Electricians and contractors didn’t lose respect overnight — it happened over generations.In this episode of The Builders Show, we break down why blue-collar work used to be respected like any other profession, how that reputation changed, and what electricians, journeymen, and contractors can do today to rebuild trust and authority.We talk about the origin of blue-collar work, the shift toward mass production and college culture, and why licensure, professionalism, communication, and standards matter more than ever in the skilled trades.This episode is for electricians, contractors, and anyone working in construction who wants to be taken seriously by homeowners, inspectors, and the next generation entering the trades.The Builders Show airs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7am EST / 4am PST.📌 Explore More:🌐 Website: energizeus-edu.today🛠️ Builders Convention: thebuildersconvention.com/optin🎙️ More Episodes: podcast.energizeus-edu.today🏗️ B.U.L.D. Association: info.energizeus-edu.today/buld-association📘 Free eBook: info.energizeus-edu.today/blueprint-ebook📸 Follow Us: @energizeusedu on Instagram
Every January, electricians set goals — and then quietly drift back into the same routine.In this episode of The Builders Show, we talk about why so many electricians, apprentices, and journeymen lose momentum after the New Year, why “just showing up” eventually works against you, and why licensure, communication, and intentional growth matter more than ever in the trades.This conversation breaks down what we see every week working with electricians and contractors across the country — people with talent, work ethic, and opportunity who stall out because they stop planning, stop learning, and stop pushing themselves forward.We cover:– Why New Year motivation fades fast in the trades– How complacency shows up on the jobsite– Why licensure changes your career direction– Why communication separates leaders from labor– How electricians can stand out without working more hoursIf you’re an electrician heading into 2026 and don’t want another year to disappear, this episode will hit home.The Builders Show airs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7am EST / 4am PST.📌 Explore More:🌐 Website: energizeus-edu.today🛠️ Builders Convention: thebuildersconvention.com/optin🎙️ More Episodes: podcast.energizeus-edu.today🏗️ B.U.L.D. Association: info.energizeus-edu.today/buld-association📘 Free eBook: info.energizeus-edu.today/blueprint-ebook📸 Follow Us: @energizeusedu on Instagram
Most electricians don’t realize how much money and time they’re quietly giving up by delaying licensure.Going into 2026, staying unlicensed doesn’t mean you’re failing — but it does mean your income is capped, your job options are limited, and you’re likely working more hours than necessary just to keep pace.In this kickoff episode of The Builders Show, we break down the real cost of avoiding licensure in the electrical trade. Not in theory — but in missed income, delayed opportunities, and years spent doing side work instead of building leverage.This conversation is about what actually changes when electricians commit to getting licensed: access to better work, higher earning potential, more control over time, and clearer long-term options in the trade.We also talk about why so many electricians drift year to year without a plan, why “just showing up” eventually works against you, and why 2026 is the year to stop leaving money on the table.If you’re an electrician, apprentice, or journeyman who wants more than another busy year, this episode will help you understand what licensure really unlocks — and why delaying it costs more than most people think.The Builders Show airs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7am EST / 4am PST.📌 Explore More:🌐 Website: energizeus-edu.today🛠️ Builders Convention: thebuildersconvention.com🎙️ More Episodes: podcast.energizeus-edu.today🏗️ B.U.L.D. Association: info.energizeus-edu.today/buld-association📘 Free eBook: info.energizeus-edu.today/blueprint-ebook📸 Follow Us: @energizeusedu on Instagram
Welcome back to the Work & Talk Podcast — the podcast for tradespeople, by tradespeople.
In this exclusive episode, we sit down with Leviton Manufacturing Company — one of the most historic names in electrical innovation — to explore how a partnership with Thomas Edison sparked a century of progress that continues to shape the electrical industry today.
🎧 Recorded LIVE from Leviton LIVE Nashville, this episode dives into Leviton’s 100+ year legacy, their role in powering America’s growth, and how the Next Gen Contractor Event is paving the way for the future of electricians, contractors, and builders.
