In this episode of The Build Up, hosts Ryan Benson and John Riddle sit down in Naples with Senate President Kathleen Passidomo to explore the moments that shaped her path into public service.

Passidomo reflects on her time as president of the Collier County Bar Association during the foreclosure crisis—an experience that exposed the scale of housing challenges facing Florida families and sparked her decision to step into policy and advocacy.

This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how real-world challenges can drive meaningful leadership—and why housing remains at the center of Florida’s future.

Tune in now to hear her story and insights.

In this episode, Florida State Representative Tiffany Esposito shares her journey from local business to politics, her experiences in Tallahassee, and insights on policy issues like housing, infrastructure, and data centers. Discover how her background shapes her legislative priorities and the importance of advocacy for industry stakeholders.

Discover the behind-the-scenes process of Florida’s legislative body, straight from FHBA Lobbyist and Advocacy Communications Manager, Brendan Burke. 

Ryan and John talk to Brendan about how laws are made, the role of lobbyists, committee dynamics, and how industry members can influence legislation.

You don't want to miss it!

In this episode of The Build Up, host Ryan Benson and co-host John Riddle welcome Representative Yvette Benarroch, who shares her unique journey from military service to politics. She discusses her motivations for running for office, the challenges she faced during her campaign, and her insights from her first term in the Florida House. The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement, the pressing issue of affordability, and the collaborative spirit among legislators in Florida.

In this engaging episode of The Build Up, hosts Ryan Benson and John Riddle sit down with House Minority Leader, Representative Fentrice Driskell. As a passionate advocate for her community, Rep. Driskell shares her compelling journey from aspiring engineer to influential lawmaker, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and consensus in politics.

In this episode of the Buildup podcast, we chat with Blaise Ingoglia, the CFO of Florida, about his journey from home builder to political activist. They discuss the challenges of housing affordability, the impact of government policies on property taxes, and the importance of fiscal oversight. CFO Ingoglia shares insights from his experience in the construction industry and his commitment to advocating for taxpayers. 

Welcome to the latest episode of The Buildup, where we explore innovative ideas and trends in the building industry. In this episode, hosts Ryan Benson and John Riddle sit down special guest Daniel Kennerly Partner/Owner of Alair Homes Orlando, who is leading the construction of the highly anticipated New American Home. This unique project, showcased at the International Builder Show, offers a glimpse into the future of home design and construction.

Throughout the podcast, Daniel discusses the importance of collaboration in the building process. His diverse background in finance, politics, and construction has shaped his approach to building, emphasizing the need to connect with various stakeholders, from clients to suppliers. This episode is a great reminder that building is inherently about relationships and collaboration. 

In this episode, get to know William Webb, the first chairman of the Florida Home Builders Association. We discuss William's journey in the home building industry, the challenges of water management in Florida, the complexities of the building permit process, and even more hot topics being addressed by the FHBA. William emphasizes the need for advocacy and engagement within the industry to address legislative priorities and improve the overall building process in Florida.

In this episode, Ryan and John host a conversation with Mike Davis, the Executive Vice President of Florida Paints, discussing the company's history, mission, community involvement, and innovations in the paint industry. They explore the importance of quality in paint products, the misconceptions surrounding them, and the challenges faced by builders in the current market. The episode also highlights Florida Paints' commitment to training contractors and their focus on sustainability and advanced technologies in paint manufacturing.

On this episode, Ryan and John sit down with Frank Coppola of Coppola Brothers Construction to explore the transformative impact of AI. Frank shares insights from his AI boot camp initiative, emphasizing the importance of embracing AI to avoid obsolescence. The discussion highlights the shift from traditional methods to AI-driven solutions, drawing parallels with historical technological advancements like electrification. Frank underscores the potential of AI to revolutionize productivity and reduce costs, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities it presents for businesses and individuals.