In this special annual Christmas episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, Dan Hansen steps away from the usual home improvement topics to celebrate the season—and give back to listeners.

This year’s Extravaganza includes a festive giveaway: ten $100 gift certificates, awarded to listeners who share their favorite Christmas songs, memories, or traditions via email.

Dan opens the show with a humorous and heartfelt story about a long-ago family Christmas card featuring a screaming toddler—an unexpected reminder of how the most genuine moments often become the most meaningful memories. From there, the episode dives into the fascinating history behind familiar holiday traditions.

You’ll hear how Christmas cards originated in Victorian England, why they were once criticized as cold and impersonal, and how they eventually became a beloved seasonal ritual. Dan also explores the birth of Christmas music on the radio, beginning with the groundbreaking Christmas Eve broadcast of 1906, and how radio forever changed the way the holiday is shared and experienced.

The episode wraps up with the story of Christmas lights—from the risky early days of candle-lit trees to the invention and widespread adoption of electric lights that transformed holiday decorating. The show closes with warm Christmas wishes and a reminder to enter the holiday giveaway.

• Reproduction of the First Radio Broadcast

00:00 — Welcome to the Annual Christmas Extravaganza

01:49 — Christmas Card Chaos: A Family Story

04:37 — The Controversial Origins of Christmas Cards

09:58 — How Christmas Communication Evolved

11:25 — The Birth of Christmas on the Radio

18:25 — The First Christmas Eve Broadcast (1906)

22:32 — Radio’s Impact on Holiday Traditions

24:46 — The History of Christmas Lights

28:40 — Candles, Symbolism, and Seasonal Danger

32:23 — The Rise of Electric Christmas Lights

35:16 — Modern Christmas Light Displays

35:33 — Final Thoughts, Christmas Wishes, and the Giveaway

In this episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, we take a moment to honor the life and legacy of Frank Gehry—the visionary architect behind landmarks like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Gehry passed away at 96, leaving behind a body of work that continues to reshape how we think about buildings, space, and the creative process itself.

Host Dan Hansen reflects on Gehry’s impact and unpacks what made his approach to creativity so powerful. From embracing the unknown to challenging long-held assumptions, Gehry’s mindset offers practical lessons for anyone looking to bring more originality, curiosity, and play into their own projects—whether you're designing a home, solving a problem, or simply trying something new.

This episode explores how stepping into uncertainty, allowing yourself to experiment (and even fail), and pushing past convention can unlock refreshing and unexpected possibilities. Along the way, Dan shares examples from Gehry’s career and applies those principles to everyday spaces homeowners often struggle with.

00:00 Introduction and Tribute to Frank Gehry

01:14 The Importance of Creativity

04:59 Frank Gehry's Early Life and Influences

09:11 The Turning Point: The Santa Monica House

12:41 The Bilbao Effect and Gehry's Global Legacy

14:12 Unleashing Creativity: What Gehry Teaches Us

18:50 Embracing the Unknown and Staying Curious

21:10 Applying Design Principles to Everyday Rooms

22:15 Challenging Assumptions in Small Spaces

23:39 Reimagining the Living Room

26:21 Experimenting with Kitchen Cabinets

29:00 Learning from Failure and Criticism

33:57 Discovering Your Own Creative Signature

37:33 How Architecture Shapes Community

39:07 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of Home in Progress, host Dan Hansen sits down with Andrea Magno, Director of Color Marketing and Design at Benjamin Moore, for an inside look at the 2026 Color of the Year: Silhouette. Andrea walks us through the behind-the-scenes process of selecting the color, the cultural and design trends that shaped this year’s choice, and why this rich, moody brown feels both fresh and timeless.

You’ll hear practical tips on how to use Silhouette throughout your home, how to pair it with the rest of the 2026 palette, and what sets this year’s colors apart from short-lived micro-trends. Andrea also shares stories from her years in color research and design, offering listeners a grounded and inspiring guide to making thoughtful color decisions.

00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Shoutout

00:28 — Meet Andrea Magno

02:13 — How the Color of the Year Is Chosen

07:28 — The Emergence of Silhouette

09:08 — Why Brown Is Back (and Where It Works)

16:26 — Micro-Trend Fatigue & the Return to Timelessness

20:50 — Do Color Trends Last?

22:52 — Fashion, Closets, and Color Inspiration

24:56 — Andrea’s Favorite Supporting Colors

29:16 — Unexpected Places to Use Silhouette

31:45 — Ceiling Painting Disasters (and Lessons Learned)

34:07 — Common Color-Choosing Mistakes

36:13 — The Many Faces of Silhouette

37:14 — Closing Thoughts

In this Thanksgiving special of Home in Progress, host Dan Hansen digs into the surprising history of the American dining room and reveals the real science behind what makes a space feel warm, welcoming, and deeply “cozy.” Sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, this episode blends design history, environmental psychology, and practical home advice to help you create holiday spaces people love to linger in.

Dan breaks down the elements that truly shape coziness—refuge and prospect, ceiling height, layered lighting, meaningful textures, scent, and even the subtle role of background sound. He also uncovers the unexpected origins of our “traditional” Thanksgiving color palette, showing how 1960s–70s appliance colors quietly shaped our modern holiday aesthetic.

