Podcasts about renovating

Hello! This is Episode 407. This is Way #7 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we are continuing through Section Two: Sustainable Design Strategies. The ways in Section Two are about the bigger-picture decisions that shape a project from a strategic level, before we get into the detail of specific systems, materials, or construction. Way #7 is Creating an Efficient Structural Design, Collaboratively. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/407] In the last episode, we covered the importance of choosing an aligned team. This episode is about something that your aligned team needs to do together: create a structural design that is genuinely efficient. This Way #7 tends to surprise homeowners, because structural design often feels like something that happens in the background of a project and rarely gets discussed with the client directly. But the decisions made around your home’s structural design have direct consequences for cost, material use, durability and longevity, and consequently, the sustainability of your finished home. Whether those decisions are made in the most efficient way usually comes down to one thing: when and how your designer or architect and structural engineer collaborate and integrate their work. In this episode, I take you through what structural efficiency actually means, why it typically doesn’t happen by default, what collaborative structural design looks like in practice, and the questions worth raising with your own team. As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/407. Now, let's dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/407 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adrienne and Zealous Wiley are US based Palm Springs designers who fell in love with traditional Japanese houses and are living their dream by purchasing and beautifully renovating a 100-year-old machiya (traditional townhouse) in Kyoto, Japan. This live chat with Adrienne and Zealous gives us insights on their design decisions and steps of renovation as what led them to take on this new lifestyle.Their journey buying and fixing up a Japanese house started with @shumatsuopost and his team of experts for finding houses and getting the paperwork done. Zealous made this beautiful website of their renovation journey: https://higashiyama-machiya.com/YouTube & Instagram: @psiminkyoto Machiya Journal on Substack: https://psiminkyoto.substack.com/

