Skilled AF Podcast | Skilled Trades & Construction Careers

In this episode of Skilled AF, we sit down with Brooke Laing, a third-year steamfitter and welder apprentice with UA Local 46 in Toronto, Canada, and Chief Strategy Officer of Sisterhood of the Trades, to explore what it’s really like navigating a career in the skilled trades as a woman. From dropping out of college and spending two years on a union waitlist, to navigating harassment on the job, to building the kind of community the industry has never offered women before.She also breaks down the rise of Sisterhood of the Trades, the largest global interactive community connecting women across the skilled trades, with nearly 1,200 members across Canada, the US, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand — providing support, shared experiences, and a space to talk about what can't always be said on the job site.This conversation goes beyond surface-level diversity talk and gets into the real barriers, culture shifts, and opportunities shaping the future of women in the trades.In this episode: > What it’s like being a woman in the skilled trades>The reality of job site culture> Union apprenticeships and waitlist challenges> Steepest learning curves as an apprentice> Why women leave (and stay in) the trades> How we grow the share of women in construction and the trades> Sisterhood of the Trades and its global community> The impact of the Amber Czech murder and the advocacy work they’re involved in> The moment Brooke almost walked away> Advice for women entering the trades-----Guest Info:Brooke Laing, Steamfitter & Welder Apprentice, CSO, Sisterhood of the Trades Follow Brooke on Instagram & TikTokConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram, TikTok & YouTube Like the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

*This episode discusses suicide, substance use, addiction, and workplace crisis. Listener discretion is advised.Construction consistently ranks among the most at-risk industries for suicide and overdose deaths, and Josh Vitale knows this firsthand. A former lineman turned senior superintendent, he navigated two dozen crisis interventions on a single job site before co-founding Project BUILT, a national nonprofit addressing suicide and addiction in the trades. Angelo Suntres, Founder of Human Side of Construction and previous guest on Skilled AF, has spent his career inside large construction companies in Canada, witnessing the same patterns and working to improve culture and the human experience for the trades and broader construction industry.Together, they bridge the field and office, and get honest about what's really driving the crisis, why the industry keeps falling short, and what it's actually going to take to protect the people who build our world.In this episode we cover:>Josh Vitale’s Journey & Starting Project BUILT>The Reality Behind the Mental Health Crisis>The Impact of Isolation>Trauma Coming Into the Industry>Redefining Mental Toughness>Psychological vs Physical Safety>Construction’s “Human Extraction” Problem>Work-Family Conflict>Family as the Foundation & Missing Link>What Systemic Change Looks LikeIf you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, please take one of the following actions:>Call 911 (or your local emergency number)>Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S.>Seek immediate help from a healthcare professional.-----Guests info:Josh Vitale, Co-founder & CEO, Project BUILT✉️: [email protected] Suntres, Founder, Human Side of ConstructionFollow on Instagram, TikTok, YouTubeConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda LuchettiFollow on Instagram, TikTok, YouTubeLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Dustin Crosby is a journeyman carpenter and the voice behind the Blue Collar Poet, an online presence resonating deeply with workers across the trades. With more than two decades of experience in blue-collar work, Dustin’s journey spans industries, job sites, and life chapters shaped by instability, resilience, and reflection.Raised in rural Florida, Dustin’s path into the trades was driven as much by survival as it was by purpose. After navigating early hardship, dropping out of high school, and earning his GED, he found direction through trade school, building a foundation of skillsets that would carry him through carpentry, tile, solar, and beyond. All during this time, Dustin was quietly developing another craft, writing. What has emerged was not just a creative outlet, but a form of connection and healing for both Dustin and the thousands of workers who now see their own lives reflected in his words.In this episode we cover:Dustin’s Early Life & Path into Trades: Growing up in poverty, falling through the cracks in school, and finding direction through trade workSkills as Survival & Mobility: How learning a craft created confidence, opportunity, and resilience across industriesThe Emotional Reality of Blue Collar Work: Exhaustion, instability, grief, identity, and the mental load carried by workersPoetry & Vulnerability in the Trades: Writing as processing, reflection, and emotional translation for blue-collar experienceMental Health & Industry Culture: Isolation, addiction culture, emotional suppression, and the human cost of the workBlue Collar as Identity vs Aesthetic: The tension between social media portrayals and lived realityLooking Ahead: Dustin’s book project, creative mission, and long-term vision for building belonging & community* This episodes discusses job site deaths and deaths by suicide. Listener discretion is advised.