In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes Walter Mleczko II, President and Chief Executive Officer at Performance Spray Foam Texas Inc. Walter shares the intense story of navigating a five-year lawsuit that could have crippled his business, all stemming from a jobsite injury that occurred after his crew had been ordered to leave. Walter walks listeners through the events that led to the lawsuit, how his company became the sole target, and the profound legal and fin...
Jun 30, 2025•45 min•Ep. 61
Are you ready for a future where your next customer demands a solar-powered, all-electric smart home—and rejects granite countertops? In this episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes Sara Gutterman, co-founder and CEO of Green Builder Media, North America's leading media company focused on green building and sustainable living. Together, they unpack the evolving landscape of generational home buying and discuss how builders, contractors, and suppliers can tailor their strategie...
May 28, 2025•36 min•Ep. 60
In the latest episode of the R-Value Podcast, IDI Business Development expert Ken Allison welcomes back Peter Troast, founder of Energy Circle. Peter shares insights into the 25C Means Business program, an initiative sponsored by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) that provides insulation contractors with free, high-value marketing materials to help them promote the 25C tax credit. Peter and Ken discuss the program's impact on over 200 contractors who have leveraged ...
Mar 18, 2025•32 min•Ep. 59
The latest advancements in spray foam technology are here, but are you prepared to handle them? In this episode of the R-Value podcast, industry expert Ken Allison sits down with Honeywell research fellow Mary C. Bogdan to break down the changes, challenges, and solutions that come with the new generation of blowing agents. As the industry moves through its latest transition, Mary shares insights on the chemistry behind these changes, the challenges contractors are facing, and best practices for...
Feb 06, 2025•26 min•Ep. 58
In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI’s Ken Allison sits down with Shad Wall of ICDZ Insulation Construction Drawings to discuss innovative approaches to bidding for insulation and spray foam projects. Shad shares his journey from field work to establishing a service that empowers contractors to delegate the complex, time-consuming task of take-offs. This episode unpacks Shad’s unique model of outsourcing bids to skilled architects and engineers, enhancing bid accuracy and enabling s...
Nov 04, 2024•31 min•Ep. 57
The Hidden ROI of Insulation and Air Sealing: Expert Tips from Rick Hall, Building Science Professional Training In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes Rick Hall, a seasoned expert in HVAC, insulation, and building codes , to share his extensive knowledge on how proper training and understanding can elevate efficiency in the industry. Rick Hall, from Building Science Professional Training, has been training HVAC and insulation contractors since 2008 and has a we...
Oct 01, 2024•48 min•Ep. 56
On today’s R-Value podcast, IDI’s Ken Allison welcomes Nikki Kruger from Santa Fe dehumidifiers. As the industry grapples with the challenges of increasingly airtight homes, Nikki sheds light on the latest innovations in dehumidification technology and their role in maintaining healthy, comfortable living spaces. Nikki brings over 20 years of experience in the indoor air quality (IAQ) industry to her role as Director of Marketing & Business Development at Santa Fe Dehumidifiers. A RESNET cer...
Sep 01, 2024•40 min•Ep. 55
In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI’s Chris Fuerst welcomes Derek Fowler from Owens Corning to discuss the critical topic of insulation coverage, emphasizing the importance of proper techniques and equipment settings to help maximize efficiency and profitability in insulation projects. Derek is a former insulation installer and insulation business owner, who now works for Owens Corning in their Certified Energy Expert program. As part of the support that the program offers, Derek a...
Aug 01, 2024•26 min•Ep. 54
In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI’s Ken Allison welcomes Peter Troast, Founder and CEO of Energy Circle. In this episode, Peter and Ken discuss the significant benefits and underutilization of the 25C tax credit for insulation contractors. Peter shares insights on how Energy Circle, in collaboration with the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAMA) and the Insulation Institute, has developed a comprehensive suite of free marketing resources to help contractors c...
Jul 10, 2024•27 min•Ep. 53
In this episode, IDI’s Ken Allison and Owens Corning’s Mark Keenan discuss various aspects of soundproofing and acoustic insulation. Marc, who has been with Owens Corning for 24 years, shares his expertise in sound insulation. They cover the basics of sound transmission, the importance of resilient channels, and the differences in performance between fiberglass, mineral wool, and cellulose insulation. Keenan emphasizes the need for proper installation and the significance of addressing structura...
