The Drywall Podcast

Guest: Kevin Cost, of Mudplugz In this episode, we take a slight detour from our usual industry-insider deep dives to talk with someone who found himself "smack dab in the middle" of the drywall world by sheer necessity. Kevin Cost, the mind behind Mudplugz, joins the show for his first appearance to share how a single moment of inspiration on Christmas Eve 2024 sparked a construction industry sensation. Frustrated by the eyesore of holes in the wall and the lack of a quick, professional-grade solution, Kevin asked a simple question: Why isn't there a plug for this? Just two weeks later, the wheels were in motion. Kevin has turned that "lightbulb moment" into a product designed to bring ease and speed to the tedious task of patching drywall. What We Discuss in This Episode: The Christmas Eve Epiphany: The origin story of Mudplugz and why the simplest ideas are often the most effective. From Concept to Launch: How Kevin and his partner moved from a thought to a physical product in record time. Solving the Patching Problem: How Mudplugz is streamlining the workflow for professionals and DIYers alike by eliminating the "unsightly hole" phase of repair. A Fresh Perspective: What happens when an industry outsider brings a new solution to a traditional trade This episode of The Drywall podcast is brought to you by CanAm Tools. Find out more by visiting www.Canamtool.com

In this episode of The Drywall Podcast, I’m joined by Justin Thomas, owner of Thomas Drywall. Our connection started in a unique way—Justin reached out after hearing my guest appearance on The Aggregate with Jeremy Mistretta a few months back. After one long conversation, I knew his story needed to be shared here. Justin is a third-generation drywall professional who has seen every side of the industry. We trace his journey from scaling a massive operation with over 50 employees to the pivotal moment when the economy forced a total career pivot. You’ll hear how he successfully transitioned into tech sales, what that high-pressure environment taught him about business, and ultimately, what pulled him back to his roots in the drywall world. We also get personal, discussing how his faith and background as a Mormon shape his perspective on work and family, and why he is never afraid to blow things up and try something new. Today, Justin is back in the trade with a refined focus on specialty finishes and Fresco Harmony. About Today’s Guest: Justin Thomas is the owner of Thomas Drywall. With a career spanning traditional hanging and finishing to high-tech sales, he now blends those skill sets to offer premium, decorative wall solutions. Connect with the Show: Subscribe: Be sure to follow Justin on Instagram Follow: Find out more at www.thomasdrywallutah.com Today's episode was brought to you by CanAm tools. Find out more at www.canamtool.com

In this episode, Nick sits down with Paul and Bridget, the dynamic force behind Manners, to discuss the critical role of the distributor in the modern drywall world. The Story Behind the Episode Sometimes the best connections take a little time to ferment. Nick first crossed paths with Paul and Bridget at the AWCI show in Las Vegas back in 2023. While they were immediately intrigued by Fresco Harmony, their business card eventually fell victim to the "office abyss" for a few months. Thanks to a well-timed nudge from Wolfgang, Nick reconnected with the Manners team, and it’s a good thing he did. What We Cover: The Distributor Matrix: Why the relationship between the manufacturer, the retailer, and the finisher is more complex—and important—than you think. Product Intricacies: Paul and Bridget share their deep knowledge of the drywall space and what makes a product stand out in a crowded market. Going Global: How this "power duo" is successfully navigating and expanding their footprint across New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. Behind the Brand: We dive into their personal lives and the passion that fuels their business growth. Paul and Bridget are as friendly as they are knowledgeable. If you've ever wondered how the gear actually gets from the factory to your trowel, this is an episode you can't miss. Connect with Manners Check out their full range of tools and expertise online: 👉 Website: www.manners.co.nz This episode of The Drywall Podcast was brought to you by CanAm tools. Find out more by visiting www.canamtool.com

What happens when a standard drywall inquiry turns into a deep dive into the world of decorative finishes? In this episode, we sit down with Monica Schaefer and Judd Togerson to discuss their journey from traditional drywall to exploring the "many ways of plaster." After a transformative visit to Nick Boyd at the drywall supply yard in Montrose, the duo discovered that the ceiling for their craft was much higher than they initially thought. We explore the transition from functional drywall to the vast world of specialty finishes on this, the 164th, episode of The Drywall Podcast. Today's episode of The Drywall Podcast was brought to you by CanAm tools. Find out more by visiting CanAmtool.com

