TheEngiNerdLife Podcast

Invisible PPE: The Human Under the Hat with Scott Evans

Construction has perfected protecting the outside of the worker. So why does the industry still lose five times more people to suicide than to physical fatalities? Scott Evans of CEMEX, and founder of Invisible PPE, delivers one of the most honest conversations construction needs to be having. Sharing from his own story of survival, Scott has developed five practical tools any crew can use tomorrow: Notice, Ask, Share, Connect, Act. You'll hear why "I'm fine" is the checkbox, not the check-in. Why corporate mental health programs fall flat at the field level. And why another poster or seminar won't fix what's broken in construction culture. If this topic hits home for you, share it with someone on your crew. Because construction is cool, and so too is saving lives. Crisis support: Call or text 988.Connect with Scott: scotevansspeaks.com

The Opportunity is There, Explore the Trades with Kate Cinnamo

We don’t have a labor shortage problem in construction. We have a story problem.  That's where Kate Cinnamo and Explore the Trades step in, to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing construction, contractors and the skilled trades today: Attracting the next generation of builder. In this episode, we'll unpack the growing labor shortage in construction, why traditional recruiting messages are falling flat and how construction leadership can better connect purpose, tech, entrepreneurship and hands-on learning to students considering career paths beyond college. Stemming from a set of posters spotted in the wild that have been seen by over a million students, this conversation dives into what it will actually take to make the trades compelling again. If you care about the future of construction, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. The opportunity is there, we just need to do a better job of showing it.

The Moat Is Gone. Now What? with Nick Heim

Being technically right isn't enough anymore, and Nick Heim figured that out the hard way. Nick is a practicing structural engineer, co-founder of Trinnovate Advisors and host of the AEC Tech podcast. This week he drops by to talk about why AI is eroding the technical edge engineers have relied on for decades, and what to build instead. We get into hands-on leadership, the ivory tower trap, practical AI tools anyone can use and the skills no algorithm can replace. If you're an engineer or in construction and trying to grow beyond the technical, this one's for you.

Build Value, Not Just Data with Victor Muchiri

Are you actually creating value on your projects, or just getting better at tracking activity? In this episode, Victor Muchiri of BuildVision and engineer turned construction economist breaks down the hard truth: construction doesn’t have a technology problem, it has an economics problem. While the industry races toward AI, dashboards and digital tools, Victor challenges a deeper question most teams avoid: Are your workflows designed to capture value, or just measure it? Through real-world examples and sharp analogies, we explore why contractors can build incredibly valuable projects and still struggle with thin margins, and why adding more software often doesn’t fix the root issue.

The Tech Isn't the Problem. The Disconnect Is. with Goodrich Fabre

Why do so many “game-changing” construction technologies fail to stick? In this episode we sit down with Goodrich Fabre of HardHatCoach.ai to explore the real issue behind failed tech rollouts: the disconnect between the field and the decisions being made about it. With a rare blend of field experience and technical insight, Goodrich breaks down why most tools never gain traction and how leaders can start making decisions their teams actually trust. If you’ve ever questioned your tech stack, struggled with adoption or wondered why the field pushes back on “innovation,” this conversation will change how you think about technology in construction.