Restoration Today

Hosted by Michelle Blevins

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Episodes

422

Latest episode

Aug 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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 1, 202636 min

Building a Legacy: Inside PuroClean Leadership

What can the 82nd Airborne teach you about running a restoration business? In this episode of the Restoration Today Podcast, George Hernandez, COO of PuroClean , shares his journey from insurance adjuster to entrepreneur and executive leader, and how military experience shaped his approach to discipline, preparation and leadership. George discusses: PuroClean’s growth to more than 500 locations Current industry challenges Franchise support Why profitability—not just revenue—is critical to long-term success ...and MORE! 🎙️ Listen now for lessons on leading through change and building a sustainable restoration business.

August 28, 202641 min

Scaling Without the Slip: How Documentation Protects Profitability | Master Class S4E8

Scaling a restoration company brings opportunity—but without the right processes and documentation, growth can quickly impact quality, cash flow, and profitability. In episode 8 of season 4 of the Restoration Master Class, Holly Baldwin of DocuSketch and Alec Demgen of SERVPRO Team Bates & Hogan discuss with Michelle about how standardized processes, strong documentation, employee training, and a consistent customer experience can help restoration companies scale successfully without sacrificing quality.

August 25, 202630 min

Profit by Design: The Current Business Climate | Live at the Collective

Recorded live at the Collective by CORE, Ryan Pritchard, VP of Business Development at PSA , breaks down what it really takes to build profitability by design—not by accident. Ryan explores: The hidden profit drains impacting restoration companies The importance of accurate data and KPIs How technology, accountability, and smarter processes can help contractors protect their bottom line ...and MORE! From slippage and bad data to uncompensated scope changes and material waste, this conversation offers practical insights for building a healthier, more profitable business.

August 18, 202624 min

Stop Selling Restoration. Start Selling Preparedness.

Emergency Response Plans have come a long way from a binder sitting on a shelf. Today, digital ERPs can give commercial clients instant access to critical property information—and give restoration companies a powerful way to build relationships before disaster strikes. In this episode, Michelle & Jeff Carrier, of Restoration ERP , explore how restoration companies can use ERPs to differentiate themselves, win commercial clients, and move from reactive sales to proactive partnerships. From documenting shutoffs and access points to building communication trees and understanding a client’s real pain points, the right ERP can be much more than a preparedness tool—it can be a competitive advantage. The key? Don’t wait for the loss to earn the relationship.

August 17, 202653 min

Delegation Is More Than Just Letting Go

Delegation isn't about doing less—it's about giving away real authority. In this episode of Chasing the Vision (in partnership with Violand Management Associates) , we break down why so many restoration owners think they've delegated—when they've really just handed off tasks while keeping every meaningful decision for themselves. If every big call still runs through you, the business hasn't scaled—the workload has. Tim Hull, Joey Pendley (Owner & CEO of Penco Restoration), and Michelle Blevins dig into how transferring decision-making authority—not just offloading work—is what builds a business that can thrive without you. 🎧 Explore more restoration leadership insights at candrmagazine.com

August 11, 202629 min

AI Just Changed the Marketing Game

AI is changing marketing faster than most businesses can keep up with—and restoration companies are no exception. In this episode, Michelle and Katie Harris, Founding Partner at Spot On Solutions , dive into how AI is reshaping marketing for service-based businesses, from content creation and search to Google Ads, video, customer engagement, and more. The answer isn’t to panic—or ignore it. It’s to get brave, start exploring, and learn how to use AI strategically. They also talk about why every company needs an AI policy, where human oversight still matters, and why authentic brand content and genuine human connection may be more important than ever. AI is moving fast. Your marketing needs to move with it.

August 7, 20261 hr 2 min

Deep Dive #4: Tech & AI | 2026 State of the Industry

Technology and AI are reshaping how restoration companies operate—from the field to the back office. Join Michelle Blevins and Leighton Healey of KnowHow as they dive into one of the biggest topics shaping restoration today: Technology & AI. Discover what the latest industry data reveals about AI adoption, automation, and the tools transforming restoration workflows—and what it all means for your business. You'll also hear real-world insights from an incredible panel of industry leaders: ⭐ Brayden Everton, Founder, Aiyarise Intelligence Inc.⭐ Tyler Tanaka, CTO, ATI Restoration, LLC⭐ Taylor Carmichael, MIS, Director of Systems, Southeast Restoration

August 4, 202620 min

The Hidden Profit Sitting Beneath Your Customers' Homes

Underground ductwork presents a unique set of challenges that many restoration professionals overlook. In this episode, Jason Stiles, owner of Air Doctor Duct Cleaning & Lining , explains why these systems require specialized equipment, proper inspection, and techniques that go far beyond traditional duct cleaning. From hidden debris and rusted ductwork to indoor air quality concerns and Duct Armor applications, you'll learn what contractors need to know to properly assess, clean, and restore underground duct systems. Whether you're a restoration contractor, HVAC professional, or indoor air quality specialist, this episode offers practical insights you can put to work immediately.

July 30, 202615 min

The Hidden Profit Killer (And How to Stop It) | Master Class S4E7

Growing your restoration company doesn't always mean growing your profits. In this episode of Restoration MasterClass, Nelson Higgins, VP, North America at DocuSketch , explains why so many restoration companies see their margins shrink as they scale—and what they can do to stop it. From documentation and SOPs to reconstruction workflows and technician efficiency, Nelson shares practical strategies to protect profitability while building a business that can grow sustainably. If you're looking to scale smarter and keep more of what you earn, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can put to work right away.

July 10, 202659 min

Deep Dive #3: Hiring & Retention | 2026 State of the Industry

The restoration labor market is changing—and so are employee expectations. In the third 2026 State of the Industry Deep Dive on Hiring & Retention, in partnership with KnowHow , join our panel of industry leaders as they break down hiring trends, retention strategies, compensation data, and what it takes to build a company people want to work for.