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Artwork for Life of an Architect

Life of an Architect

Bob Borson and Andrew Hawkins
Architecture
Work-Life Balance
Design Process
Career Development
Creativity
Holiday Gifts
Construction
Time Management
Architectural Drawings
Mentorship
Leadership
Education
Modernism
Inspiration
Architecture Business
Intelligent Quotients
Architectural Profession
Networking
Job Satisfaction
Architectural Design

A gifted storyteller communicating the role and value of architecture to a new audience, host Bob Borson uses the experiences acquired over a 25-year career to inform his podcast. A small firm owner, architect, and college design instructor, co-host Andrew Hawkins brings his insight from his 20 years in various roles within the profession. It responds to the public curiosity and common misundersta... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes201Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DesignArts

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Artwork for Life of an Architect

Latest Episodes

Middle management is not usually the part of a career anyone dreams about, which is probably fair since most dreams do not involve inheriting more responsibility while time and authority stand nearby pretending they were not invited. Still, there is ... more

Ep 200: Hate to Love You looks back at favorite episodes, hard lessons, great guests, and the conversations that made this podcast worth your time from day one.

Ep 199: Conflict Resolution explores how architects manage tension, stay useful under pressure, and move hard conversations toward better outcomes.

Ep 198: The Creative Process | Why creativity in architecture depends on process, judgment, and knowing which ideas are worth pursuing

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Jennifer Mahalski
Business Development Manager at Construction Specialties
Construction Specialties
Episode: Episode 199: Conflict Resolution
Denise Boyer
Product Specialist at Construction Specialties focused on interior wall protection, interior doors, and cubicle curtains and track
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 198: The Creative Process
Martin Reed
Business Development Manager for Construction Specialties
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 194: Being Your Own Boss
Pat Baker
Brings experience in skilled trades, product development, and envelope design.
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 189: Holiday Gift Guide for Architects
Serbi Godgi
Business Development Manager at Construction Specialties
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 183: Tips for being an Architect AND a Good Person
Alexander Bostwick
Product specialist for architectural product solutions at Construction Specialties
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 179: Is Half the Story Enough?
Daniel Istrate
Licensed architect and co-founder of Kontexture, a Phoenix-based architecture firm
Kontexture
Episode: Ep 177: Hanging Out Your Shingle
Frank Probst
CEO and President of Construction Specialties
Construction Specialties
Episode: Ep 170: Architecture School versus the Real World
Construction Specialties
Manufacturer of architectural building products
Episode: Ep 170: Architecture School versus the Real World

Hosts

Bob Borson
Host of Life of an Architect; long-time practitioner and author with a focus on making architecture approachable.
Andrew Hawkins
Co-host with insights from varied roles in the profession; brings practical perspectives to design, leadership, and career development.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 724 ratings
  • An architects companion

    I have been listening and reading the blog for years now. It has been my companion while I was studying and now into my career. An episode every 2 weeks isn’t enough - I am constantly going back to listen to old episodes. The insight gained is unmeasurable! Thank you Bob and Andrew for all your hard work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Debbie_F
    South Africa4 months ago
  • Love the show

    Amazing show. Watch every show that is posted.

    I would appreciate a show on the different types/degrees in architecture e.g. architectural engineering, architecture, interior design etc.

    I am aware that it may not be possible but it is just a suggestion! 🤩💪

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    #<EC>#
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • A lot of fun

    As a mid fifties architect and principal in a small firm this podcast has been very fun and thought provoking. Id never heard of Bob or the show before he came to my local Aia meeting for a presentation and I’ve been hooked ever since. My wife really enjoys some of the shows I’ve shared with her even though she is in the tech industry because some of the ideas of the work, process and life are very similar.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    banjo&fiddle
    United States3 years ago
  • I can’t stop listening

    I’m so glad I bumped into this podcast as an architecture student. I absolutely love the content, so informative and really motivates me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mathaleaphatela
    South Africa3 years ago
  • Modivated to continue

    2 years ago I was losing motivation toward my skill in designing and thought about doing something different til I stumbled upon this podcast I checked mr bob’s work on IG and since then I started to follow him and listen to his podcast’s, great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jonny Texan
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Thoughtful, entertaining, and practical for architects at any stage.
Guests provide valuable industry perspectives, especially on healthcare design and building products.
Listeners appreciate the real-world stories and mentor-like guidance from the hosts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#23
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#86
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#184
United Kingdom/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#64
Australia/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#65
Italy/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#2
United Arab Emirates/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep 201: The Middle of Middle Management
Q: What changes when moving from middle management to ownership?
You gain final accountability, balance employees' livelihoods with firm viability, and learn to avoid treating tough decisions as personal, instead embedding them in firm culture.
Ep 201: The Middle of Middle Management
Q: How does one cope with responsibility that outpaces authority?
By being transparent about constraints, advocating for necessary resources, and focusing on communication and collaboration to align teams with leadership goals.
Ep 201: The Middle of Middle Management
Q: What exactly defines middle management in a design firm?
It's the zone between doing the work and making policy, where you translate leadership intent into actionable plans while managing the expectations of both sides.
Ep 198: The Creative Process
Q: What should we consider when specifying handrail systems for active or occupied spaces?
Denise explains that the biggest challenge is minimizing disruptions while maintaining design integrity, highlighting fast-install systems with locking mechanisms that reduce labor and avoid corridor shutdowns, and emphasizing off-site assembly to keep projects on schedule.
Ep 196: Do Architects Retire
Q: Do architects actually retire or do they just change their role?
They mostly shift into reduced pace or different roles—such as teaching, mentoring, or consulting—rather than a hard stop, and many remain engaged due to value of experience and ongoing interest in the work.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Life of an Architect

What is Life of an Architect about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show blends practical storytelling with candid discussions about architecture careers, firm leadership, and real-world design decisions. Across episodes, listeners hear about management dynamics, client relations, retirement and career transitions, and the practicalities of architectural practice, often anchored by guest perspectives from Construction Specialties on topics like healthcare design, materials, and installation. A notable strength is the chemistry between two seasoned hosts, who mix humor with actionable insights, making industry topics accessible to students, small-firm principals, and broader design audiences. The show also leans into sponsor-integrated discussions that illuminate product choices and design constraints in... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Life of an Architect?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Life of an Architect:

1. Business of Architecture Podcast
2. Hidden Brain
3. EntreArchitect Podcast with Mark R. LePage
4. A Bit of Optimism
5. Coaching for Leaders

How many episodes of Life of an Architect are there?

Life of an Architect launched 8 years ago and published 201 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Life of an Architect?

Recent guests on Life of an Architect include:

1. Jennifer Mahalski
2. Denise Boyer
3. Martin Reed
4. Pat Baker
5. Serbi Godgi
6. Alexander Bostwick
7. Daniel Istrate
8. Frank Probst

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