Don’t Let Them Have Real Estate in Your Mind with Scott Friend (Episode 69)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
Release Date: 11/02/2023
1 in 4 Builders are Neurodivergent. Lean Might Be Built for Them! – Hosted by the Chiles Bros (Episode 93)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
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The Chiles Bros: One Lean Geek. One Old Dawg. (Episode 92)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this absolutely, positively NO Bullshido kickoff episode, Adam Hoots sits down with Brian Chiles and Mike Chiles—two brothers with deep roots in relationships, leadership, and Lean thinking lived out in the real world. Brian came into construction from a teaching/coaching and project management background; Mike brings 20+ years in the industry, raising four kids while remaining relentless about respect for people and building teams that work together. This conversation is equal parts family, field, and flow. The Chiles Bros unpack why Lean is not a tool, why relationships are the real...
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Family, Flow, and Old Dawgs with Jeff Reilly (Episode 91)
Hoots on the Ground | The Lean Builder
In this no-bullshido episode of Hoots on the Ground, Adam Hoots sits down with “Old Dog” Jeff Reilly—a devoted father, husband, and superintendent with Mill Creek Residential Trust whose leadership philosophy bridges family, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement. From his Boston union roots to leading modern Lean projects, Jeff shares how lessons from his ancestors, parents, and mentors shaped his mindset on respect, environment, and the true meaning of Kaizen. Together, Adam and Jeff dig deep into what it means to balance family, work, and wisdom in today’s construction world....
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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
info_outlineIn this episode of The Lean Builder’s Hoots on the Ground Podcast, host Adam Hoots introduces The Lean Builder nation to everyone’s friend, Scott Friend! A father of three girls (and we get to meet one!!) and husband of a wise gal! A Sea Bee (Construction Battalion) Veteran who now serves the construction industry in several ways. Scott dives in to help The Lean Builder Nation understand what it’s like to build under real pressure in enemy territory. He tells us about his experience building overseas command posts and other innovative projects as needed.
Scott talks about how people are the one thing that he loves, and the one thing he loathes the most, within the construction industry. He tells us a story of how he helped to transform someone’s life by sending that person on a journey to become a superintendent. He gives us his strategy on how to develop the next generation’s leadership skills.
Hoots and Scott discuss Conditions of Satisfaction and the importance of agreeing on what success looks like for every individual on the project site. Scott talks about what he does to establish trust with trade partners. Scott talks about the innovations that take place on his project and how he empowers others to customize visuals for his projects. His team passes out challenge coins for going above and beyond on the project.
Scott has his own podcast titled The Construction Veteran that our listeners must go and check it out! Scott gives back by visiting local high schools and colleges to help educate people about what construction is all about. He also shares, and becomes vulnerable, about a recent accident that he experienced and how that has affected his current behavior with regards to self-care and respect.
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
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
· Scott Friend | superintendent with rand* construction corporation and podcast host | https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-friend-a8a05723/
· The Construction Veteran Podcast | https://www.buzzsprout.com/2142888