Construction Brothers

00:00 - Ennui and another TylerWe know that you come here for philosophical insight and existential explanations, so today we’re discussion ennui. Tyler shares… tries to share about this state of listlss… listsles… listlessness and dissatisfaction.After this fun, we welcome our new vocal presence, Tyler Cook. Tyler shares about the secret to connecting with Zoomers. It’s all about tier lists and brackets. So today we’re going to do a tourney bracket.05:23 - The bracketToday we’re exploring niches. We don’t want to share any spoilers here in the notes, but here are some opinions that are shared as we process this competition. Concrete is tough.Drywall corners are hard.Flooring is not comfortable work.Spending your day staring upward will do a number on your neck.We don’t want to fall off a roof.Dooky’s not fun.OSHA keeps telling us not to touch a live wire.Demolition is fun for 30 minutes.Eddie is confident that he’s done with roofing.Welding sometimes happens in really dangerous places.If you're interested in jumping straight to some specific first-round debates:6:06 - Carpentry vs. masonry7:40 - Drywall vs. concrete 10:20 - Ceiling vs. flooring16:01 - Roofing vs. HVAC23:37 - Landscaping vs. painting24:48 - Electrical vs. excavation 30:44 - Glass installation vs. demolition33:21 - Semifinals39:15 - FinalsThe takeaway from this process? Man, tradespeople do some tough stuff. Check out the partners that make our show possible.Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - TikTok - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedInIf you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!

Tyler's going to regret opening his mouth during this episode.Please consider subscribing! SUBSCRIBE!Like us on LinkedIn!Like us on Facebook!Follow us on Instagram!Eddie's LinkedInTyler's LinkedIn(Our day job)

If you're interested in learning more about the construction of Hoover Dam, scroll to the end of the show notes for links.00:00 - A Quick Dam Joke, the Consortium, and Some StatsWe question our ability to keep our puns in check. Sorry, Mom.Then we move on to the contractors. We discuss the consortium called Six Companies Inc. that won the bid at nearly $49 million, approximately $860 million in today’s dollars.Eddie makes a conveniently timed comparison to the Washington Monument. The Hoover Dam is 726 feet tall–almost 200 feet taller than the Washington Monument. Only 6 buildings in the US were taller than the dam when it was built.We discuss some stats:-4.4 million cubic yards of concrete were used in the project. That is enough to pave a two-lane road from Seattle to Miami or a four-foot-wide sidewalk around the Earth at the Equator or enough to pave a two-lane road from Seattle to Miami.-Its base is as thick as the length of 2 football end-to-end-It has 4 intake towers (30’ diameter each) that can carry enough water to fill 900 bathtubs in only one second. That means 1,448,100 “bathtubfuls” of water will have passed through the dam in the time it takes you to listen to this episode.07:15 - Construction Costs and Power OutputTyler mentions that the cost of the initial construction, which finished in 1936, wasn't paid off until 1987. Eddie discusses the way that we handle financing for capital projects, spending not just tomorrow’s money–but money that won’t come in for decades.We compare these expenses to the absolutely monumental amount of economic impact that the electricity from the dam has had. Here’s where the 4 billion kilowatt-hours each year goes:19% to Arizona23% to Nevada58% percent goes to California (15% to LA, which is 270 miles away)10:46 - Hoovervilles and FatalitiesEddie fills the gaps in Tyler’s history education with an explanation of the Hoovervilles from the Great Depression. Hoover didn’t get much positive PR aside from this dam.We discuss the desperation of the Great Depression is shown by the fact that the ability to line up workers for a job to do this. Tyler shares the troubling coincidence is the fact that the first and last men to die on this project were father and son.Thinking about these human costs leads us into a discussion about the structure of incentives and penalties that drove the owners of Six Companies to push the pace of construction.19:53 - Takeaways: Big Projects, Green Energy, Old-school DraftingWe discuss the fact that bold projects lead to emboldened people who move on to even bolder projects. Sometimes biting off more than you can chew leads to growth.Tyler makes the point that this dam was a green-energy project long before the term “green energy” was coined. He also expresses awe at the thought that all of the drafting for this massive project would have been done by hand.Eddie stops short of calling himself a history buff, but he expresses a deep respect for the teams of designers and workers who accomplished massive projects like this with so little help from what we consider advanced technologies.Tyler invites you to submit your ideas for future research-based projects.If you’re interested in additional details about the Hoover Dam, explore these sources:EIA.govUSBR.govB1M video: compares the world’s largest dams to other structuresLake Mead historical water-level chartNPS.govBechtel’s page about construction of the damOld publicity/education videoLibrary of Congress PhotosVideo of the physics and engineering involvedCheck out the partners that make our show possible.Find Us Online: BrosPodcast.com - LinkedIn - Youtube - Instagram - Facebook - TikTok - Eddie's LinkedIn - Tyler's LinkedInIf you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening

This week, Eddie shares a leadership insight straight from the baseball diamond: how paying attention to the players who struggle most can transform your entire team. Whether you're building a lineup or running a job site, it’s a powerful reminder that every role matters—and investing in overlooked contributors could be the key to winning.Go build something awesome!CHECK OUT THE PARTNERS THAT MAKE OUR SHOW POSSIBLE: https://www.brospodcast.com/partnersFIND US ONLINE: -Our website: https://www.brospodcast.com -LinkedIn:   / constructionbrospodcast   -Instagram:   / constructionbrospodcast    -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@constructionbrothers?lang=en-Eddie on LinkedIn:   / eddie-c-057b3b11   -Tyler on LinkedIn:   / tylerscottcampbell  If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!

Today we’re in conversation with Siddhant Mehta, Project Manager at Skanska, to explore how AI is transforming construction. From choosing the right tools to critiquing SaaS pricing models, Sid shares insights on tech adoption, AI coding, and the future of project management.00:46 – Sid’s Journey AbroadSid Mehta shares his story from Mumbai to the U.S., managing multimillion-dollar projects and finding his place in construction management.02:03 – Building Tech NetworksHow Skanska leverages emerging tech groups, vendor evaluations, and peer networks to spread innovation across teams.03:55 – Tech Adoption RealitiesSid challenges perceptions of slow adoption in construction, highlighting why pilot projects need time to show results.05:14 – The Feedback GapWhy construction tech tools often miss the mark, and how missing field feedback hurts tool development.06:43 – Choosing the Right ToolSid explains why not every tech solution fits every project, stressing the importance of aligning tools with project type and phase.09:06 – SaaS Pricing RantA frank critique of SaaS pricing in construction, questioning project-based fees versus simpler subscriptions.12:00 – Naming Names (Kinda) A playful yet pointed critique of familiar industry pricing models—without naming names (but we all know who).17:05 – Rise of AI CodingExploring tools like Replit, Claude, and Cursor, and the rise of “vibe coding” in construction tech and software development.23:02 – AI’s Development ImpactHow AI coding shifts the role of developers, and why front-end engineering faces more disruption than back-end.28:00 – Data Centers & DemandHow AI’s growth drives demand for data centers, reshaping infrastructure needs for GPUs, power, and cooling.35:00 – Environmental ImpactsA look at the ecological consequences of data center expansion, from water usage to energy demands.40:48 – AI Saves the DayReal-world examples of AI replacing executive assistants, saving hours on email, scheduling, and admin tasks in construction.45:00 – Skanska’s Internal AIHow Skanska built internal chatbots to automate project schedules, saving schedulers hours every week.47:26 – Ripple Effect of AISid reflects on how AI’s time savings can scale across thousands of employees, transforming workflows organization-wide.50:00 – Marketing’s AI ShiftWhy SEO strategies are changing in an AI world, and how creative content is being reshaped by generative tools.54:00 – AI’s Rapid AccelerationClosing thoughts on how quickly AI is evolving, and why getting on board now is key for construction leaders.Go build something awesome!CHECK OUT THE PARTNERS THAT MAKE OUR SHOW POSSIBLE: https://www.brospodcast.com/partnersFIND US ONLINE: -Our website: https://www.brospodcast.com -LinkedIn:   / constructionbrospodcast   -Instagram:   / constructionbrospodcast    -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@constructionbrothers?lang=en-Eddie on LinkedIn:   / eddie-c-057b3b11   -Tyler on LinkedIn:   / tylerscottcampbell  If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!

Eddie’s going deep for today’s quote–all the way back to Sun Tzu’s Art of War (which you can hear for free on Youtube if you can spare 72 minutes.)“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” Sometimes people will use these two words interchangeably. Here’s the difference:Strategy is the long-term plan. What you plan to achieve in the distance.Tactics are the thoughtfully crafted short-term methods for working out that strategy. In exploring Sun Tzu’s words, we discuss Tyler’s business and bodies on Everest.We acknowledge that tactics may vary as you work backward from the strategy.Go build something awesome!CHECK OUT THE PARTNERS THAT MAKE OUR SHOW POSSIBLE: https://www.brospodcast.com/partnersFIND US ONLINE: -Our website: https://www.brospodcast.com -LinkedIn:   / constructionbrospodcast   -Instagram:   / constructionbrospodcast    -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@constructionbrothers?lang=en-Eddie on LinkedIn:   / eddie-c-057b3b11   -Tyler on LinkedIn:   / tylerscottcampbell If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!

