Housing Matters Podcast

25. Maine Housing: Why Projects Get Approved But Don’t Get Built

Why do so many housing projects in Maine get approved—but never actually get built?
In this episode of Housing Matters, Matt Pouliot sits down with John Egan of the Genesis Fund to unpack what’s really stalling housing development across the state. From financing gaps and broken appraisals to the “missing middle,” workforce shortages, and misunderstood tools like TIFs, this is a deep dive into the real-world mechanics of getting housing from paper to reality.
They also explore:
Why public investment is critical to unlocking private development
The growing urgency of preserving rural and USDA-financed housing
How towns can reduce friction with zoning, parking, and faster approvals
And what it will take to keep Maine’s housing momentum alive
If you care about Maine’s economy, workforce, or future communities, this is a must-listen conversation about why approval isn’t the finish line—and homes don’t get built by accident.

24. Bitcoin vs Real Estate: Is Digital Property the Future of Wealth?

What if the real problem isn’t home prices or interest rates—but the money itself?
In this episode of Housing Matters, host Matt Pouliot sits down with Jeffrey Truchon, founder of Sovereign Wealth Management, to connect the dots between time, inflation, broken money, housing, and why he believes Bitcoin is the premier long-term store of value.
Jeff shares his journey from Maine kid and Enterprise manager to independent fiduciary advisor, and how COVID, money-printing, and a 35% market crash pushed him deep down the Bitcoin rabbit hole. He walks through the end of the gold standard, how fiat currency quietly steals your time and energy, and why he thinks Bitcoin should be viewed as digital property alongside (not instead of) real estate.
You’ll hear Jeff’s take on:
Why time—not dollars—is your most valuable asset
How inflation and debt are crushing younger generations
Bitcoin mining, halvings, and the 21 million cap
Bitcoin vs gold, bonds, and housing as a store of value
How he builds portfolios that include Bitcoin while still focusing on risk
Jeffrey Truchon is a Maine-born financial advisor, Husson University business graduate, and founder of Sovereign Wealth Management. He holds his Life & Health Insurance License and Series 65, and has been featured in Fortune, Entrepreneur, Bloomberg Businessweek, and on multiple radio and TV shows. He works with clients across Maine and nationwide to protect and grow their life savings.
👉 Learn more about Jeff at retiredsovereign.com or email info@retiredsovereign.com.
*This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice.

23. Maine’s Future — Housing, Policy & Entrepreneurship with Collin McGarr

Maine’s next generation is stepping up — and few voices capture that energy better than Collin McGarr, founder and host of The Maine-ifesto Podcast.
In this episode, Matt Pouliot sits down with Collin to talk about how law, business, and community can work together to shape Maine’s future. From housing policy and local control to entrepreneurship, education, and workforce renewal, this conversation dives into the mindset shift needed to unlock Maine’s full potential.
They explore:
Why housing is economic development
How Maine can attract and retain young talent
The “silver wave” and the future of the trades
Law school insights, leadership, and civic engagement
How storytelling and optimism can change Maine’s narrative
Whether you’re a policymaker, investor, or proud Mainer, this episode will leave you inspired about what’s possible when passion meets purpose.
🎧 Listen to Housing Matters Episode 23 — “Maine’s Future: Housing, Policy & Entrepreneurship with Collin McGarr” — and discover how today’s young leaders are redefining what it means to build community in Maine.

22. Incremental Development: The Smarter Way to Build Housing

Real estate development doesn’t have to be big to make a big impact. In this episode, Matt Pouliot sits down with Jim Heid, infill developer, author of Building Small, and founder of the Small Developer Forum, to explore how incremental, human-scale projects can strengthen communities and expand housing choices.
From cottage courts and ADUs to the future of zoning, Jim shares lessons from his 40-year career bridging design, policy, and economics. Hear how he’s helping rebrand “developers” as built-environment entrepreneurs—people who balance profit with purpose and build places that allow humanity to thrive.
👉 Learn more about Jim’s work and resources: jheid.com | buildingsmall.mn.co | Building Small on Amazon

21. Building Smarter Communities with Nancy Smith of GrowSmart Maine

How do we grow without losing what makes Maine… Maine?In this episode, host Matt Pouliot sits down with Nancy Smith, CEO of GrowSmart Maine, for an insightful conversation about how thoughtful planning, smart policy, and community engagement can help solve Maine’s housing challenges.
Nancy shares her incredible journey — from forester and farmer to legislator and nonprofit leader — and explains how smart growth principles can balance private property rights, local control, and the urgent need for more housing across the state. Together, they discuss the future of development in Maine, from ADUs and parking reform to rural innovation and revitalizing downtowns.
🎧 Whether you’re a homeowner, developer, policymaker, or simply passionate about the future of Maine, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring stories about building stronger, more connected communities.
Topics include:
Fear of change and the path from NIMBY to YIMBY
The impact of LD 2003 and local zoning reform
How parking minimums, sprinklers, and density rules shape housing costs
Smart Growth vs. sprawl – what it really means for Maine towns
Rural innovation, small developers, and revitalizing historic downtowns
GrowSmart Maine’s upcoming Smart Growth Summit in Waterville
Hosted by: Matt Pouliot, Pouliot Real EstateGuest: Nancy Smith, CEO of GrowSmart Maine
#MaineHousing #SmartGrowth #CommunityDevelopment #ZoningReform #RuralInnovation #HousingMattersPodcast

