Building PA Podcast

In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month ,  The Building PA Podcast is sharing a powerful podcast replay with one of the construction industry's most notable individuals and advocates for mental health in construction, Mandi Kime, Safety Director for AGC of Washington. This podcast replay is worth sharing not only with those in the construction industry but also anyone in a stressf...

On the road again... Co-hosts John O'Brien and Chris Martin took the show on the road. This time their field trip landed them at the Carpenter's Dive School in Sicklerville, NJ. After touring the facility they sat down with Tim Waring , the training coordinator at the Sicklerville Dive School. This school is the first UBC (United Brotherhood of Carpenters) dive center.  Waring explains t...

We invited co-founders Kristen Fallon and Jon Lattin to the Building PA Podcast to share more about Let's Build of Lehigh Valley. This unique hands-on experience for girls aged 12-18 opens up the world of AEC. The mission of Let’s Build Construction Camp for Girls was founded with a goal to ignite the spark within girls to explore the built environment through architecture, engineering, const...

The primary goal of the WELL Building Standard is to prioritize the health and well-being of occupants. By incorporating features that enhance indoor air quality, lighting, acoustics, and ergonomic design, buildings can create environments that support physical and mental health, productivity, and overall comfort. This podcast replay with guest Chip Desmone , CEO of Desmone Architects is the epito...

The Constructors of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP) and the Master Builder's Association of Western Pennsylvania (MBA) have partnered to bring a new mental health initiative to the construction industry in western PA called Yinz Good? Jason Koss, director of industry relations for the CAWP, and Bob McCall, director of safety for the MBA are the co-founders of this initiative in partnership with Y...

In this episode, we tap into the mind of the Vice President of Innovation for Wohlsen Construction , Ed McCauley to discuss innovation in the construction industry. Our co-hosts explore the role of technology and IT in construction. McCauley shares his thoughts on virtual design in construction. McCauley explains how they use innovative tools and technologies to improve project management, coordin...

The Building PA Podcast recently had a sit-down interview with Paul Hoback, the Executive Vice President, and Chief Development Officer for the Allegheny County Airport Authority. Hoback is currently overseeing the Terminal Modernization Program for the Pittsburgh International Airport. During the podcast, Hoback made an important announcement for all contractors and sub-contractors. On Thursday,...

Give yourself the chance to be inspired by Retired Major General John Gronski by listening to this enlightening podcast replay. The question of whether there are natural-born leaders or if leadership skills can be learned is a topic of debate. However, the truth is that both perspectives hold truth. It is undeniable that some individuals possess inherent qualities that make them effective leaders...

In this podcast episode we talk with Edna Howard, the president of Voices of Encouragement, a training and development company focused on empowering the workforce. The discussion is around the importance of employee wellness, safety concerns, and workforce challenges. Howard shares her passion for leadership development and helping leaders have "light bulb" moments of understanding. This...

This is a throwback podcast from 2020. Co-hosts Jon and Chris talk safety culture in the construction industry with Owner and President Clayton Leibold from Leibold Inc . Leibold is a mechanical contractor based in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.  Leibold shares the biggest challenge for the construction industry regarding safety is overcoming job site hurdles and the pressure to complete work within sh...

In this episode, Vice President of Aims Construction, Mike Tarle,  gets in-depth on the topic of how the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry can better deal with local government. Tarle, who serves as the town council president of McCandless Township, shares his insights from both his professional experience in the construction industry and his role in local government.  The...

Building with confidence and navigating risk in construction: Insights from NFP, the Global Insurance Broker. In this episode, the Building PA Podcast and guest Ivan Usero sheds light on the critical role of NFP , a global insurance broker, in helping construction companies mitigate risks. Ivan Usero provides valuable insights into risk management strategies, the importance of technology, and vari...

