This is the Sparky Life with Lia Lamela. Thank you for joining me every Thursday for remarkable stories and points of view from journeyman and woman who build the things that make our lives work! These lessons learned are not only valuable for those engaged in the skilled trades but frankly for all of us whether we use tools literally or figuratively in our daily lives. I share with you my electrical journey, experiences and insight through engaging banter with those I have met along the way ...
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Solar is a Scam. How You're Being Fooled.
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Send us a text Welcome back to The Sparky Life! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of solar energy in residential sectors with our special guest, Chessa Trimble. Is solar a scam? Is it truly beneficial for the environment? Join us as we explore the pros and cons of solar panel installation and discuss whether it's a viable career path in …
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Empowering Women in Construction: A Conversation with Carly Steiman
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Send us a text Welcome back to The Sparky Life! In this electrifying episode, we sit down with Carly Steiman, a seasoned electrician with nearly two decades of experience and the proud owner of Lady Electric in Vancouver, Canada. Carly shares her inspiring journey from a high school graduate to a successful tradeswoman and reality TV star on "Tough…
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Choosing a Skilled Trade over College or the Military with Lily Ghuzlan
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Send us a text Welcome to The Sparky Life Podcast, where we explore unique and often overlooked careers in skilled trades with your host, Lia Lamela. Lily Ghuzlan shares her journey into the skilled trades, her passion for furniture design, and the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field. The discussion highlights the importance o…
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Navigating Electrical Career Paths with Chessa Trimble
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Send us a text Welcome to The Sparky Life Podcast, where we explore unique and often overlooked careers in skilled trades with your host, Lia Lamela. We welcome back returning guest Chessa Trimble to explore the diverse educational pathways available for becoming an electrician. This episode is brought to you by SupplyHouse.com, your trusted source…
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Send us a text Welcome to The Sparky Life Podcast, where we explore unique and often overlooked careers in skilled trades with your host, Lia Lamela. In this episode, we dive into a fascinating topic—weird jobs you might not even know existed! This episode is brought to you by SupplyHouse.com, your trusted source for reliable inventory, fast shippi…
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Building Strong Teams and Leadership in Trades
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Send us a text Welcome to The Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in skilled trades with your host, Lia Lamela. This episode is brought to you by SupplyHouse.com, your trusted source for reliable inventory, friendly customer service, and fast shipping from coast to coast. Check out supplyhouse.com/tm today and explore their Trade Master…
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Why Training Mentorship and Specialization Matter in HVAC Career Success
46:17
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Send us a text Welcome to The Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in skilled trades with your host, Lia Lamela. This episode is brought to you by SupplyHouse.com, your trusted source for reliable inventory, friendly customer service, and fast shipping from coast to coast. Check out supplyhouse.com/tm today and explore their Trade Master…
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Send us a text Welcome to another exciting episode of The Sparky Life Podcast with your host, Lia Lamela! The Sparky Life Podcast reveals remarkable stories and shares unique points of view from journeymen and women who build the things that make our lives work. The lessons shared on The Sparky Life episodes are valuable not only for those engaged …
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Why Skilled Trades Are the Best Career for Women in 2024
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Send us a text Welcome to The Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in skilled trades with your host, Lia Lamela. This episode is brought to you by SupplyHouse.com, your trusted source for reliable inventory, friendly customer service, and fast shipping from coast to coast. Check out SupplyHouse.com today and explore their Trade Masters p…
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Surviving Apprenticeship in the Skilled Trades Industry!
48:56
48:56
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Send us a text Welcome to The Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in skilled trades with your host, Lia Lamela. This episode is brought to you by SupplyHouse.com, your trusted source for reliable inventory, friendly customer service, and fast shipping from coast to coast. Check out SupplyHouse.com today and explore their Trade Masters p…
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How Can You Succeed in Your Career Path? Master The Skills with Erin McGoff
38:06
38:06
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Send us a text Welcome to The Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in skilled trades with your host, Lia Lamela. This episode is brought to you by SupplyHouse.com, your trusted source for reliable inventory, friendly customer service, and fast shipping from coast to coast. Check out SupplyHouse.com today and explore their Trade Masters p…
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Don't Rely on Traditional Degrees—There's a Better Way!
