In this episode of the Builder of Choice™ Insights Podcast, host Emma Wildermuth speaks with Michael Welty, Consultant at Shinn Group, about his background and experience within the home building industry. Michael outlines his professional path and the work that led him into his current role, providing context on how his experience shapes his perspective.

The conversation explores real-world challenges buildersare navigating today, drawing on firsthand examples and observations from ongoing projects and leadership responsibilities. Throughout the discussion, Michael shares how practical decision-making and on-the-ground experienceinform the way he approaches building and problem-solving.

👉 Check out Michael Welty on social:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mathieu-welty-2a1393a/

👉 Check out Shinn Group and subscribe:
🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theshinngroup 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shinn-group/ 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theshinngroup

👉 Don’t Miss Our Special Events Coming Up:
🔗 BuilderPartnerships & Shinn Group’s IBS Reception | February 16, 2026: https://share.hsforms.com/13FbnuumWQbi43C4-ZL0_0gehnne

🔗 IBS 2026 Free Expo Pass: https://ibs26.nvytes.co/ibs26landing/46464.html

🔗 Executive Summit | March 11-13, 2026 : https://cvent.me/A4Y30b

#BuilderOfChoice #Homebuilding #ConstructionLeadership #BuilderPodcast #OperationalExcellence #Profitability #BuilderTraining #LeadershipDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #ShinnGroup #RealWorldBuilding #HomeBuilderLife #ConstructionIndustry #TradePartners #BuilderInsights

Control What Counts and Lead without Compromise.

This episode features a conversation with host Emma Wildermuth and Chris Laping, founder of People Before Things and a former four-time Fortune 500 CIO. Chris shares his leadership journey and outlines his philosophy that leadership is a deliberate, daily choice, not an optional or abstract concept.

Drawing on decades of executive experience and organizational turnarounds, he explains how clarity, alignment, and shared understanding empower teams to focus on theright problems and achieve sustainable, profitable results.

The discussion previews the leadership themes Chris will explore at the upcoming Shinn Group Executive Summit Event on March 11-13, 2026, in Breckenridge, Colorado.

About Chris Laping

Chris Laping coaches executives and experts on high-trust influence and modern leadership. A former 4-time CIO and tech CEO, Chris has spent three decades inside complexorganizations helping leaders move ideas forward, build credibility, and create followership without relying on title, volume, or politics.

Throughout his career, Chris has led large-scale transformation at companies including Red Robin, GMAC, and Coffee & Bagel Brands, where he helped drive successful turnarounds during periods of rapid change. That real-world leadership experience shapes his work today.

Chris is the bestselling author of People Before Things and the forthcoming Unignorable. His ideas on leadership, organizational health, and influence have been featured by The Economist, Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Forbes. Each week, his work reaches more than 1.5 million people through social media and his two newsletters.

On stage, Chris has delivered keynotes and workshops to more than 300,000 leaders and professionals, earning a reputation for talks that are practical, human, and immediately actionable.

👉 Check out Chris Laping on social
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claping

👉 Discover more about our guest:

🔗 People Before Things: https://peoplebeforethings.co/

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/people-before-things/

👉 Check us out and subscribe!
🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theshinngroup 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shinn-group/ 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theshinngroup

👉 Shinn Group Special Events:
🔗 Executive Summit: https://cvent.me/A4Y30b

In this episode, Emma Wildermuth sits down with DaveBarnhart, President of First America Homes, for a focused conversation on differentiation in challenging times. Together, they explore how economic uncertainty, heightened competition, and operational constraints are making itincreasingly difficult for organizations and professionals to stand out.

The discussion examines why differentiation matters morethan ever and how it can be pursued with intention rather than reaction. Dave shares practical ways to think about visibility, value creation, and competitive positioning, with an emphasis on resilience and clarity under pressure. The episode frames a clear, thoughtful approach to navigating complex market conditions while remaining distinct and relevant.

👉 Check out our guest,Dave Barnhart on social:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davebarnhart1

💻 Email: dbarnhart@firstamericahomes.com

👉 Discover more aboutour guest:

🔗 Website Link: https://www.firstamericahomes.com

🔗 Special Offer Houston Homes: https://www.firstamericahomes.com/new-homes/tx/houston/special-offers/

🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4F2XiC_dgpqYL0D4biNMhQ
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-america-homes/
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firstamerica

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstamericahomes/

👉 Check us out and subscribe:

🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theshinngroup
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shinn-group/
🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theshinngroup

In this episode, Emma Shinn sits down with her dad, Chuck Shinn — co-founder of the Shinn Group and one of the industry’s most respected financial and operational voices — to break down what’s really happening in the 2025 housing market.

Chuck shares decades of perspective as he analyzes:

• Interest rate volatility and its impact on buyer demand

• Cost pressures, margins, and why many builders are feeling the squeeze

• Supply trends and how today compares to historic cycles

• The operational disciplines that matter most in uncertain markets

• What builders should stop, start, and double down on in 2025

This conversation offers practical, grounded guidance for leaders looking to navigate today’s challenges with clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re a builder, trade partner, or industry professional, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to strengthen your business in the year ahead.

Company Links:

🔗 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@WillowBranchHomes⁠

🔗 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/willowbranchhomestn⁠

🔗 LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/willowbranchhomes/

Emma Wildermuth sits down with Paul Winegar, COO of Willow Branch Homes, as he explains how his team breaks down silos and unites every department into a single, cohesive operating system. He shares how strength-based roles, process-driven headcount planning, and clearly definedhandoffs create smoother schedules and more predictable outcomes across the organization.

Paul discusses the importance of engaging mid-level leaders to solve constraints, building stronger collaboration through clear expectations and shared accountability, and using practical, hands-on training to build understanding between teams. The conversation also explores how proactive permitting preparation—aligning vendors and subcontractors early—reduces friction, shortens cycle times, and strengthens trade partnerships.

The result is a steady, collaborative workflow and a builder that home buyers and trade partners genuinely want to work with—achieved not through flash or slogans, but through practical systems, clear accountability, and disciplined teamwork.

👉 Check out our guest, Paul Winegar:

🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/paul-winegar-2a212357

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.winegar.988

👉 Check out Paul's company:

🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WillowBranchHomes

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willowbranchhomestn

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/willowbranchhomes/

👉 Don’t forget to check us out and subscribe:

🔗 YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theshinngroup⁠

🔗 LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shinn-group/⁠

🔗 Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/theshinngroup⁠

In this inspiring episode of Builder of Choice™ Insights, Emma Wildermuth sits down with Kelly Zitlow (EVP of Marketing & Sales) and Lisa Cortez (National Director of Builder Outreach) from Cornerstone Home Lending to discuss Women Building America — a movement dedicated to empowering women in homebuilding.

They share powerful insights on mentorship, representation, and redefining success in an industry long dominated by tradition. Whether you’re a builder, lender, or leader, this conversation will encourage you to lift others as you climb.

Speakers:

Emma Jane Wildermuth – President, Shinn Group

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theshinngroup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shinn-group/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070280496939⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest:

Kelly Zitlow, Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing

Cornerstone Home Lending

Email: kzitlow@houseloan.com

Kelly Zitlow, National Director of Builder Outreach

Cornerstone Home Lending

Email: lcortez@houseloan.com

Resources & Links:

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theshinngroup.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the Shinn Group Podcast wherever you get your podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/14IFTHthEqbXm09CqnhWRV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-the-builder-of-choice/id1705949297⁠

In this episode, Emma Jane interviews Bob Mirman, CEO & Founder of Eliant, to explore his journey into the homebuilding industry and his lifelong commitment to improving the customer experience. Bob shares how Eliant helps builders strengthen relationships with trades, employees, andhomebuyers—driving exceptional satisfaction and loyalty. With over 1,800 clients worldwide, Eliant delivers customer experience monitoring, training, and consulting, making Bob one of the most sought-after voices in the industry.

Speakers:

Emma Jane Wildermuth – President, Shinn Group

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theshinngroup⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shinn-group/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070280496939⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest:

Bob Mirman, President and Founder Eliant

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFRCVl4zMevDMwZfG0ge8Sw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobmirman/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliant/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Eliantinc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliantinc/?hl=en

Resources & Links:

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠theshinngroup.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the Shinn Group Podcast wherever you get your podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/14IFTHthEqbXm09CqnhWRV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-the-builder-of-choice/id1705949297⁠

In this episode, host Emma Wildermuth sits down with Kody Smith of NoviHome for a candid, in-person conversation about what’s changing in homebuilding, why marketing matters more than ever, and how builders can improve the buyer experience from first contact through warranty.

Kody shares his journey from tech entrepreneurship to homebuilding technology, the lessons learned from mystery shopping major builders, and why communication before, during, and after the sale is the real key to earning referrals and long-term success.

You’ll also hear:

• How the buyer experience shapes your reputation years after closing

• Why standing inventory demands better marketing and trained sales teams

• The one tool builders can use to stay connected and exceed expectations

Whether you’re a builder, sales leader, or marketing pro, this episode will help you think differently about how to engage your buyers and set your team apart.

Speakers:

Emma Jane Wildermuth – President, Shinn Group

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@theshinngroup⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-shinn-group/⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070280496939⁠⁠⁠

Guest:

Kody Smith - President and Co-Founder, NoviHome

Podcast: https://www.novihome.com/podcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kodysmith1

Resources & Links:

Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠theshinngroup.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe to the Shinn Group Podcast wherever you get your podcasts⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/14IFTHthEqbXm09CqnhWRV⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-the-builder-of-choice/id1705949297⁠