Blue Collar Leadership

In this interview, Paul Sanneman discusses: Why Most Contractors Struggle to Find Good Help (And How to Fix It) How to Building Winning Teams in Construction How to Stop Making Bad Hires The Real Secret to Hiring Reliable Tradespeople The Impact of AI on the Recruiting Process The Importance of Hiring Slow and Firing Fast In this episode of the Blue Collar Leadership Podcast, host Mack Story inter...

Albert Einstein said the significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking that created them. If you’re struggling with people, the real issue is usually your own character, not theirs. The solution isn’t in changing them; it’s in changing you. When you look in the mirror and accept responsibility instead of blaming others, everything starts getting better. Your influence...

If you’ve ever felt overlooked, passed up, or stuck despite your talent, this episode will challenge you to look in the mirror, take responsibility, and finally break through the wall that’s holding you back. In this eye-opening episode, Mack Story unpacks John C. Maxwell’s powerful truth: “Your character growth determines the height of your personal growth.” Drawing from real-world career stories...

Mack Story explains that good character is built piece by piece through thought, choice, courage, and determination—not given like talent. Drawing from Henry Cloud’s idea that character is the ability to meet the demands of reality, he shares raw stories from his many years in the trades, including the hard lessons from dealing with his son Eric, where his lack of patience—a clear character flaw—l...

In this very special 500th episode of the Blue Collar Leadership Podcast, Mack Story reunites with Derek Brown—the man who inspired him to launch the Blue Collar Leadership podcast eight years ago. Derek shares the story of how he and Mack first connected, his own powerful personal growth journey, the professional path that shaped him, and what he’s doing today as National Sales Director at CrewPl...

Practical, straightforward, and recorded for real blue-collar leaders, aspiring leaders, and workers who want to climb to the next level and beyond. In this special husband-and-wife episode, Mack and Ria Story give listeners a brief, practical overview of the eight core books in the Blue-Collar Leadership® Series—part of the 35 books they’ve published. They walk through the five 30-chapter/3 pages...

In this special tribute episode of Blue Collar Leadership, Mack Story honors the life and legacy of Bob Chapman, the legendary Chairman of Barry-Wehmiller who passed away on March 19, 2026. For over a decade, Mack has collected Bob’s most powerful quotes on leadership, culture, and what it truly means to put people before profits. In this episode, Mack shares 50 of those quotes—raw, practical, and...

Trust isn’t built through grand gestures—it’s earned (or lost) in the daily grind of promises kept or broken. This episode breaks down the core truth: what we think and say sets expectations, but only what we actually do defines our character. After we make a commitment, we’ll take one of three paths —follow through to make a trust deposit, ask to break the commitment and risk suspicion (depending...

At age 82, US Marine Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Wesley L. Fox still was still inspiring crowds with stories of the leaders who shaped him, none more than Corporal Myron J. Davis during the freezing nights of the Korean War. Facing demoralized troops eating frozen rations in the dark,  USMC Corporal Davis invested in a Coleman stove and insisted on carrying it himself—not for personal gain, b...

Are you ready for an engaging discussion on building greater influence in your marriage? With humor and heart, Mack and Ria Story share relatable stories—like Mack's infamous laundry mishap—and delve into the 5 Love Languages, revealing how his preference for quality time complements her need for words of affirmation. This episode offers practical insights and lighthearted moments to help coup...

In the final part of this 3 part series, Mack Story reveals a dose of leadership truth from John Maxwell: “Children need unconditional love more than they need direction.” Kids—your own, grandkids (young crew members and apprentices too)—crave knowing you’ve got their back no matter what, way more than they need constant rules or fixes. This episode keeps it simple: show your children steady love...

Mack Story started focusing on the hardest personal fight in Part 1—conquering yourself. In Part 2, he dives into maintaining self-mastery. Winning the fight inside yourself once is huge, but staying on top when the job gets long, the crew’s testing you, or life throws curveballs is what separates solid leaders from the rest. This episode keeps it real: spot when you start slipping (getting short-...

In Part 1 of this 3 Part series, you’ll discover leadership isn't about commanding others or achieving external wins—it's about mastering the one opponent who never leaves your side: yourself. In this powerful episode, Mack Story reveals why self-mastery remains the cornerstone of authentic influence, resilience, and lasting success in any arena of life.  Mack examines practical strategies...

In a world where AI (Artificial Intelligence) is reshaping trades and blue-collar jobs faster than most realize, the real game-changer isn't just tech—it's the "other AI": Authentic Influence.   "Change is hard only for the unready" (Cy Wakeman), and those ready to thrive aren't waiting for promotions or titles; they're building trust-based influence from the fr...

In this interview, Jeffrey Geurink discusses: His book Beyond Broken: How I Overcame Addiction and Pieced My Life Back Together Checking himself into rehab Overcoming severe alcohol addiction Drinking 50 cans of beer in a single day The challenges of rebuilding his life after rehab Starting his own construction business Sharing his story to help others rise up Jeffrey Geurink is a man who has lite...

Building on relentless personal leadership development, Part 2 covers the four remaining traits for high-impact leaders in tough, low-authority kaizen events with skeptical teams. Trait #2: Connect rapidly through genuine respect—valuing identities, doubts, histories, and resistance—putting others first to build key relationships. Trait #3: Declare intent early (e.g., memorizing names, meaningful...

In Part 1 of this 2 part series, Mack Story begins to explore the 5 Traits of High Impact Team Leaders, starting with the foundational trait of relentless personal leadership development—continuously investing in character over mere competency (as influence stems 87% from who you are, per key studies)—to inspire voluntary followership, boost productivity by up to 40%, and unleash team potential in...

Crews can handle tough jobs, bad weather, tight deadlines, but they won’t tolerate a boss who acts like he’s above the rules he pushes on everyone else. Good leaders keep it real: they own their mistakes, put the team first, and stay consistent no matter who’s watching. Do that, and people will run through walls for you. Blow it with hypocrisy, blame-shifting, or manipulation, and you’ll watch you...

Ria and Mack Story share how dealing with a boss you can't stand boils down to three core options:  Quit and Find a New Job and a New Boss: How you quit reveals A LOT about your character. Will you shine or whine? Stay and Be Proactive: addressing issues head-on through open communication and personal development as you rise above the friction. Stay and Be Reactive: moaning, groaning, and whin...

Kick off the new year with intention and clarity. As we wave goodbye to 2025 and step boldly into 2026, Mack & Ria Story guide you through a reflective exercise designed to help you audit your habits, celebrate your wins, and set the stage for transformative change. With a common sense approach, this episode breaks down five essential questions to help you declutter your life, amplify what wor...

In this episode of the podcast, Mack Story delves into the transformative power of self-control and personal growth as outlined in his book Defining Influence: Increasing Your Influence Increases Your Options . Drawing from his own life-changing encounter with Stephen R. Covey's principle—that between stimulus and response lies a space for choice—Mack shares how embracing this idea shifted his...

In this raw and real episode, Mack Story pulls no punches as he takes us back to his early 20s—long hours at work, chasing more stuff, and wasting every free minute hunting, fishing, partying, and coasting through life with a crew that was headed absolutely nowhere. He thought he had it all together because he was paying the bills (sometimes) and having “fun.” The truth? He was clueless, surrounde...

Discover simple, yet highly effective ways to methodically and intentionally enhance and/or transform your organizational culture. Mack & Ria Story discuss the methods their most effective clients implement in-house to grow and develop the people within their organization. For a deep dive into the methods they'll be discussing, visit BlueCollarLeadership.com/implement

Mack & Ria Story discuss the importance of discipline and the impact of making excuses. Discipline is giving yourself a command and following through with it. Excuses are exits off of the highway to success.

In this interview, Ben Hopkins discusses: A bit about his time in US Air Force in the backseat of an F-15E Strike Eagle His background in Fulfillment Centers and Distribution Centers (FC/DC) What motivated him to launch The Warehouse Underground Podcast and website The best thing about working in an FC/DC? Which type of people excel in an FC/DC? His favorite leadership book and quote Ben Hopkins i...