In this episode of the 'I Shower After Work' podcast, hosts dive into a candid and rich discussion with special guest Adam Smith, a carpenter from Local 322 in St. Paul, Minneapolis. From the current slow patches in the industry to personal growth and career advice, the conversation ranges across varied topics. Adam shares his journey from being a non-union worker to embracing the union life and offers valuable insights for young people considering a career in the trades. The episode also explores the challenges and strategies of working night shifts while maintaining family connections, the debates between energy drinks and coffee, and the tremendous benefits of keeping a consistent routine, including gym workouts and cold plunges. You don't want to miss this episode packed with heartfelt stories, camaraderie, and some hearty laughs. Tune in for an honest look into the world of construction.

💬 Question for You: Have you ever thought about moving into leadership in the trades? What’s the biggest challenge you think managers face? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

#SkilledTrades #Leadership #ConstructionManagement #ISAWPodcast

00:00 Introduction and Current Situation

00:15 Financial and Project Updates

01:19 Podcast Welcome and Guest Introduction

01:40 Weather and Personal Updates

02:26 Guest Background and Family Life

03:08 Career Beginnings and Challenges

07:24 Transition to Carpentry

24:23 Union vs Non-Union Work

31:48 Dog Parenting Realities

32:29 Dog Fashion Confessions

34:53 Dog Health and Supplements

37:07 Career Transitions and Challenges

40:27 Union Work and Job Satisfaction

50:27 Balancing Work and Family Life

57:26 Energy Drinks vs. Coffee

01:10:20 Energy Drink Consumption Statistics

01:12:17 Personal Experiences with Energy Drinks

01:15:13 The Benefits of Cold Plunges

01:15:50 Gym Routine and Motivation

01:34:00 The Importance of Trades and Skills

01:45:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Jason & John are back in the Eastside Job Trailer for a St. Patrick’s Day special, filled with history, drinking stats, and some hard-hitting opinions on Guinness, car bombs, and how to survive the holiday.

📌 Timestamps:
00:00 The Jameson Bottle Rant – Fix Your Lids!
01:07 St. Patrick’s Day Intro – Why Do We Celebrate?
02:13 The Dark History of St. Patrick
04:26 How St. Patrick’s Day Became a Drinking Holiday
07:09 John’s Personal St. Patrick’s Day Traditions
10:08 The Guinness & Green Beer Debate
14:21 Corned Beef & Cabbage – Irish or Not?
18:12 The Chicago River Dyeing Tradition
22:49 Guinness Consumption Stats – You Won’t Believe This Number!
26:35 St. Patrick’s Day Drinking Challenges & Crazy Stories
30:44 Final Thoughts & How to Survive the Holiday

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#StPatricksDay #WhiskeyAndTrades #Guinness #SkilledTrades #ISAWPodcast

In this week's episode of The I Shower After Work Podcast, Jason and John dive into an eclectic mix of topics and get some hearty laughs along the way. They kick things off by discussing the all-too-familiar frustration of mismatched tape measure readings on a construction site, before diving into the week's main attractions. The duo shares a listener-suggested segment covering various sensational news stories, featuring adorable panda cub debuts, an incredible tale of a kayaker swallowed and spat out by a humpback whale, and the disaster of a helicopter-plane collision. They don't shy away from controversial topics, touching on Elon Musk's DOGE initiative, the sexual misconduct allegations against Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, and a funny yet bizarre January 6th board game. Tune in for some laughs, insight, and a fresh perspective on the latest news!

00:00 The Tape Measure Dilemma

00:26 Welcome to The Ice Shower Podcast

01:15 Listener Suggestions and News

02:40 Panda Cubs in Hong Kong

05:36 Kayaker Swallowed by Whale

10:02 Helicopter and Plane Collision

14:13 January 6th: The Board Game

20:32 Doge and Government Efficiency

21:18 AI and Government Accountability

22:37 Job Losses and Middle Management

23:05 Historical Context and Social Media Impact

24:01 Elon Musk and AI Controversies

27:39 African Safari Tragedy

30:53 Baltimore Ravens Kicker Scandal

36:48 Trump's Gulf of America

40:19 Fun with Weather Adam

43:38 Wrapping Up and Listener Interaction

We know our listeners see some wild things on and off the job. Have you heard a headline that made you stop in your tracks? Drop us a comment or send us a message—we’d love to cover it in a future In the News segment!

