Powerline Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Kopp, VP of Safety, Health, & Environmental with MJ Electric and the creator of the Step & Touch Potential Simulator an innovation that’s transforming how linemen learn grounding and bonding.

Steve shares his career journey in electrical safety, the difference between “safety on paper” and real jobsite culture, and the mindsets that keep crews accountable. We then dig into the process o...

In this episode, I sit down with Mike Blandin, a foreman with Canadian Utility Construction (CUC), part of Quanta Services. Mike shares his journey in civil and gas utility construction, from breaking into the trade to leading crews on major projects across Canada.

We dive into leadership lessons from the field, the realities of running a crew, and what separates a good foreman from a great one. Mike also opens up about crew culture...

In this episode, I sit down with Jared Greenlee a second-generation IBEW journeyman lineman, storm hand, and the founder of Journeyman Gear. Jared shares his story of growing up in the trade, committing two decades to storm response, and ultimately turning his jobsite experience into a fast-growing tool brand.

We cover everything from the mindsets that separate apprentices from journeymen, to the process of moving from idea to produ...

In this episode of Powerline Podcast, Ryan sits down with Dean Bell, a veteran lineman and foreman with decades in the trade. Dean pulls no punches as he shares what separates good leaders from great ones, how to earn trust under pressure, and why money, mindset, and mental health are the real make-or-break factors in this industry.

From raw lessons learned on the job to advice every apprentice and foreman needs to hear, this i...

Steve Rozenberg went from flying international jets to building one of the fastest-growing property management companies in the U.S. scaling to over 1,000 units before making a successful exit.

In this episode of Powerline Podcast, we dive deep into:

• How 9/11 ended Steve’s airline career and forced a total reinvention
• The systems and KPIs he used to scale real estate and business operations
• Why tradespeople should think beyond self...

In this episode of Powerline Podcast, I sit down with Alex Wakeland, Dan Stemp, and Benjamin Moore from JNCTN, the team behind a groundbreaking digital credential system for the trades.

We dive into the real problem of verifying training and certifications on jobsites, how JNCTN’s technology works, and why it matters for safety, compliance, and efficiency. From reducing fraud and onboarding delays to helping crews deploy faster in ...

In this episode of Powerline Podcast, I sit down with Alex Wakeland a General Foreman, content creator, and tech innovator who’s proving the trades can open doors far beyond the job site. We dive into what it really takes to build high-performing crews, the leadership lessons that stick, and how skills learned on the line can become a launchpad into tech, innovation, and bigger opportunities. From crew culture and safety to social ...

In this episode of Powerline Podcast, I sit down with Brandon Fiscus, a lineman turned senior leader at Allteck who now oversees recruiting, apprenticeship, and union workforce development.

Brandon shares hard-earned lessons from over 20 years in the trade covering everything from leadership and crew culture to mental health, money mistakes, and what it really takes to succeed long-term in line industry.

If you’re an appren...

Chase Anderson has been leading in the powerline trade for years, earning respect in one of the toughest industries out there. In this episode of Powerline Podcast, we go deep on what real leadership looks like on the job, why mental health in the trades can’t be ignored, and where the future of line work in Canada is headed.

We also talk about the opportunities young linemen should be paying attention to right now, the challenges ...

What does it take to build one of the largest renewable energy projects in U.S. history?

In this episode of Powerline Podcast, we head into the wind side of SunZia with Karissa Murillo and Chris Bruner of Blattner. Together, they break down the scale, coordination, and leadership it takes to install hundreds of turbines across remote terrain, and why this work is about more than just clean power. 

Karissa and Chris talk about the tea...

Gabe McCoy didn’t plan to become a foreman, but the job had other plans.In this episode of Powerline Podcast, Gabe opens up about his journey from groundman to respected leader on one of the most ambitious transmission projects in the country: SunZia.

He shares the growing pains of stepping into leadership, what it takes to truly earn your crew’s trust, and why building team culture is more than just getting the job done. For Gabe, ...

Josh Price isn’t just running a crew, he’s building a legacy.

In this episode, Josh shares his path from small-town lineman to foreman on the SunZia project, the largest renewable energy transmission project in U.S. history.

He opens up about the responsibility that comes with leading others, the difference between running a crew and truly leading one, and how staying grounded: mentally, physically, and emotionally, makes or breaks t...

What does it take to lead in today’s environment?

In this mobile episode of Powerline Podcast, Ryan Lucas hits the road with foreman Shawn Scribner for a ride-along through the SunZia project, the largest renewable energy infrastructure project in North America.

From the driver’s seat, Shawn opens up about what it really takes to build trust, lead crews, and grow in the field. The conversation covers:

Setting goals with purpose
Leading...

Recorded live at the 2025 Infrastructure Safety Symposium (ISS), this special panel episode dives into one of the most critical, and overlooked, roles in safety: the foreman.Hosted by Powerline Podcast’s Ryan Lucas, this conversation features seasoned foremen from across the industry who bring raw, unfiltered perspectives from the field. Together, they unpack the real gaps between policy and practice, how safety culture is felt on ...

In this episode of Powerline Podcast, Ryan Lucas sits down with Eric Hinman, a hybrid athlete and entrepreneur who has mastered the balance of fitness, recovery, and high performance.

Eric shares how tradesmen and linemen can optimize their health while working demanding jobs, avoid burnout, and build a resilient mindset for long-term success.

From HYROX training to recovery hacks like ice baths and sauna therapy, Eric breaks down ...

In this episode of Powerline Podcast, Ryan Lucas sits down with Shelby Wiedenbeck, a lineman breaking barriers in the powerline industry.

Shelby shares her journey into the trade, the challenges she faced as a female in a male-dominated field, and the mentors who helped her along the way. She opens up about the biggest misconceptions, the hardest parts of the job, and what needs to change in the industry to create more opportunitie...

Want to take your lineman career to the next level?

In this episode of Powerline Podcast, I sit down with seasoned leaders Jose Trevizo and Wayne Pickard to break down what it really takes to step up in the trade.

From earning respect on the crew to handling high-pressure situations, they share hard lessons, leadership insights, and the unspoken rules of leading in the field.

If you’re an apprentice lineman or seasoned lineman look...

Want to become an apprentice lineman but not sure how to stand out in your interview?

In this episode of Powerline Podcast, I sit down with Tyler Thompson, a former lineman turned manager at BC Hydro, to break down EXACTLY what hiring teams look for in apprentice candidates.

We cover common mistakes, how to talk about your experience (even if you don’t have much), and the best way to prepare so you walk into your interview with con...