Gen Z often gets a bad rap, but my past experience in youth ministry told a different story. I saw creative, outside-the-box thinkers who were willing to work hard, awkwardness and all.

Matt Demosky is helping build a real bridge for the next generation to enter the trades. Through Ohio Construction Academy, he and his team are meeting a critical need—helping students complete their high school education while connecting them directly to career paths in the trades.

After visiting several bilingual construction job sites this year, I’ve become a firm believer that language access can no longer be an afterthought in our industry. It doesn’t just make job sites safer—it strengthens connection, builds trust across cultures, and reduces the isolation so many workers quietly face.

In this episode, I’m joined by Loretta Mulberry, an independent consultant who specializes in helping construction companies bridge cultural and linguistic gaps. She works directly with companies to improve communication, enhance safety, and create workplaces where every worker feels seen and supported.

We talk about what true language access looks like, why it matters now more than ever, and how companies can take meaningful steps toward a more inclusive, connected, and safe workforce.

Most leaders say they care about their people’s wellbeing. But let’s be honest—very few actually live it out.

Scott McGohan is different. He doesn’t just talk the talk—he walks it, every single day.

As the founder of One Morning and former CEO of wellbeing-focused benefits broker McGohan Brabender, Scott has spent decades proving that when you genuinely care for your team, amazing things happen.

In this episode, he opens up about what it really means to lead with love, and why leading with vulnerability might just be the most powerful business strategy there is.

Most leaders say they care about their people’s wellbeing. But let’s be honest—very few actually live it out.

Scott McGohan is different. He doesn’t just talk the talk—he walks it, every single day.

As the founder of One Morning and former CEO of wellbeing-focused benefits broker McGohan Brabender, Scott has spent decades proving that when you genuinely care for your team, amazing things happen. In this episode, he opens up about what it really means to lead with love, and why leading with vulnerability might just be the most powerful business strategy there is.

Kabri Lehrman-Schmid of Hensel Phelps and Build With Pride Seattle is an absolute POWERHOUSE advocate in the construction industry.

On the latest episode of Paul Lawson Chats, our conversation explores psychological safety and allyship on our job sites and how creating a kinder, more open industry can massively impact our workforce challenges.

Also brownie points to those who notice The Princess Bride quote.

There’s a growing mental health movement taking shape in workplaces across the country and across industries. Within construction, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many advocates—and I’m seeing similar efforts emerge worldwide in different contexts.

On this episode of Paul Lawson Chats, returning guest Melissa Doman introduced our mutual friend, Benj Gershman of the band O.A.R., to join the conversation. Together, we explored advocacy from multiple perspectives, and saw shockingly similar risk factors between such seemingly unsimilar industries as entertainment and construction.

The mental health and wellbeing movement in construction goes hand-in-hand with safety. Both have their fair share of stigma, but both at their core just want people to stay alive and thrive. Johel Woodliff, Director of Safety for Miles-McClellan Construction, believes this with his whole heart, and has worked to integrate mental health and wellbeing into how he programs around safety. As a combat veteran, he also has a huge place in his heart for the large veteran population in the industry.

Not many construction contractors have a "Chief Wellness Officer". Houck does! And on this episode, I had the honor of speaking to her (Kara McCaffrey) about what it's like working for a company that focuses so much on employee wellbeing and the sincere place it comes from.

We also tapped into the world of mental health advocacy and how it impacts home life and how we parent. 

Dino Tripodis is a creative legend in Columbus. As a filmmaker, comedian, and former Sunny 95 radio host, he’s become a respected voice in the city. Known for his ability to bring humor to serious topics, Dino also serves as Ohio’s representative for the mental health nonprofit Man Therapy. On the podcast, he shares his story, how he got involved with Man Therapy, and why the organization’s approach can make a difference in industries like construction.

Brian Finck is a general foreman for Mid-City Electric Co. in Westerville, Ohio. With 25 years of experience in the electrical contracting space, he is a veteran in the industry.

After overcoming many personal battles, some including his own mental health, Brian has discovered a passion for advocacy. That passion has impacted how he takes care of himself, his family, and his crews. He's now using that passion to model culture of care for future leaders in the industry.

UPDATE: Four days after this episode was recorded, Brian was diagnosed with bile-duct cancer. As he continues to share his passion for advocacy in the construction industry, he will also be going through chemo and immunotherapy to battle this disease. So we can support him in his battle, a GoFundMe was created. Please feel free to donate and share!