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Jesse hosts the Learnings and Missteps podcast and interviews Scott Evans, founder of Scott Evans Speaks, about mental health in the construction field as “operational integrity” and “invisible PPE,” emphasizing a 360-degree safety culture that extends beyond the jobsite gate. They discuss the disconnect between corporate, compliance-focused tools like apps and HR videos versus the field reality that trust and real conversations—often one-on-one on site—drive help-seeking, while stigma and polic...

Jesse hosts the Learnings and Missteps podcast and introduces guest Maya McGlynn, a Pennsylvania-based construction influencer, writer, photographer, and fractional support partner who focuses on “the people behind the work.” Jesse gives an LnM Family shout-out to Bryce Ager for reviewing one of Jesse’s construction trainings, and notes his business offers training, coaching, and consulting. Maya explains her passion for blue-collar stories comes from building relationships and bridging gaps bet...

In this episode of the Learnings and Missteps podcast, Jesse interviews Mike Chiles, a seasoned project director in the construction industry. They discuss the unpredictable challenges of construction, the importance of relationship building, and effective leadership. Mike emphasizes the role of leaders in developing their teams, creating a balanced and supportive work environment, and the value of feedback from those on the ground. They also delve into the importance of character development an...

The truth landed on us after dozens of job site chats: some folks know our training but not the show, and others love the show but don’t know we train crews for a living. So we’re making it obvious. Learnings and Missteps is now Learnings and Missteps by Depth Builder, a single, honest banner that matches how we work and who we serve. New color, same voice, more clarity. We walk through what stays rock solid: candid interviews with builders who’ve earned their wisdom the hard way, and solo sess...

What if your calendar isn’t the problem—your priorities are? We walk through the FIRE Box, a clear, practical framework that helps you stop living reactive and start building a week that reflects what you value. Instead of chasing every ping, you’ll learn how to Finish First on the urgent and important, and, more critically, Invest Focus Here on the important and not urgent work that drives real progress. We start by clarifying urgency and importance in plain terms so you can judge tasks withou...

Ever feel like your calendar is packed but your real life lives off to the side? We dig into a simple, no-fluff system to make every commitment visible, merge the hidden to-dos with the scheduled ones, and carve out protected time for sleep, movement, and deep work—without the guilt. The result isn’t more hustle; it’s a calmer, truer plan that helps us deliver for others while finally honoring the projects and habits that matter to us. We start with a quick refresher on guilt-free future planni...

Planning feels great until reality shows up. We’ve all sketched beautiful lists, only to watch them dissolve under meetings, family needs, and the next urgent fire. Today we turn planning into progress by committing to a simple, visual flow that respects your bandwidth and fuels momentum: brain dump, weigh impact vs effort with the DAMN Matrix, then sequence one big rock at a time. We start by pulling every idea out of your head and onto a surface—career moves, skills you want to learn, health ...

In this episode of the Learnings and Missteps podcast, host Jesse Hernandez converses with Stephanie Wood, co-founder and CEO of Coal Build Construction. Stephanie, with a background in organizational leadership and trauma-informed neuroscience, shares her journey from English literature major to a construction industry leader. The discussion covers the challenges and innovations in fostering a collaborative and human-centered approach within construction, debunking the myth of toughness, and pr...

In this episode of the Learnings and Missteps podcast, host Jesse Hernandez sits down with Liberty Kogan, a construction social media expert with an impressive background in musical theater and business. Liberty shares her journey from performing in Legally Blonde to launching a successful babysitting agency in Atlanta and eventually transitioning into social media marketing for construction companies. Throughout the conversation, they discuss themes of vulnerability, the importance of human con...

Want a year that actually changes your life? We break down a practical system to stop chasing busywork and start stacking wins that matter. It starts with a guilt-free brain dump to pull every idea, project, and half-finished goal out of your head so you can judge them by outcome, not overwhelm. From there, we introduce the Damn Matrix, a four-quadrant method that ranks your work by impact and effort. High impact, low effort goes first. High impact, high effort gets planned next. Low impact item...

n this episode, Jesse discusses the critical role of servant leadership in the construction industry with Wally Adamchick. They explore how a servant leadership mindset, which includes being respectful, setting expectations, and supporting employees, can lead to higher employee retention and profitability. Wally also talks about the importance of developing frontline leaders and the distinction between coaching, consulting, and training. The conversation touches on the specific challenges faced ...

In this episode, Jesse hosts Bryce Harem, founder of BTG Services and creator of the Middleman Mindset, as they discuss the essence of true leadership, personal struggles, and the ways to effectively bridge the gap between office and field in the blue-collar industry. Jesse and Bryce explore the importance of self-leadership, authenticity, and communication, while also touching upon their personal experiences and the profound lessons they've learned along the way. Bryce shares how journaling, gr...

