The DYOJO Podcast for Restoration Contractors and Insurance Claims Professionals

INFOtainment to help you shorten your DANG learning curve

Listen to The Latest Episode of The DYOJO Podcast

  • ​​Watch The DYOJO Podcast on YouTube
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  • ​New episodes are released on Thursdays at 9am PST
  • The Podcast OF and FOR intentional restorers ​
The podcast of The DYOJO Nation. Helping insurance claims professionals, i.e. property restoration contractors and adjusters, to shorten their DANG learning curve by developing the mindset and habits for career growth and process improvement. 


INFOtainment = Entertains while it informs the listener


This podcast is hosted by restorer and author, Jon Isaacson, The Intentional Restorer. Somehow we are able to gather growth-minded professionals who share the mindsets and habits that have helped them develop their careers and businesses. 


Invest in yourself, Thursdays are for The DYOJO Podcast​

Sponsors of The DYOJO Podcast

Restoration Industry Association (RIA) Join your fellow intentional restorers at the RIA 2022 International Restoration Convention and Industry Expo, April 11-13 at the Peppermill Casino in Reno, NV. Let them know The DYOJO sent you. 
Office Services by Brandi, LLC provides unparalleled personalized bookkeeping services to a broad range of clients in many states. Brandi helps tackle the never ending list to be done in the restoration industry by handling the R&M billings, collections and many other key areas to take the burden off the owners. 
Restoration Technical Institute (RTI) provides world-class training. Designed for those who serve the Restoration, Cleaning and Industries related to the Built Environment
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a professional certification and standard-development non-profit organization for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industries. The IICRC has evolved into a global organization with over 49,000 Certified Technicians and 6,500 Certified Firms. 

Watch a Recent Episode of The DYOJO Podcast for Property Restoration Professionals

Asbestos and Mold Testing in Home Repairs - The DYOJO Podcast Ep 83
The Power & Practice of Questions for Business Negotiations & Insurance Claims 

What is The DYOJO Podcast

We are helping property restoration technicians, managers, owners, and contractors to shorten their DANG learning curve for personal and professional development. Our awesome guests from within the property restoration industry more than make up for our lack of talent.
  • Water damage restoration 
  • Fire damage restoration 
  • Insurance claims 
  • Property restoration 
  • Mold removal 
  • Asbestos abatement 
  • Program work
  • Preferred vendor 
  • ​Third Party Administrator (TPA) 

Topics include starting a restoration company, developing your Xactimate skills, improving the insurance claims process, employee engagement in the construction industry, and a host of other relevant discussions for growth minded property restoration professionals.  
​
  • ​New episodes of The DYOJO Podcast premiere on Thursdays
  • You can WATCH via The DYOJO Youtube and LISTEN via Spotify and Apple podcasting platforms
  • SUBSCRIBE so that you never miss an episode 
The podcast that has so many listeners saying, "What is this?"
and "How do I get this off of my podcast playlist?" 
The DYOJO Way: developing Intentional Restorers at every level:
  • Career development for property restoration technicians
  • Leadership skills development for property restoration managers
  • Estimating and project management best practices for estimators
  • Process improvement for property restoration owners

Guests and Episodes of The DYOJO Podcast

Season 3 
  • TDP 83 Asbestos and Mold Testing for Home Repairs 
  • TDP 82 The Power & Practice of Questions 
  • TDP 81 Leveling Up As An Industry 
  • TDP 80 Common Estimating Shortfalls
  • TDP 79 Xactimate Insurance Claims Negotiations With Adjusters - Xactimate Sessions File 007
  • TDP 78 Insurance Claims Investigations (Appraisals Part 2)
  • TDP 77 Insurance Claims Pricing Games
  • TDP 76 Behind the Scenes of THE Florida Mold Conference
  • TDP 75 Training Others to Use Xactimate - Xactimate Sessions File 006
  • TDP 74 Insurance Claims Appraisals
  • TDP 73 Using Mechanics Liens as a Contractor
  • TDP 72 Employee Engagement Insights from Young Professionals
  • TDP 71 Improving as an Xactimate Estimator - Xactimate Sessions File 005
  • TDP 70 New Ownership at Cleaning & Restoration Magazine 
  • TDP 69 Make Your Xactimate Estimates Suck Less - Xactimate Sessions File 004
  • TDP 68 Xactimate for Water Damage Estimating - Xactimate Sessions File 003
  • TDP 67 Starting a Podcast with 3 Podcasters
  • TDP 66 Using all the Tools Available from Xactware - Xactimate Sessions File 002
  • TDP 65 Learning Xactimate Estimating from Scratch - Xactimate Sessions File 001​
​

