breakinggroundpod

The Breaking Ground Podcast

Business EN ↓ 7 episodes

Breaking Ground is a podcast about real estate development and the built environment. Hosted by Ryan Hilbun. Each episode features candid conversations with the people shaping our cities: architects, planners, builders, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders. From adaptive reuse and creative infill to policy shifts and development strategy, Breaking Ground explores the ideas and actions behind great spaces—and the challenges that come with bringing them to life. For anyone curious about what it takes to build something meaningful, this is where the groundwork begins.

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breakinggroundpod

Episodes

#007 – John Carlson: Building a Company Where People Stay 23.02.2026 1:16:46

John Carlson is the CEO of Mark Taylor Companies and one of the most influential leaders in Arizona multifamily. He shares his unconventional path from electrical engineering to leasing apartments after 9/11 reshaped his career, and how that pivot became a 20 plus year rise through every level of the organization. We discuss the mentorship moments that shaped his leadership style, why saying “I do...

#006 – Wendy Riddell: The Reality of Land Use and Zoning in Arizona 06.02.2026 32:09

In this episode of Breaking Ground, Ryan sits down with Wendy Riddell, founding and managing partner of Berry Riddell, to unpack what really happens behind the scenes of land use and zoning in Arizona. Wendy shares how entitlement strategy works in practice, why approvals take longer than ever, and how developers can navigate municipal politics, staff resistance, and community opposition without d...

#005 – Steve LaTerra: Built-to-Rent Is a Business, Not a Deal 05.02.2026 1:12:47

In this episode of Breaking Ground, Ryan sits down with Steve LaTerra, CEO of TerraLane Communities, a Scottsdale-based developer of low-density rental housing communities across the Western US and Texas. With more than three decades of experience spanning real estate analytics, capital markets, and development, Steve shares how his career evolved from analyst to operator and why built-to-rent mus...

#004 – Mitch Rosen of SRP: Shaping Tempe’s Growth Through Visionary Development 25.09.2025 1:04:21

In this episode of Breaking Ground, Ryan sits down with Mitch Rosen, Development Manager for Papago Park Center, a subsidiary of Salt River Project. With more than 40 years in commercial real estate, Mitch has been involved in landmark projects across Southern California and Arizona, from Tempe Town Lake’s State Farm campus to Rio West Business Park. Today, he oversees the 350-acre Papago Park Cen...

#003 – Max Sommacampagna of Bolzano Construction: Building with Integrity and Community 25.09.2025 51:37

In this episode of Breaking Ground, Ryan sits down with Max Sommacampagna, Construction Director and Managing Principal at Bolzano Construction. A second-generation general contractor, Max blends the craftsmanship of his Italian roots with the grit and precision of the Southwest, delivering high-quality residential and commercial infill projects across Phoenix. He shares his path from brokerage an...

#002 – Taz Khatri of Taz Khatri Studio: Designing with People in Mind 25.09.2025 46:24

In this episode of Breaking Ground, Ryan sits down with architect Taz Khatri, founder of Taz Khatri Studio. With more than 20 years of experience across Arizona, California, and Oregon, Taz is known for her people-first approach to design and her commitment to equity, inclusion, and community. She shares what sparked her interest in architecture, how her philosophy evolved from aesthetics to human...

#001 – Nate Sonoskey of Blue Lantern Development: From Architecture to Development 24.09.2025 1:07:36

In this debut episode of Breaking Ground, Ryan sits down with Nate Sonoskey, architect, developer, and CEO of Blue Lantern Development. Nate shares his unique path from architecture to real estate development, his experience guiding complex infill and adaptive reuse projects across Phoenix and Chicago, and his work leading Fast Permits, a company streamlining permitting processes across Arizona. T...