Sparky Life

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The Sparky Life podcast features host Lia Lamela and guest Steph Mannering, a level three certified marine craft construction boat builder from Australia. They discuss Steph's day-to-day work, how she got into the trade, and the importance of attitude in the workplace. Steph shares her journey of becoming a boat builder.

They also discuss the importance of training and proper tool usage. The episode emphasizes the importance of finding passion in your work and being open to exploring different career paths. Subscribe now to join the movement, bridge the gap, and create a mutually beneficial experience in the world of construction.

Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

Sparky Life Supports: Raya Kenney's Foundation Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial

Be a part of history!
National Memorial to the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation

Here's Raya and a little about her memorial
Congress approves Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial

Here's the link to donate.
https://marnie-kenney-sfg2.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=63d1d506217f9e44111ecfea

Apply for Skilled Trades the Mike Rowe Scholarship:
https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/

"We recognize a good education doesn’t always require a four-year degree.”

We support financial advancement for the skilled trades community.  You can reach out to Jennifer Markwell at Platinum Wealth email [email protected]
website www.PlatinumWealth.net

Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

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In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela interviews Brenda Tackaberry, a gender bias specialist and podcast host of Busting Gender Bias. Brenda shares her experience growing up with a father in the trades, studying engineering, and working in male-dominated industries. The conversation sheds light on the importance of addressing gender bias in the workplace and creating equal opportunities for all. Brenda also discusses the challenges that men face in the workplace due to societal expectations placed on them from a young age. The episode highlights the importance of language and perception in the workplace, and the need for open communication.

Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

Sparky Life Supports: Raya Kenney's Foundation Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial

Be a part of history!
National Memorial to the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation

Here's Raya and a little about her memorial
Congress approves Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial

Here's the link to donate.
https://marnie-kenney-sfg2.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=63d1d506217f9e44111ecfea

Apply for Skilled Trades the Mike Rowe Scholarship:
https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/
"We recognize a good education doesn’t always require a four-year degree.”

We support financial advancement for the skilled trades community.  You can reach out to Jennifer Markwell at Platinum Wealth email [email protected]
website www.PlatinumWealth.net

Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

This Sparky Life podcast episode focuses on the importance of math skills in construction careers and introduces Mathnasium as a resource for improving mathematical competency. Lia Lamela shares her personal experience with Mathnasium and interviews Jing Sims, a center director at Mathnasium in Purcellville, Virginia, about the program and her approach to teaching math. Jing explains how Mathnasium customizes the learning path for each student and focuses on teaching math concepts and understanding. Lia and Jing emphasize the importance of having a strong foundation in math and encourage listeners to seek out resources like Mathnasium to improve their math competency.

Math isn’t just a necessary life skill that is a part of everyday life; math is a CRITICAL component of working in many of the trades. Don’t be discouraged if math isn’t your thing; it certainly was not mine.

Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia
Connect with our guest Jing Sims, Center Director of Mathnasium
Mathnasium: https://www.mathnasium.com/purcellville/our-team

Apply for Skilled Trades the Mike Rowe Scholarship
https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/

Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

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This podcast episode features a conversation between Lia, the host, and Linsday Kearns, a red seal electrician, who works for the BC Center for Women in the Trades in British Columbia, Canada. Lindsay shares her experience as an electrician and the challenges she faced during her apprenticeship, including sexism, racism, and homophobia. She also talks about her specialization in building automation and the unpredictability of her job. The conversation highlights the importance of addressing inappropriate behavior in the workplace and creating a happy, well-paid, and satisfied workforce to create a society's economic success.

Challenges Faced During Apprenticeship [00:06:25] Lindsay discusses the challenges she faced during her apprenticeship, including the culture shock of transitioning from academia to the construction site and the prevalence of discrimination in the trades.

Sexist and Racist Jokes [00:07:13] Lindsay talks about the challenges she faced during her apprenticeship, including the prevalence of racist and sexist jokes in the workplace.

Learning to Navigate the Workplace [00:09:16] Lindsay discusses how she learned to navigate the workplace as an out queer person and how she made meaningful connections with people who held different values.

Moving from Furious to Curious [00:13:04] Lindsay shares a story about a coworker's homophobic comments and how she responded by moving from furious to curious, using the incident as an opportunity for dialogue.

