Say Watt Podcast

What does the future of the trades look like? Dr. Kimberly Moore, National Executive Director of the Clean Technology Training Trust, joins us to discuss how collaboration, innovation, and investment in training are creating new opportunities in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and the electrical industry.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we’re sharing an episode from our It’s Good to Talk series that explores the impact of negative core beliefs. These deeply rooted beliefs shape how we see ourselves, interact with others, and respond to life’s challenges. When those beliefs are negative, even small setbacks can feel overwhelming. The path toward change begins with recognizing and naming the...

In this episode, we’re joined by Alan Mora, EWMC RENEW President, to talk about IBEW RENEW - an initiative created to inspire and engage the next generation of electrical workers.   Alan shares how he got involved, what RENEW offers, and how the program is helping young members step into leadership roles and shape the future of the IBEW.

In this episode, we sit down with Anthy Hadjimarkos to talk about EMPOWER, a program focused on recruiting and supporting women in the electrical construction industry. Anthy shares her journey in the trade, her experience as both a participant and now a leader of the program, and the impact EMPOWER is making.   We also talk about lessons learned, available resources, and how others can start simi...

What if your on-the-job training counted toward a college degree? In this episode, we talk with Jayson Maksymovich, Training Director at the IBEW 269 JATC in Trenton, NJ, about their innovative agreement with Thomas Edison State University, turning OJT hours into college credit and expanding opportunities for apprentices.  

We’re kicking off 2026 with a conversation about your health, your family, and the people who’ve got your back. In this episode, we’re joined by Darrin Golden, Executive Director of the NECA-IBEW Family Medical Care Plan - a healthcare plan built by electrical workers, for electrical workers. Darrin shares how the Family of Funds supports IBEW and NECA members and their families, and why caring fo...

For this last episode of 2025, we are talking highlights, lessons learned, what we are most proud of this year, and what’s ahead.

What happens when apprenticeship programs partner with the communities they serve? In this episode, we chat with Tim Garcia, Training Director at the St. Paul Electrical JATC, about how working with two local organizations is transforming outreach, recruitment, and retention and creating real impact across the city. Tim also shares how they’re using Interim Credentials to strengthen their approach...

When the power goes out, lineworkers suit up - facing storms, accidents, and extreme conditions to keep our communities connected. But their work goes far beyond emergencies. From installing and maintaining the infrastructure that powers our homes and businesses to learning the latest technologies shaping the future grid, lineworkers are essential. In this episode, we’re joined by Danny Haddad, a...

Becoming an electrical apprentice is just the start of a career filled with endless possibilities. And for some, that journey leads to shaping the future of the trade itself. That’s exactly what our guest, Summer Zachary, an instructor at the Electrical Training Institute in Commerce, California, chose to do. In this episode, Summer talks about her path, her passion for the trade, and what it mean...

We are talking budgets with Mark Cerulla, former etA Director of Operations and Comptroller, now with the IBEW International Office. A good budget helps set goals, control spending, prioritize investments, and align resources with long-term success. For JATCs and AJATCs, budgeting isn’t just helpful—it’s critical.

We love any chance to get to know our community better—and this episode is one of those special opportunities! Join us as we sit down with Kennitha Wade, an instructor at the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center in Portland, Oregon, for a fun and insightful conversation about her journey, her work, and what inspires her in training new apprentices and guiding them along their career path.

We are chatting with Brennan Banks, Khadeejah Soper, and Venessa Ingalis about WIRE – Women’s Initiative for Readiness in Electrical – a program committed to creating pathways for women to have successful careers in the electrical construction industry. You don’t want to miss this conversation!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we are committed to enhancing the mental health and well-being of those in our industry. In this episode, we chat with Matt Louanglath and Rick Warner about Couragements– a low-barrier, two-way communication channel delivering encouragement and offering means of feedback through digital communication.

It’s always good to get to know more about each other, which makes opportunities like this fantastic! In this episode, we get to chat with Taylor McCaskill, the Assistant Training Director at the Chattanooga Electrical JATC.

In this must-listen episode, we sit down with our amazing legal team—Jim Cole, Lucas Aubrey, and Rob Duston—to discuss issues affecting apprenticeships right now. We recorded this conversation on March 12, 2025, so keep in mind that some of these topics may have changed since then. Tune in for valuable insights and updates straight from the experts!

We enjoyed chatting with Deon Mayes, Treasurer of the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC), about his career path and experience with the EWMC. If you’ve met Deon, you already know how passionate he is.

Have you heard about Electrical Workers Without Borders North America? They seek to create a world where the benefits of electricity are available to everyone, and they do this by utilizing the skills and training of professional volunteers. We are thrilled to share what they do with you! https://ewwbna.org

It’s our last episode of 2024, so we are taking some time to look back at this year.

It’s good to get to know more about each other, which makes opportunities like this incredible! We got to chat with Danny Van Sickle, the Training Director in Jacksonville, Florida.

Change is one of the few constants in life, yet we often resist it. Since it’s inevitable in every aspect of our lives, we invited Gwen Cooper, a former CIA Officer and expert in leadership, growth, and change, to discuss how to navigate it effectively.

Many high schools offer college credit classes and career treks for college-bound young adults. Did you know we have something similar for high schoolers interested in an electrical career? In this episode, we hear from two apprentices who participated in our Interim Credential (IC) program, along with their Training Director, to learn more about their experience.

It’s always good to get to know more about each other, which makes opportunities like this fantastic! In this episode, we get to chat with Renee Dozier, Business Agent and Trustee from Local 103.

To say technology has come a long way and completely changed our lives is an understatement. Our industry hasn’t just been impacted; we are the agents of change, and on this episode, we are talking about that influence.

Dr. Charles is back to check in with us about taking care of our mental health, including how to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression.