Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Hosted by National Academy of Construction

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Episodes

112

Latest episode

Jul 2026

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About the show

Having “the knack” is to be proficient in your industry’s ever-changing realities. Moderated by our hosts Jerry, Bill, Kevin, and Sue, Get the kNACk shares the knowledge, insights, and wisdom of NAC members to give you the skills and expertise to master your career. The Get the kNACk podcast is published by the National Academy of Construction. NAC honors outstanding construction industry leaders and shares their collective experiences and expertise to help the Nation by improving their industry. Visit our website at: https://www.naocon.org/get-the-knack/.

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60 recent

July 28, 2026Episode 1229 min

Construction Projects on Tribal Land with Glenn Steiger and Jeff Ehret

In this episode of Get the kNACk , host Jerry Eyink brings together leaders from utility and construction sectors to explore a central theme: how building on tribal land differs from conventional construction. Joining him are NAC members Glenn Steiger, retired consultant for the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, and Jeff Ehret, founder and chairman of The PENTA Building Group, which has completed over $4 billion in tribal projects across 15 tribes since 2002. They share how sovereign immunity, tribal courts, and TERO (Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance) employment requirements shape every project, along with the logistical and financial realities of building in remote locations. Importantly, they reveal that success on tribal land depends as much on relationships, patience, and cultural understanding as it does on technical execution. The guests share the leadership lessons from their careers and what it takes to build lasting trust in order to transform the industry to build a better nation.

July 1, 2026Episode 1132 min

How Risk Compensation Impacts Safety Results with Craig Martin and Jesus M. de la Garza

In this episode of the Get the kNACk podcast, host Sue Steele brings together leaders from academia and industry to explore a central theme: "safer does not always mean safer." Joining her are NAC members Jesus M. de la Garza, Professor and Director of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at Clemson University, and Craig Martin, retired CEO and President of Jacobs. Together they share their research on risk compensation, the tendency for people to adjust their behavior in response to changes in safety, and how this impacts safety outcomes. They share the story of how they got started with this research and what their key findings are. They reveal that safety is not just about processes and procedures, it is also about behaviors, perception, and the human willingness to take risks. Importantly, understanding this human behavior also creates the opportunity for breakthrough safety performance. The guests share the leadership implications of their research and what it takes to create lasting change to transform the industry and build a better nation. Read the full executive insight on this topic published by the National Academy of Construction here: Risk Tolerance in Safety More on Safety from NAC: Safety Insights NAC's Safety Culture Series: Understanding Safety Culture

June 17, 2026Episode 1027 min

Challenging the Status Quo: Innovation at the Charles Pankow Foundation with Stuart Harrison

In this episode of the Get the kNACk podcast, host Sue Steele welcomes Stuart Harrison, NAC member and Executive Director of the Charles Pankow Foundation, to discuss some of the Foundation's latest initiatives and its ongoing efforts to drive innovation across the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. The Charles Pankow Foundation has long been a leader in AEC industry research and development, supporting projects that challenge conventional practices and accelerate the adoption of new technologies, materials, and processes. Stuart shares updates on the Foundation's latest work, including efforts to accelerate construction through modularization, reduce embodied carbon in the built environment, and improve the energy performance of building envelopes. Stuart describes how these projects engage industry leaders, researchers, and practitioners from academia and the private sector, bringing together expertise from around the world to transform the industry and build a better nation. https://www.pankowfoundation.org/

June 4, 2026Episode 933 min

Productivity in the Construction Industry with Dr. Bill O'Brien

In this episode of Get the kNACk , host Jerry Eyink welcomes Dr. Bill O’Brien, Associate Director for Technology at the Construction Industry Institute and Professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. Known for his research in construction productivity, advanced work packaging, and supply chain management, Dr. O’Brien discusses why productivity growth in construction has lagged behind many other industries and explores the challenges contributing to the issue. As construction serves as a critical economic enabler for countless other industries, he emphasizes the importance of addressing these productivity challenges to support broader economic growth and development. He highlights the need for stronger incentive structures and greater industry awareness, as well as strategies such as a focus on early Front-End Planning, Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) and supply chain integration that can help drive better project outcomes. Additionally, the conversation underscores that achieving lasting progress depends on strong owner leadership and industry-wide collaboration. Together, these factors can help Transform the Industry to Build a Better Nation.

