From Open Books to Hard Lessons Learned, with Chris Lyons

Make It Rain: Building Homes, Culture, and Community, with Andi Dirkschneider Bliss

Andi Dirkschneider Bliss grew up on job sites with her dad before starting Brookline Homes in Charlotte. After studying neuroscience and behavioral economics at Emory University, she managed a thousand REO properties at a distressed real estate hedge fund before joining Brookline in 2016. In 2025, she became the third woman to serve as president of the HBA of Greater Charlotte, the seventh-largest HBA in the country. This conversation gets into what that background means in practice. Brookline builds roughly a hundred homes a year for first-time and move-down buyers around Charlotte's 485 loop, and the neuroeconomics thread runs through everything. "Value is not just dollars and cents. It is how does it make you feel? How does it live for you? How do you feel as part of the community?" Sense of place, the "no assholes" rule, a diverse team, and a dog-based brand identity all get real airtime. "If someone comes in and is being a jerk to any one of my team members, we are not selling a house to them. I do not care how much money they want to throw at us. Life is too short to deal with jerks." Succession covers the gradual handoff from her father, her MBA and master's in real estate during COVID, and a leveraged buyout plan that got upended. "Our nuclear family of four became a family of two very fast." The company now sits in an irrevocable trust. Andi also addresses being a woman in homebuilding head-on. "I still get people coming in the door who don't want to talk to me. They want to talk to my production manager or my director of operations because they're men and they assume that I just do design or just do sales. I have a GC license too. I've built houses too. I've been in the field too." Andi Dirkschneider Bliss is a second-generation homebuilder who quite literally grew up on job sites. As a kid, her family moved frequently as her father worked for several different national homebuilders, giving her an early front-row seat to how housing shapes communities and creates a sense of belonging. She began working in the industry in high school, but her path wasn't linear. Andi earned degrees in Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology and Behavioral Economics from Emory University, launching a career in digital marketing before moving into real estate investment and asset management. That mix of psychology, economics, and human behavior continues to influence how she leads and builds today. In 2016, Andi joined her family's company, Brookline Homes, where she's worked across purchasing, sales, construction, and land acquisition and development. After completing her MBA and Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) at UNC Charlotte, she became President of Brookline Homes in 2022. Today, Andi is passionate about creating attainable homes for first-time and move-down buyers, while also focusing on something equally important: growing people. https://mybrooklinehome.com [https://mybrooklinehome.com] https://www.linkedin.com/in/andi-bliss [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andi-bliss] Follow Builder Straight Talk: * https://BuilderStraightTalk.com [https://BuilderStraightTalk.com] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkrisa [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkrisa] * https://www.facebook.com/BuilderStraightTalk [https://www.facebook.com/BuilderStraightTalk] * https://www.instagram.com/builderstraighttalk [https://www.instagram.com/builderstraighttalk] Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:17 Welcome Andi 03:37 Brookline Homes 04:22 Wearing Many Hats 06:00 Growing Up Building 07:51 Neuroscience to Real Estate 10:58 Joining Dad to Build 12:43 Challenging Builder Status Quo 14:07 Reading Buyers Better 18:46 Healthy, Efficient Homes 20:37 Curated Options, Less Stress 22:10 Designing Sense of Place 27:14 Neuroeconomics and Value 30:16 Influence and Sales Experience 31:52 No Jerks Rule 34:11 Dogs as Brand Mascots 38:23 Hiring for Diverse Team 40:45 Succession 42:51 COVID Reset and Education 45:32 Systems that Run Without You 46:39 Millennial Culture and Authenticity 51:13 Succession Handoff 54:08 Family Tragedy Reshapes Plans 55:47 Irrevocable Trust 01:01:43 Becoming the Industry Face 01:05:26 Women in Building 01:10:33 Advice snd Let Them Theory 01:13:44 Rapid Fire

