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May 18, 2023
Part 2 Empowering the Next Generation of Skilled Tradespeople with Paige “Plumber Paige” Knowles
Most plumbers you know are middle-aged men, am I right? Well, you’re about to hear from a young woman who’s transforming the skilled trades industry, making it a space for people of all ages and genders to find success and fulfillment. Tune in to this episode of Learnings and Missteps to learn from Paige Knowles, aka Plumber Paige, a 20-year-old construction management student, business owner, skilled trades advocate, public speaker, social media influencer, and author. From a trade-curious da...
May 11, 2023
This 20-Year-Old Entrepreneur is Empowering the Next Generation of Skilled Tradespeople with Paige “Plumber Paige” Knowles
This 20-Year-Old Entrepreneur is Empowering the Next Generation of Skilled Tradespeople with Paige “Plumber Paige” Knowles Most plumbers you know are middle-aged men, am I right? Well, you’re about to hear from a young woman who’s transforming the skilled trades industry, making it a space for people of all ages and genders to find success and fulfillment. Tune in to this episode of Learnings and Missteps to learn from Paige Knowles, aka Plumber Paige, a 20-year-old construction management stu...
May 4, 2023
Part 2 From Apprentice to WorldSkills Competitor: Where the Trades Can Take You with Louise Azzopardi
The trades can take you places you have never been before, including an international skilled trades competition! Tune in to this episode of Learnings and Missteps with Louise Azzopardi, a heavy vehicle mechanic turned life coach, mentor, and motivational speaker based in Sydney, Australia. Louise was the first woman to compete in Heavy Vehicle Mechanics at the WorldSkills International Competition. If anyone knows the value of discovering what you don’t know, it’s Louise. What started as a c...
April 27, 2023
From Apprentice to WorldSkills Competitor: Where the Trades Can Take You with Louise Azzopardi Part 1
The trades can take you places you have never been before, including an international skilled trades competition! Tune in to this episode of Learnings and Missteps with Louise Azzopardi, a heavy vehicle mechanic turned life coach, mentor, and motivational speaker based in Sydney, Australia. Louise was the first woman to compete in Heavy Vehicle Mechanics at the WorldSkills International Competition. If anyone knows the value of discovering what you don’t know, it’s Louise. What started as a c...
March 28, 2023
Lester Young Path to Redemption
We got a special treat for you. I got to interview Lester Young on the OG Spotlight Livestream and his story moved me so I felt the need to share the conversation here. Lester's story is one of perseverance after spending 20 years in prison he is now walking in service to others. Taking the lessons he learned and paying it forward. Path 2 Redemption Website: https://path2redemption.org/about-lester Connect with Lester on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lester-young-b1b6a0106/ OG Spotlig...
Feb. 24, 2023
Finding Joy and Creativity in Welding & Metal Art with Courtney Chard
Many of us fear turning our hobbies into a career will make us hate our hobbies… but today’s guest has figured out how to keep finding joy, creativity, and fulfillment in both. She’s learned how to make money from her passion and share her talents with the world, all while inspiring others to be creative and even join the trades themselves. Tune in to this episode of Learnings and Missteps as I welcome Courtney Chard, a pressure pipe welder by trade and self-taught metal artist based in Toronto...
Feb. 17, 2023
How to Create Systematic Change, Reduce Turnover, & Feel More Fulfilled at Work with John Toups
Do you believe in the value of your workers? Do you believe that your employees are the most valuable asset of your company? Do you want to create systematic change in your company and feel more fulfilled at work? If so, join me in this episode of Learnings and Missteps as I welcome John Toups, Founder and CEO of MyeTracker, to talk about how to reduce turnover and increase job satisfaction for your employees and for yourself. John created a system that helps leaders in the trades find fulfillm...
Feb. 9, 2023
Finding a Career in the Trades That FIRES YOU UP with Firestopper Sharron Halpert
No one’s path to success in the trades is linear. Many of us have had several different jobs and hurdles to jump over before finding the career that ‘clicks’ and truly fires us up. Speaking of fire, how would you like a peek into the world of a professional firestopper and life safety consultant? Join me on this episode of Learnings and Missteps as I welcome Sharron Halpert, Founder of Halpert Life Safety Consulting. Sharron is here to share the wisdom she’s gained from a 20+ year-long career i...
Feb. 2, 2023
The Goal Final Calabosession
This is it the final Calabosession with Thomas Lamay on The Goal. This episode is packed with personal insights on leadership, courage and organizational change. Thomas makes an important announcement that will benefit the Construction Industry for years to come. Connect with a group of professionals engaged in deepening their leadership skills https://www.depthbuilder.com/emotional-bungee-jumpers Get yourself a sample of the Lean & Love Reflection Guide with journal prompts that help you fo...
Jan. 3, 2023
The Goal Calabosession #6
Thomas Lamay & Jesse Hernandez are at it again. Talking about the string and the drum plus their personal insights on leadership and continuous improvement. This is the 2nd to last conversation on The Goal. get your copy of Lean & Love at https://www.depthbuilder.com/5s Get started journaling with the Lean & Love Reflection Journal: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Reflection-Journal-Jesus-Hernandez/dp/B0BNTT3LQ5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4PYPGSF8SRRT&keywords=lean+%26+love+reflection+journal&qid=1672712968...
Dec. 18, 2022
The Goal Calabosession #5
Jesse & Thomas Lamay are at again talking about engaging with the Trades, constraints and making construction better for everyone involved. Oh Yeah and they talk about The Goal also ;-)
Nov. 26, 2022
The Goal Calabosession #4
Thomas and I are back at it again with collab session number four, and it's kind of like our really good friend, Mr. Davis Hambrick said, the entire conversation is. Framed around the, the goal, and then we just kind of keep veering off and getting into deeper subjects, like super deep, highly intellectual subjects like booger, flicking, I know it sounds goofy, but there is a serious tone to the whole idea. You're gonna have to listen to catch that one. we also jump into constraint management an...
Nov. 6, 2022
The Pros and Cons of Giving Up Your Dream to Pursue a Different Career Path with Rolando Sanchez
Have you ever wondered, “Damn, where would I be now if I didn’t give up on my dream?” You’re not the only one. Betraying yourself by fearing rejection, or even fearing success, is a hard pill to swallow. Join me as I talk with Rolando Sanchez, Performance Evaluator at Field Verified and former baseball coach and scout, about his journey to entering the trades and how he turned his fear of rejection into success and fulfillment. After college, Rolando became a high school substitute teacher and...
Oct. 25, 2022
Finding Drive and Career Satisfaction Through Ironworking with Kasia Sznel
Some of us find it impossible to feel driven and excited by traditional careers… that’s why it’s important to explore all types of career paths, especially in the trades! Join me as I chat with Kasia Sznel, Structural Ironworker at NYC Locals 40 & 361, about how becoming an ironworker changed her life and gave her purpose and drive in her career. Kasia didn’t know about the ironworking profession until she was 24, and didn’t consider ironworking as a viable career for women until she was 27, w...
Oct. 16, 2022
The Goal Calabosession #3
Thomas Lamay brings it again. This time addressing the subject of masculinity and actions we can take to improve mental wellness in the construction Industry. Plus we finally talk about the infamous Herby and bottle necks. connect with Thomas at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaslamay/ catch the previous videos of this conversation at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnVikYCgUE4GewVfVwUKBgb_v6lSgzlot Get yourself a copy of Lean & Love at: https://www.depthbuilder.com/5s
Oct. 6, 2022
Mental Health Breaks, Switching Jobs, & Inspiring the Next Generation with Aaron Gibson
There’s a lot of room for improvement in demonstrating care and appreciation for people in the trades. Tradespeople change lives! As a tradesperson, you have the opportunity to help develop other people by sharing the knowledge you’ve gained. Though, it’s a lot harder to help others when you aren’t taking the time to help yourself. Join me in this episode as I talk with HVAC pro, Aaron Gibson, about the importance of mental health breaks, the pains of frequently switching jobs, and how we can i...
Sept. 30, 2022
The Goal Calabosession #2
This is the second installment, the second issue, the second recording with Mr. Thomas Lamay on our collab O session over the goal. So far, the feedback on the first one has been amazing, and I kind of knew like, yeah, it's long. This one's almost as long, But it's so packed with his stories of how he applied, what he was learning, like in the moment. He makes references to his journal that he was keeping as he was going along, building this project in San Francisco and jotting down what he was...
Sept. 15, 2022
The Goal Calabosession #1
Oh man, this one has been a long time coming. the seed was planted by Thomas Thomas. Lame. If you don't know Mr. Thomas lame, you're gonna get to know him, uh, super deep intellect, excitement around systems thinking and the theory of constraints. Uh, the seed was planted back when Felipe and I were recording the collab sessions on the lean builder. He dropped a little comment on the chat and we went ahead and challenged him to go ahead. Jump in and record a collabo session of the goal. And I d...
Sept. 8, 2022
Lessons Learned From Rapid Business Growth & Letting go of Employees with Michael Bauman
Struggles, we all face them. In school, in work, in our personal lives, and in our relationships. If we use the lessons we learn from the struggles we face to inspire the rest of our choices, there’s no saying what we can’t achieve. Join me in this episode as I speak with landscaper, entrepreneur, and opportunist, Michael Bauman, about the lessons he’s learned from starting a business, the dangers of achieving rapid business growth, and how he’s recovering after recently firing several valuable...
Aug. 27, 2022
From Working in the Oil Field to VP of Sales with Jennifer Longoria
Struggles, we all face them. In school, in work, in our personal lives, and in our relationships. If we use the lessons we learn from the struggles we face to inspire the rest of our choices, there’s no saying what we can’t achieve. Join me in this episode as I speak with Jennifer Longoria, VP of Sales, about her uniquely challenging life and how she got inspired to climb the corporate ladder of the construction industry. Jennifer and I actually grew up together and after living two very diffe...
Aug. 11, 2022
Becoming a More Impactful, Self-Aware, People-First Business Leader with Chris Gutkes of Island Elevator
Personal development is a huge part of anyone’s career, even for those in the trades industry. Self-awareness, empathy, honesty, and communication are key factors to being an effective leader, business owner, and most importantly, becoming the best version of yourself. Join me in this episode as I speak with Chris Gutkes, President of Island Elevator, a people-first company offering the most comprehensive selection of elevator products and services on Long Island, NY. As a 4th generation elevat...
Aug. 2, 2022
This Carpenter Designed Innovative, Functional Clothing for Tradespeople (& It’s CHANGING the Industry) with Pete Zeppetella
Being a little too careless on the job site or not having the proper gear can mean big consequences… or at the very least, a major reality check! In this episode, I speak with Pete Zeppetella, a licensed journeyman carpenter and CEO of Zepps Gear. Before getting into the trades, Pete actually dreamed of being a clothing designer. Fortunately for him, his passion for clothing later collided with his carpentry profession. This lead him to start a company that produces innovative, high-functioning...
July 14, 2022
Overcoming Doubt to Become President of Iron Workers 197 with Carole Raftrey
One thing the trades industry needs more of is support. Support for one another’s success, support for a better work/life balance, support in achieving goals and promotions, and frankly, more support for women. In this episode, I welcome Carole Raftrey, a 30-year iron worker based in New York City and President of Iron Workers 197. Carole has experienced a regretful misstep that many of us don’t talk about, but she’s here to shed light on that misstep and share the empowering lesson she learned...
July 2, 2022
Finding Your Niche in the Trades, Growing Strategically, & Keeping a Business Alive During a Recession with Angela Gardner
If one thing’s certain about working in a non-traditional role, it’s that you’ll never retire without a learning and misstep. Thankfully, we have people like Angela Gardner to empower women to build non-traditional careers, despite how dirty or unconventional it might be, and to create supportive communities for women in the trades so they can truly thrive. In this episode, I welcome Angela Gardner, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Hill Electric Company, Co-Host of the Women Ta...