Build Better With Anastasia Barnes

In episode 9 of Build Better, Anastasia welcomes Mike McDonagh, CEO of the Associated Subcontractors of Massachusetts (ASM), for an update on the state of the construction industry in Massachusetts in 2019. McDonagh talks about the big issues facing Mass subcontractors this year and what the ASM is doing to address those - from current legislation affecting the industry to what employers can be doing to address the opioid crisis.

This episode of Build Better podcast, Anastasia Barnes talks with Mary Vogel, executive director of Building Pathways (BP), an eastern Massachusetts organization that creates opportunities for low-income area residents to access and prepare for building trades apprenticeships and family-sustaining careers in the construction industry and Andrea Dunn, a sprinkler fitter apprentice at E.M. Duggan (and a graduate of the BP program).  They discuss the benefits of the Building Pathways program and how it is changing lives and contributing to much-needed diversity in the construction industry.

In the third and final installment of the focus on the Opioid Crisis in Construction, Anastasia Barnes chats with Tom S. Gunning, the director of labor relations at the Building Trades Employers's Association (BTEA). Tom was the organizer behind "Building Trades for Recovery Week", which happened between April 29 and May 3rd of 2019.  The week-long event was designed to increase awareness and understanding of substance use disorder and help construction industry professionals learn best practices for prevention and recovery. Tom discusses the reason behind his organizing the event, the take-aways and success of the conference.  

On Episode 6 of Build Better, Anastasia welcomes Jeremy Gregory, executive director of MIT’s Concrete Sustainability Hub and Jean Carroon, FAIA, principal of Goody Clancy, to learn more about embodied carbon and to discuss the challenges those in the A/E/C industry face in reducing their carbon footprint. Embodied carbon refers to the environmental impact associated with the construction of buildings and creating the materials for those buildings. Carroon and Gregory talk about how there is no “one size fits all” solution for this complex issue, and how companies can do their part in protecting the environment now and in the long term. Both guests are on the advisory board for the "Embodied Carbon in Buildings" Conference on May 31, 2019 at the Samberg Conference Center at the MIT Sloan School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  

Episode 5 of Build Better is Part 2 of a 3 Part Series on the opioid epidemic in the construction industry in New England. In this episode, Anastasia has a frank conversation with Jared Hesek and Pat Donovan, contractors at Karas & Karas Glass.  Both men have struggled with addiction in their lives and are now in recovery, living healthy sober lives.  They each share their journey to recovery and how they ended up working for Karas & Karas Glass.  

Episode 4 of Build Better is Part 1 of a 3 Part Series on the opioid epidemic in the construction industry in New England. In this episode, Anastasia has an intimate conversation with David Argus, director of operations at Argus & Argus, about his family member's struggle (and recovery) with drugs. Through his son's journey to recovery, Argus became more aware of the rehabilitation and counseling services available to addicts.  He was so moved by these couselors selfless passion for providing addicts a second chance , that he and a friend created a program at Karas & Karas to help recovering addicts pursue careers in the construction industry.

On Episode 3 of Build Better, Julia McFadden of Svigals + Partners discusses what productive playgrounds are, how biophilia design is connecting us back to nature and the unique role it played in the redesign of the Sandy Hook School Elementary School.  Julia also shares the current discourse surrounding school safety, including the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) federal clearing house of resources on school design best practices for school officials and the design professionals to keep them informed. Our listeners also learn what the term "echinus" means.

In this episode, Anastasia Barnes chats with Karrie Kratz, vice president of Gilbane Building Company, and operations manager of Gilbane’s Connecticut office. Kratz talks about how, at Gilbane, those in leadership positions understand very well that employees don't just want to be identified by the job they do, but they are looking for someone to understand and communicate with them as a person, to mentor them, and to assist them on their career path. Karrie also tells our listeners what she would say to anyone entering the construction industry. We'll also find out what the term "chicane" means!

In High-Profile's inaugural podcast, Anastasia Barnes sits down with Luiza Mills, director of human resources and public relations at Interstate Electrical Services Corporation (IESC). Luiza discusses lean construction, the importance of solution-based thinking, challenges of recruiting new talent, and IESC's new apprentice program. Plus, Luiza and Anastasia call Michael Barnes, the founder of High-Profile, to play a game called "Ask Anastasia's Dad".