Bridging the Gap: Insights & Innovations in Construction

After 6.5 years and more than 350 episodes, this marks Todd’s farewell as host of Bridging the Gap. What started as a simple idea turned into an unexpected journey. With listeners in over 100 countries and more than a million video views each year, the podcast became a platform for exploring construction innovation, challenging ideas, and connecting leaders across the industry. In his final episode, Todd reflects on the lessons learned, the growth that came through curiosity, and the deeper appreciation gained for an industry built by people who care deeply about what they create. But more than anything, this episode is about the relationships. The conversations on and off camera.The trust that was built.And the friendships that made it all meaningful. You’ll Learn: Why curiosity is the foundation for meaningful innovation How to think beyond buzzwords and unpack real change What it takes to contribute to progress within an industry Why relationships are the most valuable outcome of any journey Thank You to Our Listeners Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just recently discovered the show, thank you. From weekly listeners to those who tuned in occasionally, your support, encouragement, and feedback helped shape what Bridging the Gap became and what it meant over the years. Behind the Scenes This podcast would not have been possible without an incredible team throughout the years: Eric Daniel and Caitlin Dunn – Editors and Producers Erin O’Connor – Designer Carol Dunn – Content production Meticulous Image – Video production at live events Their work brought each episode to life and extended the impact far beyond each conversation. Todd Takes Curiosity drives better thinking and better outcomes Innovation starts with asking better questions Relationships are the foundation everything else is built on While Todd is stepping away from the mic of Bridging the Gap, the journey is far from over. Stay tuned for what’s next. Keep innovating. More Resources Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts. Bridging the Gap Website Bridging the Gap LinkedIn Bridging the Gap Instagram Bridging the Gap YouTube Todd’s LinkedIn Thank you to our sponsors! Graitec North America Graitec North America LinkedIn Autodesk’s Website

BIM is powerful. But a model that cannot be built creates downstream friction. In this episode of Prefab, Unfiltered, recorded live at Advancing Prefabrication, Todd Weyandt sits down with Jared Sutliff to explore the gap between BIM, VDC, prefabrication, and field execution. As data center construction accelerates and AI reshapes workflows, the pressure to make prefabrication repeatable and scalable is increasing. But success depends on more than modeling sophistication. It requires constructability, cultural buy-in, and early collaboration between designers, subcontractors, and field teams. This conversation dives into what it really takes to make BIM buildable and prefabrication executable at scale. If you are involved in prefabrication, modular construction, BIM, VDC, or mission-critical project delivery, this episode delivers practical insight from the front lines. You’ll Learn Why a detailed BIM model does not automatically translate to constructability How prefabrication depends on early collaboration between engineers and subcontractors The impact of data center construction on prefab workflows Why AI and automation must align with field realities How repeated modeling mistakes can scale across projects What cultural buy-in looks like when implementing prefab strategies Meet Our Guest Jared Sutliff brings deep experience at the intersection of BIM, VDC, and electrical prefabrication. With a background in multimedia design and 3D modeling, he transitioned into construction technology and co-founded BIM Technology Management, focusing on constructability, coordination, and scalable prefab workflows. His work centers on aligning digital modeling with real-world installation, particularly in data center and mission-critical environments where repetition and precision are essential. Todd Takes A Model Is Only Valuable If It Can Be Built. BIM and VDC continue to evolve, but digital sophistication alone does not guarantee success. Prefabrication scales when modeling decisions reflect real jobsite constraints and installation sequencing. Buildable models drive repeatable outcomes. Prefabrication Requires Cultural Buy-In. Technology adoption without field alignment creates friction. Prefab success depends on leadership support, crew involvement, and clear communication across departments. It is not a software rollout. It is an operational shift. Early Collaboration Prevents Scaled Mistakes. In repetitive environments like data centers, small coordination issues can multiply across floors and facilities. Early collaboration between engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers reduces rework and compounds efficiency. More Resources Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts. Bridging the Gap Website Bridging the Gap LinkedIn Bridging the Gap Instagram Bridging the Gap YouTube Todd’s LinkedIn Jared’s LinkedIn BIMTM Website Thank you to our sponsors! Graitec North America Graitec North America LinkedIn Autodesk’s Website

