The BuildX Podcast

Ever wonder what really goes on behind the numbers when you’re buying a home, building your wealth, or preparing for retirement?You’re not alone — and this episode of the BuildX Podcast dives deep into the financial side of building your future.Host Buz Artiano sits down with Kathleen Caddell (NMLS #39620), Senior Mortgage Consultant at Fairway Home Mortgage, and Andrew Witherow, Financial Advisor with Donovan Wealth Management Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial, to uncover the essential steps every homeowner, builder, and family should take to plan smart — not scared.You’ll discover:• How to build a mortgage strategy that fits your life, not just your loan amount• The importance of aligning your financial and housing plans early — before you start construction or renovation• The truth about interest rates, home equity, and using your “lazy asset” wisely• Why caregiving and generational wealth planning are reshaping the modern financial landscape• How financial advisors and mortgage professionals can work together to protect your long-term stability• What to do now to prepare for market changes in 2026Kathleen shares her unique perspective as both a top-producing lender and lifelong caregiver — helping families balance mortgages, caregiving, and major life transitions. “We’re living in the sandwich generation,” she says. “People are caring for kids, parents, and homes all at once. My goal is to make sure they can do it without losing financial peace.”Andrew brings over two decades of experience in wealth management, helping clients navigate retirement, budgeting, and estate planning. “It’s not about chasing returns,” he says. “It’s about designing a financial life that supports your purpose and your home.”Whether you’re building a home, refinancing one, or planning for the next chapter, this conversation connects the dots between your house and your financial health — two things that should always be built together.“You can’t build a home on shaky financial ground — and you can’t build wealth without a place to call home.” — Buz Artiano👇 Learn more from our guests:🌐 Kathleen: kathleenloans.com | 📲 Instagram: @kathleenloans🌐 Andrew: Ameriprise – Andrew Witherow | 📧 [email protected]⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Welcome to the BuildX Podcast01:20 – Meet Kathleen & Andrew: Mortgage Meets Financial Planning04:30 – How Money and Homeownership Intersect08:15 – Kathleen’s Journey from Finance to Home Lending11:45 – The Power of Purpose-Based Financial Planning15:00 – The “Lazy Asset” and How to Use Your Home Equity Wisely18:40 – Planning for Caregiving and the Sandwich Generation22:10 – What to Know About Interest Rates in 2025–202626:30 – The Emotional Side of Money and Mortgages30:15 – Mistakes Homeowners Make When Planning Financially34:20 – How Advisors and Lenders Collaborate for Clients38:00 – Real-World Stories of Smart (and Painful) Financial Lessons42:10 – Planning Early to Protect Your Family and Future45:00 – Rapid Fire: Tools, Advice, and Lessons Learned48:15 – Final Thoughts — Build Smart, Build Secure, Just Build Baby!💥 Watch more BuildX episodes📺 YouTube: @BuildX_USA🌐 BuildX.com📩 Subscribe for weekly insights on construction, finance, and building smarter futures.

Ever wish you could walk through your dream home before it’s even built?You’re not alone — and this episode of the BuildX Podcast will show you how that’s finally possible.Host Buz Artiano sits down with Scott MacLeod and Mike Maher, co-founders of Walk Thru Plans – Greater Boston, to reveal the cutting-edge technology that’s changing how homeowners, builders, and designers plan their spaces.You’ll discover:• How Walk Thru Plans lets clients experience their home at full scale — before construction begins• Why seeing your design in real size helps eliminate costly change orders and surprises• How builders, architects, and homeowners are saving time, money, and stress with this tool• The story of how two lifelong friends turned a bold idea into New England’s first full-scale projection studio• Real-world examples of projects that were redesigned after a single walkthrough• Why visualization is becoming the new standard in modern home designScott and Mike share decades of experience in carpentry, fine building, and preservation — and their mission is simple: help people feel their homes before they build them.“Every client who walks in has the same reaction — wow,” Mike says. “You can’t describe it; you have to experience it.”Whether you’re a homeowner planning your dream space or a builder looking to give clients more confidence before the first shovel hits the ground, this is the episode that proves — sometimes, you have to see it to believe it.“You’ve built your plans. Now build the confidence to bring them to life.” — Scott MacLeod, Walk Thru Plans👇 Learn more from Scott & Mike🌐 walkthruplans.com📲 Instagram: @walkthruplansgreaterboston⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Welcome to the BuildX Podcast01:05 – Meet Scott & Mike: From College Roommates to Innovators03:40 – The Birth of Walk Thru Plans06:25 – Why Full-Scale Visualization Changes Everything10:15 – Building the Studio and Perfecting the Experience14:00 – Real Client Stories: From Blueprints to Reality17:25 – How It Saves Builders Time and Money21:00 – Pricing, Packages, and Value Explained25:00 – Expanding Into Events, Commercial Design, and Beyond29:30 – The Technology Behind Walk Thru Plans33:45 – Rapid Fire: Tools, Trends, and Lessons Learned36:45 – Final Thoughts: Just Build Baby!💥 Watch more BuildX episodes📺 YouTube: @BuildX_USA🌐 BuildX.com📩 Subscribe for weekly insights on ADUs, design, and modern building innovation.#BuildX #BuzArtiano #WalkThruPlans #ADU #HomeDesign #ConstructionInnovation #Visualization #GreaterBoston #Podcast #JustBuildBaby

