S1Ep108 Healthy Home Construction, Building Smarter, and the Future of Better Homes with Lauren Riddei
Release Date: 05/01/2025
S1Ep110 Builder Construction Loans, Smarter Growth, and Real Risk Advice with James Minarsich
Builder Straight Talk Podcast
Builder construction loans are the fuel behind most successful projects—but only if they’re built right. James Minarsich has made it his business to deliver funding that moves at the speed of builders—not banks. As Senior VP of Construction Lending at , James oversees a team that works exclusively with professional home builders, helping them scale with fast, flexible financing. He understands the real risks builders face: funding gaps, market timing, unexpected delays—and how to solve for them without killing your cash flow or drowning in red tape. On this episode of Builder Straight...
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S1Ep109 Modular Home Construction, Smarter Building, and the Future with Harrison Langley
Builder Straight Talk Podcast
Modular home construction isn’t just a trend—it’s a solution. And Harrison Langley is proving it can be done faster, smarter, and more sustainably than traditional building ever could. As the CEO and founder of , Harrison is combining cutting-edge materials, rapid fabrication, and high-impact design to solve real-world problems in housing. Whether it’s building hurricane-resistant homes, reducing environmental impact, or making construction faster and more scalable, he’s on a mission to redefine what’s possible. On this episode of Builder Straight Talk, Harrison breaks down how his...
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S1Ep108 Healthy Home Construction, Building Smarter, and the Future of Better Homes with Lauren Riddei
Builder Straight Talk Podcast
Healthy home construction is more than just a buzzword—it’s fast becoming the next frontier for serious builders, and Lauren Riddei is right in the middle of the shift. Lauren Riddei is a strategic advisor and consultant specializing in building health, indoor air quality, and the use of non-toxic materials. Her background spans brand strategy, marketing, and now an intense focus on how homes affect the health of the people living in them. In this episode of Builder Straight Talk, Lauren breaks down why healthy home construction isn't just for luxury clients anymore—it’s...
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S1Ep107 Avoid These Costly Mistakes When Building ADUs with Whitney Hill
Builder Straight Talk Podcast
Accessory dwelling units are changing the way builders, homeowners, and developers think about growth—and Whitney Hill is right at the front of that movement. Whitney Hill is the co-founder of SnapADU, a California-based construction and development firm specializing in accessory dwelling units (ADUs). What started as a niche offering has grown into a full-scale operation designed to meet the rising demand for smarter, more flexible housing solutions. In this episode of Builder Straight Talk, Whitney lays out how accessory dwelling units have exploded in popularity, especially in...
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S1Ep106 Michael Vitale on Building Homes in Florida With Hustle and Heart
Builder Straight Talk Podcast
When it comes to building homes in Florida, Michael Vitale isn’t your average story. He wasn’t born into construction. He didn’t grow up swinging a hammer. He came from the Italian military and police force—then landed in Florida, fell in love, and said yes to a challenge that would flip his life upside down. His father-in-law offered him a chance: a line of credit and the opportunity to build a home. No hand-holding, no training wheels. Just a sink-or-swim opportunity. Michael dove in headfirst. In this episode of Builder Straight Talk, Michael shares how he built Vitale Homes from...
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S1Ep105 From HOA Management to Production Homebuilding: Stephen Connor’s Straight Talk on Scaling Smart
Builder Straight Talk Podcast
Volume building isn't just about stacking houses fast. It's about staying lean, sharp, and structured. And Stephen Connor gets that—because he’s living it. In this episode of Builder Straight Talk, we sit down with Stephen Connor, co-owner of Stephen Elliott Homes, a production builder working across the Atlanta metro. They’re putting up 150 to 200 homes a year, serving first-time and move-up buyers with value-driven homes in high-demand markets. But this isn’t a legacy story. Stephen didn’t grow up swinging a hammer every day—he came up through HOA and property management, built...
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S1Ep104 Ramin Bassam on Real Estate Development, Big Leaps, and Bigger Payoffs
Builder Straight Talk Podcast
Real estate development is never a straight line—and Ramin Bassam is living proof. From humble beginnings as a concrete subcontractor to developing high-end condominiums, and ultimately rising to become a premier general contractor trusted by some of Los Angeles' most affluent clients—Ramin's journey has been defined by craftsmanship, vision, and relentless work. Over the last 10 years, he’s delivered more than $300 million in built projects through his firm, . Ramin started out working driveway jobs with his dad’s concrete crew, scraping together $10K over nearly a decade. His first...
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S1Ep103 Kyle Bobbitt on Building Custom Homes and Innovation
Builder Straight Talk Podcast
Building custom homes isn’t just Kyle Bobbitt’s business—it’s in his blood. A third-generation builder, Kyle learned the trade the hard way: carrying shingles, framing walls, and doing trim work under the guidance of his dad. But over time, he evolved the family tradition into something bigger. Today, he’s the owner and president of Kyle Bobbitt Custom Homes, leading a team that builds up to 50 homes a year across North Carolina. In this episode of Builder Straight Talk, Kyle shares how he scaled his business by shifting from labor to leadership, building systems, and treating every...
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S1Ep102 Jose Berlanga on Real Estate Development and Building Smarter
Builder Straight Talk Podcast
Jose Berlanga didn’t set out to become a big name in real estate development—but that's exactly what happened. He started with a $7,500 lot and a small spec build, then scaled that single project into a high-volume inner-city operation producing over 200 homes a year. In this episode of Builder Straight Talk, Jose breaks down how he went from bootstrapping small residential builds to leading Onyx Land Partners, a real estate development firm now active in both residential and commercial projects. But Jose isn’t your typical builder. He admits he doesn’t know how to build a house—and...
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S1Ep101 Jim Lawler on Building Homes in Arizona the Right Way
Builder Straight Talk Podcast
If you’re serious about building homes in Arizona, this is one story worth paying attention to. Jim Lawler started in the trades at 18, got his license at 25, and built a company that’s lasted through four recessions. From custom homes in Sedona to entire subdivisions in Cottonwood and Lake Havasu, Jim has seen—and built—it all. He started with a tool belt and a willingness to learn. Within a few years, he was managing million-dollar builds and handling everything from jobsite logistics to client scopes of work. His early mentors gave him more than tasks—they gave him access. He...
info_outlineHealthy home construction is more than just a buzzword—it’s fast becoming the next frontier for serious builders, and Lauren Riddei is right in the middle of the shift.
Lauren Riddei is a strategic advisor and consultant specializing in building health, indoor air quality, and the use of non-toxic materials. Her background spans brand strategy, marketing, and now an intense focus on how homes affect the health of the people living in them.
In this episode of Builder Straight Talk, Lauren breaks down why healthy home construction isn't just for luxury clients anymore—it’s something buyers are starting to demand across all market levels. From indoor air quality and moisture control to material selection and smart ventilation, Lauren lays out how even small decisions during construction can have huge impacts on long-term occupant health.
“The way we’ve been building for speed and cost efficiency has introduced real health problems—especially in energy-tight homes.”
Lauren shares how the industry’s push for energy efficiency created a second problem: homes that don't breathe properly. Without better ventilation, filtration, and smarter material choices, today's "tight" homes can trap pollutants inside, leading to serious health consequences over time.
She’s clear about this: healthy home construction isn’t just about switching to non-toxic paint or eco-friendly insulation. It's a full systems approach that builders need to understand if they want to future-proof their projects—and protect their reputations as client expectations rise.
Lauren also highlights simple, practical ways builders can start improving their builds today:
- Choosing low-VOC and formaldehyde-free materials
- Implementing balanced ventilation systems
- Designing for proper moisture management from slab to roof
- Educating clients early to set realistic expectations about upgrades and options
“You don’t have to flip your entire process overnight. Start small. But start thinking differently.”
One powerful insight Lauren shares is how the pandemic shifted consumer awareness. People are now more concerned than ever about the air they breathe indoors—and that awareness is bleeding into how buyers shop for homes, especially in competitive markets.
Builders who lean into healthy home construction now will be positioned as leaders, not laggards, when these demands become standard across the industry.
She also touches on the financial angle: properly executed healthy home features can actually increase property value, drive better appraisals, and offer a new angle for marketing homes in crowded markets.
“You can’t afford to ignore this. The clients are waking up. It’s not a niche anymore—it’s an expectation.”
If you’re a builder, developer, or tradesperson serious about staying ahead of market shifts, Lauren’s insights will show you how to integrate healthy building practices without blowing up your margins or operations.
Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen here or on your favorite podcast platform.
About Lauren Riddei
Lauren Riddei is a building health consultant and brand strategist dedicated to improving the construction industry's approach to occupant wellness. After years in corporate brand strategy, Lauren pivoted to focus on healthy home construction, indoor air quality, and building biology. She works with builders, developers, and architects to design homes that support better health, performance, and peace of mind.
To learn more about Lauren Riddei’s work and her upcoming resources for builders, visit HAUSHolistics.com
About Michael Krisa
Michael Krisa is the host of Builder Straight Talk, where builders, developers, and tradespeople come for real-world strategies on scaling businesses, funding smarter, and building legacies. With over 20 years of experience in real estate investing, digital marketing, and brand strategy, Michael delivers straight-talking insights that help construction entrepreneurs grow without the corporate noise or fluff.