The Hidden Psychology Behind "Must Have" Homes, with Trapper Roderick

Trapper Roderick is a fifth-generation builder in Park City, Utah and Los Angeles, with deep roots in the industry. His grandfather and great-grandfather built Jacobson Construction into one of the largest commercial companies on the West Coast. Before building full-time, he studied architecture, ran a haberdashery making custom suits for wealthy athletes and business leaders, and taught entrepreneurship at the University of Utah. He calls himself an architectural guardian — someone focused on making sure the emotional intention behind a design actually shows up in the finished home. "Walk in a lot of different homes, and one home is $7 million, the other one's $7 million. Well, why does this one feel so much better? Is it the fit and finish? Is it the finishes, or is it that there was emotion that was controlled in the space — by using certain materials in certain ways and the way it was finished?" His pre-construction alignment process brings architect, engineer, interior designer, and client onto the same page — sometimes before a design even exists. He'd run 80% spec if the capital were available and explains how great architecture engineers the reaction that makes a buyer walk in and simply have to own the place. The conversation goes deep on money. Trapper estimates 95 to 99 percent of builders have built themselves a job rather than a business. He covers the $400,000 budget overrun that taught him one simple invoice change, the Utah market dynamics driving demand above $7 million, and how getting on video opened the door to brand partnerships and a docuseries on a current spec build. "The money that's in their account isn't theirs. We run what's called a work in progress report, and that tells us at any given moment the money that's in our account, how much of it is ours and how much of it is our clients'." He closes with a question he found on a plaque that captures why he does this work: "What have I done to enrich the lives of others today?" --- Trapper Roderick is the President of Roderick Builders, a Park City-based firm he runs alongside his father Travis Roderick, who leads the California office. He's a fifth-generation builder with roots in both commercial and residential construction — his great-grandfather and grandfather built Jacobson Construction into one of the largest commercial companies on the West Coast. Before focusing full-time on building, Trapper studied architecture, taught entrepreneurship at the University of Utah, and ran a haberdashery making custom suits for wealthy athletes and business leaders across the country. He still owns a luxury necktie brand today. Roderick Builders has built over $950 million in residential real estate across fewer than 50 homes. Trapper's work centers on architecturally ambitious projects where pre-construction alignment and financial transparency are the foundation. He's an active voice for raising industry standards through podcasts, teaching, and direct mentorship with other builders. Connect with Trapper: Roderick Builders: https://www.roderickbuilders.com [https://www.roderickbuilders.com] Trapper on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trapper-roderick [https://www.linkedin.com/in/trapper-roderick] Follow Builder Straight Talk: https://BuilderStraightTalk.com [https://BuilderStraightTalk.com] Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:37 Meet Trapper Roderick 02:55 Architectural Guardian 05:04 Preconstruction Alignment 08:22 Budgets and Expectations 10:21 Spec vs Custom Builds 11:47 Fifth Generation Roots 14:42 Grandfather and Integrity 16:12 Residential vs Commercial 17:22 Builder as Business 20:12 Splitting the Companies 21:41 Systems and Software 24:36 How Builders Profit 33:37 Accounting Lessons Learned 36:46 Client Transparency Tools 37:38 Wealthy Clients Expectations 40:54 Precon Budget Planning 43:21 Spec Homes Risk Playbook 49:31 Utah Market Tailwinds 50:53 Land And Data Centers 52:53 From Roofer To Luxury 57:13 Deal Breakers Capital Stack 01:01:39 Video Branding Partnerships 01:05:59 Rapid Fire 01:08:04 Final Thoughts

