In this brutally honest episode of KP Unpacked, the number one podcast in AEC, KP Reddy and Jeff Echols take a sledgehammer to one of the industry's most overused and misunderstood buzzwords: digital twin.

What even is a digital twin? KP unpacks why most people using the term don’t know what it really means, why having a 3D model doesn’t qualify, and how the lack of real-time sensing, integration, and meaningful data makes the concept nearly useless in today’s built world.

From hilarious real-world anecdotes to blunt industry truths, KP explains how chasing digital twin hype makes the whole AEC industry look foolish and what we should be focusing on instead.

You’ll hear about:

• Why BIM ≠ digital twin (and never did)
• The difference between useful models vs. empty tech flexes
• The real ROI (or lack of) in pursuing true digital twins
• Why too many people use tech to avoid getting on job sites
• How AI is learning from the wrong people

Plus: A sneak peek into the launch of Catalyst, KP Reddy Co.’s new community for forward-thinkers in AEC.

This episode is packed with insight, no-BS takes, and the kind of field-first perspective the industry desperately needs. If you’ve ever used or been confused by the term "digital twin," this one’s a must-listen.

Ignite what's next

We're launching something new... It’s called Catalyst.

It’s a space for AEC forward-thinkers are reimagining what’s next. This is where the top minds in the industry are sharing ideas, leading change, and pushing the future of AEC forward.

Sounds like you? Join the waitlist at https://kpreddy.co/

Check out one of our Catalyst conversation starters, AEC Needs More High-Agency Thinkers

Hope to see you there!

Every AEC firm faces it: Do we build our own AI tools or buy what's already on the market?

In this episode of KP Unpacked, the number one Podcast in AEC, Jeff Echols and Frank Lazaro dive deep into the strategic dilemma that's dominating boardrooms and innovation teams across the built world.

From skyrocketing subscription costs to the reality of custom bot deployment in under 10 minutes, they unpack the tradeoffs, timing, and total cost of ownership behind the build vs. buy decision.

You’ll hear:

• Why most firms overestimate the need to build
• The real ROI of custom AI tools
• How low-code platforms are changing the game
• The hidden cost of falling in love with building
• Six sharp takeaways to guide your AI investment strategy

Whether you’re a 5-person studio or a 5,000-person firm, this conversation will challenge how you think about innovation, adoption, and what it actually takes to future-proof your tech stack.

Ignite what's next

We're launching something new... It’s called Catalyst.

It’s a space for AEC forward-thinkers are reimagining what’s next. This is where the top minds in the industry are sharing ideas, leading change, and pushing the future of AEC forward.

Sounds like you? Join the waitlist at https://kpreddy.co/

Check out one of our Catalyst conversation starters, AEC Needs More High-Agency Thinkers

Hope to see you there!

In this episode of KP Unpacked, the number one podcast in AEC, Jeff Echols sits down with Frank Thalakotur, Senior Research Advisor at KP Reddy Co., to dig into one of the core issues holding the AEC industry back—chronic misalignment between design, delivery, and owner value.

Frank brings experience across HVAC engineering, MEP project management, startup innovation, and owner’s rep work. But in his current role, he’s stepping back from solutions and going deep into problem discovery.

Together, they unpack:

• Why the AEC industry keeps solving symptoms instead of root causes
• How contracts—not outcomes—are driving behavior
• Why owners remain disconnected from the value chain
• What it takes to shift from isolated innovation to system-level alignment
• Why “data is the new concrete”—and what happens when no one’s pouring it

This is real research, real voices, and real stakes. If you’ve ever asked “Why does this keep happening?” in AEC, you’ll want to listen in.

🎧 Powered by KP Reddy Co.
🎙 Hosted by Jeff Echols, Executive Director of Catalyst
🧠 Featuring Frank Thalakotur, Senior Research Advisor, KP Reddy Co.

Ignite what's next

We're launching something new... It’s called Catalyst.

It’s a space for AEC forward-thinkers are reimagining what’s next. This is where the top minds in the industry are sharing ideas, leading change, and pushing the future of AEC forward.

Sounds like you? Join the waitlist at https://kpreddy.co/

Check out one of our Catalyst conversation starters, AEC Needs More High-Agency Thinkers

Hope to see you there!

Welcome back to KP Unpacked, the #1 podcast in AEC.

In this episode, KP Reddy (Founder & CEO of Shadow Ventures) and Jeff Echols (Executive Director at Catalyst) unpack a powerful metaphor that’s reshaping how we think about startups, business models, and the built environment.

We’re not just talking features or fixes. We’re talking about delivering outcomes that actually cure real industry problems. From aligning incentives in AEC to rethinking how firms deliver value, this episode is packed with strategy, story, and sharp insights.

🔍 Featured in this episode:

• KP Reddy, Founder & CEO of Shadow Ventures
• Jeff Echols, Executive Director at Catalyst by KP Reddy Co.

📌 Main Topics Covered:

• Why “being useful” isn’t enough in an AI-driven world
• The real difference between vitamins, painkillers, and cures (and where your product fits)
• What AEC firms get wrong about value and deliverables
• How misaligned compensation models destroy innovation
• What NFL stadium designers can teach us about asymmetric business models
• Why the future of the industry belongs to those who think beyond specs and software

Ignite what's next

We're launching something new... It’s called Catalyst.

