Pro Series with Eric Dillman

Episode 207 of The Pro Series Podcast, host Eric Dillman sits down with Dr. Monica Curry, an executive coach with more than 26 years of experience across financial services, automotive, and academia. Known as a gentle disruptor, Dr. Curry helps leaders step outside their own perspective to build trust, foster connection, and lead with impact. This episode explores: How empathy transforms leadershi...

In Episode 125 of  Off Topic , Eric dives into a mix of trending topics and timeless lessons. From how short-form content is bringing social media full circle, to why stepping outside your niche can boost engagement, this episode is packed with practical growth tips for creators. Eric also gets personal, sharing how the change in weather has him ready for Christmas, and highlights country music st...

In this episode of  The Pro Series Podcast , we sit down with Heather, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications at NKBA | KBIS. With a career spanning journalism, public relations, and brand leadership, Heather shares how her experience as a reporter and anchor laid the foundation for her transition into marketing, eventually leading her to shape NKBA’s global and domestic strategy....

In this week’s episode of  Off Topic , we cover the latest in country music and social media: Morgan Wallen’s new single “Just in Case”  climbing to No. 1 on country radio Carrie Underwood’s history-making RIAA milestone  as the highest-certified female country artist ever The rise of  content experimentation —why brands are choosing entertainment over polished feeds Plus, fun viral stories, strea...

What if your wardrobe could work as smart as your phone? In this episode, I sit down with Anya Cheng, the Founder & CEO of Taelor, a leading men’s clothing subscription service powered by AI that combines personal styling with curated rentals. Anya shares how Taelor is helping men dress for success—whether it’s landing a job interview, showing up confident on a date, or making a strong impress...

Feeling burnt out from creating content? In this episode, I break down how to recognize creator burnout, why it’s okay to step back, and how switching from  creator to observer mode  can actually help you come back stronger. We also dive into Instagram’s brand-new  Repost button  — what it means for creators, how it works, and why it could change the way your feed looks forever. And finally, we ta...

In Episode 204 of  The Pro Series Podcast , host Eric Dillman sits down with  Brian Wininger , a Southern California native whose career spans  sports broadcasting, hospitality, and viral social media marketing . Brian shares how his start in  sports radio  led him to produce and host shows for  ESPN  and  CBS Sports Radio  in Orlando, interviewing legends like  Kobe Bryant  and  LeBron James , an...

In Episode 203 of The Pro Series Podcast, I sit down with Christina Richardson — a U.S.-based interior designer with Scandinavian roots and a uniquely powerful design lens shaped by both engineering and artistry. Born and raised on the northern coast of Sweden, Christina brings a rare balance of mechanical precision and creative warmth to every space she touches. With over 20 years of experience a...

In Off Topic Episode 122, we’re diving into the world of AI tools—some are game-changers, and others are straight-up disappointments. I break down the latest photo editing tools, including Apple's new AI cleanup feature (spoiler: not impressed), Snapseed’s underrated healing tool, and Canva’s surprisingly solid Magic Erase inside their Magic Studio app. If you’re creating content or editing on...

Ever wondered what it’s actually like to be on Love Is Blind — behind the cameras, inside the pods, and under the pressure of finding love in the spotlight? In Episode 202 of The Pro Series Podcast, I sit down with Mason Horacek, cast member from Season 6 and a talented filmmaker and storyteller, to uncover the untold stories of being on set. From navigating real emotions in a controlled environme...

Why do people act like a house being built in 1904 automatically makes it superior? In this episode, we talk about when "they don't make 'em like this anymore" becomes code for crooked floors, no insulation, and vintage asbestos. Then—let’s talk hurt feelings and hard stats. I break down why posting a list of top-selling country artists somehow offended people... even though I di...

In Episode 201 of the Pro Series Podcast, we’re joined by Matthew Hillebrand, Vice President of Outside Sales and IT at Don’s Appliances. With over 30 years of experience, Matt shares how Don’s Appliances has grown to over 190 employees, become a Top Workplace in Pittsburgh, and continues to lead the way in customer experience, sales innovation, and digital content creation. We discuss:The evoluti...

Country music is having a moment — and this week on Off Topic, we’re covering it all. First, we break down how Morgan Wallen’s “I’m the Problem” has sold 850,000 more units than any other album in the U.S. this year — and what makes this release such a monster success. Then, we dive into the Top 10 Highest-Selling Country Artists of All Time — from legends to unexpected names. Think you know who’s...

