• What exactly is AI and a large language model (and why should concrete pros care)? 
• How can field leaders use AI to turn jobsite chaos into clear, professional communication? 
• What practical AI tools exist today for handling manuals, SDS sheets, specs, and safety talks? 
• Why are “gray collar” trades positioned uniquely in the AI shift? 
• How will AI impact the traditional career ladder for project engineers and assistant PMs? 
• Is AI really taking jobs—or just changing how we use people on jobsites? 
• How can companies re-skill and re-align their workforce to get ahead of this shift? 
  
  

• Why do so many people still believe Type IL is a one-to-one replacement? 
• What’s the real impact of outdated admixtures on today’s cement? 
• How do compatibility tests help prevent concrete failures? 
• Why are some producers thriving with Type IL while others are falling behind? 
• What questions should ready-mix suppliers be asking their admixture reps? 
• Are outdated specifications setting projects up to fail before they start? 
• How is complacency contributing to early-age concrete failures? 

What if the answer to today’s concrete durability and sustainability challenges isn’t new—but something we left behind decades ago? 

In Episode #129 of the Concrete Logic Podcast, host Seth Tandett talks with Joseph E. Thomas, Executive Director of the Natural Pozzolan Association, about a material used in the Hoover Dam and Roman aqueducts: natural pozzolans. Joseph explains how these natural pozzolans are making a quiet comeback and why they may deserve another look.

What You'll Learn:
- What exactly are natural pozzolans, and how do they compare to fly ash?
- Can natural pozzolans genuinely enhance concrete durability?
- Why have iconic structures like the Pantheon and Hoover Dam relied on natural pozzolans?
- What are the realistic limitations, such as water demand and regional availability?
- How natural pozzolans stack up against traditional cement and fly ash.
- Emerging trends and the growing role of activated pozzolans in construction.

Chapters: 
00:00 - Intro 
02:15 - Understanding Natural Pozzolans 
07:30 - Historical Examples & Real-World Performance 
14:05 - Benefits vs. Limitations in Today's Market 
20:20 - Challenges: Water Demand & Availability 
27:50 - Where Natural Pozzolans Fit in Future Projects 
33:15 - Summary & Closing Thoughts
 
=============================
 
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Guest Information: 
Joseph E. Thomas
Executive Director, Natural Pozzolan Association
Website: https://www.naturalpozzolan.org
Email: [email protected]

Producer: Jodi Tandett

Music by: Mike Dunton (Instagram: @Mike_Dunton)

Stay Connected & Watch More!

Host: Seth Tandett
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@concretelogicpodcast
Website: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com 
 
LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT & SHARE for more concrete truth bombs. 

• What makes a great networker in the concrete industry? 
• How do you break into a tight-knit group at a networking event? 
• Why listening might be the most underrated leadership skill. 
• How to navigate meetings full of loud voices and strong egos. 
• What kind of follow-up makes you memorable. 
• How to bring value back to your company after an event. 

• 00:00 Intro: Concrete Chemistry… of People 
• 02:35 The Art of “Making Friends” in Construction 
• 05:10 Why Listening Comes Before Leading 
• 08:55 Type 1L Cement: A Lesson in Communication 
• 10:30 How to Spot Real Networking Opportunities 
• 13:15 What to Do in a Room Full of Strangers 
• 17:00 Why Asking Questions is a Power Move 
• 22:00 Follow-Up That Builds Real Relationships 
• 24:45 Final Advice from James 

• Is Type 1L cement actually the problem—or is it how we're using it? 
• How do regional differences change concrete performance? 
• What lessons can we learn from European construction practices? 
• Why might specs that look good on paper still cause problems in the field? 
• How can you prevent the cumulative effects of small material changes from derailing a project? 

•  What happens to concrete strength when limestone content isn't properly optimized? 
• Could higher limestone levels reduce your mix's sulfate resistance? 
• How does increased limestone affect carbonation depth and long-term durability? 
• Is PLC more likely to cause long-term shrinkage or expansion issues? 
• Why are curing practices in Europe so different—and does it matter? 
• How critical is mix design when using PLC instead of traditional cement? 
• Are we relying on research we haven’t actually read or fully understood? 

• Is your summer concrete secretly sabotaging long-term strength? 
• What actually happens to cement hydration when concrete gets too hot? 
• Can high early strength be misleading—and even dangerous? 
• Why is the surface of your slab the weakest link in hot weather pours? 
• What’s the truth about internal curing and how can it save your concrete? 
• How does curing temperature affect concrete performance a year later? 
• Are old curing standards putting your concrete projects at risk? 
• Can insulation blankets and self-curing mixes solve the heat problem? 

• Are you unknowingly risking your entire concrete business with every slab design? 
• Why does simply following specs protect your concrete company from lawsuits? 
• Is your subcontractor agreement secretly stacked against you? 
• Could misunderstanding engineering methods be quietly sabotaging your concrete floors? 
• Are proprietary concrete systems really worth the hidden dangers they bring? 
• Is your concrete warranty setting you up for costly surprises? 
• How can skipping simple test pours cost you thousands in repairs? 
• What happens when last-minute design changes threaten the integrity of your concrete projects? 

• What can a flashlight reveal about a slab finish that traditional testing can’t?
• How can a $5/sqft floor repair balloon into a $200/sqft lawsuit?
• Why are skilled finishers vanishing—and what’s replacing them?
• What happens when the wrong concrete is used under vinyl tile?
• Who usually gets blamed (and pays) when slab issues surface after the pour?
• What role do insurance companies play when concrete jobs go sideways?
• Is petrography necessary before deciding to grind or rip out a slab?
• Why is concrete such a bad substrate for resilient flooring?
• When does grinding a floor become worse than ripping it out?
• What legal landmines are hidden in the flooring section of your specs?
  
  

• How could shrinkage compensating concrete save you thousands in maintenance costs? 
• Why does shrinkage compensating concrete virtually eliminate cracking compared to traditional concrete? 
• What's the critical secret behind water curing shrinkage compensating concrete? 
• Can shrinkage compensating concrete be effectively used in structures beyond slabs? 
• How can investing in shrinkage compensating concrete lower your long-term project expenses? 
• Why are blended cements becoming the go-to solution for the concrete industry's sustainability goals? 
• What essential testing and quality checks ensure your concrete performance stays consistent despite changing materials? 
• How does shrinkage compensating concrete truly work to offset drying shrinkage? 
• Could adopting shrinkage compensating concrete streamline your construction schedule and reduce delays? 
• What new developments in shrinkage compensating concrete will shape the future of your concrete projects?