Built With Purpose

The Radcast Network
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

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. 3d ago

    What's Broken in Your Business Right Now? | Between The Builds

    In this reflective episode of Between the Builds, Chris Fay looks back on last week's conversation with Michael Shank to unpack a sobering statistic: companies spend $3.4 trillion a year trying to transform themselves, and 70% of those efforts fail. Chris digs into why that number is so high — and what it means for any business owner or leader trying to drive real change. The episode opens with a story from Michael's own home office — a guitar sitting untouched in the background — and the analogy that grew out of it: a fool with a tool is still a fool. An instrument, a CRM system, a new AI platform — none of it matters if you haven't learned to use it. Chris connects that idea to his own experience picking up (and putting down) guitar every few years, and to a broader truth he's observed across YPO peer conversations: every business is dealing with the same hidden struggles, no matter how polished things look on the surface. From there, Chris walks through the real reason most transformation efforts fail — and it's rarely the technology itself. Few companies take the time to truly understand how their own organization runs before they go shopping for a solution. He breaks down the common trap: buying a new CRM, accounting platform, or AI tool without first mapping the people, data, and processes it's meant to support — and then wondering why adoption never sticks. He also makes the case for when bringing in an outside consultant is worth the investment, and why self-managed change initiatives so often lose steam. The conversation lands on a practical challenge for listeners: identify the one broken process inside your business, map out how it actually works today, then find and implement a solution — and overinvest in the adoption and sustainment work that most teams skip. Chris ties it back to a favorite framework from The One Thing, pushing leaders to resist tackling everything at once and instead focus on the single change that will move the needle most. Chris discusses: The $3.4 trillion companies spend annually trying to transform their businessesWhy 70% of transformation efforts fail — and it's not the technology's faultThe "fool with a tool" analogy and what it means for adopting new systemsWhy most companies don't actually understand how their own business runsThe trap of buying a CRM (or any tool) before mapping your processWhen it's worth bringing in an outside consultant for change managementWhy self-managed transformation efforts so often lose momentumHow YPO peer conversations reveal that every business has the same hidden strugglesUsing The One Thing framework to choose which process to fix firstWhy sustainment and adoption matter as much as the initial rollout Key Takeaways There is no perfect company — every team has problems worth solvingTechnology rarely fails on its own; poor understanding of people and process doesYou can't fix what you haven't first mapped and understoodOutside consultants add the most value when internal teams are stretched too thin to slow downChange management collapses when only one or two stakeholders are truly investedPick one broken process at a time — trying to fix everything solves nothingThe real payoff comes from overinvesting in adoption and training after the tool is implementedSustained success requires ongoing accountability, not a one-time rollout Connect with Chris Chris Fay — LinkedIn: /cjfay

    What's Broken in Your Business Right Now? | Between The Builds

  2. Aug 11

    The $3.4 Trillion Problem & Why 70% of Transformations Fail | Michael Schank

    In this episode of Built With Purpose, Chris Fay sits down with Michael Schank — founder of Insight Twin and author of Digital Transformation Success — for a conversation about why most digital transformations fail, what it actually takes to make AI useful inside a real organization, and how the consulting industry itself is being reshaped by the same technology it's selling. Michael shares his path from deep technologist — 13 years as a Java/C++ programmer and solution architect at Accenture, then two years running production systems at Bank of America — to a decade at EY, where he stumbled into business capability modeling on a client project and built an entire process excellence practice around it. He walks through his time at Citibank leading a massive risk-data transformation following a $400 million regulatory consent order, and how that work became the seed for both his book and his company, Insight Twin — a platform that builds a structured "digital twin" of how an organization actually runs so AI has real context to work with, not just public training data. Together, Chris and Michael dig into why companies spend $3.4 trillion globally on transformation every year while roughly 70% of those efforts fail — and why the culprit is rarely lack of effort, but complexity and chaos: business, technology, risk, and testing teams that all speak different languages and hold different pieces of the picture. The conversation also turns to what's next: the build-versus-buy decision in the age of vibe coding, the "SaaSpocalypse" threatening per-seat software pricing, and why AI is only as good as the context data behind it. Chris and Michael discuss: Why complexity and chaos — not lack of effort — cause roughly 70% of transformations to failThe $94 million SAP failure that shut down Zimmer Biomet's ability to ship products and invoice customersWhy organizational knowledge trapped in people's heads becomes the biggest risk in any transformationHow Insight Twin builds an AI "digital twin" from an organization's processes, systems, and risk dataWhy the traditional consulting pyramid is breaking down as AI takes over junior-level deliverablesThe build-versus-buy decision in a world where vibe coding makes DIY tools temptingWhy per-seat SaaS pricing may not survive an AI-driven, non-human user baseThe ownership model organizations need to keep AI-generated knowledge accurate and currentWhy "a fool with a tool is still a fool" — technology alone doesn't fix a broken transformationWhat entry-level employees should be doing right now to stay valuable as AI absorbs grunt work Key Takeaways Complexity and chaos, not bad intentions, are what sink most digital transformationsAI is only as good as the context data behind it — public training data alone isn't enoughOrganizational knowledge trapped in individual heads is a structural risk, not just an inconvenienceThe consulting industry's junior-analyst pyramid is being disrupted by AI-generated work productBuild-versus-buy decisions now hinge on maintenance, governance, and data accuracy — not just build cost Connect with Chris & Michael Chris Fay — LinkedIn: /cjfay Michael Schank — Founder, Insight Twin; Author, Digital Transformation Success LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-schank Website: insighttwin.com

