Lisa McGrath and Michael Hamoen share personal stories and dive into the realities of entering the trades, discussing career choices and starting from the bottom. They explore industry challenges such as employee shortages, overtime expectations, and nepotism. The conversation addresses misogyny in the trades, family business succession, and shifting career aspirations. They delve into justice, values, and decision-making under stress, while highlighting emotional vulnerability and mental health support for men. Michael shares his journey of overcoming homelessness, resilience, and giving back. The episode concludes with gratitude and maintaining perspective.

(0:21) Introductions, personal stories, and movie talk
(4:02) Graduation, career choices, and entering the trades
(5:28) Starting from the bottom and learning in trades
(6:34) Employee shortages and industry changes
(7:10) Overtime expectations and evolving workplace norms
(8:26) Nepotism and its impact on trades
(10:09) Experiences with misogyny in the trades
(17:30) Family business succession and children’s career goals
(22:50) Shifting aspirations: from trades to police work
(26:42) Justice, values, and moral decision-making
(30:34) Decision-making under stress in trades and life
(34:02) Emotional vulnerability and support for men
(36:39) Mental health in the trades and music as therapy
(41:27) Overcoming homelessness, resilience, and giving back
(42:32) Practicing gratitude and maintaining perspective
(43:06) Episode wrap-up and closing remarks