Episodes

Saturday Mar 01, 2025
From Mentorship to Leadership: Constructing an Inclusive Future
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA chat with Andrea Janzen, CEO of Ambition Theory, and Doreen Bartoldus, PE, CCM, a member of the Construction Manager Certification Institute Board of Governors and past chair of the National Association of Women in Construction. They dive into the value of leadership training, the role of mentorship, and the importance of cultivating an inclusive culture in the construction industry. Tune in to explore the effective strategies for fostering gender diversity and career growth in construction.
The Construction Leaders Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Saturday Feb 01, 2025
Beyond the Blueprint: Navigating Workplace Culture and Building Trust
Saturday Feb 01, 2025
Saturday Feb 01, 2025
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA sit down with Jonathan Cinelli, host of the People First Leadership Podcast and partner of The Construction Life Podcast. Jonathan shares his journey from electrician and project manager to coach and author, emphasizing the power of human-centric leadership. The conversation explores how leaders can foster trust and connection while navigating the challenges of a multi-generational workforce, the role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership, and the importance of curiosity and active listening in building stronger teams. He also dives into the impact of toxic and transactional workplace cultures and offers practical strategies for creating a healthier, more productive work environment in the construction industry.
The Construction Leaders Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
Building the Future: Mentorship and Leadership in Construction
Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
Wednesday Jan 01, 2025
In the season 4 premiere of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA welcome Thomas Gannon, President of Fortitude Advisory; Emma Davies, Director at Atkins Realis; and Raoul D. Ilaw, PE, CCM, FCMAA, Vice President & Senior Program Manager at STV. Together, they explore the founding of Fortitude, the transformative impact of its mentorship initiatives, and the Global Cohort Program. The conversation also delves into university partnerships and Fortitude’s vision for fostering a diverse, global network to develop the next generation of construction leaders.
The Construction Leaders Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Building a Sustainable Future in the Construction Industry
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
Sunday Dec 01, 2024
In our season 3 finale of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA welcome Randy Britt, Chair of CMAA's Sustainability Subcommittee, and Smitha Radhakrishnan, Executive Vice President of Planning, Development, and Maintenance at Tampa International Airport, to explore the increasing role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in construction. The conversation highlights ESG as a cornerstone for long-term business success, environmental responsibility, and meaningful community engagement. Randy and Smitha share actionable insights on gaining leadership buy-in, ensuring clear communication, and leveraging third-party verification to strengthen ESG initiatives. They also dive into cutting-edge trends such as electrification, advanced air mobility, and achieving zero waste goals.
The Construction Leaders Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Friday Nov 01, 2024
Building Efficiency and Trust Through Lean Construction
Friday Nov 01, 2024
Friday Nov 01, 2024
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA sit down with Tammy McConaughy, Director of Education & Certification for the Lean Construction Institute; Katie Wells, Vice President of Project Delivery with Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC; Christopher Vine, Project Superintendent with Hensel Phelps; and John Zachara Integrated Facilities Solutions and Leader Emeritus with LCI's Chicago Community of Practice (CoP), to discuss lean construction, emphasizing its principles of continuous improvement and collaboration. They discuss the benefits of lean construction, such as higher efficiency, better quality, and improved project outcomes. They highlight the importance of breaking down industry silos, fostering a positive culture, and valuing team input. Challenges include resistance to change and the need for trust.
The Construction Leaders Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA sit down with Kyle Grandell, CCM, founder and CEO of Dell Management, to discuss the company’s innovative approaches to project management and dedication to delivering top-tier results. They delve into the critical role of capital management, the impact of cutting-edge technology like augmented reality, and strategies for navigating supply chain disruptions. Kyle also highlights the importance of mental health awareness, leadership development, and the value of hands-on experience and industry certifications.
Construction Leaders Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Sunday Sep 01, 2024
Overcoming Workforce Challenges in the Construction Industry
Sunday Sep 01, 2024
Sunday Sep 01, 2024
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA chat with Michael Bempah, PE, president and CEO of Pinpoint Precision Engineering, and Kevin P. Nolan, PE, CCM, senior associate at STV Incorporated. They explore the workforce challenges facing the construction industry and highlight the critical importance of resilience and continuous learning. The conversation underscores the need to attract more young professionals and discusses strategies for staying innovative and competitive, including the use of technology and cultivating a culture of learning and adaptability.
The Construction Leaders Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Thursday Aug 01, 2024
AI in Construction Management
Thursday Aug 01, 2024
Thursday Aug 01, 2024
In this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosts Nick Soto and Carly Trout from CMAA sit down with members of CMAA's Technology Subcommittee, including Brian Tracy, PE, CCM, director of construction management at Ausonio; Marty Turner, CCM, director of projects for Turner & Townsend; and Vincent Testa, PE, CCM, director of strategic growth at Procon Consulting. The discussion centers on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in construction management, highlighting its applications, benefits, and associated risks. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the broader applications of AI, the necessity of high-quality data, and the expertise required to interpret accurate information. The guests also delve into the potential impact of AI on professional services, underlining the crucial role of human expertise and ethical considerations in the implementation of AI technologies.
The Construction Leaders Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Monday Jul 01, 2024
Cybersecurity and Safety in Construction Projects
Monday Jul 01, 2024
Monday Jul 01, 2024
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and and Carly Trout chat with Lucian Niemeye, CEO of Building Cyber Security, a non-profit organization that aims to improve physical security and safety. They discuss the importance of investing in cybersecurity to maintain building safety throughout its lifecycle, the potential of artificial intelligence and digital twins in the construction industry, and the risks associated with connected devices.
Construction Leaders Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Saturday Jun 01, 2024
Psychological Safety in the Construction Workplace
Saturday Jun 01, 2024
Saturday Jun 01, 2024
On this episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, CMAA's Nick Soto and and Carly Trout chat with Justin Ganschow with Caterpillar Safety Services. Together, they discuss psychological safety in the construction industry, focusing on the need to create an environment where workers feel safe in sharing concerns and speaking up about unsafe practices.
Construction Leaders Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Meet Your Hosts
Nick Soto, CAE, and Carly Trout are part of the professional development team at the Construction Management Association of America. As vice president of professional development, Nick is all about developing training and credentialing for the construction management industry. Plus, he's an avid Miami sports fan. Talk to him about the Dolphins, or the difference between a certificate and certification… either way, he has some hot opinions to share. Carly has been an active participant in the industry for over ten years, now as CMAA's senior manager of professional development eLearning. When she isn't assisting CMs with professional development opportunities, she stays busy raising a future engineer. Together, they chat with guests about what's impacting the industry the most.