    The $3.4 Trillion Problem & Why 70% of Transformations Fail | Michael Schank

  3. Aug 4

    Treat Your Health Like You Treat Your Business | Between The Builds

    In this Between the Builds episode of Built With Purpose, host Chris Fay returns from a month off to kick off a new season, reflecting on his recent conversation with Dr. Grant Zarzour of Sperity Health and unpacking one of the most overlooked challenges every leader faces: treating your own health with the same discipline you bring to your business. Chris gets personal, sharing that a longtime member of his team was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and that his own father fought and beat esophageal cancer years ago. Drawing on Grant's insight that people rarely change until they're confronted with their own mortality, Chris breaks down why so many of us wait for a crisis to make changes we already know we need to make. From getting your annual physical and knowing your numbers, to building one or two sustainable habits over 66 days instead of overhauling everything overnight, Chris walks through a practical, step-by-step framework for making health a priority before life forces the issue. Chris covers: Why it often takes facing mortality to spark real change The parallel between building a business vision and building a health plan Why an annual physical is the most underused tool available to you Nick Saban's philosophy on mastering the fundamentals until you can't get them wrong Practical health markers to track, from full body MRIs to heart scans Why small, incremental habits beat dramatic overnight overhauls Key Takeaways Facing mortality is often what finally pushes people to change Your health deserves the same vision and planning you give your business An annual physical is the most underused tool for catching problems early Elite performers win by mastering fundamentals, not chasing complexity It takes 66 days to build a new habit, so start now No amount of success matters if you're not healthy enough to enjoy it Connect with Chris Fay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjfay/

    Treat Your Health Like You Treat Your Business | Between The Builds

  4. Jun 24

    Diet, Data, and the Long Game: How Executives Can Add Years to Their Health Span | Dr. Grant Zarzour

    In this powerful episode of Built With Purpose, Chris Fay sits down with Dr. Grant Zazour — orthopedic surgeon, entrepreneur, and founder of Sperity Health — for a conversation about health, longevity, proactive care, and what it really takes to perform at your best as a leader. Dr. Zazour shares his journey from growing up the son of an orthopedic surgeon, mowing the lawn of his father's medical practice as a kid to pay his way, to becoming one of Alabama's leading joint replacement surgeons while simultaneously building a data-driven longevity company. He opens up about the two defining moments that sparked Sperity Health: navigating his father's sudden brain tumor diagnosis and realizing the healthcare system couldn't keep up — and watching his two-year-old son receive a devastating neurological prognosis that conventional medicine had no real answer for. Together, Chris and Grant explore why the healthcare system is built for reactive care, not prevention, and what executives and business owners can do right now to take control of their own health. They examine the science behind cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, metabolic health, and muscle preservation — and why most people are blissfully unaware of risks that are already building inside their bodies. They also dig into how Sperity Health is bringing this proactive, data-driven approach to companies at scale, starting with the executive team and expanding through the workforce. The conversation also explores the business case for investing in employee health — including the relentless rise of healthcare premiums, the failure of traditional wellness programs, and why Dr. Zazour believes it will be the business world, not the insurance industry, that finally forces meaningful change in American healthcare. Chris and Grant discuss: Why medical school teaches almost nothing about preventive careThe single most powerful imaging tool for catching cardiovascular disease earlyHow a continuous glucose monitor can quietly transform your weight and energyWhy sugar — real and artificial — is the number one threat to metabolic healthThe case for muscle-building exercise over cardio as you ageThe hidden risks of GLP-1 medications most people aren't talking aboutHow 66 days of consistency is what separates intention from lasting habitWhy the B2B model is how proactive health reaches people at scaleWhat wearables like WHOOP actually tell you — and how not to obsess over themKey Takeaways The healthcare system is designed to treat illness, not prevent it — that's on you to changeCardiovascular disease builds silently; early imaging can catch it before it becomes a crisisSugar is the most damaging element of the average American's dietMuscle mass is the single greatest predictor of long-term quality of life and longevitySmall, consistent changes — not dramatic overhauls — are what create lasting healthYour health span matters more than your lifespan; don't just live longer, live betterCompanies that invest in proactive employee health will outperform those that don'tIt takes 66 days to build a habit — most people quit before the science even kicks in Connect with Chris & Grant Chris Fay LinkedIn: / cjfay Dr. Grant Zazour Founder, Sperity Health Website: www.sperityhealth.com

