CONEXPO – CON/AGG Podcast: Construction Business Insights For Contractors
Episodes
Building A Social Media Empire From Asphalt with Marvin Joles
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most construction business owners believe that doing quality work is the only marketing they need. The industry is shifting rapidly, and competitors n...
Family Values Built This Company with David White
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Scaling a family business usually requires preserving tradition and maintaining the status quo. But in a high-stakes, low-trust economy, clinging to t...
Taylor's Leadership Mindset for Explosive Growth
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you playing it safe in your business? Taylor challenges the conventional wisdom of saying "no" to opportunities that seem too big or too risky, re...
Jimmy Starbuck's Playbook for Market Shifts
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is the construction boom over? As the market tightens, new competitors are driving down prices, and cash flow is becoming a daily battle. For many own...
Taylor's Construction Parent Life Hacks
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Frustrated with the relentless demands of the construction industry eating into your family time? As a dad and business owner in the trades, Taylor to...
CONEXPO-CON/AGG: A First Timer's Guide To Success
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Preparing for a massive trade show like CONEXPO-CON/AGG can feel like a monumental task. With millions of square feet and thousands of exhibitor...
D2 Contracting's Growth Secrets Revealed with Dylan Mercier
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder what it really takes to build a multi-seven-figure construction company from the ground up? Many who dream of launching their own business...
What It's Really Like Being a Powerline Technician — With Aaron LeBlanc
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is a lineman's life really like during a storm? While the 7,200 volts are dangerous, the greatest threat is far more surprising. 21-year veteran ...
Blue Collar Business Secrets with Sy Kirby
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many skilled operators dream of being their own boss, but the reality is a brutal mix of financial pressure, operational chaos, and personal sacrifice...
Leveling Up Your Construction Game with Brian Dietz
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling the squeeze with rising costs and a shrinking labor pool? A lot of construction companies feel trapped, like the only way out is to j...
Growth, Delegation, and Why CONEXPO-CON/AGG Matters
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you juggling the relentless demands of your business while trying to keep your content fresh and impactful? Taylor goes solo once again t...
Building a Business With Honesty and Transparency Featuring Dervin Witmer
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Running a specialized construction business, particularly in sectors like excavation and septic services, is fraught with unique hurdles. Man...
Buy Back Your Time For Business Growth with Trent Harris
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling the pressure of wearing all the hats in your growing business? It’s a common battle, but what if the key to unlocking serious growt...
From Union Operator to Business Owner: Overcoming Fear & Past Failures with Zach Taylor
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many equipment operators dream of starting their own excavation business, but often face big hurdles, like financial risk, the fear of past f...
Heavy Work, Smart Business: The Kurk Inc. Story
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Running a family construction business presents unique challenges, especially in demanding fields like concrete and excavation where attrac...
Taylor Talks Burnout, Hiring, and Finding Your ‘Why
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Running a construction company might look like pure success, especially with events like CONEXPO approaching. But in this solo episode, Taylo...
Dominate the Dirt Business Like John Seaman
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling burnt out by client emotions in custom home building or struggling to navigate seasonal lulls and unexpected crises? John Seaman of J...
The Future of Welding and How to Be a Part of It with Demi Knight Clark
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Frustrated by the lack of skilled tradespeople? Demi Knight Clark joins Taylor today to share strategies to attract the next generation to we...
How To Create A Positive Construction Company Culture with Dan and Jenna Moon
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Struggling with employee turnover and work-life balance? Dan and Jenna Moon from Total Excavating and Grading join Taylor today to share thei...
Trey Bohannan on Mentorship & Legacy
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Struggling to scale your excavation business? Trey Bohannan, President of Design One Contracting the most-viewed construction podcast guest o...
The Secret Engineering Behind Everyday Machines with Andrew Schiller
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Frustrated with outdated manufacturing processes? Discover how engineering expert Andrew Schiller of Utah Tech University is revolutionizing ...
You Asked, Taylor Answers
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor goes solo again this week, this time to answer some of your questions, including those regarding the history of Ken White Construction...
Turning Negatives into Positives with Taylor White
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discover how Ken White Construction turned seemingly devastating staff departures into their biggest year yet. This episode explores the powe...
