Welcome to The Sparky Life Podcast, where we celebrate careers in skilled trades with your host, Lia Lamela.
This episode is brought to you by SupplyHouse.com, your trusted source for reliable inventory, friendly customer service, and fast shipping from coast to coast. Check out SupplyHouse.com today and explore their Trade Masters program, offering free shipping and order discounts. Visit supplyhouse.com/tm to join the Trade Masters program today.

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Erin McGoff, a director, documentary filmmaker & editor who has worked with renowned brands like Google, National Geographic, and Under Armour. Erin is also a TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube content creator with 3.7M+ followers. Erin brings a unique perspective on career progression, sharing her journey from the film industry to becoming a successful content creator and offering valuable advice on climbing the corporate ladder, even within the construction industry.
Quotes

• "The skilled trades actually build our civilization and elevate humanity so that we can have this amazing exchange with one another of sharing and growing together and helping one another." – Lia Lamela
• "The job market is actually really shifting... 77% of hiring managers now value skills as the number one most important attribute when they're looking at candidates." – Erin McGoff
• "A sense of humor is a skill that can help you navigate a host of situations... finding ways to integrate joy into your daily life can increase your quality of life at an exponential rate." – Erin McGoff

Follow Lia Lamela:

• Website: https://sparkylifesolutionsllc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkylifeoflia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesparkylifepodcast
• YouTube: @sparkkylifeoflia

Follow Erin McGoff:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advicewitherin/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ErinMcGoff5

Support the show

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

In this episode of the Sparky Live podcast, host Lia Lamela interviews Mae Krier, one of the original Rosie the Riveters. Mae shares her experiences working at Boeing during World War II, her advocacy work, and her efforts to honor women on the home front. She discusses the importance of respect, the role of women in society, and the need for equal pay. 
Mae's journey from being a riveter at Boeing during World War II to receiving the Congressional Gold Medal is nothing short of inspiring. She's a living testament to the power of resilience and determination, and her stories from the Great Depression to the present day are a must-listen.
I hope Mae's story sparks your curiosity and inspires you as much as it did mine!
Connect with our guest Mae Krier: https://www.instagram.com/rosiemaepa/
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 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

In this episode of the Sparky Live podcast, host Lia Lamela speaks with author Simone Stolzoff about his book "The Good Enough Job." They discuss the concept of finding meaning outside of work and the observations Simone has made about blue collar and white collar workers. 
Simone shares his perspective on work, emphasizing that it shouldn't be the sole measure of self-worth. He explores the idea of a "good enough job" and contrasts it with a dream job, highlighting the importance of recognizing when a job supports the life one wants to lead. 
Connect with our guest Simone Stolzoff Links: https://www.simonestolzoff.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thepizza_bagel/
Amazon Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Enough-Job-Reclaiming-Life/dp/059353896X
Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

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

In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela welcomes wastewater treatment plant operators Emily Grace and Val Gacek. Emily and Val share how they got involved in the field, the income range in the industry, and unique experiences they've had on the job. They also discuss the lack of interest in their field and the gender dynamics they encounter. Lia expresses admiration for her guests and encourages listeners to connect with them. 
I'm incredibly grateful to Emily and Val for sharing their insights and experiences. If you have any questions for them or want to learn more about their fascinating work, feel free to reach out. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review. Your feedback helps us create content that sparks your interest. Don't forget to subscribe, like, follow, and share the Sparky Life podcast to hear more inspiring stories.
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 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

Are you a parent struggling to teach your children important life skills? Do you feel like traditional education systems are not enough to prepare your child for the real world? In this episode of the Sparky Life podcast, host Lia Lamela speaks with Billy Ivanova, host of the Unlock Your Child's Potential podcast, about the importance of teaching life skills to children and the limitations of traditional education systems.

Billy shares her mission to raise her children to be good humans and to fill the gaps left by the school system by teaching them important life skills such as personal finance and developing a winning mindset. Lia and Billy discuss the importance of introducing children to skilled trades and construction careers as potential options and the need for parents to provide their children with information about different career paths.

There is a need for a more holistic approach to education and parenting, one that values life skills and vocational paths as much as traditional academic ones. It also emphasizes the importance of being present and supportive for children, while prioritizing our own personal growth and self-awareness as parents. So, if you're a parent looking to set your child up for success in the future, tune in to this episode of the Sparky Life podcast.
Connect with us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sparkylifeoflia/videos
Connect with our guest  Billy's links: https://www.unlockyourchildsfullpotential.com/https://www.instagram.com/your_childs_full_potential/
Apply for Skilled Trades the Mike Rowe Scholarship
https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/
Music by https://www.purple-planet.com

In this episode of the Sparky Life, host Lia Lamela speaks with licensed psychologist Dr. Kate Kelly about the benefits of trade careers, particularly in the construction industry, for mental health. They discuss the importance of soft skills, emotional intelligence, and empathy in the workplace, as well as the link between the body and mind in somatic-based therapies for trauma recovery. The conversation also touches on the benefits of physical activity and self-compassion. 
Sparky Life recommended Book "The Body Keeps the Score" by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
Connect with our guest Dr. Kate Kelly Links:www.ascendmentalhealthcare.com
IG and FB: ascendmentalhealth 
Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

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

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Brooke, who’s life trajectory has shown that you can experience the wonders of many trades, careers, and more! Brooke went from being a welder, to a business owner and podcaster, to a plumber, all the while raising three little ones at home. She shares with us the joys and hardships of each of these chapters of her life, as well as some critical advice for women considering entering the trades.
Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

Youtube: @sparkylifeoflia

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

Today we meet with the amazing Carmyn Stanko, a one-of-a-kind woman pioneer, who organized a union from her home in Vermont. Her journey isn’t only empowering; it’s electrifying! Hear what it takes to organize a trades union from a fellow sparky.
University of Vermont https://www.uvm.edu
Connect with us: @sparkylifeoflia

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

Making construction a girly thing to do! The podcast highlights career and life advice through experiences and discoveries of women in the industry kicking butt with host Megan Switzer. This podcast talks to all people about breaking the glass ceiling while wearing a steel toed boots. Don't forget to subscribe!.