
Hosted by Luke Eggebraaten · EN
The Dirt Bags Podcast is the go-to podcast for real conversations, actionable insights, and a damn good time. Hosted by Luke Eggebraaten, this podcast is built for those who want to grow their business, sharpen their skills, and hear from industry leaders—all while enjoying a laid-back, no-nonsense atmosphere.
Whether an operator, contractor, business owner, or entrepreneur, the Dirt Bags Podcast delivers raw and unfiltered insights. No corporate fluff, no B.S.—just real talk from people who have been in the trenches, built successful businesses, and know what it takes to win in this space.
Luke Eggebraaten is the founder of Phaser Marketing and the author of Digital Dirt World. Since 2019, he has been helping excavation companies scale their online presence through web design, SEO, and paid ads. His team has worked with businesses doing $500K to $100M in revenue, offering tailored marketing solutions that drive real growth. With a passion for connecting the construction industry to the digital age, Luke brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every episode.
The biggest names in excavation, septic, snow removal, landscaping, outdoor services, and more share their insights, lessons, and strategies, giving listeners direct access to the minds of industry leaders who are making waves and building empires. The Dirt Bags Podcast covers everything from marketing and branding, to leadership, business growth, equipment talk, and job site war stories. Industry experts, business owners, and hardworking professionals bring real experiences and hard-earned wisdom to every episode.
This isn’t a typical business podcast—it’s organized but laid-back, full of uncensored, real-world advice from people who get it. New episodes drop first thing in the morning, 2-3 Fridays a month, so listeners can tune in on the way to the job site or while working on the job.
Construction, business, and success—Dirt Bag style!
LETS GO

Kait Burds joins the Dirt Bags Podcast to talk about what actually works in the trades—and what doesn’t.A 2024 CAT Women’s Operator Skills Challenge Champion, Kait’s built her name in the dirt and snow while helping push the industry forward. In this episode, she breaks down why nonstop grinding can hold you back, how to level up smarter, and what it takes to stand out in a blue-collar world.Real experience. Real perspective.

This episode of the Dirt Bags Podcast features Erik Struebig – heavy equipment technician and technical communicator at MGX Equipment Services. Erik came up turning wrenches on John Deere ag equipment before jumping to yellow iron and Manitowoc cranes. With eight years as a U.S. Army infantryman and boots-on-the-ground experience across the trades, he brings the real perspective that actually moves the needle in this industry. No fluff, no BS – just straight talk and actionable insights from a guy who lives this life every single day. Connect with Erik: IG - @e_struebig LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-struebig-770aa0393/ Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG : https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05 Huge Thanks to our sponsors: Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/ Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: eljen.com SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: sludgehammer.net Thanks for listening!

Luke Eggebraaten and Anthony Mann Jr. dive deep with Bill Moore, the powerhouse behind Executive Ground Maintenance. Bill drops hard-earned wisdom on contracts, crews, and we even get to meet Mrs. Executive!Bill Moore IG: https://www.instagram.com/executivegroundmi/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-moore-3a178231/ Website: https://www.executiveground.com/4/24 - 4/25 https://www.storksplows.com/eventsBook a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG :https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05Huge Thanks to our sponsors:Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater ManagementBacked by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: eljen.comSludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced MicrobiologyBy introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: sludgehammer.netThanks for listening!

Luke Eggebraaten is in studio with Taylor Stewart, the founder of Stewart Concrete & Groundworks (Kitchener-based crew crushing premium concrete and excavation work—custom patios, driveways, pool decks, commercial foundations, full in-house from dig to finish). No fluff, just actionable insights from the dirt world. Check the site: https://www.stewartconcreteandgroundworks.ca/ IG: @stewartconcretegroundworks Tune in for the kind of conversation that levels up the trades! Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG : https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05 Huge Thanks to our sponsors: Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/ Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: eljen.com SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: sludgehammer.net Thanks for listening!

Episode #116 drops straight from the heart of the action at The MSTA Live Show 2026 in Michigan.Host Luke Eggebraaten takes the mic live on the floor with raw, no-BS conversations that hit hard for anyone grinding in the dirt world. No fluff, no filtered BS—just actionable dirt industry insights, stories from the trenches, and that laid-back vibe that makes the Dirt Bags the go-to for operators who want to level up without wasting time.If the goal involves growing crews, crushing estimates, dominating digital leads, or just hearing how real players handle the chaos, this live episode delivers the goods.Tune in now—grab a drink and hit play with #116.Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG :https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05Huge Thanks to our sponsors:Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater ManagementBacked by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems.Learn more at: eljen.comSludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced MicrobiologyBy introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recyclingwithout the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications.Discover the details at: sludgehammer.netThanks for listening!

