The Trade Talks

Welcome to The Trade Talks Live, where we celebrate the blue-collar trades and everything they stand for! Join us every Wednesday form 3-4PM Central time as we dive into national news, review trade websites, and share tips on mindset growth to help you succeed. Don't miss this hour of insights, inspiration, and practical advice! What does it really take to build a career in the trades—and why do so many people underestimate it? We talk about: 🔧 Getting stuck under houses and surviving crawlspace horror stories 🏈 Transitioning from sports into the skilled trades 💰 Why plumbing became a life-changing career opportunity 🚿 The difference between new construction and service plumbing 🛠 Learning the trade from YouTube videos and hands-on experience 📈 Moving from apprentice to management 🏠 Diagnosing plumbing systems, repipes, water heaters, and real-world service calls 💬 Why helping homeowners on their worst day makes the job worth it This conversation is packed with real stories, lessons from the field, and honest insight into what it's really like working in the plumbing industry. Whether you're thinking about joining the trades, already in plumbing, or just love hearing behind-the-scenes stories from skilled professionals, this episode is for you.

Welcome to The Trade Talks Live, where we celebrate the blue-collar trades and everything they stand for! Join us every Wednesday form 3-4PM Central time as we dive into national news, review trade websites, and share tips on mindset growth to help you succeed. Don't miss this hour of insights, inspiration, and practical advice! What does it really take to build a career in the trades—and why do so many people underestimate it? From carrying shingles up ladders as a kid to building one of the top roofing operations in Florida — this conversation dives deep into the real life of the trades. 🔨🔥 We talk about: • Getting started in roofing at 13 years old • Why trades became the path instead of college • The toughest parts of learning roofing • Florida roofing codes vs Texas roofing • Making money in the trades with piecework • How roofing crews really get paid • Metal roofs, shingles, tile, and commercial roofing • Building crews, leadership, and teaching the next generation This is an honest look at what it takes to succeed in construction, the lessons learned on the roof, and how hard work can turn into opportunity. If you're in the trades, thinking about getting into roofing, or just want to hear real stories from the industry — this episode is for you. 👇 Drop a comment: What trade would you have gone into if not your current career?

Welcome to The Trade Talks Live, where we celebrate the blue-collar trades and everything they stand for! Join us every Wednesday from 3:00-4:00 Cental as we dive into national news, review trade websites, and share tips on mindset growth to help you succeed. Don't miss this hour of insights, inspiration, and practical advice! A big thank you to Leak-Pro for sponsoring this episode of The Trade Talks Live! Register for my FREE webinar! https://www.justmetroger.com LeakPro provides state-of-the-art leak detection solutions specifically designed for plumbers, helping professionals pinpoint hidden leaks with accuracy and efficiency. By utilizing advanced acoustic technology and digital sensors, LeakPro allows plumbers to reduce unnecessary damage, saving time and money on every job. LeakPro's tools are essential for detecting slab leaks, pipe leaks, and irrigation system failures without

Welcome to The Trade Talks Live, where we celebrate the blue-collar trades and everything they stand for! Join us every Wednesday form 3-4PM Central time as we dive into national news, review trade websites, and share tips on mindset growth to help you succeed. Don't miss this hour of insights, inspiration, and practical advice! What does it really take to build a career in the trades—and why do so many people underestimate it? In this episode of The Trade, Roger Wakefield sits down with Brian Duncan, Field Operations Manager at Duncan Plumbing Solutions, to talk about his unexpected journey into plumbing. From working in restaurants and facing sudden job loss to building a successful career in the skilled trades, Brian shares how persistence, family influence, and a strong work ethic shaped his path. You'll hear how his wife pushed him to take the next step in his career, why plumbing "just made sense," and how working with both your hands and your mind creates the perfect balance. Brian also dives into his experience with residential service, gas systems, and the evolution of tools in the trade. This conversation goes beyond plumbing—it's about mindset. From starting as an apprentice to training the next generation, Brian explains why the trades aren't just jobs—they're lifelong careers that demand dedication, pride, and continuous learning. If you're considering a career in the trades, or want insight from someone who's lived it, this episode is for you. In this episode, you'll learn: How Brian transitioned from restaurants to plumbing The role persistence and mentorship play in success Why hands-on learning is key in the trades The difference between working for a paycheck vs. building a career What it takes to train and develop great plumbers

