Communities Connected: A Land and Lifestyle Podcast by Alosant

Colby Cox , President and Founder of Convergence Communities , joins us to explore how 20 years of master planned community development has shaped a philosophy rooted in human connection. We look at how The Granary, a 1,350-unit master plan in Milton, Delaware, is being built around three pillars: connection to nature, connection to each other, and connection to self.  We discuss how to enter an...

Kimberly Banach , Senior Director of Marketing at Howard Hughes Communities , joins us to discuss the brand strategy and long-term vision behind Teravalis — a 37,000-acre master-planned community on the western edge of Phoenix with a 50-year build-out plan. From naming conventions rooted in Latin and landscape to campaigns that evolved alongside the community's development, Kimberly shares how the...

Amy Levi , Co-Founder and CEO at Strada Made, LLC , joins us to explore how brand, story, and place work together in master-planned community development. The episode covers why Strada Made starts with the “why” before the “what,” how early activation builds community trust before a single home is sold, and what it means for a brand to grow with a place over time. KEY TAKEAWAYS 00:00  Introdu...

Founder and CEO Monaca Onstad and Vice President of Operations Callie Friedman talk about the evolution of their company, OnPlace Collective . They dive into why lifestyle planning should come before amenity design and how intentional community building drives long-term sales momentum. Key Takeaways: 00:00 Introduction. 03:15 The company has grown to 110 employees and recently evolved its brand in...

We explore what it takes to design communities around how people actually want to live. From wellness as a trend to wellness as a foundation, this conversation looks at how the environment shapes behavior, habits, and long-term outcomes. Haley Peck , Vice President of Marketing at Johnson Development Corp , joins us to share how Jubilee was built around physical, social, and mental wellness, and w...

David Langhout , Vice President of Land at Starwood Land Advisors , joins us to discuss how discipline, lifestyle planning, and long-term vision shape successful master planned communities. We explore how first impressions, early lifestyle programming, and operational rigor influence buyer confidence, resident experience, and long-term performance across large-scale developments. Throughout the ep...

Michael Swanson, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Alosant , discusses how technology strengthens the connection between residents, physical spaces, and the sales experience. Michael reflects on how his role is evolving as the company grows, with a focus on guiding product direction while staying closely connected to clients and internal teams. Alosant centers its approach on resident-dri...

Ryan Rosen , Founder and Creative Director of Friendly Futures , shares how play can be intentionally designed to strengthen relationships, improve wellness, and create more connected communities. Drawing from a background in architecture, photography, and community design, Ryan explains how his early experiences with intergenerational play shaped his focus on social connection. Friendly Futures c...

This compilation highlights four 2025 perspectives on what makes places feel worth returning to, from emotional resonance to everyday livability. Kevin Kelley , Principal and Co-Founder of Shook Kelley , shares how placemaking can reduce friction and build belonging. Monaca Onstad , Founder and CEO of OnPlace Collective , focuses on designing experiences that reflect local culture. John Darby , CE...

John Darby , CEO and Chairman of the Board of The Beach Company , shares how a fifth-generation family developer turns a land-rich legacy into a multifaceted business across 27 cities in the Southeast. John reflects on joining the firm in 1990 after starting in banking, and on how an independent board and non-family leadership support longevity across generations. John also explains The Beach Comp...

Neal Collins , Co-Founder/Partner of Hamlet Capital and Latitude Regenerative Real Estate , shares how his team focuses on creating walkable, conservation-driven communities that integrate agriculture, wellness, and long-term stewardship. Drawing on experience in climate adaptation, international development, and mixed-use real estate, we discuss why buyers increasingly seek places that connect fo...

Teri Slavik-Tsuyuki , Principal, Storyteller and Brand Experience Designer of tst ink llc , discusses the fourth wave of the America at Home Study. The conversation highlights the study’s longitudinal insights into shifting consumer behaviors, housing preferences, and wellness priorities across the US housing landscape. With over 16,000 respondents since its inception in 2020, the study reveals ac...

