🔑 Episode Summary:
Welcome back to Wired to Build, a data-driven, technology-focused podcast digging into how building owners and operators use technology to manage the full lifecycle of their projects.
In Part 2 of our conversation with Jamie Lynn Cooke, we move beyond AI hype and dig into what responsible implementation actually looks like. We unpack the differences between procedural software and probabilistic AI, break down high-risk use cases, and explore how to balance autonomy and oversight in capital project environments.
From Air Canada's now-famous chatbot lawsuit to jobsite automation risks, this episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about integrating AI while protecting people, brand, and bottom line.
If Part 1 was the why, this is the how.
🧠 Key Takeaways:
AI ≠ Traditional Code: AI doesn't repeat exact outcomes. Understanding the difference between procedural and probabilistic systems is essential.
Governance is Risk Strategy: Good governance isn't red tape—it's how you decide where you're willing to fail.
Real-World Risk Examples: Air Canada’s chatbot cost them in court. The lesson? If your logo is on it, you own it.
Human-in-the-Loop vs Human-on-the-Loop: Knowing the right level of oversight is key to safe AI augmentation.
Not All Productivity Is Equal: Gains that cause rework or liability later aren’t productivity wins.
Cautious Optimism > Blind Adoption: Move fast with purpose, not without a plan.
🗣️ Shareable Quotes:
“AI doesn’t fail like humans—it fails confidently. That’s the danger.” – Jamie Lynn Cooke
“Governance isn’t red tape. It’s how you decide where you’re willing to fail.” – Nick Caravella
“If your logo is on the AI, you’re liable for what it says.” – Jamie Lynn Cooke
“Cautious optimism doesn’t mean moving slowly—it means moving with discipline.” – Nick Caravella
“You can’t sue an algorithm—but you can sue the company behind it.” – Jamie Lynn Cooke
🔗Links to reference for more:
🔑 Episode Summary:
Welcome to Wired to Build, a data-driven, technology-focused podcast digging into how owners and operators use technology to manage the full lifecycle of their projects. In this guest introduction episode, host Nick Caravella sits down with Jamie Lynn Cook—an author, consultant, and educator who's helped organizations transform big ideas into operational reality.
We explore Jamie’s evolution from software tester to change agent, uncovering her early interest in usability, systems thinking, and business process optimization. Jamie reveals how her journey led her to apply Agile beyond software and into enterprise-wide strategy. With a clear-eyed view of today’s AI hype cycle, Jamie warns against "cartoon dollar signs" and makes the case for governance, not chaos, in the age of automation.
This episode lays the foundation for the next one, where we dig deeper into AI governance and how to navigate the risks of rapid adoption.
👤 Guest Bio:
Jamie Lynn Cook is an author, consultant, and educator focused on operationalizing innovation. She brings Agile methodology out of its software silo and into enterprise strategy, helping organizations improve productivity without sacrificing quality. Her latest work tackles the realities of AI transformation, focusing on responsible adoption and the human implications of automation.
🧠 Key Takeaways:
Productivity ≠ Hours Worked: Jamie redefines productivity by how much value is delivered—not how many hours are logged.
Agile Isn’t Just for Software: Agile can—and should—be applied across business functions, from marketing to operations.
Beware of Cartoon Dollar Signs: Organizations often rush into AI with unrealistic cost-saving dreams and unclear directives.
Entry-Level Isn’t Optional: Eliminating entry-level jobs in favor of AI jeopardizes the future talent pipeline.
Links to reference for more:
Welcome to Wired to Build, a data-driven, technology-focused podcast digging into how owners and operators use tech to manage the full life cycle of their projects.
In this episode, we’re joined by Itzik Malka, CEO and co-founder of 4M Analytics, who is building the first centralized subsurface utility database—a Google Maps for what’s underground.
