Powerline Podcast

What if mental health was treated with the same urgency as every other jobsite safety risk? Ryan sits down with Wykisha Thomas-McKinney of MATES North America, alongside Nate Strickland and Tyler Smith of Summit Line Construction, for an important conversation about suicide prevention, mental health, and what it really means to look out for the people working beside you. Wykisha is the Program Operations Manager for MATES North America, helping bring the peer-led suicide prevention model into North American construction. Nate is Summit Line Construction's Safety Director and shares both his professional perspective and personal experience with depression and losing close friends to suicide. Tyler is a Senior Project Manager with 23 years in the industry, including roughly 18 years living the realities of field and road work. Together, they unpack some of the pressures that can make construction and line work uniquely challenging: long rotations, isolation, missed family milestones, relationship strain, workplace trauma, substance use, and a culture that has historically told workers to put their game face on and keep moving. The conversation also breaks down the MATES Network of Safety , including General Awareness training, peer Connectors and advanced suicide intervention training designed to put support directly inside the workforce. The goal isn't to turn coworkers into therapists. It's to give people the tools to notice when something is wrong, ask the question, listen, offer support and help someone find the right resources. They also discuss why leaders set the tone for psychologically safer crews, why being vulnerable doesn't make someone less tough, how to check in with a coworker who seems off, and why building a mental-health plan before a crisis can make it easier to know where to turn when things get difficult. Whether you're an apprentice, journeyman, foreman, supervisor, safety professional, contractor, leader, spouse or friend, this episode is a reminder that safety doesn't stop at the hard hat. CONTENT NOTE: This episode discusses suicide, suicidal thoughts, depression, substance use, loss and workplace trauma. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available: United States: Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Canada: Call or text 9-8-8 for the Suicide Crisis Helpline. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Learn more about MATES North America: matesna.org ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚡️ GUESTS: WYKISHA THOMAS-MCKINNEY & NATE STRICKLAND ⚡️ LinkedIn: Wykisha Mckinney | Nathaniel Strickland MATES NORTH AMERICA PILOT Website: matesna.org Instagram: ⁠⁠ ⁠ @matesnorthamerica TikTok: @matesnorthamerica LinkedIn: MATES North America Pilot Facebook: @MATES North America Pilot X: @MATESNthAmerica 🎙️ HOST: RYAN LUCAS 🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: ⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

What does it take to build a life most people only dream about? Ryan travels to New York to sit down with Dennis Kelly for his third appearance on Powerline Podcast, and this time, they do it in person. Over the course of the visit, Dennis takes Ryan inside the world he has built, from KR Utilities and multiple businesses to airplanes, helicopters, supercars, motorcycles, racing, and the experiences that define his “Live the Lifestyle” mentality. Dennis shares how he went from working in the line trade to building his first fitness centre while working six tens, using every spare hour and available dollar to keep moving forward. He explains why small steps compound, how reputation creates opportunities, why relationships matter, and what it means to live according to your own values instead of someone else’s expectations. This conversation is not about copying Dennis’s lifestyle. It is about deciding what you want your own life to look like and taking practical steps toward it. Dennis breaks down the mindset, work ethic, calculated risks, relationships, and problem-solving that helped him build seven businesses and create a life centred around freedom, progress, and meaningful experiences. Topics covered: What “Live the Lifestyle” really means Starting a business while working full-time in the trade Taking one step and solving one problem at a time Why your reputation can create opportunities years later Building relationships before you need something Using linework as the foundation for entrepreneurship Why success brings bigger problems, not fewer problems Designing a life around freedom, values, and experiences Learning to fly airplanes and helicopters Dennis’s Hurricane Helene rescue and relief efforts Building businesses without taking an early paycheck Why small actions compound into extraordinary results Interested in storm work with KR Utilities? Join the KR Utilities storm list by visiting KRutilities.com . Subscribe to Powerline Podcast for more conversations with the people building careers, businesses, and lives beyond the trade. ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚡️ GUEST: DENNIS KELLY ⚡️ Instagram: ⁠⁠ ⁠ @denkelly10 | @krutilities LinkedIn: Dennis Kelly | KR Utilities 🎙️ HOST: RYAN LUCAS 🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: ⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

