Build Me Up

Kraus-Anderson

5.0 (22)
CAREERS

Build Me Up shares inspiring stories of innovators in the built marketplace. It's hosted by Kraus-Anderson's Laurisa Titterud and Kaitlin McCoskey. KA is a Midwest construction management firm, realty, development, insurance and financial services company. The podcast is designed to meet the needs of leaders and aspiring innovators in the construction industry.

JAN 13

2026: Industry Lookahead

Welcome back for Season 8 of "Build Me Up" with Laurisa and Kaitlin from Kraus-Anderson! Back for the 6th year in a row is FMI's Partner and Managing Director of Research and Analytics, Jay Bowman. KA's EVP and COO Rich Jacobson joins us as well to discuss where the new year will bring the built market. Jay specializes in construction spending forecasts, strategic planning, and research and analytics for the A/C/E industry, while Rich gives a more local, close-to-home perspective.

46 min
09/16/2025

Predesign: So What?

Welcome to "Build Me Up" with Laurisa and Kaitlin from Kraus-Anderson! Pre-Design is a term buzzing around our office because of its proven effectiveness when it comes to cost savings and enhanced collaboration. Today, we've invited two of KA's preconstruction experts: Nate Enger, director of DPM, and Kevin Bright, sustainability manager, to discuss how pre-design services are re-shaping the traditional construction delivery model.

49 min
05/13/2025

Care for the Caregiver: Current Trends in Healthcare Construction

In today's discussion, we explore construction and design trends reshaping the healthcare industry. The design needs and construction requirements for medical centers are evolving rapidly, driven by new challenges, technological advancements and economic changes—and we're here to explore what this means for you and your projects. Laurisa is joined by Rachael Oelke of Kraus-Anderson, Matt Okeefe with Synergy Architecture Studio and Luke Sahly from Continua. Together, we discuss navigating material uncertainties, speeding up project delivery and design choices in healthcare facilities that provide care for the cargivers working in them.

44 min
04/08/2025

Downtown by Design 2035: the Future of Minneapolis

Today we welcome back Ben Shardlow, chief of staff at the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District. Ben joins us today to talk about the Downtown by Design 2035 plan for the city of Minneapolis. From safety to culture to the overall vibe of the city we cover some of the highlights of what we can expect in the next 10 years along with how the city engaged with neighborhood groups, organizations, and other cities to create a strategic vision for the future of downtown Minneapolis. https://www.mplsdowntown.com/2035plan/ https://www.mplsdowntown.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/MDC_2035Plan.pdf

39 min
03/11/2025

Raise The Barr: Discussing Affordable Housing and the Curb Cut Effect

In this episode, Lori Barr, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Raise the Barr, joins "Build Me Up." Lori and her son Anthony, a former defenseman for the Minnesota Vikings and 4X NFL Pro-Bowler, founded the organization in 2016. The nonprofit aims to help single parents break down the social and economic barriers that come with pursuing higher education. We chatted with Lori about Raise the Barr's programs and resources, her personal experiences that led to the opening of the nonprofit, working with her son and the nonprofit's blueprint for success, and more!

46 min
02/11/2025

2025 Construction Industry Lookahead

Back by popular demand, "Build Me Up" invited FMI's Partner and Managing Director of Research and Analytics, Jay Bowman, and KA's EVP and COO Rich Jacobson back to chat! They join us each year as we look to see what the new year is going bring the built market. Jay specializes in construction spending forecasts, strategic planning, and research and analytics for the A/C/E industry. We recap our 2024, talk fed rates and building material prices, how AI and tech fits into our world, and of course predictions for 2025! Jay brings in the national perspective of what we can expect, and Rich gives a more focused, local approach of what is going on in the Midwest market.

49 min
12/10/2024

Season 6 Finale!!

Season 6 of "Build Me Up" is complete. Thank you to all the guests who participated in Season 5, as well as to our listeners. We're grateful to have a platform where stories that build up the community can be shared. See you in the New Year!

12 min
11/26/2024

Feeding Hope: Tackling Food Insecurity with Foothills Food Bank

Food shelves are essential for addressing food insecurity in communities, providing vital support to individuals and families who struggle to access adequate nutrition. They offer a safety net, especially during times of economic hardship, by distributing donated and surplus food to those in need. Food shelves help reduce hunger, promote health, and foster a sense of community by ensuring that no one goes without the necessity of food. Leigh Zydonik and Lory Olsson from the Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center in Cave Creek, AZ join the podcast to help us better understand the terms "food deserts" and "food insecurity," to deliver an honest picture of the food landscape within the US, to highlight their facility's services, and to discuss how their new building will help aid in the nonprofit's capabilities.

46 min

5

out of 5

22 Ratings

Build Me Up shares inspiring stories of innovators in the built marketplace. It's hosted by Kraus-Anderson's Laurisa Titterud and Kaitlin McCoskey. KA is a Midwest construction management firm, realty, development, insurance and financial services company. The podcast is designed to meet the needs of leaders and aspiring innovators in the construction industry.

Creator

Kraus-Anderson
Years Active

2019 - 2026
Episodes

100
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Build Me Up