PODCAST
ZARRELLCO Chats is a podcast featuring conversations with leaders across construction, recruiting, business, and entrepreneurship.
Hosted by Rob Zarrella, founder of ZARRELLCO Recruiting, each episode explores the career journeys, leadership lessons, hiring strategies, and industry insights that have shaped successful professionals and organizations. From CEOs and business owners to recruiters, marketers, project managers, and industry experts, ZARRELLCO Chats focuses on real-world experiences, practical advice, and the stories behind the people building great companies and careers.
No politics. No company bashing. Just honest conversations with interesting people.
Episode 1: Megan Shapiro
Construction Contracts Explained | What Every Subcontractor Should Know
In the first episode of ZARRELLCO Chats, I sit down with Megan Shapiro, Esq., a construction attorney, Partner at Radoslovich | Shapiro, Founder of Construction Contract Coach, and Founder of the Converge Construction Summit. Megan has dedicated her career to helping subcontractors better understand, review, and negotiate construction contracts while also serving as a trusted legal advisor to businesses throughout the construction industry. Through her work, she also equips women in construction with practical communication and negotiation strategies inspired by the approaches attorneys use every day in high-stakes legal and business settings.
Episode 2: Seth Habben
From Home Inspector to Home Builder CEO
In the second episode of ZARRELLCO Chats, Rob Zarrella sits down with Seth Habben, CEO of Cullen Construction, a Pennsylvania-based luxury homebuilder specializing in high-end custom homes. Seth has built his leadership philosophy around continuous learning and personal development, having read more than 1,000 books since 2014—a habit he credits as a major contributor to both his personal and professional success. In this episode, we discuss the unique challenges of recruiting and hiring in residential construction, the differences between production, semi-custom, and luxury home building, and what it takes to deliver an exceptional client experience in the custom home market. Seth also shares his perspective on leadership, company culture, lifelong learning, and the habits that have helped him grow as both a CEO and a leader. Whether you're a homebuilder, construction professional, business owner, or someone passionate about leadership and personal growth, this episode is packed with practical insights and valuable takeaways.
Episode 3: Jonathan Cor
Construction Marketing | How Contractors Win More Projects & Hire Better
In the third episode of ZARRELLCO Chats, I sit down with Jonathan Cor, Founder of Customer Growth, a marketing agency that helps construction companies grow their businesses through strategic marketing, branding, and lead generation. Jonathan is also the Founder and Host of Construction CEO, where he interviews industry leaders and shares insights on business growth, leadership, and marketing within the construction industry. In this episode, we discuss how construction companies can build a stronger online presence, why LinkedIn has become such a valuable platform for business development, and some of the biggest marketing mistakes contractors make. Jonathan also shares practical advice on creating content, building credibility, attracting the right clients, and developing a marketing strategy that supports long-term growth.
Episode 4: Chuck Mazzanti
Construction Insurance & ESOP: What Every Construction Company Should Know
In the fourth episode of ZARRELLCO Chats, I sit down with Chuck Mazzanti, CRIS, Senior Vice President at Christensen Group Insurance, where he specializes in helping construction companies manage risk through tailored insurance solutions and strategic guidance. With years of experience serving the construction industry, Chuck works closely with contractors to navigate complex insurance needs while helping businesses protect their people, projects, and long-term success. In this episode, we discuss the role of insurance and risk management in construction, common challenges contractors face, and how the right insurance strategy can support business growth. We also dive into Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), how they work, why they're becoming more common in the construction industry, and what business owners should know when considering this ownership model.
Episode 5: Lindsay Larson
Recruiting Strategies in Construction | Construction Hiring
In this episode of ZARRELLCO Chats, Rob Zarrella sits down with Lindsay Larson to discuss the realities of construction contingency recruiting and what it's really like working in the agency recruiting world. With years of experience partnering with construction and engineering companies in the USA, Lindsay shares insights into how contingency recruiting works, what construction clients expect from agency recruiters, and the biggest misconceptions surrounding the profession. We also discuss candidate presentation, interview preparation, common hiring mistakes, building trust with clients, and why communication and relationships are at the core of successful recruiting. Whether you're a hiring manager, business owner, recruiter, or job seeker, this conversation provides an inside look at how great recruiters create value and help companies hire the right people.
Episode 6: Luke Hill
Recruiting in Construction: Behind the Scenes
In Episode 6 of ZARRELLCO Chats, I sit down with Luke Hill, Talent Acquisition Manager at Tellepsen, one of Houston's most respected and well-established general contractors. Luke shares his career journey from working in agency recruiting to leading talent acquisition on the contractor side, offering a unique perspective on what hiring looks like from both sides of the table. We discuss the biggest differences between agency and in-house recruiting, what contractors are really looking for in today's market, and how candidates can position themselves for success. We also dive into practical advice for construction professionals navigating their job search, including why it's important to be selective about the recruiters you work with, how to build long-term professional relationships, and what separates strong candidates from the rest. Whether you're a construction professional exploring your next opportunity, a recruiter looking to better understand the industry, or a hiring manager interested in improving your recruiting strategy, this episode is packed with valuable insights.
Episode 7: Wade Vaughn
Business Development in Construction and Service
In the seventh episode of ZARRELLCO Chats, I sit down with Wade Vaughn, Senior Business Development Manager for the Service Department at Karber Corporation (KCORP), to discuss what business development really looks like in today's construction industry. Drawing from years of experience building relationships and driving growth on the service side of construction, Wade shares practical insights that apply across the industry. We discuss what construction professionals should look for when considering a business development role, how companies can better define expectations and set BD professionals up for long-term success, and the qualities that separate top performers from the rest. We also dive into the importance of building genuine relationships, developing a strong LinkedIn presence, creating value before making a sale, and why business development is about much more than simply generating leads. Whether you're exploring a career in business development, leading a construction company, or looking to improve your firm's growth strategy, this episode offers valuable insights from someone who has built a successful career developing lasting relationships in the construction industry.
Episode 8: Vanessa Habben
Profit First: How Business Owners Can Take Control of their Money
In Episode 8 of ZARRELLCO Chats, I sit down with Vanessa Habben to discuss Profit First, a cash management system designed to help business owners take control of their finances, prioritize profitability, and make sure they are actually paying themselves. For many business owners, bringing in more revenue doesn't always mean having more money left over. Expenses grow, cash gets reinvested into the business, and the owner can end up being the last person to get paid. Vanessa breaks down how the Profit First approach challenges the traditional way of thinking about business finances by intentionally allocating revenue toward profit, owner compensation, taxes, and operating expenses. We discuss how business owners can become more disciplined with cash flow, why revenue alone doesn't tell the full story of a company's financial health, and how creating a system around your money can help build a more sustainable business.
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