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're joined by Ted Coniaris, lead pastor of Community Christian Church in the greater Chicagoland area. After an intentional and extended succession process with founding pastor Dave Ferguson, Ted has stepped into the lead role during a pivotal season for the church. In this conversation, he shares what it looks like to lead through transition, clarify vision, and build a disciple-making ecosystem for the future. A transition built on trust and clarity. // Ted describes a multi-year succession process that included months of private conversations, an 18-month apprenticeship, and a highly visible transition with full support from church leadership. One of the most unique elements was launching a new vision before the transition was complete. While unconventional, this approach created immediate alignment and buy-in across the church. Because the process was prayerful, transparent, and unified, the congregation experienced less anxiety than expected, resulting in what Ted describes as a surprising sense of peace and readiness for what's next. Renovating, not rebuilding. // Ted uses the language of “renovation” to describe the church's next chapter. Community Christian Church has a rich 37-year history of helping people find their way back to God, especially those far from faith. Rather than starting from scratch, Ted is focused on building on that foundation while addressing a critical gap: what happens after people come to faith? This has led to a renewed focus on creating a clear and intentional disciple-making ecosystem. A bold, layered vision for the future. // Ted outlines a four-part vision that builds sequentially: every heart on fire, every person a pastor, every child and student equipped, and every neighborhood a thriving church. This framework begins with spiritual passion—not just participation—emphasizing that people today are searching for something deeper than casual faith. From there, the vision moves toward activating every believer in ministry, taking seriously the priesthood of all believers. The end result is a multiplying movement of disciples impacting communities at scale. Rethinking discipleship through Growth Track. // To support this vision, the church is developing a clear pathway called Growth Track, built around three movements: Alpha, Disciple, and Pastor. The goal is not just information or assimilation, but transformation and activation. Ted emphasizes helping every person identify their calling, answering the question, “Who am I called to reach?” This reframes discipleship from passive participation to active mission. Ancient practices for modern renewal. // One of the more surprising shifts has been a return to ancient spiritual disciplines. Through rhythms like “Ignite Week”—a church-wide season of prayer, fasting, and reflection—Ted is seeing increased spiritual intensity across all age groups. These rhythms create deeper roots than one-time events, shaping both individual lives and the overall culture of the church. A multiplying model through microchurches. // In addition to strengthening internal discipleship, Community Christian is expanding outward through a rapidly growing microchurch movement. With hundreds of microchurches already launched globally, the model focuses on simple, scalable principles: low control, high support, and strong coaching relationships. Rather than centralizing growth in large gatherings, this approach empowers everyday people to lead and reach others in their own contexts—creating the potential for exponential impact. The leader's soul is the strategy. // Ted closes with a powerful reminder: the most important strategy a leader has is their own spiritual health. Passion for God, integrity, and relational support are foundational. Ministry is difficult, but leaders who tend their own spiritual lives and refuse isolation will be better equipped to lead others effectively. To learn more about Community Christian Church, visit communitychristian.org. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Portable Church Your church is doing really well right now, and your leadership team is looking for solutions to keep momentum going! It could be time to start a new location. Maybe you have hesitated in the past few years, but you know it's time to step out in faith again and launch that next location. Portable Church has assembled a bundle of resources to help you leverage your growing momentum into a new location by sending a part of your congregation back to their neighborhood on Mission. This bundle of resources will give you a step-by-step plan to launch that new or next location, and a 5 minute readiness tool that will help you know your church is ready to do it! Click here to watch the free webinar “Launch a New Location in 150 Days or Less” and grab the bundle of resources for your church! Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. Super excited to have you listening in today. GI gotta be totally honest. I asked this person to come on today to have a bit of an update conversation from a conversation we had out just over a year ago. I’m really excited for this because it’s kind of fun to follow along with this story. And this is an area that really is, applies to all of our churches and I want all of us to lean in. And so pay attention, whether you’re cutting your grass or whatever you’re doing for the next 30 minutes, it’s going to be a great conversation.Rich Birch — We’ve got Ted Coniaris with us. He is the lead pastor at a fantastic church, a multi-site church in the greater Chicagoland area called Community Christian. They have, if I’m counting correctly, seven physical locations, as well as micro churches that meet in homes throughout the week and online space, plus community freedom locations, which meet in correctional facilities across the region as well. Ted, welcome to the show. So glad you’re here.Ted Coniaris — Thanks, Rich. Really glad to be here. Great to see you again. We get to cross paths a few times a year, so it’s always great to connect. Appreciate the time.Rich Birch — I appreciate you you taking time to come on and and connect. Friends that are listening in, just kind of bringing you up to speed. We’ll link to the previous episode if you want to go back and and check that. But the last time we talked, you were apprenticing as the lead pastor at Community Christian under Dave Ferguson. And I think that was a year ago. And you you know there’s all the steps. I think you were step three, step four, somewhere in there. Ted Coniaris — Yeah.Rich Birch — And there was this handoff on the horizon. And now we’re on the other side of that. And so that’s part of why I wanted to get you on. Here we are a year later. Let’s talk about those things. You’re still there. So that’s a good thing.Ted Coniaris — I mean, as far as you know, this could be a fake backdrop. Who knows?Rich Birch — Yeah, true this is the… Yeah, so you know what? You were…Ted Coniaris — No, it is true.Rich Birch — It takes a lot of time. Talk to us through, you know, what’s happened since then. Talk us about that transition. Kind of bring us up to speed.Ted Coniaris — Absolutely. So as you said, we went through an 18 month apprenticeship, but before that we had about six, eight, probably eight months of conversations just Dave and I, before we went above ground with elders and everything else, maybe even a little longer than that. So it was quite a long process walking through our apprenticeship process as a church and really wanting to do that at the highest level, just like we do at every level of leadership as a church. Ted Coniaris — So that was an amazing process. Dave is an incredible leader and even better man and somebody that it was a great privilege to spend more and more time with him. He and Sue—his wife—Melissa and I spending time with them, and then John and and Lisa, his brother and his wife. We spent a lot of time together, so it was great. And then since then, May, they’re still around. They’re still a part of our church. Dave is now the CEO of Exponential, spending full time doing that.Ted Coniaris — And John is leading something called the Chicago Collective, which is a network of churches, networks of churches throughout Chicagoland, working to plant more churches, which we desperately need in Chicago area. So if you’re listening, you’re like, man, I’m thinking about planning a church in Chicago. Please reach out to me. I would love to help you do that. We desperately need more more churches here.Ted Coniaris — So since then, it’s been great. Honestly, there’s been so much change, so many things going on, but it’s truly, truly been really, really good. I think I’m tired in the right ways. Rich Birch — Right. Ted Coniaris — I’m probably also tired in some of the wrong ways too… Rich Birch — Right. Ted Coniaris — …but it’s been a great it’s been a great transition.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool. You know, when we you were on last time, you were talking about really stewarding the mission of the future, while also chasing new vision, which is, is at that phase kind of easy to say, you’re like, okay, we’re looking forward to the future. Now you’re in the seat. And it’s like, you got to keep doing that. Now that you’re sitting there.,you know, what’s become clearer for you as you’ve thought about the next chapter and, and, you know, as you think about the future, what are, cause there may be some questions you’re wrestling with as you’re thinking, you know, up over to the horizon. Yeah. What are the things that are, are, are bubbling in your brain on that front?Ted Coniaris — Yeah, great question. I mean, so much has become more clear. But one of the great gifts that I felt like the Lord gave us as a church in this transition on the very front end was a real clarity and unity around our new vision as a church. It’s not so typical to launch a new vision for the church before the transition has even occurred. And I wouldn’t recommend that in other situations, but it just, the way that it went with us, this just felt like what the Lord was leading us to do.Ted Coniaris — So we actually actually launched the new vision for the church while Dave was still the lead pastor. And he stood right there beside me and in full support with our elders and everyone else. And so it was actually unique in that way. But that’s just really been confirmed. Honestly, that’s been one of the biggest things that I am grateful for through this process is just the Lord’s gift of clarity on the front end and just giving me ah real clear direction to run. Ted Coniaris — And I would say too, that there’s a big difference between a transition that’s been prayed over for years. Rich Birch — That’s good. Right, right.Ted Coniaris — It just lands differently than a transition.That’s just like been negotiated in some back room somewhere. You know, it’s like this…Rich Birch — Right. Right. Right. Yeah.Ted Coniaris — This has been prayed through and put above ground and has been a really healthy, visible process that I think resulted in the church just being wide open, saying, yeah, this feels right. This feels good. And we’re in. And so almost it’s like a a sense of exhale that I’ve been experiencing, which has surprised me…Rich Birch — Oh, that’s good.Ted Coniaris — …in the church.Rich Birch — Yeah.Ted Coniaris — I thought there would be more anxiety in the transition. Rich Birch — Right. Ted Coniaris — But there’s really been like a quiet permission-giving that’s happened.Rich Birch — Oh, that’s good.Ted Coniaris — Almost like, you know, just the family knew the transition was healthy so they could just sort of relax into it and say, okay, what’s next?Rich Birch — Right. Right.Ted Coniaris — And in hindsight, what felt a little crazy of launching the vision now feels like if we hadn’t have done that, we would have missed a real amazing opportunity because people were really bought in right from the get-go, which has been great.Rich Birch — Well, and what, yeah, that’s great. And in hindsight, being able to look back at that moment and saying like, no, like, yeah, maybe not the kind of thing that you write in a book and say, that’s the way to do it. But it’s like, we did that. And there’s in hindsight, man, amazing to have kind of both of your endorsements on the future direction. And like, Hey, we’re excited to be going in this direction. There was a mutual support there that ended up accelerating pointing things to the future. That’s incredible. That’s great.Ted Coniaris — Yeah.Rich Birch — Yeah.Ted Coniaris — And so now it’s really…Go ahead. Sorry.Rich Birch — No, you go ahead. You go. Go ahead.Ted Coniaris — Okay. Yeah. Now it’s in the season where it’s how do we take that vision, that sort of north star for the future and building on their 37-year history as a church that’s been so rich and good in and move in this new direction, but also be aligned with our past.Ted Coniaris — You know, it’s not about tradition, but it is about, you know, God has been doing a unique and wonderful thing here that we want to continue in, but also kind of build on what’s next. So I felt like as a church, one of our great strengths as community, and this is really a reflection of Dave and John, is we’re a community where everyone is welcome. Like that that’s without a doubt. Anybody and everybody can walk through these doors and probably tens of thousands of people have over these last 37 years, and found their way back to God. It’s incredible. Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s amazing.Ted Coniaris — I mean, when it comes to that zero to one, those people finding the Lord from a really hard spot, man, God has just used this church in such miraculous and amazing ways for so long. And we want to keep that. Like we love that about this place and just think it’s an amazing amazing strength of this community. But now we want to answer sort of the next question, which is now what? So everyone’s welcome.Rich Birch — Right.Ted Coniaris — Now what? Rich Birch — Right.Ted Coniaris — And so we want to build on that path towards what’s in the future. And the way we’re talking about it here is sort of renovating our disciple-making ecosystem, which is a big mouthful. But you know it’s renovating, and it’s a certainly a lot of you know jargon, but bear with me for a second.Rich Birch — Yeah.Ted Coniaris — You know, we’re renovating because we’re not starting from scratch.Rich Birch — Right.Ted Coniaris — We’ve got a great house, a great church.Rich Birch — Right. Ted Coniaris — Things are great. It’s time for a renovation. And what we’re renovating is a very clear, focused outcome, which is disciple-making. And I think that’s an area where we have not been as strong over the years. It’s like that first part of the journey. And we have a lot of evangelists here and we’re passionate. We want to keep that. But we also want to answer that that: now what? That disciple-making ecosystem. And it’s an ecosystem because not any one thing, this program doesn’t make you a disciple-making church. Rich Birch — Right, right. Ted Coniaris — Or just a good teacher doesn’t make you a disciple-making church. It’s all of these things kind of together create an environment and a path for that to happen. And so we’re just renovating all of those things with the vision, teaching, creating new rhythms as a church, and also creating a, for the first time for us at least, a clear disciple making process, which we’re we’re calling it Growth Track.Ted Coniaris — And a lot of churches use that term. But just trying to say, okay, our vision is to see every person step into their God-given calling to be a pastor. If every person is a pastor, it’s like, what if we actually took the priesthood of believers seriously? Right? And how would that change our disciple-making process if that was the end result? Rich Birch — That’s cool.Ted Coniaris — Right? I think a lot of times we can slip into being really like our disciple-making becomes more about assimilation. Or more about collecting a certain level of information or knowledge or even practice.Rich Birch — Yep. Yep.Ted Coniaris — But we’re trying to have a different output. We want to see people finding their way back to God, which has always been the core of our mission, and then released as pastors in the world and equipped to do that. Ted Coniaris — And so what’s our process for taking someone from a seeker to a pastor. We really didn’t have that. Rich Birch — Right. Ted Coniaris — And so we’re in the process right now of just building all of that out, aligning all of our teams and creating just a clear answer to that, that “now what” question.Rich Birch — Yeah, love that. And, you know, that makes sense for a church of of this age. You know, people have changed, you know, what we used to call seekers or the people that were arriving, they’re different. It’s like the most obvious thing to say, but people are different today than they were 37 years ago when this ball got rolling. Rich Birch — And and what what are some of those early changes that you’ve made to renovate? What are some of those things that that do look a little bit different or are are, you know, kind of pointing in a new direction? Where where what are you learning on that that front?Ted Coniaris — Well, obviously the first one is the new vision, and I’ll just share that really, really quickly.Rich Birch — Yep.Ted Coniaris — But it’s, and they all build on each other. That’s really the the key for us. And while this is unique to Community Christian Church, it’s not a vision that’s unique to Community Christian Church. Like, I think this is really like a biblical thing, but it starts with every heart on fire.Ted Coniaris — And it talks about, when you ask the question about what’s different, I think one of the things that’s really different, people aren’t looking just for a place to blend in the background and be like, oh, this is cool.Rich Birch — Right.Ted Coniaris — You’re cool Jesus followers. I’m cool. We can be cool together. This is cool. That is, that is… Rich Birch — That’s amazing. I love it. Ted Coniaris — That is not what the next generation is looking for. Rich Birch — No.Ted Coniaris — They are looking for fire.Rich Birch — Yeah.Ted Coniaris — They are looking for passion. And rightfully so. Rightfully so. Thank God for that. Rich Birch — Yeah.Ted Coniaris — And so we want to lean into it. We don’t want to be a place where everybody’s buddies with Jesus. We want to create a place where people are consumed by him. Rich Birch — That’s good. Ted Coniaris — Just like the disciples on the road to Emmaus talked about, you know, we’re not our hearts beating or burning within us when they talk with Jesus along the road. That’s that’s the kind of community we want to be, a consumed community. And that’s the starting place for everything else. Everything else. And that’s not just emotionalism. It’s a passion for. It’s it’s a a focus on. Ted Coniaris — The second part, which builds on that, it’s not even worth going to the second part if you don’t do the first thing. The second part is every person a pastor, right? Because if you start with every person a pastor, but the heart’s not on fire, there’s not a passion and a consuming focus, you know, what kind of pastors are you raising, right?Rich Birch — Right, right.Ted Coniaris — It’s not the kind that the world needs. And so it’s every heart fire, then every person a pastor just really taking seriously the priesthood of all believers. I’m not the pastor, you know. You all are the pastors. I function as a pastor in this context, but you function as a pastor in whatever context God has placed you.Ted Coniaris — And if we could do those two things, if we can have every heart and fire and every person released into their God-given calling as a pastor, then maybe we could accomplish the third thing, which is every child and student equipped. Rich Birch — Wow. Yep.Ted Coniaris — Because that’s going to take all hands on deck. What our kids, what my kids, I have 16, 14, and 10-year-old, all boys. So please pray for us. But what what my boys are facing today, it’s like the challenges I faced have been weaponized and placed in the hands of every single kid. And yet our student and youth ministry, our kids and and student ministry, looks almost identical to what it did look like 37 years ago. Why is that? I mean, there’s different strategies, practice in those sort things.Rich Birch — That doesn’t make sense. Yeah.Ted Coniaris — But if you look at like the form even of itself, we’re like, it kind of looks the same. It looks sort of like the youth group I went to as a kid. Rich Birch — Right. Ted Coniaris — And I think we need to be doing a lot more and investing more in the next generation in in relational deep ways. But it can’t happen without every heart and fire and every person being a pastor. And if we can do that, every heart of fire, every person pastor, every child and student equipped, then we can accomplish the Great Commission, right? Rich Birch — Right.Ted Coniaris — And that’s really the last part of the vision, which is every neighborhood a thriving church. Because the way you change the world is by having you know a community of Christ followers, place where Jesus is King, we’re on mission together within arm’s reach of every person on the planet.Ted Coniaris — You know that’s, that’s the plan. And so that’s what we’re targeting and going after. So that’s different. And so for us to do those things, there’s things we’re trying to change and layer in behind that. Really renovating our teaching ministry. We’re kind of going old school. We’re going back through like long series, books of the Bible, just walking through scripture, teaching people the Bible, just like the disciples on that road to Emmaus. You know, that was when Jesus opened the scriptures to them. It’s lit this fire inside of them.Ted Coniaris — I think that’s even more necessary. 37 years ago, basically a Christian culture-ish. Rich Birch — Yep.Ted Coniaris — Today, not so much. Rich Birch — Right. Ted Coniaris — So nobody’s walking through the doors with like this biblical knowledge. They’re walking through the doors with nothing.Rich Birch — That’s so true, yeah.Ted Coniaris — And so, you know, we need to do that. So we’re doing that, creating rhythms in our calendar years. A lot more I could say about that. Spiritual disciplines communally, not just as individuals, feels maybe like a little spin on liturgical calendars of old. Rich Birch — Yep. Ted Coniaris — We’re embracing some of that in a new way for us.Rich Birch — Right.Ted Coniaris — And then this this Growth Track is a big part of that. Rich Birch — Right. Ted Coniaris — And then there’s there’s more beyond that, but that’s just a few of the things.Rich Birch — Dude, I love it. I love I love the how those four layer on. I love the focus. I think it totally just feels right on with where you know culture’s at. Could you unpack a little bit of what you’re doing with Growth Track? What does that look like, that particular tactic in the… You know I think the idea of every person a pastor is a very compelling, that’s like a lean-in, “what did you just say?” kind of thing. Ted Coniaris — Yeah.Rich Birch — And then but what are you, you know, help us, help us understand, you know, a little bit of that, what you’re doing with Growth Track to kind of point towards that.Ted Coniaris — You mean like the mechanics of it or like just the overall strategy?Rich Birch — Yeah. How’s it work? What are you teaching there? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. What, yeah, what’s, what is it?Ted Coniaris — Well, it’s all…Rich Birch — How’s it work?Ted Coniaris — Yeah, we’re getting ready to to launch it all this fall. Rich Birch — Great. Ted Coniaris — And yeah, we’re really excited about it. But essentially, it’s it’s three steps. “One. Life. Go.” is kind of how we talk about the Growth Track. And the first step is tried and true. It’s Alpha. Rich Birch — Yep. Ted Coniaris — I think Alpha is probably the single greatest tool available… Rich Birch — Sure. Sure. Ted Coniaris — …to help you know my friends and neighbors and family find their way back to God. I I love Alpha. I’m running an Alpha right now at an office with a buddy and his partners, all the partners of his business.Rich Birch — Yep. Ted Coniaris — We’re doing Alpha together over lunch. It’s amazing.Rich Birch — Love it.Ted Coniaris — So Alpha is step one.Ted Coniaris — Step two, we call disciple because disciple is both a noun and a verb. It’s who you are and it’s what you do. And so it’s, you know, we’ve used Rooted in the past as a church and Rooted is fantastic. We love Rooted. It’s been helpful to for us. But we felt like there were ways in which we wanted to adjust that to our context a little bit more… Rich Birch — Sure. Ted Coniaris — …and also have an opportunity for people to make a commitment to the church. We don’t do membership, but we do ask people to commit to belonging here. And honestly, I think that’s a big missing step in the overall discipleship of a lot of like churches like ours. Because if you don’t have a commitment, and there’s just kind of growth that happens in your life that only can happen in a committed relationship. And it’s not about you committing to me. It’s really about us committing to each other. And when we do that, it opens the door to a different layer and level of transformation in your own life.Rich Birch — Yeah, I love that.Ted Coniaris — And committing to that unity on the front end is is really important. And so we want to do that. We also do several other things a part of that, but that’s kind of a general idea. Ted Coniaris — And then the third step is pastor. That’s the goal. That’s where we’re going.Rich Birch — Right.Ted Coniaris — It’s also a noun and a verb, right? Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah. Cool.Ted Coniaris — It’s who you are and it’s what you do. Rich Birch — Yeah.Ted Coniaris — And this is designed to do that. So we took some learnings actually from Brian Sanders, and he has something called the Calling Lab. He does the Tampa Underground down in Florida.Ted Coniaris — He’s done some great work on that.Ted Coniaris — And it’s essentially a similar process of triangulating your true sense of calling. We want everybody in our church to be able to say, I exist to help blank find their way back to God. Rich Birch — That’s cool.Ted Coniaris — Like, who are you called to reach?Rich Birch — That’s cool.Ted Coniaris — Because what’s a starting ground for someone to be a pastor? You know, like, is it education? Is it more this, more that? Well, I think the journey of learning and growing and honing your gifting, it has to start with the calling. And I think there are so many people who just, they don’t know how to finish that sentence. Rich Birch — Right.Ted Coniaris — Even if it is your kids or your neighbors or your coworkers, have you really done the work? Have you invested to say, no, these are the people, like names and faces that I’m called to reach. And then I’m released into that context as a pastor. So when I show up to work, I want to show up. I’m the pastor of BMO Harris Bank today because that’s where I work and I’m a teller there.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah.Ted Coniaris — you know I’m the pastor of You know, my neighborhood and in Downers Grove, in my part, my north, you know, little west quadrant there. That’s what I want to show up. That’s what I want our whole church showing up as. Thousands and thousands of pastors released into every arena of life. And so a lot of churches have Growth Track, or something like it. We’re really trying to say, okay, what’s what is the unique thing that that we’re feeling Lord’s calling us to produce here? And that’s it. And so we’ve designed these steps to work together to produce that that thing in us.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s very cool.Ted Coniaris —Hope that’s helpful.Rich Birch — I love that. Oh, it’s super helpful. I love I love what you’re doing there. And that’s thanks for taking the time to unpack that. Rich Birch — Pivoting in a slightly different direction, we were together at Exponential at Dave’s event. And well, it’s not Dave’s event. I understand that. At the Exponential conference. And we were at a breakfast together. And you mentioned about some just kind of in passing some stuff that was going on at the church that was and part of it was some of this around spiritual vitality, you’re seeing that increase.Rich Birch — I’m assuming that some of these, you know, pieces of these puzzles coming together. But then you also talked about the kind of growth of your microchurch, you know, planting movement that’s connected to Community. Could you unpack that a little bit more? Tell us a little bit about, you know, that that, how does that fit into the whole story that God’s writing here?Ted Coniaris — Yeah, I think the spiritual vitality, I’ll start there. The way we talk about it a lot is it just feels like everywhere you go, the spiritual temperature is just increasing. In kids, in students, in adults, our small groups, in our services, it’s just across the board. There’s just like an increased heat or passion around our faith.Ted Coniaris — I think a part of that is is truthfully in a season of transition, there’s always an opportunity to be open to something new. And we’ve been trying to really place our focus on, well, what’s the new thing? Like, how what is the condition of your heart? Are you on fire, truly on fire? I think putting that question, that vision in front of us as a church has been refining – that in and of itself. Ted Coniaris — But we’ve also just seen, I mean, there’s so much I could speak to on this, but one of the things I’m just really excited about is what’s happening with our students right now. We talk a lot about students being the leaders of tomorrow’s church, but I’ll tell you here, they’re the leader of today’s church. Rich Birch — So true. Ted Coniaris — I mean, they are setting a tone with passion and a desire.Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s very true.Ted Coniaris — Like we do our services. I’m at the Yellow Box location, right? It’s our Naperville church here. And teaching here on Sunday. And there’ll be a group of students that will just come and sit on the ground in front of the stage… Rich Birch — Right. Right. Ted Coniaris — …have their Bibles open with their notebook, taking notes. And then during worship, it’s like they’re in the pit of a concert. You know, they’re at the stage, hands up.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, it’s true.Ted Coniaris — And you’ve got a room full of thousands of adults watching this and they’re leading us. Nobody asked them to do it. Nobody told them to do that.Rich Birch — Right.Ted Coniaris — So I think some of it, I point to that. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool.Ted Coniaris — Others other parts of it is we’ve really kind of pushed our chips into the middle on some of the ancient stuff instead of new trendy stuff… Rich Birch — Yeah. Ted Coniaris — …specifically prayer and fasting.Rich Birch — Oh, that’s cool. Tell me more about that. I’d love to hear about that.Ted Coniaris — So yeah, earlier I talked about, you know, we’re embracing the calendar rhythms as a church.Rich Birch — Yep.Ted Coniaris — I really believe that, you know, rhythms are so much more powerful than events because, you know, an event is just a drop in the ocean. But if you can build some rhythms, you could actually build some roots. Rich Birch — That’s cool.Ted Coniaris — And, you know, our most valuable resources, our people, and our most valuable real estate is our calendar. And so we’ve said, you know, three times a year as sort of the calendar turns and that’s sort of the rhythm of our community. There’s sort of three seasons, there’s winter, there’s fall and there’s spring/summer. So to launch those seasons, we do what we now call an Ignite Week where we ask the whole church to commit to a full week of prayer and fasting. Rich Birch — Wow. Very cool.Ted Coniaris — And then we have intentional programming in that week to do like a full spiritual reset to say, okay, God, what are you saying to me right now? For the individual, we have like prayer and fasting guides to help guide people through that experience. For the groups, we do these discipleship conversations where we want everybody in each group to say, okay, what is God saying to me right now? And what am I doing to say yes to him?Ted Coniaris — And then for our locations, we take a break from all of our regular series stuff and we do Hearts on Fire Sunday. And we just say, okay, God, what are you doing here? What are you doing today? What are you doing right now? And it feels very different than our regular Sundays. Ted Coniaris — And then for the church as a whole, all of our locations together, we do what we call our Ignite Gathering on Saturday morning. It’s actually coming up this Saturday. And we just gather the whole church together. And what’s happened in these Ignite Gatherings is really exciting. It feels like a a catalyst for the rest of the church. Rich Birch — Right. Ted Coniaris — It’s like the church we’re going to be a year from now, we get to see in that room on Saturday morning. Rich Birch — That’s very cool.Ted Coniaris — And ah after a week of prayer and fasting, gathering the church together to worship, to break the fast together in communion, it’s it’s powerful. Rich Birch — Yeah.Ted Coniaris — I mean, it is powerful. The environment of that space is so different There’s such a hunger for the Lord and honestly, a true actual physical hunger after all that fasting.Rich Birch — Yes. Yes.Ted Coniaris — But it’s it’s it’s really changing the whole, as I said earlier, this ecosystem of our church. so those are some of the real important you know pieces of that ecosystem. Rich Birch — Oh, I love that. Yeah, I love that. And and um it isn’t isn’t it interesting? So we’re seeing lots of that kind of things or echoes of that across the country where, you know, there’s a there’s been a shift that, you know, we’ll probably understand better five years from now. We’ll look back and we’ll put all the pieces together and understand what God’s doing. But it does appear like, you know, the Spirit’s on the move. They say, what is that? Aslan’s on the move, right? Something is shifting in people. And you know, we’re trying to keep pick keep pick up keep up with it and do what we can to continue to steward what’s here.Rich Birch — And my experience with, you know, our our churches would have similar backgrounds, similar history. You know, we’re a heart for people who don’t, and your church has a heart for people who who don’t follow Jesus. You know, we’re trying to create a space for those folks. But though my experience has been those people are different today than they were 20 years ago. That people are coming much more, it’s like they’re farther along in the process. They’re they’re much more engaged than than um than they have been in the past. And so they’re willing to jump into the deep end of the pool on some of this stuff, maybe even more quickly than our long-term people… Ted Coniaris — Yeah, I think that’s true. Rich Birch — …because of whatever God’s doing in in their life. That’s that’s, yeah, that’s really interesting. That’s a cool thing to, you know, to be a part of, to hear you know a part of that. What about on the microchurch side? What’s happening there?Ted Coniaris — Yeah.Rich Birch — What is that? Yeah, what’s that? What’s happening with that?Ted Coniaris — So during COVID, we just sort of began dipping our toe in the water of starting microchurches under this belief that the macrochurch movement, even megachurch, doesn’t need to be at odds or in conflict with the house church and microchurch movement. Rich Birch — Yep.Ted Coniaris — Like, is there way for us to just see that as one thing instead of competing things, reaching all different kinds of people? And so we’ve just kind of dipped our toe in that. And here we are a few years later. Took us few years kind of figure out what we wanted to do. Rich Birch — Right.Ted Coniaris — We’ve been doing it for about three years now. We have you know somewhere around, i was just texted the guy for the today number because it’s growing so fast, somewhere around 350 microchurches all around the world.Rich Birch — Wow.Ted Coniaris — And it’s it’s a simple, simple, simple strategy where you’re just basically saying anybody in the world, anybody on planet Earth, feeling called the planet Earth or maybe you already have and you don’t know what to do with it. Rich Birch — Right.Ted Coniaris — And what’s interesting is that there are, I don’t know how many people, but there are a lot of people on this Earth. And a lot of people are asking that exact question and they just need someone who’s going to say, we can help you. We can help you.Rich Birch — Interesting.Ted Coniaris — We want to help you do that. We want to coach you, train you, and then set you up with a cohort of others doing the same thing to help you do it in a sustainable fashion. It’s it’s very low investment. It’s very low control, but it’s super high results.Rich Birch — Yeah. Huh.Ted Coniaris — And so it’s it’s sort of a little mind shift because a lot of times we want to have everything controlled. We want to have everybody’s theology statement. We want to have all this stuff. We want to know it’s going to be successful. We want to da-da-da-da-da. It’s like we’re not doing any of that. We obviously do teach some theology, but what we do is just keep like, what are what are these sort of ecclesiological minimums?Rich Birch — Yeah.Ted Coniaris — And how can we just center on those things… Rich Birch — Yeah. Ted Coniaris — …and launch as many people as possible and see what the Lord does? And he’s been doing some remarkable things. And I think you know our world has a giant need. We need to see millions of people find their way back to God. And a lot of us have strategies where the wild success is if we had thousands of people come and find their way back to God over decades.Ted Coniaris — This this is a strategy that could reach millions. Like I think we legitimately can see a network of these and people down the chain will have no idea kind of where it came from and they don’t need to. But I legitimately think in 10 years time, we could easily reach a million people and have a a church of a million people, but not in the traditional sense.Rich Birch — Right. Ted Coniaris — But through this.Rich Birch — Yeah. Well, I love that because, man that’s a great vision to cast. Because you can’t build enough or a big enough yellow box for all of even Chicagoland, right?Rich Birch — Like that’s just not going to, you know, you can’t.Ted Coniaris — Oh, yeah. No.Rich Birch — And and that is a, you know, it’s a just a resource intensive, you know, that’s been my life’s work. I've spent a lot of time on that. it’s not I’m not downing that, friends. Save your cards and letters. I still think that’s a piece of the puzzle. Ted Coniaris — I agree.Rich Birch — But how do we, is there a way for us to, work together to find solutions? How what how does the, I appreciate the, know, we’re not trying to be high control. We’re trying to, you know, we’re not you know we’re trying to really foster something that’s already in happening. We’re going to we’re going to get behind it, do what we can to support it. And we’re not going to try to over control. But I’m going to ask the control question. How do you, what is the kind of level of interaction that you’re, you’re finding is kind of the appropriate, it’s the, you know, not too little, not too much. Where have you found that’s like, hey, this, this is the kind of good sweet spot that that we have found so far with these, you know, 350, you know, microchurches.Ted Coniaris — Are you asking like, what’s the relational rhythm or…Rich Birch — Yeah. What is, yeah. What is the connection? What’s the relational rhythm between, or even connection between community and those 350? Like, are they, how are they, how do they relate to you and your team, your people, your volunteers, and then vice versa? What does that, you know, how does that, what’s that look like? What’s the connection there?Ted Coniaris — Yeah, it’s it’s purely coaching, training and ongoing support.Rich Birch — Yep.Ted Coniaris — And we also make it clear there’s no financial arrangement – them to us or us to them.Rich Birch — Yep.Ted Coniaris — And what we find is that just keeps the relationship very clean.Rich Birch — Right. Yeah, that’s good.Ted Coniaris — We’re here to coach, support, train, launch, walk alongside.Ted Coniaris — It’s a relational currency. Rich Birch — Yeah. Ted Coniaris — And it’s an expertise currency and a material and resource are the currencies. And so that’s really what we’re doing so when it comes to you know what is the relational controls or how do you keep tabs or you know, whatever might be behind the question for us it’s more about that thriving coaching relationship… Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Yeah. Ted Coniaris — …and that this is a journey and you know if somebody is unwilling or unable to connect, I mean, they just go do their own thing. Rich Birch — Yeah. Yeah.Ted Coniaris — And we’re not going to try to stop them. Rich Birch — No. Yeah.Ted Coniaris — You know, we want to be dancing with the people who want to dance. We’re not you know spending our time or energy on that. And so it’s really that that coaching system and network. That’s the key in scaling that coaching system and network is how you reach a million people.Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s amazing. It’s great. That’s a huge vision. I love that. That’s that’s super inspiring. Rich Birch — Well, Ted, this has been a great check-in and lots of good stuff. Just want to encourage you in your leadership at Community. Appreciate what you’re doing there. Thanks for letting us kind of pull back the curtain a little bit and and get a sense in there. Any kind of final words you’d have for leaders that are listening in today? You know, we’ve covered a lot of ground, but anything you know you’d you’d want to kind of remind us just as we close off today’s conversation.Ted Coniaris — Yeah. And you know, the thing that’s just sort of striking me in the moment is just to encourage the pastors who are listening in particular to, to really remember that, that the strategy is your soul. And your own passion and hunger and thirst for the Lord and your integrity and walking that out, that is the key strategy. That is the most important thing. And you can’t do that alone.Ted Coniaris — You know, a lot of times talk about leadership being lonely. I kind of have a different view. I think loneliness is a choice. And I think you can choose not to be lonely. And so I know there are people who feel discouraged and that discouragement leads to isolation and that isolation feels like loneliness and it just becomes this downward spiral. There are different choices you can make to change the direction of that.Ted Coniaris — I know a lot of people are are struggling. The ministry is hard. It’s really hard. But I think that if you can really focus on your passion, your fire, tending your flame with the Lord, it will make the work of ministry lighter. It will make the successes and failures less impactful on you. And to find to find some people who can you can really be vulnerable with, who are sharing the same kind of load that you carry, that would be if I could just say one thing to a group of, you know, 5,000 pastors, that’s probably the thing I would just say right now.Rich Birch — That’s so good.Rich Birch — So good. Well, Ted, I appreciate you coming on today. Where do we want to send people if they want to track with you or with the church? Where do we want to send them online?Ted Coniaris — Communitychristian.org, church website, probably the best place. You can find us on socials and stuff like that. I don’t really do social stuff. It’s not my thing.Rich Birch — Yeah. Yeah.Ted Coniaris — But you could go to the church. You can find all that. So it’s Community Christian Church in the Chicago area, and you’ll find everything.Rich Birch — That’s great. Thanks so much, Ted. Appreciate being here today, sir.Ted Coniaris — Thank you, Rich. Appreciate you too.

