Recorded at the 2026 IBEW-NECA Employee Benefits Conference, this episode weaves together insights from leaders across labor and management on healthcare, mental health, rising drug costs, and supporting today’s workforce. From apprenticeships to recovery programs, these rapid-fire perspectives reveal how benefits shape real lives.

Tune in to this episode as we explore:
(00:07) Why benefits must show up on time
(00:55) Defusing conflict and normalising mental health
(03:07) Do younger workers fully understand their benefits?
(04:02) Healthcare costs and the 10-10-10 rule for perspective
(05:23) Should healthcare be for profit?
(06:07) The primary care gap no one talks about
(07:54) Instant benefits verification for contractors
(09:14) Tackling addiction and stigma in the trades
(11:31) The fight for affordable prescriptions
(11:56) Apprenticeships as a career launchpad

Links mentioned in the episode:
IBEW-NECA Employee Benefits Conference

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The electrical workforce is changing – and benefits, training, and leadership are being tested in real time. Luke Kuhl, Executive Chairman of the Twin Cities Chapter of NECA, shares frontline insights on how contractors are navigating AI-driven demand, data center expansion, wage pressure, and the growing need for specialized talent.

The conversation also explores why strong leadership (not just new technology) will determine who thrives, and what these shifts mean for small contractors, union members, and the future of fringe benefits in the trades.

Tune in to this episode as we explore: 

(00:50) Luke Kuhl’s work at NECA

(04:46) Rising costs and market consolidation

(08:14) Future workforce needs in data centers

(13:41) Contractor roles and union politics

(17:12) Small contractors struggling to compete

(22:59) The future of computing and energy

(26:36) Challenges facing unionized electrical contractors

(27:43) Uncertainty in a union electrician's career

(32:50) Standardization challenges in the electrical code

(36:18) The future of fault-managed power

(38:08) AI’s ripple effect on innovation

(43:24) Innovation among large contractors

Links mentioned in the episode:

Twin Cities NECA

Luke Kuhl’s LinkedIn

Planet Money: What AI Data Centers Are Doing to Your Electric Bill

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649814/ai-data-center-electricity-bill

Smart Talks w/ IBM: Creating Smarter Business with AI and Quantum

https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/smart-talks/creating-smarter-business-with-ai-and-quantum?act2

Luke Recommended Best Podcast for Understanding Data Centers:

Step Change: Data Centers - The Hidden Backbone of Our Modern World

https://www.stepchange.show/data-centers

Luke Recommended Best Company-Focused Discussion of AI and Data Centers:

Acquired: Google - The AI Company

https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/google-the-ai-company

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Brandon Padget and Paul Ranisate from Union Bank & Trust – a unique, 100% labor-owned financial institution – unpack the often-overlooked risks and rising costs associated with issuing paper checks. They explain why now is the time for unions, contractors, and fund administrators to transition to secure electronic payments.

You’ll hear first-hand accounts of check fraud, real-world examples of lost or delayed funds, and actionable guidance on how to modernize your payment workflows.

Tune in to this episode as we explore: 

(01:07) Labor-owned Union Bank & Trust overview

(05:29) Challenges of check fraud

(07:38) Check fraud and client procedures

(10:05) Cost comparison: digital vs checks

(15:42) Bank losses and Fed follow-up

(18:43) Building trust through client education

(20:43) Modernizing payment approval processes

(24:58) Connect with your banker

(28:14) The end of paper checks

(30:08) Bank’s role: support and guidance

Links mentioned in the episode:

Union Bank & Trust

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We’re coming to you from the NECA Convention in Chicago, capturing real-time insights from those shaping the future of electrical construction. In today’s episode, you’ll hear directly from chapter leaders, contractors, trainers, and technology trailblazers as they reflect on what drives them, the challenges they’re navigating, and the lessons learned on the front lines.

From workforce shortages to the accelerating impact of technology and AI, our conversations dive into the critical issues affecting union contractors and their teams. We discuss the importance of contract awareness, staying adaptable in a rapidly evolving landscape, and the day-to-day realities of building a sustainable career in this industry.

Tune in to this episode as we explore: 

(00:13) Challenges, lessons and opportunities in the industry

(06:19) Evolving challenges in the electrical industry

(09:12) Learning, AI and teamwork

(13:23) Workforce challenges and growth insights

(16:55) Embracing AI and technology early

(20:01) Adapting to industry uncertainty

(22:08) How AI is transforming service construction

(25:38) Labour challenges and industry impact

Links mentioned in the episode:

NECA 2025 Chicago

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In this episode, we sit down with Joey Shorter, Executive Director of the Atlanta Chapter NECA, to explore how Atlanta is redefining workforce development in the electrical industry. 

For 25 years, NECA Atlanta has been inside classrooms – from elementary to high school – showing that electrical work isn’t just a job, but a career. With dedicated outreach across dozens of schools and an apprenticeship program, they’ve built a talent pipeline that combines hands-on training, military recruitment, and peer learning to increase retention and attract younger, more diverse talent. 

Joey, an educator at heart, reveals how early exposure and real-world skills are transforming futures and the industry.

