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🎧 In this episode:

This week on Sparky Life, Lia dives into one of the most honest and vulnerable chapters in her journey through the trades. From surviving abuse to navigating the complicated, coded dynamics of being a woman in a male-dominated industry — this episode is raw, revealing, and unforgettable.

💥 Lia shares:

• Why pre-apprenticeship changed her life — and what most people get wrong about the trades
• The shocking psychology experiment that revealed how predators choose victims
• Why she studied body language and neuropsychology at night — while wiring outlets by day
• The math skills she had to rebuild after growing up with dyslexia
• A secret backdoor into the union no one talks about
• What actually happens with pay equity and raises in the trades
• The invisible pressures of “being one of the guys”
• And the gut-churning moment her trusted mentor started crossing lines

This is the kind of story that needs to be heard — especially by women considering the skilled trades. It’s about power, perception, and what it really takes to not just survive, but thrive, in a world that wasn’t built with you in mind.

⸻

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – From Shelter to Pre-Apprenticeship

01:04 – Falling in Love with the Trades

01:25 – Studying Abuse & Body Language

02:17 – The Psychology of Predators

03:05 – Rebuilding with Electricity

03:31 – Dyslexia, Measuring Tapes, and Math

04:11 – Getting Help from a Mentor Teacher

05:03 – How I Got into the Union

05:49 – The Secret “Back Door” into Unions

06:54 – What You’ll Really Earn as an Electrician

08:25 – Equal Pay for Women in the Trades

09:14 – Becoming the Only Woman on the Crew

10:03 – Learning Soft Skills from “Captivate”

10:29 – My Sopranos-Style Mentor

11:55 – Trying to Fit In with the Guys

12:11 – “You’ll Always Be the Woman in the Room”

13:01 – Realizing the Illusion of Acceptance

14:07 – The Gut Feeling I Couldn’t Ignore

15:04 – The Toxic Culture Around Reporting

16:16 – The Moment Everything Changed

16:40 – What Comes Next…

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Every skilled professional need the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off!

Ever wonder why you feel like a rockstar after nailing a tricky install? Turns out, your brain is literally hardwired to love working with your hands. In this episode, we break down the wild science behind why the trades aren’t just good for your wallet—they might be saving your sanity.

We dive into Dr. Kelly Lambert’s research on the hand-brain connection, the infamous Fruit Loop rat experiment (yes, it’s as weird as it sounds), and why construction work is basically therapy with a paycheck. Plus, the real talk about mental health in the trades, and why your desk-job friends are turning into anxious potatoes.

If you’ve ever felt that rush from building something real, this episode explains exactly why your brain loves it—and why more people need to get their hands dirty.

Key Topics Covered

• 🧠 The neuroscience behind why working with your hands boosts mental health
• 🥣 Dr. Kelly Lambert’s Fruit Loop experiment and what it means for tradespeople
• ⚡️ Why visible progress is rocket fuel for your confidence
• 🔧 The mental health crisis in construction (and what’s really causing it)
• 💪 How effortful work builds mental resilience
• 👷‍♂️ Why crew dynamics and teamwork are natural antidepressants

We are NOW on YOUTUBE @sparkylifeoflia, Come Join the Sparky Crew!

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Welcome back to Sparky Life, where we don’t just wire up circuits — we rebuild lives. This week, Lia opens up like never before in one of the most powerful episodes to date. From a women’s shelter with nothing but bruises and a backpack, to making six figures as an electrician — this is the real story behind the spark.

Please seek professional advice if you are dealing with the topics raised in this episode. The shelter that helped and that was referenced in this episode - https://www.catholiccharitiestrenton.org/

💥 Lia shares:

• The truth about hitting absolute rock bottom
• How domestic abuse crept in — and what it really looks like
• Why leaving isn’t as simple as it seems
• What it’s like to be tracked down, flee across state lines, and rebuild from zero
• How a random suggestion to apply for a women’s trades pre-apprenticeship changed everything
• The exact moment she stopped surviving… and started fighting back
• What society gets so wrong about “just leaving”
• And why rock bottom is a solid foundation to build a life on

This episode is raw, vulnerable, and unforgettable. It’s for anyone who thinks it’s too late, too hard, or too scary to start over. Because Lia did — and she’s not just surviving anymore. She’s thriving.

⸻

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to Sparky Life

00:26 – From Shelter to Six Figures

01:00 – The Plot Twist That Saved My Life

01:42 – Seven Careers and a Pinball Life

02:31 – Tattoo Removal & Helping Survivors Heal

03:01 – The Law Change That Changed Everything

03:23 – The Romance That Turned Into a Nightmare

04:39 – Building a Business in the Fishing Industry

05:10 – $10k → $75k in One Year

06:04 – When It All Fell Apart

06:30 – The Truth About Domestic Abuse

07:07 – Red Flags, Control, and Violence

08:04 – Why So Many Women Don’t Get Away

08:31 – Fleeing Across State Lines

09:05 – Waking Up and Rebuilding

09:36 – A Women’s Pre-Apprenticeship Changed Everything

10:01 – Rock Bottom Was the Foundation

10:31 – What’s Coming in the Next Episode

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⸻

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Use code SH5 for 5% off!

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Every skilled professional need the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off!

What if college isn’t the only path to success — or even the best one for you?

In this episode of The Sparky Life Podcast, we’re flipping the script on career planning and breaking down how you can launch a high-paying, hands-on career in the skilled trades — no degree or experience required.

You’ll learn:

• How to get started in the trades as early as high school
• The exact steps to become an electrician (including programs as short as 12 weeks)
• Why electricians are in massive demand — with 75,000 job openings per year
• The difference in pay between union and non-union paths (hint: both are solid, but one averages over $93,000)
• How to build real skills, earn while you learn, and even start your own company

Whether you’re a student, a parent, or someone looking for a career reset, this episode will show you that working with your hands can build more than just buildings — it can build your future.

👇 WATCH the episodes on YOUTUBE!

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📲 Stay Connected:

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Use code SH5 for 5% off!

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Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off!

The Woman Who Secretly Built the Brooklyn Bridge (While Hollywood Kept Blowing It Up)

Hollywood loves destroying the Brooklyn Bridge in movies like I Am Legend, but they missed the REAL explosive story: Emily Warren Roebling, the woman who actually built it while pretending her sick husband was in charge for 10 years.

🔥 What You'll Learn: • Why the Brooklyn Bridge is nearly indestructible (30,000 PSI strength!) • The deadly "Caisson Disease" that killed workers 80 feet underwater • How Emily secretly ran America's biggest construction project • Why she had to hide her role as chief engineer • The economic impact that transformed NYC forever

Timeline: 
0:00 - Hollywood's Brooklyn Bridge obsession 
2:15 - The bridge's incredible engineering specs 
4:30 - Emily Warren's unlikely path to engineering 
7:45 - The deadly caisson construction process 
10:20 - Washington Roebling's tragic illness 
12:30 - Emily takes secret control of the project 
16:45 - Her historic first crossing with a victory rooster 
18:30 - Emily's post-bridge achievements

This is the untold story of America's first female chief engineer - a woman who built an icon while society wasn't even looking.

Connect with Sparky Life: 🎧 
Full podcast episodes on all platforms If you're loving this story of heroic, hard-hatted women, hit that subscribe button! For my podcast peeps - leave a 5-star review. By following and subscribing, you're helping me keep this spark going and discover more hidden stories from the skilled trades world.

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Tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Working your butt off at minimum wage jobs that lead nowhere? I've been there. From flipping burgers to wiring fire alarm systems in high-rises - here's the exact 5-step roadmap that changed my life and could change yours. In this episode of Sparky Life, I break down: - Why minimum wage jobs are designed to trap you (not grow you) - What the skilled trades actually are and why they pay $18-30/hour starting - 5 signs the trades might be calling your name - My step-by-step plan to escape minimum wage hell - How I went from "Do you want fries with that?" to licensed electrician making six figures No college debt. No get-rich-quick schemes. Just real talk about a real path to financial freedom through skilled trades careers. Ready to stop surviving and start building? This roadmap is your way out. 

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Two TRUE construction stories that prove why safety isn't optional. 

Story 1: The Elevator Shaft of Shame - A superintendent ignored safety warnings for weeks. Then karma struck. 

Story 2: The Fan Blade Incident - Billy Bob made one lockout/tagout mistake. The result? Mangled fingers, emergency surgery, and his company used his own safety paperwork against him.

We in the trades are builders, problem solvers, and spark-makers. But we're also human. These stories aren't just cautionary tales - they're reminders that safety protocols exist for a reason. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, these real experiences will make you think twice before cutting corners.

Subscribe for more real talk about the skilled trades - no BS, just the truth that could save your career or your life. Share this with your crew during your next toolbox talk. Trust me, it'll get their attention better than hearing the same safety rules for the 1000th time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tune in now and learn while you laugh.

