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  • In episode 430, Bradley Hartmann shares leadership insights from one of his favorite movies, Moneyball, starring Brad Pitt as the Oakland A’s general manager, Billy Beane. Joining Hartmann are Matt Potter (construction sales veteran) and Joel Stevens (HR expert), returning to the show after their excellent performances in episode 393 where we focused on the leadership aspects from the movie, Up in the Air (starring George Clooney and Anna Kendrick).

    Hartmann, Potter, and Stevens explore Billy Beane's approach to challenging the status quo, getting his team to think differently about how to evaluate and build a winning roster. They discuss Beane's confrontational style with his scouts, his willingness to take risks by converting a career catcher named Scott Hatteberg to first base, and his ability to get buy-in from veteran players like David Justice.

    Off the field, the trio examines the interpersonal dynamics and cultural shifts Beane had to navigate within the organization. They highlight his successes and missteps in communicating his vision and bringing the entire team along.

    The conversation also touches on broader themes of competitive differentiation, developing confidence in employees, and the importance of diverse perspectives—lessons that translate well beyond the baseball diamond. Whether you're a Moneyball superfan or discovering it for the first time, this episode offers valuable insights for leaders in any industry.

    This episode is brought to you by The Simple Sales Pipeline® —the most efficient way to organize and value any construction sales rep's roster of customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

    ***

    If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In episode 429 of The Construction Leadership Podcast, host Bradley Hartmann sits down with Mireya Zapata, the Executive Director of the Lumbermen's Association of Texas (LAT). Zapata brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously worked in politics, public relations, and for the Texas House of Representatives.

    Throughout the conversation, Hartmann and Zapata dive into Zapata's background and her unique perspective on engaging the political process as the head of a state trade association. Zapata explains how she has been able to maintain a sense of enthusiasm and optimism despite the often divisive nature of politics today. She encourages LAT members to get involved, emphasizing that their industry expertise and firsthand experiences are invaluable when working to influence policy decisions.

    The discussion then shifts to some of the key issues currently facing Zapata and her members, including housing affordability and organized retail theft. Zapata highlights LAT's efforts to support the Texas Association of Builders on the affordability challenge, as well as the association's work to increase criminal penalties for those engaged in sophisticated theft operations targeting building material suppliers.

    Finally, Zapata offers a glimpse into her personal life, sharing how she manages the demands of leading a statewide trade group while also raising two children. She credits her family and involvement with nonprofit organizations as crucial outlets that help her maintain a healthy work-life balance.

    Throughout the conversation, Zapata's passion for her work and her industry shines through, making this an engaging listen for anyone interested in the intersection of construction, politics, and association leadership.

    This episode is brought to you by The Simple Sales Pipeline® —the most efficient way to organize and value any construction sales rep's roster of customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

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  • In this sidecar bonus episode to 427, host Bradley Hartmann and Tony Meza break down the lyrics from the summer jam, TK by Pedro Capó, as they identify which language skills can be used on the job to communicate better and lead more effectively. Listen to episode 427 to hear Tony Meza’s insights on bridging cultural and linguistic gaps on the job site. Tony Meza is the safety professional responsible for risk management at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Meza also lends his voice to Hartmann & Company’s new Construction Spanish App as the native Spanish speaker in the voice tracks within the app.

    This episode is brought to you by The Simple Sales Pipeline® —the most efficient way to organize and value any construction sales rep's roster of customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In episode 427, Tony Meza joins the podcast to share insights on cultural intelligence and leadership across linguistic and cultural gaps on the job site. Tony Meza is the construction safety professional responsible for risk management at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Meza also lends his voice to Hartmann & Company’s new Construction Spanish App as the native Spanish speaker in the voice tracks within the app.

    This episode is brought to you by The Simple Sales Pipeline® —the most efficient way to organize and value any construction sales rep's roster of customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

    ***

    If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In this conversation, Steven Paynter from Gensler discusses the innovation that landed Gensler on Fast Company’s list of most innovative companies in 2024. The innovation was an algorithm that assess the viability of converting office spaces into residential units, particularly in light of the pandemic and the growing affordability crisis.

