Why do we take infrastructure for granted until something goes wrong?

In this episode of On the Surface, Seth Stevens and Jordan Janet sit down with Dustin Boatwright, Chief Engineer of the Little River Drainage District and Vice Chair of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, to explore the systems, investments, and leadership that shape our communities every day.

Dustin shares his journey from growing up around heavy equipment in Southeast Missouri to leading one of the largest drainage districts in the United States and helping guide transportation policy across the state. Along the way, he offers a behind-the-scenes look at how infrastructure projects are funded, built, and maintained—and why they matter more than most people realize.

They explore:

• How the Little River Drainage District transformed Southeast Missouri from swamp land into one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country
• The role infrastructure plays in economic growth, public safety, and quality of life
• How major flood events have shaped modern flood control systems and transportation networks
• Why Missouri has become a national leader in delivering large infrastructure projects
• The challenges of transportation funding and planning for future growth
• What it takes to lead through adversity and make decisions that impact generations
• Why long-term thinking and investment are critical for building stronger communities

From drainage systems and highways to leadership and public service, this conversation reveals how some of the most important work in our lives often happens behind the scenes—and why investing in the future requires vision, courage, and a willingness to do the right thing.

If you're interested in engineering, infrastructure, leadership, or the future of Missouri, this episode offers a fascinating look at the people and projects that keep our communities moving forward.

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Why do some people figure out their career path early—while others struggle to find the right fit?

In this episode of On the Surface, Seth Stevens sits down with Braxton Cousins to talk about his journey from intern to full-time safety professional and how hands-on experience helped him find the right path.

Braxton shares how he went from a small-town athlete focused on basketball to navigating college, internships, and ultimately building a career in construction safety. Along the way, he reflects on the power of trying new things, building relationships, and learning from real-world experience.

They explore:

• How internships can help you figure out what you do (and don’t) want to do
• Why rotating through different roles builds stronger long-term skills
• The importance of relationships and credibility early in your career
• What it’s really like working in safety—and why culture matters
• How sports and teamwork translate directly into the workplace
• Why mindset and effort matter more than having everything figured out

From lessons learned in college athletics to navigating a first full-time role, this conversation highlights a simple truth: you don’t need all the answers—you just need to start and stay open to learning.

If you’re a student, early in your career, or trying to figure out your next step, this episode offers real insight into how to gain experience and build a path forward.

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Why does leading change feel so much harder than it should?

In this episode of On the Surface, Seth Stevens and Brad Marotti sit down to talk through their real-world experience leading change inside a growing organization—and how John Kotter’s Leading Change framework is shaping the way they approach it.

From early assumptions to hard-earned lessons, they unpack why change takes longer than expected, why communication often falls short, and what it really takes to get an entire organization aligned.

They explore:

• Why change isn’t an event—it’s a long, ongoing process
• How communication breaks down across teams (and how to fix it)
• The challenge of creating urgency in already successful organizations
• Why a clear, simple vision is critical—and harder to create than you think
• How short-term wins help maintain momentum without losing focus
• What it takes to turn change into lasting culture

Through honest reflections, practical examples, and lessons learned while applying Kotter’s principles, this conversation reveals the reality behind leading meaningful change: it’s slow, messy, and requires constant effort.

If you’re leading a team, driving change, or trying to improve how your organization adapts and grows, this episode offers a grounded framework—and real insights you can use right away.

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Why do some teams speak up, share ideas, and collaborate, while others stay quiet?

In this episode of On The Surface, Seth Stevens and Brad Collins sit down with Cheryl Suszczynski, Learning and Development Manager at Barrett Industries, to break down what separates average teams from high-performing ones.

Cheryl shares her journey into HR and leadership development, then dives into the real drivers of effective leadership, including self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and creating a workplace where people feel safe to contribute.

They explore:

• Why psychological safety is critical for strong teams
• How leaders can create an environment where every voice is heard
• The role of emotional intelligence in managing people effectively
• Why focusing on strengths leads to better performance than fixing weaknesses
• Practical ways to improve communication, listening, and trust

From real workplace examples to actionable leadership strategies, this conversation highlights a simple truth: great teams start with leaders who understand themselves and the people around them.

If you’re leading a team, growing into leadership, or just want to improve how you work with others, this episode offers insights you can apply right away.

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What does it really take to build a personal brand as a leader and why does it matter more than most people think?

In this episode of On The Surface, Seth Stevens and Brad Collins sit down with Stephan Mills, Director of Finance at Barrett Industries, to break down how your reputation, relationships, and authenticity shape your career over time.

Stephan shares his journey from job cost accountant to executive leadership, and what he learned along the way about adapting to new roles, navigating different team dynamics, and rebuilding your brand from scratch in unfamiliar environments.

They dive into:

• How to establish trust and credibility when no one knows you
• The challenge of rebuilding your reputation in new roles and regions
• Why authenticity is the foundation of strong leadership
• The difference between reputation and personal brand
• How great leaders adjust their approach without losing who they are

Through real stories, including navigating difficult work environments and leading through uncertainty, Stephan explains why your personal brand is not something you create once, but something you continuously refine.

If you are growing into leadership, changing roles, or looking to stand out in your career, this conversation offers practical insight you can apply immediately.

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In this episode of On the Surface, Seth sits down with Brad Collins, Vice President of Finance and Development at Colas, to discuss his career journey and how leadership perspectives evolve over time. Brad shares how he found his way into finance, the importance of timing and intentional decision-making, and why being willing to say “no” to certain opportunities can be just as important as saying “yes.”

A central theme of the conversation is growth. Brad and Seth explore the idea of reassessing your direction every few years, pushing yourself into new challenges, and how roles naturally shift as your career progresses. Moving from detail-oriented work early on to strategic thinking in leadership, Brad explains how the skillset required at each stage is different—and why success depends on adapting along the way.

The discussion also focuses heavily on communication and its impact across an organization. Brad shares practical insights on how to communicate more effectively by meeting people where they are, adapting to different communication styles, and providing context so messages are clearly understood. He emphasizes that strong communication isn’t just about what you say, but how and when you say it.

Throughout the episode, they highlight how communication acts as a bridge—translating complex ideas into something relatable and actionable for others. Combined with feedback, self-awareness, and curiosity, this ability becomes a key driver of both personal growth and organizational success. It’s a practical conversation that reinforces a simple idea: the better you communicate, the more effective you become.

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In this episode of On the Surface, Seth sits back down with Jeff Hotop and Blake Lingle for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about the construction industry, how it operates behind the scenes, and the external factors that influence pricing, strategy, and growth.

The conversation starts with a simple but revealing question: what does Delta actually do? Jeff and Blake offer their outside perspectives, highlighting how even experienced professionals in adjacent industries only have a general sense of how construction companies operate. From there, Seth breaks down the reality of a vertically integrated business, walking through everything from quarries and asphalt production to large-scale infrastructure projects.

A central theme throughout the discussion is how misunderstood the construction industry can be. Seth, Jeff, and Blake explore the idea that infrastructure is something people rely on every day but rarely think about. Whether it’s roads, electricity, or other essential systems, they discuss how these “invisible” industries become most noticeable only when something goes wrong, and why that creates a gap in public understanding.

The episode also dives into how different industries intersect within construction. Jeff shares how Easy Equipment Zone plays a role through heavy equipment sourcing and distribution, while Blake explains how banking supports the industry through lending, cash flow management, and long-term financing. Together, they illustrate how construction is supported by a larger ecosystem of businesses all working behind the scenes to keep projects moving.

Another key part of the conversation focuses on pricing and volatility. Using real-world examples, Seth explains how fluctuations in oil and material costs impact everything downstream, from large highway projects to small neighborhood repairs. Jeff and Blake provide the perspective of the everyday customer, highlighting how difficult it can be to understand why prices change so dramatically and why transparency matters in building trust.

The discussion also touches on competition, growth strategy, and future plans. Seth walks through what it means to compete at different levels of a vertically integrated business, from materials to paving, and shares how Delta is thinking about expansion, diversification, and reducing reliance on public funding over time.

Throughout the episode, Jeff and Blake bring an outside perspective that challenges assumptions and adds clarity to complex topics. They ask practical questions about risk, financing, and decision-making, offering listeners a look at how construction projects are evaluated from both a lender’s and a CFO’s point of view.

Together, they explore the importance of education and transparency in an industry where the end product is everywhere, but the process is rarely understood. It’s a grounded, thoughtful conversation that highlights the intersection of infrastructure, finance, and public perception—and reinforces a simple truth: the most essential industries are often the least visible, but they shape nearly every part of our daily lives.

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In this episode of On the Surface, Seth sits down with Brad Marotti to unpack the real-world impact of geopolitics on businesses—from tariffs and trade policies to wars, supply chain disruptions, and volatile fuel prices.

What starts as a simple question—“What is geopolitics?”—quickly turns into a practical discussion about how global events ripple through industries, affecting everything from input costs and logistics to financing and long-term planning. Seth and Brad break down the concept in plain terms, framing geopolitics as not just distant policy decisions, but everyday forces that directly shape how businesses operate.

