The Marcor Studios Podcast

Solar isn’t “set it and forget it.” And in 2026, a lot of Long Island homeowners are learning that the hard way.
 
In this episode, I sit down with Carrie Cappello, Vice President of Solar Services at Marcor Solar, to break down the real-world side of solar ownership that nobody talks about enough: orphan systems, service gaps, and what happens when the company that installed your panels disappears. Carrie explains why Marcor has become the “foster mom” of solar on Long Island, stepping in to handle 30 to 50 service calls every week for homeowners who don’t know where to turn. 🎙️☀️
 
We get into the most common issues we see with second-generation solar homeowners, why a system designed for the previous owner may not match your family’s usage today, and how small lifestyle changes like adding an EV, a hot tub, dehumidifiers, or work-from-home habits can quietly spike your bill. Carrie also walks through the biggest risks homeowners face when the wrong contractor touches a system, including licensing and insurance exposure, warranty problems, and lease or loan consequences if the proper steps aren’t followed. We also cover PSEG time-of-use, why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and the simple weekly habit that can save you months of lost production.
 
Welcome to Episode 26 of Marcor Studios.
Because solar works best when it’s understood, monitored, and serviced the right way.
 
Connect with us on social!
💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction
📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction
🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction
🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com
 
💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast?
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.
 
#Marcor #MarcorStudios #MarcorConstruction #MarcorSolar #GinaFarese #CarrieCappello #SolarService #SolarMaintenance #OrphanSystems #LongIslandSolar #SolarMonitoring #HomeEnergy

When it comes to large-scale community projects, leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about accountability.
 
In this episode, I sit down with Michael Rutigliano, President of High Oaks in Huntington, to break down what responsible HOA leadership actually looks like. With nearly four decades on Wall Street and a hands-on approach to governance, Michael shares how preparation, transparency, and partnership helped guide a million-dollar exterior renovation across 39 units without a third-party management company. 🎙️🏘️
 
We talk due diligence beyond price, why contractor competence matters more than low bids, how proper insurance and labor law protection safeguard entire communities, and what it takes to earn homeowner buy-in when major votes don’t go your way the first time. From financing hurdles to fast-track execution, this conversation is a masterclass in leadership, risk management, and what happens when boards and contractors work as true partners.
 
Welcome to Episode 25 of Marcor Studios.
Because strong communities are built by leaders who show up.
 
Connect with Michael Rutigliano of High Oaks:
🏘️ Community | High Oaks Village, Huntington, NY
 
Connect with us on social!
💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction
📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction
🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction
🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com
 
💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast?
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.
 
#Marcor #MarcorStudios #MarcorConstruction #MarcorSolar #GinaFarese #MichaelRutigliano #HighOaks #HOALeadership #CommunityDevelopment #RiskManagement #ConstructionProjects #LongIslandCommunities

The solar boom created thousands of systems. It also created thousands of unanswered service calls.
 
In this episode, I sit down with Tara McDermott to officially welcome her as the new Director of Solar + Storage Services at Marcor Solar. With nearly a decade of experience working alongside our team, Tara breaks down the realities facing homeowners today: orphaned systems, lack of monitoring, insurance complications, and the growing need for licensed, long-term solar service solutions. 🎙️☀️
 
We unpack why solar was never meant to be “set it and forget it,” how improper removals and reinstalls can put financing and warranties at risk, and why education, maintenance, and system performance matter more now than ever as tax credits disappear and the industry recalibrates. From critter damage and roof integrity to monitoring, diagnostics, and compliance, this episode is about protecting the investment homeowners have already made.
 
Welcome to Episode 24 of Marcor Studios.
Because real sustainability requires long-term commitment.
 
Connect with us on social!
💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction
📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction
🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction
🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com
 
💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast?
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.
 
#Marcor #MarcorStudios #MarcorConstruction #MarcorSolar #GinaFarese #SolarSolutions #TaraMcDermott #SolarService #OrphanedSystems #EnergyMaintenance #SolarIndustry #LongIslandEnergy #HomeownerEducation

Growth doesn’t break businesses. Avoiding hard conversations does.
 
In this episode, I sit down with Susan Gatti, Business Consultant and Founder of Disruptive Spark, to unpack what actually holds companies back as they scale. From leadership blind spots to operational bottlenecks, Susan shares why most businesses don’t fail because of strategy. They stall because of mindset, structure, and communication gaps. 🎙️⚡
 
We talk about building teams that can handle growth, why founders must evolve faster than their companies, and how clarity, accountability, and execution separate businesses that plateau from those that thrive. Susan’s approach is direct, honest, and rooted in real-world transformation, not buzzwords.
 
Welcome to Episode 23 of Marcor Studios.
Because sustainable growth starts with uncomfortable truths.
 
Connect with Susan Gatti of Disruptive Spark®️:
☎️ Phone | (516) 202-8884
📨 Email | susan@disruptivespark.com
🌐 Website | www.disruptivespark.com
💬 Instagram | @susangatti1
🎬 YouTube | www.youtube.com/@disruptivespark
 
Connect with us on social!
💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction
📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction
🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction
🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com
 
💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast?
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.
 
#Marcor #MarcorStudios #MarcorConstruction #MarcorSolar #GinaFarese #SusanGatti #DisruptiveSpark #BusinessLeadership #ScalingCompanies #FounderMindset #OperationalClarity #WomenInBusiness

When it comes to selling (or buying) a home, the decisions you make before the listing can add or subtract real money at the closing table.
 
In this episode, I sit down with Reenie Murino & Paul Musso of Team Musso for a straight-talk strategy session on pre-listing moves that actually have ROI: do the roof before you list if it’s borderline, clean up the exterior story (front door, gutters, proper leaders), and use timeless, neutral materials that broaden buyer appeal. 🎙️🛠️
 
You’ll hear why buyers often double the cost of unseen repairs during negotiation, how unregistered product warranties can leave owners with zero coverage, and why a Solar + Roof Inspection matters when panels are on the house (critters, penetrations, financing, and transfer issues that typical home inspections may skip). We close with real talk on budgets, fair margins vs. pressure sales, and building a home that serves your family, not just a future appraisal.
 
Welcome to Episode 22 of Marcor Studios.
Because a well-prepared home sells itself.
 
Connect with Team Musso:
☎️ Phone | (631) 865-7745
📨 Email | info@teammusso.com
🌐 Website | www.teammusso.com
📲 Facebook | Team Musso Realty Connect USA
💬 Instagram | @teammusso
 
Connect with us on social!
💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction
📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction
🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction
🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com
 
💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast?
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.
 
#Marcor #MarcorStudios #MarcorConstruction #MarcorSolar #GinaFarese #TeamMusso #ReenieMurino #PaulMusso #HomeSellingTips #CurbAppeal #Roofing #Siding #SolarMaintenance #WarrantyRegistration #LongIslandRealEstate

From backyard play sets to full-scale outdoor living spaces, few businesses on Long Island have evolved quite like Wood Kingdom West.
 
In this episode, I sit down with Bryan Spodek, owner of Wood Kingdom West, to talk about the company’s 36-year legacy of craftsmanship, community, and family values. We discuss how his father’s vision of helping families spend more time outdoors turned into a trusted household brand, and how that same philosophy continues to shape their business today. 🎙️🪵
 
Bryan also shares his forward-thinking approach to solar energy, his partnership with Marcor, and how diversification keeps his company strong even as the industry shifts. From swing sets to solar panels, it’s a story about growth, trust, and doing business the right way: with heart.
 
Welcome to Episode 21 of Marcor Studios.
Because when your business is built on values, every customer becomes part of the family.
 
Connect with Bryan Spodek of Wood Kingdom West:
☎️ Phone | (631) 845-3804
📨 Email | woodkingdomwest@gmail.com
🌐 Website | www.woodkingdomwest.com
📲 Facebook | Wood Kingdom West
💬 Instagram | @woodkingdomwest
 
Connect with us on social!
💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction
📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction
🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction
🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com
 
💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast?
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.
 
#Marcor #MarcorStudios #MarcorConstruction #MarcorSolar #GinaFarese #BryanSpodek #WoodKingdomWest #OutdoorInnovation #SolarEnergy #BusinessEvolution #LongIslandBusiness #FamilyLegacy #LongIslandPride

From outdated buy-sell agreements to ignored retirement plans, most business owners are one unexpected event away from financial chaos.
 
In this episode, I sit down with Justin Manfredo of Life Legacy Concepts, who breaks down how to protect your company, your partners, and your family through smart financial planning. His message is simple: start early, plan wisely, and treat your business like the legacy it’s meant to be. 🎙️📑
 
From keyman insurance, buy-sell agreements, retirement plans, and funding strategies to rolling over old 401(k)s and insuring your kids early, Justin explains how to turn financial planning from an afterthought into a foundation.
 
Welcome to Episode 20 of Marcor Studios.Because financial planning isn’t about money, it’s about protecting what matters most.
 
