As graduation and intern season approach, we want to dive into a topic we all have faced—just-in-time talent.     Join BJ as he discusses the talent equation, including why we should always be recruiting, regardless of whether we are hiring or not.     BJ addresses the debate between sourcing external talent and developing internal talent, his perspective on on-the-job training, and where the secret sauce of growth lies.     Don’t miss out; start listening now!    Key Points From This Episode:  Why we should always be recruiting, even if we aren’t ..read more

As vital as it is for peace and transformation, the importance of leadership (and leadership itself) is still widely misunderstood. When leaders fail to fulfill their roles (after not understanding what they entail in the first place), it creates a space for trauma to thrive.    Today we are joined by Larry Yatch, a Navy SEAL-turned-education and business consultant, and who explains what leadership looks like from the perspective of a Navy veteran.    We learn about Larry’s life before the SEALs, what he did during his Navy career, and why he chose to pivot the way he did ..read more

We occasionally feature guests on our show who specialize in the transition from the Department of Defense to Architectural Engineering and Construction (DoD to AEC). In the industry, there are notable talent and leadership gaps that persist, and the DoD to AEC program aims to address these by tapping into the skills of military personnel who transition to civilian roles.    Joining BJ on the show today is ‘Colonel-soon-to-be-retired’ Adam Sawyer. Adam has over 23 years of experience successfully leading and transforming diverse teams in organizational development, education, program ..read more

In this episode, we sit down with Adam Stark, Special Forces Veteran and Co-Founder of Jet.Build. Jet.Build is a provider of cloud-based project management solutions created specifically for real estate developers and construction professionals.     With a background in the Special Forces, Adam brings a unique perspective to the table. He combines his military expertise with his skills in project management and technology. He is also committed to holistic leadership, personal development, and making a positive impact in his industry and community.     In our conversation, w ..read more

To be an effective leader, you must believe that other people matter and, as a result, that leadership is a relationship.     This is the belief of today’s guest, Mike Erwin. A soldier, educator, author, non-profit founder, veteran advocate, and Executive Director at Team Red, White & Blue (RWB), America's leading health and wellness community for veterans. Mike is also CEO of the Character & Leadership Center and co-founder and president of The Positivity Project, a non-profit organization that aims to empower America’s youth to build positive relationships.     As ..read more

During this episode, we’re turning the tables; the guest becomes the host, and the host becomes the guest!  Jon Nehlsen is the Chief Financial Officer at MCFA, and he joins us to interview BJ Kraemer. You’ll hear all about BJ’s formative experiences, from his childhood experiences to his early career in construction before joining MCFA.  Getting into his West Point journey, we explore what it was like to continue his father’s military legacy, and BJ shares how he has drawn inspiration from a veteran who didn’t make it home.  We also discuss the reading list that has shaped his t ..read more

Buckle up folks because today is going to be an adventure with our guest, Jimmy Vreeland, who BJ mentioned last week while meandering on the topic of fulfillment. Join in and get to know more about who Jimmy Vreeland is, what he does, and how he got there. We delve into how he got to the inflection point of starting a podcast (or podcasts) with the mission to educate people, and then deep dive into Jordan B. Peterson’s interpretation of The Hero’s Journey and Jimmy shares his thoughts on achievement and fulfillment, including his personal definition of the latter. Jimmy offers a compelling ele ..read more

One of MCFA’s brand promises to our employees is a fulfilling career. While the responsibility for ultimately finding fulfillment is individual, today, you’ll find out how MCFA has built an environment and a culture that facilitates this brand promise and enables someone to navigate a rewarding career. To learn what fulfillment is, why it matters, how it contributes toward a meaningful life, what its correlation with success is, and much more, stay tuned for some thought-provoking conversations in this series of solocasts and special guest interviews on the topic of fulfillment with your host ..read more

On today’s episode, BJ sits down with David Allen, author of “Getting Things Done”. David breaks down his career journey, what inspired him to write “Getting Things Done”, and how the GTD process has revolutionized project management.  Resources mentioned:  Find out more about “Getting Things Done” and David at: https://gettingthingsdone.com/ “Humankind” by Rutger Bregman: https://www.amazon.com/Humankind-Hopeful-History-Rutger-Bregman/dp/0316418536 Calls-to-action:  Inspiring People and Places is brought to you by MCFA. Visit our website www.MCFAglobal.com and sign up for ..read more

While both are important to the success of a company, what is it that differentiates a leader from a manager? Today, you’ll hear from Quatrefoil Consulting founder, veteran Marine, and MCFA’s newest team leader, Joey Fay, about some of the key distinctions between managing and leading a group of people. In 2018, Joey launched Quatrefoil, a service-disabled veteran-owned project leadership company that was acquired by and merged with MCFA in February of 2024, where he continues his career as President of Diversified Markets. Before 2008, Joey served as an officer in the United States Marine Cor ..read more