Workforce Skills with John Morris

Episode 100 is a milestone—and a moment of reflection. In this episode, John Morris looks back on the journey that started with a simple goal: getting a message out to men and women coming out of prison, addiction, and broken lives who needed real workforce and life skills. What began as a painting vocational class has grown into a full program teaching trades, accountability, confidence, and how...

In this powerful Episode 99 of Workforce Skills , John Morris sits down with personal trainer and wellness coach Robert Brunner , owner of Brunner Wellness, for a raw and honest conversation about discipline, accountability, and what it really takes to create lasting change. From National Quitters Day and why most people abandon their goals, to the role mindset plays in fitness, business, and life...

In Episode 98 of Workforce Skills , John reflects on the transition from 2025 into 2026 and delivers a powerful message about growth, accountability, and personal responsibility. Instead of setting New Year’s resolutions that fade away, John challenges listeners to focus on wins, learn from failures, and make changes immediately—not “someday.” From business leadership and employee development to h...

In this special Christmas Day episode of Workforce Skills , John sits down with Kenny Austin to share a powerful story of transformation, accountability, and second chances. Kenny opens up about his journey through addiction, prison, recovery, and rebuilding his life through hard work, mentorship, and structure. From graduating the New Freedom program to rising through the ranks at PHP Commercial...

In this episode of Workforce Skills , John Morris delivers a blunt but necessary message as the holidays approach: slow the f * down**. From costly estimating mistakes and rushed jobsite work to emotional decisions that derail careers and lives, John explains why speed is often the enemy of success. Drawing from real experiences in business, leadership, recovery, and workforce development, John br...

In this episode of Workforce Skills with John Morris , John sits down with Sarah Gehrt, a graduate of his workforce and life skills classes who once came through his reentry program after serving six years in prison. Sarah opens up about a lifetime of addiction, the moment everything caught up with her, and what it took to finally decide, “If I want to be something different, I have to do somethin...

In Episode 94 of the Workforce Skills Podcast, John Morris sits down with a very special guest — his wife, Lori Morris — to talk openly and honestly about what it’s really like to work together every single day. John and Lori share the routines, boundaries, struggles, and habits that keep their marriage strong while running a fast-paced commercial painting company. From early-morning schedules and...

The holidays aren’t easy for everyone — especially for employees struggling with loneliness, financial stress, addiction, or family issues. In this powerful Thanksgiving episode, John Morris opens up about why this season can be the most dangerous and emotionally challenging time of the year for many workers, especially those rebuilding their lives after prison, addiction, or homelessness. John ta...

In Episode 92 of Workforce Skills , John Morris breaks down one of the most important realities in today’s business world: technology-driven change is no longer optional — it’s required for growth. From outgrowing legacy systems like WorkGlue to implementing advanced tools like RingCentral, AI-driven estimating platforms, real-time scheduling, equipment tracking, and internal automation, John shar...

In this episode of Workforce Skills , John Morris dives into one of today’s biggest conversations — artificial intelligence. From blueprint estimating tools to ChatGPT, AI is changing the way we run businesses, write emails, and even bid jobs. But where do we draw the line between using technology and letting it think for us? John shares how he’s using AI inside PHP Commercial Painting to boost ac...

In this episode, John Morris shares the core mission that drives PHP Commercial Painting: “We deliver unmatched quality and craftsmanship by ensuring every detail reflects excellence, even when no one is watching.” John opens up about a $40,000 mistake that became a turning point for the company—a lesson in accountability, pride, and doing the right thing no matter the cost. He explains how living...

In this powerful episode of Workforce Skills , John Morris addresses an urgent issue: protecting women in the construction and painting industry. After a recent incident involving harassment on a job site, John shares his frustration, his commitment to justice, and how PHP Commercial Painting is responding. He emphasizes leadership, accountability, and the need for every company—large or small—to...

In this episode of Workforce Skills , John Morris shares how PHP Commercial Painting built lasting partnerships that fuel millions of dollars in annual work. He breaks down what separates successful contractors from struggling ones — from reading every line of a contract to owning mistakes and overcommunicating with clients. John also talks about the power of answering every phone call, building t...

John Morris breaks down what really keeps people employed—and what quietly gets them shown the door. From arriving prepared (bring your tools!) to becoming coachable, asking for feedback, and proving value beyond your wage, John shares how average workers become leaders. He also challenges managers to give clear reasons when letting someone go so people can improve. If you want to keep your job, g...

When a third-party inspection uncovers the wrong exterior paint on a major project, John owns the mistake—then turns it into a leadership and systems lesson. In this episode, he walks through how a costly error (≈$40,000) became a catalyst for stronger processes, clearer checkpoints, and a culture where everyone asks “why.” You’ll hear how he chose accountability over insurance, worked nights with...

John sits down with Jade Laws, a new team member who came home in January 2025 after 8.9 years incarcerated. In this candid conversation, Jade shares the real reentry journey—applications and offers pulled after background checks, rebuilding family relationships, and the grind of saving every dollar to move into her first apartment. She talks about skills she gained inside (MVD call center, B2B sa...

In Episode 84, John Morris gets real about what “doing the right thing” looks like when you’re leading a growing company and a community. He shares why decisions must be logical—not emotional—when you’re responsible for the greater good, how PHP Commercial Painting became bigger than any one person, and why daily “What’s your win?” check-ins keep a large team feeling like family. John also walks t...

John sits down with Daren Strunk, COO of St. Joseph the Worker, to explore how real wraparound support—resumes, tools, transportation, soft skills, and the 90-day Workforce Villages housing program—helps people move from “a job” to “a career.” They talk budgeting and food planning under 5 dollars per meal, why soft skills drive promotions, and how employers can fill roles faster by partnering dire...

John gets real about tough personnel decisions and why “change” must be your default setting. From early-morning logistics and a single missed paint delivery that derailed a night job, to creating a true dispatch function that stops waste and saves thousands in fuel, this episode is a masterclass in operations discipline. He breaks down chain of command without ego, the value of a coachable mindse...

In Episode 81 of Workforce Skills with John Morris , John opens up about a hard day at the office—spotting relapse, acting on instinct, and balancing compassion with accountability. He talks candidly about the “three-year mark” where many people in recovery hit turbulence, what leaders can watch for, and how to build a culture that protects sobriety without abandoning second chances. You’ll hear a...

In episode 80 of the Workforce Skills Podcast , John Morris gets real about the challenges of running a business when cash flow is tight. From dealing with slow-paying general contractors to the reality of making payroll, John shares his philosophy on persistence, leadership, and why employees must always come first. He opens up about his own struggles as an employer, the importance of cutting exp...

In this episode of Workforce Skills with John Morris , John opens up about the challenges of addiction in the workplace and the importance of accountability, sobriety, and second chances. From pickle juice pops to keep crews healthy in the Phoenix heat, to the difficult conversations around employee substance use, John shares his experiences leading by example and holding his team to higher standa...

In this episode of Workforce Skills , John Morris talks about how to thrive during slow periods at work, the value of taking any opportunity you can get, and why being “selfish” for your own growth is the key to long-term success. From hustling side jobs to taking on work outside your comfort zone, John challenges you to focus solely on yourself and your career for the next six months — and watch...

The job market is wide open — are you ready to show up or sit out? In this episode, John Morris fires off some truth about the 4.18 million people retiring this year, the one million open construction jobs, and the 192 million job openings expected over the next decade. He shares the inspiring story of DJ — a former employee and second-chance hire who went from prison to owning his own painting co...

In this powerful episode of Workforce Skills , John Morris sits down with Chasity—a new team member at PHP—whose story of grit, growth, and second chances will inspire anyone facing adversity. After spending 13 years incarcerated, Chasity taught herself full-stack development through The Last Mile program and later became a TA helping others inside. Now working in data entry for PHP, she shares he...