Build America Podcast

Ever wonder what happens after you flush the toilet or wash something down the drain? In this episode of the Build America podcast, host Scott Jennings sits down with Brad Musick from Wastewater Solutions (WSI) to uncover the fascinating, unseen world of wastewater treatment. With over 40 years of experience, Brad shares his journey from the Navy to becoming a leading expert in the field. Together...

Starting a construction project on the right foot with the owner’s representative can pay massive dividends for a contractor. In this episode, host Scott Jennings breaks down the essential early stage actions that set a project up for success. Scott divides these into contract niceties (the administrative and legal safeguards) and nice niceties (the relationship building efforts) that help protect...

No two sets of construction drawings are exactly the same, but mastering the absolute basics of civil utility plans is your ticket to navigating any job site with confidence. In this episode of the Build America Podcast, host Scott Jennings breaks down how to read and interpret utility plan and profile drawings. From understanding the differences between a bird's-eye plan view and a cross-sect...

In this episode of the Build America podcast, host Scott Jennings discusses the critical role that clear communication plays in your professional and personal life. Drawing from his extensive experience in heavy civil construction, Scott breaks down how vague communication habits lead to errors, confusion, and social awkwardness in the workplace. Learn why being precise with your words is an easy,...

In this episode of the Build America podcast, I sit down with Clem Kansisau , a veteran crane operator with over 37 years in the union. We are recording on location in Honolulu, Hawaii , where Clem and I have reunited on a project 20 years after we first worked together. Clem shares his deep history in the trades, stemming from a family legacy of crane operators, and offers a candid look at how th...

In this episode of the Build America Podcast , host Scott Jennings provides an unfiltered look at Smartsheet. Describing it as "Excel, but not Excel" , Scott explains why this cloud based platform is a "Contractor’s Dream" for managing critical project data like submittals, RFIs, and change orders. Drawing from his experience as a heavy civil construction company owner , Scott...

Thinking about starting your own construction company? In this episode of the Build America Podcast , Scott Jennings breaks down exactly what it takes to build a professional, sustainable construction business—from the ground up. Drawing on real-world experience, Scott walks through the critical first steps: choosing the right niche, securing paying clients, setting up your legal and financial str...

In this episode, Scott Jennings, PE, reviews Excavation Systems Planning, Design, and Safety —often called the Excavation Systems Bible —by Joe M. Turner, PE. This contractor-focused resource takes a practical, OSHA-driven approach to excavation and trench shoring, prioritizing worker safety over theory-heavy design. Listeners will learn why this book is a must-have for contractors, estimators, su...

In this episode of the Build America Podcast , Scott Jennings takes a practical, no-nonsense look at how artificial intelligence is already changing the way construction professionals work. From summarizing complex legal cases and analyzing hundreds of geotechnical boring logs to checking advanced engineering math and supporting doctoral-level research, Scott shares real-world examples of how tool...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most misunderstood—but most powerful—tools in construction: the project schedule. Often treated as paperwork or a box to check, scheduling quietly drives daily decisions, risk allocation, and even multi-million-dollar delay claims. We break down what construction scheduling really is, why it goes far beyond a simple timeline, and how it becomes the shared l...

In this episode of Build America , host Scott Jennings breaks down a powerful truth every contractor needs to hear: if you want to finish on time, reduce overhead, and protect your profit—you must drive the bus . That means taking charge of your work, guiding the owner, and nudging the engineer so the entire project keeps moving. Scott dives into why owners and engineers often respond slowly, what...

Step inside year two of Scott Jennings’ PhD journey—a raw, honest, and unexpectedly dramatic chapter of the Build America Podcast. This episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to pursue a doctorate while juggling a full career in construction. Scott shares long weekends spent buried in research, late-night study sessions, conference presentations, and the academic pressures no one w...

In this episode, Scott Jennings breaks down what it truly means to grow beyond “business puberty” and step into real executive leadership in the construction industry. Drawing from decades of hands-on field experience, Scott reveals why leadership isn’t earned behind a desk — it’s built through time, adversity, and life-tested moments that no textbook can teach. From navigating age bias at differe...

Welcome back to the Build America Podcast , where host Scott Jennings brings you unfiltered, no-BS insights into the world of construction. In this episode, Scott breaks down a real-life legal case that combines four critical construction contract concepts every contractor should understand: Value Engineering , Reservation of Rights , No Damage for Delay , and Cardinal Change . Through a detailed...

In this episode of the Build America Podcast , host Scott Jennings dives into the delicate balance between over-designing and under-designing in construction projects. From the high costs of failure prevention to the equally damaging costs of engineering oversights, Scott explores where the “sweet spot” of pragmatic engineering lies. Using real-world examples, industry research, and lessons from d...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 297 - What is a Venturi Eductor? – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, in this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he breaks down the concept of a Venturi eductor and how it's used to prime a centrifugal water pump; in this case the pump was sitting above the water level of the source. With his trademark blend...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 296 - Funny and Scary: ChatGPT Gives a Chuckle – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, in this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he dives into the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence—focusing on ChatGPT—and its growing influence in construction, engineering, and academia. Blending humour with hands-on expe...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 295 - Look up and Beyond 14” and Find a Double Minus 7 – With Scott JenningsJoin Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, in this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he highlights the critical role of networking in career and business success within the construction industry. He shares practical strategies for building meaningful connections, i...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 294 - The Professor of Practice inEngineering Handles the 2nd –With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, in this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he explores the value of a four-year engineering degree, he highlights the need for more practical training to complement academic knowledge. He advocates for integrating re...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 293 - Will you Marry Me? Well, How About we CollaborDate?– With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, in this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he draws insightful parallels between successful construction projects and successful partnerships, likening project collaboration to the dynamics of a marriage. Scott emphasize...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 292 - Jet Grout and Soil Mixing - The 101 – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, in this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he takes a deep dive into the fascinating world of soil improvement, focusing on two critical methods: jet grouting and soil mixing. Geared toward engineers, contractors, and project owners, t...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 291 - Just Say “No” – You May Get Thanked – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, on this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he explores the often-overlooked power of saying "no" in construction projects. Drawing on his extensive experience as both a contractor and an owner, Scott explains why a timely “no” can be c...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 290 - What's a Form Ratio? – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, on this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he delves into the concept of form ratios and how they can enhance accuracy in estimating concrete costs. Inspired by insights from Chris Sautter’s book, Temporary Structure Design , Scott discusses how cont...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 289 - Don't Get Sick: Post-Topping Out Syndrome – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, on this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as he delves into the concept of "Post-Topping Out Syndrome" (PTS), a common phenomenon that occurs after reaching significant milestones in construction projects, such as top...

–The Pipeline Podcast – Ep 288 - My Old Guy PhD Program Begins – Entry No. 1 – With Scott Jennings Join Scott Jennings, former construction company owner turned consultant, on this episode of the Pipeline Podcast as shares his experiences and insights as he embarks on a PhD program in construction at the age of 53. Scott, a seasoned professional in the construction industry with a master's deg...