PODCAST · business
The Line
by Blackline
Step up to The Line. A new podcast focused on highlighting the skilled trades. Showcasing men and women by sharing their stories and experiences. Our guests range from CEOs of 100 million-dollar businesses to a 21-year-old fabricator/welder. By sharing their experiences we aim to inspire the next generation of boys and girls hoping to break the generational miseducation surrounding the trades as an option. The Line is produced by Blackline whose mission is to continue to lift the view of the skilled trades. For trades by trades. Welcome to the Line.Tune in every Monday for a new episode.
Episodes
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Silver & Gold Ft Rick van Nieuwenhuyse Ep.164
In this episode of The Line, I sit down with Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, CEO of Contango Silver & Gold, for a conversation about what it really means to mine in Alaska.Rick shares how mining is about far more than extracting resources. It’s about investing in real people and real communities. It’s…
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(Fault Vs ResponsibilIty Field Notes Issue 13) The Line Ep.163
In this episode of Blackline Field Notes, we’re kicking off a five-part series called Leadership Understands the Difference.Over the years, I’ve learned that sometimes the difference between two words can completely change how we think, respond, and lead. Throughout this series, we’ll be talking...
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The Legacy Ft Nick Laviolette Ep.162
Long before LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, or podcasts existed, there were men who understood the importance of passing along their knowledge, teaching their craft, and mentoring the next generation.In this episode of The Line Podcast, I sit down with Nicholas Laviolette, Director of Mining at LRL...
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(The Breakup Field Notes Issue 12) The Line Ep.161
This week’s Blackline Field Notes, Issue 012: The Breakup is about looking at yourself first, owning what’s yours, recognizing when alignment has changed, and sometimes having the courage to walk away.Because not every relationship needs to be saved, but every ending should teach you something....
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Red Wing shoes Ft Dan Woodard & Miranda Johnson Ep.160
This week on The Line, I sit down with the owner and team at Red Wing Store 705 in Bloomington, Minnesota, to talk about more than just boots. We get into the history of Red Wing, the style and craftsmanship behind the brand, what it means to be part of an organization with that kind of legacy…
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(The Reflection Field Notes Issue 11) The Line Ep.159
Growth changes things. Pressure changes things. Leadership changes things. But somewhere along the way, we have to stop looking at what’s next long enough to look back and ask ourselves: Who am I becoming?In this Field Notes, I talk about growth, leadership, culture, and the importance of being...
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Roles of Leadership Ft Ryan Groff Ep.158
Today I sit down with Ryan Groff, Chief Strategy Officer here at Blackline.Ryan has spent his career leading people—from managing teams on the job site to managing companies. In this conversation, we dig into the strategy behind building a culture where people understand what a career actually...
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(The Personality Field Notes Issue 10) The Line Ep.157
FIELD NOTES 010: THE PERSONALITYSometimes the thing that destroys a project has nothing to do with the work. You can have the right people, the right equipment, and the right experience, but the wrong personalities can change everything. In this Field Note, we look at ego, blame, accountability,...
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(The Mirror Field Notes Issue 9) The Line Ep.156
FIELD NOTES 009: THE MIRROR It’s easy to recognize arrogance, selfishness, and a lack of accountability in everyone else. It’s a lot harder to see it in ourselves. In this Field Note, we look at responsibility, ego, empathy, and the importance of regularly looking in the mirror to ask one…
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Locked In Ft Josh Moser Ep.155
In this episode of The Line, Joshua Mellott of Blackline sits down with Josh Moser of Moser Roofing Solutions to talk about what it means to be LOCKED IN. It’s a phrase Josh’s kids use, but it has become a powerful way to describe the focus, commitment, and intention it takes to build something...
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GROUND ZERO Ft Andrew brown Ep.154
THE LINE | GROUND ZEROThis is a first for us here at Blackline. Today, we’re re-sharing a previous episode of The Line because we believe this story and these words are worth hearing again.Twenty-five years ago today, on September 11, 2001, the United States of America was attacked.We should…
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(The Impact Field Notes Issue 8) The Line Ep.153
--------------------------WHERE TO WATCH:Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...-------------------------FOLLOW JOSH:X: https://x.com/Joshuadmellott... / joshuadmellott LinkedIn: / ...
