Women Talk Construction Podcast

Hosted by Christi Powell and Angela Gardner

Business Entrepreneurship ManagementInterviews guests

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Episodes

219

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

A podcast about helping women grow in the construction field and non-traditional careers.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 19, 2026Episode 21917 min

WTC ‘Lead With Curiosity’ with Tammi Hill

Send us Fan Mail In this episode: Christi and Angela interview Tammy Hill, lean program director at JE Dunn’s Advanced Facilities Group, about how curiosity, confidence, and continuous learning shaped her 30+ year career from architecture to lean leadership. Hill explains she moved toward lean to focus on people and process—bringing disciplines together, improving decisions, collaboration, and value delivery—rather than leaving architecture behind. She describes confidence as something that grows by volunteering, asking questions, and being willing to be a beginner, separating credibility from always being the expert. Hill discusses mentorship that taught her architectural craft, how mentorship needs evolve, and the difference between mentorship (individual development) and sponsorship (creating access and visibility). She reflects on progress for women in the industry, encouraging authentic leadership, and frames lean as respect for people, better communication, surfacing problems early, and improving systems rather than blaming individuals. Supported by: Groundbreak Carolinas Support the show

October 12, 2026Episode 21822 min

WTC ‘Change Starts Together’ with Faye Allen

Send us Fan Mail In this episode: Christi and Angela welcome returning guest Faye Allen, now Managing Director at Rimkus and Head of Global Quantum Services, to discuss her book Building Women, released last June, its Goody Business Book Award, and its audio edition. Allen shares that readers’ responses—especially from men—have emphasized the book’s focus on working together and giving practical tools for improvement. She discusses allyship as an active role involving listening and calling out behaviors such as speaking over women in meetings and derogatory comments, stressing action in the moment. The conversation covers progress and remaining challenges in construction, including UK changes driven by #PPEThatFits, ongoing welfare issues like toilet facilities, industry stress from squeezed budgets and programs, poor payment practices, and mental health and suicide risks. Allen encourages accountability, apologies, and kindness. Supported by: CIASP and NPK Support the show

October 5, 2026Episode 21719 min

WTC ‘Safety Runs Deep’ with Ashley and Diane

Send us Fan Mail In this episode: Angela and Libby interview Diane and Ashley of Texas-based, women- and family-owned Tech Safety Lines about fall protection, rescue training, and safety equipment. Diane explains that she started the company 25 years ago after 9/11, networking with a Connecticut military manufacturer to bring a compact descender concept to firefighters and SWAT in Texas, later buying the patent and ensuring third-party testing to ANSI and EN standards. The company now has over 55,000 units in service across about 38 countries. Ashley describes their hands-on rescue training led by Dallas Fire Department technical rescue members, emphasizing “train until it’s muscle memory” and addressing the mental toll of rescue. Diane warns that relying on 911 is not a sufficient rescue plan due to limited specialized response capacity, and both share a mission focused on getting workers home safely. Supported by: NPK Support the show

September 28, 2026Episode 21617 min

WTC ‘Beyond the Ladder’ with Rob and Cheryl

Send us Fan Mail In this episode: Angela Gardner and guest co-host Libby Mendriatta welcome Cheryl Cappelli and owner Rob Turner of Turner Brothers Construction to discuss leadership, culture, growth, and business development. Cheryl shares her nearly 30-year career path from receptionist to leading the Turner Brothers Greenville office by embracing challenges, asking questions, learning estimating and project management, and stepping outside her comfort zone through roles in business development and marketing. Rob explains how the company’s people-first “upside down pyramid” approach, core values (family, integrity, authenticity, heart), and mission statement (“remarkable people delivering superior results one yard at a time”) support a meritocracy across five locations, following a consistent “Chick-fil-A” quality standard. They discuss work-life prioritization, building client trust through relationships and performance, mentoring through industry involvement, investing in emerging talent, and connecting on LinkedIn. Supported by: Groundbreak Carolinas Support the show

September 21, 2026Episode 21520 min

WTC 'Whole Human Leadership' with Amber Little

Send us Fan Mail In this episode: Christi, Angela, and Libby introduce guest Amber Little, chief HR officer at Nations Best Holdings in Dallas and author of the 52-week workbook Whole Human Leadership, sharing how the book helped her realize it’s okay to take a break and not be everything to everyone. Amber explains that whole human leadership means recognizing we are human before our roles and leading yourself first by understanding values, triggers, approval-seeking, and needed boundaries. The discussion covers how people quietly lose themselves by focusing on others’ needs, how high achievers tie worth to productivity, and how approval, perfectionism, and weak boundaries shape leadership behaviors like avoiding hard conversations and not delegating. Amber suggests starting with self-awareness questions and journaling, and shares where to find her book on Amazon and contact her via LinkedIn, Instagram (Lead From The Ashes), or email. Supported by: Groundbreak Carolinas Support the show