Packed with actionable tips and fascinating insights, this episode is your guide to making any room feel comfortable, inviting, and human-centered for the holidays.

00:00 – Holiday greetings & introduction

01:29 – What to expect in this special episode

01:40 – The psychology of cozy: how humans experience comfort

02:49 – The rise, fall, and reinvention of the formal dining room

11:44 – Why our Thanksgiving colors come from mid-century appliances

18:36 – The foundations of cozy spaces

23:46 – How coziness works in real homes

24:57 – Creating intimate zones in open-concept layouts

25:56 – How ceiling height shapes emotional comfort

28:18 – Layered lighting: the real secret to coziness

30:33 – Texture: the “silent” coziness booster

32:37 – Scent: the fastest way to create emotional warmth

35:34 – Designing for people—not Pinterest

39:27 – The surprising impact of sound on mood

45:27 – Practical steps for making your home cozier today

In this episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, Dan tackles one of the most common chimney problems—and it has nothing to do with fire. He explains how water finds its way into brick, mortar, and chimney caps, how to spot the signs early, and what homeowners can do to fix and prevent damage.

From there, Dan shifts into the “ghost stories” hiding inside older homes: knob-and-tube wiring, cast-iron plumbing, galvanized supply lines, and those enormous gravity furnaces sometimes called “octopus” systems. He breaks down what they are, why they’re still out there, and what you need to know if you’re buying or renovating an older house.

A listener question leads to a practical step-by-step fix for painted-over wallpaper glue, including how to safely prep, clean, and prime the wall for a smooth finish.

Finally, Dan shares a few personal ghost stories from his own 1900s home—strange noises, odd shadows, and one unforgettable week of unexplained events—and uses them as a segue into the importance of proper inspections and hiring qualified specialists when working with old home systems.

00:00 Welcome to Home in Progress

00:14 The Most Common Chimney Problem

00:35 House-Related Ghost Stories

01:22 Listener’s Wallpaper-Glue Dilemma

02:35 Solving the Wallpaper-Paste Problem

06:39 Priming for a Perfect Finish

10:22 Real Ghost Experiences

18:16 Unexplained Events in the Old House

18:43 Transition to Practical Home Improvement

20:18 Understanding Knob-and-Tube Wiring

25:07 Cast-Iron & Galvanized Plumbing

29:22 Gravity Furnaces: The “Octopus” in the Basement

32:34 Chimney Maintenance & Water Damage

38:57 Final Thoughts

In this episode of Home in Progress, host Dan Hansen kicks things off with his first-snowfall story and a few thoughts on the annual fall battle—leaf cleanup. From there, he shifts gears into two seemingly different worlds that have more in common than you’d think: power tools and personal style.

Dan breaks down the circular saw—why it’s one of the most versatile tools a homeowner can own, how to choose the right type, which accessories make the biggest difference, and the key safety habits every DIYer should know.

Then, in a surprising but perfectly connected twist, the conversation turns to men’s fashion. Dan explains why dressing well isn’t about having an “eye for style” or chasing trends—it’s about learning skills, understanding fit, and applying timeless principles. Just like home improvement, great results come from practice, patience, and quality materials.

From the importance of proportion (in both clothes and color schemes) to the “Swap Trick” for stepping outside your comfort zone, this episode is packed with practical takeaways to help you look better, build better, and think differently about the connection between craftsmanship and style.

• Circular Saw Track Guide
• Essential Man Clothing Article

00:00 — Welcome to Home in Progress

00:11 — First Snowfall and Fall Cleanup

01:21 — Why We’re Talking About Fashion

02:33 — The Circular Saw: The Most Underrated Tool

04:38 — Sidewinder vs. Worm-Drive Saws

07:47 — Must-Have Add-Ons and Safety Tips

12:08 — Dressing Well Is a Learnable Skill

19:43 — The Overlap Between Fashion and Home Improvement

22:16 — Challenging the “Eye for Design” Myth

26:21 — Fit and Proportion: From Clothes to Color Schemes

30:50 — Avoiding Trends: Choosing Timeless Style

33:14 — The Swap Trick: Small Changes, Big Impact

35:35 — Investing in Quality: Tools, Paint, and Wardrobes

36:44 — Final Thoughts and Giveaway Announcement

In this week’s episode of Home in Progress, host Dan Hansen is joined by designer Andy Yates to unpack the biggest ideas and innovations from this year’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS 2025).

Even though Andy didn’t make it to Las Vegas in person, he’s got a sharp eye on what’s next in home design—from tech-integrated kitchens to sustainable materials, personalized design choices, and the return of natural warmth and texture in both kitchens and baths. Together, Dan and Andy explore how these trends are shaping the spaces where we cook, gather, and recharge—and why wellness, functionality, and longevity are at the heart of good design.

Later in the show, Dan tackles a listener question: Is it too late to paint outside this fall? His answer might surprise you—along with some practical tips and product advice for getting the job done before winter hits.

