
Open Plan Podcast
Emily Zand and Maria Pastorelli
If you're an architect, currently studying to become one, or just curious about the profession, this podcast is for you! Cohosts Emily Zand and Maria Pastorelli talk candidly about all things architecture, careers, life, and struggles they face on the path of becoming architects. Join them in building a community that fosters more transparency in architecture with content that is relatable to both professionals and students.
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Top 10 Open Plan Podcast Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Open Plan Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Open Plan Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Open Plan Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

#22 / ARE Series: How to get started on your licensure journey
Open Plan Podcast
04/14/22 • 47 min
It's the first of our ARE [Architecture Registration Exam] Series! So you've decided you want to get licensed...now what?! Starting can be overwhelming - but we've got you covered! In this intro episode, we cover all the steps required to become licensed and how to begin the process. How do you become eligible to sit for exams? Are there time limits to reporting AXP hours? What exam order do we recommend? We cover these and other frequently asked questions.
Be sure to stick around for the end to hear about our "why" for becoming licensed, how we started in our journey, and where we're at now!
Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0
LINKS MENTIONED:
NCARB State Requirements
NAAB Accredited Program Search
AXP Tracking Spreadsheet (download + save for your personal use!)
ARE 5.0 Handbook
Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast
Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0

#17 / Professional Series: Breaking glass ceilings, retrofitting suburbia and the post pandemic city feat. Ellen Dunham-Jones
Open Plan Podcast
11/22/21 • 98 min
In one of our favorite episodes yet, we sit down with Ellen Dunham-Jones; architect, urban designer, educator, author, podcast host, viral TED Talk host...the list goes on!
We cover a lot of ground with Ellen during this episode, including the adversities she faced as one of the few women in her architecture program, what sparked her interest in "retrofitting suburbia," and how autonomous vehicles will change the future of cities. We also discuss how COVID has impacted the public realm and her favorite mode of transportation (hint: it has two wheels). Join us in this thought-provoking conversation with one of our role models in the design industry - it's an episode you don't want to miss!
// Become a Patron!
Emily & Maria's recommendation links:
The French Dispatch's graphic illustrator
Sydney Cumming's workout channel
Chrissy Stanley's workout channel
Desk Crits
//
Where to find Ellen:
Twitter
Redesigning Cities Podcast
TED Talk
WIRED interview
Her books (use code ARC35 for 30% off from now until December 2021!):
Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Solutions for Retrofitting Suburbs
Case Studies in Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Strategies for Urgent Challenges
//
Follow us @OpenPlanPodcast or visit our website!
Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast
Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0

#18 / Professional Series: Leading as an introvert, prioritizing your goals, and knowing your why feat. Tracy Carusi
Open Plan Podcast
12/16/21 • 68 min
In this Professional Series interview, we speak with Tracy Carusi, 2021 President of AIA Atlanta and Former President/CEO of Collins Cooper Carusi Architects.
We dive into Tracy's past (including some statements she received about being the only woman in the drafting room), how she put the "Carusi" in Collins Cooper Carusi, and why introverts make fantastic leaders. She also lends advice on knowing your worth in the field, and knowing the why behind everything you do.
Join us in this content packed conversation with Tracy, we promise you'll leave inspired!
// Become a Patron!
Maria & Emily's Recommendations:
- Show: Maid
- Show: Succession
- ARE Prep: Quizlet
Book Rec for introverts in leadership
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cane
Projects mentioned:
Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum - Zaha Hadid Architects
Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast
Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0

08/17/23 • 55 min
Get ready for an unfiltered catch up of what happened this summer! It's been a whirlwind of life events and we are catching you up on all things wedding, Eras Tour, vacations and we get a bit ~deep~ at the end. We hope you enjoy! Here are timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:30 Eras Tour Recap
9:30 Emily in Atlanta
11:03 Hamptons Bachelorette
13:43 Brazil Wedding
44:10 Maria's Takeaways
Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast
Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0

#28 / ARE Series: How to PASS Project Management
Open Plan Podcast
10/06/22 • 27 min
In our next installment of the ARE 5.0 Series, Emily goes solo to talk about the 2nd exam in our recommended test order - Project Management! She covers the structure of the test, the content of the 5 key sections in the test, and how you would see the section content in question form. She also dives deep into the most important resources you need to PASS this exam. Feel free to DM us on Instagram if you have any questions or comments! Good luck to everyone studying - we are rooting for you!
Timestamps:
0:00 - Format of test
4:18 - Content of test
13:08 - Study resources
Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
ARE 5.0 Handbook
Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP)
AHPP Wiley Guide
Contracts: B101, C401, A201
Schiff Hardin - Professional Practice Lecture Series
Ballast (PPI) Review Manual
Ballast (PPI) Practice Questions
Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast
Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0