💡 In This Episode:The history of Leviton and Thomas Edison’s collaborationHow Leviton evolved from the lighting era to modern smart home solutionsWhy Leviton remains a trusted brand for electricians worldwideThe Next Gen Contractor Event: hands-on training, innovation, and education
“AI can’t wire a house” — the human side of the skilled tradesWhole Home discussion: Performance.
Electrification.
Trust.
How Leviton is shaping the next 100 years of electrical work
⚡ Why This Matters:Leviton isn’t just a brand — it’s the backbone of an industry. From switches and controls to complete energy ecosystems, this conversation is about honoring the past, celebrating innovation, and empowering the next generation of builders.
📍 Watch or Listen Now:YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts🎧 podcast.energizeus-edu.today👷 Hosted by: @willmbetances & @cameronvogelsang🎥 Presented by: @workntalkpodcast🎙️
The Work & Talk Podcast — for tradespeople, by tradespeople.
Today we sit down with Justin Lund (@itsjustinlund) to unpack the Delegation Priority Pyramid — a simple, repeatable framework for contractors to buy back 6–10 hours a week, fix cash flow, and stop firefighting.
What we cover:
Why your first hire isn’t a journeyman — it’s admin (and how to know)
The Delegation Priority Pyramid: Admin → Marketing → Sales → Leadership
How one HVAC company had $800,000 stuck in AR — and collected $600K in 90 days
Founder Freedom Playbook (free): track your time, find bottlenecks, delegate the right work
Buying back your time: 10 hours = more bids, better clients, fewer late nights
Cash flow reality: AR, payroll, taxes, and the systems that keep you out of trouble
Routine > heroics: how to avoid burnout and build a business you actually enjoy
Why watch: If you’re in Year 0–3 or bouncing between $500K–$2M and feel stuck, this episode gives you a practical plan to grow without hating your life.
Guest: @itsjustinlund (IG/TT/LI)
Hosts: @workntalkpodcast
🎧 Listen everywhere: podcast.energizeus-edu.today
Live cadence: The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri @ 7 AM ET • Guest episodes — Wed @ 8 PM ET
Comment: What will you delegate first this week (admin, AR follow-ups, materials runs, inbox)? We’ll feature a few in the next show.
Going out on your own? We cover first-year mistakes, pricing you can defend, lead flow that works, and the “Contractor GPS” so you stop winging it. Plus TN licensing (LLE vs CE) and a look ahead to Leviton’s Next Gen Contractors event.Subscribe for The Builders Show M/W/F 7 AM ET • @workntalkpodcastThe Builders Show — the morning show for builders, electricians, and contractors.We took a week off (baby on the way!) and we’re back with a tactical episode for anyone in Year 0–3 of business or about to go out on their own.What we cover today:First-year contractor mistakes (and how to avoid them)The Contractor GPS: how to set a destination (not just “get jobs”)Pricing basics: stop guessing — start with targets, quarters, and weekly revenueLead flow: what actually works early (and what to avoid)Saying no to bad customers without starving your pipelineTN Licensing: LLE vs CE (scope, limits, prep that actually helps)Leviton Next Gen Contractors Event (Nashville): what we’ll share on business planning, pricing & load centersWhy watch: Real, usable steps before you clock in — build a business you don’t end up hating.Listen anywhere: podcast.energizeus-edu.todayFollow: @workntalkpodcast (IG & YouTube)Live cadence: The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri @ 7 AM ET • Guest episodes — Wed @ 8 PM ETComment: What’s your one move this week — apply for a license, price a MPU, join an association, or set a monthly target?