Series from The DYOJO Podcast 

Benchmarks of Growth, a Six Part Discussion with a broad swath of people in a position of leadership, compiling their insights on various benchmarks of growth. We discussed this challenging topic with dynamic industry leaders from around the country who are all at various stages of their companies growth:

  • Lisa Lavender, Berks Fire Water Restorations and Restoration Technical Institute (Reading, PA)
  • Gordy Powell, Georgia Clean and Georgia Bio Recovery Association (Atlanta, GA)
  • Tammy Birklid, MERIT Construction (Tacoma, WA)
  • Whitney Wiseman, Restore Force and RFI Companies (Jupiter, FL)
  • O.P. Almarez, Allied Restoration Services (West Covina, CA)
  • Andrew Golkin, Paul Davis Restoration and Golkin Enterprises (Manassas, VA)  


The Xactimate Sessions, designed to help remove some of the fears and misconceptions around this prevalent insurance estimating software. Read more HERE or watch the kick off video HERE. 

The Xactimate Sessions will include discussions on the mindset and habits for success with estimating property insurance claims with top notch guests including:
  • Greg Power - a project manager/estimator who learned Xactimate rapidly with no prior industry experience. Greg will share some insights on how he approached learning Xactimate which will be helpful to aspiring estimators and training managers alike.
  • Chris Tilkov - a former project manager/estimator who used his experience to create Ask Aime, an industry-leading resource for expediting internal estimate reviews.
  • Brian Austin - director of instructional design as Verisk, Xactware Division (the parent company for Xactimate). Brian discusses the broad menu of resources available directly from the creators of the program.
  • Mathew Allen - an independent adjuster and creator of Adjuster TV, who has a passion for elevating the claims experience through helping adjusters and contractors to educate and empower themselves to thrive.
  • Nick Sharp - a former project manager/estimator who is now an instructor at Reets Drying Academy. Nick will dive deeper into some of the elements of estimating specific to mitigation.
  • Ben Justesen - is both an active full-service restoration company owner, Just Right Cleaning & Construction (JRCC), as well as an Xactimate trainer through his company Enlightened Restoration Solutions (ERS). Ben shares from his vast experience with mastering the program to write an estimate with "no fluff" that you can defend and be profitable with.
  • Joyce Gabriel - a general manager with training responsibilities shares her tips and tricks for helping others to grow as estimators.
  • Mathew Allen of AdjusterTV to discuss similar challenges that adjusters face when learning to use claims assessment and estimating tools. 

Season 2 of The DYOJO Podcast (2021)