Hello! This is Episode 406. This is Way #6 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and the second episode of Section Two: Sustainable Design Strategies. In Episode 405, we covered Way #5: Designing a Smaller, Smarter Home. The case for asking what is enough, and building to that rather than to the status quo that drives a bigger home with more in it. Way #6 is choose an aligned team. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/406] In this episode, we are covering something that will affect every single sustainability decision you make in your project, from the very first design conversation all the way through to the final stages of construction. Way #6 is choosing an aligned team. Teamwork really does make the dream work in any new build or renovation project. But in a project with sustainability goals, I find it can matter significantly. Because the building industry is not universally aligned with sustainability. Building codes and regulations set a minimum floor, and most projects simply meet that minimum. The professionals who go beyond it, who have made sustainable design and construction a genuine area of expertise and commitment, are still only a subset of the industry. And finding them, and knowing how to assess them, takes preparation and know-how so you can find the best fit. In this episode, I take you through why team alignment matters so much in a sustainable project, what alignment looks like in practice and how to recognise it, how to find aligned team members, the questions that can help you assess their genuine capability and commitment, and what to do if you are already working with a team whose priorities do not match yours. As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/406. Now, let's dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/406 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Camilla Jeffs as she shares her journey from early real estate ventures to becoming a business leader. Discover her insights on buying versus building a business, buying a construction company, and building remotely. Camilla highlights the importance of partnerships, client experience, and acquiring financial skills. She also delves into balancing family life with entrepreneurship, involving children in business, and utilizing tax benefits. Learn about her experiences with flood restoration, condo renovations, and selecting trade partners. Camilla's transition to consulting with Cultivate Advisors is discussed, along with advice for young professionals.

Hello! This is Episode 405. This is the first episode of Section Two of the 44 Ways to Create a Sustainable Home series. Section One, which we completed in the last episode, covered the foundational climate and site strategies: orientation, breezes, passive heating and cooling, and climate zones. We are beginning Section Two with Way #5: Design a Smaller, Smarter Home. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/405] Section Two is called Sustainable Design Strategies. This section covers the bigger-picture design and process decisions that make a home more sustainable from a strategic planning and design level, before we get into the detail of specific systems and materials. Interestingly, these decisions can often be the most impactful for your home’s sustainability as well. In my experience, when homeowners are considering sustainability, they’re often thinking of inclusions, upgrades and enhancements to their project. And design-wise, it can be common to be considering how many rooms you want, how much you can get for your budget, and how much functionality you can cram into the home you’re envisaging. However, whether you’re building or renovating, a foundational choice in sustainability can be to simply create a home that has a smaller footprint. And to do this, your project can begin with asking the question: ‘what is enough home for us?’ In this episode, I share the data on what Australian and international homes look like in terms of size, I introduce the concept of sufficiency or ‘enoughness’ as an alternative to the more common conversation about efficiency and sustainability, I give you a practical framework for interrogating your brief before design begins, and I explain why building less can create compounding benefits across sustainability, budget, and quality. As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/405. Now, let's dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/405 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! This is Episode 404. This is Way #4 in the ‘44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home’ series. It’s also the last episode of Section One, which takes you through Designing for Climate and Site. Over the past three episodes in this ‘44 Ways’ series, we have covered orientation, natural ventilation from breezes and protection from harsher winds, and how to design a home to naturally heat and cool itself through passive solar design principles. This Episode will help tie all of that together and give it a specific context for your project. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/404] None of the strategies I’ve discussed so far apply identically everywhere. What works best in a hot and humid tropical climate is different from what works in a cool, elevated climate. And so, the best way to understand which strategies apply most powerfully to where you are building or renovating is to know your climate zone. Because knowing your climate zone is what helps you understand how to utilise these design strategies in a climate responsive way, to make your home more sustainable, comfortable and functional overall. In this episode, I take you through what a climate zone is and why it matters so much, what the main climate types are and how they shape design priorities, how to find your climate zone, and how to use it as a filter when you are making design and specification decisions. As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/404. Now, let's dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/404 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. It will give you an overview of what we’ll be covering in this podcast series. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of LIGHT TALK, The Lumen Brothers and Sister interview Lighting Director and Director of Photography, Bruce Aleksander. Join Bruce, Ellen, Dennis, Steve, and David, as they discuss: Getting started in lighting in the 2nd grade; Theatre summer camp; Finding the way into television studios; Learning by working with the studio crews; "Signing with Cindy"; Renovating studios; Designing the lighting for studio sets with video walls; VIrtual worlds; The evolution of lighting news shows with the changing audience watching habits; Bad remote guest lighting; Does the audience care about bad lighting?; Will virtual anchors care?; The future role of the Lighting Director/Designer; and Advice for young lighting artists.                                                                                         Nothing is Taboo, Nothing is Sacred, and Very Little Makes Sense.

