This Old House Radio Hour

87 Episodes

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Work in Progress: The AI Boom Needs Skilled Workers + The Great TV/Fireplace Debate + Jon Taffer's Ultimate Home Bar

2026-11-1001:04:14

In our series, Work In Progress, This Old House's Kevin O'Connor talks with AT&T CEO John Stankey about why the AI boom is fueling demand for nearly 200,000 new telecom workers by 2032, and how apprenticeships are creating career opportunities without a four-year degree. Then, should you put your TV above the fireplace? An interior designer settles the debate once and for all. Author Jon Ronson takes us inside a bizarre $60 million Connecticut castle, complete with a fake moat, underground grotto, and a millionaire searching for his queen. Plus, uncover the surprisingly dirty history of the washing machine and Bar Rescue host Jon Taffer shares his secrets for building the ultimate home bar.In This Episode You'll Learn: * How to paint outside wall corners like a pro without leaving drips or uneven edges. * Whether original retractable window screens from the 1920s can be restored instead of replaced. * How to safely replace three-way and four-way light switches without mixing up the wiring.All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

Why Appliances Don't Last + Hernan Diaz's Windowless Loft + When Contractors Go Wrong

2026-10-3154:41

Are appliances really built to last anymore? This week, we find out why your grandmother’s washing machine might outlive yours, and what to look for when buying appliances that go the distance.

Work in Progress: Make $90K Without College + Haunt Your House + Bruce Campbell's Horror Origins

2026-10-2401:02:24

In our series, Work In Progress, This Old House's Kevin O'Connor talks with HII CEO Chris Kastner about America's manufacturing renaissance and how paid apprenticeships are creating lucrative careers without the burden of college debt.Then, how far is too far when it comes to Halloween decorations? A professional haunted house designer shares his secrets for creating a truly terrifying yard. And an energetic strategist explains how to banish unwanted spirits from your home. “Evil Dead” star Bruce Campbell takes us back to his childhood home, where backyard forts and homemade horror movies helped launch his career. Plus, we uncover the wild history of Halloween pranks, from stolen gates to the invention of trick-or-treating, and learn how to create the ultimate listening room at home.In This Episode You'll Learn:* How to protect and refinish expensive mahogany garage doors without having to redo them every year. * Whether gaps around your front door could be a warning sign of foundation problems. * What to do if your electrical panel is missing a protective cover and if you need to replace the entire panel.All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

Is Your Fridge Spying on You? + Billy West’s Haunted Bungalow + How Blenders Changed History

2026-10-2054:36

Is your smart home spying on you? Patricia Egger, head of security at Proton, reveals what your connected appliances know about you and how to protect your privacy. Then, Futurama voice actor Billy West takes us inside his haunted 1926 Hollywood bungalow, where mysterious ghosts and old Hollywood history collide. Plus, uncover the surprising history of the blender, from frozen daiquiris to groundbreaking DNA research. And in House Therapy, a couple battles over whether to turn their unfinished attic into a home office or a kids' playroom.In This Episode You'll Learn:* How to tell whether an oversized HVAC system or undersized ductwork is causing heating problems. * When a leaking shower can be repaired and when it's time to tear it out and start over. * How to deal with an unexpected three-inch difference in floor height during a basement renovation.All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

Who Will Build America's Future? + The Bedroom TV Debate + Roof Repair Secrets

2026-10-1301:06:08

In the first of a series called Work In Progress, This Old House's Kevin O'Connor sits down with Business Roundtable President and COO Kristen Silverberg to explore America's skilled labor shortage and how workforce training could help. Then, is having a TV in your bedroom ruining your sleep? A sleep expert weighs in on the debate and explains why breaking the habit can be harder than you think. Then, bestselling author Robert Kolker takes us inside his unconventional childhood home in a 1970s utopian community, complete with orange shag carpeting, unusual angles, and a ladder connecting his bedroom to a playroom. Plus, uncover the surprising history of the Lazy Susan, from a Victorian-era solution to the servant problem to its unlikely role in Chinese restaurants. And roofing expert Travis Jones reveals the warning signs your roof may be failing and when it's time to repair or replace it.In This Episode You'll Learn:* How to get started in the electrical trade when you're considering a career change as an adult. * Whether a sagging drywall ceiling is at risk of collapsing and how to repair it. * Which walls actually need washing before repainting your home's interior.All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

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