20. Housing Affordability in Maine & Beyond – Policy, Economics & Solutions

Housing Affordability in Maine & Beyond – Policy, Economics & Solutions
In this episode of Housing Matters, host Matt Pouliot welcomes Dr. James (Jim) Siodla, Associate Professor of Economics at Colby College, to unpack the complex relationship between zoning, land use regulations, and the housing affordability crisis.
Jim’s research in urban economics, U.S. economic history, and redevelopment after disasters provides a powerful lens to understand why housing prices in Maine—and across the nation—are rising faster than incomes. Together, Matt and Jim explore:
How minimum lot size restrictions and zoning laws drive up housing costs
Lessons from San Francisco’s 1906 fire and what they teach us today
Maine’s 74% per-capita increase in home prices since 2019
The impact of NIMBYism vs. YIMBYism on housing supply
Why policies like LD 2003 and bipartisan federal initiatives matter
Practical steps towns and cities can take to encourage growth and affordability
From real estate developers to policymakers to everyday Mainers, this episode dives deep into the economics and politics of housing—and what can be done to create more homes for the next generation.
🎧 Tune in to understand the real barriers to affordability and how communities can build a better housing future.

19. From Global Housing to Backyard Builds: Brian English on ADUs

What if the solution to America’s housing crisis could be built in your backyard?
In this episode of Housing Matters, host Matt Pouliot sits down with Brian English, founder and CEO of Origin Studio, to explore how modular accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are reshaping affordability, multigenerational living, and community development.
Brian brings a global perspective—from leading post-disaster housing recovery in the Caribbean to urban slum upgrading in India—with lessons now applied to high-design, factory-built ADUs in the U.S. Through Origin Studio, he’s proving that small, scalable solutions can make a big impact.
We dive into:
Why ADUs are uniquely positioned to address affordability, aging in place, and intergenerational living
How off-site construction and modular design create faster, more predictable housing solutions
The permitting, financing, and workforce barriers that must be solved for ADUs to scale nationally
Origin Studio’s commitment to dignity, sustainability, and design—without sacrificing attainability
What public-private partnerships and pre-approved ADU catalogs could mean for the future of housing supply
If you’ve ever wondered whether ADUs are just a trend—or a real pathway to solving housing shortages—this conversation will give you answers.
🔗 Learn more about Origin Studio: originstudio.design📺 Watch on YouTube + subscribe for full video episodes🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts

18. Empowering a New Generation of Builders with the Shelter Institute

In this episode of Housing Matters, host Matt Pouliot sits down with Gaius and Clayton Hennin of Maine’s renowned Shelter Institute—a family-run business that’s been teaching people to design and build their own homes since 1974.
We explore how Shelter’s blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern building science is reshaping what it means to be a builder in today’s world. From hands-on timber framing to prefab kit homes, this conversation covers:
– The Shelter legacy and their 3-generation philosophy– How building science education empowers everyday people– The launch of their new timber frame kit home line– Why durability, sustainability, and adaptability matter more than ever– And how they’re making homebuilding more accessible without compromising quality
Whether you’re a real estate professional, a housing advocate, a DIY enthusiast, or simply someone who believes in smarter building solutions—this episode will inspire and inform.
🎧 Subscribe and listen now!
#HousingMatters #ShelterInstitute #TimberFrame #Homebuilding #DIY #PrefabHomes #ConstructionInnovation #AffordableHousing #MaineBuilders

17. How to Build Wealth Locally and Sustainably with Monte Anderson

Monte Anderson: Start Local, Stay Committed, Build What’s Missing
In this episode of Housing Matters, Matt Pouliot is joined by Monte Anderson—President of Options Real Estate Investments, Inc. and co-founder of Neighborhood Evolution. Monte has spent decades revitalizing Southern Dallas through sustainable, small-scale development that puts community first.
Monte shares how he went from racing motorcycles to becoming one of the most impactful townmakers in the country. From restoring forgotten buildings to creating ownership opportunities for local entrepreneurs, his approach to “incremental development” offers a blueprint for any community looking to build from the inside out.
🎯 In this episode:
The 12 Steps of Townmaking
Why your city doesn’t need a mega-developer
How to structure creative deals with community impact
Why “no one is coming to save you”—and why that’s good news
If you care about housing, community, or doing development differently, don’t miss this one.
🎧 More from Monte:🔗 Options Real Estate: https://optionsre.com🔗 Neighborhood Evolution: https://neighboodevo.org

16. Rebuilding the System: Dennis Steigerwalt on Turning Housing Innovation into Action

What if the future of housing isn’t just about building more homes—but building them smarter, faster, and more affordably?
In this episode of Housing Matters, Matt Pouliot sits down with Dennis Steigerwalt, President of the Housing Innovation Alliance, to explore how real change is happening across the housing industry. From modular construction and micro-factories to smart lending and policy reform, Dennis shares powerful insights on what it takes to move beyond buzzwords and into real-world impact.
You’ll hear about:
The Picket Fence concept home and why it matters
Why the U.S. lags in offsite construction—and how to fix it
How data, policy, and capital must align for change
What’s next for innovation in places like Maine
This is a conversation for builders, policymakers, investors, and anyone who believes housing should work better for everyone.
🔗 Learn more: housinginnovationalliance.com🎧 Subscribe for more episodes from Housing Matters