In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with the Chief Style Officer for Diamondback Toolbelts, Damani Harrison. 

Headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, Diamondback is taking building trades toolbelts and gear to the next level with their innovative design, ergonomic fit and manufacturing processes.

We’ll start our conversation by discovering what makes Diamondback products standout in a marketplace that is jammed full of competition. And learn how Diamondback is pushing the envelop to meet trade specific challenges head-on. 

Next, we’ll understand how input from building trades professionals is combined with cutting edge engineering, and technologically advanced fabrics and alloys to produce products that are designed to meet the demands of today’s modern workforce.  

Later, Damani will share his thoughts on the unique relationship Diamondback Toolbelts have with their customers and why social media is so important to their mission of providing innovative solutions to industry challenges.   

And we’ll end our conversation by discussing the importance of promoting careers in the trades as a pathway to professional pride and economic security and  learn how Diamondback Toolbelts is stepping up to support building trades apprenticeship programs.

The Show Notes

Diamondback Toolbelts
https://toolbelts.com/

On today’s episode I have the pleasure to speak with author Daisy Pitken about her new book titled, On the Line - A story of class, solidarity, and Two Women’s Epic Fight to Build a Union. 

In her book, Daisy recounts the story of a grueling 5 yearlong bottom-up campaign she was involved in to help unionize industrial laundry workers in Phoenix, Arizona.  

This book is both riveting and intimate and paints a humanizing portrait of the American labor movement.  

We begin our conversation by learning about the hazardous jobsite conditions that drove these primarily Latino workers to seek union representation in the first place, and how the multinational corporate owned cleaning firms deployed strong arm, union busting tactics in an attempt to squash their organizing efforts. 

Next, we’ll look into the role professional union organizers play in guiding those who seek representation and analyze the differences in what’s at stake for both.    

Later Daisy will elaborate on her relationship with rank-and-file activist Alma Gomez Garcia who she met on the campaign, and why she feels Alma’s unshakable courage and resolve makes her one of the gutsiest fighters she’s ever known. 

And we’ll end our conversation by unpacking the underlying personal attributes that are needed to survive a years long campaign and how true transformation and growth can be achieved while doing so. 

This is one of my favorite interviews to date and I hope you can help share Daisy’s message of inspiration with those who you think may benefit from it.

The Show Notes

Daisy Pitkin
https://www.daisypitkin.net/

Welcome to Carpenter Stories. 

I’m Joe Cadwell, the writer, producer and host of the show and I am proud to bring you this special series within the Grit NW podcast.

Carpenter Stories will introduce you to individuals whose lives have been bettered after finding a career as a professional tradesperson in the UBC.

On today’s show I have the pleasure to speak with Jimmy Jones, retired Journeyman carpenter, and member of the local 271. 

I met Jim a few years ago and have admired his positive attitude and can-do spirit. Jim exemplifies what someone in the trades can achieve through hard work, tenacity, and ability to grow and change with the industry.

We’ll start our conversation by learning why Jim decided to leave Oregon State University where he was working on a degree in forest engineering to become a full-time carpenter. 

Next, we’ll hear some of the challenges and biases he encountered on the job that stemmed from his not going through a recognized union apprenticeship. 

Later Jim will tell us about his time spent as a Job Corp instructor and how he feels his career came full circle when he was able to give back and share the knowledge and insight he had acquired over the years in the trades.

And we’ll finish our conversation when I ask Jim to answer 3 questions designed to give guidance and direction to anyone interested in becoming a professional trades person.

This is a great episode full of humor and stories that you won’t want to miss.

So, sit back, and enjoy Jimmy Jones, Carpenter Story.

The Show Notes

UBC Job Corp Information
https://www.carpenters.org/job-corps/

Visit our webpage
https://www.gritnationpodcast.com

Win Stuff!!
https://mailchi.mp/c28da31260b8/grit-nation-podcast-sign-up-page

Email Grit Nation:
[email protected]

Welcome to Grit Nation, I’m Joe Cadwell the writer, producer, and host of the show and on today’s episode I’ll be looking into the complex world of finance credit.
To help me better understand the role credit plays in a building trades professionals life and career I have invited back to the show Patrick Town, director of operations for Union Home Plus. 

Accompanying him is Serge Bagdasarov . 

We’ll start our conversation by learning how to establish and maintain good credit and we’ll finish by giving you solid advice on how you can repair bad credit should you have it. 

