Sparky Life

Send us Fan Mail

Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SL5 for 5% off!

When disaster strikes, everyone sees the firefighters and first responders—but what about the invisible guardians who prevent tragedy in the first place?

This episode shines a spotlight on fire alarm electricians: the unsung heroes who make sure alarms sound, exits light up, and lives are protected 24/7. Every school, hospital, and office tower depends on their work—even if nobody realizes it.

What You’ll Discover:

• The Real Impact: How fire alarm electricians quietly save lives and protect entire communities.
• Career Transformation: Why this trade delivers job security, financial growth, and deep personal purpose—all in one.
• A Day in the Life: What it’s really like to be a “hidden guardian” on the job.
• Why This Path is Future-Proof: Never get stuck in a dead-end gig again—this is stability with meaning.

Ready to Trade Up Your Life?

If you want a career where your work matters—and pays—this episode is your blueprint. Discover how to join the ranks of these invisible heroes and finally escape the dead-end job grind.

Action Steps:

• Subscribe for more skilled trades transformation stories
• Comment: What matters most to you—purpose, security, or growth?
• Share your own trade journey or questions below!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SL5 for 5% off!

Ever wake up and wonder, “Is this really all there is?” You’re grinding, you’re exhausted, and yet it feels like everyone else is racing ahead while you’re stuck in place. Here’s the truth: you’re not lazy, you’re just misaligned—and it’s time to break free.

In this episode of The Sparky Life Podcast, Lia gets brutally honest about what it really feels like to hit rock bottom, why feeling stuck is actually a signal (not a curse), and the exact mindset shifts that can turn your career around. You’ll hear Lia’s own story of escaping dead-end jobs, the mistakes that nearly broke her, and how she built a life and career she’s proud of—without a fancy degree or “following her passion.”

If you’re ready for zero-BS advice, real talk about skilled trades, and a blueprint for getting unstuck, this is your episode.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SL5 for 5% off!

🎧 In this episode:
This week on Sparky Life, we’re breaking barriers — and glass ceilings — with Jennifer Harrison, Vice President of Merchandising at SupplyHouse. Jennifer didn’t apply for her executive role. Her CEO created the position for her after one conversation. In a field where less than 7% of leadership roles are held by women, her story is not just rare — it’s revolutionary.

💥 Inside the episode:
 • The moment her leadership potential was spotted — before she saw it in herself
 • Why introverts make exceptional leaders in construction
 • The power of writing your own “permission slip”
 • What it really takes to lead in a male-dominated industry
 • How to smash through imposter syndrome
 • The “old school” leadership style that’s keeping good people silent — and how to change it
 • Why SupplyHouse has one of the most collaborative, modern cultures in construction
 • Her advice to the shy, quiet woman who doesn’t see her own potential (yet)

This episode is a masterclass in transformative leadership — and a permission slip for every woman who thinks she has to wait to be chosen. You don’t. You already are.

⸻
⏱ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome to Sparky Life
00:17 – Only 6% of Leadership Roles Are Held by Women
00:26 – How Jennifer’s CEO Created Her VP Role
01:10 – From Introvert to Executive
02:51 – Do Women Wait Too Long to Lead?
06:40 – Writing Yourself a Permission Slip
07:46 – Women Leading Differently: Transformational vs Transactional
10:45 – Leah’s Journey from Shy to Leading Crews
11:37 – Why Presence in a Room Matters
12:09 – Building Culture at SupplyHouse
14:11 – Why Chasing Money Isn’t the Goal
15:17 – If You’re at a Toxic Company: Leave
17:05 – Mistakes, Pivots, and CEO-Level Support
20:00 – Gaining Confidence as a Leader
23:30 – Why Collaboration Is So Rare in Construction
24:11 – Gatekeeping, Fear, and the 2008 Scarcity Mindset
26:22 – How to Build a Team That Speaks Up
29:02 – A Message for Shy Women With Big Potential
31:53 – “Leadership Is a Choice, Not a Title.”
38:39 – Final Words of Empowerment
39:36 – The Sparky Life: Subscribe & Share!

👇 Follow for more blue collar badassery every Thursday!
SPARKY LIFE Podcast on SPOTIFY
SPARKY LIFE Podcast on APPLE
👇 WATCH the episodes on YOUTUBE!
SPARKY LIFE on YOUTUBE

⸻
📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @sparkylifeoflia
TikTok: @sparkylifeoflia

⸻
🛠 Huge thanks to our sponsor: SupplyHouse
Get the best tools & supplies → www.supplyhouse.com
Use code SL5 for 5% off!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SL5 for 5% off!

Meet Mark Hedstrom: Executive Director of Skilled Careers Coalition, skilled trades champion.
Mark’s journey from manufacturing and healthcare consulting to leading the Skilled Careers Coalition gives him a unique perspective on America’s skilled trades gap—and why philanthropy is the secret weapon for fixing it.

