Build the Rocket, But Don’t Forget the Life

KP Unpacked

This week on KP Unpacked—the number one podcast in AEC—Jeff Echols and KP Reddy unpack the Sunday Scaries post that broke the internet (or at least LinkedIn).

It all started with a Talking Heads lyric and a throwback photo… but quickly sparked a bigger conversation:
What’s your 10-year plan—for yourself, not your startup?

KP shares hard-won lessons from building (and walking away from) multimillion-dollar businesses, why too many founders confuse “in flight” with “on course,” and how to evaluate whether you're heading to Mars—or just orbiting Earth.

You’ll learn:

• Why quick exits are the exception, not the rule
• How to identify when to abort, pivot, or persevere
• The 5 elements every founder’s 10-year life plan should include
• How to separate identity from startup ego
• Why financial, health, family, and passion alignment matter more than vanity metrics

This episode isn’t just for startup founders—it’s a personal gut check for anyone on a high-stakes path.

Ignite what's next

We're launching something new... It’s called Catalyst.

It’s a space for AEC forward-thinkers are reimagining what’s next. This is where the top minds in the industry are sharing ideas, leading change, and pushing the future of AEC forward.

Sounds like you? Join the waitlist at https://kpreddy.co/

Check out one of our Catalyst conversation starters, AEC Needs More High-Agency Thinkers

Hope to see you there!

Chapters

1. Build the Rocket, But Don’t Forget the Life (00:00:00)

2. Welcome and KP's Recent Travels (00:01:25)

3. Sunday Scaries Post Goes Viral (00:04:08)

4. The Rocket Analogy for Startups (00:07:15)

5. Knowing When to Abort Mission (00:11:14)

6. Building a 10-Year Plan for Yourself (00:18:50)

7. Family, Health, and Balanced Outcomes (00:26:49)

8. Evaluating Progress vs. Luck (00:37:13)

9. Sustainable Success vs. Heroic Moments (00:45:49)