Your Project Shepherd Construction Podcast

Building a home today is more complicated than ever — tighter construction, changing codes, new materials, and higher homeowner expectations. In this episode of the Your Project Shepherd Podcast, Curtis Lawson sits down with Matthew Davis of Kingsmen Homes to discuss what actually makes a home perform well. They break down the biggest myths in homebuilding, why testing and verification matter, and...

Are you using the right contract for your building projects in Texas? In this episode of the Your Project Shepherd Podcast , Curtis Lawson sits down with three industry leaders to unpack the value, structure, and legal protection behind TAB Contracts: Frances Blake – General Counsel & VP of Regulatory Affairs, Texas Association of Builders Adam Aschmann – Senior Vice President & General Co...

Three years. Over 100 episodes. Countless conversations about building better. In this special anniversary episode, Curtis Lawson reflects on why Your Project Shepherd was started in the first place — and why the mission matters more now than ever. After 21+ years building custom homes and stepping into failing projects, Curtis saw the same patterns over and over again: Homeowners who didn’t know...

📘 From Vision to Completion by David Herzog: https://a.co/d/02jNQQt4 🏗 Learn more about Herzog Homes: https://www.herzoghomes.com/Whether you’re building your own home or running a construction business, smarter homes don’t start with products—they start with better decisions. In this episode of The Your Project Shepherd Podcast, Curtis Lawson is joined by David Herzog, CEO of Herzog Homes and au...

Learn more about the Panasonic OASYS system: https://oasys.na.panasonic.comFollow Panasonic IAQ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panasoniciaq/One year after completion, the Panasonic OASYS concept home has been fully lived in, monitored, tested, and analyzed—and the results are in. In this episode of The Your Project Shepherd Podcast, Curtis Lawson is joined by Ken Nelson, Group Sales Manag...

Most builders don’t fail because they’re bad at construction — they fail because no one ever taught them how to run a business. In this episode of The Your Project Shepherd Podcast , Curtis Lawson is joined by Kurt Hegetschweiler, international builder coach and author of Million Dollar Builder 2.0 , to unpack why so many builders stay busy, stressed, and underpaid despite years of experience. Kur...

Running a construction business isn’t just about building houses—it’s about ownership, discipline, and making decisions when nobody’s coming to save you. In this episode of The Your Project Shepherd Podcast , Curtis Lawson sits down with longtime friend and custom homebuilder Chris Ferqueron for an honest, builder-to-builder conversation about what it actually takes to survive—and succeed—in const...

One year after the California Palisades wildfires , the rebuilding is still unfolding—and the lessons for builders are just beginning to surface. In this episode, Curtis Lawson sits down with Los Angeles builder Chris Ferqueron to reflect on the fires, the aftermath, and how major disasters permanently change the homebuilding industry. From evolving building codes to shifting expectations around r...

Jobsite theft and liability are real challenges for builders — but smart security can make all the difference. In this episode of Your Project Shepherd , Curtis sits down with Alan Martinez , Director of Business Development at Datasmart Home Technologies and Duncan Security , to discuss innovative ways to protect your projects. Alan shares how solar-powered camera systems help builders prevent th...

Prefab architect Rame Hruska , co-founder of Intexture Architects and Aura Dwellings and Hospitality, joins host Curtis Lawson to demystify ADUs and modular homes — what they are, how they’re built, and why they’re reshaping construction timelines and quality standards. Rame breaks down inspections (state vs. city), MEP coordination, WUI fire-zone and coastal windstorm requirements, and how factor...

In this episode of Your Project Shepherd , host Curtis Lawson shares the story of the home that nearly broke his business — and the mental health lessons every builder and homeowner can learn from it. Curtis breaks down the hidden costs of poor systems, “slippage,” and burnout in construction, then outlines five transformative steps: preconstruction agreements, transparency, strong processes, comm...

In this solo episode of Your Project Shepherd, host Curtis Lawson unpacks the hidden costs of construction that no budget accounts for: stress, burnout, and anxiety. Curtis explores how builders face unreliable trades, constant financial pressure, and client demands—while homeowners ride an emotional roller coaster from excitement to regret. These challenges aren’t separate—they’re two sides of th...

In this solo episode of Your Project Shepherd, Curtis Lawson dives into why “winging it” in construction is a recipe for disaster. Using a luxury fence in River Oaks, TX as an example, Curtis unpacks the hidden risks of vague plans, poor alignment, and lack of detail in design. He explains how homeowners, builders, and architects can prevent disputes, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure projects sta...

In this episode of the Your Project Shepherd podcast, host Curtis Lawson sits down with Dan Bawden , owner of Legal Eagle Contractors and a nationally recognized expert in Universal Design. They explore how smart, adaptable design goes beyond ADA standards to create homes that work for everyone—today and in the future. From zero-step entries and intuitive kitchens to safe, stylish bathrooms and el...

In this short but powerful episode of the Your Project Shepherd podcast, Curtis Lawson shares a real-world lesson every builder, architect, and designer needs to hear: “stick to your process and win more projects”. In this episode, Curtis shares how his process saved a client from making a costly mistake. From bid comparisons to educating homeowners on scope and budget, this episode shows how cons...

In this episode of the Your Project Shepherd podcast, Curtis Lawson sits down with Brinn Miracle, owner of Architangent, to explore the intersection of branding, architecture, and design. Brinn shares how the “Why of Design” helps business owners and design professionals uncover their deeper purpose, clarify their niche, and create spaces that tell authentic stories. From connecting emotionally wi...

In this episode of the Your Project Shepherd podcast, Curtis Lawson sits down with Chris Bolio of Alair Homes to unpack why preconstruction agreements are the hidden key to successful builds. Chris explains how investing in planning upfront saves homeowners, architects, and builders from costly mistakes, scope surprises, and broken trust down the road. From budgeting and timelines to uncovering hi...

In this episode of the Your Project Shepherd podcast, Curtis Lawson shares a hard-earned $3M lesson about the dangers of breaking your own process. Curtis opens up about losing a luxury home renovation project — and how skipping key steps, rushing timelines, and letting others take control can cost more than just revenue. You’ll learn why sticking to a proven pre-construction process is critical,...

In this solo episode of the Your Project Shepherd podcast, Francis Ramos, Media & Marketing Manager at Crafted Custom Homes and Podcast producer, shares a step-by-step guide to getting started with social media marketing for builders and designers. Discover why social media is more than just trends—it’s a powerful, free marketing tool that works while you sleep. Francis breaks down platform ch...

Most builders lose leads not because of bad work—but because of bad words. In this episode of Your Project Shepherd, Curtis Lawson sits down with Lauren Jefferson, co-founder of FocusCopy , to uncover how strategic messaging can transform your entire client journey. From fixing broken communication systems to using storytelling to build trust, Lauren shares the exact framework builders need to att...

In this episode of Your Project Shepherd, Curtis Lawson sits down with Bob Peterson—Second Vice Chairman of NAHB and founder of Associates in Building and Design. With over 40 years of experience, Bob shares the journey from building homes in Colorado to leading one of the most influential construction organizations in the U.S. Learn how to build a company that can thrive without you, the role of...

In this episode of Your Project Shepherd, luxury homebuilder Erin Stetzer shares what it really takes to scale from small remodels to $10M+ homes—without sacrificing your family, your sanity, or your standards. Erin breaks down the critical systems, mindset shifts, and team dynamics required to deliver high-end projects. Whether you're a builder, architect, or designer, this conversation offer...

In this episode of Your Project Shepherd, we sit down with remodeling business coach Kyle Hunt of Remodelers On The Rise to uncover why skilled remodelers still struggle with profitability, time management, and burnout. Kyle shares proven strategies for mastering financials, sales, marketing, and leadership—so you can stop running your business in survival mode and start building with confidence....

Builders are great at building—but not always at documenting. In this solo episode of Your Project Shepherd, Curtis Lawson dives into why so many construction professionals struggle with paperwork, recordkeeping, and documentation—and why that puts your business at risk. From missed change orders to legal issues and frustrated clients, Curtis shares real-world insights and practical solutions. Lea...

In this solo episode of Your Project Shepherd , we explore the three types of “superhuman vision” every great builder needs: 3D vision, X-ray vision, and long-range vision. Learn how to visualize complex assemblies, anticipate hidden issues in remodeling, and plan ahead to avoid costly mistakes down the road. Whether you’re building new or remodeling old, this episode will help sharpen your projec...