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The Call Field Notes Issue 7) The Line Ep.152
What is the purpose behind what you do?This week’s Field Notes, The Call, is about finding fulfillment in the work we do by understanding the purpose behind it. It’s about recognizing that our work is more than a job, a title, or a paycheck. There is a reason behind the work, the people we serve,...
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The People Ft Dan Hammarberg Ep.151
This week on The Line, I step up to the line with Dan Hammarberg of Westfield Egg Farm and the Westfield Group.Dan shares his perspective on culture, leadership, and what it really means to care for the people who do the work. We talk about knowing your team, understanding what they’re carrying,...
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(The Grind Field Notes Issue 6) The Line Ep.150
In this week’s Blackline Field Notes: The Grind, we talk about the reality of hard work, fatigue, and what happens when the grind goes on too long. There are times when the work simply has to get done. But as leaders, we have a responsibility to understand what we’re asking our teams to carry....
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Beyond Technology Ft KP Reddy Ep.149
What does the future look like when construction, technology, and the people who do the work come together?From the top of the NASDAQ Tower in Times Square, Joshua D. Mellott sits down with KP Reddy, Founder and CEO of Zero RFI, for a conversation that goes far beyond technology.They talk about…
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(The Experience Field Notes Issue 5) The Line Ep.148
In this Field Notes episode, Joshua Mellott explores The Experience and why great customer service in the skilled trades is about more than simply doing good work. It’s about being intentional with how clients experience you, especially when things get difficult. Strong character, clear...
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(Why Great Contractors Document Everything Field Notes Issue.4) The Line Ep.148
Great contractors don’t document just to check a box. They document with intention.In this issue of Blackline Field Notes, we break down why accurate documentation protects the contractor, the client, the project, and the people doing the work.Lessons Learned Through Experience. Shared for Those…
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Building the Future of Finance in Construction Ft Lou Perez Ep.148
They’re contractors building systems for contractors.Lou shares how their experience in the industry is shaping the technology they’re developing and why understanding the men and women who actually use these systems matters.At Blackline, we say For Trades. By Trades. That same philosophy runs...
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No Ft David Hawthorne Ep.147
What if one of the most important words in business is also one of the hardest to say?This week, David Hawthorne of Hawthorne Electric steps up to the line with Joshua Mellott of Blackline to share nearly 80 years of lessons learned in business and in life.Dave reflects on the word he wishes he…
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(The Cost of Silence On Job Site Field Notes Issue.3) The Ep.146
Blackline Field Notes – Issue 003: The Cost of Silence What does silence really cost on the job site? In this week’s episode of Blackline Field Notes, Joshua shares one of the most expensive lessons of his career. He explores the difference between being a nice guy and being a good man, and why...
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The Cost Ft Chris Maharg & Austin Kessler Ep.146
What does it take to build the next generation of skilled tradesmen?In this episode of The Line, Joshua D. Mellott sits down with the leadership team from the Blackline Institute to talk about apprenticeship, mentorship, and the responsibility of investing in people. As a new year of…
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(Reputation is Built Before The Bid Field Notes Issue.2) The Line Ep.146
Welcome to Blackline Field Notes, our weekly LinkedIn newsletter and companion conversation here on The Line.In this episode, Joshua D. Mellott explores Blackline Field Notes – Issue 002: Reputation Is Built Before the Bid. He shares why your reputation begins long before someone ever calls you,...
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(Every Contract is a Proposal Field Notes Ep. 1) The Line Ep.145
Blackline Field Notes | Issue 001: Every Contract Is a Proposal. Welcome to Blackline Field Notes, our weekly series where we share notes from the field—real experiences from our team, our clients, and the men and women we’ve had the privilege of working alongside throughout the skilled…
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The Heart Ft Rob Stoppard Ep.145
In this conversation, Rob Stoppard of Heart Centered Entrepreneurship gets to the heart of what it means to lead well. We talk about the importance of not giving your family the leftovers after you’ve poured everything into your work, but instead leading in a way that allows you to be fully…
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The Experience Ft Caleb Fetter Ep.144
Trust is built through the experience.In this episode of The Line, Joshua sits down with Caleb Fetter, President and Managing Partner of RMS, for a conversation about trust, culture, leadership, and what it means to truly invest in your people.Caleb shares how trust shapes every part of the...
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The Fingerprints of Leadership Ft DJ Risk Ep.143
This week on The Line, DJ Risk steps up to the line.In this conversation, DJ shares what leadership really looks like—not from behind a logo, a LinkedIn post, or a YouTube video, but when the boots hit the dirt and the work has to get done. He talks about the responsibility of leaving your...
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Build Your Career Ft Nathan Maughan Ep.142
Every career has a starting point.For Nathan Maughan, it began washing dishes, working at a gas station, and helping on a farm. It wasn’t a glamorous beginning, but it became the foundation for something much greater.In this episode of The Line, Nathan shares the journey that took him from...
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Flow Ft Ilya Tlumach Ep.141
Leadership isn’t built in a boardroom. It’s built through people, experience, and the stories that shape us.In this episode of The Line Podcast, I sit down with Ilya Tlumach, President of JM Lapp, for a conversation about leadership, legacy, and what it means to steward an organization you didn’t...
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The Gift Ft Arlan King Ep.140
In this episode of The Line, Joshua sits down with Arlan King of Bevanda Products to explore how something as simple as a coffee mug, cooler, or water bottle can tell a much bigger story. The conversation goes beyond branded merchandise and into the heart of what it means to build a company…
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Know Your Craft Ep.139
--------------------------WHERE TO WATCH:Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...-------------------------FOLLOW JOSH:X: https://x.com/Joshuadmellott... / joshuadmellott LinkedIn: / ...
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The Road Ft John Faress Ep.138
This past weekend marked the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, a time to remember the men and women who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.What many people may not know is that the story of C.W. Matthews begins in the shadow of that generation. After returning home from World War II, C.W. Matthews...
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The Heat Ft Mark Andrew Ep.137
In this episode of The Line, we sit down with Marc Andrew, a firefighter from Detroit, for a real and honest conversation about leadership under pressure, purpose through hardship, and what it means to carry responsibility when the heat is on. Marc shares stories from the fireground, moments of...
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The Finish Line Ft Eric Cowdin Ep.136
The finish line has been crossed. One team is celebrating, and the rest are already preparing for next year. Those were the words Erik Cowden shared with us as we sat down together at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to talk about the realities of racing, the highs and lows of competition, the...
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The Race Ft Tyrone Garrison Ep.135
In episode three of the Brickyard Series, Blackline goes behind the scenes at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Tyrone Garrison ahead of the 110th Indy 500.In this conversation, we walk the track, drive the facility, and uncover what it really takes to operate and maintain one of the most…
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The Track Ft Bill Pine Ep.134
Episode 2 of The Brickyard Series: “The Track — What Lies Beneath the Surface” At Blackline, we believe the stories worth telling are often found beneath the surface. In this episode of The Line, Joshua Mellott sits down with Bill Pine of The Heritage Group at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway —…
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From Bedrock To The Brick Yard Ft Keaton Turner Ep. 133
In this conversation kicking off our Brickyard Series, we sit down with Keaton Turner for a real one.We start a little differently. The first 20–30 minutes are an homage to his podcast, The Per Diem Podcast—a walk-and-talk around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where Keaton does what he’s known...
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The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday | Part 2 Ft Herb Sargent Ep. 132
The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday | Part 2 with Herb SargentIn part two of our conversation with Herb Sargent, we go beyond business and get into perspective.We start with something simple—an incredible conference table, a gift from the Sargent family back to the company. But what it represents…
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The Hard Work Starts Today Ft Chandler Plante Ep. 131
The Hard Work Starts Today | Sargent 100-Year Story (Part 1 of 2)Most companies won’t make it 100 years.Even fewer do it on purpose.This episode of The Line by Blackline LTD tells the story of Sargent, a 100% employee-owned company, and what it actually looks like to build something that lasts.In...
