From Military Grit to Construction Growth: A Deep Dive with Charles McKenna&nbsp; Mid-career in construction? Feeling behind? Think again. In this powerful conversation, Jason Schroeder sits down with Charles McKenna, a military veteran turned project engineer to talk real talk about breaking into the construction industry later in life and still dominating. 💥 They unpack:   The 3 must-do moves to thrive in construction (no matter your age).   How to lead without a title and avoid the career-killing trap of staying silent.   The biggest mistake Jason made in his career (and the two books that saved him).   Why dealing with people is more critical than mastering tech.   The blunt truth about tech, AI, and the future of our industry.   This episode isn’t just for veterans or mid-career pros, it’s for&nbsp;anyone who wants to rise faster, lead smarter, and build a future that matters. If you’re ready to learn the difference between grinding and growing, press play. &nbsp; If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.&nbsp; And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). &nbsp; Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel:  · LeanTakt YouTube Channel:  · LeanSuper YouTube Channel:  · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel:

Ep. 1381 - Questions for a Newcomer to Construction, Feat. Charles McKenna

Disagreeing doesn’t have to mean disconnecting. In this episode, Jason Schroeder shares powerful scripts and mindset shifts that can transform tension into teamwork and turn conflict into progress. Learn how to:   Push back without triggering egos.   Use disagreement to build credibility, not break relationships.   Navigate critical feedback in high-pressure environments.   Stay human, kind, and effective even when emotions run high.   Whether you're a foreman, leader, or project manager, this episode is your crash course in respectful dissent&nbsp;with wisdom pulled from Jason’s real-world experience and books like How to Win Friends and Influence People and Changeable. If you’ve ever been told you’re “too direct" or you’ve&nbsp;stopped speaking up to avoid drama, this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen now and start disagreeing the right way.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.&nbsp; And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). &nbsp; Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel:  · LeanTakt YouTube Channel:  · LeanSuper YouTube Channel:  · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel:  &nbsp;

Ep.1384 - How to Disagree Effectively

Are people really getting lazier or are we just building chaotic workplaces nobody wants to be part of? In this explosive episode, Jason Schroeder sits down with Scott Beebe, founder of Business on Purpose and author of Let Your Business Burn and The Chaos Free Contractor. Together, they dismantle the tired narrative that “nobody wants to work anymore” and reveal the real reason businesses struggle to attract and keep top talent. Scott shares hard-earned lessons on:  Why most business "fires" are just distractions and why you should&nbsp;let them burn.  How to create a culture so magnetic that people&nbsp;want to show up and do hard things.   His powerful “Anchor Spreadsheet” for embedding values into your company rhythm.   A surprisingly brilliant way to understand younger generations (hint: it starts with a Spotify playlist).   The Big 5 Feedback Loop - five types of meetings that every business must implement.   Whether you're leading a construction crew, running a small business, or managing a team of 100+, this episode will change how you think about leadership, culture, and the future of work. 👷‍♂️ Build better. Lead smarter. Stop chasing fires. Listen now and start liberating yourself from chaos. &nbsp; If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.&nbsp; And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). &nbsp; Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel:  · LeanTakt YouTube Channel:  · LeanSuper YouTube Channel:  · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel:

Ep.1388 - People Won’t Work Anymore, Feat. Scott Beebe

What If We&nbsp;Required Buffers on Construction Projects? Sounds crazy, right? In this quick but powerful episode, Jason Schroeder flips a long-standing industry mindset on its head: What if we didn’t just allow buffers, what if we&nbsp;mandated them?  Discover why forced downtime might be the secret to innovation. How buffer usage could actually boost performance instead of stall it. And why constraining others’ time may be killing your team's creativity and growth.  Jason also shares exciting updates on the Elevating Construction book series and reflects on lessons learned from his own leadership evolution including what Toyota taught him about giving people room to think. This episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about productivity. Listen in and start planning for real-life, not fantasy schedules.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.&nbsp; And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). &nbsp; Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel:  · LeanTakt YouTube Channel:  · LeanSuper YouTube Channel:  · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel:

Ep.1391 - Mandatory Buffer Usage

How to Sequence Like a Railroad Over a Bridge&nbsp; In this episode, Jason Schroeder reveals a powerful visual and practical framework for strategic sequencing on construction projects inspired by lions, railroads, and real-world experience.  Discover why sequencing like a railway hitting a perfectly timed bridge can transform your project outcomes. Learn how AI, maps, and constraint-based planning are shaping the future of Takt implementation. And hear a case study that proves hopping from zone to zone (instead of going in order) can cut weeks off your schedule.  From phased curtain wall installs to smarter procurement and zone-based constraints, this episode is packed with real tools, stories, and insights for builders ready to level up. Hit play and start sequencing like a pro. On we go!   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.&nbsp; And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). &nbsp; Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel:  · LeanTakt YouTube Channel:  · LeanSuper YouTube Channel:  · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel:

Ep.1392 - Sequence like the Railroad & Bridge in The Ghost and the Darkness

Let's yap about video game preservation, it's important, and how a PM could help in the industry. 

► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com
► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com
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► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce"
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License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ
► ► ► "On Repeat" by Marcus P.

Week# 9: Video Game Preservation

Framers &amp; Concrete Crews - We Need to Talk!&nbsp; In this straight-shooting episode of the Elevate Construction Podcast, Jason Schroeder dives into a conversation the industry&nbsp;needs to have: framers and concrete crews asking for the entire jobsite and how it's slowing down your projects. From hospital basements the size of football fields to cramped urban builds in Salt Lake and even oil rigs in the ocean, Jason challenges the “we need the whole site” mentality head-on. With deep respect for trade partners and decades of hands-on experience in concrete, he breaks down how smaller batch sizes, smarter sequencing, and tighter flow can cut project phases by a third or even half. Whether you’re laying foundations or raising walls, this episode is a must-listen call to rethink how we build together. Get inspired. Get challenged. Get moving. 👉 Listen now and let’s&nbsp;stop the madness. &nbsp; If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.&nbsp; And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). &nbsp; Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel:  · LeanTakt YouTube Channel:  · LeanSuper YouTube Channel:  · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel:

Ep.1393 - Framing & Concrete Crews Must Get in Rhythm

Why Every Project Needs a “Situation Room” In this episode, Jason Schroeder introduces a game-changing idea for modern construction: the Situation Room - a centralized command space to monitor, plan, and respond in real-time. Inspired by legendary builds like the Empire State Building and Boulder Dam, Jason makes the case for creating dedicated rooms where project leaders aren’t just reacting, they're orchestrating. From macro Takt plans and KPIs to 3D models and comms access, this isn’t just a conference room, it’s a&nbsp;mission control for your project. In this episode, you’ll discover:   What a Situation Room is (and what it’s not).   How it can radically reduce communication lag and improve flow.   Why this approach is essential for both in-person and remote project leadership.   The real-world tech setup and layout to make it work on-site.   &nbsp; If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.&nbsp; And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). &nbsp; Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel:  · LeanTakt YouTube Channel:  · LeanSuper YouTube Channel:  · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel:

Ep.1396 - Situation Rooms

The Secret to Skyrocketing Your Career? Stop Waiting for Permission. Too many construction professionals wait for their company to invest in their growth only to watch their careers stall. In this episode, Jason Schroeder sits down with master builder, mentor, and leadership coach&nbsp;Mark Story to flip that mindset on its head. Mark reveals why owning your own development&nbsp;whether through books, mentorship, or personal investment pays off in influence, salary, and career opportunities. You’ll hear:   How to mentor young superintendents so they’re confident, capable, and ready for leadership.   The “risk timeline and risk level” framework that tells you when to ask for help and when to push through.   Why trust is the bedrock of high-performing teams (and exactly how to build it).   The one challenge every construction professional should take on today to boost their skills and value.   Whether you’re leading crews, managing projects, or just starting out, this conversation will change the way you think about training, mentorship, and taking ownership of your future. Listen now. Your next big career leap starts here.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.&nbsp; And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). &nbsp; Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel:  · LeanTakt YouTube Channel:  · LeanSuper YouTube Channel:  · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel:

Ep.1403 - Training & Development, Feat. Mark Story

When doctors told John Kaufman there were no more treatment options, most people would have given up.&nbsp;John made a different choice. In this deeply moving and inspiring episode, Jason Schroeder talks with John about his 25-year journey living with an incurable cancer a journey filled with setbacks, unexpected blessings, and a daily decision to live fully, not just exist. You’ll hear:   The three mindsets people adopt after a life-changing diagnosis and the one that transforms everything.   How reframing your thoughts can turn fear into fuel for living.   Why community, small moments, and “blessings in disguise” matter more than ever.   A life-changing sunrise conversation with a stranger on a Maui beach.   The powerful question that every person healthy or not should ask themselves today.   Whether you’ve faced illness, loss, or simply the grind of everyday life, John’s story will challenge and inspire you to choose how you live… starting right now. Listen now&nbsp;and discover why living strong is a decision, not a condition.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.&nbsp; And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊). &nbsp; Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel:  · LeanTakt YouTube Channel:  · LeanSuper YouTube Channel:  · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel:

New tracks tagged #project manager