On this episode of The Construction Life Podcast, we’re joined by Jonathan Barnaby of S&J Plumbing Service, a seasoned pro with 25 years in the plumbing industry—and trust us, he’s seen it all (and smelled it too).

Jonathan shares the realities of the high-rise plumbing world, from the early days of learning the ropes, to branching out and starting his own business with his partner Peter Komjenvic, who couldn't make the episode but gets plenty of well-deserved shout-outs.

We dive into: 🔧 The unique challenges of high-rise plumbing and the precise coordination it demands. 💩 Everything that’s been poured down a drain—and why it’s never the homeowner’s fault (wink). 📉 Navigating today’s economic climate as a trade business owner and how to survive the slowdowns. 💼 What it really takes to go out on your own and build a name in the trades. 👊 Work ethic, experience, and trust—why S&J Plumbing continues to thrive after two and a half decades.

This episode is full of hard-earned wisdom, humor from the trenches, and solid insight into what it takes to build a successful plumbing career.

🎧 Tune in for real talk from the pipes to the penthouse—no filters needed.

📧 Email: [email protected] 📞 Call: 647-308-0742 or 647-994-5325 🌐 Website: www.sandjplumbing.ca 📸 IG: @sandjplumbing

#TheConstructionLife #PlumbingTrade #HighRisePlumbing #SAndJPlumbing #PlumberLife #25YearsStrong #DrainStories 🚿🔧

This show is brought to you by.

Generation Construction Ltd.

Contact Generation Construction Ltd. today at 705 961-5562 in the Muskoka area and 647 381-0361 in the GTA or visit http://www.generationconstructionltd.com

For inquiries, email Greg at [email protected]

Experience the difference with a team committed to excellence. Antonio and Aqua Stop Waterproofing are your go-to professionals for all things waterproofing.

Get in touch with Aqua Stop Waterproofing today at 647 631 4144 or visit http://www.aquastopwaterproofing.ca

When you choose Ravineview Construction, you’re choosing a team that understands the importance of your home. Let us help you create a space where you can enjoy peace of mind and cherish moments with those you love for years to come.

Connect with Ravineview Construction today at 416-671-0170 or visit http://www.rvchomes.ca

At 2x2 Construction, we value strong partnerships. From multiplexes to garden suites, we’re all about building better together and we want you to be a part of it. Reach out today at [email protected]or connect with us on Instagram @2x2Construction. Join the 2x2 Construction team—where great work meets great people.

In this packed episode of Safety Corner, Phill kicks things off by sharing insights from a recent training day he led, bringing real-world safety issues straight to the mic. This episode gets into the nitty-gritty of construction safety, while also navigating the bigger picture of where the industry is heading.

We cover: 🔸 New safety helmet designs—with a sample right on the podcast table, we look at what’s next in PPE. 🔸 Innovative harness technology—what’s changing, and how it affects day-to-day site work. 🔸 Industry-wide safety concerns—why some corners are still being cut and how we can change that. 🔸 Housing starts, stops, and what they really mean—what’s driving the slowdown and what we can expect ahead. 🔸 Bids and tenders—a deep dive into how they really work and who’s benefiting. 🔸 A bit of politics—because safety and construction don’t happen in a vacuum. 🔸 And of course, we wrap up with another classic "Manny add a zero" moment.

This episode is everything you expect from Safety Corner—honest, informed, and unfiltered.

🎧 Tune in and stay ahead of the safety curve, the political climate, and the business of building.

#SafetyCorner #NewPPE #ConstructionSafety #BidsAndTenders #HousingStarts #MannyAddAZero #RealTalkTrades #SafetyCorner #WomenInConstruction #JobSiteEquality #ConstructionSafety #RealWorkRealTalk 🚧👷‍♀️💪

We switch gears from job sites to event sites with Jonathan and Ashley Andrade of C and N Events. Planning events isn’t just about decorations and venues—it’s about balancing expectations, budgets, and creating unforgettable experiences.

We dive into: 🔹 What clients really want in 2024—the latest event trends shaping the industry. 🔹 Weddings, kids’ parties, and corporate events—how each requires a unique approach. 🔹 What guests expect vs. what planners can realistically deliver—finding the sweet spot between vision and budget. 🔹 The daily challenges of event planning—from demanding clients to last-minute chaos. 🔹 Rebuilding a small business post-pandemic—how C and N Events navigated the toughest time for the industry.

Event planning is a high-pressure, detail-driven world, and Jonathan and Ashley share the realities, wins, and behind-the-scenes work that goes into every event.