We explore:
Why utility data today is unstructured and unreliable
How AI and image science can map utilities without digging
Use cases from DOTs, engineering firms, and infrastructure owners
The future of digital twins, permitting, and predictive analytics
If you've ever seen spray paint on a sidewalk and wondered what’s below—you’ll want to listen.
🔗 Learn more at 4manalytics.com
📥 Subscribe and sign up for the Avicado Toast newsletter
🎯 Share with a friend who’s Wired to Build
Welcome to Wired to Build, a data-driven, technology-focused podcast digging into how owners and operators use technology to manage the full life cycle of their projects.
In this Guest Intro episode, hosts Nick Caravella and Christy Hunt sit down with Itzik Malka, CEO and co-founder of 4M Analytics — a company on a mission to bring visibility to what’s always been invisible: the subsurface.
Itzik shares how his experience in landmine detection and humanitarian demining shaped his understanding of risk, uncertainty, and the value of having trusted information before taking action. That perspective laid the foundation for 4M’s audacious goal: to build the first-ever digital map of underground infrastructure.
Together, they unpack:
Why buried utilities are a universal problem — and a hidden opportunity
How subsurface data impacts safety, budgets, and timelines on every project
The difference between “as-designed” and “as-built” — and why that gap matters
Why trust, speed, and collaboration are the new currency of construction
What it really means to be Wired to Build in a fragmented industry
About our Guest
Itzik Malka is the CEO and co-founder of 4M Analytics, a technology company building the first nationwide subsurface infrastructure map — starting with the United States. A former Israeli Special Forces engineer, Itzik began his career in landmine detection before applying his expertise to civil engineering and post-conflict recovery. His passion for using data to reduce risk and improve decision-making led to the founding of 4M, which now partners with DOTs and public agencies across the U.S. to unlock visibility into what lies beneath our streets, highways, and cities.
🔑 Key Takeaways
What’s underground is no longer invisible: 4M Analytics is creating structured, searchable data where none existed before.
Construction is fragmented — trust is the glue: Speed, data access, and transparency drive better decisions and stronger partnerships.
Documentation ≠ reality: “As-builts” are often incomplete or inaccurate — digital tools need to fill the gap.
Utility data is infrastructure: Owners must treat utility information as a core input, not an afterthought.
Change starts with good enough: Waiting for perfection holds back innovation. Actionable insight, even if incomplete, is better than none.
Safety, schedule, and cost all depend on subsurface clarity: From project planning to incident prevention, underground visibility is foundational.
Welcome back to Wired to Build, the data-driven, technology-focused podcast that digs into how owners and operators use tech to manage the full life cycle of their projects.
In Part 2 of our conversation with Matt Caldwell, Director of AI/Cloud Data Centers at Hyper Solutions, we dive into the future of data centers—from managing gigawatt-scale projects to reimagining manufacturing with transparency, flexibility, and speed.
Matt breaks down:
Why transparency is no longer a feature—it’s a foundation
How decentralized manufacturing drives agility and quality
The role of nuclear in future energy strategy
AI’s impact on infrastructure demand (and global power dynamics)
From Lego-like modularity to universal basic AI, this episode explores the operational and geopolitical stakes of tomorrow’s data center economy.
📌 Don’t forget to:
Subscribe and rate the show
Sign up for the Avicado Toast Newsletter
Share this episode with a friend or your next project team
Welcome to Wired to Build, a data-driven, technology-focused podcast digging into how owners and operators use technology to manage the full life cycle of their projects. In this episode, Nick Caravella and Christy Hunt sit down with Matt Caldwell, Director of AI/Cloud Data Centers at Hyper Solutions, to explore the transformation of data centers—from modest megawatt facilities to today's massive gigawatt campuses powering AI and cloud computing.
With over two decades in the industry, Matt shares his journey from accidental entry into the data center world to helping redefine how infrastructure is built, scaled, and delivered. The conversation spans everything from supply chain transparency to the future of nuclear-powered data centers.
