Skilled Nation

What if one high school welding class could change the course of your life? In this episode of Skilled Nation , Jimmy Rhoades sits down with Stephanie Hoffman , Director of Industry Development & Engagement at Miller Electric , to explore how a single opportunity turned into a career spanning welding, military service, education, entrepreneurship, and national workforce leadership. Stephanie s...

Every summer, millions of skilled trades professionals work in dangerous heat across Arizona, Texas, Florida, and the southern United States. But what keeps construction workers, welders, electricians, HVAC technicians, and laborers safe when temperatures climb above 110°F? In this episode of Skilled Nation , Jimmy Rhoades sits down with Mike Marden, owner of WDS Integrated Design Build, to discus...

What do a hotel clerk who fixed an ice machine on a whim, a man who walked out of prison and into a trade school, and a Marine who built a $100M HVAC company all have in common? They found their way into one of the most in-demand, overlooked, and flat-out lucrative careers in America. In this special episode of Skilled Nation, we're bringing together the expertise of three HVAC professionals who'v...

America doesn't have a shortage of skilled trades careers. It has a shortage of awareness, mentorship, and experienced workers to train the next generation. In this episode of Skilled Nation, host Jimmy Rhoades sits down with Concetta Defa, electrician, workforce advocate, and host of Hire PowHER, to uncover the real reasons behind the skilled trades workforce shortage. While many conversations fo...

Everyone talks about the skilled trades shortage, but are the jobs really worth it? In this episode of Skilled Nation, host Jimmy Rhoades sits down with Jacob Evanson, Business Manager of Boilermakers Local 627, for an honest conversation about the realities of working in the trades. They tackle the questions people are asking online: • Do skilled trades actually pay enough? • Is the work too hard...

What happens when a second-generation welder combines decades of hands-on experience with the power of social media? In this episode of Skilled Nation, host Jimmy Rhoades sits down with Stan Sherwin of SS Custom Welding, a custom fabricator, welding educator, and online creator who has built a loyal audience of more than 150,000 followers by sharing his craft, mentoring the next generation, and pr...

Jennifer Robles was exhausted, overwhelmed, and stuck in survival mode balancing two jobs, raising three boys, and trying to hold her family together. But instead of settling, she made a life changing decision that would completely transform her future. In this emotional and deeply honest episode of Skilled Nation, Jennifer shares how she went from working as a medical assistant and fast-food supe...

What started as two brothers decorating their family home turned into one of Arizona’s most recognized holiday attractions. In this episode of Skilled Nation, Sammy and Kyle Pratt, better known as the Pratt Brothers, share how they built a nationally recognized Christmas spectacular using welding, electrical work, fabrication, programming, plumbing, pyrotechnics, and pure creativity. From dumpster...

Peyton Sweet went from learning welding at Tulsa Welding School to building Sweets Fabrication into a growing business and online brand in just five years. In this episode of Skilled Nation, Peyton breaks down the real side of welding, fabrication, entrepreneurship, pricing jobs, social media growth, mental health, and what it takes to survive in the skilled trades. From learning fabrication in th...

How does a 14-year-old struggling to strike his first arc turn into “The Welding Magician”… a welder, content creator, and founder of a fast-growing global brand? In this episode of Skilled Nation, Michael Cortez shares how he went from documenting daily welds to building a loyal community, launching a business, and inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in the skilled trades. From discip...

What does it take to run a live concert where every light, sound cue, and moment has to hit perfectly? In this episode of Skilled Nation, we go behind the scenes with Chris Elliott, a production manager overseeing high-tech live events across the country with R-Entertainment, where there is zero room for error. From starting as a ticket taker to managing 20–30 venues and coordinating crews, vendor...

You use the cloud every day for streaming, gaming, and AI, but few people understand what powers it. In this episode of Skilled Nation, we go inside the world of data centers with Michelle Woodford of DPR Construction to uncover the infrastructure behind every click, upload, and connection. From massive data center builds to the electricians, HVAC techs, and skilled trades that keep them running,...

What does it take to turn military discipline into a thriving business and build a company from a garage into a 100 million operation? In this episode of Skilled Nation, we sit down with Jesse Keenan, Marine Corps veteran and founder of Semper Fi Heating and Cooling, to break down the real path from service to success in the skilled trades. Jesse, an RSI graduate, shares how the mindset of the Mar...

Can gaming really lead to a successful career in the real world In this episode of Skilled Nation, we sit down with Henry, CEO of HK Concrete Design, who turned years of gaming into a thriving custom concrete business serving high end builders and contractors. What started as hours spent mastering strategy games like Quake and SimCity became real world skills in problem solving, design thinking, a...

What if video games were preparing you for a real career… and you didn’t even know it? In this episode of Skilled Nation, we sit down with Laurent Da Dalto, CEO of Mimbus, to explore how virtual reality and simulation-based training are transforming skilled trades education. From virtual welding and construction safety to immersive learning environments, this conversation reveals how gaming techno...

At 180 miles per hour, every detail matters. But what most fans never see is the skilled work behind the speed. In this episode of Skilled Nation, we go on location at Phoenix Raceway to uncover the real workforce powering NASCAR. From welding and fabrication to electrical systems, cooling technology, and pit crew precision, this episode breaks down the skilled trades that keep race cars competiti...

For years, skilled trades were seen as a “man’s world.” That’s changing fast. In this episode of Skilled Nation, we sit down with Alayna Chavez, a professional plumber at Parker and Sons, and Kate Glantz, co-founder of Move Over Bob, to explore how women are breaking into careers in plumbing, construction, welding, and other skilled trades and building powerful, high paying futures in the process....

The United States is facing a major skilled trades worker shortage, with hundreds of thousands of open jobs across construction, HVAC, welding, manufacturing, and electrical trades. At the same time, many capable people struggle to find employment because of barriers such as incarceration history, career gaps, or lack of access to training. In this episode of Skilled Nation, host Jimmy Rhoades spe...

Too many students and parents can’t find clear, trustworthy guidance on trade careers. In this episode of Skilled Nation, host Jimmy talks with Doug Winston, founder of TradeMentor.org, about why schools often push “college first,” what a real apprenticeship looks like, and why demand is surging in electrical, lineman work, welding, HVAC, and manufacturing. Doug shares how TradeMentor.org connects...

Builder and TV host Kayleen McCabe talks about finding purpose in the trades, growing through mentorship, and turning craft into career. She shares lessons on resilience, innovation, and expanding opportunities for the next generation in construction.

Skilled work is evolving and the next generation is building careers in places most people never think to look. From fabrication and engineering to fire, logistics, and immersive production, this is where creativity and technical skill collide. Ryan Tucknott, Director of Business Development explains how innovators like Walter Productions are turning raw materials, bold ideas, and hands-on experti...

Lizeth Rivas didn’t start in the trades, but she found her calling there. From discovering a fully funded welding scholarship to building a career in aerospace, Lizeth shares how hands-on skill, resilience, and belief in herself changed her life. This episode dives into precision, passion, community, and the message that skilled trades are open to anyone ready to learn, grow, and build something r...

In Season One, Skilled Nation shared real stories from graduates and pros across welding, electrical, HVAC, lineman, and more, revealing how trade school skills launch high-paying, future-proof careers. Season Two takes it further, spotlighting industry leaders, innovation, and the next generation of skilled workers shaping fields from motorsports to aerospace. Because skilled trades aren’t just c...

In this episode of Skilled Nation, we sit down with two admissions counselors from Tulsa Welding School’s Jacksonville campus to explore how they help students take that first step into the trades. From breaking misconceptions to sharing the life-changing moments they witness every day this episode reveals the people and passion behind starting a skilled career.

Today’s electricians aren’t just wiring houses, they’re shaping the future of smart homes, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable power solutions. In this episode, hear from an electrical trade graduate working on cutting-edge projects like EV charger installations, solar integrations, and home automation systems. Discover how electrical skills translate into futureproof, high-demand careers.