Trade Life by Point Load Media

Mike Holmes Jr. and Ian MacFayden hit the floor at Skills Canada 2026 and they've got a lot to say. From jaw-dropping student competitors to the future of the trades, the two sit down to recap everything they saw, felt, and took away from one of Canada's biggest skilled trades events. If you believe in building the next generation of tradespeople, this one's for you.

Mike Holmes Jr. and Ian MacFadyen sit down to go through the photos submitted to the Fence & Deck Competition sponsored by Turkstra Lumbar on Projekt Network, and they don't hold back.

The guys break down what's working, what's not, and what separates a good build from a great one before crowning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Plus, find out who took home the People's Choice Award as voted by the Projekt Network community.

If you submitted, entered, or just love a solid outdoor build, this one's for you.

If you could start your trade over, what would you pick? Two carpenters debate the trade they'd choose for love vs. the one they'd choose for money - and hand out plenty of grief to electricians, roofers, and painters along the way.

Carpentry wins their hearts, but the cash points somewhere else entirely. No trade is safe.

🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Shortage of workers or shortage of skill?

On this episode of Trade Life Podcast, the guys pour a Carlsberg and dig into the skilled trades shortage from every angle: the stigma that's followed contractors for decades, the guidance counselors who steered kids away from the trades, the gap between 100 job applicants and zero qualified hires, and why post-secondary education shouldn't be the automatic next step after high school. Expect honest stories, a few tangents, and a clear message by the end: don't sleep on the trades, or you'll get slept.

In this episode:

• Why "shortage" might be the wrong word
• The stigma problem and where it came from
• Education pathways that fail tradespeople (and everyone else)
• Why trades should be the default - and college the exception
• Empowering the next generation to try a trade

👍 Like, subscribe, and share if this hit home. We're a small show growing fast - every follow helps.

#SkilledTrades #TradeLife #Construction #CareerAdvice #Trades

What’s it really like growing up as the son of a TV icon?

In this deeply personal episode of the Trade Life Podcast, Mike Holmes Jr. opens up about his childhood, family struggles, growing up around construction, and the realities behind the public image people thought they knew.

From bankruptcy and divorce to working construction at 14 and eventually joining his dad on set, Mike shares the experiences that shaped his work ethic, mindset, and approach to fatherhood today.

This isn’t just a story about TV or the trades, it’s about resilience, family, identity, and building a better future from difficult beginnings.

Topics covered:

• Growing up before fame
• Financial struggles and family instability
• Mike Holmes’ rise from contractor to TV personality
• Childhood anxiety and overcoming adversity
• Starting in the trades at 14
• The pressure of proving yourself
• Fatherhood, work ethic, and breaking generational patterns

🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations from the trades, construction, entrepreneurship, and real life behind the scenes.

#TradeLifePodcast #MikeHolmesJr #Construction #Trades #BlueCollar #Podcast #Tradespeople #MikeHolmes #BuildingTheTrades

In this episode, we get real about what it actually takes to build something — from surviving six weeks without a paycheck to nearly going bankrupt with 30 carpenters on staff. We break down the entrepreneurial mindset: personal accountability, pushing through the hard times, knowing when to cut your losses, and why the fear of failure might actually be your biggest driver.

Whether you're running a crew, starting your own business, or just trying to level up — this one's for you.

🔑 Topics covered:

• Why "winning or learning" beats "winning or losing"
• The real reason high achievers do uncomfortable things
• How to know when to push through vs. when to walk away
• Why your habits (fitness, health) predict your success in business
• Choosing your hard now so life gets easier later

What if “work–life balance” isn’t real?
In this raw and reflective episode, Ian and Mike open up about their struggles to juggle entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and fulfillment - and how tragedy, growth, and passion reshaped their mindset.

💬 Topics include:

• The story of the fisherman and the myth of “balance”
• How grief and burnout forced a reset
• Why passion makes you more present with your family
• The trap of guilt and social media expectations
• Finding your personal “sparkle” - the thing that makes you, you

Mike Holmes Jr. and Ian MacFayden sit down with master builder Johnny Hourihan... not in a studio, not on a job site, but inside one of his finished multi-million dollar homes.

What started as a casual walkthrough of Johnny's kitchen turned into a conversation too good to keep off the mic.

No planned questions. No setup. Just three builders standing in a space that took years of skill and obsession to perfect, and a conversation that got real fast.

Johnny opens up about what he'd do differently if he could go back - the hard lessons, the mistakes that cost him, and the standards he refuses to compromise on. They dig into project management, the Projekt Network, what separates contractors who make it from those who don't, and why this trade will eat you alive if you don't have the grit to match your ambition.

This isn't a highlight reel. It's an unplanned, unfiltered conversation between builders who've bled for this industry, and it shows.

Come join us as we sip on some bourbon and discuss why Resumes suck in the trades and the importance of documenting your work.

Also, what's your favourite thing to jam out to on the jobsite? Let us know in the comments!

Takeaways

• Resumes are ineffective for evaluating trade skills
• Project Network addresses the hiring challenges in the trades industry Documenting work through pictures is crucial for showcasing skills and experience
• The importance of showcasing work details and problem-solving abilities through pictures

Chapters

• 00:00 The Ineffectiveness of Resumes
• 24:49 The Power of Documenting Work
• 30:53 Building a Trade Portfolio
• 39:00 The Impact of Music on the Job Site

Ian MacFayden and new co-host Mike Holmes Jr. share the plan for the new format going forward while enjoying a smooth bourbon.