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.
Total monthly reach
Estimated from 4 chart positions in 4 markets.
By chart position
- 🇺🇸US · Home & Garden#48100K to 300K
- 🇨🇦CA · Home & Garden#1125K to 30K
- 🇲🇽MX · Home & Garden#6310K to 30K
- 🇿🇦ZA · Home & Garden#983K to 10K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
59K to 185K🎙 ~2x weekly·110 episodes·Last published 1w ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
118K to 370K🇺🇸81%🇨🇦8%🇲🇽8%+1 more - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
47K to 148K
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
—
Total Plays
—
Total Reviews
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
Recent episodes
114. What to Clarify Before Building a Custom Home
Jun 17, 2026
17m 13s
113. Best Exterior White Paint Colors (That Are Timeless)
Jun 3, 2026
11m 49s
112. Building a Custom Home on Family Property: Joanne’s Story
May 27, 2026
41m 31s
MVP: 5 Things I Wish I Included in my Custom Floor Plan
May 20, 2026
10m 23s
111. How to Create a Realistic Custom Home Budget Before Meeting a Builder
May 13, 2026
13m 31s
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/17/26 | 114. What to Clarify Before Building a Custom Home | Knowing what to clarify before building a custom home is one of the MOST important things you can do for your budget ... and yet it's one of the most overlooked parts of the entire process. In fact, there's a specific layer of clarity that very few people talk about, even though it's one of the biggest reasons custom home projects go over budget. In this episode, I'm breaking down what it actually means to be "ready" to build, why finish selections impact your budget more than most people rea... | 17m 13s | ||||||
| 6/3/26 | 113. Best Exterior White Paint Colors (That Are Timeless) | If you're trying to nail down the perfect white paint color for your home exterior, this episode is for you. 🙌 I actually created this list for a blog post back in 2020 — and when I went to update it recently, I realized that every single color on that list is still just as popular today as it was six years ago. These aren't trendy whites. They're timeless ones. I actually have one of these white colors all over my own home interior … doors, trim, cabinets, ceilings, built-ins. I've been in m... | 11m 49s | ||||||
| 5/27/26 | 112. Building a Custom Home on Family Property: Joanne’s Story | When Joanne decided to tear down her family's lakefront cottage and rebuild on the same lot, she knew building a custom home on a small, waterfront lot was going to be anything but simple. So she joined BEFORE YOU BUILD℠ because she knew there would be a lot to think through before breaking ground. In this episode she covers: Why she chose to tear down instead of renovatePermitting and building on a lakefront lotDesigning vertically on a small footprint while planning for aging in placeStayin... | 41m 31s | ||||||
| 5/20/26 | MVP: 5 Things I Wish I Included in my Custom Floor Plan | I built my custom home back in 2013, and I genuinely love it. The layout is cozy, functional, and still works perfectly for my family over 12 years later. However, there *are* a few things I'd do differently if I built this house again. In this MVP episode, I'm sharing 5 things I wish I had included in our custom floor plan. Tune in because these are details most people don't think about until after they've moved in, and by then, it's too late. Note: This episode was originally recorded in 20... | 10m 23s | ||||||
| 5/13/26 | 111. How to Create a Realistic Custom Home Budget Before Meeting a Builder | In this episode, I'm answering a question I got from someone in my free on-demand class, and honestly, it was SO good I had to share it with everyone. We're talking about how to create a realistic budget before you ever sit down with a builder — so that when you do get a quote, it actually means something. I walk you through: Why your vision has to come before your numbers (and why skipping this step is so costly)How to identify your true financial comfort zone — not just your ceilingWhat mos... | 13m 31s | ||||||
| 5/6/26 | MVP: 9 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Building a Custom Home | If you're building a home (or planning to build), you're probably worried about the typical things … you know, like staying on budget or making the right design decisions. But guess what? There are MANY other things you might not even realize you NEED to think about until you are already in the thick of building your home. Don't worry ... I've got you covered with a list of 9 things I wish I had known before building a house. Note: This episode was recorded in 2022, but the content is still ... | 11m 23s | ||||||
| 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 your home bui... | 13m 02s | ||||||
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| 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 | ||||||
| 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 | ||||||
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Chart Positions
4 placements across 4 markets.
Chart Positions
4 placements across 4 markets.