The Curious Builder End-of-Year Construction Podcast Reflection

When I think back to how The Curious Builder started, it’s wild to see where it’s landed. It all started with curiosity and a conversation.

I was a guest on Brad Leavitt’s podcast, and about thirty days later, I launched The Curious Builder. The goal was simple then, and honestly, it still is: meaningful, in-person storytelling. Real conversations with people in the construction industry who care deeply about what they’re building and why.

From Local Conversations to a National Community

Year one was very Minnesota-focused. Builders, remodelers, designers… people in my immediate orbit. By year two, it naturally expanded to about a 50/50 split between local and national voices. By year three (and now moving into year four) we’re fully national.

That growth didn’t come from chasing scale. It came from listening. From saying yes to conversations that felt aligned. And from realizing that the challenges, wins, and questions in this industry don’t stop at state lines.

Looking ahead, 2026 will mark a new chapter with something we’re calling the Smile Tour: a regional approach to storytelling. We’ll move through the country by quarters: West Coast, Southwest, Southeast, and East/Northeast. Each region, its own season. Each season, its own rhythm.

And alongside that, we’re launching a Curious Builder book club focused on business, leadership, and balance. Each guest in a given quarter will read the same book, and listeners can follow along too. The goal is depth: not just more episodes, but more intentional conversations.

Milestones That Mattered in 2025

This year came with some big moments.

Crossing 100,000 downloads in August was a milestone I don’t take lightly. In the world of construction podcasts, that number represents trust.

Another highlight was the W.I.N.C. (Women in Construction) live event at Roth Living. Over 100 people showed up to hear four incredible women share their stories. Those kinds of moments remind me why live, in-person experiences matter.

From a growth perspective, seeing brand-new ideas like Sauna Camp and Boot Camp succeed in their very first year was huge. 

Episodes That Defined the Year

A few podcast moments really stood out in 2025.

The Mysa Hus series was a big one. Conversations with Karl Adelbert and Melissa Oholendt, plus a solo monologue where I walked through the “why” behind the home. We even recorded a live podcast inside the house: a dream scenario!

Another highlight was launching the “Losers Are Winners” series. Short, 20-minute conversations focused on what didn’t go right. It’s been surprisingly impactful and we’ll definitely keep that format going into 2026. There’s a lot of growth in talking honestly about failure.

Community Is the Thread That Ties It All Together

If there’s one thing that continues to shape how I show up behind the mic, it’s community.

It’s someone stopping me in the grocery store. A DM saying, “That episode hit home.” You don’t always know who’s listening until they tell you, and that never gets old.

One small but meaningful change we’re adding next year: each podcast guest will answer a question left by the previous guest, then leave a new question for the next. It’s a simple way to create continuity and connection across conversations!

What I’m Looking Forward to in 2026

Boot Camp sold out with 23 builders heading to Costa Rica from across the U.S. and Canada. I’m also excited about Sauna Camp 2.0. This next iteration will bring in wellness talks, live podcasts, and deeper conversations around balance, leadership, and longevity in this industry.

Another idea I’m energized by is bringing each Curious Collective hub together in Chicago for a two-day event. If you’re a seasoned member, you’re invited. The cross-pollination that happens when builders from different regions sit at the same table is where growth accelerates.

If we’re talking numbers, I’d love to hit 200,000 downloads in 2026, maybe even 300,000!

But more than that, the goal remains the same: to build a high-quality library of conversations that help people in this industry feel inspired and supported.

One Word to Describe 2025

If I had to sum up this year in a single word, it would be “Exploring.”

We explored new formats. New events. New people. We launched Boot Camp. Hosted Sauna Camp. Introduced a new podcast series. Even the Chicago Mixer was a total experiment, and it worked.

We tried a lot. And I’m proud of that.

Here’s to continuing the exploration and to everyone who’s been part of the Curious Builder journey so far!