Welcome to the Dirt World's top podcast (self-proclaimed). Every week, host Aaron Witt, founder of BuildWitt, interviews construction and mining industry leaders in long form and shares updates on what's happening inside of BuildWitt.
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Whether you know it or not, innovation is the key to your organization’s survival, but leading innovation is perhaps one of the biggest mysteries for business leaders today. Leaders know they have to do it, but they have little idea in terms of how to do it. Join Dr. John Lowry every week to gain a starting point and to learn the skills you need to create a culture of innovation within your company or organization. Every episode will uncover practical skills that will help you unleash the cr ...
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The Dog Versus the Hydrant (BuildWitt Update #15) - DT 367
16:07
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16:07Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com!By BuildWitt
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Nate Simpson w/ Landmark Excavating – DT 366
2:05:29
2:05:29
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2:05:29Nate started Landmark Excavating in his early 20s with nothing more than will and a creative spirit. Nowadays, they have hundreds of team members spread across Utah and the surrounding area, doing anything from large-scale site work to concrete. Learn more about Landmark at https://www.landmarkexc.com/ Learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt…
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Indonesia Part II, Hiring Tests, and Dubbing (BuildWitt Update #14) – DT 365
19:46
19:46
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19:46Aaron recaps more of his Indonesia trip and the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com!By BuildWitt
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Developing the Next Generation of Technicians w/ Grif Reome of Komatsu – DT 364
1:43:18
1:43:18
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1:43:18Grif Reome is the Director of Technical Workforce Development of Komatsu North America. After starting on the tools at his family’s construction company, he’s risen through the technician ranks to lead efforts to recruit and train the next generation of technicians. Learn more at https://www.komatsu.com/en-us Learn more about attending the 2025 Ari…
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Indonesia, Sales, and Parity (BuildWitt Update #13) – DT 363
12:39
12:39
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12:39Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week and his trip to Indonesia. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com!By BuildWitt
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Construction Leadership w/ Wally Adamchik of Firestarter – DT 362
1:54:55
1:54:55
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1:54:55Wally Adamchick is a well-known speaker and leadership trainer at his Firestarter Consulting company, where he's worked with many of the civil construction industry's top brands. To learn more about Wally's work, check out his website here: https://www.firestarterspeaking.com/ Learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting …
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Another Base Hit (BuildWitt Update #12)– DT 361
14:39
14:39
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14:39Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com!By BuildWitt
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Paving Louisville w/ Hunter Strickler of Louisville Paving – DT 360
2:14:54
2:14:54
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2:14:54Hunter Strickler is President of LPX Group, which includes well-established heavy construction brands like Louisville Paving Company. After 75 years of business, Hunter talks about his journey in taking over the reins and leading the business into the next generation. To learn more about LPX, visit their website here: https://loupaving.com/ Learn m…
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SIMPLE, Feedback, and Migration (BuildWitt Update #11) – DT 359
12:54
12:54
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12:54Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com!By BuildWitt
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Construction Brand Magic w/ Caitlyn Cook of Emery Sapp & Sons – DT 358
1:07:44
1:07:44
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1:07:44Caitlyn Cook is the VP of Marketing at ESS Companies, a brilliant 100% employee-owned civil construction company with operations from Missouri to Arizona. As Caitlyn helped architect the company’s well-known brand, she has plenty of smart things to say. Learn more about ESS Companies at https://emerysapp.com/ Learn more about attending the 2025 Ari…
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Articulated Trucks, Fox, and 401Ks (BuildWitt Update #10) – DT 357
12:43
12:43
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12:43Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com!By BuildWitt
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Dirt World Winners w/ Eric Sellman – DT 356
1:59:10
1:59:10
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1:59:10Eric Sellman is a seasoned civil construction industry leader with extensive experience in large-scale highway, renewable energy, and site development work. Today, he’s the COO of Brent Scarbrough, a legendary site development contractor in the Southeast. To learn more, check out their website here: https://brent.us/ — Learn more about attending th…
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Dave Ramsey, Servers, and Offers (BuildWitt Update #9) – DT 355
14:08
14:08
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14:08Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com!By BuildWitt
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Dozing Through California’s Central Valley w/ Josh McCahill – DT 354
1:47:04
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1:47:04Josh owns McCahill Enterprises, with ag development and heavy haul companies working throughout California’s Central Valley. If you enjoy almonds, oranges, or grapes, you have people like Josh to thank. You can follow his adventures on Instagram @ mccahilldozing Learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.c…
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YouTube, Cash, and the Content Roadmap (BuildWitt Update #8) – DT 353
12:47
12:47
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12:47Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com!By BuildWitt
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Building a Business You Love w/ Dave Ramsey – DT 352
1:27:24
1:27:24
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1:27:24Dave Ramsey is a well-known American personal finance expert, author, radio show host, and businessman best known for his practical, faith-based approach to money management. His latest book, Build a Business You Love, covers the five stages of business. Find TONS of resources at the EntreLeadership website here: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/bus…
