The Curious Builder

Hosted by Mark Williams

Business

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Episodes

328

Latest episode

Nov 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Every great home starts with a person who decided to build something. Behind every kitchen, custom home and remodel is a business owner who took a risk, made payroll, lost sleep over a bid and kept going anyway. The Curious Builder tells their stories. Host Mark Williams has spent more than 22 years building custom homes, and he's still curious about how other people do it. Each week he sits down with builders, remodelers, architects, interior designers and trade owners from across the country for honest conversations about what it takes to build a business, and a life, in this industry. These aren't polished success stories. Guests talk about starting with a truck and a borrowed toolbox, the job that nearly sank them, the hire that changed everything, and the moment they realized the business was running them. You'll hear how they price, sell, lead teams, find clients, build a brand and protect their time, health and families along the way. Who it's for: owners and leaders in residential construction and design who want to grow, whether you're three years in and stretched thin or twenty years in and asking what's next. Homeowners and design lovers who want to see how great homes really come together are welcome too. What you'll walk away with: practical ideas to use on Monday morning, perspective from people a few steps ahead of you, and the reminder that you're not the only one figuring it out. Two episodes every week: Monday: a full-length conversation with a builder, designer, architect or trade leader. Thursday: a shorter episode with a focused lesson you can put to work right away. With more than 300 episodes, The Curious Builder has grown into a national community. Its listeners gather in person through the Curious Collectives, owner-led groups now meeting in cities across the country. The podcast is where the conversation starts. Build a better business. Build a better life. Stay curious.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 9, 202658 min

#191 | Kelly Grace | Travis Price Architects | Why We Need to Stop Building Bigger and Start Building Better

Kelly Grace of Travis Price Architects joins Mark for a conversation about why the future of luxury homes might be smaller, healthier, and a whole lot more intentional. They explore natural materials, long-term durability, circadian lighting, healthy building envelopes, and why spending more upfront can save money over the life of a home. Plus, Kelly shares hard-earned lessons from her years in construction about managing risk, having uncomfortable client conversations, and why documenting everything is a lot cheaper than going to court. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode: Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/ RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/ Where to find the Guest: Website: https://travispricearchitects.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nontoxarchitect/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-davies-grace-11705b139/ Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

November 5, 202632 min

Case Study | Running Through Pain, Setbacks, and Self-Doubt with Leah Koschak & Ben Torres

Signing up for a marathon is one thing. Actually getting your body to cooperate for 26 miles is another. Leah Koschak and physical therapist Ben Torres join Mark to unpack a wild eight-month journey filled with hip pain, knee problems, a back injury, and a whole lot of determination. It's a conversation about resilience, managing setbacks, and why you don't have to solve the entire marathon today. Just figure out this week's problem. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode: Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/ Where to find the Guest: Ben Torres Website: https://www.vh360.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtualhealth360/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virtualhealth360/ Leah Koschak Website: https://heymabella.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hey.mabella Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

November 2, 20261 hr 20 min

#190 | Josh Sprague | Seven Clay | The $186K Mistake Josh Sprague Couldn't Get Google to Fix

What do ultra running, scaling a business, and getting smacked in the face with a two-by-four have in common? Apparently, a lot. Josh Sprague of Seven Clay joins Mark to talk endurance sports, million-dollar inventory headaches, and the $186,000 Google Ads hack that turned a vacation into a 100-day battle with Google. It's a conversation about staying relentless when business gets ugly, knowing when to push, and why your bank balance is not the same thing as your profit. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode: Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/ All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/ Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/ RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/ Where to find the Guest: Website: https://sevenclay.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevenclay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshsprague/ Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

October 29, 202629 min

Talking Shop | How Francis King Turned Connections Into a Community

What happens when builders, designers, and vendors stop trying to do everything themselves and start working together? Charlie and Susan Flynn join Mark at Mysa Hus to share what it takes to build a relationship-driven business, create a culture that survives growth, and bring the design community together through events like Francis King's Mini Market. Along the way, they unpack the Mysa Hus collaboration, sustainable furnishings, and why the best partnerships start with shared values, not a competition over who gets the credit. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode: Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/ All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/ Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/ Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.francisking.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franciskingltd/ Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

