Soft As Steel

About Soft As Steel

Soft As Steel Podcast will be a 30-minute weekly show that explores the landscape of the construction industry as it’s changing dynamically. Success is no longer driven by a single generation, technology, or bidding strategy. In today’s diverse industry, your ability to adapt and grow hinges on soft skills. In the Soft as Steel podcast series, host Dennis Doran engages in deep, dynamic conversations with a broad cross section of subject matter experts and leaders with a principal focus on how the construction industry must bring communication and introspection to an industry where these essential skills traditionally go undervalued. It's about focusing on that which is not talked about. The reality that the challenges ahead are even greater than those in the past. The qualities, attributes, and behaviors of people essential to building meaningful relationships and enjoying success and happiness are vital to all endeavors and all industries. That having deep, meaningful discussions; with stories about the vital role of soft skills in every facet of work and life; by talking about things like love, inclusion, social justice, leadership; like talking about addiction, mental health, and suicide. This message is the foundation of the podcast - Soft Skills Matter more than ever.

Publisher

Dennis Doran

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Nov 2022

Latest episode

1 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

2 of 141 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   1 Sept 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Why Love, Not Fear, Builds Stronger Leaders

   Glodean is an accomplished speaker, author, leadership coach, and diversity & inclusion facilitator. She partners with organizations to strengthen their culture by fostering self-awareness, cultivating belonging, and encouraging collaboration. Her work empowers teams to become innovative, influential, and engaged in environments where people truly thrive.

2. 

   26 Aug 2025

   The power of people in construction

   In this episode of the Soft as Steel Podcast, Dennis sits down with his good friend Albert Carrillo, CEO of the Western Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association. With over 40 years in the construction industry, Albert’s journey began in the field as a plaster mixer—learning the value of listening, dependability, and hard work. But his path wasn’t a straight line. Before construction, he spent four years studying law while managing an auto parts store, an experience that shaped his unconventional approach to leadership. Albert shares powerful insights on integrity, mentorship, and the role of unions in shaping stronger teams and stronger people. His story is proof that leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about how you show up, who you empower, and the legacy you leave behind.

3. 

   20 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Technology can’t replace soft skills

   In this episode of the Soft As Steel podcast, host Dennis Doran sits down with Shawn Mahoney, CEO and President of OAC Services Inc. Together, they explore how OAC delivers innovative building and process solutions for both public and private clients. The discussion highlights the company’s multidisciplinary approach, rooted in practical experience and strengthened by its employee-owned structure. Shawn shares how this ownership model cultivates collaboration, drives success, and enhances company culture. The conversation also emphasizes the value of diverse perspectives in the professional services industry to create more comprehensive and effective solutions.

Inside a recent episode

Why Love, Not Fear, Builds Stronger Leaders

Published 1 Sept 2025 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Like I firmly believe that. I don't believe that the majority of people in this country don't understand the importance of connection. I think we all want it and some aspect or not. And it filters into the workplace. Like, you know, I'm a firm believer that there is no business self and home self. Like the things that we're doing in business, the work that we're doing in the corporate world, should filter out into their into the community into people's homes. You can't you can't be a leader that focuses on love in the office and then goes home and as a tyrant in your family. Like that doesn't doesn't doesn't make sense to me. […]

Who has been a guest on Soft As Steel

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Kabri Lehrman-Schmid
• Sandy Hamby
• Alastair Boulding
• Daniel Dahlinger
• Pat Skodje

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

89

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

Contact Soft As Steel

Guest appearances

Books guests

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

Questions about Soft As Steel