Elevate Construction

What's the real role of a Project Executive? Is it just oversight and problem-solving or is it something far more crucial to the success of flow-based projects? In this episode, Hal Macomber joins Jason to unpack why project executives aren't just managers, they're the environment builders who make Takt construction thrive. Here's what we dig into: Why the socio-technical side of construction is j...

In this episode, Jason dives deep into the Last Planner System not just to explain it, but to start building a clear, modern, and practical manual that actually works in today's construction environment. Too many of the resources we rely on are the same ones published 10, 20, even 25 years ago. They haven't kept up with the realities of flow, trade collaboration, and the integration of Takt planni...

Construction is messy, stressful, and full of high-stakes moments but what if the best leaders aren't the ones who yell the loudest, but the ones who stay calmest when the pressure is highest? In this episode, I sit down with Chris Giaimo to talk about the art of calm under pressure. From growing up in the trades alongside his dad to building a reputation as the superintendent crews want to work f...

What does it take to go from pushing brooms to leading as a superintendent in just a few years? In this episode, we sit down with Steven Shannon of Sky Blue Builders , alongside Kate Schroeder , to unpack the habits, systems, and mindset shifts that transformed his career and his life. Steven opens up about his path in construction, the power of mentorship, and how lessons from our Super PM Boot C...

What if you could combine the strengths of CPM with the power of Takt without falling into the traps that derail most projects? In this episode, Jason breaks down exactly how to align Takt and CPM so they work together, not against each other. You'll learn: Why Takt should always come first as your production plan. How to set up the deliverable and update cycles the right way. What superintendents...

Construction is tough but does it have to break people? What if resilience could be built into our teams just like steel and concrete? In this powerful conversation, Stephanie Wood (CEO of CoBuild Construction) and Jordan Leytem (Field Operations Manager) share how they're reshaping construction culture by focusing on people first. Their work brings neuroscience, leadership, and heart together to...

What if working 70-hour weeks wasn't the badge of honor the industry makes it out to be? What if the real mark of leadership was giving your teams the capacity to succeed and the freedom to thrive? In this episode, Chris Pomey, field operations leader at Manhattan Construction shares how building capacity and focusing on the employee experience can transform both people and projects. From digging...

What does it mean to truly give back to the construction industry? For Steve Yots, it's not just about completing projects, it's about shaping the next generation, one person at a time. In this episode, Steve shares the powerful story of a $1.3B mega-project that redefined collaboration, trust, and flow. From creating unmovable milestones to writing "Work with Heart, Build with Care" on the tower...

Habits run our lives whether we like it or not. The question is: are they helping you succeed… or quietly holding you back? In this episode, John Coffman shares decades of leadership wisdom on how habits shape your management philosophy, your career, and even your team's success. You'll hear why the easiest habits to form are usually the wrong ones, and how to intentionally replace them with routi...

What do high-performing construction crews and top-tier cooking shows have in common? Full kit - having everything you need in place before the work starts. In this episode, Jason Schroeder break down why full kit isn't just a Lean buzzword, it's the difference between smooth production and chaos on site. Using the cooking show analogy, we'll explore how foremen can set their teams up like master...

Our jobsite boards are supposed to make things clearer but are they actually holding us back? In this episode, I break down the biggest mistakes the industry is making with field boards, from confusing "constraints" with "roadblocks" to locking critical look-ahead schedules inside the trailer where crews can't see them. You'll hear: Why our visuals for the Last Planner System are nowhere near wher...

Inside "Final Phase" - The Cleaning Company Raising the Bar in Construction What happens when a team obsessed with quality, lean principles, and customer care decides to start a construction cleaning company? You get Final Phase and it's not your typical trade partner. In this episode, Jason Schroeder sits down with Matthew , Kevin , and Emilio to reveal: The real story behind Final Phase's launch...

Leadership, Laughter & Lessons From the Jobsite (with Jake Smaellie) What do kids on cruise ships, paper straws, and water bottles on construction sites have in common? In this episode, Jason Schroeder and returning guest Jake Smaellie connect the dots in a way only they can with humor, real-life stories, and hard-hitting leadership lessons. You'll hear: Why asking the wrong questions as a leader...