Today we are in conversation with Clint Padgett, CEO / President at Project Success, Inc. From managing Olympic-scale projects for Coca-Cola to coaching project managers around the world, Clint dives deep into what makes planning work — and why most teams don’t worry soon enough. We cover why bad bids ruin trust, how to lead without authority, and the mindset shift young PMs need most.Chapters:From the Navy to Global Projects (00:00)Our guest shares how his time as a Navy electrician led to a career managing Olympic activations — starting with a leap of faith during the 1996 Games.How You Plan a World Cup (04:04)Planning a FIFA event is surprisingly similar to planning a giant party. It’s all about logistics, timing, and making sure the Coke is cold.Rookie Mistakes in Project Management (08:10)New PMs often rush to execution without planning. But skipping those first few days of structure creates weeks of rework.Leading Without Power (10:43)When you don’t have authority, you lead through planning and trust. Without buy-in, you’re just another task competing for attention.Planning Across Projects (14:08)When team members are split across five jobs, smart scheduling avoids overload. It all comes down to float, flexibility, and clarity.What People Get Wrong About Planning (17:02)Overly optimistic timelines and ignoring outsourced work are two of the biggest killers in project schedules. Time elapsed is what matters.Ask Dumb Questions, Early (20:10)Even “stupid” questions can catch unrealistic expectations. Collaborative planning gives teams space to challenge assumptions safely.People Over Process (24:13)Project success depends on human connection — not just task dependencies. Why real conversations still matter more than Slack threads.Plans Must Adapt (34:07)When the situation changes, great teams pivot. Don’t let emotional attachment to a project cost another 6 months of effort.Sales Promises vs. Reality (40:01)When bids are made without planners, projects start on the wrong foot. Being the honest vendor might cost more — but builds lasting trust.Reliability Wins Over Price (46:11)The 2% more expensive team that delivers on time is always worth it. Clients don’t just want cheap — they want confidence.The Worry Curve (48:58)His favorite concept: teams usually worry too late. Good planning moves the worry to the start — where it can still change outcomes.Go build something awesome!CHECK OUT THE PARTNERS THAT MAKE OUR SHOW POSSIBLE: https://www.brospodcast.com/partnersFIND US ONLINE: -Our website: https://www.brospodcast.com -LinkedIn:   / constructionbrospodcast   -Instagram:   / constructionbrospodcast    -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@constructionbrothers?lang=en-Eddie on LinkedIn:   / eddie-c-057b3b11   -Tyler on LinkedIn:   / tylerscottcampbell  If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!

This week we’re talking "Hour of Power"—how we plan our weeks, avoid the Monday chaos, and yes, why stress cleaning might be your biggest productivity killer. Grab a pen (or a mop) and let’s set the week up right.Go build something awesome!CHECK OUT THE PARTNERS THAT MAKE OUR SHOW POSSIBLE: https://www.brospodcast.com/partnersFIND US ONLINE: -Our website: https://www.brospodcast.com -LinkedIn:   / constructionbrospodcast   -Instagram:   / constructionbrospodcast    -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@constructionbrothers?lang=en-Eddie on LinkedIn:   / eddie-c-057b3b11   -Tyler on LinkedIn:   / tylerscottcampbell  If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!

Daniel Calabro, a structural engineer and founder of Ferris, shares his passion for civil engineering born from a personal tragedy. He discusses the critical talent crisis looming over the industry, forecasting a shortage of civil engineers by 2031. The conversation explores the competition from tech fields and under-marketing of engineering roles. Calabro argues for innovative retention strategies beyond salary increases, emphasizes error reduction through automation, and champions using AI as tools to enhance both learning and efficiency in engineering.

Check out Quickbase's project hub: https://www.quickbase.com/exchange/project-hubJuggling 50 tools across 100 projects? We feel you. In this Five Minute Friday, we’re diving into one of the most common pain points in construction: scattered systems and the scramble to find what you need. We break down why it’s a jobsite and office headache—and highlight how Quickbase’s new Project Hub is helping bring everything (and everyone) back to one place.Go build something awesome!Sponsored by QuickbaseCHECK OUT THE PARTNERS THAT MAKE OUR SHOW POSSIBLE: https://www.brospodcast.com/partnersFIND US ONLINE: -Our website: https://www.brospodcast.com -LinkedIn:   / constructionbrospodcast   -Instagram:   / constructionbrospodcast    -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@constructionbrothers?lang=en-Eddie on LinkedIn:   / eddie-c-057b3b11   -Tyler on LinkedIn:   / tylerscottcampbell  If you enjoy the podcast, please rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to us! Thanks for listening!