Prefabrication is no longer a technology conversation. It is an owner conversation. In this episode of Prefab, Unfiltered, recorded live at Advancing Prefabrication, Todd Weyandt sits down with Emily Mills Marineau to explore how owners evaluate prefab, modular construction, and offsite strategies through the lens of risk-adjusted return. The biggest misconception in prefabrication is that the value is simply cost savings. In reality, owners prioritize certainty, schedule predictability, and reduced variability across the project lifecycle. This conversation unpacks what it takes for prefabrication to move from curiosity to confidence and why the first prefab project inside any organization carries disproportionate weight. If you care about prefabrication, modular construction, owner strategy, risk management, or construction innovation, this episode offers an executive-level perspective on what truly drives adoption. You’ll Learn Why owners prioritize certainty over lowest cost in prefabrication How risk-adjusted return shapes modular construction decisions Why first prefab projects must be executed with precision The hidden impact of labor shortages on offsite construction Why documenting lessons learned is critical for scaling prefab Meet Our Guest Emily Mills Marineau brings a strategic owner-side perspective to prefabrication and industrialized construction. With a background that includes M&A experience at Apple and leadership roles within construction innovation, she focuses on how procurement models, contracts, and risk frameworks influence prefab adoption. Her work centers on aligning executive leadership, project teams, and delivery partners around scalable prefabrication strategies that prioritize certainty, quality, and long-term performance. Todd Takes Owners Do Not Want Cheaper. They Want Certainty. The true value of prefabrication and modular construction is not lowest cost. It is reduced variability, schedule confidence, and predictable execution. When we frame prefab around savings alone, we undersell its strategic value. The First Prefab Project Cannot Fail. Initial prefab projects shape long-term perception. If the first effort struggles, adoption stalls. Strong planning, aligned partnerships, and realistic expectations are essential for building internal confidence. Labor and Documentation Are the Quiet Barriers. Technology is advancing quickly. Workforce shortages and inconsistent knowledge capture are not. If prefabrication is going to scale across healthcare, multifamily, and commercial construction, the industry must improve both labor strategy and institutional learning. More Resources Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts. Bridging the Gap Website Bridging the Gap LinkedIn Bridging the Gap Instagram Bridging the Gap YouTube Todd’s LinkedIn Emily’s LinkedIn Juno’s Website Thank you to our sponsors! Graitec North America Graitec North America LinkedIn Autodesk’s Website

Prefab, Unfiltered | The Execution Era Begins (Series Preview) Prefabrication is entering its execution era. Recorded live at Advancing Prefabrication, this special Bridging the Gap series explores what’s actually working in prefab, modular construction, and offsite construction and what still needs to change to scale successfully. In Prefab, Unfiltered, host Todd Weyandt sits down with owners, VDC leaders, fabrication experts, and construction executives to discuss the real state of prefabrication today. These candid conversations dive into: How owners evaluate prefab and modular strategies Where BIM and VDC workflows break down between model and manufacturing Closing the gap between shop and field execution Standardization, repeatability, and scaling prefab programs Aligning construction leadership around offsite construction strategy This series moves beyond theory and buzzwords. It focuses on execution from digital coordination to fabrication planning to jobsite integration. If you care about prefabrication, modular construction, BIM, VDC, or the future of construction innovation, this series delivers real-world insight from leaders operating at the front lines. The execution era has begun.

