Elevate Construction

In this podcast we cover: Why safety glasses are the best indicator of readiness. Why it should be mandatory. What it means when people do not wear them. In this episode, I take a strong stance on one of the simplest yet most telling aspects of safety on a construction site: wearing safety glasses. Too often, leaders make excuses or allow exceptions, and in doing so, they undermine the very founda...

In this podcast we cover: What crystal balls you have on your roles. When you should look into them. What you are looking for. What you will do about it. In this episode, I draw inspiration from The Rings of Power to talk about crystal balls in construction. Just as the Palantír helped leaders see the future, we too have tools that give us foresight, production plans, field walks, budgets, procure...

In this podcast we cover: What is reference class forecasting? Why your project is not different? What you can do to better plan your projects. In this episode, I explore the power of reference classes in construction planning. Inspired by How Big Things Get Done and challenged by Kate during our Guadalajara bootcamp, I realized how often we take shortcuts with data and assume our projects are dif...

In this podcast we cover: How the bodies of men and women are different. Why this matters on our projects. What we can do about it. In this episode, I talk with Katie about the challenges and opportunities of merging men and women in the workplace. What starts as a discussion about biological differences highlighted in the book Eve turns into a broader conversation about compassion, individuality,...

In this podcast we cover: What pull is. Why pull is not our first method. What will happen if you follow the stupidity of what the industry teaches now about pull. In this episode, Jason challenges one of the most misunderstood concepts in lean construction: pull. Too often the industry treats pull as the master principle, ignoring the long supply chains, complex procurement, and predictive planni...

In this podcast we cover: The definition and difference between roadblocks and constraints. Why we must dig deeper into constraints. Taking it from theory to execution. In this episode, Jason takes a deeper look at the critical difference between roadblocks and constraints in construction. Too often, project teams focus only on the issues that appear in front of them without addressing the systemi...

In this podcast we cover: The phases of lean implementation. Why you must follow them in order. What happens if you don't. In this episode, Jason shares the four critical phases of implementing lean within a construction company. He explains why leadership awareness and buy-in must come first, why system adoption cannot be skipped, and how training and accountability follow in sequence to ensure s...

In this podcast we cover: How to keep workers cool. The measure of success. Why it is so important. In this episode, Jason takes on one of the most overlooked but critical aspects of jobsite safety: keeping workers cool in extreme heat. Drawing from personal experiences at Lake Pleasant and lessons from past projects, he shares practical strategies for protecting crews, including misting stations,...

In this podcast we cover: What to include in a lean scope of work for a general contractor. In this episode Jason lays out the essential inclusions that every owner and owner's rep should require from contractors on lean mega projects. From visual preconstruction planning to tact and Last Planner training, Jason explains the systems and cultural shifts that make the difference between chaos and fl...

In this podcast we cover: Why your meetings should create flow for the field. How to organize them. In this episode Jason breaks down why most meeting systems fail and how to design one that actually works. He shares lessons from a client team struggling with complex phasing and shows how shifting the focus from agendas to flow completely transformed their communication. You will learn the step-by...

In this podcast we cover:   Why owners asking for the imposssible is wrong. In this episode, Jason shares a powerful reflection on one of the most damaging ideas in construction: asking teams to do the impossible. He explains why this mindset leads to unsafe practices, unclean job sites, disorganization, and ultimately extended project durations. Through personal stories and practical lessons, Jas...

In this podcast we cover: Why most people say they are too busy. What the real problem is. How you can fix it. In this episode, Jason takes on one of the most common and destructive excuses in construction: being "too busy." He shares a powerful story from a young superintendent thrown into the fire without proper training and connects it to the larger truth about why so many leaders feel overwhel...

In this podcast we cover: Additional definitions to Lean. What it means to be lean. In this episode, Jason explores an expanded definition of lean that goes beyond waste elimination and efficiency. He shares personal stories about new resources like the Spanish edition of the Elevating Construction Foreman book, valuable feedback from his parents' neighbor, and the powerful leadership lessons he h...

