14 Best Construction Podcasts to Listen to in 2021
Grab your headphones, fire up the bluetooth, or get ready to wish your commute was a bit longer. Constructible has 14 podcast recommendations that architects, engineers, contractors, and construction professionals need to listen to in 2021.
Data shows that the construction market could get messy this year, so a focus on podcasts that offer solid advice and strategies for profit-building feature heavily on this year’s list. We also picked podcasts that will help you track the latest tech, strengthen leadership skills, and remind you that it’s incredible people that make construction the best industry in the world.
14 Construction Podcasts Every Architect, Engineer, Contractor and Construction Professional Needs to Listen to in 2021
This mainstay of the construction podcast world has been around since 2014. Host Devon Tilley’s background spans both commercial and residential building — he is an owner of a materials supply company and a co-working office space. Tilley interviews entrepreneurs and owners in the design and build industry who dish out real-world, practical advice for growing a business. The vibe is 100% sincere, upbeat, and informal.
Bonus: Accompanying every episode are show notes with links to products, promotions, and other helpful sites mentioned in the podcast.
Best for: Owners and entrepreneurs who want to network and build a company with staying power.
Where to subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
Start with these episodes:
Giving Your Business a Leg Up in the Construction Industry
Adding Value to Your Customers is the Ultimate Marketing
Missing the input and inspiration you get from in-person shows? Listen to ConExpo-Con/Agg Radio hosted by Missy Scherber, owner of a demolition and excavating company based in the Twin Cities. This podcast focuses on developing great company culture and leadership styles, plus tips for implementing new technologies where they will provide immediate value. Quality over quantity is this podcast’s theme, as they release one episode per month.
Bonus: You can access full transcripts of each episode on their website. Perfect for when you want to return to and reflect on some much-needed advice.
Best for: Leaders and future leaders in the civil, heavy and building construction who want to feel confident about their next move.
Where to subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeartRadio
Start with these episodes:
Creating a Turnkey Experience for Your Customers
Unlocking Construction Efficiencies with BIM/CIM
Maximizing Your Technology Investment
Don’t be put off by the hipster packaging on this wildly popular podcast. 99% Invisible is hosted by award-winning radio expert Roman Mars, and the production values are top notch. This podcast focuses on the power of design and architecture in our cities, buildings, machines, and lives. Think explorations and untold stories of architecture and infrastructure more than practical how-to’s.
Bonus: Are you a bookworm? You’re in luck! Roman Mars published A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design in 2020 to accompany the podcast.
Best for: Design-obsessed architects and engineers, and jaded construction professionals who want to remember why they love what they do.
Where to subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RadioPublic | Spotify
Start with these episodes:
The MCC: Chicago’s Jailhouse Skyscraper
The Smell of Concrete After Rain
“Entertaining” and “knowledgeable” are the two words most frequently used in reviews of Construction Brothers podcast. Brothers Eddie and Tyler Campbell are 6th generation builders who now own a virtual building and construction company. Their deep roots in the industry pay off here as they tackle a huge variety of construction topics and talk with leaders who are pushing the industry forward.
Bonus: Don’t have time for a full 45-minute episode? Construction Brothers recently started releasing 8-minute Episode Bites.
Best for: Contractors, architects, and consultants who want to grow their virtual design and construction business.
Where to subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Overcast | Spotify
Start with these episodes:
Prefab, Megaprojects and Recession
What is Mass Timber & How is Katerra Using It?
Hosted by Evan Hill and Matt Sprague of e-Builder, this podcast originates from a beloved series of fireside chat-style webinars. Each episode features contractors, analysts, and program managers who discuss what’s working at their respective businesses.
Bonus: Evan and Matt are busy guys! Besides the podcast, they also host a variety of webinars where they discuss hot topics around construction project management.
Best for: Project and program managers who need guidance and great ideas from their peers.
Where to subscribe: Spotify
Start with these episodes:
Tim Haile on the Future of Transportation Infrastructure
Aviad Almagor on Emerging Technologies
Benjamin Yates on the Benefits of Data Visualization on Contactor Production
Want to geek out on the latest cool tech in construction? You gotta join the ConTech Crew. This podcast, hosted by James Benham, Josh Bone, Jeff Sample, and Rob McKinney, never fails to entertain and inspire. The hosts are passionate but brutally honest, which means it’s easy for listeners to understand the difference between what is blue sky and what will actually drive ROI.
Bonus: James Benham dropped by Constructible in 2020 to talk about making more money in the trades with better processes and over 20 product recommendations.
Best for: Construction pros who want to track construction’s latest tech news and developments; Contractors who need to be wise about their tech investments.
Where to subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spreaker | Spotify
Start with these episodes:
Stop Building Tower of Babel Tech Stacks
The Status Quo Is Your Main Competitor
There’s a time and place to worship the world’s most "wow"-inducing buildings. The Business of Architecture is not that time and place. Enoch Bartlett Sears, a licensed California Architect, interviews the best and brightest for tips on better marketing, sales, finance, management, and career development practices at your firm.
Bonus: Sears posts episodes on YouTube, because sometimes you just gotta see how an architect decorates their home.
Best for: Architects who are sick of the complexities of running a business getting in the way of good design.
