Above & Below

Awareness is important, but what happens when a worker asks for help?
In Episode 36 of Above and Below, Sonya Bohmann speaks with Dr. Bradley Evanoff and Sami Tayeb of Washington University in St. Louis about COMPASS, a practical ten-step framework that helps construction organizations build and sustain suicide prevention programs.
Bradley and Sami explain how COMPASS was inspired by Australia’s MATES in Construction program and adapted to meet the unique needs of the U.S. construction industry. They discuss the role of leadership, labor partnerships, peer connectors, crisis navigation, employee and member assistance programs, general awareness training, and postvention planning.
The conversation also explores the barriers workers may face when seeking care, including limited health benefits, provider shortages, and a fragmented support system. Most importantly, it offers contractors and unions a practical place to begin.
The message is simple: A program does not have to be perfect on day one. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Start where you are, build on the safety systems already in place, and keep moving forward.

What happens when the person trusted to move the heaviest loads is quietly carrying an unbearable one?
In this episode of Above and Below, Sonya Bowman and Zulq Malik speak with crane operator, union business agent, and mental health advocate Chris about his experiences with depression, anxiety, and alcohol—and the long road toward accepting help. Chris explains how his father’s persistent, judgment-free support helped him take the first step and why sharing his story has become part of his own healing.
Together, they explore the stigma surrounding mental health in construction, the importance of checking in with coworkers, and the responsibility leaders have to make these conversations part of everyday safety culture. They also discuss therapy, employee assistance programs, naloxone, 988, and a new NJIT initiative designed to connect workers and their families with potentially life-saving resources.
It’s an honest, hopeful reminder that asking for help does not make anyone less capable and that a genuine “Are you okay?” can change, or even save, a life.

In this episode of Above and Below, host Sonya Bohmann welcomes Tim Irving, retired Deputy Director of OSHA's Directorate of Construction, for a conversation about the evolution of workplace safety and why mental health must be part of it.
Tim shares the personal experience that led him from electrical contracting into a lifelong career in safety, including a devastating workplace incident that forever changed his perspective on protecting workers. He also reflects on the early days of bringing suicide prevention into the construction safety conversation, the resistance he encountered, and the milestones that helped establish mental health as an essential component of occupational safety.
Together, Sonya and Tim discuss the power of data, leadership, collaboration, and culture change, along with the growing movement to ensure mental health is recognized alongside every other workplace hazard. From the creation of OSHA's Suicide Prevention Stand Down to the inclusion of mental health resources in OSHA 10 and 30 training, this conversation highlights how far the industry has come and the work that still lies ahead.
This episode is a powerful reminder that protecting workers means caring for both their physical safety and their mental well-being.

In this episode of Above and Below, host Sonya Bohmann sits down with Kara McCaffrey, third-generation owner and Chief Wellness Officer at Houck Specialty Contractors, to discuss how wellness, leadership, and access to care can transform the construction industry.
Kara shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped her passion for suicide prevention, including the loss of her brother, and how her background in healthcare IT ultimately led her back to construction with a renewed purpose. Together, they explore what it means to build a workplace where employees feel supported, respected, and connected to the resources they need.
From innovative wellness initiatives and leadership development to breaking down language, cultural, and mental health barriers, Kara explains why investing in people is one of the most important investments a company can make.
This episode is a powerful reminder that creating healthier workplaces starts with making help accessible and ensuring every employee knows they matter.

In this episode of Above and Below, hosts Sonya Bohmann and Zulq Malik welcome Anthony Bowers and Eric Torres for a conversation about one of construction's biggest opportunities: moving beyond language barriers to build workplaces rooted in cultural understanding, trust, and psychological safety.
Drawing from their experience leading multilingual construction teams, Anthony and Eric explore how cultural values influence communication, leadership, recognition, teamwork, and safety on the jobsite. They discuss why language is only part of the equation and how understanding different cultural perspectives can help leaders create environments where every worker feels respected, valued, and empowered to speak up.
The conversation also offers practical strategies that any organization can implement immediately, from building trust through personal connections and servant leadership to recognizing teams collectively, improving communication, and creating workplaces where everyone has a voice.
Whether you lead a crew of five or five hundred, this episode offers actionable insights for strengthening safety, improving communication, and creating a culture where every worker belongs.

