Best Skylight Books Podcasts (2025)

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SKYLIT: Dusty Henry, 20TH CENTURY AMBIENT (GENRE: A 33 1/3 SERIES) 47:01

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5d ago47:01

47:01

Ambient Music, as a genre, is one that is meant to be experienced consciously or unconsciously. It can be focused upon or ignored. It can feed your soul, brighten your day, or just counterpoint the din of the everyday. Dusty Henry, in his new book for 33 1/3's GENRE series, focuses upon 20TH CENTURY AMBIENT. The book looks at early and unexpected i…

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Losers are Winners | Losing the Unicorn: What I Learned When My VA Quit 23:11

15h ago23:11

23:11

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast - Losers Are Winners, Alyssa Abbott of Olive and Vine Socials joins Mark to talk through the real challenges of building a business you love while raising kids. We talk about everything from from hiring mistakes to breakthrough systems and finally building a team that works. Alyssa shares how loosing h…

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#141 | Karl Adalbert | KA Design | Backyard Buddies to Ultra Running: The Mysa Hus Story with Karl Adalbert 1:09:06

2h ago1:09:06

1:09:06

What happens when your neighbor becomes your running buddy, your architectural designer, and your partner in building one of the most exciting homes of your career? In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark sits down with longtime friend and collaborator Karl Adalbert of KA Design to talk about architecture, wellness, and the magic of de…

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Q & A | Thursday Therapy: Vulnerability, Grief, & Surviving the Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship 37:29

38m ago37:29

37:29

In this heartfelt episode of The Curious Builder, Mark Williams and Morgan Molitor dive into the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship and building, highlighting the importance of community, mental health, and real connection in the industry. They share personal stories about the challenges and joys of running a business, emphasize the value …

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#140 | Nick Schiffer | NS Builders | From Haters to Headlines: How Nick Schiffer Turned Skepticism Into a Masterpiece 1:03:44

2d ago1:03:44

1:03:44

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with Nick Schiffer of NS Builders to dive deep into the journey of building the iconic 45 White Oak home. They chat about the challenges of pushing boundaries in luxury spec building, the importance of team effort and relentless vision, and how storytelling and true craftsmansh…

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Q & A | How a $2.4 Billion Lawsuit Led to a Builder's Comeback: Chicago Summit Stories You Need to Hear 27:57

15d ago27:57

27:57

In this Q&A episode, Mark gives us a fun and honest recap of his time at the Contractor Coalition Summit in Chicago, from emotional breakthroughs to behind-the-scenes laughs and epic house tours. He talks about the power of opening up, the need for boundaries to create freedom, and how hanging out with other builders can totally change your busines…

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#139 | Live from Mysa Hus | The Calm You Crave, The Craft That Created It: Mysa Hus | with Marc Cabrera and Mark Brandenhoff of Pella Windows, Alex Sernick of Huber Engineered Woods, and Chris Jessen of ... 1:08:39

18d ago1:08:39

1:08:39

In this live episode of The Curious Builder podcast, Mark brings together his crew from Pella Windows, Huber & Zip, and Rockwool for a fun and lively chat at Mysa Hus. They dig into what makes this build stand out—think cozy vibes, wellness-driven design, and the power of working with partners you actually like. It's all about pushing home building…

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Better Than the Movie 27: VINELAND / ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER w/ Rene Franco 1:43:27

22d ago1:43:27

1:43:27

Ocean waves, ocean waves. One of the best-loved movies of the fall has been Paul Thomas Anderson's ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. The Better Than the Movie crew is joined by Rene Franco, the head of Skylight's Rabbit Hole Reading Club, to discuss the flick and also the novel which provided some inspiration, Thomas Pynchon's kooky and kaleidoscopic Vinel…

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Q & A | Inside 45 White Oak: Staircases, Skylights, & Serious Craftsmanship 30:35

