Insights from recent episode analysis
Audience Interest
Podcast Focus
Publishing Consistency
Platform Reach
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Est. Listeners
Based on iTunes & Spotify (publisher stats).
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
10,001 - 25,000 - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
25,001 - 75,000 - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
15,001 - 40,000
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
—
Total Plays
—
Total Reviews
—
* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
Recent episodes
110. How to Prioritize Your Home Build Budget
Apr 29, 2026
13m 21s
109. Where to Splurge and Save When Building a Custom Home
Apr 15, 2026
13m 46s
108. How to Avoid Custom Home Exterior Regrets
Apr 1, 2026
15m 44s
107. Overwhelmed Building a Home? You’re Going to Be Okay!
Mar 25, 2026
13m 02s
106. Common Floor Plan Mistakes to Avoid
Mar 11, 2026
13m 00s
Social Links & Contact
Official channels & resources
Official Website
Login
RSS Feed
Login
| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/29/26 | 110. How to Prioritize Your Home Build Budget | Going over budget when building a custom home isn't inevitable. It does happen often, but it is NOT inevitable. One of the biggest causes is not knowing how to prioritize your home build budget. In this episode, I'm talking about one of the most important things you can do before you break ground … and that is to get crystal clear on YOUR family's priorities so you know exactly where to splurge and save throughout your entire build. I'm sharing the simple two-part framework I use with my clie... | 13m 21s | ||||||
| 4/15/26 | 109. Where to Splurge and Save When Building a Custom Home | Going over budget is one of the biggest fears I hear from people building a custom home. But here's what I want you to know … It is possible to build within, or very close to, your budget. It all comes down to knowing where YOU should splurge and where YOU should save when building. In this episode, I break down my simple two-rule framework for deciding where to splurge and save when building. I also share some of the best areas (in general) to invest and cut back … and why a generic li... | 13m 46s | ||||||
| 4/1/26 | 108. How to Avoid Custom Home Exterior Regrets | Have you ever driven past a house and thought, something just looks off — but you couldn't quite put your finger on it? I see it all the time. And it's not just on low-cost homes … I see it on multi-million-dollar homes too. It's not a budget problem. It's a gap in the design process that SO many people miss completely. In this episode, I'm breaking down why some custom home exteriors end up looking awkward, and the one simple thing that prevents it. I'm also sharing my own personal story — i... | 15m 44s | ||||||
| 3/25/26 | 107. Overwhelmed Building a Home? You’re Going to Be Okay! | Feeling overwhelmed just thinking about building a home is one of the most common things I hear from people planning a custom build. And, honestly, it makes complete sense. You're making hundreds of high-stakes decisions you've never had to make before, on a timeline that's largely outside of your control, with A LOT of money on the line. In this episode, I'm sharing what I've been learning from my business coach about balance — and why every single principle applies directly to you... | 13m 02s | ||||||
| 3/11/26 | 106. Common Floor Plan Mistakes to Avoid | After auditing 300+ floor plans, I can tell you this: the same mistakes keep showing up. And they're not dramatic design flaws — they're subtle oversights that are easy to miss on paper but noticeable every single day once you're living in your home. In episode 106, I'm sharing the four most common floor plan patterns I see that lead to daily frustration and regrets — so you can catch them before construction begins. EPISODE → carolineondesign.com/common-floor-plan-mistakes FREE FLOOR PLAN WO... | 13m 00s | ||||||
| 3/4/26 | 105. Rising Construction Costs: Is Now the Right Time to Build? | If you're planning on building a custom home, rising construction costs are likely scaring you a little bit … and I totally get that! You might be wondering … Should we wait? Will prices come down? Will next year be a better time to build? These are completely normal thoughts, and you're not alone. But here's what most people don't fully think through … construction costs rarely drop in a meaningful, lasting way. So instead of asking yourself, "Will it be cheaper to build if we wait?", ... | 12m 55s | ||||||
| 2/18/26 | 104. 9 Tips for Designing a Functional Kitchen | After living in my custom home for 12+ years, I've learned exactly what makes a kitchen truly functional versus just pretty. In this episode, I'm sharing 9 tips for designing a functional kitchen, including: Why you need at least 42" of walking space around your islandThe placement trick that makes everyday tasks so much easierWhy a butler's pantry and coffee bar are at the TOP of my list for my next homeTwo things I'd change about my current kitchen after 12+ yearsThe most beautiful kitchen ... | 15m 09s | ||||||
| 2/11/26 | 103. 4 Things I Would Change if I Built My Home Again | Clients and podcast listeners ask me the same question over and over: "What would YOU change if you built your home again?" After living in my custom home for almost 13 years (and now planning my NEXT build), I've really been thinking about my answer to this question. I don't have any regrets, but there ARE some tweaks I would make. In this episode, I'm sharing four things I'd change if I built again, and four things I would NEVER change. We cover: Why separate primary closets are at the TOP ... | 14m 09s | ||||||
| 2/4/26 | 102. What You Need to Know Before Building a Custom Home! | Wondering what you need to know before building a custom home? In this episode, I'm answering the most common questions I hear from first-time custom home builders—the practical stuff you need to know BEFORE you start. You'll learn what the first step actually is (hint: it's NOT interviewing builders!), why you need a crystal clear vision before you ever get a quote, when the right time to start planning is (way earlier than you think!), and the two BIG mistakes that almost always lead to bud... | 12m 48s | ||||||
| 1/28/26 | 101. First-Time Custom Home Build Advice From a Real Family! | First-time custom home build advice from a REAL family who just moved into their brand new home. Patrick and Jessica share their real experience going through BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ and how this program helped them build with confidence. In this episode, we cover: How they vetted and found their amazing custom home builderHow they designed for how THEIR family actually lives Why you don't need to be a design expert to make great home decisionsWhat mattered most to THEIR family How ... | 44m 39s | ||||||
Want analysis for the episodes below?Free for Pro Submit a request, we'll have your selected episodes analyzed within an hour. Free, at no cost to you, for Pro users. | |||||||||
| 1/21/26 | 100. Why Custom Homes Go Over Budget (+ How to Avoid This!) | Nine out of ten custom homes go over budget. 😳 If you're wondering WHY, this episode will show you exactly what's happening—and how to avoid it. I'm breaking down the real reasons most builds go 10-20% (or more!) over budget. You'll learn why that initial builder quote is NOT what your home will actually cost, the exact moment most people start blowing their budget (before construction even starts!), and what the 1 in 10 who stay on budget do differently. Plus, I'm sharing Mare's story—... | 12m 31s | ||||||
| 1/14/26 | 099. 3 Critical Questions to Ask Home Builders Before You Sign | Choosing the right builder can make or break your entire home-building experience, so you want to be SURE you're choosing the RIGHT builder. In this episode, I'm sharing the three most important questions to ask home builders during interviews. These aren't the typical questions you'll find online. These are the questions that will save you time, stress, and thousands of dollars. You'll learn exactly what to listen for in their answers, how to spot red flags, and the one step most people skip... | 11m 57s | ||||||
| 1/7/26 | 098. Building a Home in 2026? Ask Yourself This First! | Building a home in 2026? There's ONE question you need to ask yourself that will reveal whether you're truly ready—or just winging it. In this episode, I'm breaking down the difference between "planning" (aka browsing Pinterest) and ACTUALLY being prepared for your build. You'll hear a real example from clients who showed up so prepared that their builder and electrician were blown away. Plus, I'm sharing what strategic planning actually looks like—it's way simpler than you think and way more... | 14m 26s | ||||||
| 12/3/25 | 097. How to Visualize Furniture in Your Floor Plan (+ Spoak Review) | You might think your floor plan is done once the room sizes are sketched out. But here's what most first-time builders don't realize ... you can't really know if those dimensions work until you see how your actual furniture fits in each space. In this episode, I'm sharing a tool I discovered (and tested with my own money) that helps you visualize furniture in your floor plan before you build. We'll talk through why this step matters so much, how to make layout decisions with confidence ... | 19m 42s | ||||||
| 11/19/25 | 096. Custom Home Planning: Use Your Next Gathering as Free Research | The next time you host (or attend) a gathering (whether it's Thanksgiving next week 😉, a birthday party, or just family visiting for the weekend), you're sitting on free research for your custom home planning. In this episode, I'm showing you how to turn those hosting moments into valuable insights about what you actually need in your future home. You'll learn: The specific questions to ask yourself while hosting (or visiting someone else's home)What to observe about kitchen layout, tra... | 14m 06s | ||||||
| 11/5/25 | 095. Lighting and Electrical Planning with Jenn Smith | Planning to build a custom home? Lighting and electrical planning is one of the most important (and most overlooked) parts of the design process. And here's the thing ... it's not something you can figure out "later." It needs to happen before your electrician shows up on site and your walls go up. In this episode, I'm talking to Jenn Smith, a licensed residential architect with over 20 years of experience helping families navigate the custom home process. Jenn specializes in one of the most ... | 48m 28s | ||||||
