Explore every episode of the podcast Behind the Barricade

In this episode of Behind the Barricade, Chad Cannon and Jim Christian discuss why strong relationships matter more than transactions in construction and project management. Jim explains how trust is built through small, consistent actions, clear communication, integrity, and treating clients, contractors, and vendors as true partners. The conversation highlights how relationship-first leadership helps projects move faster, solve problems better, and protect the client’s vision.

Chad Cannon and Jim Christian reflect on one of the most important themes from the podcast’s first 12 episodes: effective communication. They explain why successful project delivery requires clarity, frequency, courageous honesty, and communication tailored to each stakeholder.

The conversation covers when to move beyond email, how to deliver difficult news before having every answer, the value of saying “no,” managing communication distractions, and spending meaningful time on-site or with clients. Jim closes with Cornerstone’s standard: share important information quickly, follow through on commitments, and never hide behind “I sent the email.”

 In this episode, Chad Cannon interviews Jim Christian about why pre-construction is where construction projects are won or lost. Jim explains that great project management means owning the outcome, not just attending meetings, and that early planning helps align budgets, schedules, vendors, designs, and stakeholder expectations before problems become costly change orders. The episode emphasizes that investing time upfront leads to smoother builds, fewer surprises, better cost control, and more successful openings. 

Most construction projects struggle with productivity, delays, and budget overruns  but what if the secret to success isn’t just more resources, but smarter management?

 In this eye-opening episode, I sat down with industry expert Philip Angel to reveal how precise stakeholder collaboration, innovative project management tools, and understanding municipal bureaucracy can turn a chaotic project into a well-oiled machine.
 You’ll discover:

• How a background in creative writing led Philip into the world of zoning and permits, turning what seems like bureaucratic chaos into strategic advantage
• The critical role of real-time, web-based project matrices in keeping everyone accountable and on the same page
• Why cultivating relationships with city officials can be more valuable than any permit expediting tool
• The impact of recent regulatory changes and how staying ahead of compliance can keep your project on schedule
• The growing importance of AI and why over-relying on it without expert oversight can backfire
  

Whether you’re a project manager, developer, or simply curious about what keeps construction on track in today’s complex landscape, this episode provides actionable insights that could fundamentally change your approach.

If you believe successful projects are built on collaboration, transparency, and strategic foresight, then you can’t afford to miss Philip’s practical take on overcoming industry bottlenecks.

Tomomi Marzan, Director of Retail Design at Belmont Park Village, shares a behind-the-scenes look at delivering high-performance retail construction projects. From starting work before leases are finalized to aligning landlords, tenants, and contractors, she breaks down what actually drives successful outcomes. The conversation highlights a critical shift in the industry: speed isn’t the problem, reliability is. 

With insights on labor challenges, communication breakdowns, and the power of early collaboration, this episode reveals what it really takes to deliver projects on time and make them work in the real world.

In this episode of Behind the Barricade, Jim Christian sits down with Meri Gregg, Senior Project Manager at Avon Design Group, to explore what really drives performance in retail construction projects.

With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Meri shares how she found her way into retail design, why she thrives in fast-paced project environments, and what Avon Design Group brings to the table across both commercial and retail architecture.

The conversation dives into the behind-the-scenes realities of project performance — from the importance of upfront planning and clear communication to the systems, forms, and processes that help projects stay on budget and on schedule. Meri also shares practical insight into site surveys, as-builts, MEP coordination, and where collaboration tends to break down when projects go off track.

They also explore what the industry should be paying attention to moving forward, including the pressure to move faster, the risks of sacrificing quality for speed, and why some parts of construction simply can’t be rushed without consequences.

This episode is packed with practical insight for project managers, architects, contractors, and anyone involved in delivering successful retail construction projects.

Key Themes Throughout the Episode

• Why strong processes and planning create better-performing projects
• How real estate, design, and permitting all impact project success
• The role of clear communication in preventing costly mistakes
• Why surveys and site documentation are game changers in modern construction
• How better MEP coordination improves field execution
• What causes projects to break down and how to avoid it
• Why the push for faster timelines often creates bigger downstream problems 

The conversation covers Jenny Kim's career transition from architecture to retail, her experience in real estate development, strategic growth and rollouts in retail, and performance breakthroughs in construction projects. It explores the challenges and successes encountered in these areas, providing valuable insights into the industry. The conversation covers the importance of accountability and communication in project management, as well as the significance of team cohesion and effective project management strategies. Jenny Kim emphasizes the need for upfront communication and accountability with partners, as well as the implementation of a cohesive project management team to ensure successful project outcomes.