  • ​Episode 64 Benchmarks of Growth (6 of 6) Building and Hiring for the Restoration Company that you Want to be with Andrew Golkin (Manasas, VA) Video
  • Episode 63 Benchmarks of Growth (5 of 6) The Intention to be Resourceful and Helpful as a Leader and a Team with O.P. Almarez (West Covina, CA) Video
  • Episode 62 Benchmarks of Growth (4 of 6) The Importance of a Value Driven Adminstrative Team with Whitney Wiseman (Jupiter, FL) Video
  • Episode 61 Building a Career, Growing as a Leader, and Elevating the Skilled Trades with Josh Zolin (Phoenix, AZ) + Lance Peppler, The Business Bookshelf Podcast joins us to discuss his top 5 books for 2021
  • Episode 60 The Wild West of Property Restoration History (1970s & 80s) with Cliff Zlotnik, John Downey, Ken Larsen and Pete Consigli with special guest appearance by Ed Cross
  • Episode 59 Benchmarks of Growth (3 of 6) Becoming an employer of choice with Tammy Birklid (Tacoma, WA) 
  • Episode 58 LIVE You Play to Win the (Program/TPA) Game with Tye Panzone, Regional TPA Manager (Bonney Lake, WA) + David Smith (Eugene, OR) currently recovering from TPA work, talks his experiences with some of the most difficult compliance programs Video
  • Episode 57 Benchmarks of Growth (2 of 6): Gordy Powell, Georgia Clean (Atlanta, GA) Video
  • Episode 56 LIVE - Phases of Career Growth with Doug Irwin, SVP On Side Restoration (Calgary, Alberta) + Benjamin Riccardi, Ironclad Restoration Marketing talks his new book Video
  • Episode 55 Benchmarks of Growth (1 of 6): Lisa Lavender, Berks Fire Water Restorations (Reading, PA) "More is not always more when it comes to growth" Video
  • Episode 54 LIVE - Assignment of Benefits (AOB) with Ed Cross and Pete Consigli (Palm Desert, CA) Video / Audio - this was our one year anniversary BIRTHDAY BASH 
  • Episode 53 LIVE - Personal and professional financial strategies to CAPitalize on your goals (Seattle, WA - PVJ 011) ​ Video / Audio
  • Episode 52 LIVE - Mergers and acquisitions in property restoration with Mark Springer (Bozeman, MT) Video / Audio
  • Episode 51 LIVE -  Can old dogs (like you) learn new tricks with David Olson​ (Seattle, WA) Video / Audio
  • Episode 50 LIVE -  Is soft skills training worth the time and investment with Larry Wilberton & Eric Sprague​ (Salt Lake City, UT) Video / Audio
  • Episode 49 LIVE -  Creating a purpose that is greater than a paycheck with Al Erisman​ (Bellevue, WA) Video / Audio
  • Episode 48  LIVE -  Resolving Insurance Claims Disputes with Bill Wilson and David Princeton​ (Nashville, TN) Video / Audio
  • Episode 47 LIVE -  The founder of Dri Eaz discusses life before, during, and after property restoration with Claude Blackburn​ (Bellingham, WA) Video / Audio
  • Episode 46 LIVE -  Be a Healthy (Water Damage Science) Skeptic with Ken Larsen (Santa Rosa Beach, FL) Video / Audio
  • Episode 45 LIVE -  Unleashing creativity for personal and professional development with Danny Morgan PVJ 010 (Reedsport, OR) Video / Audio
  • Episode 44 -  Pairing an innovator and an integrator in property restoration with Kevin Hussey (Baton Rouge, LA) Video / Audio

Season 1 of The DYOJO Podcast (2020)

