All Episodes

In this episode of Smith Lane, we’re joined by Stu Henderson—Owner and Design Architect at Fawley Bryant Architecture—to explore how architecture can deepen a community’s sense of place. Stu shares how his firm works across the sports, education, and government sectors to design spaces that reflect and serve the people who use them.

We also explore trends in multi-purpose community spaces and the importance of dreaming freely in the early design stages, before constraints like budget enter the picture. This episode is a reminder that thoughtful architecture doesn’t just shape buildings—it shapes how we live and connect.

What if rental communities could offer the comfort of homeownership—without the long-term commitment?

In this episode of Smith Lane, we’re joined by Charles McKeag, President of the California division of BrightSky Residential, to explore how his team is reshaping the single-family rental experience. Charles began his career in land-use law, but a pivotal realization — that he wanted to build communities rather than simply represent those who do — led him to pivot into real estate development. That insight brought him to BrightSky at its inception just over three years ago.

In this episode of Smith Lane, we’re joined by Dan Grosswald, Division President of Southeast Florida at Mattamy Homes. A lifelong South Florida resident, Dan shares his passion for homebuilding and his leadership mindset — including one of his commonly used phrases, “budgets are for losers” — and why vision should guide decisions, not just the numbers.

From ‘Traditional Neighborhood Design’ (TND) principles, to public art installations, Dan explains how each project is designed around the specific needs of its residents, while staying rooted in the larger mission of building connected communities.

In this episode of Smith Lane, we sit down with Grady Miars, the President and Chief Operating Officer of GreenPointe Holdings LLC, for a deep dive into his career journey and the GreenPointe vision behind creating authentic and successful master-planned communities.

Grady also shares insights on the Treasure Cay Project, GreenPointe’s 

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how intentionality in development can make a lasting, positive impact.

In this episode of Smith Lane, we’re joined by David Smith, President of the Active Adult Division, at Dream Finders Homes. Dream Finders, recently named Builder of the Year, is a national homebuilder head-quartered in Jacksonville, Florida. David shares his unique journey from law enforcement to leading one of the nation’s top homebuilding teams, and how that transition shaped his approach to building experiences.

Our conversation dives into how to create memorable, energetic spaces through intentional design and David’s fascination with emerging technologies in the homebuilding industry.

In this episode of Smith Lane, we welcome Peter Dennehy, Senior VP of Consulting at John Burns Research and Consulting, for a wide-ranging conversation on career pivots, emerging home trends, and the increasingly diverse needs of today’s homebuyers. We also explore what creates a true sense of community — and why it matters.

This episode offers a thoughtful look at how data, trends, and human connection all play a role in placemaking — and how every pivot creates the opportunity for something better.

Farmers markets create a strong sense of community, making residents and prospective homebuyers feel part of something bigger — but are they the right fit for every community? In this episode, hosts Monaca Onstead and Callie Freidman break down the appeal, challenges, and key considerations of farmers markets.

Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on when and where farmers markets work best and what it takes to make them thrive.

In the first installment of our Q&A series, ‘Creating Community’, hosts Monaca and Callie tackle pressing questions from their LinkedIn network. Callie leads the conversation, prompting Monaca to share insights on the evolving real estate development and lifestyle landscapes.

Join us for an insightful Q&A discussion on creating places where people can put down roots and connect meaningfully.

In this special episode of Smith Lane, we explore the impacts of technology on the world of placemaking, featuring insights from four industry leaders who are shaping the way we design, develop, and engage with communities. From streamlining architectural control, to leveraging data for real estate marketing, integrating AI in landscape architecture, and enhancing community engagement through mobile apps, these conversations highlight the transformative role of technology in the built environment.

Welcome to this episode of Smith Lane, where we’re joined by the influential Vaike O’Grady — a strategist and placemaker who has transitioned from the corporate world to entrepreneurship. Vaike now leads Residential Marketing Resources, serving her clients through strategic planning and market research.

In this episode of Smith Lane, we sit down with Stephanie Darden Bennett, President and Chief Creative Officer of Prismatic.

Stephanie describes Prismatic’s mission as "place whispering"— a unique approach to uncovering the hidden potential of spaces. Her team helps developers and owners craft strategic branding, marketing, and user experience concepts to transform ordinary land into places with magnetic appeal.

In this episode, we sit down with Rhett Crocker, President at LandDesign, to explore his personal placemaking philosophy.

Rhett shares how his balanced approach — focusing equally on landscape architecture and civil engineering — brings projects to life. As a leader who remains passionate about staying hands-on in the workplace, he highlights the importance of collaboration, relationships, and client-centered design.

Join us as we uncover the significance of weaving a community's culture into a place, as Rhett reflects on his evolving philosophies around how people interact with spaces, and the numerous ways technology is shaping the creative side of the industry.

In this episode of Smith Lane, Tom Woliver, founder and co-president of Oxland Group, dives into the importance of authentic placemaking.

He shares his journey from landscape architecture to leading Oxland Group, a full-service capital investment and real estate development firm. Tom offers career insights, including the value of working with a trusted network, and adhering to a strict “no assholes” policy.

Jessica shares how the idea of the Bike Bus was born out of her own need for a community-driven way to bike her kids to school, and how it has grown into a powerful tool for building connections and changing the way we think about active transportation.

In this episode of Smith Lane, we welcome David Hoppes, Vice President, Senior Principal, Studio Leader, and Professional Landscape Architect at Dix.Hite + Partners. Join us as we explore David’s deep-rooted connection to nature, tracing his journey from growing up on a farm to a career in landscape architecture.

Brad introduces the concept of bundled golf communities, where all residents enjoy membership benefits, making golf more accessible and affordable compared to traditional private equity clubs. This model not only provides a top-notch amenity but also fosters a sense of community, with nearly 50,000 rounds of golf played annually at ICON-managed communities.

Mike shares his insights on builder choice, affordability challenges, the significance of welcome centers, and innovative acquisition strategies. We also explore the success of Starwood Land’s MPC project Sunterra — the best-selling master-planned community in Texas and #3 community in the nation – that expertly blends affordability with an exceptional amenity package and lifestyle program.

Deven explains how OA3 harnesses comprehensive data on every adult in the U.S. to bridge the gap between buyers and sellers. Deven explains the innovative use of "digital exhaust" —the digital footprint left by our online activities—to gain insights into individual preferences and match them with ideal real estate opportunities and communities that align with them.

Mood Interior Designs specializes in design projects for multifamily properties, student housing, and homebuilders. Lori's approach is simple yet impactful: "How can we help you achieve your vision?"

In this episode of Smith Lane, we sit down with A’Lisa Ozment to explore her inspiring journey and the evolution of her business, Architectural Plan Review (APR).

A’Lisa started as an architectural control consultant while raising her children. Her early efforts laid the groundwork for the growth of her business, and the development of innovative systems and technologies that assist developers in maintaining the vision of their builds.