Created by Insulation Distributors Inc., R-Value provides business tips, stories from the field and industry updates for those who need to know what’s happening in the world of insulation. Gain valuable insights from experts who understand what matters most to contractors and their customers. Whether you want to discover new insulation tools or improve your small business tactics, subscribe now to get an edge on the competition.
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Marketing to Millennials, Gen Z, and Beyond: Housing Trends with Sarah Gutterman
36:13
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36:13Are you ready for a future where your next customer demands a solar-powered, all-electric smart home—and rejects granite countertops? In this episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes Sara Gutterman, co-founder and CEO of Green Builder Media, North America's leading media company focused on green building and sustainable living. To…
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25C Tax Credit Free Marketing Update and Strategies for 2025
31:36
31:36
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31:36In the latest episode of the R-Value Podcast, IDI Business Development expert Ken Allison welcomes back Peter Troast, founder of Energy Circle. Peter shares insights into the 25C Means Business program, an initiative sponsored by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) that provides insulation contractors with free, high-val…
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Challenges With HFO Spray Foam Blowing Agents with Mary C. Bogdan, Research Fellow, Honeywell
25:33
25:33
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25:33The latest advancements in spray foam technology are here, but are you prepared to handle them? In this episode of the R-Value podcast, industry expert Ken Allison sits down with Honeywell research fellow Mary C. Bogdan to break down the changes, challenges, and solutions that come with the new generation of blowing agents. As the industry moves th…
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Getting Other People to Do Your Bids For You & Other Wisdom for Bidding Insulation and Spray Foam Projects with Shad Wall of ICDZ Insulation Construction Drawings
30:36
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30:36In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI’s Ken Allison sits down with Shad Wall of ICDZ Insulation Construction Drawings to discuss innovative approaches to bidding for insulation and spray foam projects. Shad shares his journey from field work to establishing a service that empowers contractors to delegate the complex, time-consuming task…
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The Hidden ROI of Insulation and Air Sealing: Expert Tips from Rick Hall, Building Science Professional Training
48:05
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48:05The Hidden ROI of Insulation and Air Sealing: Expert Tips from Rick Hall, Building Science Professional Training In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes Rick Hall, a seasoned expert in HVAC, insulation, and building codes, to share his extensive knowledge on how proper training and understanding can elevate efficien…
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Innovative Dehumidification Technologies: What's New in the Market? with Nikki Krueger, Santa Fe
40:17
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40:17On today’s R-Value podcast, IDI’s Ken Allison welcomes Nikki Kruger from Santa Fe dehumidifiers. As the industry grapples with the challenges of increasingly airtight homes, Nikki sheds light on the latest innovations in dehumidification technology and their role in maintaining healthy, comfortable living spaces. Nikki brings over 20 years of exper…
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Getting The Most Out of Your Material with Derek Fowler, Owens Corning
25:50
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25:50In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI’s Chris Fuerst welcomes Derek Fowler from Owens Corning to discuss the critical topic of insulation coverage, emphasizing the importance of proper techniques and equipment settings to help maximize efficiency and profitability in insulation projects. Derek is a former insulation installer and insula…
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Unlocking the Power of the 25C Tax Credit with Peter Troast
27:16
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27:16In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI’s Ken Allison welcomes Peter Troast, Founder and CEO of Energy Circle. In this episode, Peter and Ken discuss the significant benefits and underutilization of the 25C tax credit for insulation contractors. Peter shares insights on how Energy Circle, in collaboration with the North American Insulatio…
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Acoustic Solutions for Contractors: Expert Tips from Owens Corning
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33:00In this episode, IDI’s Ken Allison and Owens Corning’s Mark Keenan discuss various aspects of soundproofing and acoustic insulation. Marc, who has been with Owens Corning for 24 years, shares his expertise in sound insulation. They cover the basics of sound transmission, the importance of resilient channels, and the differences in performance betwe…
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Optimizing Building Efficiency with The Passive House Network and Ken Levenson
37:35
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37:35In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes special guest Ken Levenson, the executive director of the Passive House Network. The discussion centers on the concept of "Passive House" and its impact on building sustainability and efficiency. Levenson, with his deep experience as an architect and advocate for energy-effici…
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Avoid These MAJOR Pitfalls On Spray Foam Projects with Henri Fennell
56:18
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56:18This episode of the R-Value Podcast features an insightful conversation with industry veteran Henri Fennell about common issues that can arise with spray foam installations. Fennell shares his extensive experience analyzing spray foam problems and the most frequent causes he encounters, such as improper material handling and processing. He emphasiz…
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The TRUTH about Spray Foam and Metal Buildings with Rick Duncan, SPFA and John Stahl, Preferred Solutions Inc.
