Reframe

with Matt Aalfs                           Reframe host Jeff Nichols sits down with Matt Aalfs , founding partner of BuildingWork and lead architect behind Seattle's remarkable Metropole Building restoration. What begins as a discussion about a historic renovation quickly evolves into a broader conversation about climate action, urban revitalization, and why reusing existing buildings may be one of...

with Jeff Nichols and award nominees at the 2026 Vision Awards for Bellevue and Seattle 2030 Districts  Sometimes the headlines make it feel like we're not making progress — but the reality on the ground tells a very different story. In this special episode of Reframe, show host Jeff Nichols looks beyond the negative news about stalled programs to bring you voices from the frontlines of real susta...

with Ben Evans                       In this Earth Day episode of Reframe, show host Jeff Nichols sits down with Ben Evans , Federal Legislative Director at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), for a wide-ranging conversation about green building policy, the shifting political landscape, and where advocates of efficiency find hope amid significant headwinds. Ben's path to sustainability advoca...

With Vincent Martinez.          Host Jeff Nichols sits 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. It's a masterclass in the long arc of climate progress in architectu...

with Panama Bartholomy. Founder and Executive Director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, Panama Bartholomy , pops by to talk with Jeff about the shift to an all-electric future. Panama outlines why building electrification is inevitable, and argues that how we get there matters as much as whether we do. Drawing on his experience across government, utilities, and nonprofits, Panama emphasi...

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 about how the built environment must fundamentally change over the next decade and challenges long-held assumptions about buildings, utilities,...

Alex Dews explains how buildings can become climate solutions instead of climate problems. 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 argues that the built environment has become on...

Daniel Poppe of 2030 reminds us that meaningful climate progress begins when collective voices drive collective action. Show host Jeff Nichols talks with Daniel Poppe , Executive Director of the Seattle and Bellevue 2030 Districts .  Daniel shares the ways that forward-looking cities are transforming their buildings, energy policies, and partnerships to meet ambitious climate goals. The conversati...

Patrick Babbitt explains why energy compliance is not a burden but an opportunity.  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 its public and commercial buildings more energy efficient and compliant with Washington State’s Clean Buildings Performance Standards. Buildings a...

Jennifer Ewing is the Sustainability Manager for the city of Bellevue, WA. In this episode of Reframe, show host Jeff Nichols speaks with Jennifer Ewing , Sustainability Manager for the City of Bellevue, Washington. Jennifer has spent nearly a decade leading local sustainability initiatives, outlining strategies for Bellevue’s future and collaborating with regional partners—all in the pursuit of d...

Dr. Timothy Unruh represents Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), a group of companies that take on performance risk and guarantee savings. In this episode of  Reframe, show host Jeff Nichols interviews the Executive Director of NAESCO , Dr. Timothy Unruh —a seasoned leader in the energy efficiency industry, particularly in energy savings and Performance Contracting. Tim shares insights from his deca...

Greg De Temmerman is building a bridge between science and decisions on climate. 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...

Applying EV lessons to the built environment, with Scott Case.  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 , Cofounder and CEO of Recurrent. Scott, a former colleague of Jeff’s  became an innovator of smart energy solutions wel...

Kerry Meade on the importance of local leadership, especially now. Show host Jeff Nichols speaks with Kerry Meade , the Executive Director of Seattle’s leading energy efficiency trade organization, Building Potential. Hear what Kerry thinks about the implications for building owners committed to energy efficiency, smart building technology, and other clean energy investments now that a new adminis...

Maximizing energy tax incentives has a new hurdle, Josh Howes shows us how to clear it.  In this episode 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’...

Perry England is your "Building Performance Ambassador." 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 wit...

Building ownership has a new playbook. Brad Werner breaks it down. 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....

Steve Barnes reveals the real value of energy incentives and credits. In this episode, show host Jeff Nichols speaks with Steven Barnes , a Partner at Wipfli LLP, a top accounting firm that supports construction and real estate clients.  Steve provides a straightforward primer on how energy incentives and credits can be materially significant and how they apply uniquely to commercial and not-for-p...

Jeff sets the stage with his guest Abby Massey.  In this inaugural episode, show host Jeff Nichols sets the stage with Abby Massey who leads the energy tax incentives team at TaxTaker. As a civil engineer, Abby knows the systems and design methods for how to make buildings operate more efficiently. As an expert in energy tax incentives, Abby has helped countless building owners and operators disco...

Reframe is the podcast 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, engineers and contractors, solving it may actually 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 driv...