The DYOJO Podcast

Hosted by Jon Isaacson / The DYOJO

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Episodes

208

Latest episode

May 2026

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About the show

Helping contractors shorten their DANG learning curve. The DYOJO Podcast will INFORM and ENTERTAIN. Personal and professional development for the skilled trades, construction, insurance claims, and property restoration. Thursdays are for The DYOJO Podcast. This podcast is hosted by contractor and author, Jon Isaacson, aka The Intentional Restorer. Content for: Insurance claims professionals, property restoration contractors, construction business owners, skilled trades estimators, project managers, developing leaders, aspiring technicians, and insurance adjusters. TheDYOJO.com/podcast

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60 recent

May 9, 2026Episode 13224 min

132 Insurance Claim Rejection Robots

For episode 132 of The DYOJO Podcast - the podcast that helps contractors shorten their DANG learning curve - we discuss:* The announcement of the Verisk (Xactimate) and Claude (AI) integration and what this means for contractors who assist homeowners with insurance claims response, mitigation, and repairs. * Take a step back in time to discuss some tips for contractors helping homeowners with mold damage removal and remediation. Revisiting a video clip with our first guest David Princeton of Advocate Claim Service.

December 4, 2025Episode 13135 min

131 Death by Water Heater (Carbon monoxide poisoning)

On Episode 131 of The DYOJO Podcast we discuss the tragic true story out of Olympia, Washington where a young man lost his life because of an improperly installed tankless water heater. Many lessons to be learned for organizations, managers, technicians, installers, and homeowners as it relates to hazards in the built environment. *The contractors in this incident were initially charged with manslaughter for the improper installation of a tankless water heaterWe also have details about Winter Break 2026 - check out the article in C&R Magazine SOURCES:Contractors Agree to Diversion Plan in Carbon Monoxide Leak That Killed 21 Year Old Evergreen State College Student Jonathan Rodriguez - https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/contractors-diversion-plan-carbon-monoxide-leak-that-killed-evergreen-student/281-3a77f49d-1fa4-42e7-80cc-68878a52c32dWinter Break 2026 info - https://www.candrmagazine.com/winter-break-week-2026-set-to-deliver-expanded-education-networking-industry-collaboration-in-bonita-springs/

November 20, 2025Episode 13028 min

130 Shrinkage & Aggressive Patience

My truck got broken into - a dange smash and grab. Made me mad and thinking about some of the responses by local authorities to crime, including some interesting remarks by the mayor of Seattle. Our vocabulary word for the day is "shrinkage". Listen to find out what it means and why it's important if you are a small business owner.Also, we end on a positive note hearing about the skilled trades and entrepreneurial journey of Joyce Gabriel, co-owner of Expert Restoration (Rochester, WA). Our second vocabulary word is "aggressive patience". Listen to find out what this concept means and how it can help you as you pursue personal development as an aspiring professional.

November 6, 2025Episode 12922 min

129 The Essence of an Entrepreneur

"Opportunities don't happen, you create them." — Chris Grosser For this episode, we discuss the entrepreneurial journey of Taylor Rivas and the team at H2O Away based in Tumwater, Washington. We touch on some of the history of property restoration in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). We replay some of our past interviews, including clips from industry pioneers Claude Blackburn and Cliff Zlotnik. In the middle of all this we take a trip down memory lane to learn about building a unique culture at beloved brand Snappled and the corporate implosion after big money got involved. "I mean, they may have the appearance of riches, but beneath the clothes, we find a man... and beneath the man we find his... nucleus." - Nacho Libre The DYOJO Podcast:* Listen on Spotify and Apple* Watch on YouTube* Read The DYOJO Blog and sign up for our newsletter - thedyojo.com* Support us by purchasing one of the construction estimating and project management books written by Jon Isaacson

October 23, 2025Episode 12820 min

128 Identifying and fixing issues

Why is there NEVER enough time to do it right the first time but ALWAYS enough time to do it again? Every business owner and manager knows, there isn't. So, what are some of the ways we can fix the system, get team members focused on the right things, and crush our goals in the coming year? W. Edwards Deming has some insights on total quality managment that are applicable to any construction organization. Also, mark your calendars for Pete Consigli's Winter Break 2026 - February 16-20 in Bonita Springs, Florida!!!

