Explore every episode of the podcast Blue-Collar BS
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Airstream Dreams to Leading Shipyards with Frank Manning | 01 Aug 2025 | 00:34:08 | |
We’ve heard a lot of “that’s how we’ve always done it” in the trades but Frank Manning is showing how to lead with humility, trust, and a hands-on mindset. Frank is the President of Diversified Marine, isn’t your typical shipyard boss. He stumbled into the marine industry after a failed business venture and has been hooked ever since. Leading one of the top tugboat building teams on the West Coast, Frank brings a rare mix of humility and confidence to an industry dominated by legacy and tradition. In this episode, we dig into how Frank’s been able to gain respect from seasoned tradespeople, despite being decades younger. His approach? Ask questions, stay hands-on, and always own the outcome good or bad. Frank shares stories of building a team that embraces learning, takes pride in the product, and proves that leadership isn’t about age it’s about action. He also walks us through how Diversified Marine became a force in tugboat innovation, pushing boundaries with 3D modeling, small-yard ingenuity, and a crew that doesn’t back down from a challenge. The energy Frank’s bringing to this space is something every blue collar leader should hear. If you got something out of this episode, take a second to subscribe, leave a rating, write a quick review, and share it with someone on your team who would enjoy it. Get in touch with Frank: Get in touch with us: Check out the Blue Collar BS website. Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| What Happens When BROADs Call BS | 25 Jul 2025 | 00:31:19 | |
We did something a little different this week a crossover with Erin and Lori from BROADcast for Manufacturers. We tackled how fear based leadership and economic uncertainty are gutting decision-making, hiring, and trust across the shop floor. We dug into why leaders freezing up or worse, constantly changing course is killing morale and productivity. A recent Russell Reynolds report gave us a solid starting point, but the real value came from real experience: what happens when leaders react instead of lead. We also discussed how different generations respond under pressure, why some Gen Z workers are stepping up faster than expected, and what shifting promotion trends mean for the future of your workforce. Highlights:
How are you leading through uncertainty? Send us a message or connect on LinkedIn we want to hear what’s working and what’s not. Connect with the Broads: Connect with Lori: Connect with Kris: Connect with Erin: Get in touch with us: Check out the Blue Collar BS website. Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Plumbers, SEO, and $8.5 Million: The Ryan Redding Story | 23 May 2025 | 00:34:02 | |
Today’s guest, Ryan Redding, didn’t hold back — we got into how AI, customer experience, and smart leadership are rewriting the rules for trades businesses. Ryan shared how he accidentally found his way into marketing for the trades and how that detour turned into building Levergy, a digital marketing agency focused on helping home service companies grow smarter and stronger. Ryan’s journey wasn’t traditional — it was built on real-world experience, quick learning, and finding smart ways to grow along the way. We dug into the serious shifts happening in the trades: from AI taking over customer service tasks to how companies are changing their pricing models to stay profitable in slower markets. Ryan didn’t sugarcoat it — if you’re still doing business the way you did ten years ago, you’re already falling behind. We also talked about the real danger of trying to compete on price. Ryan laid it out clearly: if you’re not building a strong brand and delivering a top-notch customer experience, you’re making yourself a commodity — and commodities are easy to replace. We wrapped up with Ryan’s belief that success in today’s market isn’t just about showing up — it’s about leading smarter, focusing on the right customers, and constantly adapting to what’s coming next. Highlights:
If you’re enjoying the show, hit subscribe, leave us a review, rate the episode on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who’s ready to stop making excuses and start building smarter. Connect with Ryan: Connect with us: Check out the Blue Collar BS website. Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Take two with Alex Pauls-Part 1 | 01 Sep 2023 | 00:25:42 | |
The Importance of Understanding "Why" We're welcoming back our favorite Canadian, Alex Pauls, to the Blue Collar BS podcast and you don't want to miss it. Alex, an experienced electrician, will not only give us some entertaining stories, but he also shares a ton of valuable lessons when he worked out in the field. We share valuable insights aimed at keeping blue collar businesses thriving across generations. Highlight: (0:4:40) - Alex’s experience with a transformer that exploded. (12:34) - Alex’s experience as a leader and that he felt like things were moving in the right direction. (16:34) - Leaders need to understand that employees really want to know the reason behind why they are doing something. Most of this boils down to communication issues. (20:22) - Leaders should be careful of their position of power and not being scared of losing their place by sharing wisdom Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Alex Pauls: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Brad & Steve Is Gen Z a Problem | 25 Aug 2023 | 00:13:34 | |
The Myth of Unmanageable Gen Z Employees Why does the majority of management label Gen Z as the most challenging generation to work with? We are not buying into the buzz that Gen Z is the toughest generation to manage in the workplace. We passionately challenge a Resume Builder article that claims an astonishing 74-75% of managers find Gen Z the most difficult generation to manage. Are they truly lacking skills and motivation, or are we just witnessing a clash of outdated workplace norms with the Gen Z way of thinking? Could it be that it's not Gen Z that needs to conform but rather the traditional workplace needs to adapt to the Gen Z way of thinking? Join us as we question the status quo of workplace expectations and efficiency. We discuss how this generation's distinct structure might impact their adaptability in the workforce. Spoiler alert: we firmly believe that expectations should be result-oriented, and businesses could greatly benefit from embracing this paradigm shift. So, tune in for an interesting conversation about bridging the generational gap in the workplace. Get ready to rethink your stance on Gen Z's place in the workforce. Highlights:
Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Redefining the Workforce: Insights from an Entrepreneur (Part two with Kura Homes) | 18 Aug 2023 | 00:30:45 | |
Encouraging Techs to Problem Solve Join us for Part Two with Daniel and Garrett, where we debunk common misconceptions and redefine the meaning of work. Listen in as Daniel, discusses his fierce drive to prove naysayers wrong, and his dedication to building a thriving team and business. We also share some of our best practices when it comes to recruitment - from assessing basic posture and knowledge during interviews to identifying the importance of a firm handshake and eye contact. This episode is also packed with insights on the challenges of interviewing younger workers, and how to distinguish the right fit for the job. You’ll get a kick out of some of the outrageous things Daniel and Garrett have seen in the interview process. We also dig into the importance of problem-solving abilities among technicians and discuss how we encourage our techs to search for solutions before seeking help. In the final part of our discussion, we highlight the opportunities in the blue-collar trades business. We discuss the power of mentorship and how we've leveraged podcasts to spread the word about blue collar business. We wrap up by discussing the challenges of managing employees, the importance of clear expectations, and the need for open dialogue. Highlights:
Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Daniel Felt: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Brad & Steve Mind the Gap-Generational Common Sense? | 11 Aug 2023 | 00:15:05 | |
