Breaking the Silence: Mental Health & Leadership in Construction with Burr Cota

Construction is one of the highest-pressure industries in the world, and it carries a tragic, silent epidemic: construction workers are 500% more likely to die by suicide than from a job site accident. Yet, the old school culture of "I don't have time to bleed" has kept men isolated, overworked, and suffering in silence for far too long.

In this episode of 13 Minutes, Dr. Baruch "B" HaLevi sits down with executive coach, Vistage Chair, and founder of Polaris Principles, Burr Cota. Drawing from his own turbulent childhood and over 14 years working directly with construction leaders, Burr shares how authentic vulnerability, psychological safety, and regular one-on-one connections can change the culture and save lives.

In this episode, we explore:
• The Construction Mental Health Crisis: Confronting the staggering statistics behind why construction leads the nation in male suicide and substance abuse.
• From Survival to Self-Discovery: How surviving domestic turmoil as a child and reading Viktor Frankl at 19 reshaped Burr's life and purpose.
• Psychological vs. Physical Safety: Why investing in emotional trust on job sites is just as critical as hard hats and fall protection.
• Developing the Whole Person: Why companies must support the husband, father, and man outside the office to build resilient leaders inside it.
• The Antidote to Isolation: The power of peer advisory groups like Vistage in breaking executive loneliness and walking each other through crises.

Connect with Guest (Burr Cota):
• Website: polarisprinciples.com
• Instagram: @burrcota
• LinkedIn: Burr Cota

Connect with Host (Dr. B HaLevi):
• Facebook: @Dr.BHaLevi
• Instagram: @baruch_halevi
• Spotify: Dr. B HaLevi Podcast
• Website: bhalevi.com
• YouTube: @bhalevi

Join the Movement:
• Support the 13 Minutes Mission: The 13 Minutes Mission