Episode list

Looking to learn from some of the most successful skilled laborers in the nation? Look no further than the Trade Talks with Roger Wakefield. Roger shares his own journey into the plumbing trade and offers valuable insights on finding the right fit within the plumbing industry. Whether you're a seasoned master plumber or just starting out, you won't want to miss out on the Trade Talks. Subscribe now to keep up with future episodes and join our community of tradesmen and women dedicated to excellence in their craft.

Roger is joined by master electrician, Dustin Stelzer, as he shares his journey from apprentice to a skilled tradesman. Get insights into the world of electrical work, upscale residential projects, and the importance of hard work and a positive attitude in the trades. With a focus on practical learning and hands-on experience, Dustin shows how tradesmen and, women built America and continue to shape our future. Don't miss out on this fascinating conversation and make sure to subscribe to The Trade Talks for more inspiring interviews with skilled laborers across the nation.

Roger Wakefield interviews one of the most successful plumbers in the nation, who shares his journey from a college student to a family business owner. If you're interested in learning about the challenges and rewards of being a skilled tradesman, this is the video for you. Subscribe to The Trade Talks for more interviews with hard-working blue-collar men and women who built America. Join the conversation and stay up to date on the latest from the world of skilled labor. The Trade Talks - building America one trade at a time.

Roger Wakefield chats with Gary Beutler, also known as Gary the Water Guy, about the importance of water filtration systems and how they can benefit plumbing companies. As a successful skilled laborer in the water filtration business, Gary shares his expertise on the different types of water filtration systems and how to properly install them. If you're a plumber or in the skilled trades industry, don't miss out on this informative discussion that could help you increase your revenue and improve the quality of your clients' water. Subscribe to The Trade Talks for more expert insights on the trades.

Rachel Goins went from being a stay-at-home mom to becoming a badass plumber. She shares her inspiring story of how she found her true calling in the trades and gives valuable insights for those who are interested in a similar career path. From breaking stereotypes, as a woman in the trades, to mastering the technical skills required for the job, this is a must-watch for anyone considering a fulfilling and challenging career in the trades. So come on and join us as we dive into the exciting world of plumbing and learn how you too can become a successful tradesman.

Roger sits down with my son, Randy, also known as Henry also known as Squirt. He was a pipefitter for 20 years in the union. Working in the union is a tough gig, hours are long, and work is tense. Working in the union is not a job..it is a career. Let's dive into more details about what it's like working in the union for 20 years as a pipefitter.

Roger sits down with Master Plumber and owner of Tejas Plumbing, Dustin Deweese. Together we sit down and explore the essential steps and strategies to transition from being a master plumber to becoming a successful business owner in the plumbing industry. Discover the mindset and skills required to make the leap from being a skilled plumber to a thriving business owner. Dustin talks about learning how to effectively manage finances, handle permits and licenses, and navigate legal considerations when starting a plumbing business.

Growing up, Spencer West struggled in school due to multiple learning disabilities. He attended college because he thought it was the "next step" in life. But it wasn't until he dropped out and found the trades that his life had a sense of meaning and direction. He's now a successful electrician with a burgeoning YouTube channel to boot.

Kevin Adams is a highly experienced plumber with over 30 years of expertise, as he discusses the importance of skilled plumbers in our society. Discover the critical role plumbers play in protecting public health and safety. From his personal journey to the significance of plumbing in eradicating diseases. With over 30 years of experience as a plumber, Kevin Adams is the Discipline Lead Professor for Plumbing at Collin College. He holds a Texas state Master Plumbers License, a TCEQ Level C Groundwater License, and a TCEQ Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers License.

Passed over for promotions time and time again, Brent Gentling risked it all when he left the security and stability of his construction job at the height of COVID to pursue content creation. He now operates the successful, burgeoning Bring Your Own Tools brand across multiple social media platforms.

Dave Hill, owner of Express Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in Jersey Shore cut his teeth as an apprentice on a service truck until he was fired -- on his wedding day, and by his own father -- during the recession. But through hard work and dedication, Dave has built his business into a Jersey Shore household name, now with plans to extend his reach to the great state of Texas. Roger and Dave discuss the hurdles of growing your own business, in addition to tapping into the unlimited growth potential of the trades.

