PODCAST · business
Constructive
by Seth Kalkman
A Construction / Technology sandwich hosted by Seth with innovators and thought leaders providing transformative ideas shaping the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Each episode brings a new guest and explores cutting-edge strategies, emerging technologies, and best practices, offering listeners actionable insights to drive positive change in their projects and organizations. Join us on this journey to build a more efficient, sustainable, and forward-thinking AEC sector.
Episodes
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57 - Molly & Aaryn Abbott - The 30% Price Increase That Sparked an AI-Native Software Platform
The conversation delves into the intersection of technology and construction, exploring the early career paths of the speakers, their transition to software and tech, the adoption of technology in construction, a startup initiative, and the challenges faced along with intuition in the industry.…
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56 - Bullshido Ladders, Ditches, Dialysis, sticky notes and the Socio-Technical with Adam Hoots
The conversation covers Adam Hoots' journey from childhood to becoming a construction industry leader, emphasizing the importance of respect for workers and the human side of construction. It delves into the transition from technical work to management, the impact of personal health challenges…
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55 - A Bridge Between Owners and Builders with Scott Kimpland
The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including virtual backgrounds, industry perspectives, career experiences, and the future of the construction industry. Scott Kimpland shares insights on the construction industry, the role of technology, and the impact of owners on industry trends.…
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54 - Lego Data Wars With AJ Waters
The conversation covers AJ Waters' journey from his love for Legos to his career in construction tech, highlighting the challenges and successes in adopting technology in the construction industry. It also delves into the themes of tech implementation, data utilization, and the impact of…
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53 - Is Construction Tech Failing the Subcontractor? And How to fix it with Steve Silva
What makes a top-tier corporate analyst walk away from high-rise office comfort to step into the high-stress world of concrete layout and heavy civil engineering? In this episode of Constructive, host Seth catches up with Cal Poly alumnus Steve Silva to talk about his incredible transition from...
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52 - Construction’s Storytelling Problem, How to Win Owner Trust feat Matt Rumsey Courageous Idiot
How do you go from sweeping job sites and hauling trash to sitting at senior leadership tables managing multi-million dollar portfolios? In this episode of Constructive, host Seth sits down with industry veteran Matt Rumsey to dismantle the biggest clichés in the business. Matt challenges the…
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51 - Stop Selling, Start Serving with Ken Harms
In an industry often defined by hard data and low bids, how do you actually win work without "selling out"? In this episode of Constructive, I sit down with Ken Harms, a construction industry veteran with over 40 years of experience, to discuss the transition from technical project management to...
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50 - Bonding 101 with Gary Eastman from Swiftbonds / Axcess Surety
In this episode of Constructive, we sit down with Gary Eastman, President of SwiftBonds and Axcess Surety. Bonding is the "oxygen" of the construction industry, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood parts of the business. If you have ever felt stuck at a certain revenue ceiling, Gary...
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49 - A Case for Price Transparency - Buildplus
Are you "robbing Peter to pay Paul" just to keep your job sites running? In this episode, Seth sits down with Nick, co-founder of Buildplus, to discuss why the traditional construction cash flow model is broken—and why so many contractors are unknowingly operating like a Ponzi scheme. We dig into...
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48-No Formwork, No Binders, No Limits - ImpactBuild
Is it possible to build a sustainable future using the very ground beneath our feet? In this episode of Constructive, we sit down with Dr. Lauren Vasey and Kunal, the minds behind the ETH Zurich spin-off impact.build. They are moving beyond traditional 3D printing to a method called "Impact...
