Your Design Passport

20: From Mexico to the US: When Architecture Becomes a Passport with Martin Najera

What happens when an architecture career crosses a border? Martin Najera grew up with two architect parents in Mexico, studied architecture there, and has spent his prof

19: Who Is Listening to Your Design Passport?

What happens when a podcast about architecture, careers and global perspectives starts reaching people in places you never expected? That's the question that sent me dow

18: AI Won't Replace Architects: It Will Change How We Work

Following my conversation with Samantha Flores in Episode 17, I wanted to share something a little more personal. Rather than talking about where artificial intelligence

17: AI Isn't Replacing Architects—It's Redefining the Way We Design | Samantha Flores

Artificial intelligence has quickly become one of the most discussed topics in architecture. Some see it as the future of design. Others worry it could replace architects

16: You've Been Networking Your Whole Life (You Just Didn't Know It)

Most people think networking starts at conferences, industry events, or the moment you need a new job. But what if you've actually been networking your whole life? In t

15: The Power of Showing Up: Cassidy Jones on Networking, Leadership & Career Growth

Networking doesn't have to feel awkward. Architect and community leader Cassidy Jones shares how authentic relationships have shaped her career, helped her navigate care

14: Architecture Is a Passport | Why Your Skills Travel Further Than You Think

Most architects dramatically underestimate how transferable their skills actually are. After speaking with Neil Pann in the previous episode, I found myself reflecting o

13: You’re the Architect of Your Own Career | Neal Pann on Expanding Beyond Practice

“You’re the architect of your own career.” That single sentence from Neal Pann stayed with me long after this conversation ended. Because for so many architects, there

12: You Are Not Starting From Zero: 5 Mistakes International Architects Make in the U.S.

“You are not starting from zero.” And yet, that’s exactly how many internationally trained architects feel when they begin applying for jobs in the U.S.  

11: Inside Architecture Hiring- What U.S. Firms Actually Look For (From a Recruiter - Rachel Davis)

“I found that I couldn’t bear sitting at a desk any longer… I really needed that people connection. Every time I stepped into a client meeting, I was excited. But then I’

10: Am I About to Undo My Entire Career? Moving from Australia to the U.S. as an Architect

Am I about to undo my entire career? That was the question I couldn’t shake when I started the process of moving from Australia to the United States as an architect.

9: Finding Home in Australia: Real Estate, Identity & Starting Again with Bonnie Worth

When you move countries, you don’t just change where you live — you leave an entire version of your life behind and step into uncertainty. In this episode of Your Desig

8: Designing Your Own Study-Abroad Path in Architecture (US → Australia) with Emily Perna

No one had done it before — so Emily Perna decided to figure it out herself. When her architecture school didn’t have an existing exchange program in Australia, Emily bui

7: The APE Deep Dive — Your Practical Guide to Australian Architectural Registration

This is where everyone meets on the same starting line. In this episode of Your Design Passport, we’re diving deep into the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) — th

6: Moving to Australia as an Architect: The OQA Process Explained (What I Wish I Knew)

This whole thing teaches you patience before you even board the plane. In this episode of Your Design Passport, I’m walking you through exactly how I transferred my arch

2: How Moving Across Three Countries Rebuilt My Architecture Career (RSA → AUS → USA)

In the first episode of Your Design Passport, I share my journey across Johannesburg, Brisbane, and Dallas—exploring identity, burnout, and reinvention. From rebuilding c

3: Becoming an Architect in South Africa: What Architecture School Really Shapes (Part 1)

This journey is about so much more than ticking academic boxes — it shapes who you become as a designer. In this episode of Your Design Passport, I’m opening the door to

4: SA Registration (Part 2): The Logbooks, PPE Exam & Getting Licensed

This qualification becomes your global passport. In Part 2 of this mini-series on becoming a registered architect in South Africa, we move beyond architecture school and

5: The Real Cost of a Global Architecture Career — Lessons from the Middle East with Carl Adams

“Do not think that the Middle East is glamorous all the time. There is a lot of blood, sweat and tears in order to make six-month programs work.” In this episode of Your

1: Welcome to Your Design Passport

🎙️ Your Design Passport — Unlock global pathways in architecture, design, and creative leadership. Hosted by Sam G, a triple-registered architect in South Africa, Austral