Rephonic
Artwork for ARE Live
Architect Registration Exam
ARE 5.0
Black Spectacles
Architect Licensing
Project Development & Documentation
California Supplemental Exam
Study Strategies
Guided Study Process
Virtual Workshops
Professional Exam Preparation
Exam Preparation
Architectural Experience Program
Legal Liability
Architect Licensure
Stress Management
Community Support
Fee Structures
Practice Management
Project Management
Architecture Firm Structures

The Black Spectacles ARE® Live Podcast is your home for navigating the road to passing the Architect Registration Exam (ARE®) and becoming a licensed architect. Episodes include discussions about specific ARE & NCARB topics, interviews with distinguished architects & guests, and recordings of live broadcasts covering specific exam topics and questions and answers from a live audience. First ever N... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes135Founded11 years ago
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Education

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Artwork for ARE Live

Latest Episodes

Learn more about Black Spectacles ARE 5.0 exam prep here: www.blackspectacles.com/pricing?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=are_live_podcast Join Black Spectacles and architect Chris Hopstock to learn the best study strategie... more

Learn more about Black Spectacles ARE 5.0 exam prep here: www.blackspectacles.com/pricing?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=are_live_podcast On this episode of ARE Live, Black Spectacles hosts a discussion on why and how to p... more

YouTube

Learn more about Black Spectacles ARE 5.0 exam prep here: www.blackspectacles.com/pricing?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=are_live_podcast On this episode of ARE Live, Black Spectacles hosts a discussion on why and how to p... more

YouTube

Save 30% on CSE Exam Prep: www.blackspectacles.com/cse-pricing?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=cse_live_podcast In this episode of CSE Live, Black Spectacles hosts a mock exam on the California Supplemental Exam focused on ... more

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Recent Guests

Chiara Golisinao
Architect based in Oregon
Black Spectacles
Episode: ARE Live: How to Pass the ARE 5.0 in 2026
Marissa Yee
Licensed architect based in San Francisco
Black Spectacles
Episode: CSE Live: How to Become a Licensed Architect in California
Chris Hopstock
Architect based in New York
Black Spectacles
Episode: ARE Live: Project Development & Documentation Mock Exam | ARE 5.0 PDD Exam 2025
Garric Baker
Architect based in Kansas and expert in practice management
Black Spectacles
Episode: ARE Live: Practice Management Mock Exam | ARE 5.0 PcM Exam 2024

Host

Patrick Finnegan
Producer of ARE Live and related Black Spectacles live series

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 72 ratings
  • Good content bad audio…

    The title itself. It’s 2025 after all.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ana.g.arch.
    United States5 months ago
  • Thank you!!

    After graduating from grad school in Chicago I moved to a rural town in Maryland with little to no Architectural community. This podcast has helped me stay sane while getting ready to take my ARE exams and I feel like I'm right there with you guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MmyersGC
    United States9 years ago
  • Very helpful - thank you!

    Professionally presented material to help you pass the A.R.E. Great insight and wonderfully produced, makes it "fun" to actually study for this test. I have been making it a point to listen as often as possible to immerse myself as I am planning to take my final 3 exams this year. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PabloSerna
    United States11 years ago
  • on the go

    I decided to listen to the 1st podcast, “How to get Started Passing the ARE” on a morning run. Wow! I am so happy I spent that time listening to the tips Mike Newman had to offer! He’s got some great insight and I really like how he shares logical ideas. I’m sure I’ll listen to it more than once, there’s a ton of good stuff here!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AutumnHB
    United States11 years ago
  • Great information!

    Good information and clear direction. Very helpful. I would recommend highly.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LindaArlene
    United States11 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Clear, practical ARE prep insights that listeners can apply right away.
High-quality guidance on licensing steps and study tactics.
Some episodes suffer from audio quality but the content is consistently helpful.
Listeners value actionable mock-exam review and expert explanations.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

ARE Live: Project Development & Documentation Mock Exam | ARE 5.0 PDD Exam 2026
Q: Question number four asks about low-slope roofing for a domed rotunda and whether a fluid-applied membrane is appropriate.
Chris argues that a fluid-applied roof membrane best addresses the dome's complex geometry, since membranes like modified bitumen, EPDM, and PVC would struggle with curvature, making fluid-applied the most suitable option.
ARE Live: How to Pass the ARE 5.0 in 2026
Q: When actually going into the exam, do you recommend answering the test questions in the order that they appear, or starting with the case studies first?
It's personal preference; some candidates find starting with easier questions helps build confidence while others prefer tackling complex case studies first.
ARE Live: How to Pass the ARE 5.0 in 2026
Q: So what to do if I've gone through the guided study process and I've completed it, but I just wasn't able to pass the exam?
Using a practice exam to gauge performance and identify areas needing attention is essential. Focus on studying the objectives associated with the questions you got wrong.
ARE Live: How to Become a Licensed Architect in 2026
Q: Is it common for someone to take the exams and log their AXP hours concurrently?
Yes, multiple jurisdictions allow early eligibility to work and log hours while taking the exam.
ARE Live: How to Become a Licensed Architect in 2026
Q: Can you take the ARE in one state but apply for licensure in another?
Yes, as long as your NCARB record reflects the jurisdiction you are pursuing licensure in.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About ARE Live

What is ARE Live about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, exam-focused series aimed at architecture licensure candidates, with a steady mix of strategy talks, mock exams, and step-by-step guides across the ARE 5.0 divisions. Episodes often feature live coaching, real-world exam strategies, and deep dives into NCARB requirements, California-specific exams, and practice management for architects. Notable strengths include a structured study approach, testimonials from licensed professionals, and hands-on mock questions that bridge theory and application. The show tends to highlight disciplined study planning, actionable tips, and a supportive, career-building angle for aspiring architects and early-career practitioners.

Where can I find podcast stats for ARE Live?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for ARE Live. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to ARE Live and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does ARE Live get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for ARE Live, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for ARE Live?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for ARE Live, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does ARE Live have?

To see how many followers or subscribers ARE Live has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to ARE Live?

These podcasts share a similar audience with ARE Live:

1. Podcast – Architect Exam Prep – ARE Prep Courses
2. Architect Exam Podcast
3. WSJ What’s News
4. Planet Money
5. The Journal.

How many episodes of ARE Live are there?

ARE Live launched 11 years ago and published 135 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact ARE Live?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for ARE Live?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for ARE Live from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for ARE Live?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of ARE Live. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on ARE Live?

Recent guests on ARE Live include:

1. Chiara Golisinao
2. Marissa Yee
3. Chris Hopstock
4. Garric Baker

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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