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In this episode: Christi and Angela welcome back Denver-based construction law attorney Kate Strauss, now leading the construction team at the national firm Fennemore, to discuss rapid AI adoption in construction. Strauss describes the divide between office staff who are high AI adopters and field staff who may distrust “Big Brother” technology, along with growing AI fatigue and the need to retain human connection and technical competence. The conversation highlights survey data showing increased AI investment and usage in administrative work, estimating, and preconstruction, driven partly by labor shortages and fast promotions. Strauss outlines hidden legal risks, including discoverability of chat histories, potential waiver of attorney-client privilege, and litigation scrutiny of AI-generated contracts and change orders, urging company leaders to implement clear AI platforms, training, safeguards, escalation points, and true human oversight.

Supported by: NPK

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In this episode: Christi and Angela welcome Claire Reffitt of Deborah Bradley Construction in New York City, highlighting her role as executive assistant to president Deborah Bradley and her broader work as office manager supporting IT, HR, accounting, and company coordination across many projects. Claire shares that she thrives in fast-changing, “chaotic” environments, credits her math background for fitting construction’s logic, and explains how she manages a demanding workload through prioritization and daily pen-and-paper to-do lists. She describes leading the company’s technology and AI committee, running a workshop focused on using existing Microsoft tools like Copilot for note-taking, and tailoring adoption across employees with varied experience through basics and trial-and-error. Claire encourages young professionals to speak up, introduce themselves, and combine perspectives rather than compete. She also shares growing up as an only child with two deaf parents, which became a source of independence.

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In this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner welcome listeners to Women Talk Construction and announce that recent guest Libby is joining as a new guest co-host, allowing Christi to step back during a demanding season. Through questions led by Libby, they discuss recognizing when stepping back is a strategic leadership choice, with Christi sharing past health-related warning signs and her realization she wasn’t bringing her best self. The hosts explore setting boundaries, learning to say no to even good opportunities, and using priorities, mentors, and self-awareness to protect wellbeing, family, and faith. Libby describes stepping into growth by aligning choices with core values, intuition, and passions. They emphasize transparency and modeling sustainable leadership in construction by building trusted teams, sharing responsibility, and treating careers as marathons. Christi notes she’ll return periodically while supporting her family and work.

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