We're dropping another straight-from-the-trenches episode. Host Luke Eggebraaten brings on Brad from Teach Me Dirt, the channel dedicated to exposing the real, often gatekept techniques in dirt work, excavation, and civil construction. Brad's straight-up mission: "I teach all of the gatekept methods of the dirt work, excavation, and civil construction industries for you." On his YouTube (@TeachMeDirt), he delivers practical breakdowns—takeoffs, grading, bidding, stormwater calcs, and the kind of operator know-how that actually gets jobs done right and profitable. Expect no-nonsense discussion on excavation tricks, civil site realities, and hard-won lessons from the field. Raw, useful, and zero fluff. Check out Brad's channel: www.youtube.com/@TeachMeDirt IG - @teachmedirt TikTok - @teachmedirt Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG : https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05 Huge Thanks to our sponsors: Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/ Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: eljen.com SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: sludgehammer.net Thanks for listening!

Another epic round with Benjamin Holmgren of Kestaa – the guy who endures the grind so contractors don't have to figure it out alone. From digging to consulting across the country, ultra-running on the side, hosting Ground Crew events, and running workshops like "Operational Excellence Made Simple" – Benjamin brings the real. Real conversations. Actionable insights. Zero fluff. Grab a drink and hit play! Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG : https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05Huge Thanks to our sponsors: Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/ Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: eljen.com SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: sludgehammer.net Thanks for listening!#DirtBagsPodcast #DirtWorld #Kestaa #Construction #Excavation #OperationalExcellence

Luke Eggebraaten is in studio with John Somers, VP of Construction & Utility Sector at AEM—the force driving CONEXPO, The Utility Expo, emissions standards, telematics, alternative power sources, and the real shifts shaking up the Dirt World. John's IG - @johnsomers Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsomers Website: conexpoconagg.com aem.org Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05 Huge Thanks to our sponsors: Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/ Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: eljen.com SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: sludgehammer.net Thanks for listening!

The Dirt Bags Podcast is back with another no-BS episode! Host Luke Eggebraaten brings in Trent Harris—Oklahoma dirt contractor, owner of Blue Collar Contractors, and the guy behind BCDirt.com—to the studio. From moving mountains of earth and demo to building a legit blue-collar brand, Trent's got stories, lessons, and that raw hustle vibe we live for. Expect real talk on growing a dirt business, staying hammer-down, and MUCH more. Don't miss this one, grab a cold one and tune in. Trent's links: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_trentharris?_r=1&_t=ZT-93GEvxoaSFS Website: bcdirt.com Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG :https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05 Huge Thanks to our sponsors: Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/ Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater Management Backed by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems. Learn more at: eljen.com SludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced Microbiology By introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: sludgehammer.net Thanks for listening! #DirtBagsPodcast #BlueCollar #DirtContractor #HeavyEquipmentLife

On this episode of The Dirt Bags Podcast, host Luke Eggebraaten sits down with special guest Isaac Bowen, founder and principal recruiter of Benchmark Search Group — a recruiting firm built to connect construction companies with the leaders who keep projects moving and teams thriving. We dive into his journey in the recruiting world, what sets a great leader apart, and how the construction industry can attract and retain the talent that drives real results. Whether you’re leading a crew, building a company, or just curious about what makes teams click, this conversation is full of insight, grit, and practical takeaways!Isaac's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaac-bowen/Website: https://bmsearchgroup.com/Book a free strategy call with Phaser Marketing (775) DIRT-BAG :https://calendly.com/d/cm59-rf4-hgq/investing-in-a-new-construction-website?month=2025-05Huge Thanks to our sponsors:Charlie Huff - Need a certificate of insurance? Done. Adding a new piece of equipment to the fleet? Consider it handled. Got an audit breathing down your neck? Charlie’s already on it. This is full-service insurance from people who care and understand—and it shows. Whether you’re a one-crew start-up or managing a multi-state operation, Charlie makes sure you’re covered right the first time so you can focus on growing, hiring, and hauling. Call (435) 764-4833 or visit https://trupointco.com/Eljen - Revolutionizing Onsite Wastewater ManagementBacked by decades of engineering expertise, the Eljen GSF® A42 system uses a layered approach combining geotextile fabric and a plastic core to optimize effluent treatment. This modular leachfield design increases filtration efficiency, reduces the required installation footprint, and protects soil absorption capacity for the long term. Especially effective in space-constrained or environmentally sensitive areas, it offers a reliable, sustainable upgrade to traditional septic systems.Learn more at: eljen.comSludgeHammer - Enhancing Septic System Performance with Advanced MicrobiologyBy introducing a proprietary blend of live bacteria into existing septic tanks, SludgeHammer systems biologically transform waste processing. This method restores failing leach fields, reduces sludge buildup, and supports environmentally friendly water recycling without the need for major system overhauls. Certified for performance and scalability, the solution is ideal for homes, businesses, and larger-scale applications. Discover the details at: sludgehammer.netThanks for listening!