Dirt Talk by BuildWitt

Aaron digs into one of the most incredible projects he's ever seen — replacing a main runway at Zurich International Airport with Eberhard a few years ago. With only a few hours to do a mountain of work, there was NO margin for error! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Bullock is a production excavator and dozer operator at a large iron ore mine in Western Australia. Michael and Aaron discuss the intricacies of Australian mining following Aaron's recent trip to the area. To see Michael's photos and videos, you can follow him on Instagram at @the_english_earthmover. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Stay Dirty! **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drawing from his experience in college at Arizona State, Aaron offers his advice to anyone currently in college, thinking about college, or with kids considering it. There's still tremendous value within America's universities, but only if you do it right. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Peper is CEO of Mobilization Funding, which offers contract-based loans to companies like contractors. Understanding the flow of money through construction projects is critical for any successful industry leader, and Scott runs us through all the intricacies and pitfalls. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Stay Dirty! **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On what's technically an internal BuildWitt podcast, Aaron and Jason discuss the latest business happenings. If you're curious about what BuildWitt's up to, this episode is for you. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Paulson (Co-CEO) and Caitlyn Cook (VP of Marketing) join Aaron to discuss employee stock ownership plans (ESOP) and how being 100% employee-owned works for Emery Sapp & Sons. To learn more about ESS, check out their website at https://emerysapp.com/ As always, please leave the podcast a review, and you can send any questions/comments directly to us at [email protected]! **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Aaron is back to read two articles from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) newsletter. The first article is titled A Construction Market in Transition: The 2024 Hiring and Business Outlook, a survey conducted by AGC. The second is an article titled US Construction Outlook: Torrid or Tepid? written by Ken Simonson, Chief Economist, AGC of America. To Learn more about these Articles tune in to this episode! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Anhalt is a Corporate Product Specialist at McCoy Construction and Forestry, a major US John Deere dealer. Beginning his career in engineering, he wrote product manuals for John Deere's latest machines and then helped with machine design. Alex now focuses on assisting contractors in getting the most out of their machines and technology. To learn more about McCoy, you can check out their website here: https://www.mccoycf.com/ If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Aaron is back at it again answering your questions. Some of these questions are from people who write and some are from comments on Instagram. Either way, we appreciate the feedback and the questions are as follows How do you rate Australian mining compared to American mining? Where do you see Buildwitt going? What is the best life decision you’ve made? What is your worst business decision in the last three years? Thanks again to whoever submitted these, they are picked at random so if you don’t see yours don’t lose hope, we do read all the feedback and there is always a chance you hear your question on Dirt Talk. **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 provide expert witness testimony at trials. Ben is not a lawyer, but he is someone you want on your and your lawyer’s side during litigation. Ben and his team help their client calculate damages and identify entitlement for those damages. Ideally, matters can be settled before a courtroom or arbitration is needed. Settlement can save contractors lots of time, money, and headaches so they can do what they do best- build. If the matter must be decided by the terms of the contract Ben will testify as an expert witness to assist the trier of fact in understanding the evidence put forth by each side. If you want to learn more about the legal side of contracting this episode is for you. Connect with Ben on Linked-in if you need assistance on your project or have a question on how the process works. **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 every state in the country. They saw all manner of earthmoving from sight work to massive met-coal, and iron mines. During their time the boys certainly became acquainted with the outback and all its wildlife, some beautiful and some maybe not so great (remember to pack a fly net if you are going to Pilbara). If you want to learn more about the Australia trip, tune into this episode! **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 your whole life. In this episode Aaron and the Coppocks dig into what life is like at Rock n Dirt excavating. They talk about the tricky nature of emergency work and hiring. They Also talk about machine utilization and what it takes to run everything off site too. If you ever wonder what it would be like to work alongside your family stay tuned. **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 of Ames. They talk about the changing business and personal life of Dick Ames and some of the most important contracts that the company ever won. To learn more stay tuned for this week's book report. **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 too much away, it's in Miami and features some very fast vehicles. Aaron and Immanuel discuss the intricacies of such specialized asphalt paving. Working with unique materials, tight tolerances and other contractors on site all while being a nation's distance away from the company's HQ, makes for some pretty interesting circumstances. To learn more about Immanuel and Sunland stay tuned for this fascinating episode all about asphalt. **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 main goal is to train the next generation of expert operators. He’s achieving this by offering his unique simulator service. Jay and his team offer simulator rental and training via a mobile trailer with several different machine simulators. This provides a way for contractors to train new operators while their production machines keep running. Jay's approach is progressive and backed up by years of experience, so tune in if you want a piece of his dirt world knowledge. **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great as their products. Dirt Talk listeners can receive 10% off their first order with Ariat by clicking here or visiting Ariat.com/dirttalk. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 need to be in the field versus behind the scenes. He shared the lessons learned and the success he’s had buying back the family business and leading the company into the future. Chad has a great message for all leaders in the industry so if you are hungry to learn how to lead this episode is for you! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. These facts and figures paint a concerning picture of the state of our bridge and interstate systems, highlighting the point that this issue needs to be scrutinized more thoroughly by the federal government. Our Infrastructure got our great nation to where we are today, which is exactly why it cannot be overlooked. We need to do more to improve and repair our existing infrastructure while creating new infrastructure that will last the test of time. None of this can be accomplished without the Dirt World and the amazing people who are a part of it. Stay tuned to stay informed! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, Kimo breaks down the 2023 Lahaina fires, which devastated the community and affected him and Truth Excavation personally last August. He gave his honest perspective and broke down day by day what he saw as it unfolded. Truth is one of few excavation companies on the island of Maui and the only one directly based out of Lahaina. They were and still are is on the frontlines every day. As the fire still blazed Kimo and his crew worked tirelessly to bring their water trucks and dozers wherever needed to snuff out flames and cut fire breaks. Now Kimo and his team work long hours in harsh conditions to help restore the community and infrastructure of Lahaina. Although Kimo may be too humble to agree, he is a hero in his community and continues to be a legend in the dirt world. Big thanks to him for taking the time to talk to us via one of the most peculiar recording setups in Dirt Talk history. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the sometimes polarizing topics of immigration and the border wall, recognizing their impact on the workforce. Drawing from his wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience gained through advocacy efforts for our industry with Associated Equipment Distributors and the Utah Mining Association in Washington, DC, Jonathan provides insightful commentary. They discuss the potential positive impact of legal immigration on our workforce, the role of technology as a workforce multiplier, and Jonathan's initiatives aimed at improving the workplace for all employees. As a respected leader in the industry, Jonathan shares valuable insights that listeners won't want to miss. Stay tuned to gain from his expertise. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the infrastructure for a future of emission-free energy. Ryan and the team at Better in Our Backyard Help to advocate, educate, and create community-led content that helps provide clarity about the critical importance of Northern Minnesota mining. By taking a people-first approach, Ryan helps by drawing from his experience as a project engineer for Parson Electric. This industry relies on mining, to advocate for the hard-working people that make an honest living in the mining industry. If you are interested in learning more about big mining and the role it plays in our infrastructure stay tuned! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 whole bunch of random stuff from people online that he doesn’t know about, this is the episode for you. Who knows, maybe your question will come up. Stay tuned to find out! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 their passion and expertise in asphalt paving. The brothers began their journey and continue to work at their family's Connecticut-based paving company, American Paving Specialist Specialists, LLC. They discuss the significance of working and enjoying recreational activities together, reminiscing about their upbringing. Their father, Bill Stanley, whom they still work alongside, often showed up to coach their baseball practices wearing work boots and blue jeans with fresh asphalt still clinging to the bottoms. In addition to their involvement in the family business, Matt's social media presence has flourished over the years. His online presence gained momentum with the success of his company, Raised on Blacktop, which offers a wide range of branded apparel and has established partnerships with brands like LeeBoy to provide customized machines. The Stanleys are the real deal in the paving industry, and if you share their passion for paving, you're sure to like what they have to say. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Dakota. That particular machine “Missouri Quest” works strip by strip to clear overburden using a 123-yard bucket! As the machine works to clear the overburden it reclaims the area it was just working. To learn more about this amazing dragline and others tune into this episode! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 experiences on his podcast. Tim has a wealth of knowledge on leadership and what it means to be at the helm of any business. That coupled with his electric outgoing personality and genuine care for people, makes for an exciting and thought-provoking episode. Don't miss this one y’all! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 year, what we are looking forward to next year, and things that are still in the planning stages. There is lots of talk about the summit and the amazing speakers lined up, as well as what you can expect next from our training product. If you are interested in what BuildWitt is up to this episode is for you. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 from years of experience in the field, both directly in the field and in the office as an estimator. Ultimately he decided that he could better serve his community in the classroom teaching others not just to do the work, but how to be leaders on the job site. If you want more insight on how you can get ahead in the construction industry, this lesson is a freebie! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 many retellings of projects they have completed. For this episode, Aaron focuses on the humble beginnings of Ames Construction which starts with the story of Dick Ames. If you like this format and want to hear more, or if you don’t let us know! We do hope you enjoy it though! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 @KenWhiteConstruction where you might know him from. Aaron and Taylor cut it up about what it means to run a company and have almost every aspect of it on social media. They talk about the struggles and successes they’ve had in their endeavors to give us all a glimpse into the dirt world while keeping the business side buttoned up. Stay tuned and laugh along to this absolute full send of an episode! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, Jason and Aaron started to unpack what inclusion means for our business and the industry as a whole. Words and recognition are nice however at the end of the day the Dirt World is an action-based industry and it takes everyone firing on all cylinders to help solve our workforce challenges. Stay tuned to find out what you can do to better care for the folks that keep this great industry moving forward. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 trucks or moved by machines, all carried by air and rubber. This is exactly what Rob is interested in, to him tires are more than just something cool you see transiently passing on the highway. Tires decide production time, tires decide how long a machine can keep running, and tires keep the industries essential to our nation and economy moving forward. To learn more about Bridgestone’s off road tires tune in! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 feature of the land: an open pit gold mine thousands of feet across and hundreds of feet down. The mine is host to seriously cool machines featuring, CAT 7495 Electric Rope shovels, 793 haul trucks, all followed by 994k loaders to clean up the rest. Just as impressive as the mining process is the refining process. Aaron dives into the formula behind extracting microscopic gold from raw ore. Spoiler: the process is very effective! Stay tuned to figure out how this mine can make approximately 235,690 oz. of gold a year. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 operation Desert Storm/ Desert Shield and how that structure helped shape his path for the future. To hear more about Bob’s story and the important work that they do at Barge stay tuned for this fascinating episode about construction design. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 overdose deaths of any occupation. Several risk factors contribute to this statistic. That is why it's so important to be armed with the right resources and information so we can all work to lower this number significantly. All it could take is one conversation. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction you can visit na.org/ aa.org or ask your employer about more resources. **NOTE** In this episode, Aaron mentions the suicide prevention hotline and uses the in correct number. The number for the suicide prevention hotline is 988. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 diesel power to push dirt. Yes I know there is a lot more to it these days with GPS and grade control and what have you put at its core it's a simple concept. What if we could have cutting-edge technology with simple implementation? At Propeller that’s the idea and that theory has been proven to work on job sites all around the world.. Strap in for a truly fascinating episode! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 room floor?” I’m excited to share a little sneak peek of what Aaron and Jason have to say about our business, what we have going on this year, and how we are constantly learning and growing. They touch on some internal strategy, the excitement around the Dirt World Summit, and all the amazing folks that we have the honor and privilege to work with. Hope you enjoy! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 doing. They also talk about the nuances of home building and the challenges with all of his work being on social media. To learn more check out NS Builders on YouTube. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. These machines are modified to withstand high heat from slag piles, a co-product that is a result of the steel making process. In this episode we will give some background on why these machines are needed, the specific application they are needed for, and the essential modifications necessary to handle this environment. Tune in to find out what makes these machines so dang cool! (no pun intended.) If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 that got him here. From the technical side to the personal side Will shares it all, but why? As a young leader, Will is confident that sharing the 'secret formula' for success might just be the key to elevating the entire industry. Who doesn’t love some healthy competition? All that to say if you want to find out what it takes to compete in the heavy civil world look no further. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 [email protected]. 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 start filming? When did you start filming? Why? Best advice for a young person in a leadership role? Most unique job? If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 that Rob found his passion for medicine and was trained as a flight surgeon. Later they talk about how Rob came to be a PA and his journey that eventually led to him working in the dirt world. They discuss the service that OccuMED1 offers and how it can protect you employees and your company. To learn more visit occumed1.com If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 photograph this modern marvel. Later we discuss some recent history that might surprise you. If you like big machines and moving lots of earth this is the episode for you! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 completed roughly 120,000 jobs with an incident report rate of 0.13% saving potentially millions of dollars in damages, and keeping workers safe. GPRS is now a major player in the industry with crews nationwide. Still, they have plans to grow and are always improving to get their margin for error down to zero. This all started because Matt was bold enough to spot a major problem he knew he could solve. So next time you have some iffy digging or treacherous cutting to do, consider GPRS. You could save a lot of time and money and potentially save a life! Learn more in this episode of Dirt Talk If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 on BuildWitt's operational framework and their roles as senior leaders within the company. They explore the services and products offered by BuildWitt and elaborate on the company's commitment to make the dirt world a better place. For additional details, visit BuildWitt.com. Enjoy! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 company providing a service that is so overlooked, yet vital for quality of life on a job site. If you want to know more about what it means to start a business this episode is for you. Enjoy! If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Construction Equipment – and Why Hybrids are the Better Alternative. Stay tuned for what Aaron has to say about the matter (spoiler he agrees.) If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 naturally led him to merge his two passions. Despite working full-time at Blue-Con, Ryan's love for construction and the scale model community gained widespread attention on Instagram. After crafting an entire replica of a job site within a table, requests started pouring in for Ryan to create similar masterpieces for others. Don't miss out—check out @ryan_haasen_woodworks on Instagram. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 morning logging operations, saw a massive data center being built near Boise, Idaho, and then swung by to see a DC excavation project in Bozeman, Montana. Next week it's off to North Dakota If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 undertaken by Midwest Mole are anything but dull! Join us as we delve into the various fascinating techniques that Midwest Mole employs to ensure the well-being of their employees, contributing to the longevity and functionality of our nation's infrastructure. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Amidst the rumble of heavy machinery and the aroma of freshly laid asphalt, we explore the distinctive aesthetics of chip sealing, the viral appeal of paving videos, challenges in managing machinery, and the dynamic between innovative paving technologies and traditional methods. If you have any questions or feedback, email the Dirt Talk crew at [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices