To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP257

Take our five minute quiz and get a custom Contractor Growth Scorecard: https://trybta.com/DL257

How much time do you waste each day on little inefficiencies?

- Searching for the latest version of that SOP

- Flipping through a hundred browser tabs to find your budget spreadsheet

- Typing out the same email to 30 different clients

Today’s guest, Nick Sonnenberg, literally wrote the book on business efficiency. It’s called Come Up For Air and it is a go-to for small business owners and teams looking to stop “drowning in work” and free up the time they spend on redundant or inefficient tasks.

In today’s episode, we get into all the little things you can do that may only save you seconds at the time…

…but actually add up to minutes and hours when you stack them day after day.

We talk email management, how to invest time up front to save yourself hours down the line, and how to set yourself up for success when it comes to AI and automations.

This is a quick one, but we cover a lot.

00:00-Intro

01:29-Increasing Capacity Without Adding More People

01:37-Why Start with Email Management?

04:16-The RAD Framework: Reply, Archive, Defer

06:59-Quick Wins for Email Inbox Management

08:46-AI and Automation in Contracting Businesses

11:18-Progress and Context of Nick's Executive Assistant AI Agent

14:14-Asset Building vs. One-Time Requests with AI

21:54-Identifying Areas for AI Use

24:32-The Shift to AI as a Search Engine

27:05 -Final Thoughts and How to Contact Nick

Hey contractors! Don’t leave 2026 to chance! Join our free strategic planning web class on January 27 to get ahead: learn how to spot cash flow crunches before they hit, identify who to hire before you need them, and lock it all into a proven annual plan used by 1,900+ business owners. Click the link to register now: https://trybta.com/SPJan26

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP256

Take our five minute quiz and get a custom Contractor Growth Scorecard: https://trybta.com/DL256

Men’s mental health is in crisis. We are three times more likely to develop addictions and four times more likely to turn to suicide. And yet, 40% of men won’t seek help.

In this episode of Contractor Evolution, we are diving into the "silent struggle" with Connor Beaton, founder of ManTalks and author of Men’s Work. While we usually unpack business systems and profit margins, today we’re diving into the importance of men’s inner work.

After overcoming his own struggles with infidelity, drugs, and alcohol, Connor’s mission is to help men become better leaders, spouses, dads, and humans.

In this conversation, we cover:

• The Crisis: Why men are struggling today more than ever and why it’s so hard for us to get in touch with our inner selves.
• Shadow Work: How to identify and confront hidden parts of ourselves (what Connor calls Shadow Work) to stop self-sabotage.
• Leadership & Legacy: How doing your own inner work pays off for your team and family, and how to foster healthy masculinity and self-leadership on your job sites.

We love to unpack business systems, but if this type of episode is useful for you, let us know in the comments.

Check out ManTalks: https://www.youtube.com/@ManTalks

🔥 Watch These Related Episodes Next:

1. Business Therapist Destroys My Limiting Beliefs in Real Time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU7m0Bk0Z9s

2. How To Lead WITHOUT Ego (Keith Mercurio's Advice):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwDRgYHKzow

3. How 8 Years in a Community Changed My Contracting Business:

https://youtu.be/dL0oLzZLrUQ

00:00-Intro

02:02-Connor Beaton's Origin Story and Early Life

05:07-The Impact of Fatherless Households on Young Men

10:18-Shame-Based Motivation and the Entrepreneurial Identity

15:40-Understanding Shadow Work and Confronting the Unconscious

24:32-Step 1: The Process of Confession and Radical Honesty

32:52-Step 2: Exploring the Origins of Dysfunctional Behavior

41:51-Step 3: Confronting and Replacing Unhealthy Patterns

57:17-Modeling Imperfection and the Importance of Presence as a Father

To learn more about Breakthrough Academy, click here: https://trybta.com/EP255

Take our five minute quiz and get your free Contractor Growth Roadmap: https://trybta.com/DL255

What if we told you that the skilled labor shortage is your fault?

Yes, there’s demographic challenges. Yes, the economy plays a role.

But our industry has REALLY missed the mark on attracting the next generation.

Today’s guest is the one and only Aaron Witt, founder of BuildWitt and host of the Dirt Talk podcast.

He’s on a mission to empower the next generation of tradespeople and bridge the gap between the old guard and the next wave of talent.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why the construction industry is partially at fault for the lack of new skilled laborers
• The employer branding mistakes you’re definitely making, and what to do instead
• And what different generations owe each other to solve the workforce crisis

If you care about the future of your team, your business, and the trades as a whole — this one’s for you.

Check out Aaron's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/AaronWitt

More episodes on employer branding and recruiting the next generation of skilled laborers:

How to Build a Hiring Funnel (EP 220): https://youtu.be/ITtfUjjD5JI

How to Attract Reliable Staff in a Labor Shortage (EP 208): https://youtu.be/bjdnIQJxAMk

Leadership Beyond The Hammer (EP 215): https://youtu.be/DlJhlx65UIs

00:00-Intro

01:15-Aaron Witt's Background and Founding of BuildWit

04:20-The Importance of Brand in the Construction Industry

08:16-Why Contractors Struggle to Attract Young Talent

14:31-How Best-in-Class Contractors Hire Smarter

20:11-The Role of Authentic Storytelling

31:52-Employer Branding for the Next Generation of Contractors

40:28-Private Equity, Capitalism, and the State of Infrastructure

48:43-Responsibilities of Both Generations in Solving the Labor Crisis