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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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ;-)

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

In a world that’s so demanding and fast-paced, it’s important that we slow down and connect with ourselves and each other. That’s the main lesson this week’s guest has learned (and is still learning) along her career path. In this episode, I welcome Christi Powell, Co-Founder of Women Confidence Builders, WBE-certified Sales Representative for 84 Lumber, and co-host of the Women Talk Construction podcast. After working in male-dominated industries for 27 years, once she started working in in th...

With the recent influx of technology and digital innovation, every business in every industry has the opportunity to become more efficient, sustainable, and optimize their processes. People in the trades are no exception! So, what happens when you mix digital innovation, financial education, and the trades? Here’s a hint… it involves SUCCESS. In this episode, I welcome Michael Fina, a New York City native who for the past 15 years has been working with LendingClub, a union-founded bank, and The...

Female and minority contractors need more representation, compensation, and respect in their industry. There’s no doubt about it! But how do we make that happen? This week’s guest is a prime example of that mission coming to life. In this episode, I welcome Demetria Bivens, Managing Member at dlb Consultants and Senior Executive Director of Business Development for DFW Airport Texas. Demetria is on a mission to change the narrative around minority contractors and bring more respect and recognit...

Gabriel Garcia shares some the recruiting secrets Marek uses to engage High School students in accessing fruitful careers. With early dreams as a Rockstar he found an environment he would thrive in on the jobsite. Understanding the value of giving back to the community, Gabriel took a leadership role as the Build Competition Rockstar with Texas Construction Careers Initiative.

As professionals in the trade industry, we have the power to do more than just pour concrete, weld metal structures, or build an elevator car… we have the power to build people and create a sense of depth, or deeper meaning, in our industry. In this episode, I welcome Edward A. Rivera, also known as Your Elevator Pal. Ed is a Modernization/Construction Foremen, but beyond that, he’s a content creator who’s passionate about sharing his love for his profession with the world via LinkedIn. Listen...