iReach Podcast

ConstructReach
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Hosted by Paul Robinson, founder of ConstructReach, the iReach Podcast explores bold conversations shaping the future of construction. Each episode features leaders and changemakers who are redefining what it means to build a career in the trades. With a focus on mentorship, leadership, and equity, the show highlights emerging pathways into the industry. Whether you're a student exploring career options, an educator bridging the gap between classroom and workforce, or a professional looking to make a difference, iReach offers insight, inspiration, and a fresh take on the construction industry.

  1. What They Never Told You About the Trades

    Mar 24

    What They Never Told You About the Trades

    The trades have a reputation problem. And for a long time, construction was the industry you ended up in, not the one you chose. Carlos Rodriguez, owner of Mr. Roofing out of California, knows that story firsthand. Carlos grew up watching his father build a roofing business from the ground up after immigrating from Mexico. He spent summers on tear-off crews as a teenager, went to UC Berkeley, worked in corporate, and eventually came back to take the family business to a level his dad never imagined. In this episode, he and Paul break down what it actually takes to run a construction company, why the stigma around trades is still real but slowly changing, and what young people are missing when they overlook this industry. We discuss: The stigma roofing inherited and why it is finally starting to shiftGrowing up in the family business and what his dad's approach taught himWhat he looks for when hiringThe looming labor shortageHow to make the trades look as cool as they actually areHis advice to every high schooler figuring out what comes nextWant to bring more young talent into construction? Let's talk. #ConstructionCareers #TradesLife #WorkforceDevelopment #RoofingIndustry #iReachPodcast TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Meet Carlos Rodriguez 01:18 – Roofing industry stigma 03:06 – Family roots and lessons 04:37 – Reframing trades for youth 08:32 – Returning to grow the business 10:43 – From roofer to leader 12:42 – Culture and core purpose 15:42 – Modern trades misconceptions 18:24 – Hiring for heart and hustle 21:52 – Labor shortage and outreach 26:12 – Making construction look cool 29:19 – Trade vs. business skills 30:15 – Advice for high schoolers 31:11 – Closing thanks and wrap Subscribe and Review the iReach Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with your friends, and leave us a review. We read every single one. Follow Carlos Rodriguez: Website: https://www.mrroofing.net  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-rodriguez-a481b69  Follow Paul Robinson Connect with Paul Robinson on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on Instagram @contructreach Check out the ConstructReach website at constructreach.com This podcast is sponsored by Construct Reach. As a workforce development initiative that builds reachable opportunities through construction, ConstructReach increases the visibility of the construction industry by educating students about career opportunities within construction, connecting general contractors to interns and innovative internship curricula, creating content and experiences to expose a diverse population to sustainable construction careers, and uniting stakeholders to ensure the construction industry continues to thrive. #IReachPodcast #PaulRobinson #ConstructReach

    32 min
  2. The Job Crisis No One’s Talking About

    Mar 10

    The Job Crisis No One’s Talking About

    Drew "The MFG" Crowe is the founder and CEO of Drew Crowe Manufacturing and one of the most influential voices in American manufacturing today. Often referred to as the leader of the New American Manufacturing Renaissance, Drew is an MIT graduate and two-time Aerospace & Aviation Man of the Year. He served as Lead Professor of Advanced Manufacturing Technology at Ranken Technical College. His résumé includes speaking at the White House and the Pentagon, and features in Forbes Magazine and USA Today. His mission is to connect youth, underserved communities, and justice-impacted individuals to life-changing careers in manufacturing. And to help companies understand why that's not charity, it's a business solution. In this episode, Drew and host Paul Robinson dig into the deep parallels between manufacturing and construction and why both industries are at a critical crossroads. Drew breaks down why 1.8 million manufacturing jobs sit unfilled and how that gap threatens national security and GDP. He explains why companies can no longer treat workforce outreach as a handout. The two get real about the generational barriers that keep diverse communities from entering the trades. They talk about why soft skills like grit and determination matter more than technical certifications. Drew also shares how he flips the script when talking to young people, connecting their passions for sneakers, video games, and cars to real manufacturing career paths paying $30+ an hour. Plus, he shares a powerful perspective on why he intentionally challenges corporate bias by showing up authentically in every boardroom he enters. If this conversation hits home, subscribe, share with a colleague, and learn more about ConstructReach and the iReach podcast at constructreach.com. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:00 Drew's Against-the-Odds Journey into Manufacturing 03:00 What Manufacturing Actually Makes — And Why It Matters 05:15 3D Printed Houses and the Future of Construction and Manufacturing 06:07 Why Representation Matters When Reaching Young People 08:05 Connecting Overlooked Communities to Career Opportunities 10:22 It's Not Charity — It's a Business Solution 12:25 The State of Manufacturing: Tariffs, Workforce Gaps, and National Security 15:13 Construction's Workforce Crisis: 4 Million Jobs by 2031 17:45 The Most In-Demand Skill: Grit and Determination 21:26 What Separates Shops That Survive from Shops That Scale 25:06 Bringing Back CTE, Shop Class, and Career Pathways 27:19 Investing in Messengers Who Speak the Community's Language 29:21 Challenging Bias and Showing Up Authentically 35:00 What Drew Tells an 18-Year-Old About Manufacturing Careers 40:34 Closing Thoughts and Looking Ahead Subscribe & Review the iRea Follow Paul Robinson Connect with Paul Robinson on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on Instagram @contructreach Check out the ConstructReach website at constructreach.com This podcast is sponsored by Construct Reach. As a workforce development initiative that builds reachable opportunities through construction, ConstructReach increases the visibility of the construction industry by educating students about career opportunities within construction, connecting general contractors to interns and innovative internship curricula, creating content and experiences to expose a diverse population to sustainable construction careers, and uniting stakeholders to ensure the construction industry continues to thrive. #IReachPodcast #PaulRobinson #ConstructReach

