The Curious Builder

Signing up for a marathon is one thing. Actually getting your body to cooperate for 26 miles is another. Leah Koschak and physical therapist Ben Torres join Mark to unpack a wild eight-month journey filled with hip pain, knee problems, a back injury, and a whole lot of determination. It's a conversation about resilience, managing setbacks, and why you don't have to solve the entire marathon today. Just figure out this week's problem.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Where to find the Guest:

Ben Torres Website: https://www.vh360.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtualhealth360/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virtualhealth360/

Leah Koschak Website: https://heymabella.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hey.mabella

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

What do ultra running, scaling a business, and getting smacked in the face with a two-by-four have in common? Apparently, a lot. Josh Sprague of Seven Clay joins Mark to talk endurance sports, million-dollar inventory headaches, and the $186,000 Google Ads hack that turned a vacation into a 100-day battle with Google. It's a conversation about staying relentless when business gets ugly, knowing when to push, and why your bank balance is not the same thing as your profit.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://sevenclay.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevenclay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshsprague/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

What happens when builders, designers, and vendors stop trying to do everything themselves and start working together? Charlie and Susan Flynn join Mark at Mysa Hus to share what it takes to build a relationship-driven business, create a culture that survives growth, and bring the design community together through events like Francis King's Mini Market. Along the way, they unpack the Mysa Hus collaboration, sustainable furnishings, and why the best partnerships start with shared values, not a competition over who gets the credit.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.francisking.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franciskingltd/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Construction costs are climbing, skilled labor is getting harder to find, and building a home on-site comes with plenty of opportunities for expensive surprises. Paul Kealey of EkoBuilt joins Mark to explain how prefab construction and passive house principles can create more predictable builds, healthier homes, and better energy performance without sending costs into orbit. Plus, they tackle the biggest obstacle to prefab taking off: an industry that may need to get comfortable with a little thing called change.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://ekobuilt.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekobuiltpassivehouse/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EkoBuilt/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EkoBuiltPassiveHomes LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ekobuilt/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

What do garage doors, an eight-week training program, and bringing a customer's trash cans up from the curb have in common? They're all part of how Alex Johantgen is building Rise & Shine Garage Doors into a business that stands out from the competition. Alex joins Mark to talk rebranding, profitability, employee training, and why friends knock and strangers ring the doorbell. Turns out, exceptional customer service doesn't have to cost a fortune. It just takes a little thought.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://callriseandshine.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/callriseandshine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-johantgen-664b41102/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Nick Quijano went from teaching snowboarding and driving a Zamboni to building a career with one of the country's major home builders, then launching Southerly Homes with a few kids, a mortgage, and a whole lot of faith in the plan. He and Mark get into the risks of starting a business, the systems small builders often overlook, and why production builders and custom builders have a lot more to learn from each other than they might think.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://southerlyhomes.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southerlyhomes/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoutherlyHomesATX/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

What if you could offer better employee benefits, save on taxes, and make your business more attractive to top talent without wrecking your profit margins? Mike Notte joins Mark Williams to explain how smart employee benefits can help attract the kind of people who take ownership and keep the business moving. They also unpack tax-saving strategies, wellness plans, and why assuming benefits are too expensive could be costing you the very talent you need to grow.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://www.mjninsuranceservices.com/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/smallbizbenefitspro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-notte-27400b178/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

You built the business, hit the goals, and made the money. So why are you still stressed out and answering emails at the dinner table? Author and keynote speaker Rob Stein joins Mark to explain why success can actually create decision fatigue, how delegating decisions (not just tasks) changes everything, and why your morning routine can't save you from a poorly structured day. Because no amount of cold plunges can fix a business built on bad systems.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

RealWoodFloors Website: https://realwoodfloors.com/

All, Inc. Website: https://www.allinc.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://robstein.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rob_stein LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob--stein/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Aaron Hall built a successful law firm, ended up with 45 employees, and discovered that "making it" didn't feel much like making it at all. He and Mark Williams get into burnout, lawsuits, the danger of chasing money and fame, and why entrepreneurs need to know when to put down the problem-solving hat and just listen. Plus, a little Mr. Miyagi wisdom, some dad-level relationship advice, and a reminder that sometimes the best legal strategy is calling your lawyer before everything catches fire.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website- https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

Where to find the Guest: Website: https://aaronhall.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronhallattorney/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AaronHallAttorney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronhall/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc

Two years, 32+ brand partners, 3,700 visitors, countless design debates, and enough Diet Cokes to fuel a small construction crew. Mark Williams sits down with Karl Adalbert and Melissa Oholendt to reflect on the wild ride that was Mysa Hus, from pitching the original vision to watching the team turn that vision into something far bigger than a spec home. They talk creativity, wellness, craftsmanship, healthy tension, and why the relationships built along the way may be the best part of the whole project.

Support the show - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/shop

See our upcoming live events - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com/events

The host of the Curious Builder Podcast is Mark D. Williams, the founder of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc. They are an award-winning Twin Cities-based home builder, creating quality custom homes and remodels — one-of-a-kind dream homes of all styles and scopes. Whether you're looking to reimagine your current space or start fresh with a new construction, we build homes that reflect how you live your everyday life.

Sponsors for the Episode:

Pella Website: https://www.pella.com/ppc/professionals/why-wood/

Olive and Vine Socials Website: https://oliveandvinesocials.com/

Where to find the Guest:

Melissa Oholendt Website: http://ohointeriors.com/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/oho_interiors

Karl Adalbert Website: https://www.karladalbert.com/

Where to find the Host: Website - https://www.mdwilliamshomes.com/ Podcast Website - https://www.curiousbuilderpodcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markdwilliams_customhomes/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkDWilliamsCustomHomesInc/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-williams-968a3420/ Houzz - https://www.houzz.com/pro/markdwilliamscustomhomes/mark-d-williams-custom-homes-inc