    Fast Company wrote: “Gensler’s algorithm evaluates roughly 150 aspects of a building’s layout and design, such as core-to-window depth and the number of elevators and parking spots, from public data, broker websites, and subscription services. The tool can determine a conversion viability score in hours.”

    Paynter shares insights on the challenges and successes of office building conversions, the importance of understanding the history of buildings, and the role of city incentives in facilitating adaptive reuse. The discussion also touches on the findings from Gensler's workplace survey, emphasizing the need for flexible and desirable office spaces that foster collaboration and productivity. Paynter concludes with reflections on cultural differences in leadership and construction practices between the UK and North America.

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    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In this conversation, Matt DiBara shares the leadership insights accumulated on his journey from nine-year-old laborer to fourth generation business owner. Matt shares what being fired multiple times in his family business taught him and the valuable lessons learned from his father—what to do and what not to do. Matt discusses the importance of customer acquisition costs and effective strategies for diversifying any construction business. Matt emphasizes the significance of effective communication, celebrating team successes, and developing future leaders. He also reflects on the challenges and opportunities presented by technology in the construction sector.

    Chapters

    02:52 :: Leadership Lessons from Family Business

    06:10 :: Transitioning to Independence

    09:03 :: Understanding Customer Acquisition Costs

    12:10 :: Diversification Strategies in Business

    15:13 :: Introducing Technology in Construction

    18:02 :: Effective Communication and Change Management

    20:49 :: Celebrating Team Successes

    23:53 :: Developing Future Leaders

    26:53 :: Final Thoughts and Recommendations

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    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In episode 424, we hosted a Construction Leadership Game Show live in front of a raucous 250+ attendees at the annual TEXO Safety Day in Fort Worth on August 29th. The participants were three safety leaders: Gradlin Franks, Director of Safety at The Beck Group, Scott Sears, Vice President of Safety and Loss Control at Walker Engineering, and Raul Ruiz, Regional EHS Manager at Moss and Associates.

    The theme was Olympic-level Leadership and the insights and entertainment lived up to the hype. Listen on any podcast platform and view the highlight reel on YouTube. Thank you to Milwaukee Tools for sponsoring the event.

    This episode is brought to you by The Simple Sales Pipeline® —the most efficient way to organize and value any construction sales rep's roster of customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In episode 423, host Bradley Hartmann sits down with Bret Martz (VP - North American Professional Sales) of Trex and Chris Gerhard (Executive VP) of Specialty Building Products .

    Bret and Chris share insights on the collaboration efforts between a manufacturer and a distributor that enable increased value to the dealer and their contractor customers. Their discussion touches on innovation, training and education, digital selling tools, and methods for assisting their independent dealer partners.

    The conversation also delves into leadership lessons, with Martz and Gerhard sharing insights on empowering employees, learning from mistakes, and building a cohesive culture across the supply chain. They highlight the importance of clear communication, transparency, and a shared vision for serving contractors and homeowners.

    This episode is brought to you by The Simple Sales Pipeline® —the most efficient way to organize and value any construction sales rep's roster of customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In episode 422, host Bradley Hartmann takes you on a journey from the Pacific Northwest to Kobe, Japan as he shares the incredible true story (with some fictional dialogue added for your listening pleasure!) of one of the most iconic companies of all time. The story reveals the two methods in which humans develop trust: task-based and relationship-based. While we talk about the construction industry being a “relationship business,” the truth is relationships actually come second in our Uncle Sam-style American culture.

    To bridge the story with real-world application, Blake Hancock, CEO of Binswanger Glass, joins the show in the second half of the episode. Blake discusses his experiences working with teams from different cultural backgrounds and the importance of building trust and creating a comfortable work environment. He shares stories of his time living in China and the lessons he learned about effective communication and expectation-setting. Hancock emphasizes the value of open communication, continuous improvement, and the importance of getting all ideas on the table.