When doctors told John Kaufman there were no more treatment options, most people would have given up. John made a different choice. In this deeply moving and inspiring episode, Jason Schroeder talks with John about his 25-year journey living with an incurable cancer a journey filled with setbacks, unexpected blessings, and a daily decision to live fully, not just exist. You'll hear: The three mind...

The Secret to Skyrocketing Your Career? Stop Waiting for Permission. Too many construction professionals wait for their company to invest in their growth only to watch their careers stall. In this episode, Jason Schroeder sits down with master builder, mentor, and leadership coach  Mark Story to flip that mindset on its head. Mark reveals why owning your own development whether through books, ment...

What happens when one of the most respected minds in lean construction sits down to dissect project planning systems? You get this episode. In this powerful conversation, Jason is joined by mentor and thought leader Hal Macomber to explore: Why CPM lacks production theory (and what that means for your projects). The real difference between Scrum and Kanban. How Takt construction works as a socio-t...

In a world obsessed with tech, are we forgetting the basics that actually make construction work? In this quick but powerful episode, Jason Schroeder sounds the alarm on a fading skill that used to define real builders: marking up and highlighting drawin gs. Why "paperless" isn't the goal  effectiveness is. How colored highlighters can eliminate scope gaps, prevent confusion, and speed up buyout....

Let's make one thing clear: you don't win the next job in the interview room, you win it on the current jobsite. In this landmark 1400th episode, Jason Schroeder flips the script on traditional sales thinking and makes a bold declaration: Quality comes before sales always. Whether you're a general superintendent, PM, or trade partner, this episode is a masterclass in how to build a remarkable repu...

Strategy That Actually Works: Real Talk with Mark Story How do you build smarter, lead stronger, and deliver better projects without burning out your team? In this game-changing episode, Mark Story joins Jason Schroeder to unpack the real meaning of strategy in construction and spoiler alert: it's not just about scheduling. From staffing and logistics to trust and team alignment, Mark shares the p...

In this powerhouse episode, Jason Schroeder is joined by Lean legend Hal Macomber , who shares jaw-dropping insights from decades of experience revolutionizing how we build. From set-based design to macro-level takt planning, Hal breaks down why takt construction isn't just a theory - it's the only way forward . What you'll learn in this episode: Why execution at the work face matters more than pe...

This one hits deep. In this episode, Jason Schroeder pulls no punches as he unpacks a hot-button topic that's stirring up the construction world: Is Critical Path Method (CPM) helping or hurting our projects? He responds to criticism head-on and shares why blaming people instead of broken systems is a dead-end mindset in our industry. But that's just the beginning. Jason also dives into the real-w...

Why Every Project Needs a "Situation Room" In this episode, Jason Schroeder introduces a game-changing idea for modern construction: the Situation Room - a centralized command space to monitor, plan, and respond in real-time. Inspired by legendary builds like the Empire State Building and Boulder Dam, Jason makes the case for creating dedicated rooms where project leaders aren't just reacting, the...

"The Trades Won't Do It" - That's a Lie. Let's Talk. In this episode, Jason Schroeder calls out one of the most common and laziest excuses on job sites: "The trades won't do it." Won't pull plan? Won't do huddles? Won't use weekly work plans? 🚨 Total. B.S. Jason shares years of hard-won experience proving that trades will engage when they're led with clarity, purpose, and respect. He digs into a...

The Lie of Hustle Culture: Why Grinding Isn't the Answer Is "rise and grind" really the path to greatness or just a trap we've all bought into? In this episode of the Elevate Construction Podcast, Jason Schroeder breaks down the myth of hustle culture and why it's quietly hurting workers, families, and entire project teams. From 100-hour work weeks to toxic productivity mindsets, Jason shares pers...

Framers & Concrete Crews - We Need to Talk!  In this straight-shooting episode of the Elevate Construction Podcast, Jason Schroeder dives into a conversation the industry needs to have: framers and concrete crews asking for the entire jobsite and how it's slowing down your projects. From hospital basements the size of football fields to cramped urban builds in Salt Lake and even oil rigs in the oc...