The Restoration & Remediation Ask the Expert Podcasts

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.

We dive into the world of recruiting with Jenny Andrawis, Chief Revenue Officer of Implement4. Learn about the latest trends, effective recruiting methods, and how Jenny's unique approach has shaped her success. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their recruiting game in the restoration industry.

Join industry expert Rich Oakes, President of GigSmart, in this episode of Ask the Expert. Find out how on-demand labor solutions can help restoration businesses stay agile and cost-efficient. Learn about flexible labor models, the role of technology in staffing, and real-world examples of success. Uncover strategies for managing temporary workers and maintaining quality standards in the ever-evolving restoration industry. 

Join us for this episode of Ask the Expert, featuring Barry Rice, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in environmental, health and safety (EHS). Barry discusses the dangers of saltwater-related fires during hurricane season, particularly their impact on electric vehicles and homes.

In this episode of Ask The Expert, join Travis Parker Martin, Co-Founder and VP of Product and Marketing at Know How, as he dives into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the restoration industry. Learn how AI is enhancing operational efficiency, customer support and knowledge sharing, and learn about the predicted future applications that will set AI-empowered companies apart by the end of the year. 

Join us in this episode of Ask the Expert as we sit down with Claudia Lezell, a seasoned professional in the flooring industry with over four decades of experience. Claudia shares her insights on the vital interconnection between inspection, cleaning and restoration, and the importance of collaboration and continuous learning.

Learn about the latest trends in disaster-resistant housing on 'Ask The Expert' with Robb Harrell, VP of Product Development at DocuSketch. Gain insights into generational differences, homeowner investment trends and the pivotal role of insurance carriers in promoting resilient materials. Learn expert tips on collaboration and strategies to advocate for durable building practices.

Join industry expert Shawn Havalotti in this episode of "Ask the Expert" as he delves into the leading causes of commercial water damage, shares his extensive industry knowledge, and provides practical prevention strategies that every commercial property owner should know. Say goodbye to unexpected water damage surprises

On this episode of R&R's Ask the Expert, industry expert Ben Ricciardi dives into the noisy world of digital marketing. Ben, the founder and CEO of Ironclad Restoration Marketing, has been a pivotal figure in the digital marketing scene for the restoration industry since 2015. 

Learn how to build a successful home service business with insights from Eric Sprague and Katie Harris. Their book, "The Road to Seven Figures: Your Guide to Home Service Success," provides a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs. Learn about self-care, financials, repeatable systems, digital marketing, and team building to achieve seven-figure success. Don't miss out on expert advice to grow your business effectively.

In this episode of Ask the Expert, Dr. Alex LeBeau discusses the critical role industrial hygienists play in restoration. From evolving protections to addressing hidden dangers in disaster response, gain valuable insights into how these experts ensure safe and effective practices.

In this episode of Ask the Expert, join Kevin Hutton and Russell Vent as they dive into the complexities of asbestos regulation and safety. Discover the truth behind the asbestos cut-off myth, federal regulations and contractor responsibilities. 

This episode of Ask the Expert with Danessa Itaya, President of Bio-One dives into caring for your community. With over 30 years of experience in franchising, Danessa discusses the significance of specialized training in the restoration industry, her dedication to helping communities recover from traumatic events, and her compassionate approach to providing emotional support for grieving families.

This episode of Ask the Expert dives into strategies for enhancing commercial sales in the restoration industry with Jeff Carrier, founder and CEO of Restoration ERP. 

The nominations for Restoration & Remediation (R&R)'s 2025 Women in Restoration Award are now open! This is your chance to honor exceptional women who have made significant contributions to the restoration industry.

In this episode of Ask the Expert, Stefan Figley, president of 1-800 Packouts, shares his expertise on preserving antiques and family heirlooms. Discover heartwarming stories, best practices for maintenance, and the importance of antiques in connecting us to our cultural heritage. 

In this episode of Ask the Expert, we pay tribute to veterans and explore how to help them advance in the restoration industry. Steve White, President and COO of PuroClean, shares invaluable insights for veterans transitioning to civilian life and succeeding in business ownership.

