Small Homes, Big Vision: Jesse Russell on Building Smarter, Simpler Communities with Hiatus Homes

How Song of Solarmen Is Bringing Solar to the People Who Need It Most | Off the Grid Podcast

In today’s episode of Off the Grid on the Record, I’m joined by Mike Belliveau, founder and CEO of Song of Solarmen [https://songofsolarmen.com/], to talk about what it really looks like to run a values-first solar company — one that doesn’t cut corners, doesn’t chase volume, and doesn’t leave people behind. Mike opens up about how he built a fast-growing solar company grounded in service and trust — including how they’re helping families with poor credit access solar, and why churches, rural communities, and small businesses are at the center of their expansion plans. We dive into: * The surprising story behind the company’s name * Scaling the right way — not the fastest way * Their 40kW, 100-panel install after five years of client delays * How to keep the pipeline full without sacrificing ethics * The future of battery tech, rural access, and solar education 📍 Serving: NJ, PA, TX, CA, plus rural U.S. communities 🛠️ Tools: GoHighLevel, commission-based lead gen, Facebook ads 🎯 Vision: Open a second office and double the team within five years ——— 🔗 Guest Links 🌞 Mike Belliveau – Song of Solarmen [https://songofsolarmen.com/] 🔗 Host Links 🎙 Yarek Matacz – https://www.jpmmedia.ca [https://www.jpmmedia.ca] 📸 Instagram – @jpmmediacanada [https://instagram.com/jpmmediacanada] 💼 LinkedIn – Yarek Matacz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarekmatacz] 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this inspired you! 📬 Got a story for the pod? Reach out at jpmmedia.ca [http://jpmmedia.ca] #SolarEnergy #SongOfSolarmen #OffTheGridPodcast #CleanTech #SolarAccess #FaithDrivenBusiness #RuralSolar #SolarEducation #Podcast

The Real Bottlenecks in EV Charging (And How to Solve Them) – with Sergej Marojevic of Q-Charge

In this episode of Off the Grid on the Record, host Yarek Matacz is joined by Sergej Marojevic, founder and CEO of Q-Charge [https://qcharge123.com/], one of the most hands-on operators in the EV charging space. Sergej doesn’t just talk about EV infrastructure—he’s built it from the ground up. From city red tape and cable theft to wireless charging, white-labeled hardware, and smart financing strategies, this conversation dives deep into the real challenges (and opportunities) facing EV adoption today. Whether you're a developer, fleet operator, or just curious about where EV charging is headed, this one’s packed with insights you won’t get from the buzzword crowd. We cover: * Why permitting is the true bottleneck, not tech * How Q-Charge is innovating with hidden cables and local fallback systems * The ROI model behind owning vs. leasing chargers * How to navigate rebate confusion and financing programs * Why U.S. charging infrastructure can’t copy-paste from Europe or Asia * What’s next: AI-powered analytics, public charging ROI, and the slow path to wireless 📍 Guest: Sergej Marojevic 🔌 Learn more: https://qcharge123.com [https://qcharge123.com] 📈 Marketing partner: https://www.jpmmedia.ca [https://www.jpmmedia.ca] 🎙️ Host: Yarek Matacz [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarekmatacz] 👉 Subscribe to Off the Grid on the Record for stories from the front lines of clean energy, infrastructure, and smart mobility. #EVCharging #Infrastructure #EnergyTransition #EVAdoption #SmartMobility #CleanTech #QCharge #JPMMedia #OffTheGridOnTheRecord

Plug & Play Solar: How Solvari is Rewiring Residential Installations with Samuel Truthseeker

Off the Grid on the Record – Episode: Plug & Play Solar with Samuel Truthseeker What if you could install a residential solar system in just one hour? In this episode, Yarek Matacz speaks with Samuel Truthseeker, founder and CEO of Solvari [https://www.solvarisolar.com/], to explore how his team is simplifying solar from the roof down. With a patented, all-in-one plug-and-play panel system, Solvari is tackling the industry's biggest hurdles: labor shortages, soft costs, and operational complexity. Samuel brings 20+ years of solar hardware experience to the table, and walks us through how Solvari’s single SKU system reduces material waste, improves install consistency, and increases profitability for solar businesses — especially in regions like Canada where timeframes are tight. We dig into: * How a simpler design unlocks faster installs * The truth behind soft costs in solar * Why Solvari’s panel is engineered for repeatability and scale * Tips for cleantech founders marketing a new category * What's next for solar innovation amid shifting policy This one’s a must-listen for solar professionals, installation teams, contractors, and anyone building in clean energy. 🔗 Links: Solvari Website: https://www.solvarisolar.com [https://www.solvarisolar.com] Solvari YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@solvariinc [https://www.youtube.com/@solvariinc] Solvari Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solvariinc/ [https://www.instagram.com/solvariinc/] Solvari LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/solvari-inc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/solvari-inc/] 🎙️ Hosted by: Yarek Matacz JPM Media: https://www.jpmmedia.ca [https://www.jpmmedia.ca] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpmmediacanada/ [https://www.instagram.com/jpmmediacanada/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jpm-media-canada/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/jpm-media-canada/]

Making Solar Simple: How Hey Solar is Helping Canadians Save Money and Power Up Their Homes

In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, host Yarek Matacz sits down with David Hampson, founder of Hey Solar, to break down how Canadian homeowners and businesses can save on energy bills, boost property value, and access solar incentives—without the headache. David shares his journey from global solar consultant to local solar advocate, and explains how Hey Solar is making customized clean energy solutions more accessible across Ontario. From federal loans and rebates to real estate value boosts and the evolution of solar tech, we explore what’s working, what’s changing, and what Canadians need to know in 2025 and beyond. Whether you're curious about going green, cutting energy costs, or entering the solar industry, this conversation is packed with valuable insights. 💡 Topics Covered: * Why solar is about taking back control over energy costs * The difference between net metering and load displacement * How solar increases property value by an average of 6.8% * What custom solar design really means for homeowners * Why solar education is the biggest missing piece in Canada * The future of solar in Canada: transparency, collaboration, and solar-glass buildings 🎧 Tune in now and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with clean tech founders, operators, and innovators. — 🔗 Links: * Hey Solar: https://heysolar.ca [https://heysolar.ca] * JPM Media: https://jpmmedia.ca [https://jpmmedia.ca] * Instagram: @jpmmediacanada * Host: @yarekmatacz

Small Homes, Big Vision: Jesse Russell on Building Smarter, Simpler Communities with Hiatus Homes

In this episode of Off the Grid, On the Record, host Yarek Matacz sits down with Jesse Russell, founder of Hiatus Homes and managing partner at Hiatus Capital Fund, to explore the movement behind small, sustainable housing—and how intentional design and policy reform can radically transform the way we live. Based in Bend, Oregon, Jesse has grown Hiatus from a backyard tiny house project into one of the country’s most innovative small home developers. But this conversation isn’t just about home size—it’s about urban infill, state policy shifts, creative financing, and a vision for community-centered living that balances environmental consciousness with livability and ROI. 🏡 In this episode: * Why most homes are built for the wrong demographics * How Oregon’s “cottage code” and middle housing laws are reshaping cities * Hiatus’ approach to energy modeling, air sealing, and net-zero readiness * The tension between permitting red tape and sustainable development * What “intentional living” really means—beyond marketing * How Jesse transitioned from TV producer to small-scale developer * Building the Hiatus Capital Fund and launching investor-ready projects * Marketing insights, policy gaps, and why visuals sell visionary housing This is a blueprint for rethinking affordability, density, and design—and how to actually get it done in a world of zoning challenges and climate urgency. — 🔗 Learn more: www.hiatushomes.com [http://www.hiatushomes.com] 📩 Contact the show: ymatacz@mediajpm.com [ymatacz@mediajpm.com] 🎥 Full episode on YouTube: @yarekmatacz [https://www.youtube.com/@yarekmatacz]