Load Bearing Opinions is where construction, the trades, and life all intersect. We swap stories from the field, talk training and careers, and give our take on the stuff that really matters. No fluff—just solid opinions built to last.
Are We Getting Them In… or Keeping Them? | Liz Manning — TradeBuilt USA
Are We Getting the Next Generation Into the Trades — or Just Through the Door? | Liz Manning
🎙️ This week on Load Bearing Opinions, we're joined by Liz Manning of TradeBuilt USA!
Connect with Liz and her organizations:
🔗 TradeBuilt USA: https://www.tradebuiltusa.com/ (https://www.tradebuiltusa.com/)
📱 TikTok: @TradeBuiltLiz
📸 Instagram/Facebook: @TradeBuiltUSA
🌐 Next Steps Webinars: https://www.nextstepswebinars.org/ (https://www.nextstepswebinars.org/)
📸 Instagram: @next.steps.webinars
Everybody in construction talks about needing more young people in the skilled trades. But what happens after we get them through the door?
This week, CJ and Ryan sit down with Liz Manning to talk about workforce development, apprenticeships, career opportunities, and what the construction industry needs to do differently.
Liz shares how she stumbled into construction from real estate, what inspired her to launch TradeBuilt, and why getting parents involved in career conversations might be one of the biggest missing pieces.
We get into the college-versus-trades debate, the importance of training and mentorship, job hopping, and why a pizza party isn't going to convince somebody to stay with your company.
And because this is Load Bearing Opinions, things eventually go sideways. We debate whether CJ or Ryan should be trusted in front of 500 high school students, whether everybody should know how to wire a ceiling fan, and which skilled trade Liz would choose for herself.
We also tackle one of Liz's biggest frustrations: the idea that the next generation is somehow softer than everyone who came before them.
It's a conversation about opportunity, responsibility, and making sure the next generation has more than just a job waiting for them.
Also mentioned in this episode: Next Steps Webinars' December 8 event, from 12:00–1:30 p.m. Eastern, covering alternatives to a four-year college, including skilled trades, apprenticeships, technical colleges, and military pathways. Visit https://www.nextstepswebinars.org/ (https://www.nextstepswebinars.org/) for details.
🎧 Load Bearing Opinions
Straight talk. No script. No apologies.
▶️ http://www.youtube.com/@LoadBearingOpinionsPodcast (http://www.youtube.com/@LoadBearingOpinionsPodcast)
🌐 https://www.loadbearingopinions.com/ (https://www.loadbearingopinions.com/)
What's the biggest thing the construction industry needs to change to attract AND keep the next generation?
#LoadBearingOpinions #TradeBuiltUSA #LizManning #SkilledTrades #ConstructionCareers #WorkforceDevelopment #Apprenticeships #BlueCollar #ConstructionLife
16 Oct 2026
Season 1 Episode 23
In this episode of the Low Bearing Opinions podcast, Ryan and CJ discuss the theme of comfort in various aspects of life, including personal experiences, technological advancements, and the construction industry. They explore whether society has become too comfortable and how innovation impacts our daily lives and work environments. In this conversation, Ryan and CJ explore the themes of struggle, mental health, work ethic, and the impact of technology on society. They discuss how comfort can lead to complacency and the importance of maintaining a balance between comfort and the necessity of struggle in life.
Takeaways
Comfort can hinder productivity
Innovation must balance comfort and necessity Struggle is inherent to life
Comfort can lead to complacency
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Weekly Updates
04:59 Exploring Comfort and Innovation
10:01 The Impact of Technology on Comfort
15:03 Comfort in the Construction Industry
19:56 Creature Comforts and Their Evolution
29:15 The Nature of Struggle
31:55 Mental Health and Generational Differences
39:39 The Impact of Comfort on Work Ethic
49:29 Technology and Problem Solving
54:50 The Future of Comfort and Struggle
7 Oct 2026
Season 1 Episode 22
In this episode, Ryan and CJ discuss the importance of speaking up in various situations, particularly in the workplace. They explore themes of safety, integrity, and personal anecdotes, emphasizing the need for open communication and accountability. The conversation explores various workplace scenarios, emphasizing the importance of accountability, communication, and the impact of reputation. From discussing lunch theft to addressing mistakes and innovative ideas, the hosts share insights on navigating professional relationships and maintaining integrity. In this conversation, CJ and Ryan explore the themes of responsibility, confrontation in the workplace, and the importance of evaluating when to speak up. They share humorous anecdotes and insights from their experiences, emphasizing the complexities of communication in professional settings.
Takeaways
Speak up for safety
Integrity in teamwork Speak up about mistakes
Karma affects reputation Responsibility comes with consequences
Confrontation often leads to unproductive outcomes
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes
02:59 The Role of a Parent
05:56 Navigating Workplace Dynamics
08:56 Safety Culture and Speaking Up
12:01 Integrity in Team Discussions
15:01 Handling Lunch Theft at Work
21:33 Lunch Theft and Office Culture
22:27 Owning Up to Mistakes
24:52 Home Repairs and Accountability
29:03 Name Misidentification on Job Sites
31:43 Credit for Ideas in the Workplace
33:16 Addressing Personal Hygiene Issues
38:03 Innovative Approaches to Work
41:00 The Weight of Responsibility
43:56 Navigating Workplace Confrontation
50:52 Evaluating the Need to Speak Up
54:00 Humorous Workplace Scenarios
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
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