Sparky Life

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to the Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in skilled trades with your host, Lia Lamela.

The Sparky Life Podcast is proudly sponsored by SupplyHouse.com. SupplyHouse.com offers electricians the Trade Masters program, providing benefits like free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/tm to join the program today.

This week, we are honored to have Tara Garner, the visionary behind Under Construction Photography. Tara's work uniquely captures the spirit and resilience of the construction industry, bringing the hidden heroes of our communities into the spotlight. Her journey, inspired by her deeply embedded blue-collar family roots, exemplifies the power of passion and connection.

Quotes:

• "Through my photography and talking was really just the stories and the communicating with them first. Uh, it just impacted me on such a level that I was like, you know, I need to do this more. I need to show recognition to the ones that are still here.." - Tara Garner
  
  
• "There are unsung heroes, right, that build our infrastructure and our industries. And I just feel like, you know, as a whole, that blue-collar community is kind of, um, you know, not recognized enough.." - Tara Garner
  
  
• "Tenacity is in my tool belt" - Tara Garner

Follow Lia Lamela:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-lamela-820a33155/
• Website: https://sparkylifesolutionsllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkylifeoflia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesparkylifepodcast
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqPJrIaE7fL1uXgfdIcBYlw

Follow Kiara Tymec:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiaratymec/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiara-tymec-4b83271b3/

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to the Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in construction with your host, Lia Lamela.

The Sparky Life Podcast is proudly sponsored by SupplyHouse.com. SupplyHouse.com offers electricians the Trade Masters program, providing benefits like free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/team to join the program today.

This week, we are honored to have Kiara Tymec, an Imagineer who brings fictional elements to life with her electronic builds. Some of Kiara's notable creations include the Mark VI Iron Man suit and a working Pokéball. Kiara's journey is a testament to the power of passion and determination in achieving one’s dreams.


Quotes:

"When I was their age, I wish I had like a girl dressed as Spider-Man, like, show up to my school and be like, that's cool.." - Kiara Tymec

"If you fail, that's not like giving up. It's just a failure which pushes you to towards the learning because you can learn from that failure and just keep going with it until you reach the finish line that you wanted." - Kiara Tymec

"I feel like I owe it to myself to not give up and, like, be somebody people can look up to eventually." - Kiara Tymec


Follow Lia Lamela:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-lamela-820a33155/
• Website: https://sparkylifesolutionsllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkylifeoflia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesparkylifepodcast
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqPJrIaE7fL1uXgfdIcBYlw
  
  

Follow Kiara Tymec:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiaratymec/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiara-tymec-4b83271b3/
  
  Support the Show.
  
  Sparky Life Membership Subscription Opportunities
  Click on the Buzzsprout Support Link
  
  Join Us and Subscribe!
  
  Membership Subscription Levels
  1. Be a Part of The Circuit…for only 10 cents a day or $3. Per Month
  
  As a Circuit Member you have made the choice to support Sparky Life so it can develop and grow. You will be the first to know about special online events and sneak peaks about upcoming episodes.
  
  2. Be a Part of Live Wire…for only 17 cents a day or $5. Per month
  
  Get a digital thank you directly from Lia Lamela, with an invitation to join the Sparky Life network. Sparky Life as a thank you will send you a free $5 Starbucks card.
  
  3. Be an Honorary Sparky…for only 33 cents a day or $10 Per month
  
  Sparky Life invites Honorary Sparky members to submit to the podcast, any questions you may have about the skilled trades, or the construction industry. Your questions will be digitally answered directly by Lia Lamela and a few questions may actually be selected to be answered on air on the Sparky Life Podcast. You can send your questions to [email protected] or DM us @sparkylifeoflia.
  
  
  

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to the Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in construction with your host, Lia Lamela.

The Sparky Life Podcast is proudly sponsored by SupplyHouse.com. SupplyHouse.com offers electricians the Trade Masters program, providing benefits like free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/team to join the program today.

This week, we are honored to have Robert McLaughlin, the director of the Electrical and HVAC Training Center in New York. Robert is a certified OSHA and NFPA Safe Safety Instructor, board member of Habitat for Humanity, and on the Education Committee for Metropolitan Air Conditioning Contractors. He also holds a master electrician's license and owns his own electrical contracting company. Robert brings a wealth of experience and insights into the importance of vocational education and training.

Quotes:

"First you build it by, you know, letting them(students) know that you have a good plan for them. But then you got to show it to them, right? Prove it out."- Robert McLaughlin

"The idea is that you are in control of your own destiny. How hard you work and what you put into this is, is going to be how you get there."- Robert McLaughlin

"Once you're successful and you're able to do something, you got to make sure you reach back and take somebody with you."- Robert McLaughlin

Follow Lia Lamela:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-lamela-820a33155/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkylifeoflia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesparkylifepodcast
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqPJrIaE7fL1uXgfdIcBYlw
• Website: https://sparkylifesolutionsllc.com

Follow Robert McLaughlin:

• Website: https://www.electricaltrainingcenter.edu/careers#InstructorForHIre
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-mclaughlin-96498b60/

Thank you for your support and for being a part of our community. Stay tuned for next week's episode!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to the Sparky Life Podcast, celebrating careers in the trades with your host, Lia Lamela.

The Sparky Life Podcast is proudly sponsored by SupplyHouse.com. It offers electricians the Trade Masters program, providing benefits like free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/team to join the program today.

This week, we are honored to have Colton Castleman, a seasoned fire alarm technician with a diverse background in both the electrical and fire alarm industries. Colton has extensive experience working for both small companies and large corporations like Siemens. His journey is filled with insights into the intricacies of fire alarm systems, from installation to service and troubleshooting.

Quotes:

• "Troubleshooting is like putting together a puzzle and figuring out what pieces are missing." - Colton Castleman
  
  
• "You have to have a whole lot of care but a little bit of 'don't worry about it' attitude." - Colton Castleman
  
  
• "My life outside of work is more important than work itself. I work to live, not live to work." - Colton Castleman

Follow Lia Lamela:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-lamela-820a33155/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkylifeoflia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesparkylifepodcast
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqPJrIaE7fL1uXgfdIcBYlw

Follow Colton Castleman on :

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mithril_forge_creations/
Patreon: https://tiktok.com/@mithrilforge
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MithrilForgeCreation?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@mithrilforge 

Thank you for your support and for being a part of our community. Stay tuned for next week's episode!

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to the Sparky Life Podcast, celebrating careers in the trades with your host, Lia Lamela.

The Sparky Life Podcast is proudly sponsored by SupplyHouse.com. It offers electricians the Trade Masters program, providing benefits like free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/team to join the program today.

This week, we welcome Paige Knowles, author of the Plumber Paige Bathroom Series, and Lianna Faber, founder of Women Pioneers in Unity. Paige's books introduce kids to skilled trades, while Lianna's non-profit supports women in these fields. Both are revolutionizing careers for women!

Quotes: 

"You just have to do it and move forward... Pursue it. Creating a group like you have or writing books like me. Just do it." - Paige Knowles 

"Just have confidence in myself because, you know, others may not always have that confidence in me." - Lianna Faber 

Thank you for tuning in to the Sparky Life Podcast. Join us next week for more insights and inspiring stories from professionals in the trades.

Follow Lia Lamela:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-lamela-820a33155/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkylifeoflia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesparkylifepodcast
• Website: https://the-sparky-life-podcast.mailchimpsites.com/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqPJrIaE7fL1uXgfdIcBYlw

Follow Paige Knowles:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plumber_paige/
• Website: https://www.plumberpaige.com/

Follow Lianna Faber:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lianna.faber/

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to the Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in construction with your host, Lia Lamela.

The Sparky Life Podcast is proudly sponsored by SupplyHouse.com. SupplyHouse.com offers electricians the Trade Masters program, providing benefits like free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/team to join the program today.

This week, we are honored to have Steve Kavallaris from ElectricalTime.com. He is a licensed master electrician, IAEI electrical inspector, chief electrical instructor, and published author. Steve is well-known as the Doctor of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and his dedication to educating aspiring electricians.

Quotes:

1. "You never know when I'm going to have to open up the code book to answer a question from one of my students." - Steve Kavallaris
   
   
2. "Finding something that you really love to do in your career is essential." - Steve Kavallaris
   
   
3. "The job market for electricians is strong, and the demand is only going to increase." - Steve Kavallaris

Thank you for tuning in to the Sparky Life Podcast. Be sure to join us next week for more insights and inspiring stories from professionals in the trades.

Follow Lia Lamela:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-lamela-820a33155/
  
  
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkylifeoflia/
  
  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesparkylifepodcast
  
  
• Website: https://the-sparky-life-podcast.mailchimpsites.com/
  
  
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqPJrIaE7fL1uXgfdIcBYlw

Follow Steve:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_electricaltime/
  
  
• Website: https://www.electricaltime.com/

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Are the opportunities available to women in the skilled trades? Tradeswomen Building Bridges non-for-profit organization is a North American network of women working in the construction trades. Noreen and Iesca, members of Building Bridges join the Sparky Life Podcast to discuss their network and if women can access the careers available with in the skilled trades successfully?

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Today welcome James Strang, Journeyman Drywaller and Finisher, better known as @jwol_finishes.  It's well known with in the skilled trades community the sparks and drywallers can go head to head.  Who wins this throw down? (music by purple-planet)

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Since 2016, the IDEAL Electrician National Championship has been a platform that celebrates and showcases the incredible skills of Tradesmen and women across North America via a one-of-a-kind program and competition that ultimately crowns the best of the best electricians each year. Today Lia speaks with Emma Becker, returning semi-finalist, in the national top ten electrician competitors. How did Emma get here?
(music by purple-planet)

Check out the link to compete: Ideal National Electrical Championship

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

On today's Sparky Life, Benedikte Vatne, a high voltage electrician and EIT field engineer joins Lia Lamela to discuss what it is like to ride a helicopter into work on the mountainous regions of Norway?

Connect with our guest Benedikte: @energi_benedikte

BIG NEWS SPARKIES: Are you a skilled electrician who wants to win an all-expense paid trip to West Palm Beach, Florida and your share of $30,000 dollars?  Click on the link to check it out! Ideal Electrical National Championship

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

Support the show