The Construction Veteran Podcast
Welcome to the Construction Veteran Podcast. This is a podcast connecting and celebrating veterans in construction, those who have the desire to be in the industry, and those who support them to create the built environment.
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Episodes
74 episodes
Control Is A Myth; Regulation Is The Skill
Ever felt like you left the site but the site didn’t leave you? This conversation gets real about anxiety in construction—how it hides behind “staying sharp,” shows up as phone-check loops and 3 a.m. wakeups, and why the body starts shouting lo...
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13:44
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Reputation Travels Faster Than Your Resume
Your name moves faster than your resume in construction, and that truth can either build your future or quietly close doors behind you. We dive into the art of climbing without burning bridges—how to pursue responsibility, income, and influence...
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15:04
Eggs, Egress, And Earning Respect
What does it take to turn a 5 a.m. chow line into a blueprint for leading mission-critical construction? We sit down with Kera, a former Army culinary specialist whose real edge was never the spatula—it was logistics, compliance, and performanc...
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1:00:15
Quiet Discipline, Loud Results
Discipline gets a bad rap as loud and rigid, but the kind that actually moves careers in construction is quiet, steady, and relentlessly reliable. We break down how the habits forged in service—showing up when it’s inconvenient, keeping standar...
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10:49
Your Grit Called; It Wants A Day Off
The quiet danger isn’t missing deadlines—it’s losing yourself while still hitting them. We dig into why veterans in construction often mistake burnout for high performance, how chronic stress differs from the military’s surge-based stress, and ...
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10:28
Rebuilding Identity Beyond Rank And Role
The moment the uniform comes off, the noise drops—and the harder questions echo. We open up about the silence that follows separation, the sudden return of every choice, and why “freedom” can feel like drift when the structure that once organiz...
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11:45
How An Air Force Vet Built A Sales Career That Serves Construction
What if the skills you earned under pressure—decisive action, accountability, and care for your team—were the exact traits that make you great at serving builders? That’s the heart of our conversation with Air Force veteran Brandon, who traded ...
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47:34
Calm Beats Control
Ever feel that split second when your jaw tightens and your breath runs short right before you snap? That flash is the hinge of leadership. We dig into why yelling often masquerades as control, how it triggers a threat response that looks like ...
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10:02
Why Veterans Thrive On Job Sites When Translation Comes First
Ever been told “your skills translate” and left wondering how that actually helps on a chaotic job site? We zoom into the real mechanics of taking military strengths—situational awareness, accountability, and calm under pressure—and turning the...
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8:57
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Under Pressure, Not Alone
The job gets built either way, but what happens to the people building it? We pull back the curtain on mental health in construction, naming the pressures everyone feels but rarely says out loud: relentless schedules, thin margins, and a cultur...
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11:05
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From Flight Lines To Job Sites
Jet noise, Humvees, and a weather station might sound like an odd path to construction leadership, but that’s exactly where Alicia’s story takes us—and why it sticks. We sit down to talk about growing up with limited family ties, finding belong...
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1:16:39
When Rest Feels Unsafe: Choosing Depth Over Speed
What if rest didn’t feel like failure? We open the year with a quiet, unhurried conversation about choosing depth over speed, especially for veterans and builders who were trained to move toward noise, deadlines, and pressure. When usefulness b...
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25:25
From Rotor Blades to Roof Lines
What happens when a Night Stalker trades flight ops for flat roofs—and still refuses to miss the mission? We sit down with Dylan Kirkpatrick, a former 160th SOAR crew chief, who rebuilt his sense of purpose by owning the full stack of commercia...
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35:17
Finding Purpose After Service: A Skillbridge Success Story
After 21 years in the Army, Master Sergeant Karl Muller faced a crossroads common to many veterans—how to transition from the structured military environment to a fulfilling civilian career. The decision to retire wasn't made lightly. Despite e...
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1:03:48
The War is Over, Now We Build
Ted Baumgardner's journey from Marine Corps intelligence officer to construction technology entrepreneur offers a compelling roadmap for veterans seeking meaningful work after service. Growing up in a South Jersey construction family with paren...
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37:26
Navigating Career Transitions: From Military to Construction to Insurance
Career transitions can feel like starting over, especially when you've invested years building your expertise and identity. In this deeply personal episode, Scott opens up about his journey from 14 years in construction to a new career in insur...
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29:00
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From Special Forces to Construction Consultant: Bill McDonald's Journey of Resilience and Leadership
What does it take to redefine success after three decades in military service? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Bill McDonald, an Army Special Operations veteran who transitioned from a 31-year career to find new purpose in the constr...
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59:26
Strength and Strategy: Veterans Thriving in the Construction Industry
Ever wondered how a career shift from the military to the construction industry unfolds? Join us as Chris, a seasoned electrician and now superintendent, opens up about his transformative journey from serving on the USS Nimitz to leading teams ...
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44:30
From Marine Veteran to Welding Innovator: Jason's Inspiring Journey from Service to Success
Join us as we welcome Jason, a Marine Corps veteran and the inspiring leader of a welding school in Orlando, who takes us on a remarkable journey from military service to a dynamic career in construction. Jason shares his compelling decision to...
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44:00
From the Battlefield to the Job Site: A Mental Health Dialogue
What if the pressure to be perfect is silently harming our best workers? Join us to uncover the hidden mental health crisis within the construction industry as we sit down with Thomas LeMay and Brian Winningham. Thomas, the child of a Navy vete...
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55:35
From Marine Corps Helicopter Pilot to Project Manager: Dan Sampson's Transition to Civilian Success
Ever wondered how military leadership transitions into a civilian career? Former Marine Corps helicopter pilot Dan Sampson takes us on an inspiring journey from his roots in Dallas, Texas, through rigorous years at the Naval Academy and his dec...
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45:29
From Military Intelligence to Welding Pioneer: Stephanie Hoffman's Inspiring Journey
What does it take to transition from a military intelligence analyst to a leading figure in the welding industry? Stephanie Hoffman, a US Army veteran, shares her remarkable journey in our latest episode. From overcoming gender barriers to mana...
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47:16
Mastering Construction Challenges: Leveraging Technology and Teamwork for Success
Ever wondered how construction professionals navigate the labyrinth of technical constraints? You're in the right place. This episode promises to unveil the art of overcoming site limitations, structural complexities, and stringent regulatory r...
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4:31
Turning Setbacks into Success: Scott Friend's Guide to Navigating Construction Challenges
What if you could transform unexpected setbacks into seamless victories? Join Scott Friend on the latest episode of Construction Veteran as we uncover the secrets to handling unforeseen construction challenges with finesse. From last-minute des...
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4:12
From Service to Sites: Ben and Court's Construction Journeys
Discover the remarkable journeys of Ben Nichols, a former Marine Corps officer, and Court Sawyer, a retired Master Chief from the Navy Seabees, as they transition from distinguished military careers to impactful roles in the construction indust...
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42:27
