Powered by the Trades: A Milwaukee Tool Podcast

Milwaukee Tool
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Technology
  • Updated Monthly

Join Milwaukee Tool and industry professionals as they discuss topics, trends, and technologies that are pushing the industry forward. Each episode offers honest conversations and firsthand perspectives that shed light on the ideas, challenges, and people driving innovation in the field. Hear real stories and insights on transforming ideas into products, solving problems together, and building partnerships that move the industry forward. Released monthly: Industry Forward, Conversations from the Trades. This is Powered by the Trades, A Milwaukee Tool Podcast ​

  1. 9h ago

    Heat Stress on the Jobsite: Safety, Planning, and Workforce Readiness

    Heat stress is a growing concern across the trades, impacting safety, productivity, and worker well-being far beyond the hottest days of summer.  In this episode, Zach Richman, senior Vice President at Milwaukee Tool explores the topic with occupational heat stress researcher Dr. Maggie Morrissey and Don Campbell, Vice President and Construction Health and Safety Technician. Together, they discuss common misconceptions about heat stress, the role hydration plays, and why environmental conditions are only one part of the equation.  The conversation covers practical approaches to heat stress management, including training, work-rest schedules, jobsite planning, and the importance of creating a culture where workers feel empowered to speak up when conditions become unsafe.  This episode will share perspectives on emerging technologies, workforce education, and how contractors are adapting their safety programs as heat-related risks continue to evolve.  Whether working outdoors, in mechanical rooms, on rooftops, or in other high-heat environments, this episode offers valuable insights into managing heat stress and supporting safer jobsite operations.  Follow Us on Social:  Facebook: http://ms.spr.ly/6059mpQbt  Instagram: http://ms.spr.ly/6050mpQbQ  TikTok: http://ms.spr.ly/6051mpQbv  Twitter: http://ms.spr.ly/6052mpQba

  2. Jun 30

    Evolution in Power Utility: Workflow, Training, and Field Insight

    How are power utility linemen balancing evolving tools with safety, mindset, and real-world jobsite conditions?  Recorded at PIPELINE™ 2025, Aaron LeBlanc (Bob’s Decline) and Paul Salgado (Power Element Podcast) join Milwaukee Tool product manager Kim for a practical conversation about cable prep in the power utility industry - and how workflow, safety, and training continue to evolve in the field.  The discussion explores how crews have historically worked through challenges in medium voltage and covered conductor cable prep, often relying on modified tools, knives, or torches to get the job done. Aaron and Paul share firsthand perspective on how those approaches can introduce risk, fatigue, and inconsistency, especially when working in the air or in tough conditions.  Beyond tools and workflow, the episode also explores the mental side of the trade. Aaron and Paul discuss how easier, more capable equipment can improve efficiency and reduce strain, but also drive the importance of continued focus and communication. From staying present on the task at hand to avoiding complacency when work becomes more streamlined, they emphasize that safety is as much about mindset and awareness as it is about the tools being used.  The conversation also touches on the responsibility they feel as experienced linemen in training the next generation. From mentorship and communication to reinforcing good work habits, the group highlights how passing down both technical skills and the right mentality is critical as new professionals enter the trade with more advanced equipment from day one.  Together, the episode offers a grounded look at how innovation in the power utility space is being shaped by real jobsite experience - and why balancing efficiency, safety, and situational awareness remains critical for crews today and moving forward.    🔗 Learn More About the M18 FUEL™ Covered Conductor Cable Stripper Kit w/ Adjustable Bushings: M18 FUEL™ Covered Conductor Cable Stripper Kit w/ Adjustable Bushings     Follow Power Element Podcast:  YouTube:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL61QUkl2fcXvnVyY4HO9zpa58LcjGNLTd&si=_J3zJzLzwCGA5RAU   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/californialineworks/  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7dTE0sv58FfHm8rVWN7cmB?si=d3cc226b239643ae   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-element-podcast/id1559255975   Follow Bob’s Decline:  YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bobsdecline?si=9TMxL0S3Fb2wOG9R   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobsdecline/   Follow Us on Social:  Facebook: http://ms.spr.ly/6059mpQbt   Instagram: http://ms.spr.ly/6050mpQbQ  TikTok: http://ms.spr.ly/6051mpQbv  Twitter: http://ms.spr.ly/6052mpQba

  3. Jun 9

    Rethinking Workflows with @odellcompleteconcrete

    Recorded at World of Concrete 2026 in Las Vegas, this episode features Brandon Fredricks, Senior Product Manager at Milwaukee Tool, in conversation with David Odell of Odell Complete Concrete.  David shares how his work spans multiple types of projects, and how that versatility shapes the way he approaches tools and equipment on the jobsite. Together, Brandon and David talk through the realities of jobsite workflow, including battery compatibility, runtime, charging, and the impact of getting away from gas-powered and corded equipment.  The conversation also explores how changes in equipment affect real work in the field, from night pours and lighting setups to compaction, cutting, and rebar work. Along the way, they discuss how reducing cords, simplifying startup, and improving control can help make jobsites cleaner, more efficient, and easier to manage.  This episode offers a contractor’s perspective on how tools fit into the bigger picture of productivity, safety, and day-to-day jobsite decision-making in concrete work.  🔗 Learn more about the MX FUEL™ Equipment System  Explore the M18, M12 & MX FUEL™ Cordless Tool Systems | Milwaukee Tool  MX FUEL™ 14 in. Cut-Off Saw w/ RAPIDSTOP™ Brake  MX FUEL™ 36” Walk-Behind Trowel  MX FUEL™ ROCKET™ Tower Light/Charger  Follow David Odell | Odell Complete Concrete  Web: Patio | United States | OdellCompleteConcrete.com  YouTube: (3526) Odell Complete Concrete - YouTube  Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/davidblaine5734/   Facebook: David Blaine Odell | Facebook    Follow Us on Social:    Facebook: http://ms.spr.ly/6059mpQbt    Instagram: http://ms.spr.ly/6050mpQbQ    TikTok: http://ms.spr.ly/6051mpQbv    Twitter: http://ms.spr.ly/6052mpQba

  4. May 26

    Right-Sizing Power Tool Accessories with @ConcordCarpenter

    Choosing the right power tool accessory is often the difference between a smooth job and lost time on the site. In this episode, Rob Robillard and Jeff Deitz (@ConcordCarpenter / Tool Lab) sit down with Milwaukee Tool power tool accessory product managers Ryan and Joe to talk about why right‑sizing accessories matters - and how it can impact professionals on the job.   Recorded during PIPELINE™ 2025, the conversation focuses on how contractors balance speed, durability, and preparedness when selecting saw blades for real-world conditions. Rob and Jeff share firsthand perspective from years of jobsite work and independent testing.   The conversation also dives into practical jobsite realities: encountering unexpected materials like screws, EMT, or cast iron mid‑demo; deciding when it makes sense to swap blades versus pushing through; and how accessory planning can reduce downtime, extra trips, and frustration for both owners and users.   Throughout the episode, Ryan and Joe explain how Milwaukee Tool continues to drive innovation and how jobsite feedback informs accessory development, including what differentiates NITRUS™ Carbide. The discussion stays centered on use case, workflow impact, and helping professionals understand how to match accessories to the work in front of them.   Together, the group offers a grounded look at why investing thought into blade selection, education, and jobsite readiness can pay off in efficiency, consistency, and long‑term value.  🔗 Learn more about NITRUS™ Carbide Solutions:  NITRUS™ Carbide Teeth SAWZALL® Blade for Wood with Nails  7-1/4” 24T NITRUS™ Carbide Framing & Demolition Circular Saw Blade   NITRUS™ Carbide Extreme Metal Universal Fit Oscillating Multi-Tool Blades   Follow Concord Carpenter | Tool Lab (@ConcordCarpenter):  Web: https://www.aconcordcarpenter.com/   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConcordCarpenter   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/concordcarpenter/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConcordCarpenter/   Follow Us on Social:   Facebook: http://ms.spr.ly/6059mpQbt   Instagram: http://ms.spr.ly/6050mpQbQ   TikTok: http://ms.spr.ly/6051mpQbv   Twitter: http://ms.spr.ly/6052mpQba

