Episodes

  • Building for Life: Crafting Homes and Futures with Intention and Purpose
    Feb 6 2024

    Embark on a journey that merges the art of building a home with the essence of constructing a life filled with purpose and growth. I'm Missy Manuel, joined by my insightful colleagues Taylor Burtner and Allison Babin, and together, we're laying out the blueprint for a life well-designed. Just as a home requires a solid foundation, so does our personal well-being, and in this episode, we share our collective wisdom on nurturing both. With my background in counseling and our company's commitment to human betterment, we discuss the importance of intentionality in every nail hammered and decision made. Taylor brings to the table the emotional intelligence that goes into supporting our clients, while Allison encapsulates the ethos of Manuel Builders, ensuring that the structures we build, physical or metaphorical, are made to last.

    As we guide you through the chapters of our lives and the walls of our homes, we touch on the transformative power of leadership and mentorship in transcending personal limits. We draw on the strength gained from influential figures, paralleling it with the robustness required for a sturdy home. The conversation steers towards the rewards of proactive dreams and the merits of seizing the moment to build—both a house and a future. We invite you to discover through our narratives how to harness the right tools and guidance, ensuring your life's architecture is as resilient and beautiful as the dwellings we so passionately craft. Join us and gain the strategies for personal triumph and the creation of a sanctuary that truly reflects the best version of yourself.

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    10 mins
  • Building for Life: Embracing the Home-Building Journey from Dreams to Reality
    Feb 28 2024

    Ever wonder what drives people to switch gears and construct their own home sweet home? Join us as we tackle the big reasons behind taking the home-building plunge. Whether it's the quest for more space following pandemic epiphanies or the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, we're spilling the beans on what pushes individuals over the edge from contemplation to creation.

    From the strategic placement of electrical outlets to creating nooks for those pesky everyday items, listen in for a heart-to-heart on how the smallest details can spark the most significant changes. As we share stories, including Taylor's own home-building adventure (yes, there's a special drawer for that gym bag), you'll uncover the nuances that transform houses into tailored sanctuaries.

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    7 mins
  • Designing Dreams: Constructing a Vision for Our Homes and Life Paths
    Mar 6 2024

    Ever wondered how the blueprint of your mind can become the reality of your home or the trajectory of your life? Join us as we dissect the art of envisioning your future, whether it's the walls you live within, or the path you're set to tread. Whether you are someone with sharp, detailed dreams, or just seeking the lantern to shine on your opaque challenges, we delve into the nitty-gritty of shaping those dreams with practical steps.
    As the conversation unfurls, we tackle the issues of financial obstacles and mortgage mazes that often stunt the journey before it begins. We uncover how simplifying success can illuminate the road ahead, infusing hope and a proactive mindset. Next time, we'll unpack the knapsack of strategies you'll need to draft a tangible financial blueprint. It's more than laying bricks; it's laying the foundations for a purposeful existence. So tune in, take note, and let's architect not just the spaces we inhabit, but also the lives we desire.

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    10 mins
  • Constructing Foundations: The Interplay of Home Design and Life Mastery
    Mar 13 2024

    Embark on a journey of discovery with me, Missy Manuel, joined by Taylor from Manual Builders, and life coach Allison. Together discuss crafting the foundations of a home and constructing a purpose-driven life. Taylor talks about the art of personalized home design, stressing the impact of expert navigation—much like the guidance we crave but often neglect in our personal endeavors. Allison, with her life coaching prowess, illuminates the transformative power of mentorship in breaking through barriers and breathing life into our aspirations, much like an architect draws a dream home into reality.

    In a captivating conversation, we dissect the crucial elements of timing, leadership, and preparation that govern the trajectory of career and personal growth. Drawing from the compelling analogy of a stalled construction site, we discuss the importance of a clear and concise blueprint for navigating life's challenges. This episode explores the potency of communal support and mentorship in establishing a robust foundation for future triumphs. Listen closely as we unravel how methodical pacing and strategic support can safeguard against the pitfalls of hastiness, ensuring that you're fully equipped as you step into the next chapter of your life, ready to achieve your grandest visions.

