In this RFI episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler tackle three listener questions covering everything from meal prep and coffee culture to job satisfaction and the biggest misconceptions people have about the trades.

🎙️ Key Takeaways

• Meal prep is simple—people just overcomplicate it.

• Intentional eating matters, especially with long physical days.

• Camaraderie and crew culture determine job satisfaction.

• The trades require problem-solving, planning, and math skills.

• Concrete work depends more on prep than rebar.

• Misconceptions about the trades often stem from ignorance.

• Small nutrition changes = big improvements over time.

🧠 Listener Questions Answered

1. How do you make it easier to eat better in the trades?

2. What's your favorite part of your job and why?

3. What's a big misconception people have about your trade?

⏱️ Chapters

(00:00) – Coffee Culture and Preferences (04:59) – Nutrition and Meal Prep in the Trades (16:56) – Job Satisfaction and Camaraderie in the Trades (22:13) – The Joy of Variety in Work (26:30) – Misconceptions in the Trades (30:44) – Skills and Intelligence in Construction (33:26) – Concrete Myths and Realities (40:57) – The Importance of Preparation in Concrete Work

In this solo episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, host Jaden Robison reflects on speaking at a fundraising gala and the leadership training he completed nearly a decade ago—training that shaped the way he approaches personal growth, fear, and responsibility today.

Jaden breaks down how fear of failure keeps so many people stuck, why focus is harder than ever in a distraction-heavy world, and what intentional habits like reading, journaling, and time blocking can do to rebuild your ability to think deeply. .

🎙️ Key Takeaways

• Leadership training leaves a lifelong impact when applied.

• Everyone has roadblocks to success, figure yours out

• Focus is becoming rare

• Small daily habits compound into major long-term growth.

• Reading and journaling strengthen your ability to think

• Focus is a muscle—you must train it.

• Technology distractions drain mental bandwidth and presence.

• Intentionality is the foundation of leadership and discipline.

• Reflecting on your past gives clarity for the future.

• Protecting time with family matters more than screen time.

⏱️ Chapters

(00:00) – Introduction to Focus and Leadership (02:06) – Personal Journey and Leadership Training (08:09) – Overcoming Fear of Failure (10:21) – The Importance of Focus (19:38) – Conclusion and Call to Action

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In this episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler tackle one of the most overlooked issues in the construction industry — mental health.

They break down practical ways to take care of your mental health, support your crew, and focus on what really matters: being present, showing up, and leading by example.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession.

• Tough guy culture leads to bottled-up emotions instead of real conversations.

• Communication is the foundation for improving mental health at work.

• Vulnerability builds stronger leaders and healthier teams.

• Personal development is a lifelong tool for resilience.

• Recognizing signs of distress can save lives.

• Creating supportive environments creates ripple effects across the crew.

• Staying focused on today is key to building balance and peace of mind.

• Sharing your story helps others open up.

• Self-improvement isn't one big moment — it's consistent effort.

⏱️ Chapters

(00:00) – The Tough Guy Culture and Mental Health (02:59) – Recognizing the Mental Health Crisis in Construction (05:53) – Breaking the Silence: Opening Up About Struggles (08:50) – The Importance of Vulnerability and Communication (11:59) – Personal Development and Self-Care Strategies (14:48) – Creating a Supportive Environment (17:55) – Proactive Approaches to Mental Health (23:23) – The Power of Positive Thinking (29:54) – Focusing on the Present (32:55) – Taking Action and Creating Ripples (36:46) – Building Resilience Through Small Steps (40:34) – Helping Others and Sharing Your Journey

In this solo episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, host Jaden Robison breaks down why the idea of work-life balance is often a myth — especially for those in the trades and seasonal work.

After a packed month balancing long job hours, home projects, and family life, Jaden reflects on what it really means to manage your time and energy when everything hits at once. He shares how using tools like LiveSwitch helped streamline a side job and free up valuable time, and why being intentional about your seasons of life is the key to staying grounded.

