Elevate Construction

We say value engineering. But what we’re actually doing? Design amputation. In this short but fiery episode, Jason Schroeder exposes the ugly truth behind how most construction teams gut their designs under the false flag of "VE." This isn’t about optimizing systems or delivering value it’s dismemberment engineering, plain and simple. You’ll hear: Why traditional "value engineering" is a lie we’ve all accepted. The brutal consequences of siloed design and reactive budgeting. What true value engineering looks like (spoiler: it starts before drawings are finished). A clear roadmap to integrated, lean-aligned design that actually works. If you've ever seen a beautifully designed project get hacked apart because it was “over budget,” this episode will hit home and give you a better way forward. Listen now to stop the cycle and start building smarter.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Let’s be real. “critical path” thinking is destroying your jobsite. In this punchy, no-BS episode, Jason Schroeder breaks down the dangerous myth of the critical path and introduces something far more powerful: the Path of Critical Flow. You’ll hear: Why “knowing the critical path” is actually making you push, panic, and waste time. The brutal truth about crashing schedules (and how it hurts, not helps). The smarter way to plan using buffers, flow, and sequencing. How to spot bottlenecks and fix them without burning out your team. A hilariously sharp analogy involving babysitting, fake kidnappers, and parental panic.  If you’ve ever been told to work weekends, throw labor at it, or just get it done, you need this episode. Forget panic. Plan with flow. Build with sanity. 👉 Listen now and step into the future of construction scheduling.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

What happens when a superintendent builds the hospital… and years later, his own daughter becomes a patient there? In this unforgettable episode, Jason sits down with one of his all-time favorite humans: Jake Smaellie, a master builder with a story that will hit you right in the gut. From healthcare construction to personal healing, Jake opens up about:   The emotional moment he walked his daughter into an MRI room he built. Why cleaning jobsite bathrooms (yes, really) sets the tone for leadership. The power of saying “good morning” and how it’s a secret weapon for team culture. His incredible 180-pound weight loss and training for a 200-mile bike ride. How to lead by example, not by title. Funny. Raw. Inspiring. This is more than construction, it’s a masterclass in humility, grit, and taking care of people. 🔥 If you’re a builder, leader, or just a human being trying to make a difference don’t miss this one.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

In this episode, Jason responds to two powerful listener messages. First, a PM asks: How do you lead when you're new to a project and the entire team knows more than you do? Jason shares the exact strategy he would use to build trust, gain clarity, and define his role starting with humility and collaboration. Second, a reflection from a $300M industrial project in the Amazon reveals something important: even with advanced systems like BIM, AWP, and Last Planner in place, production suffers when foremen and supervisors lack core skills. Through Kaizen cycles, the team discovered gaps in pre-task planning, tool management, drawing reading, and 3D model usage and solved it with targeted training. Jason connects this insight to real examples like High Street and P1 Group’s Forge training facility, emphasizing that skilled people, not just systems make the difference. A powerful reminder that builders need both the plan and the preparation. If you’re new to a team or trying to level up field performance, this one’s for you.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

This one’s going to hit home. We’ve all seen it, a rude PM, an arrogant superintendent, an aggressive designer on a call, or a toxic leader on a mega project. It’s easy to justify behavior like this as “just the way things are” in construction. But Jason reminds us of a deeper truth: how we treat people is part of our job. In this episode: Why communication, kindness, and collaboration are essential job skills. What it feels like to be dismissed or belittled (Jason shares a personal and frustrating visit with a specialist). Why mega projects often bring out the worst behaviors. And why the most noble thing in construction might be leading a small project with stability and dignity. Plus, Jason answers a listener’s question about finding the First Planner System book (spoiler: it’s now titled Elevating Pre-Construction Planning due to Amazon publishing issues). This episode is for anyone who's ever felt mistreated at work or wants to be a better builder, leader, and human.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

