For episode 132 of The DYOJO Podcast - the podcast that helps contractors shorten their DANG learning curve - we discuss:

* The announcement of the Verisk (Xactimate) and Claude (AI) integration and what this means for contractors who assist homeowners with insurance claims response, mitigation, and repairs.

* Take a step back in time to discuss some tips for contractors helping homeowners with mold damage removal and remediation. Revisiting a video clip with our first guest David Princeton of Advocate Claim Service.

On Episode 131 of The DYOJO Podcast we discuss the tragic true story out of Olympia, Washington where a young man lost his life because of an improperly installed tankless water heater. Many lessons to be learned for organizations, managers, technicians, installers, and homeowners as it relates to hazards in the built environment.

*The contractors in this incident were initially charged with manslaughter for the improper installation of a tankless water heater

We also have details about Winter Break 2026 - check out the article in C&R Magazine

SOURCES:

Contractors Agree to Diversion Plan in Carbon Monoxide Leak That Killed 21 Year Old Evergreen State College Student Jonathan Rodriguez - https://www.king5.com/article/news/crime/contractors-diversion-plan-carbon-monoxide-leak-that-killed-evergreen-student/281-3a77f49d-1fa4-42e7-80cc-68878a52c32d

Winter Break 2026 info - https://www.candrmagazine.com/winter-break-week-2026-set-to-deliver-expanded-education-networking-industry-collaboration-in-bonita-springs/

My truck got broken into - a dange smash and grab. Made me mad and thinking about some of the responses by local authorities to crime, including some interesting remarks by the mayor of Seattle.

Our vocabulary word for the day is "shrinkage". Listen to find out what it means and why it's important if you are a small business owner.Also, we end on a positive note hearing about the skilled trades and entrepreneurial journey of Joyce Gabriel, co-owner of Expert Restoration (Rochester, WA).

Our second vocabulary word is "aggressive patience". Listen to find out what this concept means and how it can help you as you pursue personal development as an aspiring professional.