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💡 Key Takeaways

• Work-life balance isn't real — it's about managing your seasons

• Busy times are part of the process, not something to avoid

• Efficiency tools like LiveSwitch can save hours in your week

• Family time might take a hit during busy seasons — and that's okay temporarily

• Intentionality beats perfection when it comes to time management

• Know the season you're in and plan accordingly

• Communicate with your family about what's happening

• Technology, when used wisely, creates real breathing room

🕒 Chapters

(00:00) – The Busy Season Begins (05:15) – Understanding Work-Life Balance (10:33) – The Importance of Intentionality (15:12) – Embracing the Seasons of Life

In this RFI episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler dive into what's next for the construction industry — from AI and technology to leadership, motivation, and the push to attract younger workers to the trades.

They share personal insights, lessons learned from mentorship, and how to keep excitement alive in your career. The discussion also tackles how the industry can market itself better, create real growth opportunities, and empower the next generation to take pride in blue collar work.

🎙️ Key Takeaways

• Find excitement in everyday tasks — energy fuels growth.

• The trades need a fresh image to attract the next generation.

• Social media can change how we market the trades.

• AI is a tool — not a replacement — in construction.

• Empowerment and mentorship create real leadership.

• Training your replacement accelerates your own growth.

• Luck favors those prepared for opportunity.

• Real relationships still matter in a tech-driven world.

⏱️ Chapters (00:00) – Introduction and Personal Projects (02:53) – Finding Excitement and Hobbies in Work (05:37) – Q: How Can we Attract Young Workers to the Trades (08:17) – Setting Realistic Expectations in Trade Careers (10:57) – Q: Positive and Negative Ways AI Will Affect Construction (24:29) – The Future of the Trades (32:48) – Q: What Are Your Future Goals? (39:53) – Shifting from Scarcity to Abundance (47:39) – Luck, Readiness, and Opportunity

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In this episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, Jaden Robison sits down with James Hatfield, CRO of LiveSwitch, to explore how technology is transforming communication, quoting, and operations in trade and service businesses.

🎙️ Key Takeaways

• Tech should simplify work, not add friction.

• Live video builds faster trust and better customer experiences.

• Process + consistency beat fancy tools every time.

• Leadership in the trades comes from experience, not titles.

• Adapting early gives small teams a competitive edge.

• The future of blue-collar work is connected, not complicated.

🎧 Chapters

(00:00) – Introduction to Blue Collar Challenges (03:00) – Journey from Trades to Technology (06:00) – Lessons from Business Ownership (09:00) – Communication & Customer Challenges (12:00) – Transforming Operations with LiveSwitch (16:00) – Technology Adoption & AI in the Trades (22:00) – Innovative Uses of LiveSwitch (Recruitment & Customer Experience) (31:00) – Leadership, Ownership Mindset & Team Empowerment (39:00) – Documenting Processes & Sales Mistakes (47:00) – The Future of LiveSwitch, AI Agents & Supporting Small Businesses

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In this episode of The Punchlist, Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler dive into one of the most overlooked topics in the trades — financial responsibility. They discuss how lifestyle creep keeps even high earners broke, why saving early matters more than earning more, and how intentional spending builds real freedom. From living below your means to managing side jobs wisely, this conversation breaks down what it takes to build long-term stability in a blue-collar career.

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💰 Key Takeaways

• Making good money doesn't mean managing it well — discipline is everything.

• Lifestyle creep is the biggest threat to financial freedom in the trades.

• Save from every paycheck — no matter how small the amount.

• Avoid unnecessary debt and prioritize long-term stability.

• Be intentional with spending and family planning.

• Delayed gratification builds freedom and opportunity.

• Side jobs can help — if you don't spend it all.

• Financial education is the missing skill in most trades.

