Send us Fan Mail

In this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner interview cybersecurity expert Nick Espinosa about how modern cyber warfare affects everyday businesses, especially small to mid-size construction firms. Espinosa describes Russia’s cyberattacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and the use of malware like Mirai to weaponize IoT devices, emphasizing that high-level tactics trickle down to business ransomware. He explains construction is consistently a top-three targeted sector (alongside healthcare and finance) because attackers expect cash, deadlines, and fast payouts, and notes hackers exploit centralized sensitive data to find insurance policies and set ransom demands, with ransoms often negotiable. He warns that cyber insurance is not a defense strategy and can lead to steep renewal costs and coverage disputes. The discussion also critiques Meta’s social media impacts on privacy, disinformation, and youth mental health, and highlights emerging AI risks, citing Anthropic’s “Mythos” and predicting AI-vs-AI cybersecurity defense.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

In this epsiode: Angela and Christi welcome Lydia Miller, fourth-generation owner of her family construction business and its first female leader, who shares her path from University of Pennsylvania lacrosse and Navy ROTC to serving on warships and in Pentagon intelligence, earning a Wharton executive MBA, joining the family firm, and taking full ownership two years ago. Lydia explains transforming a decades-old business into a scalable, process-driven organization through correct sequencing and a “people ladder” that builds from admin and financial foundations to delivery, marketing, sales, and leadership with leaders at each rung. She recounts leading as one of eight women on a 400-person ship, emphasizing bold curiosity, learning in the field, mission focus, and how sports build command presence. She describes Miller Tech’s aggressive AI use to gain speed while avoiding private-data risks, and outlines the stage-gated “Miller methodology” across pre-construction, construction, and launch to deliver consistent, surprise-free client experiences.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode: Christi Powell and Angela Gardner interview Natasha Sexton, president and CEO of Sexton Design and Development, an eight-and-a-half-year-old design-build firm based in Greenville, SC. Sexton explains the company’s landscape-architecture roots, multi-state work (SC, TN, pursuing NC licensure, with GA next), and focus on hospitality, university, and commercial/institutional projects, including Clemson University’s Tiger Walk design. She discusses Southeast market challenges—rapid growth driving labor shortages and material cost volatility—and how value engineering and alternative materials keep projects on track. Sexton shares scaling and quality strategies centered on choosing aligned clients and the “photo, friend, fee” philosophy, plus team culture priorities like leading by example, paying above average, benefits, open dialogue, and burnout awareness, with interest in an employee-ownership/ESOP-style future. She highlights community projects with Upstate Warrior Solution and Camp Greenville, board involvement with the Greenville County Art Museum, and emphasizes surrounding yourself with supportive people.

Support the show