Ep 03 Part 1: Building Community and Financial Freedom with PadSplit’s First Host, Heather Wren

In this episode of the One Room at A Time podcast, host Atticus LeBlanc, founder, and CEO of PadSplit, chats with his longtime friend and real estate partner, Heather Wren. Heather shares her journey from accidental landlord to a successful real estate investor with a portfolio of over 20 properties. The conversation highlights her initial struggles, lessons learned, and the transformative impact of coliving on her life and the lives of her tenants. From humorous anecdotes to touching human stories, Heather and Atticus delve into the unique challenges and rewards of coliving and community building. The episode also features inspiring stories about tenants like Amber, who went from living in her car to running a successful business and aspiring to become a property owner herself.

00:00 Introduction to the One Room at A Time Podcast

00:40 Meet Heather Wren: Accidental Landlord to Real Estate Investor

02:04 Heather's Early Real Estate Journey

04:49 Challenges and Lessons Learned

11:13 Discovering PadSplit and the First Prototype

12:28 Becoming a PadSplit Host

18:51 Human Stories and Community Impact

25:51 Amber's Transformation: From Homeless to Entrepreneur

31:29 Conclusion and What's Next

One Room at a Time podcast: https://padsplit.com/podcast

Connect with Atticus LeBlanc on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atticus-leblanc-3960466/

Connect with Heather Wren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-wren-870807b/ ​

References:

• Heather’s new coliving services: https://www.colivingsuccess.com/
• Heather's new Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/colivingsuccess/​
• PadSplit Host Resources: https://www.padsplit.com/hosts
• B Squared Cleaners: https://www.bsquaredcleaners.com/
• PadSplit Member Amber’s story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdradwnLVfo

In this episode of the One Room at A Time podcast, host Atticus LeBlanc, CEO of PadSplit, continues his conversation with Eric Kronberg, a housing advocate and principal at Kronberg Urbanists + Architects. They delve into tactics for advocating better housing policy with city officials, including the significance of understanding development math. Eric discusses the importance of incremental change with various levels of policymakers and the flaws in current zoning codes. The episode highlights cities effectively implementing progressive housing policies and the potential role of AI taking shape at housing companies. Eric also shares his insights on the importance of public engagement and how even minimal participation can drive significant change.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:48 Incremental Development and Zoning Challenges

03:56 Overcoming Political and Social Barriers

09:18 State vs. Local Housing Policies

22:57 AI in Housing Reform

30:35 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion

One Room at a Time podcast: https://padsplit.com/podcast

Connect with Atticus LeBlanc on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atticus-leblanc-3960466/

Connect with Eric Kronberg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kronberg-36289ba/

Learn more about Eric's company: kronbergua.com​

References:

• Incremental Development Alliance​: https://www.incrementaldevelopment.org/
• YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/
• Abundant Housing Atlanta: https://abundanthousingatlanta.org/
• UCLA Housing Voice Podcast featuring Evan Mast: https://www.lewis.ucla.edu/2024/09/18/encore-episode-market-rate-development-and-neighborhood-rents-with-evan-mast/
• Gov. Brian Kemp’s Office, Workforce Housing Grants: https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2025-06-18/gov-kemp-announces-latest-workforce-housing-grant-awards
• Mercatus Center: https://www.mercatus.org/
•  American Legislative Exchange Council: https://alec.org/
• Sightline Institute: https://www.sightline.org/
• City of Thomasville, Ga. Planning and Zoning: https://thomasville.org/departments/planning-zoning
• City of Durham, N.C. Expanding Housing Choices: https://www.durhamnc.gov/3679/Expanding-Housing-Choices
• The Reactionary Mind by Corey Robin:

Ep 02 Part 1: Unlocking “Attainable” Housing Solutions: An In-depth Discussion with Eric Kronberg

In this episode of the One Room at A Time podcast, Atticus LeBlanc, founder and CEO of PadSplit, hosts Eric Kronberg from Kronberg Urbanists+Architects. They discuss the complexities of the housing crisis, exploring innovative and practical solutions through urban design and zoning reforms. Eric highlights the benefits of dense, attainable housing modeled after New Orleans' urban structure. Key topics include the financial advantages of small lot residential construction, the role of building codes, the inefficiencies of typical suburban zoning, and the critical need for rethinking parking and transportation to create sustainable and affordable housing. This episode is the first of a two-part series diving deep into housing policy and models for creating efficient, cost-effective housing solutions.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:54 Meet Eric Kronberg: Urban Design Visionary

02:41 New Orleans: A Model for Attainable Housing

05:53 The Economics of Density and Zoning

10:41 Challenges and Solutions in Housing Policy

15:04 The Cost of Parking and Infrastructure

22:04 Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two

One Room at a Time podcast: https://padsplit.com/podcast

Connect with Atticus LeBlanc on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atticus-leblanc-3960466/

Connect with Eric Kronberg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kronberg-36289ba/

Learn more about Eric's company: kronbergua.com​

References:

• Urban3: https://www.urbanthree.com/
• Urban3 Principal Joe Minicozzi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-minicozzi-38269827/
• Habitat for Humanity New Orleans: https://habitat-nola.org/
• Shane Phillips, Housing Affordability Researcher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanedphillips/
• UCLA Housing Voice Podcast: https://www.lewis.ucla.edu/programs/housing/ucla-housing-voice-podcast/
• UCLA Housing Voice Podcast featuring Michael Eriksen and Anthony Orlando podcast episode: https://www.lewis.ucla.edu/2024/09/04/78-building-height-and-construction-costs-with-anthony-orlando/
• Sanborn Maps: https://www.loc.gov/collections/sanborn-maps/about-this-collection/