This is a special episode about evolution. Joining us for his second visit is a man who has completely redefined what it means to be a tradesman in the modern age—Ken Landon from Albany, New York. Three years ago, Ken was in a different place. We’re going to dive into the raw reality of how losing his brewery forced a total career 're-mix,' leading him to recreate himself in the digital space. From a suggestion on a job site to becoming a pillar in mentorship programs like BOCES and TradeMentor.org, Ken has turned the trowel into a microphone. We’re discussing the end of the brewing chapter, the birth of his media presence, and his collaboration with Anthony from Lincoln Street Media. If you’ve ever wondered about the real cost of building a platform and why the trades needhigh-quality media, this is the episode for you. Ken, welcome back to the show!" This episode of The Drywall Podcast is brought to you by CanAm Tools. Find out more by visiting www.canamtool.com

The Drywall Podcast: Episode 162 The European Pioneer: Automatic Tools, Global Markets, and Finding Balance with Marvin After months of scheduling and a little persistent "bugging," we finally sat down with a true titan of the trade. In Episode 162, we are joined by Marvin Maatita, a man whose name is synonymous with the evolution of drywall finishing in Europe. From his home in Holland, Marvin shares his journey as a pioneer who helped introduce automatic finishing tools to a continent steeped in traditional methods. We trace his impressive career path working with industry giants like Columbia Taping Tools, Drywall Europe, CanAm, and most recently, TapeTech. Marvin has sat at the helm of large-scale operations, but today, he’s found a different kind of success—the kind that comes with working solo and prioritizing what matters most: life and his six-year-old daughter. In this episode, we discuss: The unique landscape of the European drywall market and how it differs from North America. The "Consultant Era": Why major tool companies seek Marvin’s expertise to break into European territories. The shift from managing big companies to finding peace. A look at the various finishing styles across the pond. Whether you're a tool junkie or just looking for some perspective on the work-life balance, this conversation with one of the most respected names in the game is one you can't miss on this, the 162nd, episode of The Drywall Podcast. Episodes in the month of February are brought to you by CanAm Tools. Find out more by visiting www.canamtool.com

Episode 161: The Legacy of the Trowel In the summer of '23, a training session in Surrey, BC, brought together some of the best minds in the industry. It was a collaboration with Columbia Tools, but the real magic happened in the quiet moments between the mudding. This episode introduces you to Wes—a man of few words but incredible depth—and honors the memory of his best friend, Kam. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The Journey of a Finisher: We trace Wes’s path through the various jobs and specialized skills that led him to his current mastery of the wall. The Impact of Mentorship: How Kam’s friendship didn't just shape Wes's technique, but his entire outlook on the drywall community. Carrying the Torch: A deep dive into how Wes is preserving a legacy through his work, ensuring that the standards set by those who came before us are never lowered. A Personal Look: Beyond the technical, you’ll get a glimpse into the host's perspective, making this one of the most intimate episodes of The Drywall Podcast to date. Sponsor Shoutout: This episode is proudly brought to you by CanAm Tool. For tools that work as hard as you do, visit www.canamtool.com.

Episode 161: The Legacy of the Trowel In the summer of '23, a training session in Surrey, BC, brought together some of the best minds in the industry. It was a collaboration with Columbia Tools, but the real magic happened in the quiet moments between the mudding. This episode introduces you to Wes—a man of few words but incredible depth—and honors the memory of his best friend, Kam. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The Journey of a Finisher: We trace Wes’s path through the various jobs and specialized skills that led him to his current mastery of the wall. The Impact of Mentorship: How Kam’s friendship didn't just shape Wes's technique, but his entire outlook on the drywall community. Carrying the Torch: A deep dive into how Wes is preserving a legacy through his work, ensuring that the standards set by those who came before us are never lowered. A Personal Look: Beyond the technical, you’ll get a glimpse into the host's perspective, making this one of the most intimate episodes of The Drywall Podcast to date. Sponsor Shoutout: This episode is proudly brought to you by CanAm Tool. For tools that work as hard as you do, visit www.canamtool.com.

I'm excited to introduce Episode 160 of The Drywall Podcast. This week, we’re sitting down with a true powerhouse in the industry: Stefano Zanchi of On Board Drywall. Stefano is the embodiment of the "never say die" spirit. He walked away from the trade once—literally leaving his boots and hardhat behind with a sign that read "Hasta La Vista"—to try his hand at banking. But the corporate grind couldn't contain his drive, and it ultimately pushed him to return and build the successful business he runs today. We dive deep into his journey, his "clean and concise" social media strategy, and how he turned a setback into a massive comeback. This episode of TDP is brought to you by Advance Tools. Find out more at www.advance-equiptment.com

It pays off to be the host of a Podcast. Sometimes I get to sit down with the VP of a major drywall company like Advance Tools. Today's episode I'm talking with DeAnne Shallcross about a family owned business spanning 4 generations and a century. That's right 104 years of innovation and tool design in the drywall space. DeAnne is as nice as they come and extremely well spoken. She's a leader in the space of drywall and if you don't know her yet, you will after this episode, the 159th episode, of The Drywall Podcast Today's episode is brought to you by Advance Equipment. Find out more by visiting www.advance-equiptment.com

