The Public Works Nerds
Your Guides to the Latest and Greatest in Public Works
The Public Works Nerds
Latest Episodes
Trenchless Toolbelt with Mitch Hoeft and Brian Simmons
Tearing up a street to fix a pipe feels normal until you realize how many better options exist. We go underground with trenchless technologies that let public works teams install and rehabilitate water mains, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer wit...
Where Does Parks Maintenance Belong? One Experienced Perspective from Greg Hoag
Parks maintenance sits at a weird crossroads in city government: it’s part infrastructure, part hospitality, and part community identity. So where should it live on the org chart, under Public Works or inside a standalone Parks and Recreation d...
Public Works Culture That Works with Tom Esch
In this first episode of Season 4 we are talking about culture in Public Works. Culture is one of those words that can make field crews roll their eyes, until you tie it to the things they care about most: going home safe, working with less dra...
AI in the Sky - Brought to you By AI
In this episode I welcome one of my favorite Public Works Nerds, Brian Simmons from Bolton & Menk. Brian and I look back at our recent presentation on Artificial Intelligence in Public Works - titled AI in the Sky - at the 2025 APWA PWX in ...
Vote for Marc(k)! Marks, Mentors and Making Normal Happen
Two Marks trade friendly jabs while making a serious case for APWA: vote, get involved, and mentor the next generation. Join Mark Ray and me, Marc Culver, as we walk through the Minnesota chapter ballot, unpack what the board actually does, and...
