Pro Series with Eric Dillman

What if one of the most important features in your home is something you rarely think about? In Episode 268, I'm sitting down with Eric Kurbanov, Founder and CEO of RKIN Water Systems, a company changing how modern homes access clean drinking water through innovative water filtration technology. After immigrating to the United States from Uzbekistan, where he experienced severe water scarcity...

In this episode, I’m talking about my experience at High Point Market, some of my biggest takeaways, and why one of the biggest mistakes people make on social media is talking themselves out of posting because they think nobody cares. From mukbangs to unboxing videos, there’s an audience for just about everything. We just have to stop overthinking it, stop judging success by likes alone, and give ...

In Episode 267 of Pro Series, I sit down with Louis Young, Vice President of Business Development at Design Phase, to talk about the importance of relationships, community, and getting involved in business organizations. With experience in architectural building products, retail displays, and more than 25 years of owning and managing rental properties, Louis has learned that success goes beyond si...

What if the biggest mistakes leaders make come from everything they were taught about leadership? In Episode 266, I’m sitting down with Lawrence “Larry” Coval, a veteran technology and telecommunications executive who spent nearly four decades leading sales organizations, business units, and billion-dollar operations at companies including AT&T, Global Crossing, and Cox Business. Throughout hi...

This week on Off Topic, I’m talking about the Ryan Seacrest and iHeartRadio Top Host opportunity, why putting yourself out there matters, and the simplest social media advice I can give anyone right now:  press record and start talking.  You don’t need perfect lighting, a perfect thumbnail, or a huge following. You just need to start. I also share what I’ve learned from putting myself out there mo...

What can the experiences of a 22-year-old Army officer in Vietnam teach us about leadership decades later? In  Episode 265 , I’m sitting down with  Richard A. Moore , known as Rick, a Vietnam veteran, former U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officer, engineer, and author of  An Officer’s Journey . After graduating from Lafayette College with a degree in civil engineering, Rick entered the Army through...

What if your biggest obstacle to success isn’t your strategy, your circumstances, or your business plan, but the way you see yourself? In Episode 264, I’m sitting down with Arash Vossoughi, President and Co-Founder of Voss Coaching Co., mindset expert, author, and high-performance coach who has spent more than 20 years studying personal transformation alongside legendary personal development pione...

We’re told to find a niche, stick to it, and build everything around it. But what happens when that niche starts becoming a box? In this episode of  Pro Series Off Topic , Eric Dillman talks about why your niche should give your content direction without limiting what you’re allowed to create. Your interests can change. Your career can evolve. Your audience can grow with you. And you don’t have to...

What if you discovered your true creative purpose later in life? In  Episode 263 , I’m sitting down with Christian Calvin, known professionally as  33n , a self-taught Tennessee artist who began painting in his mid-40s and has since taken his work to international exhibitions and long-term installations with Lexus. Christian’s work blends neo-expressionism, cubism, bold color, and layered texture...

In this episode of  Pro Series Off Topic , Eric talks about something he thinks we could all use more of: encouragement. Why would he rather be cringy, put himself out there, post the content, and actually work toward a dream than have a dream sitting untouched in an account, notebook, or idea folder? Because there is something incredibly fulfilling about actually trying. Eric talks about why we&#...

In  Episode 262 , I’m sitting down with Kim, an interior designer, creative leader, and co-founder of Elle Hudson. With experience in design-build and architecture firms throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Kim has built a diverse career spanning interior design, leadership, staging, styling, and advertising for national and international brands. A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a deg...

What does it really take to build a successful real estate business? In  Episode 261 , I’m sitting down with Athena Brownson, REALTOR®, real estate investor, and industry mentor who has spent the past decade building a reputation as one of Colorado’s trusted real estate professionals. Athena combines real estate expertise, creative marketing, strategic negotiation, and a design-focused approach to...

