
The Build Show Podcast
Follow Matt Risinger on the Build Show Podcast as he discusses Building Science, Craftsmanship, & Best Practices for Building & Remodeling.
Matt is a Builder who specializes in Architect Driven & Fine Craftsmanship Work.
Latest episodes

Apr 28, 2023 • 38min
Pitfalls in the Building World
Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18, 2025!Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our newsletter.

Apr 21, 2023 • 39min
The Relationship Between Builders and Interior Designers
On this week's episode of The Build Show Podcast, Matt and Wade Paquin of WKP Construction go deep into the relationship between Builders and Interior Designers.
Interior Designers can be a fantastic addition to your projects as well as a source of business. Listen in as Matt and Wade discuss their interactions with interior designers, a designer's importance and roles in a project, and what value a designer brings to a build.
They also talk about the importance of the relationship between the builder and designer, how they must be in sync, and how a builder benefits when they have a good designer.
You can find the Building on an Island series on The Build Show website here: https://buildshownetwork.com/bsn-series/buildingonanisland
You can find Wade on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/wkp_construction/Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18,
2025!
Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our
newsletter.

Apr 14, 2023 • 41min
The Labor Shortage in the Trades
On this week's podcast, Matt and Travis Brungardt of Catalyst Built out of Prairie Village, Kansas, go deep into the trade deficit and how we get more younger people to join the trades.
Travis and his partner Joe are some of the few builders with trade licenses. They have a master electrician, master HVAC, master plumber, and a GC license between them.
Matt and Travis talk about the scope of the issue and how the lack of younger tradespeople affects the industry. They discuss why we have a nationwide shortage of skilled labor and how we, as builders, can address it.
Take a few minutes to listen in and think about what you can do to interest a young person in the trades. What project are you working on?
You can find Catalyst Built on the web here: http://www.catalystbuilt.com/, and on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/catalystbuilt
BS* and Beer KC is here: https://bsandbeerkc.org/Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18,
2025!
Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our
newsletter.

Apr 7, 2023 • 44min
Fixed Price vs. Cost Plus Contracts
This week on The Build Show Podcast, Matt and Jeremy Martin of RisherMartin Fine Homes out of Austin, Texas, go deep into fixed-price vs. cost-plus contracts.
Jeremy and his partner, Chris Risher, have been in business together for a year, but they've been in the industry since 2010. They do a mix of architect-driven remodeling and new home building but started as a renovation company. They believe, as Matt does, that being a remodeler makes you a better builder because you can see what has gone wrong in the homes you're remodeling and take action to prevent those issues in new projects.
RisherMartin works mainly with fixed-price contracts, while Risinger Build works with cost-plus agreements. They drill into what makes a good fixed-price job and what's a better fit for a cost-plus builder, and what those processes look like.
Listen in while they discuss the risks and benefits of both business models for builders and their clients.
You can find RisherMartin at @rishermartin on Instagram
Their website is: https://www.rishermartin.com/Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18,
2025!
Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our
newsletter.

Mar 31, 2023 • 25min
Top 5 Building Science Options
Matt goes deep into building science this week on The Build Show Podcast.
In this week's podcast, he talks about a subject very close to his heart and shares the building science options that he prioritizes when it comes to budgeting.
He talks water management, housewrap, and more. Dive in with him and discover why you, and your clients, should build a better house.
Watch Matt's "Housewrap is Dead" video here: https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/housewrap-is-deadSave the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18,
2025!
Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our
newsletter.

4 snips
Mar 24, 2023 • 47min
Basements: How to Keep Them Dry
On this week's episode of The Build Show Podcast, Matt and Wade Paquin of WKP Construction in Rhode Island, go deep into basements: how to keep them dry and prevent flood events. Wade doesn't build without basements in his area, and Matt has broad experience building basements, crawl spaces, and slab-on-grade.
They show their battle scars, sharing painful basement stories from their careers, talking trash pumps, unexpected rain events, finished rooms flooding two weeks before move-in, and foundation leaks.
They also talk about how to help keep your clients' basements dry, some things you need to consider to do so, and some products that will help.
Check out the French Drain video Matt mentions here: https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/french-drain-and-foundation-waterproofing-system
Building on an Island episode 3 is here: https://buildshownetwork.com/bsn-series/buildingonanisland?blog_id=2320
Watch Wade's detailed closed-cell foam video here: https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/CLOSED_CELL_SPRAY_FOAM_UNDER_A_CONCRETE_SLAB
Find Wade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wkp_construction/Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18,
2025!
Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our
newsletter.

