I’m John Chapman, and I am your show host on the Blue Collar Voices Show.
I’m many things. Just like you.
But, that wasn’t how it started.
My working career right out of high school began as a laborer digging tunnels. Under ground. Used an air spade to cut the dirt, but it was all moved by shovel.
Hard work, without a doubt.
A few years later I worked a number of jobs, both commercial and residential. I’ve worked in framing houses, worked on some roofs, even poured a little concrete.
I worked with Dan Finn who put up with me and taught me the value of excellence and accuracy. If something was supposed to be plumb, it was plumb. If you measured, and it was 3/16th, then it was 3/16th (yes, the degree of accuracy depends on the context).
We once took down a wall we built because it was wrong, rebuilt it. It was close enough, probably, but not for Dan. His reputation mattered. It was not an error on his part, but we his responsibility to make sure the wall was correct.
Thank you, Dan, for this important lessons like this.
Because of weather impacting my income, I decided to get an electronics degree.
This resulted in a job as a copier tech, and my first real exposure to the corporate world.
A couple years later after that my brother introduced me to the Internet (initially via AOL). The Internet grabbed me, and I started learning Linux, Windows and Internet/networking technologies.
I started building websites. By hand (back in the day). Dug into networking, etc. Then ran a small consulting company for networking and computer repair.
Fast-forward many years…
And here we are today. I love technology. I also love Blue Collar. I also love building and making things. The Blue Collar mentality – of which I am – is way different than the White Collar mentality. And I speak in generalities.
I’d wanted to start a podcast for quite some time. I had the thought originally just to just talk to people. Just interesting people from the contacts I had made. But it didn’t quite fit what I was looking for.
Then, as I was mulling various ideas around, I thought about Blue Collar professions. Construction. How much I love not only doing, but seeing the work that others can do. Yes, this fit exactly. Feels right.
A little fine-tuning, and some time to get a bit organized, and here I am. At first the Blue Collar Voices Show was an experiment.
Today, it is something part of me from when I wake up, to when I go to sleep. I’m not able to work on it as much as I always like, but it’s a constant work in progress.
I’ve been honored to talk to people, and I am hope to talk with many hundreds more.
And always, always, if I can help you in any way, let me know.