    Diet, Data, and the Long Game: How Executives Can Add Years to Their Health Span | Dr. Grant Zarzour

  5. Jun 17

    The Leadership Team You Need to Build Before Your Company Can Scale | Between The Builds

    In this Between the Builds episode of Built With Purpose, host Chris Fay reflects on his recent conversation with Mark Moses of CEO Coaching International and unpacks one of the most important and most difficult challenges every growing leader faces: putting the right people in the right seats. Chris gets personal, sharing that he himself is a customer of CEO Coaching International and is currently in the middle of a major organizational restructuring. Drawing on Mark's insight that the number one thing holding companies back from growth is not vision, financing, or strategy — but people — Chris breaks down exactly how leaders can navigate this challenge with clarity, courage, and compassion. From building a future org structure before putting any names on it, to having honest developmental conversations with your existing team, Chris walks through a practical, step-by-step framework for figuring out who can grow with your company, and what to do when they can't. Chris covers: Why people decisions are the single biggest factor in company growthHow to build your future org structure before worrying about who fills the rolesUsing AI tools to map out ideal job descriptions and leadership profilesThe two conversations every leader must be willing to haveWhy keeping someone in the wrong role is a disservice to them and your organizationHow to create a development roadmap from point A to point B Key Takeaways The leadership team that got you here may not be the team that gets you thereClarity of vision must come before any people decisionsOpen, honest dialogue is only possible when you have a clear future org structureDeveloping people and moving people are both acts of care, not crueltyHiding the truth from your team does them and your organization a disserviceExecution becomes simple when the path is clearly defined Connect with Chris Fay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjfay/

    The Leadership Team You Need to Build Before Your Company Can Scale | Between The Builds

  6. Jun 9

    What the World's Top CEOs Understand About Growth | Mark Moses

    In this insightful episode of Built With Purpose, Chris Fay sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and CEO Coaching International founder Mark Moses for a conversation about leadership, growth, entrepreneurship, coaching, and the transformative impact of AI on business. Mark shares his journey from growing up in a small mining town in Canada to building and selling multiple companies, including a painting business he launched while still in college and a mortgage company he sold just before the 2008 financial crisis. Along the way, he reveals how watching his father go bankrupt shaped his mindset, fueled his ambition, and taught him the importance of resilience, ownership, and perseverance. Together, Chris and Mark explore what separates great leaders from average ones, why most companies struggle to scale, and the difficult decisions CEOs must make as their organizations grow. They unpack the critical role of vision, talent, accountability, and continuous learning, while discussing why having the right people in the right seats is often the biggest challenge leaders face. The conversation also dives deep into the future of AI, examining how business leaders can leverage emerging technology to create competitive advantages, build stronger companies, and become indispensable to their customers. Mark shares lessons from coaching more than 2,000 CEOs across 90 countries and offers practical frameworks leaders can apply immediately. Chris and Mark discuss: How adversity shapes entrepreneurial successThe five core responsibilities of every CEOWhy most companies outgrow their leadership teamsThe challenge of making tough people decisionsBuilding a culture that supports growth and accountabilityThe opportunities and risks AI presents for business leadersHow to use AI to create a competitive moatBecoming indispensable to your customers One of the most powerful moments of the episode comes as Mark challenges leaders to think beyond their current limitations and ask a simple but profound question: How can you use AI to become indispensable to your customers? Key TakeawaysGreat leadership starts with clarity of visionThe right people are essential for sustainable growthFear often prevents leaders from making necessary decisionsContinuous learning is a competitive advantageAI is changing business faster than most organizations can adaptCompanies that embrace AI strategically will create new opportunities and market leadershipSuccess comes from thinking bigger and challenging self-imposed limitationsConnect with Chris & MarkChris Fay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjfay/ Mark Moses Chairman & Founder, CEO Coaching International LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmoses/ CEO Coaching International Website: https://ceocoachinginternational.com/