How does a company survive for 100 years in one of the most niche industries in America? Ryan sits down with Rod Paul, President & CEO of Bashlin Industries, and Justin Tate, leader in Sales & Product Development, to explore the story behind one of the utility industry's most trusted manufacturers. From humble beginnings to becoming a name generations of lineworkers rely on, Bashlin's journey has been defined by one constant: adapting to change. Rod and Justin share how the company has navigated a century of industry shifts through product innovation, customer feedback, leadership transitions, and a commitment to earning trust one product at a time. They also discuss the challenges facing modern manufacturing, including workforce shortages, automation, robotic welding, and what it takes to continue building products in America. The conversation explores why trust is earned through consistency, how companies stay relevant across generations, the importance of listening to customers, and why every successful business eventually reaches another moment where it must adapt or risk being left behind. Whether you're an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, manufacturer, business owner, or simply interested in leadership and innovation, this episode offers valuable lessons from a company that has spent 100 years evolving alongside the industry it serves. Topics covered: The history of Bashlin Industries Surviving 100 years in a niche industry Why innovation never stops Building products lineworkers trust Customer-driven product development Leadership through change The future of American manufacturing Workforce shortages and skilled trades Robotics and automation in manufacturing Lessons from a century of adaptation ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚡️ GUESTS: ROD PAUL, JUSTIN TATE & BASHLIN INDUSTRIES ⚡️ ROD PAUL / BASHLIN INDUSTRIES Website: bashlin.com Instagram: ⁠⁠ ⁠ @bashlininc YouTube: @ bashlinindustriesinc.9630 LinkedIn: Bashlin Facebook: Bashlin Industries X: @bashlininc JUSTIN TATE LinkedIn: Justin Tate 🎙️ HOST: RYAN LUCAS 🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: ⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

Why the electrical industry is entering a decades-long boom. Ryan sits down with Pennsylvania Transformer Technology’s Bart Gaskey and Todd Davis inside one of North America’s largest transformer manufacturing facilities to explore the growing demand for power infrastructure and why the future of the electrical industry has never looked stronger. Bart is a strategic manufacturing leader with decades of experience across transformer manufacturing, grid infrastructure, and large-scale energy projects. Todd is a longtime manufacturing leader who has worked across multiple transformer manufacturers and now helps lead operations at Pennsylvania Transformer Technology. Together, they break down the myths surrounding American transformer manufacturing, explain why massive investments are flowing back into domestic production, and reveal how AI, data centers, electrification, renewable energy, and grid expansion are creating one of the biggest opportunities the electrical industry has seen in decades. The conversation explores why transformers are far more complex than most people realize, what it takes to build equipment that powers millions of homes and businesses, how Pennsylvania Transformer Technology is preparing for the future with major facility expansions, and why hundreds of new careers are opening for the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Whether you’re an apprentice, journeyman, engineer, contractor, manufacturer, student, or simply curious about the future of North America’s electrical grid, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most important industries most people never get to see. Topics covered: Why the electrical industry is entering a decades-long boom The truth about manufacturing transformers in America Why AI, data centers, and electrification are driving unprecedented demand How large power transformers are designed and built Why every transformer is custom engineered The nearly 100-year history of Pennsylvania Transformer Technology What it takes to manufacture 765 kV transformers The logistics of transporting equipment weighing hundreds of thousands of pounds How Quanta is expanding domestic manufacturing capacity Why skilled trades offer one of the most secure career paths today Hundreds of career opportunities available in transformer manufacturing The future of North America’s electrical grid ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚡️ GUESTS: BART GASKEY, TODD DAVIS & PENNSYLVANIA TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY LLC (PTT) ⚡️ BART GASKEY LinkedIn: Bart Gaskey TODD DAVIS LinkedIn: Todd Davis PENNSYLVANIA TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY LLC (PTT) Instagram: @patransformer TikTok: @pennsylvania.transformer YouTube: @PATransformer LinkedIn: Pennsylvania Transformer Technology LLC (PTT) Facebook: @PATransformer Website: https://www.patransformer.com/ 🎙️ HOST: RYAN LUCAS 🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: ⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