🎧 Tune in to learn what it really takes to pull off a flawless event!

📸 Follow C and N Events on IG: @candnevents 🌐 Website: www.candnevents.shop

#TheConstructionLife #EventPlanning #CAndNEvents #WeddingsAndMore #BehindTheScenes #MakingMemories 🎊💡

This show is brought to you by.

Stop being chained to your construction company. That's what Revalate delivers to contractors like you, who are trying to figure out AI, and automations.

Book time now. www.Revalate.comon IG @Revalate.inc. Reach out at 416-474-5755.

Schooley Mitchell

Don’t let extra expenses keep you from achieving the success you deserve. Reach out today to schedule your risk-free analysis and unlock your savings!

www.schooleymitchell.com/office/aegiuggio/about/ [email protected] 416-605-0193

ALT Labour Solutions revolutionizes the labour industry with a user-friendly interface, secure payments, and a supportive team. Visit www.ALTLabourSolutions.com and start connecting with other contractors today.

Try 3WAY today and revolutionize your drywall game. Perfect corners, every time!

To purchase or check out some “how to videos” to see installs in action, visit 3way.ca or connect with them at 306 514-3768 or drop them an email [email protected]

Call Effect Electric Ltd today at 416-508-7725 or visit them at

https://effectelectricltd.kohlergeneratordealer.com/

In this special recap episode of Building Joy, we take a step back to reflect on the incredible journey of insights and inspiration we've had through past conversations, all guided by the joyful heart of Teresa Greco.

This episode is a gentle reminder that happiness isn’t a destination or something you earn—it’s something you practice every day.

We explore: 🌅 The little things that matter most—the daily habits and mindsets that keep us grounded in joy. 🧠 Happiness as a skillset—why it takes effort, awareness, and intention to keep growing emotionally and spiritually. 💛 Letting go of the chase—how we don’t need to constantly seek or obtain to feel fulfilled. 🌼 Gratitude for the present—recognizing the happiness we already have and nurturing it.

This episode is about resetting and recharging—a perfect listen for anyone who needs a reminder that joy is already within reach.

🎧 Tune in and take a deep breath with us—happiness is right here.

#BuildingJoy #DailyHappiness #JoyInTheLittleThings #HappinessIsAPractice #GratitudeEveryday #TeresaGreco🌟💛

Teresa Greco and Steps To Happiness Coaching

Life coach Teresa Greco understands the unique pressures of your world. You'll learn practical tools and strategies to unlock your inner joy. Let her help you build a stronger, happier you.

So don't let stress hold you back. Schedule a free consultation today. You deserve to be happy because life is too short to be anything but.

Check out Steps to Happiness Coaching at www.teresagreco.ca or email Teresa at [email protected] or connect with her on IG and YouTube @teresagreco_stepstohappiness or Facebook Steps to Happiness with Teresa Greco on TikTok @teresa_greco on X @teresagreco

In this episode of Safety Corner, we tackle a topic that isn’t talked about enough but needs to be—women in construction. Representation is growing, but are job sites really set up to support and respect female tradespeople?

We dive into: 🔹 The real numbers behind women in construction—beyond the PR campaigns, what’s actually happening? 🔹 Proper toilet facilities on site—why the basics, like hygiene and accessibility, are still being overlooked. 🔹 Making sure menstrual products are readily available—because a truly inclusive job site means supporting all workers properly. 🔹 Workforce skills & retention—how can we ensure that women entering the trades stay in the trades? 🔹 The 4 C’s of construction—a deep dive into the Colorful Cast of Construction Characters you meet on every site.

This isn’t about ticking a diversity box—it’s about real change, real conversations, and real respect on site.

🎧 Tune in for a no-BS discussion on what needs to improve and how we can make construction a better place for everyone.

#SafetyCorner #WomenInConstruction #JobSiteEquality #ConstructionSafety #The4CsOfConstruction #RealWorkRealTalk 🚧👷‍♀️💪

In this raw and real episode of The Construction Life Podcast, we welcome Barrett Dionne, a seasoned cement finisher with Local 506 who has 20+ years of experience in the concrete trade. Barrett, aka Bear, doesn’t hold back—he brings honest, positive, and realistic insights about the industry without naming names (but we all know the type).

We get into: 🔹 How he was thrown into the construction fire at 16—learning the hard way from the "Porkchops" and never looking back. 🔹 What the union has done for him and his family—the brotherhood, the security, and the opportunities it provides. 🔹 The real history behind unions—an Irish perspective on who actually started them and why that story isn’t told enough. 🔹 The ups and downs of the trade—why it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but the right mindset changes everything. 🔹 What younger trades need to understand—respect, work ethic, and the reality of what it takes to succeed.

