Dirt Talk by BuildWitt

In this episode of Dirt Talk, Aaron and Alex talk about wardrobe, the BuildWitt Store, and the importance of a good haircut. They dig into the lengths we go to protect nature, especially the beloved desert tortoise. Aaron expresses his anticipation around the Boston Marathon and an upcoming trip to Europe. They finish off the episode answering questions from listeners about workplace incidents and how you can maintain family life in the heavy civil construction industry. Let your voice be heard! Answer a few simple questions at buildwitt.com/feedback and help us find more awesome listeners like you. Together, let’s make the Dirt World a better place! Don't forget that you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! Learn more at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Owner of Bachtel Excavating in Northeast Ohio, Matt Bachtel talks with Aaron about starting out in the industry by working alongside his father. They reminisce about working for dealerships, excavating, and job-hopping during summers when you’re still young. Matt and Aaron also discuss starting and running your own business, focusing the conversation on leadership and the vital work and empathy required of a business owner. Don't forget that you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! Learn more at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's Monday Dirt Talk episode, Aaron and Alex discuss the unthinkable: quitting coffee. From there, they savor Aaron's list of restaurants followed by a discussion of the perils of gas station eating. They touch on the benefit of getting an entry-level start in the industry and answer questions on family support and females in the workforce. Let your voice be heard! Answer a few simple questions at buildwitt.com/feedback and help us find more awesome listeners like you. Together, let’s make the Dirt World a better place! Don't forget that you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! Learn more at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's guests move almost no dirt. They don't do demolition. They don't deal in aggregates. And yet, folks in their line of work visit hundreds of job sites per year. Welcome Chris Moore (SVP of Internal Operations) and Preston Higgins (Project Manager) of GPRS (Ground Penetrating Radar Systems) to the podcast. Among other things, GPRS is a great example of your friendly neighborhood utility locator. And boy, did these guys pique Aaron's interest. If you've ever worked a job and had to communicate with someone coming out to do a locate, then you might know that this kind of work is often looked at as an annoyance... and yet, people still hit utility lines! This conversation was a great basic rundown of what that work looks like from their perspective, and if you're a fan of tech talk, then you'll really connect with these guys. This week on Dirt Talk, host Aaron Witt chats with Chris Moore and Preston Higgins about ground penetrating radar/utility locating, why they (and companies like GPRS) can sometimes get a bad rap, and why GPRS likes to focus on developing their team members into good people, first and foremost. Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Dirt Talk, Aaron and Alex discuss the first-ever BuildWitt Office Open House, before diving into a question from a project manager regarding how to communicate with foremen. They also dissected the most important question of the week: "Are there more wheels or doors in the world?" Don't forget that you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! Learn more at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of Dirt Talk, Aaron’s joined by industry vet Jay Collup, founder of Collup Enterprises. Jay’s a longtime trainer and certified Dirt World expert, and he shares his insights on the state of training in the industry today, the ROI of proper training, and building a life in the Dirt World. He’s even got insights on relationships, team building, and the pros and cons of traveling for work. Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode of the Dirt Talk podcast, Aaron discusses his recent wilderness experience with the Basic Course by the 3-of-7 Project and how doing uncomfortable things helps shape our perspectives as leaders. We also cover a range of listener questions, including how concrete differs from cement (no, they're not the same thing) and the books Aaron considers essential for all leaders in the Dirt World — and beyond. Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"If it's worth having, then you're gonna pay for it upfront, but the return on investment is going to be realized pretty quick." Ryan Goodfellow (of Rock Structures Utility and Excavating) is clearly passionate about heavy equipment. His company IG acct @rockstructures has almost 100k followers and consistently features his crew on jobs around Utah, ranging from digging basements to building intricate rock walls. But in addition to equipment, Ryan is a good time. He's got plenty of jokes and is a hoot to laugh with. While the Dirt Talk guys were in Utah, they asked Ryan to come out to Wheeler Machinery to come talk shop, and he didn't disappoint. From the get-go, this episode features a lot of technical talk about equipment, with points made about operating technique, 3D GPS, finding hidden grease points, and much more. This week on Dirt Talk, host Aaron Witt sits down with Ryan Goodfellow to chat about Ryan's Dirt