Linetalkers

Today I sat down with retired lineman and founder of Powerlineman Magazine and Powerlineman.com, Byron Dunn. His pioneering forward-thinking lead to the creation of how lineman across the world connect through the internet. While most of us now take this platform for granted, it was once very difficult for utility workers throughout the country to connect until this bridge was built by Byron and his 1980's personal computer. Hear Byron's story of how his vision came to reality after being inspired after simply reading a book. Byron also shares his thoughts on this industry and its tools, safety and equipment of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Byron is a legend in this trade and we are excited to see what other tricks he has up his sleeve as he enjoys retirement.

Stop Living Your To-Do List and Start Living Your Bucket List- Listen in as I talk to the author of my latest read - Doofus Dad does Everest Base Camp. His remarkable story is one for the record books and starts with a simple bucket list. Mark and his wife Holly not only created a list of dreams but seized an opportunity that would have been missed had they not had a plan and recognized that it was now or never. If you are truly in a rut of life or simply ready to take on a new adventure, I invite you to listen in as Mark takes us on his journey to pursue his dreams and tells how he ended up in Nepal at Everest Base Camp.

I was able to reach my good friend Brandon Wylie who is leading a strike team from Georgia who are in Louisiana responding to the damage caused by Hurricane Laura.

Its been a month since you've heard from me. Listen in to hear why. Just blame it on the town at the end of the longest north-south highway in the United States, Key West. ....or wait, is that the beginning?

This episode talks about three online articles we found regarding the future of the electric utilities.
This one I will look back on 5 years from now and say " I told you so".

1:10 Utility pays customers to use more power?
4:55 Is it really called Octopus Energy? (yes)
5:43 You are never going to guess who is deemed an electric utility!
6:29 Mobile Generation
7:15 Could battery storage redefine our industry?
9:13 Tesla Builds largest battery storage facility in world by 3x's over
10:40 Elon Musk- Tesla electric cars , SpaceX Rockets and this... what's next?

Back two years ago, I visited the tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington,Virginia. While there, I attended the changing of the guard ceremony and snapped a picture of one the sentinels. Fast forward to Memorial Day 2020, I posted that picture on the Linetalkers Instagram page. By chance, that particular soldier saw and commented on that picture. Kim and I recently had the privilege to speak to Sgt Chris Seaman, a member of the Old Guard, the elite unit of the United States Army tasked to guard the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. The coveted Tomb Badge is the least awarded badge awarded in the Army and our guest today achieved this great honor. Although he was told "no" several times as he pursued his dream, he held the course and worked very hard until he was given the opportunity to get this noble assignment. Even after all of the hard work and dedication, he repeatedly downplayed this great feat and redirected us to where the true sacrifice lies, the Unknowns. Walk with us on this journey up the hill at Arlington to the Tomb of the Unknowns where we get a glimpse inside a 26 hour day from one of the sentinels that protects these great American treasures,
"Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God"

:25 Fires Already
1:06 Shoutout to CalFire
1:30 ICS (Incident Command System) Based on Fire Response
1:45 PSPS soon maybe?
3:22 Life with Coronavirus
6:18 Instagram Survey Results
16:12 Vacation time!
17:15 Upcoming Interview with Tomb sentinel Chris Seaman
25:20 Audible free book offer
26:41 Kim has to bail due to important tanning session and wine drinking

Kim and I launch Linetalkers Radio! This will be a weekly condensed show where we talk about things going on in the industry and throughout the world. Please go to www.linetalkerpodcast.com and click "Start Recording" to get in on the conversation!

Show Timeline
1:21 What is Linetalkers Radio?
2:25 Be Part of the Podcast
2:55 Vacation Anyone?
3:38 My Co-Host Needs One Apparently
4:30 Kim is Coming to Florida (maybe)
5:45 Kenny's Useless Knowledge Quiz
8:10 New Show Sponsor!
10:15 Social Media Shout-out
12:09 Kenny's Only Friend in Guam
15:00 Review the Show on ITunes
15:55 Hardhat Stickers

Be part of the show! Go to www.linetalkerspodcast.com and scroll down to the "Start Recording" button and leave a voice message for us!

On this episode, I sat down with one of the most inspiring people that I have met throughout the years. She's tough as nails and truly has a passion for the craft paving the way for others coming up in the trade behind her. A native of Eastern Canada, she has made her away across the vast country working on both sides of T&D. Give Episode 9 a listen and I think you will agree that she brings another level of skill-set, leadership and determination to the table.

In this episode, I sit down with a true line-kid. (Technically, I guess you could say that a 16-year-old isn't a kid anymore). For the majority of her life, both her mother and father have invested thousands of hours for the good of the electric utility trade. Liv is truly an exceptional young lady with many talents. Listen in as she talks about her life and the sacrifices of living in a line home.