Restoration Today

Hosted by Michelle Blevins

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Episodes

438

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Nov 2026

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About the show

Restoration Today is a video and audio podcast covering everything restoration-related. Every week, Michelle Blevins sits down with an industry peer – a contractor, a colleague, a supplier, an innovator, an insurer, etc. Every conversation will cover the hottest topics in today’s restoration industry – going beyond fire and water damage restoration and diving into topics like M&A, company culture, hiring and recruiting, innovations in restoration, and tools of the trade. Plus, there will be some guaranteed laughs and heartfelt moments.

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60 recent

November 4, 202648 min

Restoration Industry Pulse Check with Chris Nordyk & Brandon Reese

What's really happening in the restoration industry right now? C&R Publisher Michelle Blevins sits down with Chris Nordyk and Brandon Reese of Head, Heart & Boots and Floodlight for a candid pulse check heading into the end of 2026. They talk about why the details matter more than ever, how restorers can grow by closing more of the leads already coming through the door, and why direct sales and commercial work are essential as TPA volume shifts and margins tighten. Plus, why knowing your numbers comes first, how AI and field recording tools are creating new efficiencies, and why setting boundaries matters heading into the holidays. For more restoration industry news, webinars, and insights, visit https://candrmagazine.com

November 3, 202636 min

The Details Matter: Getting Contents Restoration Right

Contents restoration is about more than packing boxes and moving belongings. On this episode of Restoration Today, David Gavilanes of BELFOR Franchise Group , joins the conversation to discuss how technology, AI, thorough documentation, and proper inventory practices are changing the contents restoration process. Watch or listen and discover why slowing down, documenting every step, and getting the details right can make all the difference when it comes to estimates, claims, and accountability.

October 30, 202634 min

The Compliance Blind Spot: What Restoration Contractors Don't Know Could Cost Them

Subcontractor compliance can make or break a restoration project. In this episode, Chris Andronaco, CEO & co-founder of Sublynk , joins us to discuss the risks contractors face when working with subcontractors and how to stay ahead of compliance gaps. Learn how Sublynk helps restorers vet subcontractors, build trusted contractor benches, and connect with qualified tradespeople looking for work. From verifying insurance and licenses to having the right agreements in place, this conversation breaks down what contractors need to know to protect their businesses.

October 27, 202650 min

From Employee to Owner: Taking the Leap into Ownership

What does it take to go from employee to owner of a restoration company? And what happens when that transition takes nearly a decade? In this episode, Brad Heise of Phoenix Renovation and Restoration shares his journey from assistant project manager to company owner, including the lessons learned, leadership challenges, and difficult conversations that shaped a nine-year ownership transition. Brad discusses the importance of gaining hands-on experience, navigating succession planning with company founders, and creating opportunities for the next generation of restoration leaders. He also shares why the restoration industry needs to do a better job introducing itself to students pursuing careers in construction. Whether you're considering an ownership transition, developing future leaders, or thinking about your company's long-term future, this conversation offers valuable insights from someone who's been through the process.

October 26, 202622 min

From Answers to Action: AI Agents, Security & the Claims Race | RestorAI

AI isn't just giving answers anymore. It's taking action. In this episode of RestorAI, David Grove of BYLT Restoration and Michelle Blevins break down the rise of AI agents that can juggle multiple tasks, close open loops, and work like a team of digital assistants, plus why security is becoming one of the biggest conversations in AI right now. From protecting your data and smart devices to the case for private, local AI models, we explore what restoration businesses need to know to stay secure. Plus, we dig into how fast carriers are adopting AI on the claims side, why most restorers still aren't using AI daily, and the recording laws to know before using AI note takers. Watch the full episode and read the transcript at www.candrmagazine.com

October 20, 202635 min

The Power of Advocacy: Protecting the Future of Restoration

Who’s advocating for the restoration industry when it matters most? On this episode of Restoration Today, Vince Scarfo, Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs for the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) , joins the conversation to discuss how RIA is working to give restoration contractors a stronger voice in government. From the push for a dedicated NAICS code to state-level legislative challenges, Vince explains why industry representation matters, how RIA is tracking legislation that impacts restorers, and why member engagement is critical to driving change. He also shares how advocacy efforts helped advance the Military Mold Act in the House. Learn how proactive advocacy can help shape the future of the restoration industry—and why contractors should pay attention to the policies affecting their businesses.

October 16, 202647 min

So… Who’s Responsible for That Job Now? | Phil & Michelle's Happy Hour

What happens when you take over a restoration job from a company that went out of business? It might be more than you bargained for! Phil and Michelle sit down with restoration insurance expert Ross Driscoll Jr., of National E & S Insurance & Driscoll & Driscoll , to talk about today’s tough market, cash flow crunches, and the insurance risks contractors can inherit when stepping in to finish someone else’s work. Plus, why pollution coverage and completed operations insurance matter more than you might think. Grab a drink and join the conversation—you might just save your business a headache down the road!

October 9, 202648 min

Stop Managing Everything. Start Building Leaders. | Chasing the Vision S3E7

Why do leadership teams plateau, even when they have the experience and knowledge to grow? In this episode of Chasing the Vision, in partnership with Violand Management Associates , Michelle & Tim Hull explore the difference between managing processes and truly leading through ownership. Discover why leadership requires more than experience, how decision-making authority develops judgment, and how owners can unintentionally prevent their teams from taking ownership. If every big decision still lands on your desk, it may be time to rethink how you delegate authority, handle mistakes, and empower your leaders to own the outcome.

October 6, 202619 min

Following the Data: Where Restoration Claims Are Headed

In this episode of the Restoration Today Podcast, Susan Fleming, VP of Business Intelligence & Insights at Verisk , breaks down the latest trends shaping restoration claims. From fewer but larger and more complex losses to shifting severe weather patterns and the growing impact of water damage, the claims landscape is changing. In this episode, you'll learn: Why fewer claims don't necessarily mean less opportunity How larger and more complex losses are changing restoration Where catastrophe claims are increasing Why severe weather patterns are shifting geographically How claim values can increase during the repair process What the shift toward water losses means for restorers ..and MORE!

September 29, 202617 min

Estimating in 2026 and Beyond | Restoration Master Class S4E9

Estimating is changing—and technology is moving fast. In the latest episode of the Restoration Master Class, sponsored by DocuSketch , Michelle & Chris Tilkov, of DocuSketch & AskAime , explore how technology and AI are transforming restoration estimating, from field capture to the final scope. What does the future look like? Faster data collection, smarter workflows, better integrations, and an “estimator in the loop”—where AI handles the mundane while human expertise remains essential.