In this brutally honest solo episode of Atomic Construction, host Kevin Hohe drops the guest list and opens up about one of the worst projects he’s ever run — and what it taught him about leadership, failure, and how to handle chaos when everything goes wrong.

From lost anchors to angry emails, Kevin walks listeners through the anatomy of a “bad job,” sharing what it’s like to be the small contractor caught in the crossfire of miscommunication, poor planning, and blame. But more than a story about mistakes, this is a conversation about accountability, about how to lead with humility, how to reset a broken relationship, and how to tell the difference between a good project manager and a bad one.

Because at the end of the day, as Kevin says, every construction project comes down to people, and there are only two kinds: Randy, the collaborative leader who takes ownership and helps everyone win, and Billy Bob, the finger-pointer who makes sure everyone else takes the fall.

In this episode

• What to do when a project goes completely sideways

• How to repair trust with clients and GCs after failure

• Why collaboration beats litigation every time

• The hidden power of taking total ownership

• How to spot whether you’re working for a “Randy” or a “Billy Bob”

• Why the best jobs are often the ones you don’t take

A candid, hard-earned masterclass in leadership from the field, packed with real stories, painful lessons, and the kind of truth most builders are too proud to admit.

Stay connected:

• Kevin Hohe | LinkedIn

And let us know what you think with our feedback form.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode of Atomic Construction, host Kevin Hohe takes the mic to talk about one of the toughest and most overlooked parts of the construction industry: people and culture. With no guest lined up, Kevin uses the time to reflect on the mission behind Atomic Construction, the growing skills gap, and how the trades can reclaim pride, purpose, and profitability.

Drawing on two decades in the industry and lessons from growing Complete Fence from a five million to a hundred million dollar business, Kevin breaks down what makes great teams thrive and why culture is not a buzzword but a daily practice. From defining company values to firing high performers who do not align with them, he explores how to build a workplace that attracts, inspires, and retains the best talent in the trades.

In this episode

• Why the construction industry is facing a major skills gap

• How to build purpose into blue collar work

• The difference between values written on a wall and values lived every day

• Why culture should be your company’s strongest foundation

• Lessons from growing a business and failing forward

• How to create opportunity for people willing to work and grow

• Why authenticity, grit, and shared purpose define great teams

Kevin closes with a challenge to every tradesperson and business owner: invest in culture, live your values, and build better together.

Stay connected:

• Kevin Hohe | LinkedIn

And let us know what you think with our feedback form.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Atomic Construction, Kevin Hohe sits down with Dan Wheeler, founder of River City Fence and host of The Fence Industry Podcast, to talk about grit, growth, and the lessons learned from four decades in the trades. What begins as a conversation between two builders turns into an honest exploration of evolution, from running family businesses to shaping an entire industry through curiosity and community.

Dan shares how he turned his father’s small town fence company into a multi crew operation while producing more than 500 podcast episodes and helping others grow along the way. Together, Kevin and Dan unpack what it means to lead by example, the tension between craftsmanship and entrepreneurship, and how the trades can reclaim the respect they deserve.

In this episode:

• Why being the best builder is not the same as being the best business owner

• How curiosity and networking sparked the first fence industry podcast

• The power of evolving from hands on work to leadership

• Why mentorship and community matter more than competition

• What it means to build something that lasts, on site and in life

Stay connected:

• Kevin Hohe | LinkedIn

And let us know what you think with our feedback form.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.