Care About Your Impact

After getting a message from a former apprentice who just passed his journeyman exam, the conversation turns into a straight talk on what you owe the people coming up behind you: be a teacher, stay a student, and remember you did not get here alone. This episode is about the real impact a journeyman or master has on an apprentice’s work and life, how your attitude can either light someone up to learn or push them out of the trade, and why the industry cannot afford leaders who make the job miserable when we need thousands of new electricians every year. You will also hear why teaching sharpens your own craft and a practical challenge to actually get to know your apprentices, even if that starts with buying lunch and asking real questions. Want to learn more about becoming an electrician or mastering the craft? Visit ElectricianU.com for courses, resources, and everything you need to succeed!

The electrical community can be a force for good, or a place where we shred each other over methods, brands, and code takes. Today I’m asking us to slow down and look at why we react the way we do. ⚡ From regional practices to shop standards, many of us were trained to chase approval, apprentice to journeyman to master, and that approval loop can turn into ego. When we see a different technique (Wagos vs wirenuts, pre twist vs no pre twist, union vs non union), our reflex is to defend “our way” instead of comparing notes like pros.If you spot something off in a video, bring receipts. Cite code. Start a professional conversation. 🛠️ Better yet, DM with context instead of dunking for clout. Trolls build status by tearing others down, professionals build people up. Let’s model what we want the next generation to see: respectful critique, clear references, and a willingness to learn. 🤝Challenge for the day: leave one comment that helps someone. Ask a question, share a section number, or point to a spec sheet without the insult. Small habit, big ripple. 🚫If this resonates, pass it to the loudest voices on your crew. The trade gets better when we do.Want to learn more about becoming an electrician or mastering the craft? Visit ElectricianU.com for courses, resources, and everything you need to succeed!

In this episode, we sit down with two heavyweights in the electrical code world: Kyle Krueger, Executive Director of Codes and Standards at NECA, and Chad Kennedy, Director of Industry Standards at Schneider Electric. These two are not just interpreting the NEC. They are actively shaping the 2026 code cycle.We cover some of the most important updates coming in the 2026 NEC, including:Major changes to service disconnects for homes and retrofitsNew arc flash labeling rules and how they will be enforcedEV receptacle confusion and how the code is ahead of product listingsHigh-frequency GFCIs and what they solveWhy "limited energy" is replacing "low voltage"Energy Management Systems and how they can help avoid service upgradesHow fast the NEC is adapting to new technologyWhether you're an apprentice or a master electrician, this episode is packed with information you will want to know before the new code takes effect.Special thanks to Schneider Electric and NECA for supporting this episode and for being leaders in advancing safety and standards across the industry.Want to learn more about becoming an electrician or mastering the craft? Visit ElectricianU.com for courses, resources, and everything you need to succeed!

Dustin and Drake sit down with Scott Tecson from Milwaukee to talk about the company’s hands-on approach to solving the skilled trades shortage. From hosting events for high schoolers to partnering with STEM schools and nonprofits, Milwaukee is putting real money into real programs. They dive into efforts supporting veterans, female electricians, and underserved communities, while also questioning outdated barriers like the rigid five-year apprenticeship model. This episode challenges assumptions, highlights systemic issues, and explores how the trades can evolve to stay relevant and accessible. Want to learn more about becoming an electrician or mastering the craft? Visit ElectricianU.com for courses, resources, and everything you need to succeed!

Dustin talks to Jack from Milwaukee Tool about how a rough prototype tested on a busy jobsite turned into the M18 Conduit Bender, a tool built to cut scrap, speed training, and keep bends consistent across the crew.Jack explains how their team shadows real jobs, takes blunt feedback, and shapes designs around actual site conditions. He walks through why the bender stays compact, how features like angle lock and bend memory save time, and what they learned from watching crews push it to the limit. Dustin adds the installer’s view on training new hands, handling aerial kicks, and why repeatable results matter most when the whole crew relies on the same bend.Want to learn more about becoming an electrician or mastering the craft? Visit ElectricianU.com for courses, resources, and everything you need to succeed!

In this episode, Dustin shares a humbling story about replacing a ceiling fan in a two-story entryway with a 22-foot ceiling. He explains how relying on old methods with a Baker scaffold left him feeling motion sick, unsafe, and frustrated for not choosing a better solution sooner. Reflecting on how aging changes his work, he highlights why using the safest and most efficient tools matters, even if it costs more upfront. He also discusses the responsibility of leaders to keep their crews safe, challenging tradespeople to rethink how and why they do things the way they do on the job. Want to learn more about becoming an electrician or mastering the craft? Visit ElectricianU.com for courses, resources, and everything you need to succeed!

Starting your own electrical business? This episode breaks down everything that went into the first month of launching a new company, from setting up Google listings and building a website to burning money on lead gen services just to get those first few calls. Dustin shares the realities of lead platforms like Yelp, Thumbtack, and Nextdoor, what actually worked, and how much he spent to build trust and get noticed in a saturated market. It’s a real-world, boots-on-the-ground look at what it takes to get the phones to ring from week one. Want to learn more about becoming an electrician or mastering the craft? Visit ElectricianU.com for courses, resources, and everything you need to succeed!

I fired a pool company, and it wasn’t because of bad work. It was because they failed at the one thing every service professional needs to get right: follow through. Electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and other tradespeople lose work every day not because of their skills, but because they miss appointments, fail to communicate, and break trust with their customers. If you're in the field and trying to grow your electrical business, gain repeat clients, or build a strong reputation, this story is a reality check.In this podcast, I walk through what happened, what they got wrong, and what every tradesperson should be doing to avoid getting fired. From missed appointments and schedule changes to ignored follow-ups and broken equipment, this experience shows why clear communication, strong scheduling, and solid customer service are more important than ever.But this isn't just about one bad company. It's about the habits that make or break a business. Whether you're brand new to the trade or a seasoned pro, how you show up matters. We talk about:Managing your schedule without letting things slipBuilding customer trust through clear communicationHow to fix your mistakes and still keep the clientTools that help you stay organized and consistentFollow through is not optional. It's what defines your work, your reputation, and your future in the trades. Customers may forgive a mistake, but they will not forget being left in the dark. Make sure you are the one they call back, not the one they warn others about.Want to learn more about becoming an electrician or mastering the craft? Visit ElectricianU.com for courses, resources, and everything you need to succeed!

Drake and Dustin open up about the power of self-awareness and the often-overlooked impact of unchecked thoughts. They explore how internal narratives, daily frustrations, and conditioned behaviors can shape your reality without you realizing it. From road rage to family dynamics, the discussion digs into practical ways to catch yourself mid-thought, choose a different path, and take control of your mental environment. This episode offers real-world examples, relatable experiences, and honest talk about how to be more mindful and intentional in both work and life. Want to learn more about becoming an electrician or mastering the craft? Visit ElectricianU.com for courses, resources, and everything you need to succeed!

Dustin and Drake unpack how mentors, teachers, and journeymen shape the paths of those entering the electrical trade. They share personal stories of inspiration and discouragement, digging into how one bad leader can derail a promising future while the right mentor can ignite a lifelong passion. This episode is a wake-up call for every journeyman and leader in the field to recognize the influence they have, whether they want it or not. They explore what makes a good teacher, how to assess apprentices fairly, and why humility, patience, and intention are essential in building a better industry. Want to learn more about becoming an electrician or mastering the craft? Visit ElectricianU.com for courses, resources, and everything you need to succeed!