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
Sep 26, 2019 • 2h 18min
#86 Laborer to owner Michael Walsh joins
Michael Walsh at 33 years old bought Wolcott Builders based in Rhinebeck, NY. He started as a laborer for Wolcott when he was a teenager and now in addition to owning the company he is also a project manager. Tune in! Where to find our Guest: www.wolcottbuilders.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
Sep 22, 2019 • 2h 8min
#85 Belt on contractor Jamie Verdura
Jamie Verdura owns Verdura construction with his wife and they build high-end custom homes in the Bay Area. Jamie explains an Instagram story he posted questioning what contractors are actually doing to keep craft alive. He talks about hiring young workers, working with the bags on, running the company with his wife and much more. Where to find our Guest: Jamie Verdura @verduraconstruction 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
Sep 12, 2019 • 2h 12min
#84 Project manager Maxx Heerlein joins
Maxx Heerlein is a project manager for high-end builder Kirby Perkins in Newport, RI. Maxx talks about what it's like to be a project manager, how he got into the industry, and his little side hustle. Where to find our Guest: Maxx Heerlein @mbhdesignbuild 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
Sep 8, 2019 • 1h 46min
#83 Diesel Tech Toby Grace joins the guys
Toby Grace, Tyler's better looking younger brother brings an outside perspective to the guys. He talks about the challenges he faces being a diesel repair tech, the limitations of growth in the auto repair industry, and the parallels to the construction industry. Where to find our Guest: Toby Grace @toptechtoby 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
Aug 29, 2019 • 2h 2min
#82 Apprentice Alex Melendez joins the guys
Alex Melendez is a 25-year-old breaking into the construction business in LA. He's 4 years in, hungry to learn and working towards becoming a licensed carpenter. Alex talks about what lead him to the construction industry. Where to find our Guest: Alex Melendez @am_builder 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
Aug 22, 2019 • 2h 40min
#81 General Contractor Luke Mann joins the guys
Luke Mann is the owner of Rangeline Homes. They provide new construction and renovations to the foothills of Denver. Luke talks about employee policies, subcontractor policies, transitioning into a management position, new construction vs. renovations, taxes, smoking policies and much more. Where to find our Guest: Luke Mann @rangelinehomes 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
Aug 16, 2019 • 2h 19min
#80 Effort
This week the guys talk about effort and how it impacts every aspect of their life. They also touch on being inspired by old houses, details, schedule, quality, and much more. Article Tyler references: https://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2013/12/13/eave-returns-interpreting-gyhr-details/ 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
Aug 11, 2019 • 2h 31min
#79 Norm Abram
You know him from This Old House and The New Yankee Workshop the legend Norm Abram joins the guys. They talk about This Old House, The New Yankee Workshop, being on TV, building Norm's house, moving the industry forward, and much more. This episode was sponsored by: Kuiken Brothers @kuikenbrothers on Instagram www.kuikenbrothers.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
Aug 4, 2019 • 2h 37min
#78 Will Dennis a guy who does wood floors
Will Dennis is the owner of Premier Woodcrafting which specializes in wood floor installations. Will talks about how he got into carpentry, NWFA (national wood flooring association), working with builders, no excuses, adding value, and some tips and tricks of the trade. Where to find our Guest: Will Dennis @premierwoodcrafting98 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
Jul 21, 2019 • 2h 34min
#77 Cabinet maker Ken DeCost joins the guys
Ken Decost is the lead cabinet maker at NS Builders in Boston. Ken takes us behind the curtain of what it's like to work at NS Builders. He talks about efficiency, raising the bar, process and what it's like being a craftsman. Where to find our Guest: Ken DeCost @kendecost 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