43:31
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43:31In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes special guests Rick Duncan, Executive Director of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) and John Stahl of the Metal Buildings Initiative to discuss and dispel the myths surrounding the use of spray foam insulation in metal buildings. The conversation focuses on debunking…
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Maximizing Your Business Growth on Angi (formerly Angie's List) with Ryan White
28:19
28:19
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28:19This episode of the R-Value podcast is an exciting listen for any insulation contractor looking to grow their business, but even more so for spray foam contractors! You won’t want to miss out on the great deal offered in this podcast. To learn more and take advantage of this Angi deal, read more below. In this episode, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes sp…
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Blower Door Mastery: Techniques and Tips for Contractors with Sam Myers of Retrotec
33:29
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33:29In this episode of the R-Value podcast, host Ken Allison and special guest Sam Myers from Retrotec discuss the intricacies and importance of blower doors in testing a home's air tightness. They delve into common mistakes made during blower door tests, such as incorrectly matching the fan range to the gauge, and highlights advancements in technology…
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This New Tool Will Show Your Customers the Undeniable Impact of the 179D Tax Rebate
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13:38We highly recommend watching the video walkthrough of this podcast on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IDIDistributors In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI’s own Ken Allison welcomes Apollo Energies CEO and President Mark Stout to show off a tool that will help your customers understand how much they could save by taking a…
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The Economic Outlook for Housing & Construction with Economist Brian Beaulieu of ITR Economics
23:32
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23:32Are you a business owner looking to grow your company's value and profitability in the years ahead? Tune in to this insightful episode of the R-Value podcast, hosted by IDI's Ken Allison with guest economist Brian Beaulieu to get an expert forecast on the housing and construction markets. They dive into projections for housing permits, sales, inter…
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A Conversation on Compliance: W2 Employees vs. Independent Contractors
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33:08In this episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI’s Marketing Manager Blake Moreau, IDI’s HR Operations Manager Brenda Mattson and special guest Maddie Hollis dive into the essential aspects of running a compliant and profitable business. They explore the intricacies of employee state laws, overtime requirements, hiring practices, and the importance of t…
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Building standards and regulations have changed A LOT recently. It can be difficult to keep up with and communicate all of the changes, leading to failed inspections and lost revenue. The pace and volume of change is a major challenge for builders across the country and non-profit organizers are stepping into the maze to help solve the problem. Peo…
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Alignable is a Powerful Local Business to Business Marketing Resource with Chuck Casto
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33:45In this episode of The R-Value Podcast, IDI Distributor’s Ken Allison sits down with Chuck Casto, Alignable's business development guru and Head of Content Marketing. Alignable, often described as the largest online Chamber of Commerce or the Facebook for business owners, is a platform that allows small business owners to connect with one another a…
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The Building Performance Association with new CEO Steve Skodak
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48:52In this episode, IDI’s Ken Allison speaks live with Steve Skodak, CEO of the Building Performance Association at the organization’s 37th annual National Home Performance Conference & Trade Show. The Building Performance Association has expanded its focus and reach significantly over the past few years. "Three years ago, we were communicating with m…
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5 Best Practices for Building Business Success with Joe Arrigo
20:56
20:56
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20:56Winning bids and creating a profitable business doesn't just happen accidentally. It takes great people, great products, great work, and a team dedicated to learning and adapting to constant market changes. Today we're talking to an expert in the field of building successful contracting businesses, Joe Arrigo. He shares his 5 best practices for bui…
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Credits, Incentives, Code Enforcement and The Inflation Reduction Act
32:07
32:07
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32:07The Inflation Reduction Act may have already passed but there are still lots of questions about the credits, incentives and rebates contained within. How will the funds be distributed? Which states will benefit most? What’s the best way for contractors to ensure they can deliver these incentives to customers? Today we hope to answer these questions…
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Getting Your Marketing Ready for Rebates and The Inflation Reduction Act
46:17
46:17
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46:17For contractors and consumers 2023 really is the “year of the rebate” courtesy of the Inflation Reduction Act. Potential customers are just starting to learn about how they can utilize these rebates to start new projects, which raises the question. How should you adjust your marketing plan to best capture the interest of these new prospects in your…
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Undocumented Workers: Advice from Immigration Attorney Jorge Molina
31:43
31:43
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31:43According to Forbes, over 40% of the US construction workforce is expected to retire over the next decade. The fact is the construction industry faces a workforce shortage and according to Associated Builders and Contractors that shortage is up to 650,000 in 2022. This means every worker is critical including workers that came to our country lookin…
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The Most Underused Tax Credit: Understanding 179D with Bill Harbeson
41:39
41:39
