Pro Series with Eric Dillman

What does it take to build a life of service, leadership, and resilience in a new country? In Episode 253, I sit down with Georgia Varoucha, a Staff Sergeant in the New Jersey Army National Guard, to discuss her journey from growing up in Greece to serving in the United States military. With experience in  Army National Guard recruiting ,  military leadership , and  finance , Georgia shares how di...

Ever notice how the same handful of things show up in EVERY grandparent's house? This episode we're going down a nostalgia rabbit hole — starting with that clear acrylic "crystal" faucet handle that squeaked in literally every bathroom in America (yes, the one with the starburst pattern — you know exactly which one), then pivoting into a real conversation about country music and...

In Episode 252, I sit down with Thomas, a First Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, to discuss his remarkable journey through military service and leadership. Beginning his career as an infantry rifleman, Thomas served in security forces, led Marines as a squad leader, worked as a marksmanship instructor at Parris Island, deployed to Iraq and Okinawa, earned his bachelor's degree whi...

Instagram has changed—and if you're still using strategies from a year ago, you could be missing out on clients. In this episode of the  Pro Series Podcast , we're breaking down the biggest Instagram updates every interior designer, contractor, and design professional needs to know in 2026. From why hashtags no longer matter the way they used to, to the algorithm's obsession with DM sh...

What does the next generation of kitchen design look like? In Episode 251, I sit down with Galen Bradford, Co-Founder and CEO of Induction Hardware, to discuss the future of  induction cooking ,  luxury kitchen appliances , and the evolution of the modern kitchen. With more than a decade of experience in the kitchen and appliance industry, Galen shares how technology, sustainability, and performan...

In Episode 250, I sit down with Jenna Shock, award-winning closet designer, Principal Designer, and President of the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals, to talk about the growing importance of  custom closet design ,  home organization , and  storage solutions  in today's homes. With more than 14 years of experience, Jenna shares how thoughtful  closet organization systems , perso...

How are we still building brand-new kitchens without a dedicated place for trash? In this episode, Eric shares one of the most common design misses he's noticed while touring new construction homes: the lack of a trash pullout or even a cabinet that could easily be adapted for one. It's a small detail that has a huge impact on how a kitchen functions every day. Then we shift into a marketi...

What separates a smooth, successful project from one filled with delays, budget overruns, and frustration? In Episode 249, Natalie Dunlap, founder of Curated & Co., shares the behind-the-scenes work that keeps high-end residential and multimillion-dollar projects moving forward. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience in construction and design, Natalie discusses sourcing, procurement, vendor...

Does a designer with 100,000 followers automatically deserve more respect than a designer with 1,000? Not even close. This week on Off Topic, Eric dives into the growing obsession with follower counts and why social media numbers alone don't determine talent, experience, or success in the design industry. From homeowners searching for the right designer to creatives trying to build their brand...

Why do some short-term rentals stay fully booked while others struggle to attract guests? In Episode 248, Jessica Duce, one of the nation's leading short-term rental designers, breaks down the design strategies that help properties stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Working with investors and property owners across the country, Jessica has transformed everything from beach houses...

You post. You disappear. Then you wonder why nobody engages with you. This week on Off Topic, we're getting into one of the most misunderstood parts of social media — and it has nothing to do with the algorithm. It's about being an active follower. Not fake engagement, not networking for clout, not commenting just to be seen. Actually showing up for people. Supporting others. Participating...

What happens when you walk away from a stable corporate career to build something of your own? In Episode 247, Andrew Nuhfer shares his journey from banking and finance to founding AKN Interiors, a growing design-build company serving the Pittsburgh area. Andrew discusses taking the leap into entrepreneurship, building a team from the ground up, and growing a remodeling business focused on kitchen...

Most local businesses don’t have a product problem. They have an attention problem. In Episode 246, Will Habel breaks down how businesses in the Charlotte and Lake Norman area are using Instagram ads and content strategy to drive real growth, increase sales, and stay relevant in today’s digital world. From building local brand awareness to creating content that actually converts, this conversation...

