The Anti-Architect

In this episode, Christian Giordano welcomes his cousin, Tom Cortese, Co-Founder of Peloton and CEO of Counter Service, for a conversation about building businesses, challenging convention, and applying lessons learned in one industry to an entirely different one.Tom shares his journey from helping revolutionize the at-home fitness experience with Peloton to taking on a new challenge in the restaurant industry with Counter Service. Along the way, he and Christian discuss innovation, operational efficiency, leadership, and what it takes to turn an ambitious idea into a successful business.And, of course, with family on both sides of the microphone, the conversation gets personal, too.Tune in for an episode about the value of thinking differently, no matter the industry.https://counterservice.com/ Episode highlights:(03:04) Family roots, Italian heritage, and the entrepreneurial spirit(12:47) What architects get wrong and why faster collaboration matters(14:33) How Peloton and Mancini Duffy began working together(18:03) The scrappy story behind Peloton's first retail store(23:01) How John Foley pitched the original Peloton idea(30:19) Building Peloton from scratch through teamwork, persistence, and innovation(36:31) The moment Tom realized Peloton could become a success(41:47) Peloton's IPO, COVID-19, and explosive growth(47:23) Leadership changes and Tom's difficult decision to leave Peloton(53:03) Partnering with Chipotle founder Steve Ells to launch Counter Service(59:33) Reinventing fast food with fresh ingredients and smarter supply chains(1:01:31) Using technology to reduce food waste and grow the restaurant business(1:05:54) How AI is changing restaurant operations and business decisions

In this episode of The Anti-Architect Podcast, Christian Giordano sits down with Ben Brougham, Senior Vice President and Creative Director of Brand at Jonathan Adler Design Studio, for a conversation about creativity, brand building, design, and the evolving role of AI in the creative process.Together, they discuss what it takes to build and maintain a design identity as distinctive as Jonathan Adler’s, how Ben’s role has evolved over more than two decades with the company, and what it’s like working alongside Jonathan himself. Ben also shares his approach to creative leadership and why great design doesn’t always have to take itself so seriously.jonathanadler.comEpisode highlights:(3:18) How the Jonathan Adler creative process works(8:31) Why great design needs “5% of levity”(9:46) Collaboration between architects and interior designers(11:47) How Jonathan Adler built a recognizable design brand(12:18) Creating the identity of Parker Palm Springs(19:43) Building long-term client relationships and repeat business(21:42) Jonathan Adler’s beginnings as a potter and maker(26:25) Choosing what is right for the project over promoting the brand(30:32) Inside the design of Parker Palm Springs(38:32) Restoring the 1971 Norman Jaffe house on Shelter Island(44:52) Private equity, business growth, and creative freedom(46:40) Making high-end design accessible through brand partnerships(48:38) Benjamin Brumm’s early influences and love of antiques(53:22) From film and television props to a career in design(56:46) The moment Ben decided he wanted to work for Jonathan Adler(58:20) How AI is changing the interior design process(1:03:13) Career advice, learning new skills, and staying current

In this episode, Christian Giordano sits down with Chris and Kellen Murphy, Founding Partners of Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP, for a conversation about commercial real estate, land use, entrepreneurship, and the evolving role of AI in the legal profession.Together, they discuss what it takes to move complex projects forward, from assembling the right team and navigating land use approvals to the growing politics surrounding data centers. Chris and Kellen also share how they built their Newark-based firm together, why relationships and emotional intelligence remain critical in the practice of law, and where they see AI creating new opportunities for the industry.https://www.murphyllp.com/Episode highlights:(3:04) Why the Murphy brothers’ business partnership works(11:54) How architects can give stronger planning board presentations(16:19) Politics, zoning, and getting development projects approved(28:25) Contracts, retainers, and getting paid as an architect(33:22) How tax credits and gap financing work(40:49) What is happening in the commercial real estate market(45:15) How MSW grew from zero clients into a major real estate law firm(51:22) Local attorneys versus statewide real estate law firms(1:00:30) How AI is changing law and architecture

In this episode, Christian Giordano is joined by Tim Greiner, Executive Managing Director at JLL, to talk about the evolution of New Jersey’s office market and what tenants really want today.Tim shares his perspective on the shift to hybrid work and the office “amenities arms race". He also gets candid about what architects get right (and wrong) during pitches and why doing the work before you’ve won the work can make all the difference.They also explore how AI is changing commercial real estate, and the opportunity it creates for the next generation of brokers.www.jll.com (2:52) What makes long-term business relationships last(3:52) Is the office really back after COVID?(7:36) What brokers need from architects(18:44) How architects can improve their pitches(23:02) What is happening in the New Jersey office market(30:16) Redevelopment and office-to-residential conversions(33:54) Which office amenities actually matter(40:28) New Jersey incentives and the film industry(51:12) Tim’s career story and major setbacks(57:18) How AI is changing commercial real estate

In this episode, Christian sits down with Warren and Jason Leeds, the father-son team behind Dartcor Enterprises and Chelsea Hospitality Group. Together, they have built a hospitality-driven business that spans workplace dining, catering, and restaurant operations, with a focus on creating memorable guest experiences. Warren shares how he grew the company from a single gourmet market into a thriving hospitality enterprise, while Jason discusses his decision to leave a career at Goldman Sachs to help lead the next chapter of the family business. Together, they explore how hospitality extends far beyond food, the value of integrating operators early in the design process, and why thoughtful service and community-building are transforming the modern workplace.https://www.dartcorhospitality.com/https://www.chelseahospitality.com/https://www.theantiarchitect.com/Episode highlights:(03:10) Creating spaces where people feel welcomed and valued(07:04) Working together as father and son(11:25) What architects often misunderstand about hospitality(15:41) Why hospitality teams should join projects early(21:36) Warren’s journey from a small café to workplace dining(25:13) Surviving COVID and rebuilding company culture(30:52) Launching Chelsea Hospitality Group(34:54) Morris Proper and General Coffee Co.(38:13) Making the office worth the commute(53:20) Using AI to give hospitality teams more human time(55:55) Robotics, coffee shops, and the future of service