On this special *double feature* listen to our interview with Angela Mazzi, then head over to the Architecting Podcast to hear Angela interview Caitlin!

Today's guest, Angela Mazzi is dedicated to enhancing quality of life through the built environment. Her research on salutogenesis, equity, and socio-cultural contexts illuminates how design impacts well-being and the ways the design process impacts designers.  It’s her mission as a firm principal at GBBN, industry leader, and mentor with the AIA NAC/FAIA Mentoring Program, and AIA Align Mentoring program to advocate for healthy innovation-focused practice models. 

She founded Architecting, a community consisting of an award-winning podcast, classes in stress management and high performance to explore and eradicate systemic codependency in the AEC industry.  She is the author of two books, Career Crisis and Time Builder and is currently writing a third: The Design Ecosystem.

Angela is Past President of the American College of Healthcare Architects, Past President of AIA Cincinnati, and Secretary of AIA Ohio. She is a peer reviewer for Health Environment Research and Design (HERD) Journal, 2022 recipient of the HCD10 Top Architect Award, and 2024 recipient of the AIA Ohio Gold Medal.

We talk about:

- Angela explains how adopting a mindset of “ask forgiveness, not permission” opened doors to leadership and long-term professional influence. She reflects on how her involvement with the AIA expanded her understanding of architecture’s role beyond buildings.

- We next discuss the concept of salutogenesis and Angela outlines how salutogenic design improves outcomes for patients, families, and clinical staff during moments of stress.

- We also talk about Angela’s prolific podcast, Architecting, where she addresses burnout, disillusionment, and strategies for building a meaningful, resilient career in AEC.

- Angela discusses the importance of setting stretch goals such as the Nobel Peace Prize and why she encourages architects to shift their mindset, question systemic norms in the profession, and embrace the power of design to influence health, equity, and social change.

>>>