Humans That Build

About Humans That Build

Humans That Build Real conversations with the people who build what lasts. Hosted by Adam Marburger Humans That Build is a leadership and business podcast focused on the people who build real things—companies, teams, systems, and cultures—through discipline, responsibility, and execution. Hosted by Adam Marburger, the show features long-form conversations with founders, executives, operators, and leaders who have earned their authority through experience, not hype. Each episode explores how successful builders think, make decisions, navigate pressure, recover from failure, and sustain performance over time. Rather than chasing trends or quick wins, Humans That Build documents the mindset, judgment, and character required to create work that lasts. Conversations are practical, grounded, and centered on real-world leadership—what it actually takes to build, lead, and grow in complex environments. This podcast is for professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs who value substance over slogans and want insight drawn from lived experience, not theory.

Publisher

Adam Marburger

Category

business · business · education

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

4 Mar 2026

Latest episode

21 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

35 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Oct 2026

   I Teach a 52 Week Plan to Grow Leaders with Brandon Thornhill

   Effective leadership requires clear standards, repeatable systems, and disciplined execution. I speak with Brandon Thornhill, a former Navy SEAL and instructor, who explains how he translated military rigor into business leadership. We discuss the need for leadership standards, better communication, and processes that prevent instructor or leader drift. I describe his Elite Leadership Blueprint and a 52-week program designed to train every role in a dealership through short weekly lessons and accountability. We also cover practical habits Brandon and his wife use at home, showing how leading oneself improves family and business life. I invite listeners to consider these systems as a path to stronger teams and healthier homes. I welcome Brandon Thornhill and I frame our conversation as a study in leadership forged under pressure and refined in business. I recount his trajectory from a small town in Ohio to the Navy SEAL teams, and I emphasize the formative moment in seventh grade that redirected his path. I outline how Hell Week and the instructor role taught him the necessity of standards, the danger of instructor drift, and the discipline of reproducible systems. I describe his transition from military leader to entrepreneur, his work in network marketing, and the way grief and acquisition events shaped his decision to codify leadership practices into a book and a consulting practice. I highlight the episode’s practical conclusions: leaders must establish clear standards for conduct and for leadership itself, develop repeatable systems, and practice calibrated communication that is firm but fair. I note the personal dimension Brandon shares about his morning and evening routines, his faith and family priorities, and his commitment to protect those rhythms. I close by underscoring our shared conviction that deliberate leadership training, applied consistently, produces measurable improvement in homes and businesses and that accountability and small weekly habits compound into lasting cultural change. Takeaways: I emphasize that leaders must build clear standards and systems to prevent drift and ensure consistent outcomes. We learned that leadership requires emotional control, humility, and processes to resolve conflict fairly and promptly. I describe Hell Week as a team test that exposes character, demands sacrifice, and enforces shared standards. We advise daily personal development, adherence to systems, and repetitive execution to scale discipline across organizations. I explain that leadership training must be continuous and integrated into work routines, not isolated weekend events. We show that leading at home is foundational, and better self leadership produces stronger families and healthier workplaces. I launched a yearlong leadership program and a book to give leaders a practical, step by step blueprint. Companies mentioned in this episode: Life Time Amazon Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Elite Leadership Consulting Group The New York Times Humans That Build

2. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Adam Marburger - I Took Immediate Action in Dubrovnik: The Call That Began New Deals

   I present eight key takeaways from a transformative mastermind retreat in Dubrovnik that center on personal growth and decisive action. I describe how doubt and fear are universal, and how we learn more from setbacks than from wins. I reveal that many high achievers feel loneliness and that Donnelle Delgado created a profound sense of support by reaching out to loved ones and sharing personal letters. I stress that consistent personal development, forcing oneself into discomfort, and joining masterminds or retreats accelerate growth. I emphasize the necessity of taking immediate, massive action on the counsel of those doing more than we are. I close by reflecting on the beauty of Italy and Croatia and by urging listeners to invest in small groups and retreats to catalyze meaningful change. Takeaways: I learned that mastermind groups help dissolve doubt and accelerate personal growth through shared accountability and support. I observed that setbacks teach more than wins and require reflection, routine changes, and disciplined analysis to improve. I experienced profound relief from loneliness when friends and family shared letters proving I am not alone in this journey. I commit to daily personal development practices such as reading, journaling, and gratitude as non negotiable habits. I force myself into discomfort by traveling, trying new challenges, and engaging strangers to catalyze spiritual and mental growth. I take immediate, decisive action on advice from those doing more than me to honor their time and convert insight into results. Companies mentioned in this episode: Humans That Build Alpha Alliance Zoom Instagram TikTok Facebook

3. 

   7 Oct 2026

   I Trusted God, Took Risks, and Scaled Integrity Poolscapes with James Pritchard

   Humans That Build: James Pritchard, Founder of Integrity Poolscapes Episode summary James Pritchard went from addiction and repeated incarceration to founding Integrity Poolscapes, a fast-growing, multimillion-dollar company built on faith, risk, and relentless work. In this conversation, James tells how he got there. He is honest about the dangers he faced and the long odds he beat, and he is clear that his recovery was no accident. He points to trusting God, daily labor, and small choices that slowly replaced self-destruction with responsibility and vision. James and his wife, Kayci, built the company on a people-first culture. They hired the right people, posted consistently on social media, and let exceptional work earn trust and bring in leads. James credits four things for the growth: trusting God, taking risks, learning from mistakes, and paying his dues. What we cover James's path from addiction and incarceration to business owner Why he sees redemption as practical work: showing up, accepting risk, and rebuilding relationships How he and Kayci built a people-first culture and hired the right staff How consistent social media and excellent work won trust and leads The daily practices behind the company: team meetings every day, recitation of core values, dedicated videography, and 3D design services Why they added supply and equipment streams to support expansion How to scale without losing quality or culture Key takeaways Second chances are real, and so is the work they require. Restoration comes from humility paired with sustained effort. Growth takes risk. You learn by making mistakes and paying your dues. Culture is a daily habit, not a poster on the wall. As you scale, protect the quality of the work and the people doing it. Final thought James's story is a testimony of transformation and resolve. If you are waiting for permission to change, take the risk, put in the work, and give yourself that permission. Follow Integrity Poolscapes on Facebook. Companies mentioned in this episode Humans That Build Integrity Poolscapes Integrity Pool & Landscape Supply Ascent Dealer Services Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark (Ballpark Hilton) Apple Podcasts Spotify Facebook Instagram TikTok Dippin' Dots Dropping Bombs

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.