48:41
48:41
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Send us a text Welcome to the Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in skilled trades with your host, Lia Lamela. The Sparky Life Podcast is proudly sponsored by SupplyHouse.com. SupplyHouse.com offers electricians the Trade Masters program, providing benefits like free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/tm to join the pr…
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Send us a text Welcome to the Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in skilled trades with your host, Lia Lamela. The Sparky Life Podcast is proudly sponsored by SupplyHouse.com. SupplyHouse.com offers electricians the Trade Masters program, providing benefits like free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/tm to join the pr…
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Send us a text Welcome to the Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in construction with your host, Lia Lamela. The Sparky Life Podcast is proudly sponsored by SupplyHouse.com. SupplyHouse.com offers electricians the Trade Masters program, providing benefits like free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/team to join the pr…
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Getting Skilled in the Trades Can Transform Your Life.
37:02
37:02
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Send us a text Welcome to the Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in construction with your host, Lia Lamela. The Sparky Life Podcast is proudly sponsored by SupplyHouse.com. SupplyHouse.com offers electricians the Trade Masters program, providing benefits like free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/team to join the pr…
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Send us a text Welcome to the Sparky Life Podcast, celebrating careers in the trades with your host, Lia Lamela. The Sparky Life Podcast is proudly sponsored by SupplyHouse.com. It offers electricians the Trade Masters program, providing benefits like free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/team to join the program today. This week…
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Championing Women in Trades with Paige Knowles and Lianna Faber
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28:51
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Send us a text Welcome to the Sparky Life Podcast, celebrating careers in the trades with your host, Lia Lamela. The Sparky Life Podcast is proudly sponsored by SupplyHouse.com. It offers electricians the Trade Masters program, providing benefits like free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/team to join the program today. This week…
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Empower Your Electrical Career with the National Electrical Code Doctor
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Send us a text Welcome to the Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in construction with your host, Lia Lamela. The Sparky Life Podcast is proudly sponsored by SupplyHouse.com. SupplyHouse.com offers electricians the Trade Masters program, providing benefits like free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/team to join the pr…
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Send us a text Are the opportunities available to women in the skilled trades? Tradeswomen Building Bridges non-for-profit organization is a North American network of women working in the construction trades. Noreen and Iesca, members of Building Bridges join the Sparky Life Podcast to discuss their network and if women can access the careers avail…
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Drywallers VS Sparkies: Which Skilled Trade is the Best?
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Send us a text Today welcome James Strang, Journeyman Drywaller and Finisher, better known as @jwol_finishes. It's well known with in the skilled trades community the sparks and drywallers can go head to head. Who wins this throw down? (music by purple-planet) Support the show Sparky Life Membership Subscription Opportunities Click on the Buzzsprou…
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Send us a text Since 2016, the IDEAL Electrician National Championship has been a platform that celebrates and showcases the incredible skills of Tradesmen and women across North America via a one-of-a-kind program and competition that ultimately crowns the best of the best electricians each year. Today Lia speaks with Emma Becker, returning semi-f…
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Send us a text On today's Sparky Life, Benedikte Vatne, a high voltage electrician and EIT field engineer joins Lia Lamela to discuss what it is like to ride a helicopter into work on the mountainous regions of Norway? Connect with our guest Benedikte: @energi_benedikte BIG NEWS SPARKIES: Are you a skilled electrician who wants to win an all-expens…
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Send us a text On today's Sparky Life, Mae, the Highway Hopper, and her husband Sean share their journey of leaving traditional jobs to start Orbital Jump Freight, a trucking company. They sold their house to fund the business, initially living in the truck as they ventured into the industry. Their story showcases a bold decision to pursue a life o…
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Skills for the Skilled Trades, A Survival Guide
1:10:04
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Send us a text In this episode, the host Lia Lamela speaks with the author of Confidence For Young Adults, Matt Eisenberg. "The purpose of this book, deeply rooted in my soul, is to empower our young adults—the torchbearers of tomorrow. By fostering their confidence, resilience, and self-belief, I hope to inspire them to become the embodiment of ge…
