This is Facility Rockstars! The podcast that celebrates the unsung heroes of our daily lives – facility professionals! I'm your host, Jay Culbert. Join me as we honor these leaders - sharing stories, insights, and expertise that empower us all to learn and grow together. Facility Rockstars is sponsored by Kaloutas, operating the way you operate in order to make your life easier. Learn more at: https://www.kaloutas.com
Facility Rockstars
Claim This Podcastby Kaloutas
5.0(19 reviews)
120 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
63
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality98
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement71
Podcast Overview
This is Facility Rockstars! The podcast that celebrates the unsung heroes of our daily lives – facility professionals! I'm your host, Jay Culbert. Join me as we honor these leaders - sharing stories, insights, and expertise that empower us all to learn and grow together. Facility Rockstars is sponsored by Kaloutas, operating the way you operate in order to make your life easier. Learn more at: https://www.kaloutas.com
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/6/2024
Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report
See how your podcast performs across key metrics
63
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality98
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement71
9
Excellent Areas
2
Good Performance
8
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Publishing Consistency
Every 7 days
Performing excellently!
good
Show Experience
80 episodes over 1.6 years
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
poor
Episode Thumbnails
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
+16 More Metrics
Unlock comprehensive insights including:
- • YouTube presence analysis
- • Social media reach metrics
- • RSS compliance scoring
- • Podcast 2.0 features
- • Technical standards
What's Included in Your Full Report
Detailed Analytics
- Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
- Personalized recommendations for each metric
- Industry benchmarks and comparisons
- Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring
Growth Strategies
- Step-by-step action plans for improvement
- Quick wins to boost your score immediately
- Pro tips from successful podcasters
Get your free podcast insights report
See how your show performs across every key metric
Instant delivery
No spam
Attract Better Guests
High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.
Secure Sponsorships
Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.
Grow Your Audience
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.
1 verified contact email on file for Facility Rockstars
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
June 18, 2026
The One Where Everything Went Wrong: Facility Rockstars Blooper Reel
<p>For 117 episodes, Facility Rockstars has shared conversations with facility professionals, safety leaders, operators, and industry experts from across New England and beyond. But this week, we're doing something a little different.</p><p><br></p><p>In this special blooper reel episode, we're pulling back the curtain and sharing some of our favorite behind-the-scenes moments that never made it into the final cuts. From mispronounced names and forgotten intros to off-the-rails conversations, technical hiccups, and plenty of laughter, this episode highlights the authentic moments that happen when real people come together to have real conversations.</p><p><br></p><p>One of the things that makes Facility Rockstars special isn't just the expertise our guests bring to the table—it's their willingness to show up as themselves. These unscripted moments remind us that behind every title, credential, and leadership role is a person who doesn't take themselves too seriously.</p><p><br></p><p>So sit back, have a laugh, and enjoy a side of Facility Rockstars that usually ends up on the cutting room floor.</p><p> </p><p>Takeaways:</p><ul><li>Authentic conversations are often more memorable than perfectly polished ones.</li><li>Every great podcast episode includes plenty of moments listeners never hear.</li><li>Leadership and expertise don't require perfection.</li><li>The strongest professional relationships are often built through genuine human connection.</li><li>Stepping outside your comfort zone is something guests and hosts experience alike.</li><li>Humor plays an important role in building trust and camaraderie.</li><li>Behind every successful episode is a team willing to laugh at themselves.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Links:</p><ul><li>Sal DeFranco<ul><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatoredefranco/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatoredefranco/</a> </li></ul></li><li>Matt Anthony <ul><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-anthony13/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-anthony13/</a> </li></ul></li><li>Michael Rich<ul><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rich-cfm-00b06b19a/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rich-cfm-00b06b19a/</a> </li></ul></li><li>Don Bezek<ul><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/donbezek/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/donbezek/</a> </li></ul></li><li>Colby Fillippelli<ul><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-fillippelli-cfm-8591097/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-fillippelli-cfm-8591097/</a> </li></ul></li><li>Mike Albano</li></ul>
June 11, 2026
How Observation, Humility, and Coaching Create Better Facility Leaders with Maria Ruiz of UNICEF USA
<p>What does it take to lead people through uncertainty, change, and constant operational demands? In this episode of Facility Rockstars, Jay Culbert sits down with Maria Ruiz, Facilities and Operations Manager at UNICEF USA, to discuss the leadership lessons she's learned across healthcare, nonprofit, and corporate environments.</p><p><br></p><p>Maria shares why learning not to take things personally transformed her leadership approach, how succession planning extends far beyond retirement, and why empathy, mentorship, and continuous improvement are critical for building resilient teams. From managing difficult personnel decisions to creating trust through daily check-ins, Maria offers practical insights for facilities professionals looking to become stronger leaders while supporting the people around them.</p><p> </p><p>Takeaways:</p><ul><li>Don't take challenges personally. Pause, seek context, and focus on what the situation can teach you. Maria emphasized that some of her biggest leadership growth came from learning to step back before reacting. By seeking to understand the circumstances, perspectives, and motivations behind a situation, leaders can turn setbacks and difficult conversations into valuable learning opportunities.</li><li>Succession planning should account for retirements, leaves of absence, injuries, and unexpected organizational changes. Too often, succession planning is viewed only through the lens of retirement, but Maria highlighted the importance of preparing for any scenario that could create a gap in leadership or operational knowledge. Building processes, documentation, and cross-training into everyday operations helps teams remain resilient when unexpected changes occur.