Behind the Barricade

In this episode of Behind the Barricade , Chad Cannon and Jim Christian discuss why strong relationships matter more than transactions in construction and project management. Jim explains how trust is built through small, consistent actions, clear communication, integrity, and treating clients, contractors, and vendors as true partners. The conversation highlights how relationship-first leadership...

Chad Cannon and Jim Christian reflect on one of the most important themes from the podcast’s first 12 episodes: effective communication. They explain why successful project delivery requires clarity, frequency, courageous honesty, and communication tailored to each stakeholder. The conversation covers when to move beyond email, how to deliver difficult news before having every answer, the value of...

 In this episode, Chad Cannon interviews Jim Christian about why pre-construction is where construction projects are won or lost . Jim explains that great project management means owning the outcome, not just attending meetings, and that early planning helps align budgets, schedules, vendors, designs, and stakeholder expectations before problems become costly change orders. The episode emphasizes...

Most construction projects struggle with productivity, delays, and budget overruns  but what if the secret to success isn’t just more resources, but smarter management?  In this eye-opening episode, I sat down with industry expert Philip Angel to reveal how precise stakeholder collaboration, innovative project management tools, and understanding municipal bureaucracy can turn a chaotic project int...

Tomomi Marzan, Director of Retail Design at Belmont Park Village, shares a behind-the-scenes look at delivering high-performance retail construction projects. From starting work before leases are finalized to aligning landlords, tenants, and contractors, she breaks down what actually drives successful outcomes. The conversation highlights a critical shift in the industry: speed isn’t the problem,...

In this insightful interview, Charles Stark, CEO of Stark Engineering, shares his journey from childhood influences to leading a successful engineering firm. He discusses the importance of relationships, design challenges, and the future of construction technology, emphasizing human connection and innovative problem-solving.

In this episode of Behind the Barricade , Jim Christian sits down with Meri Gregg , Senior Project Manager at Avon Design Group , to explore what really drives performance in retail construction projects. With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Meri shares how she found her way into retail design, why she thrives in fast-paced project environments, and what Avon Design Group brings...

The conversation covers Jenny Kim's career transition from architecture to retail, her experience in real estate development, strategic growth and rollouts in retail, and performance breakthroughs in construction projects. It explores the challenges and successes encountered in these areas, providing valuable insights into the industry. The conversation covers the importance of accountability and...

The conversation delves into the construction industry, covering early career experiences, retail store construction, partnership and collaboration, project setbacks, pre-construction planning, supply chain challenges, field work, and industry challenges. Key takeaways include insights into construction industry trends and productivity breakthroughs. Takeaways Construction industry trends Producti...

The conversation delves into Roy Barberi's journey in the construction industry, from early exposure to technology to overcoming challenges and achieving significant growth. Roy shares personal stories of failure and success, emphasizing the importance of people-first leadership and continuous improvement. Additionally, he discusses trends and productivity in the construction industry, as well as...

The conversation delves into the world of retail construction, highlighting the importance of early involvement, transparency, and communication in project success. It explores challenges, productivity, and the impact of design changes, emphasizing the role of people in construction. The discussion also addresses the future of construction performance, industry challenges, and the impact of tariff...

Adam Hirsch from Hirsch Construction shares insights on construction performance breakthroughs, including a sense of urgency, strong communication, and sustainability. He also discusses the importance of attracting young talent to the industry through internships and technology adoption. Takeaways Sense of urgency Strong communication Attracting young talent to the industry Technology adoption

In this episode of "Behind the Barricades," host Jim Christian sits down with Rachel Zsembery, President and CEO of Bergmeyer, to explore the evolving landscape of the construction industry. Rachel shares insights from her 23-year journey at Bergmeyer, discussing the importance of holistic design, strategic partnerships, and early collaboration with construction teams. The conversation delves into...

In the final episode of 2025, Jim Christian, founder and CEO, shares his insights on performance breakthroughs in the construction industry. He emphasizes the importance of controlling one's calendar, the power of deep work, and the necessity of having a clear vision for progress. Jim also discusses the impact of AI, the need for resilience in turbulent environments, and the irreplaceable value of...

In this episode of "Behind the Barricade," host Jim Christian welcomes Tim Patrie, an expert in the construction industry, to discuss the nuances of value engineering. Tim shares his journey from working on construction sites as a kid to leading global store development for major brands. The conversation delves into the importance of relationships in construction, the impact of tariffs, and strate...

In this episode of "Behind the Barricade," host Jim Christian sits down with Virginia Grant, Vice President of Store Development for Luxottica. Virginia shares her inspiring journey from a teaching background to leading major construction projects for iconic brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley. Discover how Virginia navigated challenges, embraced opportunities, and leveraged AI to enhance productivity...

Construction looks clean on paper. In reality, it’s chaos. Delayed permits, blown budgets, and miscommunication that can make or break a project. In this short intro, host Jim Christian lays out why he’s pulling back the curtain on the industry. To expose the truth Behind the Barricade and start a new kind of conversation about how we build better.