May 15, 2023Episode 1346 min

For the Construction Industry - Mental Health is No Longer a Taboo Topic

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and NAC continues our focus on the importance of mental health and safety for all people in the Construction Industry. Kevin Hilton, CEO of IMPACT, Tom Shelby, Executive VP of Kiewit, and Alicia Edsen, VP of safety at Kiewit join Sue Steele, as she hosts a panel discussion to dive deeper into mental health awareness, including suicide in the construction industry. Each guest shares their experiences with mental well-being and discusses strategies to prevent suicide, including “get-help” medallions and mobile apps with direct hotlines. To conclude, Kevin briefly mentions the connection between opiate addiction and suicide which should also be acknowledged for prevention strategies.

February 22, 2023Episode 738 min

What is Project Management? Pt. 2

Frank Falciani , president of FWF Construction Consulting, LLC, returns with our host Jerry Eyink to conclude the two-part series on project management. Frank continues his discussion on the project execution plan detailing the importance of project schedule, engineering, procurement, and project cost control. Effective project management provides value in leading the project team, including team alignment, monitoring project progress, and providing a road map for successful project completion.

March 12, 2026Episode 530 min

Insights from the Construction Industry Institute's Latest Safety Research

In this episode of Get the kNACk , host Bill O’Brien welcomes Jamie Gerbrecht to share insights on the Construction Industry Institute’s latest research on safety. Jamie, who recently retired as Executive Director of the Construction Industry Institute, has been a dedicated advocate for safety throughout his career. In this episode, he shares how CII recognized the need to update its best practices to proactively strengthen the industry, continuously improve safety performance, and drive meaningful advancement across the sector. Jamie discusses the outcomes of the research, which identified 16 safety excellence techniques divided into five categories, creating a comprehensive approach that engages all project components and practices. He explains how this integrated framework elevates safety excellence and drives a new level of performance across the industry. Additionally, Jamie touches on CII’s research examining current and emerging AI technologies in construction safety management. Together, these efforts demonstrate the importance of bringing industry and academia together to share experiences, foster innovation, and transform safety performance across the industry. Find CII’s publications discussed on their website here: https://www.construction-institute.org/

June 18, 2024Episode 1333 min

Leadership in Construction - Wisdoms from NAC Masters with Dave Nash

The fourth installment of our “Leadership in Construction” series has arrived! David Nash, senior vice president of MELE Associates, Inc. and retired admiral of the U.S. Navy, accompanies our host, Sue Steele, in a profound discussion about his career and life experiences. The former “Ted C. Kennedy” award-winner explains why he stayed in the Navy for 33 years after being drafted in the Vietnam War. Admiral Nash, Ret. highlights the importance of collaboration and how to overcome failure.

October 4, 2023Episode 2223 min

Making Decisions and Controlling Change

Life is sprinkled with an infinite supply of twists and turns. Few scenarios can be executed perfectly. Ron May, retired executive from DTE Energy, discusses adaptations to change with our host, Anna Franz. In the session, May outlines a plan of action for responding to unexpected changes during projects. May reveals the secret to balancing life’s curveballs and how to stay ahead when it comes to project management.

August 8, 2022Episode 630 min

Strong Safety Culture - How to Implement

Mike Goddu , co-founder, partner, and managing director of JMJ Associates returns with our host Sue Steele for the second episode on safety culture. Continuing from the previous episode, Mike and Sue discuss how a company can implement a strong safety culture and recall examples from their real-life experiences showing how some leaders and executives made safety personal.