6d ago30:35

30:35

In this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark takes you inside one of the most talked-about custom homes in the country: Nick Schiffer's 45 White Oak. From hand-troweled plaster to 800-lb sliding doors and a $250K sculptural staircase, this tour is packed with "moments of delight" and mind-blowing craftsmanship. Hear how a retired plaste…

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#138 | Alex Little | Little Financial | From Broke to Booked: Builder Finance Hacks 1:03:17

16d ago1:03:17

1:03:17

What does a recovering accountant, a fractional CFO, and a former would-be pararescue jumper have in common? It's all Alex Little of Little Financial. In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark and Alex dive into the silent profit killers hiding in your business, what the heck a 2% leak is, and why cash in the bank doesn't always mean pro…

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Better Than the Movie Halloween Special 2: GIVE YOURSELF GOOSEBUMPS! 2:02:10

29d ago2:02:10

2:02:10

Mwahahaha! The Better Than the Movie crew have gathered again to celebrate R.L. Stine's GOOSEBUMPS horror series for young readers. Rather than just talk ABOUT the books, as they did on the last Halloween special, they talk THROUGH a book. Justin reads a GIVE YOURSELF GOOSEBUMPS title (a kind of CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE sub-series from the late 19…

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Q & A | Behind the Scenes at Sauna Camp 2.0: How Builders Build Community (and Sweat Together) 22:25

29d ago22:25

22:25

In this Q&A episode, Mark gives us the scoop on Sauna Camp 2.0, the buzz around the epic 45 White Oak build, and what's happening with his own Mysa Hus project. He opens up about leadership hiccups, the ups and downs of running a construction team, and why wellness and good vibes matter when building standout homes. If you're into behind-the-scenes…

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#137 | Ami Harari | LA Build Corp | Recession, Failure, & $12,000 Mistakes: Inside the Grit of L.A. Build Corp 1:01:25

29d ago1:01:25

1:01:25

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark sits down with Ami Harari from L.A. Build Corp and gets real about what it's like to build homes (and a business) in Los Angeles. Ami shares his journey from the Israeli military to moving trucks to leading a top-notch construction company—and all the wild twists along the way. They swap stories …

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Q & A | Closing Out the Year With a Bang: The Builder's Playbook for Success, Strategy, & Sanity 22:39

1M ago22:39

22:39

Mark's back with a solo Q&A episode that hits all the good stuff—business strategy, team communication, self-leadership, and building wealth like you build a house: with a plan. He shares a behind-the-scenes look at the live Mysa Hus event, how he's using Fridays for deep work, and why the "losers are winners" mindset still fuels everything. A shor…

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#136 | Ali Awad | Awad Architects | Architects vs. Builders: How Ali Awad Thrived Where Most Clash 54:04

1M ago54:04

54:04

On this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark hangs out with Ali Awad from Awad Architects and they dive into Ali's journey—everything from running a design-build partnership for 25 years to the behind-the-scenes of working on tons of homes in Southwest Minneapolis. They swap stories about what makes partnerships work, why good client relati…

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SKYLIT: Marie Lu, RED CITY 1:01:45

1M ago1:01:45

1:01:45

In Angel City, alchemy is everything. Red City is the new fantasy novel from Marie Lu (Legend, Stars and Smoke). Bookseller Keila Cone-Uemura talks to Lu about the difference between writing for an adult audience and for a YA audience. During this wide-ranging talk, they discuss the inspiration that Lu pulled from her own life and from the city of …

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Q & A | From Imposter Syndrome to Profit: Alumni Share Real Lessons from the Contractor Coalition Summit 34:01

1M ago34:01

34:01

On this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with alumni from the Contractor Coalition Summit—Brad Robinson, Danielle and Michael Gutelli, and Jared Miller—to talk about how the summit totally changed the game for their businesses and personal lives. They swap stories about learning from top builders, building real fr…

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#135 | Kali Sudbrook | Beachside Custom Gyms | Home Gyms Are More Than Dumbbells: How the Wellness Boom Is Changing Homebuilding 1:03:08

1M ago1:03:08

1:03:08

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark hangs out with Kali Sudbrook from Beachside Custom Gyms to talk all things home wellness and fitness spaces. They share Kali's wild leap from a cushy corporate job to designing killer custom gyms, and chat about how the wellness industry is exploding in homebuilding right now. If you're into buil…

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Q & A | Unlocking Success: Lessons Learned at the Contractor Coalition Summit 23:48

1M ago23:48

23:48

In this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark flies solo to share how the Contractor Coalition Summit has seriously leveled up his business game. He chats about everything from getting paid for pre-construction work and using AI, to building a powerful brand and connecting with awesome industry folks. If you're on the fence about going, …

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#134 | Alex Chou | Harnish Workwear | Wearing Your Brand (Literally): Harnish and the Power of Jobsite Style 54:23

2M ago54:23

54:23

How do you reinvent the world's most basic item—a T-shirt—and make pants that actually fight back against plumber's crack? In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark sits down with Alex Chou, co-founder of Harnish Workwear, to talk about premium workwear, design snags, field testing with framers, and why durability shouldn't mean looking …

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Q & A | Losers are Winners Part 9: Burnout, Boundaries, & the Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything with Tyler Grace 21:15

2M ago21:15

21:15

Builder. Dad. Almost burnout casualty. Tyler Grace joins Mark for a raw conversation on why "doing what you love" can still land you in the ER. They dive into stress, ego, profitability, and how Tyler finally drew a line between life and business. Come for the honesty, stay for the dad jokes—and leave with a better plan for your own business sanity…

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#133 | Todd Milburn | Edina Chief of Police | Break-Ins & Builder Blunders: Straight Talk with Edina's Police Chief Todd Milburn 1:12:31

2M ago1:12:31

1:12:31

In this out-of-the-box episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark sits down with Chief Todd Milburn of Edina to talk jobsite theft, neighborhood safety, and what builders and homeowners should really be thinking about when it comes to security. They dive into public safety tech (like license plate readers), the rise of crime-of-opportunity, and h…

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Q & A | Losers are Winners Part 8: From Massive Debt to Entrepreneurial Wisdom with Paul Krumrich 32:47

2M ago32:47

32:47

In this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with Paul Krumrich for a super honest chat about the rollercoaster of being an entrepreneur. Paul opens up about his own big mistakes, like taking on risky debt and being maybe a little too honest with his team during rough times. They both talk about why willpower matters …

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#132 | Martin Davies O'Connor | Mill City Restoration | Punk Rock, Paint, & Pivot Tables: Meet Construction's True Renaissance Man 1:18:44

2M ago1:18:44

1:18:44

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with Martin Davies O'Connor from Mill City Restoration for a lively chat about Martin's fascinating career path—from punk rock and Excel training to importing tequila from Mexico and ultimately running a successful commercial painting business in Minnesota. They dive into the r…

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Q & A | Losers are Winners Part 7: How Admitting Failure Built a Million-Dollar Business with Mike Weaver 30:12

2M ago30:12

30:12

In this Q&A episode, Mark sits down with his friend Mike Weaver for a really honest chat about learning from mistakes—both at work and in life. Mike opens up about a big blunder early in his career that taught him why being upfront with clients matters so much, and he also shares his incredible journey losing 170 pounds (seriously impressive!). It'…

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#131 | Jen Veralle and Sara Whicher | AIA Homes by Architects Tour | From Rejection to Revolution: The Tour That Changed Minnesota's Home Scene Forever 1:03:33

2M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

In this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, host Mark Williams chats with Jen Veralle and Sarah Whicher about the behind-the-scenes journey of launching the AIA Minnesota Homes by Architects tour, now celebrating its 18th year. They dive into how the tour started, what makes it unique, the challenges and successes they've experienced along the …

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Q & A | From Sweeping Floors to Six Figures: How Young People Are Crushing It in the Trades 24:31