Hello! This is Episode 403. This is Way #3 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series. Over the last two episodes, we have discussed designing for your site’s orientation, and considering how your home is positioned to work with the movement of the sun and prevailing breezes, and how your home is designed to maximise natural ventilation, whilst protecting you from harsher wind events on your site. In this Episode, those two design considerations come together into something larger. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/403] This is where passive solar design becomes a whole-of-home strategy. Where orientation, breezes, shading, thermal mass, and the building envelope work, not as separate decisions, but as an integrated system, designed to keep your home comfortable across the seasons without relying on mechanical or artificial heating and cooling. From a sustainability point of view, understanding your home as a building system is incredibly powerful. And what I consistently find is that, when these principles are applied well, the result is a home that feels different the moment you walk into it, and where you can feel much better and more comfortable, day in and day out. In this episode, I take you through how passive heating and cooling actually works in practice, the role that thermal mass plays in stabilising temperature, how to approach these principles for different climate types, and when mechanical systems are still appropriate and how to approach them intentionally. As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/403. Now, let's dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/403 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. It will give you an overview of what we’ll be covering in this podcast series. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monica Potter joins Steve Kmetko for one of the most emotional and revealing conversations yet on STILL HERE HOLLYWOOD. From starring alongside Robin Williams in Patch Adams, to unforgettable roles in Parenthood, Along Came a Spider, Con Air, and The Last House on the Left, Monica opens up about her remarkable career, motherhood, growing up poor in Cleveland, and the deeply personal lessons she learned from some of Hollywood's most iconic actors. She shares emotional memories of Robin Williams, hilarious stories about Nicolas Cage, heartfelt reflections on Philip Seymour Hoffman, working with Morgan Freeman, and how Hollywood once pressured her to choose career over family. Monica also discusses: Why she hated acting classes Her father's incredible inventions Raising empathetic children Rebuying her childhood home in Cleveland Why she says she's “already canceled” The emotional cost of fame Her connection to nature, healing, and intuition This is one of the rawest, funniest, and most unexpectedly touching episodes of STILL HERE HOLLYWOOD. #StillHereHollywood #MonicaPotter #Parenthood #PatchAdams #RobinWilliams #MorganFreeman #NicolasCage #PhilipSeymourHoffman #SteveKmetko #HollywoodStories #CelebrityInterviews #90sMovies #2000sTV #BehindTheScenes #Cleveland #Hollywood Transcript source:   00:00 Monica Potter remembers Robin Williams 02:04 Intro 03:39 Working with Robin Williams on Patch Adams 05:52 Nicolas Cage stories and on-set laughs 07:04 Philip Seymour Hoffman memories 09:21 Morgan Freeman and driving stunts 11:26 “I'm already canceled” 14:31 Growing up with an inventor father 17:33 Raising empathetic children 18:59 Her father's inventions and the Whiptail lure 23:13 The hardest part of Hollywood 25:00 Why Monica shifted from movies to television 27:33 Reflecting on Robin Williams after his death 28:22 Parenthood and playing a character with cancer 29:33 Why she didn't want her kids acting 32:50 Returning to her Cleveland childhood home 36:33 Buying back the family house 40:00 Renovating her childhood home 41:34 Advice for aspiring actors 45:00 Hollywood pressure and motherhood 47:58 Monica's “secret talents” 50:11 Why acting classes felt wrong to her 53:42 Beauty, modeling, and self-image 55:40 Why soap operas weren't for her 57:48 Her home decor and wellness line 1:00:09 Archaeology, crystals, and camping 1:00:40 Final thoughts and emotional goodbye Show CreditsHost/Producer: Steve KmetkoAll things technical: Justin ZangerleExecutive Producer: Jim LichtensteinMusic by: Brian Sanyshyn https://stillherehollywood.comhttp://patreon.com/stillherehollywoodSuggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.comAdvertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.comPublicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello! This is Episode 402. This is Way #2 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series. In Episode 401 we covered orientation, and understanding how the sun moves across your site and how positioning your home to work with that movement can transform its comfort, help it feel amazing to live in day-to-day, and reduce its energy use and requirements for artificial heating and cooling. In this Episode, we are covering another natural asset that is freely available on your site, and that’s breezes. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/402] Natural ventilation can be one of the most effective, lowest-cost strategies for keeping a home comfortable. And like orientation, it works best when it is designed in from the beginning, because the floor plan layout, window types, and building form all determine how well a home is able to ventilate naturally. In this episode, I’ll take you through why breezes matter so much for both comfort and sustainability, how to understand the specific wind patterns on your site, how to design your home to capture prevailing breezes, and how to protect it from the harsher wind events that may also occur. As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/402. Now, let's dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/402 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. It will give you an overview of what we’ll be covering in this podcast series. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! This is Episode 401. And we are beginning something on the podcast that I’m really looking forward to sharing with you, especially if you’re wanting to build or renovate in a more sustainable way, but feeling curious, confused or even overwhelmed about what that might mean. This is the first episode of a podcast series called ‘44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home’. It’s inspired by my free e-guide of the same name, but in this series here on the podcast, I want to take some time to dive into more detail, actions you can take and ways you can apply this in your new build or renovation project, wherever you’re located. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/401] And the first ‘way’ I’m kicking off with is, for me, what I believe is the single most impactful decision you will make for your home’s sustainability and comfort. In over 30 years in this industry designing residential homes, I believe this way is also available to every one and every project, but only if you know and think about it early and embed it into your project’s design from the start. It’s where I’ve always started my projects, it’s where I teach my HOME Method members to start their home design, whoever they’re working with, and its significance cannot be overstated in how much it can improve the sustainability, functionality, feel and performance of your home overall. We are talking about designing for your site’s orientation. This is about knowing how your existing or new home is or will be positioned on your site or block of land, and how its overall layout is designed to respond to the movement of the sun across your land. All so you can keep your home cool in Summer and warm in Winter, without it costing a fortune in energy bills and artificial heating and cooling, whilst feeling fantastic to be in. In this episode, I take you through what orientation actually means in practical terms, why it belongs at the very top of any sustainability strategy, how to think about the sun’s movement for your site, and how to apply these principles in your project, whether you’re building new or renovating an existing home. As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/401. Now, let's dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/401 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. It will give you an overview of what we’ll be covering in this podcast series. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“It’s not just a job. It’s really a mission, a purpose to be part of something that really does contribute to the rest of the world. It’s healing for people. It’s love for people. It’s Spirit for people.” – Robin Linde Today’s episode is an exciting two-for-one. Robin Linde, Senior Director of Operations – Infrastructure, joins Drew for a video walkabout of Santa Sabina, Hoffman’s new retreat site. A ’97 Hoffman grad, Robin also sits down with Drew for a conversation about her relationship to the Process and to Hoffman.  Robin and Drew After completing her Process, Robin worked for Hoffman for a short time before returning home to Minnesota to care for her aging grandparents. Her time at the Process helped her see that serving the world doesn’t have to be big and flashy. Robin’s service was to be with her grandparents, and ultimately with her grandmother, for ten years after her grandfather died. Upon her grandmother’s death, she returned to the Bay Area and to Hoffman for a second stint. Her timing impeccable, Robin returned to work for Hoffman for the fourth time in 2024. We were ready to renovate our newly acquired Santa Sabina. Someone with the right experience and a deep familiarity with Hoffman was needed to shepherd the renovation. Robin was perfect for the role. We’re excited to share Santa Sabina with you. Walk through Santa Sabina with us and hear some of its history and key features. Then, listen in to hear more of Robin’s story and why working for Hoffman is more of a mission than a job. We hope to welcome you into Santa Sabina one day soon, either for the Process or the Q2, our three-day graduate retreat. https://youtu.be/3tv1vL5qYKA Listen on Apple Podcasts More about Robin Linde Robin Linde is Senior Director of Operations – Infrastructure at the Hoffman Institute Foundation. She oversees retreat site operations across California, Connecticut, and Alberta, Canada. Robin also manages internal operations for Human Resources and IT. Robin brings a diverse professional background and unique operational experience supporting start-up companies and organizations going through periods of significant transition. She served as the primary liaison between Hoffman and the construction project team for the renovation and transition of Santa Sabina Center, overseeing the work from planning through execution and positioning the site for its next chapter of hosting Hoffman programs. More about Santa Sabina: Architect Arthur Constable Mother Raymond O’Connor, OP Nestled in the hills of San Rafael, California, historic Santa Sabina Retreat Center has roots dating back to 1939. It was named after the Basilica of Santa Sabina on the Aventine Hill in Rome, the historic mother church of the Dominican Order. Santa Sabina was designed by architect Arthur Constable for Mother Raymond O’Connor, OP. The architecture is Tudor-Gothic, influenced by the Dominican Monastery at Stoke-on-Trent in England. It originally included a chapel, library, and courtyard garden. It served as a novitiate house of spiritual formation for women joining the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael until 1970. From 1970–2023, Santa Sabina was open to the public for retreats, fostering a space for meditation, reflection, and spiritual growth, serving thousands of guests of a variety of denominations. In 2024, the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael sold the property to the Hoffman Institute. Renovating it into a modern retreat center, Hoffman maintained its historic character, such as the chapel painting by E. Charlton Fortune. Thoughtfully redesigned for the next generation of seekers, the campus features a light-filled classroom, a welcoming dining hall and kitchen, and 47 private bedrooms designed for rest and renewal. In April of 2026, the first Hoffman Process was held in the newly renovated Santa Sabina Retreat Center. The former chapel, now de-sanctified and free of religious iconography, has been transformed into The Sanctuary. Reimagined as a space for Hoffman's non-religious spiritual work, The Sanctuary is where participants gather for reflection, transformation, and connection, a space that holds the essence of Hoffman's mission to nurture healing and awakening. Set on two secluded acres of landscaped grounds, Santa Sabina provides an environment for the Hoffman Process to continue fostering growth, discovery, and profound personal change well into the future. As mentioned in this episode: Dominican University of California Drew and Robin      