#14 / Professional Series: Starting a firm, how she hires, and equity in the profession feat. Leslie Ellsworth of Studio SOGO
Open Plan Podcast
09/08/21 • 98 min
We're back with another professional interview! From Studio SOGO, Leslie Ellsworth is a firm owner, principal and mother of two. We talked about how she started her career, the difficulties she went through as a young mom at a small firm, how Studio SOGO came to be and how they're trying to do things differently in terms of increasing equity in the profession. She also offered some valuable advice for young professionals! We hope you enjoyed this conversation as much as we did. Take your notepad out, because this ep is packed with useful tips from this amazing woman in our industry!
// Become a Patron!
LINKS:
Studio SOGO
Westview Cemetery
Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast
Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0

#12 / Student Series: Pursuing an MBA at GA Tech after Arch School ft. Bangseh Akuchu
Open Plan Podcast
05/20/21 • 55 min
Why pursue an MBA after design school? How do the skills learned in business school help your architecture career? What are some differences in culture between an MBA program and a design school? In our first student series episode, Bangseh Akuchu tells us about his experience at his GA Tech MBA program. Also, stick around for the lightning round where you'll hear about him meeting and singing for the Obamas. We hope you enjoy the conversation!
// Become a Patron!
Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast
Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0

#01 / Back To School
Open Plan Podcast
09/16/20 • 50 min
It’s September, so that means back to school! In this episode Emily and Maria discuss all things architecture school. What’s it structured like? What’s a “studio”? What are the differences between undergraduate and graduate school? Are you going to have a social life? They answer these questions and more, along with sharing some cringeworthy school experiences. Hope you enjoy!
Follow us on instagram @openplanpodcast for the latest updates.
// Become a Patron!
Learn more about our featured architecture firm of the week!
NADAAA
http://www.nadaaa.com/academic/
Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast
Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0

#19 / How to put your best self forward + avoid burnout
Open Plan Podcast
02/03/22 • 50 min
We're back for our first episode of 2022! Maria and Emily catch up with some big life updates (hint hint it might involve a job change) and give their recommendations on what they are loving right now.
They then dive into strategies on how to prioritize yourself this year and combat burn out. They cover topics like focusing on your mental health, silencing negative thoughts, setting boundaries, and much more. Tune into tips on how to put your best self out there this year - we're all on this journey together!
// Become a Patron!
Maria & Emily's Recommendations:
- Hyperfine ARE course
- Appointed 2022 Planner
- Notion Notetaking App
Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast
Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0

#23 / ARE Series: How to PASS Practice Management
Open Plan Podcast
06/09/22 • 64 min
In our next installment of the ARE 5.0 Series, we are breaking down the exam we recommend taking first - Practice Management! We discuss what the test is generally about, the exact resources we used/are currently using, and critical study strategies to PASS this exam.
Timestamps:
Emily & Maria's Catch-Up:
0:00 - 9:57
Practice Management Content:
9:57 - 1:04
Test Strategies
45:00
Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
ARE 5.0 Handbook
Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice (AHPP)
AHPP Wiley Guide
Contracts: B101, C401, A201
Schiff Hardin - Professional Practice Lecture Series
Hyperfine Architecture
Ballast (PPI) Review Manual
Ballast (PPI) Practice Questions
Ballast (PPI) P
Follow us on IG @openplanpodcast
Use code OPP15 for 15% off Desk Crits Guide to the ARE 5.0
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FAQ
How many episodes does Open Plan Podcast have?
Open Plan Podcast currently has 39 episodes available.
What topics does Open Plan Podcast cover?
The podcast is about Career, Architecture, Women, School, Lifestyle, Design, Professional, Podcasts, Education, Arts, Business and Careers.
What is the most popular episode on Open Plan Podcast?
The episode title '#36 / I'm licensed... now what? ft. Architect Caitlin Brady from Architectette' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Open Plan Podcast?
The average episode length on Open Plan Podcast is 54 minutes.
How often are episodes of Open Plan Podcast released?
Episodes of Open Plan Podcast are typically released every 31 days.
When was the first episode of Open Plan Podcast?
The first episode of Open Plan Podcast was released on Sep 16, 2020.
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