Being proactive in AEC has always been the goal but until now, it’s been hard to achieve at scale. In this episode of Bridging the Gap, host Todd Weyandt is joined by David Spergel of Graitec to explore how AI is reshaping workflows to help project teams anticipate risk, surface intent earlier, and make better decisions across the project lifecycle. The conversation dives into how shared project artifacts, like drawings and PDFs, are evolving into intelligent layers that connect design teams, project managers, and the field. Rather than reacting to issues after they appear, AI-powered workflows help teams reduce ambiguity, improve communication, and move work forward with greater clarity and confidence. This episode offers a hopeful, practical look at how AI supports people, not by replacing expertise, but by enabling more proactive, aligned, and predictable project delivery. You’ll Learn: How AI workflows are helping project teams shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive decision-making Why shared project artifacts like drawings and PDFs are evolving into intelligent layers that connect design, construction, and the field How surfacing intent and context earlier reduces coordination gaps, RFIs, and late-stage surprises Ways AI improves communication and collaboration without replacing human expertise or forcing new workflows What proactive, AI-enabled project delivery looks like and why it leads to more predictable outcomes MEET OUR GUEST David Spergel is an AEC technology leader with deep experience helping design and construction teams improve how they collaborate, communicate, and execute projects using digital tools. His background spans software enablement, workflow optimization, and customer-facing strategy, with a strong focus on how platforms like Bluebeam support real-world project delivery. David brings a practical, people-first perspective to emerging technologies, translating AI and data-driven workflows into clear, adoptable processes that help teams reduce risk, break down silos, and make better decisions across the project lifecycle. TODD TAKES AI isn’t a threat. It’s a force multiplier for people.In AEC, AI isn’t replacing expertise. It’s removing the tedious, time-consuming work that pulls teams away from judgment, creativity, and problem-solving. When the noise is reduced, people can focus on decisions that actually move projects forward. The industry’s real opportunity is turning shared artifacts into shared understanding.Drawings, markups, and documents already hold enormous intent and context. When that information becomes easier to interpret and act on, teams spend less time searching for answers and more time aligning across design, construction, and the field. Better data leads to better conversations and better outcomes.When information is surfaced proactively instead of reactively, collaboration improves. Fewer misunderstandings, fewer late surprises, and clearer accountability create momentum toward predictability, trust, and stronger project delivery. Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts. Bridging the Gap Website Bridging the Gap LinkedIn Bridging the Gap Instagram Bridging the Gap YouTube Todd’s LinkedIn Thank you to our sponsors! Graitec North America Graitec North America LinkedIn Autodesk’s Website Other Relevant Links: David Spergel’s LinkedIn

How can AI actually help construction teams make better decisions (without adding complexity or losing the human element)? In this episode of Bridging the Gap, Todd Weyandt sits down with Shelley Copsey, CEO of FYLD, to explore how AI-driven insights are transforming safety and decision-making in construction. Shelley shares how FYLD helps teams move beyond lagging indicators and manual reporting by turning frontline data into actionable intelligence, right when it matters most. The conversation dives into why predictive safety is the future of construction, how real-time insights empower workers instead of policing them, and what it takes to build trust when introducing AI on the jobsite. In this episode, you’ll learn: How AI turns frontline construction data into real-time, actionable insights Why predictive safety beats reactive reporting every time How to introduce AI in a way that builds trust with field teams What “human-centered AI” really looks like in construction MEET OUR GUEST Shelley Copsey is co-founder and CEO of FYLD. In her role, she leads a scaling company empowering major infrastructure companies to drive highly efficient field workforce operations, driven by data and enabling each and every day's operations to be safely delivered to plan. She has over 25 years of experience in the intersection of physical infrastructure and digital technologies, as well as the human transformation required to deliver on the promise of emerging technologies. TODD TAKES Digital Powers Better Job Operations Technology isn’t just about automating tasks—it’s about creating smarter, safer, and more productive job sites. With real-time data, teams can anticipate risks, streamline workflows, and deliver higher quality outcomes without the traditional trade-off between speed, safety, and cost. Tech Supports, Not Replaces, People AI and digital platforms work best when they elevate the workforce, not replace it. Technology puts power in the hands of field teams, giving them visibility, communication, and support that strengthens trust and culture across the organization. From Blame to Lessons Learned Construction has often defaulted to a blame game when delays or incidents happen. But the real transformation happens when mistakes become learning opportunities. By capturing and analyzing data, companies can reframe setbacks into insights that improve planning, execution, and safety for the future. More Resources Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts. Bridging the Gap Website Bridging the Gap LinkedIn Bridging the Gap Instagram Bridging the Gap YouTube Todd’s LinkedIn Thank you to our sponsors! Graitec North America Graitec North America LinkedIn Autodesk’s Website Other Relevant Links: Shelley’s LinkedInFYLD