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41:39A lot of changes are coming to tax credits and other ways to save contractors and their clients money with the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. This includes not only new programs, but also adjustments to regulations and extensions around exisitng credits like the 179D. It’s one of the most underused credits but it can save business lots of …
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The Inflation Reduction Act: Key Strategies For Finding Workers and Working With State Energy Offices
29:18
29:18
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29:18The Inflation Reduction Act is set to provide a lot of subsidies and other resources to contractors. But unless you know the details, you may not be able to maximize them for your business. That’s why we’ve invited Xavier Walters on the show to chat with IDI’s Business Development expert Ken Allison. They explain how you can get access to these ben…
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Doing Things The Right Way with Suburban Manufacturing
33:26
33:26
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33:26Doing things the right way, even when it’s harder, will help you maintain a business with great customer relationships and a reputation that attracts more customers. That’s a philosophy that is central to the success of Suburban Manufacturing and our guest today, Mike May. Mike is the Product Manager of the Python division at Suburban Manufacturing…
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At IDI, we like to push the envelope, do the unthinkable, achieve the impossible. With this podcast, we're doing just that by welcoming Mike Swift, VP and General Manager, and Kurt Walters the National Account Sales Manager for Owens Corning. You read that right, Owens Corning, one of the world’s largest insulation manufacturers, is on the podcast …
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Right Sizing Equipment and Down Sizing Moisture Problems with Allison Bailes
29:19
29:19
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29:19This episode’s guest has a PHD in physics and he knows how to use it. Dr. Allison Bailes is the founder of Energy Vanguard, a company that focuses on teaching, HVAC design services, and consulting. Dr. Bailes works on the forefront of change in the way people see and use energy in homes. Understanding the science behind the decisions you make and e…
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The New Big Holes & Air Leakage In Spray Foam Projects with Jamie Kaye of Elm Energy Group
29:11
29:11
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29:11When it comes to keeping moisture from destroying a home, it's all in the details. That's what Jamie Kaye is focused on. He's a Building Science Practitioner and Healthy Home Professional at Elm Energy Group and he joins us today to discuss how to prevent moisture intrusion and increase energy efficiency at every step of the build process. In this …
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Demand, Supply Scheduling and Creative Recruiting with Joe Arrigo
27:09
27:09
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27:09Various economic pressures are leading businesses to make creative decisions on supply of product and supply of people. How do you balance business realities with customer satisfaction? Today’s guest, Joe Arrigo, has the latest data and strategies to help you navigate these difficult questions. Joe Arrigo is the President/Owner of Resource Developm…
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5 Points of Failure for Budding Contracting Businesses with Joe Arrigo
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32:10
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32:10People think starting a business can be hard, but building a business on the other hand can be even more challenging, ESPECIALLY if you don't anticipate simple obstacles that can sink your best-laid plans.That's why business development education is extremely important and why we're talking to one of the best voices in building business education, …
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Where is All This Going? A Building Science Interview with Dr. Joe Lstiburek
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39:10
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39:10We’re well into 2022 and a lot has already changed in the building industry, codes, regulations, legislation, and COVID guidance just to name a few. We’ve called in one of the leading experts in insulation, Dr. Joe Lstiburek, to help you understand these changes and prepare your business for the next 3 quarters and beyond. Joe Lstiburek is the foun…
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It’s not just your phone, technology is improving rapidly in every facet of our lives including the tools we use to get the job done. Today we pay special attention to one of the most vital and complex pieces of your operation, the spray foam rig. Our guest this week is Nick Pagano, Senior Product Marketing Manager for Graco’s Contractor Equipment …
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SPFA and the SprayFoam 2022 Convention with Rick Duncan
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16:50It's the Super Bowl of spray foam conventions, SprayFoam 2022, and it's live and in-person this February. Today we're talking to the man who is helping to put it all together, Rick Duncan. He is the Executive Director of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), the industry’s leading organization representing contractors, material and equipment…
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Using New Technology to Win Customer Trust with DeWitt Driscoll, Positive Energy Consulting
16:20
16:20
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16:20There's an adage in writing for the stage and screen: show, don't tell. That's an adage that has led to big business for our guest today, DeWitt Driscoll of Positive Energy Consultants. He's taking on the hardest jobs and using cutting-edge technology to make sure customers understand what they need and how he can help. In this episode... 1:10 - Bu…
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Legislation That Will Impact Your Contracting Business with Kara Saul Rinaldi, President and CEO of the AnnDyl Policy Group
16:52
16:52
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16:52We have news from the capital city, Washington D.C. that can help you keep more of your capital. Host, Ken Allison, speaks with Kara Saul Rinaldi, the President and CEO of the AnnDyl Policy Group, LLC, a clean energy policy group that works on the federal and state level. Her organization is a driving force behind the Hope for Homes legislation, a …
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Celebrating Women in Insulation with Rachel Perry, Jessica the Attic Queen, Daja Oliver and Chelsea Whitley
31:40
