Welcome to KP Unpacked - the #1 podcast in AEC.
What if buying a home felt like talking to Jarvis instead of chasing a realtor? In this episode, Jeff Echols sits down with Enoc Silva, CEO of Vuen AI, to unpack how AI-powered visual agents are reshaping real estate, construction, and the built world.
🔑 Highlights from this episode:
Whether you’re in real estate, construction, or simply curious about where AI is headed, this conversation shows how close we are to living with personal AI agents.
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Most AEC and manufacturing firms are leaving serious money on the table.
Jordan Wilson, Director of Business Development at Corporate Tax Advisors, joins Jeff to unpack a major tax law change that could put hundreds of thousands back into your business.
From reversing Section 174 amortization to unlocking retroactive R&D credits, this update has big implications for growth, innovation, and M&A.
Whether you run a billion-dollar firm or a bootstrapped startup, you’ll want to hear how to capture these incentives before the window closes.
Need help modeling the impact or prepping filings?
Reach out to Jordan Wilson at Corporate Tax Advisors or call 404-317-4246 for a strategy discussion on how best to approach and claim the credit going forward.
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In this episode of KP Unpacked, the #1 podcast in AEC, Jeff Echols sits down with Chris Parsons, founder and CEO of Knowledge Architecture, to explore why knowledge management (KM) is no longer just an IT function—it's a strategic currency for AEC firms.
Chris shares his 15-year journey building Synthesis, a knowledge platform purpose-built for AEC, and how today's KM 3.0 (powered by AI) is reshaping how firms capture, share, and scale what they know. From navigating firm growth to managing M&A, this conversation covers what it really takes to design a smarter business.
🧭 Episode Chapters:
02:00 – Why Chris left firm life to build a KM company
07:30 – KM 1.0 → KM 2.0 → KM 3.0 (AI changes everything)
12:00 – The high cost of knowledge stuck in people’s heads
15:00 – What it means to “design your business like a building”
21:30 – AI’s role in making KM searchable and actionable
24:00 – KM as the secret weapon in M&A and scaling innovation
26:45 – Why executive sponsorship makes or breaks KM strategy
31:15 – Process is the product: rethinking “build vs. buy”
41:00 – Designing AI agents that work alongside humans
54:00 – The mindset shift every knowledge leader needs now
📚 Resources Mentioned:
👤 Guest:
Chris Parsons – Founder & CEO, Knowledge Architecture
🎙️ Host:
Jeff Eccles – Executive Director, Catalyst by KP Reddy Co.
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This episode of KP Unpacked pulls no punches. KP and Jeff dive into why real innovation in AEC doesn’t come from AI, tech stacks, or strategy decks, it comes from frustration. From timesheet tyranny to capital allocation myths, this is a wake-up call for founders, executives, and anyone stuck in the loop of “this is how we’ve always done it.”
They unpack why most firms are afraid to change their business model, how brand is often confused with logos and websites, and why go-to-market matters more than invention. Plus, KP shares what really happened in the latest Catalyst AMA and what inspired the launch of the Vibe-a-Thon — a no-code innovation sprint built for operators, not just engineers.
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
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In this special edition of KP Unpacked, Jeff and KP dive into the heart of KP’s viral Sunday Scaries post: Brackish Waters – The Startup Survival Zone.
KP breaks down why traditional lines between VC and PE are blurring — and what it means for how startups should build, fund, and scale in today’s climate. From hybrid capital models to real-world disruption via AI and robotics, this episode is a must-listen for founders, investors, and corporate leaders alike.
You’ll hear:
💡 Bonus: KP reveals how some of the biggest wins in the next decade will come from founders who know how to steer in murky waters.
👇 Resources Mentioned:
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KP Unpacked is the #1 podcast in AEC—and for good reason. In this episode, KP Reddy and Jeff Echols start with baseball and end up somewhere way more urgent: the death of innovation-as-edge. From Moneyball to AI, from power drills to predictive hiring, they unpack what happens after everyone catches up—and what firms should do next to keep their advantage.
KP drops insights on fast feedback loops, tech resistance in AEC, and why real innovation today comes from judgment, not just data. They also explore how AI is rewriting the rules in venture, recruiting, sports betting, and founder evaluation. If your firm is still calling BIM “innovation,” this one’s for you.
