Devils Advocate: Trades Edition

Lisa McGrath
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Devils Advocate: Trades Edition is a no-BS podcast hosted by Lisa McGrath, featuring honest conversations about construction, business, leadership, workplace issues, and the hard truths shaping today's trades industry.

  1. 2d ago

    We Took a Political Test. The Results Surprised Us! | Devil's Advocate

    Can three people with completely different political beliefs still get along? And how much do we really know about our own political identity? On this episode of Devil's Advocate: Trades Edition, Lisa McGrath and Michael Hamoen officially welcome Greg Levy as a new co-host for an unfiltered conversation about political identity, social media outrage, immigration, Canadian citizenship, and the importance of understanding different perspectives. The three take the 12 Axes political ideology test and reveal their results for the first time, discovering some surprising differences: Michael: National LiberalismLisa: Green CentrismGreg: Machiavellian RepublicanismDespite their different political outlooks, they demonstrate that disagreement doesn't have to destroy friendships or mutual respect. The conversation begins with social media hate, personal attacks, cancel culture, and the dangers of judging people based on short clips taken out of context. From there, they explore Canadian immigration policies, permanent residency versus citizenship, cultural assimilation, international student programs, and concerns about public funding and accountability. Along the way, expect plenty of sarcasm, unexpected political comparisons, personal stories, and the kind of unscripted banter that makes Devil's Advocate what it is. Take the political test yourself: Search for 12 Axes Political Test and see where your beliefs fall. Then compare your results with Lisa, Michael, and Greg. Devil's Advocate: Trades Edition brings real conversations about business, the trades, politics, culture, relationships, and the issues affecting everyday Canadians. Different opinions. Honest conversations. No requirement to agree. The political test results reflect the test's classifications, not independently verified assessments. Personal experiences and political claims discussed on the show are the speakers' perspectives. #DevilsAdvocate #CanadianPolitics #PoliticalIdeology #12Axes #ImmigrationCanada #FreeSpeech #SocialMedia #PoliticalPolarization #Canada

  2. 3d ago

    Thanksgiving, Voting, and Respectful Debate in a Polarized Canada

    Lisa McGrath and Michael start with a Thanksgiving gratitude check-in and move into a blunt conversation about change, respectful disagreement, and the problems with lazy political name-calling. They talk about voting as a democratic right, but also dig into concerns around mail-in ballots, election pressure, and whether results can be trusted. The discussion turns to history, peaceful protest, free speech, religion, culture, and the line between change and radical change. It wraps with Alberta identity, flags, federal overreach, and why community conversations still matter.

  3. 3d ago

    Gratitude, Boundaries, and Real Talk: From World Events to Love Languages

    Lisa McGrath and Michael open with October 7, world events, and the danger of judging short clips without context. They talk about checking sources, online hate, cancel culture, and how headlines shape reactions. The conversation shifts to gratitude, resilience, homelessness, patience, and the habit of appreciating small things year-round. Later, they get into drinking stories, cleanliness, house roles, relationship expectations, emotional availability, teasing, dating standards, and why showing up presentable still matters in public and business

  4. Oct 2

    Trades Trauma, Pricing Pressure, and the Real Cost of Building Right

    Lisa McGrath and Michael dig into social media in the trades, using satire and familiar “trades dad” frustrations to frame a blunt conversation about pricing, competition, and capability. They get into immigration, undercutting, multigenerational crews, and the pressure it puts on margins. The episode also covers deficiencies, callbacks, trust accounts, possession delays, holdbacks, lien issues, and why vetting trades and site supervision matter. It closes on scope creep, liability, overhead, and respecting the sacrifice behind every project.

  5. Sep 23

    Abortion, Politics, and Workplace Boundaries: Respectful Disagreement in Hard Conversations

    Lisa McGrath and Michael tackle why politics and abortion feel so personal, especially when identity, family, and workplace dynamics collide. They dig into echo chambers, political labels, Alberta’s referendum, and why respectful disagreement matters even when minds won’t change. The conversation goes deep on abortion timing, medical necessity, miscarriage, later-term limits, disability, and the difference between lived experience and abstract opinions. They also cover women’s health, unequal medical burdens, relationship pressure, and why these topics are hard to avoid in business and close circles.

  6. Sep 16

    Alberta Referendum Questions: Governance, Identity, and Economic Futures

    Lisa McGrath and Michael explore the Alberta referendum questions, focusing on trust issues with the government and voter list leaks. They discuss topics such as immigration control, social program eligibility, residency requirements, proof of citizenship for voting, and the proposal to abolish the unelected senate. The episode examines the implications of opting out of federal programs while retaining funding, provincial rights, and the possibility of Alberta separating from Canada. They also delve into immigration impacts, federal versus provincial roles, and political mindsets, concluding with thoughts on public sector employment, economic concerns, and government power dynamics.

  7. Sep 9

    Navigating Politics and Prejudice: Workplace Dynamics and Law Enforcement Challenges

    Lisa McGrath and Michael dive into workplace dynamics and political differences, focusing on creating productive discussions around human rights legislation and speech regulations. They explore discrimination versus discussion, sharing personal stories about maintaining friendships despite differing views. The episode touches on gender dynamics in policing, challenges faced by officers, including immigration, social programs, mental health, and trauma, and examines law enforcement's relationship with public trust. The conversation wraps up with a teaser for next week's episode.

  8. Sep 2

    Navigating US-Canada Relations: Trade, Misinformation, and Workplace Challenges

    Join Lisa, Michael, and Greg as they kick off with a coffee mishap and dive into US-Canada relations, trade agreements, and social media misinformation. They explore the Canadian honey farm dilemma, free trade, tariffs, and the dairy industry, including production, quotas, and bilingualism on products. Michael shares his experience with online hate, leading to discussions on gender, inappropriate behavior, and workplace issues. They touch on government influence, cultural preservation, and healthcare concerns, wrapping up with thoughts on political disillusionment, societal responsibility, and Universal Basic Income.

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Devils Advocate: Trades Edition is a no-BS podcast hosted by Lisa McGrath, featuring honest conversations about construction, business, leadership, workplace issues, and the hard truths shaping today's trades industry.

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