The Line

Blackline

Step up to The Line. A new podcast focused on highlighting the skilled trades. Showcasing men and women by sharing their stories and experiences. Our guests range from CEOs of 100 million-dollar businesses to a 21-year-old fabricator/welder. By sharing their experiences we aim to inspire the next generation of boys and girls hoping to break the generational miseducation surrounding the trades as an option. The Line is produced by Blackline whose mission is to continue to lift the view of the skilled trades. For trades by trades. Welcome to the Line. Tune in every Monday for a new episode.

  1. 5d ago

    No Ft David Hawthorne Ep.147

    What if one of the most important words in business is also one of the hardest to say?This week, David Hawthorne of Hawthorne Electric steps up to the line with Joshua Mellott of Blackline to share nearly 80 years of lessons learned in business and in life.Dave reflects on the word he wishes he had used more often, what it truly means to think and live like an owner, and why refusing to quit is only part of the equation. The other part is refusing to be the same tomorrow as you are today.From the story of his father, Leroy Hawthorne, starting the company with nothing more than a panel truck and a willingness to work, to hard-earned wisdom on leadership, mentorship, and perseverance, Dave shares practical insight for anyone building a business, building a family, or simply trying to build a life that is meaningful and fulfilling.This is a conversation about ownership, excellence, and having the courage to say no when it matters most.Step Up to the Line and join us for one of the most wisdom-filled conversations we’ve had yet.--------------------------WHERE TO WATCH:Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...-------------------------FOLLOW JOSH:X: https://x.com/Joshuadmellott⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠... / joshuadmellott LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ucc11qg6hxwp7tmvmr_sv7vg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --------------------------FOLLOW BLACKLINE: @blacklineltdInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / blacklinelt. .Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...LinkedIn: / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / @blacklineltd Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.blacklineltd.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠--------------------------EXPLORE THE PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

  2. Aug 6

    (The Cost of Silence On Job Site Field Notes Issue.3) The Ep.146

    Blackline Field Notes – Issue 003: The Cost of Silence What does silence really cost on the job site? In this week’s episode of Blackline Field Notes, Joshua shares one of the most expensive lessons of his career. He explores the difference between being a nice guy and being a good man, and why avoiding hard conversations often creates bigger problems than having them. Healthy conversations protect projects, preserve profits, strengthen relationships, and demonstrate genuine honor and respect for the people you work with. Sometimes the conversation you’re avoiding is the very thing that keeps the job moving forward. See you next week in the field. --------------------------WHERE TO WATCH:Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...-------------------------FOLLOW JOSH:X: https://x.com/Joshuadmellott⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠... / joshuadmellott LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ucc11qg6hxwp7tmvmr_sv7vg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --------------------------FOLLOW BLACKLINE: @blacklineltdInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / blacklinelt. .Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...LinkedIn: / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / @blacklineltd Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.blacklineltd.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠--------------------------EXPLORE THE PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

  3. Aug 3

    The Cost Ft Chris Maharg & Austin Kessler Ep.146

    What does it take to build the next generation of skilled tradesmen?In this episode of The Line, Joshua D. Mellott sits down with the leadership team from the Blackline Institute to talk about apprenticeship, mentorship, and the responsibility of investing in people. As a new year of apprenticeship begins in Pennsylvania, the conversation explores why training is more than teaching a trade—it’s about passing on a culture, developing leaders, and preparing men and women for long, meaningful careers.Together, they discuss what makes a great apprenticeship program, the role mentors play in shaping the future of the industry, and why companies that intentionally invest in their people build stronger teams, stronger businesses, and a stronger skilled trades community.Whether you’re an apprentice, a journeyman, a business owner, or someone passionate about developing people, this episode is a reminder that the future of our industry is built one person at a time.Because the future of the skilled trades won’t be left to chance. It will be built by those willing to teach.Step up to the line. -------------------------- WHERE TO WATCH:Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ------------------------- FOLLOW JOSH:X: https://x.com/Joshuadmellott⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠... / joshuadmellott LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ucc11qg6hxwp7tmvmr_sv7vg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -------------------------- FOLLOW BLACKLINE: @blacklineltdInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / blacklinelt. .Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...LinkedIn: / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / @blacklineltd Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.blacklineltd.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -------------------------- EXPLORE THE PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

  4. Jul 30

    (Reputation is Built Before The Bid Field Notes Issue.2) The Line Ep.146

    Welcome to Blackline Field Notes, our weekly LinkedIn newsletter and companion conversation here on The Line.In this episode, Joshua D. Mellott explores Blackline Field Notes – Issue 002: Reputation Is Built Before the Bid. He shares why your reputation begins long before someone ever calls you, influences every opportunity you’re given, and continues long after the project is complete.More than your work, your daily decisions, communication, character, and consistency shape the reputation others come to trust.Blackline Field Notes is dedicated to sharing practical lessons and hard-earned experience from those who have gone before you, helping you build a stronger career, business, and legacy in the skilled trades.Remember: your reputation is building. -------------------------- WHERE TO WATCH:Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ------------------------- FOLLOW JOSH:X: https://x.com/Joshuadmellott⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠... / joshuadmellott LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ucc11qg6hxwp7tmvmr_sv7vg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -------------------------- FOLLOW BLACKLINE: @blacklineltdInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / blacklinelt. .Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...LinkedIn: / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / @blacklineltd Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.blacklineltd.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------------------------- EXPLORE THE PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

  5. Jul 29

    (Every Contract is a Proposal Field Notes Ep. 1) The Line Ep.145

    Blackline Field Notes | Issue 001: Every Contract Is a Proposal. Welcome to Blackline Field Notes, our weekly series where we share notes from the field—real experiences from our team, our clients, and the men and women we’ve had the privilege of working alongside throughout the skilled trades.The goal is simple: to share lessons learned, mistakes made, and practical insights that can help you build your business, advance your career, and navigate your own journey in the trades.These are shorter, one-on-one conversations that expand on each week’s Field Notes newsletter. In this first issue, Joshua D. Mellott shares lessons from more than 20 years as a specialty contractor, covering contract writing, contract negotiation, and some of the costly pitfalls he experienced early in his career.Whether you’re starting your own company, leading an established business, managing projects, or reviewing contracts for your organization, this conversation is designed to help you better protect yourself, your team, and the people who depend on you.The biggest takeaway is simple:Every contract is a proposal. It isn’t something you have to accept exactly as it’s written. Learning when to ask questions, negotiate terms, and protect your organization can make all the difference.Step up to the line. -------------------------- WHERE TO WATCH:Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ------------------------- FOLLOW JOSH:X: https://x.com/Joshuadmellott⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠... / joshuadmellott LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ucc11qg6hxwp7tmvmr_sv7vg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -------------------------- FOLLOW BLACKLINE: @blacklineltdInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / blacklinelt. .Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...LinkedIn: / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / @blacklineltd Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.blacklineltd.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------------------------- EXPLORE THE PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

  6. Jul 27

    The Heart Ft Rob Stoppard Ep.145

    In this conversation, Rob Stoppard of Heart Centered Entrepreneurship gets to the heart of what it means to lead well. We talk about the importance of not giving your family the leftovers after you’ve poured everything into your work, but instead leading in a way that allows you to be fully present for the people who matter most.Rob shares thoughtful insights on learning to respond instead of react, taking a moment to pause before speaking, recognizing where you are emotionally, and leading with calm authority rather than emotion. We discuss how those simple disciplines shape healthier relationships, stronger teams, and better organizations.Whether you’re leading a business, managing a crew, or simply striving to become a better husband, wife, parent, friend, or leader, this conversation is a reminder that leadership begins in the heart. When we learn to lead ourselves well, we’re better equipped to lead others both at work and at home. -------------------------- WHERE TO WATCH:Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ------------------------- FOLLOW JOSH:X: https://x.com/Joshuadmellott⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠... / joshuadmellott LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ucc11qg6hxwp7tmvmr_sv7vg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -------------------------- FOLLOW BLACKLINE: @blacklineltdInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / blacklinelt. .Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...LinkedIn: / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / @blacklineltd Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.blacklineltd.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------------------------- EXPLORE THE PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