He’s seen it all — from the tunnels of the Big Dig to the boiler rooms of Cape Cod.In this episode of the BuildX Podcast, host Buz Artiano sits down with Paul Perry, the straight-shooting owner of Perry Plumbing & Heating — soon to be Perry Plumbing & HVAC. With over three decades in the trade, Paul’s story is a masterclass in resilience, craftsmanship, and old-school work ethic.From crawling out the window of a 400,000-mile truck to leading a family business that spans generations, Paul shares his path from apprentice to master plumber, union foreman on the Big Dig, and now mentor to his two sons.It’s raw, real, and relentlessly honest — a conversation about what it takes to build something that lasts.🔥 In this episode:-The early days: trade school, tough mentors, and growing up fixing everything-Life on the Big Dig and what it taught him about work and leadership-Starting Perry Plumbing from scratch as a single father-Rebranding for the future: Perry Plumbing & HVAC-Lessons from raising sons who now work beside him-The art of craftsmanship — why a well-built boiler is a thing of beauty⏱️ Chapters00:00 – The Indestructible Truck01:00 – Remembering Jeff Goslin03:30 – How Paul Got His Start in Plumbing06:00 – From Trade School to the Big Dig10:00 – Lessons from Union Life and Boston’s Biggest Project15:00 – Starting Perry Plumbing & Heating18:30 – The Truck Story That Says It All20:00 – Working with BuildX22:30 – Building a Family Business26:00 – Bringing His Sons Into the Trade28:00 – Modern Plumbing, Old-School Standards30:00 – Dream Projects and Personal Lessons33:00 – Saving, Legacy, and Advice for the Next Generation36:00 – The Future of Perry Plumbing & HVAC🎧 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.📍 More at perryplumbingandheating.com#BuildXPodcast #PlumbingLife #FamilyBusiness #CapeCodTrades #HVAC #BlueCollarStories #legacybuilding

In this episode of the BuildX Podcast, host Buz Artiano sits down inside the stunning Crane Appliance showroom in Falmouth, Massachusetts — joined by Vice President Brendan Crane and Sales Consultant Bianca Brummerloh — to uncover what makes Crane Appliance more than just a retail store.

This isn’t just a story about stoves and fridges. It’s a story about craftsmanship, connection, and continuity — about how a fourth-generation family business continues to thrive by putting people first in a rapidly changing industry.

Brendan’s path back to the Cape is anything but ordinary. After two decades in the entertainment world — producing documentaries, running digital campaigns, and working with creative giants from Los Angeles to New York — he returned home to carry on his family’s legacy at Crane Appliance. What he brought back wasn’t just experience — it was perspective.

“I worked 20 years to prepare for this moment. Now I get to use it all here.” — Brendan Crane

Joined by Bianca, a powerhouse in customer service with over 11 years at Crane, the conversation explores how the brand continues to evolve — not through big-box competition, but through relationship-driven design.

Together, they discuss:

• The evolution of appliance shopping — from necessity to experience.

• How Crane’s trade partnerships with builders and designers redefine collaboration.

• The creation of luxury-level vignettes that bring design dreams to life.

• The rise of induction cooking and the decline of gas — and what it means for future builds.

• How AI is reshaping appliances, from predictive service alerts to smart cooking cycles.

• Why Crane’s service division is the unsung backbone of the brand — with fully trained, in-house technicians.

Bianca shares how Crane’s lower-level showroom in Falmouth became a hub for trade partners — builders, cabinetmakers, and designers — offering them a space to collaborate, display, and connect with clients. What started as a practical renovation became a community innovation model that’s redefining how local businesses integrate design and service.

