2026

Hello Reader,

Happy Sunday. Thank you to all who replied to the last email and let me know your word for the year!

There's a lot happening in the world right now.

My daughter made an extra request for hugs and snuggles this weekend, which seems fitting with all that's going on right now.

Just a reminder: Step away from the screen. Call someone you love. Sit with the people who matter. Not every moment needs to be optimized. Not every hour needs to produce something.

Check in with the people in the middle of what seems to be the epicenter of it all. Ask how they're doing. Listen.

I'm taking my own advice, stepping back, being present, taking care of the people who matter most.

Before I step away completely, though: if you're a practice owner, don't miss the Q1 Tax Blueprint webinar with Gelt on Tuesday, January 27th at 10 am PST / 1 pm EST. Gelt has saved me nearly $10,000 in taxes, and they'll walk through the most important Q1 moves to optimize your 2025 outcome and set you up for a stronger 2026.

Register HERE

And when you're ready, I want to share three Practice Disrupted conversations about optimism, innovation, and what it really takes to build something rooted in values:

🎧 Episode 217: Jessica Nelson & Stephanie Lindsay on How Etch Built a Practice That Embraces AI + Autonomy Jessica and Stephanie are the co-founders of Etch Design Group and the new venture AI for Interiors. Their 10-year journey building Etch into a celebrated Austin-based studio offers powerful lessons on creating firm culture centered on autonomy, trust, and sustainable work-life rhythm. Now a team of 10, they've structured the firm to empower their designers — Stephanie works remotely, and both founders have space to explore new passions. That new passion became AI for Interiors, born from Jessica's tech background and shared curiosity about new tools. They're demystifying artificial intelligence for other designers and tackling the biggest misconception they hear: that AI diminishes creativity. As Jessica puts it, "If you're using AI the right way, it actually gives you so much more freedom and so much more creativity than you ever thought possible." They also share candid lessons from a decade of entrepreneurship — from trusting your gut to why they wish they'd invested in marketing and a business coach sooner. Their "community over competition" philosophy really shines through.

🎧 Episode 218: Brandon Levey on AI and the Next Era of Architecture Brandon is the founder and CEO of Ichi, bringing two decades of technology leadership and a lifelong connection to construction through his family's business. Ichi's mission tackles the compliance, administrative, and design challenges that bog down projects — from navigating building codes to automating QA reviews. Brandon is clear: this isn't about replacing architects. It's about augmenting capabilities so you spend less time on tasks that don't bring you joy and more time on the design work you love. The conversation touches on bridging the industry's talent gap, addressing data privacy concerns, and the potential societal benefits of more efficient construction.

🎧Episode 219: Deborah Berke on Optimism, Authenticity, and Design for the Greater Good This one's special. I stepped back to listen as 2025 AIA Gold Medal recipient Deborah Berke and Arthi Krishnamoorthy, a Principal at Tenberg, have a thoughtful, candid conversation about the arc of Deborah's career — from discovering architecture at age 13 to shaping a practice grounded in collaboration, authenticity, and optimism. Deborah's words stayed with me: "I'm fundamentally optimistic. And I think to be an architect, you have to be optimistic. You have to believe in the future. You have to believe in the ability to change things for the better." They explore what it means to design for the greater good, how architecture must respond to today's increasing complexity, and the story of Tenberg's growth from solo practitioner to a collective of 55 people — all while maintaining a culture defined by shared values and a humanist approach.

What role does optimism play in your practice? How do you balance innovation with staying true to the work that brings you joy? Hit reply — I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Keep learning and growing,