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
Apr 1, 2019 • 2h 48min
#62 CJ Nielsen is the first electrician to join the guys
CJ Nielsen is a high-end residential electrical contractor in Sonoma County California. CJ talks about his start in the industry which eventually lead him to create CNC Electric. He discusses the economy he works in, wildfires, and where he sees himself in 10 years. Where to find our guest: CJ Nielsen @cnc_electric 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
Mar 25, 2019 • 1h 8min
#61 Manny of Hardcore Renos joins the guys
In our final podcast from the International Builders Show 2019, the guys talk with Manny Neves. Manny started out in the film industry and then found himself renovating homes in Toronto CA. The guys talk about starting out and finding your inner confidence, understanding the client relationship on a deeper level and the good & bad of Instagram. This episode is sponsored by Thermory. Where to find our guests: Manny @hardcorerenos on Instagram and 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
Mar 17, 2019 • 1h 9min
#60 The guys talk pros and cons of using builder software. Paul Wurth of Buildertrend joins.
We dropped by the Buildertrend booth at IBS to talk with Paul Wurth VP of Sales. The guys dive deep on the benefits and the drawbacks of implementing software on the job site. Nick uses BuilderTrend for his jobs and Johnny has his own system. Get an in-depth look at both sides. This episode is sponsored by Buildertrend. Where to find our guests: @buildertrend 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
Mar 11, 2019 • 1h 39min
#59 Jure Krpan of Dakota Homes & Matt Minchew of Huber joins the guys
We stopped at the Huber Engineered Woods booth at the International Builders Show and talked with Jure Krpan of Dakota Homes and Matt Minchew GM ZIP System Roof Applications. Don't be alarmed if you visit @dakotahomes on Instagram and see no profile picture. Jure builds custom homes in Vancouver Canada. Matt Minchew is spearheading the growth of ZIP System Roof Applications. The guys talk about quality and how you can't fake it. This episode is sponsored by Huber Engineered Woods. Where to find our guests: Jure Krpan @dakotahomes on Instagram. Matt Minchew @huberwood 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
Mar 4, 2019 • 1h 8min
#58 Richard Trethewey of This Old House joins the guys
Our second episode coming out of the International Builders Show 2019 features Richard Trethewey. He has been the plumbing and HVAC expert on This Old House for the past 40 years. Rich talks about the future of the trades, why he decided to share his expertise and techniques on TOH and shares some great stories! Where to find our guest: Richard Trethewey @thisoldplumber on Instagram & Twitter and This Old House 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
Feb 25, 2019 • 1h 44min
#57 Adam L. Esparza of ALE Tile & Andrew Acker of Schluter-Systems talk tiling
Internation Builders Show 2019! The guys set up at the Schluter-Systems booth to talk with Adam L. Esparza of ALE Tile & Andrew Acker of Schluter-Systems. They discuss the evolution of tiling as a trade and the important details that are often overlooked or disregarded. A must listen for all things tile! Where to find our guest: Adam L. Esparza @aletile on Instagram Andrew Acker @schlutersystemsna 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 This episode is sponsored by Schluter-Systems North America.
Feb 18, 2019 • 1h 9min
#56 International Builders Show 2019
This year the International Builders Show (IBS) and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) are in Las Vegas and the guys share their past experiences and how to maximize your time at the show. To start the episode National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) CEO Jerry Howard joins the guys and shares his story and talks about IBS and the future of Design and Construction Week.
Feb 11, 2019 • 2h 55min
#55 Melissa Hryszko FINALLY joins the guys
Melissa Hryszko of Veranda Estate Homes Inc. and co-host of the Modern Design Minds Podcast joins the guys to share her process, work-life balance, the power of saying no and much more. Where to find our guest: Melissa Hryszko @verandainterior 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
Feb 3, 2019 • 1h 58min
#54 I hope this helps!!! Festool Sedge joins the guys
Brian "Sedge" Sedgeley shares his journey from making cabinets in Flordia to working with Festool across the country. Buckle up it's a good one! Where to find our guest: Brian Sedgeley @festoolsedge & @sedgetv 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
Jan 27, 2019 • 1h 53min
#53 Jeff Sweenor talks team building and always striving to be the best builder
Jeff Sweenor President and CEO of Sweenor Builders in Narragansett, RI joins the guys and shares his 30 years of building experience and knowledge. Jeff talks about numbers, building his team, working with This Old House, and much more. Where to find our guest: Jeff Sweenor @sweenor_builders 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