-----Guest info:Follow Dustin at Blue Collar Poet 633 on TikTok & InstagramFacebook: Dustin CrosbyConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram & TikTokSubscribe to newsletterLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Collin White is the founder and CEO of Blue Gopher, a last-mile delivery service built specifically for the construction industry. With a background in construction management, Collin didn’t set out to start a tech-enabled logistics company. He started Blue Gopher after repeatedly running into the same problem on jobsites: material delays, poor communication, and inefficiencies that cost contractors time, money, and energy. What began as a solution to his own pain point as a construction project manager in Tennessee, has grown into a business serving small to mid-sized contractors in the Columbus, Ohio region with plans to expand across the mid-west USA and beyond. In this episode we cover:> Collin’s Path into Construction: Studying construction management and working in the field before entrepreneurship> The Origin of Blue Gopher: Identifying a broken system on job sites and turning frustration into a business> Last-Mile Delivery, Explained: Why logistics is one of construction’s biggest bottlenecks> Labor Shortages & Opportunity: How workforce gaps are creating space for smarter systems and services> Generational Shifts: Millennial leadership & what younger workers are demanding from the industry> Representation in Construction: Why visibility, leadership pathways, and who feels they belong in the industry directly impact recruitment, retention, and the future workforce> Looking Ahead: Collin’s vision for expanding Blue Gopher beyond Ohio-----Guest info:Collin White, Founder & CEO @ Blue GopherDownload app for IOSPhone: +1 (614) 636-4674Follow on InstagramConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram, TikTok & YouTubeLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Misha Homara is the CEO of TriCore Panels, a vertically integrated architectural paneling company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. One of the youngest female CEOs in construction, she leads a 30+ person team and is reshaping what modern, people-centered leadership looks like in the industry. Misha never expected to find her career in construction. A temporary role helping her family’s business became a long-term calling, pushing her to learn the trade and the business from the ground up. With a deep commitment to culture, mentorship, and supporting people to be their most authentic self, she’s challenging outdated norms around leadership, retention, and workplace culture, proving that strong construction companies are built by supporting the people behind the work.In this episode we cover:> An Unexpected Path: From cosmetology to construction> What TriCore Panels Does: Exterior facades, vertical integration, and scaling from 7 to 30+ employees> From Assistant to CEO: How her temp role morphed into a leadership position> The Systems She Swears By: How she went about implementing EOS® – Entrepreneur Operating System> Breaking Construction Norms: How she goes about prioritizing rest in an industry that doesn’t> The Loneliness of Leadership: Imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and carrying the weight as a young CEO> Investing in People: What they’re doing at TriCore to support their people – ESL classes, financial literacy classes, etc.> Women in Construction: The advocacy work Misha is doing to build representation> The Misha Method: what it is, who it’s for and her goal to get people to be the truest version of themselves> Involvement in Workforce Development: What TriCore is doing to get young people + communities exposed to the industry-----Guest info:Misha Homara, CEO @ TriCore PanelsThe Misha Method (Podcast, retreats)Plant & Play eventConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda LuchettiFollow on Instagram, TikTok, YouTubeSubscribe to newsletterLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Wilson Betances is a master electrician, contractor, author, and the Founder & CEO of Energize Us – a fast-growing education, media, and professional development platform redefining the future of skilled trades leadership. With 17+ years in the electrical trade, Wilson is now focused on addressing the structural issues holding the industry back. Grounded in his lived experience and the mentors who shaped him, he’s challenging the trades to rethink how we recruit, train, and keep skilled workers. Through Energize Us, he’s building a holistic ecosystem that supports people from their first day on the jobsite through becoming successful contractors.In this interview we cover:> Wilson’s Journey: Growing up in NYC and entering the electrical trade young> Cultural Conditioning: Overcoming scarcity mindset, silence, and conflict avoidance> What Energize Us is: How the platform began and its three pillars: media, education & professional development> Fixing the Pipeline: Why every contractor demanding “3–5 