Load Bearing Opinions

How Do You Want to Be Remembered? | Load Bearing Opinions

When you're gone, what will people actually remember about you?

Will it be the work you did, the things you accomplished, the people you helped along the way—or that one stupid thing you did 20 years ago that nobody ever let you forget?

This week on Load Bearing Opinions, CJ and Ryan tackle the idea of legacy. Not the fame-and-fortune kind, but the impressions we leave on our families, friends, coworkers, and the people whose lives we cross.

Ryan shares how be...

🎃 Ghosts, Garage Doors & Bad Decisions | LBO Halloween Special 👻

We had a plan for our Halloween episode. We were going to talk about creepy jobsites, things that go bump in the night, and the real horrors of working in construction.

And then we started talking. You know how that goes.

This week on Load Bearing Opinions, CJ and Ryan get into haunted hospitals, mysterious moving equipment, and what it's like walking through an empty jobsite in the middle of the night.

Somehow, we also end up discussing:

🔨 CJ...

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/
📱 TikTok: @TradeBuiltLiz
📸 Instagram/Facebook: @TradeBuiltUSA
🌐 Next Steps Webinars: 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 t...

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.

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...

The podcast features a discussion with Jacob Parish, a field engineer, who shares insights into the construction industry and his career journey. The conversation covers topics such as the impact of COVID-19, training, mentorship, challenges, and generational perspectives in construction. The conversation delves into the impact of integrity, the influence of mentors, and the challenges faced in field engineering. It also explores career development, growth opportunities, and the transition to leadership roles. The discussion highlights the importance of honesty, the role of influential mentors, and the need to avoid complacency in career growth. Additionally, it features light-hearted moments and...

The podcast hosts engage in a lively discussion about time travel and the exploration of different historical eras. They delve into the concept of operation time machine and the excitement of going off the rails. The conversation transitions into a journey to the caveman era, followed by an exploration of the Bronze Age and the height of the gladiators in Rome. The hosts express their curiosity about the inventions, structures, and events of these historical periods, highlighting the significance of each era in human history. The conversation delves into various historical time periods, including Ancient Rome, the American Frontier...

The podcast conversation covers various aspects of career decisions, including the timing to leave a job, company culture, loyalty, career development, impressionability, and petty reasons to quit. The hosts share personal experiences and insights related to these topics, providing valuable perspectives on navigating career choices and workplace challenges. The conversation covers workplace red flags, job satisfaction, challenges, safety, ethical concerns, respect for management, and an off-the-rails episode on time travel.

Takeaways

The conversation covers the topics of remembering Dolly Parton, identifying and dealing with difficult people at work, the contagious nature of negative attitudes, and the distinction between holding someone accountable and being an asshole. The conversation delves into the topics of accountability at work, pride in one's work, self-reflection, and improvement. It also explores the idea of when it's time to leave a job. The speakers discuss the impact of accountability, the importance of taking pride in one's work, the value of self-reflection and improvement, and the considerations involved in deciding when to leave a job.

The conversation explores the impact of the people we surround ourselves with, both in personal and professional settings. It delves into the influence of environment on mindset and behavior, the importance of challenging and supportive relationships, and the role of leadership in fostering a positive work culture. The conversation delves into the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences and the impact of personal relationships on growth and development. It also explores the need for self-reflection and the role of intentionality in choosing one's circle of influence.

Takeaways

The conversation covers advice to an 18-year-old self, work ethic, learning opportunities, reputation, adaptability, financial responsibility, life lessons, self-care, and rapid fire questions about career, mistakes, and surprises. The hosts share personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of learning, financial responsibility, and self-care.

Takeaways

Chapters

The podcast begins with an introduction and discussion about being on the road in Atlanta. Aiden Otero's background and the topic of earning respect in the trades are then explored. The conversation delves into the definition of respect, the importance of consistency, and the role of trust and responsibility in earning respect. The conversation delves into the topic of earning respect in the trades, highlighting the importance of consistency, preparation, trustworthiness, and openness to feedback. It also explores the distinction between respect and popularity, emphasizing the need to avoid chasing popularity at the expense of respect. The episode concludes...

Side Work... Worth It or Not?

Almost every tradesperson has thought about picking up side work. Some do it for extra cash. Some do it to sharpen their skills. Others just enjoy building something that's their own.

But is it really worth it?

In this episode of Load Bearing Opinions, Ryan and CJ dive into the realities of side work—the good, the bad, and the lessons they learned the hard way.

We cover:

The conversation emphasizes the importance of continuous learning in the trades and explores alternative education methods available to tradespeople. It delves into the significance of ongoing education and the various ways in which individuals can continue to learn and grow within their trade. Additionally, it highlights the value of alternative education methods such as online resources, social media platforms, and podcasts. The conversation covers the value of continuous learning, the impact of boredom and complacency on skill development, and the importance of consistency in learning. It also includes an announcement of the hundred subscriber giveaway and a discussion on...

The podcast episode begins with an introduction to the Low Bearing Opinions Podcast, setting the tone for a candid and unscripted conversation. The hosts discuss the challenges of driving in rainy weather, leading to a conversation about the role of a mentor in the trades. They explore the qualities of a good mentor, the responsibility of passing down knowledge, and the role of a bad mentor, emphasizing the importance of consistency, leading by example, and creating a safe space for questions. The conversation delves into the differences in challenges faced by different generations and the importance of learning from...

The podcast episode begins with an introduction and discussion of the podcast format, followed by engaging with listeners and comments. The main theme of the episode revolves around the concept of tolerances in construction and personal tolerances, exploring industry standard tolerances and the impact of personal attitudes towards tolerances in construction work. The conversation delves into the science of steps and the evolution of precision in construction. It highlights the impact of precision in construction, the importance of following specifications, and the challenges with concrete thickness and flatness. The significance of control networks in surveying, the role of complacency...

The podcast episode covers a range of topics, from offbeat banter to serious debates. It delves into the challenges of commuting, the influence of merchandise, and the fashion choices of the hosts. The episode also features a discussion on driving nightmares, the Gridiron Men's Conference, and a series of lighthearted debates on Coke vs. Pepsi, Ford vs. Chevy, Dogs vs. Cats, and iPhone vs. Android. The conversation covers a range of topics including phone usage, texting vs. talking, iPhone vs. Android, pencil vs. marker, paper plans vs. iPads, and the debate between Milwaukee and DeWalt tools. The hosts share...

The podcast conversation covers various themes related to burnout, work-life balance, and career progression in the trades. It delves into the challenges of long hours, being away from home, and the impact on personal life. The speakers also provide advice for young workers and emphasize the importance of gaining experience through travel and career advancement. The conversation covers the impact of lifestyle on work, work-life balance, coping strategies, passion for the work, dealing with difficult colleagues, wellness and burnout prevention, podcast updates, and audience engagement. The hosts share personal experiences and provide insights into managing the challenges of the...

Here we talk about what this upcoming weeks episode is about. Maybe a little bit of word stumbling.

The podcast episode discusses the Skills USA National Leadership Conference, addressing the skills gap in construction, and the ego problem in the industry. It highlights the impressive creativity and skills of students, the value of industry exposure, and the challenges associated with ego in construction. The episode emphasizes the importance of confidence, communication, and overcoming ego-related challenges. The conversation covers various themes related to leadership, professionalism, and the misconceptions of construction workers. It also delves into the importance of continuous learning, problem-solving, and the impact of burnout in the trades. The hosts emphasize the significance of ego management, adaptability...

First....We are not Financial Advisors, this is not financial advice. Just some observations, experiences and lessons you may learn from, hopefully earlier than we did.

Takeaways

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The podcast features a candid conversation between Ryan and CJ, discussing their passion for construction, origin stories, generational differences in the industry, and the impact of technology on construction practices. The conversation delves into the challenges and benefits of technology adoption, as well as the evolving nature of construction practices in the modern era. The conversation covers the evolution of battery power tools, the shift in workforce demographics and attitudes, the role of robots in the construction industry, the future of the construction industry and workforce development, and an introduction to the Apprentice Survival Guide.

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The conversation covers topics such as starting over, career choices, success, and dream jobs. It delves into personal experiences, reflections on past decisions, and the evolution of success over time. The conversation covers a range of topics, including dream jobs, teaching, helicopter piloting, and AI takeover. It delves into personal aspirations, societal impact, and speculative scenarios related to technology and human behavior.

Takeaways

The conversation delves into the debate of effort vs. skill training, highlighting the importance of on-the-job training and the diversity of construction work. It emphasizes the significance of small efforts and the snowball effect of effort training, encouraging adaptability and the attachment of a reason to effort training. The discussion also touches on the importance of classroom mistakes and the joy of working in the construction industry.

Takeaways

Chapters

The podcast episode covers a wide range of topics related to career paths in the construction industry, including the journey from laborer to superintendent, the importance of learning and growth, and the transition from a craft position to a leadership role. The conversation also delves into the challenges and responsibilities of being a boss and the significance of communication and initiative in career advancement. The conversation delves into the career progression within the construction industry, highlighting the challenges, opportunities, and personal experiences of individuals as they advance in their careers. It emphasizes the importance of planning, learning from mistakes...

The conversation covers the importance of attitude and initiative in the workplace, as well as the value of learning through mistakes. It also emphasizes the significance of showing initiative, being coachable, and maintaining a positive attitude in the construction industry. The conversation delves into the value of rework as a learning opportunity and the importance of taking advantage of training opportunities. It also emphasizes the significance of lifelong learning and personal development, as well as the essential personal attributes for career growth.

Takeaways

The podcast episode features a discussion with three construction workers about their experiences and challenges on their first day on the job, hazing and initiation rituals, learning from experience, and adapting to new roles in the construction industry. The conversation covers various aspects of the construction industry, including overcoming challenges, learning from mistakes, entering the industry, work-life balance, and the importance of job site meals and camaraderie. The speakers share personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the value of learning, teamwork, and work-life balance in construction.

Takeaways