Welcome back to the Work & Talk Podcast – the podcast for tradespeople by tradespeople.This week Will sits down with Sergio Cortes (El Profe) of Surge Electrical Training, the creator of the Surge Method that’s helping electricians pass their licensing exams nationwide.We’ve worked with Sergio for almost two years behind the scenes, but this is the first time we’ve sat down to share his story: from the Coast Guard to master electrician at 25, to opening his own business and now teaching 40+ electricians a month how to pass.Military roots → residential rewires → big jobs → teachingWhy leadership matters as much as skillset (even as an apprentice)The Surge Method: reading the NEC like a jobsite, not a textbookHow to prep once and pass your exam instead of paying fee after feeThe coming shift in solar & renewables: “soletricians,” battery installs, and why code knowledge = career leverageSergio’s new book & on-demand platform (Spanish + English)Why listen: If you’re thinking about your license, your first crew lead role, or moving from installer to professional, this episode gives you a playbook.🎧 Full audio: podcast.energizeus-edu.todayFollow our hosts: @workntalkpodcast @willmbetancesFollow our guest: @surgeelectricaltrainingSubscribe for live morning shows M/W/F 7 AM ET and guest episodes Wed 8 PM ETComment: What’s the one thing holding you back from your license or leadership role? We’ll feature a few in our next Q&A episode.Want to be a guest or sponsor? Fill out the link in bio to showcase your business, vision, or brand on the show.What you’ll hear:📲 Call to Action (end of description)
Good morning! It’s Friday, Sept 26—and we’re back on The Builders Show, the only morning show for builders, electricians, and contractors.
Today’s Q&A (from your DMs):
“How do I know I’m ready to be my own boss?” (Timing vs. preparation, the real checklists)
How to get your name out there (Builders associations, local groups, what not to pay for)
Tennessee licensing: LLE vs CE (what they allow, test prep that actually works)
Leadership > labor: why the trades need mentors and succession, not gatekeepers
Upcoming October appearances: education, professional development, and media events
Why watch: practical answers you can use before you clock in—mindset + moves you can make this week.
Live cadence
The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri @ 7 AM ET
Guest Episodes — Wed @ 8 PM ET
Follow
Instagram & YouTube: @workntalkpodcast
Listen everywhere
🎧 Full audio: podcast.energizeus-edu.today
Comment: What’s the one move you’ll make in the next 7 days (apply for license, join an association, set pricing, book a prep course)?
Subscribe for live morning shows M/W/F 7 AM ET and guest episodes Wed 8 PM ET
Follow @workntalkpodcast for clips, tools, and event updates
Live from RE+ Las Vegas, Will sits down with Casey “The Solar Beast” Bottiger to talk about the habits and standards that actually build a career in solar: health, discipline, craftsmanship, and doing it right the first time.
Highlights
12 years clean → 4am discipline: why health & fitness fuel longevity on the roof
“100 never 99”: doing the job right—no loose lugs, no shortcuts, no excuses
Safety + performance: training your body so a 50-lb panel and a steep pitch aren’t a risk
Customer respect: present yourself like a pro—this is someone’s biggest asset, not a jobsite
Quality over contracts: why ownership > leases, and choosing materials/partners you trust
Career advice: build a reputation that follows you—in the small trade world, it will
Why watch/listen: If you’re in solar/electrical (or coming in), this is the blueprint for staying sharp, staying safe, and staying booked.
🎧 Full audio: podcast.energizeus-edu.today
📲 Follow: @workntalkpodcast | Guest: @the_solar_beast | Partner: @solodeck
🔔 Live cadence: The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri 7 AM ET | Guest episodes — Wed 8 PM ET
Comment with the one habit you’ll add this month (training, cleanup standards, QC checklist, pre-roof inspection). We’ll feature a few in the recap.
It’s Episode 12 of The Builders Show, the only morning show for contractors, tradespeople, and builders.
Today, Cameron and Will dive into the future of the skilled trades after watching a video from The Human Side of Construction. The next 10 years will bring massive changes: retirements, leadership gaps, and the need to pass on knowledge the right way.
⚡ Why we don’t just need more workers — we need more leaders.
⚡ The difference between 30 years of experience and 30 years of growth.
