In this brutally honest solo episode of Atomic Construction, host Kevin Hohe drops the guest list and opens up about one of the worst projects he’s ever run — and what it taught him about leadership, failure, and how to handle chaos when everything goes wrong.

From lost anchors to angry emails, Kevin walks listeners through the anatomy of a “bad job,” sharing what it’s like to be the small contractor caught in the crossfire of miscommunication, poor planning, and blame. But more than a story about mistakes, this is a conversation about accountability, about how to lead with humility, how to reset a broken relationship, and how to tell the difference between a good project manager and a bad one.

Because at the end of the day, as Kevin says, every construction project comes down to people, and there are only two kinds: Randy, the collaborative leader who takes ownership and helps everyone win, and Billy Bob, the finger-pointer who makes sure everyone else takes the fall.

In this episode

• What to do when a project goes completely sideways

• How to repair trust with clients and GCs after failure

• Why collaboration beats litigation every time

• The hidden power of taking total ownership

• How to spot whether you’re working for a “Randy” or a “Billy Bob”

• Why the best jobs are often the ones you don’t take

A candid, hard-earned masterclass in leadership from the field, packed with real stories, painful lessons, and the kind of truth most builders are too proud to admit.

Stay connected:

• Kevin Hohe | LinkedIn

And let us know what you think with our feedback form.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode of Atomic Construction, host Kevin Hohe takes the mic to talk about one of the toughest and most overlooked parts of the construction industry: people and culture. With no guest lined up, Kevin uses the time to reflect on the mission behind Atomic Construction, the growing skills gap, and how the trades can reclaim pride, purpose, and profitability.

Drawing on two decades in the industry and lessons from growing Complete Fence from a five million to a hundred million dollar business, Kevin breaks down what makes great teams thrive and why culture is not a buzzword but a daily practice. From defining company values to firing high performers who do not align with them, he explores how to build a workplace that attracts, inspires, and retains the best talent in the trades.

In this episode

• Why the construction industry is facing a major skills gap

• How to build purpose into blue collar work

• The difference between values written on a wall and values lived every day

• Why culture should be your company’s strongest foundation

• Lessons from growing a business and failing forward

• How to create opportunity for people willing to work and grow

• Why authenticity, grit, and shared purpose define great teams

Kevin closes with a challenge to every tradesperson and business owner: invest in culture, live your values, and build better together.

Stay connected:

• Kevin Hohe | LinkedIn

And let us know what you think with our feedback form.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Atomic Construction, Kevin Hohe sits down with Dan Wheeler, founder of River City Fence and host of The Fence Industry Podcast, to talk about grit, growth, and the lessons learned from four decades in the trades. What begins as a conversation between two builders turns into an honest exploration of evolution, from running family businesses to shaping an entire industry through curiosity and community.

Dan shares how he turned his father’s small town fence company into a multi crew operation while producing more than 500 podcast episodes and helping others grow along the way. Together, Kevin and Dan unpack what it means to lead by example, the tension between craftsmanship and entrepreneurship, and how the trades can reclaim the respect they deserve.

In this episode:

• Why being the best builder is not the same as being the best business owner

• How curiosity and networking sparked the first fence industry podcast

• The power of evolving from hands on work to leadership

• Why mentorship and community matter more than competition

• What it means to build something that lasts, on site and in life

Stay connected:

• Kevin Hohe | LinkedIn

And let us know what you think with our feedback form.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this laugh-filled episode of Atomic Construction, Kevin Hohe sits down with two of his favorite teammates, Tony and Dale - affectionately known as the goon squad - to talk about the people behind the fences. What starts as a casual chat quickly turns into a story of reinvention, grit and humor inside a growing construction company that refuses to take itself too seriously.

From IT desks and mortgage offices to muddy yards and million-dollar builds, Tony and Dale share how they made the leap into construction, why culture matters more than polish and how their light-hearted video series Fence Levity is helping reshape what people think construction looks like. Expect jokes, honesty and plenty of heart.