🔑 Key Topics:
The early days of data centers vs. today’s AI-driven demand
Why cloud and colocation transformed the market
How Hyper Solutions is rethinking supply chain and manufacturing
The role of transparency, people, process, and technology in scaling
What makes Matt Caldwell Wired to Build
📌 Don’t forget to:
Subscribe to the show
Rate and review us!
Sign up for the Avicado Toast newsletter
Share this episode with a friend or colleague
The demand for data centers has never been higher—and it’s evolving faster than most can keep up. In Part 2 of our conversation with Kaylen Bushell, we go beyond her career story to dig deep into the operational realities shaping modern data center design.
Kaylen shares why failure domains, redundancy models, and maintenance planning aren’t just checkboxes—they’re the foundation of uptime in an AI-driven world. From the surprising gaps in design thinking to how AI workloads are “melting racks,” this episode is a masterclass in how to build smarter, not just bigger.
If you’ve ever asked, “How do you design for resilience when failure isn’t an option?”—this one’s for you.
🔌 Topics include:
Rethinking redundancy: distributed vs. block models
How AI demand is reshaping load profiles
The operational cost of poor design decisions
Why automation and robotics are the future of construction
Building trust between trades, designers, and operators
🎧 Hit play and stay Wired to Build.
🎙️ Episode Summary:
How do you go from serving on the high seas to managing high-stakes infrastructure? Meet Kaylen Bushell—a data center strategist whose journey from the U.S. Coast Guard to leading hyperscale initiatives proves that the path to tech infrastructure leadership isn’t always a straight line. In this episode, Kaylen shares how adaptability, mission-driven thinking, and cross-disciplinary fluency helped her translate service experience into technical excellence across some of the world’s most sophisticated data centers.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Military experience cultivates unmatched adaptability and operational discipline, ideal for infrastructure roles.
The ability to “speak multiple languages”—technical, strategic, operational—is essential for success in complex environments.
You don’t need a traditional tech or construction background to thrive in the data center space.
Empathy and curiosity are underrated superpowers in technical leadership.
🧑🚀 Guest Bio – Kaylen Bushell:
A Managing Consultant at Avicado, Kaylen supports hyperscale data center clients through strategic advisory, asset management, and operational excellence. Drawing from a foundation in military service and field-level experience at AWS and Meta, she excels in aligning construction and operations to reduce risk and improve lifecycle outcomes.
Welcome to Wired to Build, a data-driven, technology-focused podcast digging into how owners and operators use technology to manage the full lifecycle of their projects.
In this episode, we’re bringing back Hannah Misch, Quality Manager at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), for a deeper conversation about a topic that rarely makes it onto the schedule: vibes.
From navigating multi-layer inspections and fire-stopping challenges at the Denver Airport to coordinating with bomb squads on federal jobsites, Hannah shares how energy, trust, and emotional awareness impact project outcomes. We explore how “reading the room” and planning with intention can reduce rework, improve quality, and build stronger teams.
Topics include:
What happens when the vibes are off—and how to reset
How to balance accountability with empathy
Creating trust through transparency and preemptive action
Why “too chill” can sometimes become a risk
Lessons in leadership, communication, and culture-building
This episode is packed with practical takeaways for anyone managing teams, quality, or complex projects—and proves that managing the people side of construction is just as critical as managing the plan.
🎧 Subscribe, rate the show, and sign up for the Avicado Toast newsletter to stay in the loop. And don’t forget to share with a colleague who’s ready to build with better vibes.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Culture is Contagious: Energy—good or bad—spreads quickly on job sites. Intentional planning and communication help set the tone.
Process Drives Vibes: Poor planning leads to bad vibes. Start with clear documentation, expectations, and knowledge transfer.
Chill Can Be a Risk: Even positive cultures need balance. Too relaxed, and critical warnings (like potential unexploded ordnance) might be ignored.
Trust Fuels Progress: Teams that self-report issues early, call before problems escalate, and lean into feedback loops succeed more often.