As always, this show goes where it goes, and trust us—you’re going to love Bear and his perspective on the construction life.

🎧 Tune in now for an episode full of hard truths, trade wisdom, and union pride.

#TheConstructionLife #ConcreteTruths #Local506 #UnionPride #HardLessons #RespectTheTrade 🔨🏗️💪

This show is brought to you by.

Connect with Foam It today. Reach them at 416-893-8712 or 647-961-9777, email [email protected], and visit www.foamit.ca. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to see their latest projects and innovations.

Call Effect Electric Ltd today at 416-508-7725 or visit them at

https://effectelectricltd.kohlergeneratordealer.com/

Try 3WAY today and revolutionize your drywall game. Perfect corners, every time!

To purchase or check out some “how to videos” to see installs in action, visit 3way.ca or connect with them at 306 514-3768 or drop them an email [email protected]

Schooley Mitchell

Don’t let extra expenses keep you from achieving the success you deserve. Reach out today to schedule your risk-free analysis and unlock your savings!

www.schooleymitchell.com/office/aegiuggio/about/ [email protected] 416-605-0193

ALT Labour Solutions revolutionizes the labour industry with a user-friendly interface, secure payments, and a supportive team. Visit www.ALTLabourSolutions.com and start connecting with other contractors today.

In this brutally honest episode of The Construction Life Podcast, Brayden Harkness of Sandman Construction (Show #637) and Chris Wren of Wren Contracting (Show #649) return to the studio to discuss the harsh realities of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025—and why they’re worried about the future of construction.

We tackle: 🔹 The financial storm hitting the trades—why younger contractors are feeling the squeeze harder than ever. 🔹 Letting go of ego in tough times—adjusting to a market where rates have dropped, but bills haven’t. 🔹 What it’s like going from making great money to just scraping by—and how to mentally push through. 🔹 Why this isn’t the end—it’s a reset—how younger trades can adapt, survive, and eventually thrive. 🔹 Finding opportunity in the struggle—lessons learned from previous downturns and strategies for weathering the storm.

The construction industry is cyclical, and this downturn is testing the resilience of tradespeople everywhere. But Brayden and Chris aren’t giving up, and neither should you.

🎧 Tune in for real talk, hard truths, and some much-needed motivation for tradespeople trying to survive in today’s construction economy.

📸 Follow Chris on IG: @wren_contracting 📧 Email: [email protected] 📞 Call: 705-985-9736

📸 Follow Brayden on IG: @sandman_construction 🌐 Website: www.sandcon.ca 📧 Email: [email protected] 📞 Call: 705-333-5881

#TheConstructionLife #ConstructionCrisis #TradesInToughTimes #FinancialSurvival #EgoInConstruction #BuildThroughTheStorm 🔨🏗️📉

This show is brought to you by.

Experience the difference with a team committed to excellence. Antonio and Aqua Stop Waterproofing are your go-to professionals for all things waterproofing.

Get in touch with Aqua Stop Waterproofing today at 647 631 4144 or visit http://www.aquastopwaterproofing.ca

When you choose Ravineview Construction, you’re choosing a team that understands the importance of your home. Let us help you create a space where you can enjoy peace of mind and cherish moments with those you love for years to come.

Connect with Ravineview Construction today at 416-671-0170 or visit http://www.rvchomes.ca

At 2x2 Construction, we value strong partnerships. From multiplexes to garden suites, we’re all about building better together and we want you to be a part of it. Reach out today at [email protected]or connect with us on Instagram @2x2Construction. Join the 2x2 Construction team—where great work meets great people.

We’re talking electricity, efficiency, and lighting retrofits with Mitch Slade of Hickey Electrical Services—a trusted name in residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional electrical work across the Waterloo Region.

We dive into: 🔹 The importance of lighting retrofits—how upgrading old lighting improves efficiency, safety, and cost savings. 🔹 The biggest electrical challenges on job sites and how pros like Mitch solve them. 🔹 Common electrical mistakes homeowners and builders make—and how to avoid them. 🔹 What electricians wish clients knew about power loads, energy-saving solutions, and proper planning. 🔹 The evolving electrical industry—new tech, smart systems, and the future of power in construction.

Electricity isn’t just about running wires—it’s about creating safe, efficient, and sustainable spaces. Whether you're a builder, contractor, or homeowner, this episode is packed with real-world electrical insights you need to know.