🐼 Panda Cubs' Public Debut – KUTV
🚁 Helicopter and Plane Collision – Wikipedia
🐋 Kayaker Swallowed by a Whale – AP News
🎲 January 6th: The Board Game – NPR
🐶 Doge Task Force & Government Recovery – Fox News
✈️ AP News Banned from Air Force One – AP News
🦛 Safari Lawsuit Over Hippo Attack – AP News

This new segment is all about looking at the wild world around us through the eyes of tradespeople. From funny to tragic, shocking to absurd, Jason and John cover it all with their signature humor and real talk.

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Music by: Shane Huot

News Theme 2 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Donald Trump said Canada would be “better off” as the 51st state, and we couldn’t resist breaking it down. Would this be the ultimate power move or a complete disaster? Jason and John get into it all—military, healthcare, resources, and why Quebec might just nope out entirely.

Plus, we address some listener feedback (looking at you, Tesla owners).

00:00 Technical Issues and Catching Up

00:59 California Trip Highlights and Lowlights

02:28 Universal Studios Adventure

03:15 Rollercoaster Fears and Thrills

05:33 Listener Shoutouts and Feedback

07:25 Discussing Trump's Canada Statement

26:53 Annexing North America: A Bold Thought Experiment

27:19 The Real Issue with Mexico: Drugs, Not People

28:03 Challenges of Annexing Mexico

29:51 Financial Implications of War and Annexation

33:02 Theoretical Benefits of Annexing Canada

33:48 Comparing U.S. and Canadian Systems

41:42 The Tariff Debate and Economic Impacts

45:13 Political Leadership and Future Prospects

51:09 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement

🌐 Be a Guest (https://isawpodcast.com/be-a-guest) 🍻 Support the Podcast (https://buymeacoffee.com/isaw) 📷 Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/isawpodcast/) 👍 Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/isawpodcast/) 🎧 Listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/27XH6LENIWEBV7rSmKEeTP?si=0270d395067f4ff6) #ISAWPodcast #TradesTalk #BlueCollarLife #SkilledTrades #PodcastLife #Canada #51stState

Join hosts Jason and John in the Eastside Job Trailer for a hilarious and off-the-rails episode of the I Shower After Work Podcast. They welcome back recurring guest Pete Heiniger to ponder about people's weird and popular hobbies. From discussing the bizarre world of extreme ironing and competitive dog grooming, to debating if reading, gardening, and woodworking count as legitimate hobbies, this episode has it all! Get ready for engaging and sometimes heated discussions about what truly constitutes a hobby, complemented by personal anecdotes and lots of humour. You won't want to miss Pete's shocking revelations and the trio's witty banter!

00:00 Introduction and Lottery Dreams

01:10 Podcast Introduction and Guest Welcome

03:11 Discussing Hobbies and Free Time

14:43 Debating What Counts as a Hobby

32:02 Debating the Definition of a Hobby

32:40 The Devil's Advocate and Poking Holes

33:38 Board Games and Solo Play

35:50 Card Games and Socializing

36:52 Weird Hobbies and American Trends

38:58 Traveling as a Hobby

42:19 Yoga and Martial Arts

50:05 Weird Hobbies: Basket Weaving and More

55:18 Furries and Other Peculiar Pastimes

01:03:27 International Listeners and Competitive Dog Grooming

01:07:03 Introduction to Extreme Ironing

01:09:48 Ferret Legging: A Peculiar Sport

01:11:04 Discussing Unusual Hobbies

01:15:07 Top 10 Hobbies Countdown

01:21:04 Gardening: A Dying Craft?

01:25:25 Woodworking and Creative Hobbies

01:31:39 The Number One Hobby Revealed

01:38:28 Closing Remarks and Future Plans

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#TradesLife #WorkLifeBalance #HobbiesForTradespeople #ConstructionLife #ISAWPodcast

In this special Valentine's Day edition, hosts John and Jason sit down with Katie and Nate, a dynamic married couple both immersed in the trades industry. They open up about the unique challenges and rewards of balancing family life and their careers, sharing everything from hilarious household quirks to genuine advice on communication and managing busy schedules. This candid conversation sheds light on the reality of being a trades family, the importance of open dialogue, and how they support each other through work travel and home projects. Tune in for laughs, life lessons, and a heartfelt look at love in the trades.

00:00 The Unexpected Name Dilemma

00:54 The Kinder App Solution

01:19 Naming the Baby: Final Decision

03:26 Cold Weather and New Beginnings

03:54 Introducing the Podcast and Guests

06:07 Katie's Career Journey

08:10 Nate's Career Path

11:51 Balancing Work and Family

18:29 The Importance of Training in Trades

20:17 Office Life and Field Work

36:09 The Infamous Nerf Toy Incident

37:31 Nerf Gun Injury Story

38:09 Emergency Room Visit

39:17 Nerf Wars in Town

40:27 Recovery and Gaming

42:22 Work and Travel

43:16 Parenting Challenges

44:55 Kids' Aspirations

45:50 AI and Job Market

46:44 Parent-Teacher Dynamics

56:00 Housing Costs and Young Adults

59:43 Annoying Habits

01:07:55 Bougie Cups and Gifts

01:09:49 Smooth Drinks and Shared Preferences

01:10:12 Alcohol Choices and Relationship Dynamics

01:11:39 Remodeling Plans and Home Projects

01:16:46 Laundry Woes and Household Chores

01:24:17 Communication and Relationship Advice

01:34:51 The Value of Trades as a Career Path

01:40:05 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

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#ValentinesDay #TradesCouple #WomenInConstruction #ISAWPodcast #SkilledTradesLove #WorkLifeBalance

Thinking of hiring employees for your trade business? Expanding beyond a one-person operation can be a game-changer, but it comes with serious challenges. In Part 2 of this series, Jason & John take a deep dive into what it really takes to grow your trade business—covering payroll management, employee benefits, pricing structures, and whether going union is the right move for you. They also discuss the financial pitfalls and legal considerations that could make or break your expansion. If you're planning to scale up and take on employees, this episode is packed with the insights you need to make informed decisions. Don’t miss it!

📌 Timestamps:
00:41 Welcome Back to the Podcast
00:51 Starting Your Own Business: Part Two
01:29 The Shift to Employing Staff
04:00 Financial Realities and Employee Benefits
07:01 Union Shop Considerations
13:27 Initial Investment vs. Revenue Potential
17:51 The Reality of Small Business Debt
18:18 Breaking Down Union Scale and Business Costs
19:25 Challenges Beyond Construction
21:24 Female Entrepreneurs in Male-Dominated Industries
23:18 The Risks of Starting Your Own Business
25:53 Tax Considerations for Small Businesses
30:28 Is It Worth the Hassle?
32:29 Shoutout to Small Business Owners
33:04 Upcoming Episodes and Final Thoughts

📌 Links & Resources:
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📑 Small Business Administration
⚖️ OSHA Business Regulations

#SkilledTrades #BusinessOwnership #ScalingABusiness #HiringEmployees #ISAWPodcast

Asbestos is still a serious risk in the trades, and if you're working in construction, plumbing, HVAC, or electrical, you need to know how to identify and handle it safely. In this episode, Jason & John take a deep dive into where asbestos is still found, why it’s dangerous, and what you should do if you come across it.

📌 Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro & why this episode matters
02:00 - What is asbestos?
05:30 - Where asbestos is still found today
12:00 - The shocking places you wouldn’t expect to find asbestos
20:00 - What to do if you find asbestos on the job
30:00 - How to protect yourself
35:00 - Final thoughts & call to action

📌 Links & Resources:
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📑 Asbestos Information
🌍 WHO Asbestos Safety Guidelines
⚖️ OSHA Asbestos Regulations

In this engaging episode of the I Shower After Work Podcast, we sit down with Crispy, a seasoned firefighter with an incredible 48-year career. Crispy shares his unique journey, tackling topics like proper home fire safety, the critical need for more firefighters, and the thrilling aspects of hog hunting. Tune in for Crispy's candid stories that range from heart-wrenching fire rescue tales to practical safety tips you can use at home. If you're considering a career in firefighting or just appreciate the bravery it takes, this episode is a must-listen!

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https://www.isawpodcast.com/guest

00:00 From Investment Banker to Podcaster