Along the way we’ll discuss what FICO scores are, how you can create good credit without owing anyone anything and why wage garnishments can be so detrimental to your financial health and wellbeing. 

The Show Notes

Union Home Plus
http://unionhomeplus.org/

Welcome to Grit Nation.
I’m Joe Cadwell the writer, producer and host of the show and in this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Josh Ruyle from Image Pointe and Dignity Apparel both based in Waterloo, Iowa.

Though I originally went into this conversation with the intent of discussing union printed apparel, I came away with a greater understanding of the socio-economic impact companies like Image Pointe can have in rural American communities.

We’ll open our conversation by discussing the humble beginnings of Image Point, once known as Back Alley Printers, and how Josh together with his wife and co-owner Beth, continue on the proud legacy that her parents started in the 1970’s.

We’ll then learn how the Ruyle's, put their experience of working overseas to alleviate poverty and suffering in developing economies, to use here in the US. 

Next, we’ll unpack the Image Pointe mission statement, of “existing to create dignified, life-changing jobs” as Josh explains the difference and importance of not just having a job, but actually having a “good job”.

Later, we’ll look into the relationship Image Pointe has with over 3000 union affiliates across the US and Canada and what it takes to create original, high-quality, logos and designs. 

And we’ll end our conversation by understanding how the recognition of environmental and human rights abuses in the global garment industry led to the creation of Dignity Apparel, an all-American clothing line.   

After this episode be sure to visit the show notes to find more information to help you dive deeper into the subject.

The Show Notes

Image Pointe
https://www.imagepointe.com/

Dignity Apparel
https://dignityapparel.com/

In this episode I speak with Katrina Onstad, author of The Weekend Effect. Her   book addresses the life changing benefits of taking time off and challenging the cult of overwork and makes the case for reclaiming our weekends to increase creativity, productivity, and success in our lives.

Katrina and I open our conversation by discussing the historical origins of the weekend and how the concept of having 2 days off in a row is a fairly new construct.

Next, we’ll discover the roll organized labor unions played in establishing the weekend in the fight for better living standards of its members.

Later we unpack how the emergence of technology has begun to blur the lines between on and off shift. And why trying to curate the perfect weekend can leave you feeling drained. 

And we’ll end our conversation by giving you the information you need to take back your weekends so that you come away rested, relaxed, and ready to tackle the week ahead.

The Show Notes

The Weekend Effect
https://katrinaonstad.com/

Welcome to Grit Nation. 

On this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with Dan Kerrigan the author of Functional Firefighter Fitness.

Though written for firefighters this book is packed full of solid advice to help you maximize your output on the job no matter what your trade is.

We’ll open our conversation by discussing what it means to be “fit for duty” as we investigate the similarities construction industry professionals share with other craft that rely not only on their cognitive abilities to get the job done but their physicality too.

Next Dan will explain how Physical Fitness, Rest and Recovery, Hydration and Nutrition make up the Four Pillars of his program, and why it is so important to master each one to achieve optimal health and peak performance.

Later we unpack the BIG 8 and understand why spending hours in the gym isn’t necessary to achieve the muscular endurance, cardio conditioning and flexibility that keep your body healthy and strong.

And we’ll end our conversation by giving you the resources needed to make proper lifestyle decisions now that will allow you to maximize output, minimize injuries, and set you up for success into your later years.

The Show Notes

Firefighter Functional Fitness
https://www2.firefighterfunctionalfitness.com/

Grit Nation  Webpage
https://www.gritnationpodcast.com

Follow Grit Nation on Twitter
https://twitter.com/gritnationpod

Email comments or suggestions to:
[email protected]

Grit Nation is a proud member of the Labor Radio / Podcast Network
https://www.laborradionetwork.org/ 

Visit the webpage
https://www.gritnationpodcast.com

Win Grit Nation merch
https://mailchi.mp/c28da31260b8/grit-nation-podcast-sign-up-page

Follow us on Twitter
https://twitter.com/gritnationpod

Email comments or suggestions to:
joe@gritnation...

Welcome to Grit Nation. 

In this episode I have the pleasure of speaking with journalist, professor of sociology and author Eyal Press.

Eyal’s latest book titled Dirty Work – Essential Jobs and the Hidden Toll of Inequality in America, addresses the morally troubling work that society silently condones and the hidden class of workers who do it. 