On this episode of  Off Topic , Eric talks about one of the simplest ways to actually grow on Instagram without spending more time on the app:  be more human. Follow the accounts in your niche, engage with people you look up to, and stop leaving those generic “Love this!” comments. Say something meaningful, ask a question, add to the conversation, and actually connect with people. Because you'...

The Power Of Restraint More isn't always better when it comes to interior design. In Episode 260, I sit down with  Ryan , founder of  Smart Studio Designs , to talk about his journey from marketing for national home builders to building his own interior design business. After designing model homes and seeing firsthand how much a space can influence the way people feel, Ryan decided to take his...

I never got to see Dolly Parton live, and that's something I'll always regret. But here's the thing about Dolly — you didn't have to meet her to feel like she taught you something. She showed all of us what it looks like to work hard, stay kind, and never let success change who you are at your core. Today I'm doing a full off-topic episode dedicated to her. Honestly, I think Do...

What does it take to stay relevant in an industry built on craftsmanship, design, and tradition? In Episode 259, I sit down with  Doug Rozenboom , CEO and co-owner of  Worthen Custom Iron & Brass , a Richmond, Virginia company with more than 50 years of furniture-making heritage. Doug brings decades of experience across  luxury furniture, interior design, product development, merchandising, an...

In Episode 258, I welcome back  Shane Drake , an award-winning director and filmmaker who has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, and Panic! at the Disco. His work has earned major industry recognition, including an MTV Video Music Award and multiple country music awards.  This time, Shane isn't joining me to talk a...

Why do we roll our eyes when someone says they're starting another podcast? We don't do that when someone creates an Instagram account, starts a Facebook page, or joins another social platform. At some point, social media simply became a platform that everyone could use to share something. Podcasting is the same thing. You don't have to be trying to become the next Joe Rogan. You don&#...

What happens when a successful physician decides to build wealth beyond his medical career? In Episode 257, I sit down with  Tom Burns , a retired orthopedic surgeon, entrepreneur, real estate investor, bestselling author, and physician for the United States Ski Team. While building a career in medicine, Tom also executed more than  $750 million in real estate transactions  and co-founded investme...

Instagram just quietly rolled out one of its biggest quality-of-life updates, and almost nobody is talking about it. In this episode, I break down Instagram's new  "Your Algorithm"  feature and show you exactly how to use it to take control of what shows up in your Reels feed. Instead of hoping the algorithm eventually figures you out, you can now tell Instagram what you actually wan...

What happens when a master craftsman, television personality, and content creator all come together in one career? In Episode 256, I sit down with Darren Keefe, best known for HGTV's  Extreme Makeover: Home Edition  and to millions on Instagram as  The Dancing Carpenter . Born in Northern Ireland and raised in a family of craftsmen, Darren shares his journey from woodworking and custom furnitu...

Artificial intelligence was supposed to be the future. Now it's becoming the problem. This week, we're drawing the line between using AI as a powerful tool and letting it replace the very thing that makes your brand worth following in the first place: you. From AI-generated headshots and fake project renders to caption generators that make every designer sound the same, we discuss why auth...

In Episode 255, I sit down with Mark Williams, founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes and host of his own podcast, to discuss the mindset behind exceptional craftsmanship, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Starting his business at just 24 years old, Mark has spent more than two decades building luxury custom homes while creating a company culture centered on curiosity, collaboration, and continu...

Growing up as millennials, we heard the same advice over and over:  "Don't believe everything you see on the internet."  Fast forward to today, and somehow the people who taught us that lesson are the first to fall for clickbait headlines, fake celebrity quotes, AI-generated photos, and rage-bait posts. In this episode, I talk about why that shift happened, how social media rewards o...

In Episode 254, I sit down with Jacqueline Thornton, an award-winning designer and founder of her own creative studio in Pittsburgh, to discuss her journey from working for others to becoming a business owner. We explore the realities of  starting a design business , the challenges of  creative entrepreneurship , building confidence as a business owner, and what it takes to turn years of professio...