Construction Suicide Prevention - Week 2 | “Temporary Fence Panels” with Julie Dolan, Brian Winningham & Buddy Brumley (Episode 66)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
Release Date: 09/14/2023
The Old Dawgs Live at LCI Congress (Episode 90)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
Recorded live inside the Lean Construction Institute’s Live Podcast Booth at LCI Congress 2025, the Old Dawgs got together for an unfiltered, field‑first discussion. This fast‑moving conversation captures what decades of hard‑won (700+ years) experience have taught these seasoned Lean builders about the superiority of modern Lean construction methods over traditional methods. Led by podcast host Adam Hoots, this is one “Hoots on the Ground” episode you DO NOT want to miss! (And if you usually go audio-only for our podcasts, this one is one to WATCH – 12 Old Dawgs crammed into...
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Farm Boy Flow with a Bit of Grit with Boone White (Episode 89)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this no-bullshido episode, Adam Hoots chops it up with Mississippi’s own , a farm-raised boy, Christ‑follower, husband, dad of three, and unapologetic agitator for change. He is a General Superintendent with in Oxford, Mississippi. Boone traces his path from the old “yell‑and‑cuss” era to a worker-first approach powered by Last Planner, Takt, and disciplined make-ready planning. From Houston to Mississippi, he breaks down how humility and curiosity, not just grit, unlock flow, safety, and calmer, more predictable jobs. The duo tackles integrating CPM/Takt/Last Planner,...
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The Selfish Servant with Jesse “Chuy” Hernandez (Episode 88)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this no-bullshido episode of Hoots on the Ground, host reconnects with —the plumber’s son turned foreman, GC leader, consultant, author, and unapologetic “selfish servant.” Jesse shares his journey from apprentice to industry thought leader, tying sobriety, service, and Lean thinking together. He breaks down his three leadership lessons—zoom level, time horizon, and lingo—and shows how those same gaps cause project failures. Adam and Jesse also tackle problem-solving, the power of listening with eyes and ears, the myth of the “indispensable superintendent,” and why...
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Systems, Life & Pink Flags with Thomas LaMay (Episode 87)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this no-bullshido episode of Hoots on the Ground, Adam Hoots hangs out in Kyoto, Japan, with the one and only Thomas LaMay, a project leader at DPR Construction who’s got Lean systems and people-first thinking down to a science. What starts as a chat about bucket list experiences at the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33) turns into a full-on masterclass on designing better production systems—and better lives for the people doing the work. Thomas dives into the importance of caring for the people on the job, from the simple things (like clean port-a-potties and shaded...
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Bridging the Mind, Hands & Heart in Construction with Dominic Desmarais (Episode 86)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this episode, host Adam Hoots connects with Dominic Desmarais, a Canadian mechanical engineer and Lean Construction enthusiast with more than two decades of experience. Recorded live from Kyoto, Japan, at The International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) 33, Dominic shares insights from his profound Lean journey, his passion for bridging the traditional divides between thinkers and doers, and the critical interplay of mind, hands, and heart in the workplace. Dominic examines the fundamental importance of human motivation and respect in the construction industry, drawing compelling...
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Stewarding Human Potential and Trust in Construction with John Toups (Episode 85)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
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Respect, Flow, and Transformation with Niklas Modig (Episode 84)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
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Continuous Flow Construction with Hal Macomber (Episode 83)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this insightful episode of Hoots on the Ground with No Bullshido, is joined by , a respected leader, coach, and influential figure in the field of Lean Construction. Hal shares over 35 years of experience pioneering Lean practices, offering profound insights into continuous flow construction, human-centered leadership, and the power of engaging frontline workers. Hal reflects on the industry's progress, emphasizing that while Lean has made significant strides, substantial work remains to integrate its core principles universally. He introduces the concept of "Continuous Flow...
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Growth through Grace and Mentorship in Construction with Ryan Taylor & Rene Duron (Episode 82)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this powerful episode of Hoots on the Ground with No Bullshido, Adam Hoots sits down with Ryan Taylor, a Superintendent at San Antonio Water System (SAWS), and Rene Duron, a Construction Specialist for SAWS and THIS podcast editor. This episode delves deep into mentorship, leadership, and personal growth in construction while reinforcing the values of trust, accountability, and human connection in the industry. Ryan shares his journey at SAWS, where he has dedicated 25 years to the organization, developing infrastructure and the next generation of construction leaders. Once an entry-level...
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Building Trust, Teams, & Respect: The Human Side of Construction with Tom Fuduric (Episode 81)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this insightful episode, welcomes a lecturer at Clemson University and a construction industry veteran with over 40 years of experience. Together, they explore how to build high-performing teams and emphasize the importance of human connections in the construction industry. Tom shares his journey from working summers in road construction to becoming a safety and HR leader, eventually transitioning to academia. He discusses the evolution of the courses he co-instructs with Hoots at Clemson, including Building High Performing Teams and The Human Side of Construction. The pair also...
info_outlineIn this episode, Brian Winningham shares a poem that he wrote about life in the construction industry titled Temporary Fence Panels.
In the poem, Brian captures perfectly what it’s like to work on a construction project site. Before you know it, the day is gone, and you haven’t even started your own personal work. Staying until late in the night, and then you realize a problem on the job site that you must solve before you can go home!
The OG Lean Builder, Buddy Brumley, shares his own experience of working in the construction industry for a long time without succumbing to heart attacks, alcoholism, substance abuse, or divorce. This is seen as an anomaly, with the other speakers referring to him as a "unicorn." Buddy's story highlights the importance of self-care in a high-stress industry like construction, where many individuals may struggle with mental health issues and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Buddy discusses the challenges of finding time for self-care, particularly when work consumes a significant amount of time and energy. He admits to not having any hobbies and using his time off to recharge for the next week. However, he recognizes the need to hold himself accountable and make time for self-care, even if it means learning new ways of managing his schedule. The speakers also acknowledge the role of support from others in encouraging and reminding individuals to prioritize self-care.
Overall, the episode emphasizes the significance of self-care in reducing stress levels and improving overall well-being. It highlights the challenges faced in prioritizing self-care in a demanding industry like construction, but also emphasizes the benefits that can be gained from making self-care a priority.
ABOUT HOOTS ON THE GROUND PODCAST:
The Lean Builder’s absolutely, positively NO Bullshido podcast. Join Host Adam Hoots and his guests as they dig deep into the topics that are relevant to those of us who “get it”: the men and women with the dirty boots, the ones who work in the field, doing the hands-on business of construction each day. Listen in as we keep it real while stories from the trenches are shared along with lessons learned and some laughter along the way.
RESOURCE LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
· www.theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website
· http://www.constructionsuicideprevention.org/
· National Suicide Prevention Line = 988 (Call or text!)
· https://www.rangerwinnie.com/post/temporary-fence-panels
GUESTS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:
· Adam Hoots | www.linkedin.com/in/adam-hoots-4645519/ | podcast host for “Hoots on the Ground” and Lean Construction Shepherd with ConstructionACHEsolutions
· Brian Winningham | https://www.linkedin.com/in/fielddrivenlean/ | Owner of Field Driven Lean and Author of Ranger Winnie
· Julie Dolan | https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedolan/ | Core Team Member with LCI Ohio Valley CoP and Lean Practice Leader with SSOE Group
· Buddy Brumley | https://www.linkedin.com/in/buddy-brumley-704b1454/ | Senior Superintendent with Skiles Group