⚡ Why gatekeeping kills the industry and mentorship builds it.
⚡ How to take your license, your experience, and turn it into leadership.
This episode is about raising the next wave of foremen, project managers, and contractors — not just filling jobs, but building the future.
skilled trades leadership, construction leadership shortage, human side of construction reaction, electricians vs contractors, contractor podcast, foreman training, trades mentorship, electrician license value, building future leaders, the builders show podcast
📲 Call to Action
✅ Watch new episodes of The Builders Show live every Mon/Wed/Fri at 7AM ET
🎧 Guest interviews every Wednesday night, 8PM ET
📲 Follow us on Instagram & YouTube: @workntalkpodcast
💬 Drop a comment: What did YOU want to be when you were a kid — and how does it connect to what you do today?
It’s Friday on The Builders Show — the only morning show for builders, contractors, and tradespeople.
Today, Cameron and Will break down a viral video where a house flipper claims electricians are “overcharging” homeowners by quoting $13K–$17K for work that supposedly only costs $2K in materials.
⚡ What’s the real cost of electrical work?
⚡ Are electricians scamming, or are flippers undervaluing skilled trades?
⚡ What does it really take to get licensed, build a contracting business, and charge what you’re worth?
We’re cutting through the noise and giving you the truth contractors live every day.
🔑 Keywords / Tags (SEO Copy-Paste)
electrician cost, electrical pricing 2025, house flipper scam, contractors vs flippers, why electricians charge so much, cost to rewire a house, contractor pricing explained, licensed electrician value, the builders show podcast, skilled trades podcast
📲 Call to Action
✅ Subscribe for more episodes of The Builders Show — live every Mon/Wed/Fri at 7AM ET
🎧 Full episodes + guest interviews: podcast.energizeus-edu.today
📲 Follow us on Instagram & YouTube: @workntalkpodcast
💬 Drop a comment: Do you think electricians are overpriced, or are flippers the problem?
This one’s about life in the arena. Will sits down with Eduardo Guzman (OVA Electric)—father, husband, contractor—to talk about defining success on your own terms, staying present with family, and still pushing hard in business.
Highlights
“Just Life”: the season we’re in vs. the destination we imagine
Father first: closing the laptop to be present (and why that matters later)
Late start, no Plan B: flipping from employee comfort to contractor responsibility
The real price of growth: money, time, and the Death Star of tiny pieces you must assemble
Character under pressure: getting robbed, getting up, getting after it—again
Success without regret: making the million or making the memories—and being good with both
Why listen: If you’re juggling kids, bills, and bids, Eduardo’s perspective will hit home. This is the trades at eye level—no fluff.
✅ Full audio: podcast.energizeus-edu.today
📲 Follow: @workntalkpodcast | Guest: @ova_electric (adjust handle if different)
🔔 Live : The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri 7 AM ET | Guest episodes — Wed 8 PM ET
Comment with the one trade-off you’re choosing this season (family, training, hiring, certification). We’ll feature a few in Part 2 with Eduardo.
It’s Wednesday and the weeks are flying. Will and Cameron get practical about time, licensing, and focus: why chasing events and influencer perks won’t replace the long-term payoff of journeyman cards and contractor licenses. Cameron breaks down Tennessee’s LLE vs. Contractor License (limits, counties, dollar caps), and we talk straight about NECA—who it’s for, when it’s worth it, and why most contractors should ask what’s the ROI?
We cover:
Time reality: four years feels long… until it isn’t
TN licensing 101: LLE ($25k/job cap) vs. Contractor License (statewide + higher limits)
NECA with clear eyes: procurement show, not an influencer festival
Marketing vs. sales: brand awareness ≠ conversions (how to think like an owner)
The trap: fame-first “creator” path vs. building a legitimate trade career
Why the trade still wins: licenses, systems, reputation, and owning your path
Bottom line: Do the work that compounds—licenses, skills, systems, and character. The attention fades; the credential and business don’t.