In this episode of Above and Below, host Sonya Bohmann welcomes Eli Embleton, Dream Manager and Leadership Development leader at Zachry Corporation, for a conversation about leadership, belonging, and the connection between communication and mental health.
Eli shares his unique journey into the construction industry, from learning Spanish while living in South America to becoming a safety professional and ultimately helping employees pursue their personal and professional dreams. Together, they explore how language barriers can contribute to isolation, why creating a culture of respect unlocks hidden talent, and how investing in people strengthens both organizations and individuals.
Eli also opens up about his own mental health journey and the life-changing experiences that shaped his passion for helping others. Through stories of vulnerability, forgiveness, and leadership, he demonstrates how creating psychologically safe workplaces allows people to grow, connect, and perform at their best.
This episode is a powerful reminder that when we invest in people, remove barriers, and create a culture of belonging, we don’t just build better teams. We build a stronger industry.

In this episode of Above and Below, host Sonya Bohmann and co-host Zulq Malik sit down with John Sobetsky of Mainline Security Solutions for one of the most honest and personal conversations we’ve had on the podcast.
 
John shares his journey through grief, depression, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, and the long road toward healing. From losing his grandmother at a young age to hitting rock bottom in his twenties, John opens up about the experiences that shaped him and the choices that ultimately changed his life.
 
Together, they discuss the impact of being raised by “hard men,” the importance of vulnerability, the value of therapy, and why mental health requires ongoing work. John also shares how fitness, family, self-awareness, and community have helped him build a healthier future and why he’s committed to teaching the next generation that strength and emotion can coexist.
 
This episode is a powerful reminder that healing is not a destination. It’s a daily commitment to being better than you were yesterday.

In this episode of Above and Below, host Sonya Bohmann and co-host Zulq Malik sit down with Ben Jump, a safety technician, former tradesman, and comedian from New York, for an honest conversation about mental health, jobsite culture, and the real-world challenges facing construction workers today.
 
Drawing from his experience as a carpenter, welder, and precaster, Ben shares what life on the road can feel like, including loneliness, pressure, and the coping habits many workers develop while away from home. He also opens up about losing both a friend and a colleague to suicide and how those experiences strengthened his commitment to prevention and peer support.
 
The conversation explores everything from camaraderie and workplace recognition to postvention planning and the importance of simply checking in on one another. Along the way, Ben reminds us that laughter, connection, and community can be powerful tools in supporting mental health.
 
This episode is a candid reminder that prevention starts with conversation and that no one should have to carry their struggles alone.

In this special episode of Above and Below, we bring you the powerful recorded conversation from Stronger Than the Silence: The Road to Recovery Begins with a Voice.
 
Produced by CIASP and the Turner Foundation, in cooperation with SAFE Project, this conversation explores the realities of substance use, recovery, and mental health within the construction industry through honest, personal storytelling and meaningful dialogue.
 
Listeners will hear firsthand perspectives on the challenges many workers face, the stigma that too often keeps people silent, and the importance of creating workplaces where recovery and support are possible. This conversation is a reminder that behind every struggle is a person, and that recovery begins when we are willing to listen, speak up, and stand beside one another.
 
Whether you work in construction, lead a team, or care about someone in the industry, this episode offers hope, insight, and a powerful call to action: recovery starts with a voice.

In this episode of Above and Below, host Sonya Bohmann and co-host Zulq Malik are joined by Fred Mills, founder of The B1M, the world’s largest video platform for construction, reaching millions of people each month.
 
Fred shares how he built a global media brand to change the perception of construction—and what led him to use that platform to speak openly about his own mental health journey. Behind the success, Fred opens up about his experience with depression, the pressure of leadership, and the turning point that led him to seek help and ultimately help others.
 
The conversation explores the growing movement around mental health in construction, the importance of authenticity in leadership, and why the industry must move beyond awareness and into action. From jobsite culture to global impact, this episode highlights how real change happens when people are willing to speak up.
 
With millions reached through his work and hundreds of thousands raised for mental health initiatives, Fred’s message is clear: we are only just getting started.