AI is evolving fast — and the restoration industry is feeling the impact. In this episode, David Grove, from BYLT Restoration, joins Michelle to break down the most practical, business-ready AI tools restorers should be using right now.
They dive into the latest updates from ChatGPT, OpenAI’s Sora 2, and Google Gemini, plus the real-world workflows these tools can automate. From email scheduling and dictation to contract drafting, custom GPTs, project management, and company-trained models, this episode shows how AI can streamline your ops without the hype.
They also unpack the risks of the AI bubble, the role of AEO and SEO in discoverability, and why training AI on your own company data is now essential.
In this episode of Restoration Today, James Hatfield, CRO of LiveSwitch and RIA Affinity Partner, breaks down how real-time video technology, remote collaboration, and AI are reshaping restoration operations — especially during flash flood events.
James shares why July’s peak flood season exposes major bottlenecks for contractors, how tools like live video, drones, BIM, and moisture mapping are shifting from “nice-to-have” to essential, and why first-contact video calls dramatically improve customer trust and job accuracy.
We also dive into reducing truck rolls, simplifying insurance documentation, crew adoption, and how restorers are seeing 200%+ ROI with the right tech stack.
If you want to respond faster, document smarter, win more jobs, and future-proof your restoration business, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.
Most restorers talk about “building a valuable business,” but few know what their company is actually worth — or what truly drives valuation in this industry.
In Episode 10 of Chasing the Vision, in partnership with Exit Strategies 360 and Violand Management Associates, Michelle sits down with JT and Tim to break down the real factors behind restoration valuations, from EBITDA and recurring revenue to leadership depth and owner dependency.
Whether you’re planning for the future, preparing for growth, or simply want to understand how buyers think, this episode gives you the clarity (and reality check) you’ve been looking for.
What does 45+ years in restoration teach you? A lot. In this episode, industry veteran David A. Olson—consultant, mentor, and retired leader—breaks down the biggest transformations he’s seen since entering the restoration world in 1979.
We cover:
Garret Gray, President of Global Insurance Solutions at Cotality, breaks down the current state and future of the industry. From navigating recent dips in claim volumes to the massive shift from paper to digital—including advanced AI and image analytics for estimating—this is a must-listen for contractors.
Garret provides practical advice on how to diversify, use technology to capture market share, and take advantage of better carrier-contractor collaboration. Don't miss his take on why adapting to AI is essential for competitive survival.
The future is digital. Learn how to use data and technology to boost profitability and operational excellence at the upcoming InterConnect 2026 conference!
Register today: https://intrconnect.cotality.com/event/6924361e-50f7-40b7-8ed4-19f64208d9a4/intrconnect-26
What’s it really like to run a business with your spouse? In season 2, episode 9 of Chasing the Vision, brought to you in partnership with Exit Strategies 360 and Violand Management Associates, we sit down with Katie Smith, CEO of PHC Restoration, to unpack the real dynamics of building a company—and a marriage—at the same time.
From defining roles and separating finances to protecting the relationship above all else, Katie shares honest lessons from her journey as a second-generation owner working alongside her spouse. Tim and JT add practical insight from years of advising family-run businesses on growth, value, and long-term planning.
Whether you’re in a family business, thinking about bringing your spouse into the company, or just curious about how couples make it work, this episode is full of takeaways you can put into practice today.
In this episode of Restoration Today, we sit down with Matt Hensley, the newly appointed President of CORE Group, to talk about leadership, collaboration, and the future of the restoration industry.
Matt shares his journey from insurance adjusting to leading one of the most influential networks connecting independent restoration contractors and insurance carriers. He opens up about what makes the CORE Elite membership so impactful — from high-level networking and business growth opportunities to the rigorous vetting process that ensures quality, integrity, and reputation across the board.
We discuss how CORE Group is helping independents stay competitive in a rapidly consolidating market, the importance of relationships in driving success, and what’s next for the restoration industry as technology, training, and claim volume continue to evolve.
From parachutes to project sites — meet Chris Kushmaul, a U.S. Army veteran turned restoration business owner.
In this special Veterans Day episode of Restoration Today, Chris, U.S. Army veteran and owner of a Restoration 1 franchise in Metro Detroit, shares how the lessons of discipline, teamwork, and mission focus from his military service built the foundation for success in the restoration industry.
This is more than a business story — it’s about finding purpose after service.
In this Restoration Today episode, we sit down with Yvonne Vanbibber, General Manager of Blue Kangaroo Packoutz of Cincinnati & Dayton, to explore the emotional and logistical side of contents restoration.
From hoarding situations to heavy-loss homes, Yvonne shares how her unique background helps her lead with empathy, communication, and care.
She discusses:
This episode is a reminder that in restoration, we’re not just rebuilding property — we’re helping people heal.
