Build Me Up

Hosted by Kraus-Anderson

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

May 2026

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About the show

Build Me Up shares inspiring stories of innovators in the built marketplace. It's hosted by Kraus-Anderson's Laurisa Titterud and Kaitlin McCoskey. KA is a Midwest construction management firm, realty, development, insurance and financial services company. The podcast is designed to meet the needs of leaders and aspiring innovators in the construction industry.

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60 recent

May 29, 2026Episode 551 min

AI and Tribal Gaming: How Intelligent Automation Is Reshaping the Industry

(For video version, visit https://www.youtube.com/user/KrausAnderson) Hello and welcome to Build Me Up! Today we're digging into AI, specifically AI in the tribal gaming world. Our guests today recently attended the Indian Gaming Association Trade Show and Convention, one of the largest gatherings of tribal leaders and casino executives in the country. This conference offers a meeting place where the community gathers to learn, network and exchange industry-specific ideas, as well as a cultural celebration of Native American success, strength and self-reliance. Episode guests: Bryon Miller (CEO, S&K Gaming), George Trujillo (Director, Project Planning and Development KA) and Tony Peleska (Chief Information Officer KA)

April 21, 2026Episode 447 min

Group Hug: The Triumphs and Tribulations of Building Mass Timber

(For video version, visit https://www.youtube.com/user/KrausAnderson) Welcome to Build Me Up with Laurisa and Kaitlin from Kraus-Anderson! Earth Day is upon us, and we are taking a deep dive into one of our most sustainable, unique projects as of late: the Washington County Central Service Center, a mass timber building in Woodbury, MN. Yep, unlike many construction projects going up today, this building is largely made of wood! Joining us to talk about how mass timber could be a financial and environmental benefit for your organization's next project are Erik Jalowitz, Washington County Building Services Manager, Julie MacLeod and Ernesto Ruiz-Garcia of Alliance Architects, and Ken Francois, Project Manager at KA.

February 26, 2026Episode 243 min

Hold on to Your Hair: Reducing Stress and Unknowns With FCA

Welcome to Build Me Up with Laurisa and Kaitlin from Kraus-Anderson! Today we are joined by three facility experts: Erik Krause, Director Regional Facilities Hospital Operations at Allina Health; Tim Kittila, KA's inhouse expert on facility planning and analysis; and Mike Stark, KA's director of growth and strategy. As the title suggests, today we will be focusing on how proactive facility planning and management can save building owners time and money in the long run. The questions and topics discussed today are pulled from real-world experience, feedback, and questions we are receiving from our clients on a daily basis.

January 13, 2026Episode 146 min

2026: Industry Lookahead

Welcome back for Season 8 of "Build Me Up" with Laurisa and Kaitlin from Kraus-Anderson! Back for the 6th year in a row is FMI's Partner and Managing Director of Research and Analytics, Jay Bowman. KA's EVP and COO Rich Jacobson joins us as well to discuss where the new year will bring the built market. Jay specializes in construction spending forecasts, strategic planning, and research and analytics for the A/C/E industry, while Rich gives a more local, close-to-home perspective.

September 16, 2025Episode 549 min

Predesign: So What?

Welcome to "Build Me Up" with Laurisa and Kaitlin from Kraus-Anderson! Pre-Design is a term buzzing around our office because of its proven effectiveness when it comes to cost savings and enhanced collaboration. Today, we've invited two of KA's preconstruction experts: Nate Enger, director of DPM, and Kevin Bright, sustainability manager, to discuss how pre-design services are re-shaping the traditional construction delivery model.

May 13, 2025Episode 543 min

Care for the Caregiver: Current Trends in Healthcare Construction

In today's discussion, we explore construction and design trends reshaping the healthcare industry. The design needs and construction requirements for medical centers are evolving rapidly, driven by new challenges, technological advancements and economic changes—and we're here to explore what this means for you and your projects. Laurisa is joined by Rachael Oelke of Kraus-Anderson, Matt Okeefe with Synergy Architecture Studio and Luke Sahly from Continua. Together, we discuss navigating material uncertainties, speeding up project delivery and design choices in healthcare facilities that provide care for the cargivers working in them.

April 8, 2025Episode 338 min

Downtown by Design 2035: the Future of Minneapolis

Today we welcome back Ben Shardlow, chief of staff at the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District. Ben joins us today to talk about the Downtown by Design 2035 plan for the city of Minneapolis. From safety to culture to the overall vibe of the city we cover some of the highlights of what we can expect in the next 10 years along with how the city engaged with neighborhood groups, organizations, and other cities to create a strategic vision for the future of downtown Minneapolis. https://www.mplsdowntown.com/2035plan/ https://www.mplsdowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MDC_2035Plan.pdf

March 11, 2025Episode 245 min

Raise The Barr: Discussing Affordable Housing and the Curb Cut Effect

In this episode, Lori Barr, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Raise the Barr, joins "Build Me Up." Lori and her son Anthony, a former defenseman for the Minnesota Vikings and 4X NFL Pro-Bowler, founded the organization in 2016. The nonprofit aims to help single parents break down the social and economic barriers that come with pursuing higher education. We chatted with Lori about Raise the Barr's programs and resources, her personal experiences that led to the opening of the nonprofit, working with her son and the nonprofit's blueprint for success, and more!

February 11, 2025Episode 148 min

2025 Construction Industry Lookahead

Back by popular demand, "Build Me Up" invited FMI's Partner and Managing Director of Research and Analytics, Jay Bowman, and KA's EVP and COO Rich Jacobson back to chat! They join us each year as we look to see what the new year is going bring the built market. Jay specializes in construction spending forecasts, strategic planning, and research and analytics for the A/C/E industry. We recap our 2024, talk fed rates and building material prices, how AI and tech fits into our world, and of course predictions for 2025! Jay brings in the national perspective of what we can expect, and Rich gives a more focused, local approach of what is going on in the Midwest market.

December 10, 2024Episode 1311 min

Season 6 Finale!!

Season 6 of "Build Me Up" is complete. Thank you to all the guests who participated in Season 5, as well as to our listeners. We're grateful to have a platform where stories that build up the community can be shared. See you in the New Year!