Pro Series with Eric Dillman

In Episode 262, I’m sitting down with Kim, an interior designer, creative leader, and co-founder of Elle Hudson. With experience in design-build and architecture firms throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Kim has built a diverse career spanning interior design, leadership, staging, styling, and advertising for national and international brands.

A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Interior Design, Kim has combined her creative background with a strong understanding of business and leadership. Today, she and her husband, Dustin, run Elle Hudson together, with the brand inspired by their two sons.

We talk about building a design business, working with your spouse, leadership, creativity, the evolution of your career, and the importance of giving back to your community.

What does it really take to build a successful real estate business?

In Episode 261, I’m sitting down with Athena Brownson, REALTOR®, real estate investor, and industry mentor who has spent the past decade building a reputation as one of Colorado’s trusted real estate professionals.

Athena combines real estate expertise, creative marketing, strategic negotiation, and a design-focused approach to help clients maximize property value. But her story goes far beyond real estate. After battling chronic Lyme disease, Athena had to rebuild her business and find a new level of resilience, consistency, and determination.

We talk about building a relationship-driven business, creating exceptional client experiences, real estate investing, marketing, finding opportunities, and what it really takes to build something that creates lasting value.

On this episode of Off Topic, Eric talks about one of the simplest ways to actually grow on Instagram without spending more time on the app: be more human.

Follow the accounts in your niche, engage with people you look up to, and stop leaving those generic “Love this!” comments. Say something meaningful, ask a question, add to the conversation, and actually connect with people.

Because you're already scrolling Instagram anyway. Why not use some of that time to build relationships and your own platform?

Plus, Eric talks about the latest country music releases, what he's been listening to, and what you need to have on your radar right now.

The Power Of Restraint

More isn't always better when it comes to interior design.

In Episode 260, I sit down with Ryan, founder of Smart Studio Designs, to talk about his journey from marketing for national home builders to building his own interior design business.

After designing model homes and seeing firsthand how much a space can influence the way people feel, Ryan decided to take his experience and passion for design in a new direction.

His philosophy comes down to one word: restraint. Knowing when to stop, choosing the right materials, using lighting intentionally, and creating balance through texture can often make a bigger impact than simply adding more.

We talk about interior design, home building, design philosophy, entrepreneurship, model homes, materials, lighting, and what it really takes to create spaces that feel intentional and timeless.

If you're a designer, builder, homeowner, or simply someone who appreciates great interiors, this conversation is worth a listen.

I never got to see Dolly Parton live, and that's something I'll always regret. But here's the thing about Dolly — you didn't have to meet her to feel like she taught you something. She showed all of us what it looks like to work hard, stay kind, and never let success change who you are at your core.

Today I'm doing a full off-topic episode dedicated to her. Honestly, I think Dolly might be the most universally loved person on the planet — country fans, pop fans, people who've never heard a country song in their life — everybody loves Dolly. That's rare. That's special.

In this episode I'm breaking down:

• Songs and projects Dolly worked on that most people have no idea she was even part of
• The insane records she's broken across music, theme parks, and pop culture
• Everything she's given back — from the Imagination Library to funding vaccine research to helping her own hometown

This isn't just a tribute. It's a reminder of just how much one person can do in a lifetime. Rest easy, Dolly. Thank you for everything.

What does it take to stay relevant in an industry built on craftsmanship, design, and tradition?

In Episode 259, I sit down with Doug Rozenboom, CEO and co-owner of Worthen Custom Iron & Brass, a Richmond, Virginia company with more than 50 years of furniture-making heritage.

Doug brings decades of experience across luxury furniture, interior design, product development, merchandising, and retail, with leadership roles at Pottery Barn, Walmart, A.R.T. Furniture, and Jonathan Charles Fine Furniture.

We talk about the evolution of luxury furniture, custom manufacturing, craftsmanship, working with designers and retailers, and how traditional furniture companies can innovate without losing what made them great in the first place.