Hello! This is Episode 400 - can you believe it? How exciting! And so I want to take the opportunity to celebrate a little, and share something a little different in this episode. Whilst we’ve done more than 400 actual episodes on the podcast, I do believe that hitting Episode 400 officially is a big milestone. That’s over four hundred conversations. Me talking directly to you. Me talking with homeowners at every stage of every kind of project. Talking with architects and designers and builders and specialist consultants and industry professionals of every description. So today I'm not here to teach you a framework or walk you through a process or have a conversation highlighting a specific subject matter. I want to do something a bit different, which is share what I believe I’ve seen over those 400+ conversations, in the hope you find it super helpful, especially if you’re just starting out on your project journey. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/400] My experience as the architect behind Undercover Architect uniquely places me with a front row seat to far more projects and homeowners than being an architect working 1:1 with clients ever did. It’s enabled me to be involved in projects, in homeowners’ thoughts, hopes and fears at a scale I really never anticipated when I started Undercover Architect back in mid 2014. Being your secret ally in Undercover Architect means you share a lot more with me than when I was simply Amelia Lee, the architect working 1:1 with clients. Additionally, my involvement with builders, architects and designers both in Australia and across the world, and the networks I’ve built also with other industry professionals, suppliers and manufacturers, provides me with insights and an intimate understanding of what you, as a homeowner, are really contending with out there as you navigate your projects. The great, the good, the bad and the ugly. And so, with that in mind, I’d love you to consider this Episode the conversation I wish someone had with every homeowner before they started their journey of building or renovating. As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/400. Now, let’s dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/400 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! This is Episode 399, and in it, I’m continuing my conversation with HOME Method members Jan and Landon, who are building a new home and granny flat as a Passive House in Sydney’s north. As a reminder: Jan and Landon are building on a site that has been in Landon’s family for over 70 years. Their new build project has been driven by clear goals around ageing in place, sustainability and lifestyle alignment, and they’ve worked collaboratively with their architect and builder throughout their project, involving their builder during pre-construction as well. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/399] This is Part 2 of the conversation you heard in Episode 398, so if you haven’t listened, you’ll find it at www.undercoverarchitect.com/398. And if you’re new to their story, I’d really encourage you to start at the beginning, because following their journey from the very first episode makes this one even more meaningful. We’ll pop all the links you need in the resources for this episode. In the last episode, we heard all about their construction progress, and how their builder’s prefab wall cassette system put the entire shell of their home up in just five days. In this episode, we kick off the conversation with a reflection on something that’s been really striking to witness, and that’s the sense of calm and confidence Jan and Landon have brought to this project. I ask them directly how they’ve arrived at that place, and what’s helped them trust their own decisions, even when those around them expected them to feel anxious. We talk about where they’re up to with their interior selections. This can be a stage that trips up a lot of homeowners, however Jan has taken a really thoughtful approach here, and it’s a wonderful example of knowing when to wait for more information before committing to a decision. We also cover the delightful surprises that construction has brought, the beautiful relationships that have formed with their architect and builder along the way, and I ask Jan and Landon what they are most proud of, and the advice they’d give to anyone who is right at the beginning of their own project journey. If you haven’t heard the previous instalments of Jan and Landon’s story, you can find them at www.undercoverarchitect.com/338, www.undercoverarchitect.com/339, www.undercoverarchitect.com/367 and www.undercoverarchitect.com/368. Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/399. Now, let’s dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/399 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when designing, renovating or building your future home inside my signature online program, HOME Method >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In This Episode: What happens when a trusted source of information challenges something you've built your entire worldview around? Seryna is mid-certification in somatic psychedelic integration when a single quote stops her in her tracks — and sends her straight to the microphone. In this honest, unscripted solo episode, she unpacks the question she didn't expect to be asking: is personal transformation the same thing as spiritual awakening, or are they genuinely different paths? And more importantly — does it even matter? This episode is about challenging your assumptions, holding your truth without needing to recruit anyone else to it, and what it really means to teach from a place of integrity rather than certainty. What You'll Discover: The quote from Seryna's psychedelic integration training that made her stop everything and hit record The key distinction between personal transformation and spiritual awakening — and the metaphor that makes it click Why willingness may be more powerful than any framework, lineage, or method you could follow Where shadow work lives in relation to both paths — and why it's the place the lines start to blur The responsibility that comes with having a platform, even a small one, and why Seryna is committed to teaching rather than preaching How to receive information that challenges your beliefs without needing to make the other person wrong Episode Highlights: 00:32 - The certification moment that launched this episode 02:15 - Is personal work the same as spiritual transformation? Seryna's honest answer 04:00 - Renovating the house vs. asking who the homeowner is 06:10 - Why willingness matters more than method 07:45 - Shadow work: where personal and spiritual paths start to blur 10:00 - Calling herself out: the assumptions she's been making as a teacher 12:30 - The Kyle Gray retreat and the room that couldn't let him be wrong 16:00 - Your permission slip to hold your truth and let others hold theirs 19:00 - Seryna's invitation: how do you define the distinction? On Assumptions, Frameworks, and Trusting Your Knowing: There's a quote that landed in Seryna's training notes and wouldn't let go: humans are born with an innate capacity to heal from trauma, and healing can become a catalyst for profound personal and spiritual transformation. For most people, that sentence flows right by. For Seryna, it stopped everything — because she realized she'd been treating "personal" and "spiritual" transformation as the same thing, without ever stopping to ask if that was actually true for everyone. The distinction, when she unpacks it, comes down to this: personal transformation is about working on the self — healing patterns, integrating wounds, changing behaviours. Spiritual awakening is about questioning the self doing that work. One is renovating the house. The other is asking who the homeowner even is. And she's clear: neither is deeper or more advanced than the other. They're different in intention and framework, not in value. But here's where it gets really interesting. Seryna argues that willingness — the genuine, uncomfortable, embodied kind — may be the most powerful force in either path. Someone who has never opened a spiritual text but is willing to sit honestly with their own suffering might access something that a seasoned practitioner chasing peak experiences cannot. Because intellectualizing without integration is just another form of bypassing. And then there's shadow work, which is where the lines between personal and spiritual start to blur completely. Surface-level, it begins as personal inquiry. But follow it deep enough — into the exiled emotions, the lineage, the systemic threads — and something much larger starts to crack open. What this episode is really about, though, is what Seryna does next. She doesn't double down. She doesn't dismiss the challenge to her worldview. She sits with it, examines it, and shows up to share the messy middle of that process — not because she's changed her mind, but because her responsibility as a teacher is to be transparent about what she knows to be true without assuming it's true for everyone. That's the teaching underneath the teaching: you can be secure enough in your own knowing that someone else's different truth doesn't threaten yours. Resources Mentioned: Somatic Integration of Psychedelics certification (currently in progress) Energetic Consent — Seryna's upcoming book (final touches in progress) Sacred Anger (previous book) Free Unshakeable Self Starter Kit Continue Your Journey: Deep Dive: Ready for transformational coaching? Apply to work with Seryna Explore In-Person: Energy healing, angel readings, and spiritual guidance at Golden Soul Sanctuary in Nanaimo, BC Join Community: Monthly gatherings and events for local seekers Connect: Follow Seryna on Instagram or Tiktok @serynamyers for inspiration, behind-the-scenes moments, and daily tools for stepping into your power

What if the biggest risk in real estate investing isn't the market, but the way you're thinking about it? In this episode of The Registered Investment Advisor Podcast, host Seth Greene interviews Dwight Dunton, Founder and CEO of Bonaventure, who shares how his career began with a leveraged buyout of a struggling apartment complex and evolved into a multifaceted investment platform focused on disciplined execution and aligned capital. He breaks down the realities of market cycles and debt strategies and explains how investors can avoid costly mistakes while building sustainable wealth through multifamily real estate. Key Takeaways: → Building wealth in multifamily real estate is less about short-term flips and more about holding quality assets that generate consistent, compounding returns over time.   → Using long-term, fixed-rate financing helps investors survive economic downturns and avoid being forced out during market cycles. → Market success is driven less by job growth headlines and more by how many new units are being built. → Making decisions purely for tax benefits can lead to poor outcomes; investments must stand on their own merits first. → Renovating existing properties and improving operations can create strong returns, especially when new development is constrained.   Dwight Dunton is the Founder and CEO of Bonaventure, a respected multifamily investment firm. The company advises family offices and high-net-worth clients on building and preserving long-term wealth through multifamily real estate. Bonaventure focuses on development, investment, management, and tax-advantaged strategies across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.   Connect With Dwight: Website: https://bonaventure.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwightdunton/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this quick solo episode, Axel shares tactical renovation tips for value-add multifamily investors — the kind of on-the-ground, practical guidance that comes from years of buying, renovating, and operating older New England apartment buildings. Whether you're tackling your first value-add deal or refining your renovation playbook on your tenth, these tips are designed to help you maximize rent, reduce vacancy, and build a product that tenants actually want to stay in.Axel covers everything from how to test your market with an over-renovated first unit, to why you should be secretly shopping new construction buildings every quarter, to why a $500 power wash can make a building look like it just got a $20,000 facelift.This episode is ideal for any investor actively executing or planning a value-add renovation — especially those working with older, smaller multifamily assets in supply-constrained markets.Join us as we dive into:Why you should over-renovate one of your early vacant units to test the market before locking in your renovation scope for the whole buildingHow spending an extra $2,000–$3,000 on nicer finishes in that first unit can reveal whether a $75/month rent premium is achievable — and justify upgrading every unit that followsWhy modeling your finishes after what new institutional ground-up developments are doing is the smartest design shortcut available to small operatorsHow to secret-shop new construction buildings quarterly to stay ahead of design trends without hiring an interior designerThe concept of "function keeps folks longer" — and the low-cost upgrades that make a unit meaningfully more livable for tenants day-to-daySpecific functional upgrades: extra kitchen cabinets, bump-out countertops, storage vanities over pedestal sinks, medicine cabinets, closet shelving, and towel hooksWhy investing in bright, inviting common areas and exteriors pays bigger dividends than adding the same dollars to individual unit budgetsThe underrated impact of LED motion-activated lights, light paint colors, and natural light in common hallways on prospective tenant perceptionAre you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedinSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

Hello! This is Episode 398, and in it, I’m speaking with HOME Method members Jan and Landon, who are back to share an incredibly exciting construction update on their passive house new build in Sydney’s north. This is the fifth instalment of Jan and Landon’s journey on the podcast. They’ve been sharing their story with us across Episodes 338, 339, 367 and 368, and if you haven’t heard those yet, I’d really recommend starting there to get the full picture of how this project has come together. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/398] As a quick recap: Jan and Landon are building a new home and granny flat as a Passive House in Sydney’s north, on a site that has been in Landon’s family for over 70 years. They’re both in their 70s and are building with very clear goals, to age in place well, to live sustainably, and to create a home that’s deeply aligned with their values and lifestyle. As retired teachers, they’ve brought a wonderful learning mindset to this project. They joined HOME Method in January 2024 and have used it as a real foundation for their preparation and decision-making all the way through. When we last caught up in Episodes 367 and 368, the project was well into design and the early stages of construction. Now, things have moved very quickly, and the home is actually taking shape before their eyes. Jan and Landon are living on the neighbouring lot to their construction site, so they can quite literally look out the window and watch their home going up. One of the most compelling parts of this episode is hearing about the prefabricated wall cassette system their builder uses, and what that’s looked like in practice on site. In earlier episodes, we introduced this system in concept. Jan and Landon walk us through the reality of it: visiting the panels being built in the factory, seeing the manufacturing drawings that translate the architect’s plans into something that can be precision-built offsite, and watching the entire shell of the house go up in just five days with a crane and a dedicated team. It’s a fascinating, real-world account of what this construction methodology involves, and of how the precision and accuracy embedded in every stage of that process directly supports their passive house goals. Plus, they share loads more helpful insights I know you’ll find super helpful for your project. If you haven’t heard the previous instalments of Jan and Landon’s story, you can find them at www.undercoverarchitect.com/338, www.undercoverarchitect.com/339, www.undercoverarchitect.com/367 and www.undercoverarchitect.com/368. Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/398. Now, let’s dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/398 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when designing, renovating or building your future home inside my signature online program, HOME Method >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we are joined by a designer who has become a fixture on the decor A-List and the AD100, known for her ability to mix classic proportions with a modern, joyful energy. We are thrilled to welcome Young Huh to the podcast! Young sits down with Caroline, Taryn, and Liz to discuss her stunning debut book, A Mood, A Thought, A Feeling: Interiors. She shares the fascinating story of her career pivot from unhappy lawyer to celebrated interior designer, the life-changing epiphany she had at a cocktail party, and why you should always figure out how a room should feel before you worry about what it should look like. Quick Decorating Takeaways: Define the Mood Before the Style: Young believes that trying to articulate your specific decorating "style" can be overwhelming and restrictive. Instead, she starts every project by asking how the homeowner wants to feel in the space. Do you want it to be convivial for entertaining, or quiet and still? Defining the intended mood naturally dictates what elements you should bring into the room. Trust the Bold Choice: While decorating her very first house in Scarsdale, Young decided to take a risk and paint her dining room a traditional, saturated red. That early experiment taught her how enveloping and wonderful color can be, proving that taking a bold design risk is often exactly the right move. It's Never Too Late to Pivot: Before becoming an interior designer, Young went to law school and worked as a lawyer simply to fulfill familial expectations. She reminds listeners that we are constantly evolving creatures, and you should never be afraid to embrace a new adventure or take classes for something you are truly passionate about. What You'll Hear on This Episode: 00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Young Huh 01:19 The inspiration and structure behind her debut book, A Mood, A Thought, A Feeling 03:20 Decorating her first home in Scarsdale and transitioning from apartments to a full house 04:25 The cocktail party epiphany that sparked her career change 04:50 The journey from being an unhappy lawyer to finding her true passion 06:56 What it was like going back to design school with a baby in tow 09:50 Young's early design experiments and the famous red dining room 11:19 Why identifying your desired "mood" is easier than defining your "style" 12:23 Designing living rooms for conviviality and entertaining vs. peaceful stillness Also Mentioned: Book: A Mood, A Thought, A Feeling: Interiors by Young Huh Young Huh Interior Design | Website Follow Young on Instagram: @younghuh Shop Ballard Designs Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it'll automatically download to your phone. Happy Decorating! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello! This is Episode 397, and in it, I’m going to talk about staging your project. Whether you’re building new or renovating, for a range of reasons, you may be thinking you don’t want to do everything all at once. And so, in this episode I’m going to share the things you need to consider, how to avoid mistakes, and what’s involved in getting it right when staging your project. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/397] This follows on from the last podcast, Episode 396, so if you haven't listened to that one yet, I'd recommend starting there. In that episode, I talked about Feasibility Studies at the start of your project, and how to understand your options and gather enough information before committing to a specific direction in your project. The thinking in that episode sets up a lot of what we're covering in this episode about staging, so it’s also worth listening to. Staging can be a smart approach in a project. If you can't do everything at once, or you're planning to live in your home while work is happening around you, or there are parts of your project that are a few years away, for example a pool, a studio, a second stage of renovation, then staging can definitely be a viable path. But staging without a strategic plan is where it can get expensive. And so, I want to make sure you have what you need to approach this in a way that works for you, and doesn’t create problems long-term. As always, if you’d like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to the resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/397. Now, let’s dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/396 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode marks a watershed moment. It's the end of Eric Ludy's sixteen year sermon podcast run and the beginning of something even better. (Drum roll) . . . Eric 2.0! In this episode Eric preps us for the grand adventure that awaits and invites us to join in on all the renovating fun.----------------------» Subscribe to the Eric Ludy Sermon Podcast on your favorite podcast app to get the sermon audios delivered to your device as they release: https://eric-ludy-sermons.captivate.fm/listen» Take these messages deeper and be discipled in person by Eric, Leslie, Nathan, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking Through Difficulty” PDF by going to: https://ellerslie.com/subscribe/» If you have been blessed by Ellerslie, consider partnering with the ministry by donating at: https://ellerslie.com/donate/» Discover more resources, books, and sermons from Eric Ludy by going to: https://ellerslie.com/about-eric-ludy/

What a breath of fresh air. Martha is a tonic! I love her work ethic, her joyful spirit, her vision, community, the power of mindset, and her love of Leitrim. Bain taitneamh as! Extract shining out of it! Grma, a chara Martha! Thank you, friend, Martha :)Ba phleisiúr é caint leat - It was a pleasure to talk to you.Follow her journey and get excellent book recommendations, too! Martha Gilheaney (@marthagiheaney)

