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The Obvious Podcast
A podcast presented by the Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East-Coast Chapter (ABC-FEC), where we discuss today's news, economy, and political sphere from a perspective that really should be obvious.
Hosted by ABC-FEC’s Peter Dyga (CEO) and Sonny Maken (COO), each 20-minute episode provides listeners with a quick overview of the week's most pressing issues, cutting through the clutter of conflicting information to deliver clear, concise insights. Whether it’s about regulations or political decisions affecting the construction industry, economic shifts, or conflicting messages from news sources, this podcast strives for a straightforward point of view.
Subscribe now for candid conversations, expert opinions, guest perspectives, and a fresh take on the challenges and opportunities shaping our sector and the nation’s future.
The Obvious Podcast is a production of ABC-FEC. Unless otherwise stated, all content reflects the opinions of the guests and hosts. Each episode is also available in audiovisual format on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TqIo1G. For comments and questions, email theobvious@abceastflorida.com.
Episodes
95 episodes
94 – Guaranteed Job? Listen to This Episode
In this episode, Peter and Sonny discuss the groundbreaking partnership between ABC and Meta to launch America's Workforce Academy, a first-of-its-kind workforce development initiative designed to address the skilled labor shortage in construct...
93 – Sonny in the Hot Seat
In today’s episode, the roles get reversed. Peter puts Sonny in the hot seat. He asks about pressing topics in the association management world, so listeners can learn his perspective on these issues. They touch on:► M...
92 – Hidden Dangers Facing Your Organization (Part 2)
In this episode, Peter and Sonny discuss the hidden dangers organizations face when they lose sight of their mission, values, and long-term vision. Building on the previous episode, they explore how leaders can identify internal and external th...
91 – Hidden Dangers Facing Your Organization (Part 1)
In this episode, Peter and Sonny discuss a comment by Tucker Carlson on the Megyn Kelly podcast, in which they both disagree with President Trump over the war in Iran. Yet Sony disputes Carlson’s view that every war fundamentally transforms soc...
90 – Commemorating Memorial Day
In this episode, Peter and Sonny discuss the true meaning of Memorial Day and why it remains one of the most important yet misunderstood American holidays. They reflect on the sacrifices made by U.S. military service members, the distinction be...
89 – Why DC Matters to Your Business
Businesses of every size and why contractors need a stronger voice in federal policy discussions. They break down how government regulation, labor policy, immigration reform, workforce development, and project labor agreements (PLAs) influence ...
88– Social Engineering at the Cost of American Business
In this episode, Peter and Sonny explore how regulatory policies shape today’s business environment and impact the American business. They share insights from Citadel’s CEO, Ken Griffin, on post-election shifts after Donald Trump’s 2024 vict...
87 – Does the End Justify the Means?
In this episode, Peter and Sonny deconstruct the classic Machiavellian quote. They explore the limits on free speech, why and how they should apply, and what is justified to obtain targeted outcomes. They also explain why Peter is wearing th...
86 – Styles Of Communications That Complement Each Other (P3)
In this 3rd and final episode of our series on communications, Peter and Sonny dig deep into how different styles of communication in leadership. They explain how it can still produce solid results as they complement each other toward reachi...
85 – When We can’t Agree on Anything (P2)
In today’s episode, Peter and Sonny continue our series on Communications by delving into when communications are no longer effective. They argue that this starts with the government. It seems like it’s starting in the 80s; we are unable to ...
84 – The Challenges of Communications
In today’s episode, Peter and Sonny start a series of three episodes about communications. What happens when they go right, when they go wrong, when there’s a lack of leadership, etc. Most problems will boil down to communication....
83 – The Real Meaning of Easter
In today’s episode, Peter and Sonny delve into what Easter really is. They touch on its meaning for us, for Christianity, and for the world.The full audiovisual version of this episode is available on YouTube: https://y...
82 – What Qualifies Us to Sit in This Chair
In this episode, Peter and Sonny expand on their areas of expertise. Association management, non-profit institutions, leadership, politics, economics, and more. It is this experience that qualifies our hosts to sit between their chairs and t...
81 – Taking a Stand (Part 2)
n today’s episode, Peter and Sonny concluded the conversation started in episode 79 about our chapter’s legacy in political advocacy. Over the last 50 years, we have taken a stance on what we believe is right, and because of it, our voice is...
80 – Enduring World Peace
In this episode, Peter and Sonny delve into the current conflict in the Middle East. They delve into what the endgame is and how the world must make a small sacrifice, like with gas prices, to achieve a bigger, longer-lasting result that wil...
79 – Taking a Stand (Part 1)
In today’s episode, Peter and Sonny delve into our chapter’s legacy in political advocacy. Over the last 50 years, we have taken a stance on what we think is right, and because of it, our voice is respected. This is the reason why Vice Presi...
78 – Success is Contagious
In this episode, Peter and Sonny delve into how when our country goes well, then our industry goes well. They go through a list of accomplishments from the first year of the current administration and analyze the positive effects they’ve had...
77 – The Importance of Leadership
In this episode, Peter and Sonny recap their trip to San Diego to attend the Kellogg Executive Leadership Forum. They share what they learned about the partnership between the association leaders and the volunteer leaders from the Board of D...
76 – Countercultural by Choice
As America’s flirtation with socialism continues, Peter and Sonny discuss how, in other Latin American countries, things keep getting better with the application of common sense. Rents in Buenos Aires fell after rent control was abolished. E...
75 – LegCon Tallahassee 2026 Wrap Up
In today’s episode, Peter and Sonny summarize what happened at LegCon Tallahassee 2026 and introduce the audience to Jon Carter, our new Assistant Director of Government and Political Affairs, who played a key role in our success at the even...
74 – No Such Thing as Free Trade
In today’s episode, Peter and Sonny explain their point of view on what free trade is and what it is not. They argue that the implementation of free trade created an imbalance that destroyed certain areas and industries. At the end, it shoul...
73 – The Fallacy of the Anecdotal Evidence
In this episode, Peter and Sonny dissect how a single personal story does not create a general claim. Data does. Our experience does not determine reality, nor does it create data. They illustrate the issue with the failed Miami-Dade Heat Or...
72 – Raising Arizona
In this episode, Peter and Sonny address ABC-FEC’s leadership culture and commitment to employee development, drawing insights from our recent experience at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management in Tucson. They...
71 – Legislative Conference (LegCon) 2026
In the first episode of the year, Peter and Sonny dive into what we are expecting for the upcoming LegCon 2026, which will take place in Tallahassee from January 21st to 22nd. They delve into what usually happens at one of these events, ...
70 – ABC-FEC’s Word of the Year: Grit
In the first episode of 2026, Peter and Sonny discuss how, based on a study of college students in Southern California that found they are unable to perform basic math, we have decided that grit will become ABC-FEC’s word of the year. To kee...
