Episode 30: Better: John Sobetsky on Vulnerability, Mental Health, and Breaking the Cycle

Episode 30: Better: John Sobetsky on Vulnerability, Mental Health, and Breaking the Cycle

In this episode of Above and Below, host Sonya Bohmann and co-host Zulq Malik sit down with John Sobetsky of Mainline Security Solutions for one of the most honest and personal conversations we’ve had on the podcast.   John shares his journey through grief, depression, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and the long road toward healing. From losing his grandmother at a young age to hitting rock bottom in his twenties, John opens up about the experiences that shaped him and the choices that ultimately changed his life.   Together, they discuss the impact of being raised by “hard men,” the importance of vulnerability, the value of therapy, and why mental health requires ongoing work. John also shares how fitness, family, self-awareness, and community have helped him build a healthier future and why he’s committed to teaching the next generation that strength and emotion can coexist.   This episode is a powerful reminder that healing is not a destination. It’s a daily commitment to being better than you were yesterday.

Episode 29: Real Talk from the Jobsite: Ben Jump on Prevention, Loss, and Looking Out for Each Other

In this episode of Above and Below, host Sonya Bohmann and co-host Zulq Malik sit down with Ben Jump, a safety technician, former tradesman, and comedian from New York, for an honest conversation about mental health, jobsite culture, and the real-world challenges facing construction workers today.   Drawing from his experience as a carpenter, welder, and precaster, Ben shares what life on the road can feel like, including loneliness, pressure, and the coping habits many workers develop while away from home. He also opens up about losing both a friend and a colleague to suicide and how those experiences strengthened his commitment to prevention and peer support.   The conversation explores everything from camaraderie and workplace recognition to postvention planning and the importance of simply checking in on one another. Along the way, Ben reminds us that laughter, connection, and community can be powerful tools in supporting mental health.   This episode is a candid reminder that prevention starts with conversation and that no one should have to carry their struggles alone.

Episode 28: Stronger than the Silence– The Road to Recovery Begins with a Voice

In this special episode of Above and Below, we bring you the powerful recorded conversation from Stronger Than the Silence: The Road to Recovery Begins with a Voice.   Produced by CIASP and the Turner Foundation, in cooperation with SAFE Project, this conversation explores the realities of substance use, recovery, and mental health within the construction industry through honest, personal storytelling and meaningful dialogue.   Listeners will hear firsthand perspectives on the challenges many workers face, the stigma that too often keeps people silent, and the importance of creating workplaces where recovery and support are possible. This conversation is a reminder that behind every struggle is a person, and that recovery begins when we are willing to listen, speak up, and stand beside one another.   Whether you work in construction, lead a team, or care about someone in the industry, this episode offers hope, insight, and a powerful call to action: recovery starts with a voice.

Episode 27: The Power of Speaking Up: Fred Mills on Mental Health and the Future of Construction

In this episode of Above and Below, host Sonya Bohmann and co-host Zulq Malik are joined by Fred Mills, founder of The B1M, the world’s largest video platform for construction, reaching millions of people each month.   Fred shares how he built a global media brand to change the perception of construction—and what led him to use that platform to speak openly about his own mental health journey. Behind the success, Fred opens up about his experience with depression, the pressure of leadership, and the turning point that led him to seek help and ultimately help others.   The conversation explores the growing movement around mental health in construction, the importance of authenticity in leadership, and why the industry must move beyond awareness and into action. From jobsite culture to global impact, this episode highlights how real change happens when people are willing to speak up.   With millions reached through his work and hundreds of thousands raised for mental health initiatives, Fred’s message is clear: we are only just getting started.

Episode 26: A Decade of Progress: Building a Movement in Construction Mental Health with Stuart Binstock

In this episode of Above and Below, host Sonya Bohmann and co-host Zulq Malik are joined by Stuart Binstock, former CEO of CFMA and one of the early leaders behind the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention.   Stuart shares how a single article in 2015 sparked a powerful industry-wide response, leading to the creation of CIASP and a movement that continues to grow today. Together, they reflect on how far the industry has come, the challenges that remain, and why communication and connection are at the heart of meaningful change.   The conversation also dives into real-world topics shaping today’s job sites, including the importance of Narcan training, the role of Employee Assistance Programs, and the ongoing shift from transactional leadership to a more human-centered approach.   This episode is both a look back and a call forward—reminding us that safety is not just physical, and that investing in people is the most important work we can do.