✅ Full audio: podcast.energizeus-edu.today
📲 Follow: @workntalkpodcast (IG & YouTube)
🔔 Live: The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri 7 AM ET | Guest shows — Wed 8 PM ET
Drop your state’s license path in the comments and the one step you’ll complete this month (exam date, paperwork, or ride-along).
From conduit-bending meetups to mentoring online, Moises “Moy” Hernandez is focused on building the right way—on the job and at home. In this conversation, Will digs into Moy’s journey: learning from tough mentors, choosing family balance before business burnout, and why communication is the difference between surviving and thriving in the trades.
What you’ll learn
Balance first: choosing time with family without stalling your career
Communication as a superpower: speaking up with GCs, foremen, clients
Paying it forward: teaching apprentices, hosting bending sessions, sharing online
Real path for newcomers: certifications, journeyman vs. C-10, stacking credentials
Why character and humility beat “I’ve been doing this 30 years” every time
Links
🎧 Full audio: podcast.energizeus-edu.today
📲 Follow: @workntalkpodcast
Guest: @moy_hrdc (Instagram)
Schedule
The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri 7 AM ET (live)
Guest episodes — Wednesdays 8 PM ET
Call to action
Like, comment your #1 takeaway for apprentices, and share this with someone who’s trying to break into the trades the right way.
Everyone posts “3–5 years experience, journeyman only.” Then they’re shocked when production tanks over drugs, drinking, and no-show culture. Today, Cameron and Will unpack the five traits that actually sustain a company—Character, Trust, Vision, Work Ethic, Skill Set—and react to a caller on Dave Ramsey’s show who hit $1.1M with four techs…then had to fire half his crew.
In this episode:
Why journeyman-first hiring backfires without character & trust
How to screen for the five traits (before you hand over a van)
Red flags you ignore at hire become crises at scale
Customer experience > “I’ve been doing this 30 years”
Building respect for the trades through professionalism
Bottom line: Skills can be taught. Character keeps clients, crews, and cash flow.
✅ Full audio: podcast.energizeus-edu.today
📲 Follow: @workntalkpodcast (IG & YouTube)
🔔 Live: The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri 7 AM ET | Guest shows — Wed 8 PM ET
Like, drop your top hiring red flag, and share this with a foreman or owner still posting “journeyman only.”
Shorter days, tougher mornings—and a good time to check your standards.
Today, Cameron Vogelsang and Will Betances break down why most job posts chase “3–5 years experience” and still get burned, and why hiring for Character, Trust, Vision, Work Ethic, then Skill Set wins long-term. We also dig into sales ethics (Inside Edition’s water-heater sting), how to avoid “guru” tactics, and what apprentices/owners can do today to stand out.
In this episode:
The 5 traits that beat “years of experience”
Journeyman-first hiring vs. molding an apprentice
Sales vs. taking an order: how to recommend without hustling customers
The plumber sting: why character is your real differentiator
Practical ways apprentices, leads, and owners show character on-site
Bottom line: Skills can be taught. Character and trust are non-negotiable.
✅ Full audio: podcast.energizeus-edu.today
📲 Follow: @workntalkpodcast (IG & YouTube)
🔔 Live: The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri 7 AM ET | Guest episodes — Wed 8 PM ET
👥 Contractors community & training: skool.com/buld (7-day free trial)
Call to action:
Like, drop your hiring philosophy in the comments, and share this with a foreman or apprentice who needs the five traits on lock.
It’s Friday—and for most people, that means payday, clocking out early, and counting down to the weekend. But for contractors, “Thank God It’s Friday” hits different.
In this episode, Cameron Vogelsang and Will Betances break down why living for Fridays is a trap, why late nights and burnout aren’t a badge of honor, and how to build your career (or company) on vision and a plan instead of just working for the next check.
