Dirt Talk by BuildWitt

It was only a short time ago that BuildWitt and C.W. Matthews got connected, and yet there's been a certain buzz among the BuildWitt folks that had been to visit some C.W. Matthews job sites: "you gotta have Dan Garcia on Dirt Talk." With a ringing endorsement like that, it was only a matter of time. Dan Garcia has been President at C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., Inc. for over 9 years. He's clearly a compassionate leader, and throughout the conversation, his care for the people who work with him pours out. This week on Dirt Talk, host Aaron Witt sits down with Dan Garcia of C.W. Matthews. They dig into a number of topics like "why invest in a company pastor?" and "why invest in a program for high schoolers?" and "why apply for a government program to hire 24 immigrant workers for the summer?"And yet, there's a clear common thread throughout the conversation: Dan is a man who understands the cost of truly investing in your people is never a question of value. To get to know more about what's going on at C.W. Matthews, check them out at cwmatthews.com and on IG at @cw_matthews.Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app.To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation.If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to DirtTalk@buildwitt.com.Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Dirt Talk, Aaron and Alex discuss some feedback about the structure of Dirt Talk and the complicated relationship that feedback has with creative endeavors, especially when it comes to podcasting (they're super appreciative of the feedback, though!). Later, the guys address at length a question from a contractor looking to start hiring for the first time while trying to button up the business before the hirings happen. Then, they consider an email from a listener from the coal industry.In this episode, Aaron references both Uncontainable: How Passion, Commitment, and Conscious Capitalism Built a Business Where Everyone Thrive by Kip Tindell and The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance by Rich Diviney.Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app.To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation.If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to DirtTalk@buildwitt.com.Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes, things just work out. That's how Justin Martin (CEO of Nox Group Companies, which is the umbrella corp over Corbins, among other companies) & David Brown (President of D. Brown Management) ended up on Dirt Talk. It all started with Aaron telling the Dirt Talk crew that Justin happened to be coming to town, and would be a great Dirt Talk guest. And then Justin showed up at the office to record and he'd brought David along. After a few minutes of small talk, Aaron asks David, "Can you talk?" ... and thus, we've got Justin and David on the pod!This week on Dirt Talk, host Aaron Witt is joined by Justin Martin and David Brown. They talk about the importance of team values, making space and opportunities for your people to be together, and how failure can sometimes be the best teacher.Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app.To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation.If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to DirtTalk@buildwitt.com.Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Dirt Talk, Alex and Aaron talk about traveling to Starkville, MS via the Natchez Trace and the increase in trucks due to e-commerce. They also discuss the challenges of greatly increasing the rail system in the United States. Later, they further investigate the American infrastructure life-cycle before broaching the (sometimes) complicated topic of oil and natural gas and its difficult PR relationship with the typical person. Then, they answer a question about the need for "operator classes" in community colleges, and the broader challenges and opportunities related to that.Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app.To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation.If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to DirtTalk@buildwitt.com.Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For better or for worse, Mr. Eric Jumper is back to shoot the poop with host Aaron Witt. The guys meander through all kinds of Dirt World topics, but they do spend a good bit of time on the importance of training non-Dirt World folks in the ways of the Dirt World. They also check in about the grandeur of Buc-ee's, Eric's upcoming trip to do some work with Shay Stutsman in CO, and the perils of dredging (hard on machines, watch out for turtles).Follow Eric on IG @eric_jumper.Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app.To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation.If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to DirtTalk@buildwitt.com.Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron and Alex chat about the possibility of Aaron needing to hire someone to take his CEO role someday, operator comfort, and why it's so important to make it easy for team members to make good decisions.Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app.To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation.If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to DirtTalk@buildwitt.com.Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Dirt Talk, host Aaron Wit regales co-host Alex Horton with the details of his recent trip to Europe. Aaron loves a play-by-play, and the short version is laid out below.Among other things: Aaron and Angel pregame their trip to Europe They met up with a few guys from Stutsman Gerbaz Inc. out of Colorado who were ALSO traveling abroad In Zurich, they took a trip to see a bridge demo, where they found they weren't the only onlookers The gang went to a few Aregger demo sites where they saw some thicc track hoes munch concrete Saw the Liebherr A-Rex, one of the largest machines on the continent PAUSE as Aaron reflects on the efficiency of Swiss demolition, especially the application of OilQuick They saw Eberhard's main facility and were shocked and awed by the scale, and Eberhard's incredible museum Went to see the good folks of Liebherr, where they dug up the French countryside and toured the facilities Finally, Aaron and Angel ended up in Munich for a celebratory beer Thanks for keeping up with the BuildWitt adventures, both home and abroad.Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app.To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation.If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to DirtTalk@buildwitt.com.Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron and Alex discuss the flaws in the argument that the Dirt World will rebound fine from another recession and then Aaron answers questions about excavation and the “formula” new business owners can use to build their books of business.To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation.If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to DirtTalk@buildwitt.com.Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Schiffer (of NS Builders fame) is back on the podcast, but this time in person! Nick and Dirt Talk host Aaron Witt chat about the complications of separating a personal brand from a business’s brand, the importance of "rising tides raise all ships" in construction, and the positive aspects of working with "competitors" to build a better market for contractors and customers. Nick also discusses how new business owners can borrow/steal lessons that the folks who came before them.Nick is co-host of The Modern Craftsman Podcast.You can also learn more about Nick at nickschiffer.com.Aaron and Nick also reference The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, with Douglas Abrams.Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app.If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to DirtTalk@buildwitt.com.Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Dirt Talk, Aaron and Alex talk about Aarons’s Boston marathon run and how sometimes, you need a break from running, and other times, you just need to do the thing. They later discuss Aarons’s trip to Europe and the tremendous earthmoving power of the Midnight Force at Zurich airport. They then answer a few questions about when it makes sense for a small company to merge with a larger company and what it takes to effectively sell to Dirt World companies.Don't forget you can watch or listen to Dirt Talk on the BuildWitt app! You can learn more about it at buildwitt.com/buildwitt-app.To connect with other people who listen to this show, use and search for the hashtag #betterdirtworld and join in on the conversation.If you have questions/comments/concerns, reach out to DirtTalk@buildwitt.com.Stay Dirty! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices