• Daily preparation builds consistency and confidence.

• Social media often drains the energy needed for real work.

• Small habits each morning can drastically improve performance.

• Prioritize what fuels you—people, projects, and personal goals.

• Work and family balance starts with clear priorities and focus.

• Awareness of distractions helps protect your energy.

• You can learn to love your work through purpose and preparation.

(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast
(01:17) - The Importance of Daily Preparation
(03:36) - Energy Management and Social Media’s Impact
(08:36) - Prioritizing Work and Family
(12:19) - Consciousness of Time and Energy Sucks
(14:55) - Podcast Evolution and Future Directions

In this RFI episode of the Blue Collar Future Podcast, hosts Jaden Robison and Jessie Demler answer listener questions covering everything from concrete finishing to career transitions. They dive into when (and when not) to use steel on exterior concrete, the difference between “safety on paper” versus real-world safety, and practical advice for young tradespeople with a Class A license. Jaden and Jessie also explore the growing number of people leaving white collar jobs to pursue fulfilling careers in the trades.

Takeaways

• Concrete finishing is all about timing and technique.

• Paper safety policies don’t matter if people aren’t truly protected.

• For young workers, responsibility and mindset matter more than experience.

• The trucking industry can be a stepping stone or a career—know your goals.

• More people are leaving white collar jobs for trades than you’d think.

• Living below your means builds stability in any career path.

• Real satisfaction comes from working with your hands and creating something lasting.

Chapters
(00:00) – Introduction and Personal Updates
(04:24) – Q1: When to Use (or Avoid) Steel in Exterior Concrete Finishing
(18:10) – Q2: Safety on Paper vs Safety on the Job
(22:40) – Personal Responsibility in Workplace Safety
(30:56) – Q3: Advice for a 20-Year-Old with a Class A License
(36:56) – Q4: How often(or not) are people getting into trades from white collar?
(41:49) – Financial Responsibility and Stability in the Trades

In 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.

• Everything in the trades takes longer than expected (and that’s okay).

• Social media creates unrealistic success stories that don’t match reality.

• True expertise requires time, patience, and repetition.

• Initiative is one of the fastest ways to stand out on the job.

• Clear career paths + mentorship prevent burnout and frustration.

• Motivation fuels faster learning — but you can’t rush experience.

(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