Welcome to The Trade Talks Live, where we celebrate the blue-collar trades and everything they stand for! Join us every Wednesday from 3:00-4:00 Cental as we dive into national news, review trade websites, and share tips on mindset growth to help you succeed. Don't miss this hour of insights, inspiration, and practical advice! A big thank you to Leak-Pro for sponsoring this episode of The Trade Talks Live! Register for my FREE webinar! https://www.justmetroger.com LeakPro provides state-of-the-art leak detection solutions specifically designed for plumbers, helping professionals pinpoint hidden leaks with accuracy and efficiency. By utilizing advanced acoustic technology and digital sensors, LeakPro allows plumbers to reduce unnecessary damage, saving time and money on every job. LeakPro's tools are essential for detecting slab leaks, pipe leaks, and irrigation system failures without

Welcome to The Trade Talks Live, where we celebrate the blue-collar trades and everything they stand for! Join us every Wednesday from 3:00-4:00 Cental as we dive into national news, review trade websites, and share tips on mindset growth to help you succeed. Don't miss this hour of insights, inspiration, and practical advice! A big thank you to Leak-Pro for sponsoring this episode of The Trade Talks Live! Register for my FREE webinar! https://www.justmetroger.com LeakPro provides state-of-the-art leak detection solutions specifically designed for plumbers, helping professionals pinpoint hidden leaks with accuracy and efficiency. By utilizing advanced acoustic technology and digital sensors, LeakPro allows plumbers to reduce unnecessary damage, saving time and money on every job. LeakPro's tools are essential for detecting slab leaks, pipe leaks, and irrigation system failures without

Now teaching students in Dallas ISD, Juan is helping shape the future of the trades—emphasizing exposure, hands-on learning, and the value of skilled labor careers. 🔧 Topics covered: How he got started in plumbing by accident Commercial vs. residential work The importance of mentorship in the trades Building trust with customers Teaching the next generation of plumbers Why exposure is key to solving the skilled labor shortage If you've ever considered a career in the trades—or want to understand the people who keep our world running—this episode is for you. 👉 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with top professionals in the trades! Welcome to The Trade Talks Live, where we celebrate the blue-collar trades and everything they stand for! Join us every Wednesday 3-4pm central time as we dive into national news, review trade websites, and share tips on mindset growth to help you succeed. Don't miss this hour of insights, inspiration, and practical advice!

Welcome to The Trade Talks Live, where we celebrate the blue-collar trades and everything they stand for! Join us every Wednesday from 3:00-4:00 Cental as we dive into national news, review trade websites, and share tips on mindset growth to help you succeed. Don't miss this hour of insights, inspiration, and practical advice! A big thank you to Leak-Pro for sponsoring this episode of The Trade Talks Live! Register for my FREE webinar! https://www.justmetroger.com LeakPro provides state-of-the-art leak detection solutions specifically designed for plumbers, helping professionals pinpoint hidden leaks with accuracy and efficiency. By utilizing advanced acoustic technology and digital sensors, LeakPro allows plumbers to reduce unnecessary damage, saving time and money on every job. LeakPro's tools are essential for detecting slab leaks, pipe leaks, and irrigation system failures without

Welcome to The Trade Talks Podcast, where we celebrate the blue-collar trades and everything they stand for! Join us every other Saturday for the Trade Talks Podcast and every Wednesday from 3-4 PM for the Trade Talks Live as we dive into national news, review trade websites, and share tips on mindset growth to help you succeed. Don't miss this hour of insights, inspiration, and practical advice! In this episode, we learn what happens when a former fitness model pivots into AI—and ends up helping plumbers, roofers, electricians, and HVAC pros dominate their industries? In this episode of The Trade, Roger Wakefield sits down with AI systems expert Aoife Roche to break down how artificial intelligence is transforming the skilled trades—and why those who adapt now will win big. They dive into: Why the trades are some of the most "AI-proof" careers How AI can become the cheapest (and most powerful) employee in your business The future of marketing for plumbers, roofers, and contractors AI influencers, automated content, and scaling your brand faster than ever The death of traditional SEO and the rise of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) Real-world examples of cutting lead costs and increasing revenue using AI Why ignoring AI today could cost you your business tomorrow Aoife shares how she went from fitness and modeling to building cutting-edge AI systems that can create full courses, ads, and marketing campaigns in days—not months.

Welcome to The Trade Talks Live, where we celebrate the blue-collar trades and everything they stand for! Join us every Wednesday from 3:00-4:00 Cental as we dive into national news, review trade websites, and share tips on mindset growth to help you succeed. Don't miss this hour of insights, inspiration, and practical advice! A big thank you to Leak-Pro for sponsoring this episode of The Trade Talks Live! Register for my FREE webinar! https://www.justmetroger.com LeakPro provides state-of-the-art leak detection solutions specifically designed for plumbers, helping professionals pinpoint hidden leaks with accuracy and efficiency. By utilizing advanced acoustic technology and digital sensors, LeakPro allows plumbers to reduce unnecessary damage, saving time and money on every job. LeakPro's tools are essential for detecting slab leaks, pipe leaks, and irrigation system failures without