Building Texas's Future, One Home At a Time, with Scott Norman

Scott Norman is the CEO of the Texas Association of Builders -- a perspective most builders don't get regular access to. He knows what's being decided at the Capitol, who's filing the bills, and what those decisions cost by the time they reach a job site. A former Capitol staffer and general counsel to a statewide engineering association, Scott has been with TAB since 2003 and CEO since 2008. TAB represents roughly 10,000 member companies across 27 local home builders associations. Its primary mission is advocacy -- getting builder voices into the conversations that determine what homes cost and how long they take to build. This episode covers the statute of repose and your liability exposure after a project closes; shot clock legislation and what permit delays actually cost; why 25 percent of the cost of a home traces back to regulatory burden; data centers competing with builders for land, water, and power; and the workforce crisis in the trades. "A lot of people don't realize whatever building they're sitting in was built by humans -- built outside in the mud with natural materials. A lot of people just think all these buildings around them -- they don't really ever think about how they appear. They weren't just always here." TAB secured $850 million for Texas State Technical College this past session to rebuild the trades pipeline. Scott also walks through membership in practice -- HomePAC, the Texas Builders Foundation scholarships, and what the association fights for on behalf of builders every session. "Building futures is what our members do. You're building futures for your workforce that's working for you by employing them. You're building futures by building communities. You're building futures for the people living in those homes -- where they're going to work, eat, pray, live, raise a family. And you're building future wealth, because you are putting improvements on the ground that are going to grow in value over time." More at https://texasbuilders.org [https://texasbuilders.org] --- M. Scott Norman, Jr. is the CEO of the Texas Association of Builders, the second largest home builders association in the nation, representing nearly 10,000 members and their companies across the state. TAB member companies are responsible for more than 758,000 jobs and over $71.5 billion annually to the Texas economy. An East Texas native and sixth-generation Texan, Scott earned his BA in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin and his law degree from South Texas College of Law. He has been active in Texas state government for over 30 years as a Capitol staffer, association executive, and registered lobbyist. Scott is a founding board member of the Texas Builders Foundation and was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2026 to the Texas Jobs Council. He also serves on the board of Operation Finally Home, a nonprofit that has completed and donated over 340 home projects in 33 states to military heroes, first responders, and their families. Follow Builder Straight Talk: * Web: https://BuilderStraightTalk.com [https://BuilderStraightTalk.com] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkrisa [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkrisa] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuilderStraightTalk [https://www.facebook.com/BuilderStraightTalk] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builderstraighttalk [https://www.instagram.com/builderstraighttalk] Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 04:11 Scott’s Role at TAB 05:24 From Law School to Capitol 07:46 Why Texas Leads Housing 09:56 Attainability and Core Constraints 11:46 Data Centers vs Housing 13:58 How TAB Influences Policy 16:46 Why Join the Builders Association 19:34 Behind the Scenes Advocacy 23:02 Fixing the Trades Pipeline 32:18 Building Futures Mindset 35:32 Tariffs and Material Costs 35:56 Texas Repose Reform 38:13 Liability Act Updates 38:44 Sharing Wins Nationwide 40:49 Shot Clock Permits 42:53 Regulation Costs Explained 44:57 Affordability Crisis Reality 50:02 Rent to Own Ideas 53:06 HomePAC Political Power 54:44 Workforce Development Push 57:16 Sunbelt Builders Show 01:04:47 Final Thanks

The Untold Opportunity Inside America’s Housing Crisis, with James Wrigg

James Wrigg did not take the most direct route into homebuilding. Years studying theology and time in a seminary eventually gave way to a career in residential construction, and the servant leadership philosophy he carried from that period still shapes how he runs things today. "I really approach things saying I want to make something better for my consumer. I want to make my employees better. I want to meet them where they are and take them to where they can be." Bridge Tower targets what James calls the move-up renter, someone past the apartment stage but not yet ready to buy. Average resident age is around 39, and average tenancy runs about three and a half years, more than double a typical apartment complex. James walks through how BTR projects get funded, how capital stacks work, and why the model demands very different thinking from production homebuilding. The conversation shifts to risk, which is where things get genuinely useful. Go/no-go decisions, what kills a deal early, and what it looks like to walk away cleanly rather than putting a bad project on life support. "You have got to quickly get used to killing your what you thought was going to be. You just can't get your heart attached too quickly when it's early in the process. You've got to be willing to say no. Quit trying to beat your head against this wall. Don't put it on life support, just kill it." Value engineering, the real kind versus the cost-stripping version, comes up too. So does the risk management philosophy James picked up from the Bridge Tower partners. "No one thing should ever be in a position to sink you. You never want that type of exposure in one position. How do we build and scale a business while always protecting the heart of it?" Westfield Homes grew from the need to balance out the peaks and valleys of BTR production and expand how Bridge Tower can use land. The brand launched through a JV with Hanin Properties out of Osaka, placing Westfield on model row alongside Highland Homes, Perry Homes, American Legend, and Bloomfield. The episode also covers developing young talent, builder-to-builder relationships, and whether a rent-to-own model can realistically address the affordability gap. On that last one, James gives a straight answer. --- James Wrigg is the SVP of Operations for Bridge Tower Homes and Westfield Homes, with over two decades in residential construction. His background spans production homebuilding and build-to-rent, including a stretch managing a division at Perry Homes before joining Bridge Tower. Since coming on board, he has scaled the build-to-rent platform to 400-500 homes per year, with 620 closings projected for 2027, while bringing hard cost per square foot down 28% over three years. He also led the launch of Westfield Homes, Bridge Tower's for-sale brand, building the entire operation from the ground up including product, land strategy, sales platform, and warranty program. His background is not what you would expect. James holds a bachelor's degree in Theology with a minor in Philosophy and a graduate certificate in Systematic Theology. He built his first home at 18 under his uncle's guidance, and has been working in the industry in some capacity ever since. James Wrigg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wrigg-a4632359 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wrigg-a4632359] Bridge Tower website: https://bridgetowergp.com [https://bridgetowergp.com] Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Sound Capital 00:41 Go, No-Go Mindset 03:02 Meet James Rigg 06:21 Seminary to Homebuilding 13:05 Coaching Young Talent 18:08 BridgeTower Origin Story 20:53 Built to Rent Explained 26:22 Resident Experience and Tenure 29:33 Entering BTR and Capital Stack 36:08 Deal Sourcing Criteria 38:05 Vertical Integration Pipeline 38:48 Land Competition Strategy 40:59 No-Go Decision Framework 45:23 Builder Networking Culture 47:45 Real Value Engineering 49:41 Rent to Own Reality 53:24 Westfield Build to Sell 01:01:10 Capital Stack And JV 01:02:36 Rapid Fire and Closing

