The Lumber Word

By Ashley Boeckholt

The Lumber Word is the weekly podcast for the North American lumber and building materials industry. Three lumber industry veterans break down lumber prices, market trends, supply

... more

5

1515 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about The Lumber Word:

How many episodes does The Lumber Word have?

The podcast currently has 142 episodes available.

The Lumber Word episodes:

January 15, 2026 EP 152: The Dilbert Curve of Lumber: When Reality Bends, and Prices Move
This episode of The Lumber Word is dedicated to Scott Adams, who passed away this week. One of the main reasons this podcast exists is because of his influence—his ability to cut through noise, challenge assumptions, and explain complex systems in a way that actually made sense. That mindset is at the core of what we try to do every week: make this podcast useful and give back to the lumber industry. Thanks, Scott.
Gregg, Matt, Ashley, and Charles circle up and jump right into North American species dynamics, with a quick (and well-earned) look back at calling the Q1 price move—and then a deeper discussion on the more important question: how far can it go from here?
With demand still a head-scratcher and supply slowly coming off the board, the group breaks down what this tightening setup could mean over the next few months. You’ll hear exactly how we’re thinking about inventory positioning, hedging, and pricing strategy in this market. Charles goes the extra mile with a boots-on-the-ground read of SYP, sharing what the market feels like—not just what the numbers say.
If lumber is an input cost, your main cost, or something you actively trade, this episode reinforces why The Lumber Word remains the go-to podcast for practical, real-world market insight.
Thanks for listening.
Advertisers:
Fastmarkets Random Lengths
[email protected]
www.fastmarkets.com
Layman’s Lumber Guide
www.laymansguide.com
[email protected]
Show Contacts:
Gregg Riley: [email protected]
Charles DeLaTorre: [email protected]
Matt Beymer: [email protected]
Ashley Boeckholt: [email protected]
...more
53min
January 09, 2026 EP 151: Are you Reelin’ in the Lumber Years!
Matt, Gregg, Ashley, and Charles kick off the New Year by breaking down the flow of lumber heading into 2026. From what different species are doing to why listeners of The Lumber Word tend to be a step ahead. The crew digs into market positioning, hedging misconceptions, and where real opportunity lies. If you want a few laughs and to be a smarter, better-prepared lumber trader in 2026, this episode is a must-listen.

Advertisers:
Fastmarkets Random Lengths
[email protected]
www.fastmarkets.com
Show Contacts:
Gregg Riley: [email protected]
Charles DeLaTorre: [email protected]
Matt Beymer: [email protected]
Ashley Boeckholt [email protected]
...more
45min
December 18, 2025 EP 150: Fuel for the Next Move
Alex Mead from StoneX joins Gregg, Matt, Ashley, and Charles for a milestone Episode 150 packed with market insight. The group breaks down current lumber conditions, why the new CME SYP lumber contract is positioned to grow in the coming years, and what the Commitment of Traders Report is signaling about the next move.

They discuss the wide spread between CME and spot lumber, how buyers across the supply chain are reacting, and whether being short into Q1 could be risky. Stick around to the end for early 2026 forecasts and a strong close from Matt, highlighting gratitude for the industry and why this market still matters.
Advertisers:
Fastmarkets Random Lengths
[email protected]
www.fastmarkets.com
Layman’s Lumber Guide
www.laymansguide.com
[email protected]
Show Contacts:
Gregg Riley: [email protected]
Charles DeLaTorre: [email protected]
Matt Beymer: [email protected]
Guest: Alex Mead
Risk Management Consultant
StoneX
[email protected]
...more
1h 7min
December 11, 2025 EP 149: Rudderless or Ready to Turn?
Industry veteran Sig Thoma joins Gregg, Matt, and Ashley to break down a lumber market searching for direction. The crew digs into mill fixed costs, why curtailments are so tough, and where early green shoots may appear heading into 2026. They debate contracts vs. VMI for next year, highlight what sellers are doing, and share the items they’re buying—plus the risk strategies they’re using right now. A fast, insightful episode to help you trade smarter.
Guest: Sig Thoma / Industry veteran
[email protected]
Advertisers:
Fastmarkets Random Lengths
[email protected]
www.fastmarkets.com
Layman’s Lumber Guide
www.laymansguide.com
[email protected]
Show Contacts:
Gregg Riley: [email protected]
Charles DeLaTorre: [email protected]
Matt Beymer: [email protected]
Ashley Boeckholt: [email protected]

...more
1h 1min
December 04, 2025 EP 148: Grateful in the Grind
In Episode #148 of The Lumber Word, Matt, Gregg, Charles and Ashley sit down with Kyle Little, COO of Sherwood Lumber and current NAWLA Chairman, to talk about staying grateful in one of the toughest markets we've seen in years. Kyle gives an inside look at what NAWLA is working on to improve meetings and member engagement, while the crew runs through a quick market round robin — how short is multi-family, where inventory is hiding, 2x4 #2 R/L Chicago trading around $485–$495, and whether the three-year streak of $30 CME rolls can keep going. Who are the Long CME traders?

They hit SYP futures, new potential deliverables in the legacy lumber contract, whether big buyers are stepping in, and if demand is starting to feel a little 2008-ish. The episode wraps with thoughts on growing customers in a slow market and what the industry can learn from this moment.
Guest: Kyle Little COO of Sherwood Lumber and Current NAWLA Chairman
[email protected]
NAWLA Contact Information
Matt Bruno [email protected]
https://nawla.org/
Advertisers:
Fastmarkets Random Lengths
[email protected]
www.fastmarkets.com
Layman’s Lumber Guide
www.laymansguide.com
[email protected]
Show Contacts:
Gregg Riley: [email protected]
Charles DeLaTorre: [email protected]
Matt Beymer: [email protected]
Ashley Boeckholt: [email protected]
...more
1h 10min
November 20, 2025 EP 147: Fatigue, Fear, and the Great Curtailment No-Show
This week we welcome back one of our favorite guests — and sponsor — Matt Layman. The crew breaks down the strange mood gripping the industry: no curtailments, exhausted traders, Repair & Remodel softening, and customers disappearing into the weeds. We run through every major species, what’s cheap, what’s expensive, and how November expiration and January futures could shape the next move.

Matt shares what his members are seeing across retail, multifamily, and manufacturing, while the team debates whether mills get bank lifelines or if cuts finally hit. We look at Home Depot’s outlook, immigration’s impact on the economy, and how much wood needs to come off for any kind of Q1 rally.

If you’re trying to navigate this market or plan for H1 2026 business, this episode is loaded with takeaways. Come for the insight — leave smarter.

Advertisers:
Fastmarkets Random Lengths
[email protected]
www.fastmarkets.com
Layman’s Lumber Guide
www.laymansguide.com
[email protected]
Show Contacts:
Gregg Riley: [email protected]
Charles DeLaTorre: [email protected]
Matt Beymer: [email protected]
Ashley Boeckholt: [email protected]

...more
59min
November 13, 2025 EP 146: Post Kansas City Breakdown
Gregg, Matt, and Ashley dive right in this week after a jam-packed NAWLA Traders event in Kansas City. The trio breaks down the mood coming out of the show — who was optimistic, who wasn’t, and what that means for the lumber market heading into year-end.

They take a hard look at the November CME lumber expiration, asking whether open interest is too high or if most of it will roll into EFPs as the year winds down. The conversation heats up around curtailments, demand signals, and what kind of event or news could realistically turn the market around — or if things are really that bad.

The guys wrap things up by sharing what they’re buying, selling, and watching, plus a few ideas for what others in the industry should be considering right now.

Come for the post-NAWLA insights, stay for the trading talk — and as always, walk away smarter and better looking.

Fastmarkets/CME SYP Futures webinar, November 18, 2025, link:
www.fastmarkets.com/lumbertalk

Advertisers:
Fastmarkets Random Lengths
[email protected]
www.fastmarkets.com
Layman’s Lumber Guide
www.laymansguide.com
[email protected]
Show Contacts:
Gregg Riley: [email protected]
Charles DeLaTorre: [email protected]
Matt Beymer: [email protected]
Ashley Boeckholt: [email protected]
...more
55min
October 30, 2025 EP 145: When Unplugging Doesn’t Work
This week on The Lumber Word, the crew welcomes Patrick Teoli, IT specialist and owner of BluCirrus, to tackle all those tech questions that “just unplug it and plug it back in” won’t solve. From system crashes to smarter setups, Patrick keeps it real about how tech meets the lumber world.
Then, things heat up fast in the lumber market discussion — and it’s a wild one. After a sharp CME selloff, fear is rippling through the supply chain. So where’s the opportunity hiding? Gregg, Matt, Charles, and Ashley break it down with their takes on Hem-Fir convergence, mills that might pull the plug, and why if you’re EFP’ing and sleeving through five people, you’re probably missing the real play.
Come for the information, stay for the laughs — and leave a little smarter (and maybe better looking).

Advertisers:
Fastmarkets Random Lengths
[email protected]
www.fastmarkets.com
Layman’s Lumber Guide
www.laymansguide.com
[email protected]

Guest: Patrick Teoli
BLUCIRRUS
[email protected]

Show Contacts
Gregg Riley: [email protected]
Charles DeLaTorre: [email protected]
Matt Beymer: [email protected]
Ashley Boeckholt: [email protected]

...more
1h
October 24, 2025 EP 144: Good-Dealed to Death — Seasonal Weakness or Strength Ahead?
Matt, Gregg, Charles, and Ashley are back on track this week talking about what might be the calm before the next lumber storm. The crew breaks down the quiet market tone and asks the question everyone’s thinking — are we moving from seasonal weakness into a period of strength?

Charles thinks many dealers have been “good-dealed to death” over the past 60 days and simply don’t need to buy, while Gregg takes the other side of that trade. Matt shares why he’s feeling better heading into year-end, and the group circles around how the bug basis is quietly helping hedgers manage risk. They also highlight Hem-Fir’s return as a deliverable species, adding another twist to the 2025 outlook.

Plenty to unpack, lots of laughs, and as always — you’ll come out smarter and better looking.

Advertisers:
Fastmarkets Random Lengths
[email protected]
www.fastmarkets.com
Layman’s Lumber Guide
www.laymansguide.com
[email protected]

Show Contacts
Gregg Riley: [email protected]
Charles DeLaTorre: [email protected]
Matt Beymer: [email protected]
Ashley Boeckholt: [email protected]
...more
49min
October 16, 2025 EP 143: Mid-October Round Up
Gregg, Charles, and Ashley kick things off with a deep dive into Southern Pine curtailments — and why they still haven’t kicked in. The crew then runs through different scenarios for when Canadian mills might finally shut down more production. Gregg predicts we could see a 7-handle on lumber in Q1 of ’26, while Charles brings up multi-family projects and who’s short that business heading into 2026.

Gregg also sparks a conversation about 2026 lumber contracts and some surprising insights that follow. The team rounds things out by highlighting undervalued items and how your inventory strategy might adapt to take advantage.

Join the fun — and leave a little smarter.

Advertisers:
Fastmarkets Random Lengths
[email protected]
www.fastmarkets.com
Layman’s Lumber Guide
www.laymansguide.com
[email protected]

Show Contacts
Gregg Riley: [email protected]
Charles DeLaTorre: [email protected]
Matt Beymer: [email protected]
Ashley Boeckholt: [email protected]

...more
51min

FAQs about The Lumber Word:

How many episodes does The Lumber Word have?

The podcast currently has 142 episodes available.

More shows like The Lumber Word

Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing

3,179 Listeners

Odd Lots by Bloomberg

Odd Lots

1,963 Listeners

Founders by David Senra

Founders

2,202 Listeners

Value Investing with Legends by Columbia Business School

Value Investing with Legends

205 Listeners

Lumber Slingers by Chelsea Zuccato & Natalie Heacock

Lumber Slingers

13 Listeners

HousingWire Daily by HousingWire

HousingWire Daily

165 Listeners

Yet Another Value Podcast by Andrew Walker

Yet Another Value Podcast

106 Listeners

The Business Brew by Bill Brewster

The Business Brew

247 Listeners

Business Breakdowns by Colossus | Investing & Business Podcasts

Business Breakdowns

349 Listeners

Moody's Talks - Inside Economics by Moody's Analytics

Moody's Talks - Inside Economics

334 Listeners

ACQ2 by Acquired by Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal

ACQ2 by Acquired

292 Listeners

On The Tape with Danny Moses by RiskReversal Media

On The Tape with Danny Moses

168 Listeners

Bloomberg Daybreak: US Edition by Bloomberg

Bloomberg Daybreak: US Edition

84 Listeners

The Economics of Everyday Things by Freakonomics Network & Zachary Crockett

The Economics of Everyday Things

1,635 Listeners

Money Stuff: The Podcast by Bloomberg

Money Stuff: The Podcast

398 Listeners