Better the Pond---PondCast

In this episode of the Better the Pond Pondcast, Warren Barry sits down with Bob Lund, Corporate Health & Safety Manager at Main Road Group, for a candid and grounded conversation about youth in trades, safety leadership, and building meaningful career pathways. Bob shares his unexpected journey from mills, electrical work, and Alberta oil fields into safety management, highlighting how curiosity, mentorship, and hands-on experience shaped his career. Together, they explore what makes Main Road’s employee-owned, family-style culture exceptional, and why safety is less about rules and more about influence, ethics, and trust. 

The conversation expands to the future of trades, education, and technology, challenging the idea that university is the only path to success. Warren and Bob emphasize the importance of early exposure, pre-apprenticeship programs, and real-world experience for young people—especially hands-on learners who thrive when building something tangible. They also discuss how AI will augment, not replace, skilled trades, reinforcing the irreplaceable value of human judgment, empathy, and experience. At its core, this episode is a reminder that the trades offer purpose, pride, financial stability, and the opportunity to make a real impact—on people, communities, and the youth get to leave their fingerprints on the world. 

• Website: Mainroad Highway Asset Management, Road & Bridge Maintenance 

• LinkedIn: (1) Robert Lund | LinkedIn 

• Instagram:  @boblund79 

From farm roots to the C-suite, Valerie Paris, COO of Durvet Corporation, has built her career on hard work, humility, and heart. 

In this episode, Valerie shares her incredible journey—from growing up on a Missouri farm to leading a national animal health cooperative. We talk about leadership, self-advocacy, and how empowering others can ripple far beyond the workplace. 

Valerie also opens up about her upcoming book, Be Her Biggest Fan, a collection of real and raw stories about parenting, perseverance, and raising strong, independent kids. One powerful moment in the book completely changed how she saw herself as both a mother and a leader. 

Topics that take flight: 
• Raising kids who can hear “no” and still soar 
• Leadership through kindness and empowerment 
• The art of self-promotion without ego 
• How grace and gratitude can transform workplace culture 

It’s her first-ever podcast appearance—and it’s a flocking great one! 

Tune in now and connect with Valerie at https://www.linkedin.com/in/valarieparis/ to follow her journey and upcoming book release. 

Today, I’m diving into a topic that’s very close to my heart — the future of our workforce and the incredible opportunities waiting for young people in the trades. 

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dave Speerbrecker of Thyssen Mining, and this conversation really hit home. We explored the real challenges of attracting youth into the trades — what’s getting in the way — and how we can ignite curiosity, build confidence, and inspire the next generation to roll up their sleeves and build something meaningful. 

If you caught my earlier episode with Josh Wood of West Shore Home, you’ll notice a theme. The trades aren’t just jobs — they’re legacies. They’re the foundations of our communities, and it’s up to us to ensure the next generation gets every opportunity to leave their fingerprints on the world. 

So, grab a coffee, settle in, and join me for this important conversation about building pathways, sparking passion, and helping the next generation take flight. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts — how can we do more to inspire youth to pursue careers in the trades? 

What do underground mines and geese in formation have in common? 

Both demand trust, clarity, and the courage to let others lead. 

In this powerful episode of the Better the Pond Pondcast, I had the privilege of sitting down in person with Safety Dave, otherwise known as Dave Speerbrecker—a 36-year mining veteran and General Manager of Support Services at Tyson Mining. 

We dug deep into: 
Dave’s rise from underground worker to safety leader 
The emotional impact of workplace injuries—and how empathy must lead safety 
How Thyssen Mining is reshaping the mining industry through workforce development, tech, and inclusion 
And why kindness, gratitude, and communication aren't “soft skills”—they’re people survival skills 

This one’s about more than mining. It’s about flying in formation—at work, at home, and in life. 

Dave Schellenberg is the CFO of Decor Cabinets based out of Morden Manitoba Canada.  I had Stan Pauls, the CEO of Decor on previously as a guest, and wanted to continue the conversation with more of the team, as what Decor Cabinets does to Better the Pond is exceptional.  

Dave was raised with very high values. His father liked to influence peoples hearts, and his mother influenced their heads.  With Dave’s competitive nature and drive, he has learned from his mistakes, and in turn understands the true power of leadership and how it impacts the people around him.  

Listen to what Dave and Decor are doing to Better the Pond, they are creating ripples all over the world. Ladies and gentlemen, Dave Schellenberg. 

