Elevate Construction

In this episode, Jason sits down with his mentor, Hal Macomber , to unpack a fresh perspective that could change how you see Takt forever. We cover: Why Takt Construction must be seen as a standardized system , not a piecemeal set of practices. The five components of Takt as an operating system: thinking, people, practices, agreements, and assessments. The three core principles that make or break...

Is "constructive criticism" really constructive or is it just disguised negativity? Jason takes a bold stance in this episode: criticism should not exist. Instead, he unpacks the difference between criticism and feedback for improvement and why only one of them builds people up, drives growth, and creates healthier cultures in construction and beyond. In this episode you'll learn: Why criticism da...

This episode isn't comfortable and it's not meant to be. Jason takes on a tough but necessary conversation about the cultural mindset that's holding us back. Too often, we wear stagnation, ignorance, and fear like badges of honor. "I haven't read a book in 30 years." "We've always done it this way." "AI will take our jobs." These aren't harmless phrases, they're symptoms of decline. Jason draws fr...

Most of us see stress as the villain in our story. But what if it's actually a tool, even a superpower? In this episode, Jason Schroeder is joined by licensed therapist Barbara Hettinger , who brings years of experience in trauma, family, and mental health work. Together, they break down how stress works, why it isn't inherently "bad," and how you can flip the script to use stress as fuel for focu...

There's a common saying in construction: "You're not doing your job unless your name's on the porta john."  Jason and Mark Story break it down and break it apart. Disrespect is not a badge of honor. It's a warning sign that leadership is failing. Instead, they show how real leaders win trust and build high-performing jobs by supporting their teams, not fighting them. You'll hear field-tested stori...

Unions spark some of the strongest emotions in construction. Jason finally tackles the topic head-on sharing both the best and worst he's seen. From world-class training halls to toxic bullying, from skilled Southern California carpenters to right-to-work states with weaker pipelines, he unpacks why unions exist, where they add value, and where they've gone off track. In this episode, Jason covers...

Too many leaders want Lean to be "instant pudding" just add water and see results. The truth? Real transformation isn't instant, and it will never happen by delegating change or running small pilot experiments. In this episode, Jason explains: Why true Lean scale takes 18–24 months, not overnight fixes. The "three of three" essentials every company needs to succeed. Why leaders not consultants mus...

From boot camps to field training, Jason shows why our schools and even many corporate programs are broken, and how the construction industry can step up with meaningful education that sticks. In this episode, you'll hear: Why grading and homework are damaging and outdated. How schools condition kids to stay quiet instead of staying curious. Why colleges and traditional training leave people siloe...

Competition may sound like it sharpens us, but in practice it creates waste, weakens innovation, and leaves most of us struggling while a tiny fraction benefits. Cooperation, on the other hand, unlocks speed, quality, and respect for people. In this episode, Jason shares: A powerful example of how rivalry once stopped firefighters from saving lives. Why Asian manufacturers thrive on total particip...

This episode gets real about why good delivery models go bad. Jason breaks down the traps that derail IPD, Design-Build, and CM at Risk, and shows how systems thinking, flow, and true collaboration keep projects on track. Key points: The "competitive design proposal" trap burns millions and cannibalizes unpaid design. Phased design without a full kit leads to rework: missing sleeves, embeds, blue...

In this episode, Jason breaks down why great systems fail in the field and how to make them stick. Using a simple glucose and insulin analogy, he shows that tools and manuals (value) only work when teams are ready and structured to receive them. You'll also hear a quick reveal of the new one-day Builder Huddle designed to ignite real implementation across entire cities. Key points: Implementation...

In this episode, Jason tackles a tough truth: our industry has quietly stopped training. Core builder skills are disappearing and it's costing us. Drawing lessons from Japanese craftsmanship, U.S. military history, and decades of field experience, Jason makes the case that training is not optional it's survival. Just like Japan rebuilds its temples every 20 years to preserve skill, we must continu...

In this episode, Jason shares a real-world story from the road to the Super PM Bootcamp in Dallas and the powerful lesson it revealed:  being prepared creates freedom. By handling the small details in advance, you clear space for innovation, calm, and focus. Instead of fighting fires, you get to lead. Key Takeaways: Preparation eliminates chaos and stress. Buffers protect you from last-minute cris...

