The Lumber Word

EP 109: Retired for Now. Legendary Forever. The Mike Logelin Story

The Lumber Word welcomes a true legend of Lumber Trading—Mike Logelin—fresh off his retirement after 35 years of wheeling and dealing across the entire lumber and panel catalog. Hailing from the land of lakes and lumber, Mike sits down with Matt, Gregg, Ashley, and Charles to reflect on what made him one of the best in the business. He shares war stories from the trenches, key lessons for traders just starting, and insights into how the game has changed. But don’t think he’s just here for nostalgia—Mike jumps right into the current market action and what’s ahead for 2025. If you buy, sell, or move wood, this episode is a goldmine of tips to help you make smarter (and more profitable) decisions.

EP 108: Housing Market Deep Dive

The Lumber Word team welcomes back Chris Beard, Director of Building Products Research at John Burns Research & Consulting, for another deep dive into the housing market. The episode kicks off with a discussion on tariff talk—or the lack of impact so far—before shifting gears to market trends. Gregg sizes up his trade with Kip, giving him all the time he needs, while Chris shares insights on housing projections for 2025.
From young adults moving out of the basement faster to the continued growth of single-family rentals, Chris breaks down the data behind the next phase of housing demand. The JBREC team nailed their prediction last year that 2025 would be slightly down, and now they’re back with a fresh outlook on what’s next for builders and the construction market.
Matt, Ashley, Charles, and Gregg dig into the key takeaways, making this a must-listen for anyone navigating the intersection of housing, lumber, and economic trends. Don’t miss this episode packed with actionable insights and expert analysis!

EP 107: The Lumber Bet: Tariff or No Tariff?

In this episode of The Lumber Word, we bring on Canadian lumber supply expert and seasoned trader Kip Fotheringham to break down the hard numbers on North American lumber production. Turns out, what we thought we knew doesn’t quite match up with reality! Kip walks us through the latest production data across all species and regions, and the insights may surprise you.
Then, we dive headfirst into the tangled mess of cross-border duties and tariffs between the U.S. and Canada. With speculation running wild and everyone making their best guesses, Gregg and Kip decide to raise the stakes—literally—by placing a bet on whether tariffs are coming or not. Will the industry see a shake-up, or is all this just noise?
If you love a lively, fact-packed discussion with a side of high-stakes lumber wagering, this one's for you. Tune in and get wiser (and maybe even happier) about where the market is headed

EP 106: Housing, Tariffs, and Mill Strategies: Insights with Sig Thoma

Sig Thoma is back on The Lumber Word to share his decades of expertise in the lumber industry! We dive headfirst into the 2024 housing final numbers and their implications for the year ahead. With a new administration stirring up tariff chatter, we tackle how the industry is reacting and what might be on the horizon for lumber and housing markets. Plus, the SYP domination debate rages on, and we get inside the heads of mills to uncover their strategies for selling lumber products. Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode packed with insights and a few laughs along the way!

EP 105: Navigating Tariff Turmoil, Builders’ Mortgages, and Lumber Market Madness with Dustin Jalbert

Back by popular demand, Dustin Jalbert, Senior Economist of Wood Products at Fastmarkets, returns to The Lumber Word podcast for an insightful deep dive into the ever-evolving lumber market. In this episode, Dustin, Matt, Gregg, Ashley, and Charles tackle the complexities of the potential tariff situation and share strategies for cutting through the confusion.
The team explores housing trends, builder inventory levels, and the supply-demand dynamics shaping 2025, along with a lively discussion about the eye-popping builders' mortgages hitting the market. And for those wondering about Charles’ cattle—they make a surprise appearance in the conversation!
As always, the episode is packed with sharp market predictions, trading tips, and a few laughs as the crew debates where the lumber market is headed and how to navigate the road ahead. Tune in for actionable insights and a whole lot of fun!

EP 104: Welcome to 2025

 Welcome to The Lumber Word Podcast, your go-to source for all things lumber and construction materials! 
This week, Matt, Gregg, Charles, and Ashley are kicking off 2025 with a bang as we dive into the North American lumber market’s wild start.  We'll revisit the last few weeks, play a round of Trump Lumber Tariff Bingo, and celebrate our spot-on SYP call from a month ago.  Plus, we’ll break down what’s happening in the supply chain and share insights to help you stay ahead in the industry.
Oh, and did we mention it? Thanks to YOU, our amazing listeners, we’ve been trending as the Top Podcast in the Lumber Industry!  Tune in to hear our gratitude and get ready for another episode packed with laughs, knowledge, and the latest on the lumber world.
Hit that follow button and let’s get started! 

EP 103: Bold Predictions with Economist Brian Wesbury

In this episode of The Lumber Word, we welcome the return of Brian Wesbury, one of the nation’s leading economists, and the Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors. Known for his bold market predictions, Brian shares his insights on today’s economic trends and offers a unique perspective on the future of global finance.
We dig into the lumber and housing markets, looking ahead to 2025, and Brian breaks down what he thinks is next for tariffs and their impact. We also dissect the November Housing Starts and what the 2025 building activity could look like. Whether you’re a trader, builder, or just looking to stay ahead, this episode is packed with valuable insights to give you an edge in the industry. Tune in now!

EP 102: Interholiday Roundup

Gregg, Matt, and Ashley delve into the tumultuous lumber market over the past few weeks. They are joined by Casey O'Neil, who provides essential data on the Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) market. Matt shares valuable insights aimed at younger lumber traders, while Gregg offers an in-depth analysis of the housing market and its potential impact on lumber prices. The episode concludes with the hosts discussing their favorite products and predictions on inventory dynamics, promising listeners an educational and insightful experience.

EP 101: Permits, Progress, and Predictions

Gregg and Ashley welcome James Gallagher, CEO and co-founder of GREENLITE Technologies, to the podcast. James shares how GREENLITE is revolutionizing the permitting process with technology that simplifies, streamlines, and accelerates approvals. Whether you're in construction, development, or anywhere in between, GREENLITE's platform is a game-changer for improving speed and accuracy in navigating red tape. www.Greenlite.com
After the interview, Gregg and Ashley dive into the latest #lumber market action, breaking down how recent tariff chatter might impact the industry. They wrap up with bold predictions for the rest of the month, giving you the insights you need to stay ahead.
Don’t miss this episode packed with innovation, market analysis, and a look at what’s next! 

100 Episodes Strong: The Lumber Word Leading the Way in Industry Insight

In this milestone episode, Matt, Gregg, Charles, and Ashley celebrate 100 episodes of sharing valuable lumber industry insights. They kick things off by expressing gratitude to loyal listeners and their first-ever sponsor, reflecting on the journey so far.
The team dives into the state of the North American lumber market as 2024 winds down and 2025 looms on the horizon. They explore whether buyers are building inventory, examine what the housing market might look like in 2025, and offer their take on the trends for Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) and Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) over the coming months.
Packed with market analysis, actionable insights, and a spirit of giving back to an industry they love, Episode 100 is a testament to why "The Lumber Word" has become a trusted resource in the world of forest products. Tune in to celebrate with the hosts and gain a smarter perspective on the future of lumber!