Blue-Collar BS

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...

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 maj...

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 go...

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 wou...

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 accept...

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. Epis...

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 n...

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...

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....

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 experien...

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 a...

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 a...

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...

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...

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...

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 highl...

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 contin...

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...