Shows
ReframeA System Reckoning Is Comingwith Panama BartholomyFounder and Executive Director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, Panama Bartholomy pops by to talk with Jeff about the shift to an all-electric future. In this episode 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 emphasizes that the current property-by-property approach to decarbonizing buildings is too slow, too expensive, and inequitable to meet climate targets.Instead, he advocates for a managed, neighborhood-scale transition, led by utilities and enabled...
2026-02-1148 min
ReframeBuildings Have To Behave BetterHost 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, and energy efficiency— reframing them as active, essential players in the clean energy transition.Ash begins by reflecting on his career and an insight that has guided his work from the start: efficiency alone is rarely enough. Early projects ta...
2026-01-1642 min
ReframeThe Invisible AssetAlex 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 one of the most powerful, yet underutilized levers for climate action. His insights blend policy expertise, market understanding, and a deep commitment to equity, offering a clear view of what must happen next to keep...
2025-12-1140 min
ReframeBridging Mandates And MomentumDaniel 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 conversation explores the intersection of innovation, community collaboration, and realism in the journey to decarbonize the built environment.Daniel’s commitment to sustainability began abroad, serving in the Peace Corps in China, where he witnessed firsthand the severe consequences of unchecked pollution. Ret...
2025-11-0541 min
ReframeBellevue Part 2: Reframing Building CompliancePatrick 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 account for nearly 50% of greenhouse gas emissions in Bellevue, making them a central focus of their climate strategy.Patrick’s career in sustainability began in Tacoma, Washington, continued in New York City and now...
2025-09-2331 min
ReframeBellevue's Bold Climate CommitmentJennifer 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 defining and achieving Bellevue's ambitious climate goals. The conversation explores Bellevue’s sustainability strategy and delves into the complex balancing act between growth, climate action, and community priorities.Local Government is Where Change Happens Je...
2025-09-0243 min
ReframeBuilding Upgrades That PayDr. 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 decades-long career, discusses the evolution of the energy services industry, and reflects on the leadership and policy decisions that have shaped ESCO’s (Energy Service Companies) contribution to energy efficiency work across the public sector.Tun...
2025-05-1950 min
ReframeBridging The GapGreg 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 communities prepare, adapt, and respond to the impacts of climate change. You’ll meet Greg De Temmerman, Quadrature’s Deputy CEO and Chief Science Officer–with decades of science and climate research experience, he knows...
2025-04-0944 min
ReframeChaos MonkeyApplying 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 well before they were a thing back in 2008. After a successful run at his first startup, Energy Savvy, Scott began to focus on what problems needed to be solved to help consu...
2025-03-0653 min
ReframeThe Local ShiftKerry 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 administration has been sworn in. For building owners and stakeholders already committed to transitioning their buildings and operations to renewable energy sources, is this a moment of pause or an opportunity for acceleration? Kerry explains why now is...
2025-01-3145 min
ReframeA New HurdleMaximizing 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’ll meet Josh Howes who takes us deep into the world of energy project planning, building assessment, and certification. A civil engineer by trade, Josh is the CEO and...
2025-01-0941 min
ReframeDon't Get Caught Flat-FootedPerry 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 with ever-evolving standards. Perry reveals his biggest fear for building owners along with tips for staying ahead of the policies, standards, and fines that can be assessed for buildings that fail to meet these standards. Most To Gain an...
2024-12-1341 min
ReframeThe Old Playbook Is DeadBuilding 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. Should they care about sustainability? How are energy incentives related to their growth? And where does technology deliver value? Tune in for Brad’s perspective on the 3 things that building owners nee...
2024-11-2638 min
ReframeBuild Green To Get GreenSteve 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-profit buildings, and he explains how benefits can be allocated or used creatively to offset project costs and fund future initiatives. Find out what Steve means when he says building owners and operators m...
2024-11-0742 min
ReframeToo Good To Be True?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 discover new possibilities and opportunities in energy upgrades. Abby and Jeff discuss the tricky nature of energy efficiency conversations with building owners and a roadmap for capitalizing on lucrative energy tax i...
2024-10-1640 min
ReframeReframe Podcast TrailerReframe 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 driving sustainability in our built environment. And meet the people who are leading the charge.
2024-10-0701 min