The NEXT Academy

Before 7:00 a.m., your day is already won—or lost. In this kickoff to  Hard Hat Headspace , we step onto the jobsite with a foreman who turns a shaky morning into a smooth-flowing shift using a two-minute huddle, a visible plan, and a no-drama constraint log. Keeping with the foundation of The NEXT Academy, this episode is backed by insights from FMI, McKinsey, and Harvard Business Review. You’ll...

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael takes us to a chaotic hospital jobsite, where a superintendent turns blue painter’s tape into a daily ritual that transforms blame into fixes and stalled schedules into momentum. Discover how making work visible, shrinking problems to “tomorrow-sized” steps, and elevating frontline...

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What unanswered questions in your life can you embrace with patience, and how might that perspective bring you greater fulfillment along your journey?" Enjoy Episode 31 of The Search fo...

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael relives the Berlin Airlift through Lieutenant Gail “Hal” Halvorsen’s heart‑lifting “Candy Parachutes” and shows how a pocketful of gum reshaped an entire mission’s morale. This episode reveals why small acts of empathy and creativity can ripple into large‑scale change, teaching leaders...

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you shift your mindset today to focus on positive thoughts, and how might that shift impact your sense of fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 30 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

Hot Wire is a new series that dives deep into complex leadership challenges on construction sites and offers tangible solutions to explore as you face these obstacles head on. In today's episode, Alex takes a look at navigating strategic decision-making in high-stakes construction projects. How do you make sound, high-level decisions in an industry known for its unpredictability? Let’s find out. E...

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael follows Mei’s five‑year vigil over a seemingly barren patch of soil that suddenly erupts into a ninety‑foot bamboo grove, revealing the power of unseen growth. Discover why patience, daily consistency, and faith in long‑term vision are the leadership roots that eventually shoot sky‑high...

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What imperfections in your life can you embrace today, and how might accepting them lead to a deeper sense of fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 29 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael recounts how Japanese consul Chiune Sugihara defied orders in 1940 to handwrite thousands of life‑saving visas for Jewish refugees, sacrificing his career to uphold a deeper moral code. Tune in to explore what his “Visas at Dawn” teach us about choosing values over directives, actin...

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you practice being more present in your daily life, and how might that enhance your sense of fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 28 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael takes us to Antarctica as Ernest Shackleton’s doomed Endurance expedition shows how unwavering optimism and people-first promises can steer teams through the harshest storms. Discover practical lessons on rewriting goals to safeguard your crew, sustaining morale when plans shatter,...

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you be more intentional in nurturing your relationships, and what small act of kindness can you offer someone today?" Enjoy Episode 27 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael relives Kathrine Switzer’s historic 1967 Boston Marathon run and the dramatic moment she refused to be pushed off the course—literally—by those who said women didn’t belong. Hear how her courage, allied support, and relentless advocacy transformed one daring finish into a movement t...

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you shift your perspective today to find more meaning and fulfillment in the ordinary moments of your life?" Enjoy Episode 26 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael revisits the harrowing Apollo 13 crisis to reveal how Gene Kranz and his team turned chaos into collaboration with nothing but calm focus, duct tape, and collective ingenuity. Tune in to discover leadership lessons on steadying a room, sparking creativity under constraints, and harn...

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you embrace change in your life right now, and what new opportunities might it bring for your growth and fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 25 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

Hot Wire is a new series that dives deep into complex leadership challenges on construction sites and offers tangible solutions to explore as you face these obstacles head on. In today's episode, Alex tackles a topic that has sent shockwaves through the industry over the last few years: supply chain disruptions. How do you, as a leader, not only survive these disruptions but turn them into an oppo...

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael celebrates Ava, the unassuming second violinist whose quiet mastery turns a good orchestra into something unforgettable. Tune in to discover why true leadership often lives in the harmony of support, anticipation, and purposeful service. Enjoy Episode 26 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you take an active role in creating the life you want, rather than waiting for the right circumstances to appear?" Enjoy Episode 24 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael explores the story of a quiet carpenter who became the bridge others needed in a moment of fear and uncertainty. Discover how real leadership is built not on titles, but on the courage to go first and the strength to help others follow. Enjoy Episode 25 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What is one step outside your comfort zone that you can take today to expand your life and move closer to the happiness you ultimately desire?" Enjoy Episode 23 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael uncovers the quiet wisdom of a school janitor whose keys unlock more than just doors — they reveal the heart of authentic leadership. Discover how listening, learning, and valuing every voice can transform a culture from the inside out. Enjoy Episode 24 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "How can you find a balance between effort and rest in your life, and how might that balance lead to greater fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 22 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT

The Goods is a new series that delivers wisdom for personal and professional growth. In today's episode, Michael explores how quiet actions in tough moments can define great leadership through the story of “The Broken Brick.” Discover why empathy, presence, and shared responsibility matter more than perfection on any team. Enjoy Episode 23 of The Goods. #BeNEXT

The Search for Fulfillment is a new short series released each Friday where we uncover lessons of the greatest minds to help you live with purpose, passion, and peace. In today's episode, Brian asks, "What is one way you can focus more on the present moment today, and how might it bring you a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment?" Enjoy Episode 21 of The Search for Fulfillment. #BeNEXT