What does it mean to build something that lasts long after the project is complete?

In this episode of The Punch List Podcast, Matt, Jen, and I sit down with Chris Shee of Master Craft Builder Group to discuss the impact builders can have beyond the homes they build. Chris shares how his involvement with Builders Care helped shape his passion for service and community leadership, as well as the story behind Clays for a Cause and its mission to bring people together to make a difference.

We explore the value of investing your time, talent, and treasure, why giving back doesn't have to start with a large donation, and how authentic community involvement strengthens businesses, develops future leaders, and creates a legacy that extends far beyond projects and profits.

In This Episode:
Why builders have a unique opportunity to impact their communities
How Builders Care helped shape Chris's commitment to service
The mission behind Clays for a Cause
Practical ways to start giving back
The importance of finding your "why"
Building a legacy beyond business success

Whether you're a builder, business owner, or community leader, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the most meaningful things we build aren't structures, they're stronger communities.

#ThePunchListPodcast #MasterCraftBuilderGroup #BuildersCare #ClaysForACause #GivingBack #CommunityImpact #Leadership #BuilderLife #ConstructionIndustry #PurposeDrivenBusiness #BuildingLegacy #TimeTalentTreasure

Building on the Coast: What Most People Get Wrong or Just Don't Know

Featuring Jackie Rowland & Adam Russell of Russell Rowland Engineers

Building a custom home on the coast is about much more than choosing the perfect lot and designing a beautiful floor plan. In this episode of The Punch List Podcast, hosts Matt, Jen, and Ian MacDonald sit down with Jackie Rowland and Adam Russell of Russell Rowland Engineers to discuss what homeowners, builders, and even some industry professionals often don't know about coastal construction.

From foundation design and elevated construction to hurricane wind loads, flood zones, and resilience planning, Jackie and Adam break down the engineering realities that shape successful coastal homes. The conversation explores how experienced coastal builders approach projects differently, why engineers should be involved early in the design process, and how collaboration among the homeowner, architect, builder, and engineer can prevent costly surprises down the road.

The group also tackles common misconceptions about building near the water, balancing aesthetics with durability and budget, and how smart engineering decisions can impact long-term performance, maintenance, and even insurance costs.

Whether you're planning your dream waterfront home, working in the construction industry, or just curious about what goes into building along the coast, this episode offers practical insights and expert advice from professionals who do it every day.

In This Episode:

• The biggest misconceptions about coastal construction
• Why foundation design matters more near the water
• Elevated homes, flood zones, and storm surge considerations
• How wind loads influence engineering and design decisions
• Common mistakes that affect hurricane resistance
• The value of involving engineers early in the process
• How collaboration leads to better outcomes and fewer surprises
• Expert advice for anyone considering a coastal custom home

Listen now and learn what most people get wrong before they ever break ground on the coast.

What separates a collection of houses from a place people fight to be part of? For John Hillman, the answer starts before the first stake goes in the ground.

In this episode of The Punch List Podcast, Matt Birdwell, Jennifer O’Neal, and Ian MacDonald sit down with John Hillman — the vision behind two of Northeast Florida’s most intentionally designed communities: Crane Island, a private gated enclave of custom Lowcountry homes along the Intracoastal Waterway in Fernandina Beach, and The Eleven at Congaree & Penn, eleven ten-acre agrarian homesteads outside Jacksonville where residents don’t buy lots — they stake Claims.

For custom builders and remodelers, this conversation goes somewhere most project meetings never reach: the philosophy underneath the build. John unpacks what it takes to design communities that compound in value over time — not just financially, but in meaning, identity, and the kind of word-of-mouth that no marketing budget can manufacture.

If you’re building custom homes or high-end renovations, you’re already in the legacy business. This episode asks whether you’re thinking about it that way.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com