How This Family Business Has Thrived Over 4 Generations - With Julie Evans Sanders
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How This Family Business Has Thrived Over 4 Generations - With Julie Evans SandersThis week, Taylor sits down with Julie Evans Sanders, Chief...
3 Tips For Running a Construction Business with Matt Bachtel
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Bachtel of Bachtel Excavating joins Taylor today to discuss his journey from one man and a truck to a thriving multi-generational busine...
Why Your Employees Are IMPATIENT (and How to Turn It Into an Advantage)
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Taylor sits down for an informative and inspiring conversation with Nic Parish, VP of Contracting and Operations at Burns Dirt Con...
Talking Heavy Equipment, with James Simmons of Montana Excavation & Utilities
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
James Simmons, Co-founder of Montana Excavation & Utilities, joins Taylor on the podcast today to share his journey from Pennsylvania to ...
My Secrets to Success in Construction, with Lynn Miller
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor welcomes Lynn Miller, President of Miller Earthworks, to the podcast this week to explore his remarkable journey from a rather modest ...
Overcoming Construction Industry Obstacles with Bret Barnhart
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sitting down for a chat with Taylor today is none other than Bret Barnhart, President of Barnhart Excavating in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bret shares ...
How Reinvestment Transformed a Sealcoating Business - Michael Melicia
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Melicia, the founder and CEO of Coastal Paving and Excavating, joins Taylor this week to share his remarkable journey from starting a...
Practical Insights: Matt DiBara’s Journey of Entrepreneurship and Balance
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor welcomes the truly amazing Matt DiBara, a fourth-generation mason and the founder of The Contractor Consultants to the podcast today. ...
Building Success: Maximize Profit Margins with Dirt Perfect
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Taylor for a truly inspiring conversation today is Mike Simon, Founder of Dirt Perfect, an excavating business in southern Indiana bu...
Leadership Metrics with Brian Hess: From Revenue to Reputation
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Hess, the dynamic owner of The Pavement Group, Top Contractor School, and One Key Media, takes time out of his incredibly busy schedule...
Digging into Soil Cycle! An In-Depth Conversation on Business Operations of a Challenging Industry
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor is joined today by the dynamic duo of James O'Connell and Joey De Athe who run Soil Cycle, a subsidiary of Contour Group, that was est...
Navigating the Entrepreneurial Abyss: Insights from 3rd Generation Business Owners with John Scepaniak
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Director of Aggregate Operations at Wm. D. Scepaniak, Inc., and fellow third-generation entrepreneur, John Scepaniak joins Taylor on the podc...
Travis “Silkstone” Hesketh: A successful entrepreneur with an interesting background
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Taylor finally gets an opportunity to sit down and have a chat in person with Silkstone Group’s CEO, Travis Hesketh, a fellow en...
Dr. Sarah Buchner: Real and Practical Applications of AI in Construction with CEO of Trunk Tools Inc.
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With apologies to all his other guests, Taylor welcomes “probably the smartest person” he’s “ever had the chance to interview” to t...
Luke Payne: How to Stand Out in Business and Have a Zero-fail Mentality
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Luke Payne, President of Western Excavation, returns to the podcast today to join Taylor for a candid exploration of the intricacies of entre...
Ep. 153: Dave Turin: Talking Gold Rush, and Premiere of New Show
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The legendary “Dozer Dave” Turin, a stalwart of gold mining from the acclaimed series Gold Rush and the brain behind America's Backyard G...
Ep 152: The Truth About Running a Construction Business in 2024
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s exclusive episode, Taylor takes center stage, embarking on a solo journey filled with invaluable insights gleaned from questions...
Ep 151: Katie Kelleher: We can be better for the workforce
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Katie Kelleher, aka “Katie Cranes”, an increasingly prominent, award winning figure in the construction industry joins Taylor for what tu...
Ep 150: Brian Dietz - Growing a family business, it’s only possible when we’re on the same team.
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor welcomes Brian Dietz, Co-owner of Bob Dietz and Sons Inc., to the podcast today, and together, they turn their spotlight on achieving ...