World story and his love and appreciation for heavy equipment. Aaron and Ryan discuss why Ryan would prefer to dig a basement vs build a rock wall, why he owns both John Deere AND Caterpillar equipment, and why investing in quality tools (among other things) is worth it. To learn more about Ryan and Rock Structures, visit the website at rockstructures.com or follow along on IG at @rockstructures. Don't forget that you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! Learn more at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we have a special guest on the podcast: Dirt Talk alum Kimo Clark IN THE OFFICE from Hawaii. Kimo and Aaron headed out to the North Carolina mountains to do a challenging backpacking trip. Aaron, Alex, and Kimo dig into how folks in the Dirt World get paid, why most field workers are hourly, and how to beat the "Monday blues". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Our biggest competitors are stagnation and complacency." Jonathan Campbell is the Executive Vice President of Wheeler Machinery Co. out of Salt Lake City, UT. He's part of a multi-generation line of Campbells at Wheeler. With so much historical success running a 70-year-old CAT dealership, it's easy to envision leadership sitting on their laurels. And yet, Jonathan (and Campbell Companies) has made it his mission to fight "stagnation and complacency" by owning almost a dozen companies and investing in even more. He's got a vision for serving the Dirt World, and that's one reason he was a perfect fit to be an investor at BuildWitt. Aaron Witt and Jonathan Campbell discuss Jonathan's history at Wheeler Machinery, how he fights complacency, and why he decided to invest in BuildWitt's future. Thanks to Jonathan and Wheeler CAT for hosting the Dirt Talk crew in their offices AND for an amazing tour of their facility! Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You have to intentionally create space to think without the pressure to "deliver" something. This Monday on Dirt Talk, Aaron and Alex catch up about Aaron's solo trip to Savannah, GA to unplug and create space mentally. Aaron digs into why it's important for leaders to create that space and why it's vital to level up when you're a leader. Aaron also gives an update on the Earthmoover (aka the BuildWitt skid steer). Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Jumper is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're gonna get. One thing that's true, however, is that it will be entertaining and educational. Though he's only 26, he's been working in the Dirt World for almost 10 years, and literally grew up in the dirt. As a 3rd generation dirt mover, having a deep love and insatiable curiosity for the Dirt World is in Eric's blood. And as a team member at BuildWitt for the last year, he's been all over the country meeting up with and learning from the folks that are literally building our country. In this week's episode, host Aaron Witt and producer Alex Horton are joined by Eric Jumper, a "Connoisseur of heavy equipment-related matters" here at BuildWitt. On Eric's second Dirt Talk episode, the guys talk equipment (of course), but they sprinkle in plenty of other topics. They dig into why Eric covered the floor of a machine with astroturf, why it was so cool to shoot photos of a machine that he used to operate at an old job, and how he recognizes more and more these days that his upbringing in the Dirt World is pretty unique. To check out Eric's equipment journey, follow him on IG at @eric_jumper. Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Aaron and Alex dig into how we're all wired to create as children, but often lose that drive and desire as we grow. and the importance of telling your own story (before someone else tells it for you). Later, Aaron talks about some kinds of projects that he'd like to go see this year and why it's important to be the driver of your own career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Our team loves change. They see it as an opportunity to do better." A few years ago, Brian McManus was facing a dilemma: work wasn't fun anymore. He realized that he and his company Hoopaugh Grading Company needed to change, and that change needed to start with him taking a long look in the mirror. One of the first changes Brian made was to bring in an old friend Brandon Lindsey because even though Brandon didn't know dirt all that well, he knew people. And so from there, the process began of changing Hoopaugh for the better. It started with getting all of the leaders in the company on board, and then bringing in around 60 team members to answer the question, "what makes us who we are." Since those initial conversations a few years ago, Hoopaugh has built a robust training academy and facility to build up their team into better leaders and, in turn, better people. This week on Dirt Talk, host Aaron Witt sat down with Brian McManus and Brandon Lindsey of Hoopaugh Grading Company to discuss the bold changes they've made in their company over the last few years, why the cost of those changes was never worried about, and why their 10-year vision statement was simply, "be the best." You can learn more about Hoopaugh Grading at hoopaughgrading.com. Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is there a time when it actually makes sense to chew someone out? This week on the Monday Edition of Dirt Talk, Aaron and Alex discuss the required shorthand and nicknames for types of heavy equipment. Then, they discuss if and when it makes sense to give out an old-fashioned "ass-chewing" and suggest some possible other tactics before it might come to just berating someone. Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're over the moon the welcome back Mining Professional & star of Discovery's Gold Rush: Dave Turin's Lost Mine DAVE TURIN aka "Dozer Dave". The last time that Dave was on Dirt Talk, Dave and host Aaron Witt chatted at CONEXPO 2020 about the frustrations each has regarding the other's generation and Dave's exciting new TV show... Fast forward 2 years and Gold Rush: Dave Turin's Lost Mine is about to begin airing it's 4th season and BuildWitt has gone from 10 team members to almost 80! This week on Dirt Talk, Aaron and Dave sat down for a chat in the BuildWitt studio in Nashville, TN. Dave tells some great stories about how even though he's the star of a reality TV show, he puts the "'real' in reality". Then, the guys discuss the importance of setting a culture of training, why it's important to reclaim mined land, and why Dave encourages his team to call him out when it's deserved. Listen to the first episode with Dave Turin here: buildwitt.com/dirt-talk/podcast/dozer-dave-turin-on-old-vs-young-in-the-blue-collar-world To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can't make everyone happy. This week, Aaron and co-host Alex discuss the new free BuildWitt app (learn more here) and why you should listen and watch podcasts on it! Later, they dig into the challenges of being a young leader in an older industry, why you can't make content that applies to everyone all the time, and the value of changing your approach to work and life as you gain more knowledge and experience. You can learn more about the BuildWitt app at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kjell Gerber was the second employee at BuildWitt, at least according to our HR software. He came on to help with video editing and has since held multiple leadership and media production roles, but he's always been one of our "field guys". Before BuildWitt, Kjell (pronounced "Chell") came up in the Dirt World and worked for his family's dirt business in Utah for almost 10 years before connecting with Aaron on social media. After a little back and forth, Kjell started doing some work with Aaron and the rest is history. This week on Dirt Talk, Aaron Witt and Kjell Gerber chat about the genesis of their friendship and the early work they did together at BuildWitt. They also dive into safety culture problems, the complications of leaving a job at the family business, and Kjell's @bluecollar_photographer acct on IG. Kjell is also a great follow on LinkedIn. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the monday edition of Dirt Talk, Aaron and Alex discuss creating a balance of authenticity and professionalism on social media, and then discuss the problematic approach of training and developing your team with a focus on efficiency and speed. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nic Parish became VP of Operations and Contracting at Burns Dirt Construction in Columbus, MS before his 30th birthday, but he's already gained a wealth of experience and is actively applying that hard-won knowledge in both his company as well as in his community. In addition to Burns Dirt, he is also a founding member of Forge Your Path, a non-profit in MS whose mission is to, "[make] the trades cool again." (We'd like to point out that they've always been cool, and we're sure Nic agrees!). This week on Dirt Talk, host Aaron Witt chats with Nic Parish about dirt world workforce development, growing a team locally, and why the Lt. Governor of Mississippi chose him for a role on a team to attack the "people problem" in the workforce in MS. We'd say that Nic is going places since he's not even 30 years old, but realistically, he's already flying down the road. He and Aaron also discuss fish tanks and why Nic's team at Burns Dirt is able to hire and retain so many young people. Follow Nic on IG @nicparish. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Dirt Talk, Aaron and Alex discuss BuildWitt Training before diving into what Aaron believes the Dirt World will look like in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keaton Turner and Aaron Witt have a complex history: Keaton's company Turner Mining Group was a client of Aaron's in the early days of BuildWitt... and then TMG no longer required the services of BuildWitt. But the two have kept in touch, with Keaton appearing on the 11th episode of Dirt Talk and Aaron appearing on the first episode of Keaton's podcast. Now, with both guys having grown their respective businesses in different ways, they reconnected in the Dirt Talk studio to catch up. This week on Dirt Talk, Aaron and Keaton talk about having to let your business "grow up", why you have to make sure to not overcorrect, and why a business "breakup" is sometimes the best thing for both parties. An all-time episode between old friends. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Dirt Talk, Aaron and Alex talk about the challenges that come with leading a company from the road before making an announcement about a podcast series they'll be releasing. Then, they discuss a question about whether to start a career in the public or private sector. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jimmy Starbuck is back on the podcast, but this time it's in person. Jimmy runs Starbuck Excavation out of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and a few weeks ago, we heard the man himself would be stateside and we knew we had to have him back on the podcast. He had no shortage of opinions and strategies to share, and we had a ball getting to chat for an hour. We were also joined by Trevor and Missy Scherber as studio guests - a real "who's who" of Dirt World folks. In this week's episode, host Aaron Witt and Jimmy Starbuck discuss why Jimmy prefers to focus on digging holes and trucking the dirt away, the differences in safety approaches between the US and Australia, and why it's always better to triple-dip. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Aaron and Alex discuss for a second the challenges of recording 4 podcasts in a day before they do a recap on Aaron's recent travel to North Dakota and Ohio. Then, they dig into a question about how lower-ranking crew members can make suggestions to leadership that are more likely to be well-received. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Early in life, Tyson Smith (of TJS Excavation) had lived a common Dirt World story: grew up obsessed with building things in the sandbox and started working in construction before he started high school. But unlike many who end up jumping right into the Dirt World, Tyson's path took a few turns. He went to college on an athletic scholarship and studied computers. He then proceeded to build a career in the tech industry for almost 20 years before EVENTUALLY deciding that his childhood love was calling him home to the Dirt World. Fast forward a few years, and now Tyson runs TJS Excavation, a 1-man outfit out of eastern Oklahoma. This week on Dirt Talk, Tyson was kind enough to join host Aaron Witt in the Dirt Talk studios to talk about his story of how he made his way back to the dirt. They also chatted about mentorship, the importance of therapy and its role in mental health, and how operating equipment is just straight-up fun. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Dirt Talk: Monday Edition, Aaron and Alex talk about making a podcast, Aaron's camera in Africa, and his recent travel to Saudi Arabia and UAE. Then, they dig into a question about why some brands of equipment get unnecessary shade (like LinkBelt!). To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fan-favorite Kimo Clark is back on Dirt Talk. When we first chatted with Kimo, he was planning to sell his company Truth Excavation and semi-retire and move on to the next phase of life. But fast forward 2 years, and Kimo's journey has been admittedly winding. Though this conversation starts with Kimo and host Aaron Witt discussing doing 10 burpees every 10 minutes of the conversation, the guys get into a wide range of topics and Kimo shares the progress of his journey in the Dirt World. Kimo spends a good portion of the conversation talking about his philosophy on developing people in his company that boils down to the idea that he "pours into them like a cup" with his knowledge and experience. Additionally, the guys touch on pushing one's self to strengthen and prepare the mind, the part that faith has played in his career, and the advantages and challenges in store for the youngest generation of folks in the Dirt World. Thank you to Kimo for his honesty and transparency. If you're looking to learn more about Kimo, the best place to find him is on Instagram at @tru.xlife. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode of Dirt Talk: Monday edition, Aaron and Alex chat about getting negative comments online before Aaron launches into an impromptu book report on the old out-of-print book Foremen: Leader or Drivers? that was published 80 years ago. Aaron gets pretty passionate about the lessons he learned from the book and how we could all apply them to the Dirt World today. Afterward, the guys talk about why some companies could have employee turnaround issues even as they invest in training and caring for their people. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Devinney is a college-educated PM/Estimator for Evans & Associates Construction Co. in Ponca City, OK... and will be the first to tell you that he doesn't know much. This week on Dirt Talk, host Aaron Witt chats with James about how James learns what his teammates need from him to be successful and how that helps him do his job better. They also dig into what estimators actually do (and don't do) and the pros and cons of having not grown up around construction. Thanks to James Devinney for the great conversation. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's Monday edition of Dirt Talk catches Alex and Aaron discussing gas station food stops and Savannah, GA vs Charleston, SC before digging into questions about emissions requirements in California and some of Aaron's most memorable trips of 2021. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've got a GREAT episode for you today: introducing Taylor White. He's the Director of and handles business development for Ken White Construction in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He's a second-generation owner of the business and has big plans. We were lucky enough to have him on the pod to talk about his experience in the Dirt World. This week, Aaron and Taylor covered a multitude of topics but spent a lot of time on the importance of the boss spending time on job sites getting to know the employees, making decisions that cost money now because of the future value, and the idea that "people want to do cool shit". Taylor also touched on why mental health is so vital and why it's SO important for companies to show what their company is like on social media. A wide-ranging conversation that had Aaron and Alex already discussing how to have him on the podcast again. To follow along with Taylor's story you can follow him on IG @kwc2000, on TikTok @kwc2000, or check out the youtube channel here: youtube.com/c/KenWhiteConstruction. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the first episode of Dirt Talk of 2022! Thanks to the Dirt Talk community for being a part of this thing and for sharing the podcast. This week, Aaron and Alex talk about the need for equipment to have updated radios and sound systems. Then, they broach a sensitive topic responding to a listener's question regarding racism and discriminatory behavior in the Dirt World. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EPISODE 100! Holy cow. (Pun not intended) Thank you SO much to this dirt-loving community. We can't begin to fully convey how grateful we are to be a part of this with all of you, so we'll just simply say... thanks. This week on Dirt Tak, it's an old-school Q + A with Aaron Witt. He asked the Instagram audience for some questions to address for a podcast, and he was overwhelmed with 100s of solid questions. So he took some time to answer as many questions as he could in 90 minutes. He discusses how he got interested in the Dirt World, what's the next piece of equipment he wants, and what exactly BuildWitt even does. Thanks to all of you, and we can't wait to bring you some new and exciting things in 2022. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We get a lot of questions about how to actually use social media in the Dirt World, so without further ado... [cue Alex clearing the floor for Aaron to go iso] This week on Dirt Talk, the guys take a moment to reflect on the past year's travel before diving into an actual gosh darn plan that folks in the Dirt World could use to start building their online presence via a website and social media accounts. Aaron pretends that he's starting a dirt contracting company (which he's clearly never thought about before) and lays out what he might do from an internet perspective to begin telling his company's story. We can't guarantee any results, but the approach is how we've built (and continue to build) BuildWitt. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Christmas(ish)-themed episode, Aaron and Alex look back on the past year. BuildWitt has doubled the size of the team, the structure of the company has shifted a few times, but the commitment to the Dirt World (and you) has only been strengthened. So the guys talked about what's happened in 2021 and some of the plans for 2022. The Dirt Talk crew wishes you all a great Christmas holiday weekend with your family and we look forward to catching up with you in 2022 to make the Dirt World a better place. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Aaron and Alex discuss how the Dirt World can better treat and welcome new people to the industry. Later, they get into how it can be difficult to grow one part of a business to match the success of another and a basic example of the relationship between contractors and subs. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anna Johnson is the founder and owner of AQUIP, "the first and only known independently female-owned vacuum truck and environmental products dealership in the United States." In the last few years, she's been burning up the interstates in the Southeast US, building her business from the ground up. Anna was kind enough to swing through Nashville and be a guest on Dirt Talk. In this week's episode, host Aaron Witt and co-host Alex Horton chat with Anna about how she got into the Dirt World, what exactly a vacuum truck is (and why she finds them fascinating), and what can be different or challenging about being a woman in the Dirt World. Super fun conversation until Aaron really had to pee. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex and Aaron are gassed after last week's 3-day BuildWitt team meeting, but after a restful week, the fellas are back ready to roll. This week, the DT guys talk about their team meeting and the future direction of BuildWitt, and then talk about how our industry can start reaching students in effective ways, both large scale and small. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected] . Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Denzil and Brandon McNeilus are brothers. They're also both executives in the Rochester area of Minnesota. AND they were a part of the family business that sold in the late 90s. Back then, the family business was manufacturing concrete mixers and trash trucks. Now, Brandon is the President of Ready Mix Concrete, and Denzil is the CEO at Sterling State Bank. Even with all those accomplishments, Denzil and Brandon were kind enough to chat about the Dirt World and their journey in it. This week on Dirt Talk, Aaron and the McNeilus brothers talk about how the family business started, how the family has continued to reinvest in the great people in their community, and why people should call them "concrete mixers" instead of "cement mixers." Denzil and Brandon were a fountain of information on topics ranging from leading teams to how concrete gets loaded into a mixer. Two very wise and very kind men. Thanks to them. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Aaron and Alex talk about the importance of well-thought-out office space for companies in the Dirt World. Later, they address a few listener questions about how small companies can build good relationships with larger contractors and the question of joining the Dirt World without coming in on "the ground floor". To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Language Warning. The people have spoken, so we've done the impossible and brought Garret Wilson back on the Dirt Talk podcast. He's known for being an expert operator and expert buster of chops. In this episode, he didn't hold back! This week, Garret sat down with Aaron and Alex to discuss working for himself, being true to yourself, and the power of swearing. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Monday edition of Dirt Talk, hosts Aaron Witt and Alex Horton talk about the upcoming BuildWitt company meeting in Nashville and equipment training. They then chat about safely knocking over trees (note: they're not experts in this) and why it's important to represent your company/team/group all the time. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's often been comments and questions about the BuildWitt Internal Podcast, but since it's just for our team, it's always seemed a little strange and unnecessary to share it with the greater audience. But... after recording this one, Aaron and Alex looked at each other and immediately said, "we should put this episode on Dirt Talk, too". So without further ado, we're sharing the most recent episode from the BuildWitt Internal Podcast. We use this format to communicate with our team across multiple states and time zones. It helps us stay connected and get to know one another. In addition to Aaron/Alex conversations, it also features interviews with members of the BuildWitt team. Thanks for listening! If you have any questions about podcasts for your team, email [email protected]. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Monday edition of Dirt Talk, Aaron and Alex chat about bird dogs and swearing, before discussing how dirt contractors can initially get their name out there and how companies can breed a culture where everyone is more invested in the mission, work, and the care of the equipment. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan MacArthur is the COO of Berg Construction, an excavation/site work contractor based in Morgantown, PA. They have five specialized divisions, and Dan has had his hand in all of them over the years: commercial, waste management, residential/special projects, paving/concrete, and golf courses. Dan was kind enough to hop on a call with the DT guys and talk dirt and a whole mess of other things. This week, host Aaron Witt (with co-host Alex Horton) chatted with Dan about why Berg still does small residential projects, why the leadership team at Berg works so well together, and the importance of being direct. Check out Berg's website at bergconst.com or follow along on IG @bergconst. Check out Aaron's episode with Ford Berg here. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Monday edition of Dirt Talk, Aaron and Alex talk about professional wrestling before discussing questions about project managers, helping people who are a pain in your a$$ to succeed, and why leadership is a skill to be learned and re-learned. They also felt a huge blast from a job-site next door that was kind of crazy. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryan Peters has spent his entire career around heavy equipment, so when he decided to start his company AdvanceTrac Equipment, he knew that even though he wanted to get into helping companies optimize their heavy iron fleets, he knew he'd want to do things differently. Though he admitted that he has "audacious goals" for where he wants to go, he's also fully present in the current grind of building a business. Bryan made a pit stop in Nashville on his way to Indiana to pick up a trailer (a good example of the nature of the equipment market) and was gracious enough to sit down with Dirt Talk hosts Aaron Witt and Alex Horton. The guys talked all kinds of iron, the Dirt World "scene" in Texas, and why the internet is more important than ever for EVERY industry. To follow along with Bryan and AdvanceTrac, check them out on IG @advancetrac_equipment. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Dirt Talk: Monday Edition, hosts Aaron and Alex talk podcasts, Dozers with rippers vs. without rippers, and the most recent repair update on the BuildWitt Skid Steer. Then, the guys discuss a few listener-submitted questions about Aaron's favorite podcasts and how to best communicate with and lead older/more experienced employees. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of Dirt Talk, the DT guys keep it in the BuildWitt family: our guest is none other than BuildWitt Creative President Laurie SantaLucia. This week, hosts Aaron Witt and Alex Horton chat with Laurie about the kinds of learning and understanding it takes to work in the Dirt World, why it's important to be transparent and open with the people that we work with in the Dirt World before we expect them to be open with us, and what she's learned so far that is just effin' cool. To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation. If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to [email protected]. Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices