Powerline Podcast

This episode with lineman, Larry Lopez is about as raw and reel as it gets. Larry grew up in a rough area in LA and by all accounts shouldn’t have made it but he did. He not only made it but is thriving and a large part of that has to do with becoming a journeyman lineman. Larry’s been around a long time now and is heavily involved with giving back to the trade that’s given him so much. This episo...

Put aside your personal opinions about underground vs overhead power lines for a minute. Mark has spent his career building and maintaining our aging underground infrastructure and you might want to hear what he has to say about it. We talk about his time in the US military, how he got into the trade, the state of underground work in America, and why this is the best time to enter this aspect of t...

Today more than ever you have opportunity to do multiple things. Do you have an idea for a product but also work a regular job? So do both! That’s what Landon Dees has done and it’s paying off big time! Landon is a lineman and entrepreneur. He and his business partner started a company called Line Work Bucket Products and their line of bucket accessories has taken off in a huge way. Listen to his...

If you are like me then you love the history in the line trade and that’s why I love having guests like the Matthews on the podcast. J.L. Matthews Co has been a staple in the power utility community since Joe Matthews started the company in 1946. His descendants, Danny and Harrison still own and operate the business today and are here to share their history and talk about what to expect in the fut...

What I absolutely love about David and this conversation is how real he is. You can tell that every piece of advice and every comment comes from a place of actually living through it. I’m not going to say this is rare to see but it’s refreshing when you do come across someone so genuine. This episode is packed with value for both, the safety professional and the line worker or tradesman. David's o...

This is Braam’s second appearance on the podcast with his first being episode 081. The reason I brought him back on the show this time was to talk specifically about apprenticeship. Braam is a United States veteran. He started his working career in commercial fishing then guiding in Alaska. This led him to find a home in the power line industry. It hasn’t been an easy path and I believe that you w...

Quanta Service’s (AED) program has saved 42 lives (including several civilians) so far. Quanta’s Automated External Defibrillator (AED) program aims to increase the rate of survival for people suffering sudden cardiac arrests wherever their crews are. Jack Mauel works for Stryker, the leading manufacture of (AED's) Automated External Defibrillators in North America and Matt Compher is the VP of Sa...

Few people give any thought to the state of the power network that lays beneath their feet. Americas grid is complex and rapidly aging with very few skilled tradesmen that are qualified to work on this network of equipment. John is a journeyman cable splicer and trainer with many years focusing on the underground craft. Join us for a behind the curtain look at these systems and the individuals tha...

143 | Mark Paulsen & Dylon Koch | Why HYDRATION is so VITAL for UTILITY workers You can’t afford not to listen to this episode because it might cost your life. There is a rise in incidents caused by dehydration and heat-related illness within the power utility industry. So I brought on the show the foremost experts on the topic. What I learned was shocking! Honestly, there are relatively easy fixe...

Wayne has been a lineman in Canada for years. He’s seen the ups and downs of the industry north of the 49th parallel and is here to talk about it. Wayne’s experience spans a wide range including major storm response, energized barehand, and leading as a foreman. There is a ton of value in this episode so please enjoy! ✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ Hit up our website here: https://www.powerlinepodc...

16 year old Alex would never have guessed he would not only be a lineman but also be good at it an love it. He was a gamer who loved computers. Now he's been putting that energy and love of tech towards innovations in the line trade. You're going to want to hear what he has to say about AI, new technology and our trade.   ✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ Hit up our website here: https://www.powerline...

AJ Martinez is a Texas lineman with an extremely positive look on life and line work. His story is an uplifting example of how this industry and trade is one in which you can truly build a wonderful life. Aj is very active in creating educational and entertaining content on platforms like TikTok as a way to give back to this community that’s given so much to him. This was a valuable conversation a...

Nick Figliolo is a blue collar tradesman and dog lover. He decided he wanted to give back to veterans and in 2018 his passions were combined and Warrior’s Wingman was born. Warrior's Wingman is a non-profit organization providing professionally trained gundogs to veterans. They offer Labrador Retrievers that are trained for fieldwork and companionship, intending to pair them with the right veteran...

Bill Bosch has an increadible list of accomplishments that describe his contributions to the line trade. He is a Lineman, International Lineman Hall of Fame inductee, Northwest Lineman College Campus President, VP of Apprenticeships & Client Solutions, Electric Industry Professional, Leadership Coach, and Keynote Inspirational Speaker. Happy Lineman Appreciation Day to all our fellow linemen out t...

Kaycee Feild, a living legend in the world of rodeo, is a six-time Bareback Riding World Champion whose name is synonymous with unparalleled talent and fearless determination. Born and raised in Spanish Fork, Utah, Kaycee was practically born in the saddle. From a young age, he was drawn to the adrenaline rush and raw excitement of rodeo, honing his skills on the back of bucking broncos with a pas...

There are always so many question when you’re first starting into the trade. It’s hard to know what to do. You ask questions like, should I sign the IBEW books, should I go to line school, is there work out there, what do I need to know to get started?? This podcast is with two linemen and instructors from the NorthWest Lineman College in Idaho and it will help you answer some of those questions o...

Mark Groves has an impressive resume in the power line industry. He is a lineman and inductee in the Lineman Hall of Fame. He also is an avid inventor of tools for our trade such as the widely used Ox Block and the Transbanker. Mark now sits as the acting President of the NorthWest Lineman College in Idaho. This episode is packed with value drawn straight from real world experience so please enjoy...

Justin is a lineman who now travels the country educating line workers about fall arrest and fall restraint. In this episode we talk about a company that he works for called FallTech and what they are doing to innovate in the safety gear industry. The gear we wear is often an afterthought when in reality it should be at the forefront of what we consider. Justin and I also dive into leadership and...

This is the second time Josh has been on the show but the first time was way back in 2019. Josh is an OG Powerline Podcast listener and fan. If you’d like some more background on Josh go back and listen to episode 16 of the pod. Josh is a Journeyman Barehand Lineman with SoCal Edison. In this episode, we talk a ton about leadership and line work. We also chat about becoming a barehand lineman for...

Madison performed multiple tours over seas with the United States Marine Corps. His military career came to an end after being severely wounded in a gunfight in Afghanistan. Like so many veterans, he found himself re-entering civilian life not knowing what his next move would be. In this episode Madison talks about his experiences as a Marine, how he found the line trade, and why he is a leading a...

Matt Compher serves as Vice President of Safety, Health, and Environmental for Quanta Services. He brings 25 years of safety management experience to the management team, the last 19 of which were spent in the electric utility and underground infrastructure construction industries. Compher is responsible for cultivating Quanta’s pervasive culture of safety and has created innovative tools and poli...

John (Stix) Sevier is a blue collar safety professional with a personal burn story that you’ll want to listen to. John speaks from the heart and has made it his life’s mission to ensure each and everyone makes it home safely at the end of the day.   ✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ Hit up our website here: https://www.powerlinepodcast.com/   📱FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱 TikTok:   https://www.tiktok....

When I was thinking of starting a podcast back in 2019, Chris was the first guy that I told. Fast forward a few years and I’m finally getting to sit down with him and have him on the show. Both Mack and Chris are energized barehand linemen that have travelled the country perfecting their craft. This episode is packed with value, including Mack’s recount of his near-death experience as an apprentic...

What happens when an old school lineman uses the tools of the new generation? You get one hell of a learning opportunity. John Goodson is an old school line hand that has been using the new ways of social media (TikTok) to connect with and teach the next generation of hands. This is Goody’s second appearance on the podcast with his first episode being number 99. ✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ Hit u...

David (Omar) Thielk is a journeyman lineman that is now giving back to the line industry through instructing and teaching the next generation of line workers. I love Omar’s perspective on life and line work. We talked a lot about some outside-the-box subjects that I think you guys would be interested in and of course, we talked a ton about line life. ✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ Hit up our websit...