Best Realist Report Podcasts (2024)

1
Whose fault is it anyways? Featuring Ben Winsor – DT 240 1:26:09

2h ago1:26:09

1:26:09

In this episode Aaron is joined by Ben Winsor, a Managing Consultant at Aperture LLC. Ben and his team specialize in analyzing data from construction projects going through the litigation process. Construction consultants like Ben forensically analyze project data like schedules and cost reports, assist with claim preparation, write reports, and pr…

1
Massive Earth Movers Down Under: Monday Trip Report – DT 239 1:15:31

41m ago1:15:31

1:15:31

In this episode Aaron is joined by Jack Major (Vlog Videographer) to talk about Their recent trip to Australia. Recently Aaron, Jack, and TJ (social media expert) had the opportunity to travel halfway around the world to see what the Dirt World is like down under. The trip was anything but uneventful. Days were filled with lots of travel to almost …

1
Accelerating the Transition: Reflections of a Shareholder Activist 31:42

5h ago31:42

31:42

Hear from Catherine Howarth OBE, CEO of ShareAction, as we dive into the world of shareholder activism and how it can be used to guide institutional investors towards sustainable behaviours. Moving away from fossil fuels is unambiguously the most crucial step in the transition to a sustainable net-zero world. And yet, governments and institutional …

1
A Family Occasion Featuring Rock n Dirt Excavating – DT 238 1:27:05

1d ago1:27:05

1:27:05

In this episode Aaron is Joined by Nick, Matt and Marty Coppock (President, Vice President, and Vice President of operations) at Rock n Dirt excavating. As you might have guessed, Rock n Dirt is a family company. Although it’s awesome to see a family working together, as some may know it's not always the easiest to work with people you’ve known you…

1
Monday Book Report: The Story of Ames Continued – DT 237 51:08

5d ago51:08

51:08

In this episode, Aaron is on his own to bring you another book report. He’s picking up where he left off in the Persistence Creates Opportunity: Building America for 50 Years, a book made for Ames Construction that periodically details their history. In this episode, Aaron reads from the 1960’s to the 1980’s which was a pivotal time in the history …

1
Paving in Echelon for High Speed Circuits Featuring Immanuel Martinez – DT 236 1:26:12

9d ago1:26:12

1:26:12

In this episode Aaron is joined by Immanuel Martinez, Public Works Division Manager at Sunland Asphalt & Construction,LLC. Although Sunland does some pretty awesome work all throughout Arizona and other parts of the southwest, in this episode Aaron focuses on a project of sunland’s that he saw personally last year in the southeast. Without giving t…

1
Training Advice From an Ace Operator Featuring Jay Collup – DT 235 1:25:06

12d ago1:25:06

1:25:06

As the title suggests Jay Collup, President of Collup Enterprises, is an expert in the Dirt World and has plenty of experience in the seat and as a leader. In this episode, Aaron and Him sat down to catch up and talk about training and how folks can improve efficiencies on a site. Along with a small two-person excavating and grading business, Jay’s…

1
Leading a Family Business with Chad Abernethy – DT 234 1:08:10

1d ago1:08:10

1:08:10

In this episode, Aaron is joined by Chad Abernethy CEO of Abernethy Contracting. Abernethy is a Dirt World staple in their home state of North Carolina doing everything from utilities and site prep to concrete and asphalt paving. Chad being the CEO gives personal insight into what it means to be a leader in the industry and balance the want and nee…

1
All About Our Interstate infrastructure: Monday Article – DT 233 33:48

17d ago33:48

33:48

In this episode, Aaron shares some shocking figures about interstate bridges from an article published by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, by Chief Economist Allison Black. He Also Shares some numbers directly from the Federal Highway Administration, the Department of Transportation, and President Biden’s Infrastructure Act.…

1
AI, ESG and 1.5 Degrees: UNEP FI Reports at the Frontier of Climate Risk 37:48

13d ago37:48

37:48

Hear from David Carlin, Head of Risk at the UNEP Finance Initiative, as we dive into their latest reports covering the climate risk tool landscape, the use of AI in disclosures, and 1.5 degree warming scenarios. As the world’s leading authority on the environment, the United Nations Environment Programme (or UNEP), has a mission to inspire, inform,…

1
A Local Perspective of the Lahaina Fires with Kimo Clark – DT 232 1:03:43

29d ago1:03:43

1:03:43

If you have listened to Dirt Talk for a while you might know that Kimo, owner of Truth Excavation, is a bit of a regular at this point. Kimo has joined Aaron twice in-studio and in this episode joined him via satellite internet video call in an unfinished office as a result of the reconstruction of Lahaina and its infrastructure In this episode, Ki…

1
A Realistic View of Workforce Challenges and Solutions With Jonathan Campbell – DT 231 1:03:37

1M ago1:03:37

1:03:37

In this episode, Aaron is joined by Jonathan Campbell, Executive Vice President of Campbell Companies, a parent company for various businesses, including Wheeler Caterpillar, one of our favorite Cat dealers and service centers. During the conversation, Aaron and Jonathan delve into the workforce challenge. Jonathan shows no hesitation in addressing…

1
Work With the Mines Not Against them Featuring Ryan Sistad – DT 230 1:16:10

17d ago1:16:10

1:16:10

In this episode, Aaron is joined by Ryan Sistad, Executive Director at Better in Our Backyard. Ryan is a proud Minnesotan hailing from Duluth. Minnesota is also home to essential mining and infrastructure, more specifically copper and nickel. These resources are essential to keep the lights on for Hundreds of Thousands and will be vital in creating…

1
More Questions from Instagram: Monday Q&A – DT 229 32:58

20d ago32:58

32:58

In this episode, Aaron answers some questions from Instagram as follows. -How do you find a mentor and do you/did you have one? -Will BuildWitt ever make content for vertical construction? -What Podcasts do you listen to? -Will AI replace operators? -What are your hobbies besides construction? If you want to hear Aaron’s off-the-cuff option about a…

1
Paving the Way with Josh and Matt Stanley – DT 228 1:07:12

24d ago1:07:12

1:07:12

In this episode, Aaron delves into the world of asphalt paving in the Northeast. Josh, the vice president of American Paving Specialists, LLC, and Matt, the foreman/marketing specialist at American Paving Specialists, LLC and founder of Raised on Blacktop, are brothers whose extensive shared experience in the industry since childhood has cultivated…

1
Draglines Draglines Draglines! Monday Machine Overview – DT 227 27:47

27d ago27:47

27:47

In this episode, Aaron discusses, you guessed it, draglines. These Mammoth machines work 24/7 and are the heart of one of America's largest coal strip mining operations at North American Coal. Aaron and the gang have had the honor to go see these machines work in person in the coal fields at the NACCO Freedom mine just outside of Beulah, North Dako…

1
The Psychology of Climate Change: How to Build Consensus through Communication 35:24

1M ago35:24

35:24

Hear from George Marshall, Author of “Don’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired To Ignore Climate Change,” as we dive into the psychology of climate change. If you follow this podcast, you probably already have a good understanding of the nature of climate change, the risks it poses and why we need to act decisively and with urgency. But …

1
Be a Leader: The Key to a Successful Career with Tim Schurrer – DT 226 1:26:23

1M ago1:26:23

1:26:23

In this episode, Aaron is joined by Tim Schurrer, CEO of David Novak Leadership, Author of "The Secret Society of Success” and Host of the "Build a Winning Team" podcast. Tim draws on his experience from being a creative manager to his time as COO of StoryBrand, to producing the How Leaders Leaders Lead podcast with David Novak, and through experie…

1
What’s in Store for 2024 with Randy Blount and Dan Briscoe – DT 225 53:44

1M ago53:44

53:44

In this episode, Aaron sat down with Dan and Randy to talk shop about BuildWitt. The Executive leadership team is in constant communication with each other and you might be wondering what the heck they talk about for all this time. Today you’re in luck because you get to be a fly on the wall for a pseudo-ELT meeting. They discuss what we did last y…

1
Educating Future leaders in the Construction Industry – DT 224 1:11:58

2M ago1:11:58

1:11:58

In this episode, Aaron is joined by Philip Sutton, a Lecturer at Ohio State University. Philip teaches three classes, estimating construction, heavy construction, and the program's capstone course. These courses cover a wide range of topics to prepare students to join the workforce as leaders in their respective fields. Philip draws his knowledge f…

