The Reality of Learning a Trade: Everything Takes Longer Than You Think | The Punchlist
Release Date: 09/16/2025
How to Push Through the Hard Days and Keep Showing Up | The Punchlist
The Blue Collar Future
In this episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler have an honest conversation about what it really takes to show up in the trades—especially on the hard days. They dive into morning routines, mindset, and mental health, pulling from their real-world experiences in bricklaying and concrete work. 🎙️ Key Takeaways Hard days are a normal part of working in the trades Morning routines help set the tone for long, demanding days Mental preparation matters as much as physical readiness Discipline outlasts motivation when work gets tough Job satisfaction...
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Confident vs Cocky, Leading People With More Experience Than You, Money and Social Media | RFI: Request For Insight
The Blue Collar Future
In this RFI episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler answer listener questions around confidence on the job site, working with experienced journeymen, and navigating social media as a blue-collar professional. Shoutout to a show sponsor, LiveSwitch. 🎙️ Key Takeaways Confidence without humility quickly turns into ego Respecting experienced journeymen builds credibility and trust Strong communication prevents jobsite friction Leadership is earned through collaboration, not dominance Authenticity matters more than perfection on social media Sharing...
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Everything Wrong With The Trades: And How To Succeed | The Punchlist
The Blue Collar Future
In this Punchlist episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler discuss why ambition, accountability, and specialization matter more than ever, how company culture influences long-term fulfillment, and why waiting for better conditions is rarely the answer. This episode focuses on ownership, intentional growth, and building a sustainable, satisfying career in the trades. Takeaways Ambition and accountability are critical for long-term advancement Specialization improves job security and earning potential Company culture strongly impacts satisfaction...
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Market Trends in Construction, 10-20 Year Forecast For The Trades | RFI: Request For Insight
The Blue Collar Future
In this RFI episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler break down what current market trends are signaling for construction, and where the industry is headed amid rapid technological shifts. They discuss AI’s role in improving efficiency, the rise of consumerism and unrealistic housing expectations, and why finding the right trade matters more than chasing hype. This conversation offers a grounded, real-world look at career satisfaction, long-term opportunity, and the mindset required to thrive in today’s trades economy. Takeaways Construction...
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Are Electricians Going To Be The Next Millionaires? | The Punchlist
The Blue Collar Future
In this Punchlist episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler break down the viral claim that electricians and plumbers are going to be the next millionaires. They unpack where this idea came from, why it’s misleading, and what actually leads to long-term financial success in the trades. If you’ve ever wondered whether blue collar careers really lead to wealth, or you’re tired of the “get rich in the trades” narrative, this episode brings nuance, experience, and straight talk. 🎙️ Key Takeaways “Electricians and plumbers are the next...
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Nutrition, Misconceptions, and Favorite Things in the Trades | RFI: Request For Insight
The Blue Collar Future
In this RFI episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler tackle three listener questions covering everything from meal prep and coffee culture to job satisfaction and the biggest misconceptions people have about the trades. 🎙️ Key Takeaways Meal prep is simple—people just overcomplicate it. Intentional eating matters, especially with long physical days. Camaraderie and crew culture determine job satisfaction. The trades require problem-solving, planning, and math skills. Concrete work depends more on prep than rebar. Misconceptions about...
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Leadership, Focus, and the Fear That Holds Us Back | Real Talk with Jaden
The Blue Collar Future
In this solo episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, host Jaden Robison reflects on speaking at a fundraising gala and the leadership training he completed nearly a decade ago—training that shaped the way he approaches personal growth, fear, and responsibility today. Jaden breaks down how fear of failure keeps so many people stuck, why focus is harder than ever in a distraction-heavy world, and what intentional habits like reading, journaling, and time blocking can do to rebuild your ability to think deeply. . 🎙️ Key Takeaways Leadership training leaves a lifelong impact when...
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Mental Health in the Trades: What You Can Do to Help - The Punchlist
The Blue Collar Future
In this episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler tackle one of the most overlooked issues in the construction industry — mental health. They break down practical ways to take care of your mental health, support your crew, and focus on what really matters: being present, showing up, and leading by example. 🧠 Key Takeaways The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. Tough guy culture leads to bottled-up emotions instead of real conversations. Communication is the foundation for improving mental health...
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The Truth About Work-Life Balance Nobody Talks About | Real Talk with Jaden
The Blue Collar Future
In this solo episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, host Jaden Robison breaks down why the idea of work-life balance is often a myth — especially for those in the trades and seasonal work. After a packed month balancing long job hours, home projects, and family life, Jaden reflects on what it really means to manage your time and energy when everything hits at once. He shares how using tools like LiveSwitch helped streamline a side job and free up valuable time, and why being intentional about your seasons of life is the key to staying grounded. To check out LiveSwitch — 💡...
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AI In Construction, Future Goals, Marketing the Industry Better | RFI: Request for Insight
The Blue Collar Future
In this RFI episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler dive into what’s next for the construction industry — from AI and technology to leadership, motivation, and the push to attract younger workers to the trades. They share personal insights, lessons learned from mentorship, and how to keep excitement alive in your career. The discussion also tackles how the industry can market itself better, create real growth opportunities, and empower the next generation to take pride in blue collar work. 🎙️ Key Takeaways Find excitement in everyday tasks...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Punchlist on the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler dig into one of the biggest challenges facing the trades today: expectations.
From social media hype that makes careers look like overnight success stories to the real-world truth that expertise takes years of hard work, Jaden and Jessie share their own experiences of learning, growing, and sometimes failing forward.
They highlight why transparency in career paths, initiative on the job, and realistic timelines for growth matter so much for new tradespeople. Whether you’re just starting out or mentoring the next generation, this episode will help you reset expectations, stay motivated, and understand why the long road is worth it.
🎙️ Key Takeaways
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Everything in the trades takes longer than expected (and that’s okay).
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Social media creates unrealistic success stories that don’t match reality.
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True expertise requires time, patience, and repetition.
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Initiative is one of the fastest ways to stand out on the job.
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Clear career paths + mentorship prevent burnout and frustration.
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Motivation fuels faster learning — but you can’t rush experience.
⏱️ Chapters
(00:00) - Introduction and Weekend Recap
(03:43) - Expectations and Instant Gratification
(09:17) - The Reality of Becoming an Expert
(16:37) - Real-Life Examples of Learning and Growth
(21:27) - The Importance of Time and Experience in Trades
(28:46) - The Value of Experience in Trades
(34:50) - Generational Mindsets and Impatience
(41:14) - Realistic Expectations in the Trades
(49:29) - Transparency and Career Progression
(54:22) - The Journey to Expertise