Levelheads

At just 20 years old, Dominic Krsyzckowski is already managing custom home projects on the Jersey Shore for Monetti Custom Homes. In this episode, Dominic shares how he went from trade school and sweeping floors to running jobs, working alongside his father, and learning to lead veteran tradesmen while still finding his own voice. We dive into the realities of being thrown into project management, earning respect, checking your ego, and why showing up every day with the right attitude matters more than having all the answers. Whether you're a young builder, a business owner developing the next generation, or simply someone who appreciates a great story about work ethic and family, this conversation is packed with lessons you won't want to miss.

From building NHL arenas and the National Air & Space Museum to running one of Chicagoland's premier remodeling companies—how does a builder make that transition? This week on the Levelheads Podcast, Chad Mease of Redstart Construction shares the systems, leadership lessons, and hard-earned mistakes that helped him build a business capable of managing 30+ projects at a time. If you're a builder looking to grow, scale, or simply survive this industry, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Listen now.

He goes by Puppy — but don't let the nickname fool you. At just 23 years old, Jan Goryl is helping to run job sites, operating Bobcats, and holding it down as a superintendent for Greenside while most guys his age are still figuring out what they want to do. In this episode, we get a rare look inside one of the most organized GC operations in the game, hear how Jan went from flipping houses with his dad in high school to managing multiple projects on his own, and dig into what it really takes to earn trust on a job site without waiting for someone to hand it to you. Plus — who's actually the boss at Greenside? Mike or John? Jan spills it. Don't miss this one.

In this episode, we sit down with CJ Nielsen, owner of CNC Electric and a Build Show contributor, to dive deep into the realities of running a high-end electrical contracting business in today’s custom home market. CJ shares his journey from starting in the trades at 17 to building a respected boutique electrical company in Northern California. We get into everything—from wildfire rebuild booms and scaling a subcontracting business, to hiring and training the right people, and why attitude often beats experience in the trades. We also unpack the real challenges behind custom home construction: Why early collaboration between builders and trades is critical The growing complexity of lighting design, controls, and smart home integration The fine line between craftsmanship and running a profitable business And the constant balancing act of staying busy without overcommitting CJ brings a candid, boots-on-the-ground perspective about what it actually takes to deliver high-quality work while navigating schedules, demanding clients, and evolving technology like Lutron lighting systems. If you're a builder, subcontractor, or anyone serious about high-performance homes, this episode is packed with real-world insight, lessons learned the hard way, and a few strong opinions on how to do it right. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Levelheads episode without some laughs—stick around for the rapid-fire “This or That” segment at the end.

What happens when podcast hosts interview podcast hosts? Chaos—in the best possible way. In this episode we sit down with Travis Brungardt and Brandon Jones from the Building Consensus Podcast for a wide-open conversation about building science, high-performance homes, construction tech, and the real challenges builders face today. From jobsite scheduling headaches and software frustrations to building better houses and surviving remodels of your own home, nothing is off limits. Expect builder banter, industry insights, and a few laughs along the way.