Takeaways

• Career transition from architecture to retail
• Challenges and breakthroughs in construction projects
• Strategic growth and real estate development in retail Accountability and Communication
• Project Management and Team Cohesion

Chapters

• 00:00 Performance Breakthroughs in Construction Projects
• 17:10 Accountability and Communication

The conversation delves into the construction industry, covering early career experiences, retail store construction, partnership and collaboration, project setbacks, pre-construction planning, supply chain challenges, field work, and industry challenges. Key takeaways include insights into construction industry trends and productivity breakthroughs.

Takeaways

• Construction industry trends
• Productivity breakthroughs

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Construction Experience
• 05:25 Retail and Grocery Store Construction
• 14:09 Building Trust and Communication
• 21:26 Pre-Construction and Project Planning
• 27:23 Field Work and Site Management

The conversation delves into Roy Barberi's journey in the construction industry, from early exposure to technology to overcoming challenges and achieving significant growth. Roy shares personal stories of failure and success, emphasizing the importance of people-first leadership and continuous improvement. Additionally, he discusses trends and productivity in the construction industry, as well as his passion for education and music.

Takeaways

• People-first leadership is crucial for achieving productivity gains and success in the construction industry.
• Continuous improvement and investment in future progress are essential for personal and professional growth.

Chapters

• 00:00 Exploring the Construction Industry
• 06:13 Innovative Solutions and Market Growth
• 16:44 Overcoming Failure and Learning
• 26:21 Trends and Productivity in Construction
• 32:39 Passion for Education and Music

The conversation delves into the world of retail construction, highlighting the importance of early involvement, transparency, and communication in project success. It explores challenges, productivity, and the impact of design changes, emphasizing the role of people in construction. The discussion also addresses the future of construction performance, industry challenges, and the impact of tariffs on the supply chain. Throughout, the theme of early involvement and transparent communication emerges as crucial for project success.

Adam Hirsch from Hirsch Construction shares insights on construction performance breakthroughs, including a sense of urgency, strong communication, and sustainability. He also discusses the importance of attracting young talent to the industry through internships and technology adoption.

Takeaways

• Sense of urgency
• Strong communication
• Attracting young talent to the industry
• Technology adoption

In this episode of "Behind the Barricades," host Jim Christian sits down with Rachel Zsembery, President and CEO of Bergmeyer, to explore the evolving landscape of the construction industry. Rachel shares insights from her 23-year journey at Bergmeyer, discussing the importance of holistic design, strategic partnerships, and early collaboration with construction teams. The conversation delves into the challenges and breakthroughs in project delivery, highlighting a significant project with Dick's Sporting Goods. Tune in to discover how Rachel's approach to design and construction fosters innovation and success.

In the final episode of 2025, Jim Christian, founder and CEO, shares his insights on performance breakthroughs in the construction industry. He emphasizes the importance of controlling one's calendar, the power of deep work, and the necessity of having a clear vision for progress. Jim also discusses the impact of AI, the need for resilience in turbulent environments, and the irreplaceable value of human leadership. As we look forward to 2026, Jim encourages leaders to protect future time, bring leadership instead of blame, and use technology to enhance productivity. Tune in to "Behind the Barricade" for a thoughtful reflection on the past year and a hopeful outlook for the future.

In this episode of "Behind the Barricade," host Jim Christian welcomes Tim Patrie, an expert in the construction industry, to discuss the nuances of value engineering. Tim shares his journey from working on construction sites as a kid to leading global store development for major brands. The conversation delves into the importance of relationships in construction, the impact of tariffs, and strategies for improving productivity. Tune in for insights on how to navigate the evolving landscape of construction and make the most of value engineering.

In this episode of "Behind the Barricade," host Jim Christian sits down with Virginia Grant, Vice President of Store Development for Luxottica. Virginia shares her inspiring journey from a teaching background to leading major construction projects for iconic brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley. Discover how Virginia navigated challenges, embraced opportunities, and leveraged AI to enhance productivity in the construction industry. Tune in to explore the importance of fundamentals, sustainability, and the evolving role of technology in retail development. Don't miss this insightful conversation on performance breakthroughs and the future of construction.

Construction looks clean on paper. In reality, it’s chaos. Delayed permits, blown budgets, and miscommunication that can make or break a project. In this short intro, host Jim Christian lays out why he’s pulling back the curtain on the industry. To expose the truth Behind the Barricade and start a new kind of conversation about how we build better.