“We’re not just selling appliances — we’re building relationships.” — Bianca Brummerloh

Brendan opens up about what it means to return to a legacy business and protect the future his family built. From his great-grandfather’s days at Roper to Crane’s expansion across Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, the mission has always been the same: treat every customer like family

“People don’t buy products — they buy confidence.” — Brendan Crane.

⏱️ CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction — Welcome to Crane Appliance

01:05 Bianca’s Journey from Service to Sales

03:30 Brendan’s Story: From Hollywood to Home

07:40 Returning to the Family Business

10:15 The Crane Legacy — Four Generations of Service

12:20 Reinventing the Showroom Experience

15:00 Trade Partnerships and Designer Collaborations

18:45 The Falmouth and Orleans Showrooms

21:10 Building the West Yarmouth Location

25:00 The Future of Customer Service & AI Integration

28:00 Appliance Trends: Induction, Smart Tech, and Design

31:00 Inside the Service Department: In-House Training & Efficiency

34:15 How Crane’s Team Culture Powers Customer Trust

37:00 Looking Ahead — Media, Test Kitchens & Innovation

40:00 Rapid Fire Round — Favorite Tools, Lessons, and Legacy

👇 Learn more from Crane Appliance

🌐 www.craneappliance.com

📲 Instagram: @craneappliance

🎓 Visit one of their showrooms: Falmouth, Orleans, Martha’s Vineyard & Coming Soon — West Yarmouth

📩 Subscribe for weekly insights on construction, housing, and craftsmanship across New England.

#BuildX #BuzArtiano #ADU #CraneAppliance #CapeCod #HomeDesign #KitchenRemodel #Construction #Massachusetts #Appliances #JustBuildBaby

Creating an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) isn’t just about construction—it’s about family, finances, and the future. In this episode, elder law attorney Patrick Kelleher (Elder Law Care, Hanover MA) joins Buzz to dive deep into how estate planning, trusts, and elder law tie directly into ADUs and multigenerational living.Patrick shares his journey from Dorchester paperboy to Boston police officer to award-winning elder law attorney and author. With 23 years of experience, two published books, and a mission to help families “slay the Four-Headed Monster of Elder Law” (probate court, taxes, creditors, and nursing homes), Patrick breaks down the planning mistakes families make—and how to avoid them.From family trust conflicts to special needs housing, nursing home protection, and even the idea of “condo-izing” ADUs, this episode shows why you can’t build without planning the legacy that goes with it.👉 Whether you’re caring for aging parents, building an ADU for your kids, or just trying to protect your hard-earned assets—this is a must-watch.📌 Learn more about Patrick at: www.elderlawcare.com📚 Books on Amazon: How to Avoid the Four-Headed Monster & Slaying the Four-Headed Monster📺 Subscribe for more: YouTube.com/@BuildX_USA🎧 Find us on Spotify: The BuildX PodcastChapters00:00 Intro – Meet Patrick Kelleher03:00 From Phone Company to Police Academy07:00 The Epiphany: Law School & Mentorship12:00 Becoming an Elder Law Attorney18:00 Building a Practice & Community Outreach25:00 Estate Planning vs Elder Law32:00 The Four-Headed Monster Explained40:00 ADUs & Family Dynamics: Who Gets What?53:00 Protecting Against Divorce & Family Conflict1:07:00 Special Needs Trusts & Housing Solutions1:15:00 The Ongoing Maintenance of a Plan1:23:00 Condo-izing ADUs: A New Idea1:31:00 Patrick’s Why & Buzz’s Why1:42:00 Speed Round & Closing Thoughts#BuildX #BuzArtiano #Construction #Building #ADU #ElderLaw #EstatePlanning #Hanover #Carver #ma #Trusts #JustBuildBaby #law #building #buildingconstruction

n Episode 30, Buz sits down with Spencer Havemann, a 14-year veteran of the roofing and solar world and now an Account Executive at Siro—an AI-powered sales enablement platform that’s transforming how field teams sell in the real world.Spencer’s journey takes us from roofing supply yards and statewide solar ops to founding a sales org and finally helping contractors unlock serious ROI using AI-driven sales training tools. If you manage salespeople, run a home improvement business, or want to scale up without burning out your closers—this episode is straight fuel.💥 In This Episode:➤ How Spencer grew a solar company across Florida➤ Why most sales teams are over-scripted and under-trained➤ How AI is helping salespeople get better, not replaced➤ What to listen for in a “losing pitch”➤ Why onboarding reps is your growth bottleneck➤ How Siro helps home improvement pros train faster, close better, and build confidence in the field👇 Learn More About Siro & Spencer:🌐 siro.ai📧 [email protected]📞 862-200-1804📺 Subscribe to the BuildX Podcast:    / @buildx_usa  🎧 Listen on Spotify: Search The BuildX Podcast🌐 Read our blog: BuildX.com/PodcastJust Build Baby! 🇺🇸⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro & Spencer’s background03:20 – Starting in roofing supply & solar06:50 – Lessons from scaling a solar biz in Florida11:15 – Why sales teams struggle with consistency15:00 – What Siro actually does18:10 – How AI coaching makes reps better22:45 – Why Spencer believes sales still needs humanity26:20 – Building repeatable systems for closers31:00 – Real-world AI use cases in construction35:40 – Final advice for business owners & sales managers39:00 – Lightning Round + Outro

