Brad sits down with Zach Patton, COO of Black Wolf Build, to talk about what it takes to grow a construction company without letting growth outrun the systems behind it. Zach shares how clear roles, EOS, weekly meetings, after-action reports, one-on-ones, and a culture of continuous improvement have helped their team turn lessons from each project into better processes for the next.
They also get into client expectations, decision-making, protecting quality on spec homes, and why building a stronger company often comes down to getting a little better every time something goes wrong.
Aug 23
1 hr 5 min
Brad sits down with Mike Pinkey, managing partner at ProGuard Building, for a conversation about career reinvention, leadership, and redefining what it means to succeed.
Mike shares how he went from the golf industry into construction, built credibility by listening and staying consistent, and learned how easily values can erode through small compromises. They also discuss the isolation that can come with leadership, the importance of reaching out to people, and why ambition does not have to come at the expense of relationships, integrity, or peace.
Aug 16
1 hr
Brad sits down with Maria Ford, president of commercial and industrial sales at Stanley Black & Decker, at the DeWalt Innovation Center to discuss how the company is helping shape the future of the trades.
Maria shares how DeWalt develops tools with productivity, safety, and profitability in mind, and how battery technology, robotics, AI, and prefabrication are changing the way work gets done. They also discuss DeWalt’s $60 million Grow the Trades commitment, Maria’s 28-year career with Stanley Black & Decker, and why consistently showing up remains one of the simplest ways to stand out as a leader.
Aug 9
56 min
Brad sits down with Nathan Wheeler, founder of a full-service financial services brokerage and a leader within the Abundant Man Project, to explore how identity shapes the direction of your life, leadership, and business.
Nathan shares lessons from Ranger School, his difficult transition out of the military, and the habits that helped him rebuild his life and career. They also discuss choosing opportunities that align with who you want to become, separating productivity from busyness, protecting wealth outside the business, and planning for an eventual exit.
Aug 2
59 min
Brad sits down with Gabe Norcross of Norcross Builders to talk about what happens when the business you built begins taking more than it gives back. Gabe shares how burnout, a financially devastating project, and the words of his young son pushed him to leave California, rebuild in Louisville, and create a smaller company around his family and mental health. They explore the discipline of turning down the wrong work, building systems that protect both profit and peace, and using honest conversations to confront the mental health crisis in construction.
Jul 26
59 min
Brad sits down with Tyler Farrell of Killowen Construction to discuss what it takes to stop being the builder who does everything and become the leader a growing company needs. Tyler shares how delegation, repeatable systems, honest client communication, and clearer career paths have helped Killowen scale without losing the care behind the work. They also explore the emotional weight of leadership, protecting client relationships, and building something that can thrive beyond its founder.
Jul 19
1 hr 5 min
Brad sits down with Ben Tarwater, COO of Bickimer Homes, for a practical conversation about why process, communication, and expectation setting matter so much in semi custom home building. Ben shares how weekly updates, selection deadlines, clear parameters, and strong client relationships keep projects moving without turning the customer experience into chaos.
Jul 12
1 hr 6 min
Brad sits down with Denise Scott Weber, owner and principal designer of DSW Design, to talk about trust, communication, and what it takes to guide clients through complex design projects.
Denise shares lessons from residential and commercial work, including five-story brownstones, med spas, idea homes, and long-term repeat clients. The conversation covers designer-builder collaboration, asking better questions, setting expectations, managing timelines, and staying professional while building real relationships.
Jul 5
59 min
Brad sits down with Daniel Preston, owner of Deer Creek Custom Homes, for a conversation about leaving a comfortable role to build a company rooted in purpose, relationships, and integrity.
Daniel shares his family’s adoption and foster care journey, the moment his son challenged him to follow his own dream, and how he launched a custom home business in a new market.
Jun 28
1 hr 4 min
Brad sits down with Julia Bonner Zade, founder of Pierce, to talk about why storytelling, visibility, and a clear point of view matter for builders, architects, and design professionals.
Julia explains how firms can build trust before the first conversation, use PR and LinkedIn more intentionally, and show up with authority in a crowded market. She also shares why going quiet during uncertain times can be a missed opportunity for leaders who want to stay relevant.
Jun 21
57 min
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