What does it take to become the kind of leader people actually want to follow? Ryan sits down with Randy Smith and Brian Allen, two leadership development professionals with decades of experience helping organizations build stronger teams, develop future leaders, and create lasting workplace cultures. From coaching supervisors and designing leadership programs to working alongside field operations and preparing the next generation of leaders, Randy and Brian share the lessons they’ve learned about earning trust, developing people, and leading with intention. The conversation explores why leadership should begin long before a promotion, how engaged leaders create stronger crews, why mentorship and communication matter more than ever, and how AI can become a valuable tool without replacing the experience, judgment, and relationships that define the trades. Whether you’re an apprentice, journeyman, foreman, supervisor, contractor, or executive, this episode offers practical insights on developing leadership skills, building stronger teams, and preparing the next generation of the workforce. 🔔 If you work in the pipe, sheet metal, or mechanical trades, be sure to follow The Pipeline Podcast as Randy and Brian launch their new show dedicated to sharing stories from the field, celebrating their people, and developing the next generation of leaders. Going live with Episode 1 in the next few weeks! 🔔 Topics covered: Why leadership isn’t defined by a job title Developing leadership skills before the promotion What engaged leadership looks like in the field Building trust and stronger workplace cultures Why mentorship and communication still matter Preparing the next generation of trade leaders How AI can support, not replace, skilled workers Embracing technology while keeping people first Leadership lessons for every stage of your career Why Randy and Brian are launching The Pipeline Podcast ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎙️ HOST: RYAN LUCAS 🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: ⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

What responsibility do we have to the next generation entering the trade? In this special episode, Ryan shares a live recording from the Perspectives Panel at the 2026 Infrastructure Safety Symposium (ISS), where he moderated a discussion on one of the industry’s most important challenges: generational knowledge transfer. Featuring two father-son duos from the utility industry, the panel brings together leaders, journeymen, and apprentices to explore how experience, leadership, and safety knowledge can be passed down as skilled workers retire and younger crews step into larger roles earlier in their careers. Carey Kostyk, President of Valard Construction, joins his son Pat Kostyk, Journeyman Lineman at Valard Construction, alongside Jeff Ziemba, Manager of Contractor Safety at Pepco Holdings Inc., and his son Jeffrey Ziemba, 4th Year Apprentice Lineman at Delmarva Power. Together, they discuss the realities of entering the trade, the importance of mentorship, why communication and trust matter, and how organizations can help bridge the experience gap while building a safer future for the next generation of lineworkers. Whether you’re an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, or industry leader, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on developing future leaders and ensuring critical lessons aren’t lost as the trade evolves. Topics covered: Generational knowledge transfer Bridging the experience gap Mentorship and workforce development Leadership at every level Safety culture and communication Creating environments where people can speak up The changing role of apprentices and journeymen Retaining and transferring institutional knowledge Developing the next generation of lineworkers Building a safer future for the trade ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚡️ GUESTS: CAREY KOSTYK, JEFF ZIEMBA & VALARD CONSTRUCTION ⚡️ CAREY KOSTYK LinkedIn: Carey Kostyk JEFF ZIEMBA LinkedIn: Jeff Ziemba VALARD CONSTRUCTION Instagram: @valardconstruction LinkedIn: Valard Construction 🎙️ HOST: RYAN LUCAS 🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: ⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

What does it take to turn a simple idea into something that could change an entire industry? Ryan sits down with Matt Ferguson, a journeyman lineman, storm worker, and inventor who spent years working in the field before developing a safer approach to one of the most common tasks crews perform every day. From chasing opportunities to break into the trade, to working long hours on storm restoration, to surviving early setbacks as an apprentice, Matt shares the experiences that shaped both his career and his perspective on safety. The conversation explores why some of the best innovations come from the people doing the work, how a chain from Home Depot and an old set of pole tongs sparked an idea in his dad’s garage, and why challenging “the way it’s always been done” is critical to moving the industry forward. Whether you’re an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, or someone looking to make a difference in your trade, this episode is a reminder that small ideas can have a big impact. Topics covered: Breaking into the line trade and earning opportunities Lessons learned from storm work Working through fear and setbacks as an apprentice Why experience creates better solutions The problem with accepting “the way it’s always been done” How Matt developed his pole tong safety innovation Innovation, safety, and improving the trade Why workers should share their ideas and challenge old assumptions Matt’s vision for the future of the industry ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚡️ GUEST: MATT FERGUSON ⚡️ LinkedIn: Matthew Ferguson 🎙️ HOST: RYAN LUCAS 🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