Ep 149: Randy Blount - How financial projections can boost your business’ profitability (and keep it alive…)
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Taylor is joined by legendary leader of Blount Contracting and BuildWitt CFO, Randy Blount, who shares his inspiring journey of ta...
Ep 148: EJ Herron – Bringing GPS and 3D Systems to your Jobsite
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The visionary behind Dig-It Digital GPS, EJ Herron, joins Taylor on the podcast this week for a fascinating journey through the cutting-edge ...
Ep 147: Aaron Witt: Putting People First to Transform Construction
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Aaron Witt: Putting People First to Transform ConstructionTaylor welcomes self-proclaimed “Chief Dirt Nerd”, Aaron Witt, to the podcast t...
Ep. 146: Denis Cashman - Living a Life That’s Worth Living
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
SAMHSA's National Helpline: 800-662-HELP (4357)The National Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential referrals and information about m...
Ep. 145: Amy Underwood (The Digger Girl): One of the Industry’s Best
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amy Underwood, widely recognized as the_digger_girl, brings her charismatic and insightful perspective to her conversation with Taylor here t...
Ep. 144: Running a Top Business in Construction as a Team of 3
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor welcomes James Stiksma, the founder of Canadian Septic, to the podcast today for an indepth look at his unique journey from corporate ...
Ep. 143: Social Media in Construction Can Be Done Differently with @diggerbry
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Excavator operator extraordinaire, Liam Bryan, better known as @diggerbry on social media, joins Taylor for a very special episode of the CON...
Ep. 142: Trey Bo Dirt Bestows Knowledge and Nostalgia
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Taylor welcomes Trey Bohannan, widely known as Treybodirt on TikTok, to the podcast. A seasoned entrepreneur and equipment enthusi...
Ep. 141: An Unusual Path to the Industry, with Travis Gemmell
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to another exciting episode of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG podcast as Taylor discusses the logistics of building a successful excavation busi...
Ep. 140: Investing in Yourself, with David White
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today marks a very special episode as Taylor welcomes none other than the President and Owner of Ken White Construction to the podcast - his ...
Ep. 139: Building from the Ground Up: Tips from a New Construction Business Owner
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ep. 139: Building from the Ground Up: Tips from a New Construction Business OwnerOn today’s episode, Dylan Mercier, owner of D2 Contracting...
Ep. 138: Live at CONEXPO-CON/AGG with Dana Wuesthoff
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Live at CONEXPO-CON/AGG with Dana WuesthoffTaylor welcomes a very special guest to the podcast today, and he does so in an equally special lo...
Ep. 137: Paving the Way for Online Success with Matt Stanley
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paving the Way for Online Success with Matt StanleyIn this episode of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG podcast, host Taylor White speaks with Matt Stanley...
Ep. 136: The Power of Networking and Relationship-Building with Dane Cotten
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Power of the Right Balance of Relationship Building vs. Profit with Dane CottenThis week, Taylor interviews Dane Cotten, owner of DC Exca...
Ep. 135: Inspiring Change in the Industry with Missy Scherber
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Building Personal and Professional Success in Construction with Missy Scherber In today’s episode, Taylor sits down with former host of th...
Ep. 134: Global Operator Challenge Finalist John Schiedeck Joins the Podcast!
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Living the Owner-Operator Life with John SchiedeckJoining Taylor on this episode is the world’s best operator (in our opinion) and CEO of S...
Ep. 133: Building a Rock-Solid Business and Reputation with Ryan Goodfellow
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Building a Rock-Solid Business and Reputation with Ryan GoodfellowIn this episode of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG podcast, Ryan Goodfellow from Rock S...
Ep. 132: Setting Your Construction Business Apart from the Rest with Jimmy Starbuck
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Setting Your Construction Business Apart from the Rest with Jimmy StarbuckTaylor’s guest today is Jimmy Starbuck, owner of Starbuck Excavat...
Ep. 131: Next Generation of the Construction Workforce is Here
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Advocating for Everybody in Construction with Alexandra SmithOn today’s episode of CONEXPO, Taylor is joined by Alexandra Smith, aka Al the...
Ep. 130: Getting Ahead of the Trends in Construction with Luke Payne and Luke Eggebraaten
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor welcomes Luke Eggebraaten and Luke Payne, both successful business owners within the construction industry. Luke E is the Founder &...
