The Restoration & Remediation Ask the Expert Podcast

Learn why the restoration industry struggles with employee retention and how you can fix it. This episode of Ask the Expert features expert insights from REINS founder Chris Buttenham on culture, incentives and career growth. 

Explore 360 documentation and how this technology is revolutionizing the restoration industry with faster workflows, transparency and an upcoming special training opportunity at The Experience Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, NV.

In this episode of Ask the Expert, find out how Elkmont Estimates supports restoration professionals with accurate, compliant estimates that help speed up claims closure. This episode is brought to you by:

In this Ask the Expert episode, Jason Krohn of Claims Crafters and Chad Holland of Paul Davis Restoration dive into how AI is revolutionizing contents restoration. Learn how tools like Contents IQ are helping companies speed up inventory, improve accuracy and enhance customer satisfaction. 

In this episode of Ask The Expert, fire investigator Roger Thorpe and iGUIDE’s Michael Vervena discuss how technology is revolutionizing fire restoration documentation. Learn how these tools enhance accuracy, speed up claims and support insurers and investigators.

In this Ask The Expert episode, John Otero of 1-800 WATER DAMAGE shares practical tips for preventing water damage during spring and summer storms. Learn how to prepare your customer’s homes, respond to flooding and use technology to streamline your processes. 

In this episode of Ask The Expert, we are tackling catastrophe preparedness, back to the basics part 2.  Our panel of industry experts share their experiences, overcoming hurdles and implementing strategies to help protect their communities, teams and collaborate with local, state and government officials. 

On this episode of Ask The Expert, CRS’s Visionary Founder Ashley Taylor discusses the company’s rapid growth, the rising demand for contents restoration and how CRS is setting new industry standards through transparency and strategic alignment with carriers and TPAs. This episode is brought to you by:

With hurricane and wildfire seasons on the horizon, preparation is everything. On this episode of Ask The Expert, we’re joined by industry experts from 1-800-Water Damage and Belfor Franchise Group who have nearly 100 years of experience. Find out how you can prepare your teams, deploy and more. This episode is brought to you by:

Discover how Dan Gordon transitioned from a high-pressure corporate career to owning a thriving restoration franchise, achieving work-life balance and making a community impact.

On this episode of Ask The Expert, Genesis Brown, Founder and CEO of Smart Claims Solutions, breaks down the costly mistakes restoration contractors make when managing their claims. From documentation errors to carrier tactics, find out how you can streamline your process. This episode is brought to you by:

On this episode of Ask The Expert, the RIA leadership team including President Jeff Moore and other top officers. They dove into the future of the restoration industry and several of RIA’s initiatives.

Discover how AJ and Becky Callegan transformed a life-threatening scare into a mission to improve home building and air quality. In this episode of "Ask The Expert," the husband-and-wife team shares their inspiring story, highlighting the importance of mold awareness and indoor air quality advocacy. 

In this episode of Ask The Expert, Leighton Healey, CEO of KnowHow, shares his strategies for enhancing business operations. Learn how standardization, knowledge management, technology, training and accountability can boost your efficiency and drive growth. This episode is brought to you by:

In this episode of Ask The Expert, discover the secrets of mastering water damage restoration from Paul Silliman, Head of Sales and Customer Success at Clean Claims. Streamline your processes, improve efficiency and save time and money with expert tips on training documentation and leadership oversight. This episode is brought to you by:

In this episode of Ask The Expert, we go back to the basics of catastrophe preparedness. Our panel of industry experts share their experiences, overcoming hurdles and implementing strategies to help protect their communities and teams. This episode is brought to you by:

In this episode of "Ask The Expert," we feature Kevin Schramm, owner of LIME Painting in Boise, who transitioned from Navy service to successful franchise ownership. Discover the unique strengths veterans bring to the franchising industry and learn how Kevin's dedication to LIME's core principles and commitment to veterans' causes makes him a standout leader.

Industry leader Stephanie Suchocki, Vice President of Operations at Superior Restoration, dives into the Restoration Industry Association's offerings, the upcoming RIA Convention and the transformative power of continuous education in this episode of Ask the Expert.

In this episode of R&R's Ask the Expert, Stefan Figley, President of 1-800-Pack-Out, discusses the critical strategies for navigating contents restoration and catastrophe preparedness. Learn how proactive planning, effective workflows and industry-wide collaboration are shaping the future of restoration amid increasing challenges. This episode is brought to you by:

Meet Leslie Anderson, R&R’s 2025 Women in Restoration Award winner. With over 25 years of industry experience, Leslie has built a remarkable career defined by mentorship, innovation and servant leadership. 

Join Garret Gray, President of CoreLogic’s Insurance Solutions, as he recaps the highlights of INTRConnect 2025, discusses innovative solutions in the property insurance industry and unveils details for INTRConnect 2026.This episode is brought to you by:

Explore the world of contents restoration with industry experts David Gavilanes, Annissa Coy and Stefan Figley. Learn how they overcome challenging projects, leverage cutting-edge technologies, and prioritize belongings for restoration. This episode is brought to you by:

In this episode of "Ask the Expert," we speak with Phill McGurk, owner and director of CARSI, about utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot to enhance your business processes, documentation and SOPs. Learn how AI can serve as a valuable tool for businesses without becoming a crutch.

In this episode of "Ask the Expert," we chat with Adam Lyszczarz, a Marine Corps veteran and Program Manager for Document Restoration Services at Prism Specialties, about restoring flood-damaged artifacts at the Smithtown Library. Discover the innovative techniques used and lessons learned from this significant restoration project.

Join industry experts Paul Silliman and Cory Burt in this exciting episode of Ask The Expert as they reveal how remote monitoring can streamline operations, boost efficiency and save time and money. Discover practical strategies to overcome challenges, reduce manual processes and stay ahead with innovative technology.