years experience” is breaking the system> Apprenticeship Dropout Rates: The real reasons so many apprentices leave within their first year> Leadership Development: What the new trades leader actually looks like> Gatekeeping & Culture Problems: Hazing, knowledge hoarding, outdated masculinity, and other norms pushing people away> Innovating Around Retention: How Energize Us is eliminating real-life bottlenecks like housing, childcare, and support> Future Vision: Wilson’s goal to influence workforce systems nationally and help modernize trades education and culture-----Guest info:Wilson Betances, Founder & CEO @ Energize UsConnect with Energize Us, ✉️: [email protected]; Follow on InstagramConnect with Wilson on Instagram & LinkedInConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram, TikTok, YouTubeSubscribe to newsletterLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

* This episode includes discussion of suicide in the construction industry. Listener discretion advised.Angelo Suntres didn’t choose construction, construction chose him. After earning a mechanical engineering degree, he took a job in the industry simply to pay the bills. What he found instead was purpose and a deep sense of pride in building spaces that serve the community. Now, with 20+ years experience in mechanical and MEP construction in Canada, Angelo is dedicated to improving the human experience in the skilled trades and broader construction industry through his global platform – The Human Side of Construction, two books (The Human Side of Construction and Rebuild Construction), an online course, and coaching the next generation of industry leaders.In this interview we cover:> Angelo’s Journey> How Human Side of Construction started> Generational divides between talent> Diversity & inclusion realities> Construction's leaky workforce pipeline> Mental health & suicide> Angelo's vision for the futureStudies Mentioned:> Building Better 2025> Mason, L. et al. (2024). Comorbidity of anxiety and depression in adult ADHD> Behind the High Vis: A Mental Health White Paper-----Guest info:Angelo Suntres, Founder, Human Side of ConstructionFollow on Instagram, TikTok, YouTubeConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda LuchettiFollow on Instagram, TikTok, YouTubeSubscribe to newsletterLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jeremy Mistretta is the founder of New Age Artisans, a plaster contractor and manufacturer based in Bozeman, Montana, and the creator of the Plaster Portal, a global online learning hub preserving and teaching ancient plaster techniques. A self-taught craftsman with an English literature degree, Jeremy has transformed a chance encounter with plaster into a thriving career. His work spans high-end residential projects, historic restorations, and global knowledge exchanges, including a recent restoration and transformation of a 500-year old mosque in Morocco into a women and children’s center. Through New Age Artisans and the Plaster Portal, Jeremy is redefining how traditional craft can thrive in the modern era, while ensuring he gives back to the industry that’s provided so much for him.In this interview we cover:> Jeremy’s Journey: From East Coast summer jobs and a literature degree to discovering his plaster passion in Montana> Lessons from the School of Hard Knocks: The importance of mastering both trade skills and business acumen> The Clientele: Serving the 1% of the 1% in Montana’s luxury home market, Yellowstone Club, while staying grounded in craft and community> The Plaster Portal: A global education platform preserving ancient techniques and connecting artisans worldwide> Manufacturing Plaster: How New Age Artisans has developed its own line of plaster blend from local aggregates in Montana> Building Company Culture: Creating a circular economy that reinvests in employees, craft, and educating the next wave of plasterers> Cultural Responsibility: Giving back to the birthplace of Tadelakt through the restoration of a 500-year-old building in Morocco> Labor Shortage Insights: Firsthand perspective on the urgent need for skilled tradespeople-----Guest info:Jeremy Mistretta, Founder & Owner, New Age Artisans; The Plaster PortalFollow on InstagramConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedInSubscribe to newsletterLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Keith Benson is the Automotive and Manufacturing Instructor and Engineering Department Chair at Petaluma High School in Sonoma County, California. A former NASCAR technician and Ferrari mechanic, Keith left industry in 2019 to take over and build the very program that shaped his own career. Today, he’s preparing his high school students for in-demand careers by offering a world-class, hands-on education that fuses traditional trades with cutting-edge technology. Under his leadership, his programs have become national standouts — proving what’s possible when students gain confidence early and the power of Career and Technical Education (CTE) opening doors of opportunity for young people.In this interview we cover:> Keith’s Career Path: From high school shop student to NASCAR and Ferrari tech, and back to Petaluma High> Program Revival & Expansion: How Keith helped save and scale the auto and manufacturing programs, doubling class