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A Blue Collar Conversation The Sequel Ft. Blue Collar Bobby Ep. 130
I went to Massachusetts to sit down with Blue Collar Bobby. This is a real conversation about the sprinkler fitter trade, fire protection, and what it actually means to do the work. Bobby is also the host of The Dope and Tape Show, where they’re talking with anyone in the fire protection…
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Measuring up Ft Macros Soto Ep. 129
If you’re not measuring your work, you don’t actually know what you’re doing.This Monday, I sit down with Marcos from Ruby-Collins as he leads a pipe crew and breaks down what that really means in the field.We talk about what it takes to understand your work, have the right tools in your hands…
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Collaboration Through Generations Ft Jason Hyde Ep.128
This week, Blackline spent time in Georgia with Ruby-Collins, a general contractor that does things a little differently.From civil work to plant work, underground, boring, and more—this is a team that’s been building for nearly 60 years out of Smyrna, Georgia.In this episode of The Line, we sit...
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Moms in Manufacturing Ft. Liddy Fair Ep. 127
Building What Can’t Fail. Moms are an interesting thing for me. My mother is one of the most influential people in my life, and I don’t think that’s uncommon. But I do think we underestimate what’s really out there — the opportunities, and the women willing to do what it takes to make a…
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The Next American Gold Mine Ft. George Bee Ep. 125
In this episode of The Line, Joshua D. Mellott sits down with George Bee of U.S. Gold Corp to talk about what it actually takes to develop the next American gold mine. George shares insights into the exploration and development process, what his team is working on in the United States, and why...
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The Plan Ft. Garret Barbush Ep. 125
What happens when a company actually has a plan—not just to win work, but to change an industry? In this episode of The Line, I sit down with Garret Barbush of Warfel Construction. As he walked me through their strategic plan, one thing became clear: They’re not just building projects. They’re...
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Energizing America Ft. Shane Stolp Ep. 124
In this episode of The Line, I sit down with Shane Stolp, CEO of Wescom, Inc., and host of the Energizing America Podcast.We talk about how we attract new talent to the trades — and the real opportunities that exist. The trades aren’t a dead end. They’re a launching point. The skills learned in…
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Trademark Ft. Joshua Mellott Ep. 123
The definition of the word trademark is simple. It’s a symbol that identifies a company, a product, or a body of work. But at its origin in America, a trademark was something even more personal. It was your mark. It was how you gave your word. It was how you signed a contract, how you did…
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The Nursery Ft. Chris Maharg Ep. 122
This one was cold. As I write this post, I can still feel it. I sat down in the snow on a project with Christopher Maharg , Vice President of Legacy Electrical Services Inc. We were out there while his teams worked behind us to complete the project on time and under budget—words clients…
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Holding The Line Ft. Dan Garcia Ep. 121
The Line… it’s quite an interesting term. Sometimes it means a podcast where two men sit and have an honest conversation. Sometimes it’s a line in the sand—things you’re not willing to cross. Sometimes it’s a line on the battlefield, like Gettysburg, where men stood firm and held the line…
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Strong Like Iron Ft. Larry Sisco Ep. 120
If you don’t want to micromanage, the simple answer is this: don’t. Because if you’re going to do it anyway, you might as well have done it yourself. In this conversation with Laurence Sisco of IronStrong Metal Fabrication , we talk about what it really means to build teams—and to build…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Step up to The Line. A new podcast focused on highlighting the skilled trades. Showcasing men and women by sharing their stories and experiences. Our guests range from CEOs of 100 million-dollar businesses to a 21-year-old fabricator/welder. By sharing their experiences we aim to inspire the next generation of boys and girls hoping to break the generational miseducation surrounding the trades as an option. The Line is produced by Blackline whose mission is to continue to lift the view of the skilled trades. For trades by trades. Welcome to the Line.Tune in every Monday for a new episode.
HOSTED BY
Blackline
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Line have?
The Line currently has 168 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Line about?
Step up to The Line. A new podcast focused on highlighting the skilled trades. Showcasing men and women by sharing their stories and experiences. Our guests range from CEOs of 100 million-dollar businesses to a 21-year-old fabricator/welder. By sharing their experiences we aim to inspire the next...
How often does The Line release new episodes?
The Line publishes regularly with 168 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Line?
You can listen to The Line on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Line?
The Line is created and hosted by Blackline.
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