A major focus of the conversation is how rising input costs affect operations. Using relatable examples—from lumber price spikes during COVID to current increases in fuel, steel, and asphalt—they explain how even small shifts in global supply and demand can drastically change the cost structure of a business. Through their own experience in construction materials, they illustrate how a 50% increase in fuel can translate into millions of dollars in additional annual cost.

The discussion also explores how supply chain disruptions and trade restrictions force companies to adapt. Whether it’s navigating tariffs, rerouting logistics, or dealing with limited access to key materials like semiconductors, businesses must continuously adjust to an unpredictable global environment. Seth and Brad highlight how these challenges often require quick decision-making and creative problem solving just to maintain stability.

They also dive into the broader financial implications, including how uncertainty impacts lending, investment strategies, and access to capital. As global volatility increases, companies and investors alike tend to shift toward safer, more stable options—often at the expense of growth opportunities. This shift creates ripple effects that influence everything from expansion plans to hiring decisions.

Another key theme is the role of government policy and infrastructure funding. In industries tied closely to public investment, changes in things like fuel taxes or federal funding can significantly alter the amount of available work. Seth and Brad walk through how even well-intentioned policies—like temporarily reducing fuel taxes—can create unintended consequences for businesses that rely on those funds.

Throughout the episode, they emphasize the importance of communication, adaptability, and proactive planning. From using pricing indexes to manage volatility, to staying connected with industry associations and policymakers, they outline practical ways companies can navigate uncertainty while protecting both their business and their customers.

It’s a grounded, insightful conversation that connects global headlines to day-to-day business realities—showing how geopolitics isn’t just something happening “out there,” but a constant force shaping decisions, costs, and opportunities at every level.

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In this episode of On the Surface, Seth sits down with Jeff Hotop and Blake Lingle for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about career paths, leadership development, and the roles that shape how organizations grow and operate.

Jeff and Blake share how their careers unexpectedly led them into finance and banking—starting with small-town roots, early jobs, and moments where natural strengths began to reveal themselves. From Jeff’s transition from the banking world into a CFO role in a construction-adjacent business, to Blake’s progression into senior lending and leadership, they unpack what it really means to evolve professionally and take calculated risks along the way.

A central theme of the conversation is the distinction between visionaries and implementers, and how both roles are essential to a healthy organization. They explore how visionaries think long-term and focus on direction, while implementers translate those ideas into actionable steps. Through real-world examples, they highlight how self-awareness plays a key role in understanding where you fit—and why high-performing teams need both perspectives working together.

The discussion also dives into mentorship and leadership, with Jeff and Blake reflecting on the people who shaped their approach—both good and bad. They examine the differences between managers and true leaders, the importance of trust and autonomy, and how leadership styles must adapt to the individual rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. From servant leadership to people-first leadership, they share how their philosophies have evolved through experience.

Together, they also explore how relationships and culture influence performance, why working with the right team matters as much as the work itself, and how authenticity plays a critical role in leading effectively. They share personal insights on accountability, growth, and the mindset shifts that come from stepping into new responsibilities or environments.

It’s an honest, thoughtful conversation about taking risks, understanding your strengths, and growing into leadership over time—one that reinforces a simple truth: careers rarely follow a straight line, and the most meaningful growth comes from learning who you are and having the courage to act on it.

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In this episode of On the Surface, Seth sits down with Brad and Taylor for an honest, practical conversation about one of the toughest challenges leaders face: building the right team. Using a culture‑versus‑skills quadrant as the framework, they unpack how employees typically fall into four categories—and why where someone lands matters more than leaders often realize.

Seth, Brad, and Taylor break down each quadrant in real‑world terms, from high‑culture, high‑skill “stars” to low‑culture, low‑skill “dead weight,” and the dangerous middle ground of high‑skill, low‑culture employees who can quietly undermine a team. They discuss what culture really looks like in practice—not just surface‑level friendliness, but values, integrity, accountability, and how people show up when no one’s watching.

The conversation dives into hiring decisions leaders wrestle with every day: whether to hire for skill or culture, how urgency often drives rushed choices, and why “no help” can be better than bad help. Brad and Taylor share insight into why skills are often more teachable than attitude, how behavioral‑based interview questions can reveal far more than technical checklists, and why the elusive “purple unicorn” hire is rarely realistic.

Together, they also explore how generational perspectives influence workplace culture, how attitudes and expectations have shifted over time, and why swinging too far toward either culture or performance can hurt a business. They examine the importance of ongoing evaluation, self‑awareness, and giving leaders the space to step back and assess what their team looks like today—and where it needs to be tomorrow.

It’s a grounded, thought‑provoking discussion about leadership, accountability, and making tough people decisions—one that reinforces a simple but powerful truth: great teams aren’t built by accident, and culture and skills must grow together if a business is going to succeed.

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