Advocacy, Women in HVACR, and the Future of Contracting with Colleen Keyworth | Good Contractor Podcast

Luke & John LIVE on the 2025 End of Year Webinar | Good Contractor Podcast

This one's a little different—recorded live. Luke and John talk CompanyCam, answer audience questions, welcome a surprise guest from Good Contractor Season 1, and play a "Who Said It?" game using real quotes from the podcast.

Fourth-Generation Masonry, Mentorship & Social Media with Jessie "SlimBrick" Demler | Good Contractor Podcast

This week, Luke Hansen and John Talman sit down with Jessie Demler—better known online as SlimBrick — a fourth-generation mason from Northern Utah whose family has been laying brick for over 75 years. From his great-grandpa coming home from the war and finding work on a high school to Jessie repairing those same walls decades later, this episode is all about legacy, craftsmanship, and what it means to build something that lasts. Jessie talks about the mentors who shaped him, the joy of watching things "click" for younger crew members, and his personal mission to be "the journeyman [he] needed" when he was coming up. Along the way, Luke and John dig into the realities of running commercial masonry work while also building a massive social media presence—how one viral TikTok changed everything, what it's really like to juggle the jobsite and content, and why showing the process matters as much as showing the finished wall. Key Takeaways: * Legacy in Every Wall: Jessie sees each project as another chapter in a family story that spans generations, reminding contractors that every job becomes part of their name and reputation. * Be the Journeyman You Needed: Instead of just complaining that "no one wants to work," he focuses on mentoring younger crew members and modeling the kind of leadership that changed his own life. * Crew Culture Builds Staying Power: Multi-decade employees and family members returning to the company highlight how treating people well and building real community on-site leads to loyalty and better work. * Pride in Good Work: From schools to homes to public buildings, Jessie never forgets that people will walk past his brickwork for decades, and that mindset pushes him—and his crew—to do work that truly lasts.

Building Smarter, Faster, and Better with Jarod Coffman | Good Contractor Podcast

This week, Luke Hansen and John Talman sit down with Jarod Coffman, of Coffman Construction, whose innovative framing methods and transparent approach to craftsmanship are changing how contractors think about speed and quality. Jarod shares how he built a team that prizes efficiency without cutting corners—and why showing your process can be just as important as the finished product. He offers an honest look at leadership, legacy, and finding smarter ways to build. Jarod also opens up about his mission to improve trade education and raise the bar for framing as a respected, well-paid career. Key Takeaways * Build Smart, Not Slow: Jarod proves that speed and quality aren't opposites—when systems are dialed in, both can thrive. * Lazy Ambition Pays Off: Sometimes, the desire to "do less" leads to smarter, more efficient solutions on the job. * Transparency Builds Trust: By showing his work online, Jarod earns respect from both clients and other contractors. * Attitude Over Experience: Skills can be taught, but the right attitude and teamwork mindset make all the difference.

Luke & John on Getting More Done in the Trades | Good Contractor Podcast

This episode, Luke Hansen and John Talman celebrate 4,000 downloads and a growing contractor community before tackling the big picture: a projected 2026 labor gap in construction, rising wages, and why hands-on careers are gaining momentum. Key Takeaways: * The 2026 Labor Gap Is a Real Opportunity: With a major shortage projected, contractors who recruit high-school grads and career-switchers now will win later. * The "Fairness" of the Trades: Effort maps to outcome—learn, level up, lead, and even own. * Positioning vs AI: The trades are resilient to white-collar AI volatility while still able to leveraging AI to reduce admin time. * Leading Indicators: Kids are fascinated by hands-on work; internships and job-shadowing are potent pipelines into the trades.

Advocacy, Women in HVACR, and the Future of Contracting with Colleen Keyworth | Good Contractor Podcast

This week, John Talman and Luke Hansen sit down with Colleen Keyworth, marketing director at Online-Access, international advocate, and past president of Women in HVACR. From getting fired at her family's plumbing and heating business to becoming a global voice for contractors, Colleen shares her unexpected journey into sales, leadership, and advocacy. Whether you're a contractor, business owner, or advocate for the industry, this conversation is packed with laughter, perspective, and actionable lessons. Key Takeaways: * The Value of Odd Jobs: Early struggles taught Colleen the importance of structure and the hidden value of a steady 9-to-5. * Social Media's Double-Edge: While it expands reach, social media has also made contractors more short-term focused and "fickle." * Advocacy Matters: Younger contractors must step into state-level associations where codes and regulations are shaped—or risk having decisions made without them. * Global Perspective: Women's trade organizations not only help recruit talent but also boost retention and create essential peer support worldwide. * Visibility Drives Change: Showcasing women in leadership and technical roles is key to inspiring the next generation in the trades.