Bridging the Generation Gap with Trivia and Slang Ready for a test of wits and nostalgia? Brace yourselves as Steve and Brad, embark on a hilarious game of Mind the Gap on our latest episode of Blue Collar BS. It's trivia time as Steve tests Brad's knowledge about TV shows, films, pop culture, unique headlines, and slang through the generations. With topics ranging from Wayne and Garth to Rocky, we’ve got all the bases covered. Ever felt like an idiot while scouring Google or asking Siri for answers you believe you should know? Well, we’re cracking that nut wide open. We delve into the merits and downsides of relying on technology for answers versus having the information at our fingertips. As we discuss this interesting conundrum, feel free to reach out to us with your thoughts or questions. After all, not all wisdom comes from Google. Sometimes, it takes a good old conversation to enlighten us. Tune in and join us in this journey of discovery and fun! Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Working Across Generations: Insights from Kura Home | 04 Aug 2023 | 00:25:36 | |
Building Trust and Community Across Generations What happens when a millennial boss and a Gen Z employee tackle the complex issue of generational differences in the workplace? Join us for a great conversation with Daniel Felt, a savvy millennial business leader from Kura Home, and his Operations Manager, Garrett Olsen, who rides the line between millennial and Gen Z. Daniel shares his unique approach of delegating and letting managers run the show while delving into his efforts to inspire the next generation. On the flip side, Garrett gives us an insight into the respect he shares with Daniel, and the challenges he faces while trying to bridge the respect gap with older generations. As we move forward, we pull back the curtain on the struggles young technicians face in trades - using Garrett's experiences. Proving your expertise in an arena ruled by seasoned tradesmen is no cakewalk for young professionals. We discuss the importance of punctuality and the rewards it can unlock. But it's not just about showing up on time - it's about building trust and weaving a community within business. Tune in for an episode filled with insightful discussions and valuable takeaways. Highlights:
Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Daniel Felt: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Brad & Steve Blue-Collar Perceptions | 28 Jul 2023 | 00:15:49 | |
Reframing Blue Collar Work Get ready to shatter some myths about blue collar jobs and the labor market as Brad and Steve reveal the truth behind some of the negative perceptions of Blue Collar work. We have a discussion on the generational work styles and how they are revolutionizing the industry, calling out to employers to rethink their strategies to attract and retain the modern workforce. In the second half of the episode, we'll take a closer look at the language we use when talking about the blue collar industry. Acknowledging the absence of a term that reflects the positive aspects of these jobs, we push for a change in the narrative which impacts the perception of these professions significantly. As we explore the crucial role of community service projects in reshaping the image of the industry, we are hopeful you'll gain a new perspective on the vital importance of blue collar jobs. We're excited to hear your thoughts and insights on this topic Highlights:
Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Empowering the Future of Blue Collar Work: Andrew Brown's Journey to Redefine Skilled Trades Careers | 21 Jul 2023 | 00:24:33 | |
How to make a difference and take action We had an incredible conversation with Andrew Brown, CEO and founder of Toolfetch, who shared his moving story of how witnessing the heroism of tradespeople during 9/11 led him to give back to the blue collar community. Andrew's passion for empowering the younger generation to explore careers in the skilled trades industry shines through as we discuss the importance of changing the messaging around college and the trades. We explore the challenges of engaging younger generations in the trades, addressing the stigma that has been associated with these careers over time. Andrew emphasizes the value of taking the time to build up skill sets and encourages parents, guidance counselors, and teachers to be more open to trades as a career option for their children. Highlights:
Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Website: Stephendoyle.focalpointcoaching.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephendoylejr/ Email: sdoyle@focalpointcoaching.com Brad Herda: Andrew Brown: Website: https://www.andrewbrown.net LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-brown-b1736a5/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| How The Generational Work Ethic Is Not A Them Problem with Dr. Jim Bohn | 14 Jul 2023 | 00:31:42 | |
Discover how to build a stronger, more unified team and create a productive work environment with our special guest, Dr. Jim Bohn. Drawing from his experience as a former multi-national organization employee and his deep understanding of human behavior, Dr. Bohn shares insights on team dynamics, generational work ethics, and the importance of communication within teams. You'll learn how to bridge communication gaps, foster psychological safety, and identify unique employee motivations to ensure success in your workplace! Get ready to explore the powerful influence of blue-collar work ethic in shaping white-collar career paths, as Dr. Bone shares a heartwarming story of his father - a skilled welder - and how it impacted his own professional journey. We'll also discuss the varying perspectives on work among different generations and uncover techniques to effectively communicate with your team members, regardless of age or background. We'll delve into the importance of employee development and recognition, offering practical tips on how to motivate your team without breaking the bank. Finally, we'll introduce the concept of cognitive apprenticeship and effectance motivation, two key strategies that can help you create a more successful team and foster a positive work environment. Whether you're a leader looking to improve team dynamics or an employee seeking better understanding and communication with your colleagues, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable tips that can make all the difference. Episode highlights:
Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Dr. Jim Bohn This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Automation and Fear with Brad & Steve | 23 Jun 2023 | 00:12:38 | |
Let's Talk about Automation and Blue Collar Work Brad and Steve are solo this week talking about a topic that everyone is on everyones mind. They cover the different ways automation is affecting blue-collar jobs, including the potential role of unions in protecting workers' rights. The conversation also addresses the infrastructure challenges of transitioning to green materials and electric cars. But don't worry, the hosts emphasize the importance of keeping blue-collar businesses strong for future generations. With the new "Brad and Steve" component, Blue Collar B.S. keeps listeners engaged with thought-provoking conversations. Highlights:
Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Can fixing safety fix production with James Boretti | 09 Jun 2023 | 00:28:33 | |
James Boretti, a safety professional has been bringing profitability and safety in unique ways for decades. This episode discusses how adapting to your team can create engagement, thinking young and embracing technology, and recognizing safety problems to improve production. James talks about the importance of adapting to the current workforce and trends to create engagement among employees. As a safety professional and business owner, he has had to adapt his training practices and communication methodologies both internally and for his clients. Episode highlights:
Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: James Boretti This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Touch It Once... But Not Like That | 16 May 2025 | 00:26:56 | |
We’ve both looked at our to-do lists and thought, “Yeah… not today.” The harder the task, the easier it is to avoid. Let’s talk about why that happens—and what to do when procrastination starts running the show. We’ve all been there—staring at a task we know we should handle but keep pushing to the bottom of the pile. In this episode, we talk about why we do that and what to do instead. James Clear might call it habit formation. We like to call it getting shit done. We dig into why “touch it once” works, what to do when the shiny object wins, and how chaos becomes the default when nobody sets the tone. If your team doesn’t know what “done” looks like, that’s a leadership problem—and we’ve got thoughts on how to fix it. We also swap stories about corporate clutter (literally and figuratively), share how 5S-ing our desks led to a 35% productivity jump, and call out the real culprit behind your “I’m too busy” excuse—hint: it’s not the sales team. Stick around until the end, where we each commit to one habit we’re working on—because we’re not just talking the talk. We’re in it, too. Highlights
