Episodes

May 13, 2025

459 :: Building Success Is Chess, Not Checkers with Jose Berlanga of Tricon Homes

Episode 459 features Jose Berlanga, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Tricon Homes in Houston, sharing insights about business, real estate development, and entrepreneurship. Berlanga discusses his journey from starting in various industries to becoming a successful home builder, emphasizing key lessons like developing contractor loyalty, being patient with business growth, and not falling in love with your product. Key takeaways for listeners include: •Financial literacy is learnable, ...
May 6, 2025

458 :: Confusion Kills Profits: The 45-Word Strategy Statement That Changed Everything

In episode 458 of the Construction Leadership Podcast sponsored by LBM Journal and facilitated by Rick Schumacher, Bradley Hartmann deconstructs the elements of sales leadership detailed in his new book “The Air Raid Sales Offense.” Joining...
April 29, 2025

457 :: Craig Webb and Jon Vaughan on QXO’s Takeover of Beacon Roofing

Episode 457 focuses on Brad Jacobs' recent acquisition of Beacon Roofing Supply, featuring insights from industry experts Craig Webb and Jon Vaughan. The discussion explores the strategic rationale behind the “hostile-adjacent” takeover, with...
April 22, 2025

Title 456 :: The Curse of Yes: How Jim Valvano Burned Out and Why You’re at Risk Too

In episode 456 host Bradley Hartmann explores the dangers of overcommitment through the lens of two contrasting figures: Jim Valvano, the national champion basketball coach at N.C. State and Cal Newport, the Georgetown University professor and author....
April 15, 2025

455 :: Godfather Part II: Negotiation Tactics with Jim Sobeck

Episode 455 is Part II of Jim Sobeck’s negotiation principles drawn from Mario Puzo's "The Godfather". The discussion explores critical business insights, including how to handle negotiations effectively, the importance of patience, and why taking...
April 8, 2025

454 :: Godfather Part I: Negotiation Tactics with Jim Sobeck

Episode 454 features Jim Sobeck’s return to the Construction Leadership Podcast as he discusses negotiation and leadership lessons from the legendary Mario Puzo novel "The Godfather" novel. Sobeck, a construction industry veteran, shares insights on...
April 1, 2025

453 :: Jon Vaughan on Pitino's Leadership, Luka's Discipline, and Why Nico Harrison May Be the GOAT GM

Jon Vaughn returns to the show to discuss leadership through the lens of sports, with a particular focus on basketball. Jon and Bradley dive deep into Rick Pitino's transformation of St. John's basketball program, exploring how innovative strategies...
March 25, 2025

452 :: Avoid These, Lead Better: Charlie Munger and OU MBAs Build the Anti-Leadership Playbook

This podcast episode explores leadership principles through the lens of inversion—focusing on what not to do to become a better leader. Bradley Hartmann shares insights from CNS 5632:Leadership Principles in Construction within the University of...
March 18, 2025

451 :: Tim Ferriss, Legendary Inventor Danny Hillis, and Our Leadership Mantra—You Are Owed Nothing. Deliver Value First.—In Action.

Episode 451 dissects a clip from The Tim Ferriss Show featuring inventor Danny Hillis as he shares an entertaining story about working his way into Marvin Minsky's AI Lab at MIT. How? By living out our leadership tagline, “You are owed nothing....
March 11, 2025

450 :: Dr. Sarah Buchner of Trunk Tools on Schwarzenegger’s Fake Accent, Anti-LinkedIn, and Generative AI in Construction

In episode 450 of the Construction Leadership Podcast, host Bradley Hartmann interviews Dr. Sarah Buchner, a remarkable entrepreneur whose journey took her from being an impoverished12-year-old carpenter in rural Austria to become a Stanford-educated...
March 4, 2025

449 :: Davis-Hawn and the Compound Effect of Family, Culture, and Relentless Improvement

In episode 449 of the Construction Leadership Podcast, host Bradley Hartmann reunites with Dave Reichert for an in-depth exploration of business growth, family dynamics, and leadership evolution. Eight years after his first appearance, Dave...
Feb. 25, 2025

448 :: What to Do When What You’ve Been Doing No Longer Works

In episode 448, host Bradley Hartmann discusses the importance of having robust, reliable processes that can withstand economic cycles. Using legendary physician Richard Feynman’s "cargo cult" story as an analogy, this episode emphasizes the need to...
Feb. 18, 2025