Huge shout out to Cathy for referring Todd to the podcast. Once you start following Todd you can't help but to like him. His content is bright and uplifting but what really caught my attention is the location he's been working at. We discuss Geoa Haven above Nunavut territory and his home in beautiful Bonavista. Todd has a wonderful demeanor and brings an eire of innocence to the show on this, the 158th episode of The Drywall Podcast. Today's podcast is brought to you by Advance Equipment. Family owned and US Made since 1922. Check out www.advance-equiptment.com

It's been happening more and more that people are discovering The Drywall Podcast organically. This was the case for JP. His marketing person, Zach Ellison found TDP and thought JP would be a good fit. Although JP has little experience in the world of drywall, he saw a flaw in the way outside corners were being done and felt he had a solution. He's been working on the idea for the last 6 years and is ready to bring his innovation to the world. Introducing The Smart Corner by CleanCo. There's a lot about JP that piques my interest and we waste no time digging into the why behind the Smart Corner. JP hales from Quebec but now calls Austin home. He's a great guy and we have a fantastic conversation on this, the 157th, episode of The Drywall Podcast. This episode of TDP is brought to you by TapeTech. Find out more by visiting www.tapetech.com

That one time when you get the interview you've been working toward since you started. This is that interview. I reached out to Mike on a whim not quite knowing if he'd return my email. Man was I wrong. He emailed me immediately and we set a date for the next day. The rest is history, or his history rather. Mike is a smart guy and that comes across as soon as we start talking. We quickly settle into the flow of our conversation and the questions came smooth and unrehearsed. In the end we cover most of his path of success to the pinnacle of the drywall industry. That is, the top position at a little company called AMES. Mike has the temperament for the position but don't take my word for it. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the view from the top as we dissect Mike Ventura on this, the 156th, episode of The Drywall Podcast. This episode of The Drywall Podcast is brought to you by TapeTech. You can find out more about TapeTech by visiting www.tapetech.com

Shout out to Chad Hesser for keeping after me to interview Justin Delk. I love speaking with professionals in the trade and Justin is about as professional as they come. Justin is a technical field rep for USG or Mud expert and he's been in and around the drywall industry since he was 19. He was an apprentice in the union but quickly rose the ranks within his company. However, there was a time when a rep from USG stumbled onto one of his sites and he asked the question, "what does that guy do?" It wasn't long before he was driving to Chicago for an interview with the monster company USG. The rest is history but I like dredging up the past on this, the 155th episode of The Drywall Podcast. This episode of The Drywall Podcast was brought to you by Tape-Tech. Find out more at www.tapetech.com

Talk about a power house. From 3-D printing to growing his YouTube page to over 360K followers Guy has accomplished an amazing amount of success over his life. Huge shout out to Greg Strebe for the introduction. From the start of the interview I felt like we'd known each other for a very long time. We talk about the products Guy is inventing with his immense 3-D printer collection but we take a walk along the timeline of Guys career beginning at 8 years old and how he arrived at 360 thousand followers on YouTube. I was extremely impressed with what Guy has accomplished and I'm sure you will be too on this, the 154th, episode of The Drywall Podcast. This episode of The Drywall Podcast was brought to you by Muddskip drywall additive. Find out more at www.muddskip.com

Why would anyone switch from a prominent position to be a drywaller? Well, Maykel did just that. Better known on Instagram as mayktapetech, Maykel started out as an attorney in Cuba to impress his father. He managed to escape to Toronto but that wasn't the end of his challenges. He ended up homeless before when he noticed another man speaking Spanish and desperately asked him for help. That man took Maykel to a church where he took up residence until he could find a way into the construction industry. Maykel did what it took to make his life amazing and he made some lifelong friends along the way. He's as loyal as they come and Loves the brand Tape-Tech. He's the quintessential brand ambassador and you'll see why on this, the 153rd, episode of The Drywall Podcast. This episode of The Drywall Podcast is brought to you by Muddskip. Find out more by visiting their website at www.muddskip.com

Sitting down with Jeff Hains has to be one of the biggest rewards I've gotten from being a podcaster. Not only is he well spoken, but we both share an affinity for drywall and we ask the question, Why? Like me, Jeff is an explorer and isn't afraid to wade into the deep end when it comes to trying new products. That was the case with Muddskip and why he's changed everything about his approach to the trade because of this product. He's now an ambassador for the company but he didn't start out as one. We both share an unquenchable thirst for mud and that becomes evident very quickly on this, the 152nd, episode of The Drywall Podcast. This episode was brought to you by Muddskip. Find out more by visiting their website at www.muddskip.com