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47 - Stop Reporting the Fire, Start Preventing the Spark - InspectMind
Can AI catch the errors that humans physically can't? In this episode, we welcome back Aakash Prasad (CEO) and Shuangling Yin (CTO) of InspectMind.ai. Since our last conversation, they’ve made a massive pivot upstream—moving from documenting field issues to preventing them entirely before ground…
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46 - The Human Side Of Construction
In this powerful conversation, Angelo Suntres (The Human Side of Construction) confronts the industry's toughest challenges: the mental health crisis, toxic culture, and the cost of the "nice guy" approach to business. Angelo reveals the staggering statistics—construction workers are 5X more…
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45 - Re-localizing Supply Chains with Hello Baru and Olczak Group
How does a creative artist become a CFO, and then completely disrupt the $20 billion cabinet industry? Find out on this special in-person episode of Constructive, recorded live at the Olzac Group offices! Join your host as he sits down with Tino Go of HelloBaru and Zack Olzcack of Olzac…
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44 - Construction Management is still all about Relationships and Trust with Mani Subramanian
In this episode of Constructive, Seth sits down with Mani Subramanian (founder of Sixth Dimension and former Executive Vice President at Vanir CM) to explore what truly drives successful projects and lasting careers in construction. From his early days studying architecture in India to leading...
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43 - Maybe Joy is the Solution with KP Reddy
This one is good... I prefer that you listen rather than skim something I get AI to *help* write for me :)
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42 - Charisma, Feedback & The Mixed Bag of being a Founder with Bhragan Paramananthan
Episode 42 of Constructive Podcast we get the pleasure of hearing from Bhragan Paramanantham. He is a good friend and kindred spirit, and along with being an innovation driver at AECOM he has seen first hand the #contech startup landscape during his time with Formwork Labs. We unpack the…
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41 - From the Factory to the Trenches - Chris Neufeld Prefabrication Lead at DPR
Chris Neufeld from DPR Construction joins Seth Kalkman on Constructive to explore the world of prefabrication. Chris, who leads DPR's prefab strategy for the Northwest region, explains why prefabrication isn't just about big modular units, but a spectrum of solutions, from small-scale assemblies…
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40 – Say Goodbye to Black Boxes, Silos, and Slim Margins with Jason Brenner from JOIN
What if you could actually turn money back to the owner on a project instead of watching margins disappear? In this episode, Jason Brenner, Head of Industry Strategy at JOIN, shares how better decision-making, transparency, and collaboration are helping builders move beyond black boxes, endless...
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39 - Compete on Trust, Not Price with Storytelling - John Kakuk Bridger Digital
Photographer, videographer, and Bridger Digital founder John Kakuk joins Constructive to talk about the power of storytelling in construction. We dive into his unique path from creative work to construction, why authentic voices beat cookie-cutter marketing, and how companies can avoid becoming a...
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38 - The Fences We Build: Why Every Problem Is a Creative Opportunity with Tamara Aspeling
In this episode of Constructive, guest Tamara Aspeling talks about her journey in the industry and how she created her company, Draw a Fence, to solve a common problem. Tamara shares how her experience in the fence industry, working as an estimator and project manager for one of Africa's biggest...
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37 - Can a 9 Year Old Manage a Construction Project with ChatGPT?
In this episode, the host explores the world of construction through the eyes of his nine-year-old nephew, Ryder. They discuss family backgrounds, the basics of construction, and even brainstorm a fun project: building a climbing wall in the backyard. The conversation touches on various roles in...
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36 - Turning Trash into Schools That Teach Real-Life Skills with Matt Paneitz
This episode of Constructive special guest Matt Paneitz is the founder of Long Way Home, a nonprofit in Guatemala using trash to build schools... and those schools to build heroes. What started as a Peace Corps assignment turned into a 20-year journey of community-led construction, sustainable...
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35 - From Bid Room to Boardroom: Steve Dell’Orto’s Second Half
Steve Dell’Orto spent ~26 years building some of the West Coast’s most iconic projects: Salesforce Tower, Chase Center, and more, before launching ConCntric, a tech platform aimed at transforming preconstruction from a spreadsheet scramble into a strategic advantage. In this episode, Steve shares...
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34 - Seyf, Not Dangerous - Faster Feasibility with Algoma
Can AI and mass timber help solve the housing crisis? In this episode of Constructive, Seth sits down with Seyfihan Usarer — Co-Founder & COO of Algoma — to explore how their startup is transforming the slow, siloed preconstruction process into a fast, transparent decision engine for real estate...
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33 - The Screen Should Match The Window - Albert Bou Fadel (SmartBarrel)
Albert Bou Fadel didn’t set out to build construction tech. He was just trying to run his glazing crews and make sure six-figure payrolls actually lined up with what was happening on-site. In this episode of Constructive, Albert shares how his frustration with unreliable time tracking led him to...
