Get the kNACk : A National Academy of Construction Podcast

Hosted by National Academy of Construction

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114

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Sep 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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September 8, 2026Episode 1433 min

From Awareness to Action: Construction Suicide Prevention Week

In support of Construction Suicide Prevention Week, September 14–18, 2026 , and National Suicide Prevention Month , this episode of Get the kNACk highlights the construction industry’s continued commitment to mental health and suicide prevention. Host Sue Steele is joined by NAC member Cal Beyer , Angela Crawford , Executive Director of Construction Suicide Prevention , and Kara McCaffrey , Chief Wellness Officer at Houck and Chair of the 2026 Construction Suicide Prevention Week initiative. Together, they discuss the growth of Construction Suicide Prevention Week and the industry-wide effort to make mental health and suicide prevention a priority. The guests highlight practical ways construction leaders and organizations can take action, from participating in the national stand-down and taking the pledge to using toolbox talks and promoting available mental health resources. They also share personal experiences and leadership lessons that demonstrate how creating a culture of care, connection, and open conversation can help save lives and build a healthier construction industry. Resources: Construction Suicide Prevention Week : · Register Your 2026 Participation · 2026 Stand Down · 2026 Webinars · Toolbox Talks SAFE Project : · NoShame Pledge · Treatment, Family Support and Recovery Housing Locator

September 8, 2026Episode 1333 min

Building Hope: Mental Health & Suicide Prevention in Construction with Sonya Bohmann Cal Beyer

In this episode of Get the kNACk , host and NAC member Sue Steele is joined by Cal Beyer of SAFE Project and Sonya Bohmann , Executive Director of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) , to discuss mental health, suicide prevention, substance use, and recovery in the construction industry. They explore why mental well-being is an essential part of workplace safety, the importance of safe and person-first language, and how leaders can be visible, vocal, and vulnerable in supporting their teams. Through personal stories and resources like Stronger than the Silence: The Road to Recovery Begins With a Voice , they emphasize how starting conversations, reducing stigma, and connecting people with support can help build a safer and healthier construction industry. Resources: Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention Video: Stronger than the Silence: The Road to Recovery Begins With a Voice Needs Analysis: & Implementation Tool Safe Messaging Guidelines Toolbox Talks SAFE Project: NoShame Pledge Treatment, Family Support and Recovery Housing Locator

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.

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.

September 19, 2022Episode 1028 min

Innovations in Project Delivery Pt. 2

Doug Gransberg , president of Gransberg & Associates. Inc and recently retired Professor who held an endowed chair at Iowa State University, returns with our host Bill O’Brien in the second episode of this series on innovative project delivery methods. In this episode, Doug discusses some of the more recent advances in construction project delivery and how it benefits from the early involvement of stakeholders.

January 22, 2026Episode 229 min

Alcohol Awareness in the Construction Industry with Cal Beyer

Construction workers have been considered nearly twice as likely as those in other industries to experience substance-use challenges, with alcohol playing a particularly prominent role. To spotlight alcohol awareness in the construction industry, host Kevin Hilton welcomes back Cal Beyer, Senior Director of SAFE Workplaces for SAFE Project (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic). In this conversation, Kevin and Cal discuss current trends surrounding alcohol use in the construction industry and the urgent need for greater awareness, support, and prevention. Cal highlights the importance of building recovery-friendly workplaces and offers practical guidance on how organizations can foster a culture of care and support. The episode emphasizes the human impact of alcohol use, addresses the stigma surrounding recovery, and calls for meaningful action to create safer, healthier workplaces across the industry. Episode Resources SAFE Project (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic) The Snowball — SAFE Project’s national recovery movement 3-Minute Overview Video Industry Perspectives Real Talk: Alcohol Awareness and Promoting Workplace Recovery Asphalt Pro Magazine, Cal Beyer (November 2025) Promoting a Recovery-Ready Workplace by De-Emphasizing Alcohol at Company Gatherings Construction Financial Management Association, Cal Beyer (2024) Alcohol Education & Awareness (NIAAA) Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol & Your Health (English PDF) Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol & Your Health (Spanish PDF) What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)? Personal Stories & Recovery Interview with Laura Jones, author of Beyond Sober: You Put Down the Booze, Now What? National Safety Council Substance Use Cost Calculator NSC Substance Use Employer Cost Calculato r

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