In this episode

• How two non-builders became construction professionals

• What it takes to change industries and find purpose again

• The birth of Fence Levity and how humor drives connection

• Why authenticity beats perfection in business and leadership

• Building a company culture where people actually like showing up

Stay connected:

• Kevin Hohe | LinkedIn

And let us know what you think with our feedback form.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kevin and Kyle are back together on Atomic Construction after a few weeks away, and this conversation is a reminder of why they make such a strong team. Kyle shares what life has been like balancing newborn chaos at home with leading multiple high-stakes construction projects, and how he is learning that life moves in seasons. He talks about what it takes to deliver complex builds under pressure, the safety wins his team has celebrated, and why trust is the real foundation of any successful project.

Kevin opens up about the cultural challenges of scaling his own company, the lessons in leadership he is living out daily, and the balance between hitting financial goals and building a workplace people love. Together they explore the unconventional realities of building core and shell structures while designing interiors on the fly, the two-in-a-box leadership model at Leighton, and how clarity between project managers and superintendents can make or break a job.

Kyle also takes Kevin inside his Notion setup — a project operating system that centralizes roadblocks, risk logs, procurement, and leadership dashboards in one place. He explains why moving beyond spreadsheets gave him a two-hundred percent productivity boost and why a second brain is essential for managing growth and big vision.

This episode is a mix of personal updates, practical tools, and honest reflections on leadership, culture, and the future of construction.

In this episode

• Kyle on newborn life and leading major projects under pressure

• How Leighton’s two-in-the-box model keeps PMs and Supers aligned

• The importance of trust in unconventional project delivery

• Kevin’s story of transforming numbers and now rebuilding culture

• Why clarity on risk, roadblocks, and roles matters more than perfect plans

• How Kyle uses Notion as a project operating system and second brain

• Lessons on productivity, conflict resolution, and leadership in construction

Stay connected:

• Kevin Hohe | LinkedIn

And let us know what you think with our feedback form.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kevin Hohe sits down with financial strategist Patrick Shurney to talk about the numbers behind building a thriving construction business. Patrick shares how understanding seven key financial metrics can transform contractors from simply working harder to actually building wealth.

Patrick explains why contractors often underperform despite high revenue, and how shifting mindset, tightening bookkeeping, and creating a clear roadmap can help business owners scale sustainably. He emphasizes the importance of knowing your numbers, having a three year plan, and seeking outside perspective to avoid blind spots.

The conversation also touches on mentorship, the realities of coaching, and the balance between execution and strategy. Patrick reminds us that success is less about grinding and more about clarity, action, and building systems that last.

In this episode

• The seven numbers every contractor needs to track

• Why most construction businesses leave profit on the table

• The role of mindset in breaking through financial ceilings

• How good bookkeeping can change the trajectory of a company

• The difference between a coach, a bookkeeper, and a fractional CFO

• Why action beats perfection when it comes to financial planning

• Patrick’s favorite client success stories and what they teach us

Stay connected:

• Kevin Hohe | LinkedIn

And let us know what you think with our feedback form.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kevin’s first solo Atomic Construction episode lays out a clear mission for the trades: elevate respect for craft, make entry simple and dignified, bridge the skills gap through mentorship, and fight for specialty contractor rights. He previews data driven gear reviews, a trades first merch line, and a practical eight step playbook for scaling a specialty business.

Kevin’s eight step starter playbook

1. Decide if you truly want to own a business and why
2. Read and keep learning
3. Find mentors who have done what you want to do
4. Test with a side hustle before you jump fully
5. Start with the end in mind and map the destination
6. Choose your pace, measured or fast, and own the tradeoffs
7. Watch common pitfalls

• Lead flow
• First hires vs subcontracting
• Accounting, legal, insurance, and real job costing

8. Scale with intent

• Mission, purpose, vision that attract talent
• Hire well, set expectations, exit quickly when needed
• Build tolerance for mistakes
• Burn the boats when it is time and keep swinging