If this episode hit home (or made you laugh), do us a favor—subscribe, rate, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Then share it with someone who’s still avoiding that one thing they said they’d get to last week. Connect with us: Check out the Blue Collar BS website. Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| How Experiential Learning is Changing Career Decisions with Jim Michlig | 27 May 2023 | 00:31:46 | |
How to not give up even when you hear multiple No's Jim Michlig is is technically a millennial but identifies with characteristics of other generations because of his upbringing. He works for a school district to build relationships with businesses to work with students and build their resumes and toolboxes to prepare them for the real world. Jim gives some great advice if your looking to make major changes to what your school district offers. Episode highlights:
They are working hard to adapt with the changes of society to prepare students to be career ready. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Jim Michlig This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| How This Unapologetic Millennial is Thriving - Chris Seider | 13 May 2023 | 00:29:23 | |
Taking Risks and being uncomfortable Chris Seider fits in with the millennial generation unapologetically. He watched his dad work his way up from the lowest rung on the ladder to the very top gaining respect every step of the way. With this in mind, Chris wanted to create a name for himself. He has experience in various industries with the meat of his experience in safety. As a leader, Chris’s goal is to create an environment for a team that is safe for failing and learning. Team members should fill in each other’s gaps. Episode highlights:
Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Chris Seider This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| How Massive Action Can Impact Life with Joshua Page | 28 Apr 2023 | 00:31:20 | |
An electrician and a Ted x Speaker Josh Page owns three electrical contractor companies located in Massachusetts. He loves being able to serve, whether it's helping people find contractors to helping fix things for others. Josh talks about why he wrote the Book "What Does Your Daddy Do?" and how he accidentally became a public speaker. Episode Highlights: 07:28 - How Josh went from thinking he would get his cosmetology license to ending up getting his master electrician license. 14:22 - Why being willing to share your story builds trust and captures the attention of people listening. 19:51 - What does your Daddy do a book written to capture the attention of third to sixth graders to plant the seed early that the trades could be an option for them. 24:25 - Some of the ways that people can get involved in showcasing how cool and fun being in the trades is. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Joshua Page This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| An untraditional path with Craig Sorbo | 14 Apr 2023 | 00:31:47 | |
Hard work and being willing to buck the system. Craig Sorbo is a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual. He walks through his early decision to buck the trend of getting a four year degree. He talks through his experience of becoming a very successful car salesman and eventually running a dealership. Why not proclaiming to be the smartest person in the room has helped him get buy in and acceptance as a leader. He shares how showing up and doing the work with your team is crucial to being successful in managing any team. Episode Highlights: 03:14 - Craig discusses his big moment when he realized getting a four year degree wasn't for him. 12:47 - Craig shares some things he did that really helped him get the respect of his team even with being one of the youngest in the dealership. 19:51 - Craigs outside of the box way of thinking when it came to running his team created true collaboration as well as opportunities for the next generation. 26:23 - Why you don't need a four year degree to become wealthy. And making sure that you have a good relationship with money. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Craig Sorbo This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Planting Trees for the next generation with Ben Zang | 31 Mar 2023 | 00:27:29 | |
Why we all need an education about benefits. Ben Zang has had a varied career. For the last 10 years he has helped small businesses leverage benefits as a way to capture talent. Ben, Brad and Steve talk about why its important to start bringing on talent from different generations specifically as it relates to benefits, but also to make sure that we have a strong work force as boomers retire. Episode Highlights: 02:57 - How a multigenerational workforce can heavily influence the overall costs of benefits for a company. 12:08 - From a benefits cost perspective its important for employers to look at hiring more GenZ employees as well as the impact it will have on the ability for blue collar companies to continue to grow and thrive. 17:22 - Why its so important to continually ask questions. This creates better employees as well the organization. 22:00 - Ben shares an amazing story about his time working in Key West and how that experience shaped his overall view of the world. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Ben Zang This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Sharing and educating the next generation with Bob Doll | 17 Mar 2023 | 00:27:15 | |
Why Wisdom is so important for the next generation. Bob Doll has spent the last 30 years in the aggregate industry. He is currently the Regional Sales Manager for Durex Products. He credits his father for many of things he has learned as well helping create direction early on his life. He is solution oriented and always looking for ways to make a process better. He truly believe that the Boomers need to be open with sharing and educating the next generation. Episode Highlights: 06:11 - Discussing his father and how brilliant he was. The takeaway is that we should not discount people who don't have a four year degree. 08:18 - Being invested in finding the answer to whatever the issue is. 10:33 - Why application knowledge is just as important as being book smart. 19:08 - Why its so important for the older generation not to hold onto their knowledge and to make sure they are sharing it with the younger generations. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Bob Doll This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Manufacturing is not what you think with Megan Tzanoukakis | 03 Mar 2023 | 00:28:08 | |
Megan Tzanoukakis started her career in accounting, but was ready for change. Opportunity came her way through Sussex IM. However, the position was not in the accounting field. She started out in Operations and is now the Vice President of Supply Chain. Megan talks to Brad & Steve about change, how the generations need to work together and understand each other, the future of manufacturing and recycling in the manufacturing industry. Episode Highlights 06:00 - Megan's love of operations and finding better faster ways to do things. 07:20 - Why the younger generations can't come into a company and just think they can change things. They need to understand why things are done a certain way. 15:45 - Blue Collar businesses need to work closely with high schools so they can tap into the talent and expose the next generation to the possibilities of manufacturing as a career path. 22:20 - The push for recycled material and the future of chemical recycling. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Megan Tzanoukakis This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| GenZ in manufacturing with Eric Thompson | 17 Feb 2023 | 00:28:26 | |
We are excited to Welcome our first GenZ guest Eric Thompson. Eric walks us through how he got into the Blue Collar industry. How he always had an interest in taking things apart and seeing how things worked. He worked in machining and designing in his high school robotics program. This is what created his interest in engineering which led him to get his bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is now an Application Engineer at Furey Filter & Pump, Inc. He talks about his perspective as being one of the younger employees in his company. How he has been embraced by his coworkers, what his goals are for the future and he gives some advice for the younger generation thinking of getting into manufacturing. Episode Highlights: 03:00 - Eric's story of getting into manufacturing. 9:20 - How Eric has dealt with being the youngest in his company and how the seasoned employees have helped and guided him. 15:28 - How past experience can really help you and gain respect from your team even as being one of the youngest employees in the building. 20:19 - Eric's advice for the younger generation and how everyone should have basic knowledge of how to work with their hands. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Eric Thompson: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| The Strength of Each Generation with Bridgette Wiggins | 03 Feb 2023 | 00:29:21 | |
Using the strength of each generation with Bridgette Wiggins Bridgette Wiggins has had a varied career from teaching to a project management. She's handled up to 40 large corporate projects to running an office solo. She is now the Vice President of JMJ Construction. Bridgette is passionate about using each generations gifts to be able to work as a team. This episode focuses on Bridgettes experience as woman in a male dominated field. She talks about her own mindset shifts and wanting to create a culture of being proud of where you work as the corner stone of hiring the right people. Episode Highlights: 02:57 - Bridgette discusses her experiences being in the construction field and how her attitude and approach has changed. 06:29 - Knowing how each generation communicates and uses tools differently creates more cohesion on the team. 9:25 - Be careful not to generalize by generation. 14:08 - If you create a culture people want to be a part of your company can get more and more referrals for filling open roles. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Bridgette Wiggins This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| What value are you bringing with Christopher Zuzick | 20 Jan 2023 | 00:28:25 | |
Stop taking a Blanket Approach to training with Christopher Zuzick There is a movement happening around what's required to keep future generations engaged and growing in the Blue Collar Space. Training your team is a not a one size fits all approach. One the biggest questions you need to ask yourself as a leader is " What value I am brining to my employees?" Brad, Steve and Christopher also talk about how businesses need to embrace the fact that employees will not be with a company for 20 years. But it's still a good idea to have a robust training plan for all stages of your employees career. As Brad says" We need to make the pool bigger." Christopher Zuzick has always thought of himself as a life long learner. He likes to seek out win-win situations for both internal and external customers. He has varied experience from sales to product launches. He enjoys building teams and has a servant leadership style. Episode Highlight 05:20 - Stop looking at your training plan as a one size fits all approach. 10:50 - It's a different world than it was 30 years ago. Employees will not stay with companies for 20 years. Work with this idea instead of against it. 17:24 - Your definition of success might be different than what your employees want. Ask them, "What is success for you?" 23:00 - Discussion around what positives came out of COVID and having to navigate regulations with employees in different countries. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Christoper Zuzick This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| High-Tech Redneck James Hatfield | 09 May 2025 | 00:28:02 | |
We’ve all wasted time chasing jobs that go nowhere—or worse, driving across town for something we could’ve solved with one look. That’s why when James Hatfield showed us how LiveSwitch works, it felt like the most obvious tool every crew should be using. James Hatfield isn’t your average tech guy—he calls himself a high-tech redneck, and once you hear his story, you’ll get why. From painting houses and power washing driveways to leading a tech company helping blue collar pros get their time (and sanity) back, James brings the kind of common sense innovation we’re all looking for. He’s not trying to reinvent the wheel—he’s just making sure it actually gets you there faster. In this episode, we talk about how LiveSwitch lets contractors skip the truck ride and close jobs from anywhere with a quick text and video call—no app needed. That’s not just cool, it’s what a lot of us need to compete with Amazon-level expectations from customers who want things now. James breaks down why tech doesn’t have to be complicated to be game-changing—and how simplicity is actually the smartest move in business. We also dig into the generational gap when it comes to technology. It’s not about age, it’s about willingness to learn. James shares how his team keeps things dead simple so anyone—from your apprentice to your grandma—can use it without feeling lost or left behind. And if you’ve ever been burned by tech that overpromised and underdelivered, this episode is for you. James is the kind of guy who actually builds things for the people using them. No buzzwords, no fluff—just tools that work. Episode Highlights:
Like what you heard? Make sure to subscribe, leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with someone who’s tired of wasting time on jobs that should’ve been done already. Connect with James: Connect with us: Check out the Blue Collar BS website. Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| How Servant Leadership Creates Culture with Tim Luetzow | 06 Jan 2023 | 00:30:34 | |
Treating your employees as good as you treat your customers with Tim Luetzow The demand for a new way of doing things is underway and it all revolves around how companies look at their employees. By understanding what the new generation of employees are looking for and being open to it companies can foster longer term relationships with their staff. Brad and Steve talk with Tim Luetzow about his approach to leadership and how its changed his life. Tim Luetzow has a varied career holding different roles in construction, manufacturing and transportation. His fascination with servant leadership and organizational change helps him stay ahead of the curve to foster engaged and healthy employees. Episode Highlight 2:00 - Do you identify with the generation you were born into? Or are there parts from each generation that you see yourself in? 16:00 - Tim talks about his switch into servant leadership and how it changed both his professional and personal relationships. 21:15 - Why you need to create a culture where people want to come to work. This is also how you attract the younger generation. Why not ask the next generation " What will it take for you to come and work for us? " 24:00 - Blue Collar businesses need to be flexible. Some of the traditional practices could cost you when its time to sell or scale your business. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Tim Luetzow: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Transferring knowledge to the next generation with Paul Van Metre | 23 Dec 2022 | 00:30:27 | |
How to make Blue Collar work appealing to GenZ and beyond Paul Van Metre interest in machining started with a Formula SAE competition. He loved the industry so much that he started a machine shop with his friends. He sold that company and developed web based ERP, MES and QMS system called ProShop. He now sells ProShop to companies around the world. He's passionate about brining the next generation into the manufacturing industry and has been able to donate Proshop to school run businesses. By showing the younger generation all the possibilities of manufacturing he's able to create more opportunities and help ensure that the boomers aren't the last generation in blue-collar work. Episode Highlight 05:00 - When there's a gap in the marketplace you sometimes have to create it yourself. 08:00 - Getting on the board of a local community college helped him grow his talent pool and also make sure they are being trained on up to date technology. 11:30 - Why you need to create systems and processes for every role in your company. By doing this you will have a proven training plan for each employee. This has helped Paul bring in people who are motivated but might be lacking in hard skills. 24:04 - Middle school is the age where you can really get the next generation interested and hooked in making manufacturing a career option. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Paul Van Metre Eagle Manufacturing -Powered by Proshop This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| How to look at hiring differently with Matt Guse | 09 Dec 2022 | 00:26:30 | |
Changing the perception of the trades with Matt Guse Matt Guse has been part of creating a new legacy of manufacturing. MRS Machining is one of the top ten machine shops in the country. Matt is continuing what his father started with educating the next generation of machinists through offering internships and equipment to a local high school trade program. This episode focuses on how educating the next generation and showing them what is possible has enabled Guse to be able to successfully hire GenZ's into his company. By doing this he is a true pioneer in changing the narrative about the trades. Episode Highlights: 03:34 - The salary for skilled trades are often higher than people who get four year degrees. 06:29 - How to get ten tenured employees on board with new ways of doing things. 10:20 - The decision to share 40% of profits with his employees and how it has motivated them. 14:08 - Why women need to part of your hiring strategy. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Matt Guse This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Wisdom with Corey Berrier | 25 Nov 2022 | 00:28:41 | |
Making Training and Education Accessible for Everyone with Corey Berrier There are several initiatives underway to help blue-collar workers get the training and education they need to compete in today's economy. By understanding the challenges faced by blue-collar workers, we can help them build a better future for themselves and their families. In this episode, Steve and Brad are joined by Corey Berrier and they discuss the blue-collar space. They talk about some of the issues and challenges faced by blue-collar workers, as well as provide tips and insight on how to overcome them. Corey Berrier is a (SME) Sales Systems and Processes | Business Consultant and Sales Coach | #1 Best Selling Author of 9 Simple Steps to Sell More $h!T! | Top Rated Podcaster | 2x Speaker on the largest podcast stage in the world “Podfest” | Owner “The Sales CEO” | NLP Practitioner | Owner of Sales Legends VA’s Episode Highlight 07:47 - I think that a lot of millennials just would rather not have the conversation than even have the confrontation. 13:34 - Kinesthetic, for those of you that don't know what that means, it just means that we like – I'm kinesthetic. So, I like to hear, see it, feel it, everything. I want to get the full experience. 17:24 - If the leader is not doing what he says he's going to do, whatever that is, that's a big problem and that's large shoes to fill. So, you've got to make sure as the leader that you don't say yes to a bunch of shit that you can't do. 24:04 - Some of the companies that I've worked with, they do invest in their employees over and above what everybody else is doing and that's what you go to do. And I don't just mean by the amount of money you pay them. That's dollars and cents. That's fine. But what people really want is a connection. They are wanting to a degree a community. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Corey Berrier This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| How the trades are ready for change with Ron Nussbaum | 11 Nov 2022 | 00:28:39 | |
Bringing the trades into the 21st Century In this episode, Brad & Steve talk with Ron about how he got into the trades. Ron talks about his drive and ambition when he left the Marines and how it served him well in creating a decade career in the trades. They discuss how you can truly make a career in the trades and how companies should be authentic in attracting the Gen Z generation. Ron highlights the need for a new era of communication in the trades and discusses his new app that is going to revolutionize the industry. Highlights: 04:14 The biggest challenges of transitioning into the trades. 10:26 Advice for anyone getting into the trades "Come in with an open mind and always be learning." 17:06 Promoting the trades as more than a transitory job. 23:51 How customers and companies need better communication tools to provide better service and avoid expensive mistakes. Contact your host Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Ron Nussbaum This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Gratitude and Blue-Collar Pride with Scott Clark | 28 Oct 2022 | 00:22:51 | |
A Blue Collar Journey with Scott Clark This is a great episode for anyone who is thinking about entering or who is already in the blue-collar space and wants to hear from someone who has been impacted by the show. Scott shares his story of how he found the show and what it has meant to him over the years. He also talks about how the show has helped him in his personal life, which allows for continued and open dialogue between the two friends. Episode Highlights 04:04 - I just enjoyed listening to it because I feel like with my current roles I just have a little different perspective on the work that I do and the effort I put into doing my work. 06:56 - Just hearing the type of work that they do, I still might not understand all of it but I definitely appreciate it a lot more within all those different types of work. 09:57 - Pedal Tavern is just kind of like a bar and restaurant, it's kind of the service industry and there are tips involved and it's awesome. 11:30 - It's great to find some sort of passion and just look if you need to learn more about that passion, and figure out what's the right track to go. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Scott Clark This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Energizing his future, leaving a legacy, keeping family first, with Alex Pauls | 14 Oct 2022 | 00:27:44 | |
Working With the Right People with Alex Pauls In this episode, Brad has a one-on-one conversation with Alex Pauls about his marketing business, KP Design. They talk about life transitions from technical sales to becoming a marketing genius and guru. Alex describes what it was like being a power electrician and shares his most memorable and fearful experiences while working at Manitoba Hydro in Canada for 15 years, as well as fitting in with older generations. They talk about mentorship, shaping the next generation of electrical trainees in Winnipeg, and what it’s like to see students succeed. After taking a retirement package, Alex’s passion and desire to work combined with his wife’s talents in web design finally led to the fruition of their marketing SEO world and the dream of working together. Listen to the podcast to hear how Alex found the right work ethic that fit their brand and their promise. Learn the process of finding the right people to work with when you tune in to this episode.
Highlights: 04:07 If somebody's going to pay you to leave, you take the money and you leave. And you take your skills and you're grateful. And you move on and you do new amazing things. 06:56 There were a lot of days where I think I was thinking to myself, “The only reason I'm doing this is so that I can tell my grandchildren one day that I did this.” 16:01 I think any good teacher wants to see their students surpass them. 23:51 I think that's the toughest and most time-consuming part. It’s finding and trusting the right people to want to work with.
Contact your host Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Alex Pauls: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Millennial Energy Focused on Future with Daniel Felt | 30 Sep 2022 | 00:26:00 | |
In this episode, Brad and Steve are joined by Daniel Felt, who shares his experience with leading and managing a team of different generations. He discusses how he got to the blue-collar space and offers advice for other business owners who may be struggling to lead a multigenerational workforce. Daniel provides insight into how he manages his team and helps them to work together effectively. He also shares how he motivates his employees and keeps them engaged in their work. As a result, this episode provides valuable advice for any business owner who is looking to improve their team's performance. Episode Highlights: 03:04 - With the young guys, what I found is they are very easy to train. Today in the home service industry you are going to have the technology for sure and a lot of these things are using a tablet, CRM system and they pick up on it very quickly. 05:40 - No matter what your age is, I think today society is at a point where they are not super quick to judge. 12:04 - Having those conversations with guys on a regular basis I found really keeps people long term. If I get separated as an owner from the technicians, I`ve noticed our retention goes down. 21:43 - You got to keep a pulse on what's going on and I think the most important part of the entire process is are you willing to offer a franchise to an individual? Are they qualified?
Contact Your Hosts Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Daniel Felt This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| A Clean Window into the Future with Ben Barlow | 16 Sep 2022 | 00:31:48 | |
In this episode, Brad and Steve are joined by Ben Barlow, an Exercise & Wellness major with a minor in Business Management. Ben is passionate about two things: helping people be healthy and happy and using creativity to provide solutions that can be both simple and powerful. Over a few years, he has become a high-level communicator, increasing performance and inspiring others to take action through intrinsic motivation. Ben shares his entrepreneurial journey and struggles as a young entrepreneur. He started out young and didn't have much experience, so he had to learn a lot as he went along. The struggle was real for him, but he persevered and eventually became successful. Ben's story is inspiring for other young entrepreneurs who are just starting out. He reminds us that struggle is part of the process, but if you keep going and don't give up, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. This is an insightful and inspiring episode that will help any young entrepreneur who is facing struggles in their business. Episode Highlights: 02:53 - I'd say I'm an independent person. I like to think through things. I'm very entrepreneurial, and I want to be spontaneous at times. I love creativity. 07:51 - When I started, I didn't think that was what I'm going to do, but that's kind of the difficulty of the business. At the beginning, I thought this will be good money that can get me through and support myself. 12:48 - They are not as familiar with knowing how to fill out legal forms. You really need to walk through each individual's steps with them which takes quite a bit of time. 21:53 - I think a lot of it is just trying to be genuine with them and even if we are not the best company to go for, we don't have all the benefits, but we try to create a good environment that makes it a good experience for them. Contact Your Hosts Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Ben Barlow This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| David Belman Builds on Family | 02 Sep 2022 | 00:38:18 | |
Building the Family Business David Belman joins Brad and Steve to talk about how he became passionate about business in his younger years by observing everything over the dinner table. He shares how the family businesses came with their own set of challenges and opportunities. But, with the right commitment and approach, it can thrive. Learning about how to hire the right people is one of the most important aspects of running a business, and how owners should be willing to invest in the professional development of their employees is truly essential. Highlights 08:28 As a business owner, there’s a huge challenge in trying to find the right people and fit the right person for the job.
09:50 You have to invest in some training and that’s really at the core that is building some system.
11:08 Sometimes you have to figure out a niche and a way to approach it.
13:02 You have to have people that are what I call farmers instead of hunters and so that’s kind of what I did and I was like, “I want you to be a farmer, you’re gonna plant some seeds, you’re gonna water those seeds and you’re gonna take care of them and over time you’re gonna have a lot of sales.”
33:00 Self-improvement is within the mind, and so focusing on who you want to be, and what kind of person you want to be, not who you are now but where you want to go.
Contact Your Hosts Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: David Belman This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Why Your New Hires Suck (And It’s Probably Your Fault) | 02 May 2025 | 00:21:30 | |
When your team isn’t clear on what success looks like, it usually means expectations weren’t defined early on. Whether it’s a new hire just starting out or a long-time employee unsure about how to move up, we’ve seen how unclear expectations can lead to frustration—for everyone. In this episode, we’re talking about how to create clear, realistic pathways for growth, accountability, and performance, without overcomplicating the process. We’re kicking off Q2 with a real talk about what owners and managers need to think about when hiring and promoting talent—especially when summer hires and Gen Z workers start entering the mix. Whether you’re running a crew, a shop, or a service company, you can’t afford to wing it when it comes to accountability. In this episode, we break down a system that have helped our clients build: four tiers of general labor, each with its own clear set of expectations and pay scale. We talk about why it’s OK for people to stay at level one, how to structure promotions so they actually mean something, and what to do when someone stops pulling their weight. We also get into the mindset shift needed for employees and business owners alike: how to use clarity as a tool, why results should drive pay (not favoritism), and how to make sure your team understands the path forward—if they want to take it. Spoiler: not everyone will. And that’s fine. If you’ve been stuck between trying to raise the ceiling vs. raising the floor in your business, this episode is for you. It’s all about building something sustainable—and that starts with setting expectations that actually work. Highlights
If this episode gave you something to think about, do us a favor—subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts. And hey, share it with another owner or manager who could use some no-BS hiring advice. General Labor Position Agreements Connect with us: Check out the Blue Collar BS website. Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Adam Lives Servant Leadership | 19 Aug 2022 | 00:31:11 | |
Workers of Different Generations with Adam Schrank In this episode, Steve and Brad welcome Adam Schrank. Adam has been in the manufacturing industry for 25 years. Now an Operations Leader at Millerbernd. They talk about leveraging personal power within the organization along with influencing others to paint the vision and the picture to eliminate pain points. Highlights: 01:50 I went down to that situation not knowing I didn't know what I didn't know. 04:16 The other interesting part of that conversation is when we were in that meeting or that discussion, it was a peer group, off-site type thing, with different leaders, from different companies. 07:46 I think that's where generationally from a Gen X to maybe Gen Z or Millennials where that's where something that I would have to challenge myself with is because I believe that you should be present and be here.
Contact your hosts Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Adam Schrank: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Legos Build a Blue-Collar Passion Chase Tannhaeuser | 05 Aug 2022 | 00:30:30 | |
Building Futures Through the Construction Field Chase Tannhaeuser joins Brad and Steve to talk about how the construction field can give younger generations an opportunity for a better life and increased earnings. Chase shares how they offer apprenticeship programs that can give young people the chance to learn the trade and get some true experience. Chase also shares how making your employees feel like a family is necessary to build a sense of loyalty and belongingness into the workplace. Listen as they discuss more about work ethics in the construction field. Highlights 04:17 If you can't learn, you're never gonna go higher in any job that you do, I don’t care what field you're in. If you're not willing to learn, you're not gonna grow.
05:24 Talking to these kids, they didn’t understand that there was an opportunity for them to make a better life for themselves and make a bunch of money at the same time in the construction field.
08:21 If we don't do something as individuals in the fields to try to teach these kids, they’re never gonna learn the way they need to learn it.
13:24 Those are some of the hardest things that I found in hiring people is true experience on a job.
15:46 That’s so important nowadays; a sense of belonging for so many people.
