Meet The Builder Behind The Curious Builder Construction Podcast

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If you've listened to The Curious Builder for any length of time, you've probably realized that this is more than just a construction podcast about building homes. It's about building better  businesses. Better relationships. Better teams. Better lives.

Sure, we talk about construction. A lot. But the conversations that stick with people usually have less to do with framing lumber and finishes and more to do with leadership, purpose, and the people behind the projects. So if you're new here, or you've been listening for years but don't know much about the guy behind the microphone, I figured it was time to properly introduce myself.

A Building Legacy

I'm a third-generation builder, which usually surprises people when I tell them I spent most of my childhood convinced I didn't want to work in construction. When everyone in your family builds homes, it's easy to assume you'll want to do something different.

My dad started David Williams Construction around 1970, and because he built Parade-style homes, our family moved constantly. I think we lived in close to twenty different houses growing up. That sounds chaotic, but to me it was just normal life.

Some of my favorite memories have nothing to do with construction at all. We didn't even have a television for most of my childhood. Instead, we spent our time hiking, skiing, building puzzles, reading books, and simply being together.

 Looking back, what stands out most was having a dad who was present. I honestly don't remember him always working. That shaped me far more than I realized at the time.

When Building Stopped Being Fun

I started my own business when I was seventeen. For years, I poured everything I had into it. Then somewhere around year eighteen, I hit a wall. Burnout happened one project at a time.

My identity became completely wrapped up in being a builder. After spending nearly two decades doing the same thing over and over, I'd walk into another project and think, Okay... another wood floor.

That excitement I had when I started? It was gone. When your work becomes your identity, losing your passion for it is a scary place to be.

The Event That Changed Everything

The turning point came when I attended Contractor Coalition Summit and met builders like Brad, Nick,Tyler, and so many others who were asking bigger questions than simply how to build a better house.

For the first time in a long time, I realized I wasn't alone. Building can feel incredibly isolating. Entrepreneurship can feel even lonelier. Meeting people who openly shared ideas, challenges, failures, and wins completely changed my perspective. It reminded me that even a small builder in Minnesota could create a ripple effect far beyond the homes we construct.

That event changed my business and my life. And eventually, it became the reason The Curious Builder exists.

Starting a Construction Podcast

People sometimes ask why I chose podcasting instead of YouTube, blogging, or social media. The answer is pretty simple: I love conversations.

Some of the biggest breakthroughs in my career came from sitting across from someone who was willing to honestly share what they had learned. That's what I wanted this construction podcast to become. A place where builders, designers, architects, tradespeople, entrepreneurs, and creators could pull back the curtain and have real conversations about what it actually takes to build something meaningful.

Boundaries Create Freedom

One phrase you'll hear me repeat often is this: Boundaries create freedom. That may sound backwards at first. Most people think freedom comes from having fewer rules, but I've found the opposite.

If I want to wake up before dawn to run, I have to go to bed earlier. If I want to be fully present with my family, I have to stop working. Most evenings, I'm home for dinner around 5:30, and my computer stays closed until the next morning. My wife has helped me become much better at actually being home when I'm home.

A few years ago, a friend and I even made the commitment to leave our phones downstairs at night. Small boundaries create big freedom.

Read this blog to learn more about this motto!

Why I Chase Hard Things

Outside of work, you'll usually find me training for something that probably sounds slightly unreasonable. I've run ultramarathons. I've taken on Misogi-style challenges. I attempted the Leadville 100 before wildfire evacuations forced us off the course. People often ask why, and the answer isn't really about finishing. It's about becoming the kind of person who's willing to do hard things.

Growing up, my dad modeled that mindset. Whether he was training for a mountain climb or tackling another challenge, I learned that discomfort was something that helped shape you. That same mindset carries into business. Building custom homes isn't easy. Neither is leading a company or raising a family. But the worthwhile things rarely are.

More Than Construction

When I'm not recording podcasts or walking job sites, life is actually pretty simple. I love early mornings. I enjoy reading, chess, Legos with my boys, puzzles, running with friends, and spending time with my family.

For years we didn't even own a TV, although these days we've embraced Friday movie nights. Oddly enough, I also love airports. There's something inspiring about seeing people headed somewhere with purpose. Curiosity has a way of making almost everything interesting.

Why I Keep Showing Up

At the end of the day, I don't want people to finish an episode thinking, That was a great conversation about construction. I want them to leave believing they're capable of building something better. Maybe that's a healthier business, a stronger marriage, or a better team culture. Or maybe it's simply the reminder that none of us have to figure this out alone.

One of my favorite childhood memories was helping my dad carry firewood through a basement window so he could keep the wood-burning stove going during Minnesota winters. Years later, when we designed Mysa Hus, we built an outdoor wood box into the home so my own family could create that same memory. That's what building has always been about for me. Creating moments that last long after the construction is finished.

If The Curious Builder helps spark even one conversation, one idea, or one relationship that changes the way someone builds their business, or their life, then every episode is worth it.