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Send us a text In this episode, the host Lia Lamela speaks with the owner of Diamond Electric Solutions, Dominic Sonesen. They explore the journey from an IBEW apprentice to a successful business owner. Dominic highlights the perks of the electrical trade, from benefits to the joy of project completion, and the motivation derived from family. The e…
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Send us a text In this engaging episode host Lia Lamela sits down with Val and Emily, seasoned wastewater treatment plant operators and returning Sparky Life guests. They discuss the intricacies of wastewater management and highlighting the importance of flushing protocols. These women value their trade, emphasizing their contributions to safety, c…
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What is a Positive Powerhouse Leader in Electrical with Rudy Right Wire Electric
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Send us a text Building Success in the Electrical Contracting Business: Insights from Rudy @Right_Wire_Electric As the host of the Sparky Life podcast, I've had the privilege of speaking with some of the most knowledgeable and experienced professionals in the skilled trades. In this episode, I sit down with Rudy , better known as @Right_Wire_Electr…
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A Single Mother's Electrifying Journey - Andrea O'Connel
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Send us a text In this episode , Lia Lamela welcomed electrician Andrea O'Connell, who shared her empowering story of transitioning from a struggling single mother to a passionate tradeswoman. Andrea recounted her serendipitous entry into the construction industry, where she discovered a fulfilling career path. She candidly discussed the challenges…
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A New Future for Skilled Trades Education
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Send us a text In this episode, Lia Lamela speaks with Will Betances, a master electrician and founder of Energize Us, about his initiative to transform skilled trades education. Energize Us ia an accredited Not for Profit 501(c)(3) Education Center Trade Pre-Apprenticeship program, training the next generation. A revolution is underway, spearheade…
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Is College Over Rated & Skilled Trades Under Valued?
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela interviews Ryan, an 18-year-old entrepreneur and HVAC apprentice. They discuss the urgent need for tradespeople and the opportunities within the HVAC industry. Ryan shares his proactive approach to learning and his plans to obtain multiple trade licenses. They discuss the ac…
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Send us a text Viola Vargas, is 12 years old and already a trailblazer. She started her journey with the trades when she was a toddler and growing up she always loved working with tools with her dad. Viola started with cutting wires, but today she helps her dad with HVAC projects. Not only is she skilled in HVAC but she is an athlete as well, taekw…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, Lia speaks with electrical engineer Ayesha Wilson about her career and advocacy for STEM outreach. Ayesha shares her inspiration from astronaut Kalpana Chawla and her path to circuit design. Ayesha's dedication to teaching and mentorship shines through as she discusses breaking down academi…
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Follow Up: Heart-Wrenching Events at the Local 26
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Send us a text In our latest episode on March 7, 2024, Two Students Stabbed at Local 26 Electrical Training Center: Bullying and Mental Health in the skilled trades we discussed the tragic events which occurred on Feb 13th 2024 in Manassa, VA. In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast we follow up on the heart-wrenching events that have shaken our…
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Be Apart of History: A WWII Memorial for Women on the Home Front with Raya Kenney
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Send us a text In this Sparky Life episode Raya Kenney discusses her 11-year journey building a Memorial for Women On The Home Front during World War II, emphasizing visibility and recognition for their contributions. She details the project's design, fundraising needs, and educational goals. Raya highlights the importance of mentorship, community,…
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Two Students Stabbed at Local 26 Electrical Training Center: Bullying & Mental Health in the skilled trades
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, Lia Lamela and guests Dr. Talia Jackson and Douglas Jensen from the We're Not Fine podcast discuss a stabbing incident at the local 26 JATC in Manassas, Virginia. They talk about the serious issues of bullying and mental health within the construction industry, reflecting on the culture tha…
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Build a Successful Career in Building Automation
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Send us a text In this podcast episode, Chris Guyatt, a building automation expert, and Lia Lamela, talk about the lucrative and evolving field of building automation. Chris outlines the business potential, emphasizing the importance of branding, marketing, and understanding electrical controls. He also shares a step-by-step learning path for newco…
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Who Are the Mentors For The Next Generation?
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela talks with Cate, a second-year apprentice carpenter from British Columbia, about the challenges and experiences of women in the skilled trades. Cate discusses her transition from administrative work to carpentry, and the importance of self-confidence. They address the balanc…
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Ladies in Leadership Focus on Construction Industry Issues: Live Panel
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Send us a text Live Panel is a new modern platform where leaders in the skilled trades discuss compelling issues facing the construction industry. Live Panel shares remarkable stories and points of view of how journeyman and woman build the things that make our lives work! These lessons learned are not only valuable for those engaged in the skilled…
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Are Women Really Supporting One Another In the Skilled Trades?
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Send us a text Did you know that 1 in 5 women prefer to work with men over other women? We dove deep into this curious statistic and explored the challenges of women supporting women in spaces where we're still breaking ground. Our guest Bogi is a committed automotive industry advocate, dealer-trained BMW and ASE master certified technician, and a …
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela speaks to Jeff Naeem, the owner of a New Jersey-based junk removal company. Jeff shares his journey from working in financial services to starting his own business in the skilled trades. He discusses the challenges of obtaining a license in New Jersey, the day-to-day operati…
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New Sparky Life Trailer: In Honor of Our One Year Anniversary
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Send us a text This is Sparky Life's One Year Anniversary! I just want to thank all the listeners. I am so grateful to you; Sparky Life would never be able to serve the skilled trades community on the level it has if it wasn't for you. You have helped Sparky Life introduce the skilled trades to people who had no idea all the opportunities available…
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Can Toxic Leadership Practices Be Addressed in the Construction Industry?
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela interviews Shana Francesca, a life designer and CEO of Concinnate LLC, about her unique background making her an expert on transformative leadership. We discuss the impact of toxic leadership in the construction industry, with Shana advocating for intentional and ethical lea…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela speaks with Bettina, founder of Women in FIFO, about her experiences in the mining industry. They discuss the challenges women face, such as sexual harassment and underrepresentation, and the financial benefits of FIFO roles. Bettina shares her journey in the industry and ho…
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How Are Skilled Trades Women Represented On Social Media?
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela chats with Kelly McNamara, a soon to be red seal carpenter, about her career transition into carpentry and her experiences as a woman in the trades. She emphasizes the importance of finding a company that values workers and the economic need for new talent in the trades. Kel…
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How to Manifest Success: One Spark at a Time?
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, Lia Lamela speaks with Kimmy the Sparks, an electrician who shares her journey in the male-dominated electrical industry. Despite facing discouragement and gender discrimination, the electrician rose from an administrative role to become a qualified professional. She discusses the versatili…
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What Are The Secrets In The Switch Yards?
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela speaks with Trish Conville, a seasoned professional from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. They discuss the importance of safety, cleanliness, and proper accommodations in the construction industry, with a focus on the electrical trade. Trish shares insigh…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela and fellow electrician Chessa Trimble discuss the challenges and rewards of being in the skilled trades industry. Chessa shares her journey from apartment maintenance to becoming an electrician, the decision to go non-union, and the importance of perseverance and innovation …
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela speaks with Laura Stevenson, a red seal electrician and founder of Salty Mountain, a women's workwear brand. They discuss their experiences in the electrical trade, the differences in licensing between Canada and the US, and the pros and cons of union and non-union apprentic…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela and guest Jennifer Rogers Markwell, a wealth advisor, discuss the importance of financial education for skilled tradespeople. They address the lack of financial knowledge among tradespeople and the potential pitfalls of this, such as making poor financial decisions. Jennifer…
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Send us a text In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela speaks with master electrician Roberto Reyes. They discuss Roberto's career, his social media presence, and his journey into the trades. Roberto shares his experiences with learning challenges, the importance of mentorship, and his personal struggle with addiction. He also r…
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