Contact Your Hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Chase Tannhaeuser This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Safety Fitz-Old Becomes New Again Tom Fitzgerald | 22 Jul 2022 | 00:32:59 | |
Building a Safety Culture with Tom “Fitz” Fitzgerald Brad and Steve are joined by Tom “Fitz” Fitzgerald. Fitz is the Founder and Senior Safety Advocate of Safety Fitz LLC. Prior to starting Safety Fitz LLC, “Fitz” has worked in manufacturing management for 44 years in three major roles: Manufacturing, Human Resources, and Safety. Fitz has an intimate knowledge of all Lean World Class Safety Management Techniques used in manufacturing today. His very favorite techniques to achieve optimum results for an organization are through using Employee Involvement, Engagement, and Teambuilding. In this episode, they discuss safety in the workplace and how important it is to have a safety plan in place. They also talk about how to engage employees in safety initiatives and how to build a strong safety culture within an organization. This is an informative episode that provides valuable information for anyone who wants to learn more about safety management in the workplace. Highlights: 03:23 – I think technology has a lot to do with that, having a resume on your computer wherever you need to send them. We never had that back in the day and that is the biggest change I see today. 07:02 – My parents were in the two greatest generations; they were thought to sacrifice everything for the kids and that was passed on to me. 11:17 – I think most of us realize how to learn and live with it. It's not going to go away it's never going to go back to January 2020 so we just need to deal with it. 25:23 – I always ask a question, what`s the cost if you don’t do it? Again, you don’t teach people how to lift properly. Somebody goes in the electrical panel at work and puts a screwdriver in there because they are trying to be smart.
Contact Your Hosts Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Contact Tom “Fitz” Fitzgerald This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Sparking the Future For Gen Z Don Curtin | 08 Jul 2022 | 00:26:17 | |
Setting Up a Motivating Environment in the Workforce
Don Curtin joins Brad and Steve to discuss the fascinating side of the welding industry. Don shares the unique behaviors of the younger generation in the industry and their individualities. They talk about how great communication and interaction can create an environment that encourages people to come into the industry, particularly Gen Z. Don also shares how mentoring helps build foundations and teaches the recipe for success to be the best welder to inspire more of the younger generation to stay and to continue in the workforce.
Highlights
06:45 I want these kids to learn whether they stay with us or not. I want them to learn as much as they can. Just develop and be a good productive employee.
08:23 Some of the kids, I guess, are really confident as they start getting into it, and all of a sudden, we give them something that kind of humbles them, but that’s part of learning.
14:36 The ability to accept criticism and your attention to details, things like that, all those things are being looked at.
15:07 Just being able to communicate and bridge that gap between the floor and the office and suppliers and everything like that, and have that communication skill that you have and the experiences that go along with it. That is priceless.
17:34 We have a recipe for success, of how you do it properly.
Contact Your Hosts Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Contact Don Curtin This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| From Farm to Exit with Damon Pistulka | 24 Jun 2022 | 00:32:06 | |
Establishing Human Connection and Leadership
Brad and Steve are joined by a phenomenal guest, Damon Pistulka. Damon shares what started his passion for the blue-collar world and how he finds that this is where the real magic happens when people see it the other way. They also talk about leadership among millennials and how to be more engaged as a leader. Find out the key formulas to assist the younger generation to be more exhilarated in the workforce by leading them to the right path and how to have a great human connection.
Highlights
04:43 The education system has done a much better marketing job and a much better opportunity of drawing in the talent in the workforce that needs to come back and support the industries.
06:38 We’re not gonna be here forever. I think it's our job to teach the next generation to be better.
09:26 They know that they may not stay there forever, they know that they might not have that kid there for 10 years, but building the business that allows them to bring in young talent, teach and educate and move on and make it sustainable. What’s the problem, as long as it is sustainable?
13:40 We have to intentionally make a connection.
15:21 There's a new way that the people look at it now and approach it is, “we can be friends, we can be friendly, we can be caring about each other” it’s just a matter of that there are things that you have to do, there’s a requirement you have to have while working.
Contact Your Hosts Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Contact Damon Pistulka This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| X Sees Z As The Future, Kristina Harrington | 10 Jun 2022 | 00:26:19 | |
Generational Transformation in Manufacturing In this episode, Brad and Steve talk with Kristina Harrington, a founding member of GenAlpha Technologies, one of the world’s largest e-commerce leaders for the manufacturing sector. Kris shares her take on how the manufacturing sector has changed with the transition of generations through the workforce and how the various generations can effectively communicate with each other to transfer knowledge and build a stronger company. Digital transformation is a solution that can connect the dots between generations. Highlights: 03:32 The Baby Boomers are exiting fast at all levels of the organization and that’s creating a knowledge gap. 07:24 The things that attract them (Gen Z) are good-paying jobs with flexibility and the tools to help them do their job well from the beginning. 08:49 Where is the information to help the Gen Zs do their job better? How do they service the customer better? How do they make sure they are able to easily achieve their own goals? How do they grow inside the organization if they don’t have access to information quickly and easily? 12:24 If you give them that idea at the outset, that they’re there to help with the change, then they might be more forgiving of what currently exists in the organization as you work to affect that change. 14:39 How do you provide autonomy to a group of individuals, who have been scheduled, pretty much from age 7, 6, till they got out of college or left high school? 19:53 They do think differently and they do behave differently, they just have come up in different worlds. So have patience and be ready to educate. Contact your hosts: GenAlpha Technologies Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| This Boomer is Not Afraid to Teach or Learn Mark Weber | 27 May 2022 | 00:21:53 | |
How to adapt to the times with Mark Weber In this episode, Steve and Brad welcome Mark Weber. Mark has been in the print industry for decades and now transitioned to HVAC. He is currently the General Manager at Iron Fireman Heating and Cooling. They talk about the challenges as a business owner and general manager on changes in behavior and attitudes, the expectations of younger employees, and the concerns to attracting and retaining employment. Episode Highlights: 08:04 I also think, yeah, I feel like they have less fear of going out and starting something on their own. We’ve raised generations of kids that are now more aggressive, more confident, and all these kinds of things. They don’t have some of the fears and anxieties we had. 09:36 I feel like we can sell our company to people, we can get them excited and enthusiastic about what we’re doing here if we have that opportunity to have that conversation. 13:22 To look at these younger people and say, we’re gonna be fine. We just have to find them out there and we have to attract them and we have to understand that they think about some of these things differently than we do. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda:
Mark Weber This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Blue Collar BOOM! | 13 May 2022 | 00:22:59 | |
Place holder This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Blue-Collar EQ, No It's Not Math | 29 Apr 2022 | 00:26:04 | |
Managing Emotional Intelligence In this episode, Steve and Brad talk about “EQ”, Emotional Intelligence. It is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict and how it impacts all generations in a working environment. Tune in and listen to their personal opinions and views on the topic.
