Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off! "Think you know electricity because you've seen it in movies? Think again. I'm about to destroy three Hollywood myths that have been fooling audiences for decades - and one of them could literally kill you if you believed it." In this movie mythbusting episode, Lia dissects the wildest electrical moments from: Shocker – Can a guy actually become an electric ghost? F...
Jun 26, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 128
Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off! 🎧 In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life , the podcast for those who build, wire, and power the world — and those who dare to rebuild the systems that train them. This week, Lia is joined by Marc Webb , founder of YouTradie , a global mentorship and certification platform created by tradespeople, for tradespeople. From muddy boots to tech start-up visionary, ...
Jun 19, 2025•58 min•Season 2Ep. 127
Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off! Let's discuss movie magic! In this episode, our electrician reviews a memorable scene from Home Alone 2 and explains why the movie moment is pure nonsense. We break down the science, using ohms law, and explains what would actually happen. We’re breaking it ALL down: Home Alone 2 – Arc welding burglar traps Taken – Liam Neeson, mains voltage, and terrifying interrog...
Jun 12, 2025•19 min•Season 2Ep. 126
Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off! 🎧 In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life , where we dive into the systems that protect lives — until they fail. Today’s episode is a wake-up call about fire alarms, real-world disasters, and the life-saving tech driving modern fire protection. What happens when fire alarms don’t work? People die. From London’s Grenfell Tower fire to Rhode Island’s Station Nig...
Jun 12, 2025•22 min•Season 2Ep. 125
Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off! In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life , where we spotlight the fearless innovators who shaped the trades — and the world. What if we told you one deaf engineer made skyscrapers possible? Today, we’re diving into the wild, dramatic story of Elisha Otis — the man who invented the safety elevator and literally changed the shape of cities forever. The chaotic, da...
May 29, 2025•11 min•Season 2Ep. 124
🚐💥 Discover the Skilled Trade That Pays $100K+ — No College Degree Needed! In this episode of Sparky Life , Lia Lamela (Queen of Construction 👷♀⚡) interviews Curtis Hemmeler , a leading voice in the RV service world, to reveal why becoming an RV Technician might be the most underrated career path in the skilled trades . Whether you're a student, career changer, or just trade-curious, this episode unpacks: ✅ What an RV Technician really does ✅ How to get trained (even with zero experience) ✅ ...
May 22, 2025•49 min•Season 2Ep. 123
Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off! In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life , where we shine a spotlight on the grittiest, gutsiest careers in the skilled trades — and sometimes even the deadliest. Everyone says skilled trades are dangerous… but which one tops the list? You won’t believe it — because it’s not what you think. In this wild and witty episode, Lia reveals the most dangerous skilled t...
May 15, 2025•11 min•Season 2Ep. 122
Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE - Use code SH5 for 5% off! 🎧 In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life , where we challenge everything you’ve been told about success, college, and the so-called “right” career path. If you’ve ever felt lost, lied to, or stuck in a soul-sucking cubicle — this one’s for you. This episode is a wake-up call. You’ve been fed a fairytale — go to college, find your passion, land a job, live hap...
May 08, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 121
Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE - Use code SH5 for 5% off! 🎧 In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life — your backstage pass to the real, raw, and unapologetic world of blue collar greatness, high-octane relationships, and careers that challenge the status quo. Today, we’re getting real about something most people only whisper about… What do blue collar wives really think about women entering the trades? Join Lia and Ch...
May 01, 2025•42 min•Season 2Ep. 121
Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE - Use code SH5 for 5% off! 🎧 In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life — your official backstage pass to the world of dirty jobs, high paychecks, and careers that make your relatives go, "You do what for a living?!" Today, we’re answering a BIG question: Who makes the most money in the skilled trades? 💥 Think electricians rule the skilled trades paycheck game? Think again! In this episod...
Apr 24, 2025•12 min•Season 2Ep. 120
Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE - Use code SH5 for 5% off! 🎧 In this episode: A devastating fire. Locked doors. No escape. This episode tells the shocking true story of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire—one of the deadliest workplace disasters in American history—and how it reshaped fire codes, safety laws, and the future of skilled trades. 👇 Follow for more blue collar badassery every Thursday! SPARKY LIFE Podcast on ...
