Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder

In this wide-ranging episode of Hoots on the Ground with No Bullshido , Adam Hoots sits down with Geoff Lobley, a Calgary-based construction professional, educator, and risk specialist with TRAVIS Engineering Inc., who came up through the trades and has worked nearly every seat on the org chart. Adam and Geoff have only crossed paths a couple of times (the first in Auburn), but Geoff is the kind o...

Be Curious, Not Judgmental: The Neuroscience of Leading Construction Teams with Roxanne Evans (Episode 96) In this episode of Hoots on the Ground with No Bullshido , host Adam Hoots is joined by Mike Chiles and special guest Roxanne Evans, owner of Brain Balance in Lee's Summit, Missouri. This conversation picks up where an earlier episode on neurodivergence left off — diving deeper into how the b...

In this wide-ranging episode of Hoots on the Ground with No Bullshido , Adam Hoots connects with Derek Sinnott, a self-described pracademic from Wexford, Ireland. Derek is a civil engineer-turned-academic at SETU (South East Technological University), a Lean coach, and the Chair of the Supply Chain Sustainability School in Ireland. Adam and Derek first crossed paths in Japan, and the conversation...

Lean at the Crossroads: Culture, Community, and Congress with Elizabeth Taylor (Episode 94) In this heartfelt and high-energy episode of Hoots on the Ground with No Bullshido , Adam Hoots sits down with Elizabeth Taylor , National Director of Lean at JE Dunn Construction and 2026 LCI Congress Co-Chair, to talk about leadership, culture, and what it really means to build community in construction....

In this absolutely, positively NO Bullshido kickoff episode, Adam Hoots sits down with Brian Chiles and Mike Chiles—two brothers with deep roots in relationships, leadership, and Lean thinking lived out in the real world. Brian came into construction from a teaching/coaching and project management background; Mike brings 20+ years in the industry, raising four kids while remaining relentless about...

In this no-bullshido episode of Hoots on the Ground, Adam Hoots sits down with "Old Dog" Jeff Reilly—a devoted father, husband, and superintendent with Mill Creek Residential Trust whose leadership philosophy bridges family, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement. From his Boston union roots to leading modern Lean projects, Jeff shares how lessons from his ancestors, parents, and mentors shaped...

Recorded live inside the Lean Construction Institute's Live Podcast Booth at LCI Congress 2025, the Old D awgs got together for an unfiltered, field‑first discussion. This fast‑moving conversation captures what decades of hard‑won (700+ years) experience have taught these seasoned Lean builders about the superiority of modern Lean construction methods over traditional methods. Led by podcast host...

In this no-bullshido episode, Adam Hoots chops it up with Mississippi's own Boone White , a farm-raised boy, Christ‑follower, husband, dad of three, and unapologetic agitator for change. He is a General Superintendent with ICM Construction in Oxford, Mississippi. Boone traces his path from the old "yell‑and‑cuss" era to a worker-first approach powered by Last Planner, Takt, and disciplined make-re...

In this no-bullshido episode of Hoots on the Ground, host Adam Hoots reconnects with Jesse "Chuy" Hernandez —the plumber's son turned foreman, GC leader, consultant, author, and unapologetic "selfish servant." Jesse shares his journey from apprentice to industry thought leader, tying sobriety, service, and Lean thinking together. He breaks down his three leadership lessons—zoom level, time horizon...

In this no-bullshido episode of Hoots on the Ground, Adam Hoots hangs out in Kyoto, Japan, with the one and only Thomas LaMay, a project leader at DPR Construction who's got Lean systems and people-first thinking down to a science. What starts as a chat about bucket list experiences at the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33) turns into a full-on masterclass on designing better prod...

In this episode, host Adam Hoots connects with Dominic Desmarais, a Canadian mechanical engineer and Lean Construction enthusiast with more than two decades of experience. Recorded live from Kyoto, Japan, at The International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) 33, Dominic shares insights from his profound Lean journey, his passion for bridging the traditional divides between thinkers and doers, an...

In this insightful episode of Hoots on the Ground with No Bullshido, Adam Hoots is joined by Hal Macomber , a respected leader, coach, and influential figure in the field of Lean Construction. Hal shares over 35 years of experience pioneering Lean practices, offering profound insights into continuous flow construction, human-centered leadership, and the power of engaging frontline workers. Hal ref...

In this powerful episode of Hoots on the Ground with No Bullshido , Adam Hoots sits down with Ryan Taylor , a Superintendent at San Antonio Water System (SAWS) , and Rene Duron , a Construction Specialist for SAWS and THIS podcast editor. This episode delves deep into mentorship, leadership, and personal growth in construction while reinforcing the values of trust, accountability, and human connec...

In this insightful episode, Adam Hoots welcomes Tom Fuduric, a lecturer at Clemson University and a construction industry veteran with over 40 years of experience. Together, they explore how to build high-performing teams and emphasize the importance of human connections in the construction industry. Tom shares his journey from working summers in road construction to becoming a safety and HR leade...

In this episode of 'Hoots on the Ground,' host Adam Hoots welcomes Kent Hedges, a Lean construction advocate and manager of large capital projects at a major healthcare company. Kent shares insights from his extensive 28-year career in the construction industry, which began with a stint as a civil engineer in the Navy before transitioning to healthcare construction management. He discusses the pro...

In this episode, Adam Hoots engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with Matt Graves , known for his pioneering work with Construction Yeti and as the co-host of the CM Mentors Podcast. This conversation navigates through Matt's transformative journey within the construction industry, highlighting his transition from project management to embracing a role as an owner's representative. Matt shares...

Joe Pryor shares his journey from a family masonry business to implementing Lean Construction principles as a leader, emphasizing the importance of respect, team dynamics, and work-life balance in transforming the construction industry and personal growth. In this podcast episode, Adam Hoots interviews the great Joe Pryor, revealing his comprehensive journey from the early days in his family's mas...

During this episode, Mack Story dives into exactly who he is and where he came from! Hoots talks about all the amazing content that Mack puts out daily with his company, Blue Collar Leadership . Mack talks about his wife, Ria, and mentions her story, which you can see in her TEDx Talk linked below. He discusses how he and Ria got started with their speaking and consulting careers. He talks about h...

In this episode, Hoots delves into the spiritual dimensions of both business and personal growth. Drawing inspiration from Dr. Bob Emiliani's book, Management Mysterium: The Quest for Progress , he shares how this book has framed his understanding of the spiritual side of the construction industry. No this is not what you're thinking when it comes to religion! Think more broadly… Hoots then takes...