The Build Show Podcast

On the Build Show podcast's Origin Series, host Matt Risinger sits down with Bernie Calcote, president and CEO of Melde Construction — a nearly 46-year-old Austin firm known for architecturally significant custom homes and high-end remodels. Bernie's path into construction is anything but conventional: he arrived in Austin as a musician and art substitute teacher before answering a Craigslist ad for a carpenter's helper at Melde, eventually working his way to the top. The conversation covers Melde's culture-first approach, Austin's collaborative building community, and the value of long-term mentorship in developing strong project managers and tradespeople.

Matt Risinger sits down with veteran custom builder Brian Long of Brian Long Custom Homes for a candid “Origin Series” conversation packed with real-world construction industry lessons—from Brian’s early days as a master carpenter and cabinet maker to building high-end custom homes in Dallas and eventually helping pioneer spray foam insulation in Austin. They break down what it really takes to succeed as a builder: developing relentless work ethic, building trust through integrity and service, finding elite subcontractors through references and jobsite quality checks, and staying hands-on to catch the details that protect performance, durability, and waterproofing. The episode also tackles the realities of building in Texas without a builder licensing requirement, why mentorship and trade education matter, how to survive market slowdowns with remodel work, and why “doing it right the first time” is the best marketing in custom home building.

Matt Risinger welcomes Aquaria’s Chris Christal to the Build Show Podcast to explore how atmospheric water generation works—turning humidity in the air into clean, potable drinking water. They dive into the technology behind the systems, real-world residential and commercial use cases, water quality benefits, costs, maintenance, and why this solution is especially compelling for builders, developers, and homeowners looking for water independence and resilience.

In this episode of The Build Show Podcast, Matt Risinger breaks down the top five risks custom builders face and how to mitigate them before they turn into costly mistakes. From construction defect liability and cash flow challenges to contract issues, labor risk, and personal burnout, this episode offers real-world insight every builder should hear.

In this episode of The Build Show Podcast, Matt Risinger and Steve Baczek record live from the Milwaukee Tool booth at World of Concrete. They break down the most innovative concrete products, new construction tools, and cutting-edge building materials they discovered at the industry’s largest trade show. From advanced concrete technology to smarter jobsite solutions, this episode covers the trends shaping residential and commercial construction in 2026. If you’re a builder, contractor, architect, or serious DIYer looking for the latest in building science and construction innovation, this one’s for you.