📖 Print isn’t dead. It just evolved.In this episode of the BuildX Podcast, Buz sits down with Stanley Blackmur, Owner of Black Rock Group Inc., Realtor with Jack Conway, and Publisher of The South Shore Magazine for over 25 years. With nearly 40 years in publishing and advertising, Stanley has seen it all—from the days of commercial printing in Portland, ME, to launching one of the most recognizable lifestyle magazines on the South Shore.Stanley shares stories of rebuilding Hornstra Farms’ milk delivery business, keeping The South Shore Magazine alive while other publications folded, and why direct mail still works in a digital world. We also dive into his second career in real estate, his decade-long radio hosting days on WATD, and how AI is creeping into publishing and real estate.This episode is packed with insights for small business owners, realtors, and anyone curious about where print, media, and marketing are heading.📅 New episodes every week!📺 Subscribe:    / @buildx_usa  🎧 Or search The BuildX Podcast on Spotify⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Intro: Who is Stanley Blackmur?01:20 – From Printing to Publishing: Early career stories02:50 – Rebuilding Hornstra Farms with grassroots marketing05:20 – Launching The South Shore Magazine08:05 – Why direct mail still works in 202513:10 – Nonprofit success stories through media exposure18:00 – Behind the business profile model (ads + features)22:30 – Real estate career & working with Jack Conway28:15 – Why “print is dead” is a myth36:00 – Pivoting into radio: South Shore Live48:00 – Memorable musicians & live shows on WATD57:30 – How AI is showing up in publishing & real estate1:02:00 – Misconceptions about print marketing1:09:00 – Lightning round: food, advice, and dream projects1:10:45 – Closing thoughts & Just Build Baby! 🇺🇸

In Episode 28 of the BuildX Podcast, Buz sits down with Ruan M. Marinho, Founder & CEO of SplashDash.com (and creator of Develomark), joined by Paul Munko, Marketing Lead at SplashDash. With over a decade in local SEO, web automation, and agency ops, Ruan breaks down a practical system for smarter budgets, stronger creative, and faster reporting—so agencies and local businesses can stop guessing and start growing.This episode is packed with hands-on insights for builders, remodelers, agencies, and any local brand trying to turn clicks into customers. From review velocity to landing pages and retargeting, Ruan and Paul share a straight-talk playbook you can use this week.🧠 Real talk from a founder who trained thousands at Develomark, now building SplashDash to make local market data visual, fast, and usable.⸻You’ll learn:✅ How to make ad budgets data-driven (no darts, real local data)✅ Why review velocity + owner-on-camera video lifts conversions✅ When to pause ads and fix brand/creative & landing pages first✅ How SplashDash curates trusted data (and cuts tool sprawl)✅ Retargeting, evergreen creative, and when to use paid actors✅ Practical timelines for sites (Duda) and local media capture👇 Learn more about SplashDash🌐 splashdash.com📞 Contact: [email protected]📺 Subscribe to the BuildX Podcast: / @buildx_usa🎧 Or search The BuildX Podcast on Spotify🌐 Read more at BuildX.com/PodcastJust Build Baby! 🇺🇸⸻⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Intro00:17 – Welcome + guest intros (what SplashDash does)01:42 – Ruan’s origin: helping his dad’s painting business via SEO03:09 – Reviews & trust as real growth engine04:11 – Owner-on-camera video & creative that converts15:28 – Under the hood: data sources & trusted inputs16:30 – Scrapers/APIs and curating signal over noise34:19 – How much to spend on ads (data-driven budgets)34:57 – Voice drops & brand systems41:13 – Mascot vs minimalist logos: it depends44:28 – Ads → one focused landing page49:16 – Paid actors & evergreen creative51:53 – Retargeting that actually works66:17 – Lightning round: tools, advice, trends66:45 – Websites & timelines (Duda)74:35 – Wrap: Just Build Baby!#BuildX #BuzArtiano #Construction #Building #ADU #Carver #MA #JustBuildBaby#SplashDash #RuanMarinho #LocalSEO #DigitalMarketing #AdBudget #Reviews #Branding #LandingPages #Retargeting #Duda #AgencyTips #SmallBusinessMarketing #AIinMarketing