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32 - Making Contracts More Constructive with Trent Miskelly (CTO DocumentCrunch)
In this conversation, Trent Miskelly, CTO of Document Crunch, shares his journey in the construction technology space, discussing the importance of understanding contracts, the role of technology in preventing disputes, and the future of compliance in construction. He emphasizes the need for...
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31 - Building Safety Software from the Field Up with Gabe Guetta Founder of SALUS
What happens when a window installer turns construction tech founder? You get Salus, a safety platform built from the field up. In this episode of Constructive, I sit down with Gabe Guetta, CEO and co-founder of Salus, to explore how his boots-on-the-ground experience shaped a new approach to...
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30 - Smart Buildings & Smarter Teams: Digital Twin 101 with Rebeca Gomez
What is a digital twin, really? In this episode, I sit down with Rebeca Gomez—PhD, civil engineer, and subject matter expert on digital twins—to break it all down in plain language. We talk about what digital twins actually do, why they’re more than just a fancy 3D model, and how they’re helping...
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29 - Sustainability and Affordability with Mark Isaacs
Mark Isaacs shares his extensive journey in architecture and sustainable design, discussing his early inspirations, the challenges he faced in the construction industry, and his innovative approaches to creating net zero energy homes. He emphasizes the importance of affordable housing solutions…
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28 - From Moshpits to Momentum with Spencer Easton
In this episode of Constructive, Seth sits down with Spencer Easton to explore the choreography of construction. From personal stories and family legacies to the practical realities of Lean and Takt planning, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to bring order to the...
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27 - Total job site visibility with Roger Yarrow from TrueLook
Roger Yarrow joins Seth to chat about the evolution of Trulook from a media company to a leader in construction camera technology. He emphasizes the importance of public engagement, security on job sites, and the role of AI in enhancing construction insights. The discussion also touches on…
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26 - Current Sets With Bo Rhyne
Bo and Seth explore the intersection of construction and technology, discussing the Bo's journey from nuclear engineering to founding Current Sets. They delve into the challenges and opportunities within the construction industry, particularly focusing on communication, product management, and…
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25 - Tariffs And How AI Can Help Mitigate Risks - Josh Levy Document Crunch
Josh Levy joins constructive to discuss the impact of tariffs on the construction industry and the importance of understanding contract risks. He introduces Document Crunch, a tool designed to help construction professionals navigate these challenges by automating the extraction of critical...
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24 - Balanced Innovation in Construction Tech with Paul Hedgepath VDC Director at MJ Harris
In this episode, Paul Hedgepath, the Director of Virtual Construction at MJ Harris, discusses the rapid evolution of technology in the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of balancing traditional methods with innovative solutions. He shares insights on the integration of AI and...
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23 - Constructive Feedback for ConTech with Tyler Campbell creator of Fieldproof
Tyler Campbell joins Seth to discuss frustrations with bad technology in the construction industry and he introduces FieldProof, a platform aimed at connecting tech companies with industry professionals for valuable feedback. The discussion explores the role of AI and robotics in enhancing...
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22 - Digitization, Automation and other Insights from Ryan Rademann - Wipfli
Ryan Rademann discusses the transition from paper to digital processes in the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of digitization in preventing litigation and improving efficiency. He explores the role of generative AI in design, the current state of the construction industry, and…
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21 - Connecting the real world to the model with Trevor Owen (Reality Capture Manger at RO)
Trevor Owen is the Reality Capture Manager at Rogers Obrien. Trevor shared his background including time at a smaller electrical contractor and Hilti - leading up to his current role at RO. Trevor's experiences implementing BIM and VDC workflows, including the "birthing pains" he spoke of, all…
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20 - Ken Gray from Dig Robotics is on a Mission to Improve the Dirt World with Tech
Ken Gray is co-Founder and Chief Performance Officer at Dig Robotics. Ken started in the 80's with Caterpillar and worked his way up to becoming a Director of Innovation. After failing to retire (as he puts it) he has entered the start-up world to try and improve the lives of heavy equipment...
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19 - Omar Zhan - Ex-Rivian, Katerra - Voice of Construction Podcast Digest
Omar Zhan started a Monthly AEC Podcast Digest called, "Voice of Construction" to help AEC professionals find the best podcast episodes to help them learn about the topics they are interested in. I was able to sit down with Omar to talk about his time at Katerra, Rivian and his journey through…
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18 - Elijah Zenger creator of “Roger” - AI Tools for Construction Project Management
Elijah is co-founder of Roger an alternative Project Management software focused on offering custom solutions to capitalize on construction project data. Topics Covered: construction data, positives of contractor specialization, scope gap elimination, optimizing estimating efforts, current...
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17 - Aakash Prasad creator of InspectMind AI Showcases the Future of Inspection and Reporting
Aakash is the CEO/Founder of Inspect Mind an AI company creating AI enhanced reporting for the construction industry. Aakash shared some of his background. He discussed the future of construction reporting and how AI will shape construction projects. Aakash explained that his client first /...
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16 - Delivery Methods, AI and scrum with Felipe Engineer-Manriquez the Scrum Master (Bolt Company)
Felipe is the Director of Project Delivery Services for The Boldt Company. He is also an Author (Construction Scrum) and Podcaster (The EBFC Show). Topics covered: -How Scrum is both useful for large scale complex construction projects and in the personal lives of a four year old. -The advantages...
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15 - AI Powered Project Management Dashboard with Bisrat Degefa creator of TruBuild
Bisrat is the CEO & Co-Founder of TruBuild. Trubuild is an AI-powered construction software designed to simplify your construction projects. Check it out at trubuild.io We discussed Bisrat's background and what lead to the creation of TruBuild. We also discussed lessons the TruBuild Team has...
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14 - Your Inbox Shouldn't be a Distraction with Ofek Suchard creator of Rethink
Ofek is co-founder of Rethink. Rethink is a Task-Completion Terminal for your Construction Project that utilizes AI to make email less of a distraction from Designing/Engineering/Building Construction projects. We spoke about Ofek's background inside the construction industry and the problems he...
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13 - Kyle Nitchen - The Influential Project Manager
Kyle Nitchen is a Senior Project Manager with Layton Construction. Utilizing lean thinking and principles, he has successfully executed over $450M+ in complex construction projects, unlocking additional benefits through Lean Construction, Last Planner System, Early Design Involvement, A3…
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12 - Operational Science The Key to Construction Efficiency with Todd Zabelle Built to Fail
In this episode of Constructive, guest Todd Zabelle digs into the systemic challenges undermining the construction industry, as detailed in his book, Built to Fail: Why Construction Projects Take So Long, Cost Too Much, and How to Fix It. He examines how traditional project delivery methods...
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11 - Ridhima Pandit AEC Intern
Ridhima is a studying for a Masters in Building Construction and Facilities Management at Georgia Institute of Technology. She is also a VDC intern.
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10 - Sam Morgan Lean Principles & Coaching
Sam Morgan is the founder of Illuminate Coaching + Consulting.
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09 - Michael Wong and Collin Creach Outbuild
In this episode I talk with Michael Wong and Collin Creach from Outbuild. TOPICS COVERED: Why Outbuild choose to focus on construction scheduling, How to get buy-in on a construction schedule, What differentiates Outbuild from the competition, the importance of investing in the front end on...
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08 - Kristopher Lengieza Technology Evangelist
Kristopher Lengieza is Vice President @ Procore Technologies | Construction Technology Evangelist, Partnerships Leader, Digital Transformation Facilitator. Kris shared the latest on his new focus at Procore and his origin story. We talked about Procore's vision to improve the lives of everyone in...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A Construction / Technology sandwich hosted by Seth with innovators and thought leaders providing transformative ideas shaping the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Each episode brings a new guest and explores cutting-edge strategies, emerging technologies, and best practices, offering listeners actionable insights to drive positive change in their projects and organizations. Join us on this journey to build a more efficient, sustainable, and forward-thinking AEC sector.
HOSTED BY
Seth Kalkman
CATEGORIES
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