Tangents by Out of Architecture

About Tangents by Out of Architecture

Welcome to Tangents by Out of Architecture, hosted by Silvia Lee. We’re highlighting some of our favorite stories from the amazing people we’ve met along our journey. We will hear how they created a unique career path for themselves from the variety of skills and talents they developed in and out of architecture. Out of Architecture is a career consulting firm started by two Harvard-educated professionals interested in exploring the value of their skills both in and out of the architectural profession. We’re here to help you maximize all of the expertise you have honed as a designer to get you a role that fulfills and challenges you. We have the knowledge, experience, and connections to help you put your best self into the market–and reap the benefits.

Publisher

Out of Architecture

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Oct 2022

Latest episode

15 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

54 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Sept 2026

   From Practice to Professional Impact: Serving the Profession Beyond Practice with Rachel Gresham

   In this episode, Silvia sits down with Rachel Gresham, Senior Director of Professional Practice Programs at the AIA, whose career has moved from architectural practice into shaping how architects think about business, leadership, and the profession itself. After roughly a decade in practice, including managing about $80 million in public safety and K–12 construction projects, Rachel pursued an MBA while working full time and began questioning not design, but the systems surrounding architectural work. She shares what burnout looked like when she was surviving “minute by minute,” why changing environments became essential to her recovery, and how mentors helped her recognize a role that combined architecture, business, and service. Highlights: 3 words: Intentional, Service-Oriented, Artistic When the Problem Isn’t Architecture Itself: Rachel loved practicing architecture, but the frustrations that pushed her toward change had less to do with design and more to do with how architecture businesses operate. That realization eventually led her to pursue an MBA and focus on the business side of the profession. Building a Career by Playing Chess, Not Checkers: Rachel describes major career decisions as intentional moves that build on one another. Her decade of architectural practice and business education ultimately converged in a role where she develops programs and resources to bring greater business acumen to architects. Burnout as a Systems Problem: After working full time while completing her MBA, Rachel reached a point where she was surviving “minute by minute.” Studying organizational behavior helped her recognize that workload and burnout are not always individual failures to manage time or set boundaries; sometimes the limits are built into the system itself. Finding the Right System: Rachel compares workplaces to a pinball machine: you may have freedom to move around, but eventually you encounter the walls. Her question for architects is not simply whether they can set better boundaries, but whether their priorities and goals can actually coexist with the system they are working within. What Architecture + Business Thinking Can Do Together: Rachel found that studying business after years in practice made abstract concepts immediately useful. Learning to translate ideas developed for other industries into professional services also gave her a second way of seeing problems alongside the perspective she developed as an architect. Relationships Can Redirect a Career: Mentors Rachel met through the AIA helped steer her toward an MBA and later encouraged her to apply for her current position. Her advice for architects looking beyond the boundaries of their current role is refreshingly practical: show up, meet people, ask what they are working on, and start building relationships. Links: Learn more about AIA: aia.org Learn more about Rachel Gresham: rrgresham.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ (https://patreon.com/OutofArchitecture)

2. 

   23 Jun 2026

   Redefining Architecture & Building Community Resilience with Kara Boyd

   In this episode, Silvia sits down with Kara Boyd, an architect who successfully pivoted her career to become a Lead Owner’s Representative at IFF, a Midwest-focused Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Kara shares her fascinating career arc—from her early infatuation with wall sections to navigating the high-intensity environment of Studio Gang, running her own firm, and ultimately overcoming severe burnout. Today, Kara uses her deep architectural and real estate expertise not to center the architect, but to empower nonprofits and build true community equity. Key Takeaways From This Episode: The 3-Word Self-Description: Kara defines herself as inquisitive, analytical, and collaborative—traits that guided her from architecture school to community-driven real estate. The Turning Point of Burnout: After hitting a wall of burnout twice in her career, Kara learned the hard way that the traditional architecture industry often rewards grueling hours. This inspired her to ruthlessly protect her boundaries and seek a role aligned with sustainable work ethics. What is a CDFI? Kara breaks down how IFF operates outside the traditional, historically biased banking and redlining systems to deploy capital and real estate solutions directly to under-invested communities. The Ally, Not the Hero: Why Kara chose to step away from the "architect-centered" narrative to join an ecosystem that puts community organizations firmly in the driver’s seat. Advice to Her Younger Self: "Don't work so hard for someone else's dream." Kara reflects on the empowerment that comes from finding your own internal measuring stick for success. Kara's Golden Rule for Applicants: If you're applying to IFF (https://community.outofarchitecture.com/c/job-board/owner-s-representative-iff-remote-chicago-il-4fb834), please send a tailored cover letter! We don't use AI screening—a real human reads your story to see how your building blocks and mission align with ours. Learn more about IFF: iff.org (https://iff.org) Apply to Owner’s Representative @ IFF: https://community.outofarchitecture.com/c/job-board/owner-s-representative-iff-remote-chicago-il ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ (https://patreon.com/OutofArchitecture)

3. 

   2 Jun 2026

   From Studio to Stand-Up: Built in Architecture, Now Comedy with Nick White

   In this episode, Jake chats with Nick White (https://www.instagram.com/nicholasjwhite49/), Melbourne-based comedian, content creator, and recovering architect who traded buildings for bits. Nick shares his journey from studying architecture and working in practice for five years to walking away at the end of 2022 to pursue stand-up comedy and character-driven content full time. The conversation explores how a design education shaped his eye for the absurd, the leap into self-employment (tinned food panic included), and the creative outlets — characters, drawing, editing, even Sims house tours — that fuel his work today. Discover how Nick built a niche skewering architectural pretension while staying genuinely fond of the industry, and what it takes to follow your gut out of a profession that no longer fits. Highlights: Highlights: 3 words: Still, Sensitive, Creative Recognizing Misalignment Early: Nick discusses how he came to understand that the day-to-day realities of practice did not match the parts of design he enjoyed, and why naming that mismatch is a useful first step. Building a Parallel Career: Rather than leaving abruptly, Nick spent five years in practice while developing his comedy alongside it — reducing financial pressure and giving him time to test whether comedy could sustain a career. Transferable Skills from Design Education: The analytical habits taught in architecture school — observing how people speak, dissecting form and language, distilling complex ideas — translate directly into character work and comedic writing. The Economics of a Creative Career: Nick offers a clear-eyed view of how he supports his work today, including brand partnerships, touring stand-up, merchandise, and self-produced video content. Advice for Those Considering a Change: Notice what feels energizing versus draining, act on those signals over time, and remember that meaningful shifts unfold over years rather than weeks. Also: back up your models and save every 10 minutes. P.S. Catch Nick live on stage at Archicon (https://www.archicon2026.com/): the only unboring business conference for architects, October 8-9th in Melbourne. See more: https://www.instagram.com/nickwhite49/ https://www.tiktok.com/@missnickiewantie https://www.youtube.com/@nickwhite49 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ (https://patreon.com/OutofArchitecture)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

16 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

14 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 69 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

84

Social presence

97

YouTube

0

Engagement

85

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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