Edie Weintraub , Founder and Managing Director of Terra Alma , joins host April LaMon to share how hospitality, retail, and intentional design can redefine community in modern master-planned developments. At Terra Alma, Edie and her team advise developers, cities, and emerging brands on how to create environments where people gather, connect, and belong. Through practical examples such as neighbor...

Bob Cardoza , Chief Operating Officer of FirstService Residential , discusses his journey from consulting to executive leadership and the vision guiding the future of community management. He reflects on the creation of FirstService Residential Development Advisors, his transition into the COO role, and how strong partnerships, culture, and a focus on prosperity shape long-term success. Bob also h...

We feature Sara Carbonell , Director of Marketing for Amblebrook Gettysburg of Crown Community Development , in a thoughtful discussion on creating vibrant communities where active adults thrive. With more than two decades in homebuilding and years of experience shaping lifestyle-driven developments, Sara shares how Amblebrook blends resort-style amenities, resident-driven programming, and meaning...

Erica Sinner , Founder and CEO of Ladies in Land , shares how she is creating a space for women in the land and homebuilding industry to learn, grow, and find community. She reflects on her journey from sales and marketing to land acquisition, and how her passion for education sparked the launch of a movement that is rapidly expanding across the country. Ladies in Land is built on the values of ed...

In this special episode of the Alosant Innovator Series, we revisit one of our most popular conversations: the origin story of Newfield. Originally featured in Episode 29, this re-air of our interview with Dan Grosswald, Division President of Mattamy Homes SE Florida, explores the inspiration behind Newfield—a small-town-style development rooted in agriculture, community, and intentional design. B...

In this episode, we sit down with Anja Seng, Manager of DesignLens at John Burns Research & Consulting’s New Home Trends Institute team, for a conversation about how long-term consumer and societal trends are shaping the future of homebuilding. Anja shares how NHTI’s research helps the industry stay aligned with evolving homeowner needs. We explore how her team blends qualitative and quantitat...

In this episode of the Alosant Innovator Series , we're joined by Evan Harney of Pahlisch Homes , a regional homebuilder in the Pacific Northwest that's redefining the homebuying experience through their user-centric platform, Wayfinder. Evan shares how they approach the process with the same level of customization you might expect when buying a Ford truck—empowering buyers to configure th...

In this episode of the Alosant Innovator Series , we’re joined by BJ Jones, CFO at Southstar , to explore the evolving intersection of technology and community development. From the recent success of Mayfest to the long-term vision for Southstar’s flagship project, Mayfair , BJ shares insights into how his team is redefining the development process.  BJ discusses how adopting tools like Salesforce...

In this episode of the Alosant Innovator Series , we’re joined by Aaron Crawford, founder of Pipsy —a software company focused on automating the day-to-day operations of land developers. By centralizing massive amounts of data and building tools and reports around it, Pipsy helps developers make better decisions faster and stay ahead of their daily challenges. Aaron walks us through what developer...

In this episode of the Alosant Innovator Series , we’re joined by Kate Pourhassanian, Principal and Chief Operating Officer of Unscripted Interior Design. She shares the story of launching Unscripted with her two sisters and how their 2020 rebrand sparked a deeper commitment to storytelling within their designs. Kate discusses how every project begins with a simple question: What is the best solut...

In this episode of the Alosant Innovator Series, we welcome Phil Myrick, placemaking expert and CEO of Phil Myrick LLC. Guided by the concept of “life first and then buildings,” Phil is known for his ability to dig beneath the surface and understand what makes a place magnetic. Throughout the episode, Phil walks listeners through his approach to designing spaces that invite connection. He shares h...

In this episode of the Alosant Innovator Series , we sit down with Kevin Kelley—architect, author, and co-founder of Shook Kelley, a strategic design firm with over three decades of experience. Kevin has dedicated his career to analyzing places and their impact on society. His book, IRREPLACEABLE: How to Create Extraordinary Places That Bring People Together , explores these themes in depth, makin...

This episode of the Alosant Innovator Series features a panel of thought leaders in lifestyle programming. Together, they share insights on the evolving role of lifestyle in communities, from fostering a sense of belonging to securing resident buy-in for sustainable programming.  The panel explores how developers are increasingly recognizing the value of well-curated lifestyle experiences. They hi...