🎧 Tune in to learn how Hickey Electrical is keeping buildings powered, efficient, and up to code.

📸 Follow Mitch on IG: @hickeyelectrical 🌐 Website: www.hickeyelectrical.ca 📧 Email: [email protected] 📞 Call: 519-404-0774

#TheConstructionLife #HickeyElectrical #LightingRetrofits #SmartElectricity #ConstructionInnovation #PoweringTheFuture ⚡🏗️🔌

This show is brought to you by.

Schooley Mitchell

Don’t let extra expenses keep you from achieving the success you deserve. Reach out today to schedule your risk-free analysis and unlock your savings!

www.schooleymitchell.com/office/aegiuggio/about/ [email protected] 416-605-0193

Try 3WAY today and revolutionize your drywall game. Perfect corners, every time!

To purchase or check out some “how to videos” to see installs in action, visit 3way.ca or connect with them at 306 514-3768 or drop them an email [email protected]

ALT Labour Solutions revolutionizes the labour industry with a user-friendly interface, secure payments, and a supportive team. Visit www.ALTLabourSolutions.com and start connecting with other contractors today.

Stop being chained to your construction company. That's what Revalate delivers to contractors like you, who are trying to figure out AI, and automations.

Book time now. www.Revalate.comon IG @Revalate.inc. Reach out at 416-474-5755.

We welcome Daniel Hadizadeh, CEO of Mitrex, to discuss how their innovative building-integrated solar cladding solutions (BIPV) are transforming new and existing projects across Canada, the USA, and worldwide. Mitrex isn’t just another building material supplier—it’s a game-changer in sustainable and high-performance cladding. We explore: 🔹 What makes Mitrex’s cladding different—cutting-edge solar technology built for the future. 🔹 The benefits of locally manufactured products—why "Made in Canada" is making waves in the industry. 🔹 Sustainability and energy efficiency—how Mitrex is reshaping the way buildings function. 🔹 A deep dive into the Miren and Berna Garen Health Science Complex with guest Jeff Miller, Director of Facility Management Capital Project. 🔹 The global expansion of Mitrex—how their products are redefining construction standards worldwide. From aesthetics to performance, Mitrex is setting a new bar for cladding in modern construction. Whether you’re a developer, architect, or builder, this episode is packed with insights on how innovative materials are shaping the industry’s future. 🎧 Tune in to learn how Mitrex is leading the way in smart, sustainable cladding solutions. 🌐 Find Mitrex online: www.mitrex.com (https://www.mitrex.com/) 📧 Email: [email protected] (mail to:[email protected]) 📞 Call: 416-907-4277 #TheConstructionLife #Mitrex #InnovativeCladding #Sustainable Building #MadeInCanada #FutureOfConstruction

On this powerful episode of Building Joy, Teresa Greco and Manny Neves sit down with Mark Sanchez, a man w ho has faced the depths of struggle and the highs of transformation.

Mark opens up about: 🔹 Growing up in the drug trade—with parents involved as dealers and a life surrounded by crime. 🔹 His past in gangs and addiction—pretending things were great while his life was spiraling. 🔹 The breaking point—the moment he realized the drug life was killing him and the decision that changed everything. 🔹 How he rebuilt his life—turning away from darkness and learning to search for happiness in everything he does. 🔹 Why happiness isn’t about escaping pain but about facing it, learning, and growing stronger.

Mark’s story is one of resilience, redemption, and the pursuit of real happiness. If you’ve ever felt lost, this episode is a reminder that no matter how dark your past is, you can always build a brighter future.

🎧 Tune in for an emotional, raw, and inspiring conversation about breaking free, healing, and discovering joy.

📘 Follow Mark on Facebook mark_my_ magnificent

#BuildingJoy #OvercomingDarkness #HappinessIsAChoice #HealingAndGrowth #MarkSanchezStory #FromStruggleToStrength 💡💛

Teresa Greco and Steps To Happiness Coaching

Life coach Teresa Greco understands the unique pressures of your world. You'll learn practical tools and strategies to unlock your inner joy. Let her help you build a stronger, happier you.

So don't let stress hold you back. Schedule a free consultation today. You deserve to be happy because life is too short to be anything but.

Check out Steps to Happiness Coaching at www.teresagreco.ca or email Teresa at [email protected] or connect with her on IG and YouTube @teresagreco_stepstohappiness or Facebook Steps to Happiness with Teresa Greco on TikTok @teresa_greco on X @teresagreco