In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela interviews Brenda Tackaberry, a gender bias specialist and podcast host of Busting Gender Bias. Brenda shares her experience growing up with a father in the trades, studying engineering, and working in male-dominated industries. The conversation sheds light on the importance of addressing gender bias in the workplace and creating equal opportunities for all. Brenda also discusses the challenges that men face in the workplace due to societal expectations placed on them from a young age. The episode highlights the importance of language and perception in the workplace, and the need for open communication.

Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

Sparky Life Supports: Raya Kenney's Foundation Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial
Be a part of history!
National Memorial to the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation

Here's Raya and a little about her memorial
Congress approves Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial

Here's the link to donate. 
https://marnie-kenney-sfg2.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=63d1d506217f9e44111ecfea

Apply for Skilled Trades the Mike Rowe Scholarship:
https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/"We recognize a good education doesn’t always require a four-year degree.”

We support financial advancement for the skilled trades community.  You can reach out to Jennifer Markwell at Platinum Wealth email [email protected] 
website www.PlatinumWealth.net

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

Support the show

In the trades, there are essentially two paths you can take: union or non-union. Choose your destiny. But not without some help! Today’s episode, I explain some of the core differences of these two styles of work in the trades, as well as some of the pros and cons of both. 
Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia
Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

Today we speak with Chris Heskett, host of Wild Nutrition Podcast and full-time health and fitness coach, to discuss the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle, especially for people entering the trades.

Connect with our guest Chris, Owner of PEAK Wellness Coaching
Wild Nutrition Secrets for Women Facebook Group
PEAK Wellness Coaching https://linktr.ee/chrisheskett18
Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia
https://linktr.ee/sparkylife
Sparky Life recommends book: Endure by Cameron Hanes

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

Support the show

In this episode the Master Electrician, Dustin Stelzer, enlightens the apprentice on construction culture and gender in the electrical industry. Electrician U was founded by Dustin Stelzer, a Master Electrician, in Austin, Texas. He created  Electrician U in 2016 by making training videos for electrical work on YouTube and Instagram, so that anyone out there who sought a deeper knowledge of the craft could have access. Teaching from the field has always been Dustin’s passion, and to this day lives out that dream, by educating apprentices and journeymen the same way he learned, with a pair of Kleins in his hands and a tool belt strapped around his waist.

Connect with our guest Dustin: https://electricianu.comConnect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

Sparky life recommends book recommendation: Captivate and Cues by Vanessa Van Edwards

Sparky Life Supports: Raya Kenney's Foundation Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial

Be a part of history!
National Memorial to the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation

Here's Raya and a little about her memorial
Congress approves Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial

Here's the link to donate. 
https://marnie-kenney-sfg2.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=63d1d506217f9e44111ecfea

We support financial advancement for the skilled trades community.  You can reach out to Jennifer Markwell at Platinum Wealth email [email protected] 
website www.PlatinumWealth.net

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

Support the show

Today we speak with Louise Azzopardi, a skilled heavy vehicle mechanic who coaches tradeswomen to overcome obstacles and excel in their careers.  She has 7 years of experience in her field. Louise fills a great need in the trades community.

Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

Sparky Life Supports: Raya Kenney's Foundation Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial
Be a part of history!
National Memorial to the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation

Here's Raya and a little about her memorial
Congress approves Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial

Here's the link to donate. 
https://marnie-kenney-sfg2.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=63d1d506217f9e44111ecfea

Apply for Skilled Trades the Mike Rowe Scholarship:
https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/

"We recognize a good education doesn’t always require a four-year degree.”

We support financial advancement for the skilled trades community.  You can reach out to Jennifer Markwell at Platinum Wealth email [email protected] 
website www.PlatinumWealth.net

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

Could you actually manifest a career in the trades?? This mother of 3, Stacy Abbott claims that she did. How did buying a picture from a thrift shop lead to this mother of three becoming a heavy equipment operator? Join us as we learn from this incredible woman and her inspiring story.

Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

Sparky Life Supports: Raya Kenney's Foundation Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial
Be a part of history!
National Memorial to the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation

Here's Raya and a little about her memorial
Congress approves Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial

Here's the link to donate. 
https://marnie-kenney-sfg2.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=63d1d506217f9e44111ecfea

Apply for Skilled Trades the Mike Rowe Scholarship:
https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/

"We recognize a good education doesn’t always require a four-year degree.”

We support financial advancement for the skilled trades community.  You can reach out to Jennifer Markwell at Platinum Wealth email [email protected] 
website www.PlatinumWealth.net

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

Support the show

Listen in close as we learn from Nancy Wisner, a hilarious, empowering, go-getter woman who reminds us of the necessity to reach outside of our comfort zone. 
Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

Sparky Life Supports: Raya Kenney's Foundation Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial
Be a part of history!
National Memorial to the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation

Here's Raya and a little about her memorial
Congress approves Women Who Worked on the Home Front Memorial

Here's the link to donate. 
https://marnie-kenney-sfg2.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=63d1d506217f9e44111ecfea

Apply for Skilled Trades the Mike Rowe Scholarship:
https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/

"We recognize a good education doesn’t always require a four-year degree.”

We support financial advancement for the skilled trades community.  You can reach out to Jennifer Markwell at Platinum Wealth email [email protected] 

website www.PlatinumWealth.net

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

Bonus Episode!
Hilary was so kind as to give us a sneak peak into her book, Thick Skin: Field Notes from a Sister in the Brotherhood.
Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

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

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: Welcome back to Sparky Life, where we pull back the curtain on Hollywood’s electrical madness and separate movie magic from real-world electrical truths.

Can you actually get launched across a room by touching a fence?

Would an arc welder melt a burglar?

Can a hairdryer in the tub really kill someone?

We’re breaking it ALL down.

💥 In this myth-busting episode, Lia dissects famous electrical scenes from:

• Home Alone 2 – Arc welding burglar traps
• Taken – Liam Neeson, mains voltage, and terrifying interrogation
• What Lies Beneath – Death by beauty tool?
• Jurassic Park – The electric fence shock scene

You’ll learn:

• What’s actually possible and what’s pure Hollywood fiction
• The shocking truth about electric currents, voltage, and how death really happens
• How circuit breakers, GFCIs, and electric fences really work
• Why high voltage doesn’t always mean high danger — and what actually does

This is a fun, nerdy, fiery episode for the Sparky community that loves facts, physics, and movies that get it hilariously wrong.

⸻

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to Sparky Life

00:28 – Movie Myths: Arc Welding in Home Alone 2

02:50 – What Is a Dead Short?

05:00 – Taken: The Mains Voltage Torture Scene

08:35 – Current vs Voltage: What Really Kills You

10:00 – What Lies Beneath: Hairdryer in the Tub

12:44 – GFCIs, Water Conductivity & Bathtub Myths

14:40 – Jurassic Park: The Electric Fence Myth

17:45 – Circuit Breakers vs Hollywood “Priming”

20:01 – What Electric Fences Actually Do

22:05 – Final Thoughts: Truth vs Movie Magic

👇 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

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📲 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @sparkylifeoflia

TikTok: @sparkylifeoflia

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🛠 Huge thanks to our sponsor: SupplyHouse

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

Use code SH5 for 5% off!

In this episode, we speak with Stephanie Schaefer, a laborer located in NY with local 79. Stephanie divulges what it's like to be a laborer. Get the info and laugh with us!
Mentioned in the episode: Holt construction https://holtcc.comCheck out local 79
Nontraditional Employment for Women (program for women interested in getting into the trades) https://www.new-nyc.org
Connect with us: @sparkylifeofliaSparky Life recommends book: Grit by Angela Duckworth
Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

Support the show