We’ve made it to  Episode 200  of  The Pro Series Podcast ! To mark this major milestone, I’m joined by  Liza Hausman , Vice President of Industry Marketing at  Houzz  — the leading platform revolutionizing residential design and construction. In this episode, Liza shares how pros can stay ahead using  Houzz Pro , and how the industry is evolving to meet the needs of modern homeowners and professi...

Instagram Hits Google, Wallen’s Remix Tease, Holiday Chaos & Country Music Weekly In this episode of  Off Topic , we’re diving into Instagram’s newest update—your posts might start showing up on Google (yes, really). We break down what that means for creators and small businesses. Then we’re talking about the Morgan Wallen  “Miami”  remix featuring Lil Wayne and Rick Ross—what’s the hype and w...

In Episode 199, I’m joined by Mike Lucas, CEO of REVIVE Flooring & Paint, one of Pittsburgh’s go-to companies for expert painting and flooring services. We dive into how Mike built a service-based business rooted in trust, clear communication, and high-quality craftsmanship. From scaling a team to earning repeat business from clients who value results, this episode is full of insight for entre...

In this episode of  Off Topic , Eric dives headfirst into the chaotic brilliance of starting your week on a Tuesday—because let’s be honest, Monday three-day weekends are the ultimate life hack. Why suffer through a regular five-day week when you can time-travel your way to Friday by simply skipping Monday? Also on the docket: Why Instagram’s  Edit  app might just be your new best friend—no more r...

Seif El-Sahly isn’t just building homes — he’s building trust, teams, and a legacy of excellence. In this episode, we dive into the story of a civil engineer-turned-entrepreneur who went from moonlighting his startup to landing million-dollar projects and scaling a business that’s transformed over 200 units across Canada. Born to civil engineer parents in Abu Dhabi and raised in Canada, Seif share...

In this week’s episode of  Off Topic , we’re diving headfirst into the chaos of modern life — online and offline. First up: the  algorithm doesn’t reward ghosting  — I’ll tell you why your first 15 minutes after posting are more important than the post itself. Then, I’m sounding the alarm on unhinged DIY trends (hanger chandeliers? Coffee-stained drywall? We’ve gone too far). Also: can we stop put...

If you’re great at what you do but struggling to run the business side of things — this episode is for you. Ken Cox, tech innovator, business leader, and host of the  Clicks and Bricks Podcast , joins us to break down how small business owners can streamline operations and scale smarter. We dive into tools like CRM systems, office solutions, and simple strategies to help you build a business that...

We’re back with another unpredictable ride through what’s on my mind this week — and trust me, it’s  off topic  in the best way. Kane Brown scores the  #1 spot  with “Backseat Driver” — I break down why this track is working A quick  throwback to Episode 177 of The Pro Series Podcast  with Jordan Walker (yes,  that  Jordan Walker), and a look at the surprising  Pittsburgh connection Plus: can we t...

What do I Write Sins Not Tragedies, Love Wins, and Worst Way all have in common? They were all directed by this week’s guest—renowned filmmaker Shane Drake. With a 20+ year career spanning music videos, commercials, and feature films, Shane has shaped the visual world of artists like Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and Keith Urban. He won MTV’s Video of the Year for Pan...

Ever watched a TV show and thought,  “There’s no way that living room fits in that house” ? Same. This week, we take a fun designer deep dive into the  Full House  set and why the iconic San Francisco exterior makes zero sense with the show's interior layout. Spoiler: Danny Tanner must’ve owned the entire block. Then we switch gears and head south for your  weekly country music rundown  — the...

Returning guest  Eddie Taimuty  joins us once again — this time with his business partner  Alex Perdziola  — for an exclusive conversation inside their brand new cigar lounge:  @the_1864_club , nestled in Pittsburgh’s North Side. But this isn’t just about cigars. It’s about  vision, restoration, and a full-scale transformation  of a historic space that connects directly to the soon-to-open  @rocco...

This week on  Off Topic , we’re diving headfirst into the chaos of the internet and culture. Did you know AOL is still a thing in 2025? We didn’t either—until a Bored Panda article reminded us. We also unpack why  niche podcasts  might be in their golden age, how  neutral design  is officially being labeled “sad beige energy,” and why  Instagram is starting to feel like LinkedIn’s quirky cousin ....