| 10/22/25 | 094. The Real Reason People Blow Their Home Build Budget (+ How Not To!) | Building a custom home? You've probably heard this advice: "Whatever your builder quotes you, expect to pay 30 to 35 percent more." Here's the truth: going over budget is NOT inevitable. In this episode, I'm breaking down the real reason people blow their home build budget and showing you exactly how to avoid this happening to you. Spoiler alert: it has very little to do with unpredictable construction costs and everything to do with clarity. I'll walk you through why vague planning leads to ... | 13m 07s | ||||||
| 10/1/25 | 093. My Honest DesignShop Review | Curious what DesignShop IS ... and if it's worth it for your custom home build? In this episode, I'm sharing my honest review after ordering 13 different material samples – countertops, tile, cabinet hardware, wallpaper, and more. I'll walk you through what I ordered, how much I spent, the sample quality, and whether DesignShop can actually help you make confident design decisions before you build. In this episode, you'll learn: What DesignShop is and how it worksThe real cost of ordering sam... | 18m 43s | ||||||
| 9/17/25 | 092. 3 Home Build Budget Busters That Cost Thousands! (+ How to Avoid Them) | Are you worried about going over budget on your custom home build? You're not alone—but what if I told you budget overruns aren't inevitable? In this episode, I'm sharing the 3 biggest budget busters that cost home builders TENS OF THOUSANDS in overages (we're talking $15K-$50K+ mistakes!), plus my proven system to avoid them completely. If you're tired of hearing "just expect to go 20% over budget" and want to build your dream home WITHOUT the financial stress, this episode is for you! Ready... | 16m 47s | ||||||
| 8/20/25 | 091. Building a Custom Home With Your Spouse (Without Killing Each Other!) | Building a custom home with your spouse doesn't have to be stressful or dramatic. It can actually bring you closer together ... and I'm sharing exactly how to make that happen. Learn the simple strategy that helped me get along great with my husband throughout our build and has helped hundreds of my clients build their dream homes without the drama. Spoiler alert ... you don't need to agree on everything – you just need to respect what matters most to each other. We'll cover: ✅ Why building t... | 15m 17s | ||||||
| 7/30/25 | 090. The #1 Question Before Planning Your Custom Home | Planning your custom home? Before you dive into Pinterest boards and floor plans, there's one crucial question that will determine whether you truly love your home for decades to come. In this episode, I'm sharing the most important consideration when planning your custom home ... and it's probably not what you think! I'll explain why location matters more than design decisions, how to evaluate potential properties, and the real cost of getting this wrong. Plus, I'm sharing my own current loc... | 12m 04s | ||||||
| 7/16/25 | 089. Custom Home Must-Haves (Ignore the Generic Lists!) | Okay, real talk. Those generic "must-have" lists all over Pinterest and home-building blogs set you up to build a house that might have some cool features, but most likely won't even work for YOUR family's lifestyle. In this episode, I'm spilling the truth about why there are NO universal must-haves when building a custom home, and I'm sharing the four questions that'll help you figure out what YOUR family actually needs (spoiler: it's probably way different than what those lists tell you). W... | 14m 25s | ||||||
| 7/2/25 | 088. The #1 Custom Home Building Mistake That Could Cost You Thousands | Building your first custom home should be exciting, but there's one massive mistake I see first-time builders make over and over again ... and it's costing them thousands of dollars and major regrets on move-in day. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what this critical mistake is and how you can completely avoid it with the right planning process. You'll learn: The biggest custom home building mistake that sets everything else up for failureWhy having Pinterest boards isn't the same a... | 11m 14s | ||||||
| 6/4/25 | 087. How Construction Loans Work: A Beginner's Guide | Feeling confused about construction loans? You're definitely not alone... and you're not the only one who finds this part of home building overwhelming. In this episode, I'm breaking down how construction loans actually work so you can approach this part of your build with confidence instead of confusion. Understanding construction loans is crucial to avoiding costly surprises and timeline issues that could derail your build. We'll cover: ✅ How construction loans work (and why they're d... | 16m 41s | ||||||
| 5/21/25 | 086. Draftsperson vs. Architect: What’s the Difference? | Not sure whether to hire an architect or a draftsperson for your custom home build? You’re not alone ... and you’re definitely not the only one confused by this decision. In this episode, I’m breaking down the real differences between an architect and a draftsperson so you can make the smartest choice for your project, your budget, and your design needs. Whether you’re looking to save money or you want a one-of-a-kind design, understanding your options is key to building a home you’ll love fo... | 12m 01s | ||||||
Showing 25 of 111
Sponsor Intelligence
Sign in to see which brands sponsor this podcast, their ad offers, and promo codes.
Chart Positions
2 placements across 2 markets.
Chart Positions
2 placements across 2 markets.