00:00 – Welcome and Show Overview

00:15 – KBIS 2025: The Year’s Biggest Design Themes

00:49 – Why Kitchens and Baths Matter Most

04:34 – Smarter Homes: Where Tech Meets Design

14:01 – Sustainability with Style

23:43 – Bringing Smart Features to Everyday Life

24:56 – Balancing Privacy and Convenience

27:05 – The Rise of Personalization in Design

30:23 – Investing in Quality and Longevity

32:54 – Designing for Daily Joy and Wellness

35:53 – The Power of Functional Spaces

41:48 – Listener Question: Late Fall Painting Tips

47:29 – Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Home in Progress, host Dan Hansen explores the practical side of home ownership and the creative side of color. After a surprise discovery of a basement leak, Dan walks listeners through six simple but often overlooked maintenance checks that can prevent costly roof and water issues down the line.

Then, the conversation shifts to design—specifically Benjamin Moore’s newly announced 2026 Color of the Year, Silhouette. Dan unpacks the mixed reactions to this bold, moody brown and explains why it’s far from a dull choice. He discusses how browns are making a comeback as people move away from fleeting micro-trends and gravitate toward colors that feel grounded, warm, and enduring.

Finally, listeners get details on how to enter RepcoLite’s $250 gift card giveaway by joining the Color of the Year conversation online.

00:00 — Introduction and overview

00:16 — The debate over Benjamin Moore’s new Color of the Year

02:18 — A personal story: discovering a basement leak

04:47 — Six preventative maintenance tasks for a healthy home

10:33 — Roof inspection essentials

16:24 — When to call a professional

18:05 — Understanding the “Silhouette” reveal

20:13 — Why brown is timeless (and not boring)

22:56 — How deep colors create sophistication

25:53 — Escaping micro-trend fatigue

29:57 — Practical ways to use Silhouette in your home

34:16 — The 2026 Color Trends palette

36:44 — Contest details and closing thoughts

In this special bonus episode of Home in Progress, Dan Hansen explores one of the most dramatic and transformative moments in architectural history—the 1834 fire that destroyed London’s Palace of Westminster.

What began as the simple burning of outdated tally sticks—wooden accounting tools used by the British Treasury—ended with a blaze that consumed centuries of political history. But from the ashes rose a new vision for British architecture.

Dan unpacks the story of how two remarkable architects—Charles Barry, the classical designer, and Augustus Pugin, the passionate Gothic revivalist—came together to rebuild Parliament and, in doing so, shaped the architectural identity of an entire age. Their work didn’t just redefine the skyline of London; it established the moral and aesthetic principles that would define the Victorian era.

The episode also examines Pugin’s belief that beauty and morality are intertwined—that good design could uplift hearts, civilize minds, and make daily life richer. It’s a story about craftsmanship, faith, vision—and how even tragedy can lay the foundation for beauty.

00:00 — Introduction and Recap

01:39 — The Fire at the Palace of Westminster

02:02 — The History and Significance of Tally Sticks

04:55 — The Aftermath of the Fire

10:51 — The Architectural Partnership of Barry and Pugin

21:23 — The Legacy of Victorian Architecture

25:54 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Home in Progress, host Dan Hansen explores the rich and intricate world of Victorian architecture—a collection of styles that flourished during Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901.

Hansen unpacks the key visual hallmarks of the period—turrets, spindles, gingerbread trim, bay windows, and ornate color schemes—and the social and technological forces that made them possible. He traces how the Industrial Revolution transformed craftsmanship, allowing mass production to bring beauty and ornamentation within reach of the middle class.

Listeners will hear the dramatic story of the Great Fire of 1834 that destroyed the Palace of Westminster and sparked a design competition that launched one of the most influential collaborations in architectural history: Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin. Hansen explains how their Gothic Revival masterpiece reshaped British identity and inspired the exuberant architectural language that became synonymous with the Victorian era.

The episode also highlights the philosophical contributions of thinkers like John Ruskin and Pugin, who saw beauty and ornament as moral imperatives—an idea that spread from cathedrals to cottages. Hansen then follows the movement’s evolution into ever-richer styles like High Victorian Gothic and Queen Anne, before charting its decline under the influence of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement.

Finally, the episode reflects on the lasting legacy of Victorian architecture—its optimism, craftsmanship, and celebration of individuality—and concludes with a look at Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year and a special listener contest.

00:00 — Introduction and Overview

00:07 — Victorian Architecture: An Era of Styles

01:52 — The Great Fire of 1834: A Turning Point

02:54 — The Industrial Revolution and Its Impact

04:57 — The Rise of the Middle Class and Architectural Changes

07:36 — The Gothic Revival and Its Champions

12:38 — John Ruskin: Beauty as a Moral Good

17:14 — From Philosophy to Painted Ladies

18:24 — Ruskin’s Influence and High Victorian Gothic

19:45 — Ornamentation and the Machine Age

20:44 — Queen Anne: Victorian Eclecticism at Its Peak

23:39 — Inside the Victorian Home: Layers of Luxury

27:54 — The Decline of Victorian Design

32:24 — The Lasting Legacy

33:59 — Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year and Contest