Talking TOP 500

About Talking TOP 500

This series puts a spotlight on the business of home improvement and professional home remodeling. Presented by QUALIFIED REMODELER magazine, "Talking TOP 500" is a series of conversations with owners and managers of firms on the magazine's annual list of the largest 500 remodelers and home improvement pros. Every aspect of sales leadership, marketing and running a profitable business is on the table. Hosted by Patrick O'Toole and Tim Musch.

Publisher

QUALIFIED REMODELER

Category

business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Sept 2022

Latest episode

10 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

42 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Sept 2026

   No. 39: Brian Gottlieb and Brian Elias on Lessons Learned

   What happens when successful entrepreneurs look back at the decisions that helped build their companies, only to realize some of those same decisions created problems down the road? In this episode of Talking TOP 500, Pat O'Toole and Tim Musch sit down with two Legends of Home Improvement, Brian Gottlieb, founder of Tundraland and author of Beyond the Hammer, and Brian Elias, founder and CEO of ReFloor and founder of 800 Hansons. Rather than focusing on success stories, this conversation digs into the lessons behind the lessons: expensive lead-generation mistakes, sales organizations that needed to be rebuilt, growth that actually made the business weaker, and strategies that seemed smart at the time but produced unintended consequences. The guests share what they learned about knowing when to push harder, when to change course, and when it is finally time to walk away from an idea. The conversation also looks ahead to the next stage of growth. What should an owner of a $10 million or $20 million home-improvement company avoid when trying to reach $50 million or $100 million? Brian Gottlieb and Brian Elias offer hard-earned advice designed to help other entrepreneurs avoid the mistakes that come with scaling a business. The episode also serves as a preview of their upcoming session at Top 500 Live, where these lessons will take center stage.

2. 

   21 Apr 2026

   No. 38 Ed Kalaher, Window Depot

   Host [Host Name] interviews Ed Kalaher, president of Window Depot USA, about scaling a home improvement business through a dealer licensee model and leveraging AI for growth.

3. 

   9 Apr 2026

   No. 37: Marcus Sheridan on AI

   Host Pat and Tim interview author Marcus Sheridan about how AI transforms the home improvement industry by changing search, building trust signals, and emphasizing pricing transparency.

Who has been a guest on Talking TOP 500

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Ed Kalaher
• Marcus Sheridan
• Jeff Gear
• Jenilee Common
• Drew Weinfurtner

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

2,464

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

55

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

68

Contact Talking TOP 500

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Talking TOP 500