🔥 Topics covered:
TGIF culture: what it says about your week
Why late nights (2 AM hustle) should be temporary, not permanent
Contractors calling everything an “investment” — when it’s really just poor planning
Lessons from the trades: startup energy vs. long-term sustainability
How to define success for yourself, your family, and your crew
Practical advice for apprentices and new contractors
Bottom line: Don’t just work until Friday. Work toward something bigger.
✅ Listen to the full episode: podcast.energizeus-edu.today
📲 Follow: @workntalkpodcast on Instagram & YouTube
🔔 Live Schedule: The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri @ 7 AM ET | Guest Episodes — Wed @ 8 PM ET
Call to action:
Like 👍, comment with your thoughts on TGIF culture, and share this with a contractor who needs a reminder: without a plan, Friday is just another paycheck.
Work N Talk Podcast presents: TURNING THE MIC ON… with Martin Perdomo.
We flip the script and dig into what it actually takes to build a contracting business that lasts—without guru fluff.
Inside this episode:From worker to owner: why the “second apprenticeship” is business
Patience + consistent education (what works, what’s noise)
Coaching vs. real mentorship: value, price, and what to ignore
Customers-for-life playbook: communication over one-off home runs
Family buy-in, boundaries, and defining success on your termsThe three pillars: Hard Skills • Soft Skills • Self-DevelopmentWhy watch: Because the trades don’t need more hype—they need systems, standards, and leaders.
✅ Full audio: podcast.energizeus-edu.today
📲 Follow: @workntalkpodcast on Instagram & YouTube
🔔 Live schedule: The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri 7 AM ET |
Guest episodes — Wed 8 PM ET
Call to action:Like 👍, drop your biggest takeaway in the comments, and share this with a contractor who’s serious about building the right way.
Fall’s here and the days are shorter—but the jobsite risks aren’t. Today, Cameron Vogelsang and Will Betances get straight about why electrical is the most unforgiving trade and how one attic “surprise” nearly turned into a fire.
What we cover:
Real incident: ATS tie-in + antique split lugs in a J-box → arc blast in the attic
Why “just throw the cover on” is a trap—and how to handle unsafe legacy work
Working live vs. locking out: productivity, liability, and when to say NO
Apprentice playbook: what to do when a foreman/GC pressures you into risky work
Owners’ responsibility: notify, document, quote the fix, and sleep at night
Quick trade compare: plumbing floods; electric can kill—price and respect follow risk
Bottom line: Do it right or don’t touch it. Electrical doesn’t give second chances.
✅ Full audio: podcast.energizeus-edu.today
📲 Follow: @workntalkpodcast on Instagram & YouTube
🔔 Live: The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri 7 AM ET | Guest episodes — Wed 8 PM ET
Call to action:
Hit Like, drop your worst “old work” find in the comments, and share this with a tech or apprentice who needs the reminder: own the work, not the shortcut.
Happy Labor Day. Some of us slept in; some of us laced up and went to work. Today we break down a viral clip from the White House grounds where a crew chipped the marble walkway—and what it teaches every contractor about attention to detail, accountability, and leadership.
What we cover:
The White House marble incident: mistakes happen—own it fast or lose the client
How to handle damage on a job: notify, document, contact, fix (and why insurance is there)
Employees vs. owners on risk: paying your people first, protecting your reputation
Training that actually sticks: set standards, rehearse expectations, build soft skills
Culture check: no “walking on eggshells”—create a shop where issues get surfaced early
Why it matters: Contracts are won on price, kept on professionalism. Your crew’s response after a mistake decides whether you keep—or torch—once-in-a-lifetime accounts.
✅ Full audio: podcast.energizeus-edu.today
📲 Follow: @workntalkpodcast on Instagram & YouTube
🔔 Live schedule: The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri, 7 AM ET. Guest episodes every Wed 8 PM ET.
Call to action:
Like 👍, comment with how you would’ve handled the White House incident, and share this with a foreman or apprentice who needs the reminder: own the mistake, protect the relationship, lead the crew.