Home: The Second Story

Simplifying Home Technology with Caleb Fetter of RMS

In this episode of Home: The Second Story, Sheri Scott and Marilyn Moedinger talk with Caleb Fetter, President and Managing Partner at RMS in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. RMS

Navigating Uncertainty in Home Projects

In this snack-sized episode of Home: The Second Story, we talk about uncertainty and how much of it shows up when homeowners are deciding whether to renovate, build new,

One Year of Interviews: Best Advice, Biggest Lessons

In this one-year anniversary episode of Home: The Second Story, we look back at what the podcast has taught us about homeowners, custom projects, and the conversations pe

Mailbag 3: Builder Interviews, Bid Comparisons, and Pricing Sets

In our third mailbag episode, we answer three listener questions about hiring a builder, comparing bids, and knowing when plans are detailed enough for pricing. The first

Trendy vs Timeless Residential Architecture (Snack Sized Episode)

In this snack-sized episode of Home: The Second Story, we talk about the difference between trendy and timeless design, and why that question comes up so often for homeow

How To: Shop for Windows for a Custom Home or Renovation

In this episode of Home: The Second Story, we welcome Craig Hyson and Nick Blessing from Pella Windows & Doors of Cincinnati. This conversation is for homeowners who are

How To: Battle Decison Fatigue (Snack Sized Episode)

We talk about decision fatigue in home renovation and custom building, and why it catches so many homeowners off guard. The core issue is mental exhaustion. People alread

Brooklyn Gut Renovation: What Patrick Wishes He Knew Before Starting

We talk with Patrick Paul about a Brooklyn gut renovation that began as something much smaller and turned into a much bigger project. Patrick bought a two-family home in

What To Say When Things Start Going Wrong (Snack Sized Episode)

In this snack-sized episode, we lay out three simple phrases that help when a construction project starts to feel tense or disorganized. The focus is not on winning an ar

Building a Multi-Generational Forever Home

In this episode, we talk with John and Lauren Katzman about building their custom multi-generational home in Powell, Ohio, just north of Columbus. Their project was a new

HVAC Basics and Design Impacts (Snack Sized Episode)

Today we focus on why HVAC design matters far earlier in a project than most homeowners expect. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning shape more than temperature. Th

Mailbag: Hidden Costs, Site Risks, and First Steps That Matter

In this mailbag episode of Home: The Second Story, we answer three questions that come up early in almost every home project. First, we talk about the fear of missing hid

Project Costs: Figuring Things Out Early (Snack Sized Episode)

We open this snack size episode by asking a simple but critical question. How do we estimate the cost of a renovation or new home when the design is still evolving? We ex

Why Skipping a Designer Made This Kitchen Remodel Harder

We talk with Cami Pinsak about a kitchen remodel in her 1950 ranch home in Camarillo, California, and the conversation turns into a very clear lesson about what happens w

Do I Need an Architect? (Snack Sized Episode)

In this episode, we take on a question we hear all the time: do you really need an architect? We explain that the answer is yes and no, because it depends on the type of

Our First Mailbag Episode!

In our first mailbag episode, we answer four questions that come up all the time for homeowners who are trying to make smart decisions before starting a renovation or new

What Homeowners Regret About Their Projects (Snack Sized Episode)

Today. we talk about regrets—specifically, the kinds of regrets homeowners have after a renovation or new home build—and why having some level of imperfection is inevitab

Taylor's Farewell Episode and Lessons Learned

This is Taylor's final episode on Home: The Second Story, and we use the moment to pull together the biggest lessons we have heard across roughly 40 conversations with ho

How To: Find The Right Builder (Snack Sized Episode)

Choosing the right builder is one of the most critical — and most misunderstood — parts of any renovation or new home project: . We talk through how this decision can dra

How To: Get a Good Quality Project (Snack Sized Episode)

In this snack-size episode, we talk about quality of workmanship in residential construction and why it’s such a common source of stress for homeowners. We frame the conv