Powerline Podcast

Ryan Lucas
  • 4.9 (251)
  • Careers
  • Updated Biweekly

This podcast is for anyone in the power line industry. Those of you that love to build and maintain power lines at work and after work. This is a collection of stories from line workers around the world. This is a community for us to share where we’ve been, who we’ve worked with, projects we’ve been apart of and hopefully pass on some of those key lessons that we could all learn from. This podcast will be a mix of line workers and their stories as well as other professionals sharing about how to keep a healthy mind, body and spirit.

  1. Drilling Is More Art Than Science | Jake Brown, Brad Minerick & Jonathan Pipsair | 214

    11h ago

    Drilling Is More Art Than Science | Jake Brown, Brad Minerick & Jonathan Pipsair | 214

    What happens before a single power line ever goes up? Ryan sits down with Jake Brown, Brad Minerick, and Jonathan Pipsair to pull back the curtain on foundation drilling, one of the most important and least understood trades in the utility industry. Jake is a VP-level drilling operations leader overseeing projects across North America. Brad is a superintendent who has spent years balancing road life, family, and leadership in the field. Jonathan brings more than 40 years of experience in foundation drilling, including marine and amphibious projects throughout the Everglades and Louisiana. Together, they share what decades in the trade have taught them about road life, family sacrifice, career growth, leadership, and the hidden work that happens long before the lights turn on. The conversation explores why drilling is more art than science, what most people never see behind reliable power, the realities of spending years on the road, and why the higher you climb the ladder, the more you should understand what you're asking for. Whether you're an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, or simply curious about the people who build the infrastructure around us, this episode offers a rare look into the foundation of line work. Topics covered: The hidden trade behind every power lineWhy drilling is more art than scienceThe realities of life on the roadFamily sacrifice and career growthThe generation gap in the tradesLeadership, ambition, and climbing the ladderPride in building something tangibleWhat decades in the field teach you about success ✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎙️HOST: RYAN LUCAS🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION💥 Email: ⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

    1h 47m
  2. The Realities of Being a Powerline Apprentice in 2026 | Shayla Gaffney | 213

    May 28

    The Realities of Being a Powerline Apprentice in 2026 | Shayla Gaffney | 213

    What does it actually take to become a good powerline apprentice in 2026, and why are so many young apprentices feeling behind before they’ve even really started? Ryan sits down with Shayla Gaffney, a final-year powerline apprentice and content creator, sharing a more honest look at what apprenticeship actually feels like for the next generation entering the trade. From line school and storm work to learning under pressure and finding the right crew, Shayla speaks openly about the reality of becoming good at something that takes years to master. They dig into why apprentices can’t rush the process, the pressure of constantly feeling behind, the importance of crew culture and mentorship, and how the right foreman can completely change an apprentice’s confidence and future in the trade. Shayla also shares lessons from storm work, learning by watching experienced linemen, and why good apprentices focus less on chasing the title and more on earning trust over time. Topics covered: Why so many apprentices feel behind in today’s trade cultureThe reality of learning under pressure on a crewWhy becoming good at line work takes years, not monthsThe difference the right crew and foreman can makeLearning by watching experienced linemen workWhy rushing the process hurts more than it helpsThe mental side of apprenticeship nobody talks aboutStorm work, confidence, embarrassment, and growthCrew culture, mentorship, and earning trust over timeWhat young apprentices actually need to hear entering the trade ✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚡️GUEST: SHAYLA GAFFNEY⚡️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@shaygaff.co TikTok: @shaygaff.co 🎙️HOST: RYAN LUCAS🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💥INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION💥 Email: ⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

    1h 11m
  3. Why the Best Foremen Refuse the Title | Andrew Morgan | 212

    May 21

    Why the Best Foremen Refuse the Title | Andrew Morgan | 212

    Why are so many good foremen burning out? Ryan sits down with Andrew Morgan, a Texas distribution foreman lineman who came up working backyards, reconductors, and storm work. From climbing poles as an apprentice to leading crews in the field, Andrew speaks from years of experience building and maintaining the power grid. Together, they dig into the controlled chaos of line work, why today’s foremen are losing the time needed to mentor the next generation, what “bodies in the bucket” really means for the trade, and the leadership burden most people outside the industry never see. Andrew’s reflection on the Quanta Elite call: “I didn’t turn those wrenches. I didn’t sag that wire. I just gave them a path.” reframes leadership in the trades in a way every crew leader will recognize. Topics covered: The foreman's time trap: paperwork, planning, and the mentorship gapWhy time-based apprenticeships create "bodies in the bucket"Complacency, decision-making, and getting the crew home safely"Looks good from my house." The phrase every lineman knows, but hatesThe Quanta Elite call and my first thought: "What did I mess up?"Why building the next generation matters more than titles ✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠ ⚡️GUEST: ANDREW MORGAN⚡️ Instagram: ⁠⁠@andrewmorgan19 🎙️HOST: RYAN LUCAS🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠ 💥INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION💥 Email: ⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com

    2h 16m
  4. His Dad Was Inside the Towers on 9/11 (Almost). He Built the Freedom Tower. | Josh Nieves | 211

    May 14

    His Dad Was Inside the Towers on 9/11 (Almost). He Built the Freedom Tower. | Josh Nieves | 211

    What does it actually take to make it in the trades? What is the industry getting wrong about the next generation coming up behind us? In this episode, Ryan sits down with Josh Nieves, a New York City-raised IBEW Local 3 master electrician and the youngest card-carrying superintendent in the local's 15,000-member history. Josh's father, a Light Heavyweight Golden Glove champion turned signatory contractor, had maintenance contracts inside both World Trade Center towers on 9/11 and survived only because of a doctor's appointment that morning. Years later, at 24 years old, Josh got the call to be sub-foreman on the Freedom Tower while standing on top of the Empire State Building looking directly at the build. Together, Josh and Ryan dig into what a real union meeting looks like when brotherhood is alive and well, the leadership gap that's quietly eroding organized labor from the inside, why Josh sold his brand new house to buy a 160-acre farm in search of purpose, how he built a coaching practice and workforce development career from a single LinkedIn post, and what every contractor needs to hear about recruiting the next generation. Topics covered: The Freedom Tower call that came in while Josh was standing on the Empire State BuildingWhat an IBEW Local 3 union meeting felt like at 18: "a scene out of Goodfellas"The CBA gut check Josh ran with 80 field leaders, and what it revealed about union leadership todayWhy the skills gap is really a leadership gap and what the difference looks like in practiceThe boxing analogy every aspiring leader in the trades needs to hearWhy "construction workers don't want another pizza party", and what they actually wantHow to flip the recruiting question from "why should I hire you?" to "why should I come work for you?"Mental health in the trades and why the industry can't keep sitting back ✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱 Instagram:  ⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ TikTok:  ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ LinkedIn:  ⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠ X:  ⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠ ⚡️GUEST: JOSH NIEVES⚡️ LinkedIn: ⁠Josh Nieves⁠ Instagram: ⁠@joshnieves_ 🎙️HOST: RYAN LUCAS🎙️ Instagram: ⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠ 💥INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION💥 Email: ⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com

    1h 44m
  5. What It Really Means To Be Union | Lori Maclean | 210

    May 1

    What It Really Means To Be Union | Lori Maclean | 210

    What does it really mean to be union, and what does it take to make the brotherhood worth fighting for? In this episode, Ryan sits down with Lori Maclean, a former BC Hydro HR professional and IBEW Local 258 staff member turned business manager candidate, who brings a rare dual perspective from both sides of the table. As a mother of two journeyman linemen, Lori's connection to the trade runs deep, and she doesn't hold back on what it takes to strengthen the union from the inside out. Together, they dig into what a strong hall really looks like, why brotherhood and community are the IBEW's greatest assets, how mental health support needs to become a bigger priority for the union, and why showing up for your members has to mean more than just showing up at contract time. Topics covered: What a strong union hall actually looks likeWhy the Brotherhood is the IBEW's most important brand assetHow community and connection have eroded, and how to get it backMental health in the trades and why the union needs to lead the chargeThe unique perspective of raising two journeyman linemenCommunication in the line trade and why unclear communication costs livesWhat the IBEW does well and where the real opportunity lies ✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱 Instagram:  ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠ TikTok:  ⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠ YouTube: ⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠ LinkedIn:  ⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠ X:  ⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠ HOST: RYAN LUCAS Instagram: ⁠@ryanwlucas⁠ TikTok: ⁠@ryanwlucas⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠Ryan Lucas⁠ 💥INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION💥 Email: powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com

    1h 29m
  6. A Letter to Linemen and their Families | Happy National Lineman Appreciation Day | 209

    Apr 18

    A Letter to Linemen and their Families | Happy National Lineman Appreciation Day | 209

    April 18th is National Lineman Appreciation Day. This episode is for the ones who got the call at 2 in the morning. The ones who kissed their sleeping kids on the forehead and drove toward the storm. This is a solo episode, no guest, just Ryan. Short and intentional. Because some things don't need to be long. They just need to be true. Ryan draws on 15 years in the trade, responding to storms across North America and performing barehand work on energized 500kV lines, to talk about what linemen actually do, what they give up, and why the trade gets into your blood and stays there. He also speaks directly to the linemen listening, the ones who never needed a parade, but deserve to hear it said clearly: thank you. If you're a lineman, or you love one, share this. ✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱 Instagram:  ⁠@powerlinepodcast TikTok:  @powerlinepodcast YouTube: @powerlinepodcast LinkedIn:  ⁠Powerline Podcast⁠ Facebook: @Powerline-Podcast X:  @PowerlinePodcst HOST: RYAN LUCAS Instagram: @ryanwlucas TikTok: @ryanwlucas LinkedIn: Ryan Lucas 💥INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION💥 Email: powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com

    6 min
  7. The Leadership Lesson Every Young Worker Needs | 208

    Apr 9

    The Leadership Lesson Every Young Worker Needs | 208

    What does it actually take to step into the workforce and earn respect from day one? In this special panel episode, Ryan hosts a diverse group of leaders at the LazyQ Ranch for a candid conversation with high school rodeo athletes preparing to enter the world beyond the arena. The panel brings together a World Champion Barrel Racer, Jordon Briggs, a 24-Time World Champion Roper, Jackie Crawford, a Marine Corps Veteran & Quanta Services Veteran Advisor, Donny Farmer, a 26-Year Journeyman Lineman & Quanta Services Superintendent, Kyle Seaward, and a 28-Year Journeyman Lineman & Quanta Energized Services Advisor, Rob Mitchell, all sharing the hard-earned lessons they wish someone had told them starting out. Together they dig into what real leadership looks like before you ever get a job title, how your reputation will follow you everywhere in a trade that's smaller than you think, why emotional control is a skill as important as any technical one, and how gratitude, punctuality, and follow-through can separate you from the crowd faster than talent alone. Topics covered: What leadership looks like without a titleBehaviors that build trust fast, and destroy it fasterWhy your reputation will beat you to the next job siteControlling emotions under pressure: breathing, preparation, and mindsetCommunication skills that can save lives in the line tradeWhy gratitude is a daily practice, not a feelingAdvice from five high-performers on what they'd tell their younger selves ✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱 Instagram:  ⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ TikTok:  ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ LinkedIn:  ⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠ X:  ⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠ HOST: RYAN LUCAS Instagram: ⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠ 💥INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION💥 Email: ⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

    1h 22m
  8. How He Became A Lineman After Losing His Leg | Brandon Crawford | 207

    Mar 26

    How He Became A Lineman After Losing His Leg | Brandon Crawford | 207

    What would you do if you lost your leg at 15 and then decided to become a lineman? That's exactly what Brandon Crawford did. Born and raised in Arkansas, Brandon lost his leg below the knee in an ATV accident the week before 10th grade. Doctors gave his family a choice: amputate now, or try to save it and risk losing it anyway. They chose to try and he lost it regardless. He never looked back. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Brandon for a raw, honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a life in this trade when the odds are stacked against you. Brandon talks about climbing poles on a prosthetic leg, earning respect the hard way, his battle with PTSD, and why his wife's ultimatum may have saved his life. He opens up about storm work, brotherhood, the guys who shaped him, and why he's passionate about safety culture and training the next generation the right way. This isn't an inspirational poster. It's a real story about a real lineman and it'll hit home for anyone who's ever been told what they can't do. Topics covered: Losing his leg at 15 and the road back.Why he chose linework and how he convinced a school to let him try.Climbing poles on a prosthetic and the adaptations nobody talks about.PTSD, mental health, and the moment his wife changed everything.Storm work, brotherhood, and the bonds the trade builds.Safety culture — training vs. policing, and why the difference matters.Why he wants to be an instructor and give back to the next generation. ✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ Hit up our website here: ⁠⁠https://www.powerlinepodcast.com/⁠⁠ 📱FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱 Instagram:  ⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ TikTok:  ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠ LinkedIn:  ⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠ X:  ⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠ HOST: RYAN LUCAS Instagram: ⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠ 💥INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION💥 Email: ⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

    1h 5m
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4.9
out of 5
251 Ratings

About

This podcast is for anyone in the power line industry. Those of you that love to build and maintain power lines at work and after work. This is a collection of stories from line workers around the world. This is a community for us to share where we’ve been, who we’ve worked with, projects we’ve been apart of and hopefully pass on some of those key lessons that we could all learn from. This podcast will be a mix of line workers and their stories as well as other professionals sharing about how to keep a healthy mind, body and spirit.

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Lucas
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    270
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ryan Lucas
  • Show Website
    Powerline Podcast

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