    42 min

  3. Feb 17

    Career Paths in Construction Most People Overlook

    In this episode, Paul Robinson challenges one of the most common assumptions in construction and workforce development: that young people simply “don’t want to work.” Speaking from experience hosting I Built This events across the country, Paul pushes back on the narrative and argues that the issue is not motivation, it is exposure. Through conversations with high school students at an I Built This event, we hear directly from the next generation. Many admit they had little to no knowledge of the range of careers available in construction before attending. After exposure, their mindset shifts. Trades become real options. Debt-free pathways become attractive. Entrepreneurship becomes visible. This episode reframes the labor shortage conversation. If young people do not know what the industry offers, the responsibility falls on the industry to make itself visible. 🎧 Subscribe, share, and learn more at https://constructreach.com In this episode: 00:00 The “young people don’t want to work” myth 01:26 Generational assumptions and perspective 02:08 Hands-on mentorship and learning at IBT 03:23 Seeing the fruit of your labor in construction 04:29 Exposure changes everything 05:39 The industry’s responsibility to create visibility 06:33 Making informed decisions requires information 06:47 Debt-free pathways and skilled trades 07:47 Aging workforce and pipeline urgency 08:00 Students discovering opportunities they didn’t know existed 09:36 Early exposure through family influence 10:46 Why exposure during school matters 11:29 Technology, hands-on work, and different giftings 12:22 Self-inventory for employers 12:39 Labor shortage as opportunity 13:16 Students reflect on painting station and entrepreneurship 13:35 Growth requires vulnerability Subscribe & Review the iReach Podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with our friends, and leave us a review. We read every single one. Follow Paul Robinson Connect with Paul Robinson on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on Instagram @contructreach Check out the ConstructReach website at constructreach.com This podcast is sponsored by Construct Reach. As a workforce development initiative that builds reachable opportunities through construction, ConstructReach increases the visibility of the construction industry by educating students about career opportunities within construction, connecting general contractors to interns and innovative internship curricula, creating content and experiences to expose a diverse population to sustainable construction careers, and uniting stakeholders to ensure the construction industry continues to thrive. #IReachPodcast #PaulRobinson #ConstructReach

    15 min

  4. Feb 3

    Leadership Is Not Authority. It’s Responsibility.

    In this solo episode, Paul Robinson reframes leadership as stewardship and challenges leaders to think beyond titles and power. He explores the difference between transactional and transformational leadership and explains why the most effective leaders focus on creating environments where people can grow, contribute, and thrive. Paul connects leadership directly to workforce development, connecting the dots between culture, clarity, and accountability. With millions of jobs projected to go unfilled in construction and related industries, he makes the case that how leaders show up today shapes the workforce of tomorrow. This episode is a call to rethink leadership as service and to build cultures that people want to be part of, talk about, and stay in 🎧 Subscribe, share, and learn more at https://constructreach.com In this episode: 00:00 Leadership as responsibility, not title 00:52 Stewardship and developing others 01:35 Transactional vs transformational leadership 02:03 Creating the right environment and culture 03:13 Leadership and workforce development 03:36 Labor shortages and leadership urgency 04:11 Connecting current leadership to future talent 04:46 Closing reflections Subscribe & Review the iReach Podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with our friends, and leave us a review. We read every single one. Follow Paul Robinson Connect with Paul Robinson on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on Instagram @contructreach Check out the ConstructReach website at constructreach.com This podcast is sponsored by Construct Reach. As a workforce development initiative that builds reachable opportunities through construction, ConstructReach increases the visibility of the construction industry by educating students about career opportunities within construction, connecting general contractors to interns and innovative internship curricula, creating content and experiences to expose a diverse population to sustainable construction careers, and uniting stakeholders to ensure the construction industry continues to thrive. #IReachPodcast #PaulRobinson #ConstructReach

