Restoration Today

In this episode, we dive into the evolving world of contents restoration with two industry innovators: Saul Lustgarten, Co-Founder of  ContentsPal  and Jordan Paugh from Just Contents Solutions. Together, they share how artificial intelligence is reshaping how restoration companies approach contents workflows—from inventory to customer experience. Saul breaks down how ContentsPal integrates AI int...

What do you do when your vision is bigger than your bank account?  When the hustle runs dry and the resources just aren’t there? In season 2 episode 4, in partnership with  Exit Strategies 360⁠  and  Violand Management Associates , we’re talking with guest Seth Vander Woude, VP of Small Business Lending at  Live Oak Bank , about the real struggle of chasing a business vision when you’re at the end...

Join industry leaders Bran Lynch (Chair, S700 &  BELFOR ), Brandon Burton (IICRC Standards Chair &  Cotality ), John Pletcher (Vice Chair, S700 &  RestorTech ), and Mili Washington (Standards Director) as they take you behind the scenes of the groundbreaking S700 Standard for Professional Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration. Learn what it takes to create a trusted, industry-wide standard...

In this powerful conversation, Michelle sits down with  Jenkins Restorations  leadership—CEO Drew Fetterolf, VP of Strategic Alliances Jason Coleman, and Director of Specialty Services David Ness—to explore how faith, employee ownership, and a commitment to excellence have sustained the company for over 50 years. Hear firsthand how Jenkins has adapted to industry shifts, weathered major challenges...

Chasing the Vision season 2 episode 3, in partnership with   Exit Strategies 360 ⁠ and  Violand Management Associates , dives deep into one of the most critical — and challenging — aspects of running a restoration business: financial management & cash flow. From tackling the pain points of collections to understanding how proper financial systems build long-term equity, this conversation is a...

On this episode, Michelle sits down with David Grove, Owner & Founder of  BYLT , to dive into what it takes to scale fast in the restoration industry. From navigating rapid growth and building strong company culture, to staying competitive amid consolidation and leveraging AI, David shares real-world lessons and insights.

Welcome back to Phil & Michelle’s Happy Hour – a podcast designed to make you smile, and hopefully learn a few things along the way. In this episode, Phil & Michelle chat with Russ Palmer, president and owner of  Titan Restoration , and learn more about where he started in the industry to technology, favorite AI tool, empowering your team, favorite stories, and MORE! Pour yourself a cockta...

Welcome back to the brand new dynamic and practical video tip series designed to help restoration professionals overcome common team challenges and drive consistent, high-quality results. Erik Berglund, expert and founder of  The Language of Leadership , in collaboration with  RTILearning.com,  presents “How to Get Your Team to Do the Thing.” This series offers actionable insights on building high...

What is it REALLY like to work for you? This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Eric Sprague, owner of  Super Tech University , to dive into the inspiration behind his recent C&R article, “What It’s Like to Work For You, and Why It Matters More Than You Think.” Eric shares what led him to turn the mirror inward and how doing the personal work transformed not just his leadership—but his entir...

In episode 2 of season 2 of Chasing the Vision, in partnership with ⁠  Exit Strategies 360 ⁠ and  Violand Management Associates , Michelle, JT, and Tim reflect on the challenges and uncertainty that defined 2024. What can the restoration industry learn from a tough year? And more importantly, how can we shift momentum and make 2025 our most resilient and growth-focused year yet? Tune in for candid...

In this episode, Michelle and Stefan Figley, President of  1-800-Packouts , serve up a fun and insightful conversation on everything from contents cleaning to... tennis! They explore how the contents space has shifted over the last 5–10 years, the #1 emotional and practical needs clients have after a loss, and the common mistakes contractors make when handling contents.

Struggling to hire and keep great talent in restoration? In this episode, we sit down with industry expert Hope Folk, COO of  Restoration Personnel Source , who brings 12 years of experience and hard-earned insight into one of restoration’s toughest challenges: hiring and retention. From bad hiring habits to personality assessments, reference checks, and some unforgettable stories—you won’t want t...

We are VERY excited to welcome the U.S. President of  Contractor Connection , Lance Malcolm, to the podcast! Join the conversation as we dive into the evolution of Managed Repair Programs (MRP) and contractor relationships, exploring how both parties can create a win-win partnership in 2025 and beyond.

Welcome back to the brand new dynamic and practical video tip series designed to help restoration professionals overcome common team challenges and drive consistent, high-quality results. Erik Berglund, expert and founder of  The Language of Leadership , in collaboration with  RTILearning.com,  presents “How to Get Your Team to Do the Thing.” This series offers actionable insights on building high...

With so many software and technology options available, how do restoration companies choose the right fit? In this episode, we talk with CJ Bailey, Director of Software Management at  PuroClean , about the decision-making process for selecting the best tech, the importance of integration, and what’s missing in the industry today. Plus, we explore exciting innovations on the horizon, break down SOC...

How does CoreLogic predict wildfire risk, and why was the recent Southern California wildfire no surprise? Jon Schneyer, Director of Research & Content at  Corelogic , breaks down how data, property analytics, and restoration efforts intersect to shape better risk management, underwriting, and recovery strategies.

The restoration industry is evolving, and so are its events. What do restorers really want from conferences? How has the conversation around industry gatherings changed since COVID? And what new opportunities are on the horizon? In this episode, we’re diving into the shifting event landscape, the feedback organizers are hearing, and what’s next for some of the biggest industry gatherings—including...

Welcome back to season 2 of Chasing the Vision, in partnership with ⁠⁠ Exit Strategies 360 ⁠ and  Violand Management Associates ! We're VERY excited to have a special guest joining on episode 1! Chuck Violand, founder of Violand Management Associates, talks with Tim Hull, JT Kraai, and Michelle about Violand's recent transfer of ownership as well as when an owner should start looking for a managem...

Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Norris Gearhart, Executive Vice President, Regulatory Business Practice at First Onsite. We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less! There are 7 candidates total for this year’s election, and five open board s...

Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Vincent Scarfo, Principal & COO, Clear Restoration. We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less! There are 7 candidates total for this year’s election, and five open board seats for the RIA Board of Directo...

Hello! Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Anthony Nelson, Partner, Pivot My Biz. We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less! There are 7 candidates total for this year’s election, and five open board seats for the RIA Board of Directors. Ballot...

Hello! Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Jason Cain, EVP, BluSky Restoration Contractors. We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less! There are 7 candidates total for this year’s election, and five open board seats for the RIA Board of Directo...

Hello! Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Marcie Richardson, COO, Guarantee Restoration Services. We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less! There are 7 candidates total for this year’s election, and five open board seats for the RIA Board of...

Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Stephanie Suchocki, VP of Operations, Superior Restoration. We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less! There are 7 candidates total for this year’s election, and five open board seats for the RIA Board of Dir...

Hello! Welcome to this Meet the Candidates conversation with Dan Tarantin, CEO, American Restoration. We encourage you to watch ALL the Meet the Candidate interviews to get to know each of them and what they bring to the table. Our goal is for each of them to be 10 minutes or less! There are 7 candidates total for this year’s election, and five open board seats for the RIA Board of Directors. Ball...