The final months of the year can feel like a sprint - at home, at work, and everywhere in between. For leaders, that “push to the finish line” often comes at the expense of peace, presence, and purpose. In this special re-release of a timely conversation, BJ Kraemer sits down with Valerie Peterson, LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor who helps high-performing professionals find balance and resilience through self-awareness and intentional living. Together, they explore how to lead with pres...
Oct 22, 2025•34 min•Ep. 227
At first glance, business development might not appear to be part of a leader’s role. Yet it’s central to how effective leaders build trust, connect vision to operations, and align people and projects around shared purpose. In this episode of The Leadership Blueprints Podcast, BJ welcomes Brad Adams, founder and principal of The R4 Group, a specialized business development consulting firm. Drawing on decades of experience from Wall Street to partnerships with architects, engineers, developers, a...
Oct 15, 2025•26 min•Ep. 226
Welcome back to another episode of Leadership Blueprints. Join our conversation with today's guest, Dan Cook, as he shares what his role at the University of Notre Dame entails and why he initially decided to join the Navy. Dan sheds light on the leadership lessons he learned in the military and how he had to adjust his leadership style for civilian life. We also dive into how he approached his transition, what life is like now, and how he balances work and life. For all this, plus his predictio...
Oct 08, 2025•32 min•Ep. 225
Discipline and consistency aren't just habits - they're essential virtues that fuel our guests’ leadership style, entrepreneurial triumphs, and social impact. Joining BJ on the podcast today is Dr. Charles Thomas Jr, or CT for short. CT is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur, educator, and Amazon #1 best-selling author committed to service. He embodies the Renaissance ideal of broad learning and full engagement, drawing on diverse experiences across the public, private, and nonprofit secto...
Oct 01, 2025•35 min•Ep. 224
Joining BJ on the show today to discuss the finance side of real estate is Ward Fitzgerald. He is the former CEO and Senior Managing Principal of Exeter Property Group, which was acquired by EQT in 2021. Ward is now the current CEO of ExCorde Capital, a real estate investment platform that delivers unprecedented value creation with a strong focus on sharing love. Ward holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Join the co...
Sep 24, 2025•40 min•Ep. 223
Listening to people is the most powerful tool a leader has! Today on Leadership Blueprints, we head back to the high seas with another Navy guest, Dr. John Cordle. In this conversation, you’ll hear about John’s fascinating career from active duty in the Navy to writing to coaching other writers. We delve into John’s transition from active duty to working a regular job before he shares why that transition should simply be another part of the journey. Learn all about why John is an advocate for go...
Sep 17, 2025•56 min•Ep. 222
In the infrastructure world, uncertainty is a growth killer. When projects stall, the entire industry feels the pain. Today, we're diving into this issue with a special guest, Jill Jamieson. Jill, the CEO of Illuminati Infrastructure and an amateur endurance athlete, knows a thing or two about pushing through challenges. Join their conversation as they first dive into what inspired Jill’s recent 30-mile swim around Manhattan and her advice on taking those first steps to conquer physical feats. T...
Sep 11, 2025•48 min•Ep. 221
During this solo episode, BJ Kraemer reflects on the transition from summer to fall - a season that naturally invites change, renewal, and a re-centering of priorities. Drawing from personal experiences and leadership lessons, BJ explores how leaders can embrace shifts in rhythm, energy, and focus to better serve their teams and organizations. Join BJ as he shares practical insights on adapting to change, building resilience, and aligning your daily actions with long-term vision. From the symbol...
Sep 03, 2025•13 min•Ep. 220
During this episode, we're speaking with an owner who oversees a large-scale operation, managing not only the organization's mission but also its extensive facilities and infrastructure. Ashley Johnson is the Senior Manager for 2700 individuals in the command at the Naval Surface Warfare Centre, a large industrial facility with full-spectrum capabilities. Join us as Ashley offers insights into his career path from engineering to the Navy, how he arrived in the role of Senior Executive Service an...
Aug 27, 2025•23 min•Ep. 219
Do you ever wonder how we can help students become their best selves, build positive relationships, and help them see that being ‘good’ is actually cool? In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we are joined by Jeff Bryan, co-founder of the Positivity Project, an organization that empowers students to build character, take accountability, and strengthen relationships within school. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Jeff’s experience at West Point and on deployment, how he and Mike Erwin started...