Episode 245 of Pro Series Podcast dives into the world of luxury interiors, timeless craftsmanship, and the details that transform a house into a legacy. Host Eric Dillman sits down with Massimiliano Collicelli, whose career spans luxury residential construction, natural stone, and collaborations with top architects, interior designers, and custom home builders across the U.S. and Caribbean. Now l...

This week on Off Topic, we’re talking about something that genuinely makes no sense to me… why are people so afraid to post their accomplishments online? People will post the vacation, the concert, the new car, the dinner, the sporting event… but the second it comes to sharing something they actually worked hard for professionally, suddenly it feels like “bragging.” In this episode, I’m diving int...

Most entrepreneurs don’t have an effort problem, they have a complexity problem. In Episode 244, Andy Clark, bestselling author and creator of The Whole PIE System™, breaks down why so many business owners feel overwhelmed, stuck in constant firefighting, and trapped working  in  their business instead of leading it. Drawing from decades of experience in business law, strategy, and entrepreneurshi...

Instagram is changing fast, and if you’re still reposting content the same way you were a year ago, your growth could already be slowing down. In this episode of Country Music Weekly, we’re breaking down Instagram’s newest push toward original content, why repost accounts are losing reach, and what creators, interior designers, and brands need to start doing differently to grow in today’s algorith...

What if the success of a space has nothing to do with the finishes… and everything to do with what happens before they’re ever selected? In Episode 243, I sit down with Danielle Incorvati, founder of Beyouty Brand Living, Inc., to break down what actually separates average spaces from exceptional ones. From kitchens and baths to highly customized renovations, Danielle shares how layout, flow, and...

Episode 242 features Amy Smiley, Vice President of Marketing at 84 Lumber, who has been helping shape one of the country’s most recognized building brands since 2016. In this conversation, Amy breaks down what it really takes to lead a full-scale marketing operation, from creative direction and media strategy to PR, events, and digital execution. She shares how 84 Lumber stays relevant in a compet...

If your posts aren’t performing the way they used to, it’s probably not your content… it’s that the rules have changed. In this episode, I’m breaking down what Instagram actually cares about right now and why so many designers feel stuck posting beautiful work that gets little to no traction. The algorithm isn’t rewarding what it used to, and if you’re still creating the same way you were even a y...

What does it actually take to build a community that people  want  to be a part of… and that actually moves the needle for your career? This week, I’m sitting down with Laurie Laizure, founder of Interior Design Community, to talk about what’s really happening behind the scenes of the design industry right now. We get into how she built one of the largest and most engaged interior design communiti...

If you’ve ever posted something you were proud of only to get barely any likes or comments, this episode will change how you see it. It’s easy to assume your content is the problem, but that’s not what’s really happening. People aren’t engaging less because your work is bad. They’re engaging less because the way they consume content has completely changed. We’re living in a world of fast scrolling...

If you’ve ever walked into a client meeting, pitch, or presentation and felt like your message just didn’t land, this episode is for you. Today, I’m joined by Carmen Sederino, founder of Illuminated Story, who blends 18+ years of corporate leadership with a background in theatrical direction to help professionals completely transform how they show up. We talk about why great ideas aren’t enough, h...

If creating content feels hard… you’re probably making it harder than it needs to be. In this episode, I’m breaking down the  exact apps that are making designers grow faster online  and why it has nothing to do with talent and everything to do with systems. Because the truth is, the people you see winning on social media are not better… they’re just more efficient. We’re talking about how to simp...

What happens when you walk away from the traditional path and bet on yourself? In this episode, Jordan Spadafora shares his journey from a marketing graduate to a hands-on real estate investor and builder. Starting in his family’s concrete business, Jordan quickly transitioned into real estate—scaling from Airbnb arbitrage to full ownership, bringing renovations in-house, and ultimately launching...