Empathy is a Tool: Noticing someone's bad day, offering a water break, or just being human goes a long way.
Quality is Human: You’re not just checking specs—you’re checking culture. Be the calm in chaos, and people will rally around you.
Welcome to Wired to Build, a data-driven, technology-focused podcast digging into how owners and operators use technology to manage the full life cycle of their projects.
In this guest introduction episode, we sit down with Hannah Misch, a civil engineer-turned-quality-leader at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Hannah brings over 14 years of experience across residential, industrial, and commercial construction—starting on job sites with her dad, and now representing owners on some of the nation’s most sustainable builds.
From early exposure to luxury home construction in Indiana to managing quality control at billion-dollar airport expansions, Hannah shares how her passion for processes, documentation, and doing things right the first time shaped her career. We explore her mentors, her love of structured workflows, and her approach to coaching the next generation.
Oh, and there’s plenty of personality here too—video games, gardening, and the real-life chaos of working from home with pets.
This episode tees up our next conversation: how emotional “vibes” and mental health directly impact safety, productivity, and risk on the job site.
🎯 Key Takeaways
Quality roots run deep: Hannah's journey started in childhood, working alongside her dad on luxury residential builds.
Process = peace: From document control to LEED tracking, her love for structure and detail emerged as a superpower.
Mentorship matters: Hannah highlights the power of being mentored—and now mentoring others—with openness and humility.
Humanizing the jobsite: From video games to vegetable gardens, Hannah reminds us that personal balance plays into professional performance.
Prepping for "vibes": We set the stage for a powerful conversation on how psychological safety and culture affect project outcomes.
Welcome to Wired to Build, a data-driven, technology-focused podcast digging into how building owners and operators use technology to manage the full life cycle of their projects.
In this episode, Nick and Christy dive back in with contractor, TV host, and fierce trades advocate Kayleen McCabe.
From toolboxes in third grade to high school pre-apprenticeships and post-prison re-entry programs, Kayleen unpacks the urgency—and opportunity—of workforce development. She shares actionable ways the industry can engage youth, support skilled professionals, and make the trades an aspirational career path for everyone.
Expect a lively and heartfelt discussion on how video games, 3D printing, and tiny hammers are shaping the builders of tomorrow.
🔧 Topics covered:
📌 Key Takeaways
🧵 Episode Summary:
In this episode of Wired to Build, we sit down with contractor, TV host, and workforce development champion Kayleen McCabe. From growing up around tools and sawdust to hosting DIY Network’s Rescue Renovation, Kayleen’s journey is anything but ordinary. She opens up about her winding path through construction and television, founding the McCabe Foundation, and her unwavering mission to advocate for vocational education and mental health on the job site.
This guest introduction episode dives deep into how early tinkering turned into a lifelong calling, why storytelling matters in construction, and how being a former 911 dispatcher gave her the resilience to lead crews and inspire the next generation of tradespeople.
🎧 “This isn’t just a job—it’s art.”
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Mental health is a job site safety issue: Through her chaplaincy work, she’s helping normalize check-ins and emotional awareness on crews.
TV taught her speed, construction taught her humility: Her time in production shaped how she leads and educates with compassion and efficiency.
Make sure to subscribe as we dive into our topic conversation with Kayleen in two weeks! If you're looking to learn more about how to get plugged in with your communities and help develop the future of construction, you won't want to miss it!
In this deep-dive episode, we explore how digital twins are reshaping capital programs and facilities management. Chris Hussey of TransformXD unpacks the real-world applications of digital twins across design, construction, and operations. We discuss how to virtually prototype your facility, the ROI of integrating data early, the role of digital PMOs, and what it means to become your own “digital owner’s rep.”
Whether you’re building a new data center or retrofitting a legacy facility, this conversation is your blueprint to staying ahead.