  7. Jul 20

    The Experience Ft Caleb Fetter Ep.144

    Trust is built through the experience.In this episode of The Line, Joshua sits down with Caleb Fetter, President and Managing Partner of RMS, for a conversation about trust, culture, leadership, and what it means to truly invest in your people.Caleb shares how trust shapes every part of the business, from relationships with clients to relationships with employees and partners across the industry. It starts with understanding people: who they are, what they want from their careers, and how you can help create opportunities that fit the life they’re trying to build.Because success isn’t always about chasing the biggest number. It’s about building a career, a culture, and a business that fits.Whether it’s the customer experience, the employee experience, or the overall business experience, the details matter. How you structure it. How you communicate it. How you deliver it.RMS embodies that philosophy. Even their brand reflects who they are: simple, subtle, clean, and clear. They don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room or the cheerleader out front. Their focus is on creating a seamless, effortless experience for their clients and their people.That level of attention to detail, excellence, and understanding of people has the ability to change the industry.Check out this conversation with Joshua and Caleb as they talk trust, culture, careers, branding, and why, at the end of the day, it’s all about The Experience.Step up to the line. -------------------------- WHERE TO WATCH:Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ------------------------- FOLLOW JOSH:X: https://x.com/Joshuadmellott⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠... / joshuadmellott LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ucc11qg6hxwp7tmvmr_sv7vg ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -------------------------- FOLLOW BLACKLINE: @blacklineltdInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / blacklinelt. .Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...LinkedIn: / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / @blacklineltd Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.blacklineltd.com /⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------------------------- EXPLORE THE PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

  8. Jul 13

    The Fingerprints of Leadership Ft DJ Risk Ep.143

    This week on The Line, DJ Risk steps up to the line.In this conversation, DJ shares what leadership really looks like—not from behind a logo, a LinkedIn post, or a YouTube video, but when the boots hit the dirt and the work has to get done. He talks about the responsibility of leaving your fingerprints on every project, every relationship, and the culture you’re building.At the heart of that perspective is a legacy. DJ reflects on the influence of his grandfather and father, who invested in him and helped shape the values that continue to guide Paul Risk Construction today. Through seasons of challenge and success, they built more than projects—they built leaders.If you’ve heard of Paul Risk Construction, seen DJ’s posts online, or wondered who the people behind the company really are, this conversation offers an honest look beyond the brand. Our hope is that you’ll discover not only the story of Paul Risk Construction and the men and women who make it what it is, but also the fingerprints of leadership that are left behind when people choose to lead with character, humility, and purpose.This is The Line—real conversations with the men and women who build America .-------------------------- WHERE TO WATCH:Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... ------------------------- FOLLOW JOSH:X: https://x.com/Joshuadmellott⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠... / joshuadmellott LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ucc11qg6hxwp7tmvmr_sv7vg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -------------------------- FOLLOW BLACKLINE: @blacklineltdInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / blacklinelt. .Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...LinkedIn: / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / @blacklineltd Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.blacklineltd.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-------------------------- EXPLORE THE PODCAST⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07rT0hF...Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Step up to The Line. A new podcast focused on highlighting the skilled trades. Showcasing men and women by sharing their stories and experiences. Our guests range from CEOs of 100 million-dollar businesses to a 21-year-old fabricator/welder. By sharing their experiences we aim to inspire the next generation of boys and girls hoping to break the generational miseducation surrounding the trades as an option. The Line is produced by Blackline whose mission is to continue to lift the view of the skilled trades. For trades by trades. Welcome to the Line. Tune in every Monday for a new episode.

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