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SoCal, Credit Cards, and a New VP of Product (BuildWitt Update #7) – DT 351
9:22
9:22
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9:22Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]!By BuildWitt
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From Near-Business Death to Prospering w/ Ryan Schmitt – DT 350
1:38:06
1:38:06
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1:38:06Ryan Schmitt is CEO of Petticoat-Schmitt, a people-first site and utility based in Jacksonville, Florida. After a few jobs nearly took the company under in 2018. Ryan and his team set out on a journey to reimagine the way construction happens. Learn more by visiting their website and following Ryan on LinkedIn! https://www.petticoatschmitt.com/ htt…
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Helicopters, Switcheroos, and Team Updates (BuildWitt Update #6) - DT 349
10:45
10:45
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10:45Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]!By BuildWitt
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Pipelayer to Podcaster w/ Sy Kirby – DT 348
1:44:59
1:44:59
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1:44:59Sy founded Sy-Con Excavation and Utilities with his wife, Sara, in 2016. Nowadays, they perform all sorts of utility and site work for large projects around Northern Arkansas. Sy’s also the host of the Blue Collar Business Podcast and shares his excavation journey weekly on YouTube. Check out both channels below! https://www.bluecollarbusinesspodca…
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Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]!By BuildWitt
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Reducing Turnover by 70% in One Year w/ Glenn Baranko – DT 346
1:41:26
1:41:26
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1:41:26Glenn is President of Baranko Bros, a civil and oil field services contractor based in Dickinson, North Dakota. After building North Dakota and the surrounding states for decades, Glenn and his leadership team thought there could be a better way to develop and retain their people. So they got to work, and the results speak for themselves. You can l…
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Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]!By BuildWitt
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Landscaping Leadership w/ Justin White – DT 344
1:58:23
1:58:23
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1:58:23Justin is CEO of K&D Landscaping, a high-end landscaping design and maintenance company based in Watsonville, California. Similar to modern civil contractors, Justin’s leading the charge to shake up not only how his company does business but also how landscaping operates as a whole. You can learn more by visiting their company website and following…
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Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]!By BuildWitt
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Strengthening America’s Railroads w/ Jeremy Pyler – DT 342
1:32:55
1:32:55
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1:32:55After a long career in the power and railroad industries, Jeremy Pyler started HG Railroad Services, a contractor serving from the Class One’s to short lines across the southeast. One call solves it all! Follow Jeremy on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-plyler-410085118/ Learn more about HG Railroad Services here: https://hgrailroa…
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Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]!By BuildWitt
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Machines That Make America w/ Jamie Roush – DT 340
1:58:56
1:58:56
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1:58:56Jamie Roush is CEO of Anderson UnderBridge, an OEM that manufactures bridge inspection equipment for America’s over 600,000 bridges. He previously worked in the paving equipment world, where he was known for his unconventional but highly effective style. Learn more about Anderson UnderBridge at their website here: https://andersonunderbridge.com/ A…
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Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]!By BuildWitt
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Forty Years of Dirt World Leadership Lessons w/ Dave Lersch – DT 338
1:59:41
1:59:41
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1:59:41Dave Lersch recently retired as the VP of Administrative Operations of Miller Brothers Construction after forty years of work across the organization and Ohio. After a few months from work, he’s reflecting on the lessons learned and his time in the industry! Learn more about Miller Brothers Construction here: https://www.mbcholdings.com/ Learn more…
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Jack, TJ, and Aaron sit down to recap their recent trip to visit contractors in Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit, click here!By BuildWitt
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Inside Virginia’s MONSTER Water Project – DT 337
29:55
29:55
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29:55Inside Virginia’s MONSTER Water Project – DT 337 Aaron gives an overview of SWIFT, an innovative water treatment and aquifer recharge project commissioned by the Hampton Roads Sanitation District. Garney, America’s leading water and wastewater contractor, is leading the construction of the multi-billion dollar and multi-year project. To learn more,…
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Energizing America w/ Ryan Lucas – DT 336
1:42:48
1:42:48
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1:42:48Ryan Lucas is a former lineman and host of the Powerline Podcast, produced under the umbrella of Quanta Services. Leaning on his experience in the field doing anything from new transmission line construction to emergency storm work, he now shines a light on well-deserved stories and topics throughout the power industry. Listen now at the link below…
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How California’s Fire Dozers Work – DT 335
29:15
29:15
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29:15Aaron explains how California’s fire dozers work based on his recent experience with CALFIRE and other state fire agencies. The work is no joke, so some amazing machines and operators are required! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Stay Dirty! We’re thrilled to have Ariat as our official Dirt Talk Podcast sponsor! They make…
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From Antique Tractors to Modern Innovation w/ Phil Rausch of MTS – DT 334
2:00:35
2:00:35