    This episode is brought to you by The Simple Sales Pipeline® —the most efficient way to organize and value any construction sales rep's roster of customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

    ***

    If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • Paul Robinson, founder of ConstructReach, discusses his passion for helping young people find opportunities in the construction industry. He emphasizes the need for equitable and inclusive practices in attracting and retaining diverse talent. Paul also shares his experience of working with his wife in the business and the importance of communication and intentionality. He highlights the value of his iReach podcast in creating a platform for industry professionals to share their stories and insights.

    Chapters

    02:59 :: The Power of Storytelling and Human Connection in Leadership

    09:01 :: Transitioning from a Production Mindset to a Multiplication Mindset

    14:15 :: Creating a Talent Profile and Hiring for Culture

    29:42 :: Prioritizing Talent Acquisition and Retention


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    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In episode 420, host Bradley Hartmann weaves together three captivating stories with valuable leadership lessons. First, he introduces Teddy Riner, the legendary Judoka who openly struggles with self-doubt despite his unparalleled success. Riner's vulnerability inspires reflection on overcoming imposter syndrome.

    Free Account / Paywall: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5677073/2024/08/02/teddy riner-olympic-judo-gold-medal-france/? utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=twhq&source=twitterhq

    Next, Hartmann explores the (supposed) cautionary tale of Ron Wayne, one of Apple's co-founders who sold his 10 percent stake for $800, now worth $320 billion. This story prompts discussion on defining "enough" and the potential pitfalls of chasing wealth.

    Finally, Hartmann delves into the downfall of a successful Sriracha sauce partnership, using it to illustrate the importance of proactive negotiation planning. By considering best and worst-case scenarios, partners can avoid devastating business breakdowns. Through these diverse narratives, Hartmann offers listeners valuable insights on leadership, decision-making, and the human experience of extraordinary achievement. This episode challenges listeners to embrace self-doubt, reframe success, and prioritize relationship-building in business.

    Paywall: https://fortune.com/2024/01/30/sriracha-shortage-huy-fong-foods-tabasco underwood-ranches/


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    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In episode 419, Jon Vaughan returns to the show to examine leadership and culture building through the lens of sport—specifically, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin. Before the 2022 season began, Tomlin joined the The Pivot Podcast, featuring former NFL stars/hosts, Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder. It was this interview that both Jon Vaughn and Hartmann agreed was a leadership masterclass that explains how Tomlin has never had a losing season in 17years leading the Steelers, not to mention the pair of Super Bowls he’s won as well.

    Vaughn highlights Tomlin's focus on helping players achieve their dreams and the importance of setting clear expectations. Jon also discusses the fundamental attribution error and the danger of seeking comfort in leadership. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of effective leadership and creating a culture that allows individuals to be their authentic selves.

    The episode concludes by honoring the memory of John Ruhlin, a friend and mentor who taught them the power of gifting and building enduring relationships.

    Chapters

    02:11 :: Pete Rose documentary and Banditry v. Stupidity

    08:35 :: Introducing Mike Tomlin

    10:06 :: “The Standard is the Standard”

    12:30 :: Tomlin's Leadership Style

    16:38 :: Leader’s job is helping others achieve their dreams

    19:36 :: Pitfalls of seeking comfort in leadership

    30:12 :: Building a culture of authenticity

    42:54 :: Power of vulnerability and intimacy

    43:21 :: Upside of catchphrases

    51:05 :: Honoring the Memory of John Ruhlin


    This episode is brought to you by The Simple Sales Pipeline® —the most efficient way to organize and value any construction sales rep's roster of customers and prospects in under 30 minutes once every 30 days.

    ***

    If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback will help us on our mission to bring the construction community closer together.

    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In this conversation, Chelsea Zuccato, a sales manager at Patrick Lumber Company, discusses various topics related to leadership and sales. She shares her favorite leadership movie, offers insights on finding niche markets, and offer actionable advice on increasing delegation as leader. Chelsea also emphasizes the value of taking risks, learning from failures, and how the core values at Patrick are reflected in her everyday behavior. Hartmann and Zuccato wrap up the episode discussing her involvement in the North American Forest Foundation and the impact of her podcast, Lumber Slingers.

    Chapters

    06:06 Finding Your Niche: Building Relationships and Becoming an Expert

    09:03 Embracing Risks and Learning from Failures

    13:27 Ownership and Accountability: Keys to Success

    19:29 The Power of Paying Attention: A Recipe for Sales and Leadership

    26:18 Paying Attention and Showing Up

    29:07 Managing Time and Delegating Effectively

    33:34 The Impact of Podcasting and Consistency


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    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In episode 417, host Bradley Hartmann discusses the fallacy of "cascading communication" as a leadership metaphor. He argues that while information may cascade down through an organization, behavioral change does not. Using Newton's laws of motion as a framework, Hartmann explains how leaders need to approach communication differently to drive real change. He suggests moving away from a one-time "cascade" of information and instead implementing a persistent "drip campaign" of communication using various platforms and tactics. This includes things like weekly newsletters, personalized video messages, live Q&As, and gamification elements. The goal is to anticipate and overcome the natural human tendency to resist change. Hartmann provides a downloadable checklist of these proven communication strategies for listeners to use in their own organizations. The key is crafting a multi-faceted, multimedia approach rather than relying on a single cascade of information from the top down. This, Hartmann argues, is a more effective way for leaders to drive the behavioral changes they seek.

    You can download the PDF template discussed in this podcast at bh&co.com/blog


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    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In episode 416, Ben Breen of the Project Management Institute (PMI) joins the show from Australia. Ben is the Global Director of Construction at PMI and he discusses his background in international construction and the leadership principles that have guided his career from construction student, builder, consultant, and leader within PMI.

    Ben describes how to best learn from mentors around you and why the industry should ditch the phrase “soft skills” for “power skills” to describe the suite of leadership behaviors that include intentional listening, empathy, and servant leadership. Ben closes by detailing the value of the PMI Construction Professional certification (PMI-CP)™.

    Project Management Institute (PMI) is the world's leading association for those who consider project, program or portfolio management their profession. Through global advocacy, collaboration, education and research, PMI works to prepare more than three million professionals around the world for the Project Economy: the coming economy in which work, and individuals, are organized around projects

    Chapters

    01:02 Passion for Construction and Architecture

    03:34 Key Leadership Principles

    06:27 Making Tough Decisions as a Leader

    09:13 Developing Soft Skills in Project Managers

    11:27 The Importance of Power Skills

    12:45 What Not to Do in Developing Project Managers

    14:11 The Role of Zooming In and Out as a Leader

    20:22 PMI's Role in the Construction Industry

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    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In episode 415, Krysta Van Ranst of Building PPL joins The Construction Leadership

    Podcast to discuss how to leverage learning and development to build stronger people

    that will drive your future growth. Krysta offers insights on when NOT to invest in

    leadership training and shares her firm’s proprietary Building PEOPLE model, which

    includes providing professional development, employee growth planning, onboarding,

    leveraging processes and procedures, and the best methods to engage future hires.

    They also discuss the relationship between people and profits and the importance of

    balancing both, based on a LinkedIn article by Jon Vaughan, a frequent guest on the

    show. Krysta closes the episode with a pair of books recommendations: "The Pursuit of

    Excellence” by Ryan Hawk and “Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara. Thanks you

    for listening.

    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In episode 414, HR Huntsman—CEO of Leader's Edge Consulting and Coaching—joins The Construction Leadership Podcast to help leaders and teams become the best version of themselves. HR shares insights on leadership, talent acquisition, and personal growth. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling and the power of human connection in leadership. HR also discusses the need for leaders to transition from a production mindset to a multiplication mindset, empowering their team members and intentionally developing their potential. (And no, HR would not tell Bradley what his initials stand for. Hartmann asked twice.)

