Built With Purpose

The Radcast Network

Built With Purpose shares thoughtful conversations with the people who design, build, and improve the world around us. Hosted by Chris Fay, the show blends experience from commercial construction and tech leadership to explore how values, systems, and steady execution create enduring companies. Each week, you’ll hear: Builder Conversations: Warm, in-depth interviews with founders, operators, and craft leaders across construction, architecture, engineering, manufacturing, and built-world tech. Field Notes: Short, practical takeaways on leadership, culture, brand, sales, and operational excellence—ideas you can put to work on Monday. If you care about building teams and businesses that last—without losing sight of purpose—this podcast is for you. Subscribe and build with intention.

  1. Working With AI: The Skill That Will Define the Next Decade of Leaders

    MAR 31

    Working With AI: The Skill That Will Define the Next Decade of Leaders

    In this episode of Built With Purpose, Chris Fay takes a different approach—bringing his AI assistant “Abby” into the conversation to explore how artificial intelligence is actually being used inside real businesses today. From brainstorming and decision-making to challenging assumptions, this episode breaks down how leaders can start working with AI instead of fearing it. Chris and Abby dig into one of the biggest questions right now: is AI really replacing jobs—or just reshaping how work gets done? The conversation explores everything from layoffs and market hype to the real impact AI is having on productivity, leadership, and decision-making across industries. They also unpack how employees at every stage—early career, mid-career, and experienced leaders—should be thinking about AI, and why curiosity may be the single most important skill moving forward. If you’re trying to figure out how to actually use AI in your business—or your career—this episode gives you a real, unfiltered starting point. 🎯 Topics Covered How Chris Fay actually uses AI day-to-day in business Why most people overthink AI (and how to start using it immediately) AI vs jobs: what’s real vs what’s hype The rise of AI-assisted decision-making and leadership How to ask better questions (and get better answers from AI) Why curiosity is the most valuable skill in the AI era What AI means for early, mid, and late career professionals Where AI will impact industries like construction, engineering, and manufacturing most The future of AI tools and competing platforms 🤝 Connect with Host & Guest Chris Fay (Host) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisfay Follow BuiltWithPurposePodcast on all social media platforms

    41 min
  2. Scaling Without Sacrifice: The Leadership Lesson Most CEOs Miss | Between the Builds

    MAR 24

    Scaling Without Sacrifice: The Leadership Lesson Most CEOs Miss | Between the Builds

    In this episode of Built With Purpose: Between the Builds, Chris Fay reflects on one of the biggest questions leaders face: Can you build something big without sacrificing what matters most? After a powerful conversation with Novolex CEO Stan Bikulege, Chris breaks down the key lessons that challenged his own thinking around growth, leadership, and family. Drawing from personal experiences—like revisiting his childhood roots in South Florida—Chris explores how the values and lessons we grow up with shape the way we lead, build, and make decisions. For many entrepreneurs and operators, the fear isn’t failure—it’s success at the cost of the people and priorities that matter most. This episode unpacks four core principles that make it possible to scale a company while staying grounded: being rooted in your foundation, making an unwavering commitment to what matters, building the right support system, and living your values daily. These aren’t just ideas—they’re the blueprint for sustainable success. If you’re thinking bigger, pushing boundaries, or feeling the tension between growth and personal life, this episode is your reminder: you don’t have to choose one or the other—you just have to lead with intention. 🎯 Topics Covered Why “thinking bigger” often creates fear around losing what matters most How childhood roots and experiences shape leadership style The real fear behind scaling a business (and it’s not failure) The 4 key principles to balancing growth and family: Rooted foundation Unwavering commitment Building a support system Living your values Why great leaders treat employees like “families,” not headcount The importance of intentional leadership vs reactive growth How to build a business without sacrificing relationships Creating alignment between personal values and company culture 🤝 Connect with Chris Chris Fay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisfay/

    11 min
  3. From Bankrupt Company to $9B Business: The Growth Story of Novolex with Stan Bikulege

    MAR 17

    From Bankrupt Company to $9B Business: The Growth Story of Novolex with Stan Bikulege

    Stan Bikulege joins Chris Fay to share the leadership philosophy behind building one of the largest packaging manufacturers in the world. Stan reflects on how family values, humility, and discipline shaped his journey from a blue-collar upbringing to leading a global organization with 23,000 employees. Throughout the conversation, he explains how leadership isn’t about titles but about responsibility for the people and families behind the business. Stan also shares the lessons learned while scaling Novolex from a bankrupt company with just a handful of facilities into a global enterprise with more than 100 factories and billions in annual revenue. Chris and Stan discuss the balance between speed and discipline in decision-making, the importance of strong partnerships, and how leaders must constantly think years ahead while acting in the present. At its core, the conversation centers on a simple but powerful idea: great companies are built when leaders stay focused on people, integrity, and purpose. What We Covered Leading with family values – Why leadership begins at home and extends into company culture. Scaling from 1,100 employees to 23,000 – The journey of growing Novolex into a global manufacturing leader. Building culture during acquisitions – How integrating multiple acquisitions requires humility and clarity. Decision-making at scale – Why timing, discipline, and integrity matter when leading large organizations. Balancing leadership and family life – How Stan stayed present for his family while running a global company. The future of leadership – Why data, technology, and strong values will shape the next generation of companies. Connect with the Guest Stan Bikulege Chairman & CEO — Novolex Connect with the Host Chris Fay Host — Built With Purpose LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fay/

    44 min
  4. Why Fundamentals Still Win in Leadership, Sales, and Business | Between the Builds

    MAR 10

    Why Fundamentals Still Win in Leadership, Sales, and Business | Between the Builds

    In this episode of Built With Purpose — Between the Builds, Chris Fay reflects on a simple but powerful idea: success in business almost always comes back to the fundamentals. Using a conversation about lacrosse as a starting point, Chris explains how the same principle applies in leadership, sales, and organizational growth. Just like athletes who master basic skills before attempting advanced plays, professionals and leaders must focus on the foundational activities that actually drive results. Chris breaks down the difference between the art and science of selling, explaining how communication and rapport matter, but the real difference between top performers and struggling salespeople often comes down to activity and execution. The same idea applies to leadership—clear vision, consistent communication, measurable goals, and accountability are the fundamentals that drive successful organizations. The episode challenges leaders to step back and evaluate where progress may be slipping—not because of strategy or talent, but because the core fundamentals are not being consistently executed. Topics Covered • Why fundamentals separate great performers from average ones • The connection between sports fundamentals and business success • The art vs. science of selling and where most salespeople fall short • Why activity and opportunity creation drive sales performance • The fundamentals of effective leadership and organizational execution • Communicating vision and aligning teams around clear priorities • Using KPIs, milestones, and accountability to drive results • Why leaders often fail during the execution phase • How consistent habits build strong leadership over time • Developing discipline and improving one core fundamental each week Connect With Host Chris Fay Host — Built With Purpose LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-fay

    12 min
  5. Why Certainty of Outcome Is the Real Competitive Advantage with Steve Dell’Orto

    MAR 3

    Why Certainty of Outcome Is the Real Competitive Advantage with Steve Dell’Orto

    In this episode of Built With Purpose, host Chris Fay sits down with Steve Dell’Orto, Founder and CEO of ConCntric, to unpack what it really takes to build certainty in complex, high-stakes environments. After spending 26 years rising through the ranks of a top construction firm—helping deliver iconic projects like Salesforce Tower and the Golden State Warriors arena—Steve saw firsthand how outdated processes, disconnected data, and fear-driven decision-making were holding the industry back. That realization led him to leave construction operations and build a software company focused on one thing: certainty of outcome. Steve explains why fundamentals matter more than hype, how leaders should run toward problems instead of away from them, and why AI isn’t replacing people—it’s becoming a force multiplier for teams already under pressure. From leadership lessons learned on job sites to building an agentic AI platform for pre-construction, this conversation bridges execution, culture, and long-term impact. If you’re a founder, operator, or leader navigating complexity—whether in construction, tech, or beyond—this episode offers a blueprint for building with confidence instead of chaos Key Topics Covered Why “certainty of outcome” is the real competitive advantage The hidden cost of fear-based budgeting and over-contingency How construction project management trains elite leaders Transitioning from construction operations to SaaS entrepreneurship Why Excel spreadsheets are holding modern companies back Agentic AI as a force multiplier—not a replacement—for talent Leading teams through complexity with clarity and purpose Why great leaders run toward problems, not away from them Guest & Host Links Steve Dell’Orto Company: ConCntric  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevedellorto Website: https://concntric.com Chris Fay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjfay/ Show: Built With Purpose

    1h 1m
  6. Why Waiting for Clarity Is Holding You Back | Between the Builds

    FEB 24

    Why Waiting for Clarity Is Holding You Back | Between the Builds

    Leadership isn’t built in the spotlight — it’s built in the in-between moments. In this Between the Builds episode of Built With Purpose, Chris Fay reflects on key leadership lessons inspired by a past conversation with Brad Hansen and expands on what it really means to grow before you feel ready. This episode explores the idea that belief often comes before clarity, and that waiting until everything is perfectly mapped out can actually stall growth. Chris breaks down how our beliefs shape our thoughts, thoughts drive our actions, actions form habits, and habits ultimately determine direction and destiny. Throughout the episode, Chris touches on the importance of: Giving yourself permission to move forward without all the answers Putting yourself in position to be “lucky” through preparation, consistency, and proximity to the right people Understanding that leadership is developed over time, not granted by a title Surrounding yourself with people who challenge, support, and sharpen you Embracing lifelong learning and staying open to growth Offering yourself grace during seasons of uncertainty and transition Rather than focusing on outcomes, this conversation centers on the process — the moments of learning, doubt, and perseverance that shape effective leaders long before success becomes visible. If you’re in a season of transition, building something new, or questioning whether you’re ready for what’s next, this episode serves as a reminder that the journey itself is doing the work. 🔗 Host & Guest References Chris Fay Host, Built With Purpose LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisfay

    9 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Built With Purpose shares thoughtful conversations with the people who design, build, and improve the world around us. Hosted by Chris Fay, the show blends experience from commercial construction and tech leadership to explore how values, systems, and steady execution create enduring companies. Each week, you’ll hear: Builder Conversations: Warm, in-depth interviews with founders, operators, and craft leaders across construction, architecture, engineering, manufacturing, and built-world tech. Field Notes: Short, practical takeaways on leadership, culture, brand, sales, and operational excellence—ideas you can put to work on Monday. If you care about building teams and businesses that last—without losing sight of purpose—this podcast is for you. Subscribe and build with intention.