Where to subscribe: Apple Podcasts | FeedBurner | Spotify
Start with these episodes:
Content Marketing for Design-Build Firms
Surviving and Thriving Through a Downturn
Our favorite 3D modeling and visualization software got into the podcast game a couple of years ago — thank goodness! The formula is one SketchUp user per episode, answering all kinds of questions about workflow, extensions, native tools, and the secrets of good design.
Bonus: There’s never a shortage of things you can learn to do in SketchUp. That’s why they created a series of skill builder videos for all skill levels.
Best for: Architects who need to communicate design quickly and SketchUp users who like to push boundaries.
Where to subscribe: SketchUp’s blog
Start with these episodes:
Exclusively SketchUp with Nick Sonder
History and Current State of BIM with Bill Allen
Creating Beautiful Illustrations with Jim Leggitt
Is creating infrastructure that’s the best in the world and for the world your jam? Then this is the podcast for you! Based out of the UK, host James Banks and his guests cover the topics, key projects, and technology advancements that are helping to solve the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges.
Bonus: Gotta get more infrastructure news to fill your fix? Banks is active on Twitter and is constantly sharing scroll-worthy reads.
Best for: Construction leaders with a passion for rebuilding and reviving the world’s infrastructure.
Where to subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | PlayerFM
Start with these episodes:
Building Back Better: How Can Infrastructure Deliver Positive Social Impact?
Resilience: Are Our Towns and Cities Prepared to Meet the Challenges of Today and Tomorrow?
Making the Most of Digital Transformation
10. Contractor Cents
This one is for small business owners, although larger contractors can definitely benefit from the principles “Profitability Master” Ruth King outlines in her podcast. These episodes cover the nitty gritty of running a contracting business — from perfecting outbound maintenance calls to avoiding improper installations on a job.
Bonus: Check out King's site for links to her best-selling books and deep dive articles, as well as a calendar of training events that might be just what your staff needs.
Best for: Business, sales, and marketing leaders in specialty contracting who can't afford not to deliver this year.
Where to subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Podbean
Start with these episodes:
What to Ask Before You Invest in Software
Dumb Things Contractors Have Done
Will You Be Ready to Take Over If Your Dad Had a Sudden Heart Attack?
11. A Viewpoint on Construction
Behind every successful construction project is a team of patient and exacting operations and finance professionals. This podcast is for them! Engaging host Wayne Newitts leads insightful discussions with industry leaders and analysts — covering the market forces, themes, and best practices that are shaping the industry.
Bonus: Viewpoint runs a popular weekly interactive show called Oh Shift! Changing Construction Perspectives. Check it out for insight into topics like centralizing data, chasing work, building an enduring company culture, and more.
Best for: Finance, accounting and ops professionals in the construction space who know there’s got to be a better way to work.
Where to subscribe: Apple Podcasts
Start with these episodes:
Should You Join a Construction Trade Association?
The Future of the Connected Jobsite
Making Business More Intelligent
12. TRXL
This fascinating listen is the latest from Gābl Media — home to six(!) AEC focused podcasts. Host Evan Troxel, architect and technology expert, interviews well-known industry guests about how tech is changing the architectural profession. The discussions about generative design, dynamic systems, blockchain, one-button buildings, etc. are thought-provoking and Troxel’s soothing voice never fails to make you feel hopeful about the future.
Bonus: TRXL is just Troxel’s side gig. He co-hosts Archispeak, where he interviews architects about favorite design tools, work/life balance, mentoring, job hunting, and more.
Best for: Creators, designers and builders who want to avoid becoming obsolete.
Where to subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Start with these episodes:
Few hosts on this list carry the clout that Peggy Smedley does. With over 700 episodes and guests from Microsoft, ThyssenKrupp, Princeton University, AT&T, and more, this podcast is a must-listen for established enterprises that want to dominate in today’s digital construction ecosystem. Smedley calls herself the “podcasting voice of IoT and digital transformation” and she doesn’t disappoint.
Bonus: Episodes are blessedly short! Some run almost 30 minutes but most are between 8-15 minutes.
Best for: CEOs, CIOs and IT leaders, building product manufacturers, and procurement and supply chain management.
Where to subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher
Start with these episodes:
A Smart, Connected Supply Chain
Cybersecurity: Who Is Responsible?
14. EntreLeadership
Technically not a construction-focused podcast, EntreLeadership is hosted by Daniel Tardy and features discussions and tips on leadership from some of the top minds in business today: Mark Cuban, Seth Godin, Jim Collins, Simon Sinek, and more. It's basically the podcast version of TED Talks.
Bonus: Caught an episode that you thought was exceptional? Write a review and you'll be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card.
Best for: Construction leaders and entrepreneurs who are feeling stuck or uninspired and want to learn from other industries.
Where to subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Start with these episodes:
Balancing Quality AND Quantity — You Cannot Choose Just One
Now Is the Time to Upgrade Your Team, Training, and Talent
Can't get enough of construction tech talk? Watch James Benham, co-host of the ConTech Crew Podcast, talk to us about staying focused on double-digit margins, survival bidding, future data sets, improving productivity through process, and what Pepsi vs. Coke will look like in the construction industry.