Books he recommends

• Traction
• Rocket Fuel
• People Are Idiots and I Can Prove It
• Ten Times is Easier Than Two Times
• Who Not How
• Good to Great
• Start With Why

Past Atomic Construction episodes to cue up

• 16 - Scott Kaplan on specialty growth
• 18 - Paul Wendy on unions in Chicago
• 20 - Megan Shapiro on contracts and protecting subs
• 8 and 9 - Dave Destur and Lisa Pacal She Builder series
• 5 - Joel Spalding Ten times easier than two times in real life

Stay connected:

• Kevin Hohe | LinkedIn

And let us know what you think with our feedback form.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Atomic Construction, Kevin Hohe is joined by Megan Shapiro, construction attorney, partner at Rudoslavich Shapiro, and founder of Construction Contract Coach. Megan takes us through her journey from criminal law to finding her passion in construction law and why she chose to represent the trades when so many lawyers side with GCs, owners, or insurance companies.

Megan breaks down the realities of civil litigation, the pitfalls of insurance-appointed counsel, and how the system often stacks the deck against subcontractors. She also shares practical strategies for reviewing and redlining contracts, explains her OWN framework for negotiation, and makes the case for why trade contractors hold more power than they realise at the bargaining table.

This is a candid, eye-opening conversation about law, fairness, and what it takes to protect your business in a litigious industry.

Key Takeaways:

• How Megan carved out a career in construction law despite early pushback
• Why she believes most subcontractors underestimate their negotiating power
• The difference between insurance-appointed defense attorneys and true construction attorneys
• How to spot red, orange and yellow flags in contracts and use them strategically
• Why retention is one of the most harmful practices in construction
• The importance of proactive business setup, not just reacting when things go wrong
• Why treating trades as true partners is the only way forward for the industry
• 
  

Megan’s story is proof that contracts are not just paperwork, they are tools of leverage, protection and empowerment.

Stay connected:

• Kevin Hohe | LinkedIn

And let us know what you think with our feedback form.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of Atomic Construction, Kevin Hohe welcomes veteran and business owner John La Giglia, co-founder of Chicago Fire Protection. From serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to co-founding a company that now employs nearly 100 people, John’s story is one of grit, perseverance and the power of community.

John shares how his military service shaped his leadership, how the Helmets to Hard Hats program helped him transition into the trades and why integrity and camaraderie matter just as much as skill on the job site. He opens up about starting a business with his brother-in-law from his in-laws’ computer room, pushing through near financial collapse, and what it takes to keep growing while staying true to your values.

This conversation is a reminder that construction is more than concrete and contracts. It is about people, purpose and leaving the world better than you found it.

Key Takeaways:

• How military discipline and leadership translate into business success
• The role of Helmets to Hard Hats in creating opportunities for veterans
• Why grit, sacrifice and family support are crucial for entrepreneurs
• The importance of mentorship and creating career paths for young people in the trades
• Integrity and respect as the foundation of long-term success in construction

Whether you’re in the trades, leading a team or building your own business, John’s story will inspire you to push through challenges and focus on what really matters.

Stay connected:

• Kevin Hohe | LinkedIn

And let us know what you think with our feedback form.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Atomic Construction, Kevin is joined by Paul Wende, Business Manager of Chicago’s Local 63 Ironworkers Union, for a no-holds-barred conversation about the real state of the trades.

From navigating outdated perceptions of unions to expanding fence work across the country, Paul brings sharp insight, heart, and a healthy dose of grit.

Together, they unpack:

• The surprising truth behind union “mob” myths
• Why fence work is the most underestimated trade in construction
• How contractors and unions can (finally) work as partners
• What "right to work" really means—and why it matters
• And how Local 63 is reshaping the path from high school to high-paying union careers

Whether you’re boots-on-the-ground or behind a desk, this episode pulls back the curtain on the politics, power, and people shaping the construction world.

Stay connected:

• Kevin Hohe | LinkedIn

And let us know what you think with our feedback form.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.