In this podcast we cover: Why teachings must be vetted. Why experience must be had. And why peer reviews are important. In this episode Jason explores why leaders must be careful about what they teach and model because lessons good or bad will stick for generations. He begins with a listener's question about growth without proper training and explains why investing in your mind is the greatest inv...

In this podcast we cover: What an Obeya room is. What is their purpose. Why we each need one. In this episode Jason introduces the concept of Obeya Rooms, also known as war rooms or big rooms, which originated at Toyota as a way to improve collaboration and efficiency. He explains how these spaces serve as hubs for visual management, problem solving, and agile decision making. Drawing from persona...

In this podcast we cover: Sometimes we need to reach out. We need to understand what trades go through. And own the relationship. In this episode Jason dives into the importance of owning expectations when working with foremen in construction. He explains how years of mistreatment, disrespect, and delayed payments have shaped the way many foremen approach their work. Instead of waiting for them to...

In this podcast we cover: What behavior has to change to maintain a balance. Why we still have a problem even when companies stress balance. In this episode, I deliver a direct and passionate message to my teams at Elevate, Lean Built, and Lean Takt and to the industry at large. I confront the misconception that our people are overworked and reveal why the real issue is not the company but old hab...

In this episode, Jason Schroeder sits down with Kelly, a construction marketing executive, to uncover why ditching pen and paper isn't just about efficiency it's about survival. Learn how digital tools aren't just transforming workflows but also becoming a magnet for the next generation of workers who expect tech enabled jobs by default. You'll hear: Why analog systems repel top talent What your "...

In this powerful episode, Jason Schroeder sits down with  Candace and Jason Shepherd of Awaken Financial Wellness to uncover what most of us were never taught how to take control of our financial lives with purpose and strategy. From field level experience in construction to a passion for serving others, this dynamic duo is transforming families by helping them build lasting legacies. You'll learn...

In this fast, no-fluff episode, Jason Schroeder drops a tactical gem that could  transform your morning huddles from chaotic to laser-focused and it starts with one simple move: circle the huddle . You'll learn: Why the morning worker huddle is the #1 most impactful meeting on your project How to eliminate distractions and get every crew dialed in What to do when workers (or even trainers) start c...

Are your meetings dragging your team down instead of lifting them up? In this episode, Jason gets raw and real about one of the biggest productivity killers in construction meetings that suck and why we tolerate them like sacred cows. Discover: ✅ Why most people are afraid to speak up in meetings ✅ How to flip the script and turn meetings into high impact gatherings ✅ A powerful story about fam...

In this episode, Jason Schroeder dives into the chaos of boat ramps, and draws a brutally accurate parallel to what's really going wrong in construction. 💥 Just because you've got the gear doesn't mean you've got the game. 💥 Titles, tech, and tools don't matter if you don't know how to use them. 💥 Want to avoid wrecks on site and at the lake? Learn the fundamentals. From backing trailers to lea...

In this podcast we cover: What you will learn. Why it matters. Think your project can succeed with a CPM schedule alone? Think again. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the Virtual Project Manager Bootcamp, a four-day course designed to transform the way you run projects. You'll learn why projects fail, how the Integrated Production Control System works, and why takt planning is the...

In this podcast we cover: How a common process and system can fit all. Why your project is not unique. How you can get rid of your mental block. Is your project really that different or is that just an excuse? In this episode, I break down one of the biggest lies in construction: the idea that "our project is special." From tilt panels to hospitals to airports, I've seen teams claim they're the ex...

In this podcast we cover: Why people come first. Why production is enabled by that first focus. What if the most important line in construction isn't in a contract but on a schedule? In this episode, I reveal why the diagonal trade flow line is the key to success and why so many misunderstand it. You'll discover the crucial difference between resource efficiency and true trade flow, and why focusi...