Apr 17, 2025•13 min•Season 2Ep. 119
Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE - Use code SH5 for 5% off! 🎧 In this episode: In this raw and inspiring conversation, Lia sits down with Bobby Armstrong – an HVAC technician, entrepreneur, and all-around badass – who opens up about his wild ride through the trades, from childhood struggles to launching his own business. 👇 Follow for more blue collar badassery every Thursday! SPARKY LIFE Podcast on SPOTIFY SPARKY LIFE Podc...
Apr 10, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 118
Special thanks to our sponsor: SupplyHouse – Get the best tools & supplies! https://www.supplyhouse.com Welcome to the Sparky Life podcast with your host, Lia Lamela ! In this episode, we dive into a crucial topic that everyone should be aware of: the coming biggest recession in United States history and why construction workers and skilled trade professionals are positioned to be the ultimate survivors. We break down the economic storm, the fascinating theory of K-waves , and discuss how ev...
Apr 03, 2025•13 min•Season 2Ep. 117
Ever wondered why you should NEVER take the elevator during a fire in a high-rise? This video dives deep into the life-saving technology of elevator recall and the critical role it plays in fire safety. Learn why elevator recall is one of the most important fire safety systems in a building and how it's designed to prevent you from unknowingly entering a dangerous situation. 💡 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor: SupplyHouse – Get the best tools & supplies!: https://www.supplyhouse.com Don't forg...
Mar 27, 2025•16 min•Season 2Ep. 116
We speak with Megan Switzer for a raw and honest conversation about the complex dynamics of women supporting women, particularly within male-dominated fields. Get ready for some eye-opening truths as they delve into the question of why women don't always support each other. Drawing on Dr. Sha Andrews' research (as featured in Forbes) , they discuss the "power dead even rule" coined by Pat Helm and colleagues from "Hardball for Women", which suggests that for healthy relationships between women, ...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 116
In this episode of Sparky Life we discuss the critical role of digital presence in the construction industry with tech guru Daniel Leal. We explore the importance of having a professional website, the impact of technology on business efficiency, and the evolving landscape of education in tech careers. Daniel shares his journey from a small town in Texas to becoming a successful entrepreneur, emphasizing the need for skilled trades to embrace technology for growth. The conversation also highlight...
Mar 13, 2025•55 min•Season 2Ep. 115
In this electrifying episode of The Sparky Life, host Lia Lamela dives deep into the dynamic world of the construction industry with an absolute powerhouse: Barb Allen, a trailblazer with over three decades of experience in leadership, from a licensed carpenter to superintendent and business owner. Join us in todays amazing conversation. 0:00 Introduction: Women Reshaping Construction and Persistent Challenges 1:00 Introducing Barb Allen: Extensive Experience and Perspective 2:30 Being Labelled ...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 114
Welcome to the Sparky Life! We welcome Jonathan Cinelli, a strategic construction broker and licensed electrician with three decades of experience, to discuss how to rebuild the foundation of the construction industry. In this episode, Jonathan addresses the toxic culture within the construction industry and shares his forward-thinking approach to business, which disrupts traditional toxicity and transactionalism. 00:00:00 - Introduction: The Construction Industry Crisis. 00:02:55 - Introducing ...
Feb 27, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 113
Welcome back to the Sparky Life with your host, Lia Lamela! In this episode, Lia discusses the importance of women supporting women in the construction industry. Key points from this episode: • The challenges women face in male-dominated spaces and how networking and support can help. • An appeal for women to come together, build each other up, and create larger networks for success in their careers. • The need for genuine support and sponsorship rather than superficial interactions. • The idea ...
Feb 20, 2025•15 min•Season 2Ep. 112
Join Lia Lamela on The Sparky Life as she interviews Jack Teetor, the creator of the documentary, Blind Logic: The Ralph Teetor Story. This captivating film tells the inspiring story of Ralph Teetor, a man whose life intertwined with the birth of the American automobile age and the industrial revolution. Discover the extraordinary journey of Ralph Teetor, who despite losing his sight at the age of five, became a leader in the automotive industry. His parents raised him to believe he was not hand...
Feb 13, 2025•52 min•Season 2Ep. 112
This podcast episode features a discussion between Lia Lamela and Coach Ike, a construction industry veteran, focusing on the challenges and nuances of working in construction, particularly the relationship between tradespeople and superintendents. The conversation highlights how important it is to understand the pressures and perspectives of everyone on a job site. Coach Ike shares his experiences and insights on leadership, communication, and how to navigate difficult situations and people. 00...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 111
Welcome to Sparky Life, where we chat with the builders of our civilisation! In this episode, Lia Lamela welcomes James Hatfield, the Chief Revenue Officer of Live Switch, a total disruptor in the trades tech space. James Hatfield, a "blue-collar baddie", shares his journey from running painting and power washing companies to revolutionising how skilled trades operate with innovative tech tools. It's a real conversation with someone who gets the real world of construction, and it's not what you ...
Jan 30, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 110
Thanks to our sponsor www.supplyhouse.com/t-m - the best place to pick up your construction supplies. In this eye-opening episode of The Sparky Life, Lia sits down with Andrea Janzen, founder and CEO of Ambition Theory, to discuss a groundbreaking revelation: mentorship may not be the key to career success as we’ve always believed. Join Lia and Andrea as they dive deep into the nuances of mentorship, particularly how it affects men and women differently in the workplace. Discover the concept of ...
Jan 23, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 109
Welcome to this episode of The Sparky Life! Join host Lia Lamela as she catches up with her good buddy, Stephen Richardson, a recent reality TV star from Love is Blind and a dedicated electrician. In this engaging conversation, Stephen shares his journey in the skilled trades, discussing the challenges he faced during his apprenticeship and how he ultimately found his passion for electrical work. They dive deep into the often-overlooked aspects of the trades, including the importance of mental h...
Jan 16, 2025•52 min•Season 2Ep. 108
Check out www.supplyhouse.com for all your electrical needs! 💡⚡️ In this episode, host Lia Lamela dives deep into the fascinating world of batteries and DC electricity. Have you ever felt that frustration when your device runs out of battery? Join Lia as she breaks down how batteries work, how they are made, and the science behind storing energy. Discover the components of a typical 1.5V alkaline battery, the role of electrons, and the common misconceptions surrounding electricity. Lia also sha...
Jan 09, 2025•13 min•Ep. 107
Welcome back to The Sparky Life! In this electrifying episode, host Lia Lamela sits down with fire protection guru Chad Tester. With a background that spans various aspects of fire safety, Chad shares his journey from commercial fishing to becoming a fire protection expert. Join us as we dive into: Chad's unique path into the skilled trades and how he discovered his passion for fire protection. The importance of hands-on experience in the trades and how it shapes your career. The value of interp...
Jan 02, 2025•47 min•Ep. 106
Welcome back to another episode of The Sparky Life! Join your host, Lia Lamela, as she shares three hilarious and eye-opening trade tales from the world of construction. In this episode, Lia dives into the challenges faced by blue-collar workers, including a shocking story about a port-a-potty nightmare, a frustrating encounter with a clueless boss, and a plumbing disaster that takes an unexpected turn. Whether you're a seasoned tradesperson or just curious about the construction industry, these...
Dec 26, 2024•22 min•Ep. 105
Welcome to this exciting episode of The Sparky Life! Join host Lia Lamela as she dives into the world of motorsports with Crew Chief Eric, the owner of Grand Touring Motorsports and the Motoring Podcast Network. In this episode, Lia and Eric discuss the fascinating intersections between motorsports and skilled trades, exploring how both fields require teamwork, specialized skills, and a passion for building and repairing. Eric shares his personal journey from growing up in a car-loving family to...
Dec 19, 2024•53 min•Ep. 104
Welcome to this week's episode of The Sparky Life! Join your host, Lia Lamela, as she dives into a controversial topic in the construction industry: the stigmas surrounding construction workers and their behavior on job sites. In this episode, Leah discusses a shocking story about a homeowner who discovered that the construction crew was urinating inside her new house. She explores the implications of this behavior, the challenges of maintaining professionalism in the industry, and the importanc...
Dec 15, 2024•21 min•Ep. 103
Check out our sponsor, www.supplyhouse.com/t-m for all your electrical needs! Welcome back to The Sparky Life! In this episode, host Lia Lamella sits down with Angelo Suntres to explore the human side of construction. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Angelo shares his journey from mechanical engineering to becoming a passionate advocate for improving interpersonal relationships within construction. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Introduction to The Sparky Life 00:01:05 - Sponsor Messa...
Dec 05, 2024•35 min•Ep. 102