🎧 Chapters

(00:00) – Introduction and Seasonal Changes (02:37) – Planning for the Future (03:41) – Financial Management in the Trades (06:07) – Lifestyle Creep and Financial Awareness (09:37) – The Power of Delayed Gratification (11:57) – Building a Financial Foundation (24:43) – Emergency Funds and Financial Security (29:16) – Managing Financial Stress in Your 20s (32:04) – Early Financial Planning and Investing (33:36) – Preparing for Family and Financial Responsibility (36:26) – Intentional Spending and Budget Discipline (41:54) – Breaking Bad Money Habits (49:10) – Side Jobs and Financial Growth

In this episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, host Jaden Robison discusses the importance of daily preparation for success in the trades, the impact of social media on energy levels, and the need to prioritize work and family effectively. He emphasizes the significance of engaging in activities that energize rather than drain. 💡 Key Takeaways

• Daily preparation builds consistency and confidence.

• Social media often drains the energy needed for real work.

• Small habits each morning can drastically improve performance.

• Prioritize what fuels you—people, projects, and personal goals.

• Work and family balance starts with clear priorities and focus.

• Awareness of distractions helps protect your energy.

• You can learn to love your work through purpose and preparation.

🕒 Chapters

(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast (01:17) - The Importance of Daily Preparation (03:36) - Energy Management and Social Media's Impact (08:36) - Prioritizing Work and Family (12:19) - Consciousness of Time and Energy Sucks (14:55) - Podcast Evolution and Future Directions

In this RFI episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler answer listener questions covering everything from concrete finishing to career transitions. They dive into when (and when not) to use steel on exterior concrete, the difference between "safety on paper" versus real-world safety, and practical advice for young tradespeople with a Class A license. Jaden and Jessie also explore the growing number of people leaving white collar jobs to pursue fulfilling careers in the trades.

Takeaways

• Concrete finishing is all about timing and technique.

• Paper safety policies don't matter if people aren't truly protected.

• For young workers, responsibility and mindset matter more than experience.

• The trucking industry can be a stepping stone or a career—know your goals.

• More people are leaving white collar jobs for trades than you'd think.

• Living below your means builds stability in any career path.

• Real satisfaction comes from working with your hands and creating something lasting.

Chapters (00:00) – Introduction and Personal Updates (04:24) – Q1: When to Use (or Avoid) Steel in Exterior Concrete Finishing (18:10) – Q2: Safety on Paper vs Safety on the Job (22:40) – Personal Responsibility in Workplace Safety (30:56) – Q3: Advice for a 20-Year-Old with a Class A License (36:56) – Q4: How often(or not) are people getting into trades from white collar? (41:49) – Financial Responsibility and Stability in the Trades

In this episode of The Punchlist on the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler dig into one of the biggest challenges facing the trades today: expectations.

From social media hype that makes careers look like overnight success stories to the real-world truth that expertise takes years of hard work, Jaden and Jessie share their own experiences of learning, growing, and sometimes failing forward.

They highlight why transparency in career paths, initiative on the job, and realistic timelines for growth matter so much for new tradespeople. Whether you're just starting out or mentoring the next generation, this episode will help you reset expectations, stay motivated, and understand why the long road is worth it.

🎙️ Key Takeaways

• Everything in the trades takes longer than expected (and that's okay).

• Social media creates unrealistic success stories that don't match reality.

• True expertise requires time, patience, and repetition.

• Initiative is one of the fastest ways to stand out on the job.

• Clear career paths + mentorship prevent burnout and frustration.

• Motivation fuels faster learning — but you can't rush experience.

⏱️ Chapters

(00:00) - Introduction and Weekend Recap (03:43) - Expectations and Instant Gratification (09:17) - The Reality of Becoming an Expert (16:37) - Real-Life Examples of Learning and Growth (21:27) - The Importance of Time and Experience in Trades (28:46) - The Value of Experience in Trades (34:50) - Generational Mindsets and Impatience (41:14) - Realistic Expectations in the Trades (49:29) - Transparency and Career Progression (54:22) - The Journey to Expertise