3M ago24:31

24:31

In this Q&A episode of The Curious Builder, Mark Williams talks about why we need more young people in the trades and how social media is actually making these careers look cool again. He shares why trade jobs are a great option—think good money, clear paths to grow, and that awesome feeling of building something real. Plus, he offers some down-to-…

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#130 | Michelle VanVolkinburg | Baldwin General | Concrete, Culture, & Cosmetics: Michelle's Unlikely Path to Construction 1:03:46

3M ago1:03:46

1:03:46

What do Nordstrom cosmetics and concrete pours have in common? Turns out, a lot. In this heart-filled episode, Mark sits down with Michelle VanVolkinburg—Baldwin General's head of marketing and HR—to talk about company growth, the power of people-first leadership, and how Baldwin scaled from a pickup truck in Oregon to multi-family towers in Washin…

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Q & A | Losers Are Winners Part 6: The Cost of Hiring the Wrong Person with Adam Copenhaver 22:16

3M ago22:16

22:16

Hiring mistakes, financial setbacks, and communication misfires—yep, Adam's got the receipts. In this candid conversation. Mark talks with Adam Copenhaver of CopeGrand Homes about hiring wins, hiring woes, and what happens when your culture isn't strong enough to catch a bad fit. From cultural index tests to writing painful checks, Adam opens up ab…

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#129 | Jonathan Blaseg | Pebl Design | From Plants to Purpose: Landscape Design with Jonathan Blaseg 1:03:25

3M ago1:03:25

1:03:25

What does it mean to design a yard that's not just pretty—but purposeful? Mark sits down with Jonathan Blaseg of PEBL Design to dig into the wild (and often overlooked) world of landscape architecture. From plant psychology and drainage drama to why "just put a tree there" won't cut it—this episode uncovers how smart outdoor design shapes how we li…

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Q & A | Culture, Failure, and Finding Your Why: The Top Quotes That Transformed My Business 21:15

3M ago21:15

21:15

In this episode, Mark gets real about the ups and downs of running a business, parenting, and life in general. He shares some of his go-to quotes, talks about why having a solid company culture matters way more than any fancy strategy, and opens up about learning from failure (and why you shouldn't stress about being perfect). It's an insightful an…

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#128 | Aaron Tudisco | Ridge Design and Build | Lessons in Joy, Resilience, & Risk 1:03:49

3M ago1:03:49

1:03:49

On this episode of The Curious Builder Podcast, Mark Williams sits down with Aaron Tudisco of Ridge Design and Build to discuss how Aaron and his family create stunning spec homes in Sonoma, California. Aaron shares insights on their unique approach to creating standout, experience-driven homes and what it's like juggling the fun—and challenges—of …

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Better Than the Movie - Friend of the Fest 2025 Special: JOHNNY MNEMONIC 1:36:03

3M ago1:36:03

1:36:03

In advance of the screening of Johnny Mnemonic in Black & White that the BTTM crew is hosting for the American Cinematheque's Friend of the Fest 2025, Allan and Justin get together to discuss the film and the William Gibson short story that inspired it. If you're going to be in Los Angeles on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, why not come to our movie scre…

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Q & A | Quotes to Lead By: Building Better Businesses and Lives, One Insight at a Time 25:39

3M ago25:39

25:39

In this episode, Mark Williams gets real about his go-to quotes and how they've helped him run a better business (and just live better, too). He talks about tackling problems together, not letting perfection trip you up, and why jumping in and taking action really matters. With plenty of relatable stories, Mark offers friendly advice for building b…

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#127 | Chris Montana | Du Nord Social Spirits | Burnout, Barrooms, & Breaking Barriers: Chris Montana's Path to Disrupting an Industry 1:06:35

3M ago1:06:35

1:06:35

In this episode of The Curious Builder, Mark Williams chats with Chris Montana from Du Nord Social Spirits about his journey from being a lawyer to running Minnesota's first micro-distillery. Chris opens up about the importance of work-life balance (especially after having two strokes!), why building a business with community and purpose matters, a…

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Q & A | Losers Are Winners Part 5: How a Million Dollar Home Almost Ruined Me & What I Learned From It 19:17

4M ago19:17

19:17

In this Q&A, Mark gets candid about a major setback during the 2008 recession, sharing how a failed spec home taught him some hard life and business lessons. Thanks to some wise words from his dad, he learned not to fear failure and how bouncing back can set you up for even bigger wins down the road. It's a real and relatable listen for anyone deal…

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#126 | Emerson Bredin | Bredin Brothers | Inside the Wild Growth of Bredin Brothers: How 2 Brothers Changed the Canadian Cottage Game 1:07:59

4M ago1:07:59

1:07:59

In this episode of The Curious Builder, Mark Williams chats with Emerson Bredin of Bredin Brothers, based in Muskoka, Ontario. Emerson shares how he and his brother broke into the construction business without any family background, taking the company from a carpentry crew to a 20-person operation specializing in luxury cottages and boathouses. The…

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SKYLIT: Alisha Mughal, IT CAN'T RAIN ALL THE TIME: THE CROW 42:20

4M ago42:20

42:20

Abashed the devil stood, and felt how awful goodness is. The Crow (1994) is a one-of-a-kind film, borne out of tragedy and thought to be cursed. Critic and culture writer Alisha Mughal takes a look at the film, its graphic novel origins, its beautiful but doomed star Brandon Lee, and much more in her new book for the Pop Classics series, It Can't R…

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Q & A | Losers Are Winners Part 4: Boundaries, Burnout, & Big Decisions with Nathan Marsala 30:48

4M ago30:48

30:48

Ever bitten off more than you could build? Nathan Marsala has. In this candid convo, Mark and Nathan unpack the cost of chasing the wrong projects, the lessons hidden in late-night site visits, and how Nathan's dashboard (and daughter) helped him recalibrate. It's one of those real, raw chats that hits hard—especially if you're building a business …

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#125 | Sara Whicher and Marcy Townsend | Chisel Architecture | "Pattern of Life" Design, Wooly Mittens & the Heart Behind Chisel Architecture 1:13:06

4M ago1:13:06

1:13:06

When you combine Midwest warmth, architectural soul, and a passion for people—you get Chisel Architecture. In this episode, Mark sits down with Sara "Wooly Mittens" Whicher and Marcy Townsend to talk about their client-first design philosophy, their origin story, and what it means to design for a client's real life—not just their Pinterest board. P…

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Q & A | Losers Are Winners Part 3: Finding Success Through Setbacks with Caleb MacDonald 25:31

4M ago25:31

25:31

Lets turn some big loses into some big wins. In this Losers Are Winners episode, Mark and Caleb MacDonald swap stories about their early business blunders—from failed snowboard sales to endless house cleaning gigs—and how those moments shaped them into better builders. Caleb gets real about learning from those flops, staying patient, and why having…

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#124 | Kevin and Abbie Arnold | KA Builders | What Most Builders Get Wrong About Pre-Construction (And How KA Builders Nailed It) 59:50

4M ago59:50

59:50

In this episode of The Curious Builder, Kevin and Abbie Arnold of KA Builders share their journey as a husband-and-wife team building their business in Ohio. They chat with host Mark Williams about their start in the industry, how their different backgrounds and skillsets complement each other, lessons learned from industry events, and their plans …

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Better Than the Movie 26: HOLES w/ Sophia Benoit 1:41:19

4M ago1:41:19

1:41:19

Author and comedian Sophia Benoit (Well, This Is Exhausting) joins the Better Than the Movie crew to discuss a modern children's book classic, HOLES by Louis Sachar, and its 2003 live-action Disney adaptation, which was scripted by Sachar himself, directed by Andrew Davis (The Fugitive), and starred an insanely talented ensemble cast headed by Mega…