Double Your Production, Not Your Headaches, with Randy Mickle

Randy Mickle started selling retail sporting goods in Durham, North Carolina and worked his way up through sales, marketing, a VP role, and eventually a division president seat. Today he's Regional President at Drees Homes, overseeing Nashville, Northern Virginia, Raleigh, and Jacksonville. Twenty-one years in, and he still sounds like someone who genuinely enjoys the work. This conversation isn't about theory. It's about what Randy has actually watched happen, over and over, when builders try to grow. The pain doesn't come before the expansion -- it comes during it. The whiteboard, the Excel sheet that was "pretty advanced" at 50 homes, none of that survives contact with 200. "If I woke up tomorrow and I was building twice as many homes as I am today, would the way I'm doing this work? We can't build 400 homes tomorrow on this system that we're doing 200 on today because we won't be able to scale up." Moving someone from doer to delegator isn't a promotion -- it's a completely different job. And hiring right matters just as much as the systems. Personality and work ethic first, experience second. No matter which direction the conversation goes, Randy keeps returning to the same theme: operational excellence. It's not a buzzword so much as it's a math problem. Your cost structure, cycle times, sales pace, and revenue per home determine how much you can pay for land. Lose those fundamentals and you'll lose the deals to someone who hasn't. "You cannot fall in love with a deal. You can talk yourself into deals, convince yourself it's going to be fine. But if you fall in love with it, you are going to make a bad decision." There's also a wider thread on the labor shortage, the trades education gap, and how college debt is quietly pushing first-time buyers further back -- the latest data puts the average first-time buyer at 39 years old. The rapid-fire round at the end is worth sticking around for. --- Randy Mickle is a veteran homebuilding leader with over two decades of experience in new residential construction and development with high volume homebuilders. He currently oversees multiple Southeast markets as Regional President with Drees Homes, where he is responsible for operational execution, land acquisition, product strategy, and leadership development across diverse and highly competitive markets. Randy's career spans sales, marketing, and full P&L leadership, giving him a firsthand view of what actually breaks as builders scale. He has led organizations through rapid growth, major market shifts, and operational resets, learning along the way that results come from operational excellence. Today, his focus is on improving efficiency, controlling costs, building strong leadership benches, and creating cultures where accountability and clarity drive performance. Connect with Randy: Randy Mickle | Southeast Region President, Drees Homes Drees Homes website: https://www.dreeshomes.com [https://www.dreeshomes.com] --- Follow Builder Straight Talk: * Web: https://BuilderStraightTalk.com [https://BuilderStraightTalk.com] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkrisa [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkrisa] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuilderStraightTalk [https://www.facebook.com/BuilderStraightTalk] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builderstraighttalk [https://www.instagram.com/builderstraighttalk] Chapters: 00:00 Randy Mickle 03:46 Meet Randy Mickle 05:03 Randy’s Career Journey 06:42 Ambition and Raising Your Hand 07:36 When to Scale Up 09:03 Systems That Break at Scale 10:37 Delegation and New Leaders 12:48 Hiring for Fit and Trainability 16:01 Big Builder Advantages and AI 18:07 What Makes an Acquisition Target 21:59 Operational Excellence 25:32 Big Builder Playbooks 28:08 Drees Niche and Buyer Focus 32:30 Community Size and New Deals 33:42 Go, No-Go Criteria 35:16 Never Fall In Love 36:42 Due Diligence Lessons 39:36 Contract Risk Mitigation 40:53 Funding and Returns 43:03 Labor and Innovation 44:47 Building the Trades Pipeline 52:51 College Debt Ripple Effects 56:15 Fixing Housing Supply 01:01:33 Rapid Fire Round 01:03:13 Career Advice Wrap Up