🔑 Topics Covered:
What a digital twin really is (hint: it’s not just 3D)
Virtual prototyping & coordination to reduce RFIs
Building metaverses of real estate portfolios
Predictive maintenance using IoT and sensors
Data strategy: when, how, and why to collect and structure information
Creating contractual standards for asset data deliverables
Welcome to Wired to Build, a data-driven, technology-focused podcast exploring how owners and operators use technology to manage the full life cycle of their projects. In this guest introduction episode, we sit down with Chris Hussey, VP of Sales at Transform XD, to explore his journey into the world of digital twins. From his early days working with Audi’s Le Mans racing team to pioneering AI-driven predictive maintenance for buildings, Chris brings a unique perspective on how data-driven modeling is reshaping industries far beyond construction.
Tune in to hear about Chris’s career evolution, the future of digital twins, and why if you’re not digitally twinning your assets in 2025, you might be putting your job at risk. This is just the beginning—our deep dive into the applications of digital twins will be dropping in the next episode, so stay tuned!Key Takeaways
What is a digital twin? A digital model of an asset that integrates real-time data for simulation, monitoring, and maintenance.
The origins of digital twins: From NASA in the 1960s to Audi’s Le Mans racing and beyond.
The data challenge: Why garbage in, garbage out is the ultimate hurdle for digital twin adoption.
The AI future: How predictive maintenance and AI-driven insights will define the next generation of digital twins.
In this episode of Wired to Build, we sit down with Hamzah Shanbari, Director of Innovation at Haskell and author of Paperless Builders: The Why, What, and How of Construction Technology. We dive deep into the evolving landscape of construction technology, exploring how digital transformation can streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and drive efficiency. Hamzah shares insights from his book, discussing the biggest roadblocks to innovation, the critical role of people in technology adoption, and how companies can embrace failure as a necessary step toward progress.
From rethinking paper-based processes to leveraging AI in construction, this conversation is packed with valuable lessons for anyone navigating the challenges of digital transformation in the built environment.
🔹 Why change in construction is hard—but necessary
🔹 The Builder’s Framework for implementing new technology
🔹 How to overcome fear of failure and drive adoption
🔹 The future of AI, automation, and digital twins in construction
🔹 Practical steps companies can take to innovate today
Don't miss this engaging discussion on what it really takes to go paperless, digital, and future-ready in construction.
Episode Summary
In this episode of Wired to Build, we sit down with Hamzah Shanbari, Director of Innovation at Haskell and author of Paperless Builders: The Why, What, and How of Construction Technology. Hamzah shares his journey from growing up with a construction site next door to becoming a leader in construction innovation, highlighting his passion for digital transformation and the role of BIM, data strategy, and collaboration in reshaping the industry.
We explore the inspiration behind his book, how technology can empower construction teams, and why a paperless approach is crucial for efficiency, accuracy, and project success. Hamzah’s deep industry insights, combined with his hands-on experience, provide a roadmap for those looking to navigate the future of construction technology. If you’re a builder, owner, or designer looking to maximize data-driven decision-making, this episode is for you.
And stay tuned—our next episode will dive even deeper into the people side of digital transformation and what it takes to truly drive change in the industry.
Key Takeaways
Episode Chapter Outline
[00:00] Introduction – Meet Hamzah Shanbari, Nick’s excitement for his book, and the goal of today’s conversation
[04:30] From the Site Next Door to Construction Innovation – Hamzah’s early inspiration and career journey.
[12:15] The Birth of Paperless Builders – Why Hamzah wrote the book and what he hopes readers will take from it.
[18:30] Technology and the Future of Construction – BIM, digital twins, and closing the information loop between design and execution.
[27:00] Haskell’s Innovation Culture – How the company fosters experimentation and a “fail fast, learn faster” mentality.
[33:45] Final Thoughts – What the industry needs to focus on and why collaboration is the key to success.
[38:00] Preview of Part 2 – Next episode will cover the human side of digital transformation.
