Uploaded May 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Listen to the full episode here:
gbes.com/green-building-matters-podcast
Alyson Laura is an all-around Sustainability Maven, who seeks to evolve human success and planetary delight. She is currently the Director of Education for GBES. Her responsibilities include ensuring the highest quality product in their study materials, developing new on-demand webinar content, and staying updated on the latest green building trends and certifications.
"Think bigger. Don't just get stuck at what other people are doing or what seems to work, challenge yourself to really push that envelope and dream big." - Alyson Laura
She was also a Sustainability Consultant for SIG prior to joining GBES. And, she taught in-person exam prep classes all over the United States.
Coming from an architectural background, she became captivated by the triple bottom line of the green building movement. She worked as a LEED Reviewer for one of USGBC's veteran review firms, has reviewed hundreds of LEED certification applications, and has worked on dozens of successful LEED Consulting projects.
Influence in Sustainability Alyson grew up in Florida, which gave her an advantage in sustainability. The place valued recycling, composting, and rain water catching. There was a lot of support.
They were so close to sea level, and so placed a high priority on conserving their environment. Her father was also a civil engineer who worked on conserving the Everglades.
Into the Green Building Movement With the rise of technology in the early 2000s, she initially applied to Georgia Tech as a Computer Science major. But she changed her major into Architecture. During which, she was able to spend her entire senior year abroad in Paris, France.
"A big part of my education was being on a bicycle in the major city of Paris, seeing recycling bins on the public sidewalks -- just really living and breathing what it means to be in a connected society." - Alyson Laura
When she returned home in Atlanta, she challenged herself to live car-free and take advantage of the transits and bicycles.
Specializing in LEED It was not easy for Alyson to break into the field of sustainability. There wasn't always a clear path for her to get to where she wanted. She first heard about LEED while working at an architectural firm.
"These are the buildings I wanted to be a part of. This is what I want to attach my name to." - Alyson Laura
It was the perfect marriage for her and her career. It allowed her to utilize her architectural education and background and to drive towards those that mattered most to her. Her first role in the industry was that of a LEED reviewer.
To hear about Alyson Lauraand her contributions in making the world a better place with the green building movement, download and listen to the episode!
Connect with Alyson Laura:
Green Building Education Services
Enlightenment Now
Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES:
Charlie on LinkedIn
Green Building Educational Services
GBES on Twitter
Connect on LinkedIn
Like on Facebook
Google+
GBES Pinterest Pins
GBES on Instagram
Don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on iTunes if you truly enjoyed the show. We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the Green Building Matters Podcast !
Listen to the full episode here:
gbes.com/green-building-matters-podcast
Alyson Laura is an all-around Sustainability Maven, who seeks to evolve human success and planetary delight. She is currently the Director of Education for GBES. Her responsibilities include ensuring the highest quality product in their study materials, developing new on-demand webinar content, and staying updated on the latest green building trends and certifications.
"Think bigger. Don't just get stuck at what other people are doing or what seems to work, challenge yourself to really push that envelope and dream big." - Alyson Laura
She was also a Sustainability Consultant for SIG prior to joining GBES. And, she taught in-person exam prep classes all over the United States.
Coming from an architectural background, she became captivated by the triple bottom line of the green building movement. She worked as a LEED Reviewer for one of USGBC's veteran review firms, has reviewed hundreds of LEED certification applications, and has worked on dozens of successful LEED Consulting projects.
Influence in Sustainability Alyson grew up in Florida, which gave her an advantage in sustainability. The place valued recycling, composting, and rain water catching. There was a lot of support.
They were so close to sea level, and so placed a high priority on conserving their environment. Her father was also a civil engineer who worked on conserving the Everglades.
Into the Green Building Movement With the rise of technology in the early 2000s, she initially applied to Georgia Tech as a Computer Science major. But she changed her major into Architecture. During which, she was able to spend her entire senior year abroad in Paris, France.
"A big part of my education was being on a bicycle in the major city of Paris, seeing recycling bins on the public sidewalks -- just really living and breathing what it means to be in a connected society." - Alyson Laura
When she returned home in Atlanta, she challenged herself to live car-free and take advantage of the transits and bicycles.
Specializing in LEED It was not easy for Alyson to break into the field of sustainability. There wasn't always a clear path for her to get to where she wanted. She first heard about LEED while working at an architectural firm.
"These are the buildings I wanted to be a part of. This is what I want to attach my name to." - Alyson Laura
It was the perfect marriage for her and her career. It allowed her to utilize her architectural education and background and to drive towards those that mattered most to her. Her first role in the industry was that of a LEED reviewer.
To hear about Alyson Lauraand her contributions in making the world a better place with the green building movement, download and listen to the episode!
Connect with Alyson Laura:
Green Building Education Services
Enlightenment Now
Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES:
Charlie on LinkedIn
Green Building Educational Services
GBES on Twitter
Connect on LinkedIn
Like on Facebook
Google+
GBES Pinterest Pins
GBES on Instagram
Don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on iTunes if you truly enjoyed the show. We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the Green Building Matters Podcast !






![GBM with Nate Adams
Listen to the full episode here:
https://www.gbes.com/green-building-matters-podcast/
Nate Adams, The House Whisperer About this Episode In this episode, we talk with Nate Adams, aka “The House Whisperer” about the residential side of things, particularly energy performance.
Nate shares how he got into the field of improving home energy performance and
the powerful movement he is supporting to help make energy efficiency the norm in the industry.
Key Talking Points
• Nate’s nontraditional route into the “green” movement
• The “Electrify Everything” movement & Nate’s mission to improve energy performance in every home
• Why home performance needs a measurement upgrade
• The importance of teaching while learning to make a stronger movement
Key Milestones of the Episodes [1:19] Nate’s background
[2:13] Nate’s nontraditional route into sustainability
[4:16] The “Electrify Everything” Movement
[8:00] Nate’s movement into the “entrepreneur” side of building green
[14:03] The “House Whisperer” Process
[20:13] What should the industry be focused on?
[21:57] Why we need standardized energy measures
[23:59] Consistent routines & teaching while evolving
Key Quotes “The math has flipped to where renewable energy is the least expensive source [of energy] in most places.”
Key Resource The Home Comfort Book: The ultimate guide to creating a comfortable, healthy, long lasting, and efficient home.
Other Resources An Inconvenient Truth
Electrify Everything! A Practical Guide to Ditching Your Gas Meter
Energy-Efficient Homes Are Worth More. So Let’s Create an Easy Metric for Buyers
An Efficiency Manifesto: Energy and Home Performance Programs Need Serious Reform
Get in Contact with Nate Nate Adams is the owner of The House Whisperer, green building industry writer, consultant, business partner for One Knob Consulting and Energy Home Performance, and author of “The Home Comfort Book”
The House Whisperer Website
Nate Adams on LinkedIn
Don’t forget to catch more episodes and resources for all of your green building news at the Green Building Matters website
Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES: Charlie on LinkedIn
Green Building Educational Services
GBES on Twitter
Connect on LinkedIn
Like on Facebook
Google+
GBES Pinterest Pins
GBES on Instagram
GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more insurances that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to www.gbes.com/join to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community!
If you truly enjoyed the show, dont forget to leave a positive rating and review on iTunes . We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the Green Building Matters Podcast !
Copyright © 2019 GBES GBM with Nate Adams](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mSvQvmpNvxs/mqdefault.jpg)



