Ruction Nation

In this episode of Behind the Hard Hat, we wrap up the conversation by talking about something that's often overlooked in construction, relationships.

Every person on a jobsite has a story. From builders creating homemade campers to hunters, golfers, fishermen, parents, and hardworking tradespeople, everyone brings a different perspective to the table. Taking the time to talk, listen, and build genuine relationships doesn't just make work more enjoyable, it makes teams stronger.

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is simple: people need to talk, and people want to talk. The best conversations often happen when we slow down, ask questions, and learn from each other's experiences.

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We'll be back with another Behind the Hard Hat episode in ten episodes with more great guests and more real conversations from the construction industry.

Mike Kancilia has seen the construction industry from multiple perspectives. From working for a general contractor to joining a structural steel subcontractor, he's built a career on hard work, adaptability, and a willingness to learn every side of the business. Now, as he recovers from an injury, Mike has his sights set on returning to the general contracting world and taking the next step in his career.

In this episode of Ruction Nation, Mike shares the lessons he's learned throughout his journey, how working in different trades has shaped his approach to construction, and the mindset it takes to overcome setbacks while staying focused on the future. We dive into the realities of career growth, the value of seeing projects from different perspectives, and what it means to keep building.

When he's not on the jobsite, Mike is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys spending his time hunting, fishing, and exploring the outdoors. Whether he's on a mountain, in the woods, or on the water, he brings the same passion and determination that have defined his career in construction.

Join us for a conversation about resilience, career transitions, and why sometimes the path back is what makes you a better builder.

Dick Frost is a blue-collar worker, equipment operator, and content creator who has built a loyal following by showing the unfiltered reality of life in the trades. Whether he's running a vac truck in the oilfield or operating heavy equipment on a highway crew, Dick represents the grit, discipline, and work ethic that keep industries moving.

What sets him apart isn't just the work he does, it's his willingness to talk about the parts of the job that often go unspoken. In this episode, Dick opens up about the mental health challenges many tradespeople face, the pressures of balancing work and family, and why vulnerability is just as important as toughness. His honest approach has made him a trusted voice in the blue-collar community, reminding others that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

This conversation goes beyond the jobsite, exploring resilience, purpose, and what it truly means to build a life in the trades. If you work with your hands, lead a crew, or simply appreciate authentic conversations, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Joey Brown is a Project Manager and construction content creator best known for his viral comedy skits that bring the everyday realities of the construction industry to life. Through relatable humor, Joey has built a loyal following by highlighting the personalities, challenges, and communication breakdowns that occur between project managers, superintendents, architects, subcontractors, owners, and skilled trades.

Drawing from his real-world experience in commercial construction, Joey creates content that resonates with professionals across every corner of the industry. His videos blend comedy with authenticity, offering an entertaining look at jobsite culture while showcasing the dedication and hard work of those who build our communities.

Beyond social media, Joey is passionate about promoting the construction industry, encouraging the next generation of builders, and demonstrating that professionalism and humor can go hand in hand. By making people laugh about the challenges they face every day, he's helping create a stronger sense of community throughout the construction world.

Whether he's managing projects on the jobsite or creating content online, Joey Brown continues to prove that construction isn't just about building structures. It's about building relationships, sharing experiences, and having a little fun along the way.

For most people, the Bering Sea is something they only see on television. For Mr. Fishen, it's been his workplace, his livelihood, and a way of life.

In this episode, we sit down with Mr. Fishen, a seasoned commercial fisherman who has spent years working the unforgiving waters of Alaska's Bering Sea. From battling powerful storms and freezing temperatures to chasing some of the world's most valuable fisheries, he shares what it takes to survive and succeed in one of the toughest industries on earth.

Join us as we discuss life at sea, the realities behind commercial fishing, the sacrifices made away from family, and the lessons learned from a career built on resilience, hard work, and respect for the ocean. Whether you're fascinated by Alaska, commercial fishing, or stories of people who make their living in extreme conditions, this conversation offers an authentic look into a world few ever experience.

In this episode of Ruction Nation, we sit down with Zach Grandstaff, Project Manager at H2O Fire Protection, to talk about what it really takes to deliver complete fire protection systems from start to finish. From sprinkler development and system design to coordination, installation, inspections, service, and repairs, H2O Fire Protection covers every phase of the process.

Zach shares insight into the challenges of managing fire protection on large construction projects, the importance of coordination between trades, and how proper planning keeps projects moving safely and efficiently. We also dive into the realities of working in the construction industry, problem-solving in the field, and what it takes to keep buildings protected and code compliant.

Whether you work in construction, project management, fire protection, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at how these critical systems come together, this episode delivers real industry insight from the field.

Pete Cohen is a Senior Project Manager with GPRS, specializing in ground penetrating radar technology and subsurface scanning for the construction industry. With extensive experience helping teams detect and map what lies beneath the surface before excavation or construction begins, Pete plays a key role in improving jobsite safety, efficiency, and project planning.

Beyond his technical expertise, Pete is known as a dedicated father, trusted leader, and genuinely solid human being who values relationships as much as results. His ability to combine industry knowledge with humility, professionalism, and real-world perspective makes him a respected voice both on and off the jobsite.

In this episode, Pete shares insights into the world of ground penetrating radar, the evolving future of construction technology, and the lessons he’s learned balancing leadership, family, and life in a demanding industry.

In this episode of Ruction Nation, we sit down with Ashley Staley, a structural steel welder who’s as sharp as she is skilled. Ashley’s journey started in FFA, where she first built the foundation of hard work, discipline, and hands-on learning that would carry her into the welding world. Today, she’s making her mark in the shop, earning respect not just for her precision and work ethic, but for her quick wit and down-to-earth personality.

Ashley shares what it’s really like working in structural steel, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and how her background in FFA helped shape her path. From early sparks to mastering her craft, she talks about the pride that comes with building something that lasts and the mindset it takes to keep improving in a demanding trade.

Looking ahead, Ashley has her sights set on becoming a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), pushing herself to grow beyond the booth and into the next phase of her career.

Logan Sharp is a seasoned tradesman whose career spans some of the toughest and most demanding corners of the industry. From his early days working sleigh rides and logging operations, to turning wrenches as a diesel mechanic to superintendent, and now an owners rep. Logan built his foundation the hard way, through long hours, physical work, and hands-on problem solving.

Over the years, he’s expanded his skillset across lumber operations, heavy highway and ready-mix maintenance, custom builds, and commercial construction. Today, Logan brings that same grit and experience into the industrial construction world, where precision, efficiency, and leadership matter more than ever.

What sets Logan apart isn’t just the range of industries he’s worked in, it’s the depth of knowledge he carries from each one. He’s known for his work ethic, his ability to adapt, and his willingness to share what he’s learned with others coming up in the trades.

A true “learn it, live it, pass it on” kind of guy, Logan Sharp represents the backbone of the workforce someone who’s earned every bit of his experience and continues to build on it every day.

In this episode, we sit down with Bobby Armstrong, aka Blue-Collar Code, an HVAC tech with over 20 years in the trade, to talk about what it really takes to build a life and career in the blue-collar world.

Bobby shares his journey from rock bottom to a successful career arc and the lessons he learned along the way. He talks about discipline, dependability, and doing every job like it’s your own home or your family’s.

We get into the differences between residential and commercial work, why service work is always in demand, and how the trades continue to offer recession-proof opportunities for those willing to show up and put in the work.

We also talk about the money in the trades, the importance of budgeting, and how social media has opened unexpected doors for Bobby and others in the industry.

If you’ve ever thought about skipping the traditional path, getting into the trades, or just want a real, no-BS conversation about work ethic and opportunity, this one’s for you.