Levelheads

From building NHL arenas and the National Air & Space Museum to running one of Chicagoland's premier remodeling companies—how does a builder make that transition? This week on the Levelheads Podcast, Chad Mease of Redstart Construction shares the systems, leadership lessons, and hard-earned mistakes that helped him build a business capable of managing 30+ projects at a time. If you're a builder looking to grow, scale, or simply survive this industry, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Listen now.

In this episode, we sit down with CJ Nielsen, owner of CNC Electric and a Build Show contributor, to dive deep into the realities of running a high-end electrical contracting business in today’s custom home market. CJ shares his journey from starting in the trades at 17 to building a respected boutique electrical company in Northern California. We get into everything—from wildfire rebuild booms and scaling a subcontracting business, to hiring and training the right people, and why attitude often beats experience in the trades. We also unpack the real challenges behind custom home construction: Why early collaboration between builders and trades is critical The growing complexity of lighting design, controls, and smart home integration The fine line between craftsmanship and running a profitable business And the constant balancing act of staying busy without overcommitting CJ brings a candid, boots-on-the-ground perspective about what it actually takes to deliver high-quality work while navigating schedules, demanding clients, and evolving technology like Lutron lighting systems. If you're a builder, subcontractor, or anyone serious about high-performance homes, this episode is packed with real-world insight, lessons learned the hard way, and a few strong opinions on how to do it right. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Levelheads episode without some laughs—stick around for the rapid-fire “This or That” segment at the end.

What do you get when you mix zero software, a yellow legal pad, 1,000 pushups a day, and a guy who’s been building monster custom homes since the 1970s? You get Paul Taylor. In this episode, we finally nail down the hardest man in construction to schedule (seriously—it only took a year). Paul breaks down how he builds some of the largest, cleanest custom homes in California without superintendents, office staff, or apps—just experience, discipline, and an almost unreasonable level of standards. We talk: Why Paul refuses to use construction software (and somehow still beats everyone’s schedules) How growing up poor, starting in 6th grade, and learning every trade shaped his no-BS approach Running multi-million-dollar projects solo while serving 30 years in the military The infamous mutiny that made him fire everyone and rebuild his company leaner than ever Why crooked lights, sloppy work, and “good enough” don’t exist in his world And yes… the This or That questions get absolutely unhinged If you want motivation, perspective, and a reminder that mastery still matters—this one hits hard. Huge thanks to our sponsors for supporting the show: Andersen Windows – when precision and performance actually matter Ressio Project Management Software – for builders who do like staying organized Purezawood Flooring – craftsmanship that holds up to Paul Taylor standards Hit play. Just don’t expect excuses, shortcuts, or sleep.

After about a year and a half of chasing him—and thanks to some brutal Midwest weather—we finally got Kyle Stumpenhorst of RR Buildings on the Levelheads Podcast. Kyle went from IT desk job to building massive post-frame shops, then accidentally built one of the biggest construction channels on the internet (1.8M YouTube subscribers 👀). We talk about how barns became content, why post-frame beats remodels, the real truth about making money on YouTube, burnout in the trades, and why Kyle still straps on a tool belt every single day. We also get into his brand-new RR Buildings tool belt, bad sponsorship offers, life in the cold, and wrap it all up with a wildly unhinged This or That segment involving chickens, orangutans, and questionable life choices. 🔥 GIVEAWAY ALERTTo celebrate the episode drop, The Levelheads are giving away an RR Buildings tool belt on Instagram. Keep an eye on our feed for how to enter. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.#LevelheadsPodcast #CustomHomeBuilders #ConstructionLife #NoFluff #BuilderTalk #HomeBuilders #ContractorProblems Special thanks to our podcast sponsors @andersen_windows , @purezawood & @ressiosoftware • Hosts:Zane EllisJamie Verdura Mike Conneely

On this episode of the Levelheads Podcast, Mike, Jamie, and Zane sit down with the man brave enough to manage job sites and Zane — the legendary Fred Trainer of F.E. Trainer Construction. What begins as a conversation about building a powerhouse construction company quickly turns into a masterclass in leadership, growth, and why scaling too fast feels like fighting an orangutan with a broadsword once a year. Fred breaks down how he went from a two-man crew to a fifty-person operation, while Mike questions all his life choices, Jamie keeps stirring things up, and Zane quietly prays he still has a job when it’s over. It’s insightful, it’s unfiltered, and it’s way funnier than a construction podcast has any right to be. If you want real talk about growth wrapped in pure chaos, this episode is for you.

What do project management software, AI agents, and three butt cheeks have in common? This episode of The Levelheads Podcast. This episode we’re joined by Mitchell Kasselman, CEO and co-founder of Ressio Software—the fast-rising project management tool shaking up the building world. Mitchell breaks down his startup journey, the headaches with field adoption, and how AI “agents” might soon handle the busywork for builders. We cover growth, innovation, and even some laugh-out-loud “this or that” questions (including three butt cheeks). Packed with insights and banter, this one’s not to be missed.

This week, Mike drops a HUGE announcement about joining the Build Show Network — and we get the inside scoop on what that means for his future (and for seeing more of his face online). We swap hilarious stories about Cousin Johnny, including why the internet’s obsessed with him and whether we can finally get him out of his “content closet.” Plus, we talk Grappa-fueled misadventures, behind-the-scenes in custom homebuilding, crazy 20-something work stories from Australia, and how scaling a business can change your life. It’s part big news, part comedy, and part masterclass in building — you don’t want to miss this one.

This week we have Jeff Sweenor, founder and owner of Sweenor Builders in Rhode Island. We get into a bunch of topics like cycling, growing a company, This Old House and how Jeff bought a masonry company because he coulndt afford to lose them to another builders job for 6 months! Check it out! 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.#LevelheadsPodcast #CustomHomeBuilders #ConstructionLife #NoFluff #BuilderTalk #HomeBuilders #ContractorProblems Special thanks to our podcast sponsors @andersen_windows & @purezawood • Hosts:Zane EllisJamie Verdura Mike Conneely

Hosted by Zane Ellis, Jamie Verdura, and Mike Conneely, The Levelheads is the podcast for custom home builders who are sick of the BS. Zane’s had more knee surgeries than he has patience for business coaches, Jamie’s allergic to fluff, and Mike’s got no time for clunky construction management software that doesn’t get the job done. Together, they tackle the real challenges of building high-end custom homes—without pretending there’s a one-size-fits-all solution. If you’re tired of being pitched “the next big thing” and just want straight talk from guys who actually build, you’re in the right place.

This week we have Lisa McNealy a commercial broker in Knoxville TN that also operated in Scottsdale AZ. We talk about selling businesses, cadavers, basketball, and more. We get into how Lisa thrives in a male dominated industry and how her strong personality is an asset when competing with the "good ol' boys" in the business. We also find out how she got the title Miss USA. Listen in!

For the first podcast in 2025 Jamie, Zane & Mike welcome Nick Sandifer from Sandifer Design Build. Nick is based in Jacksonville Florida and speaks about how his business has grown from small renovations to multi-million dollar custom home projects. Some great insight from Nick on thus episode and he also gets personal. He tells the Levelheads how the relationship with his father in the family business went through a rough point which ultimately led Nick to establish Sandifer Design Build. Very relatable story. Listen in. Special thanks to our podcast sponsor @andersen_windows•Hosts: Zane Ellis Jamie Verdura Mike Conneely #answerquestions #levelheadspodcast #customhomes #Designbuild #buildingscience #luxurybuilder #craftsman #newconstruction #remodels #renovations #architect #architecture #custombuilder #homebuilder #deconstruction #finehomebuilding #podcast #builderpodcast

We've got Spencer Lewis back on the podcast this week. Our first repeat guest on The Levelheads Podcast and were super excited to have the best trim carpentry teacher on the internet. Spencers generosity with his knowledge, tricks tips is second to none. We talk shop. We talk about how Spencer doesn't need a pat on the back to know he's done a good job. We talk about some of the specialty work that Spencer post on his youtube page. So much packed into this episode! Special thanks to our podcast sponsor @andersen_windows • Hosts:Zane EllisJamie Verdura Mike Conneely #answerquestions#levelheadspodcast #customhomes #Designbuild #buildingscience #luxurybuilder #craftsman #newconstruction #remodels #renovations #architect #architecture #custombuilder #homebuilder #deconstruction #finehomebuilding #podcast #builderpodcast