Dirt Talk by BuildWitt

Andrew Brown is the Founder and Host of Trades Media, an organization dedicated to growing the trades through attracting and developing Gen Z. After decades of running a nationwide safety supply company, he made the plunge into promoting the trades full-time. Odds are you’ve seen his stuff! Learn more about Andrew Brown at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-brown-b1736a5/ Follow Trades Media on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trades-media/ Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at dirttalk@buildwitt.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A spirited take on why a paid two-week Christmas shutdown can boost team morale and company performance. Stories contrast past hustle with smarter holiday pacing. Discussion covers safety, global holiday norms, scaling time off for growing teams, and how enforced rest can sharpen planning and competitive edge.

Ben Warren, founder of Warren Land Solutions and land-clearing operator in the southern U.S., shares life lessons from starting a clearing business at 20. Conversations jump from cashflow and legal battles to faith, family, and aging. Heavy equipment, chippers vs grinders, burning strategies, ROW and hauling logistics get practical attention, along with disaster response memories and industry culture.

For the final installment of updates for 2025, Aaron recaps a recent office cleanup and why this is so important. Aaron also gives some final project and platform updates as the BuildWitt team closed out the year strong. Questions or feedback? Email us at dirttalk@buildwitt.com! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rod Bull, CEO of Komatsu North America and veteran in the heavy equipment industry, shares insights into the world of mining and construction. He discusses the importance of tailored equipment for specific mines and the pride tied to community impacts in mining towns. Rod emphasizes the blending of Japanese and American cultures at Komatsu, while exploring advancements in autonomy and sustainability. He also reflects on his journey from analyst to CEO and the evolving landscape of mining technology.

Aaron gives a quick recap on his recent trip to Dubai, some new things coming to BuildWitt Improve, sales talk, and lastly, what the heck is up with benefits at BuildWitt. Questions or feedback? Email us at dirttalk@buildwitt.com! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randy Gravitt is Co-Founder of Lead Every Day, a business dedicated to helping develop leaders within the professional world. Starting as a high school teacher and then spending a career within Ministry, Randy has learned plenty about not only how to lead at work, but most importantly, at home. Learn more about Lead Every Day at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-every-day/ Follow Randy Gravitt on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randygravitt/Questions or feedback? Email us at dirttalk@buildwitt.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron dives into what’s been going on to plan for Q1 and shares some insight into the 2026 BuildWitt budget. Questions or feedback? Email us at dirttalk@buildwitt.com! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel McKee is President of McKee Construction, a Mississippi-based site work contractor. After an upbringing around forestry, Joel saw earthwork and utilities as a way to escape his previous job as a land broker. After five years of building the business, they have learned many valuable lessons! Learn more about McKee Construction at: https://mckeecompanies.com/ Follow Joel on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-mckee-8886a3271/ Questions or feedback? Email us at dirttalk@buildwitt.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron reflects on giving thanks to those involved in the Dirt World, gives a snapshot on internal BuildWitt employee time off, and covers some other various BuildWitt happenings going on right now. Questions or feedback? Email us at dirttalk@buildwitt.com! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices