Constructive

Hosted by Seth Kalkman

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Sep 2026

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About the 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.

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57 recent

September 21, 2026Episode 5752 min

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. The conversation delves into the birth of a partnership, the challenges faced in the construction industry, and the pivotal decision to pivot the business model to address customer needs. It also explores the role of AI in construction data and the objective of software systems in the industry. Takeaways The evolving relationship between technology and construction The importance of intuition and adaptability in the construction and tech industry Pivoting to address customer needs is crucial for business success. The source of truth in construction projects should be the project itself, not individual software systems. Chapters 00:00 The Marriage Between Tech and Construction 03:09 Early Career Paths 08:10 Transition to Software and Tech 13:13 Adoption of Technology in Construction 18:10 Startup Initiative and Setbacks 21:47 Challenges and Intuition 22:41 The Birth of a Partnership 23:06 Y Combinator and the Pivot 24:18 Exploring the Construction Industry 25:36 Challenges with Initial Product Adoption 26:52 Pivoting to Address Customer Needs 27:40 Customer Frustrations with Legacy Software 29:15 Renewal and Dissatisfaction with Procore 32:27 Decision to Engage Constructible 36:34 Market Validation and Product Development 39:57 The Role of AI in Construction Data 48:59 Serving the Project and Community 51:38 Objective of Software Systems

September 7, 2026Episode 561 hr 7 min

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, and the focus on creating a positive work environment for flow and productivity. The conversation covers the themes of communication in construction, the purpose behind construction work, the significance of the Old Dog community, and the role of pain and suffering in character development. It also delves into the use of AI in construction and the importance of knowledge transfer and learning from past projects. Takeaways Respect for workers Transition from technical work to management Impact of personal health challenges Creating a positive work environment for flow and productivity Communication in construction Purpose and significance of construction work The Old Dog community and its role in knowledge transfer The role of pain and suffering in character development The use of AI in construction and knowledge transfer from past projects TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro & The Mission of Construction 01:00 - Dirt, Ditches, and Developing Field Respect 04:00 - The Corporate Ladder is "Bullshito" 06:10 - Early Days as an Assistant Project Engineer 10:10 - The Industry-Wide Scheduling Fallacy 12:10 - Why Communication is the Real Production System 19:20 - Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, and the Turning Point 22:30 - The Clemson Case Study: Why Pushing Tactics Fails 28:00 - The Ono Circle: Seeing People, Not Just Work 29:25 - Designing Personal Performance Systems for Trade Workers CONNECT WITH ADAM HOOTS: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhoots/

August 17, 2026Episode 5553 min

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. He also discusses the challenges and opportunities for trade contractors and the potential for technological transformation in the industry. The construction industry is experiencing a shift in power dynamics, with trade contractors gaining more leverage and control over their projects. Technology and innovation are driving significant changes in the industry, offering opportunities for improved efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and problem-solving. The future of the industry holds promise for greater collaboration, productivity, and value creation through the adoption of advanced technologies and strategic partnerships. Takeaways Construction industry trends are influenced by the demands and initiatives of owners. The role of technology in the construction industry is evolving, with a focus on innovation and transformation. Trade contractors are positioned to survive and thrive in the industry, leveraging their valuable resource of skilled labor. Trade contractors are gaining more leverage and control over construction projects. Technology and innovation are driving significant changes in the construction industry. Chapters 00:00 Virtual Backgrounds and Industry Perspectives 03:01 Industry Insights and Career Experiences 09:01 The Role of Technology in Construction 15:00 Challenges and Opportunities for Trade Contractors 20:00 The Future of the Construction Industry 25:24 Empowerment of Trade Contractors 29:42 Resilience and Problem-Solving in Construction 35:18 Collaboration and Future of the Industry 47:14 Impact of Technology and Innovation