Aug 20, 2025•35 min•Ep. 218
After you retire, the most important thing you take from your career is the legacy you leave. In this episode, we’re joined by John Carter, a retired Navy Captain and the Founder of the Leadership Bridge Institute, for a deep dive into the power of leadership and legacy, from the key skills that facilitate organizational impact to the paradox of becoming a confident leader who keeps their people both accountable and protected. Although he takes great pride in having commanded ships in the Navy, ...
Aug 13, 2025•39 min•Ep. 217
Have you ever paused to consider the real reason you’re not growing- personally, professionally, or as a business? In today’s solo episode of Leadership Blueprints, host BJ Kraemer shares a personal and powerful reflection on the limiting beliefs that often hold us back. From insecurities to self-doubt, BJ explores how these internal narratives can keep even the most capable leaders stuck- and how to break free from them. Tune in as BJ walks through the importance of mindset, momentum, and inten...
Aug 06, 2025•30 min•Ep. 216
What’s the point of reading if it doesn’t improve your life and work? In the second installment of the Pages to Projects summer series, BJ Kraemer explores why reading alone isn't enough; true leadership development requires learning. Drawing from personal experience, business coaching insights, and frameworks like the West Point leadership development model, BJ offers a practical breakdown of how to convert ideas from books into action, habit, and growth. If you’re ready to transform your readi...
Jul 30, 2025•13 min•Ep. 215
All leaders are readers. That’s why we’re kicking off a three-part series on the books and stories that have influenced our leadership philosophy. Whether you’re a reader or an audiobook listener, this series is packed with recommendations that contain essential wisdom you can apply to your life. To kick off our series, BJ shares his thoughts on why you should read, what you should read, and the books that have shaped his life. Tune in to learn why self-study is such a key part of personal devel...
Jul 23, 2025•29 min•Ep. 214
What does it take to lead with authenticity, build a thriving business, and grow stronger through adversity, both professionally and personally? In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, BJ Kramer sits down with powerhouse duo Jim Carter of CBRE/Turner Townsend and Barbara Balongue, founder of Balongue Design, to explore the art of leadership through the lens of real-life experience, grit, and long-term vision. From Barbara’s leap into entrepreneurship during a recession to Jim’s three-decade bl...
Jul 16, 2025•50 min•Ep. 213
In this inspiring episode, we are joined by the one and only Allen Kopelson, visionary architect and founding principal behind NK Architects. With decades of experience and a legacy of leadership, Allen shares his remarkable journey through the world of business. We explore why he made the decision to step down as a partner while continuing to contribute to the firm he helped build, the crucial role his support system plays in his personal growth and professional success, how he chose his succes...
Jul 09, 2025•28 min•Ep. 212
As a special thank you for tuning in, scroll down to enjoy 20% off your first order mizzenandmain.com . What do football, combat deployments, and dress shirts have in common? For Ryan Kent, they’ve all played a role in shaping his evolution as a leader. In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, BJ Kramer sits down with Ryan, a West Point graduate, former Army Ranger, and current CEO of menswear brand Mizzen+Main, to unpack the lessons he learned on his way from the locker room to the boardroom. ...
Jul 04, 2025•49 min•Ep. 211
In this 4th of July special edition of Leadership Blueprints , BJ Kraemer sits down with Marine Corps veteran, educator, and operations leader Fred Conner for a conversation about legacy, leadership, and renewal. This episode explores the transformation of the historic 75-acre Valley Forge campus- home to Founding Forward , a national civic education nonprofit founded by the Union League of Philadelphia and Freedom’s Foundation. Fred shares his journey from military service to international proj...
Jul 02, 2025•27 min•Ep. 210
What if your next big leadership breakthrough started with booking a vacation? In this solo episode of Leadership Blueprints, BJ Kraemer dives into a powerful and often overlooked leadership lesson: the transformative value of R&R. With summer in full swing and the midpoint of the year approaching, BJ challenges leaders to rethink their relationship with rest, reframing time off as a strategic imperative for sustained impact, clarity, and growth. From redefining “busy” to modeling a culture ...
Jun 25, 2025•15 min•Ep. 209
What if the future of leadership in construction isn’t about command and control, but about trust and curiosity? In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we’re joined by Andrea Janzen, founder of Ambition Theory, a professional development company that specializes in the research, education, and advancement of women in construction. Andrea shares her unexpected journey from corporate marketing to coaching executives in the construction industry. She unpacks the power of transformational leaders...
