Build Me Up

In today’s discussion, we explore construction and design trends reshaping the healthcare industry. The design needs and construction requirements for medical centers are evolving rapidly, driven by new challenges, technological advancements and economic changes—and we’re here to explore what this means for you and your projects. Laurisa is joined by Rachael Oelke of Kraus-Anderson, Matt Okeefe with Synergy Architecture Studio and Luke Sahly from Continua. Together, we discuss navigating material uncertainties, speeding up project delivery and design choices in healthcare facilities that provide care for the cargivers working in them.

Today we welcome back Ben Shardlow, chief of staff at the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District. Ben joins us today to talk about the Downtown by Design 2035 plan for the city of Minneapolis. From safety to culture to the overall vibe of the city we cover some of the highlights of what we can expect in the next 10 years along with how the city engaged with neighborhood groups, organizations, and other cities to create a strategic vision for the future of downtown Minneapolis. https://www.mplsdowntown.com/2035plan/ https://www.mplsdowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MDC_2035Plan.pdf

In this episode, Lori Barr, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Raise the Barr, joins "Build Me Up." Lori and her son Anthony, a former defenseman for the Minnesota Vikings and 4X NFL Pro-Bowler, founded the organization in 2016. The nonprofit aims to help single parents break down the social and economic barriers that come with pursuing higher education. We chatted with Lori about Raise the Barr’s programs and resources, her personal experiences that led to the opening of the nonprofit, working with her son and the nonprofit’s blueprint for success, and more!

Back by popular demand, “Build Me Up” invited FMI’s Partner and Managing Director of Research and Analytics, Jay Bowman, and KA’s EVP and COO Rich Jacobson back to chat! They join us each year as we look to see what the new year is going bring the built market. Jay specializes in construction spending forecasts, strategic planning, and research and analytics for the A/C/E industry. We recap our 2024, talk fed rates and building material prices, how AI and tech fits into our world, and of course predictions for 2025! Jay brings in the national perspective of what we can expect, and Rich gives a more focused, local approach of what is going on in the Midwest market.

Season 6 of "Build Me Up" is complete. Thank you to all the guests who participated in Season 5, as well as to our listeners. We’re grateful to have a platform where stories that build up the community can be shared. See you in the New Year!

Food shelves are essential for addressing food insecurity in communities, providing vital support to individuals and families who struggle to access adequate nutrition. They offer a safety net, especially during times of economic hardship, by distributing donated and surplus food to those in need. Food shelves help reduce hunger, promote health, and foster a sense of community by ensuring that no one goes without the necessity of food. Leigh Zydonik and Lory Olsson from the Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center in Cave Creek, AZ join the podcast to help us better understand the terms "food deserts" and "food insecurity," to deliver an honest picture of the food landscape within the US, to highlight their facility’s services, and to discuss how their new building will help aid in the nonprofit’s capabilities.

Trigger Warning: This podcast contains references to sensitive themes, such as suicide, which may be distressing to some individuals. We ask you to put yourself and your mental health first when making the decision to listen. Death by suicide is all too common, particularly in the construction industry, as the suicide rate among male construction workers is 75% higher than men in the general population. Research indicates that talking about mental health and suicide helps with prevention, so "Build Me Up” is utilizing its platform to create a space for conversation. We’re joined by the LIVIN Foundation, a nonprofit that seeks to prevent suicide by creating quality connections through everyday conversations about mental health by way of programs and partnerships. In this episode, we discuss the history of the nonprofit, its various services, the importance of talking about mental health, and what truly “LIVIN” means to our guests. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please text 988 to connect with the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline. Representatives are also available online to assist via chat.

Trigger Warning: This podcast contains references to sensitive themes, such as domestic and intimate-partner violence and sexual assault, which may be distressing to some individuals. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so "Build Me Up" is taking the opportunity to highlight Bemidji’s Northwoods Battered Women’s Shelter and the influential work that they do surrounding intimate-partner violence. As one in four women, as well as one in seven men experience domestic violence within their lifetimes, it’s important to discuss how everyone can play a role in supporting survivors and fostering a community rooted in safety and respect. If you or someone you know is experience domestic violence, please call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788 to connect with the National Domestic Violence Hotline for help. Representatives are also available online to assist via chat.

"Build Me Up" sits down with the team at Darcy Solutions to discuss geothermal systems. We're turning up the heat—or should we say dialing it down?—with an exciting look at geothermal heating and cooling. Have you ever wondered how one can harness the Earth's natural energy to keep our homes and businesses comfortable year-round? In this episode, we explore the science behind this sustainable technology, its benefits, and why it's gaining traction as a game-changer in the HVAC world. Get ready to go underground with us as we uncover the cool facts and hot trends in geothermal heating and cooling!

Adolescence is a crucial time for building good habits that are key to mental health, such as good sleep, exercising, learning to cope with problems, and managing emotions. Having supportive family, school, and community environments really helps. Many factors can affect mental health, and the more risks teens face, the more it impacts them. Some teens are at higher risk of mental health issues because of tough living conditions, stigma, discrimination, or lack of support, like those in unstable settings, with chronic illnesses, or from minority backgrounds. In this episode, "Build Me Up" discusses the mental health of our youth and what the Prairie Care Fund is doing to provide support to schools and families on the front lines of this issue.

As residents of the large metro area of Minneapolis, Laurisa and Lisa sometimes forget what a privilege it is to have close access to a variety of leading healthcare providers. The reality for many is that they have to travel a long way to receive specialty care. Often, it means taking kids out of school, being away from the family's support system, and major disruptions to everyday life. The Ronald McDonald House Charity works to improve the health and well-being of children and support families whose children are dealing with serious illnesses or injuries. By providing lodging, meals, and a K-12 school, to name a few of its services, it allows families to focus on their child's health. In December 2023, the Eastern Wisconsin RMHC Chapter celebrated its 40-year anniversary. Laurie Bertrand, President and CEO, and Mike Timmers, board member / Kraus-Anderson's Director of Operations (Milwaukee), join the podcast to highlight the nonprofit's good work and services.

Kraus-Anderson's Building Information Modeling (BIM) Department joins this episode of "Build Me Up." From drones to 360-degree cameras to Digital Twin, Andrea, Michelle, and Micah sit down to discuss the various tools utilized to help aid the construction process. The team chats about clash detections, as well as the benefits of involving their department before, during, and after the building process.

Environmental, Social, and Government (ESG) requirements are popping up everywhere. Do you know the expectations of all the various stakeholders that impact your business? These include project owners, general contractors, investors, lenders, insurance companies, employees, and governmental agencies. Each comes with risks and opportunities. We are thrilled to join the Kraus-Anderson Insurance "Ilume" podcast to bring you an enlightening discussion on construction environmental risk and insurance. Mallory Thomas, a partner with Baker Tilly’s risk management practice in Minneapolis joins us to discuss these emerging risk issues and ways to position your business for success, both internally and externally.

At "Build Me Up," we've noticed a surge in articles discussing the use of mass timber in construction. While timber has been a construction staple for centuries, conversation about it has increased due to its role in addressing sustainability issues, particularly embodied carbon. Advancements in timber products, like cross-laminated or glue-laminated timber, have enhanced its strength, prompting the industry to take a fresh look at this long-used material. Kevin Bright, KA's Sustainability Manager, and Chad Rempe, KA’s Design Phase Services Manager, join the podcast. Together, we delve into the realm of mass timber, aiming to debunk assumptions about embodied carbon and its significance in construction.

Back by popular demand, "Build Me Up" invited FMI’s Partner and Managing Director of Research and Analytics, Jay Bowman and KA’s EVP and COO Rich Jacobson back to chat! They join us each year as we give in to a look ahead for the year. Jay specializes in construction spending forecasts, strategic planning, and research and analytics for the A/C/E industry. We talk about strategic planning, tech, workforce challenges, and industry trends for 2024. Jay brings in the national perspective of what we can expect, and Rich gives a more focused, local approach of what is going on in the Midwest market.

In this episode, Laurisa and Lisa delve into the fascinating world of The Learning Jet with our special guests, Steve Hurvitz and Kraus-Anderson’s Doug Jaeger! Wonder what The Learning Jet is and what it does? The Learning Jet's primary goal is to ignite students' passion for STEM subjects by immersing them in aviation education programs and activities. As the nation's pioneering nonprofit organization of its kind, they've transformed a Boeing 727 cargo jet into a one-of-a-kind classroom. Join us as we explore the innovative hands-on experiences The Learning Jet offers to students and community organizations alike.

Wow— Five seasons of "Build Me Up"! Thank you to all the guests who participated in Season 5, as well as to our listeners. We’re grateful to have a platform where stories that build up the community can be shared. See you in the New Year!

This week, Abbie Lown from Girl Scouts of River Valley, Barb Pecks from the Carpenters Union, and Laurie Trousil, Kraus-Anderson’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion, join Build Me Up. The group talks about the Girl Scouts' Power Girls program which focuses on exposing middle school and high school girls to the trades and the impact it’s having on not only the girls but their families as well. We also discuss the current state of women in the trades and what keeps some women from looking at trade work as a viable career. Kraus-Anderson recently sponsored an event at the Carpenters Union with the Girl Scouts, so we recap the day's activities and discuss the possibility of future events.

In this episode, Lisa and Laurisa chat with the awesome folks from the HealthPartners Clinical Simulation Program. The group dives into the different procedures they practice, as well as discusses the lab's interesting features. Learn how the team uses this tool to boost the skills, both hard and soft, of the healthcare workers to make the patient experience even better. Discover the importance of simulation technology and the big difference it's making in healthcare.

Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of New Brighton Jennifer Fink, Parks Superintendent for the City of Eagan Chris Fleck, and Eric Quam, a project manager in Kraus-Anderson’s Government sector join this week's episode of "Build Me Up." We chat about the impact parks have in our lives (especially post-COVID), the many “hats” Jennifer and Chris wear in their jobs, how fulfilling a career in Parks + Rec can be, and more! "What I hear when I'm being yelled at is people caring really loudly..." -Leslie Knope