</li><li>Observation is a critical leadership skill. Some of the most important processes are often undocumented and learned through listening and watching. Maria shared how paying attention to behaviors, workflows, and unspoken routines helped her understand organizations more effectively than any manual could. Leaders who take the time to observe their environment often uncover opportunities for improvement that others overlook.</li><li>Knowledge sharing is essential. Information that stays with one person creates risk for the entire organization. Encouraging team members to document processes, communicate insights, and share expertise helps create a stronger and more adaptable team. When knowledge is openly shared, organizations are better prepared to navigate turnover, growth, and unexpected challenges.</li><li>Regular personal check-ins build trust, strengthen culture, and help teams feel supported. Maria believes that effective leaders check in on people, not just projects. Simple conversations that focus on an employee's well-being can create stronger relationships, improve engagement, and foster a culture where team members feel valued and supported.</li><li>Great leaders invest in coaching, mentorship, and continuous learning to identify blind spots and improve their effectiveness. Maria spoke about the value of having mentors and professional coaches who can offer an outside perspective. By remaining open to feedback and guidance, leaders can continue growing, challenge their own assumptions, and become more effective in supporting their teams.</li><li>Continuous improvement is a daily practice that starts with asking questions, challenging assumptions, and staying curious. Rather than treating improvement as an occasional initiative, Maria views it as an ongoing mindset. Consistently asking "why," seeking root causes, and looking for better ways to work helps organizations become more efficient, adaptable, and prepared for future challenges.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Quote of the Show:</p><ul><li> "We're behind the scenes, but always on the front lines, and the front lines are tough."</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Links:</p><ul><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaruiz814/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaruiz814/</a> </li><li>Website: <a href="https://www.unicefusa.org/">https://www.unicefusa.org/</a> </li><li>The Toyota Way by Jeffrey Liker: <a href="https://a.co/d/0j0d9AoN">https://a.co/d/0j0d9AoN</a> </li><li>Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin: <a href="https://a.co/d/07a90UL9">https://a.co/d/07a90UL9</a> </li></ul>
June 4, 2026
Building the Plane While Flying It: Nick Petrosino on Growth, Accountability, and the Future of FM
<p>In this episode, Nick Petrosino, Corporate Facilities Manager at Milton CAT, shares his winding path from Bridgewater State University to Massachusetts Maritime Academy to managing over a million square feet across six states. Nick opens up about the self-awareness it took to recognize he needed a different environment to thrive, and how Mass Maritime gave him the discipline and focus to launch a career he's now spent nearly a decade building with the same company. His story is one of calculated risk, intentional growth, and the kind of quiet drive that keeps buildings running before anyone notices a problem.</p><p><br></p><p>The conversation dives deep into the operational realities of managing a large, multi-location facilities team — from growing his department from three to eight people, to navigating vendor accountability, CMMS implementation, and the constant balancing act of day-to-day demands versus long-term strategy. Nick is candid about the challenges of training new staff, managing complexity, and why soft skills will always outlast technical knowledge. He also shares his passion for giving back to the next generation of FM professionals through his work with AFE's Young Professionals Committee, making a compelling case that future-proofing the industry starts now.</p><p> </p><p>Takeaways:</p><ul><li>Doing your job well keeps you employed — going beyond your role is what advances your career. Clocking in and doing the bare minimum might keep you on the payroll, but taking initiative, creating value, and growing outside your defined role is what separates people who climb from people who stagnate.</li><li>Soft skills are ten times more valuable than hard skills. Hard skills can be taught; communication, conflict management, and the ability to network and present yourself are far harder to develop and far more impactful in the long run.</li><li>Vendor accountability starts with clear expectations up front. When scope, response times, quality standards, and communication expectations aren't defined clearly from the start, everyone interprets the agreement differently when problems arise — and they always do.</li><li>Facilities teams that stay stretched thin leave performance gaps. Growing the team intentionally — as Nick did by adding regional facility managers and coordinators — reduces response times, builds closer relationships with local stakeholders, and allows leadership to operate strategically rather than reactively.</li><li>A CMMS only creates value if people actually use it. Technology doesn't fix broken processes — it amplifies them. Before selecting a platform, map out the pain you're actually trying to solve, test real use cases, and prioritize adoption over feature count.</li><li>Generic training only goes so far — situational judgment comes from experience. You can teach a work order system, but you can't easily teach when to escalate, when to push back, or how to prioritize competing demands. Building that judgment takes time, mentorship, and real-world repetition.</li><li>The FM industry is one retirement cycle away from a leadership gap. Engaging and retaining young professionals isn't just good practice — it's a necessity. If the industry doesn't invest in the next generation now, institutional knowledge walks out the door and leadership roles go unfilled.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Quote of the Show:</p><ul><li>"Doing your job well keeps you employed. But taking initiative, creating value, getting outside your comfort zone, and growing beyond your role is what really advances your career."</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Links:</p><ul><li>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-petrosino-cpmm-473b89a6/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-petrosino-cpmm-473b89a6/</a> </li><li>Website: <a href="https://www.miltoncat.com/">https://www.miltoncat.com/</a> </li></ul>
120 total episodes available
Recent guests on Facility Rockstars
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Agata Gojzewska
Guest
Tim Roddick
Guest
Emily Giannola
Guest
Eric Beissner
Guest
Frank Rhodes II
Guest
Deep-dive analytics for Facility Rockstars
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Facility Rockstars?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.