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
Jul 14, 2019 • 2h 15min
#76 Carpenter Brendan O'Sullivan joins the guys
Brendan O'Sullivan is the owner and carpenter for Keystone Home Remodeling in Norristown, PA. He talks about the difference in markets, why he left the flip market, making mistakes, and getting paid what you're worth. Where to find our Guest: Brendan O'Sullivan @thekeystonecarpenter 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
Jun 28, 2019 • 2h 6min
#75 Lou Mellinghausen keeps trade secrets close to the vest.
Lou Mellinghausen owns Penn Painting based in Chalfont, Pennsylvania and is Fine Paints of Europe certified. Lou talks about his background, transparency with clients and dives deep on what's safe to share or keep secret on social media when it comes to trade secrets. Where to find our Guest: Lou Mellinghausen @pennpainting 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
Jun 21, 2019 • 2h 31min
#74 Geeking out on home efficiency with Nate Gusakov
Nate Gusakov works for Zone 6 Energy based in Vermont. They are AEROBarrier installers and home efficiency experts. Nate talks about the process and science behind getting your home to maximum efficiency. This is a deep dive into the future of insulating homes and there's a banjo. This episode is sponsored by AEROBarrier www.aerobarrier.net Music: "Dessert" by Nate Gusakov nategusakov.com Where to find our Guest: Nate Gusakov @wallacegusakov on Instagram www.zone6energy.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
Jun 16, 2019 • 2h 2min
#73 The boys reunite
The three amigos are back! The guys fall into several rabbit holes but touch on credit, stealing, inspiration, advertising, being published, and much more. 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
Jun 7, 2019 • 2h 25min
#72 Architect Matt Sargent joins the guys
Matt Sargent joins John and Tyler to talk about the not so obvious benefits of a well-designed home. Matt is the Partner and Studio Director at Island Architects. "Matt has happily spent over 20 years designing custom homes and renovating historic properties throughout the East Coast. His work spans from historic Boston, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and the coast of Maine all the way through South Carolina." -excerpt from Island Architects website. Where to find our guest: Matt Sargent @islandarchitects & @mattsargearc on Instagram www.islandarchitects.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
May 29, 2019 • 2h 38min
#71 The numbers with Ben Horning
Ben Horning owns a design-build firm that operates out of Chester County PA. Ben's background is in financing and comes to construction from the business side. He emailed The Modern Craftsman to argue making money should be just as important as high craftsmanship. Where to find our guest: Ben Horning @bhdb_ben 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
May 24, 2019 • 2h 14min
#70 Owning Mistakes vs. Admitting Fault
Nick, Tyler, and John are back! The guys have on Milissa Hyrsko and Amy Kearns and debate about owning mistakes vs. admitting fault and builders workload vs. designers workload. They also discuss warranties, movers, podcast life and much more. Where to find Modern Design Minds: @moderndesignminds on Instagram. Melissa Hryszko @verandainterior on Instagram. Amy Lynn @amylynn_interiors 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
May 19, 2019 • 1h 5min
#69 Tyler is in the hot seat with Melissa Hryszko & Amy Kearns
Modern Design Minds takes of The Modern Craftsman! Melissa Hryszko & Amy Kearns put Tyler in the hot seat and talk about designers, the role designers play in the PROcess, regulating designers and more. Enjoy! Where to find Modern Design Minds: @moderndesignminds on Instagram. Melissa Hryszko @verandainterior on Instagram. Amy Lynn @amylynn_interiors 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
May 13, 2019 • 2h 9min
#68 Confident vs Cocky with Mike Telich
This week Mike Telich of Telich Custom Homes out of Baton Rouge Louisiana joins the guys. He talks about taking risks, what gives him an edge, not bidding against other contractors, the hardest lessons learned and being confident vs cocky with your skill. This Episode is sponsored by Kuiken Brothers. Where to find our guest: Mike Telich @telichcustomhomes on Instagram Where to find our sponsor: 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
May 6, 2019 • 1h 19min
#67 Starting a new business?
If you're starting a business or have plans to start a business of any kind this episode is a must listen. The guys talk with Chris who is starting his own construction business. Chris is an avid listener of the podcast and stopped by to observe Nick's shop. Then the guys gave him a mic and started asking him the hard questions! Special thanks to Chris for being on the podcast with zero warning and jumping into the fire. 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.moderncrafts