Connect with Justin Manfredo of Life Legacy Concepts:☎️ Phone | (631) 902-6713📨 Email | jmanfredo@barnumfg.com 🌐 Website | www.lifelegacyconcepts.com📲 Facebook | Justin Manfredo - Life Legacy Concepts💻 LinkedIn | Justin Manfredo - Life Legacy Concepts
 
Connect with us on social!💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com
 
💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast?We’d love to hear from you! Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.
 
#Marcor #MarcorStudios #MarcorConstruction #MarcorSolar #GinaFarese #JustinManfredo #LifeLegacyConcepts #FinancialSecurity #FamilyFinance #LegacyPlanning #MoneyMoves #WealthProtection #BusinessContinuity #LongIslandConstruction

What happens when the people you work so hard for sit across from you on the podcast? 
 
In this heartfelt episode, I welcome my two daughters, Julianna and Gabriella Farese, for a special conversation about life behind the scenes of a family-run business. 🎙️❤️
 
The girls talk about everything from growing up around roofing jobs and podcast recordings to selling bracelets for charity and dreaming about their own future careers. I open up about the tough balance between building a thriving business and being a present mom, while Gabriella and Julianna share their honest (and hilarious) takes on what mom does best.
 
Welcome to Episode 19 of Marcor Studios.
If you’ve followed me on my business journey, this is the episode that reveals the heart behind it all.
 
Connect with us on social!
💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction
📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction
🎬 TikTok | @MarcorConstruction
🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com
 
💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast?
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.
 
#MarcorStudios #MarcorConstruction #GinaFarese #GabriellaFarese #JuliannaFarese #FamilyBusiness #WorkingMoms #WomenInConstruction #MomLife #MarcorLegacy

What does it take to earn the trust of Long Island’s top builders, developers, and trades?
 
In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Spurgeon, founder of Businesses of Superior Standards (BOSS) — a network built on excellence, ethics, and lasting relationships. 🎙️🌐
 
From the evolution of Long Island’s commercial landscape to the importance of integrity in business, Steve shares how BOSS became the go-to circle for vetted companies that deliver real results. Together, they dive into networking that actually works, the value of reputation in construction, and how collaboration, not competition, drives industry growth.
 
This conversation is more than a look inside a business group. It’s a masterclass on how to build a community that builds each other up.
 
Welcome to Episode 18 of Marcor Studios.Because when you raise your standards, everything you build stands stronger.
 
Connect with Stephen Spurgeon of Businesses of Superior Standards (BOSS):☎️ Phone | (516) 987-3099📨 Email | Stephen@Theb2bBOSS.com🌐 Website | www.theb2bboss.com📲 Facebook | BOSS - Businesses of Superior Standards💻 LinkedIn | Stephen Spurgeon - Businesses Of Superior Standards
 
Connect with us on social!💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com
 
💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast?We’d love to hear from you! Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.
 
#Marcor #MarcorStudios #MarcorConstruction #GinaFarese #StephenSpurgeon #BOSS #LongIslandBusiness #ConstructionNetworking #BuiltWithIntegrity #CommercialConstruction #LeadershipInConstruction

From payroll audits to new labor laws, the rules are changing, and ignorance isn’t an excuse.
 
In this episode, I sit down with Miriam Hubbard of PBI Payroll, who pulls back the curtain on the biggest payroll mistakes currently happening in the construction industry: misclassifying workers as independent contractors, paying manual laborers incorrectly, failing to meet salary thresholds, and not tracking overtime. 🎙️📑
 
We also unpack the new 2025 updates, including prenatal leave requirements, minimum wage increases, pension contribution mandates, and more. Miriam’s advice? Document everything, know the rules, and invest in compliance before one complaint brings the Department of Labor to your door.
 
Welcome to Episode 17 of Marcor Studios.
Because in payroll, what you don’t know can bankrupt you.
 
Connect with Miriam Hubbard of PBI Payroll:
☎️ Phone | (888) 468-6724
📨 Email | mhubbard@pbipayroll.com 
🌐 Website | www.pbipayroll.com
💻 LinkedIn | Miriam Hubbard - PBI Payroll Stoneham HS
 
Connect with us on social!
💬 Instagram | @MarcorConstruction
📲 Facebook | Marcor Construction
🎬 TikTok | Marcor Construction
🌐 Website | www.marcorny.com
 
💌 Want to collaborate or be a guest on the podcast?
We’d love to hear from you! Email us at marketing@marcorinstalls.com.
 
#Marcor #MarcorStudios #MarcorConstruction #MarcorSolar #GinaFarese #PBIpayroll #MiriamHubbard #PayrollCompliance #ConstructionBusiness #1099vsW2 #HRCompliance #NYDOL #ContractorLife