September 15, 2025Episode 12716 min

127 Help, My Business Is Slow

Some reports state 75% of contractors and property restoration service providers express slower than expected business in the current billing cycle. On Episode 127 of The DYOJO Podcast we discuss some ideas for how to use entrepreneurial downtime for personal growth and slow seasons for organizational improvement.

September 2, 2025Episode 12524 min

126 What Does Jeff Bezos Know About Property Restoration (Puttering)

In this episode of The DYOJO Podcast we disucss* Jeff Bezos' 1 Hour Rule (Puttering) * Steve Jobs and hiring A Players * Creating clear goals for property restoration technicians * Zac from H2O Away shares how encouraging team members to be just 1% better each day can add up to big wins for employees and the organization* Upcoming restoration training, events, and conferences including The Experience (Sep 2025 in Vegas), Pete Consigli's Winter Break (Feb 2026 in Florida) , and Restoration Industry Association (Apr 2026 in Georgia). The DYOJO Podcast - Helping Contractors Shorten their DANG Learning Curve (YouTube & Spotify). Get your copies of Jon Isaacson's books So, You Want to be a Project Manager and How to Suck Less at Estimating on Amazon or TheDYOJO.com

May 15, 2025Episode 12537 min

125 Do Insurance Companies Apologize?

For episode 125 of The DYOJO Podcast we review recent video of the senate hearings lead by Josh Hawley (MS) which include sworn testimony from two policyholders with Allstate and State Farm who were affected by improper insurance claims handling for property damages. The extended video includes sworn testimony from two independent adjusters who worked for insurance carrier Allstate and third party adjusting firm Pilot. Senator Hawley has direct interaction with Mike Fiato who is the executive vice president and chief claims officer for Allstate Insurance Company. Video clips from: * Forbes Breaking News (2 hours) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs2VKoQPvxY* Off The Press (8 minutes) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCgzSuwSbqs&t=301s Thursdays are for The DYOJO Podcast - helping contractor's shorten their DANG learning curve. Check out thedyojo.com for more information, the DYOJO blog, and sign up for The DYOJO Wire Newsletter.

May 8, 2025Episode 12437 min

124 Construction Ethics, Shared Goals, and Building a Stronger Future

A few of the questions and topics we will discuss in this episode of The DYOJO Podcast include: * What is the Restoration Industry Association (RIA)? * Should contractors join the RIA? * Is the RIA doing a good job? Episode 124 of The DYOJO Podcast "Construction Ethics, Shared Goals, and a Stronger Future"0:00 More American 1:40 RIA 2025 Recap7:35 Contractor Code of Ethics 13:42 Restoration History 18:47 Is RIA Doing a Good Job? 23:33 Weaponizing Consumer Protection 30:22 Success Tips from Taylor RivasListen to The DYOJO Podcast on Spotify and watch on YouTube. Read The DYOJO Blog for more information and links to the stories we discuss in this episode. Subcribe to The DYOJO Wire newsletter.

April 24, 202522 min

Get Paid, Not Played: Managing Client Expectations as a Contractor

In this episode of The DYOJO Podcast, we explore a case study where a contractor’s attempt to secure payment backfired due to unclear communication and a surprise invoice. After alerting a homeowner to hail damage, the contractor demanded the insurance payout and submitted an unapproved $1,200 invoice, sparking a dispute. The episode highlights the importance of clear contracts, transparent processes, and ethical standards to avoid misunderstandings and ensure payment. Contractors are encouraged to use tools like pre-work authorizations, communicate expectations upfront, and align with clients on restoring properties to pre-loss conditions using like-kind materials. Tune in for practical tips on protecting your earnings and building trust with clients.