In Episode 127 of the Workforce Skills Podcast, John Morris sits down with Maryanne “Kenner” Kenner, whose life has been completely transformed through recovery, hard work, and a willingness to embrace opportunity.

Maryanne shares how she never intended to join a painting program at New Freedom, but a last-minute decision led her to discover a career she never imagined. Less than a year after being hired by PHP Commercial Painting, she’s already worked her way from painter to crew lead and is now stepping into the estimating department—achieving four of the five goals she originally set in her five-year plan.

John and Maryanne discuss:

• How recovery creates new opportunities
• Why personal responsibility matters more than second chances
• The importance of mentorship and company culture
• Building trust with family after addiction
• Learning to be “selfish” in recovery
• Why promoting from within creates stronger leaders
• The power of surrounding yourself with the right people
• How businesses can successfully hire individuals in recovery

This episode is an inspiring conversation about resilience, growth, leadership, and proving that your past does not determine your future.

Stay Hungry.

Every business owner, manager, and leader eventually faces days where everything seems to go wrong at once. In Episode 126 of the Workforce Skills Podcast, John Morris shares a raw look into the realities of running a growing commercial painting company—from chaotic construction schedules and costly change orders to managing employee attitudes and leading through difficult conversations.

John explains why the biggest challenge in business often isn’t the project itself—it’s the people involved. He discusses how positive leadership, clear communication, and a solution-first mindset can turn seemingly impossible situations into opportunities to strengthen relationships and build stronger teams.

This episode also dives into:

• Managing construction projects when schedules completely fall apart
• Handling expensive change orders without damaging client relationships
• Why attitude spreads throughout an entire company
• Learning to separate one problem from the next
• Leading with positivity during chaos
• Helping employees grow into leaders instead of giving up on them
• Why great leaders stay calm when everyone else is panicking

If you’re a business owner, supervisor, project manager, or anyone responsible for leading people through difficult situations, this episode is packed with practical leadership lessons you can apply immediately.

Stay hungry. Stay positive. Lead through the storm.

In Episode 125 of Workforce Skills with John Morris, John is joined by PHP Commercial Painting Digital Operations Specialist Chasity Choate to pull back the curtain on a real hiring process happening inside their company.

After reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and narrowing down candidates, they share exactly what separated the finalists from everyone else—and the common mistakes that cost applicants the opportunity.

Whether you’re searching for your first job, changing careers, or trying to build a stronger team, this episode is packed with practical advice you can use immediately.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why generic resumes rarely stand out
• The importance of researching the company before applying
• Why every question on an application matters
• How personality and culture fit influence hiring decisions
• The interview mistakes that immediately raise red flags
• Why teamwork matters more than technical skills alone
• How employers evaluate potential—not just experience
• The questions every applicant should ask during an interview

John also shares lessons from hiring through New Freedom and explains why people who truly want a second chance often become some of the strongest employees.

If you’re looking for a job—or looking to hire great people—this episode offers real-world insight from the employer’s side of the table.

In this episode of Workforce Skills, John Morris tackles one of the biggest sources of workplace conflict—politics, religion, and personal division.

John explains why successful companies are built on a shared mission, not political arguments, and why employees who focus on learning, growing, and working together will always outperform those focused on drama. He also shares his thoughts on leadership, respecting the chain of command, entrepreneurship, creating opportunities for others, and why America still offers incredible opportunities for those willing to work.

Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or employee, this episode is a reminder that success comes from personal responsibility, teamwork, and building something that lasts longer than yourself.

In this episode:

• Why politics doesn’t belong on the jobsite
• The cost of workplace drama
• Leadership and respecting the chain of command
• Why learning new skills increases your income
• Building businesses that outlive their founders
• Creating opportunities through entrepreneurship
• Why gratitude beats negativity
• Keeping your focus on what you can control

If you enjoy conversations about leadership, business ownership, workforce development, and building a stronger future, subscribe to Workforce Skills with John Morris.

In Episode 123 of Workforce Skills with John Morris, John tackles one of the biggest challenges facing business owners today: professionalism in the workplace. After dealing with a situation where emotions and tempers got out of control on a job site, John shares why leaders must remain calm, logical, and focused on solutions rather than reacting emotionally.

From showing up early and leading by example to understanding production, accountability, and personal growth, this episode dives into what separates professionals from everyone else. John also discusses the importance of maturity, responsibility, leadership, and becoming the best version of yourself both at work and in life.

Whether you’re a business owner, manager, supervisor, tradesperson, or someone looking to grow professionally, this episode delivers a straightforward message: your attitude, actions, and professionalism determine your future.

Topics Include:

• Leadership under pressure
• Managing emotions in the workplace
• Why professionalism matters
• Accountability and personal growth
• Showing up early and earning promotions
• Production, profitability, and performance
• Building a culture of respect
• Becoming the best version of yourself

In Episode 122 of Workforce Skills with John Morris, John sits down with PHP Commercial Painting Senior Project Manager John Warner to discuss a remarkable story of transformation, accountability, and second chances.

After spending nearly a decade in prison, John Warner made the decision to change his life forever. Through sobriety, personal responsibility, New Freedom, and a commitment to growth, he rebuilt relationships with his family, reunited with his daughters, and became a respected leader within PHP Commercial Painting.

This episode explores the challenges of reentry, overcoming addiction, rebuilding trust, learning from mistakes, and developing the mindset necessary to create a better future. John shares powerful lessons about loyalty, leadership, staying sober, and why success starts with taking ownership of your life.

If you’ve ever wondered whether people can truly change, this conversation is proof that transformation is possible.

In Episode 121 of Workforce Skills, John Morris welcomes DJ back to the podcast to talk about his journey from the first painting class at New Freedom to becoming a licensed, bonded, and insured painting contractor in Phoenix. DJ shares how he built Dan Zen Painting, changed his mindset around money, learned the value of systems, and created a future through discipline, patience, and hard work. This episode is about second chances, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and what happens when someone decides there is no option B.

Many people believe success makes life easier, but the reality is often the opposite. In Episode 120 of Workforce Skills, John Morris shares the side of success that nobody talks about—the stress, responsibility, sleepless nights, and sacrifices that come with building a company and leading a team.

John discusses the misconceptions surrounding entrepreneurship, the loneliness that often comes with leadership, and why growing a business creates bigger challenges instead of eliminating them. He also explains how successful leaders surround themselves with talented people, embrace change, and build company cultures that help others succeed.

If you’re a business owner, manager, supervisor, or aspiring leader, this episode offers a candid look at what it really takes to grow a company, lead people, and stay committed when the pressure is at its highest.