447 :: Confessions of a Construction CEO: How Vulnerability Fueled My Company's Growth with Ed DeAngelis of EDA Contractors

Episode 447 features Ed DeAngelis, CEO of . Ed provides a masterclass in effective leadership for construction companies. DeAngelis shares how he has built a thriving, 450-employee organization by embracing "humanity as a strategy”—refusing to...
Feb. 11, 2025

446 :: The ESPN and Disney-Approved Storytelling Playbook for Telling Stories That Sell with Author Paul Kix

Episode 446 is a must-listen for any business leader looking to grow their influence and impact. Storytelling expert Paul Kix shares invaluable insights on how crafting compelling narratives can transform your career and company. Learn first-hand how...
Feb. 6, 2025

445 :: Hartmann Joins Natalie Heacock and Chelsea Zuccato of Patrick Lumber on The Lumber Slingers Podcast

Unlock game-changing sales tactics with this exclusive excerpt from Bradley Hartmann’s November 2024 guest appearance on with Natalie Heacock and Chelsea Zuccato of Patrick Lumber. In this episode, you’ll discover an actionable framework for...
Feb. 4, 2025

444 :: Why Most Sales Strategies Fail—And How to Fix Yours: Exclusive Audiobook Sneak Peek Inside The Air Raid Sales Offense

Exclusive excerpt from Bradley Hartmann’s new book, —a sales philosophy based on simplicity, fearlessness, optimism, and fun. It draws parallels between the innovative Air Raid football offense and a new approach to sales that makes it easier for...
Jan. 30, 2025

443 :: QXO, Brad Jacobs, and Beacon Roofing: Corporate Pillow Fight or Knife Fight?

Host Bradley Hartmann dives into the high-stakes drama unfolding between QXO, led by serial entrepreneur Brad Jacobs, and Beacon Roofing Supply. Jacobs is making an aggressive $11billion bid to acquire Beacon, setting the stage for a potential proxy...
Jan. 28, 2025

442 :: Tannis Liviniuk: Zachry Group’s Digital Advancement Executive

In episode 442, Tannis Liviniuk provides valuable insights into the role of a digital advancement executive and the challenges of technology adoption in the construction industry. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively...
Jan. 21, 2025

441 :: Air Raid QB Legend and Custom Home Builder Dustin DeWald

In episode 441, Dustin DeWald joins the show to talk leadership—on the gridiron (leading Iowa Wesleyan in the early 90s, he threw for 12,045 yards and 115 touchdowns) and in homebuilding (leading since 1992). DeWald is a custom home builder in...
Jan. 14, 2025

440 :: Jon Vaughan Hijacks Role of Host and Interviews Hartmann on His New Book: The Air Raid Sales Offense

In episode 440, Jon Vaughan wrests control of the host role and turns the table on Bradley Hartmann as they discuss Hartmann's new book The Air Raid Sales Offense. They discuss how the principles of the air raid offense in football can be applied to...
Jan. 7, 2025

439 :: Dan Starr, CEO at Do It Best on Unlocking True Value

Dan Starr, CEO of since 2016, joins the show to discuss the $200 million acquisition of True Value that included inventory, brand rights, and paint manufacturing facilities. The acquisition has created the world's largest network of independent home...
Dec. 30, 2024

438 :: Leadership Decoded: Jim Hershey of Atlantic Wholesale on Shared Power and Better Listening

In episode 438, you'll dive into the wisdom and insights of industry veteran Jim Hershey. Jim shares lessons learned on his remarkable leadership journey as well as insights learned from mentors like Bill Lee and Kevin Hancock. This episode is full of...
Dec. 23, 2024

437 :: Elf: Leadership Lessons At The Movies

Bradley discusses leadership lessons that can be learned from the classic holiday film Elf with Data Scientist, Brock Lacy and returning guest, Sales Leader, Matt Potter.  They examine Walter Hobbs' transformation from tough leader to family...
Dec. 19, 2024

436 :: Project Manager Taylor Parker of Luxury Homebuilder Lingenfelter Homes on Non-Obvious Ways Subs and Suppliers Add Value

In this special bonus episode 436, Project Manager Taylor Parker of Lingenfelter Luxury Homes discusses Adam Lingenfelter’s leadership style along with providing insight on how he manages relationships with subcontractors and what the best suppliers...