We talk a lot about strategy in construction. Planning, systems, flow, accountability—great stuff. But what if none of it works unless you confront one brutal truth? 👉 Some things just won’t change. In this episode, Jason shares a raw insight: no strategy survives if it doesn’t align with the existing culture, habits, or wiring of your team. Whether it’s senior staff refusing to plan materials, or entire teams frozen by unspoken norms, there are behaviors that strategy alone can’t fix. 🔥 Listen to this one if you’ve ever: Tried to implement a change... and watched it die in silence. Pushed a plan that should work but didn’t. Wondered why your team won’t act, even when the path is clear. Felt like you're solving problems in the wrong language. Jason also responds to a powerful question from a field engineer implementing Takt for the first time, and shares how the newly updated Takt Planning book can guide early wins. Stop forcing change. Start designing around what people will actually do.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Ever been asked to “just redo that in a different format”…for no reason? Or told “we don’t have time for planning” even when it’s clearly needed? In this episode, Jason calls out the everyday thoughtless requests that chip away at team morale, respect, and productivity in construction. Whether it’s lazy leadership, selfish budgeting, or tone-deaf directions, these requests aren’t just annoying, they’re dangerous. What you’ll hear in this episode: The difference between truly thoughtless vs. selfishly thoughtless requests. Why poor communication destroys trust on-site. How “small asks” actually cause massive waste. The one mindset shift that instantly builds respect in your workplace. And why "please" and "thank you" still matter more than ever. If you want to build a high-trust, high-performance team, it starts with what you don’t say and what you stop asking others to do.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

“You Can’t Make It Up on the Freeway” – The Myth of Going Fast in Construction Ever leave late and tell yourself, “I’ll make up the time by driving faster”? Spoiler: it never works and neither does rushing in construction. In this quick but powerful episode, Jason shares a real-life analogy that hits hard: speeding through traffic to make up for poor planning is no different than pushing crews on site without a stable plan. Both lead to stress, risks, and sometimes irreversible consequences. What you'll hear in this episode: A personal story that will shift how you think about “urgency”. Why rushing, pushing, and panicking only look productive. How late starts and poor planning are always the real problem. The dangerous ripple effects of last-minute chaos in construction. If you’ve ever said “we’ll figure it out in the field” or felt the pressure to crash-land a project, this episode is your wake-up call.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

The Lie of Being Unique: Why Construction Keeps Reinventing the Wheel Let’s bust a myth that’s quietly killing our productivity in construction: “This project is different.” In this eye-opening episode, Jason challenges one of the most common (and dangerous) beliefs in our industry that every project is so unique it can’t follow a standard process. But what if that mindset is the very thing holding us back from stability, repeatability, and excellence? He shares: A powerful question from his CEO that sparked this whole reflection. What software, lean systems, and builders like Hensel Phelps already know. Why thinking you're unique can tank your schedule and lead to chaos. The truth about production systems: different buildings, same process. Whether you’re a superintendent, project manager, or craftsman aiming to level up, this episode will shift your mindset and sharpen your focus.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

From Hammer to Hero: The Team-Building Genius of Mark Story Ever wondered how the best construction leaders turn chaotic projects into high-performing teams? In this episode, Jason sits down with Mark Story, a 37-year industry veteran with roots in the trades and a reputation for transforming troubled jobs into thriving team environments. Mark isn't just a builder; he's a relationship architect. They dive deep into the habits, mindset, and philosophies that set Mark apart: how he listens to lead, empowers others to win, and creates project cultures where people feel safe, supported, and inspired. From letting people fail on purpose to showing up like their biggest fan, Mark’s leadership lessons will change how you think about team dynamics on any construction site. Core Habits for Effective Leadership and Connection: Look, listen, and feel: Stay present and tuned into your surroundings and team. Help people win: Focus on empowering others to succeed. Mark ‘L’ at the top of your notepad to remind yourself to listen: A visual prompt to stay in listening mode. Be curious: Approach challenges and people with genuine interest. Ask thoughtful questions: Use inquiry to understand, not to control. Make intentional time to connect: Prioritize meaningful engagement with your team. Watch how you ask: Frame questions in a way that invites honesty and collaboration. Try not to lead the witness: Avoid biasing responses; let insights surface naturally. Let people fail safely: Give room for learning and growth through experience. Care enough to have tough conversations: Address real issues with courage and compassion. Plan using visual learning tools: Make information accessible, clear, and easy to act on.   Contact Mark Story: Mark Story. Commercial Construction Services LLC. Construction Consulting. Cell 612-968-0257 Mark@storyccs.com If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw