This podcast is for anyone in the power line industry. Those of you that love to build and maintain power lines at work and after work. This is a collection of stories from line workers around the world. This is a community for us to share where weâve been, who weâve worked with, projects weâve been apart of and hopefully pass on some of those key lessons that we could all learn from. This podcast will be a mix of line workers and their stories as well as other professionals sharing about how to keep a healthy mind, body and spirit.
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Why You Need an Ace in the Hole | Kevin Taylor | 223
Episode 223
Thursday, September 24, 2026 ⢠Duration 02:00:07
Who do you have in your corner when life starts getting heavy?
Ryan sits down with returning guest Kevin Taylor, a longtime lineman who spent nearly 12 years with CenterPoint Energy before heading outside and working on the road for several more years. Kevin first appeared on Powerline Podcast in Episode 76, and this time the conversation goes much deeper into mental health, road life, family, safety, and the people who helped him through some of his hardest seasons.
Together, they talk about the reality of isolation on the road, therapy, alcohol, the pressure to appear fine, and why having people you can actually call matters. Kevin shares the idea behind his personal âboardroom,â a small group of trusted people he relies on for different parts of life, and explains how that support system helped change the way he handles difficult moments.
Kevin also opens up about the serious 2022 accident that left him in ICU, forced him to relearn everyday tasks, and permanently changed how he thinks about risk, decision-making, and the ripple effect our choices can have on the people around us. He also shares why he started the Ace of Spades Project, built around one goal: helping someone through a place he already knows firsthand.
The conversation explores what it really means to have an âace in the hole,â why sometimes the person struggling will not be the one to reach out first, how road life can amplify isolation, and why one person showing up at the right time can matter more than they realize.
Whether youâre a lineman, traveler, foreman, apprentice, spouse, parent, or simply someone trying to show up better for the people around you, this conversation is a reminder that you do not have to handle everything alone.
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available.
U.S. + Canada: Call or text 988, 24/7.
If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
3 Linemen Have A Very Real Conversation | Christopher Thomas & Clint Vick | 222
Episode 222
Thursday, September 17, 2026 ⢠Duration 02:04:11
What does brotherhood look like when life gets hard?
Ryan sits down with Christopher Thomas and Clint Vick for a deeply personal conversation about mental health, isolation, identity, and what it really means to look out for one another in the trades.
Christopher is a Marine Corps veteran and journeyman lineman with more than 15 years in the trade, whose career has evolved into training, leadership, and helping strengthen the culture around the people doing the work.
Clint returns to Powerline Podcast for a second time (listen to his first episode here). He is a longtime journeyman lineman whose career has taken him through utility work, barehand transmission, years on the road, leadership, and substation construction. Clint is also a very talented country artist; check out his music here.
Both share openly about periods in their lives when they struggled to keep going, the isolation that made those periods harder, and the people who helped simply by showing up and continuing to check in.
Together, they talk about the toll of road life, chasing overtime, losing connection at home, moving from the tools into increasingly isolated leadership roles, and tying too much of your identity to the job.
More importantly, they talk about what helped: honest conversations, friends who kept calling, finding the right person to talk to, rebuilding purpose, taking care of your physical health, reconnecting with family and community, and creating a culture where checking on someone is simply part of the brotherhood.
What If Mental Health Was Treated Like Jobsite Safety? | Wykisha Thomas-McKinney, Nate Strickland & Tyler Smith | 221
Episode 221
Thursday, September 3, 2026 ⢠Duration 01:30:51
What if mental health was treated with the same urgency as every other jobsite safety risk?
Ryan sits down with Wykisha Thomas-McKinney of MATES North America, alongside Nate Strickland and Tyler Smith of Summit Line Construction, for an important conversation about suicide prevention, mental health, and what it really means to look out for the people working beside you.
Wykisha is the Program Operations Manager for MATES North America, helping bring the peer-led suicide prevention model into North American construction. Nate is Summit Line Construction's Safety Director and shares both his professional perspective and personal experience with depression and losing close friends to suicide. Tyler is a Senior Project Manager with 23 years in the industry, including roughly 18 years living the realities of field and road work.
Together, they unpack some of the pressures that can make construction and line work uniquely challenging: long rotations, isolation, missed family milestones, relationship strain, workplace trauma, substance use, and a culture that has historically told workers to put their game face on and keep moving.
The conversation also breaks down the MATES Network of Safety, including General Awareness training, peer Connectors and advanced suicide intervention training designed to put support directly inside the workforce. The goal isn't to turn coworkers into therapists. It's to give people the tools to notice when something is wrong, ask the question, listen, offer support and help someone find the right resources.
They also discuss why leaders set the tone for psychologically safer crews, why being vulnerable doesn't make someone less tough, how to check in with a coworker who seems off, and why building a mental-health plan before a crisis can make it easier to know where to turn when things get difficult.
How Do You Build a Life Like This? | Dennis Kelly | 220
Season 1 ¡ Episode 220
Thursday, August 6, 2026 ⢠Duration 01:16:18
What does it take to build a life most people only dream about?
Ryan travels to New York to sit down with Dennis Kelly for his third appearance on Powerline Podcast, and this time, they do it in person. Over the course of the visit, Dennis takes Ryan inside the world he has built, from KR Utilities and multiple businesses to airplanes, helicopters, supercars, motorcycles, racing, and the experiences that define his âLive the Lifestyleâ mentality.
Dennis shares how he went from working in the line trade to building his first fitness centre while working six tens, using every spare hour and available dollar to keep moving forward. He explains why small steps compound, how reputation creates opportunities, why relationships matter, and what it means to live according to your own values instead of someone elseâs expectations.
This conversation is not about copying Dennisâs lifestyle. It is about deciding what you want your own life to look like and taking practical steps toward it. Dennis breaks down the mindset, work ethic, calculated risks, relationships, and problem-solving that helped him build seven businesses and create a life centred around freedom, progress, and meaningful experiences.
Topics covered:
What âLive the Lifestyleâ really means
Starting a business while working full-time in the trade
Taking one step and solving one problem at a time
Why your reputation can create opportunities years later
Building relationships before you need something
Using linework as the foundation for entrepreneurship
Why success brings bigger problems, not fewer problems
Designing a life around freedom, values, and experiences
Learning to fly airplanes and helicopters
How Does a Company Survive 100 Years? | Rod Paul & Justin Tate | 219
Thursday, July 23, 2026 ⢠Duration 01:05:19
How does a company survive for 100 years in one of the most niche industries in America?
Ryan sits down with Rod Paul, President & CEO of Bashlin Industries, and Justin Tate, leader in Sales & Product Development, to explore the story behind one of the utility industry's most trusted manufacturers. From humble beginnings to becoming a name generations of lineworkers rely on, Bashlin's journey has been defined by one constant: adapting to change.
Rod and Justin share how the company has navigated a century of industry shifts through product innovation, customer feedback, leadership transitions, and a commitment to earning trust one product at a time. They also discuss the challenges facing modern manufacturing, including workforce shortages, automation, robotic welding, and what it takes to continue building products in America.
The conversation explores why trust is earned through consistency, how companies stay relevant across generations, the importance of listening to customers, and why every successful business eventually reaches another moment where it must adapt or risk being left behind.
Whether you're an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, manufacturer, business owner, or simply interested in leadership and innovation, this episode offers valuable lessons from a company that has spent 100 years evolving alongside the industry it serves.
Topics covered:
The history of Bashlin Industries
Surviving 100 years in a niche industry
Why innovation never stops
Building products lineworkers trust
Customer-driven product development
Leadership through change
The future of American manufacturing
Workforce shortages and skilled trades
Robotics and automation in manufacturing
Lessons from a century of adaptation
3 Myths About Manufacturing Transformers in America | Bart Gaskey & Todd Davis | 218
Thursday, July 9, 2026 ⢠Duration 01:17:09
Why the electrical industry is entering a decades-long boom.
Ryan sits down with Pennsylvania Transformer Technologyâs Bart Gaskey and Todd Davis inside one of North Americaâs largest transformer manufacturing facilities to explore the growing demand for power infrastructure and why the future of the electrical industry has never looked stronger.
Bart is a strategic manufacturing leader with decades of experience across transformer manufacturing, grid infrastructure, and large-scale energy projects. Todd is a longtime manufacturing leader who has worked across multiple transformer manufacturers and now helps lead operations at Pennsylvania Transformer Technology.
Together, they break down the myths surrounding American transformer manufacturing, explain why massive investments are flowing back into domestic production, and reveal how AI, data centers, electrification, renewable energy, and grid expansion are creating one of the biggest opportunities the electrical industry has seen in decades.
The conversation explores why transformers are far more complex than most people realize, what it takes to build equipment that powers millions of homes and businesses, how Pennsylvania Transformer Technology is preparing for the future with major facility expansions, and why hundreds of new careers are opening for the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
Whether youâre an apprentice, journeyman, engineer, contractor, manufacturer, student, or simply curious about the future of North Americaâs electrical grid, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most important industries most people never get to see.
Topics covered:
Why the electrical industry is entering a decades-long boom
How Do You Become Someone People Want to Follow? | Randy Smith & Brian Allen | 217
Thursday, July 2, 2026 ⢠Duration 01:06:43
What does it take to become the kind of leader people actually want to follow?
Ryan sits down with Randy Smith and Brian Allen, two leadership development professionals with decades of experience helping organizations build stronger teams, develop future leaders, and create lasting workplace cultures.
From coaching supervisors and designing leadership programs to working alongside field operations and preparing the next generation of leaders, Randy and Brian share the lessons theyâve learned about earning trust, developing people, and leading with intention.
The conversation explores why leadership should begin long before a promotion, how engaged leaders create stronger crews, why mentorship and communication matter more than ever, and how AI can become a valuable tool without replacing the experience, judgment, and relationships that define the trades.
Whether youâre an apprentice, journeyman, foreman, supervisor, contractor, or executive, this episode offers practical insights on developing leadership skills, building stronger teams, and preparing the next generation of the workforce.
đ If you work in the pipe, sheet metal, or mechanical trades, be sure to follow The Pipeline Podcast as Randy and Brian launch their new show dedicated to sharing stories from the field, celebrating their people, and developing the next generation of leaders. Going live with Episode 1 in the next few weeks! đ
Topics covered:
Why leadership isnât defined by a job title
Developing leadership skills before the promotion
What engaged leadership looks like in the field
Building trust and stronger workplace cultures
Why mentorship and communication still matter
Father & Son Linemen on the Future of the Trade | ISS 2026 Perspectives Panel | 216
Thursday, June 18, 2026 ⢠Duration 41:54
What responsibility do we have to the next generation entering the trade?
In this special episode, Ryan shares a live recording from the Perspectives Panel at the 2026 Infrastructure Safety Symposium (ISS), where he moderated a discussion on one of the industryâs most important challenges: generational knowledge transfer.
Featuring two father-son duos from the utility industry, the panel brings together leaders, journeymen, and apprentices to explore how experience, leadership, and safety knowledge can be passed down as skilled workers retire and younger crews step into larger roles earlier in their careers.
Carey Kostyk, President of Valard Construction, joins his son Pat Kostyk, Journeyman Lineman at Valard Construction, alongside Jeff Ziemba, Manager of Contractor Safety at Pepco Holdings Inc., and his son Jeffrey Ziemba, 4th Year Apprentice Lineman at Delmarva Power.
Together, they discuss the realities of entering the trade, the importance of mentorship, why communication and trust matter, and how organizations can help bridge the experience gap while building a safer future for the next generation of lineworkers.
Whether youâre an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, or industry leader, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on developing future leaders and ensuring critical lessons arenât lost as the trade evolves.
Topics covered:
Generational knowledge transfer
Bridging the experience gap
Mentorship and workforce development
Leadership at every level
Safety culture and communication
Creating environments where people can speak up
The changing role of apprentices and journeymen
Retaining and transferring institutional knowledge
The Lineman Who Wants To Change The Industry | Matt Ferguson | 215
Thursday, June 11, 2026 ⢠Duration 01:10:33
What does it take to turn a simple idea into something that could change an entire industry?
Ryan sits down with Matt Ferguson, a journeyman lineman, storm worker, and inventor who spent years working in the field before developing a safer approach to one of the most common tasks crews perform every day.
From chasing opportunities to break into the trade, to working long hours on storm restoration, to surviving early setbacks as an apprentice, Matt shares the experiences that shaped both his career and his perspective on safety.
The conversation explores why some of the best innovations come from the people doing the work, how a chain from Home Depot and an old set of pole tongs sparked an idea in his dadâs garage, and why challenging âthe way itâs always been doneâ is critical to moving the industry forward.
Whether youâre an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, or someone looking to make a difference in your trade, this episode is a reminder that small ideas can have a big impact.
Topics covered:
Breaking into the line trade and earning opportunities
Lessons learned from storm work
Working through fear and setbacks as an apprentice
Why experience creates better solutions
The problem with accepting âthe way itâs always been doneâ
How Matt developed his pole tong safety innovation
Innovation, safety, and improving the trade
Why workers should share their ideas and challenge old assumptions
Mattâs vision for the future of the industry
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Drilling Is More Art Than Science | Jake Brown, Brad Minerick & Jonathan Pipsair | 214
Thursday, June 4, 2026 ⢠Duration 01:46:52
What happens before a single power line ever goes up?
Ryan sits down with Jake Brown, Brad Minerick, and Jonathan Pipsair to pull back the curtain on foundation drilling, one of the most important and least understood trades in the utility industry.
Jake is a VP-level drilling operations leader overseeing projects across North America. Brad is a superintendent who has spent years balancing road life, family, and leadership in the field. Jonathan brings more than 40 years of experience in foundation drilling, including marine and amphibious projects throughout the Everglades and Louisiana.
Together, they share what decades in the trade have taught them about road life, family sacrifice, career growth, leadership, and the hidden work that happens long before the lights turn on.
The conversation explores why drilling is more art than science, what most people never see behind reliable power, the realities of spending years on the road, and why the higher you climb the ladder, the more you should understand what you're asking for.
Whether you're an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, or simply curious about the people who build the infrastructure around us, this episode offers a rare look into the foundation of line work.
Topics covered:
The hidden trade behind every power line
Why drilling is more art than science
The realities of life on the road
Family sacrifice and career growth
The generation gap in the trades
Leadership, ambition, and climbing the ladder
Pride in building something tangible
What decades in the field teach you about success
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Whether you're an apprentice, journeyman, foreman, supervisor, safety professional, contractor, leader, spouse or friend, this episode is a reminder that safety doesn't stop at the hard hat.
CONTENT NOTE: This episode discusses suicide, suicidal thoughts, depression, substance use, loss and workplace trauma.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available:
United States: Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Canada: Call or text 9-8-8 for the Suicide Crisis Helpline.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
