This week on Irregardless, Rachel Hartman sits down with Demi Knight Clark — welder, manufacturing and automation enthusiast, “Steminist,” and founder of Reimagined Rosies.

Demi’s passion for the trades runs deep. Inspired by her grandmother, an original Rosie the Riveter and welder during WWII, Demi carried the “Knight” name forward as a tribute to her roots. From early vo-tech classes to a career in construction and welding, she has made it her mission to destigmatize the trades and show the next generation that picking up a blowtorch can be just as empowering as choosing a college path.

Through her nonprofit, Reimagined Rosies, Demi introduces kids ages 11–16 to welding and robotics—helping them explore creativity, build confidence, and see new possibilities for their future.

In this conversation, Demi and Rachel dig into the skilled trades gap: what it really means, how we got here, and how businesses can address it. Demi argues that closing the gap isn’t just about inspiring the next generation, but also about investing in today’s workforce—equipping them with new skills and technologies that make them more valuable, not replaceable.

They also touch on women in the trades, the importance of creating welcoming spaces for all, and how diversity and access can dramatically expand the pool of talent in manufacturing.

It’s an inspiring and practical conversation that bridges history, passion, and strategy for the future of the industry.