Ever wondered which arc flash study recommendations are legal requirements versus nice-to-haves? In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about NFPA 70E compliance — from labeling three-phase equipment and reducing hazards through breaker adjustments, to the three core power system studies (short circuit, coordination, and arc flash). We also cover why keeping your studies current is critical, how to avoid the costly five-year scramble, and why updating your one-lines as you go is the cheapest path to staying OSHA- and insurance-compliant.

Fifteen years ago, $65K went a long way. Today, that same lifestyle costs $85K+. Dillon breaks down how housing, groceries, and fuel have shifted pay expectations, why minimum wage hikes led to self-serve kiosks, and what the rising cost of living means for hiring in engineering and construction.

Not all industrial growth impacts communities the same way. Dillon compares how data centers and traditional industries like factories and mining affect small-town infrastructure, population, and budgets — and why data centers offer high tax revenue with remarkably low ongoing community costs.

A quick-hit episode exploring how tribal lands in the West could become the fast lane for data center construction. With tribal sovereignty bypassing lengthy permitting processes and ROI timelines measured in months, Dillon lays out why tribes are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the data center boom.

Material costs are climbing, lead times are stretching (medium voltage cable jumped from 30 to 52 weeks), and data centers are reshaping the labor market. Dillon gives a blunt market update on why waiting to build will cost you more, then pivots to a sharp critique of AI doomerism and NIMBYism around data center development — and the real economic benefits these projects bring to communities.

Dillon shares lessons from a whirlwind travel and recruiting season, breaking down what makes candidates stand out — and what gets them instantly disqualified. From incomplete applications and AI-generated responses to failing to research the company, this episode is a frank guide for anyone applying for jobs in engineering and construction.

Inspired by a Travis Kalanick interview, Dillon discusses managerial capacity and delegation before diving into AI's massive impact on the economy — including how data center construction now represents roughly 3% of GDP. He makes the case for why data centers (and AI broadly) deserve more nuance and less knee-jerk criticism.

Ahead of a founder retreat with fellow construction entrepreneurs in Denver, Dillon talks about the deep work of documenting VDS's business playbook — from financials and org structure to client onboarding — and the clarity that comes from being brutally honest about a company's strengths and gaps.