Technology was supposed to make construction faster, smarter, and more efficient but in many cases, it’s added friction instead of removing it. In this episode, we explore how the right technology, paired with the right culture, can eliminate inefficiencies and unlock real innovation across construction businesses. The conversation dives into why technology should exist to serve people, not the other way around, and how contractors can rethink adoption to focus on problem-solving, creativity, and long-term impact. This episode challenges the idea that construction is “slow to innovate” and reframes what meaningful innovation actually looks like in the field and the back office. You’ll Learn: Why technology should remove barriers, not create new ones How to align tools, teams, and culture for real impact Where inefficiencies hide and why fixing them matters more than adding features Why construction innovation depends more on mindset than software How the next generation of contractors is reshaping the industry MEET OUR GUEST Connor Watumull is a construction technology leader focused on improving how contractors operate by eliminating friction in the systems that support their teams. With a background in software and engineering, Connor brings a practical, people-first perspective to innovation—one rooted in solving real problems, not chasing shiny tools. His work centers on helping construction businesses build stronger teams, operate more efficiently, and create lasting impact in the communities they serve. TODD TAKES Tech Should Clear the Path for People Technology isn’t the end goal—it’s the means to free people from repetitive, manual tasks. When tech removes barriers, it unlocks creativity and problem-solving, which is where construction teams thrive. The best technology makes life easier, not harder. Right Tech, Right Problem, Right Culture Adoption only sticks when the technology solves the right problem and is supported by the right culture. A shiny new tool without cultural alignment or clear purpose will just create friction. Success comes from pairing practical solutions with a culture that embraces innovation. Fix the Inefficiencies First Construction is built on solving problems, but inefficiencies—especially in the back office can slow progress. The mindset should be to constantly seek out gaps, pain points, and bottlenecks, then apply technology to close them. That’s where true progress happens. More Resources Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts. Bridging the Gap Website Bridging the Gap LinkedIn Bridging the Gap Instagram Bridging the Gap YouTube Todd’s LinkedIn Thank you to our sponsors! Graitec North America Graitec North America LinkedIn Autodesk’s Website Other Relevant Links: Connor’s LinkedIn Miter’s Website

What happens when product data finally becomes as smart as the models it lives in? This week’s episode features Ben Glunz of Anguleris and BIMsmith in an explorative conversation about how connected product data, structured specs, and intelligent digital content are reshaping design workflows from the ground up. Ben breaks down why architects and engineers still struggle to access trustworthy, build-ready manufacturer data, and what’s changing as AI, cloud platforms, and digital twins bring real-time information into the design process. This episode is a must-listen for architects, spec writers, BIM managers, manufacturers, and anyone curious about the future of product data, interoperability, and AI-driven design. You’ll learn: Why AEC’s product data ecosystem is overdue for transformation How structured, validated content accelerates design decisions Where AI can meaningfully support spec writing and model intelligence MEET OUR GUEST Benjamin Glunz, Assoc. AIA, is an architect-turned-technologist and the Founder and CEO of Anguleris, a global leader in construction technology. With a passion for bridging the gap between building product manufacturers and AEC professionals, Ben spearheaded the development of BIMsmith®, an industry-leading product research and specification platform, and Swatchbox®, the leading material sample platform for architects and designers. Under his leadership, Anguleris has expanded its reach internationally, establishing European headquarters in London and offices in Milan and acquiring platforms like Modlar® and Concora to further enhance its offerings. TODD TAKES Legacy Can Spark Innovation Deep roots in construction don’t have to lock us into old ways—they can be the spark for new ideas. When experience meets curiosity, it creates the foundation to reimagine how the industry works and to move it forward in bold ways. Circularity Beats Recycling Sustainability goes beyond recycling. A circular approach prevents waste before it starts by keeping resources in use and extending their life cycle. It’s about building smarter systems that maximize value while minimizing impact. Innovation Should Feel Like a Jetpack, Not a Replacement The best technology doesn’t replace people—it empowers them. Innovation should remove the drudgery, free up creativity, and accelerate progress. When disruption feels like a jetpack instead of a threat, that’s when real transformation happens. More Resources Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts. Bridging the Gap Website Bridging the Gap LinkedIn Bridging the Gap Instagram Bridging the Gap YouTube Todd’s LinkedIn Thank you to our sponsors! Graitec North America Graitec North America LinkedIn Autodesk’s Website Other Relevant Links: Ben’s LinkedInAngulerisBIMSmith