Sparky Life

Sparky Life

On Your Construction Network, welcome to The Sparky Life with Lia Lamela - Your Escape Route from Dead-End Jobs! Tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Hate your current career? Discover how skilled trades can transform your life - delivered with humor, real talk, and zero BS. If you already in the skilled trades transform your career with real stories, expert insights, and proven strategies from industry professionals who've built successful careers in the construction industry. What You'll Get: Career change strategies for people stuck in unfulfilling jobs How to go from broke to building wealth in the skilled trades Safety tips that could save your life and career (with a laugh) Real stories from people who escaped corporate hell for trades heaven Business growth advice for contractors and entrepreneurs Industry insights delivered with humor Perfect for anyone ready to ditch the cubicle, stop living paycheck to paycheck, and build a career that actually pays the bills - and then some. From office drone to skilled trades success - we'll show you the way (with a lot of laughs). New episodes bi-weekly featuring the stories, and strategies that matter most to your success. Subscribe now and join thousands building their Sparky Life!

Episodes

June 26, 2025 15 mins

Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off!

"Think you know electricity because you've seen it in movies? Think again. I'm about to destroy three Hollywood myths that have been fooling audiences for decades - and one of them could literally kill you if you believed it."

In this movie mythbusting episode, Lia dissects the wildes...

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Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off!

🎧 In this episode:

Welcome back to Sparky Life, the podcast for those who build, wire, and power the world — and those who dare to rebuild the systems that train them.

This week, Lia is joined by Marc Webb, founder of YouTradie, a global mentorship and certification platform created by tradespeople, for ...

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Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off!

Let's discuss movie magic! In this episode, our electrician reviews a memorable scene from Home Alone 2 and explains why the movie moment is pure nonsense. We break down the science, using ohms law, and explains what would actually happen.

We’re breaking it ALL down:
Home Alo...

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Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off!

🎧 In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life, where we dive into the systems that protect lives — until they fail. Today’s episode is a wake-up call about fire alarms, real-world disasters, and the life-saving tech driving modern fire protection.

What happens when fire alarms don’t work? People die.

Fr...

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Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off!

In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life, where we spotlight the fearless innovators who shaped the trades — and the world.

What if we told you one deaf engineer made skyscrapers possible?

Today, we’re diving into the wild, dramatic story of Elisha Otis — the man who invented the safety elevator and l...

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🚐💥 Discover the Skilled Trade That Pays $100K+ — No College Degree Needed!
In this episode of Sparky Life, Lia Lamela (Queen of Construction 👷‍♀⚡) interviews Curtis Hemmeler, a leading voice in the RV service world, to reveal why becoming an RV Technician might be the most underrated career path in the skilled trades.

Whether you're a student, career changer, or just trade-curious, this episode unpacks:
✅ What an RV ...

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Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE — Use code SH5 for 5% off!

In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life, where we shine a spotlight on the grittiest, gutsiest careers in the skilled trades — and sometimes even the deadliest.

Everyone says skilled trades are dangerous… but which one tops the list?You won’t believe it — because it’s not what you think.

In this wild...

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Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE - Use code SH5 for 5% off!

🎧 In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life, where we challenge everything you’ve been told about success, college, and the so-called “right” career path. If you’ve ever felt lost, lied to, or stuck in a soul-sucking cubicle — this one’s for you.

This episode is a wake-up call.

You’ve been fed a fairy...

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Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE - Use code SH5 for 5% off!

🎧 In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life — your backstage pass to the real, raw, and unapologetic world of blue collar greatness, high-octane relationships, and careers that challenge the status quo.

Today, we’re getting real about something most people only whisper about…What do blue collar wives...

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Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE - Use code SH5 for 5% off!

🎧 In this episode: Welcome back to Sparky Life — your official backstage pass to the world of dirty jobs, high paychecks, and careers that make your relatives go, "You do what for a living?!"

Today, we’re answering a BIG question:
Who makes the most money in the skilled trades?

💥 Think ele...

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Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE - Use code SH5 for 5% off!

🎧 In this episode: A devastating fire. Locked doors. No escape. This episode tells the shocking true story of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire—one of the deadliest workplace disasters in American history—and how it reshaped fire codes, safety laws, and the future of skilled trades.

👇 Follow for mor...

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Every skilled professional needs the right tools to succeed → Get the right tool for YOU at SUPPLY HOUSE - Use code SH5 for 5% off!

🎧 In this episode: In this raw and inspiring conversation, Lia sits down with Bobby Armstrong – an HVAC technician, entrepreneur, and all-around badass – who opens up about his wild ride through the trades, from childhood struggles to launching his own business.

👇 Follow for more blue collar badas...

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Special thanks to our sponsor: SupplyHouse – Get the best tools & supplies! https://www.supplyhouse.com

Welcome to the Sparky Life podcast with your host, Lia Lamela! In this episode, we dive into a crucial topic that everyone should be aware of: the coming biggest recession in United States history and why construction workers and skilled trade professionals are positioned to be the ultimate survivors. We break down the economi...

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Ever wondered why you should NEVER take the elevator during a fire in a high-rise? This video dives deep into the life-saving technology of elevator recall and the critical role it plays in fire safety.

Learn why elevator recall is one of the most important fire safety systems in a building and how it's designed to prevent you from unknowingly entering a dangerous situation.

💡 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:<...

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March 20, 2025 64 mins

We speak with Megan Switzer for a raw and honest conversation about the complex dynamics of women supporting women, particularly within male-dominated fields.

Get ready for some eye-opening truths as they delve into the question of why women don't always support each other. Drawing on Dr. Sha Andrews' research (as featured in Forbes), they discuss the "power dead even rule" coined by Pat Helm and colleagues from ...

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March 13, 2025 54 mins

In this episode of Sparky Life we discuss the critical role of digital presence in the construction industry with tech guru Daniel Leal. We explore the importance of having a professional website, the impact of technology on business efficiency, and the evolving landscape of education in tech careers. Daniel shares his journey from a small town in Texas to becoming a successful entrepreneur, emphasizing the need for skilled trades ...

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In this electrifying episode of The Sparky Life, host Lia Lamela dives deep into the dynamic world of the construction industry with an absolute powerhouse: Barb Allen, a trailblazer with over three decades of experience in leadership, from a licensed carpenter to superintendent and business owner. Join us in todays amazing conversation.

0:00 Introduction: Women Reshaping Construction and Persistent Challenges 
1:00 In...

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February 27, 2025 38 mins

Welcome to the Sparky Life! We welcome Jonathan Cinelli, a strategic construction broker and licensed electrician with three decades of experience, to discuss how to rebuild the foundation of the construction industry.

In this episode, Jonathan addresses the toxic culture within the construction industry and shares his forward-thinking approach to business, which disrupts traditional toxicity and transactionalism.

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February 20, 2025 15 mins

Welcome back to the Sparky Life with your host, Lia Lamela! In this episode, Lia discusses the importance of women supporting women in the construction industry.

Key points from this episode:

• The challenges women face in male-dominated spaces and how networking and support can help.
• An appeal for women to come together, build each other up, and create larger networks for success in their careers.
• The...

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February 13, 2025 51 mins

Join Lia Lamela on The Sparky Life as she interviews Jack Teetor, the creator of the documentary, Blind Logic: The Ralph Teetor Story. This captivating film tells the inspiring story of Ralph Teetor, a man whose life intertwined with the birth of the American automobile age and the industrial revolution.

Discover the extraordinary journey of Ralph Teetor, who despite losing his sight at the age of five, became a leader in ...

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