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The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Podcast 330: Anniversary Edition Interview With Patrick McCombe

As part of FHB’s 40th Anniversary, regular listener Jonathan interviews regular podcast host Patrick McCombe.

By Patrick McCombe

Follow the Fine Homebuilding Podcast on your favorite app. Subscribe now and don’t miss an episode:

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Help us make better episodes and enter for a chance to win an FHB Podcast T-shirt:
www.finehomebuilding.com/podcastsurvey

In this special episode, Patrick flips the script and lets one of our regular podcast listeners run the show. Jonathan from Silver Spring, MD, who has had a few of his emails answered live on the show over the years, joins us and asks Patrick what it’s like behind the scenes at FHB, and asks for his insights into tools, DIY projects, the state of the construction industry, and more.

Related Links:

  • Podcast Episode 143: Get Rid of That Scary Knob-and-Tube Wiring (fixing a wood retaining wall)
  • How To Fix a Timber Retaining Wall
  • Podcast 317: Natural Air Changes, Flashing Windows in Brick Walls, and Cleaning Construction Messes
  • Podcast 299: Attic Ductwork, Twice Double-Hipped Roofs, and Keeping Warm in Calgary (PT wood recycling)

 

Jonathan’s questions for Patrick:

Question 1: We both are what you can describe as frugal men, how do you decide it’s time to replace a tool that isn’t broken? Have you repaired any of your power tools?


Question 2: My wife is going to love this question: How many unfinished projects do you have at any given time? How do you decide which to tackle first?


Question 3: What parts of the home building code are lacking? Do you think any parts of the code force builders to over-engineer or unnecessarily drive up costs?


Question 4: What workplace accidents or close calls have you seen that still impact how you take your safety precautions?


Question 5: What was your first memory of Fine Homebuilding magazine?


Question 6: I’d like to learn more about your career progression. The podcast often talks about steps aspiring contractors can take, but what about the aspiring publisher or editor?


Question 7: What parts of your current job would surprise people that an editor has to deal with? (Do you plan events, take angry calls from subscribers, take turns cleaning the bathroom?)


Question 8: You led Habitat for Humanity crews, you wrote articles professionally, and you’re an editor of the premier building and remodeling magazine. What stands out as one of your proudest achievements?


Question 9: What are some of your more memorable photoshoots, or were any complete disasters?

Trim Out a Curved Bay

Related Links:

  • Faster Drywall Finishing
  • A New Approach to Coffered Ceilings
  • Modern Drywall Hanging Tools, Methods, and More
  • Successful Floors With Trusses
  • Trim Out a Curved Bay Window
  • Problem-Free Pocket Doors

 


Question 10: If you could tell your 20-year-old self one piece of home building advice what would it be?

END NOTES:

 

Send us an email to interview someone associated with the Fine Homebuilding for our 40th Anniversary at: [email protected].

 

 

 

Also: Check out our Webinars:
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Visit the Taunton Store  •  Magazine Index  •  Online Archive   •  Our First Issues   •  All Access

 

ALL ACCESS MREC

 

 


 

Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

 


 

Help us make better episodes and enter for a chance to win an FHB Podcast T-shirt: www.finehomebuilding.com/podcastsurvey

 

 


FHB Podcast sticker

If you have any questions you would like us to dig into for a future show, shoot an email our way: [email protected].
If we use your question we’ll send you a FHB Podcast sticker!


FHB Podcast T-shirt

FHB Podcast T-shirts!

Represent your favorite podcast! Available in several styles and colors. Made from 100% cotton. Find the Podcast t-shirt and more cool products in the Fine Homebuilding Store.

Podcast t-shirt and more cool products

 

 


Insulate & Weatherize

 

Fine Homebuilding podcast listeners can now get 20% off anything in the Taunton store, including Insulate & Weatherize.

Use the discount code FHBPODCAST to take advantage of this special offer.


 

We hope you will take advantage of a great offer for our podcast listeners: A special 20% off the discounted rate to subscribe to the Fine Homebuilding print magazine. That link goes to finehomebuilding.com/podoffer.

The show is driven by our listeners, so please subscribe and rate us on iTunes or Google Play, and if you have any questions you would like us to dig into for a future show, shoot an email our way: [email protected]. Also, be sure to follow Fine Homebuilding on Instagram, and “like” us on Facebook. Note that you can watch the show above, or on YouTube at the Fine Homebuilding YouTube Channel.

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine’s commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. The show is an informal but vigorous conversation about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.

Other related links

    • All FHB podcast show notes: FineHomebuilding.com/podcast.
    • #KeepCraftAlive T-shirts and hats support scholarships for building trades students. So order some gear at KeepCraftAlive.org.
    • The direct link to the online store is here.

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