    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].

  • In episode 413, host Bradley Hartmann shares the best content he’s come across the last 90 days in three different mediums: an article, a podcast episode, and a book. Each is very much worth your time and attention and will help to turbocharge your next 90 days on the job.

    1. Article: Jerry Seinfeld: The Scholar of Comedy
    Jerry Seinfeld’s thoughts on craft and the pursuit of mastery are instructive. Near the end there is a insightful surprise on negotiation.

    https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/the-scholar-of-comedy

    Key Quote:
    Jerry Seinfeld: The only thing in life that's really worth having is good skill. Good skill is the greatest possession. The things that money buys are fine. They're good. I like them. But having a skill is the most important thing . . . Pursue mastery that will fulfill your life. You will feel good. I know a lot of rich people and they don't feel good as you think they would. They don't. They're miserable. So I work because if you don't in standup comedy—if you don't do it a lot—you stink.

    2. Podcast: Invest Like The Best: Frank Blake of Home Depot

    Frank Blake is an attorney educated at the knee of Jack Welch at General Electric. Blake become chairman and CEO of Home Depot. Early in this episode, Blake shares the following insight about the fallacy of “cascading” communication in an organization. I have not been able to stop thinking about it since.

    https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/frank-blake-leading-by-example/id1154105909?i=1000658584388

    Key Quote:
    Frank Blake: I'm always amused when I hear leaders talk about messages cascading down through an organization as if gravity were your friend. And gravity is not your friend. Your team, for the most part through the organization, they're not waiting with bated breath to hear from you. They actually, for the most part, really don't care what you have to say . . . I walk to a store and I go up to a store manager and I say, “How'severything going?” There is only one right answer to that in any organization. The answer is: “Everything is going great. You are wonderful. Please leave.”

    And you need to understand—leaders need to understand this fundamental fact that they have to work hard to get their message and get their direction through an organization.

    3. Book: The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity
    This book by Carlo Cipolla gives the topic of stupidity some of the intellectual attention it deserves, given all the havoc it wreaks on humanity.

    https://a.co/d/e95K83Z

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGr8bMTSD4s

    Key Quote:
    The probability that a certain person will be stupid is independent of any other characteristic possessed by that person.

    ***

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  • Episode 412 features Bill Heuer, co-founder of The Countertop Factory Midwest whose

    2011 insights on leadership were shared in episode 411. Bill reveals lessons learned

    from his time at Procter & Gamble how he and his co-founder, Geoff Gran, collaborate

    to drive growth and profits for their countertop manufacturing companies, based in

    Illinois and Arizona.

    This present-day conversation— 13 years in the making!—includes further insights on

    the following topics:

    - The value of synchronous flow meetings to manage constraints and seek continuous

    improvement

    - The opportunities that led a countertop manufacturer to develop software solutions

    - The process to innovative with "hot sauce" upsell products

    - How to generate consistent profits and strong relationships with big box stores,

    national builders, and large commercial firms

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    ***

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  • In February of 2011, Bradley Hartmann requested an interview with Bill Heuer and

    Geoffrey Gran, co-founders of The Countertop Factory Midwest. The interview was

    homework—a required 5-page paper on leadership and “new venture creation”—in

    Hartmann’s MBA program.

    The interview was granted and after 8 hours in an Elmhurst, Illinois bar, Hartmann had

    ample notes. In subsequent days, Hartmann presumably shook off his hangover, wrote

    the paper, and submitted it to his professor.

    What he didn’t do was share the paper with the generous men whose insights

    comprised the backbone of the paper—Bill Heuer and Geoffrey Gran.

    Until now.

    This is Hartmann’s lost paper that shares the timeless insights from a subcontractor

    whose mission is to save the world, one countertop at a time.

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    ***

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    If you have suggestions for improvements, topics you'd like the show to explore, or have recommendations for future guests, do not hesitate to contact us directly at [email protected].