building owners simultaneously ROI: Long-term partnerships that create referral networks and repeat business in an industry built on trust Sustainable Soundbite "Calming the fears of the unknown. How do you do that? Just collaboration with very intelligent people that are in the room...everyone can be calm and positive because they are sharing their ideas and are not working in silos.” Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Identify the three key stakeholders in your next decarbonization project (CFO, facilities, building owner) and map their individual concerns and success metrics This Quarter: Research local and state incentives beyond federal programs—Scott emphasizes hyper-local public-private partnerships are expanding as federal support shifts This Year: Build your "lessons from the trenches" database by connecting with building owners who've completed similar retrofits and can share real operational data Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: 🔗 Connect with Scott Donachie: 📚 Recommended reading: Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

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  7. Iryna Sukhodub on Building Ukraine's Green Future Through Wartime Reconstruction

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    Iryna Sukhodub on Building Ukraine's Green Future Through Wartime Reconstruction

    The Green Impact Report Quick take: Iryna Sukhodub reveals how Ukraine's massive reconstruction effort is driving green building innovation—from IFI-funded sustainable housing for 4.5 million displaced people to the strategic shift from energy-only thinking to comprehensive sustainability that could reshape your project priorities. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Iryna Sukhodub is a Building Modeling and Simulation Specialist at iC consulenten Ukraine and Associate Professor at the National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute." Honored as Scientist of the Year by President Zelenskyy in 2020, she bridges academia and industry through energy efficiency research, green building certification expertise, and mentoring the next generation of women engineers in sustainability. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Iryna revolutionizes traditional reconstruction approaches: Key Insight #1: IFI Financing Creates Green Building Momentum The Challenge: Green certification isn't mandatory in Ukraine, limiting sustainable development incentives The Solution: International Financial Institutions require sustainability standards for reconstruction loans and grants—driving market demand through financing requirements ROI: Access to favorable loan rates and grant funding, plus tenant lease requirements from international companies demanding certified buildings Key Insight #2: Resilience + Renewables = Reconstruction Strategy The Challenge: Ukraine's damaged infrastructure needs rebuilding while serving 4.5 million internally displaced people The Solution: Integrate PV systems with energy storage for dual benefits—cost reduction and power resilience during electricity shortages ROI: Lower operational costs plus business continuity during grid disruptions, creating "future-proof" infrastructure investments Key Insight #3: Shift From Energy-Only to Comprehensive Sustainability The Challenge: Ukrainian projects historically focus solely on energy efficiency and renewables, missing broader impact opportunities The Solution: Expand to embodied carbon, life cycle assessment, accessibility, climate adaptation, and indoor environmental quality ROI: Enhanced building performance, health outcomes, and alignment with international certification standards like LEED v5 and WELL Sustainable Soundbite "We still have to implement projects and we have to implement them in a sustainable manner, especially for the people that need housing at the moment." – Iryna Sukhodub Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Evaluate how financing requirements could drive sustainability in your projects—research available green financing programs and certification incentives in your region This Quarter: Expand beyond energy efficiency—conduct a gap analysis of your projects against comprehensive sustainability frameworks like LEED v5 or BREEAM This Year: Build resilience into your renewable energy strategy—explore PV + storage combinations that deliver both cost savings and operational continuity during grid disruptions Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: [Link] 🗒️ Read the transcript [Link] 🔗 Connect with Iryna Sukhodub: 📖 Recommended reading: Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

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  8. Herbert Koomson on Transforming Waste Management Through Data-Driven Audits

    ٣٠ يوليو

    Herbert Koomson on Transforming Waste Management Through Data-Driven Audits

    The Green Impact Report Quick take: Herbert Koomson reveals how waste audits uncover 50% recyclable materials hiding in trash streams and why the future of sustainability messaging isn't about saving the planet—it's about saving your bottom line. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Herbert Koomson transitioned from engineering to sustainable design at West Virginia University, where Professor Chris Haddix guided him to pass the LEED GA exam before graduation. He began his sustainability career with the NYC Department of Sanitation, educating major restaurant chains about commercial organics rules. Currently at RTS, he conducts waste audits throughout North America, helping clients achieve higher diversion rates through data-driven strategies. Herbert is also a coffee connoisseur, wrestling fan, and proud New Yorker who believes in making sustainability accessible rather than preachy. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Herbert revolutionizes traditional waste management approaches: Key Insight #1: Waste Audits Reveal Hidden Gold in Your Trash The Challenge: Businesses assume they're recycling properly while up to 50% of recyclable materials end up in landfills The Solution: Systematic waste audits combined with walkthrough assessments identify contamination sources and mislabeled waste stations ROI: Higher diversion rates reduce waste costs while meeting sustainability goals—clients see measurable improvements within one audit cycle Key Insight #2: Geography Determines Your Diversion Success The Challenge: Voluntary recycling programs lead to bare minimum compliance and lower diversion rates The Solution: Target markets with mandatory separation laws like California and Austin, Texas, which drive 3x higher diversion rates than voluntary programs ROI: Regulatory compliance creates consistent revenue streams while voluntary markets rely on client motivation and budget priorities Key Insight #3: Make Sustainability About Wallets, Not Polar Bears The Challenge: Traditional sustainability messaging focuses on environmental impact, which can feel political or preachy The Solution: Frame waste management as business efficiency—cost savings, space optimization, and operational improvements ROI: Financial benefits resonate universally while environmental benefits become the bonus, not the burden Sustainable Soundbite “Sustainability isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. If we want to design a future that includes everyone, we have to start building with empathy and intention today.” – Herbert Koomson Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Conduct a mini waste audit in your office—spend 15 minutes identifying what's in your trash that should be recycled This Quarter: Evaluate waste station signage and labels across your properties—worn or confusing signs kill diversion rates This Year: Implement the "waste audit wheel"—baseline assessment, consulting improvements, follow-up audit to measure progress Connect & Learn More 🌿 Learn about RTS: 🔗 Connect with Herbert Koomson: 📚 Recommended reading: by William Rhoden 📖 More reads: by Andrew Klavan and by Daniel Keyes 🗒️ Read the transcript Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

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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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