Episodes

Consider your funeral – what is being said in your eulogy, and what do they thank you for? Are they praising your achievements and accomplishments or memorializing your character and the relationships you nourished? In this solo episode, BJ challenges listeners to define the leader you are trying to become, not just at work, but at home, too! You’ll hear all about the inspirational books (and soldier) that inspired this episode, the danger of being too focused on achievement, the importance of ...

What if the true measure of leadership is not what happens on your watch, but what happens long after you are gone? In this episode, we speak with John Teichert, an expert in leadership, about unlocking your team's potential and achieving organizational excellence. John is a retired U.S. Air Force general, combat and test pilot, and senior defense leader with thousands of flight hours across a wide range of aircraft. He is now the founder and president of Capital Leadership LLC, where he focuse...

True leverage is about multiplying leaders! In this solo episode, BJ explores the concept of leadership and leverage and shares why he believes that leaders are actually levers. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about what to consider when thinking about leverage, the power of discerning leverage properly, and how the 80/20 rule can help leaders. BJ delves into the importance of leveraging and protecting your time before discussing the difference between responsible and irresponsible leverage. BJ eve...

Projects don’t fail in the field; they fail when leaders aren’t clear on the upfront work needed to make a project successful. Today on Leadership Blueprints, Daniel McCaulley joins us to discuss how he ensures projects go well. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about who our guest is and what he does, how he approaches projects so they are successful, how he paces an owner so that a project gets planned properly while maintaining enthusiasm, and so much more! We delve into some of the best leadershi...

What does it really take to lead massive infrastructure programs at the intersection of engineering, public policy, and national security? In today’s episode, BJ Kraemer sits down with longtime mentor, former boss, and retired two-star general in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tom Tickner, to unpack leadership, public infrastructure, and how the industry is evolving through geospatial technology. They discuss what the Corps of Engineers actually does, what he learned about appropriations, e...

You cannot become a better leader without reflecting on where you have come from. At the end of every year, we dedicate an episode to helping you reflect, reset, and recommit to your goals. This conversation is built around one of host BJ Kraemer’s favorite annual practices. It’s a deliberate, honest review that drives real change across faith, family, fitness, finance, friends, and fun. In this episode, BJ shares practical ways to reflect on the year gone by, from reviewing photos, time, mone...

In this special Christmas-themed episode of the Leadership Blueprints podcast, host BJ Kraemer draws on some of his favorite classic Christmas films to explore the art and science of leading oneself and others. Ebenezer Scrooge sparks a conversation around awareness and change, while Kevin McAllister offers a surprising lens on ownership and responsibility. A nod to It’s a Wonderful Life serves as a quiet reminder of the power of relationships. The episode also explores what it means to help o...

Real innovation often starts with a problem you just can't stop thinking about. In this episode of The Leadership Blueprints Podcast, BJ Kraemer welcomes Scott Wolfe, founder and former CEO of Levelset, to unpack how a small but persistent frustration with construction payment practices led him to build one of the most influential platforms in the industry. Scott shares how Hurricane Katrina pulled him into the world of restoration work, construction law, and software development, ultimately re...

Sport is an incredible tool in developing leaders. Welcome to a very special episode of Leadership Blueprints, where BJ and Joey Fay are diving into the Army-Navy rivalry ahead of Army-Navy Week next week! In this conversation, you’ll hear all about the history of the Army-Navy games, what it feels like to participate, the rivalry of both love and hate, and so much more! We delve into some leadership lessons we’ve learned on the field of friendly strife before discussing the power of working as...

Entrepreneurship often starts with a spark of curiosity and the courage to follow it. In this episode of The Leadership Blueprints Podcast, BJ Kraemer sits down with Malory Atkinson, co-founder and managing partner of Shear Structural, Georgia’s only all-women-owned structural engineering firm. Malory shares how growing up with an entrepreneurial father and starting her career during the 2008 recession shaped her approach to leadership, relationships, and resilience. She reflects on her time in...

A leader’s success is directly tied to their ability to set an example to those they’re leading and manage their own sense of discipline. Today on Leadership Blueprints, we wrap up our DOD series with a special guest, Dan Bailey. Dan is a former naval officer and the current vice president of commercial operations at Quanta Services. Tuning in, you’ll hear about Dan’s time in the Navy, moving from active duty to Quanta Services, what the company does, and why leaders need to be enablers. We de...

Welcome back to another episode of Leadership Blueprints as we continue our special DoD to AEC series for November, honoring veterans who have transitioned from active duty into the built environment. In this episode, BJ Kraemer sits down with MCFA senior project leader and former Marine Corps infantry officer Brian McGrath to explore his journey from platoon commander in Afghanistan to leading complex construction and development projects across diverse markets. Brian shares the realities of c...