September 14, 2026Episode 21413 min

WTC ‘Beyond the Roof’ with Wendy Marvin

Send us Fan Mail In this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner (with incoming co-host Libby) interview Wendy Marvin, founder and CEO of Matrix Roof and Home and an NRCA board member. Marvin shares that she started her company in 2007 after bad contractor experiences, focusing on customer service and transparency. She discusses how roofing has evolved, highlighting growing opportunities for women, increased technology, and the rise of private equity. She warns homeowners about predatory contractors using high-pressure sales, confusing jargon, and “sign today” tactics, and explains steps her company takes to protect single aging female homeowners, including sending estimator photos, documenting roof conditions, and hosting no-sales lunch-and-learns. Marvin explains “voting with your dollar,” emphasizing system roofing, certifications, and why low bids may signal risks. She introduces her new nonprofit, Matrix Home Hope, aimed at helping seniors and others who fall through assistance gaps, and encourages listeners to connect via LinkedIn or matrixroof.com. Support the show

August 31, 2026Episode 21321 min

WTC ‘The Human Safeguard’ with Kate Strauss

Send us Fan Mail In this episode: Christi and Angela welcome back Denver-based construction law attorney Kate Strauss, now leading the construction team at the national firm Fennemore, to discuss rapid AI adoption in construction. Strauss describes the divide between office staff who are high AI adopters and field staff who may distrust “Big Brother” technology, along with growing AI fatigue and the need to retain human connection and technical competence. The conversation highlights survey data showing increased AI investment and usage in administrative work, estimating, and preconstruction, driven partly by labor shortages and fast promotions. Strauss outlines hidden legal risks, including discoverability of chat histories, potential waiver of attorney-client privilege, and litigation scrutiny of AI-generated contracts and change orders, urging company leaders to implement clear AI platforms, training, safeguards, escalation points, and true human oversight. Supported by: NPK Support the show

August 24, 2026Episode 21218 min

WTC ‘Building Behind the Scenes’ with Claire Reffitt

Send us Fan Mail In this episode: Christi and Angela welcome Claire Reffitt of Deborah Bradley Construction in New York City, highlighting her role as executive assistant to president Deborah Bradley and her broader work as office manager supporting IT, HR, accounting, and company coordination across many projects. Claire shares that she thrives in fast-changing, “chaotic” environments, credits her math background for fitting construction’s logic, and explains how she manages a demanding workload through prioritization and daily pen-and-paper to-do lists. She describes leading the company’s technology and AI committee, running a workshop focused on using existing Microsoft tools like Copilot for note-taking, and tailoring adoption across employees with varied experience through basics and trial-and-error. Claire encourages young professionals to speak up, introduce themselves, and combine perspectives rather than compete. She also shares growing up as an only child with two deaf parents, which became a source of independence. Support the show

August 17, 2026Episode 21122 min

WTC ‘Introducing Libby’ with Angela and Christi

Send us Fan Mail In this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner welcome listeners to Women Talk Construction and announce that recent guest Libby is joining as a new guest co-host, allowing Christi to step back during a demanding season. Through questions led by Libby, they discuss recognizing when stepping back is a strategic leadership choice, with Christi sharing past health-related warning signs and her realization she wasn’t bringing her best self. The hosts explore setting boundaries, learning to say no to even good opportunities, and using priorities, mentors, and self-awareness to protect wellbeing, family, and faith. Libby describes stepping into growth by aligning choices with core values, intuition, and passions. They emphasize transparency and modeling sustainable leadership in construction by building trusted teams, sharing responsibility, and treating careers as marathons. Christi notes she’ll return periodically while supporting her family and work. Support the show

August 10, 2026Episode 21025 min

WTC ‘Building Futures with Impact’ with Libby Mendriatta

Send us Fan Mail In this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner welcome back guest Libby Mendriatta, NAWIC DC president and co-owner/EVP of Frisco Woodline, to discuss her free hands-on construction and STEM camp for girls and its immediate impact, including excitement about trades and career paths, mentorship, networking, and a returning camper who authored a construction-themed book. Libby shares how NAWIC builds confidence even for girls who may not enter construction and explains strategies for keeping a volunteer board motivated through relationship-building, fun balanced with accountability, and shared leadership. She outlines approaches to sponsorships and funding, including leveraging marketing credibility, board networks, and smaller asks, noting camp costs about $6,000 for 20 girls and NAWIC DC awards $10,000 in scholarships. Libby also highlights high-value events like coffee chats, Breakfast With a Champion, job site tours, golf workshops, and yoga, and invites listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn. Supported by: NPK Support the show