Learn more about the Panasonic OASYS system: https://oasys.na.panasonic.comFollow Panasonic IAQ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panasoniciaq/One year after completion, the Panasonic OASYS concept home has been fully lived in, monitored, tested, and analyzed—and the results are in.In this episode of The Your Project Shepherd Podcast, Curtis Lawson is joined by Ken Nelson, Group Sales Manager for Panasonic IAQ, to break down what builders can actually learn from a full year of real-world performance data from the OASYS home in Houston, Texas.This is not a showroom demo or a lab test. This home has experienced occupancy, vacancy, extreme heat, high humidity, system adjustments, and even intentional stress-testing—all while collecting temperature, humidity, and air quality data throughout the house.Key builder takeaways from this conversation include:1. Why continuous air movement outperforms traditional HVAC cycling2. How OASYS achieved consistent temperatures within 1–2 degrees room to room3. What the data revealed about moisture management in a tight envelope4. The real-world performance of ERVs in hot, humid climates5. Why small “cost savings” during construction can lead to major warranty risks6. What surprised Panasonic most after a full year of operationIf you’re a builder thinking about tighter envelopes, indoor air quality, moisture risk, or long-term durability—not just first-cost decisions—this 1-year retrospective offers practical insights you can apply to your own projects.

Most builders don’t fail because they’re bad at construction — they fail because no one ever taught them how to run a business.

In this episode of The Your Project Shepherd Podcast, Curtis Lawson is joined by Kurt Hegetschweiler, international builder coach and author of Million Dollar Builder 2.0, to unpack why so many builders stay busy, stressed, and underpaid despite years of experience.

Kurt shares hard-earned insights from coaching thousands of builders worldwide, breaking down the leadership, financial, and systems mistakes that quietly erode profit and create burnout.

This conversation is especially relevant for custom home builders, remodelers, and residential contractors who want better margins, stronger cash flow, and more control over their businesses.

What You'll Learn in this Episode

• Why your construction business will never outgrow your leadership

• The hidden cost of free estimates and rushed pricing

• The difference between markup, margin, and real profitability

• Why chasing more work often creates more problems

• How pre-construction systems prevent downstream chaos

• Why specialization leads to consistency and higher margins

• The mindset shift required to move from tradesperson to business owner

About the Guest

Kurt Hegetschweiler is an international construction business coach and the author of Million Dollar Builder 2.0. He helps builders implement proven systems that improve profit, cash flow, workflow, and leadership — without working longer hours.

Who This Episode is For

• Residential homebuilders

• Custom home builders and remodelers

• Contractors transitioning from trades to ownership

• Builders stuck at the same revenue year after year

• Owners experiencing stress, burnout, or financial unpredictability

Running a construction business isn’t just about building houses—it’s about ownership, discipline, and making decisions when nobody’s coming to save you.

In this episode of The Your Project Shepherd Podcast, Curtis Lawson sits down with longtime friend and custom homebuilder Chris Ferqueron for an honest, builder-to-builder conversation about what it actually takes to survive—and succeed—in construction.

Chris shares his journey from running pizza shops that never shut down, to finding stability, pride, and long-term fulfillment in building homes. Along the way, he breaks down the real lessons most builders only learn the hard way: why fear can be a powerful motivator, how organization becomes a competitive advantage, and why simply doing what you say you’re going to do separates great builders from everyone else.

This episode isn’t theory or hype. It’s a real conversation about:

• Why ownership mindset matters more than talent

• How discipline and execution drive long-term success

• What production builders actually track—and why it matters

• Why many builders fail when they move into higher-end work

• How trust, organization, and follow-through shape client experience

• Why building homes is personal—and why that responsibility matters

If you’re a homebuilder, remodeler, or construction business owner who feels the weight of responsibility every day, this episode will resonate. It’s about survival, growth, craftsmanship, and choosing to build a business—and a life—you can stand behind.

One year after the California Palisades wildfires, the rebuilding is still unfolding—and the lessons for builders are just beginning to surface.

In this episode, Curtis Lawson sits down with Los Angeles builder Chris Ferqueron to reflect on the fires, the aftermath, and how major disasters permanently change the homebuilding industry. From evolving building codes to shifting expectations around resilience, this conversation explores what builders need to understand before the next disaster hits.

You’ll hear practical, real-world insights on:

• How disasters drive building code changes

• Why risk is often underestimated in residential construction

• What resilient design really means beyond compliance

• The challenges of rebuilding in post-disaster environments

• How builders can better protect clients—and themselves—long term

This episode is for builders, remodelers, and construction professionals who want to think beyond short-term fixes and understand the bigger picture of building in a world where extreme events are becoming more common.

Jobsite theft and liability are real challenges for builders — but smart security can make all the difference. In this episode of Your Project Shepherd, Curtis sits down with Alan Martinez, Director of Business Development at Datasmart Home Technologies and Duncan Security, to discuss innovative ways to protect your projects. Alan shares how solar-powered camera systems help builders prevent theft, reduce liability, and bring peace of mind to every jobsite. From real-life incidents to proactive risk management strategies, this episode offers must-know insights for anyone in the construction industry.

Prefab architect Rame Hruska, co-founder of Intexture Architects and Aura Dwellings and Hospitality, joins host Curtis Lawson to demystify ADUs and modular homes — what they are, how they’re built, and why they’re reshaping construction timelines and quality standards. Rame breaks down inspections (state vs. city), MEP coordination, WUI fire-zone and coastal windstorm requirements, and how factory precision cuts waste and boosts consistency. Learn how Intexture integrates design and manufacturing to deliver high-end modular ADUs and custom homes efficiently. A must-listen for builders, designers, and architects exploring off-site innovation.

In this episode of Your Project Shepherd, host Curtis Lawson shares the story of the home that nearly broke his business — and the mental health lessons every builder and homeowner can learn from it. Curtis breaks down the hidden costs of poor systems, “slippage,” and burnout in construction, then outlines five transformative steps: preconstruction agreements, transparency, strong processes, communication, and empathy. Whether you’re a builder, architect, or homeowner, this episode offers real-world insights to protect your profits and your peace of mind.

In this solo episode of Your Project Shepherd, host Curtis Lawson unpacks the hidden costs of construction that no budget accounts for: stress, burnout, and anxiety. Curtis explores how builders face unreliable trades, constant financial pressure, and client demands—while homeowners ride an emotional roller coaster from excitement to regret. These challenges aren’t separate—they’re two sides of the same coin. If you’re a builder, architect, or homeowner, this episode shines a light on why projects derail and why trust often breaks down. Tune in as Curtis sets the stage for practical solutions in the next episode.

In this solo episode of Your Project Shepherd, Curtis Lawson dives into why “winging it” in construction is a recipe for disaster. Using a luxury fence in River Oaks, TX as an example, Curtis unpacks the hidden risks of vague plans, poor alignment, and lack of detail in design. He explains how homeowners, builders, and architects can prevent disputes, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure projects stay on track. From pre-construction planning to selecting the right builder, this episode delivers actionable insights for anyone in residential construction. Learn how details protect your project—and your reputation.

In this episode of the Your Project Shepherd podcast, host Curtis Lawson sits down with Dan Bawden, owner of Legal Eagle Contractors and a nationally recognized expert in Universal Design. They explore how smart, adaptable design goes beyond ADA standards to create homes that work for everyone—today and in the future. From zero-step entries and intuitive kitchens to safe, stylish bathrooms and elevator-ready layouts, Dan shares practical tips that add value, safety, and beauty to any project. Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, or designer, this episode will change how you think about remodeling and new construction.