Ensuring a healthy work environment and fostering a positive work culture have become paramount for numerous companies. The advantages of prioritizing these aspects far exceed any associated costs. In this podcast replay, we delve into the strategies employed by a company that places utmost importance on the well-being of its employees. The episode outlines how this organization prioritizes the he...

Josh Strickler, the COO of Diplomat Demolition , has been employing workers through worker re-entry programs for almost 20 years. Diplomat Demolition employs workers who have gone through re-entry programs, with 70 out of 70 workers having some form of re-entry background. Approximately 20-30 workers have come directly from re-entry programs, while another 20 have criminal backgrounds. Diplomat De...

In this podcast episode, the host introduces Josh Strickler, the Chief Operations Officer at Diplomat Demolition . The discussion centers around worker re-entry, a topic that has been increasingly discussed in recent years but has not been covered on the podcast before. Strickler shares his experiences and insights on employing veterans and individuals who are reentering the workforce after incarc...

In this episode, we have a special guest, Kerry Smith, a freelance writer and expert in media relations. We dive into the topic of storytelling and the interview process, exploring what makes a good story.  Our enthusiastic hosts are excited to learn from Smith's wisdom and experience. Smith introduces herself as a serial entrepreneur however, she clarifies that her innovation lies in various...

In this podcast episode, the focus is once again on safety. The discussion revolves around strategies that construction businesses can employ to create safer work environments, aiming for zero injuries and reducing OSHA recordable incidents. Original Content: The HR and Safety Director of Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal, Seth Abraham, stopped by the Building PA Podcast to discuss labor relations...

This positive and powerful podcast addresses a topic that the Building PA Podcast, can not talk enough about - workplace mental health and suicide prevention.  Our guest, Cal Beyer, Vice President of Workforce Risk and Worker Wellbeing for Holmes and Murphy is sharing his personal and professional journey of communicating, educating, and informing individuals in the field of construction. Our co-h...

Construction safety is an ongoing conversation. This podcast replay with Bob McCall, safety director for the MBA shares insight into job site safety and how safety is compromised when we aren't focused on the root cause which is often stress and mental health and wellness. On the heels of Construction Safety Week, we thought this podcast was a good refresher for everyone working in the constr...

Our topic today, lowering OSHA recordables, may very well become the most popular download of the year. Why? Because we hear time and time again and have learned that the construction industry as a whole starts and ends the day with safety in mind. It's one of the most talked about topics in construction. Companies strive for a good safety rating. They wear in like a badge of honor.  Our gues...

The construction industry is a dynamic industry and fiercely competitive. Now more than ever, project presentation and how you sell and communicate your company's unique strengths to the owner, board, and decision-makers is critical. Long gone are the days when you can win a job by simply selling safe, on time, and on budget. These things are expected by owners. It's time to take the nex...

In recognition of National Work Zone Awareness Week , April 17-21, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to share a podcast replay with Rich Barcaskey of the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP). He shares some great advice. As drivers, follow work zone signs, slow down, and save lives! Take a listen to this podcast replay. It's a great reminder of the small things we c...

For this episode, we invited our friends Mackenzie Carolan and Todd Zdunkewicz with Linbeck Construction to join the podcast and share their seller/doer model of success.  Our seller is Mackenzie Carolan, vice president, of business development at Linbeck in Dallas, TX. Our doer is Todd Zdunkewicz,  project manager with Linbeck Construction in Houston, TX. We know a lot of our listeners use this m...

Well, it looks like prefabrication IS here to stay. It's been over a year since we aired this podcast and supply chain issues continue to remain a headache for the construction industry. This podcast is worth another listen. Why? Because there are some great tips and stories of how prefabricated products are solving problems and helping to get jobs done without delay. Original Content -  Jim...

The podcast has had the privilege of interviewing many prominent architects in Pennsylvania. But today's guest is a different kind of architect. He's not building buildings, he's building and inspiring wellness. David Whitesock is the founder of Commonly Well and the architect of Recovery Capital Index®. RCI provides a comprehensive picture of a person's whole being using an on...