Jun 13, 2024•33 min•Ep. 52
In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes special guest Ken Levenson, the executive director of the Passive House Network . The discussion centers on the concept of "Passive House" and its impact on building sustainability and efficiency. Levenson, with his deep experience as an architect and advocate for energy-efficient building, shares insights into how the Passive House standard dramatically reduces energy consumption while enhancing comfort and resilience in b...
May 09, 2024•38 min•Ep. 51
This episode of the R-Value Podcast features an insightful conversation with industry veteran Henri Fennell about common issues that can arise with spray foam installations. Fennell shares his extensive experience analyzing spray foam problems and the most frequent causes he encounters, such as improper material handling and processing. He emphasizes the critical importance of precisely following manufacturer guidelines, especially when it comes to material preconditioning and temperature contro...
Apr 18, 2024•56 min•Ep. 50
In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes special guests Rick Duncan, Executive Director of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) and John Stahl of the Metal Buildings Initiative to discuss and dispel the myths surrounding the use of spray foam insulation in metal buildings. The conversation focuses on debunking common misconceptions and providing factual information based on research and industry experiences. Duncan and Stahl have put together a task force t...
Mar 18, 2024•44 min•Ep. 49
This episode of the R-Value podcast is an exciting listen for any insulation contractor looking to grow their business, but even more so for spray foam contractors! You won’t want to miss out on the great deal offered in this podcast. To learn more and take advantage of this Angi deal, read more below. In this episode, IDI's Ken Allison welcomes special guest Ryan White, a Corporate Partnerships expert at Angi. They have an in-depth discussion about how contractors can leverage Angi's platform t...
Feb 12, 2024•28 min•Ep. 48
In this episode of the R-Value podcast, host Ken Allison and special guest Sam Myers from Retrotec discuss the intricacies and importance of blower doors in testing a home's air tightness. They delve into common mistakes made during blower door tests, such as incorrectly matching the fan range to the gauge, and highlights advancements in technology, like digital manometers introduced in the mid-90s, which improved the testing process through color coding and touch screen features for easier iden...
Jan 15, 2024•33 min•Ep. 47
We highly recommend watching the video walkthrough of this podcast on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IDIDistributors In the latest episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI’s own Ken Allison welcomes Apollo Energies CEO and President Mark Stout to show off a tool that will help your customers understand how much they could save by taking advantage of the 179D tax incentive. Mark and Ken dissect the financial wisdom of insulating and air sealing commercial buildings of any size, revealin...
Dec 12, 2023•14 min•Ep. 46
Are you a business owner looking to grow your company's value and profitability in the years ahead? Tune in to this insightful episode of the R-Value podcast, hosted by IDI's Ken Allison with guest economist Brian Beaulieu to get an expert forecast on the housing and construction markets. They dive into projections for housing permits, sales, interest rates, and remodeling through 2026. Brian Beaulieu has been an economist with the Institute for Trend Research since 1982, serving as its Chief Ex...
Sep 13, 2023•24 min•Ep. 45
In this episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI’s Marketing Manager Blake Moreau, IDI’s HR Operations Manager Brenda Mattson and special guest Maddie Hollis dive into the essential aspects of running a compliant and profitable business. They explore the intricacies of employee state laws, overtime requirements, hiring practices, and the importance of transparent communication within the workplace. Whether you're a small business owner or part of an HR team, the insights shared on wage and hour viola...
Aug 16, 2023•33 min•Ep. 44
Building standards and regulations have changed A LOT recently. It can be difficult to keep up with and communicate all of the changes, leading to failed inspections and lost revenue. The pace and volume of change is a major challenge for builders across the country and non-profit organizers are stepping into the maze to help solve the problem. People like Cardice Howard, Deputy Director of RESNET. RESNET is a not-for-profit, membership corporation that created and maintains the HERS® Index to a...
Jul 24, 2023•41 min•Ep. 43
In this episode of The R-Value Podcast, IDI Distributor’s Ken Allison sits down with Chuck Casto, Alignable's business development guru and Head of Content Marketing. Alignable, often described as the largest online Chamber of Commerce or the Facebook for business owners, is a platform that allows small business owners to connect with one another and share resources, ideas, and advice. Ken and Chuck discuss the many advantages for contractors and builders of being on Alignable, such as networkin...
