Blue-Collar BS

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 Can...

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 a...

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 th...

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...

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...

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 employ...

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 Manage...

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...

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...

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 co...

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...

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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 opinio...

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 t...

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...

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, wive...

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...

Live from the Idea Collective Retreat 2021 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin To learn more about the Idea Collective and Pat Miller: https://www.patmillerideacoach.com/ The impressive Grand Geneva https://www.grandgeneva.com/ This episode was recorded Live at 8:00 just before a 10:00 am tee time with the founder of Podcast Town, who pushed me into this podcasting thing, Mr. Mayo...

Thank you to all who have listened and participated in Season 1 of Blue-Collar BS We are grateful to have your support and we are excited about what Season 2 will bring! Episode 19: That’s a Wrap Steve and Brad decided to take a small break with the podcast until February/March. So, in this episode, they talk about their biggest takeaways of going through the first eighteen episodes of Blue Collar...

Working with Different Generations with Morgan Gutenknust In this episode, Steve and Brad introduce us to Morgan Gutenkunst who is the owner and founder of Morgan Thomas Construction in Southern Wisconsin. He started his journey in this business when he was young while working with his grandfather. He learned about carpentry skills, job site skills, and much more. He got inspired to start his own...

In this episode, Steve and Brad introduce us to Anne Rakowiecki, the founder and owner of The Marketing Kitchen. She supports businesses that want a be a better way to market their products and services. She provides creative ways to invite new customers and clients to the business. We are surrounded by a lot of things every day and one of the most important things is food. If you are diving into...

Episode 16: A Big Concern in Blue Collar Industry with Andy Weins In this episode, Steve and Brad welcome Andy Weins, the owner of Green Up Solutions. Andy is a US Army veteran. He is a Millennial but declares himself to be a mid-generational individual. There is a big concern in blue-collar space as it comes down to the workforce. How can we encourage people to try something in the blue-collar sp...

Blue Collar BS Episode 15: Boomers Are Good People Too In this episode, Steve and Brad welcome Christine Wright. She shares her experience of working in a predominantly male-driven industry.  They also discuss the problem of leadership and hiring experienced workers. As Millennials are starting to take leadership roles, they have to hire people. In specific sectors, they are afraid to hire ol...

Blue Collar BS Episode 14: We Cannot Find Good People - How the Generations Can Behave Better with Paul Giles   In this episode, Steve and Brad welcome Paul Giles, Director of Technical Services at Lannon Stone Products. They talk about how we can engage with the millennials in the industry and the environment that we have today in the blue-collar space.  Paul shares his experience of wo...

Blue Collar BS Episode 13: Gen Z Propelling Gen X Business In this episode, Steve and Brad welcome their special guest Josh Clymer, the owner of AquaTraction Advanced Marine Flooring. Josh talks about how he managed to leverage the younger generations, Gen Zs, and potentially some Millennials, in his organization. And they are helping his business to thrive. According to him, a company leader...