Across The Street, Across The Country

A teaser for Episode 14 of Season 3

TW: The following episode contains content about suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

“It’s not for everybody,” warns Chris Kelly of DKI - Parker in Windsor, Ontario. Indeed, the trauma and crime scene restoration specialist has been exposed to work sites that keep him up at night.
But a recent one had an especially profound effect on him. It earned him DKI Canada’s Compassionate Restorer Award.
Chris joins us to discuss his work, and the job that had him develop a special bond with two grieving parents.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, there are ways to get help. If you're in immediate danger or need urgent medical support, call 9-1-1. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

More resources are available here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html

Theme music is “Medicine” and “Move On, Grow” by Cassie Noble. 

It’s been almost a year and a half since we last spoke to DKI’s Future Council. Its members have gained a lot of wisdom since that time. They also gained a new member. We reconnect with Mikaela Caetano of DKI - Refexio, Alex Holmwood of DKI - Miller and Jessica Bradley of DKI - Highland. We also connect – for the first time – with their new FC colleague, Jordan Mills, of DKI - SDS.

Darryl James isn’t just the creative force behind our theme music. He’s also a landlord. And a conscientious one – and, by his own admission, “terrified of water.”  We follow him, and DKI mould expert Daryl Richard, on a mould inspection in one of the musician-come-landlord’s rental properties. 

We’ve got a BBQ safety tip, courtesy of Neil Thomas of DKI - Winnipeg.

Music for this episode is “Fix it for you” and “Coming up” by – yup – Darryl James’s Close Kicks! 

DKI is, indeed, the leader in Canadian restoration. And its members achieve this national goal, by knowing how to deliver that message to their own unique parts of the country. Because what works out west may not necessarily work as effectively out east. Then again, it might. Lindsay Sereda, Marketing Director of DKI - SDS in Saskatchewan can speak to this – and does in our feature interview!

Nic Oake took his title as a Red Seal carpenter with DKI - Sparklean in Edmonton to a national skills competition in Quebec City. We speak to him moments after he put his hammer down – and moments before a champion was declared. Did he win? Hmm...
And new-to-DKI general legal counsel Diego Cariaga shares what home means to him.

Theme music for this episode is “Can’t give it up" and “Dance with ya” by Close Kicks. 

It takes many people with many skills to take on - and successfully complete – a full restoration. That typically requires contracting out one or two (or several) sub-trades. DKI - RCCN, however, found a way to reduce its need to sub-contract. Lory Perizzolo, CEO of the Calgary-based DKI member, tells us how. 

Cities, neighbourhoods and homes are constantly evolving, adapting to new challenges – from climate change to family needs. How they adapt to, and meet these challenges will depend on that next generation of builders and engineers. Dr Eugene Mohareb, who grew up in Eastern Ontario, has a lot to say on the topic. He’s now an associate professor at The School of Construction Management and Engineering at Reading University in the U.K, helping to train this next gen of construction innovators. What they’re learning, he tells us, is applicable on this side of the pond, too. And we’ve got a tip from DKI - Miller’s Alex Holmwood! Music for this episode is “The House We Built” by Close Kicks and “Brave” by Cassie Noble.

They’re no longer anomalies. Major catastrophes are now regular – even seasonal - occurrences. And they’ve spawned an industry of experts who provide important catastrophe-related data to insurance and public sector stakeholders. 

CatIQ is leading that charge, with Laura Twidle at its helm. 

The Chief Executive Officer tells us how CatIQ is meeting this (ever-increasing and ever-evolving) demand for a specialized service.

The Foley family of DKI Foley Restoration really stepped up recently – literally. They, along with a small army of other DKI members, all climbed the stairs – so so many stairs! – of the CN Tower in support of the World Wildlife Fund Canada. We speak to Team Foley moments before those first steps, and moments after the last one. 

And we’ve got another tip, courtesy of Dwayne Harpell of DKI RCCN in Calgary.

Music for this episode is “This is Everything” by Close Kicks, and “Ghost Stories” by Looking for Heather. 

They may have big monetary value. Or they may not. And it doesn’t matter. Because to the person who cherishes that item - that piece of jewellery, that garment, that picture, that chair, table or dresser - it’s the emotional value that’s most important. So if it’s been damaged due to catastrophe, restoring it is paramount.

Sean Carter, of Calgary Contents, has spent much of his career restoring not so much items, as memories. He shares with us the stories behind some of these special restorations, and what drives him to bring these items back to life. 

And DKI’s Natalie Rotondo, who’s lived on three continents, tells us how she defines home.

Music for this episode is Long Way From Home by Close Kicks and Medicine by Cassie Noble. 

Think of it as a jumbo-sized Play-Doh dispenser. But instead of child’s clay, it squirts out a specially-formulated concrete-like material. And instead of it being used to create a dinosaur or a volcano on the kitchen table, it’s used to build houses on lots – faster, less costly and better able to withstand natural disasters than conventional construction, say its practioners.

Three entrepreneurs are betting their backhoe-sized 3D printer - and the unique construction method it’s designed for – is poised to change the way we build homes and, in turn, help solve a housing crisis.

We meet Dwight Corcoran – and his 3D printing robot – at his Cormor office in Central Ontario. 

Music for this episode is “Coming Up” and “You Made it Home” by Close Kicks. 

It’s not that learning-on-the-job can – or should – be replaced. But DKI knows that formal training, in a classroom setting, for its members – present and future ones – also helps to guarantee its standing as Canada’s leader in property restoration. It’s why DKI played no small role in working with Humber College to develop a new 14-week virtual program for those new to the industry, as well as those looking to move up its ranks. Adam Tzarik, DKI Canada’s VP of Business Development, recounts how a chance encounter helped all of this come together – and the role DKI played in designing the course. John McNeil, Humber College professor and course coordinator, shares what students will learn in this innovative Disaster Recovery Manager Program – which they can pursue while still on the job. 

And Natasha Pinto, DKI’s Senior VP Operations, tells us what home means to her. 

Theme music for this episode is “Build a Home” by Cassie Noble, and “Coming Up” by Close Kicks. 

The restoration industry will always rely on skilled people using good old-fashioned hand tools. And DKI has those in spades. (Get it?) But Canada’s leader in property restoration also knows it has to be a leader in industry innovation. That demands adapting to, and embracing,  digital technology. 

DKI’s VP of Software Development, Jason Rosen, tells us how this is being achieved with all its members from coast to coast.

Rob MacPherson, DKI’s Manager of Training and Development, shares the detes on a digital method of creating property estimates. Hint: iPad instead of note pad. 

And DKI - Miller Construction’s Alex Holmwood is our first contributor to a new semi-regular series, where we offer helpful homeowner tips.

Music for this episode is “Small Town, Big Dreams” and “I’ll Always Be Alright” by Close Kicks.