 Eyal and I begin our conversation by discussing the origins of the term Dirty Work and how the unconscious mandate it reveals is as prevalent today in contemporary American life as it was in Nazi occupied World War 2 Germany. 

 Eyal will then explain the physical and mental toll dirty work jobs take on the people who perform them as he shares the many personal stories he encountered while doing research for his book. 

From mental health care professionals working in state and federal penal systems, to aerial drone pilots conducting remote air strikes and workers on the kill floors of industrial slaughterhouses, Eyal unfolds a tale that is simultaneously gut-wrenching, powerful, and provocative. 

Later we’ll discuss the roll organized labor unions can play in de-stigmatizing dirty work, by challenging the systemic socio-economic and moral inequality structure that so strongly divides our nation. 

And we’ll end our conversation by exploring the nature of the implicit social contract around dirty work; so we can better understand who does the work, why it is done how we can re-shape the story it tells about us as a society.

The Show Notes

Eyal Press
https://www.eyalpress.com/

Northwest Carpenter Union
https://www.nwcarpenters.org/

Visit our webpage
https://www.gritnationpodcast.com

Win Stuff!!
https://mailchi.mp/c28da31260b8/grit-nation-podcast-sign-up-page

Follow us on Twitter
https://twitter.com/gritnationpod

Email Grit Nation:
[email protected]

 Hi, Joe Cadwell here, the host of Grit Nation. 

February may be short on days but it’s big on exciting news and content for the show. 

For example, my interview with New York Times contributor and bestselling author Eyal Press is going to drop on the Monday the 7th. 

Eyal's latest book titled, Dirty Work - Essential Jobs and the Hidden Toll of Inequality in America, investigates the lives of people who find themselves performing morally questionable work just to make ends meet. 

From military drone pilots carrying out lethal airstrikes, to workers on the kill floors of industrial slaughterhouses, Eyal turns an unflinching eye toward the dark work being carried out by unconscious societal mandates.

It’s a power episode for sure and to help promote it I will be giving away a limited edition, made in the USA, “I’ve Got Grit” hoodie. 

This giveaway runs till the end of the month so be sure to get your entry in by visiting  http://www.gritnationpodcast.com

Later in the month, I speak with Dan Kerrigan, author of Firefighter Functional Fitness.

Dan and I discuss the importance of fitness no matter what your trade is, and he shares important tips on how you can make sure that your body will meet the rigorous demands of a building trades professional right now and into the later stages of your career.

Dan will share what he calls the four pillars of fitness that make up the core of his program, before we dive into the Big 8 that include muscular endurance, cardio training, and flexibility. So, if you rely on your physicality every day to get the job done, be sure to check this episode out. 

And finally, in case you missed it earlier, Grit Nation now has an official website. 

You can check it out by visiting http://www.gritnationpodcast.com

As always thank you for your continued support, have great February and until next time, remember to;

Work Safe, Work Smart and Stay Union Strong!!!

Welcome to Grit Nation, The Building Trades Podcast.

On today’s episode I will be talking with returning guest, Frank Manzo, from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute. 

This time around Frank and I discuss building trades apprenticeships.

We’ll start our conversation by looking into how the Illinois Economic Policy Institute gathers the data needed to create fair, unbiased, and fact-based comparisons of apprenticeship programs across the US.

Next, we’ll unpack how employer funded non-union apprenticeships stack up against member supported union programs. 

And why a graduate of a non-union apprenticeship earns on average18,000 dollars less per year than their union counterpart.

Later, we’ll discuss the numerous similarities in income earning potential, diversity and inclusion rates, as well as other socio-economic outcomes when Frank juxtaposes a building trades journey level certification earned from a union apprentice program to that of a traditional 4-year college degree.

And we’ll finish our conversation by learning why states with strong union apprentice programs, in addition to prevailed wage laws have worksites that are more productive, safer, and are better value for the taxpayer.

This episode shines a bright light on the many misconceptions surrounding careers in the blue-collar trades and redefines what it means to have a degree that can’t be easily outsourced and will provide a pathway to professional and financial success in the working middle-class of America and Canada.

The Show Notes

Illinois Economic policy Institute
https://illinoisepi.org/

Great video with Frank talking about apprenticeships
https://youtu.be/BhULgiZmG7g