PM and Superintendent are not rivals. They are a duo. In this fast moving conversation with third generation builder Nic Parish we tackle the real friction and the fixes that actually work in the field. What this episode gives you: A simple model for PM brings the pieces and the Super puts them together. The mantra see the future and feed the project. Daily five minute touchpoints and weekly lunch...

Logistics is more than deliveries, it's the hidden engine that keeps projects moving smoothly. In this high-energy conversation with Mark Story, we break down why logistics planning can make or break a job. From mega-projects to tight urban sites, the principles stay the same: plan ahead, keep it simple, and always think with the end in mind. What you'll learn in this episode: The golden rules of...

Micromanagement gets blamed for everything. Jason pulls apart the viral advice and shows when close guidance is actually teaching, how capability and team stage change what leaders must do, and why meetings and details aren't the enemy. It's a frank reset on accountability, trust, and what real leadership looks like on the job. When close guidance is right: explain, demonstrate, guide, enable. For...

Projects rarely go wrong. They start wrong. In this punchy breakdown, Jason spotlights Adam Beanie's framework and ties it to the builder's code Never yield ground so you can protect finished work, keep control, and deliver. The big miss: inadequate planning and starting before you're ready. Leadership alignment: PM and superintendent in lockstep or the job suffers. Scope change creep: why phased...

Quick, energetic recap from Salt Lake City plus a listener question that turns into rapid fire, practical guidance on what actually works on site. Where AI saves time today: takeoffs, RFIs, submittal registers, meeting notes, and when to still write key items by hand. Tools that matter now: ChatGPT for writing and notes, plus purpose built platforms for estimating, reality capture, and schedule in...

Recordables are down across the industry, yet fatalities have not moved. In this episode, Highwire Chief Safety Officer David Tibbetts shows how to stop chasing TRIR and start preventing serious injury and fatality by focusing on the work that can change a life in a single moment. • What SIF really means: life ending, life threatening, and life altering. • Why TRIR alone can mislead and how to pai...

What happens when a builder refuses to settle for "business as usual"? Michael Chavez, Project Manager at Sky Blue Builders, shares how Super PM bootcamp reshaped the way he leads, plans, and runs projects. From energizing meetings to building people first, Michael reveals the simple habits that keep momentum alive long after training ends. If you want practical tactics and real inspiration for le...

In this episode, Jason uncovers why Japan's lean revolution succeeded while the U.S. drifted away from the very principles it created. The answer lies in humility, respect for people, and the power of working as one united team. Inside this episode: The forgotten U.S. production miracle of WWII and how Japan carried it forward. Why humility after the war fueled Japan's lean culture while America l...

This episode wraps up our Last Planner series and sets the stage for a brand-new  Last Planner Implementation Guide with real-world visuals and field-proven steps. Here's what you'll learn: Why the classic "should–can–will–did" ladder fails and how to rebuild it with macro-level Takt so your plans are both realistic and reliable. How to structure work by zones, not dates, to shorten throughput tim...

If you've ever struggled with making construction schedules truly reliable, this episode is a must-listen. Jason continues his series on the Last Planner System with a deep dive into the 2020 Benchmark, breaking down what's working, what's missing, and where the industry needs to head next. From field engineering as the backbone of quality and safety, to the real meaning of reliable promises, Jaso...

In this episode, Jason took a hard look at the Last Planner System, what works, what doesn't, and why it desperately needs a reset. From daily huddles that prioritize foremen over craftworkers, to the misuse of "constraints" vs. real roadblocks, to static boards that kill flow, we pull no punches in critiquing where our industry is stuck. You'll hear why: Morning huddles waste critical craft time...

What's the one thing that can make or break every project? Trust. In this episode, Jason sits down with the man, the myth, the legend Mark Story to dive deep into the real foundation of successful construction teams: creating an environment where people feel safe to share, collaborate, and grow. We talk about why trade partners often arrive with skepticism, how past project trauma carries into new...