Pro Series with Eric Dillman

This week’s episode is your reminder to stop overthinking Instagram and start showing up.

We’re breaking down why Instagram Stories are one of the most underrated tools for designers and how they’ve quietly become the easiest way to stay visible, build trust, and connect with your audience without fighting the algorithm. With over 500 million people using Stories daily, this isn’t about going viral, it’s about staying consistent and human in front of the people who already follow you.

I talk about the difference between your feed and your Stories, and why that actually works in your favor. Your feed is your portfolio. Your Stories are your personality. They’re where you show the behind-the-scenes moments, the in-between decisions, the quick updates, and honestly… the real version of your day. No pressure, no overproduction, no perfection required.

We get into how designers can use Stories to show process over product, why raw content consistently outperforms polished content here, and how something as simple as a quick video or casual post can build stronger connections than a perfectly curated grid ever will.

If you’ve been stressing about what to post, this episode will flip your perspective. Stories aren’t another task on your list, they’re the easiest, most mindless, and most effective way to stay relevant.

Also in this episode, I’m sharing some of my favorite new country music releases right now, because you know we’re not getting through a workday or a job site without a solid playlist.

If you’re not posting Stories, you’re missing the most human part of your brand. Let’s fix that.

What if your home could actually improve your energy, focus, and overall success? In this episode, we sit down with Lisa Morton, designer, Feng Shui master, and creator of the Intuitive Home Method, to break down how Feng Shui and interior design work together to create spaces that truly support your life.With over 20 years of experience transforming homes, businesses, and even luxury private aircraft interiors, Lisa shares how intentional design choices can impact your health, productivity, and happiness. We dive into practical Feng Shui tips, how designers can incorporate energy flow into their projects, and why most people are missing a major piece when it comes to creating a home that feels as good as it looks.Whether you're an interior designer, homeowner, or someone looking to elevate your space, this episode is packed with insights on creating a high-vibe, aligned home.

If you’re a designer constantly saying you don’t have time for social media… this episode might call you out a little.

In this Pro Series Off-Topic episode, I break down why it’s not actually about time, it’s about not knowing what to post, when to post, and how to build a system that makes content feel effortless instead of overwhelming.

I talk about how to simplify your approach, create a repeatable schedule, and make social media feel like second nature to your business so you can stop stressing about it and get back to doing what you actually love… designing.

We also go off-topic and get into country music, including new releases, recent albums from Luke Combs, Tyler Nance, Morgan Evans, Ella Langley’s new song, and more.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, inconsistent, or just straight up avoiding posting… this one’s for you.

What if attention was the most valuable currency in your business—and you knew exactly how to convert it into revenue?

In Episode 237, we sit down with Nick Cargo, a 27-year-old marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and creative who’s helping brands stop chasing visibility… and start leveraging it.

Nick breaks down how modern marketing has shifted, why most brands are wasting attention, and the exact mindset and strategies needed to turn eyeballs into real influence—and income.

Whether you're a creator, business owner, or building your personal brand, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately.

After losing her eye in a snowboarding accident, Shelby Perry was suddenly faced with the physical and emotional challenges that come with vision loss and traditional eyepatch products. Instead of accepting the limitations, she set out to create something better.

In this episode, Shelby shares the story behind launching Eyehesive, an innovative brand designed to help eyepatch wearers feel more secure, comfortable, and confident in their everyday lives. What started as a personal solution quickly evolved into a patient-driven company and community supporting individuals, parents, and eye care professionals looking for more modern options in vision care.

Shelby also opens up about resilience, turning personal adversity into purpose, and how lived experience can inspire meaningful innovation in healthcare.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that some of the most impactful ideas come from the challenges we never expected to face.

In this episode of Pro Series, I sit down with country artist and morning radio host Tim Hurley. Tim shares the wild story of how his music career began after being discovered singing karaoke at a beach bar in Playa del Rey and how his very first live performance was opening for country legend John Michael Montgomery in front of 10,000 fans.

We talk about his journey balancing life as a touring country artist and the morning host at Go Country 105, the hustle of building a music career, and what it’s like sharing the stage with artists like Morgan Wallen, Kane Brown, and Russell Dickerson. Tim also opens up about songwriting, performing at major festivals across the country, and how radio has shaped his perspective on the music industry.

It’s a great conversation about chasing opportunity, staying persistent, and building a career in country music from the ground up.

Why are we all watching those rug washing videos like it’s a full time job?

You know the ones. The rugs are absolutely caked in mud. Brown water. Layers of mystery grime. And I just need to know… what were the owners doing in their homes for it to get that bad? If your rug looks like it survived a natural disaster, respectfully… do not invite me over. Keep that chaos to yourself.

In this episode, we spiral into the oddly satisfying world of filthy rug restorations, question people’s cleaning standards, and somehow end up talking about phone settings, location tracking, and how our devices basically know more about us than our friends do.

Also… remember when the biggest app on your phone was Paper Toss? When life was simple, storage wasn’t full, and your biggest stress was making that crumpled paper shot into a digital trash can?

This one is chaotic, nostalgic, and very real. You’ve been warned.

In Episode 234, Jon Ostenson, Founder and CEO of FranBridge Consulting and a 2-time Inc. 5000 leader, breaks down why non-food franchising may be the smartest investment move most entrepreneurs are overlooking.

As a former Inc. 500 Franchise President, multi-brand franchisee, and bestselling author of Non-Food Franchising, Jon shares how to evaluate franchise opportunities, avoid costly mistakes, and think like a top 1% investor.

If you’ve ever considered buying a franchise or building wealth through ownership, this episode is your blueprint.

In this episode, Paul Musson, founder of Paddington Capital Management and former lead portfolio manager of the Ivy Funds at Mackenzie Investments, pulls back the curtain on the economic forces that quietly shape everyday life.

With more than 30 years of experience managing billions in assets, Paul explains in clear, straightforward terms how central banks, government policy, and deeply rooted financial structures can unintentionally, yet systematically, shift wealth away from everyday people and toward a powerful few.

In his upcoming book Capital Offence: Why Some Benefit At Your Expense, Paul introduces what he calls the Paulitical Economy™ perspective, a fact-based framework designed to help people understand how money, power, and policy intersect.

This conversation is not about outrage. It is about awareness.

In this episode, I sit down with Eric Marshall, MSD, a true pioneer in the closet and storage world. From being one of the early employees at California Closets in the 1980s to helping establish dealer networks for ClosetMaid, Organizers Direct, and Sauder Building Products, Eric has had a front row seat to the evolution of woodworking and storage as we know it.

For more than 20 years, he has owned and operated a custom cabinet and closet business in Scottsdale, Arizona, while also shaping the future of the industry through education and leadership. As Co Founder of The Closet Training Institute, Past President of the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals, and current Global Connect Advisor for the National Kitchen and Bath Association, Eric continues to influence professionals around the world.

This conversation is packed with insight on leadership, longevity, building dealer networks, and what it really takes to stay relevant in a changing industry. If you are in design, cabinetry, closets, or construction, this episode is a masterclass from someone who helped build the blueprint.