The Construction Veteran

The Construction Veteran Connecting and celebrating veterans in construction and those who support them.

Sometimes it’s not about whether you can keep going.It’s about whether you should.This week’s episode of The Constructio...
04/20/2026

Sometimes it’s not about whether you can keep going.

It’s about whether you should.

This week’s episode of The Construction Veteran Podcast is about one of the hardest questions to answer:

When is it actually time to change careers?

We talk about:
• the signals most people ignore
• why staying can feel safer than leaving
• how to tell the difference between burnout and misalignment
• what to think through before making a move

No hype. No “just go for it” advice.

Just a real conversation about making a decision that affects everything.

🎧 Episode is live now.

Save it. Share it. Send it to someone who’s been thinking about making a move.





Spent Easter a little differently this year. Took the whole family out to the ballpark for the vs the . There’s just s...
04/07/2026

Spent Easter a little differently this year. Took the whole family out to the ballpark for the vs the .

There’s just something about being at a baseball game with your family. The pace of the game, the conversation between innings (even against “rival” fans), the laughs, the snacks. It’s hard to beat that.

Now I’ll admit, living near Dallas but being from Cincinnati creates a bit of conflict of interest 😅 . Had to cheer on my Reds, but I’ve got a lot of respect for the Rangers and I’ll be right back cheering for them the next time they’re not playing Cincinnati ( game on Wednesday included).

At the end of the day, I just love baseball. Always have. Getting to share that with my wife and girls made it even better.

Grateful for days like this.

You don’t need a construction background to build a career in construction.I’ve seen it firsthand and this week’s episod...
04/06/2026

You don’t need a construction background to build a career in construction.

I’ve seen it firsthand and this week’s episode of The Construction Veteran breaks that down in a real, practical way.

A lot of people assume you need years of field experience, a trade, or a family connection to get started.

The truth is, this industry needs people who can:
- Show up consistently
- Learn quickly
- Communicate clearly
- Take ownership

That’s it.

Some of the best professionals I know in construction started with zero experience but they were coachable, disciplined, and willing to earn trust one day at a time.

In this episode, I walk through:
- Where to start if you have no background
- How to get your foot in the door (without guessing)
- What hiring managers actually look for
- And how to build momentum once you’re in

If you’re a veteran transitioning out, or someone looking for a new path entirely, this industry is wide open but only if you’re willing to step into it.

🎙️ New episode out now:
“Stop Spamming Applications and Start Wearing PPE”

Let me know your thoughts or tag someone who needs to hear this.

Khristòs anésti! (Christ is risen!)Last night at the Easter Vigil, we sat in the darkness and then watched the light ent...
04/05/2026

Khristòs anésti! (Christ is risen!)

Last night at the Easter Vigil, we sat in the darkness and then watched the light enter in. That moment never gets old because it points to the truth we celebrate today: Jesus Christ is risen.

Death is defeated.

Everything changes because of the Resurrection. Grateful to have experienced the beauty of the Vigil last night, and even more grateful to celebrate today with a renewed sense of what it all means.

Wishing you and your families a blessed and joyful Easter.


Today is Good Friday, a day that calls for reflection, humility, and gratitude.As a Catholic, this day carries a deeper ...
04/03/2026

Today is Good Friday, a day that calls for reflection, humility, and gratitude.

As a Catholic, this day carries a deeper weight. It’s a reminder of sacrifice, of love given freely, and of the kind of obedience and faith we’re called to live out in our own lives.

In a world that moves fast and often focuses on success, Good Friday invites us to slow down and remember what truly matters: faith, service, and putting others before ourselves.

It’s not a day of celebration, but of reverence. And a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is purpose… and there is hope.

Grateful for the example set before us, and striving to live it out in my faith, my family, and my work.

Whole lot of people waiting for the procession this Palm Sunday before Mass. The social media said it best today:My Fat...
03/29/2026

Whole lot of people waiting for the procession this Palm Sunday before Mass.

The social media said it best today:
My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” — Matthew 26:39

Today we enter into the Passion of the Lord. From the Upper Room to Gethsemane, from betrayal to the cross, we witness the depth of Christ’s love.

Jesus does not resist the Father’s will. He embraces it, even when it leads to suffering. In His silence before His accusers, in His forgiveness from the cross, we see love poured out completely.

Holy Week invites us to walk with Him. To remain near in prayer. To trust that even in darkness, God’s plan of salvation is unfolding.

🙏 Lord, give us the courage to follow You through the cross, trusting in the promise of the Resurrection.