    5 min

  5. Jan 13

    Reframing Construction: Culture, Community, and the Next Generation

    Paul Robinson returns to the iReach Podcast for a powerful solo episode that reframes how we think about construction, purpose, and impact. As the founder of ConstructReach, Paul has built a national platform connecting construction, culture, and community—redefining what the industry can mean for the next generation. In this episode, Paul challenges the narrow perception of construction as “just a job” and positions it as a lifestyle that touches every part of our lives—from where we live and learn to how we heal, worship, and play. He breaks down why storytelling, representation, and cultural relevance are essential to solving the labor shortage and inspiring young people to see themselves in the industry. This is a mindset shift for business leaders, educators, and employers: if you want to attract, develop, and retain talent, you must connect construction to the whole person. Paul shares why urgency matters now—and how community engagement is no longer optional. 🎧 Subscribe, share, and learn more at https://constructreach.com Things you’ll learn in this episode: Construction impacts every defined space in societyCulture and storytelling are critical to workforce developmentRepresentation changes perception—and outcomesCommunity engagement is essential to solving the labor shortageConstruction careers can align with purpose, identity, and lifestyleIn this episode: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Purpose 00:14 Highlighting Diverse Stories in Construction 01:38 The Impact of Construction on Daily Life 03:50 Rebranding the Construction Industry 05:33 Connecting with the Next Generation 07:49 Call to Action and Conclusion Subscribe & Review the iReach Podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with our friends, and leave us a review. We read every single one. Follow Paul Robinson Connect with Paul Robinson on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on Instagram @contructreach Check out the ConstructReach website at constructreach.com This podcast is sponsored by Construct Reach. As a workforce development initiative that builds reachable opportunities through construction, ConstructReach increases the visibility of the construction industry by educating students about career opportunities within construction, connecting general contractors to interns and innovative internship curricula, creating content and experiences to expose a diverse population to sustainable construction careers, and uniting stakeholders to ensure the construction industry continues to thrive. #IReachPodcast #PaulRobinson #ConstructReach

    9 min

  6. 12/16/2025

    Representation, Pipeline, Impact: A Playbook for Workforce Change

    Ebony Robinson is the COO of ConstructReach—and the strategic engine behind a national workforce development consultancy reshaping how construction connects with the next generation. With a career built on elite sales performance, relationship-building, and executive leadership, she’s now applying that same discipline to a bigger mission: impact, access, and legacy.  In this episode, Ebony and Paul Robinson go behind the scenes on what it really takes to build a purpose-driven company together as husband and wife—without competing for the spotlight. They break down why construction’s workforce crisis is also an opportunity, how “I Built This” creates real exposure for students and educators, and why representation (especially for women of color) isn’t a slogan—it’s a pipeline strategy. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction and setting the vision for ConstructReach 02:10 Ebony Robinson’s background and path into leadership 05:18 From corporate sales to purpose-driven work 09:42 Building ConstructReach as a husband-and-wife team 14:30 Defining roles, trust, and decision-making in marriage and business 18:55 The construction workforce crisis—and why it’s a massive opportunity 24:40 “I Built This” and creating real exposure for young talent 30:12 Representation, women of color, and changing industry narratives 36:20 Scaling impact through partnerships and education 41:50 Leadership lessons, legacy, and long-term vision 45:10 Final reflections and advice for mission-driven builders Subscribe & Review the iReach Podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with our friends, and leave us a review. We read every single one. Follow Ebony Robinson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebony-robinson-edr24785 Follow Paul Robinson Connect with Paul Robinson on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on Instagram @contructreach Check out the ConstructReach website at constructreach.com This podcast is sponsored by Construct Reach. As a workforce development initiative that builds reachable opportunities through construction, ConstructReach increases the visibility of the construction industry by educating students about career opportunities within construction, connecting general contractors to interns and innovative internship curricula, creating content and experiences to expose a diverse population to sustainable construction careers, and uniting stakeholders to ensure the construction industry continues to thrive. #IReachPodcast #PaulRobinson #ConstructReach