Ep. 129: Building a Construction Empire Grounded in Community with Jeff Cavanagh
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor welcomes construction veteran and legend, Jeff Cavanagh, to the podcast to talk about the history of his family firm, Thomas Cavanagh ...
Ep. 128: Managing the Stress of Construction with Ryan Priestly
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Taylor White on the podcast this week is Ryan Priestly, President of Priestly Demolition, who you may know from the show Salvage King...
Ep. 127: Talking the State of Construction with Nick Drew
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this very special second episode of the podcast, Taylor welcomes Nick Drew, the man behind the infamous 'Digger Man Blog’, to talk about...
Ep. 126: Prepping for the Future of Construction with Scott Colclough of Pushysix
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this highly anticipated episode of the podcast, Taylor White takes on the hosting duties and is joined by his very special guest, Scott Co...
Ep. 125: Emulating the Culture Your People Deserve with Kevin Gray of ADC Paving
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kevin Gray took a leap of faith when he purchased a dying asphalt paving and sealcoating business in 2011. A small business loan, some rundow...
Ep. 124: Doing the Extra Credit with Heath Hanna of Contour Mining & Construction
22 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Heath Hanna’s passion for dirt runs deep. He spent the first part of his career working as a Caterpillar dealer instructor before making th...
Ep. 123: Owning Your Journey with Randy Blount of Blount Contracting
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Randy Blount, president of Arizona-based Blount Contracting grew up around the construction industry, helping at his family’s business duri...
Ep. 122: Leading with Purpose with Justin Ozinga of Ozinga
20 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Justin Ozinga is president of Ozinga, a fourth-generation family business best known for its red and white striped concrete mixer trucks. Wh...
Ep. 121: Putting People First with Herb Sargent of Sargent Corporation
25 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Herb R. Sargent is the president and CEO of Sargent Corporation, an infrastructure construction firm based in Stillwater, Maine. Founded by...
Ep. 120: Creating Opportunities with Jennifer Todd of LMS General Contractors
28 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The youngest Black woman to receive California’s CSLB (A) General Engineering license, Jennifer Todd, serves as LMS General Contractors Fou...
Ep. 119: Building a Growth Mindset with Brian Hess of The Pavement Group/Top Contractor School
22 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Hess, founder and president of The Pavement Group and Top Contractor School is shaking things up when it comes to sales, marketing and ...
Ep. 118: The Cornerstones of Culture with Mikel Bowman of Bowman Legacies
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mikel Bowman has been a life coach, pastor, mentor, and culture guru. He has devoted his life to helping others realize their true potential....
Ep. 117: A Fresh Approach to Leading Construction Teams with Alicia Brentzel of Brex Enterprises
30 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Based in Irwin, Pennsylvania, Brex Enterprises is a WBE certified pipeline maintenance and services company founded in 2012 by Alicia Brentze...
Ep. 116: Salvaging the Industry with Ryan Priestly of Priestly Demolition Inc.
18 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
While Priestly Demolition is in the business of tearing things down, the crew’s first job onsite is hunting for treasure. Salvage and susta...
Ep. 115: Doing the Work with Mary Katherine Harbin of Maymead Inc.
30 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mary Katherine Harbin caught the attention of the industry when she established the nation’s first all-female paving crew. The area manage...
Ep. 114: Building Strong Relationships with Matt Stanley of American Pavement Specialists
29 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Growing up, Matt Stanley and his three brothers were "raised on blacktop", working alongside their parents from the time they could hold a sh...
Ep. 113: Maximizing Your Technology Investment with Britton Lawson of Veit & Company
07 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You may know him on Instagram as “Technology Sandbox” --- and Britton Lawson’s day-to-day job is just that ---- working with current an...
Ep. 112: Successfully Running a Family-Owned Construction Company with Stacey Tompkins of Tompkins Excavating
11 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Under Stacey Tompkins’ leadership, Tompkins Excavating out of Putnam County, New York has grown from a lawn mowing service provider to a wo...
Ep. 111: Creating a Turnkey Experience with Chris Lane of Ronald Lane Inc.
