So what was the mindset that you were going to go try something else or what was the inspiration for doing the MBA?

It's really funny.

It all started at an AIA conference.

It was the AIA conference in New York City.

And I was attending as a member.

And I went to the Virginia Tech alumni reception, which they often have.

And I met the new dean at the time.

Rachel, can you give me a little bit of the origin story of the podcast? Like where did that come from? What's the inspiration for that? And give me a little background on the podcast.

What things along your career journey do you think helped expose you to more than your daily job? What was in front of you that may have led to this career path with the AIA? Was it the MBA you took or you mentioned you had mentors?

Yeah, so this is not meant to be a commercial for AIA, but the local AIA community had a really big, really big impact on just how I've perceived the profession and how I've perceived my place in it.

The AIA Middle Tennessee chapter is definitely seen as a home for a lot of folks in the greater Nashville area and all of Middle Tennessee.

So that played a big role.

Additionally, I got involved in ACE mentors pretty early on in my career.

And so Being able to give back to students that are interested in these careers definitely scratched the itch for that service orientation.

And then mentors that I found through AIA.

And it was kind of like, I don't know if healing is the right word to put, but like your past career as an architect, where do you feel like, how do you feel now three years in? I mean, it sounds like you're even more like excited and rejuvenated.