It’s a space for AEC forward-thinkers are reimagining what’s next. This is where the top minds in the industry are sharing ideas, leading change, and pushing the future of AEC forward.

Sounds like you? Join the waitlist at https://kpreddy.co/

Check out one of our Catalyst conversation starters, AEC Needs More High-Agency Thinkers

Hope to see you there!

🎙 Featuring:
Jeff Echols, Chief Executive Director Catalyst, KP Reddy Co.
David Niewadomski, Senior Research Advisor, KP Reddy Co.

In this episode of KP Unpacked, the number one podcast in AEC, host Jeff Echols sits down with David Niewadomski, Senior Research Advisor at KP Reddy Co., to dive into the inefficiencies of construction—and how rethinking them through the owner's lens could change everything.

David shares insights from his journey across construction, development, and Lean Six Sigma. Together, they unpack what’s broken in our current workflows, why data fragmentation costs more than we think, and how the Integrated Owners Forum is designed to surface the real issues facing today's built environment.

From fragmented systems to missing feedback loops, this is a conversation about connecting the dots before solving the problem.

Ignite what's next

We're launching something new... It’s called Catalyst.

It’s a space for AEC forward-thinkers are reimagining what’s next. This is where the top minds in the industry are sharing ideas, leading change, and pushing the future of AEC forward.

Sounds like you? Join the waitlist at https://kpreddy.co/

Check out one of our Catalyst conversation starters, AEC Needs More High-Agency Thinkers

Hope to see you there!

On this episode of KP Unpacked—the number one podcast in AEC—Jeff Echols sits down with Alan Montpellier, Principal and Chief Innovation Officer at PAE, to explore what it really takes to embed innovation into the DNA of an AEC firm.

Alan shares how PAE shifted from ad hoc ideas to a fully resourced innovation group, why innovation can't live in a silo, and how they prioritize experimentation—without sacrificing project delivery or profitability.

You’ll learn:

• How PAE structured its innovation group and budget
• Why innovation should come from everywhere—not just the “innovation team”
• How to balance client deadlines with long-term experimentation
• Real-world examples of tools, AI pilots, and failed-but-smart experiments
• What to do when PMs block innovation because of fees

This is a playbook for firms who want more than buzzwords—who actually want to build something new and better.

Ignite what's next

We're launching something new... It’s called Catalyst.

It’s a space for AEC forward-thinkers are reimagining what’s next. This is where the top minds in the industry are sharing ideas, leading change, and pushing the future of AEC forward.

Sounds like you? Join the waitlist at https://kpreddy.co/

Check out one of our Catalyst conversation starters, AEC Needs More High-Agency Thinkers

Hope to see you there!

In this episode of KP Unpacked, the number one podcast in AEC, Jeff Echols, Executive Director at Catalyst, KP Reddy Co. kicks off a brand-new series featuring the in-house research team at KP Reddy Co. He’s joined by Senior Research Advisor Ted Kenney, who brings years of experience in AEC technology and building product specifications.

They explore the untapped potential of specifications in driving collaboration across architecture, engineering, and construction. Ted explains why specs are often overlooked, how they act as the connective tissue across stakeholders, and what’s missing from the current software landscape.

They also dive into the research goals of the Integrated Owners Forum—KP Reddy Co.’s initiative to empower owners with actionable insight—and why discovering core problems is more valuable than surface-level disruption.

If you work in AEC, product development, or innovation, this episode will shift how you think about specs, data silos, and the future of collaboration.

🎧 Hosted by Jeff Echols, Executive Director at Catalyst
🎙 Guest: Ted Kinney, Senior Research Advisor at KP Reddy Co.
🔍 Topic: AEC specs, owner-driven innovation, qualitative research, and SaaS licensing hot takes

Ignite what's next

We're launching something new... It’s called Catalyst.

It’s a space for AEC forward-thinkers are reimagining what’s next. This is where the top minds in the industry are sharing ideas, leading change, and pushing the future of AEC forward.

Sounds like you? Join the waitlist at https://kpreddy.co/

Check out one of our Catalyst conversation starters, AEC Needs More High-Agency Thinkers

Hope to see you there!

This week on KP Unpacked—the number one podcast in AEC—Jeff Echols and KP Reddy unpack the Sunday Scaries post that broke the internet (or at least LinkedIn).

It all started with a Talking Heads lyric and a throwback photo… but quickly sparked a bigger conversation:
What’s your 10-year plan—for yourself, not your startup?

KP shares hard-won lessons from building (and walking away from) multimillion-dollar businesses, why too many founders confuse “in flight” with “on course,” and how to evaluate whether you're heading to Mars—or just orbiting Earth.

You’ll learn:

• Why quick exits are the exception, not the rule
• How to identify when to abort, pivot, or persevere
• The 5 elements every founder’s 10-year life plan should include
• How to separate identity from startup ego
• Why financial, health, family, and passion alignment matter more than vanity metrics

This episode isn’t just for startup founders—it’s a personal gut check for anyone on a high-stakes path.

Ignite what's next

We're launching something new... It’s called Catalyst.

It’s a space for AEC forward-thinkers are reimagining what’s next. This is where the top minds in the industry are sharing ideas, leading change, and pushing the future of AEC forward.

Sounds like you? Join the waitlist at https://kpreddy.co/

Check out one of our Catalyst conversation starters, AEC Needs More High-Agency Thinkers

Hope to see you there!