Reframe Podcast

Reframe is the show about building sustainability. Commercial and public buildings are among the biggest producers of carbon emissions. It’s a problem of massive scale. But, for building owners, designers, engineers, and contractors, solving it may be more of an opportunity than a challenge. That’s what the “Reframe” podcast is all about. Join host Jeff Nichols on an exploration of the forces driving sustainability in our built environment and meet the people who are leading the charge.

Listen to Reframe wherever you get your podcasts

Recent Episodes

Architecture Beyond 2030 

with Vincent Martinez, CEO Architecture 2030

Jeff Nichols recently sat down with Vincent Martinez, CEO of Architecture 2030, whose nearly 20-year tenure at the nonprofit mirrors the evolution of the climate conversation itself—from energy efficiency and green building certifications to the more urgent, specific mandate of full decarbonization. The episode is a masterclass in the long arc of climate progress in architecture and the built environment.

A System Reckoning Is Coming 

with Panama Bartholomy, Founder and Executive Director, Building Decarbonization Coalition.org

In this episode, show host Jeff Nichols speaks with Panama Bartholomy, Founder and Executive Director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition. The interview covers a wide range of topics on how—and how fast—the U.S. can transition buildings off fossil fuels. Panama argues that while the future of buildings is clearly electric, the current approach—relying on the natural turnover of energy appliances and systems is far too slow to meet climate goals.

Buildings Have To Behave Better  

with Ash Awad, President and Chief Market Officer, McKinstry

Show host Jeff Nichols speaks with Ash Awad, President and Chief Market Officer at McKinstry, and a longtime leader at the intersection of buildings, energy systems, and climate innovation. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience, Ash shares his thoughts on how the built environment must fundamentally change over the next decade and challenges long-held assumptions about buildings and utilities.

The Invisible Asset 

with Alex Dews, CEO, Institute for Market Transformation

In this episode of Reframe, show host Jeff Nichols sits down with Alex Dews, Executive Director and CEO at the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), to explore the virtues of “adaptive buildings” and how building dynamics will shape the next decade of building decarbonization. Alex notes that “you can't manage what you can't measure,” underscoring why data transparency is now both a climate priority and a market necessity.

Bridging Mandates And Momentum  

with Daniel Poppe, Executive Director, 2030 Districts Network, Seattle and Bellevue, Washington

Show host Jeff Nichols sits down with Daniel Poppe, Executive Director of the Seattle and Bellevue 2030 Districts, to explore how cities are decarbonizing buildings and rethinking sustainability in the face of economic and environmental change. Daniel shares insights for how building performance standards, financial innovation, and public-private collaboration can drive real progress toward a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030.

Bellevue Part 2: Reframing Building Compliance  

with Patrick Babbitt, Climate and Energy Program Manager, City of Bellevue, Washington

In this episode of Reframe, show host Jeff Nichols speaks with Patrick Babbitt, Climate and Energy Program Manager for the City of Bellevue, Washington.  The conversation delves into Patrick’s plans to make Bellevue’s public and commercial buildings more energy efficient and compliant with Washington State’s Clean Buildings Performance Standards.

Bellevue’s Bold Climate Commitment  

with Jennifer Ewing, Sustainability Manager, City of Bellevue, Washington

In episode 10 of the Reframe podcast, show host Jeff Nichols interviews Jennifer Ewing, Sustainability Manager for the City of Bellevue, Washington. They discuss Jennifer's role and how Bellevue has boldly pursued its sustainability initiatives over the past two decades, emphasising the strategic importance of local action to address the impacts and safeguards against climate change. 

Building Upgrades That Pay  

with Dr. Timothy Unruh, Executive Director of NAESCO (National Association of Energy Service Companies)

In episode 9 of  Reframe, show host Jeff Nichols interviews Dr. Timothy Unruh, the Executive Director of the National Association of Energy Service Companies, or NAESCO.  A seasoned leader in the energy efficiency industry, particularly in energy savings and Performance Contracting, Tim shares insights from his decades-long career and discusses the evolution of the energy services industry, that have shaped ESCOs work across the public sector. 

Bridging The Gap 

with Greg De Temmerman, Deputy CEO & Chief Science Officer, Quadrature Climate Foundation

In this episode of Reframe, show host Jeff Nichols widens the aperture to explore how global climate-focused philanthropies are making a difference and helping to clear a path toward a more sustainable future. One such organization is the Quadrature Climate Foundation which has provided over a billion dollars to help communities prepare, adapt, and respond to the impacts of climate change.

Chaos Monkey 

with Scott Case, CEO & Co-Founder, Recurrent

In this episode, show host Jeff Nichols widens the aperture by looking at the transportation sector to better understand the complex future of sustainability—and EVs provide a timely example.  You’ll meet Scott Case, a former colleague of Jeff’s who became an innovator of smart energy solutions well before they were a thing back in 2008.  After a successful run at his first startup Energy Savvy, Scott began to focus on what problems needed to be solved to help consumers confidently make the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). 

The Local Shift 

with Kerry Meade, Executive Director, Building Potential & Smart Buildings Center

In episode 6 of Reframe, show host Jeff Nichols speaks with Kerry Meade, the Executive Director of Seattle’s leading energy efficiency trade organization, Building Potential.  Kerry explains why local leadership matters more in our new era—and shares her views on the implications for building owners committed to clean energy and sustainability now that a new administration has been sworn in. For building owners already committed to transitioning their buildings to renewable energy sources, is this a moment of pause or an opportunity for growth?

A New Hurdle 

with Josh Howes, CEO and Co-Founder, Blue Energy Group

In episode 5 of Reframe, show host Jeff Nichols explores the intersection between the designers of energy-efficient buildings and the accounting teams who process the energy tax deductions and credits. Who sits in the middle to provide a bridge between these functions, and why is their role so critical? You’ll meet Josh Howes who takes us deep into the world of energy project planning, building assessment, and certification.

Don’t Get Caught Flat-footed

with Perry England, Vice President, Building Performance, MacDonald-Miller

Who’s accountable when buildings fail to meet energy efficiency standards?  In this episode, show host Jeff Nichols speaks with Perry England, VP of Building Performance at MacDonald-Miller, one of the largest mechanical contracting companies in the Pacific Northwest. Perry brings decades of experience and a passion for helping his clients evaluate and ensure their buildings operate more efficiently and comply with ever-evolving standards.

The Old Playbook Is Dead

with Brad Werner, Partner, Construction & Real Estate Practice Lead, Wipfl LLP

Building ownership has a new playbook. In this episode of Reframe, show host Jeff Nichols discusses the shifting landscape and new growth strategies for commercial building owners with Brad Werner, a partner at Wipfli LLP who leads their construction and real estate practice. Hear how Brad advises his clients on strategies to adapt and grow in a fast-changing market. Should they care about sustainability?

Build Green To Get Green

with Steven Barnes, Partner, Construction & Real Estate, Energy Advisor, Wipfli LLP

In this episode, show host Jeff Nichols speaks with Steven Barnes, partner at Wipfli LLP, a top accounting and advisory firm for construction and real estate clients.  Steve reveals the real value of energy incentives and credits, why they’re materially significant, and how they apply uniquely to commercial and not-for-profit buildings.  

Too Good To Be True?

with Abby Massey, VP of Energy Incentives, TaxTaker

In this inaugural episode, show host Jeff Nichols sets the stage with Abby Massey who leads the energy tax incentives team at TaxTaker. As an engineer, Abby knows the systems and design methods to make buildings operate more efficiently. She shares her approach to reframing energy efficiency perceptions and provides a roadmap for how to capitalize on lucrative tax incentives and benefits.