Grab a drink and join Phil & Michelle for another Happy Hour with one of the industry’s top leaders — Jeff Moore, President of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) and President and Chief Acquisitions Officer at ATI Restoration.Jeff shares the remarkable story of how his family’s abatement business evolved into a national restoration powerhouse. From defining roles in a family company to building a strong culture and hiring top talent, Jeff offers candid insights into what drives sustainable growth.He breaks down:- Why profitability now matters more than raw growth.- How smaller operators can dominate their local markets.- The RIA’s initiatives to improve communication, pricing, and industry unity.- His funniest industry story- ...and MORETune in for a mix of leadership lessons, business strategy, and good laughs — only on Happy Hour with Phil & Michelle!
Welcome back to the brand new dynamic and practical video tip series designed to help restoration professionals overcome common team challenges and drive consistent, high-quality results.
Erik Berglund, expert and founder of The Language of Leadership, in collaboration with RTILearning.com, presents “How to Get Your Team to Do the Thing.”
This series offers actionable insights on building highly accountable teams, eliminating excuses, and effectively implementing new strategies, services, technology, products, equipment, and any other “thing” essential to your business’s success.
From Firefighting to Founding a Movement — Dave Heimbach joins us to share the inspiring story behind Helpful Heroes.
What started as an idea to help off-duty firefighters earn extra income has become a nationwide network of trusted handyman services. Through Helpful Heroes, firefighters connect directly with homeowners needing help around the house — bringing reliability, integrity, and peace of mind to every job.
In this episode, Dave dives into:
Welcome back to Season 2, Episode 8 of Chasing the Vision — brought to you in partnership with Exit Strategies 360 and Violand Management Associates!
This episode is part two of our deep dive into the variables of a deal. In the last episode, we broke down key terminology to help you feel more confident and informed during the deal-making process.
Today, we’re taking it a step further — getting more personal as we explore real-world examples, discuss the role and impact of leadership teams, and unpack how these variables shape the structure and success of a deal.
Whether you're planning for growth, succession, or sale, this conversation will give you valuable insights into what really drives value behind the scenes.
Meet Michelle and Jorge Gutierrez, owners of SERVPRO Team Gutierrez! From humble beginnings to winning Franchise of the Year, their story is one of resilience, leadership, and people-first culture.
In this episode, Michelle and Jorge share how they’ve grown a 70-person team by staying true to five core values:
Discover how they navigated challenges like the polar vortex, built strong ties with their community, and created a workplace where employees stay—and grow—for decades.
Big News from Floodlight Consulting Group!
The team is stepping into a brand-new chapter — and we’re bringing you along for the journey. In this episode, we’re sharing some major updates from Floodlight Consulting Group!
What does this mean for Floodlight? What’s next for the Head Heart & Boots podcast? And how do we find balance in a season of change?
Tune in as Brandon Reece and Chris Nordyke break down the “why” behind this move, what it means for their community, and how they're thinking about leadership, growth, and alignment in this next season.
In this episode, two volunteers for the RIA Legislative Task Force, Vince Scarfo, COO of Clear Team, and Justin Woodard, Owner and CEO of Woodard Cleaning and Restoration, break down the key legal and regulatory issues impacting the restoration industry right now.
From unfair price gouging laws to the absence of a unique NAICS code, restorers across the country are facing challenges that many don’t even know exist. But thanks to the work of the RIA Legislative Task Force, independent contractors finally have a voice.
Topics we cover:
Watch now to learn how you can get involved — and why your voice matters.
Advocacy Action Hub: https://www.restorationindustry.org/advocacy-action-hub?check_logged_in=1
Submit an issue to AGA: https://www.restorationindustry.org/form/submit-an-issue-to-aga
Michelle sits down with David Grove, owner and founder of BYLT Restoration, at The Collective, to talk about how he's integrating AI into daily operations, what’s coming next with BYLT’s AI-powered newsletters and videos, how to improve your prompts with AI, the top AI tools and social media follows he recommends, and MORE! Don't miss this insightful conversation!
Sign up for the newsletter here: https://restoraition.beehiiv.com
Kenneth Klein, law professor at California Western School of Law and former defense attorney, joins the podcast to unpack his groundbreaking paper, "The Case for Pausing Any Immediate Embrace of the Social Inflation Argument for Legal System Reforms." In this conversation, Professor Klein shares how a personal disaster led him to study catastrophe insurance, why the "social inflation" argument sounds all too familiar, and what contractors and policyholders need to know about slow payments, underpayments, and the push for legal reforms.
We cover:
In this special episode of Restoration Today, Michelle sat down with Allen Reid at The Collective to talk about the heart behind restoration, his role as Director of Client Relations at Dwyer Restoration, how to pivot sales strategies when the industry slows down, favorite takeaway from The Collective, and MORE!
“Main Street Restorer” is a new inspiring video series showcasing real-world challenges and practical advice from seasoned broker, Gokul Padmanabhan of Restoration Brokers of America, helping entrepreneurs discover innovative solutions and strategies for success. Journey with Gokul as he shares stories and wisdom on helping Main Street Restorers grow, thrive, and prepare for the future – whatever it may hold.
In episode 8, Gokul gives a summary of the M&A market so far in 2025, what he predicts for the rest of the year, current economic conditions, and MORE!