Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building

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Apr 2026

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About the show

Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building is an influential podcast led by housing industry expert Mollie Carmichael, Principal, Advisory, of Zonda. Each episode features an insightful personal conversation with a key thought leader in the housing industry. Join Mollie as we get to know these top leaders—what inspires them, what drives them, and how they build communities. Tune in below and follow @ZondaHome on social media for the latest updates. Learn more about Zonda at https://zondahome.com

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33 recent

April 20, 2026Episode 3342 min

What It Takes to Lead at Scale: A Conversation with Phillippe Lord

In this episode of Zonda’s Inspirational Leadership Series, Mollie Carmichael sits down with Phillippe Lord to explore the leadership principles behind one of the nation’s top homebuilders. Philippe shares candid insights on building a high-performance culture, leading through constant change, and why people—not process—are the true differentiator in homebuilding. From defining non-negotiables to fostering trust and transparency, this conversation offers practical guidance for leaders navigating today’s evolving housing market. You’ll also hear Phillippe’s perspective on affordability, innovation, and where the greatest opportunities exist for builders today. Whether you’re a homebuilding executive, industry professional, or emerging leader, this episode delivers actionable insights you can apply immediately.

November 11, 2025Episode 3252 min

Newfield and the Future of Healthy Living: A Conversation with Dan Grosswald

Join Mollie Carmichael for a conversation with Mattamy Homes’ Dan Grosswald about Newfield, a next-generation master plan in Martin County, Southeast Florida. Together they explore how a working farm, a 2,000-acre preserve, and a walkable town center are reshaping what healthy, connected living can look like. Learn more about Zonda at https://zondahome.com

October 14, 2025Episode 3133 min

Creating Community with Crystal Lagoons: Uri Man on Inspirational Leadership

In this episode of Zonda’s Inspirational Leadership Series, host Mollie Carmichael sits down with Uri Man, CEO of Lagoon Development Company, to explore how his team is transforming real estate—one lagoon at a time. Uri shares how his upbringing as the son of Israeli immigrants shaped his relentless drive, and how a chance encounter with Crystal Lagoons technology inspired a bold vision: bring beachfront living to inland communities. Now a leading developer of lagoon-centered masterplans, Uri’s projects like Balmoral and Lago Mar are boosting home sales, attracting top builders, and redefining what it means to build community. His latest venture? A partnership with Sports Illustrated to bring the first Sports Illustrated Resort to Texas. About the Series Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building is an influential podcast led by housing industry expert Mollie Carmichael, Principal, Advisory, of Zonda. Each episode features an insightful personal conversation with a key thought leader in the housing industry. Join Mollie as we get to know these top leaders—what inspires them, what drives them, and how they build communities. Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeYT Get housing industry news & updates: https://bit.ly/ZondaNews About Zonda Building the future of housing. We exist to inform, advise and connect the next generation of housing industry experts, leveraging the information, insights, and people that move the industry forward. Let’s Connect Learn more: https://www.zondahome.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeLI Follow us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeFB Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeTW Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeIG

September 16, 2025Episode 3049 min

Episode 30 - Syd Kitson & Tom Hoban of Babcock Ranch

Discover the story behind Babcock Ranch, America’s first solar-powered city. In our latest Inspirational Leadership Series, Syd Kitson and Tom Hoban share how vision, resilience, and innovation shaped one of the most groundbreaking master-planned communities in the nation. About the Series Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building is an influential podcast led by housing industry expert Mollie Carmichael, Principal, Advisory, of Zonda. Each episode features an insightful personal conversation with a key thought leader in the housing industry. Join Mollie as we get to know these top leaders—what inspires them, what drives them, and how they build communities. Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeYT Get housing industry news & updates: https://bit.ly/ZondaNews About Zonda Building the future of housing. We exist to inform, advise and connect the next generation of housing industry experts, leveraging the information, insights, and people that move the industry forward. Let’s Connect Learn more: https://www.zondahome.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeLI Follow us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeFB Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeTW Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeIG

August 5, 2025Episode 291 hr 3 min

Episode 29 - Chris Weekley & Jay Brown, David Weekley Homes

In this episode, Mollie Carmichael sits down with Chris Weekley, President and Vice Chairman, and Jay Brown, CEO of David Weekley Homes, to talk leadership, legacy, and purpose. Hear how the company is navigating generational transition, scaling with intention, and staying true to its mission of building dreams and enhancing lives. About the Series Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building is an influential podcast led by housing industry expert Mollie Carmichael, Principal, Advisory, of Zonda. Each episode features an insightful personal conversation with a key thought leader in the housing industry. Join Mollie as we get to know these top leaders—what inspires them, what drives them, and how they build communities. Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeYT Get housing industry news & updates: https://bit.ly/ZondaNews About Zonda Building the future of housing. We exist to inform, advise and connect the next generation of housing industry experts, leveraging the information, insights, and people that move the industry forward. Let’s Connect Learn more: https://www.zondahome.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeLI Follow us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeFB Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeTW Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeIG

November 5, 2024Episode 2850 min

Ep. 28 - Scott Larson, HomeAid

In this episode of our Inspiration Leadership Series, Mollie Carmichael sits down with Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid, to talk about his powerful mission to end homelessness. Scott shares the surprising realities behind homelessness, the vital role of affordable housing, and how the homebuilding industry can be a force for change. About the Podcast Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building is an influential podcast led by housing industry expert Mollie Carmichael, Principal, Advisory, of Zonda. Each episode features an insightful personal conversation with a key thought leader in the housing industry. Join Mollie as we get to know these top leaders—what inspires them, what drives them, and how they build communities. Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeYT Get housing industry news & updates: https://bit.ly/ZondaNews About Zonda Building the future of housing. We exist to inform, advise and connect the next generation of housing industry experts, leveraging the information, insights, and people that move the industry forward. Let’s Connect Learn more: https://www.zondahome.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeLI Follow us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeFB Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeTW Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeIG

April 25, 2024Episode 2742 min

Ep. 27 - Jeremy Laster, Rancho Mission Viejo

In the latest episode of the Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building podcast Mollie Carmichael sits down with Jeremy Laster, President of Rancho Mission Viejo. Over the past 22 years, Mr. Laster has overseen the development and operation of more than 2.0 million square feet of commercial real estate assets, over 2,500 apartment units and the planning and construction of Rienda, the newest village at Rancho Mission Viejo. About the Podcast Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building is an influential podcast led by housing industry expert Mollie Carmichael, Principal, Advisory, of Zonda. Each episode features an insightful personal conversation with a key thought leader in the housing industry. Join Mollie as we get to know these top leaders—what inspires them, what drives them, and how they build communities. Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeYT Get housing industry news & updates: https://bit.ly/ZondaNews About Zonda Building the future of housing. We exist to inform, advise and connect the next generation of housing industry experts, leveraging the information, insights, and people that move the industry forward. Let’s Connect Learn more: https://www.zondahome.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeLI Follow us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeFB Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeTW Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeIG

February 20, 2024Episode 2633 min

Ep. 26 - Margaret Whelan, Whelan Advisory Capital Markets

In the latest episode of the Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building podcast Mollie Carmichael sits down with Margaret Whelan, Founder and CEO of Whelan Advisory Capital Markets – a boutique investment bank and broker-dealer focused on M&A and capital-raising advisory exclusively for the residential housing and construction industry. Hear how Margaret's experience as a young immigrant leaving war-torn Ireland motivated her to seek the good in her circumstances and helped her become a trailblazing woman in her field. About the Podcast Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building is an influential podcast led by housing industry expert Mollie Carmichael, Principal, Advisory, of Zonda. Each episode features an insightful personal conversation with a key thought leader in the housing industry. Join Mollie as we get to know these top leaders—what inspires them, what drives them, and how they build communities. Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeYT Get housing industry news & updates: https://bit.ly/ZondaNews About Zonda Building the future of housing. We exist to inform, advise and connect the next generation of housing industry experts, leveraging the information, insights, and people that move the industry forward. Let’s Connect Learn more: https://www.zondahome.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeLI Follow us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeFB Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeTW Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeIG

January 16, 2024Episode 2553 min

Ep. 25 Liesel Cooper, Century Communities

The latest episode of Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Homebuilding features an interview with Liesel Cooper, National President of Century Communities. Liesel shares with Mollie the ins and outs of her career, how she got her start, and how her legacy will continue in the future leaders she inspires today. About the podcast Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building is an influential podcast led by housing industry expert Mollie Carmichael, Principal, Advisory, of Zonda. Each episode features an insightful personal conversation with a key thought leader in the housing industry. Join Mollie as we get to know these top leaders—what inspires them, what drives them, and how they build communities. » Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeYT » Get housing industry news & updates: https://bit.ly/ZondaNews About Zonda Building the future of housing. We exist to inform, advise and connect the next generation of housing industry experts, leveraging the information, insights, and people that move the industry forward. Let’s connect: »Learn more: https://www.zondahome.com »Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeLI »Follow us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeFB »Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeTW »Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeIG

December 6, 2023Episode 2439 min

Ep. 24 Gene Myers, Thrive Home Builders

The latest episode of Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Homebuilding features an interview with Gene Myers, Owner and CSO of Thrive Home Builders. Learn how Gene became one of the most influential green builders in the industry. About the podcast Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building is an influential podcast led by housing industry expert Mollie Carmichael, Principal, Advisory, of Zonda. Each episode features an insightful personal conversation with a key thought leader in the housing industry. Join Mollie as we get to know these top leaders—what inspires them, what drives them, and how they build communities. » Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeYT » Get housing industry news & updates: https://bit.ly/ZondaNews About Zonda Building the future of housing. We exist to inform, advise and connect the next generation of housing industry experts, leveraging the information, insights, and people that move the industry forward. Let’s connect: »Learn more: https://www.zondahome.com »Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeLI »Follow us on Facebook: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeFB »Follow us on Twitter: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeTW »Follow us on Instagram: https://bit.ly/ZondaHomeIG