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Episodes

Oct. 29, 2025

Good Things Come to Those Who...Trust the Process

As the year winds down and the pace of projects, planning, and priorities picks up, BJ takes a moment to reflect on what it means to lead through transition. In this solo episode of Leadership Blueprints , he shares insights ...

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Oct. 22, 2025

Why Great Leaders Should Do Less This Season

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-rel...

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Oct. 15, 2025

What If Trust Is More Powerful Than Talent in Business?

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. I...

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Oct. 8, 2025

Is Running Notre Dame's Campus More Complex Than Commanding a Battali…

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. D...

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Oct. 8, 2025

Is Running Notre Dame’s Campus More Complex Than Commanding a Battali…

Welcome back to another episode of Leadership Blueprints. In this series, we aim to honor veterans who have transitioned from active duty into the built environment. This series is designed to help veterans transition into th...

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Oct. 1, 2025

The Walk-On Mindset: Why Leadership is Earned Every Day

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 fo...

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Sept. 24, 2025

Is Love the Missing Metric of High-Performance Leadership?

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 curre...

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Sept. 17, 2025

What If the Most Underrated Leadership Tool Was Simply… Get More Slee…

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 ca...

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Sept. 11, 2025

How Do Innovation and Risk Shape the Next Era of Infrastructure?

During this episode, we’re speaking with Jill Jamieson, President and CEO of Illuminati Infrastructure Advisors, a boutique advisory firm that specializes in helping public sector entities fund, finance, and deliver complex i...

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Sept. 3, 2025

From Summer Sand to Fall Focus- How Do We Embrace the Change of Seaso…

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...

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Aug. 27, 2025

Can "Deep Before Wide" be The Key to Career and Organizational Succes…

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 f...

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Aug. 20, 2025

What Happens When Schools and Sports Focus on Character First?

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, ...

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Aug. 13, 2025

Can Technical Experts Become Transformational Leaders?

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...

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Aug. 6, 2025

Leaders Are Doers

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...

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July 30, 2025

Leaders Are Learners

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 ...

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July 23, 2025

Leaders Are Readers

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 r...

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July 16, 2025

Building From Both Sides: Corporate Grit Meets Entrepreneurial Grace

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 du...

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July 9, 2025

Is the Key to a Fulfilling Career Simply Doing What You Love- Every D…

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 ...

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July 4, 2025

Can Sports Teach the Hardest Leadership Lessons? What Ryan Kent Learn…

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 shapin...

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July 2, 2025

Is the 4th of July Just a Holiday—Or a Call to Lead?

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...

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June 25, 2025

Could Time Off Be Your Greatest Leadership Tool?

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 o...

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June 18, 2025

Is Transformational Leadership the Key to Unlocking Growth in Constru…

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 professio...

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June 11, 2025

Can Humility, Optimism, and Trust Be Your Leadership Superpowers in t…

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 ma...

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June 4, 2025

What Happens When You Build a Team Around Values Instead of Just Tale…

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 tom...

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