October 26, 202644 min

#189 | Paul Kealey | EkoBuilt | Paul Kealey on the Future of Homebuilding (And Why We're Not Ready)

Construction costs are climbing, skilled labor is getting harder to find, and building a home on-site comes with plenty of opportunities for expensive surprises. Paul Kealey of EkoBuilt joins Mark to explain how prefab construction and passive house principles can create more predictable builds, healthier homes, and better energy performance without sending costs into orbit. Plus, they tackle the biggest obstacle to prefab taking off: an industry that may need to get comfortable with a little thing called change. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode: Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/ All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/ Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/ RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/ Where to find the Guest: Website: https://ekobuilt.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekobuiltpassivehouse/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EkoBuilt/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EkoBuiltPassiveHomes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ekobuilt/ Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

October 22, 202622 min

Losers are Winners | Alex Johantgen on the Power of Doing Less

What do garage doors, an eight-week training program, and bringing a customer's trash cans up from the curb have in common? They're all part of how Alex Johantgen is building Rise & Shine Garage Doors into a business that stands out from the competition. Alex joins Mark to talk rebranding, profitability, employee training, and why friends knock and strangers ring the doorbell. Turns out, exceptional customer service doesn't have to cost a fortune. It just takes a little thought. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode: Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/ All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/ Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/ Where to find the Guest: Website: https://callriseandshine.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/callriseandshine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-johantgen-664b41102/ Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

October 19, 20261 hr 3 min

#188 | Nick Quijano | Southerly Homes | Nick Quijano on What Custom Builders Can Learn from the Big Guys

Nick Quijano went from teaching snowboarding and driving a Zamboni to building a career with one of the country's major home builders, then launching Southerly Homes with a few kids, a mortgage, and a whole lot of faith in the plan. He and Mark get into the risks of starting a business, the systems small builders often overlook, and why production builders and custom builders have a lot more to learn from each other than they might think. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode: Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/ All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/ Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/ RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/ Where to find the Guest: Website: https://southerlyhomes.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southerlyhomes/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoutherlyHomesATX/ Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

October 15, 202620 min

Losers are Winners | Better Benefits, Bigger Profits, & Less Headaches with Mike Notte

What if you could offer better employee benefits, save on taxes, and make your business more attractive to top talent without wrecking your profit margins? Mike Notte joins Mark Williams to explain how smart employee benefits can help attract the kind of people who take ownership and keep the business moving. They also unpack tax-saving strategies, wellness plans, and why assuming benefits are too expensive could be costing you the very talent you need to grow. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode: Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/ Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/ All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/ Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.mjninsuranceservices.com/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/smallbizbenefitspro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-notte-27400b178/ Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

October 12, 20261 hr 14 min

#187 | Rob Stein | Author & Speaker | Rob Stein Cracked the Code to More Money, Time, & Mental Freedom

You built the business, hit the goals, and made the money. So why are you still stressed out and answering emails at the dinner table? Author and keynote speaker Rob Stein joins Mark to explain why success can actually create decision fatigue, how delegating decisions (not just tasks) changes everything, and why your morning routine can't save you from a poorly structured day. Because no amount of cold plunges can fix a business built on bad systems. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode: Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/ Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/ RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/ All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/ Where to find the Guest: Website: https://robstein.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rob_stein LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob--stein/ Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

October 8, 202625 min

Losers are Winners | The Success Trap That Caught Aaron Hall

Aaron Hall built a successful law firm, ended up with 45 employees, and discovered that "making it" didn't feel much like making it at all. He and Mark Williams get into burnout, lawsuits, the danger of chasing money and fame, and why entrepreneurs need to know when to put down the problem-solving hat and just listen. Plus, a little Mr. Miyagi wisdom, some dad-level relationship advice, and a reminder that sometimes the best legal strategy is calling your lawyer before everything catches fire. Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life. Sponsors for the Episode: Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/ Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/ Where to find the Guest: Website: https://aaronhall.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronhallattorney/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AaronHallAttorney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronhall/ Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc