In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela interviews Jeff Bond, the creator of Trade Jobs, a platform that connects skilled tradespeople with job opportunities. Jeff shares his background in the skilled trades and explains how the idea for Trade Jobs came about. They discuss the challenges of finding qualified tradespeople and the need for better education and awareness of trade career options. Jeff explains the benefits of using the Trade Jobs platform for both employers and e...
Oct 05, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 42
In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela welcomes wastewater treatment plant operators Emily Grace and Val Gacek. Emily and Val share how they got involved in the field, the income range in the industry, and unique experiences they've had on the job. They also discuss the lack of interest in their field and the gender dynamics they encounter. Lia expresses admiration for her guests and encourages listeners to connect with them. I'm incredibly grateful to Emily and Val for shar...
Sep 28, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 41
In this podcast episode, Lia Lamela speaks with Bobby Buono (Blue-Collar Bobby), a union sprinkler fitter from Massachusetts. They discuss Bobby's journey into the union, his experiences in the construction industry, and his passion for creating humorous Instagram reels. Bobby's journey into the union is an inspiring one. He didn't have any family connections to rely on. His initial work experience was with his father, a non-union sprinkler fitter. However, when their company went under, Bobby f...
Sep 21, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 40
In this podcast episode, Lia Lamela speaks to Dawn Ohama, a master electrician and owner of ATT Electric. Dawn shares her journey from being an apprentice to becoming an assistant business manager at the IBEW. She divulges both the positive experiences she had in the union and a negative encounter with a coworker that led her to quit her job. Dawn shares the importance of fair treatment and respect. They also touch on misconceptions and biases towards women in the industry and the need for more ...
Sep 14, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 39
In this podcast episode, Lia Lamela speaks with Amanda Veinott, the owner of Maven Roofing and Exteriors. They discuss Amanda's success in the roofing industry and her unique approach to building a successful crew. Amanda shares her journey into the construction industry, emphasizing the importance of authentic and knowledge-based sales. Connect with our guest Amanda Veinott Links: www.mavennj.com www.facebook.com/amandaveinott , www.linkedin.com/in/amandaveinott https://amandaveinott.com/ Conne...
Sep 07, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 38
In this podcast episode, Lia Lamela, host of the Sparky Life podcast, invites Lia Carta, a homeschooling mother and host of the Homeschooling for the Rest of Us podcast, as her guest. They discuss the importance of encouraging children to explore trade schools and skilled trade careers. They share personal stories and experiences, discuss the benefits of trade schools, and highlight the earning potential and fulfillment that comes from pursuing a trade. They also provide advice for parents on in...
Aug 31, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 37
In this podcast episode, host Lia Lamela welcomes Chloe Williams, a panel beater technician at Lookers Body Paint and Body Center in Newcastle, England. Chloe shares her journey in the collision repair industry and how she discovered her passion for panel beating. They discuss Chloe's recent experiences, the allure of women in skilled trades, and the lack of women in her field. Chloe also talks about her daily routine and the challenges she has faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry. Lia ...
Aug 24, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela speaks with Kyle Veazey, an expert in building automation systems. They discuss Kyle's career journey, the diverse paths within the field, and the steps to enter the industry. The conversation covers various aspects of building automation, including different career paths, networking, and the importance of soft skills. Kyle offers himself as a mentor and shares his contact information for further engagement. This episode is a treasure t...
Aug 17, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 35
In this podcast episode, Lia Lamela, host of the Sparky Life Podcast, speaks with guest Analisa Felix, the podcast host of Work University. They discuss Analisa's approach to conducting informational interviews with professionals from various careers. Analisa emphasizes the importance of uncovering the journey and challenges people face in their careers, rather than just focusing on the surface-level glamour. They also discuss the significance of finding passion and purpose in one's career, as w...
Aug 10, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In this episode of the Sparky Life Podcast, host Lia Lamela introduces her guest, Ki Barritt, an electrician and personal trainer for trainees. Ki shares her journey into the electrical trade and her passion for helping women in the trades through personal training. They discuss the challenges of being an electrician, the importance of access to basic resources like electricity and water, and the physical demands of the job. They also touch on the empowerment and independence that comes with bei...
Aug 03, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Are you ready for a thrilling episode of the Sparky Life podcast? Well, get ready because we have a special guest joining us who is going to take us on an exciting journey into the world of hunting and the great outdoors. In this episode, Lia Lamela chats with Shilou Cote, a huntress and outdoor female mentor. Shilou shares her incredible experiences in hunting, from tracking deer to facing off with bears. Shilou shares her background in hunting and her passion for the sport. As they delved deep...
Jul 27, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Are you a parent struggling to teach your children important life skills? Do you feel like traditional education systems are not enough to prepare your child for the real world? In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela speaks with Billy Ivanova, host of the Unlock Your Child's Potential podcast, about the importance of teaching life skills to children and the limitations of traditional education systems. Billy shares her mission to raise her children to be good humans and to f...
Jul 20, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Have you ever considered building your own tiny house? In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, Lia Lamela speaks with Megan Pogoda, a tiny house builder and creator of Build it Betties, who shares her journey in the trades and the importance of having more women in the industry. Megan's winding path through different careers led her to build her own tiny house and start Build It Betties to teach other women about the trades. The most valuable lesson from this podcast is the empowering feelin...
Jul 13, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a charter boat captain? In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, I speak with Captain Maria Gay, a charter boat captain with 17 years of experience. Captain Maria Gay shares her daily routine, the challenges she faced as a female captain in a male-dominated industry, and the rewards of providing customers with a unique and memorable fishing experience. The most valuable lesson from this episode is to find a way that works for oneself and tailor the ...
Jul 06, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Lindsay was introduced to the construction industry while studying Civil Engineering at the University of Waterloo, where she landed a co-op assignment with a local soil testing company. When she first stepped on to a construction site, she instantly felt at home. Upon earning her degree, Lindsay quickly established a career in Construction Management at PCL Construction, where she developed a reputation for excellence and leadership in various roles, including Estimating, Pre-Construction Servi...
Jun 29, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela speaks with Aaron Huey, a carpenter with two decades of experience and a coach for tradesmen. They discuss the mental health challenges faced by tradesmen, particularly in Australia, and the importance of changing the "she'll be right" mentality. They also touch on the role of women in the trades, the need for soft skills training, and the cultural differences between the UK and the US when it comes to the perception of tradesmen. Aaron...
Jun 22, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 27
The Sparky Life podcast features host Lia Lamela and guest Steph Mannering, a level three certified marine craft construction boat builder from Australia. They discuss Steph's day-to-day work, how she got into the trade, and the importance of attitude in the workplace. Steph shares her journey of becoming a boat builder. They also discuss the importance of training and proper tool usage. The episode emphasizes the importance of finding passion in your work and being open to exploring different c...
Jun 15, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela interviews Brenda Tackaberry, a gender bias specialist and podcast host of Busting Gender Bias. Brenda shares her experience growing up with a father in the trades, studying engineering, and working in male-dominated industries. The conversation sheds light on the importance of addressing gender bias in the workplace and creating equal opportunities for all. Brenda also discusses the challenges that men face in the workplace due to soci...
Jun 08, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 25
This Sparky Life podcast episode focuses on the importance of math skills in construction careers and introduces Mathnasium as a resource for improving mathematical competency. Lia Lamela shares her personal experience with Mathnasium and interviews Jing Sims, a center director at Mathnasium in Purcellville, Virginia, about the program and her approach to teaching math. Jing explains how Mathnasium customizes the learning path for each student and focuses on teaching math concepts and understand...
Jun 01, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 24
This podcast episode features a conversation between Lia, the host, and Linsday Kearns, a red seal electrician, who works for the BC Center for Women in the Trades in British Columbia, Canada. Lindsay shares her experience as an electrician and the challenges she faced during her apprenticeship, including sexism, racism, and homophobia. She also talks about her specialization in building automation and the unpredictability of her job. The conversation highlights the importance of addressing inap...
May 25, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, Lia Lamela shares the story of the Willow Island disaster, where 51 workers fell to their deaths while constructing cooling towers in West Virginia in 1978. She emphasizes the importance of safety in trade careers and the responsibility of contractor companies to protect their workers. Lia describes the construction of the cooling towers and the safety concerns that were ignored, leading to the disaster. She stresses the need for safety to be preached ...
May 18, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In this episode of the Sparky Life, host Lia Lamela speaks with licensed psychologist Dr. Kate Kelly about the benefits of trade careers, particularly in the construction industry, for mental health. They discuss the importance of soft skills, emotional intelligence, and empathy in the workplace, as well as the link between the body and mind in somatic-based therapies for trauma recovery. The conversation also touches on the benefits of physical activity and self-compassion. Sparky Life recommen...
May 11, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Meet Zoe Kearney, an ambitious, intelligent former astrophysics student and physics student who has paved her own road to success in a male-dominated masters program. Zoe has inspired me to “reach for the stars”, and I’m sure she will for you too. In this episode we provide support and guidance in pursuing non-traditional career paths, especially for women in male-dominated fields. We discuss the challenges of breaking into these fields and the need for more resources and mentorship. The episode...
May 04, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In this week’s episode, we sit down with Brooke, who’s life trajectory has shown that you can experience the wonders of many trades, careers, and more! Brooke went from being a welder, to a business owner and podcaster, to a plumber, all the while raising three little ones at home. She shares with us the joys and hardships of each of these chapters of her life, as well as some critical advice for women considering entering the trades. Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia Music by https://www.purple...
Apr 27, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Start Your Engines with This Corvette Girl, Auto Technician - Doris Bennally Today we sit down with Doris Benally, an auto mechanic living in sunny San Antonio, Texas. Doris gives us the low down on what it's like as an auto mechanic, shares about her favorite cars, and has plenty of advice to give to women entering the trades. Start your engines, as we accelerate into Doris’ insight! San Antonio, TXArizona Technical Schools & Vocational Programs https://www.uti.edu/locations/arizona Sparky ...
Apr 20, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Our guest today is Coralee Beatty, a coach for women in the trades, and author of the book Hiring Secrets for Trades and Construction, The Ultimate Guide to Find, Hire and Retain Top Talent . Coralee also offers fractional COO services, helping construction companies from the inside. A talented speaker and trainer, Coralee is brimming with passion and expertise in hopes to encourage more women to enter into the trades. Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia Sparky Life recommends book : Carol Dweck -...
Apr 13, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Today we meet with the amazing Carmyn Stanko, a one-of-a-kind woman pioneer, who organized a union from her home in Vermont. Her journey isn’t only empowering; it’s electrifying! Hear what it takes to organize a trades union from a fellow sparky. University of Vermont https://www.uvm.edu Connect with us : @sparkylifeoflia Music by https://www.purple-planet.com Support the show...
Apr 06, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In the trades, there are essentially two paths you can take: union or non-union. Choose your destiny. But not without some help! Today’s episode, I explain some of the core differences of these two styles of work in the trades, as well as some of the pros and cons of both. Connect with us : @sparkylifeoflia Music by https://www.purple-planet.com Support the show...
Apr 04, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In this episode, we continue our conversation with Chris Heskett, host of Wild Nutrition Podcast and full-time health and fitness coach, to discuss the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle, especially for people entering the trades. Connect with our guest Chris, Owner of PEAK Wellness Coaching Wild Nutrition Secrets for Women Facebook Group PEAK Wellness Coaching https://linktr.ee/chrisheskett18 Connect with us : @sparkylifeoflia Music by https://www.purple-planet.com Support the show...
Mar 30, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Today we speak with Chris Heskett, host of Wild Nutrition Podcast and full-time health and fitness coach, to discuss the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle, especially for people entering the trades. Connect with our guest Chris, Owner of PEAK Wellness Coaching Wild Nutrition Secrets for Women Facebook Group PEAK Wellness Coaching https://linktr.ee/chrisheskett18 Connect with us : @sparkylifeoflia https://linktr.ee/sparkylife Sparky Life recommends book : Endure by Cameron Hanes Music ...
Mar 30, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 13