offerings> Real-World Skills & Industry Connections: Students are graduating with job offers, internships, and experience making NASA parts and earning NIMS certifications> The Truth About Technician Pay: We revisit Keith’s viral quote about mechanics earning up to $250K/year, and break down how pay scales, specialization, and hustle impact earnings> Confidence Before Competence: Why exposure, mentorship, and early wins are key to unlocking student potential> AI, Automation & Future Workforce: The coming wave of robotics and how Keith’s preparing students to build, program, and work alongside machines – not be replaced by them> Industry Evolving: Keith’s take on the future of transportation (Electric vs. Hydrogen-powered vehicles)> Work-Based Learning & Equity: Expanding access, bridging the experience gap, and how community and public-private partnerships make it all possible-----Guest info:Keith Benson, Automotive and Manufacturing Instructor and Engineering Department Chair at Petaluma High SchoolPHASE Boosters – non-profit Keith started that helps fund PHS' CTE ProgramsConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedInSubscribe to newsletterLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Amy Atchley is the co-founder and owner of Amy’s Roofing & Solar, a solar and roofing company based in Sonoma County, California. After 16 years as a high school educator, Amy made a bold leap during the pandemic, leaving the classroom to build a purpose-driven trades business alongside her husband. Together, they’ve created not just a company, but new kinds of skilled jobs to meet the demands of the clean energy transition. Amy is part of a growing movement of leaders reshaping the trades through innovation, inclusion and equity.In this episode we cover:> Amy’s Career Pivot: From high school teacher to co-founder of a solar roofing company> Solar Roofing as a Net New Skilled Job: How clean energy is creating hybrid roles that didn’t exist before> On-the-Job Training: Why most training happens hands-on and the lack of standardized solar & roofing education> Workforce Challenges: Aging workforce, difficulty finding people willing to do physically demanding roofing jobs, and the ongoing “race to the bottom” in contractor pricing> Immigration + Labor Inequity: Amy discusses undocumented labor, exploitation, how contractors skirt the system, and why the system makes it so hard to do the right thing> California Policy Friction: Why current licensing and apprenticeship models don’t support solar and battery storage roles, and the tension between the solar and electrician worlds in California> Advice to Her Younger Self: “Do the thing you want to do. Don’t psych yourself out. You’ll figure it out along the way.”> Finding Mentorship: The importance of a mentor when you’re starting a business. Shoutout to Letitia Hanke of The LIME Foundation and ARS Roofing-----Guest info:Amy Atchley, Co-Founder & Owner, Amy's Roofing & Solar✉️: [email protected] with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram, TikTok & LinkedInSubscribe to newsletterLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Nick Hartman always felt a deep desire to help others, but he never expected the skilled trades would be the place where that calling came to life. After dropping out of college and bouncing between jobs, a random Facebook message from a friend led him to a warehouse role at an HVAC company. That decision would quietly change the course of his life. As someone with ADHD, Nick had spent years searching for a place to channel his energy and drive. The structure, pace, and purpose of the trades gave him exactly that. Today, he’s the Chief Growth Officer at Ongaro & Sons, a fourth-generation plumbing, HVAC, and electrical company in Northern California. His job is more than growing the business, it’s about developing people and the culture of the company – a role that taps into his purpose in ways no title ever could.In this episode, we cover:> Nick’s Journey: How a Facebook message at age 27 led him into HVAC and changed his life> Growing Up Fast: What it was like being one of six kids raised by a single mother, and how that shaped his sense of responsibility and drive> ADHD as a Superpower: Nick’s experience navigating ADHD and how the trades gave him structure and purpose> Neurodiversity in the Trades: Why hands-on careers are a powerful fit for neurodivergent individuals> Mental Health: The unique challenges tradespeople face and how Ongaro & Sons is building a culture of support> Investing in People: Leadership, mentorship, and creating environments where others can thrive> Advice for the Next Gen: Especially for neurodivergent youth navigating school and career choices-----Guest info:Nick Hartman, Chief Growth Officer, Ongaro & SonsFollow Ongaro & Sons on Instagram, Facebook & TikTokConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram & LinkedInSubscribe to newsletterLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Marielle Price didn’t grow up in a construction family, but after studying civil engineering and sustainable design at Stanford, she fell in love with the problem-solving, team-based nature of construction. After 7+ years in the field managing multimillion-dollar projects, Marielle made the leap into construction tech, joining Fieldwire (now Fieldwire by Hilti) as one of its first employees. As VP of Go-To-Market, she shares how her experience in traditional construction shaped her work in tech, what makes construction a uniquely human industry, and how software tools are helping builders focus less on paperwork and more on what matters – getting things built.In this interview we cover:> Her path from civil engineering to construction> Transitioning from traditional construction into construction tech> The team Marielle has built all pulling from industry> Software unlocking productivity & AI's role in construction> Culture shifts needed to attract talent> Marielle's experience as a new mom navigating a male-dominated workplace> Advice to the next generation and why going to trade school is a great option-----Guest info:> Marielle Price, VP, Go-To-Market, Fieldwire by Hilti> Connect with Marielle on LinkedInConnect with The Skilled Project:> Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected]> Follow on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn> Subscribe to newsletterLike the podcast? 🎧> Subscribe to the podcast> Leave a kickass review> Know someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The construction industry has been a launchpad for transformation for Renae Sams. Raised with limited resources, and shaped by early loss and toxic relationships, Renae found strength, purpose, and financial independence through building. What started as a temp job turned into a decade-long career leading mission-critical construction projects for the military and major tech companies. That experience and the barriers she faced along the way, inspired her to launch Build-Her.org, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing visibility and creating real pathways for women, especially women of color, in construction and the skilled trades. She’s also the author of Build-Her, Be Heard.In this interview we cover:> Her early life story and journey, and how a temp job at an engineering firm led her into construction> Her role and work building mission critical building and military infrastructure all around the world> Finding financial independence in construction and what that security did for her> Launching Build-Her.org and writing her book> Representation, respect & real talk on the culture shift needed in the industry> The importance of sharing your story> What it takes to succeed in construction-----Guest info:Renae Sams, Executive Director & Founder, Build-Her.orgGrab her book – Build-Her, Be Heard (also available in Spanish)Follow on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedInConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedInSubscribe to newsletterLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Aaron Valencia is living proof that the skilled trades can change lives. After overcoming addiction, homelessness, and incarceration, he found stability and purpose through hands-on work – first in house painting, then in classic car restoration. The trades didn’t just give him a second chance, they gave him a future and the chance to change the trajectory of others’ lives. That experience inspired him to start Lost Angels Career Center in Lancaster, California, a nonprofit offering 12-week vocational training for underserved and at-risk youth. Using classic cars as the hook, the program teaches welding, bodywork, mechanics, CNC machining and composites—while also instilling soft skills, structure, and a deep sense of community. The program boasts a 97% graduation rate and a 95% job placement rate, with many alumni moving directly into careers in aerospace. A forward-thinking force in workforce development, Aaron is vocal about dismantling toxic job site culture, building retention through empathy, and creating a more inclusive, purpose-driven path for young people.In this interview we cover:> Aaron’s path into the trades: From poverty to getting into classic car restoration> How he's rebuilding lives through classic cars> Breaking down the stigma around blue-collar work> Accountability, developing this next generation's soft skills & second chances> Toxic job site culture and what needs to change> Community as the catalyst in helping young people> You can go anywhere: Your past doesn’t define your future-----Guest info:Aaron Valencia, Executive Director & Founder, Lost Angels Career CenterFollow on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTokConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram, TikTok & LinkedInSubscribe to newsletterLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Hayley Campbell, better known as Sparket Cadet, is a FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) electrical apprentice working in the mining industry in Brisbane, Australia. After a decade in hospitality, she took a leap at age 30 to chase a hands-on career in the trades—one of the best decisions of her life. Now, she’s thriving in a field she once thought was out of reach, proving that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. From working on massive equipment at a mining site to embracing her neurodivergence as a strength, Hayley’s journey is a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, support, and willingness to start over, anything is possible.In this interview we cover:> Entering the Mining Industry – Hayley started in hospitality at 18 before transitioning into electrical work> Finding Electrical as a Career in Her 30s – After being laid off during COVID, she pursued an electrical apprenticeship despite initial doubts> Mining Innovation & Career Pathways – From massive Cat 7495 shovels to autonomous trucks, Hayley describes her work on cutting-edge mining tech and the foundational skillsets she’s learning that can take you anywhere> ADHD & Neurodivergence in the Trades – She shares her struggles with traditional education, her recent ADHD diagnosis, and why hands-on work suits neurodivergent minds> The Physical Demands & Benefits of Trade Work –Hayley debunks the myth that trades wreck your body, emphasizing strength, flexibility, and movement> Age Is Just a Number: Entering the Trades Later in Life – She highlights the value of mature apprentices and shares the story of a 52-year-old in her training> The Power of a Single Conversation – A chance encounter with a female tradeswoman set Hayley on her path, proving the impact of representation-----Guest info:Hayley Campbell aka SparketCadet– 2nd Year FIFO Electrical ApprenticeFollow on Instagram, TikTokConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram, TikTok & LinkedInSubscribe to newsletterLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Marie Patterson is a force in construction. As the first female Chair of Chico State’s Construction Management Department, she’s making major impact on the future workforce. With 15+ years in the field, working for major plumbing and mechanical contractors specializing in large process piping, Marie’s journey has come full circle—returning to Chico State to blend real-world experience with education to guide the next generation of leaders into the construction industry. Beyond the classroom, she’s an advisor to construction student clubs, ASC Mechanical Team Coach, and was recognized as MCAA’s Teacher of the Year (2022-23).In this interview we cover:> Choosing Construction – Why Marie pursued construction management and how that decision shaped her career> Breaking into the Industry – Her start at a plumbing and mechanical contractor specializing in large process piping—and where it led her> Boomeranging Back to Chico State – From industry to academia and why she returned to teach> Evolving Construction Education – How she’s integrating hands-on learning, partnering with Ag Mechanics, and fostering respect for the trades> Sustainability & Climate Resilience – The role of construction in mitigating climate change, wildfire adaptation, and resilience strategies> Recruiting the Next Generation – How she’s attracting students into construction management> Almost 100% Job Placement – How her students land $70K-$100K starting salaries, thanks to a high-ROI degree with built-in paid internships> What’s Holding the Industry Back – Her POV on the biggest barrier to attracting new talent into construction> Advice to Her Younger Self – Words of wisdom for the next generation of builders and leaders-----Guest info:Marie Patterson, Chico State Construction Management Department Chair & Associate ProfessorLearn more about the program hereConnect with The Skilled ProjectFounder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram, TikTok & LinkedInLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

From sweeping shop floors to now leading a business unit at one of the top 5 ENR General Contractor companies in the world, 34-year-old Ryan “Ike” Eisenhaurer, also known as Coach Ike, has quickly risen through the ranks of the construction industry—channeling serious Drake “started from the bottom, now we’re here” energy. Outside of his role as a construction executive, Ike is a father of two and the founder of ConstructionMentor.org, a platform dedicated to raising awareness about opportunities in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Through his podcast, social media channels, courses, and coaching, Ike is passionate about mentoring and inspiring the next generation to explore careers in the construction world.In this interview we cover:> Ike’s early start in residential construction as a teenager and how it shaped his career> His path to earning a mechanical engineering degree, which led to an internship designing HVAC, plumbing and fire protection systems for Boston-Logan Airport at 19> Money, money, money… ROI of going into the trades vs. college and how young people (and their parents) need to be thinking about the opportunity costs today> Why the construction industry struggles with marketing itself and what needs to change – i.e. messaging and the messenger> The importance of mentorship, beyond just opening doors, and the impact it had on Ike’s life, especially as a kid who grew up in a turbulent household> The limitless potential in construction careers and debunking common myths about the industry-----Guest info:Ryan "Ike" Eisenhauer, founder @ Construction MentorHost of Construction Mentor podcastConnect/follow Ike on Instagram, TikTok & YouTubeConnect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedInLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone Skilled AF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Juanita Douglas is a true pioneer. In 1984, seeking better pay to support herself and her 7-year-old son, she became a union commercial carpenter in Petaluma, CA, and quickly fell in love with the trade. After a successful 30+ year career as a carpenter and later a surveyor, she retired, only to return to the industry. Now, as Senior Manager of Construction and Labor Relations for Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, she helps prepare youth, women, and reentry individuals for high road careers that offer family sustaining wages in the construction trades.In this interview we cover:> Landing her job as commercial carpenter and the retelling of her wild story of having to go job site to job site until she found a role> Hurdles she faced being a BIPOC woman and single mother and how she overcame them> How she stayed physically fit for the job – there’s a fun fact in this one> Her journey from carpenter to surveyor and how she made the switch> Her role in developing the workforce that built the Warriors’ Chase Center which led to finding her passion as a teacher> Her role now at Rising Sun and info about their Opportunity Build program – a certified pre-apprenticeship program for a career in the construction trades, that has a heavy focus on getting women into the industry> The wraparound services that Opportunity Build’s program provides participants post graduation – childcare financial support, mental health services and drug counseling> How she’s training people through the lens of building decarbonization and the new local pathways they’re creating around heat pumps> Biggest myth about construction she’s heard> Her love for the industry and advice to the next generation-----Guest info:Juanita Douglas, Construction & Labor Relations Manager @ Rising Sun Center for Opportunity; ✉️: [email protected]/follow Rising Sun on Instagram & LinkedIn-----Connect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram & LinkedInLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewSubmit a story to feature hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Kellye Wulfers, leads Marketing at M3 Services, an Arkansas-based HVAC company specializing in energy reduction services. Kellye has an incredible reinvention story having transitioned from a career as a fashion designer in New York to the construction industry. As one of the first employees at M3 and now as an executive team member, she’s played a critical role in shaping and growing the company across the southern U.S.In this interview we cover:Her journey from fashion to construction and why she made the switchOpportunities she’s gained at M3 and what excites her mostSkills she’s transferred from fashion to constructionThe work that M3 is doing across the southern part of the U.S. and how they’ve been able to leverage energy utility programsThe impact M3 is having on local workforce, blowing up the “good ol’ boys” way of working, and operating from a servant leadership model to attract and retain the next generation of talentNew skilled trades roles M3 has created called Energy Reduction Technicians that complement traditional HVAC positions and are part of this shift towards clean energy----Guest info: ℹ️Kellye Wulfers, Marketing Director @ M3 ServicesConnect/follow M3 on Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn----Connect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram & LinkedInSubscribe to newsletterLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewKnow someone SkilledAF? Submit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jessica (Jessi) Lynn, is Director of Strategic Initiatives for Johnson Controls where she supports Sustainable Infrastructure business operations. She started her career in welding, went back to school to get her construction management degree, and then an MBA. Jessi’s story is one of resilience and hope. She has and continues to be a voice for diverse representation across the skilled trades and the construction industry as a whole.In this interview we cover:> Jessi’s upbringing and navigating the education system from a low income household with little resources> Her struggle in high school and with self-doubt– getting in fights, not feeling book smart> How she “stumbled” into welding. As her mom says, “welding saved her”> The doors of opportunity that welding provided, including financial freedom> Her career path which she describes as “scattered circles” vs. a clear path> The unique perspective she has now being in a corporate boardroom given her upbringing and welding journey> What companies need to do a better job at when it comes to recruiting diverse and inclusive talent into both the trades and the construction industry> Why diverse representation is so important> The clean energy transition and impact of new technology on workforce development> Who should consider a career in welding and why> The career opportunities, including entrepreneurship, that exist in the skilled trades----Guest info: ℹ️Jessi Lynn, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Sustainable Infrastructure @ Johnson ControlsHer company, PivotHIGHerFollow on Instagram-----Connect with The Skilled Project:Founder, Amanda Luchetti; ✉️: [email protected] on Instagram & LinkedInLike the podcast? 🎧Subscribe to the podcastLeave a kickass reviewSubmit a story hereHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.