If you think getting a mortgage is all about interest rates—think again.In this episode of the BuildX Podcast, Buz sits down with Kathleen Caddell, a Senior Mortgage Consultant at Fairway Home Mortgage with over 21 years of experience in the financial world. She’s not your average loan officer—she’s a full-blown strategist helping families navigate credit repair, multi-generational living, divorce, aging parents, and everything life throws at you between the closing docs.From first-time buyers to homeowners looking to tap into their “lazy equity,” Kathleen delivers the kind of no-BS advice that can save people thousands. She’s walked the walk too—serving as a full-time caregiver to both her parents and her sister while running a top-producing mortgage business.You’ll learn:✅ Why closing credit cards is one of the worst financial mistakes✅ What HECM loans (modern reverse mortgages) really do✅ How to start planning early and avoid pre-approval panic✅ What buyers get wrong when house shopping✅ How the right mortgage strategy can change someone’s retirement👇Learn more about Kathleen:🌐 kathleenloans.com📲 Instagram: @kathleenloans📧 Email: [email protected]📞 Call: 617-780-9297📺 Subscribe to the BuildX Podcast:    / @buildx_usa  🎧 Listen on Spotify: Search The BuildX Podcast🌐 Read the blog: BuildX.com/PodcastJust Build Baby! 🇺🇸⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Welcome & intro to Kathleen02:45 – Kathleen’s path from finance to mortgages06:10 – What makes her approach different09:30 – Helping people fix credit without shame13:15 – How closing cards can tank your score18:50 – Divorce, aging parents & housing stress22:40 – Using HECM loans as a living strategy27:00 – Advice for multi-generational planning30:20 – Credit game hacks for first-time buyers34:50 – Why the pre-approval process matters38:40 – Kathleen’s rapid fire round41:30 – Final thoughts & contact info#BuildX #KathleenCaddell #MortgageTips #HECM #ReverseMortgage #HomeBuying #DivorcePlanning #CreditScoreFix #FinancialCoach #SandwichGeneration #BuzArtiano #JustBuildBaby #MassachusettsHomes #HomeLoans #RealEstateHelp

When disaster hits, who’s actually looking out for you?In Episode 26 of the BuildX Podcast, Buz sits down with Jeff Sabel, President of Sabel Adjusters and a third-generation Public Adjuster with 25+ years of experience in residential and commercial property claims. Jeff has managed claims through fires, floods, frozen pipes, and everything in between. His deep background spans restoration, disaster planning, and insurance negotiation at the highest level—including leadership roles at top firms and national organizations.From the minute your basement floods or your roof gets ripped off, the clock is ticking—and your insurance company isn’t always playing fair. Jeff breaks down how public adjusters help level the field, what most homeowners get wrong, and why documentation is everything.You’ll learn:✅ Why your first call after damage should not be to your insurance company✅ How to document and estimate properly✅ The role of a public adjuster (and why most folks learn the hard way)✅ What builders, realtors, and property managers need to know✅ How Jeff built a career helping others rebuild👇 Learn more:🌐 sabeladjusters.com📲 Instagram: @sabeladjusters📘 Facebook: Sabel Adjusters📺 Subscribe:    / @buildx_usa  🎧 Or search The BuildX Podcast on Spotify🌐 Read our blog: BuildX.com/PodcastJust Build Baby! 🇺🇸⏱️ Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:42 Jeff Sabel's Background and Career Journey01:53 Transition to Public Adjusting03:45 Understanding the Role of a Public Adjuster06:15 Challenges in the Insurance Industry13:26 The Importance of Hiring a Public Adjuster15:31 Navigating the Claims Process39:47 Understanding Policy Coverage41:11 Navigating the Two-Year Window45:32 Dealing with Code Upgrades49:04 Handling Holdbacks and Payments57:46 Third-Party Claims Explained01:01:27 Hiring a Public Adjuster01:04:06 Speed Round and Closing Thoughts #BuildX #JustBuildBaby #InsuranceClaims #PublicAdjuster #MassachusettsHomes #PropertyDamage #Homeowners #ConstructionPodcast #DisasterRelief #SouthShore #CapeCodBuilder #RebuildRight #RestorationIndustry #HomeProjects #PodcastEpisode #BuzArtiano