Construction Brothers

Today, we welcome Fouad Khalil. Fouad shares insights into how the construction industry is evolving to meet market demands. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and adapting business practices to align with shifting industry expectations.We discuss how the construction labor force is changing, with notable statistics like 14% of workers potentially being undocumented. Fouad reflects on the significant challenges these workforce dynamics present, including labor shortages and a rising wave of retirements.
Fouad explains the critical role vocational training plays in preparing the next generation of workers. He discusses how global perspectives on construction labor offer valuable...

We promise no original thoughts today. We do, however, hope you’ll find our borrowed insights to be useful.
Eddie shares today about something he read about traits common to students in Ivy League colleges. It’s one that we’ve probably all seen in elite performers in other arenas as well.
Don’t mistake it for apathy. It’s not a “Whatever” attitude. It’s just about unflappability. It’s just about not getting caught up in the stress in a way that you can’t make good decisions when the pressure is on.
When you demonstrate this kin...

Sponsored by Quickbase.

Today we are in conversation with Scott and Bob to tackle one of construction’s biggest pain points: inconsistent data and processes. From prefab to project closeout, they break down how standardization and the right tools can bring clarity, efficiency, and real results across any job size.

01:00 – Meet Scott & Bob
Industry experts from Trinity and Quickbase share their mission to unify construction data and operations.

03:12 – The Big Problem: Inconsistent Data & Processes
From field teams to executives, construction companies are plagued by fractured workflows and siloed tools.

06:25 – Small Projects...

It’s not worth it. You want to sleep at night.

Manipulation sometimes comes in the form of straight-up lying, but it also sometimes comes in half-truths, intimidation.

Sometimes it even comes in the form of donuts (although we won’t complain too hard about that one).

Be a straight shooter. Not only will it keep you from being found out; it will also make life more pleasant for you. Word of mouth is big in the construction industry. Your reputation will precede you.

Be the person who shows up when you say...

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff, a seasoned veteran of both military and construction tech, to explore the parallels between warfighter support and field technology in construction. From his background in the New Zealand Army to developing tools for the U.S. DoD, Jeff shares powerful insights about product bias, user experience, and how tech must serve those at the sharp end of the spear. We discuss what goes wrong when tech is built in silos, the importance of post-sales support, and why field adoption is the true measure of success. Whether you’re a startup founder, a fi...

Can you think of a more difficult decision than the one that President Truman had to make in 1945? We can’t

Sometimes sitting still and not doing anything is the riskiest thing to do. Tyler recalls a conversation with friend of the show Henry Nutt III. Henry recounted a situation where his boss left him in a room and told him to sit tight until the boss returned. Henry sat around for a while and then decided to go ahead and do what it was that he thought had to be done in this room. His boss returned and...

00:00 - Introduction
We open with coffee talk today–and sugar intake, including some beverage shortcuts. Tyler calls it cheaping out; Eddie calls it hillbilly lemonade. We also reminisce about our favorite waitress, 4’10” Miss Connie with the beehive haircut. Oh yeah, also pickle races. Poor Miss Connie.

08:05 - Entrepreneurship: A Good Idea?
A few weeks ago, guest Matt Aston recommended the book The E-Myth Revisited (now available in an updated version). Tyler shares that this book hit him in the teeth when he picked it up recently. We’re discussing this book today because...

Introduction
Today we welcome Joe Purtle, who is here to talk to us about concrete forms. Joe has been in construction for well over two decades, and he’s currently the COO of Doka, which specializes in forming and shoring.

Eddie shares a bit about his experience in construction back in the 2x4 and plywood days. He shares how cool it’s been to see the complexity of forms increase over time and to see how those forms have become woven into BIM software.

We discuss how designers and other stakeholders view concrete form...