Episode Highlights 03:26 – First is self-awareness, meaning we actually understand what triggers us, what it is that makes us happy, what makes us pissed off. 03:41 – Second is Self-management, it's how well we can manage those expectations. If we can manage and we blow up with anger, all those have a different outcome. 07:30 – Any form of communication whether verbal non-verbal, written or non-written. Emotional Intelligence has an impact on all of that. If we don`t understand the audience that we`re writing to and the emotions that we`re feeling it can get misinterpreted. 15:01- The eye rolls, there's a trigger for it. The sighs, there's a trigger for it and that will lead to a negative outcome. 19:08 – If we can be more tactful with the things that we can control, which is ourselves and our body language and the words that we use, we’ll have a greater impact and having a conversation that leads to less conflict less stress and we can do the things that we really want to do throughout the day. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Millennial Leadership, Are You Adapting? | 15 Apr 2022 | 00:29:30 | |
In this episode, Steve and Brad talk about an article from Harvard Business Review entitled “Millennial Managers Can Change Company Culture for the Better”. The two dive into a deep conversation about how Millennials provide unique leadership in the workforce. The whole article revolves around key steps that a manager could use to provide a better culture in the organization. Steve and Brad will touch on a variety of topics about company culture from transparency, communication, expectations, and many more. Tune in and listen to their personal opinion and views on the topic.
Episode Highlights 1:28 When Millennials first entered the workforce, there was this connotation with their work culture, work ethic, and how willing they were to dive in, get their hands dirty, take the time to understand things, and work through things. 4:30 They are totally in the middle. You've got the superiors thinking one thing, they've got their subordinates going in a whole different direction so the stress that they feel is insurmountable and it is a lot easier for them to align, if you will, with those that have similar thoughts as they do. 6:45 As we're trying to build that trust, both up and down, there's a level of transparency that those managers need to be displaying but unfortunately, people can't handle full transparency. 18:06 Creativity is immensely important to solving whatever comes up. 19:47 The question becomes, how much do you spend on that versus doing the thing that's making you the cash to create the output and go forward? 21:44 When we talk cultural fit, we're not talking purpose of the company, as this article really is talking about more, you know, what gives them purpose. We're talking about how well you fit in with other companies that you are interviewing at.
Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle:
Brad Herda:
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| The Right People Faster, It's Not Complicated with Talmar Anderson | 25 Apr 2025 | 00:30:18 | |
Ever had an employee who’s great at their job but completely struggles when promoted to a leadership role? We've been there too. In this episode, we’re joined by Talmar Anderson to talk about why hiring and leadership often go sideways — and what you can do to fix it. Hiring the right people isn’t just about filling seats — it’s about building a solid team that can grow with your business. In this episode, Talmar Anderson, CEO of Boss HQ, joins us to break down the key mistakes business owners make when hiring and promoting employees. From understanding what success looks like before you even post a job ad to the importance of hiring people smarter than you, Talmar shares practical advice for building a stronger team. We also talk about why contractors, home service providers, and small business owners need to build a “bench” of reliable contacts — and how connecting with the right people can save your business when things get tight. Plus, Talmar explains why mindset is just as crucial as strategy when managing your team. Whether you’re hiring your first employee or managing a full crew, this episode is packed with tips to help you avoid common pitfalls and build a team that sticks. Highlights:
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to share it with other business owners who could use some solid hiring and leadership advice! Connect with Talmar: Connect with us: Check out our new website. Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Thomas Finds Blue Collar Pride, Thomas Anderson | 01 Apr 2022 | 00:28:40 | |
Episode 23: Creating Success and Keeping the Blue-Collar Industry Alive with Thomas Anderson In this episode, Steve and Brad welcome Thomas Anderson, Co-Owner of Potomac Run Development. Thomas is GenX with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry including custom building and designing. They talk about the challenges of moving to another place and starting all over again with new crew members/contractors. Thomas shares the characteristics he looks for when talking to potential coworkers. He also shares his plans about moving from Virginia to Savannah and talks about his expectations and regional differences. Episode Summary 04:12 - I do not care who is in charge. In DC, they will always take good care of DC. 04:30 - As it turned out, I was right. This was a great place to move to. I even thought maybe I wasn’t going to be in construction. 07:09 - Most of the guys that I work with are very entrepreneurial. 11:09 - I will be brand new, and I was thinking of a fast way to do it to meet trades. My plan is to buy a property. 20:03 - Nowadays I wouldn’t care how old someone was. I would just care about a lot of other factors, but how old they were wouldn’t matter. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: Thomas Anderson: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| Can't Take Family Out Of The Family Business | 18 Mar 2022 | 00:20:29 | |
Episode 22: Family Business - Communication is Key. In this episode, Steve and Brad discuss an article on family business and how a lot of dynamics are going on when the business is passed on from generation to generation. As you start getting into second and third generations of employees, you’re bringing in additional family members, your second or third relatives, and their husbands, wives, and kids. The mission and the vision of the business may change. Communication, tradition, biases - there are a lot of problems that may occur. This multigenerational influx of people and the lack of the ability to communicate with each other and resolve conflicts may cause the small business to go bankrupt. For Brad, the biggest takeaway is understanding what the ownership structure looks like versus the operational structure because they do not have to be the same. And that is the change over generations. Article: https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/evolution-family-businesses Episode Summary 01:50 - In the US alone, family businesses account for 50 percent of the GDP. 04:42 - Think about the dishwasher in your home - the loading of the dishwasher. Everybody has their idea. Now you magnify it. 07:00 - As you’re passing your business down from one generation to the next, the expectations are very clear and set from that first-generation transition. 08:00 - Not only has the thought process changed from generation to generation, but the business itself has also had to change to survive each one of the generational transitions. 11:40 - Communication is key, whether it’s communicating with your mediate family or with your extended family in your business. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||
| We are back baby! | 04 Mar 2022 | 00:19:41 | |
Blue Collar BS Season Two Debut – We Are Back Baby! Welcome to the first episode of season two. In this episode, Steve and Brad discuss the situation in the trade industry, and they talk about what they are most excited about this season. The business dynamics in 2022 have changed a little bit. More and more people are reaching out looking for opportunities. Clients are frustrated for not having relationships with the trades who are not responding to their calls. Trades are frustrated because of the sheer amount of people that are trying to leave former employers and start-up their own businesses. There are also some good examples. Episode Summary 02:53 – You are trying to find people with the same work ethics as you, not as what is in today’s marketplace or workforce. 05:08 – Trades are not returning calls to prospective clients just to let them know they are too busy. 06:50 – One of my clients was struggling with wanting to hire. 14:10 – It’s been interesting to see certain sectors are seeing better opportunities and the others are just still where they were from April of 2020. 14:26 – This season we’ll have more dynamic conversations with some of the guests that we’ve got lined up. Contact your hosts: Steve Doyle: Brad Herda: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy | |||