Modern Craftsman
Modern Craftsman
The Modern Craftsman is a podcast for builders who think beyond the jobsite. Hosted by Nick Schiffer and Tyler Grace, this show explores what it takes to build a better business, a stronger team, and a more sustainable career in the trades.
Each episode features real conversations about leadership, project management, client communication, team culture, mental resilience, and long-term success in construction. Whether you’re a carpenter scaling your company, a remodeler refining your process, or a builder navigating burnout, you’ll find insight, support, and hard-earned lessons from those who’ve lived it.
Each episode features real conversations about leadership, project management, client communication, team culture, mental resilience, and long-term success in construction. Whether you’re a carpenter scaling your company, a remodeler refining your process, or a builder navigating burnout, you’ll find insight, support, and hard-earned lessons from those who’ve lived it.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 5, 2019 • 2h 24min
#96 Project management with Christopher Quinn
Christopher Quinn is a Partner at Apex Projects based in New Canaan, CT. Chris shares his past experience of working with a company for 13 years explaining why he stayed that long and why he left. The guys jump right into project management, finding ways to teach project management, and the struggles of ownership. Johnny and Tyler are back! Where to find our Guest: cmq_apexpps on Instagram apexpps.com Where to find our hosts: Nick Schiffer @nsbuilders on Instagram and YouTube Tyler Grace @TRGHomeconcepts on Instagram John Hourihan @heresjohnnyh & @vintagebuilders on Instagram Follow The Modern Craftsman on Instagram @the.moderncraftsman Music: "Dessert" by Nate Gusakov nategusakov.com
Dec 1, 2019 • 1h 42min
#95 Finding joy with David West
David West is the owner/photographer of Born Imagery based in the Boston area. He recently shot twilight shots of NS Builders and Vintage Builders projects. David was a remodeler for 20 years and for stress and mental health reasons found joy in photography and made that his business. Where to find our Guest: @bornimagery on Instagram bornimagery.com Where to find our hosts: Nick Schiffer @nsbuilders on Instagram and YouTube Tyler Grace @TRGHomeconcepts on Instagram John Hourihan @heresjohnnyh & @vintagebuilders on Instagram Follow The Modern Craftsman on Instagram @the.moderncraftsman Music: "Dessert" by Nate Gusakov nategusakov.com
Nov 22, 2019 • 2h 21min
#94 Guillermo Castillo talks drywall in Hawaii
Guillermo owns and operates C&S Drywall based on the island O'ahu. He talks about the housing market in Hawaii as a whole, what it takes to keep a full schedule in a unique market, a deep dive into drywall talk and much more! Where to find our Guest: @csdrywallhawaii on Instagram Where to find our hosts: Nick Schiffer @nsbuilders on Instagram and YouTube Tyler Grace @TRGHomeconcepts on Instagram John Hourihan @heresjohnnyh & @vintagebuilders on Instagram Follow The Modern Craftsman on Instagram @the.moderncraftsman Music: "Dessert" by Nate Gusakov nategusakov.com
Nov 17, 2019 • 2h 6min
#93 Brent Hull talks craftsmanship
Brent Hull from Hull Millwork and Hull Homes joins the guys to talk about preserving homes, the hierarchy of moulding, when did the master-builder die, tipping the scales back to craftsmanship and much more. A must-listen for the romantics! This episode is sponsored by: Cape Cod Lumber is hosting the Build On Expo December 12th in Randolph, MA. Be sure to register for free at the link below. A full schedule of events featuring Finding Unicorns - Attracting Talent to Fill Your Skills Gap with Shawn Van Dyke, How can an Interior Designer add Value to your Next Project? with Amy Kearns & Brain Charron, and Attracting, Developing and Retaining Young Talent with The Modern Craftsman. capecodlumber.com/build-on-expo Kuiken Brothers Classical Moulding Collection featuring over 70 historically accurate moulding profiles. All milled from poplar in stock with 16ft lengths. kuikenbrothers.com Where to find our Guest: @hullmillwork_hullhomes on Instagram hullmillwork.com Where to find our hosts: Nick Schiffer @nsbuilders on Instagram and YouTube Tyler Grace @TRGHomeconcepts on Instagram John Hourihan @heresjohnnyh & @vintagebuilders on Instagram Follow The Modern Craftsman on Instagram @the.moderncraftsman Music: "Dessert" by Nate Gusakov nategusakov.com
Nov 11, 2019 • 2h 28min
#92 Happiness with Peter Jonak owner of Spire Builders
Peter Jonak joins the guys to share his story and dives into responsibility, mental health, lifestyle, culture, and happiness for his employees. He had a lot of relatable information to share. Enjoy! We also have an additional guest Joe Cresta. He is the Regional Coordinator - New England for Project Healing Waters. Joe joined the guys to share what they're all about. Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings. projecthealingwaters.org Where to find our Guest: @spirebuilders on Instagram spirebuilders.com Where to find our hosts: Nick Schiffer @nsbuilders on Instagram and YouTube Tyler Grace @TRGHomeconcepts on Instagram John Hourihan @heresjohnnyh & @vintagebuilders on Instagram Follow The Modern Craftsman on Instagram @the.moderncraftsman Music: "Dessert" by Nate Gusakov nategusakov.com
Nov 1, 2019 • 2h 14min
#91 Contractor Tim Holton joins (not Tim Horton)
Tim Holton is a belt on owner of James K. Holton Inc. which specializes in residential construction based in Cochranville, PA. Tim talks about working with the Amish, training young talent, and sharing knowledge. Where to find our Guest: jkholton.com Where to find our hosts: Nick Schiffer @nsbuilders on Instagram and YouTube Tyler Grace @TRGHomeconcepts on Instagram John Hourihan @heresjohnnyh & @vintagebuilders on Instagram Follow The Modern Craftsman on Instagram @the.moderncraftsman Music: "Dessert" by Nate Gusakov nategusakov.com
Oct 27, 2019 • 1h 53min
#90 Andy Moore talks hiring talent
This week we have Andy Moore, Owner of Modern Oak construction out of Virginia. Andy opens up about a recent struggle that hit his growing 5-year-old business. John talks about exit interviews, which everyone will want to start implementing immediately. Where to find our Guest: @modern_oak on Instagram Where to find our hosts: Nick Schiffer @nsbuilders on Instagram and YouTube Tyler Grace @TRGHomeconcepts on Instagram John Hourihan @heresjohnnyh & @vintagebuilders on Instagram Follow The Modern Craftsman on Instagram @the.moderncraftsman Music: "Dessert" by Nate Gusakov nategusakov.com
Oct 21, 2019 • 2h 7min
#89 Authenticity with Clay Chapman
"A structural masonry revival fusing classical practices with modern tech to create affordable, multi-century lifecycle alternatives to disposable building." Clay Chapman joins the guys to talk about what history has taught us about building homes, and the traditional approach to building and architecture. Where to find our Guest: @1000yearhouse on Instagram Where to find our hosts: Nick Schiffer @nsbuilders on Instagram and YouTube Tyler Grace @TRGHomeconcepts on Instagram John Hourihan @heresjohnnyh & @vintagebuilders on Instagram Follow The Modern Craftsman on Instagram @the.moderncraftsman Music: "Dessert" by Nate Gusakov nategusakov.com
Oct 13, 2019 • 2h 12min
#88 HVAC guy Ryan Anderson joins
Ryan Anderson owns and operates Native Air Conditioning in West Palm Florida. Ryan talks about his mission to strengthen the relationship between HVAC subcontractors and general contractors, geeks out with Tyler and tells some hard truths. Where to find our Guest: @native_air_conditioning on Instagram Where to find our hosts: Nick Schiffer @nsbuilders on Instagram and YouTube Tyler Grace @TRGHomeconcepts on Instagram John Hourihan @heresjohnnyh & @vintagebuilders on Instagram Follow The Modern Craftsman on Instagram @the.moderncraftsman Music: "Dessert" by Nate Gusakov nategusakov.com + Special performance by Tyler Grace
Oct 6, 2019 • 1h 27min
#87 Building science geek Jake Bruton joins
Jake Bruton owns and operates Aarow Building based in Columbia Missouri. They're custom home builders and remodelers. Jake tells his story and geeks out on building science with Nick and Johnny. Where to find our Guest: Jake Bruton @jake.bruton on Instagram Aarow Building on YouTube Where to find our hosts: Nick Schiffer @nsbuilders on Instagram and YouTube Tyler Grace @TRGHomeconcepts on Instagram John Hourihan @heresjohnnyh & @vintagebuilders on Instagram Follow The Modern Craftsman on Instagram @the.moderncraftsman Music: "Dessert" by Nate Gusakov nategusakov.com