Bill Squires, now serving as Chief Venues and Operations Manager for the New York, New Jersey Host Committee for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, has built a remarkable career shaped by discipline, service, and an enduring passion for leadership. His journey began when he found his calling as a Navy pilot, a foundation that continues to influence his approach to managing complex operations and teams. Today, he remains connected to the Naval Academy, mentoring the next generation of leaders and carrying...

Bill Squires, now serving as Chief Venues and Operations Manager for the New York, New Jersey Host Committee for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, has built a remarkable career shaped by discipline, service, and an enduring passion for leadership. His journey began when he found his calling as a Navy pilot, a foundation that continues to influence his approach to managing complex operations and teams. Today, he remains connected to the Naval Academy, mentoring the next generation of leaders and carrying...

In business, you should always approach situations with a focus on achieving the best outcome for the circumstances, not just for yourself. Today, we are joined by former West Point 2004 classmate and USACE market leader at Mead & Hunt, Craig Bryant. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Craig’s career and transition from active duty to Mead & Hunt, why you need to make sure the people you lead feel valued and respected, how you can do that, and so much more! We delve into Craig’s unique approach t...

As the year winds down and the pace of projects, planning, and priorities picks up, BJ takes a moment to reflect on what it means to lead through transition. In this solo episode of Leadership Blueprints, he shares insights on recognizing the natural rhythms of leadership - the seasons of building, the pauses for reflection, and the moments when teams need to reset before accelerating forward. BJ discusses the importance of taking inventory - not just of your workload, but of your mindset. He ...

The final months of the year can feel like a sprint - at home, at work, and everywhere in between. For leaders, that “push to the finish line” often comes at the expense of peace, presence, and purpose. In this special re-release of a timely conversation, BJ Kraemer sits down with Valerie Peterson, LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor who helps high-performing professionals find balance and resilience through self-awareness and intentional living. Together, they explore how to lead with pre...

At first glance, business development might not appear to be part of a leader’s role. Yet it’s central to how effective leaders build trust, connect vision to operations, and align people and projects around shared purpose. In this episode of The Leadership Blueprints Podcast, BJ welcomes Brad Adams, founder and principal of The R4 Group, a specialized business development consulting firm. Drawing on decades of experience from Wall Street to partnerships with architects, engineers, developers, ...

Welcome back to another episode of Leadership Blueprints. Join our conversation with today's guest, Dan Cook, as he shares what his role at the University of Notre Dame entails and why he initially decided to join the Navy. Dan sheds light on the leadership lessons he learned in the military and how he had to adjust his leadership style for civilian life. We also dive into how he approached his transition, what life is like now, and how he balances work and life. For all this, plus his predict...

Welcome back to another episode of Leadership Blueprints. In this series, we aim to honor veterans who have transitioned from active duty into the built environment. This series is designed to help veterans transition into the built environment by offering a clear understanding of career paths and showcasing the powerful networking opportunities that can facilitate their success. Join our conversation with today's guest, Dan Cook, as he shares what his role at the University of Notre Dame entai...

Discipline and consistency aren't just habits - they're essential virtues that fuel our guests’ leadership style, entrepreneurial triumphs, and social impact. Joining BJ on the podcast today is Dr. Charles Thomas Jr, or CT for short. CT is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur, educator, and Amazon #1 best-selling author committed to service. He embodies the Renaissance ideal of broad learning and full engagement, drawing on diverse experiences across the public, private, and nonprofit sect...

Joining BJ on the show today to discuss the finance side of real estate is Ward Fitzgerald. He is the former CEO and Senior Managing Principal of Exeter Property Group, which was acquired by EQT in 2021. Ward is now the current CEO of ExCorde Capital, a real estate investment platform that delivers unprecedented value creation with a strong focus on sharing love. Ward holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Join the c...

Listening to people is the most powerful tool a leader has! Today on Leadership Blueprints, we head back to the high seas with another Navy guest, Dr. John Cordle. In this conversation, you’ll hear about John’s fascinating career from active duty in the Navy to writing to coaching other writers. We delve into John’s transition from active duty to working a regular job before he shares why that transition should simply be another part of the journey. Learn all about why John is an advocate for g...

During this episode, we’re speaking with Jill Jamieson, President and CEO of Illuminati Infrastructure Advisors, a boutique advisory firm that specializes in helping public sector entities fund, finance, and deliver complex infrastructure projects. With over 30 years of experience across the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, Jill is recognized globally as a leader in infrastructure finance and delivery. Join us as Jill shares insights from her work advising clients on more than $4...