If you're an interior designer, architect, builder, furniture professional, or simply interested in luxury home design, this episode offers a fascinating look behind the scenes of an industry where craftsmanship meets modern business.

The future of furniture is being built—and Doug has a front-row seat.

In Episode 258, I welcome back Shane Drake, an award-winning director and filmmaker who has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, and Panic! at the Disco. His work has earned major industry recognition, including an MTV Video Music Award and multiple country music awards. 

This time, Shane isn't joining me to talk about directing music videos. He's here to talk about his new five-part documentary series, Shane Drake Presents: Before The World Paused.

Shot entirely on an iPhone, the series gives viewers an incredibly intimate, behind-the-scenes look at musicians on the road just before the world shut down. From tour buses and backstage rooms to airports, ferries, green rooms, and quiet conversations, Shane captured a side of the music industry that most fans never get to see.

We talk about music video production, documentary filmmaking, touring, the music industry, social media, creativity, and what it was like capturing this moment in time without knowing just how significant it would become.

It's a conversation about music, filmmaking, nostalgia, and one of the most unusual moments in recent music history.

Why do we roll our eyes when someone says they're starting another podcast?

We don't do that when someone creates an Instagram account, starts a Facebook page, or joins another social platform. At some point, social media simply became a platform that everyone could use to share something.

Podcasting is the same thing.

You don't have to be trying to become the next Joe Rogan. You don't have to have millions of listeners. A podcast is simply a platform that gives you the ability to communicate your ideas, tell stories, build a community and get your message across in a way that social media often can't.

I also get into some big things happening in country music, including Ella Langley hitting another major milestone with "Choosin' Texas" and the latest conversation surrounding Kellie Pickler getting back into country music and her songwriting connections to some of the genre's biggest names. Langley's "Choosin' Texas" was recently reported at No. 1 for 14 consecutive weeks. Pickler has also been making a gradual return to the spotlight and country music, including her 2026 American Idol appearance. 

Podcasting isn't "another podcast." It's another platform. And maybe that's exactly the point.

What happens when a successful physician decides to build wealth beyond his medical career?

In Episode 257, I sit down with Tom Burns, a retired orthopedic surgeon, entrepreneur, real estate investor, bestselling author, and physician for the United States Ski Team.

While building a career in medicine, Tom also executed more than $750 million in real estate transactions and co-founded investment companies that have completed hundreds of millions of dollars in multifamily and private equity real estate deals across Texas and the Sunbelt.

We talk about real estate investing, building wealth, financial independence, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and why a high income doesn't automatically mean you're financially successful. Tom also shares lessons from his bestselling book, Why Doctors Don't Get Rich, and what he's learned from balancing medicine, business, investing, and life.

If you're interested in real estate investing, wealth building, financial freedom, entrepreneurship, or creating a life beyond your career, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Instagram just quietly rolled out one of its biggest quality-of-life updates, and almost nobody is talking about it.

In this episode, I break down Instagram's new "Your Algorithm" feature and show you exactly how to use it to take control of what shows up in your Reels feed. Instead of hoping the algorithm eventually figures you out, you can now tell Instagram what you actually want to see—and what you don't.

If you're a business owner, designer, contractor, remodeler, or content creator, this update is even more valuable. Your feed shapes your ideas, inspiration, and ultimately the content you create. I'll explain how curating your algorithm can help you discover better content, stay ahead of trends, and improve your own social media strategy.

I also dive into one of country music's biggest "what if" stories—Dierks Bentley reveals the hit songs he turned down, including "Whiskey Lullaby," "Drink a Beer," "I Drive Your Truck," and "Watching Airplanes." We talk about why artists pass on songs that become massive hits and what creators can learn from trusting their instincts.

In this episode:
• How to find Instagram's hidden "Your Algorithm" feature
• How to train your Reels feed to show better content
• Why this update matters for businesses and creators
• What the feature can—and can't—do
• The surprising list of hit songs Dierks Bentley passed on
• Lessons in content, creativity, and making the right decisions

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone looking to grow their business, improve their content, or simply take back control of their Instagram feed.