  • ​Episode 43 -  Communicating and connecting opportunities for growth to candidates with Alex Blagojevic (Vancouver, Canada)  Video / Audio
  • Episode 42 - Empowering your employees to create a positive customer experience with Jeremy Watkin (San Diego, CA) Video / Audio
  • Episode 41 - An imperfect plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow with Mark Springer (Billings, MT) Video / Audio
  • Episode 40 - The Docusketchers with Chris Phillipsen, Alex Blagojevic, Kevin Hussey and Jeff Turner Video / Audio
  • Episode 39 - Thriving not just surviving with Shannon Tymosko, aka Lady Voltz - Kickass Careers (Toronto, Canada) Video / Audio
  • Episode 38 - I'll show you how to do it with Chris Stanley (Lumberton, North Carolina) Video / Audio
  • Episode 37 - Pro vs. Joe 009 - Lessons learned the hard way with Andy McCabe (Bend, OR) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 36 - "Go learn it" and 20 years of business startup lessons with Lisa Lavender (Reading, PA) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 35 - Pro vs. Joe 008 - David Princeton returns to dispel some rumors and set the facts straight about COVID claims (Muskego, WI) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 34 - Idan Shpizear shares how growing your business starts with developing yourself (Los Angeles, CA) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 33 - How unleashing creativity can cause your profits to soar with Stephen Harrington (Tacoma, WA) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 32 - Pro vs. Joe 007 - with Bryan Close and David Princeton (Advocate Claim Service) solutions for home and business owners with coverage issues (Muskego, WI) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 31 - Developing a better people process leads to better outcomes for all with Megan Biever and Kelsey Isaacson of Step Up 2 Success (Bellevue & Puyallup, WA) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 30 - Achieving your dreams by developing a financial strategy with Terrilski Davis (Tacoma, WA) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 29 - The long process of regulation for an industry association with Gordy Powell (Atlanta, GA) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 28 - Do we care about price more than our customers with John Downey (Columbus, OH) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 27 - Pro vs. Joe 006 - Creating value when working with property managers (Tacoma, WA) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 26 - Playing nice in the insurance claims sandbox (rather than making it a litter box) with Ed Fogle (Baltimore, MD) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 25 - Fear and loathing in social media with Michelle Blevins (Detroit, MI) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 24 - FOMO your sales and your approach to adaptation with Pro vs. Joe 005 (Tacoma, WA) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 23 - Uncovering the dark truths of working with adjusters with Kirk Matthews (Salem, OR) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 22 - Growing your business without compromising your values with Lex Sisney (Santa Barbara, CA) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 21 - Pro vs. Joe 004 - Motivating your team with vision (Tacoma, WA) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 20 - Crisis leads to opportunity with Rachel Stewart (Mesa, AZ) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 19 - Leading yourself first so that you can better lead others with Skylar Lewis (Temecula, CA) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 18 - The growing pains of a young business - Pro vs. Joe 003 (Tacoma, WA) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 17 - Train to obtain with Eric "The Tech Whisperer" Sprague of MorningTechMeeting.com (Salt Lake City, UT) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 16 - Doing Good in Your Hood with a panel of guests including Tammy Birklid (Merit Construction), Bryan Reynolds (Anthem Coffee), Rick Dancer (Rick Dancer Media), Gerrett Stier (GMS Podcast) and William Mendoza (Rockland Firewater) - Video / Audio
  • Episode 15 - No risk = No reward with Denis Beaulieu of Alliance Environmental (Thousand Oaks, CA) - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 14 - Pro vs. Joe 002 - Powering up with good relationships with Bryan Close (Tacoma, WA) - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 13 - Taking care of your partners with William Mendoza of Rockland Restoration (Bellflower, CA) - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 12 - Leadership motivation from real leaders who lead with Mike Kinney of Coppertop Construction (Eugene, OR) and David Smith who is currently recovering from a career in property restoration (Eugene, OR) - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 11 - Humor and using Instagram for your business with Water Damage Daily (@waterdamagedaily) - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 10 - Pro vs. Joe 001 - Branding fails and networking  *New Segment with Bryan Close of All American Real Estate Services (Tacoma, WA) - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 9 - Silica sand and the power of humility with Mark Whatley of Actionable Insights (San Diego, CA) - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 8 - Extending the life of your restoration equipment with Elan Pasmanick of Born to Repair (San Diego, CA) - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 7 - Elevating your mold remediation game with Amy Siedlecki of The Mold Reporters (Portland, OR) - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 6 - Communication with insurance carriers with Raymond Tittmann of Tittmann Weix (Los Angeles, CA) - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 5 - Innovation is the new normal with Andrew McCabe of Claims Delegates (Bend, OR) - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 4 - Facing Adversity as an entrepreneur with Rick Dancer of Rick Dancer Media (Springfield, OR) - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 3 - Property restoration law and advocacy with Ed "The Restoration Lawyer" Cross of Edward H Cross & Associates - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 2 - Emergency management preparedness and planning with Edward Colson of Ready Northwest (Portland, OR) - Video / Audio 
  • Episode 1 - Insurance claims advocacy with David Princeton of Advocate Claim Serivce (WI) - Video / Audio ​
Testimonials for The DYOJO:

"Your insights around working with a team, training, incentive ideas, Xactimate line items, etc. were the MOST valuable to us. I did use your tools around working together and I think this has strengthened us. Timeless stuff."
​- Ben M, Water Damage Repair Services