Talking and learning with Construction and Blue Collar Professionals
This is part two of the great conversation with John Bruggen. We actually get to where he cut off fingers in this episode.
He also shares some humorous times with his crew.
Listen to part one, then come back and listen to this episode. The whole conversation with John was informative and entertaining.
John Bruggen builds Timber Frames. Located in Kansas, John has built frames in a number of states surrounding.
John Bruggen is quite the story teller, and we went so long that I broke this up into two parts. We discuss the timber framing process, the business, work life balance and the importance of safety. Yes, John cut off a few fingers.
Adam Drewes chats with John Chapman on this episode of the Blue Collar Voices Show about some of his experiences as a business owner, in the area of concrete work. Adam specializes in flat concrete, stamped concrete and dabbles in Nuclear Shelters.
Hello everyone listening to this episode of the Blue Collar Voices Show.
After a very, very long hiatus, the show is rolling again. The initial interruption was a move, covid, time and Internet access challenges which lead to a lull for a while, which in turn lead to a lack of priority juxtaposed with other things going on in my life. Of course, it was all MY decisions that lead to the lull.
However, I am back.
I’ve made a few minor changes to the show, formulated a game plan to promote this show, and just do a much better job. The show originally was an experiment, and I’ve realized as I continue to always evaluate my life that this show MUST, MUST, MUST be a part of my life. Otherwise, I will feel like I am not achieving a very important part of what I absolutely need to do to feel, in a word, “correct”.
I’m not sure how often an episode will come out. The frequency of shows dropping will depend significantly on the number of great candidates I find for guests, and if those candidates are up for a recording session. I have a significant list of people that have agreed to be a guest, now just need to get all these outstanding people ‘quote” on tape ‘end quote”.
To stay updated, visit bluecollarvoices.com and subscribe to the mailing list to get notified of new episodes.
I’m pretty excited to move forwards, and I am grateful to have each and every one of you that listen and share.
I welcome feedback, so please email me!
I’ve got two guests recorded at this moment, and I am of course looking for more.
The very next show is with Adam Drewes, who operates a concrete company.
The show after that is with John Van Bruggen, who operates a Timber Frame construction company.
Here is a clip from the next episode with Adam Drewes:
Chade Turner, who runs Turner Painting is the guest on this episode of the Blue Collar Voices show.
After talking with Chade, it is quite apparent that Gratitude, Passion, Character and Community are more important to him than anything else. At least, that is MY take.
Chade LOVES to paint, and he is very, very passionate about painting. And he is successful. And gets some really interesting projects from time to time.
Watching his work as he displays it online, it is very clear that this is a man that cares, and is METICULOUS!
Chade didn’t escape unscathed, problem free in life – he had a monkey on his back, which he has defeated.
Which also again circles back to his being grateful.
Anyone can be a painter.
Anyone can just go through life doing the minimum.
Doing it with Finesse, Skill, Passion, and a desire to make a difference?
Well, that’s Chade.
Hope you enjoy this episode, ’cause I sure enjoyed talking to him!
Check out his work:
https://www.instagram.com/turnerpaintingtx/
https://www.facebook.com/turnerpaintingtx
Welcome to the Blue Collar Voices show!
In today’s show we are talking with Patrick Holehan.
Pat has been a practicing gunsmith for LOOOOOONG time.
His love affair with guns started as a young child. He completed 3 years of college education in gunsmithing – 2-year standard course, 3rd year more advanced.
From there, he worked a few different jobs learning and refining – and then circumstances arose where he had to make a choice.
Pats choice? Working for himself, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The custom rifles created by Pat are from his own portfolio, with limited deviations within.
His work is not only loved because of the quality, functionality, durability, and craftsmanship – Pat creates works of art.
Pat shares knowledge and insights, and I would love to be in his shop with him showing me all of this stuff in person! Maybe someday!
In this episode, Pat and I were joined by my son, Destin. And, we started recording and just talking before the show really began. I decided it would be cool to hear a bit of that, so that is what you hear first.
