TradingUp
TradingUp is new podcast series produced by Journey12 in proud partnership with Carl Sandburg College. More than just a podcast, TradingUp is a front-row seat to the lived experiences of men and women who’ve chosen a path that’s too often overlooked—the skilled trades. In each episode, we’ll shine a light on real people, telling real stories of how they’ve charted careers rooted in technical skill, resilience, and hands-on problem solving. These are not narratives of overnight success or viral fame, but of purpose forged in welding bays, machining shops, dental hygiene labs, and behind the dashboards of diesel engines—where grit, craftsmanship, and passion come together to build something lasting. Through these conversations, we’ll explore what it means to trade up—not just in job titles or earning potential, but in personal fulfillment, community contribution, and the dignity of meaningful work. We’ll meet individuals who have discovered their calling through Sandburg’s programs and partnerships, and who now keep our communities moving forward—quietly, reliably, and often without fanfare. At a time when the world seems increasingly tilted toward screens and abstraction, these stories remind us of something vital: that there is extraordinary value in the tangible, in the applied, and in the deeply human act of working with one’s hands. This series honors that work—and the people who do it. TradingUp is here to challenge assumptions, celebrate possibility, and inspire a deeper appreciation for the trades and the institutions, like Sandburg, that make these journeys possible.
Episodes
Join host Craig Williams for an inspiring conversation with Ellen Burns, Dean of Career and Technical Education, and Jessa Morgan, Trades Program Advocate at Carl Sandburg College. Together, these two dynamic leaders are revolutionizing how students discover and pursue careers in the skilled trades.
Discover how Sandburg's "Goldilocks approach"—not too big, not too small, but just right—creates an ecosystem where stud...
Join host Craig Williams for an inspiring conversation with Nate Budde, a 40-year-old career changer who traded retail management for network administration, and Linda Lee, whose 24-year journey at Carl Sandburg College spans the entire digital revolution.
Discover why information technology careers are perfect for both first-time students and career changers, how Sandburg's flexible programming accommodates working adults, and...
Join host Craig Williams for an illuminating conversation with Ashley Reeves, dental hygiene educator at Carl Sandburg College, and Alan Castro Medrano, a recent graduate now serving rural communities at Eagle View Community Health Center.
Discover why dental hygiene is far more than "tooth scraping"—it's prevention, health education, and community care rolled into one essential profession. From cutting-edge laser tec...
What happens when childhood hours spent with LEGO bricks and racing video games collide with real-world opportunity? Brandon O'Reilly's journey from Fast and Furious fan to rising MOPAR technician proves that passion can find its path in unexpected ways. Thanks to Galesburg High School's Promise Scholarship and Carl Sandburg College's dual credit program, Brandon transformed his natural problem-solving instincts...
In this episode of Sandburg TradingUp, host Craig Williams sits down with Kathy Wight of the Regional Office of Education to explore the transformative impact of Dual Credit programming for high school students. Kathy shares her passion for helping students earn college credit while still in high school, explaining how this opportunity not only saves time and money—but builds belief. In many ways, Dual Credit is the Swiss army knif...
Today’s episode takes us into the heart of what second chances—and the people who make them possible—can really mean.
We’ll meet Tabby Heitmeier, a young woman whose early struggles in a traditional high school setting nearly derailed her aspirations—but who found her way back through the kind of personalized support that only a place like Carl Sandburg College’s Carthage Campus can offer. And joining her is Linda Thomas, the tirele...
In this episode of Sandburg's Trading Up, host Craig Williams sits down with Draven Leady, a recent Carl Sandburg College graduate who’s charted an inspiring course through the college’s automotive and welding programs. Draven’s story is one of resilience—navigating learning differences, family moves, and unexpected detours to emerge as a standout young tradesman at Heat and Control, a Galesburg-based manufacturer of food proc...
When it comes to helping students find their way, Rhonda Nelson and Lauren Eurales don’t just advise — they invest. In this deeply human episode of Trading Up, host Craig Williams talks with two Carl Sandburg College professionals whose work transcends titles and touches lives. From adult learners re-entering the classroom to teens unsure of what comes next, Rhonda and Lauren meet students where they are, providing not just guidanc...
In this episode of Sandburg’s Trading Up, Craig Williams sits down with Margaret Segerston and Becky Wade of Regional Office of Education 33 to explore how the Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System—better known as ICAPS—is transforming lives across Western Illinois.
Through a robust partnership with Carl Sandburg College, ROE 33 is helping adult learners earn their high school diplomas, master English, and pursue stackab...
In this episode of Trading Up, we explore what it really means to care — not just as a profession, but as a deeply human calling. We sit down with two remarkable women whose journeys began with hardship, wound their way through personal loss and educational struggle, and converged through the healing power of nursing.
Diamonique Heyburn, a recent graduate of Sandburg’s nursing program, opens her heart about the experiences that shap...
There's something magical that happens when the right person shows up at exactly the right moment in someone's educational journey. Today, I'm joined by two remarkable women who make that magic happen every single day. Gabriella Hurtado serves as Director of Recruitment at Sandburg, overseeing the Welcome Center team that guides students from that first curious question all the way through enrollment. And Emily Colli...
You know, you can have all the technical knowledge in the world, a stellar GPA, and impressive credentials, but if you can't communicate effectively, work as part of a team, or present yourself professionally, you're missing that critical transmission that gets all that horsepower to the wheels. Today, I'm joined by Tracy Engstrom, Coordinator of Career Development at Carl Sandburg College, who has spent the last 15 ...
In this inaugural episode, host Craig Williams sits down with Madelyn Sell, a Galesburg native and Carl Sandburg College graduate who found her calling not in a boardroom, but in a machine shop.
Madelyn’s journey into the world of precision machining began not with a lifelong dream, but with a nudge from her father and an open mind. What started as a simple course in CNC at the Galesburg Area Vocational Center sparked something in h...
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