August 16, 2026Episode 5448 min

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 technology on construction workflows. The conversation covers the importance of learning from failures, the evolving perception of the construction industry, marketing tech to the construction industry, the role of AI in construction, and the significance of systems of record. It also delves into the future of AI in construction and the importance of change management champions. Takeaways Tech implementation should prioritize people, process, and then technology. Data utilization in construction projects is a critical challenge that needs to be addressed. The impact of technology on construction workflows has both positive and negative aspects. Learning from failures and making adjustments is crucial for successful tech rollouts. The construction industry is evolving, and there is a need to change the perception of the industry. Understanding the context of the job site and focusing on outcomes is essential when marketing tech to the construction industry. The role of AI in construction is not just about technology but also about understanding use cases and outcomes. Systems of record are vital in the AI age, and the future of AI in construction will involve a human judgment layer and a feedback loop. Change management champions play a crucial role in successful tech rollouts, and they need to be present at both the lower and executive levels of the organization. Chapters 00:00 From Legos to Construction Tech 01:54 Transition to Engineering and Construction Management 03:50 Transition to Construction Tech 09:11 Customization vs. Standardization in Construction Tech 12:04 Challenges and Successes in Tech Adoption 19:02 The Role of Owners and Field Workers in Tech Development 21:54 Tech Rollouts and Implementation Challenges 23:29 Learning from Failures and Making Adjustments 24:52 Evolving Perception of the Construction Industry 29:15 Marketing Tech to the Construction Industry 32:49 The Role of AI in Construction 36:00 The Future of AI in Construction and Systems of Record 44:49 The Importance of Change Management Champions

October 10, 2025Episode 431 hr 3 min

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 :)

May 8, 2025Episode 2739 min

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 company culture, innovation through customer feedback, and the changing perceptions of surveillance in the construction industry. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 00:28 The Intersection of Technology and Construction 04:19 The Evolution of Trulook 08:21 Engaging the Community Through Construction 10:01 Security Features and Innovations 14:19 Innovation and Staying Ahead in Technology 18:34 The Evolution of Turnkey Solutions 20:12 Integrating with Industry Giants 22:22 The Role of Drones in Construction 25:48 AI and the Future of Construction Technology 29:52 Changing Perceptions of Job Site Cameras 34:04 Building a Strong Company Culture 37:52 Lessons Learned from Failure 40:24 Balancing Risk and Safety in Leadership

November 2, 2025Episode 4530 min

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 Group/Olzac Build to unpack a massive shift in construction efficiency. Tino Go, a self-described "reformed CFO" , reveals his plan to "deglobalize or relocalize supply chains" to recover up to 40% of the revenue value typically wasted on distribution. It all started when he tried to buy a simple bookcase and found the process "medieval"! In this episode, you’ll discover: How thousands of underused CNC machines across the country are the key to building a "virtual factory" for on-demand, localized manufacturing. The inefficiency of the current $20 billion cabinet industry and how the new model is selling at "essentially half of market price" . The true meaning of "efficiency as inherently ethical" and why eliminating waste is conserving more than just materials. Why the architecture and design-build process is fundamentally wasteful and how precision down to four decimals can solve major industry conflicts. The long-term vision for construction—from CNC-cut casework to a future where custom design doesn't equal "great expense" . Listen now to see how a "hard digital link" is about to change everything from lead times to labor bottlenecks and project risk. Check out Baru: https://www.hellobaru.com/ and Tino Go on linkedin. Check out olczakgroup.com and get in touch with Zach via zach@ olczakgroup.com Music Attribution: Music I use: https://www.bensound.com , Artist: Roman Senyk, License code: JTB152H82KPEU1ZL

January 1, 2024Episode 431 min

04 - Duane Stanley

Duane Stanley is the Preconstruction Executive for Sunrise Erectors, Inc. Duane and I spoke about innovation and partnerships in the construction industry.

January 17, 2026Episode 5139 min

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 the human side of business development. Ken recently authored the book, Building Trust and Winning Work , where he argues that winning work has less to do with the physical proposal and everything to do with how you show up for your clients and build authentic relationships. We dive deep into the "Doer-Seller" model, the psychological hurdles of trust, and why the phrase "stay in your lane" is a creativity killer for construction firms. Key Topics Covered: The Trust Hurdle: Why being likable and competent isn't enough if you break your word. Service over Selling: Shifting your mindset from "making a sale" to being of radical service to the client. The Power of Curiosity: Why you should walk into a client meeting with a legal pad and six questions instead of a glossy brochure. Coaching & Mentorship: Why even the best in the industry—like Steph Curry—still need a coach to stay on top of their game. AI in Construction: How to use AI as a force multiplier for research without losing the essential "face-to-face" human connection. Whether you're an APM looking to accelerate your career or a C-suite executive rethinking your corporate strategy, Ken’s insights offer a blueprint for winning work with integrity. Connect with Ken Harms: Book: Building Trust and Winning Work LinkedIn: Kenneth Harms Music by Bensound.comLicense code: JT4WZ4TPKR0WYGNM Artist: Lunar Years