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31:40This one goes out to all the women out there breaking down glass ceilings and insulating buildings. We're discussing women in the insulation industry with four of the brightest minds at IDI distributors and the entire industry; Rachel Perry, Commercial Sales Specialist, Daja Oliver, a Branch Manager in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jessica the Attic Quee…
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Managing Multiple Crews with Bryon Adamczyk
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13:24
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13:24Bryon Adamczyk, President of AI Building Products, knows what it takes to hire, train and manage multiple teams of contractors. In this episode, he shares his no-nonsense insights into obtaining, retaining and training talent that will save your business money and reputation. AI Building Products was founded in 2018 in Fort Myers, Florida and has b…
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Sound Insulation Strategies with Brendan Van Gool and Jason Howell of The Rockwool Group
26:56
26:56
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26:56To keep the outside, outside and the inside dry and quiet takes a lot of science. No one knows that better than The ROCKWOOL Group who have been protecting residential and commercial properties from moisture and sound pollution since 1909. Host Ken Allison welcomes Brendan Van Gool and Jason Howell from the ROCKWOOL Group to discuss the world of ex…
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Contracting Gold Stars with Larry Zarker and John Jones of BPI
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41:17No matter what line of work you're in you'd like to be given a gold star, by your industry and certainly by your customer. Who is setting the standards for what qualifies as world-class building and contracting? Host Ken Allison welcomes Larry Zarker and John Jones of BPI, the Building Performance Institute to discuss how BPI formulated the trainin…
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Blow Up Your Profit Margins with Chris Fuerst
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39:01
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39:01On today's show the focus shifts from spray foam to blown fiberglass insulation. And no one knows it better than Chris Fuerst, IDI's Fiberglass Equipment and Sales Rep. Chris has a decade of experience in the industry but just recently joined IDI in 2020. Don and Travis discuss every facet of blown insulation operations with Chris, and his knowledg…
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Innovation and Ethics with Carlisle Construction Materials
1:01:12
1:01:12
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1:01:12Carlisle Construction Materials is a diversified manufacturer and supplier of premium building products and related technologies for the commercial and residential construction markets, and they are IDI's longest spray foam partner. Today, Travis and Don welcome not just one, but FOUR guests from Carlisle to talk about a wide range of topics. The g…
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Mils Don't Measure Performance with Dane Malmberg
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34:57
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34:57Travis and Don are used to talking about insulating areas above ground, but on today's episode they talk with an expert about the fast growing segment of crawlspace encapsulation. Dane Malmberg, National Sales Rep for Viper CS Crawlspace Vapor Barrier joins the show. He's been in the business for over a decade and is here to explain the important d…
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14: Financing The Smart Way with Josh Penman of American Financial Partners
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26:56
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26:56Go into your local or national bank and ask them about financing a new spray foam rig and be prepared to get a blank stare. That's why each week the R-Value podcast brings in experts in the industry to give you the most specialized information around. This week is no different. Travis, Don and Aaron welcome Josh Penman, National Business Developmen…
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13: Spray Foam Technology and Innovation with Ben Brown, President and CEO of Natural Polymers, LLC
39:19
39:19
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39:19The people that are leading the way in spray foam innovation are leading the way in the market place right now. On this episode, Travis and Don welcome Ben Brown, President and CEO of Natural Polymers. Ben has been working behind the scenes for 22 years to make the chemicals in your spray foam more efficient, better for the environment and better f…
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12: Get To The Next Level with Spray Foam Advisor
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40:54
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40:54As always, you are in for another episode packed with valuable information. Today, Travis and Don welcome Robert Naini, of Spray Foam Advisor. His company provides information for SPF business owners, salespeople, applicators, and distributors, with the goal to improve efficiency and generate more profit through their training and learning techniqu…
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11: Have No Fear of Fire with IFTI/Paint To Protect
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52:20There's no worse tragedy that can happen to your home or business than a fire. And there is one company out there that is dedicated to putting that fear to rest. Travis Pankake and Don Clymer invited their good friends Gary Wolf, Brad Glazier, and Nick McCartney from IFTI/Paint to Protect, manufacturer of the industry leading DC315 intumescent coat…
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10: Questions to Ask Your Insurance Provider Today with SPF Insurance Group
58:02
58:02
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58:02Have you properly protected your equipment and your business with the right insurance coverage? Not having the right coverage on your spray foam rig could set your business back or even end it. Join Travis, Don and Aaron as they discuss the myriad of options and benefits of insuring your spray foam rig and your business with Craig and Kirk Campbell…
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09: The Buzz About Human Resources with Richard Hines, CEO of Buzz HR
43:13
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43:13When a small business starts to grow, they soon realize how much comes along with that growth. The intricacies of hiring, benefits, workers comp, payroll and so much more can be overwhelming. Join Travis Pankake and Don Clymer as they welcome Richard Hines, CEO of Buzz HR to help businesses of all sizes deal with these issues. Richard has a very br…
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