Taking the Con out of Construction

'Taking the Con out of Construction' is the straight-talking podcast for contractors, developers, and construction business owners who want to stay in control of their projects, protect their cash, and avoid costly mistakes. Featuring Michelle Carr, Chartered CIOB professional and founder of H Squared Construction and Construction Alchemy, the show draws on 25+ years of experience rescuing projects and safeguarding investments across the UK construction industry. We break down the biggest challenges in construction, from contracts and cash flow to disputes and profit margins, and share practical steps to keep your projects on track. Whether you’re a subcontractor, developer, property flipper, or just starting out, you’ll get insider insights, actionable advice, and a fresh perspective on how to turn complexity into clarity. Together, we can change the industry one project, one company, and one episode at a time.</p

Taking the Con out of Construction is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 25 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Taking the Con out of Construction, a business show with 25 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #16

  Construction Must Change | From Reckless to Commercially Mature (Season 2 Finale)

  Mar 25, 202621 minS2

  <p>In the season two finale of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr brings together the core themes to address one defining issue: the gap between reactive, outdated practices and true commercial maturity.</p><p>Across the season, we’ve explored cash flow, contracts, systems, accountability, leadership, and risk. This episode connects the dots — showing how these challenges are not isolated problems, but symptoms of a wider issue: an industry still operating reactively instead of proactively.</p><p>Michelle challenges the cycle of firefighting and avoidance, shifting the focus toward prevention, accountability, and stronger leadership. From supporting apprentices to i...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #15

  Built to Lead: Supporting and Retaining Women in Construction | Leadership, Culture & Industry Change

  Mar 17, 202641 minS2

  <p>In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr explores where real influence in construction truly comes from, and why job titles alone rarely tell the full story.</p><p>Michelle explains how authority on site is earned through experience, decision-making, and the ability to perform under pressure. She also examines the barriers women still face in gaining that influence, including sexism, safety concerns, childcare pressures, and inadequate site facilities.</p><p>The conversation highlights the strengths women often bring to project teams; from risk awareness and negotiation skills to emotional intelligence, and how these qualities...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #14

  Operational Leadership & Diverse Thinking | Inclusion, Neurodiversity & Modern Construction

  Mar 10, 202635 minS2

  <p>In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr challenges the way construction talks about diversity, and reframes the conversation around something far more commercially powerful: diverse thinking.</p><p>Drawing on her lived experience in a male-dominated industry, alongside clinical diagnoses including bipolar disorder, ADHD and complex PTSD, Michelle speaks candidly about what true inclusion actually looks like in practice, and why the sector can no longer afford to treat it as a tick-box exercise.</p><p>This isn’t about optics. It’s about operational performance.</p><p>Michelle argues that stronger leadership, clearer comm...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #13

  Belonging in a Changing Construction Industry | Leadership, Regulation & Cultural Change

  Mar 3, 202634 minS2

  <p>In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr explores a subject that is both deeply personal and professionally urgent: belonging.</p><p>Reflecting on her own journey; building a freelance career, moving frequently as a single parent, and recognising that her daughter’s sense of belonging was closely tied to her own stability, resilience and identity, Michelle examines how confidence, leadership and professional identity are shaped by whether we feel we truly belong.</p><p>But this isn’t just personal. It’s happening across construction.</p><p>Many leaders no longer feel they “belong” in an indu...

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #12

  Construction Needs Standards | Accountability, Ethics & Raising the Bar

  Feb 24, 202625 minS2

  <p>In this episode of Taking the Con Out of Construction, Michelle Carr delivers a clear and uncompromising message: construction isn’t failing because of a lack of talent or ideas, it’s failing because poor practice has been allowed to become normal.</p><p>Chaos has been tolerated. Corners have been cut. Responsibility has been dodged. Over time, these behaviours have been dismissed as “just how the industry works.” Michelle challenges that mindset head-on.</p><p>She explores how construction shifted from trust-based relationships to heavily amended, legally complex contracts that often create misalignment, confusion, and opportunities for unethical behaviou...

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Taking the Con out of Construction. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.