Today marks 13 years of marriage with my best friend.13 years of growth, learning, and choosing one another. That became...
03/23/2026

Today marks 13 years of marriage with my best friend.

13 years of growth, learning, and choosing one another. That became even more important on the hard days, and Lord knows she has put up with a lot of those.

Marriage has a way of teaching you things you can’t learn anywhere else (TRUE patience, accountability, humility, long-term thinking, commitment when emotions fluctuate, and so much more).

It’s easy to celebrate milestones when everything is smooth. It’s more meaningful to celebrate that decision to stay steady through every season. If there’s one thing I’ve learned both in life and business it’s that strong relationships are built long before they’re tested.

I’m grateful beyond words for the woman who has stood beside me for 13 years and for the three beautiful daughters she has blessed me with. She has encouraged me, challenged me, and believed in me even when I didn’t fully believe in myself.

She is the single greatest partnership I will ever have.

Here’s to 13 years and to continuing to build something that lasts.

❤️

Anxiety in the trades doesn’t usually look like panic.It looks like:• checking your phone before the alarm goes off • re...
03/23/2026

Anxiety in the trades doesn’t usually look like panic.

It looks like:
• checking your phone before the alarm goes off
• replaying a subcontractor conversation on the drive home
• waking up at 3 a.m. thinking about an inspection
• feeling “on edge” even when nothing is actively wrong

Most people don’t call that anxiety. They call it staying sharp.

In Part 1 of a new 3-part series on The Construction Veteran Podcast, I talk about what anxiety actually looks like in construction, especially for veterans and high-responsibility leaders.

We cover:
• the difference between healthy stress and constant agitation
• why construction environments amplify anxiety
• how it shows up physically before emotionally
• why trades culture makes it hard to talk about
• practical ways to regulate without leaving the industry

Caring about the job isn’t the problem.

Living in constant tension is.

If you work in construction or lead people who do this conversation matters.

🎧 Episode is live now.

Ambition isn’t the problem. Impatience is.Construction is a relationship-driven industry. People move companies. Titles ...
03/16/2026

Ambition isn’t the problem. Impatience is.

Construction is a relationship-driven industry. People move companies. Titles change. Opportunities come and go.

But reputations stick.

In this week’s solo episode of The Construction Veteran Podcast, I talk about how to grow your career in construction without damaging the relationships that helped you get started.
We cover:
• Why the industry is smaller than you think
• The difference between loyalty and gratitude
• How people unintentionally burn bridges
• What actually gets you promoted
• Why your exit matters more than your entrance
• How to handle leverage without ego

Climbing is normal.

But the way you climb determines how far you’ll ultimately go.
If you’re a superintendent, PM, estimator, or sales professional thinking about your next move this episode is for you.

🎧 Episode is live now.

I mean, he’s not wrong…
03/13/2026

I mean, he’s not wrong…

Last week was Women in Construction Week.And while it’s great to see the industry recognize the women helping build it, ...
03/09/2026

Last week was Women in Construction Week.

And while it’s great to see the industry recognize the women helping build it, the truth is that appreciation shouldn’t be limited to one week on the calendar.

The construction industry and the organizations that support it are stronger because of the women who show up every day, lead teams, solve problems, and keep projects moving forward.

This week on The Construction Veteran Podcast, I’m joined by Kera Drabick from the The Cook & Boardman Group, LLC, a US Army veteran whose career journey has taken her through multiple roles supporting construction and development.

In this conversation we talk about:
• her time serving in the U.S. Army
• transitioning out of the military
• the different roles she’s held throughout her career
• leadership and resilience
• the importance of perspective and mentorship in our industry

It’s a thoughtful conversation about service, growth, and navigating a career in and around construction.

And it’s a reminder that celebrating the women building this industry shouldn’t stop when a themed week ends.

🎧 The episode is live now.

Military discipline doesn’t make you intense. It makes you consistent.Consistency is the real edge.In this week’s solo e...
03/02/2026

Military discipline doesn’t make you intense. It makes you consistent.

Consistency is the real edge.

In this week’s solo episode of The Construction Veteran Podcast, I talk about what military discipline actually gives veterans when they transition into construction, sales, and leadership roles.

Not hype. Not toughness talk.

But the real advantages:
• showing up when motivation is gone
• executing under pressure without panic
• building trust through reliability
• separating emotion from performance
• committing long after others lose interest

Most veterans undervalue this because it feels “normal.”
It’s not.

Consistency in a chaotic industry is rare and rare is valuable.
If you’re a veteran navigating construction or business, this episode is about leveraging what you already have.

🎧 Episode is live now.

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