Unlike most young men, Shawn Strong took his mother's advice and became a plumber, but it didn't start out that way. He tried sales, graphic design, and anything in an air-conditioned cubicle in front of a computer, only to learn later on that working with his hands provided comfort and joy only those in the skilled trades can understand. In addition to plumbing, Shawn runs the Discord and sub/Reddit channels for the man himself, Roger Wakefield.

Former offensive lineman Kyle Hofmann tried everything from selling insurance to driving for Uber before finding meaning in the plumbing trades. Through hard work, Kyle has climbed the ladder in a budding career that allowed him to uproot his family from Washington to the Lone Star State. But his introduction to the trades was anything but ordinary, pulling a page straight out of the Roger Wakefield playbook.

Scott Dixon worked in operations for Caterpillar for years before carving out his own path through social media. Now, a successful content creator in the DIY space, Scott discusses the unique ways he relates to his vast audience, and the necessity for diligent sweat equity, not only in your profession but in yourself.

Matt Osborne ran operations for the CIA and the Department of State before joining Operation Underground Railroad and the fight against Human Trafficking. He discusses how service techs can be aware and vigilant to mitigate today's fastest-growing arm of organized crime.

Known on social media as Wally the Welder or The Weld Professor, Wally got into the trades to stay out of trouble. Through hard work and grit, he earned the opportunity to apprentice for the nation's top welders where he found a career and a passion that enabled him to climb the ranks and provide a comfortable living for his family.

McKinsey is an Austin-based interior designer who turned her passion into a full-scale operation. From blue-collar roots, she received first-hand, on-the-job training from her tradesman grandfather. Now, through failures and successes, she understands what it takes to build a home, and what it takes to make that home functional.

It was a random encounter that led Jamie McMillan to Ironwork, though with her mining roots, it seems she was tailored for success in the skilled trades. Now, a 20-year union vet, Jamie travels 30 weeks a year providing keynotes and workshops to more than 50,000 students, parents, educators, and employers each year across North America. She founded Kickass Careers and developed the Children's Book Series, All the Kids On Builder Street. In 2019 she was named co-chair of Canada's National Skilled Trades Advisory Committee to promote careers in skilled trades.

Laura Giudice tried her hand at college twice before finding stability and success as an apprentice plumber. She discusses what she has learned from the older generations, and what it's like working union in Canada-not only as a new, green tradesman-but as one of the few females on any job site.

Father/Son duo Paul and Jordan Selleck used the lockdown as an avenue for content creation in the construction trades. From simple plumbing videos, to now documenting the build of not one, but two dream homes from the ground up, Paul and Jordan discuss their journey forging a successful content creation business, and the kind of influence a strong mentor can have on young impressionable minds-something many take for granted.

Tyler Sasse is a welder, entrepreneur, and successful content creator and founder of Western Welding Academy, responsible for churning out the world's top welders through a rigorous six-month curriculum. As a Top Hand award winner, Tyler discusses why this should be the bar (not the exception), his vision for the future, camaraderie in the trades, and why the one million job deficit in the skilled trades is one of our nation's greatest security threats.

In Russia, Dmitry Lipinsky aspired to be a teacher. However, upon emigrating to the States, and to support his growing family, Dmitry called several friends and received the same answer on how to make money: ROOFING. In 7 years, Dmitry built and sold a multi-million-dollar roofing business and now owns several other businesses including the Online Roofing Business School, and the formidable rival to Angie's List, Directorii, which connects homeowners with elite contractors and is backed by Dmitry's personal $20,000 guarantee.

Matt's path to becoming a content creator seemed carved in stone. While studying his passion for Audio/Video in school, Matt was introduced to construction where he found stable and fulfilling work. But it would be ten years and many, many job sites later before he took the leap to combine the two. Now, as a full-time content creator, Matt "The Fixer's" mission is to equip homeowners with the necessary tools to tackle their own maintenance and repairs.