Jun 19, 2023•34 min•Ep. 42
In this episode, IDI’s Ken Allison speaks live with Steve Skodak, CEO of the Building Performance Association at the organization’s 37th annual National Home Performance Conference & Trade Show. The Building Performance Association has expanded its focus and reach significantly over the past few years. "Three years ago, we were communicating with maybe 7,000 to 8,000 people in our industry each week. That number is about 23,000 now." Steve emphasizes the importance of supporting market rate ...
May 18, 2023•49 min•Ep. 41
Winning bids and creating a profitable business doesn't just happen accidentally. It takes great people, great products, great work, and a team dedicated to learning and adapting to constant market changes. Today we're talking to an expert in the field of building successful contracting businesses, Joe Arrigo. He shares his 5 best practices for building a contracting business that becomes profitable and more importantly, STAYS profitable. Joe Arrigo is the President/Owner of Resource Development...
Apr 07, 2023•21 min•Ep. 28
The Inflation Reduction Act may have already passed but there are still lots of questions about the credits, incentives and rebates contained within. How will the funds be distributed? Which states will benefit most? What’s the best way for contractors to ensure they can deliver these incentives to customers? Today we hope to answer these questions and more, which is why we’ve brought the foremost expert on the Inflation Reduction Act onto the podcast, Kara Saul Rinaldi. Kara is the principal an...
Mar 03, 2023•32 min•Ep. 40
For contractors and consumers 2023 really is the “year of the rebate” courtesy of the Inflation Reduction Act. Potential customers are just starting to learn about how they can utilize these rebates to start new projects, which raises the question. How should you adjust your marketing plan to best capture the interest of these new prospects in your market? Today on the R-Value Podcast, you will get golden nuggets of masterful marketing with our host, IDI’s own Ken Allison, and guest Peter Troast...
Feb 07, 2023•46 min•Ep. 39
According to Forbes, over 40% of the US construction workforce is expected to retire over the next decade. The fact is the construction industry faces a workforce shortage and according to Associated Builders and Contractors that shortage is up to 650,000 in 2022. This means every worker is critical including workers that came to our country looking for work. For many installation contractors, migrant workers fill key roles in the operation of their company. But the rules, regulations and liabil...
Dec 06, 2022•32 min•Ep. 37
A lot of changes are coming to tax credits and other ways to save contractors and their clients money with the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act. This includes not only new programs, but also adjustments to regulations and extensions around exisitng credits like the 179D. It’s one of the most underused credits but it can save business lots of money. Knowing more about these credits can be a critical game-changer for your business. In this episode, IDI Distributors’ Ken Allison sits down wit...
Nov 29, 2022•42 min•Ep. 38
The Inflation Reduction Act is set to provide a lot of subsidies and other resources to contractors. But unless you know the details, you may not be able to maximize them for your business. That’s why we’ve invited Xavier Walters on the show to chat with IDI’s Business Development expert Ken Allison. They explain how you can get access to these benefits and how to best utilize them to hire and retain the best talent. Xavier is the State Outreach Coordinator with the Building Performance Associat...
Nov 07, 2022•29 min•Ep. 36
Doing things the right way, even when it’s harder, will help you maintain a business with great customer relationships and a reputation that attracts more customers. That’s a philosophy that is central to the success of Suburban Manufacturing and our guest today, Mike May. Mike is the Product Manager of the Python division at Suburban Manufacturing, which is headquartered in Monticello, Minnesota. He has been working with the spray foam industry since Suburban first launched the Sidewinder Spray...
Oct 12, 2022•33 min•Ep. 35
At IDI, we like to push the envelope, do the unthinkable, achieve the impossible. With this podcast, we're doing just that by welcoming Mike Swift, VP and General Manager, and Kurt Walters the National Account Sales Manager for Owens Corning . You read that right, Owens Corning, one of the world’s largest insulation manufacturers, is on the podcast and they are talking all about their recent acquisition of Natural Polymers and what that means for contractors across the United States. Mike and Ku...
Sep 15, 2022•23 min•Ep. 34
This episode’s guest has a PHD in physics and he knows how to use it. Dr. Allison Bailes is the founder of Energy Vanguard, a company that focuses on teaching, HVAC design services , and consulting. Dr. Bailes works on the forefront of change in the way people see and use energy in homes. Understanding the science behind the decisions you make and equipment you use is vital in today’s hypercompetitive environment. Dr. Bailes breaks down a lot of the calculations that contractors should be making...
Aug 03, 2022•29 min•Ep. 33