Pat Holehan links:
Website: http://www.plholehancustomrifles.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holehanpatrick/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrickholehan.78/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-holehan-9b846577
Lorraine Woodwark is passionate about immigration reform, the constitution, and the rights of Americans.
Lorraine talks on the Blue Collar Voices Show to explain how Illegal “immigration” is detrimental to American workers, wages, and of course the impact on the Blue Collar workforce.
We discuss her personal experiences (Lorraine immigrated to the USA herself – legally), events she has observed, her perspective on the US Constitution, and the Constitution of each State. Lorraine is the director of “Attorneys United for a Secure America”, and is an expert in this topic of conversation.
This episode isn’t “Blue Collar” per se, but Blue Collar workers are impacted so much by illegal workers, that the information and goals undertaken by Attorney’s such as Lorraine made bringing her an easy call.
Lorraine is looking for more attorneys to help with immigration issues and defeating many issues with illegal aliens.
Lorraine can be reached at a couple of different websites:
https://ausamerica.org/
and
https://www.irli.org/.
Zdenek Ulman is a diver. He runs a successful diving business up in New York City area. Before that, he started and ran a successful construction company. Before THAT, he didn’t even live here in the US. He came to visit only, and then spent 15 years as an illegal alien – while starting and running a successful construction company.
Zdenek is a great example of Blue Collar success. Tenacity. Hard work. Craftsmanship. Job Quality. Pushing your body to perform.
In this episode, Z (that’s his nickname) talks about coming to America, starting a business (then a second, then a third business), LEARNING ENGLISH, getting out of his comfort zone to start his painting company and facing challenges head-on.
We learn how to properly pronounce his name, and some interesting stories from both his construction days, and as a diver.
Z has future plans as well.
Fascinating story, and I hope you enjoy hearing it as much as I did.
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zdenek-ulman-0a997233/
LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marine-diving-service/
Website: https://www.marinedivingservice.com/ – You can find pictures, videos, links to social media, etc.
Zdenek sent a few things to me, to share here.
First, a memory card with pictures to use for the YouTube vide.
Second, two issues of “Boating On the Hudson & Beyond” for which he writes articles.
Third, a genuine “Marine Diving Service” T-shirt!
This story in the image below is the one mentioned on the podcast.
And the T-Shirt Zdenek sent me:
Matt Radford is a roofer. He’s worked as a roofer, he’s owned his own business as a roofer, and now he is a roofing consultant.
He like many of us, has had challenges and been beat around a bit by life. But he kept getting back up.
Matt started out stacking the refuse in the dumpster on the jobsite, and has worked hard ever since.
Matt and I connected on LinkedIn, I really don’t remember how right now, but he messaged me about being on the podcast. After vetting him, he seemed like a good fit for the show.
We had a nice hour recording. We cut up a little, and I deleted a few things where our honesty would just be too much for the sensitive types. 🙂
Hope you like this show!
Connect to Matt:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattradford1977/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattTheRoofer/
Roofr: https://roofr.com/
Steve Pellegrino is a knifemaker.
His skill set is way more diverse, but he is definitely a consummate, and passionate, knife maker.
His specialty is Cutlery, which is being used by homemakers to Gourmet Chefs.
I was searching online specifically for Knife Makers, and I came across Steve. I messaged Steve, and he was absolutely up for being on the Blue Collar Voices show.
Steve works out of a shop in Pennsylvania, always working to improve the quality of his knives and expand his knowledge of his craft.
We talked a bit about how he got started, what he does now, and where he wants to go.
He wants to make knives for the rest of his life, expanding his production capacity – and not sacrifice a bit of quality.
After we concluded the interview, I spent some time on Steves website and Instagram. He has some great work displayed.
I really appreciate the work ethic that Steve holds sacred and his passion for his work.
You’ll enjoy this interview – I guarantee!
Connect with Steve at:
Website: pellegrinocutlery.com
Instagram: @pellegrino_cutlery
