Building Badasses with Emily Cox

In this episode of The Fix, we chat with two of our Oatey Ambassadors — Jose Lopez, owner of My Plumbing Friends in Florida, and Tucker Baney, a North Carolina plumber with over 900K social media followers. Jose shares his journey from working with medical air and vacuum systems to launching his own plumbing business, and his vision for mentoring the next generation through trade school partnerships. Tucker talks about balancing family life, plumbing, and a thriving online presence while breaking down misconceptions about the trade. Together, they highlight the importance of networking, open-minded learning, and building unity among tradespeople.Follow My Plumbing Friends on Instagram and connect with Tucker on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.

In this episode of The Fix, we chat with Canadian Oatey Ambassadors Rob Lupton and Grant Blundell about their careers in plumbing, running their own businesses, and what it’s like working in the trade north of the border. Rob, a third-generation plumber, and Grant, who started his own company after more than a decade in the field, share insights on the challenges of finding skilled workers, navigating licensing and codes, and balancing work, family, and social media.Follow Rob on Instagram at @precision.plumbing.and.drains.Follow Grant on Instagram at @g.bplumbing.

In this episode of The Fix, we chat with Keller Hayes, Director of Transportation & Construction GIRL, a program of the HOYA Foundation that’s inspiring the next generation of women to pursue careers in construction, transportation, and the trades. Keller shares powerful stories of impact—from 6-year-olds lighting up behind heavy equipment to young women realizing their economic potential through career exposure. With hands-on events like Transportation and Construction GIRL Day and an immersive Career Week for GIRLs, the organization is breaking down stereotypes and opening doors for girls to explore high-paying, rewarding trade careers.Learn more at constructiongirl.orgFollow along on Facebook, , Instagram and LinkedIn

In this episode of The Fix, we sit down with Ruchir Shah, CEO and Founder of SkillCat, to explore how his platform is making skilled trades education more accessible, affordable, and tech-forward. Ruchir shares how SkillCat's virtual simulations, industry certifications, and new Grit Foundation are helping break down barriers to entry and raise awareness of the trades as high-value, fulfilling careers. From pre-apprenticeship training to partnerships with contractors, SkillCat is on a mission to transform how people enter and grow in HVAC, plumbing, and maintenance careers.Explore SkillCat: skillcatapp.comFollow them on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, YouTube

In this episode of The Fix, Brian Schaffran, Head Coach and Founder of Motogo Cleveland, shares how his nonprofit is reigniting shop class by teaching students mechanical skills through motorcycle building. Motogo helps students embrace failure as part of the learning process, builds teamwork across genders, and offers hands-on experiences that foster confidence, problem-solving, and life skills. He also highlights the program’s impact on underserved communities and the importance of reintroducing trades education into schools.Learn more at motogocleveland.comFollow Motogo Cleveland on Instagram and Facebook.

In this episode of The Fix: A Trades Conversation, Rhoni Basden, Executive Director of Vermont Works for Women, discusses the organization's mission to promote economic justice and gender equity by supporting women and youth in trades careers. She highlights the challenges women face in entering nontraditional careers, from representation gaps to systemic barriers, and shares how programs like Rosie's Girls and Trailblazers provide hands-on training and mentorship to build confidence and skills. Rhoni also emphasizes the importance of industry collaboration, mentorship, and early exposure to trades education to break down stereotypes and create more inclusive opportunities in the workforce.Learn more at vtworksforwomen.org and follow along on LinkedIn.

In this episode of The Fix: A Trades Conversation, Renee Jones, Program Director at Chicago Women in the Trades (CWIT), shares her journey from social services to becoming an electrician and eventually leading programs that empower women in the trades. She discusses CWIT’s mission to improve economic equity by preparing women for careers in traditionally male-dominated fields through pre-apprenticeship programs in welding, construction, and other trades. Renee highlights the organization's partnerships with unions, the support systems in place to help women succeed, and the transformative impact these career opportunities have on individuals and their families.Learn more at https://cwit.org/ Follow CWIT on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

In this episode of The Fix: A Trades Conversation, Mark Hedstrom, CEO of Skilled Careers Coalition, shares his journey and the mission of his organization to inspire, connect, and convert young talent into skilled careers. He discusses the challenges of attracting youth to the trades, the importance of destigmatizing skilled careers, and how the coalition leverages partnerships, marketing, and youth-led content to drive engagement. Mark highlights the success of initiatives like Skills Jam, which creates authentic, engaging content to inspire the next generation of skilled workers, and emphasizes the need for collaboration among industry leaders to create a unified approach to workforce development.Learn more about Skilled Careers Coalition at skilledcareers.org and Skills Jam at skillsjam.comFollow Skilled Careers Coalition on LinkedIn, and Skills Jam on Instagram and TikTok.

We're joined by Leisa Williams-Swedberg from Women in Skilled Trades Michigan (WIST), sharing her journey into construction management and her impactful work empowering women in the trades. Leisa recounts how WIST was founded to provide women with pre-apprenticeship training, overcoming barriers like math skills, job readiness, and access to trade opportunities. Her passion shines through as she celebrates the program's success stories, including graduates who have gone on to become journeymen, proving the transformative power of WIST. Learn more at www.wistmichigan.org.

In this episode of The Fix podcast, Emily Cox, the brains behind Building Badasses, shares her fascinating journey from architecture to building a revolutionary organization for women in trades. She delves into the driving force behind her vision of fostering a more inclusive and balanced industry, where women make up 51% of every trade. Listen in for a remarkable conversation on bridging the gap in the trades, creating networking opportunities, and crafting a safe and supportive space for aspiring female builders. Learn more at www.buildingbadasses.com and follow on Instagram.