Scaling Back on Blog Posts

I kicked off this year with the Response to TV Show Viewers series from January and into July, with those articles falling into a Monday-Wednesday-Friday pattern. Since then, I've posted on Mondays while considering how this blog will fit in with my other work and writing. 

Going way back, finding balance has been bumpy for me. And it was like this when I first started working for myself, and similar yet different after marriage and fatherhood, with me continuing to struggle to get a reasonable grip on some sensible, productive, healthy dynamic since. 

Trent Fasnacht

These last several years have created new challenges and a fresh search for equilibrium that feels right. Within this ongoing phase, I've developed renewed appreciation for Blood, Sweat, and Pig's Ears as my place to share writing and then direct people who reach out.

For now, I am going to scale back here and Substack in order to refocus on larger writing projects. I will begin posting on each at the beginning of the month, coupled with a commitment to maintain this approach into 2027. 

Until then, thank you, and have a great rest of your summer.     

   

A Better View Behind the TV Curtain - Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 18

(Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 17 - March 2, 2026)

From the start, some who’ve seen me on American Rehab Charleston or Restoring Charleston have been curious to know if I’d steadily lobbied the television networks, or rather was that the way for them to get on television themselves? Am I an example of persistence and tenacity? Or did I know someone, did I have a friend or relative in network TV or Hollywood or something, someone I could refer them to so they could pitch their own ideas? I’ve always been sorry to have to say that the answer to the first two questions is ‘no’ and proud, yet less glad, to say that it’s the same for the third one.  

Because rehab addict Nicole Curtis commented on my blog, I started writing more prolifically about HGTV/DIY and their shows, saying wonderfully supportive and enthusiastic things about these home renovation programs. After a year and a half of this periodic gushing, I received an email from a producer that tied back to that website. So, my conclusion from the start of this TV chapter of my career has been that Blood, Sweat, and Pig’s Ears was the foundation for this opportunity.

I realize some think my connection of these dots—Ms. Curtis to my blog to a NYC TV producer and then to me—is silly. And silliness may just be the case. However, I’ve had no other answer. The shows are still on and people hold curiosity. So, for those after added clarity or clues so they can make their own splash, I’ve written this series of posts sorting through this history.

Back to my retelling. I’d been delayed in actually finding the email from the HGTV/DIY producer by about one week. I wanted to respond quickly, think, and then react fittingly. I thanked the producer for reaching out with an assurance that I would circle back shortly.

After the second response I would be ready to get back to life; family, kids, and finding my next project house. But I was truly excited to make the video and see if it might lead to anything. And this opened up my next list of questions.

I really wanted to be involved with the home improvement networks in some way. This had become a tangible goal. Just to be in the mix in any capacity would be an honor. Remote consulting or perhaps involvement on a Charleston project in the works sounded amazing. My career was a diverse collection of many different types of projects, and historic restoration or TV beach remodel was something I’d be up for. Anything that would add experience and skills to my resume tool bag appealed to me.   

Around this time, many networks were taking their own stabs at game show type formatting that discovered new talent by featuring and eliminating contestants after skill showcasing challenges. I had learned that The Food Network did this regularly and friends had told me how the home improvement networks had also aired shows like this. These folks had suggested in the past how they thought I should consider submitting a video for these contest type programs. And although these recommendations were flattering, I hadn’t taken any steps for that. After seeing those shows, I just didn’t think I’d have a real shot.

So as much as I was prepared for a chance to work behind the scenes—scheduling, coordinating, and consulting with designers, architects, tradespeople and vendors—I was also willing to see what it could feel like to be in front of cameras if that’s what might be in store.

As I thought out what I wanted to say in the video going up to Manhattan, I made sure to be ready to mention how I’d love to be a part of anything they were doing. That was my original mission and how I genuinely felt. Now that a connection had been established, I just wanted a better view at what was behind the curtain.

(Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 19 - March 6, 2026)

Blogging in Lieu of Other Tactics - Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 17

(Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 16 - February 27, 2026)

One way to help those aspiring for exposure of their own while also just telling the story some are interested in, is to own-up to many of my mistakes. And this is the tricky part, because it can come across as if I’m making excuses, and I’d rather not do that since I don’t see much real benefit to anyone in that. Me included.

Some can say that one big misstep was in not taking some initiative before the fall of 2013, me reaching out to the networks with a suggestion that we collaborate. If I thought I had their attention, why not make an effort to connect in some way? I agree this is a great idea, but I didn’t know who or where to write, speculating that my attempts would end up in a junk folder or the trash. Being more positive is a healthy mindset. But I was thinking along the lines of Clint Eastwood’s character in the film Heartbreak Ridge: “A man’s got to know his limitations.” Although I was willing to go for it, I just didn’t know how to go about doing that other than blogging.

Why not make videos for YouTube? That would have been a good way to grab the attention of people working in television.  

That’s a smart idea. I like that suggestion. I think a person needs a certain level of sureness in themselves and their abilities to do that. For me, writing and editing my stories and advice was a big leap that’s certainly become easier. Sure, I had the videos from renovating my Hurricane House, but I understood I needed help editing for my footage, etcetera and I just didn’t know where to find it to put something together that would be worthy.

Writing was different. I could do all that myself, let my wife proofread for errors, and then hit publish.     

Still, I will concede that putting videos out there, finding a way to get that done, may have been better and a more effective way of getting or maintaining the attention of the networks. But to be clear, I wasn’t trying to get on TV. I had my initial goals of connecting with a homeowner or seller, or people in the book publishing world. And then after Nicole Curtis commented on my blog, I thought HGTV and DIY were keeping eyes on me, so I was writing for my chance to work with them. Being on television was not my objective. I didn’t think it would fit with my family life nor that I had what it took.

My skin is thicker these days, making it easier to accept or even point out my own mistakes. So, if you think I could have taken a different tactic toward connecting with the home improvement networks, in my opinion, you’re not wrong.  

(Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 18 - March 4, 2026)

Blog with a Dog Named Cerberus - Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 6

(Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 5 - February 2, 2026)

In the summer of 2011, I wrote my introductory blog posts to burn a few hours while my four-year-old was at VBS. Then I came up with a short list of possible titles; catchy, mind-grabbing labels that people could easily remember and find on the internet. However, one after another had already been snatched up by website founders I considered as clever, yet quicker than me.  

I kept at it though, seeking out something unique to name my blog. This thinking took me back to my early inroads into renovating when one doubt filled visitor, convinced of my imminent failure said, "You can't turn a pig's ear into a silk purse." But I found ways of saving that house, the one deemed uninhabitable after a devastating fire. And this led to something else noteworthy: my winning a contest on thisoldhouse.com, the site of the show that had fertilized the seed for my renovation dreams.  

Even with this unlikely success, subsequent jacked up house projects had also been initially seen as foolishness. But the resurrections were forged around my joy of these challenges, a passion that made it easy for me to let this work consume the bulk of my thoughts and time for nearly ten years.

Although I hadn't cried, I’d been bloodied and dripped plenty of sweat on my jobsites. So, I eventually combined that ill spoken remark with the well-known idiom, blood, sweat, and tears, and typed “Blood, Sweat, and Pig's Ears” into the on-line search box. It was up for the taking and I had this blog name.

*

Before marriage and fatherhood, most of my decisions seemed predicated on the schedules and budgets and profit margins of my work:

How long will this take?

How much is it going to cost?

And How will this or that impact the property's value?

But by 2011, my thoughts had become dominated with getting our daughter ready for kindergarten, my stepson's development, and trying to be supportive of my wife in her role as a special needs mom. My life of rehabbing had been eclipsed by other priorities; beyond anything I’d anticipated.

I was steadily eating into my nest egg as I struggled to find family/work balance

, some equilibrium that was also profitable. Writing emerged as something I could do as I stood ready to fill the next need at home. Plus, it helped me cope with the end of the life I’d had before marriage.

Along with answering questions, sharing what I’d learned while trying to inspire others, I had three hopeful objectives that were the early foundation of Blood, Sweat, and Pig's Ears. The first focused on connecting with a motivated seller of an unwanted property, maybe a house with gnarly damage or issues I was uniquely qualified to sort out and address. Secondly, I was optimistic this log could help me find a client with a challenging home other contractors wouldn't take on. Or lastly, by putting myself into wider view as an essayist, I had fantasies of linking up with someone in the world of writing.

I didn't need this site to help me land more than one legitimate opportunity. I only needed one hit to make this step into murky territory feel like it was over and above a cool new hobby. Yet more significantly, I really needed BSAPE to help me regain footing on a fresh patch of solid ground.

(Response to TV View Show Viewers: Post 7 - Coming Soon)

Teaching and Coaching and Coping - Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 5

My Contractor/Family Man Standoff - Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 4 (January 30, 2026)

People have been really great about listening to my simple explanation: that this blog was the catalyst leading to my time on TV. However, I realize some have found this hard to swallow, as if I’m not telling them the whole story, which is accurate. I don’t think most people really want to hear all that much, recognizing that they’re being polite to ask, but appreciate being spared on the nuts-and-bolts play-by-play. However, some really want to know more, so they can chart their own course or maybe simply feel more satisfied with what they know of my story. So, for those after added background, I am laying out some of my history as I sort through it.

Into my new role as husband, father, and stepfather, I realized my schedule was less forgiving. I made adjustments, hitting pause on new clients. Instead, I focused on projects where I was owner and GC, so I could work and step away as my wife and I tag teamed childcare duties. In the five years after getting married, I designed and built a home to sell and renovated three rundown houses and an outbuilding. The economy was neck deep in the recession when I closed out my last two properties in Charleston, and I felt thankful to break even on both.

More than life being a little different, my career of renovating houses was on life support. During this time transitioning from full-time contractor and renovator to family man, I started this blog. People had steadily asked me how I approached my renovations, and I discovered that as much as I enjoyed answering questions, giving advice, I also really liked writing about it. Sharing my written thoughts was way outside my comfort zone and ended up being a nice rush. I wasn’t strategizing or thinking too hard about what I was doing or where the blog might lead, nor did I have an editor or co-hort. My wife was my proofreader and cheerleader, but that was the extent of my blog team. And when I hit the button on that first post, I was in full-fledged denial; the writing was in the first person, present tense as if I was still living within my rehabber lifestyle.

Although this blog has been a way to inspire and educate others, I suppose in a sense I was using it to relive some of those glory days getting smaller in my rearview mirror. I loved my family, and the new life that it created for me, but at the same time I really missed the one I’d had. On top of this, I was disappointed with myself for not being more ready to navigate through the stumps of this husband/fatherhood season. My optimism had bitten me badly and I held fear of losing that too.   

More than being intentionally disingenuous with readers, or potential house sellers I wanted to sit down with, I was being dishonest with myself. My renovating mojo had not disappeared in the blink of an eye, but had lifted up, faded away like an early morning fog; there for a long while before being suddenly gone.

I can speculate that this delivery of my thoughts, feelings, and experiences, though inadvertent and unintended, misled people. And as this was happening, I was simultaneously fooling myself with thoughts of getting back to a substantial part of that way of earning a living after my daughter started school. I was ignorant to think so definitively that it would work out that way. I suppose it could have. It just wasn't meant to be.

Blogging helped me cope, doing a work around on my own ego and identity while struggling to learn how to adequately be there for my family. Simply, yet candidly stated, I failed to confront and adjust to my new reality as quickly as I should have, leading to a writing perspective that was off the mark.

(Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 6 - February 4, 2026)

Resurfacing

I’ve been snorkeling a few times.  I enjoyed it.  I was able to swim in the clear waters of the Caribbean and once got to spend a few hours diving the underwater terrain of the Great Barrier Reef.   Awesome!

In those moments I was mindful of the special circumstances I found myself in, but looking back now, it happened way too fast in many ways.  I was surrounded by colorful flora and fauna and off the coast of Australia there were the amazing coral polyps.  I grew up in the Midwest where we did our swimming in lakes, creeks, and swimming pools.  In many ways I was raised as a landlubber so when I’m out in open water equipped with snorkeling gear, I’m thinking quite a bit about staying afloat, blowing out water, and not drowning.  However, I was sure to appreciate these extraordinary moments until eventually, I swam to the beach or climbed back into a boat and reflected within more familiar conditions as I walked, stood upright, or sat while breathing and talking comfortably.  

In some ways, I’m resurfacing now; as a blogger and as a freelance home renovator.  I’m getting back to normal after the extraordinary experience of being on camera filming the rehab of The TV House.  Like with the snorkeling, I was out of my typical circumstances and I’m just now reflecting on what happened.  Like with the underwater experiences things occurred way too fast in that it was sometimes hard to appreciate them in the moment because I was so busy thinking, describing what I was doing, and trying to not drown (so to speak)… on camera. 

In the waters around the Bahamas, I was able to swim amongst cool fish that seemed almost florescent in how brightly they stood out in the clear water.  Comparatively, I just had the pleasure of working with some amazing production people during the filming of American Rehab Charleston.  Talented, funny, and colorful themselves in the stories they brought with them and in the way they diligently and methodically work at their craft. 

At the Great Barrier Reef, I was able to see and experience something big and extraordinary, in person, in front of my own eyes.  The production side of The TV House was similar for me.  For years people have told me, “You should be on TV.  You should be on one of those home renovation shows.”  And now, I was able to do it.  It was extraordinary.  It was large and impressive to see for myself, to be in the middle of, to experience first hand.  Like being at the GBR, I wasn’t watching all the production activity on a screen or looking at it in a picture, I was there.  Also awesome!     

In resurfacing, I’m getting back to normal.  I’m writing again, which I’m finding I need to do more than I just want to do and I’m finishing The TV House, which I want and need to do.  I’m back to living and working without cameras as I reflect on my experiences filming the show.  It was hard work; crazy, hectic and dirty as construction renovations always are, but it was a tremendous experience having the production crews here, good times and great moments that I don’t want to forget about anytime soon.  

bloodsweatandpigsears@hotmail.com