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    14 mins
  • Constructing Dreams and Lives: Aligning Home Foundations with Personal Growth
    Mar 20 2024

    Discover the blueprint to a life built on a solid foundation as we converse with Greg Manuel and Allison Babin about the critical steps in constructing your dream home and how they mirror the journey of personal growth. Prepare to understand the significance of selecting just the right spot for your home, akin to choosing the path for your life, where we tackle the unseen complexities like land drainage and flood risks, paralleling the way we assess and manage the risks in our own lives. We embark on an excavation of sorts, digging deep into the parallels of removing life's 'organic matter'—destructive habits—and compacting our emotional soil to build a life that stands the test of time.

    In the heart of our discussion, we not only lay out the groundworks of physical construction but also map out the emotional architecture necessary for a fulfilling existence. With Greg's expertise in land development and Allison's perspective on shaping environments, you'll learn about the art of removing and adding elements to your life with intention and care. We expand upon the theme of community support and wise mentorship, emphasizing that whether you're erecting walls or setting personal boundaries, the guidance of experienced builders like Manual Builders is invaluable. Tune in as we reinforce the concept that a lasting structure, be it your home or your life's framework, relies on a robust, well-prepared base.

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    11 mins
  • Laying Groundwork for Strength in Structures and Selves
    Mar 27 2024

    Discover the invisible yet powerful elements that create a resilient life, much like the foundations that hold up the very buildings we live in. We sit down with my husband, Greg Manuel, and our marketing guru, Allison Babin, to unravel the significance of a well-laid foundation, both in the tangible world of construction and the intangible realm of personal development. As we navigate the conversation, we illuminate the often ignored yet crucial steps in crafting a durable base, from the precision of soil testing to the strategic placement of pilings. Listen in and learn how these principles are not only relevant to erecting lasting structures but also to fortifying the bedrock of our identities and belief systems.

    Embark on a journey of reflection and revelation with us, understanding that a structure's strength is only as good as its foundation – a truth that resonates in our personal lives. We share tales of manual building, emphasizing meticulous preparation and attention to detail, paralleling the painstaking effort required to strengthen our internal load-bearing walls against the forces of change and growth. With Greg and Allison's insights, we peel back the layers of what it means to build an 'empire' of self that stands the test of time, supported by a foundation laid with intention and reinforced with wisdom.

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    16 mins
  • Laying Foundations: Mending Cracks in Homes and Hearts
    Apr 3 2024

    Have you ever considered how the stability of your home's foundation mirrors the bedrock of your personal life? Join us as we culminate our series with a compelling dialogue on the preventative measures needed to avert foundation failures in our homes and the parallels to fortifying our own lives. Greg, our foundation expert, meticulously outlines the technical steps for mending cracks in our literal and figurative bases, from the intricacies of underpinning to the critical installation of moisture barriers. As we navigate the world of home maintenance, we also share insights into the '10-2 reaction,' a concept that highlights when our emotional responses are out of sync with the reality of our situations, urging listeners to address the small fissures in life before they widen into chasms.

    In our next episode, we will be joined by Jacques and Jordan, two young homeowners stepping into the arena of adulthood, balancing burgeoning careers with the steep learning curve of property upkeep. Their fresh perspectives shed light on the challenges that accompany new responsibilities, serving as a mirror for anyone managing multiple facets of life. Together, we unpack the indispensable value of continuous self-maintenance and growth, discussing tools like journaling and the power of introspection. Whether you're laying the groundwork for a new home or reinforcing your emotional resilience, this episode is a testament to the parallels between the architecture of our dwellings and the architecture of our lives.

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    15 mins
  • Constructing Dreams: A Young Man's Journey to Homeownership and Self-Discovery
    Apr 10 2024

    Embarking on the monumental task of building a home at just 23, my son Jacques Manuel, alongside co-host Allison Babin, shares the trials and triumphs of his homeownership journey. From grappling with the weight of a mortgage to the personal evolution that comes with constructing a living space, this episode is a tapestry of youthful ambition and the pursuit of financial independence. Jacques presents not just a blueprint for bricks and mortar but an intimate look at the emotional architecture of becoming a homeowner.

    This conversation seamlessly transitions into empowering advice for young professionals carving their own path. Jacques, with wisdom beyond his years from his experiences with Manual Builders, provides a candid take on the significance of owning versus renting. We traverse the landscape of building self-esteem through 'doing it scared,' learning as we go, and sharing practical tips on managing the unforeseen challenges of maintenance and financial strategies like cohabitation. Tune in for a heartfelt narrative that melds the concrete world of home construction with the growth of the human spirit.

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    17 mins