Hello Reader,

This week has been a reminder that sometimes, life throws your schedule out the window. In a recent post within the Practice Community + Lab, I shared something I learned from one of the best managers I worked with at Slack: instead of asking “How are you?” at the start of a meeting, they always began with “Here’s how I’m doing today.” It set the tone for honesty and created space for others to do the same.

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So, here’s how I’m doing this week…

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I left for a work trip on Sunday, knowing my daughter had a fever. By Tuesday night, I was back, but things had worsened—constant coughing, sore throat, no appetite, and barely drinking. All she wanted was snuggles from Mom. Turns out she had a combination of the flu and an ear infection. The past few nights have been spent offering comfort, running on little sleep, and, most importantly, reminding myself that family comes before work. No emails, meetings, or deadlines are ever more important than being present when it matters most.

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Even amid all this, there’s something big to look forward to: next Thursday, we launch Season 10 of Practice Disrupted! And by the end of this season, we’ll hit 200 episodes. That’s 200 conversations exploring the evolution of architecture, business, and leadership—and I couldn’t have done it without this amazing community.

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As we celebrate this milestone, I’d love to hear from you:
💡 Which episode has stuck with you the most? Hit reply and let me know!

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And in the meantime—how are you doing today?

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Keep learning and growing,

Evelyn M Lee, FAIA | NOMA Founder, Practice of Architecture & Host, Practice Disrupted & Fractional COO

/// PoA Podcast - Practice Disrupted ///

Season 1 Replays We’re gearing up for an exciting Season 10 of Practice Disrupted, launching February 6th as we count up to our 200th episode milestone! To welcome our new listeners and bring them up to speed, we’re replaying the top 5 fan-favorite episodes from Season 1—the episodes that started it all. [Re] Creating Your Career in Architecture Technology & Change The Next Generation of Practice Organizational Design, Process, and Innovation Practice Shifts Check-Out the Replays Here

How can architects redefine leadership and success in a changing profession? In this episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee takes the guest chair as Caitlin Brady, AIA, flips the script for a reflective and thought-provoking season finale. Caitlin, a Project Architect, inclusion advocate, and host of the podcast Architectette, leads this candid discussion about the evolution of career paths in architecture. Together, they explore lessons in leadership, generational dynamics in the workplace, and balancing personal and professional identities. The conversation begins with Evelyn’s reflections on pivotal career moments, including her transition out of traditional practice and into tech, and her current journey as an entrepreneur. Caitlin and Evelyn discuss how architecture professionals can adapt to generational shifts, navigate hybrid work models, and challenge traditional definitions of success. They also delve into the value architects bring to their clients beyond design. Listen Here

/// Practice Community + LAB /// What we're reading and sharing ///

​LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2025: The 25 fastest-growing jobs in the U.S. - There are a few things that stood out - AI is everywhere, sustainability is a priority, the workplace is still evolving

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​We are in the middle of "The Great Stay," and it's not great - A recent survey indicates that 80% of U.S. workers fear job loss in 2025, with anticipated increases in layoffs and business closures. This anxiety contributes to heightened burnout, especially among supervisors, creating a cycle of overwork and stress.

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​The architecture industry may soon be unrecognizable - The architecture industry is on the brink of a transformative shift, driven by technological advancements that promise to redefine traditional practices. Embracing these innovations could lead to a complete reimagining of the field.

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​The importance of values - I've always admired Slack for how much we leaned into our values—here's the origin story of those values.

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​Using Good Mud to Lower Building Costs - MIT researchers have developed a method to 3D-print biodegradable soil-based formwork, offering a low-cost, low-waste alternative to traditional formwork systems.

Every article we share in our newsletter can be found in the Practice Community + Lab.

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