    What the World's Top CEOs Understand About Growth | Mark Moses

  7. Jun 2

    The Pressure Trap High Performers Fall Into | Between The Builds

    In this episode of Built With Purpose: Between the Builds, Chris Fay reflects on a powerful leadership lesson from his recent conversation with performance psychologist and longtime mentor, Milt Lowder. As leaders, parents, spouses, and professionals, it's easy to become overwhelmed by the constant pressure of expectations. We tell ourselves, I have to, I need to, I must. But what if those expectations are self-imposed? What if we replaced them with a more intentional mindset: I choose to? Recording from his basement while caring for a sick child and balancing the demands of work and family, Chris shares a personal reminder that perfection isn't the goal—presence is. Drawing from Milt's coaching, he explores how reframing obligations as choices can reduce stress, improve focus, and help leaders make a greater impact where it matters most. Chris also dives into the concepts of focusing on "The One Thing," learning to say no, and getting beneath the waterline of the iceberg to tackle the deeper challenges that drive meaningful growth. This episode is a practical reminder that leadership isn't about carrying every burden. It's about choosing where to focus your energy, letting go of unnecessary pressure, and creating space to lead with clarity and purpose. Topics Covered Removing the burden of expectationsReframing "I have to" into "I choose to"Leadership pressure and self-imposed stressThe power of focus and prioritizationWhy saying no is a leadership skillGetting beneath the waterline to solve deeper challengesBalancing work, family, and personal responsibilities Key Takeaways Many of the pressures we feel are expectations we've placed on ourselvesReframing obligations as choices creates freedom and perspectiveFocused leaders create greater impact than busy leadersSaying no allows you to say yes to what matters mostThe burden of leadership becomes lighter when you prioritize intentionally Memorable Moments Chris reflects on a coaching session that changed how he thinks about responsibilityThe simple power of replacing "I need to" with "I choose to"A real-time lesson in balancing fatherhood, work, and leadershipWhy a sticky note on a desk became a daily leadership reminderThe iceberg analogy and the importance of getting beneath the surface Connect with Chris Fay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjfay/

    The Pressure Trap High Performers Fall Into | Between The Builds

  8. May 26

    The Psychology Behind Growth, Purpose, and Fulfillment | Milt Lowder

    In this deeply personal episode of Built With Purpose, Chris Fay sits down with psychologist, speaker, and performance coach Milt Lowder for a conversation about trauma, purpose, growth, anxiety, forgiveness, and what it truly means to live a meaningful life. Milt opens up about the defining moments that shaped his path into psychology — from witnessing a traumatic accident involving his mother, to struggling with grief, uncertainty, and identity during his early college years. What followed was a transformational conversation with a psychologist that changed the direction of his life forever. Together, Chris and Milt explore the psychology behind high performance, the burden of expectations, and why so many successful people still feel unfulfilled. They unpack the difference between happiness and purpose, how trauma shapes identity, and why learning to ask for help may be one of the most important skills we can develop. The conversation also dives into Milt’s work with elite athletes, executives, and leadership teams — including Clemson Football’s national championship programs — and how the same mental principles apply across sports, business, and life. Chris and Milt discuss: Why achievement alone never creates fulfillmentThe hidden pressure high performers carryAnxiety, control, and living in the present momentHow forgiveness creates freedomWhy purpose often emerges through sufferingThe importance of continuing to dream and grow One of the most powerful moments of the episode comes as Milt shares a handwritten letter from his father — a reminder that success is not about perfection, but about giving your best with “plenty of hustle.” Key TakeawaysPurpose is often shaped through pain and adversityYou don’t have to carry life’s burdens aloneHigh performers struggle too — even when it’s invisibleFulfillment comes from growth, meaning, and contributionForgiveness may be the key to freedomThe best is still yet to comeConnect with Chris & MiltChris Fay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjfay/ Milt Lowder, Ph.D. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milt-lowder-ph-d-31a9a5113/

    The Psychology Behind Growth, Purpose, and Fulfillment | Milt Lowder
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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.

Information

  • Creator
    The Radcast Network
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Radcast Network
  • Show Website
    Built With Purpose