Hello! This is Episode 396, and I want to talk about something that comes up at the very beginning of almost every project I hear about. It usually sounds like one of these questions. "Should I add a second storey, or extend out the back?" Or… "Is it worth renovating what we have, or should we just knock it down and build new?" Or… "We've got a blank block - do we go with a volume builder, or work with an architect or designer and do a custom project?" [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/396] And what all of these questions have in common is this: they come from a place of genuinely not knowing which direction to go. There are multiple options on the table. Each of them could potentially work. They can vary in budget and timelines and team structure and approvals. But you don't yet have enough information to choose between them with confidence. And so what a lot of people do - and I completely understand the impulse - is to just pick one. Pick the option that seems most obvious, or most affordable, or the one that someone recommended, and start moving forward. Because forward feels like progress. And staying in that uncomfortable place of not knowing can feel like being stuck. But here's what I've seen happen, again and again. People who make that early decision without doing the groundwork first often find themselves... sometimes months in, sometimes with significant professional fees already spent... discovering that there was a better option they hadn't fully explored. Or a constraint they didn't know about. Or a cost they hadn't factored in. And by that point, going back feels devastating. But pushing forward doesn't feel right either. In this episode, I want to help you avoid that. I want to share a way of thinking about this phase of your project that can genuinely change your experience of it. And I want to give you a clear, practical process for how to navigate this decision-making period... so that when you do commit to a direction, you can do it with real confidence and strategy. As always, if you’d like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to the resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/396. Now, let’s dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/396 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm joined by Maggie Hartnett, the PR Coordinator at McClurg. We dive deep into the world of home transformation and the unique "design-build-remodel" process that has made McClurg a staple in the Central New York community.Renovating a home is a major investment, and Maggie shares her expertise on how a seamless customer experience makes all the difference. We discuss the benefits of having design and construction under one roof, the importance of clear communication during a remodel, and what homeowners should look for when choosing a contractor for high-quality additions, kitchens, and bathroom renovations.If you've been considering a home improvement project or want to understand the logistics behind professional remodeling, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how to turn a vision into a reality. Maggie explains how McClurg manages the complexities of project planning to ensure a stress-free experience for their clients from start to finish.To learn more about Maggie and the team, visit McClurg's website. https://www.mcclurgteam.com/-----Don't forget to follow, rate, and subscribe!----Instagram: @Frothy_Lawson | Twitter: @FrothyLawson---Thank you to this episode's sponsors:Thur13en

Ben and Ashley have made it to the end of the Bachelor Mansion renovations…but not before the contestants’ makeover…what they already did? We’re breaking down the final challenges, and the grand reveal of the Spanish/modern/Mediterranean kitchen! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! This is Episode 395, and this is Part 2 of my conversation with HOME Method member, Tanya, about the renovation of their Melbourne home that they’ve now been enjoying living in for a year, and experiencing the results of their efforts in how it functions and performs. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/395] In the last episode, we heard how Tanya used the Brief Builder inside HOME Method to get really clear on how she and her family wanted to live, and how that helped her confidently choose her team and set her project up for success. If you missed Part 1, you can head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/394 to listen or download the free PDF transcript. In this episode, we dive into what happened next. You’ll hear how that upfront clarity and preparation flowed into their construction phase, and why Tanya describes that part of the project as calm, collaborative and genuinely enjoyable. We talk about how their site meetings were run, the way they managed communication and record keeping during the build, and how front loading their decisions meant they weren’t second guessing things or making stressful choices on the fly. Tanya also shares how they reduced demolition waste by rehoming materials before construction began, and what it’s been like to live in the home now, after a year, and experience the results of all that time, effort and intention. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s actually possible to enjoy your renovation or building project, I think you’re going to find this episode incredibly encouraging and inspiring. Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find all of that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/395 Now, let’s dive in! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/395 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! This is Episode 394, and in it, I’m talking with HOME Method member, Tanya. Tanya lives with her husband and daughter in Melbourne. They worked within the existing footprint of the home of the 100-year-old double brick home, undertaking a renovation that dramatically improves how it feels, functions and performs. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/394] What started as a cold, dark and disconnected house has been transformed into a warm, light-filled and comfortable home that truly supports how their family wants to live. In this episode, you’ll hear about Tanya’s journey through her renovation, and how she approached it in a way that set her up for success from the very beginning. One of the key tools you’ll hear her talk about is their Design Brief. Using the Brief Builder from HOME Method and taking time to fill it out enabled it to be a game changer for her project. By investing the time upfront to get clear on how they wanted to live, Tanya and her partner were able to confidently interview and choose their team, communicate their vision, and keep decisions aligned right throughout the process. It’s a great example of how doing this work early doesn’t slow you down, it actually saves time, reduces stress, and helps you move forward with clarity and confidence. You’ll also hear how Tanya navigated choosing her architect and builder, how she built a collaborative relationship with her team, and how being informed and prepared completely changed her experience of renovating. In fact, her builder, Anthony Hickey from Two Tone Construction, who we had back on the podcast in Episodes 359 and 360, shared how much he loved working with her as an educated and engaged homeowner. This is something I see many people worry might create tension with their project team, but in Tanya’s case, it did the opposite. Something I also really love about this conversation is Tanya’s genuine passion for sharing her story. They had such a positive experience, and Tanya is incredibly generous in wanting others to benefit from what she learned, so they can feel more confident and supported in their own projects too. Whether you’re planning a new build or a renovation, if you’re worried about getting things wrong, feeling overwhelmed, or not knowing where to start, I think you’ll find this episode both reassuring and instructive about how to improve your project experience, and the home you create. Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find all of that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/394 Now, let’s dive in! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/394 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Work with Kevin to get the confidence to build the life you want. - - - - The One with Dan White In this episode, Dan shares his remarkable journey from Hollywood Hills to Holly Hills, revealing the lessons he learned subletting apartments, handling deals in Ferguson, and reinvesting in neighborhoods with steep challenges. Discover how he built resilience through a mindset rooted in faith, community, and relentless action, plus the pivotal moments that forged his success in real estate. 00:00 - Introduction to Dan's journey 02:08 - Early real estate interest 04:42 - Subletting in Hollywood Hills 05:41 - Managing LA rentals 08:00 - Storytelling in negotiations 09:04 - Rebuilding in St. Louis 10:20 - Finding his niche in real estate 12:00 - Renovating and buy-and-hold strategy 16:07 - Investing in Ferguson and North City 17:35 - Building and scaling a team 22:52 - Overcoming challenges with discipline 24:33 - Faith and resilience 26:07 - Defining success moments 40:37 - Leadership in business 44:00 - Cooperation in real estate 50:52 - Focused growth strategies 63:42 - Discipline and habits for success 71:15 - Never giving up on deals 75:50 - Advice for aspiring investors - - - - Kevin is definitely available for more MC and speaking opportunities. Have a group, you'd like him to speak to - Your kid's team? Your team? Your church? Just ask us! New linktree: linktr.ee/kevindairaghi House Buying Website: www.RestoreSTL.com Connect with Kevin Dairaghi! Website: www.kevindairaghi.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kdairaghi Instagram: @thekevindairaghishow Facebook: www.facebook.com/kdairaghi Get free access to some of the tools we talked about at www.kevindairaghi.com/tools You are who you surround yourself with. Join the Tribe! RATE & REVIEW this episode on Apple and Spotify. SHARE this episode with someone who needs it! A huge thank you to our sponsors: Lois Mans with Farmers Insurance - Insurance! ‭(314) 283-1981‬ Greg Mans with Upright Construction - Roofs! (314) 374-1343‬ Adam Droege with CRS Realty - Property Management! (314) 325-8328 Jason Hudson with Red Maples Construction - Turnovers! (314) 312-2147 Nate Tomlin with Tomlin Heating & Air - HVAC! (314) 319-9678 Please reach out to them - they are my real estate team! Tell them Kevin sent ya! Dealmachine Bonus: http://www.dealmachine.com/KDSHOW

UK Dentists: Collect your verifiable CPD for this episode here >>> https://courses.dentistswhoinvest.com/smart-money-members-club———————————————————————Renovating a dental practice can feel like writing cheques into a black hole. Chairs, HVAC, electrics, partitions, compliance work, reception fit-out, lighting, plumbing, fire systems… the invoices stack up fast, and the tax impact is usually treated as an afterthought. We want to change that. Tax relief through capital allowances can turn a big chunk of commercial property and fit-out spend into real cash flow, and when it's done properly it is solid, HMRC-recognised planning rather than anything gimmicky.We're joined by Chris Lonergan from Bonham and Brooke, a specialist team that blends tax, accountancy and quantity surveying to find what many practices miss. We unpack the key categories dentists need to know: structures and buildings allowance (slow, 3% per year) versus plant and machinery allowances (often far faster). Chris shares a real dental fit-out where around £470,000 of £471,000 spend qualified, and explains how that can translate into tens of thousands in corporation tax savings or even a six-figure income tax repayment for the right circumstances.We also get practical on the “who can claim and when” questions: what happens if the property sits in a SIPP, how allowances can be unlocked when you buy from residential use, a charity or a developer, and why leasehold improvements can still qualify because the relief follows the party who paid. Then we finish with the weird but real edge cases that show why itemised invoices and specialist review matter, right down to doors, hinges and functional finishes.———————————————————————Disclaimer: All content on this channel is for education purposes only and does not constitute an investment recommendation or individual financial advice. For that, you should speak to a regulated, independent professional. The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up, so you may get back less than you invest. The views expressed on this channel may no longer be current. The information provided is not a personal recommendation for any particular investment. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and all tax rules may change in the future. If you are unsure about the suitability of an investment, you should speak to a regulated, independent professional. Investment figures quoted refer to simulated past performance and that past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results/performance.Send us Fan Mail

 Interested in the laundry industry? Learn Alex Bloom's tips for going from an industry newbie to a multi-store industry expert in under 3 years. Also learn the truth behind some of laundry's newest technologies such as touchscreen, ProCapture, SanOWash Ozone, and the Presso - do they really work and do they help your bottom line?? Referenced Links: Our Sponsors: H-M Company Drain Troughs: https://www.draintroughs.com Alliance Laundry Systems: https://go.huebsch.com/LM-HU-Newsletter-March26 Cents & LaundroWorks Systems: https://www.trycents.com/ LaundroBoost: https://laundroboostmarketing.comOur Guest: Alex Bloom:https://www.facebook.com/WashWorkslaundromatshttps://www.washworksma.com/TikTok: @cashcycleOur Website: https://www.laundromatmillionaire.comOur Online Course: https://dave-menz.mykajabi.com/sales-pageOur Youtube channel: https://youtube.com/c/LaundromatMillionaireOur Podcast: https://laundromatmillionaire.com/podcast/Our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laundromatmillionaire/Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/laundromatmillionaireOur LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-laundromat-millionaire-menz/Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laundromatmillionaire/Our laundromats: https://www.queencitylaundry.comOur pick-up and delivery laundry services: https://www.queencitylaundry.com/deliveryOur WDF & Delivery Workshop: https://laundromatmillionaire.com/pick-up-delivery-workshop/Suggested Services Page: https://www.laundromatmillionaire.com/servicesWDF & Delivery Dynamics: A Complete Business Blueprint: https://laundromatmillionaire.com/wdf-delivery-dynamics-a-business-blueprint/The Laundromat Millionaire Insurance Program: https://laundromatmillionaire.com/insurance/Daniels Equipment: https://danielsequipment.com/SanoWash Ozone: https://www.aquawingozone.com/ProCapture: https://speedqueencommercial.com/en-us/procapture/Episode with Craig Madson – ProCapture: https://youtu.be/0zbp5xwruBECurbside Conference: https://www.curbsidelaundries.com/conference/Curbside Software: https://www.curbsidelaundries.com/Speed Queen Machines & Payments: https://speedqueencommercial.com/en-us/Episode with sanowash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uba2xsLJh_ETimestamps 00:00 Episode 117 Intro – Alex Bloom & Curbside 2026 Conference02:14 Alex's Entrepreneurial Journey10:22 The Benefits of a 103111:07 Finding the Right Distributor12:50 Finding the Right Location15:46 What a Top Distributor Does 18:37 Finding the Second Location22:26 Finding a Third Location23:51 Negotiating the Deal25:49 Investing in Community and Business Growth26:38 Not All Customers Want Coinless27:46 Incentivizing App Usage28:58 Business Models, Machines and Layouts30:26 Strategies for Unattended Stores32:16 Benefits of ProCapture34:42 Wash-Dry-Fold and Delivery - Adding Software36:10 Renovating the 3rd Location42:00 Payment System43:47 Third Location Business Model44:11 Benefits of Municipal Power46:01 Navigating Partnerships in Business49:14 Innovations in Laundry Technology: Ozone and Pressing Machines54:56 Presso - Adding Dry Cleaning Services1:00:00 Speech at Curbside 20261:01:49 Advice for New Laundromat Owners01:04:43 Contact Info and Final Thoughts 

Hello! This is Episode 393, and in this episode, I want to talk about one of the most common and most misleading phrases I hear homeowners use when they’re planning work on their home. And it’s this: “We’re just doing a small renovation.” [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/393] Now, I understand why people say it. Usually, what they mean is that they’re not doing a full new build, they’re not taking on a huge extension, they’re not redesigning the whole house, or they’re only touching one part of the home rather than everything at once. So the phrase can sound logical enough. And it can feel accurate in comparison to some other, much bigger project. But here’s the problem. That phrase, “small renovation”, often creates a whole set of assumptions that can be super deceptive. It can make you think the work will be straightforward, that the process will be simpler, that the risks are lower, that you do not need much documentation or planning, and that you can largely sort it out as you go, keeping yourself on hand to help navigate decisions and timing. And what I see again and again is that this framing can get homeowners into trouble, because what they are calling “small” is often still complex, expensive, disruptive, and deeply connected to how the home functions overall. So in this episode, I want to bust that myth open. I want to help you think more clearly about what a small renovation actually is, why “small” does not automatically mean simple, why these projects can become surprisingly chaotic, and why even modest work in your home still benefits enormously from strategy, sequence, and proper preparation. As always, if you’d like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to the resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/393. Now, let’s dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/393 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most property investors don't have a strategy. They think they do.   But buying a property is not a strategy. Renovating is not a strategy.   Chasing a hotspot is definitely not a strategy.   Today, Brett Warren, National Director of Property at Metropole and I explain the difference between buying a property and having a strategic property plan.   We'll also discuss when value-add strategies like renovations and developments actually make sense, and when they're a dangerous distraction.   Takeaways   ·        Strategic planning for wealth beats just buying an investment property. ·        Set clear, achievable long-term goals and reverse-engineer your property journey. ·        Use buffers and structured financing. ·        Avoid risky property flipping strategies. ·        Implement value-add strategies wisely. ·        A sequenced approach is vital for growing your asset base. ·        Ongoing planning and mentorship are crucial.   Links and Resources:   Answer this week's trivia question here- www.PropertyTrivia.com.au ·         Win a hard copy of How To Grow A Multi-Million Dollar Property Portfolio In Your Spare Time. ·          Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report.   Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au    Get the team at Metropole to help build your personal Strategic Property Plan. Click here and have a chat with us     Brett Warren - National Director of Property at Metropole     Michael Yardney – Subscribe to my Property Update newsletter here   Join Brett Warren and Michael Yardney, plus a team of experts, at Wealth Retreat 2026 on the Gold Coast in May. Find out more about it here and register your interest www.wealthretreat.com.au It's Australia's premier event for successful investors and business people.   Also, please subscribe to my other podcast Demographics Decoded with Simon Kuestenmacher – just look for Demographics Decoded wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future.   About The Michael Yardney Podcast | Property Investment And Wealth Creation  Australia   The Michael Yardney Podcast is one of Australia's leading property investment podcasts, helping investors understand the Australian property market and build long-term wealth through strategic property investing.   Each week we explore: • Australian property market updates• Property investment strategies in Australia• Melbourne property market trends• Sydney property market forecasts• Brisbane property investment opportunities• Capital growth property strategies• Property cycles in Australia• Negative gearing and tax strategy• Interest rates and their impact on property• Buyer's agent insights and investment planning   If you're serious about building a high-performance property portfolio and creating financial freedom through real estate, this podcast will give you the clarity and strategy you need.   Learn more at:https://propertyupdate.com.auhttps://metropole.com.au

Michael Coxen shares how faith, purpose, and a disciplined buy-and-hold mindset can reshape the way investors pursue financial freedom while building a life that is both successful and meaningful.See article: https://www.unitedstatesrealestateinvestor.com/rising-from-rock-bottom-to-purpose-driven-success-with-michael-coxen/(00:00) - Introduction to The REI Agent Podcast and Guest Michael Coxen(01:35) - Michael Coxen's Background as a Las Vegas Broker and Entrepreneur(03:20) - Early Interest in Real Estate and Influence of Entrepreneurial Family(05:05) - Moving to Las Vegas and Launching a Wedding Invitation Business(07:10) - Buying Their First Home During the Housing Market Downturn(09:00) - The Flip In Strategy and Renovating a Home While Living in It(11:05) - Entering Real Estate Sales and Building a Network Through the Wedding Industry(13:10) - The Power of Mentorship and Joining a Real Estate Team(15:05) - Building a Sphere of Influence and Long-Term Client Relationships(17:10) - CRM Systems, Consistent Follow Up, and Marketing to Past Clients(19:05) - Communication Strategies Including Calls, Texts, Social Media, and Gifts(21:00) - Modern Communication Preferences and the Strategic Use of Voicemail(22:40) - Meeting Clients Where They Are and Personalizing Relationships(24:05) - Michael's Health Crisis and the Consequences of Entrepreneurial Burnout(27:05) - Living With Ulcerative Colitis and Hitting Physical Rock Bottom(30:00) - Recovery Through Holistic Health, Mindset Work, and Self Awareness(33:00) - The Role of Affirmations, Meditation, and Positive Mental Programming(35:15) - Applying Mindfulness and Emotional Control in Real Estate Business(37:15) - Confidence, Client Boundaries, and Professional Respect in Sales(39:00) - Overcoming Fear, Burnout, and Addiction to the Hustle(40:45) - Golden Nuggets: Calendar Blocking, Health Priorities, and Journaling(42:00) - Book Recommendation: Die With Zero and Living for Experiences(43:20) - Where to Follow Michael Coxen and Closing Remarks(44:27) - Final Outro and Podcast DisclaimerContact Michael Coxenhttps://www.michaelcoxen.com/https://www.coxengroup.com/https://www.facebook.com/michaelcoxenhttps://www.instagram.com/michaelcoxen/https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcoxen/https://www.youtube.com/@michaelcoxenIf Michael Coxen's story showed you anything today, it is that success means nothing if it costs you your purpose. Build wealth that strengthens your faith, your family, and your future, and when you are ready to take the next step in your journey, visit https://reiagent.comIs success destroying your peace? Most pros grind until they break. Download The Investor's Life Balance Sheet: A Holistic Wealth Audit to see if you are building a legacy or heading for burnout. Presented by The REI Agent Podcast & United States Real Estate Investor® https://sendfox.com/lp/m4jrl

Hello, this is Episode 392, and this is Part 2 of my conversation with HOME Method member, Michael, about his recently completed new build in regional Western Australia. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/392] In the last episode, we spoke about the journey from lock up through to handover, the detailing decisions, and what it’s been like to finally move in and live in the home after more than five years of planning and building. If you want to catch up on Part 1, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/391. And is the third instalment we’ve had from Michael about his project. You can catch previous updates in Episodes 323 and 324, discussing earlier parts of the project. And then Episode 347 and 348, where Michael discussed documentation, approvals, pricing, contracts and commencing construction. Check out those episodes to hear loads of helpful insights and information. In this episode, we talk about the stress of construction - or in Michael’s case, the lack of it. We unpack how selecting the right designer and builder created a collaborative environment rather than an adversarial one. And we explore the role that preparation and education played in building his confidence as a homeowner. Michael also shares the details of how their original external solar sunshading evolved during construction, what they learned about winter sun angles and summer heat, and the very real tension between performance, aesthetics, durability and budget. If you’re trying to balance eaves, hoods, louvres, waterproofing and cost, it’ll be useful to hear how Michael and his team have navigated this. We talk about the completion of the workshop and studio, a part of the project that was initially going to be staged, and why Michael decided to proceed and have it finished in tandem with the home. And finally, Michael reflects on what he would say to someone earlier in their project. His advice about design time, questioning assumptions, understanding your budget, and sticking fast to what matters most will be super helpful to hear. Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find it plus other helpful links by to www.undercoverarchitect.com/392. Now, let’s dive in! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/392 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I speak with artist, curator, and author Barbara Benish about her book ArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia — a hopeful, timely memoir about artistic resistance, creative community, and rebuilding culture after totalitarianism.In This Episode:[0:12] Host Pam Uzzell introduces the episode, reflecting on fear of communist countries during the Cold War and how that connects to today's political climate in the US[2:34] Introduction to Barbara Benish's book ArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia and why it feels especially relevant now[3:49] Barbara describes her memoir — from leaving California as a young artist to integrating into Cold War Czechoslovakia, working with underground artists, and eventually founding a rural arts center[6:14] Growing up in Southern California with Czech immigrant heritage, witnessing the Soviet invasion of Prague in 1968, and losing connection to the Czech language[7:42] Crossing the Iron Curtain as a young American backpacker — navigating fear, border crossings, and Cold War propaganda[10:41] Connecting with dissident artists in Prague — serendipity, secret networks, and the surveillance state[12:08] Life under the secret police — being followed, bugged venues, and how artists developed coded communication to resist oppression[13:53] Barbara's frustration with the commercialization of art in 1980s Los Angeles and what drew her to the underground art scene in Czechoslovakia[15:14] The Art Dialogue exchange — bringing together LA and Czech artists during the Cold War and the challenges of mounting a cross-cultural exhibition under an authoritarian regime[16:57] The Velvet Revolution of 1989 — why it's also called the Artist Revolution, the role of playwright-turned-president Václav Havel, and lessons from The Power of the Powerless for democracy today[21:47] Buying the Červený Mlýn (Red Mill) in rural Bohemia — a $17,000 ruin, a leap of faith, and the beginning of a new life[26:28] Renovating the mill, building a rural arts community, and the reality behind the romance[27:46] ArtMill today — artist residencies, children's programs, university study abroad, and regenerative creativity in rural Central Europe[29:12] Art as sustainability — how creative practice connects to environmental stewardship, indigenous ways of knowing, and regenerative living[34:42] What today's political resistance in the US has in common with Cold War Czechoslovakia — and what comes after resistance[38:45] Barbara reads a moving passage from ArtMill about climate, beauty, dignity, and hope for future generations[40:35] Where to find Barbara Benish, upcoming California readings, and how to get the bookResources & Links:Barbara Benish's website: barbarabenish.comArtMill: A Story of Sustainable Creativity in Bohemia — published by New Village Press, distributed by NYUArt Heals All Wounds Podcast: arthealsallwoundspodcast.com

Hello, this is Episode 391, and in this episode, I’m welcoming back HOME Method member, Michael, to share an update on his new build journey. Now the home is complete, and they’ve been enjoying it for a few months, he has lots to share about the build experience, completion and landscaping, and enjoying the finished home. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/391] This is the third instalment we’ve had from Michael about his project. You can catch previous updates in Episodes 323 and 324, discussing earlier parts of the project. And then Episode 347 and 348, where Michael discussed documentation, approvals, pricing, contracts and commencing construction. Check out those episodes to hear loads of helpful insights and information. When Michael last joined me on the podcast, his roof was on, the home was about to be clad, and his separate workshop hadn’t yet begun. Fast forward to now, and the home reached handover in August 2025. He and his wife have been settling in, shaping the landscaping themselves, refining the details, and actually living in the spaces they spent more than five years planning and building. Michael’s project is a beautifully considered pavilion style home in regional Western Australia. It’s oriented to maximise northern sun, carefully detailed for performance in its climate zone, and designed as a long term transition home as he and his wife step towards retirement from farming. In this conversation, we talk about what unfolded between lock up and handover. The logistics of trades. The unexpected delay with tiling. The coordination of finishes. What surprised him once they moved in. And those small decisions, particularly around lighting and services, that only truly reveal themselves once you’re living in the home. We also dive into landscaping on a sloping site, reusing soil during construction, working with topography rather than fighting it, and how collaboration with a builder and trades can shape not just the outcome, but the experience of the build itself. Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find it plus other helpful links by to www.undercoverarchitect.com/391. Now, let’s dive in! LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/391 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! This is Episode 390, and I want to give you a framework that will help you understand why you can feel so unsure as you navigate the world of renovating and building. And frankly, it applies any time you tackle something new. If you’ve got 47 browser tabs open, a Notes app full of screenshots, and a partner who is sick of hearing “I don’t know, I just need to think about it”, this episode is for you. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/390] Because here’s what I see all the time. Homeowners are not struggling because they are incapable. They are struggling because they are learning a whole new world, a whole new industry, while the consequences feel expensive, personal, and irreversible. You are trying to make decisions about layouts, contracts, drawings, selections, builders, budgets, timelines, and regulations. Often while living your very full, demanding, everyday life. Often while feeling like you are meant to already know how this works. So when you hesitate, when you go quiet, when you avoid the email, when you freeze in front of a quote, you make it mean you’re not doing it right. But most of the time, it’s not a motivation or confidence issue. It’s the stage you’re in. It’s what naturally happens when you’re taking on something new and complex, and the stakes feel high. In this episode, I’m going to walk you through a simple framework called the Four Stages of Competence, so you can see exactly where you are in the learning curve of your project. And once you can name the stage, you can stop judging yourself for it, and start using the right strategy for what you actually need next. As always, if you’d like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to the resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/390. Now, let’s dive in! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/390 Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/ Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Renovating two rental properties, while working two jobs, all in your twenties. Flo Jacques took it on so she could replace her $35,000/year college admissions salary—and it was so worth it. The first year after graduating college, at age 22, Flo decided she was done being a renter. With just $15,000 down, she bought her first home to live in. But being an investor? That wouldn't come until 2024—arguably one of the hardest housing markets in recent history. When she saw a panel on investing in real estate (and started having literal dreams about owning rentals), she knew it was time. The first investment property? A $70,000 neglected house in need of a big rehab and in a flood zone. What could go wrong? If that wasn't enough, Flo then—midway through the rehab—decided to buy another rental to renovate—a duplex. She was managing two rental renovations while working two jobs. But now, Flo has some strong cash flow she created. Flo learned a lot, especially since she's only in her twenties, but she is already on to the next deal: a flip with six-figure profit potential. In today's show, Flo shares why she took the leap, the lessons she learned managing two renovations at once, a sure sign to fire your contractor, and why her new goal is one of the biggest we've ever heard. In This Episode We Cover How to renovate rental properties the right way (Flo made the mistakes for you) Why you're not too young or inexperienced to take on your first real estate deal One sign you should fire your contractor (they will start to price gouge you) Hard money loans explained, and whether you should use this financing on your next rental renovation  New rules of thumb Flo always follows when renovating a house  Stuck in analysis paralysis? Why it's time to take action and start investing  And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BiggerPockets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-1243 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertise@biggerpockets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Uploft Interior Design Podcast, I share how I'm fully in hibernation mode thanks to freezing temperatures and Olympic binge-watching, while also being completely glued to social media for updates on the shocking Nancy Guthrie case. Between juggling sick family members and recording late at night, I dive into listener Kassidi's design questions, starting with updates to her living room—where I praise her larger rug and new additions but caution against using formal art lights over casual canvas prints, urging her instead to add more functional lighting and better surface space. I then walk her through smart rug placement in her small entryway and long hallway, recommending a properly sized runner and a practical, patterned entry rug. Finally, I advise her on updating her in-laws' bathroom, suggesting they paint the existing trim and doors and upgrade hardware rather than partially replacing doors or trim, focusing on improvements that deliver the most impact for resale and overall cohesion. Timestamps: 00:00 – Winter hibernation updates, Olympics & pop culture buzz 08:45 – Living room progress & larger rug win from listener Kassidi 14:30 – Why art lights don't fit casual canvas prints 19:10 – Adding lamps & functional surfaces 24:40 – Entryway Rug & Hallway Runner sizing tips 33:15 – Bathroom door & trim upgrade advice Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Uploft.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AffordableInteriorDesign.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your design questions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be featured on the show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a Premium Member⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and access the bonus episodes Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to become an interior designer with Uploft's Interior Design Academy. Get Betsy's book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠betsyhelmuth.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠For more about our residential interior design services, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ModernInteriorDesign.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For our commercial interior design services, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OfficeInteriorDesign.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@uploftinteriordesign⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/UploftIntDes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@uploftinteriordesign⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/uploft-interior-design⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoy the show, please spread the word and leave a review on iTunes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul speaks on the importance of renewing our minds. To renew something can also mean to renovate. In discipleship it is vital to be constantly renewing and renovating

Hello! And welcome to Episode 389. Once a project starts to feel real, money often becomes the loudest voice in the room. This episode is about pausing before you spend, and understanding how early financial decisions shape not just what you can build, but how stressful, efficient and satisfying your project experience actually is. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/389] Many homeowners believe the smartest move is to hold onto every dollar until construction begins. To save hard, minimise early spend, and assume the real costs only start once building is underway. That belief makes sense. This is a significant financial investment, and it’s natural for that to feel confronting, even overwhelming. But what we’re going to talk about in this episode is that why, when, and where you spend matters just as much as how much. And how early, intentional investment can often save you far more money, stress and regret later on. Before we begin, I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live and work, the Widjabul Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung Nation. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and I honour their ongoing connection to land, culture and community. It’s Amelia Lee here, founder and architect behind Undercover Architect, an online education platform that teaches homeowners how to get it right when designing, building or renovating their home, simply and with confidence, wherever you’re located and whoever you’re working with. Undercover Architect is your secret ally. Not here to tell you what to spend or how much. This is about helping you understand how money behaves in a project, where it creates leverage, and how to avoid spending reactively or under pressure - and especially how to avoid costly financial blowouts and regretful, expensive mistakes. This episode is part of the Start Here Mini-Sodes Series, designed to help you pause at critical moments, challenge common assumptions, and make decisions that support both your future home and your future self. Now you’ve seen how a project really unfolds through four phases in Episode 385, you’ve learned what to do before you begin designing anything in Episode 386, and you now know what to do before talking with builders, architects and designers in Episode 387 and your research is now focussed on what’s helpful thanks to Episode 388… In this episode, we’re talking about money. Not budgeting spreadsheets or exact figures, but the mindset shifts that help you spend with intention rather than fear. So let’s dive into Part 5 of the Start Here series, Before You Spend Your Money. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, plus a full transcript, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/389 The Get Started Guide Mini-Course If you’re at the very beginning and want help orienting yourself without feeling overwhelmed, my mini-course, The Get Started Guide will help you understand the first meaningful steps for any project, and where to focus your energy before you get lost. PROJECT 101 Self-Study Online Course If you’re still orienting yourself, and want to understand how cost, time, team, design and you all interact in a project, PROJECT 101 is designed to be digested quickly, and provide you with a great, early foundation. HOME Method Online Program If you want guidance and support right through all four phases of your project, with the structure, tools and personalised help to navigate complexity, manage risk and avoid costly mistakes, HOME Method provides that ongoing support. It’s a small investment that will help you save you time, stress and money well beyond its upfront cost. Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's the latest on some high-profile construction projects President Donald Trump has taken on and answers about his new choice to serve as Fed chairman.

Here's the latest on some high-profile construction projects President Donald Trump has taken on and answers about his new choice to serve as Fed chairman.

Hello! And welcome to Episode 388. Once you’ve decided that you really are going to renovate or build, something shifts. The dreaming phase starts to give way to planning, and the stakes begin to feel real. It’s often at this moment that research ramps up. Podcasts, articles, social media, saved folders, screenshots, notes. It can feel like the most responsible thing to do. To educate yourself thoroughly so you do not miss anything or make a costly mistake. This episode is not about doing less research. It is about understanding when research is actually helping you move forward, and when it quietly becomes a way to delay decisions, avoid commitment, or feel productive without making progress. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/388] If you have ever thought, “I just need to learn a bit more before I commit,” or felt like you should absorb everything before taking the next step, you are not alone. I hear this all the time from homeowners who genuinely want to get it right. I’ve felt it myself too. As an avid learner myself, it can feel incredibly productive to be consuming useful information, but if it’s preventing you from progressing, you’re using research as a hiding place, and not the empowering tool it can be. Before we begin, I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live and work, the Widjabul Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung Nation. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and I honour their ongoing connection to land, culture and community. It’s Amelia Lee here, founder and architect behind Undercover Architect, an online education platform that teaches homeowners how to get it right when designing, building or renovating their home, simply and with confidence, wherever you’re located and whoever you’re working with. Undercover Architect is your secret ally. Not here to overwhelm you with information, or suggest that consuming more content automatically leads to better decisions. This is about helping you understand what to focus on, what can wait, and how to use information in a way that genuinely supports your project. This episode is part of the Start Here Mini-Sodes Series, designed to help you pause at key moments, challenge unhelpful assumptions, and move forward with clarity rather than confusion. Now you’ve seen how a project really unfolds through four phases in Episode 385, you’ve learned what to do before you begin designing anything in Episode 386, and you now know what to do before talking with builders, architects and designers in Episode 387… In this episode, we are talking about research. How to recognise when it is building capability, and when it is pulling you into a rabbit-hole that feels responsible but leaves you stuck. So let’s dive into Part 4 of the Start Here series, Before You Dive Down a Research Rabbit-Hole. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, plus a full transcript, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/388 The Get Started Guide Mini-Course If you’re at the very beginning and want help orienting yourself without feeling overwhelmed, my mini-course, The Get Started Guide will help you understand the first meaningful steps for any project, and where to focus your energy before you get lost. PROJECT 101 Self-Study Online Course If you want a broader foundation across cost, time, team, design and you, PROJECT 101 helps you understand how these five factors interact, so you can make informed decisions before committing too far. HOME Method Online Program If you want guidance and support through all four phases of your project, with a clear structure, practical tools, and help applying what you learn to your specific situation, HOME Method provides the system, resources and community to support you every step of the way. It’s the most comprehensive and supportive way to navigate your project confidently, helping you take empowered action towards that home you’re dreaming of. Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! This is Episode 387. At some point early in a project, many homeowners often reach the same conclusion: “If I can just find the right designer or the right builder, everything will fall into place.” This episode is about gently unpacking that belief, and understanding why choosing the right people matters far less than how and when you engage them. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/387] If you’ve been feeling unsure about who to talk to first, worried about making the wrong call, or hoping that the right professional will simply take the lead and guide you, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common pressure points I see at the start of projects. Before we begin, I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live and work, the Widjabul Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung Nation. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and I honour their ongoing connection to land, culture and community. It’s Amelia Lee here, founder and architect behind Undercover Architect, an online education platform that teaches homeowners how to get it right when designing, building or renovating their home, simply and with confidence, wherever you’re located and whoever you’re working with. Undercover Architect is your secret ally. Not here to tell you who to hire, or to suggest that one type of professional holds all the answers. This is about helping you understand the process, ask better questions, and engage professionals in a way that keeps you informed, confident, and in control of your decisions. This episode is part of the ‘Start Here’ Mini-Sode Series, designed to challenge unhelpful assumptions and help you focus on what actually matters first, before momentum or fear shapes your project for you. Now you’ve seen how a project really unfolds through its four phases in Episode 385, and what to do before you begin designing anything in Episode 386… In this episode, we’re talking about what to have in place before you speak with builders, architects or designers, and why informed preparation plays a far bigger role in your outcomes than simply finding the “right” person ever will. So let’s dive into Part 3 of the Start Here series, Before You Talk to Builders, Architects or Designers. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, plus a full transcript, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/387 Choose Your Builder Mini-Course If choosing and engaging the right builder feels like your immediate challenge, my mini-course ‘Choose Your Builder’ will help you understand how to assess fit, ask the right questions, and avoid costly missteps when selecting and working with a builder. PROJECT 101 Self-Study Online Course If you’re still working out whether building or renovating is the right move, PROJECT 101 breaks down the five factors that shape every project. You’ll learn about cost, time, team, design and you, so you can see how a project really works and move forward with confidence rather than guesswork. HOME Method Online Program If you want guidance and support across all four phases of your project, HOME Method provides the structure, tools and personalised support to help you navigate complexity, manage risk and avoid costly mistakes. Inside HOME Method, you’ll find step-by-step guidance, practical resources, research and interview checklists for your team, and access to our UA Army. This is a community of architects, designers, builders and other consultants who align with Undercover Architect’s approach to doing projects well. HOME Method is designed for homeowners who want to feel informed, supported and confident at every stage, with architectural guidance and a like-minded community with you every step of the way. Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! And welcome to Episode 386. So often I see homeowners, excited about their project, instinctively moving straight into design. This episode is about slowing that moment down, and understanding why the work you do before you design has such a big influence on what is created - whoever you’re working with and even if you’re DIYing your design. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/386] The urgency to start working on design drawings usually comes from a mix of excitement and fear. Excitement about finally seeing something take shape, and fear that if you wait, costs will rise, opportunities will disappear, or you’ll somehow fall behind. But it is important to gently challenge the assumption that drawing plans is the best or most productive way to respond to that urgency. Before we begin, I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I live and work, the Widjabul Wia-bal people of the Bundjalung Nation. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and I honour their ongoing connection to land, culture and community. It’s Amelia Lee here, founder and architect behind Undercover Architect, an online education platform that teaches homeowners how to get it right when designing, building or renovating their home, simply and with confidence, wherever you’re located and whoever you’re working with. Undercover Architect is your secret ally. Not here to tell you what your home should look like, or to push an aesthetic, finish, or product. This is about helping you understand the process, ask better questions, avoid stressful and expensive mistakes, and make clear, informed decisions that are right for you and your project. This episode is part of the Start Here Mini-Sodes Series, designed to eliminate assumptions, gently challenge unhelpful beliefs, and help you focus on what actually matters first, before momentum and excitement carry you too far ahead. Now that you understand the four phases every project steps through from what was shared in Episode 385… In this episode, we’re talking about the thinking that needs to happen before anything is drawn. Because design doesn’t start with creativity. It starts with clarity. Without clarity, drawings can feel reassuring, but they often give a false sense of progress. They look like decisions, but they’re shaped by assumptions that haven’t yet been tested. So let’s dive into Part 2 of the Start Here series, ‘Before You Design Anything’. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, plus a full transcript, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/386 Happy Home Design Mini-Course If you’re getting confused by how to create a home design that genuinely supports the way you want to live and that also suits your site, my mini-course, ‘Happy Home Design’ will help you with early design thinking and investigation. HOME Method Online Program If you want guidance and support right through all four phases of your project, providing you with the steps, tools, resources and personalised help to navigate complexity, manage risk and avoid costly mistakes, then HOME Method is where you’ll find the community, coaching and education to support you every step of the way. Also included in HOME Method are my much-loved Room Notes, capturing 30+ years of design experience across hundreds and hundreds of homes, and sharing the key design strategies, recommended dimensions and architectural insights so your home design suits you now and into the future. Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode we talk with Dakota Adelphia about a YouTube project she took part in called, “The Enemies Project”. Are you a new instructor… or maybe a seasoned pro looking to grow your business? Then listen up! The Instructor Alliance is where like-minded instructors come together to learn, connect, and succeed. You'll get real support from your peers, fresh ideas from other pros, and the tools to build the business you want — no matter where you are in your journey. Every week, you can jump into polls, answer engaging questions, and join our private professional chat room — where you can ask anything and get answers from quality instructors who have your back. Start your 7-day free trial today… then use promo code FTP15 for 15% off your monthly membership. Check it out right now at InstructorsAlliance.com — Learn. Grow. Succeed. Together! What is your one unknown talent? Renovating small house in San Diego with husband.    Home renovation and interior design Where can instructors find out more information YouTube Video about Enemy Project AgirlAndAGun.org Armed Defense Solutions GunOwnersRadio.com Check out all of our episodes at: https://podcasts.concealedcarry.com/the-firearm-trainers-podcast/Email comments, topic suggestions, or questions to us at FTP@ConcealedCarry.comFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firearmtrainerspodcast/ Remember we bring you this podcast to support the industry, the second amendment, and most importantly every firearm instructor in America that dedicates time and energy into making gun owners more knowledgeable. #FirearmTrainerPodcast #FirearmTrainerAssociation #FTAProtect #InstructorsAllianceThe post The Enemies Project first appeared on The Firearm Trainer Podcast.

For the final episode of 2025, Andy Johnson is joined by Jason Meersman, golf course superintendent at The Patterson Club in Fairfield, CT. As part of our superintendent series, Andy and Jason discuss the club's ongoing renovation and the importance of preserving its history while also adding new-age enhancements to the course.