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2:00:35Phil’s the Sales Manager for Mobile Track Solutions, an earthmoving OEM based in Elkader, Iowa. Built upon the earthmoving pedigree of CJ Moyna and Sons, the company has created some of the most innovative earthmoving tools of the modern age. Learn more about the Earthmoving Legacy Center (open to the public) and MTS at the link below! https://www.…
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Aaron's back to answer your questions. Send us your questions — [email protected]! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Stay Dirty! We’re thrilled to have Ariat as our official Dirt Talk Podcast sponsor! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great a…
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Small Family Business to National Brand w/ Brian and Tony Dietz – DT 332
1:59:59
1:59:59
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1:59:59Brian and Tony run Bob Dietz and Sons Inc., a site contracting company in New Paltz, New York. They discuss the lessons they’ve learned while transforming the company from a traditional family construction company to a growing operation tackling bigger work than ever. You can follow them online at @bob_dietz_and_sons_inc on Instagram and learn more…
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Aaron's back to answer your questions. Send us your questions — [email protected]! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Stay Dirty! We’re thrilled to have Ariat as our official Dirt Talk Podcast sponsor! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great a…
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From Trucking to Paving to Shoring w/ Michael Baer – DT 330
1:21:06
1:21:06
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1:21:06Michael Baer leads TRENCH-ADE, an Arizona and Texas trench shoring rental company. He originally started in the Dirt World with a trucking business, leading to a hugely successful stint in paving. Now, he’s applying all his lessons learned to an entirely new kind of business. Learn more about TRENCH-ADE at https://trench-ade.com/ Questions or feedb…
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Aaron explores how disaster cleanup works based on two recent experiences. The first was with Branch Civil cleaning up Northern Carolina after Hurricane Helene. And the second was Anvil Builders cleaning up following the Southern California fires. It’s vital but very misunderstood work. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Sta…
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From Small Town MS to Building the Southeast w/ Aaron Gregory – DT 328
1:58:22
1:58:22
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1:58:22Aaron Gregory is President of Gregory Construction, a site development contractor based in Mississippi, but working in eight states across the Southeast and beyond. After growing up around his father’s local site work business, he started in business himself before he could legally drink. Learn more about Gregory Construction at https://gregorycons…
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Aaron's back to answer your questions. Send us your questions — [email protected]! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Stay Dirty! We’re thrilled to have Ariat as our official Dirt Talk Podcast sponsor! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great a…
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The Veit Contracting Story w/ Kelly and Vaughn Veit – DT 326
1:15:02
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1:15:02In all my travels, one company comes up in conversation more than any other — Veit Contracting. And for good reason. Their history, combined with an incredible array of services from waste to foundations, makes for a spectacular story. And to capture some of the story from the past and where Veit's headed, I was lucky enough to sit down with Kelly …
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Aaron, Jack, and TJ recap their recent trip to Japan to visit Hitachi factories and customers. Kon'nichiwa! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Stay Dirty! We’re thrilled to have Ariat as our official Dirt Talk Podcast sponsor! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks…
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Destigmatizing Mental Health in Construction W/ Rich Jones – DT 324
2:04:50
2:04:50
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2:04:50Rich is a behavioral therapist, Co-founder of YouTurn health and leader at Buildwell health. As a former addict Rich gives a unique perspective on the subject of mental health in the work force. His practical approach helps numerous companies and individuals in construction get the help they need. To learn more visit https://www.buildwellhealth.com…
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Aaron's back to answer your questions. Send us your questions — [email protected]! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Stay Dirty! We’re thrilled to have Ariat as our official Dirt Talk Podcast sponsor! They make world-class footwear and workwear that we see on every job site we visit, and their folks are just as great a…
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Excavation Business Lessons w/ Matt Bachtel — DT 322
2:03:17
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2:03:17Matt started Bachtel Excavating over twenty years ago and has since left his mark across Northeast Ohio. He's learned many lessons along the way and is now focusing on developing the next generation. Visit https://www.bachtelexcavating.com/ to learn more! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Stay Dirty! We’re thrilled to have …
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Once I understood the importance of habits, life improved big time. I walk through how I initially formed positive habits and what my habits look like today. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Stay Dirty! We’re thrilled to have Ariat as our official Dirt Talk Podcast sponsor! They make world-class footwear and workwear that …
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Paving Chicagoland w/ Ryan Gandy of Builders Asphalt – DT 320
1:46:01
1:46:01
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1:46:01Ryan Gandy is President of Builders Asphalt, a paving and materials company serving the Chicago, Illinois, area. Aaron and Ryan dive deep into the intricacies of roadbuilding and creating one of America's most widely-used building materials. To learn more, visit https://thebuildersco.com/ Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! S…
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One of the most famous infrastructure projects in American history. Aaron delves into the amazing construction techniques used to build this engineering marvel. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Stay Dirty! **UPDATE** Dirt Talk is STOKED to announce Ariat as our first official sponsor for the year! They make world-class foo…
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