Levelheads

Levelheads: Gabe of Norcross Builders on Walking Away and Starting Over Gabe had 11 employees and a thriving business on the California coast until one job left him $250K upside down and pushed him to his breaking point. Two months later, he’d sold his house, shut down his company, and was driving east with no plan. He ended up in Louisville, Kentucky. Gabe opens up about the red flags he now watches for in clients, building Victorians in a town where inspections barely exist, and the nonprofit he’s relaunching to support mental health in the trades. Plus a round of This or That. This is one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on the show. If you’ve ever felt like you were the only one struggling to make payroll, this one’s for you. Find Gabe on Instagram at @norcrossbuilders or at norcrossbuildersinc.com. Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide. If you’re struggling, call or text 988.

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.

What do you get when you mix zero software, a yellow legal pad, 1,000 pushups a day, and a guy who’s been building monster custom homes since the 1970s? You get Paul Taylor. In this episode, we finally nail down the hardest man in construction to schedule (seriously—it only took a year). Paul breaks down how he builds some of the largest, cleanest custom homes in California without superintendents, office staff, or apps—just experience, discipline, and an almost unreasonable level of standards. We talk: Why Paul refuses to use construction software (and somehow still beats everyone’s schedules) How growing up poor, starting in 6th grade, and learning every trade shaped his no-BS approach Running multi-million-dollar projects solo while serving 30 years in the military The infamous mutiny that made him fire everyone and rebuild his company leaner than ever Why crooked lights, sloppy work, and “good enough” don’t exist in his world And yes… the This or That questions get absolutely unhinged If you want motivation, perspective, and a reminder that mastery still matters—this one hits hard. Huge thanks to our sponsors for supporting the show: Andersen Windows – when precision and performance actually matter Ressio Project Management Software – for builders who do like staying organized Purezawood Flooring – craftsmanship that holds up to Paul Taylor standards Hit play. Just don’t expect excuses, shortcuts, or sleep.

The Levelheads look back on 2025—job changes, market surprises, permit nightmares, exploding porta-potties, and why building custom homes is anything but efficient. We also give away an RR Buildings tool belt, roast ourselves, and accidentally drop one of the best construction stories of all time. Consider this your warning.

After about a year and a half of chasing him—and thanks to some brutal Midwest weather—we finally got Kyle Stumpenhorst of RR Buildings on the Levelheads Podcast. Kyle went from IT desk job to building massive post-frame shops, then accidentally built one of the biggest construction channels on the internet (1.8M YouTube subscribers 👀). We talk about how barns became content, why post-frame beats remodels, the real truth about making money on YouTube, burnout in the trades, and why Kyle still straps on a tool belt every single day. We also get into his brand-new RR Buildings tool belt, bad sponsorship offers, life in the cold, and wrap it all up with a wildly unhinged This or That segment involving chickens, orangutans, and questionable life choices. 🔥 GIVEAWAY ALERT To celebrate the episode drop, The Levelheads are giving away an RR Buildings tool belt on Instagram. Keep an eye on our feed for how to enter. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts. #LevelheadsPodcast #CustomHomeBuilders #ConstructionLife #NoFluff #BuilderTalk #HomeBuilders #ContractorProblems   Special thanks to our podcast sponsors @andersen_windows , @purezawood & @ressiosoftware • Hosts: Zane Ellis Jamie Verdura Mike Conneely

On this episode of the Levelheads Podcast, the guys kick things off with a high-stakes game of “silence chicken” before diving headfirst into end-of-year chaos, impossible deadlines, trim fights, shadow gaps, door jamb wizardry, and whatever fresh hell designers have cooked up this week. Jamie casually drops that he can summon thirty workers in fifteen minutes like some kind of construction Jedi master, while Mike and Zane debate whether budgets actually exist or are just myths clients tell themselves. From bonfires on job sites to brain-melting finish schedules to deciding whether the design or the dollar drives the boat, this episode is basically therapy for builders—and entertainment for everyone else. Buckle up. It's a ride. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts. #LevelheadsPodcast #CustomHomeBuilders #ConstructionLife #NoFluff #BuilderTalk #HomeBuilders #ContractorProblems   Special thanks to our podcast sponsors @andersen_windows , @purezawood & @ressiosoftware • Hosts: Zane Ellis Jamie Verdura Mike Conneely