In this episode of The Land Development Podcast, host Ryan Glick sits down with Jody Whitlock, the Community Partnerships Lead at Ladies in Land. Jody is currently finishing her master’s degree in Land and Property Development at Texas A&M University, and she joins the show to share what it’s like starting a career in land development today. From her early interest in planning to her hands-on work with real-world projects, Jody brings a unique perspective as someone just entering the industry.
Jody walks us through her decision to pursue private sector development over public planning, explaining how a classroom experience sparked her interest and how internships shaped her direction. She outlines what worked well in those internships, and what didn’t, offering advice for both students and the professionals who hire them. She also emphasizes how important mentorship has been in her journey and how asking good questions helped her grow faster.
The conversation also dives into her involvement with Ladies in Land, especially the upcoming launch of their collegiate network in 2026. Jody explains how this program will help students, especially women, learn that land development is a real career path. With plans to start in Texas, the initiative aims to connect students to industry professionals, create chapter groups on campuses, and offer mentorship and visibility to those new to the field.
Finally, Jody reflects on what she hopes to achieve in her own career. With the support of the Aggie Network and her experience across planning, acquisitions, and residential development, she’s ready to step into the field full time after graduation.
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Ryan sits down with Peter Murphy Lewis to talk about how storytelling can help developers and builders attract better talent and build stronger teams. They break down simple, practical ways to use video and real stories to stand out in today’s labor market.
Keith Miller joins the show to talk about his focus on building attainably priced homes at scale in Montana, why he’s using factory-built housing, and what it really takes to bring new supply to fast-growing markets.
Ryan and Charles break down falling homebuyer demand, a heated TikTok debate on millennial housing choices, a proposed property tax hike in New York City, and what a shrinking U.S. population could mean for developers.