Welcome to our new website!

Episodes

Nov. 22, 2024

Leading with Heart: How VA USA Creates Community and Purposeful Work …

What if your personal challenges could inspire a business that changes lives? In this episode, we delve into the power of transformative leadership and impact-driven entrepreneurship. We uncovered the inspiring journey of Bre...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 13, 2024

Built for Success: Applying Military Leadership to the Built Environm…

From military precision to civilian construction, today’s guest offers a powerful blueprint for transformative leadership. Pete Anzovino recently joined MCFA after retiring from the US Army, coming to us through the Departmen...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 8, 2024

Building Trust, Pride, and Camaraderie: The Cornerstones of Construct…

Being coached in leadership is one thing, but without actionable steps to turn those lessons into reality, that coaching becomes redundant. Welcome back to our rebranded podcast, Leadership Blueprints! Today we are very excit...

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 6, 2024

Setting Non-Negotiables: How to Find the Right Post-Military Career F…

Joining BJ on the debut episode of our newly rebranded podcast, Leadership Blueprints, formerly Inspiring People & Places , is Katie Kilker, Senior Project Director for Federal Facilities in the Engineering, Design, and Infra...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 31, 2024

Through the Valley of No and up the Mountain of We Can’t: A Journey i…

What does it take to turn big ideas into lasting infrastructure? In this episode, we sit down with two MCFA team members, Michael Fuhrman and Brian Pieplow, to dig into their new book, Make No Little Plans: A Planning as a Pr...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 23, 2024

Leading with Purpose: Lessons from the Navy Applied to Real Estate wi…

Entering a new career after your military service can be a tough transition, but there are plenty of transferrable skills that can help you on your journey. Joining us today is Paul Garvey, Executive Managing Director at Cush...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 16, 2024

Sales as Leadership: Redefining the Art of Selling with Alex Archawas…

Many veterans struggle to find their place in a world different from the one in active service. However, many skills learned on the military base are valuable and transferable to civilian life. For sales, your military backgr...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 9, 2024

Breaking the Annual Review Cycle: Are Quarterly Conversations Missing…

Committing to candid quarterly conversations is one of the most powerful organizational levers you can tap into. These discussions are beneficial to everyone, driving growth for both individuals and the organization. As we he...

Listen to the Episode
Oct. 2, 2024

IPD Done Right: Overcoming Challenges in Integrated Project Delivery …

What makes or breaks a multi-million-dollar capital project? In today’s episode, we sat down with Jim Brill, Managing Director of the Construction and Real Estate Practice at EY to uncover what it takes to be successful in la...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 25, 2024

If Not Me, Then Who: The Legacy of Travis Manion with Ryan Manion

"If not me, then who?” First Lt. Travis Manion, USMC, made this simple yet powerful statement before his final deployment, reflecting the profound sense of duty experienced by service members and their families. Today on the ...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 18, 2024

Coaching for Success: Translating Fundamentals into Team Performance …

Have you ever tried leading or managing someone but struggled with communication? Effective communication is the backbone of every successful training program. In this solo episode of Inspiring People & Places, BJ dives into ...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 11, 2024

Toughness as a Mindset: Why You Need to Continuously Develop It with …

At its core, leadership is about inspiring and influencing behavior to help people to achieve a common goal. But how are great leaders shaped? Join us for a compelling conversation with Brian Stann, a former mixed martial art...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 4, 2024

Crafting a Culture of Growth: The Future of Work in Construction with…

Veterans have the potential to be exceptional business leaders if they can prioritize and balance their values, wellness, and financial goals. Joining us today is the founder of Richard Group LLC, Jed Richard to discuss his i...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 28, 2024

Scaling with Purpose: Leadership Lessons from 7 to 300 Employees with…

Anyone can build an average business, but who wants to be average when you can be excellent? Today on Inspiring People & Places, we are joined by the founder and managing partner of Scare the Bear Capital, Matthew Dean. In th...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 21, 2024

Real Life Success Stories with Public Private Partnerships with John …

In any partnership, trust is a key player; both the trust you find in your partner and the trust you knowingly have in yourself. Joining BJ on this episode of Inspiring People & Places is John Grady, who serves as the Northea...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 14, 2024

Entrepreneurial Spirit in the AEC Industry: Arpan Patel’s Insights

We are inspired by the leadership, passion, and mission-focus that veterans bring to the built environment. However, figuring out what your next steps are after serving can be challenging. During this episode, we welcome Arpa...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 7, 2024

How Professional Societies Boost Your Career Path with Betty Shanahan

Being able to inspire change is key to being a good leader. But more importantly, a leader needs to have the humility to reflect on when their capacity for driving that change has expired. Joining us today is the former CEO o...

Listen to the Episode
July 31, 2024

Is Your Communication Style Creating Leadership Success with Joe Reag…

The built environment offers vast potential to impact those who live, work, and thrive in these spaces. Today’s guest on Inspiring People & Places is Joe Reagan, the Executive Vice President of Development at Wexford Science ...

Listen to the Episode
July 24, 2024

Understanding the Importance of Infrastructure with Jill Tietjen

“When we value women, then we begin to value everyone.” These are the wise words of today’s guest; women’s advocate, international speaker, and author, Jill Tietjen. In this conversation, you’ll hear about Jill’s early life a...

Listen to the Episode
July 17, 2024

Leadership Lessons from the Next Generation: A Unique Take Your Kid t…

We're going to do things a little differently and speak to the younger generation: Avery Kraemer, Trey Kraemer, and Daniel Wits - BJ's daughter, son, and nephew. Avery, Trey, and Daniel all describe what their parents do for ...

Listen to the Episode
July 11, 2024

What Great Leaders Know When It Comes To Managing Risk with BJ Kraemer

Great leaders are constantly making balanced decisions based on risks and rewards. Today on Inspiring People & Places, we discuss how leadership affects project outcomes. In this solo episode, you’ll hear all about how the la...

Listen to the Episode
July 3, 2024

How Much Is Change A Part Of Leadership With Cady Coleman

Your career path doesn’t need to be linear for you to fulfill your dreams. Today’s guest brings an amazing journey to our conversation. Former NASA Astronaut and retired US Air Force Colonel with more than 180 days in space, ...

Listen to the Episode
June 26, 2024

Fearless On The Battlefield To CONQUERING Imposter Syndrome In The Wo…

We are all limitless, even in our mortal human forms, and it’s time you realize that! Don’t miss out on this epic conversation with the one and only Christiana Cioffi, empowerment ambassador, leadership coach, and speaker. A ...

Listen to the Episode
June 19, 2024

How to recommit (or renegotiate) your resolutions and successfully hi…

Imagine it’s New Year’s Eve; you’re toasting champagne with your friends and family, but for the first time in a long time, you’re not discussing next year’s resolutions. Instead, you’re celebrating the incredible feeling of ...

Listen to the Episode