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 began as a laborer digging tunnels. Used an air spade to cut the dirt, but it was all moved by shovel.
Hard work, without a doubt.
Later I worked on commercial job sites in various positions. Subsequent to that I’ve dabbled in framing, 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. If something was supposed to be plumb, it was plumb. If you measured, and it was 3/16th, then it was 3/16th.
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.
Thank you, Dan, for this important lesson.
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 few years later I discovered the Internet. After an interesting meeting via the internet, I started learning Linux and other Internet technologies.
I started building websites. By hand.
Fast-forward many years…
And here we are today. I love technology. I am building websites at http://dr7media.com. I also love building and making things.
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.