In this episode of Wired to Build, host Nick and Christy continue their insightful conversation with Dr. Laura Gallaher of Gallaher Edge. Together, they dive into the psychology of change and how leaders and organizations can better navigate transitions by fostering self-awareness, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
Key topics include:
Dr. Gallaher shares practical tools and perspectives to help teams align around shared goals while respecting individual interests and emotions. Whether you're a leader, team member, or industry professional, this episode offers a refreshing look at how to embrace change and thrive in a dynamic environment.
Want more from Dr. Laura?
Welcome to Season Two of Wired to Build!
This year, we're changing the format to get you even more incredible content and to give you more time with our guests to gain you more insights.
Our monthly episodes will now release will now have a companion episode that focuses in on our guest and how they became an expert on the topic for our discussion.
Today, we'll be interviewing Dr. Laura Gallaher of Gallaher Edge. Dr. Laura brings a background and passion for helping high-achievers unlock the power of radical self-acceptance and leverages her expertise in organizational psychology to help companies enact the change they are trying to create.
This Intro episode will focus in on getting to know Dr. Laura and her story that ranges from companies like NASA and Disney and how to be true to yourself and the people you work with to build top class teams.
How does this tie to construction? Change is something we deal with every day as new practices, approaches, and digital initiatives reshape the way we work.
Join us for this first introduction episode and get excited for our discussion on Reaching our Resolutions in 2025. Don't forget to subscribe to stay in the loop for all upcoming episodes!
Want more from Dr. Laura Gallaher?
Summary
In this episode of Wired to Build, Nick Caravella and Christy Hunt discuss the transformative role of technology in the construction industry, focusing on mental health, data management, and the evolution of partnerships. They welcome Kris Lengieza from Procore Technologies, who shares insights from his 15 years in construction and his journey into technology. The conversation explores how data transparency can mitigate risks, the impact of project delivery methodologies, and the importance of becoming data-driven. Tune in to wrap up 2024 with some exciting conversation and a peek into the trends for 2025.
Key Takeaways:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests
01:45 The Role of Technology in Construction
05:05 Chris's Journey in Construction and Technology
09:42 Evolution of Partnerships in Construction Technology
13:03 Mitigating Risk through Data Transparency
17:12 Impact of Project Delivery Methodologies
19:58 Becoming Data-Driven in Construction
22:12 Leveraging AI for Better Insights
25:51 Augmenting Jobs with AI
28:31 Improving Communication in Construction
31:34 Attracting the Next Generation to Construction
36:22 Embracing Technology and New Perspectives
41:41 Collaboration for Successful Project Delivery
47:14 Overcoming Barriers to Innovation
53:26 The Power of Construction Podcast and Future Trends
Want more? Check out Procore's newest podcast "The Power of Construction"
Summary:
In this episode of Wired to Build, Nick Caravella sits down with Bill Allen, founder of EvolveLab, to explore how AI and BIM are reshaping the architecture and construction landscape. From the advent of tools like Veras and Glyph to the broader implications of AI-driven design, Nick and Bill dive deep into the opportunities and challenges of leveraging technology to streamline workflows, improve collaboration, and unlock creativity. They discuss:
Whether you're an architect, contractor, or building owner, this episode offers fresh insights into the transformative power of AI and technology in the built environment. Key Takeaways:
Breaking the BIM Bubble:
AI as a Design Game-Changer:
From Models to Digital Twins:
Collaboration and Standardization:
AI's Role in Productivity and Scale:
Adapting Lessons from Other Industries:
The Future of Collaboration:
Embrace AI, Stay Competitive:
Chapters:
[00:00] Welcome and Introduction
[02:30] The BIM Bubble: Challenges and Opportunities
[08:45] Moving Beyond Drawings: Data-Driven Design
[15:30] AI in Action: Tools Changing the Game
[22:15] Breaking the Rules: Creative Uses of Tech
[28:45] Owners and Operators: Digital Twins in Action
[35:00] The Future of Design Collaboration
[40:00] Closing Thoughts: Staying Wired to Build