    45 min

  7. 12/09/2025

    Transactions vs. Transformation: Rethinking Corporate Impact with Tony Waller

    Tony Waller is the Vice President of Constituent Relations and Racial Equity at Walmart, where he builds deep, long-term relationships with diverse communities and helps one of the world’s largest employers show up as part of the community—not just a store on the corner. In this episode, Tony and host Paul Robinson get real about “interesting times”: DEI backlash, language shifts, and what it means for corporations to keep doing the work when the headlines say otherwise. Tony breaks down the difference between transactional and transformational partnerships, why simply showing up changes everything, and how to design inclusion so no one is truly excluded. He shares his long-view mindset and a grounded philosophy of “trust the plan, honor your assignment” that leaders at every level can use. If this conversation hits home, subscribe, share with a colleague, and learn more about ConstructReach and the iReach podcast at constructreach.com. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:37 Tony Waller's Role at Walmart 03:38 Building Trust and Relationships 07:09 Lessons in Relationship Building 11:21 The Importance of Showing Up 19:58 Facing Challenges and Looking Ahead 23:35 Understanding the Challenges of Change 24:13 The Importance of Actions Over Words 24:55 Adapting to New Realities 29:28 Building Trust in Diverse Communities 34:14 The Power of Collective Effort 42:29 Trusting the Plan and Playing Your Role Subscribe & Review the iReach Podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with our friends, and leave us a review. We read every single one. Follow Tony Waller LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonywalleroffical/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1solesearcher/ Follow Paul Robinson Connect with Paul Robinson on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on Instagram @contructreach Check out the ConstructReach website at constructreach.com This podcast is sponsored by Construct Reach. As a workforce development initiative that builds reachable opportunities through construction, ConstructReach increases the visibility of the construction industry by educating students about career opportunities within construction, connecting general contractors to interns and innovative internship curricula, creating content and experiences to expose a diverse population to sustainable construction careers, and uniting stakeholders to ensure the construction industry continues to thrive. #IReachPodcast #PaulRobinson #ConstructReach

    46 min

  8. 11/18/2025

    From First to Many: Dr. Irish Horsey’s Blueprint for Inclusion

    Director of Industry Advancement at Procore and the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Building Construction from Georgia Tech, Dr. Irish Horsey breaks down how she turned a childhood love of buildings into a purpose-driven career shaping the future construction workforce.  In this episode, we get into Irish’s journey—from third-grade clay models to construction management, academia, and now leading programs that tackle labor shortages and broaden access. We unpack the weight of being “the first,” the power of representation, and the practical ways technology (think drones, robotics, AR) is rewriting what a construction career can look like—especially for women and underrepresented talent..  Subscribe, rate, and share. Learn more about Irish’s forthcoming book You Can Be Here: A Woman’s Guide to Construction Careers and join the preorder list at irishhorsey.com. In this episode: 00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Dr. Irish Horsey 01:14 Dr. Horsey's Early Passion for Construction 04:43 Educational Journey and Career Beginnings 07:07 Achieving a Historic Milestone 15:29 Balancing Life and Education 17:48 Current Role and Industry Challenges 27:46 Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Construction 34:36 Upcoming Book and Final Thoughts Subscribe & Review the iReach Podcast If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with our friends, and leave us a review. We read every single one. Follow Dr. Irish Horsey LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/irishhorsey/ Website: https://www.irishhorsey.com/ Follow Paul Robinson Connect with Paul Robinson on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on LinkedIn. Follow ConstructReach on Instagram @contructreach Check out the ConstructReach website at constructreach.com This podcast is sponsored by Construct Reach. As a workforce development initiative that builds reachable opportunities through construction, ConstructReach increases the visibility of the construction industry by educating students about career opportunities within construction, connecting general contractors to interns and innovative internship curricula, creating content and experiences to expose a diverse population to sustainable construction careers, and uniting stakeholders to ensure the construction industry continues to thrive. #IReachPodcast #PaulRobinson #ConstructReach

    40 min
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About

Hosted by Paul Robinson, founder of ConstructReach, the iReach Podcast explores bold conversations shaping the future of construction. Each episode features leaders and changemakers who are redefining what it means to build a career in the trades. With a focus on mentorship, leadership, and equity, the show highlights emerging pathways into the industry. Whether you're a student exploring career options, an educator bridging the gap between classroom and workforce, or a professional looking to make a difference, iReach offers insight, inspiration, and a fresh take on the construction industry.

Information

  • Creator
    ConstructReach
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 iReach, the ConstructReach Podcast
  • Show Website
    iReach Podcast