1
Monday Book Report: The Beginnings of Ames Construction – DT 223 30:05

2M ago30:05

30:05

In this episode, Aaron cracks open one of the many books at our office to share something that many might not get the opportunity to read themselves. For its 50th anniversary, Ames Construction had a wonderful coffee table book made. The book titled Persistence Creates Opportunity: Building America for 50 years and details their entire history with…

1
A Growing Business and Media Presence with Taylor White – DT 222 1:04:56

2M ago1:04:56

1:04:56

A Growing Business and Media Presence with Taylor White – DT 222 In this episode, Aaron got a chance to sit down with Taylor White, Director at Ken White Construction to talk about what it takes to grow an earthmoving business. On top of all Taylor's responsibilities at the company, Taylor also runs a successful YouTube channel @KenWhiteConstructio…

1
Building a Better Environment to Work At with Jason Richmond – DT 221 40:56

2M ago40:56

40:56

In this one, Aaron is Joined once again by Jason to talk about what it means to build a work environment that celebrates all different people. Just before this was recorded Women in Construction Week was taking place. During this week Jason had the opportunity to be a part of the Werk-Brau WIC Summit. As a result of reflecting on this experience, J…

1
Five Times Faster: Ways to Accelerate the Transition to Net-Zero 38:00

2M ago38:00

38:00

Hear from Simon Sharpe, Director of Economics at the UNFCCC Climate Champions, as we explore three key problems that are impeding the transition to net-zero and how to address them. We know that reaching net zero emissions quickly enough to avoid the worst impacts of climate change will be very challenging. But are we making it even more difficult …

1
Moving Earthmovers: Bridgestone off Road Tires with Rob Seibert – DT 220 56:26

2M ago56:26

56:26

In this episode Aaron is Joined by Rob Seibert President of, Off The Road: North America at Bridgestone Americas. You may know bridgestone for their personal vehicle tires or maybe from racing, or if you’re from Nashville the Arena downtown. The average person might not think about the hundreds of thousands of tons of raw materials carried by haul …

1
Massive Gold Mining Operation: Kinross Mine in Round Mountain, Nevada – DT 219 47:16

2M ago47:16

47:16

In this episode, Aaron talks about a recent trip to a BIG gold mine. Round Mountain, a small mining town in Nevada is home to the Kinross gold mine. Surrounding the town is mostly military-owned land. The sprawling arid landscape is broken up by the steep mountain peaks that the town backs up to. Just outside of town, this is the most interesting f…

1
Designing Massive Civil Projects with Bob Higgins of Barge Design Solutions – DT218 1:23:16

3M ago1:23:16

1:23:16

In this episode, Aaron is Joined by Bob Higgins President/CEO of Barge Designs Solutions. Barge is an employee-owned company that makes building plans for notable civil construction projects such as bridges, highway overpasses, and wastewater solutions, to name a few. Bob also touches on his time as an Air Force serviceman, during the time of opera…

1
Monday Article Review: The Opioid Crisis in Construction – DT217 26:29

3M ago26:29

26:29

In this episode, Aaron and take a look at an Article published on For Construction Pros, written by Calvin Beyer. It's not the most fun or easy article to read but it is important information nonetheless. This week we dive into the opioid crisis in construction. Based on a 2020 report people who worked in construction are at the highest risk for ov…

1
3D Modeling with Drones featuring Rory San Miguel – DT 216 1:03:59

3M ago1:03:59

1:03:59

In this episode, Aaron is joined in the studio by Rory San Miguel Co-Founder and CEO at Propeller Aero. Using their own tech AeroPoints and simple DJI drones Propeller is revolutionizing the surveying game. Many people when they think of construction think of relatively low-tech solutions. Take for example bulldozer, it has one job, it uses lots of…

1
A Peak Under the Hood: BuildWitt Update with Jason Richmond – DT215 32:37

3M ago32:37

32:37

This week we got a special episode that’s not something you would normally see. BuildWitt as you may know has our internal podcast to provide more information for our team members. The other day Aaron and I were talking and we decided “Hey there is some great stuff that could be helpful for more than just our team, so why leave it on the cutting ro…

1
The Inevitable Policy Response Forecast: Optimistic or Realistic? 34:12

3M ago34:12

34:12

Hear from Dr. Jakob Thomae, Project Director for the Inevitable Policy Response, as we discuss their latest forecast and what it means for the transition to net-zero. Scenario analysis is the natural tool for anyone wanting to understand how climate-related risks might evolve over coming decades. The vast majority of climate scenarios, regardless o…

1
From Dreams to Reality: Custom Home Building with Nick Schiffer – DT 214 1:04:33

3M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

In this episode, Aaron Is joined once again by Nick Schiffer. Nick works tirelessly to solve some of the most particular problems regarding home building. He has the eye for it and the passion to follow through. If you have a dream Nick is the guy to make it happen. In this episode, they talk about an amazing spec build that Nick and his team are d…

1
Monday Machine Overview: Modified Hot Work Wheel Loaders – DT213 27:45

3M ago27:45

27:45

In this week's Monday episode Aaron and I sat down to talk about machines. Specifically a very special wheel loader. Most Caterpillar 988 H models can be found in quarries but that's not exactly what Bulk Equipment Company has in store for their 988 wheel loaders. Instead Bulk heavily modifies these machines for a specific application. Hot work. Th…

1
Business Evolution Through Transparency and Resilience featuring Will Schuler – DT212 1:33:16

3M ago1:33:16

1:33:16

In this episode, Aaron invited back Will Schuler, owner and CEO of Will Power Excavation. You may remember Will from last time as the guy who made his first million in the heavy civil business when he was still in high school! Now Will’s business is approaching 100 employees and he is more than willing to reflect upon the failures and successes tha…

1
Do You Want to be Part of The Dirt World? Monday Question and Answer – DT 211 56:29

3M ago56:29

56:29

In this episode Aaron is once again answering your questions from Instagram. Thank you everyone for submitting questions to Instagram and remember you can always email us directly at dirtalk@buildwitt.com. The questions are as follows. What advice do you have for someone starting a small business? Best way to get into the dirt world? How did you st…

1
Build a Strong Infrastructure for Employee Wellness with Rob White – DT 210 1:14:40

4M ago1:14:40

1:14:40

On this Episode Aaron is Joined by Rob White Owner/CEO of OccuMED1 an occupational health services company primarily providing service to Construction companies. The conversation starts with some background about Rob's time in the military starting out in the Air Force and later in the Army National Guard. It was during this time in the military th…

1
How Copper is Mined at Kennecott: Dirt Talk Monday Project Breakdown – DT209 45:49

4M ago45:49

45:49

In this episode of the Monday Dirt Talk Aaron breaks down a project and in an unprecedented turn of events he came prepared this time. He shares some interesting facts about how the mine got its start, the scale of the operation, and the products that are made at the Kennecott mine. He also shares his personal experience getting to go and photograp…

1
EU Deforestation Directive: Overcoming Challenges in Supply Chain Transparency 36:18

4M ago36:18

36:18

Hear from Thomas Vaassen, Co-Founder and CEO of Meridia, to learn how the EU Deforestation Directive is changing the nature of data required across supply chains. Supply chains are becoming an ever-greater focus for risk professionals. Firms increasingly want to measure the carbon footprint of their suppliers, or better understand their resilience,…

1
Spotting Problems Before They Happen with Matt Aston of GPRS – DT 208 1:17:50

4M ago1:17:50

1:17:50

In this episode, Aaron is joined by Matt Aston, President at GPRS. GPRS is changing the construction game, using radar and electromagnetic signals to locate utilities. This technology is essential for spotting potential hazards (exp. underground power) in the ground and even through solid concrete! How effective is it you ask? Last year they comple…

1
The Inner Workings of BuildWitt: Dirt Talk Monday Edition – DT207 42:45

4M ago42:45

42:45

In this episode, Aaron is joined by Jason Richmond, BuildWitt’s Chief Operating Officer. Jason, a natural leader and sales expert, serves as a frequent co-host for the internal podcast and this iteration of the Monday episode. To hear more into Jason's story, check out his Dirt Talk Episode (170). In today's discussion, Aaron and Jason shed light o…

1
How a Rental Business Works for Construction – DT206 1:27:39

4M ago1:27:39

1:27:39

In this episode, Aaron is joined by Luke Sheffield, Founder of Port-A-Go and Co-Founder of Empower Rental Group. They discuss the need for equipment rental in a dynamic job market, and what it takes to run a rental business. Later they dig into what it's like starting a rental service company as they discuss Luke’s latest endeavor Port-A-Go, a comp…

1
Dirt World News: Are EV’s the Answer? – DT205 30:30

4M ago30:30

30:30

In this episode, we’re trying something different. Aaron came up with the idea to talk about some news from the industry that folks might not have seen. In this one, Aaron will be highlighting some key points of an article published in Equipment World by Jordanne Waldschmidt. The Article is titled, Opinion: The Misguided Push Toward Electric Constr…

1
Little Big Iron with Ryan Haasen – DT 204 1:12:12

4M ago1:12:12

1:12:12

Big iron, am I right? Little Iron, or in this case, wood? In this episode (DT204), Aaron is joined by Ryan Haasen, an estimator/PM at Blue-Con Excavation Ltd. You might recognize Ryan for his incredible to-scale models of construction machinery. Ryan's journey into woodworking started at a young age, and growing up around the construction industry …

1
The footage of the Vanished Detective 1:08:25

4M ago1:08:25

1:08:25

Paul and Talon are joined by tea afficionado Heather Hinson who emphasizes the importance of letting Scotland Yard inspectors have their tea. Oh, and Watson has lost Sherlock Holmes, but we still have a double dose of Sergeant Wilkins, the unwritten hero of Sherlockian lore.By Baker Street Digressions

1
Adventures in the Northwest: Road Show Week Three – DT 203 47:05

4M ago47:05

47:05

In this episode, Aaron and I talk about week three of the Road Show. The first stop is a jetty project right outside of Portland to see JE McAmis move some huge Rocks with a Cat 6020. Later they stop in at the Knife River Training Facility, one of the most cutting-edge construction training facilities. After that, they checked out some early mornin…

1
What We Learned About Climate Risk in 2023 40:57

4M ago40:57

40:57

Hear from Jo Paisley and Maxine Nelson of the GARP Risk Institute as they look back on key learnings from the latest season of the Climate Risk Podcast. As we head into 2024, Jo and Maxine look back at the past year of Climate Risk Podcasts, reviewing key learnings from our guests and discussing ongoing trends in climate risk management. From acade…

1
Close Quarters Tunneling with Midwest Mole feat. Jason Miller – DT202 1:16:19

4M ago1:16:19

1:16:19

In this episode, Aaron is joined by Jason Miller, President of Midwest Mole Inc., a company that specializes in Trenchless tunneling and Boring services. Their work extends across the United States, from Boston to Florida, Maryland, and the Midwest, just to name a few locations. Despite their focus on providing boring services, the projects underta…

1
Monday Question and Answer: The Tough Questions - DT201 49:30

5M ago49:30

49:30

In this episode, Aaron answers the following. -Where is the earthmoover? -toughest challenge with employees? -What's the hardest thing you've ever done? -Who's hiring? If you want a peak under the hood here at BuildWitt or are looking for a job, this is the episode for you. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at dirttalk…

1
Laying Down the Future of the Paving Industry with Landon Morel – DT 200 1:09:08

5M ago1:09:08

1:09:08

In this episode, Aaron sat down with Landon Morel, a Foreman at Southern Sun Paving, to delve into the world of luxury paving. Landon, drawing from his expertise and experience in a family-run asphalt business, sheds light on the meticulous craftsmanship and commitment involved in each layer of asphalt used in high-end residential paving projects. …

1
Road Show Week Two: Through the Rockies and Beyond – DT199 49:20

5M ago49:20

49:20

In this episode, Aaron and I delve into the adventures of week two on the roadshow. The team tested the RV as they journeyed through mountainous terrains en route to the west coast. Their stops included witnessing the monumental dam project at Chimney Hollow led by the Barnard crew, a project vital for supplying clean water to the Front Range. They…

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