Ready to stop storing your entire life in your head and start building a future you can actually live? We walk through phase one of guilt-free future planning, a simple, practical way to unload your ideas, goals, and projects so you can see them clearly and choose with confidence. No apps required. Just a pen, some paper, and the willingness to get honest about where your energy goes. We begin with a full capture—every project you meant to start, every skill you want to learn, every relationshi...

In this episode of the Learnings and Missteps podcast, Jesse interviews Uri Salgado, a bilingual business development executive at Detritus. Yuri shares her remarkable journey from helping her mother with translation in her childhood to achieving a milestone of 10 years at her previous company. She discusses the influence of her multicultural background, the importance of empathy in her career, and how divine timing has played a significant role in her professional growth. Yuri also talks about ...

In this episode of the Learnings and Missteps podcast, host Jesse interviews Brian Anderson, President of Bear Construction. Brian shares his journey of starting his own construction company, driven by his desire to create his own values and methods. Despite initial setbacks, such as working for companies that went under and facing financial struggles, Brian successfully established his business, Bear Construction, with intentionality and faith. He also discusses leveraging LinkedIn for both bus...

Ever blink at 4 p.m. and wonder where your day went? We’ve been there—busy all day yet weirdly light on results. This conversation lays out a distraction detox that replaces chaos with clarity using two simple moves: track the curveballs that hit you and cage the squirrels you chase. The payoff isn’t just productivity; it’s the calm that comes from finishing what matters most. We start by exposing curveballs—emails, calls, texts, “got a minute?” visits—that shred focus. By writing each one down...

Jesse interviews Melissa Stecher, founder of Hopeful Simplicity, discussing her 3S method designed to help busy moms declutter and organize their spaces for a more peaceful lifestyle. Melissa explains the importance of aligning organizational styles with personal and family needs, the emotional aspect of letting go of clutter, and the benefits of a supportive community. They explore the balance between visual and non-visual organizing, macro and micro systems, and the impact of these methods on ...

In this episode of the Learnings and Missteps podcast, host Jesse welcomes Shane Patterson, founder and CEO of Jenga. With a background in finance and software engineering, Shane has focused on solving complex problems in the construction sector. The conversation highlights Shane's journey into the construction industry, his focus on building solutions for subcontractors, and the complexities involved in estimating and bidding processes. Shane discusses the importance of delivering undeniable va...

Take Command of Your Day with the Daily Domination Board Gear up for the new year The fastest path to real high performance isn’t a new app or a 4 a.m. alarm—it’s a cleaner day. We walk through a lightweight Daily Domination workflow that gets tasks out of your head, into a simple Trello board, and moving from To-Do to Done without drama. No complex frameworks, no calendar chaos—just a clear loop you can trust: dump, sequence, execute, reflect, and bucketize. We start by capturing ...

In this episode of the Learnings and Missteps podcast, Jesse interviews Mohit Bhagchandani, a data-led marketing expert and founder of Adeptimize. They delve into the essence of modern branding, discussing the importance of personal and business identities. Mohit highlights that a successful brand must stick in consumers' minds and emphasizes the necessary balance between organic and paid content in marketing strategies. The conversation provides insight into Mohit's entrepreneurial background a...

In this episode of the Learnings and Missteps podcast, Jesse reconnects with Megan Shapiro, an accomplished lawyer and repeat guest. They discuss her evolving career and ventures, including launching the Converge Construction Summit and her business coaching initiatives. Megan shares insights on navigating setbacks, growing her network, and intentionally serving her community. With candid stories of her unique branding journey and strategic goals, this episode offers inspiration for professional...

In this conversation, Megan Shapiro, an established construction attorney, shares her 15 years of litigation experience and discusses proactive risk management strategies in construction. Megan offers insightful advice on how construction companies can avoid and better prepare for litigation by learning from past experiences. The episode delves into Megan's personal journey, including her passion for law, relationships, and proactive risk management. It also touches on her various professional e...

Ever feel overwhelmed by your to-do list? That sensation of drowning in tasks while your most important work gets pushed aside? You're not alone—and there's a solution hiding in plain sight. In this eye-opening episode, Jesse breaks down a deceptively simple framework for identifying exactly which tasks in your life and business should be automated or outsourced. Using a visual "bucket and drops" system, you'll discover how to categorize your work, break large responsibilities into manageable c...

In this episode of the Learnings and Missteps podcast, host Jesse interviews Joseph Richards, the owner and chief takeoff officer at Flooring Takeoffs. Joseph discusses his unique career path, transitioning from an English teacher to a business owner, and the challenges he faced along the way. He talks about the importance of transparency, learning from mistakes, and the role of AI in the estimating world. The discussion also delves into the value of social media in growing a business, the signi...