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BOOM! The AI revolution is HERE and electricians who ignore it will be left in the dust! While most sparkies are still stuck in the stone age, the smart ones are using artificial intelligence to literally PRINT MONEY in 2025! ⚡

From AI-powered project management that predicts disasters before they happen, to automated back-office systems handling all your paperwork nightmares, to drones revolutionizing safety inspections - this video reveals the 6 game-changing technologies transforming electrical contracting forever! Plus, I'm revealing the ONE AI trend that's adding an extra 30K to electricians' bank accounts this year!

Ready to join the tech revolution and leave your competition behind? Hit that subscribe button and ring the notification bell because The Sparky Life is your ONLY source for trades that meet tech! Drop that lightning bolt emoji ⚡ in the comments if you're ready to ELECTRIFY your career!

⚡ KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• AI project management prevents delays before they happen
• Automated accounting software eliminates paperwork nightmares
• Smart safety systems create the safest job sites in history
• Drones revolutionize high-voltage inspections without risk
• AI-enhanced BIM eliminates costly installation conflicts
• Smart electricians are earning 30K+ more using these technologies

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"Think you know electricity because you've seen it in movies? Think again. I'm about to destroy three Hollywood myths that have been fooling audiences for decades - and one of them could literally kill you if you believed it."

In this movie mythbusting episode, Lia dissects the wildest electrical moments from:

• Shocker – Can a guy actually become an electric ghost?
• Final Destination – Should you really stay in the car under live wires?
• Life on the Line – Can John Travolta really restore power during a storm… with no PPE?

If you’ve ever watched a Hollywood electrical scene and thought, “Wait, is that even possible?” — this episode of The Sparky Life, hosted by Lia Lamela, is your new favorite listen.

In this episode Lia brings the voltage with her signature wit and expertise, breaking down some of the wildest (and most inaccurate) electrical scenes in movies like Shocker, Final Destination, and Life on the Line. 

Highlights include:

• A fascinating dive into the history of the electric chair (spoiler: it doesn’t turn people into lightning spirits).
• Myth-busting explanations on power lines, Faraday cages, and why touching a wet shovel near electricity is a very bad idea.
• A reality check on emergency generators and what really happens when the power goes out in hospitals.

Plus, shoutout to SupplyHouse.com for sponsoring — they’re giving electricians the tools and perks they deserve through their Trade Master program.

💡 Educational, hilarious, and just the right amount of nerdy — this episode is a must-listen for tradespeople, movie buffs, and anyone curious about what electricity can and cannot do.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tune in now and learn while you laugh.

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🎧 In this episode:

Welcome back to Sparky Life, the podcast for those who build, wire, and power the world — and those who dare to rebuild the systems that train them.

This week, Lia is joined by Marc Webb, founder of YouTradie, a global mentorship and certification platform created by tradespeople, for tradespeople. From muddy boots to tech start-up visionary, Marc shares his story of frustration, burnout, and a big idea: What if there was a way to fix the broken system of trades training?

💥 Inside this episode:

• Why the “trial by fire” model of trades training is failing
• How YouTradie is empowering workers with mobile certification portfolios
• How burnout, poor mentorship, and weak onboarding cost us talent
• The silent crisis of tradespeople feeling trapped after 20 years
• Why white-collar platforms like LinkedIn don’t serve the blue-collar world
• The potential for global trades travel and workforce exchange
• How certified mentorship could become a side hustle for skilled workers
• The emotional burden of providing, switching paths, and starting over
• Why both men and women need independence through skilled trades

From career reinvention to international opportunity, this episode is about building the future of the trades from the inside out. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to level up, or feeling stuck — this one’s for you.

⸻

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to Sparky Life

00:52 – Why Trades Training Is Broken

02:12 – Meet Marc Webb, Founder of YouTradie

05:11 – What Is YouTradie?

07:09 – From Field to Management: Marc’s Journey

08:48 – When Skill Isn’t Enough Without Communication

10:57 – The Moment That Sparked a Movement

13:40 – Making Mentorship a Monetizable Skill

17:04 – Why a Global Workforce Exchange Could Change Everything

22:00 – LinkedIn ≠ Blue Collar

28:00 – Why Tradespeople Undersell Themselves

34:00 – Gatekeeping, Scarcity, and the Knowledge Hoard

38:00 – A Call for Collaboration Over Competition

43:00 – Creating Safe Spaces for Real Feedback

46:30 – Why Education Is the Key

51:00 – Supporting Women in Trades & Financial Independence

55:00 – The Power of “Just Starting”

59:00 – How This Platform Could Change Lives (Globally)

👇 Follow for more blue collar badassery every Thursday!

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Instagram: @sparkylifeoflia

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🛠 Huge thanks to our sponsor: SupplyHouse

Get the best tools & supplies → supplyhouse.com/t-m

Use code SH5 for 5% off!

Support the show