Tune in to this episode as we explore: 

(04:52) Electrical contractors bridging industry gaps

(08:36) Earn while you learn

(10:53) Education limitations and online learning

(13:59) Generations working in construction

(18:11) Career paths beyond college

(22:03) Teaching love for learning

(29:44) Electrical trade apprenticeship journey

(32:06) Promoting electrical trade education

(39:48) Successful hiring and succession strategy

(42:22) Replacing great people is hard

(47:09) Evolving tools, skills and industry

(49:57) Tech enhancing field worker safety

(52:41) Contractors driving workforce transformation

(55:52) End users: employers and colleges

Links mentioned in the episode:

Joey Shorter on LinkedIn

Atlanta Chapter NECA

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Step inside the 3rd District Progress Meeting and hear directly from the people shaping the future of IBEW. From apprentices discovering their calling, to seasoned business managers navigating industry change, to organizers building union strength across New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey – these are the voices driving impact.

Guests share their most rewarding projects, from rebuilding Ground Zero to passing landmark equal pay legislation and mentoring the next generation of electricians. We also tackle the issues shaping the next five years: the rise of data centers and renewable energy, the need for mental health support and the growing demand for skilled tradespeople.

Tune in to this episode as we explore: 

(02:02) The opportunities in infrastructure with solar and wind

(06:13) Empowering electricians through education

(09:32) Nuclear revival and future workforce

(13:42) FMCP cost-effective benefits solution

(14:45) Offshore wind and union roles

(19:24) Destigmatizing mental health in line work

(21:58) IBEW's growth and future vision

Links mentioned in the episode:

IBEW 3rd District

Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at [email protected]  

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Once dubbed a “security badass” by the New York Times, Sherri Davidoff is CEO of LMG Security and joins On The Fringe to unpack the fast-changing world of cyber threats, with a focus on how AI-powered deepfakes are fueling a new wave of financial scams.

From real-world cases of AI-generated voice fraud costing victims thousands, to cybercriminals using tools like WormGPT and FraudGPT, they reveal how artificial intelligence is making attacks more harder to spot.

For anyone responsible for protecting sensitive data, financial flows or employee benefits, this episode offers practical insights into the threats of today and the tools that can keep your organization safe.

Tune in to this episode as we explore: 

(00:00) AI deepfakes and financial scams – what are they and how are they playing out?

(04:01) How hacker tools are evolving on the dark web

(06:42) A new era of phishing emails

(11:18) Training the next generation of security professionals

(15:36) Women in tech: a personal journey

(17:47) Balancing careers with elder care

(20:14) The role of AI in cybersecurity’s future

Links mentioned in the episode:

Sherri Davidoff on LinkedIn

LMG Security

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Mary Ann Gebauer is the NEBF Coordinator at the Illinois Chapter NECA office. She landed in the world of electrical contracting benefits through a chance neighborly connection, and over the past 11 years, has mastered the ins and outs of union agreements, contractor relations and the complex flow of benefit contributions.

In this conversation, she takes us inside the day-to-day reality of supporting hundreds of employers and multiple locals – decoding union acronyms, launching electronic payments and shifting long-held mindsets. Beyond the office, she shares how community and connection have shaped her journey, including her work founding a nonprofit that opens up fishing opportunities for people with disabilities.

Tune in to this episode as we explore: 

(00:08) Mary Ann’s career path and introduction to NECA

(02:23) General public awareness of NECA

(05:09) The full scope of being a NEBF Coordinator

(08:30) Union dues basics explained

(11:36) Checkbox innovation simplifies workflows

(13:44) Running a small office and backup plans

(18:51) Encouraging digital reporting adoption

(20:32) Banking info delays with companies

(23:18) Communicating with delinquent employers

(26:29) Building expertise and relationships

(31:27) Success at the yacht club event

(33:40) Meeting evolving organizational demands

(37:54) Streamlining wage information delivery

(41:03) Ensuring compliance through negotiation

(43:18) Seeking support for problem solving

Links mentioned in the episode:

Mary Ann Gebauer on LinkedIn

Illinois Chapter NECA

Fishing Has No Boundaries

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In this episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of the IBEW’s 4th District meeting in Cleveland, OH. In July 2025, we spoke with the people shaping the future of the electrical industry from Baltimore to Cincinnati and beyond.

You’ll hear firsthand from 12 voices – business managers, apprentices, training directors, and union presidents – opening up about the best and toughest parts of their jobs. From the massive growth in the technology sector to the unique challenges of election-based union leadership to the constant need for qualified workers, our guests offer candid insights and hard-earned lessons from the front lines.

Tune in to this episode as we explore: 

(01:14) Building communities with local labor

(04:31) Elections benefits and challenges

(08:51) Industry shift from owners to employees

(10:03) Storm impact on the local workforce

(14:17) Managing cross-departmental benefits alignment

(17:55) Using Microsoft Forms for applications

(22:33) Trust your instincts

(26:26) Mentoring growth in apprenticeships

(30:18) Improving electricians' work conditions

(33:36) Mentoring legacy and workforce challenges

(36:00) Bringing people together

(38:22) Union guidance and participation challenges

(41:49) Continuous learning, safety and the collective good of the industry

Links mentioned in the episode:

IBEW 4th District

IBEW 4th District Preview Episode

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Welcome to a behind-the-scenes look at the IBEW 4th District progress meeting in Cleveland from July 2025, where the On The Fringe team brought their microphones to the action and had twelve guests answer a set of thought-provoking questions.

In the spirit of community in this mini episode, Anne answers those very same questions, reflecting on the highs and challenges of leading a dynamic SaaS team, the fast-paced evolution of AI in the tech world, and hard-earned lessons about hiring and team fit. Stay tuned for the full episode featuring voices from the 4th District!

Links mentioned in the episode:

IBEW 4th District

Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at [email protected]  

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