Jun 18, 2025•41 min•Ep. 208
Leadership is a never-ending journey with infinite checkpoints for growth and self-discovery. Today, we are joined by Greg Kelly, the CEO of STV, a national, infrastructure-focused professional services firm that exists to make communities better through innovative solutions that connect people, places, and the present to the future. Greg begins by meticulously detailing his professional journey and how he found his feet in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) before explaining why ...
Jun 11, 2025•41 min•Ep. 207
The lessons learned on the sports field teach us so much about leadership on the battlefield and in life. This episode marks the launch of a special segment highlighting the power of youth sports in shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Joining us on this episode is Head Men’s Swimming and Diving Coach at Princeton University, Matt Crispino, a key player in shaping leadership and character development through sports at the Military Academy. Matt shares success tactics, core team values, and why he be...
Jun 04, 2025•48 min•Ep. 206
What happens when engineering leaders prioritize people over profit and community over convenience? In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we’re joined by Phil Wursta, a seasoned strategist with over 40 years of experience in municipal agency and private sector engineering. He’s also the founding partner of WK2 Consulting, a woman-owned civil engineering and public management firm serving Pennsylvania and New Jersey. From his early days as an archaeology-obsessed teen to his leadership role b...
May 28, 2025•29 min•Ep. 205
Memorial Day isn't just the start of summer—it's a time to honor those who gave their lives for our freedom. Every Memorial Day, BJ has decided to play an episode he recorded two years ago to honor his late friend and everyone who has given their lives to service. In this tribute episode, we speak with Marion Zilinski, known as Mama Z, about the true meaning of Memorial Day through the eyes of someone who lost a loved one in service. She shares the story of her son Dennis, his journey to West Po...
May 21, 2025•52 min•Ep. 204
If education is executed correctly, it can be one of the best ways to inspire people to change the world! Today’s guest on Leadership Blueprints, John Abraham, is a professor of thermal sciences at the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about John’s career, what led him to academia, how he connects with this generation of students, and so much more! We delve into his focus on ocean warming before discussing his work on sustainable energy through his compan...
May 14, 2025•39 min•Ep. 203
Joining us is Carey Kight, producer, advertiser, and owner of Veteran Made. He shares a series of pivotal choices that have shaped his career and his life’s journey, from the military to film school, advertising, production, and beyond. Pulling from his experiences, we discuss the frameworks that translate from the military to other fields. Carey shares how Veteran Made embodies this, highlighting key skills that veterans can bring to the working world. We touch on managing your own expectations...
May 07, 2025•46 min•Ep. 202
What does it take to lead a software company at the forefront of the architecture and engineering (A&E) world? Joining us today is the CEO of BQE Software, Matt Cooper, to discuss his incredible career and his company’s work in the architecture and engineering space. Tuning in, you’ll hear about Matt’s time consulting, what led him to BQE Software, how he transitioned into a leadership position, and so much more! We delve into what it means to produce ‘client-worthy’ work before discussing h...
Apr 30, 2025•34 min•Ep. 201
In celebration of our 200th episode, this conversation highlights 20 key lessons we've learned over the past five years of hosting this podcast. Join us as we take a deep dive into leadership philosophy, drawing from insights we've gathered since the very beginning. You'll hear what it means to lead from the front, why going viral isn't necessary to make an impact, and how building character shapes everything you do. We also unpack the recent drop-off rate in the real estate world and explore ho...
Apr 23, 2025•21 min•Ep. 200
What does real leadership transformation look like, and how do you go from managing projects to leading people? In this episode of Leadership Blueprints, we sit down with Coty Fournier to discuss leadership transformation and creating a company-focused impact. Coty is an industry veteran, speaker, author, and senior consultant with Well Built Construction Consulting. She is known for fast-tracking construction managers into high-impact leaders through keynote speaking, leadership training, and s...
Apr 17, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 199
There is growing concern around the post-service health of veterans and first responders as it’s easy to fall into destructive patterns when liberated from the forced discipline of being in active duty. Today we are joined by John New, an Army veteran and serial entrepreneur who’s made it his life’s purpose to help curate healthier life habits for former service members. We begin with John’s background as he explains who he is, and what he does before learning about CYTO (previously The Hub), an...
Apr 09, 2025•36 min•Ep. 198