What happens before a single power line ever goes up? Ryan sits down with Jake Brown, Brad Minerick, and Jonathan Pipsair to pull back the curtain on foundation drilling, one of the most important and least understood trades in the utility industry. Jake is a VP-level drilling operations leader overseeing projects across North America. Brad is a superintendent who has spent years balancing road life, family, and leadership in the field. Jonathan brings more than 40 years of experience in foundation drilling, including marine and amphibious projects throughout the Everglades and Louisiana. Together, they share what decades in the trade have taught them about road life, family sacrifice, career growth, leadership, and the hidden work that happens long before the lights turn on. The conversation explores why drilling is more art than science, what most people never see behind reliable power, the realities of spending years on the road, and why the higher you climb the ladder, the more you should understand what you're asking for. Whether you're an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, or simply curious about the people who build the infrastructure around us, this episode offers a rare look into the foundation of line work. Topics covered: The hidden trade behind every power line Why drilling is more art than science The realities of life on the road Family sacrifice and career growth The generation gap in the trades Leadership, ambition, and climbing the ladder Pride in building something tangible What decades in the field teach you about success ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎙️ HOST: RYAN LUCAS 🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: ⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

What does it actually take to become a good powerline apprentice in 2026, and why are so many young apprentices feeling behind before they’ve even really started? Ryan sits down with Shayla Gaffney, a final-year powerline apprentice and content creator, sharing a more honest look at what apprenticeship actually feels like for the next generation entering the trade. From line school and storm work to learning under pressure and finding the right crew, Shayla speaks openly about the reality of becoming good at something that takes years to master. They dig into why apprentices can’t rush the process, the pressure of constantly feeling behind, the importance of crew culture and mentorship, and how the right foreman can completely change an apprentice’s confidence and future in the trade. Shayla also shares lessons from storm work, learning by watching experienced linemen, and why good apprentices focus less on chasing the title and more on earning trust over time. Topics covered: Why so many apprentices feel behind in today’s trade culture The reality of learning under pressure on a crew Why becoming good at line work takes years, not months The difference the right crew and foreman can make Learning by watching experienced linemen work Why rushing the process hurts more than it helps The mental side of apprenticeship nobody talks about Storm work, confidence, embarrassment, and growth Crew culture, mentorship, and earning trust over time What young apprentices actually need to hear entering the trade ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚡️ GUEST: SHAYLA GAFFNEY ⚡️ Instagram: ⁠⁠ ⁠ @shaygaff.co TikTok: @shaygaff.co 🎙️ HOST: RYAN LUCAS 🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: ⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

Why are so many good foremen burning out? Ryan sits down with Andrew Morgan, a Texas distribution foreman lineman who came up working backyards, reconductors, and storm work. From climbing poles as an apprentice to leading crews in the field, Andrew speaks from years of experience building and maintaining the power grid. Together, they dig into the controlled chaos of line work, why today’s foremen are losing the time needed to mentor the next generation, what “bodies in the bucket” really means for the trade, and the leadership burden most people outside the industry never see. Andrew’s reflection on the Quanta Elite call: “I didn’t turn those wrenches. I didn’t sag that wire. I just gave them a path.” reframes leadership in the trades in a way every crew leader will recognize. Topics covered: The foreman's time trap: paperwork, planning, and the mentorship gap Why time-based apprenticeships create "bodies in the bucket" Complacency, decision-making, and getting the crew home safely "Looks good from my house." The phrase every lineman knows, but hates The Quanta Elite call and my first thought: "What did I mess up?" Why building the next generation matters more than titles ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠ ⚡️ GUEST: ANDREW MORGAN ⚡️ Instagram: ⁠⁠ @andrewmorgan19 🎙️ HOST: RYAN LUCAS 🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: ⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com

What does it actually take to make it in the trades? What is the industry getting wrong about the next generation coming up behind us? In this episode, Ryan sits down with Josh Nieves, a New York City-raised IBEW Local 3 master electrician and the youngest card-carrying superintendent in the local's 15,000-member history. Josh's father, a Light Heavyweight Golden Glove champion turned signatory contractor, had maintenance contracts inside both World Trade Center towers on 9/11 and survived only because of a doctor's appointment that morning. Years later, at 24 years old, Josh got the call to be sub-foreman on the Freedom Tower while standing on top of the Empire State Building looking directly at the build. Together, Josh and Ryan dig into what a real union meeting looks like when brotherhood is alive and well, the leadership gap that's quietly eroding organized labor from the inside, why Josh sold his brand new house to buy a 160-acre farm in search of purpose, how he built a coaching practice and workforce development career from a single LinkedIn post, and what every contractor needs to hear about recruiting the next generation. Topics covered: The Freedom Tower call that came in while Josh was standing on the Empire State Building What an IBEW Local 3 union meeting felt like at 18: "a scene out of Goodfellas" The CBA gut check Josh ran with 80 field leaders, and what it revealed about union leadership today Why the skills gap is really a leadership gap and what the difference looks like in practice The boxing analogy every aspiring leader in the trades needs to hear Why "construction workers don't want another pizza party", and what they actually want How to flip the recruiting question from "why should I hire you?" to "why should I come work for you?" Mental health in the trades and why the industry can't keep sitting back ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠ ⚡️ GUEST: JOSH NIEVES ⚡️ LinkedIn: ⁠Josh Nieves⁠ Instagram: ⁠@joshnieves_ 🎙️ HOST: RYAN LUCAS 🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: ⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com

What does it really mean to be union, and what does it take to make the brotherhood worth fighting for? In this episode, Ryan sits down with Lori Maclean, a former BC Hydro HR professional and IBEW Local 258 staff member turned business manager candidate, who brings a rare dual perspective from both sides of the table. As a mother of two journeyman linemen, Lori's connection to the trade runs deep, and she doesn't hold back on what it takes to strengthen the union from the inside out. Together, they dig into what a strong hall really looks like, why brotherhood and community are the IBEW's greatest assets, how mental health support needs to become a bigger priority for the union, and why showing up for your members has to mean more than just showing up at contract time. Topics covered: What a strong union hall actually looks like Why the Brotherhood is the IBEW's most important brand asset How community and connection have eroded, and how to get it back Mental health in the trades and why the union needs to lead the charge The unique perspective of raising two journeyman linemen Communication in the line trade and why unclear communication costs lives What the IBEW does well and where the real opportunity lies ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠ TikTok: ⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠ YouTube: ⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠ X: ⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠ HOST: RYAN LUCAS Instagram: ⁠@ryanwlucas⁠ TikTok: ⁠@ryanwlucas⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠Ryan Lucas⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com

April 18th is National Lineman Appreciation Day. This episode is for the ones who got the call at 2 in the morning. The ones who kissed their sleeping kids on the forehead and drove toward the storm. This is a solo episode, no guest, just Ryan. Short and intentional. Because some things don't need to be long. They just need to be true. Ryan draws on 15 years in the trade, responding to storms across North America and performing barehand work on energized 500kV lines, to talk about what linemen actually do, what they give up, and why the trade gets into your blood and stays there. He also speaks directly to the linemen listening, the ones who never needed a parade, but deserve to hear it said clearly: thank you. If you're a lineman, or you love one, share this. ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠@powerlinepodcast TikTok: @powerlinepodcast YouTube: @powerlinepodcast LinkedIn: ⁠Powerline Podcast⁠ Facebook: @Powerline-Podcast X: @PowerlinePodcst HOST: RYAN LUCAS Instagram: @ryanwlucas TikTok: @ryanwlucas LinkedIn: Ryan Lucas 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com

What does it actually take to step into the workforce and earn respect from day one? In this special panel episode, Ryan hosts a diverse group of leaders at the LazyQ Ranch for a candid conversation with high school rodeo athletes preparing to enter the world beyond the arena. The panel brings together a World Champion Barrel Racer, Jordon Briggs, a 24-Time World Champion Roper, Jackie Crawford, a Marine Corps Veteran & Quanta Services Veteran Advisor, Donny Farmer, a 26-Year Journeyman Lineman & Quanta Services Superintendent, Kyle Seaward, and a 28-Year Journeyman Lineman & Quanta Energized Services Advisor, Rob Mitchell, all sharing the hard-earned lessons they wish someone had told them starting out. Together they dig into what real leadership looks like before you ever get a job title, how your reputation will follow you everywhere in a trade that's smaller than you think, why emotional control is a skill as important as any technical one, and how gratitude, punctuality, and follow-through can separate you from the crowd faster than talent alone. Topics covered: What leadership looks like without a title Behaviors that build trust fast, and destroy it faster Why your reputation will beat you to the next job site Controlling emotions under pressure: breathing, preparation, and mindset Communication skills that can save lives in the line trade Why gratitude is a daily practice, not a feeling Advice from five high-performers on what they'd tell their younger selves ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠ HOST: RYAN LUCAS Instagram: ⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: ⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

What would you do if you lost your leg at 15 and then decided to become a lineman? That's exactly what Brandon Crawford did. Born and raised in Arkansas, Brandon lost his leg below the knee in an ATV accident the week before 10th grade. Doctors gave his family a choice: amputate now, or try to save it and risk losing it anyway. They chose to try and he lost it regardless. He never looked back. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Brandon for a raw, honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a life in this trade when the odds are stacked against you. Brandon talks about climbing poles on a prosthetic leg, earning respect the hard way, his battle with PTSD, and why his wife's ultimatum may have saved his life. He opens up about storm work, brotherhood, the guys who shaped him, and why he's passionate about safety culture and training the next generation the right way. This isn't an inspirational poster. It's a real story about a real lineman and it'll hit home for anyone who's ever been told what they can't do. Topics covered: Losing his leg at 15 and the road back. Why he chose linework and how he convinced a school to let him try. Climbing poles on a prosthetic and the adaptations nobody talks about. PTSD, mental health, and the moment his wife changed everything. Storm work, brotherhood, and the bonds the trade builds. Safety culture — training vs. policing, and why the difference matters. Why he wants to be an instructor and give back to the next generation. ✌️ SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ Hit up our website here: ⁠⁠https://www.powerlinepodcast.com/⁠⁠ 📱 FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠ HOST: RYAN LUCAS Instagram: ⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠ 💥 INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION 💥 Email: ⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

Ryan sits down with JJ Harrison, pro rodeo clown, master communicator, and Quanta Services ambassador for one of the most unexpected and inspiring conversations in Powerline Podcast history.JJ has spent 20+ years performing at the highest levels of pro rodeo, including the National Finals. He's a stand-up comedian on the world's most dangerous stage, dodging bulls while keeping thousands entertained. But underneath the painted face and the football bits is a former schoolteacher with a master's degree, a guy who really gets people, and has found a powerful mission bridging the rodeo world with the skilled trades.In this episode, JJ breaks down what it takes to communicate like a pro, how crew culture in the arena mirrors life on a job site, what "crew flu" does to a team, and why he's all-in on Quanta Services and the Quanta Express stagecoach program. He talks about the line school at LazyQ, scholarships for the next generation, and why linemen deserve the same celebration as soldiers and first responders.Topics covered:- JJ's path from teacher to rodeo clown to Quanta ambassador.- Communication skills every tradesman needs.- Crew culture, "crew flu," and team-first leadership.- The Quanta Express stagecoach and its mission in the trades.- LazyQ Ranch line school and next-gen workforce development.- Why supply and demand makes the trades the best career decision right now.- Physical longevity, recovery, and why you have to keep moving.✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ Hit up our website here:https://www.powerlinepodcast.com/ 📱FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱TikTok: / powerlinepodcast Instagram: / powerlinepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...LinkedIn: / powerline-podcast Twitter: / powerlinepodcst HOST: RYAN LUCASInstagram: / ryanwlucas TikTok: / ryanwlucas 💥INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION💥Email: powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com

In this episode, Ryan sits down with Tyrel Crystal for a candid conversation that bridges the gap between the line side and the civil/underground world and why understanding each other’s work matters more than ever.Tyrel shares what it’s been like watching the “door get kicked open” with Quanta-level opportunity, going from underground utilities and civil work into larger-scale projects like ROW development, pad sites, pole sites, and major infrastructure builds. From leadership lessons to real talk about discipline, communication, and growth, this one is packed with takeaways you can apply on any crew, in any craft.In this episode we get into:- What civil + underground crews do that line crews don’t always see- How Quanta opens up a bigger “menu” of opportunities (and what you do with it)- The Elite Foreman conversation: leadership, trust, and why foremen are the “quarterbacks”- Why discipline beats motivation (and what that looks like on the job)- Saying yes to the little reps that lead to the big rooms- How line + civil teams can work better together through effective communication.- What Tyrel is most excited about heading into 2026: data centers, gas/power generation, aging infrastructure, and long-run utility replacement.- What kind of people crews need right now: attitude, work ethic, humility, willingness to learnIf you’re a foreman (or want to be), a young hand trying to level up, or someone who wants a clearer picture of how these projects come together, this one’s for you.✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ Hit up our website here:https://www.powerlinepodcast.com/ 📱FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱TikTok: / powerlinepodcast Instagram: / powerlinepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...LinkedIn: / powerline-podcast Twitter: / powerlinepodcst HOST: RYAN LUCASInstagram: / ryanwlucas TikTok: / ryanwlucas 💥INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION💥Email: powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com

In October 2025, Hudson and I attended the International Lineman’s Rodeo. At the time, he had just graduated high school. College didn’t feel like the right path. He was unsure what came next. Like so many young people today, he felt the weight of expectation but not the clarity of direction. In this episode, we sit down and talk honestly about where he’s at. We talk about school. ADHD. Dyslexia. Pressure. Identity. The experience at the Rodeo. What surprised him. What shifted. And what he thinks his next steps might be. This isn’t a polished success story. It’s a real conversation about being 18 and trying to figure out your life. If you’re young and unsure what comes next, this episode is for you. If you’re a parent navigating these conversations at home, this episode is for you. If you believe there are meaningful paths outside the traditional college route, this episode is for you. Sometimes clarity doesn’t come all at once. Sometimes it starts with a conversation.

Jesse McKeral isn’t just a lineman. He’s a teacher. A safety leader. And one of the most recognizable voices in the trade online through his platform @afewclickslow. In this episode of the Powerline Podcast, we talk about: • What mentors did right and wrong when we were coming up • The biggest mistakes apprentices are making today • Why safety and operations shouldn’t be at odds • What linemen misunderstand about moving into leadership • How social media is changing the way the trade learns • And why visibility matters more than ever for the future of linework Jesse shares honest lessons from the pole, the classroom, and the safety side of the industry. If you care about training better apprentices, building trust in safety roles, and elevating the next generation of linemen this one’s for you.

In this episode of Powerline Podcast, I sit down with Alex Lacey to talk about leadership, risk, and why communication – not compliance – is what actually keeps crews safe. We unpack the current state of safety in the trades, why memorizing rules isn’t the same as understanding risk, and how complacency quietly creeps into even the most experienced crews. Alex breaks down how leaders can explain risk in a way that actually lands, what the data says that most people miss, and why culture ultimately determines whether a crew thrives or drifts into cruise control. 🎧 Topics include: • Why understanding risk matters more than memorizing procedures • What causes complacency in experienced workers • The communication gap between leadership and the field • How to build honest bottom-up dialogue • Coaching people out of cruise-control mode • Leadership habits that immediately improve crew safety • Personal growth and mindset in high-risk industries This episode is for foremen, supervisors, safety professionals, and anyone who wants to lead people–not just enforce rules.