14 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
While Chris Lane’s company employs more than 430 West Virginians and Pennsylvanians, he says their goal isn’t to be the biggest, just the...
Ep. 110: Telling Your Story with Aaron Witt of BuildWitt
10 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
He goes by “Chief Dirt Nerd” and he’s taking the construction world by storm with his unique ability to tell stories about the hard-wor...
Ep. 109: Mastering Your Interpersonal Skills with Don Swasing of Schlouch Inc.
12 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
With more than three decades of heavy civil construction experience, Don Swasing knows a thing or two about building high performance teams. ...
Ep. 108 – Inspiring the Next Generation of Equipment Operators with Scott Colclough of PushySix®
08 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Armed with a Blackberry and mad operating skills, Scott Colclough started PushySix® in 2012 as a YouTube channel affectionately named after...
Ep. 107 - Game Changing Construction Technology with Ryan Goodfellow of Rock Structures
10 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Are your legacy operators hesitant to use machine control? Are you worried the barrier to entry is too high? Ryan Goodfellow, owner of Rock S...
Ep. 106 - Getting Aggressive with Your Business with Keaton Turner of Turner Mining Group
13 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Are you losing bids or struggling to recruit new employees? Is new technology passing you by? It’s time to channel your energy into the ...
Ep. 105 - Wireless Connectivity Drives Construction Digitization with Marc Eisenberg of ORBCOMM
04 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
With the emergence of the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and prescriptive analytics, wi...
Ep. 104 – Improving Safety & Compliance with Telematics with Fred Fakkema of Zonar
13 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Fred Fakkema, vice president, compliance, Zonar, joins CONEXPO-CON/AGG Radio to dive into the topic of telematics—and how it can help impro...
Ep. 103: Moving to Predictive & Prescriptive Maintenance with Christine Zeznick of Terex AWP
11 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
No matter the size of your aerial fleet, managing equipment is a priority. This podcast digs into how telematics can help monitor how equipme...
Ep. 102 - Artificial Intelligence Opportunities for Construction with Ganesh Bell of Uptake
11 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are here and they are changing the way businesses operate. Host Peggy Smedley a...
Ep. 101 - Solving Supply Chain Hurdles with Technology with Alexander Schuessler of SmartEquip
07 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode identifies some of the biggest obstacles for contractors when it comes to supply-chain management—and how it has evolved in th...
Ep. 100 – Choosing the Right Machine Control for Your Needs with Max Winemiller & Richie Snyder of CASE Construction Equipment
07 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Learn practical strategies for how to choose the right machine control on equipment such as bulldozers. Host Peggy Smedley and guests Richie ...
Ep. 99 - How Collaboration Software Drives Construction Productivity with Kris Lengieza of Procore
11 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Technology is helping construction companies break down silos on the jobsite and improve labor-productivity growth. Kris Lengieza, director o...
Ep. 98 - Getting Started with Fleet Management with Michael Ross of Takeuchi
07 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
There has been an uptick in construction companies leveraging fleet monitoring and management. Michael Ross, director of product, Takeuchi, j...
Ep. 97 - Go Stringless: Advances in Concrete Paving with Wirtgen America
09 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
While slipform pavers have been around for a long time, many contractors still hand form concrete pavements and sections. Wade Bowman, nation...
Ep. 96 - 2019 Construction Market Outlook
11 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A number of big trends are already emerging in 2018—and they have set the course for what is to come in 2019 and beyond. Ken Simonson, chie...
Ep. 95 - Adopting Lean Construction Principles
21 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Lean construction first began roughly 20 years ago; and it developed out of the need for principles and practices for design and management. ...
Ep. 94 - The 3 Biggest Technologies Impacting the Construction Site
07 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s construction equipment has more capabilities to get more done and with fewer machines. The challenge is successfully implementing n...
Ep. 93 - Preparing for the Connected Jobsite
11 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Why has it taken so long for contractors to embrace technology at the construction jobsite? Chad Hollingsworth, CEO and cofounder, Triax Tech...
Ep. 92 - Construction Recruiting Strategies: Using Tech to Attract Top Talent
20 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The construction industry needs to help build the new America. The challenge is the industry is facing a skilled worker shortage. This is whe...