“The thing about building an edge is… you rarely get to keep it.”
🔗 Resources & Mentions in This Episode
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Welcome to KP Unpacked , the #1 podcast in AEC.
In this episode, KP Reddy and Jeff Echols unpack a movement that's flipping tech, venture, and entrepreneurship on its head: vibe coding.
What started as a LinkedIn post sparked one of the most active polls in Catalyst history, and it turns out, 73% of this high-performing AEC community is already doing it.
They dive into:
Plus, KP shares his private equity wine-country story, a bold new startup funding model (no VC required), and how the team might be accidentally launching a hackathon.
📚 Mentioned in this episode:
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Welcome back to the number one podcast in AEC, KP Unpacked, where AI, innovation, and the built world collide.
In this episode of the AI in AEC series, Jeff Echols (Executive Director, Catalyst) is joined by Frank Lazaro (Head of Advisory, KP Reddy Co.) for a strategic deep dive into how AEC firms can assess and improve their innovation readiness before adopting AI or any new tech.
They break down the DIAL Framework, a free assessment designed to benchmark your firm's innovation posture across six critical pillars:
You’ll hear real-world insights from working with dozens of AEC firms, stories of siloed departments unknowingly duplicating efforts, and practical advice for creating sustainable innovation systems across your organization.
Whether you're a disruptor, adopter, or laggard, this episode gives you the tools to find out where you stand, what to fix, and how to move forward.
🔗 Resources and Links Mentioned:
🔧 Key Takeaways:
Subscribe, rate, and share this episode with the leaders shaping what is next in AEC.
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In this brutally honest episode of KP Unpacked, the number one podcast in AEC, KP Reddy and Jeff Echols take a sledgehammer to one of the industry's most overused and misunderstood buzzwords: digital twin.
What even is a digital twin? KP unpacks why most people using the term don’t know what it really means, why having a 3D model doesn’t qualify, and how the lack of real-time sensing, integration, and meaningful data makes the concept nearly useless in today’s built world.
From hilarious real-world anecdotes to blunt industry truths, KP explains how chasing digital twin hype makes the whole AEC industry look foolish and what we should be focusing on instead.
You’ll hear about:
Plus: A sneak peek into the launch of Catalyst, KP Reddy Co.’s new community for forward-thinkers in AEC.
This episode is packed with insight, no-BS takes, and the kind of field-first perspective the industry desperately needs. If you’ve ever used or been confused by the term "digital twin," this one’s a must-listen.
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Every AEC firm faces it: Do we build our own AI tools or buy what's already on the market?
In this episode of KP Unpacked, the number one Podcast in AEC, Jeff Echols and Frank Lazaro dive deep into the strategic dilemma that's dominating boardrooms and innovation teams across the built world.
From skyrocketing subscription costs to the reality of custom bot deployment in under 10 minutes, they unpack the tradeoffs, timing, and total cost of ownership behind the build vs. buy decision.
You’ll hear:
Six sharp takeaways to guide your AI investment strategy
Whether you’re a 5-person studio or a 5,000-person firm, this conversation will challenge how you think about innovation, adoption, and what it actually takes to future-proof your tech stack.
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In this episode of KP Unpacked, the number one podcast in AEC, Jeff Echols sits down with Frank Thalakotur, Senior Research Advisor at KP Reddy Co., to dig into one of the core issues holding the AEC industry back—chronic misalignment between design, delivery, and owner value.
Frank brings experience across HVAC engineering, MEP project management, startup innovation, and owner’s rep work. But in his current role, he’s stepping back from solutions and going deep into problem discovery.
Together, they unpack:
This is real research, real voices, and real stakes. If you’ve ever asked “Why does this keep happening?” in AEC, you’ll want to listen in.
🎧 Powered by KP Reddy Co.
🎙 Hosted by Jeff Echols, Executive Director of Catalyst
🧠 Featuring Frank Thalakotur, Senior Research Advisor, KP Reddy Co.
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Welcome back to KP Unpacked, the #1 podcast in AEC.
In this episode, KP Reddy (Founder & CEO of Shadow Ventures) and Jeff Echols (Executive Director at Catalyst) unpack a powerful metaphor that’s reshaping how we think about startups, business models, and the built environment.
We’re not just talking features or fixes. We’re talking about delivering outcomes that actually cure real industry problems. From aligning incentives in AEC to rethinking how firms deliver value, this episode is packed with strategy, story, and sharp insights.
🔍 Featured in this episode:
📌 Main Topics Covered:
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🎙 Featuring:
Jeff Echols, Chief Executive Director Catalyst, KP Reddy Co.
David Niewadomski, Senior Research Advisor, KP Reddy Co.
In this episode of KP Unpacked, the number one podcast in AEC, host Jeff Echols sits down with David Niewadomski, Senior Research Advisor at KP Reddy Co., to dive into the inefficiencies of construction—and how rethinking them through the owner's lens could change everything.
David shares insights from his journey across construction, development, and Lean Six Sigma. Together, they unpack what’s broken in our current workflows, why data fragmentation costs more than we think, and how the Integrated Owners Forum is designed to surface the real issues facing today's built environment.
From fragmented systems to missing feedback loops, this is a conversation about connecting the dots before solving the problem.
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On this episode of KP Unpacked—the number one podcast in AEC—Jeff Echols sits down with Alan Montpellier, Principal and Chief Innovation Officer at PAE, to explore what it really takes to embed innovation into the DNA of an AEC firm.
Alan shares how PAE shifted from ad hoc ideas to a fully resourced innovation group, why innovation can't live in a silo, and how they prioritize experimentation—without sacrificing project delivery or profitability.
You’ll learn:
This is a playbook for firms who want more than buzzwords—who actually want to build something new and better.
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In this episode of KP Unpacked, the number one podcast in AEC, Jeff Echols, Executive Director at Catalyst, KP Reddy Co. kicks off a brand-new series featuring the in-house research team at KP Reddy Co. He’s joined by Senior Research Advisor Ted Kenney, who brings years of experience in AEC technology and building product specifications.
They explore the untapped potential of specifications in driving collaboration across architecture, engineering, and construction. Ted explains why specs are often overlooked, how they act as the connective tissue across stakeholders, and what’s missing from the current software landscape.
They also dive into the research goals of the Integrated Owners Forum—KP Reddy Co.’s initiative to empower owners with actionable insight—and why discovering core problems is more valuable than surface-level disruption.
If you work in AEC, product development, or innovation, this episode will shift how you think about specs, data silos, and the future of collaboration.
🎧 Hosted by Jeff Echols, Executive Director at Catalyst
🎙 Guest: Ted Kinney, Senior Research Advisor at KP Reddy Co.
🔍 Topic: AEC specs, owner-driven innovation, qualitative research, and SaaS licensing hot takes
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This week on KP Unpacked—the number one podcast in AEC—Jeff Echols and KP Reddy unpack the Sunday Scaries post that broke the internet (or at least LinkedIn).
It all started with a Talking Heads lyric and a throwback photo… but quickly sparked a bigger conversation:
What’s your 10-year plan—for yourself, not your startup?
KP shares hard-won lessons from building (and walking away from) multimillion-dollar businesses, why too many founders confuse “in flight” with “on course,” and how to evaluate whether you're heading to Mars—or just orbiting Earth.
You’ll learn:
This episode isn’t just for startup founders—it’s a personal gut check for anyone on a high-stakes path.
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In this episode of KP Unpacked—the number one podcast in AEC—Jeff Echols sits down with architect and senior research advisor Zig Rubel to explore a bold question: What if the biggest issues in AEC aren’t what we think they are?
Zig brings his unique lens—from massive healthcare projects to tech startups—to unpack why most industry “solutions” may be missing the mark. Together, they dig into how KP Reddy Co.’s research team is flipping the script—asking not how we fix problems, but whether we’re chasing the right ones to begin with.
In this episode:
If you’re tired of surface-level fixes and ready to rethink AEC’s future—this one’s for you.
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In this episode of KP Unpacked, the number one podcast in AEC, Jeff Echols and Frank Lazaro unpack the rising wave of custom GPTs—and why every forward-thinking AEC firm should be building one. From knowledge centers to proposal bots, this episode dives into how AI tools like Azure Foundry and ChatGPT Projects are reshaping how firms capture experience, accelerate onboarding, and win more work.
What you’ll learn:
If your firm’s expertise lives in people’s heads or buried folders—this episode is your roadmap to change that.
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In this special episode of KP Unpacked, the number podcast in AEC, Jeff Echols sits down with Hope Alexander, senior advisor at KP Reddy Co., to spotlight the one voice often missing in AEC innovation: the owner.
From her days helping grow a startup into a 2,000-person firm (later acquired by AECOM) to building BIM with Frank Gehry, Hope’s career has centered around understanding what owners actually need—and why the AEC industry keeps missing the mark.
You’ll hear about:
If you’re in AEC, emerging tech, or real estate, this is a must-listen. Because if you’re not talking to owners, you’re missing half the story.
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In this episode of KP Unpacked—the number one podcast in AEC—Jeff Echols and KP Reddy go deep on awards, ethics, and why it’s time to rethink how innovation gets recognized in the built environment.
KP unpacks the launch of the 2025 AEC Innovators Award in collaboration with Zweig Group, and doesn’t hold back on the industry's pay-to-play culture. From shady award models to what makes innovation actually count, this episode lays out why the best ideas don’t always get the spotlight—and how that’s about to change.
Inside this episode:
This isn’t just another award. It’s a challenge to the industry to do better—and a chance to show what real progress looks like.
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AI isn’t just about flashy tools—it’s about transforming how AEC firms research, analyze, and make decisions. In this episode of KP Unpacked - the number one Podcast in AEC, Jeff Echols and Frank Lazzaro dive deep into the power of AI research tools and how you can use them to work smarter, not harder.
Key takeaways from this episode:
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Are Gen Z professionals really unambitious, entitled, and disconnected—or just playing by a different set of rules? In this bold episode of KP Unpacked, KP Reddy and Jeff Echols break down the generational clash transforming AEC firms, sparked by this LinkedIn post from KP.
They cover:
This isn’t just a culture chat—it’s a blueprint for modern leadership.
🧠 Insights from KP & Jeff
This is the number one podcast in AEC.
Let’s unpack.
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What if your “too early” is actually right on time?
In this episode of KP Unpacked - the number one podcast in AEC, Jeff Echols sits down with structural engineer turned AI innovator Kevin Jeswani to unpack one of KP Reddy’s boldest articles: Your Career Deserves a Firestarter Moment.
Kevin’s story is the ultimate proof that you don’t need a senior title to start driving change in the AEC industry.
From automating his own workflows to launching data-driven initiatives at startups, Kevin shares how he broke out of the traditional career path, embraced AI before it was trendy, and built a role that didn’t exist on any job board.
🚀 Key takeaways:
This episode is a wake-up call for anyone stuck in the loop of outdated career advice. Whether you’re five months or fifteen years into your career—it’s time to spark your own fire.
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AI is building faster than the law can keep up. In this episode of KP Unpacked — the number one podcast in AEC — Jeff Echols and Frank Lazaro dive into a messy question every firm needs to answer: Who owns the work when AI creates it?
From copyright law updates to court cases nobody’s talking about yet, they break down where the real risks are for architects, contractors, owners, and innovators. You'll learn why "lazy AI" is a legal nightmare, where the real landmines are for your firm, and why your next big project needs strong AI policies before the first line is drawn.
Key takeaways:
Whether you’re drafting, rendering, or pitching, understanding AI ownership could save your firm a lot more than pride.
📍 Two Gen X guys talking AI, risk, and the future of your work — tune in and protect what you build.
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In this episode of KP Unpacked, the number one podcast in AEC, KP Reddy and Jeff Echols go full throttle on the one thing most AEC startups get completely wrong: ignoring the owner.
You’re selling to GCs. You’re marketing to architects. But if the owner doesn’t see the value, you’re just noise in the vendor stack. KP unpacks the real reason BIM didn’t deliver, why most conferences are a year behind, and how smart startups are turning owners into their secret sales weapon.
🔹 Why your value prop must include the owner — or you’re toast
🔹 The Intel Inside playbook (and what startups can steal from it)
🔹 Why most AEC tech still hasn’t delivered on its promise
🔹 How to turn a project requirement into a marketing weapon
🔹 Conferences, echo chambers, and the lost art of original thinking
🔹 The LinkedIn "like" trap and career-limiting behavior
👀 Plus: A callout to every AEC founder — are you building something that adds value… or just more noise?
💡 This episode might sting a little — especially if your startup is stuck in sales limbo.
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