Blue-Collar BS

Hug a Contractor with Toby van Sistine

Aug 14, 2026 · 38 min · 11 segments

This week we're joined by Toby Van Sistine, Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Builders Association (MBA), whose path into home building started with a detour into aerospace engineering before he…

This week we're joined by Toby Van Sistine, Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Builders Association (MBA), whose path into home building started with a detour into aerospace engineering before he landed in construction for good. We dig into a theme this show returns to often: why Gen Z isn't seeing a clear path into the trades, and how Toby's own son found his way into an electrical apprenticeship almost by accident. Toby's take: kids aren't lazy, they just need someone to show them the door exists, and parents need permission to be okay with their kid choosing a toolbelt over a diploma. We also got into new territory for the show: Toby's take on why the building industry feels so combative right now. HGTV expectations, nickel-and-dimed contracts, and homeowners who'll drop $50K on a home theater but fight a contractor over $500. His read: something broke in how people trust the people building their homes. Also in this episode: smart homes and disposable appliances, plus a look at this year's Parade of Homes, now in its 80th year. Go give your contractor a little love this week. They've earned it. **Highlights:** - This year's Parade of Homes. - Toby's unconventional path into home building. - Why the trades need better messaging, to kids *and* their parents. - The real reason the building industry feels more combative than ever. - How weather, region, and red tape shape the labor force differently across the country. Get in touch with Toby: Website LinkedIn *Get in touch with us:* Check out the Blue Collar BS website. **Steve Doyle:** Website LinkedIn Email **Brad Herda:** Website LinkedIn Email This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

This week we're joined by Toby Van Sistine, Executive Officer of the Metropolitan Builders Association (MBA), whose path into home building started with a detour into aerospace engineering before he…

Welcome and Guest Introduction0:00 – 1:44

0:00

Welcome to Blue Collar BS, a podcast that busts the popular myth that we can't find good people, highlighting how the different generations of today, the boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z, are redefining work so that the industrial revolution that started in the US stays in the US.

0:20

Hey, everyone.

0:21

Welcome back to this episode of the Blue Collar BS Podcast, the award-winning, actually two-time award-winning Blue Collar BS Podcast.

0:29

Um, today I am flying solo again 'cause Mr. Doyle has politely declined today's recording, as if you are paying attention to all the things that are going on, he has, uh, been, uh, redoing a deck, getting ready for graduation, traveling, family, all sorts of fun things.

0:46

So he is, uh, taking care of things that he needs to take care of, so I get to ride solo today with a guest that has, uh... that will bring a lot of excitement to today's show.

0:58

Uh, we have our guest, Mr. Toby Van Sistine.

1:01

He is the executive officer of the Metropolitan Builder Association, which I am a proud member of for almost nine years now, I believe.

1:11

He's been with the MBA now 11 years.

1:13

He was vice president, owner, and construction manager, uh, for a, uh, general contractor doing, uh, great home opportunities.

1:21

Then was also doing design and drafting work for a couple other places.

1:25

Went to the University of Minnesota.

1:27

Came back to Wisconsin for some reason after being up in Minnesota.

1:31

He's a Cub Master guy.

1:32

He is a Cub Scout guy.

1:33

He's a Star Wars geek.

1:34

He's all the things.

1:35

He's a candy f- candy freak.

1:38

And we are happy to have him here today, Mr. Toby Van Sistine.

1:41

Welcome to the Blue Collar BS Podcast.

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