[email protected] 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-schellenberg-6a6a6427/ 

https://decorcabinets.com 

What do a surfboard, a postal route, and a tire shop have in common? They’re all part of the journey toward purpose, passion, and authenticity. 

In this episode, I caught up with Burt Dew from Chapel Hill Tire—and we covered a lot of ground. From Burt’s raw and honest story of post-divorce transition and co-parenting, to Bert’s rise from the shop floor to store manager, we explored what it really means to live—and lead—with heart. 

We unpacked: 
The power of showing up authentically 
Building customer relationships through “automotive hospitality” 
How life’s setbacks often become the turning points 
Why you should do what you love—and love who you’re becoming 

This isn’t just a conversation. It’s a reflection on work, life, leadership, and what it means to better the pond—one ripple at a time. Well, not really, cause Burt is making wave’s. 

From the Court to the Corner Office | Better the Pond Pondcast with Jason Belles 

This week’s Pondcast is about momentum, milestones, and modern leadership. 

Jason Belles stepped into full ownership of Store Assure—a self-storage company with 2 million sq. ft. under management—while preparing for a thoughtful CEO transition. But what really struck me wasn’t just the business strategy. It was the heart behind it. 

We talked about: 
How he’s restructuring leadership while preserving legacy 
Why communication—like honking in a V-formation—makes or breaks a team 
The underestimated power of financial literacy for entrepreneurs 
His employee-led charity initiative creating impact and changing lives, 

This one’s for the leaders who are navigating growth, honoring their instincts, and redefining what it means to lead with purpose. 

Listen in and let us know: What’s the biggest leadership transition you’ve faced—and what did you learn? 

What happens when you blend vision, vulnerability, and a deep-rooted family legacy? You get Ed Gibbs of Gibson Pools and Landscape Creations—a man who doesn’t just build beautiful backyards, but thriving cultures. 

I had the privilege of sitting down with Ed at his stunning cottage on Lake Joseph in the Muskokas to talk about more than just pools. We dove into the heart of leadership, the soul of a family business, and the importance of kindness, love, and high-trust environments. 

From working with billionaires in the Caribbean to navigating the challenges of COVID, 9/11, and shifting global markets, Ed’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, collaboration, and an infinite mindset. 

He shares: 

• His father’s legacy and the rise of a multi-generational business 

• Lessons in vulnerability and the real meaning of culture 

• Why adversity can be your greatest ally 

• How to lead by creating more leaders, not followers 

Whether you’re building a team, growing a business, or just trying to be a better human—this conversation will move you. 

“Culture isn’t about perks. It’s about people. And leadership? It’s not about being the star—it’s about knowing when to pass the baton.” – Ed Gibbs 

Tune in now, and get inspired by a man who's truly making waves. 

What if our biggest problems today are rooted in how far we’ve drifted from what we were designed for? 

In this episode of the Better the Pond Pondcast, I sat down with Patrick—a McGill University lecturer and expert in ethnobotany and evolutionary health—to explore some of the most raw, real, and relevant issues of our time: 

• Navigating personal transitions and the growth that comes with them 
• The disconnect between modern life and ancestral wisdom 
• What Papua New Guinea and Tibet taught him about nutrition and adaptation 
• How hyper-individualism, social media, and AI are hijacking our biology 
• Why belonging to a tribe might just be our most critical survival strategy 

This isn’t just theory—Patrick lives it. And his ability to translate ancient insight into modern relevance is exactly the kind of voice we need more of. 

 Listen in and ask yourself: Are we evolving together, or drifting apart?? 

Better the Pond Pondcast – Special Edition from Mechanicsburg, PA 

When you find yourself in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania—and have a chance to visit Josh Wood at WestShore Home—you do what any curious Canadian would do…

You hit record. 

Inside the WestShore studio, Josh and I sat down for a second round on the Better the Pond Pondcast. And there’s a reason we brought the mics back out: this conversation matters.

Josh is smart, driven, compassionate—and he’s championing something we both believe in deeply:

The urgency and importance of getting youth into the trades.

In this special episode, we dive into:

-Why the trades are more than a career path—they’re a purpose path

-How leadership at organizations like WestShore Home can shape futures

-The critical alignment between opportunity and meaning for the next generation

This wasn’t just a conversation—it was a call to action.

If you care about the future of work, the dignity of skilled trades, and building a world where young people find their place with purpose… you’ll want to eavesdrop on this one.