In the latest episode of Ask the Expert, Kevin Mardegian and Tess Huge share their expertise on estimating within the restoration industry. Discover key strategies for onboarding homeowners, negotiating with adjusters, and enhancing cash flow while building a collaborative network that elevates the entire industry. Join us to learn how mastering the art of estimating can drive success in your restoration business.

Meet Kayla McGowan, the new Editor-in-Chief of R&R! With her extensive background in marketing and communications within the restoration industry, Kayla is excited to connect and explore new ways to enhance R&R's impact. Learn more about her vision and her commitment to supporting growth across the industry.

Raj Manickam, the 2024 Ralph Floss Humanitarian Award winner, exemplifies passion, leadership, and creativity in the cleaning and restoration industry, inspiring others through his commitment to community service and innovative practices.

A new Restoration Industry Management degree program is set to shape the future of the restoration industry by addressing the critical need for skilled professionals and preparing the next generation of leaders.

The RIA and KnowHow have recently collaborated to produce a landmark study aimed at assisting all restoration businesses with their business decision making, the “Cost Of Doing Business” survey. The results of the survey have long reaching implications on how all restoration businesses, large or small, can more effectively run their business. Leighton Healey, CEO of KnowHow, and Anthony Nelson, RIA Board Member and Co-Chair of the RIA Independent Pricing Taskforce, as well as  the Member Acquisition Manager & Group Facilitator at PivotMyBiz, join R&R to discuss the roots of the study, the rationale, the results, and of course how this study can help businesses today!This episode is brought to you by:

We introduce this year's Ladder Award winner, and learn all about his professional life and what he likes to do in his free time.

R&R had the pleasure of speaking with Harley Jeanise, Regional Vice President at First Onsite Property Restoration, about how to stay safe amid storms and what it will entail to restore the damage after. 

In this episode of “Ask the Expert” we are joined by Gregg Taylor, chairman and managing partner of GTE Holdings, parent company for Xactly by GTE, specializing in restoration recruiting, and Restoration Sales Force specializing in restoration sales management. We discuss the management of Restoration Industry Sales Reps, and the challenges that surround the management of a restoration sales team and what he is doing to solve those challenges!

In this episode of “Ask the Expert” we are joined by Jeff Milligan, VP of Sales and Strategy at Prism Specialties. We learn all about what Prism offers the restoration industry with its specialty restoration services, and, we learn a cool new way of document drying! Tune in to find out more!

In this week's Ask the Expert, we chat with HVAC Expert Marco Radocaj about the importance of attic inspection during restoration efforts.

Congratulations to this year's winner of Restoration & Remediation magazine's Women in Restoration award, Lori Jones.  In this Ask the Expert interview, she talks about her commitment, and her team's commitment to the statement, “There is no higher purpose than the service to others.”  In the very specialized and sensitive field of forensic restoration, it guides al that they do and embodies her leadership style.

In this episode of Ask the Expert, Eduard Mirzoian, CEO of RESTORERZ Emergency Services, gives a high-level overview of the importance of cultivating a strong company culture and how it directly contributes to customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Tom Yacobellis, founder and national director of DUCTZ, gives an inside look of the construction of the new IICRC S590 Standard.

CEO of American Restoration Dan Tarantin gives us tips on preparing our homes for power outages and the best way to prevent issues pertaining to freezing temperatures!

In this interview, we chat with Tim Fagan, President of Blue Kangaroo Packouts, about the fascinating world of contents restoration, its techniques, and the professionals who bring our treasured belongings back to life. 

Water restoration jobs are in high demand, as they play a crucial role in mitigating the damage caused by water-related disasters such as floods, leaks, and plumbing issues. If you are interested in pursuing a career in water restoration, the tips in this Ask the Expert podcast with CEO of “Get Water Jobs” Frankie Fihn will provide you with valuable insights on the skills required, job opportunities available, and tips to help you succeed in this field.