The Curious Builder

On this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with alumni from the Contractor Coalition Summit—Brad Robinson, Danielle and Michael Gutelli, and Jared Miller—to talk about how the summit totally changed the game for their businesses and personal lives. They swap stories about learning from top builders, building real friendships, leveling up with new business strategie...

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark hangs out with Kali Sudbrook from Beachside Custom Gyms to talk all things home wellness and fitness spaces. They share Kali's wild leap from a cushy corporate job to designing killer custom gyms, and chat about how the wellness industry is exploding in homebuilding right now. If you're into building, designing, or just want your own awesome hom...

In this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark flies solo to share how the Contractor Coalition Summit has seriously leveled up his business game. He chats about everything from getting paid for pre-construction work and using AI, to building a powerful brand and connecting with awesome industry folks. If you're on the fence about going, Mark's stories and practical tips make it sound li...

How do you reinvent the world's most basic item—a T-shirt—and make pants that actually fight back against plumber's crack? In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark sits down with Alex Chou, co-founder of Harnish Workwear, to talk about premium workwear, design snags, field testing with framers, and why durability shouldn't mean looking like a walking sandbag. From sourcing Cordura to b...

Builder. Dad. Almost burnout casualty. Tyler Grace joins Mark for a raw conversation on why "doing what you love" can still land you in the ER. They dive into stress, ego, profitability, and how Tyler finally drew a line between life and business. Come for the honesty, stay for the dad jokes—and leave with a better plan for your own business sanity. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpod...

In this out-of-the-box episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark sits down with Chief Todd Milburn of Edina to talk jobsite theft, neighborhood safety, and what builders and homeowners should really be thinking about when it comes to security. They dive into public safety tech (like license plate readers), the rise of crime-of-opportunity, and how the police force recruits like a modern busines...

In this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with Paul Krumrich for a super honest chat about the rollercoaster of being an entrepreneur. Paul opens up about his own big mistakes, like taking on risky debt and being maybe a little too honest with his team during rough times. They both talk about why willpower matters more than skills, the funny (and not so funny) sid...

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with Martin Davies O'Connor from Mill City Restoration for a lively chat about Martin's fascinating career path—from punk rock and Excel training to importing tequila from Mexico and ultimately running a successful commercial painting business in Minnesota. They dive into the realities of entrepreneurship, the challenge of cas...

In this Q&A episode, Mark sits down with his friend Mike Weaver for a really honest chat about learning from mistakes—both at work and in life. Mike opens up about a big blunder early in his career that taught him why being upfront with clients matters so much, and he also shares his incredible journey losing 170 pounds (seriously impressive!). It's a fun, down-to-earth conversation with plenty of...

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, host Mark Williams chats with Jen Veralle and Sarah Whicher about the behind-the-scenes journey of launching the AIA Minnesota Homes by Architects tour, now celebrating its 18th year. They dive into how the tour started, what makes it unique, the challenges and successes they've experienced along the way, and how the event has fostered community, edu...

In this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder, Mark Williams talks about why we need more young people in the trades and how social media is actually making these careers look cool again. He shares why trade jobs are a great option—think good money, clear paths to grow, and that awesome feeling of building something real. Plus, he offers some down-to-earth advice on how business owners and schools ca...

What do Nordstrom cosmetics and concrete pours have in common? Turns out, a lot. In this heart-filled episode, Mark sits down with Michelle VanVolkinburg—Baldwin General's head of marketing and HR—to talk about company growth, the power of people-first leadership, and how Baldwin scaled from a pickup truck in Oregon to multi-family towers in Washington. It's equal parts inspiring and tactical, wit...

Hiring mistakes, financial setbacks, and communication misfires—yep, Adam's got the receipts. In this candid conversation. Mark talks with Adam Copenhaver of CopeGrand Homes about hiring wins, hiring woes, and what happens when your culture isn't strong enough to catch a bad fit. From cultural index tests to writing painful checks, Adam opens up about what it takes to build a resilient team—and ho...

What does it mean to design a yard that's not just pretty—but purposeful? Mark sits down with Jonathan Blaseg of PEBL Design to dig into the wild (and often overlooked) world of landscape architecture. From plant psychology and drainage drama to why "just put a tree there" won't cut it—this episode uncovers how smart outdoor design shapes how we live, feel, and even parent. Plus: the shocking trut...

In this episode, Mark gets real about the ups and downs of running a business, parenting, and life in general. He shares some of his go-to quotes, talks about why having a solid company culture matters way more than any fancy strategy, and opens up about learning from failure (and why you shouldn't stress about being perfect). It's an insightful and down-to-earth episode packed with practical advi...

On this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with Aaron Tudisco of Ridge Design and Build to discuss how Aaron and his family create stunning spec homes in Sonoma, California. Aaron shares insights on their unique approach to creating standout, experience-driven homes and what it's like juggling the fun—and challenges—of running a family business. Support the show - http...

In this episode, Mark Williams gets real about his go-to quotes and how they've helped him run a better business (and just live better, too). He talks about tackling problems together, not letting perfection trip you up, and why jumping in and taking action really matters. With plenty of relatable stories, Mark offers friendly advice for building better businesses—and lives—one small improvement a...

In this episode of The Curious Builder, Mark Williams chats with Chris Montana from Du Nord Social Spirits about his journey from being a lawyer to running Minnesota's first micro-distillery. Chris opens up about the importance of work-life balance (especially after having two strokes!), why building a business with community and purpose matters, and how Du Nord's story and branding evolved. It's...

In this Q&A, Mark gets candid about a major setback during the 2008 recession, sharing how a failed spec home taught him some hard life and business lessons. Thanks to some wise words from his dad, he learned not to fear failure and how bouncing back can set you up for even bigger wins down the road. It's a real and relatable listen for anyone dealing with ups and downs in their career! Support th...

In this episode of The Curious Builder, Mark Williams chats with Emerson Bredin of Bredin Brothers, based in Muskoka, Ontario. Emerson shares how he and his brother broke into the construction business without any family background, taking the company from a carpentry crew to a 20-person operation specializing in luxury cottages and boathouses. They swap stories about building luxe lakeside retrea...

Ever bitten off more than you could build? Nathan Marsala has. In this candid convo, Mark and Nathan unpack the cost of chasing the wrong projects, the lessons hidden in late-night site visits, and how Nathan's dashboard (and daughter) helped him recalibrate. It's one of those real, raw chats that hits hard—especially if you're building a business and a family at the same time. Support the show -...

When you combine Midwest warmth, architectural soul, and a passion for people—you get Chisel Architecture. In this episode, Mark sits down with Sara "Wooly Mittens" Whicher and Marcy Townsend to talk about their client-first design philosophy, their origin story, and what it means to design for a client's real life—not just their Pinterest board. Plus, why naming a home might be the most powerful...

Lets turn some big loses into some big wins. In this Losers Are Winners episode, Mark and Caleb MacDonald swap stories about their early business blunders—from failed snowboard sales to endless house cleaning gigs—and how those moments shaped them into better builders. Caleb gets real about learning from those flops, staying patient, and why having solid contracts (and good people around you) make...

In this episode of The Curious Builder, Kevin and Abbie Arnold of KA Builders share their journey as a husband-and-wife team building their business in Ohio. They chat with host Mark Williams about their start in the industry, how their different backgrounds and skillsets complement each other, lessons learned from industry events, and their plans for growth—including moving markets and focusing m...

Sometimes, "just get through it" is the worst advice ever. In this Losers Are Winners episode, Mark sits down with Allyson Case of Integro Builders to unpack what happens when you ignore your gut, protect the wrong people, and stick with a project that should've ended ages ago. From bad architects to bad breakups (and the clients caught in the middle), it's a brutally honest peek at how one of Chi...