Apply for Skilled Trades the Mike Rowe Scholarship
https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/

Sparky Life Recommended Books: Chase Hughes, Six-Minute X-Ray
Vanessa Van Edwards, Captivate

Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

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In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, Lia Lamela shares the story of the Willow Island disaster, where 51 workers fell to their deaths while constructing cooling towers in West Virginia in 1978. She emphasizes the importance of safety in trade careers and the responsibility of contractor companies to protect their workers. Lia describes the construction of the cooling towers and the safety concerns that were ignored, leading to the disaster. She stresses the need for safety to be preached within trade careers and for contractor companies to be held accountable for protecting their workers.

Willow Island Disaster [00:01:20] Lia tells the story, where 51 workers fell to their deaths while constructing cooling towers in West Virginia in 1978.

Safety Concerns [00:02:26] Lia talks about the serious safety concerns at the construction site and how the company ignored them, resulting in the tragic accident.

Responsibility of Contractor Companies [00:04:49] Lia emphasizes the responsibility of contractor companies to protect their workers and the importance of safety in trade careers.

Apply for Skilled Trades the Mike Rowe Scholarshiphttps://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/


Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

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In this episode of the Sparky Life, host Lia Lamela speaks with licensed psychologist Dr. Kate Kelly about the benefits of trade careers, particularly in the construction industry, for mental health. They discuss the importance of soft skills, emotional intelligence, and empathy in the workplace, as well as the link between the body and mind in somatic-based therapies for trauma recovery. The conversation also touches on the benefits of physical activity and self-compassion.

Sparky Life recommended Book "The Body Keeps the Score" by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

Connect with our guest Dr. Kate Kelly Links:
www.ascendmentalhealthcare.com
IG and FB: ascendmentalhealth 
Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

Apply for Skilled Trades the Mike Rowe Scholarship
https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/
"We recognize a good education doesn’t always require a four-year degree". 


Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

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Meet Zoe Kearney, an ambitious, intelligent former astrophysics student and physics student who has paved her own road to success in a male-dominated masters program. Zoe has inspired me to “reach for the stars”, and I’m sure she will for you too.

In this episode we provide support and guidance in pursuing non-traditional career paths, especially for women in male-dominated fields. We discuss the challenges of breaking into these fields and the need for more resources and mentorship. The episode also touches on the importance of networking and finding mentors to help navigate career transitions. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights and advice for women pursuing careers in fields where they may be underrepresented.

Women in male-dominated fields [00:02:17-00:09:38] Zoe Kearney shares her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated field of physics and astrophysics, discussing the challenges of breaking into male-dominated groups and the isolation she felt due to the low number of women in her classes.

Finding beauty in astronomy [00:04:05-00:06:46] Zoe Kearney talks about her love for astronomy and how it combines art, history, and science. She also discusses the beauty of indigenous astronomy and the poetic nature of the field.

Challenges of breaking into male-dominated groups [00:09:08-00:09:38] Zoe Kearney discusses the difficulties of breaking into male-dominated groups in her physics classes.

Navigating male-dominated fields [00:09:39] Zoe and Lia Lamela discuss the challenges of being a woman in male-dominated fields, including the need to balance being friendly without inviting flirtatious behavior.

Exploring science policy [00:13:46] Zoe talks about her decision to explore science policy after struggling to decide what to do after undergrad, and the lack of guidance and support for exploring non-academic career paths.

Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia
Sparky Life recommends Book: The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

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In this week’s episode, we sit down with Brooke, who’s life trajectory has shown that you can experience the wonders of many trades, careers, and more! Brooke went from being a welder, to a business owner and podcaster, to a plumber, all the while raising three little ones at home. She shares with us the joys and hardships of each of these chapters of her life, as well as some critical advice for women considering entering the trades.

Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

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Start Your Engines with This Corvette Girl, Auto Technician - Doris Bennally

Today we sit down with Doris Benally, an auto mechanic living in sunny San Antonio, Texas. Doris gives us the low down on what it's like as an auto mechanic, shares about her favorite cars, and has plenty of advice to give to women entering the trades. Start your engines, as we accelerate into Doris’ insight!

San Antonio, TXArizona Technical Schools & Vocational Programs https://www.uti.edu/locations/arizona

Sparky Life recommends book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dwekand and The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

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Our guest today is Coralee Beatty, a coach for women in the trades, and author of the book Hiring Secrets for Trades and Construction, The Ultimate Guide to Find, Hire and Retain Top Talent. Coralee also offers fractional COO services, helping construction companies from the inside. A talented speaker and trainer, Coralee is brimming with passion and expertise in hopes to encourage more women to enter into the trades.

Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

Sparky Life recommends book: Carol Dweck - Mindset

Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

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