This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we explore what it means to build a truly inclusive home—one that works for every member of your family, including those who are neurodivergent. Dr. Susan Faja from Boston Children’s Hospital walks us through practical design tips for supporting sensory needs at home, from choosing the right lighting and colors to building calming spaces that actually work.

Then, author Sloane Crosley takes us on a tour of her charmingly off-kilter West Village apartment, where a tilted floor, tulip tree view, and bookshelf-lined walls have shaped both her writing and her sense of home.

Next, it’s DIY time. We help listeners insulate attics, restore old wood siding, seal leaky outlets, and repaint crumbly foundations. And finally, Catio Bob stops by to explain how to give your cat the backyard of their dreams with the perfect outdoor enclosure—plus how to build one yourself.

All this, plus a round of House Rules and a no-tools-needed picture hanging hack.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to design a home that supports neurodivergent family members (0:55)

What to consider when insulating an attic space—vented vs. unvented (8:42)

Best materials for restoring historic wood siding and trim (16:38)

How to seal outlets to prevent drafts (21:54)

How to prep and repaint a stone foundation (26:28)

What a catio is, how to build one, and why your cat might need it (39:37)

Martin Poirier is best known as the Soundproof Guide on YouTube. He walks us through the essentials of blocking unwanted noise and turning your home into a peaceful retreat.

Our friends from Cheap Old House return with a steel-clad, mid-century time capsule that still shines in rural Iowa.

Comedian Paula Poundstone shares a deeply personal story about the magical Massachusetts duplex and the generous family that took her in and changed her life.

Plus, we answer your questions about radon mitigation, roof leaks, crumbling chimneys, and the best way to floor around an indoor pool!

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Noise Abatement: The Best Soundproofing tips for renters. (0:55)

Radon: The best way to read your Radon level, and some sure ways to mitigate it… Even if you have a sump pump in the basement. (8:34)

Roof Leaks: We help a listener identify the possible source of a leak in her home. We share a useful garden hose trick that can pinpoint the exact location before investing in expensive repairs. (17:43)

Pool Flooring: Indoor pools used to come with carpet, but what should you use to replace it? We have a solution that won’t grow mold. (22:17)

Chimney Repairs: We help a caller with a steep quote, and unpack why chimney fixes can be pricey—and how damage at the top can mean deeper water problems inside. (28:17)

Lustron Homes: What makes steel-paneled Lustron houses so rare, low-maintenance, and perfect for anyone who loves retro design with modern durability. (40:21)

This episode starts in the kitchen with chef and Hedley & Bennett founder Ellen Marie Bennett, who shares her professional kitchen wisdom that anyone *renters included* can use to make their cooking space more efficient and joyful.

Then, we head to the red rock canyons of Utah, where former miner Grant Johnson spent 30 years carving his off-grid dream home by hand.

Also, beekeeper Ariel Silva, aka Bowser Bee on TikTok and Instagram, explains how to start a hive in your own backyard, no matter where you live—even if it’s a rooftop in the city.

We also tackle listener questions about cracked ceilings, old doors, keeping woodpeckers away, and bricks shaken loose by an explosion.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Smarter Kitchen Flow: How thinking in zones—prep, cook, serve, store, and clean—can turn any kitchen into a more functional and stress-free space. (0:54)

Ceiling Cracking?: What might cause a piece of drywall to sag from the ceiling, and why you don’t have to panic right away! (8:53)

Woodpecker Deterrent: Woodpecker’s marking up your home? We might have the fix to make your home less attractive to them. (17:28)

Hanging an Old Door: Why building a new door frame may be the best way to hang an antique door. (22:13)

Post-Blast Brick Repair: How structural cracks in brickwork can hide deeper issues, and why replacing the full façade might be necessary if insurance allows. (28:00)

Life Inside Stone: One man spent 30 years hand-blasting a 5,700 sq ft home into solid rock—and why living in stone can bring unexpected peace. (32:27)

Backyard Beekeeping Basics: Learn everything you need to start your own beehive from Bowser Bee on TikTok and Instagram (40:49)