In this episode:

• The real reason skilled trades have been stigmatized as “dirty, dark, dangerous” for decades—and why that’s total nonsense
• How philanthropy can take bold risks to drive systemic change in the workforce (when industry can’t)
• The three real career paths for today’s students: military, college, or skilled trades (and why trades are just as valuable)
• Mark’s personal story: from a privileged background to a fierce advocate for the trades
• How a coalition approach is actually moving the needle on the skilled trades crisis
• Why it’s time to ditch “blue collar” and start saying “skilled careers”

Key Takeaways:

Stigma | Decades-old myths are holding back talented people from life-changing careers
Philanthropy | Nonprofits can experiment and drive innovation where industry is stuck
Language Shift | “Skilled careers” > “blue collar”—words matter for respect and opportunity
Parental Mindset | Parents need to see trades as equal to college or military for their kids’ futures

The skilled trades gap isn’t just about open jobs—it’s about changing mindsets, language, and opportunities for an entire generation. Mark’s coalition model shows how teamwork across sectors can make a real difference.

Ready to challenge what you’ve heard about trades?
Share this episode with someone rethinking their career path, and subscribe for more zero-BS insights on breaking free from dead-end jobs.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SL5 for 5% off!

🎧 In this episode:
Welcome back to Sparky Life, where Lia pulls back the curtain on one of the darkest, most personal chapters of her trades journey. This episode is about power, silence, and what happens when a mentor becomes a threat. From manipulation to physical intimidation — Lia shares the story she never wanted to tell, but knew she had to.

💥 Inside this episode:
 • The disturbing steak dinner proposition that crossed the line
 • The power of documentation, boundaries, and small phrases like “That’s not okay.”
 • Why this story matters for every woman in the skilled trades
 • A community call: should Lia keep sharing what happened next?

This is more than a story — it’s a warning, a wake-up call, and a guide for anyone navigating toxic power dynamics in male-dominated fields. If you’ve ever felt small, trapped, or unsure if you’re allowed to speak — this one’s for you.

⸻
⏱ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – When Mentors Cross the Line
00:26 – Recap: From Shelter to Apprentice
01:05 – The “Steak Dinner” That Said Too Much
01:38 – “Don’t You Think You Owe Me?”
02:31 – Feeling Like It Was All a Setup
03:08 – The Hallway
04:00 – Freezing Up & Losing Power
04:57 – Daily Manifestation: “Larry Will Leave”
05:49 – Larry Gets Himself Fired
06:54 – Why It Still Didn’t Feel Right
07:24 – What I Learned from Not Speaking Up
08:20 – How to Handle These Situations: Step-by-Step
09:23 – Just Saying “That’s Not Okay” Can Shift Power
10:27 – Rewiring the Story (Literally)
11:06 – Why I Do This Podcast
11:25 – What Happens Next? You Decide.

👇 Follow for more blue collar badassery every Thursday!
SPARKY LIFE Podcast on SPOTIFY
SPARKY LIFE Podcast on APPLE
👇 WATCH the episodes on YOUTUBE!
SPARKY LIFE on YOUTUBE

⸻
📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @sparkylifeoflia
TikTok: @sparkylifeoflia

⸻
🛠 Huge thanks to our sponsor: SupplyHouse
Get the best tools & supplies → supplyhouse.com/t-m
Use code SL5 for 5% off!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

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

Here helping people actually make the leap into skilled trades—especially those who feel stuck, too old, or lacking experience.

Ditch the myth that you need years of experience or fancy degrees to start a career in the trades! In this episode, Lia spotlights Mackenzie’s leap from self-doubt to landing her first electrician apprenticeship. You’ll get a reality check on what it really takes to break in, practical steps you can take this week, and the mindset shifts that make all the difference. Whether you’re worried you’re too old, don’t have the “right” background, or just don’t know where to start, this episode is your no-BS roadmap to getting your foot in the door—plus, actionable tips to keep your momentum going. 

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

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

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

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

👇 Follow for more blue collar badassery every Thursday!

SPARKY LIFE Podcast on SPOTIFY

SPARKY LIFE Podcast on APPLE

👇 WATCH the episodes on YOUTUBE!

SPARKY LIFE on YOUTUBE

📲 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @sparkylifeoflia

TikTok: @sparkylifeoflia

⸻

🛠 Huge thanks to our sponsor: SupplyHouse

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

Use code SH5 for 5% off!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

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!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

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

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

👇 Follow for more blue collar badassery every Thursday!

SPARKY LIFE Podcast on SPOTIFY

SPARKY LIFE Podcast on APPLE

👇 WATCH the episodes on YOUTUBE!

SPARKY LIFE on YOUTUBE

⸻

📲 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @sparkylifeoflia

TikTok: @sparkylifeoflia

⸻

🛠 Huge thanks to our sponsor: SupplyHouse

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

Use code SH5 for 5% off!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

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!

SPARKY LIFE on YOUTUBE

📲 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @sparkylifeoflia

TikTok: @sparkylifeoflia

🛠 Huge thanks to our sponsor: SupplyHouse

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

Use code SH5 for 5% off!

Support the show