Mar 17, 2023 • 42min
Every Shelter and Emergency Floor
In this week's podcast, Matt and his guest, Scott Key, architect, builder, founder of the non-profit Every Shelter, and inventor of Emergency Floor, go deep into how builders can help change the world.
They touch on the recent tragedy in Turkey and how refugees and victims of natural disasters shelter in inadequate constructions. They talk about how refugees can be displaced for two decades or more, how these camps have higher levels of disease and poor health, and how Scott's invention, Emergency Floor, can change these conditions.
The Emergency Floor panels are injection molded, have an R-value of 4.5, a high flammability rating, and don't require professional installation. Every Shelter also up-cycles billboard materials into a vapor-closed tarp for emergency use as a roof or shelter wall. These products are lightweight, easy to set up, and can make a massive difference for the displaced.
Listen in as Matt and Scott delve into contractor failure, good building standards, and builder responsibility.
The Build Show is partnering with Every Shelter to raise $50,000 to help families impacted by the Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. We've already made our donations to get things started. Take part in our campaign at: https://everyshelter.org/thebuildshow/
For more information on Scott's non-profit and Emergency Floor, go here: https://everyshelter.org
Follow Every Shelter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everyshelter/
Follow Emergency Floor on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emergencyfloor/Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18,
2025!
Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our
newsletter.

Mar 10, 2023 • 26min
Risk Management
In this week's podcast, Matt goes deep into risk management, talking about some of the steps you can take now to contend with a housing slowdown or recession.
He'll share some stories he hasn't shared before, touching on some of his personal and business mistakes. He discusses what he thinks 2023 holds for the industry and some of the indicators he's been looking at.
He examines his experience working for a national builder that had declared Chapter 11, the changes that company made to recover and thrive, and the lessons he took away with him when he started his own business. He touches on how his expectations of the market's metrics differed from the actual metrics, how that realization steered his decision-making, and how he hadn't really learned the lessons he thought he'd learned.
Take a break with Matt, learn from his mistakes, and take away his business and personal philosophies.
Check out Breakthrough Academy on The Build Show Network at: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/breakthroughacademy
You can find Bryan Uhler's videos on The Build Show Network at: https://buildshownetwork.com/go/bryanuhlerSave the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18,
2025!
Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our
newsletter.

Mar 3, 2023 • 36min
Episode 79: Build Show Build: Boston - Educating the Future
On this week's Build Show Podcast, Matt and guest Steve Baczek go deep into builder education.
Matt and Steve have about 30 years in the industry, and they look at how builder education has changed over those three decades and what that means for modern builders. They discuss how social media has changed the landscape of training and knowledge transfer, and how access to global conversations and some of the greatest minds in any industry can advance the science.
They share their philosophies about social media, how experience changes our thinking, how they can give back to their professional communities, and their hopes for the future.
Don't miss this Build Show Build: Boston podcast!
Want more Build Show Build: Boston? Check it out on The Build Show's website or YouTube channel.
Follow Steve on Instagram @stevenbaczekarchitect
Listen to Steve, Jake, and Peter's podcast, Unbuild It, at: https://unbuilditpodcast.com/Save the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18,
2025!
Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our
newsletter.

Feb 24, 2023 • 41min
Smart Panels, Solar, and the Electric Future
This week on The Build Show Podcast, Matt and CJ Nielsen of CNC Electric go deep into smart tech, sustainability, and our electric future.
They take a look at SPAN and smart panels, geeking out about how smart tech is changing the landscape of home building. They talk about an electric future, how builders can prepare for it, and how building regulations are changing.
They also look to the future of electrical, focusing on battery systems, solar modules, infrastructure and sustainability, and going off the grid.
Spend some time with CJ and Matt on your drive to work, and find him on Instagram @CNC_electric and at his website: https://cncelectriccompany.wpcomstaging.com/
Sign up for The Build Show Newsletter here: https://buildshownetwork.com/newsletter#mc_embed_signupSave the Date for Build Show LIVE 2025 in Dallas, TX: October 16-18,
2025!
Don't miss a single episode of Build Show content. Sign up for our
newsletter.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.