  5. May 5

    Jobsite Head Protection Trends: Ratings, Training, and the Future of PPE

    Head protection is evolving across the trades, and the conversation is shifting beyond compliance to real-world impact on worker safety. In this episode, Zach Richman, Senior Vice President of Product Marketing for Personal Protective Equipment at Milwaukee Tool, sits down with Joe Whiteman, Director of Safety at American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), to discuss how head protection is changing on today’s jobsites.  Joe shares his background in the trades and his involvement with industry organizations, along with what he’s seeing firsthand as more contractors evaluate the differences between Type 1 hard hats and Type 2 safety helmets. The discussion covers how features like chin straps and helmet design are influencing adoption, and why more teams are rethinking what “standard” protection looks like.  The conversation also explores how safety culture plays a role in these decisions, particularly when it comes to preventing traumatic brain injuries and improving long-term outcomes for workers. Joe breaks down insights from the Virginia Tech helmet ratings, including how research is helping safety leaders better understand impact ratings and communicate those findings across their teams.  Beyond the equipment itself, the episode looks at how education, storytelling, and training are helping drive awareness and shift perceptions on the jobsite. Zach and Joe also touch on what’s ahead, including the role of emerging technology like sensors and heat stress monitoring, and how those innovations could shape the next generation of head protection.  This episode offers a grounded look at how safety decisions are made in the field and why they continue to evolve alongside the work.  Follow American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) for more insight:  Facebook: American Society of Concrete Contractors | St. Louis MO | Facebook Instagram: (4) Instagram YouTube: American Society of Concrete Contractors - YouTube LinkedIn: (7) American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC): Overview | LinkedIn  Follow Us on Social:  Facebook: http://ms.spr.ly/6059mpQbt Instagram: http://ms.spr.ly/6050mpQbQ TikTok: http://ms.spr.ly/6051mpQbv Twitter: http://ms.spr.ly/6052mpQba

  6. Apr 28

    Innovation in Gas Utility Workflows with Battery-Powered Equipment

    Recorded at PIPELINE™ 2025, Brandon Fredricks, Product Manager on the MX FUEL™ team, sits down with Riley Peterson, Product Manager on Milwaukee Tool’s P&E team, to talk about what’s changing, and what’s been overlooked, in underground gas utility work.  The conversation starts in the trench, walking through the real-world workflow of gas utility service and repair. Brandon and Riley discuss how crews move from cutting and breaking concrete to excavation, fusion, pumping water, and compaction - and why power access, emissions, and portability continue to create challenges on the jobsite.  Riley shares insight from years of field research behind the MX FUEL™ Electrofusion Processor, including why gas utility has seen limited innovation, how power dependency creates risk during critical fusions, and what contractors have been asking for when it comes to safety, serviceability, and uptime. The discussion also covers common jobsite pain points like generators in tight spaces, emissions collecting in trenches, and tools leaving the field for months due to service issues.  Brandon adds perspective from the MX FUEL™ system side, connecting how tools like cutoff saws, breakers, submersible pumps, rammers, and plate compactors fit into a single, repeatable underground workflow. Together, they explore how shared batteries, system compatibility, and reduced exposure to exhaust can impact productivity, safety, and day-to-day decision-making for utility crews.  This episode offers a firsthand look at how battery-powered systems are reshaping gas utility jobsites - not through specs or selling points, but through the realities of trench work, emergency repairs, and the need to keep crews moving safely and efficiently. Product Links:  MX FUEL™ Electrofusion Processor: Link to Product Page  MX FUEL™ 15' Electrofusion Leads: Link to Product Page  MX FUEL™ System: Link to System Page   Follow Milwaukee Tool on Social:  Facebook: http://ms.spr.ly/6059mpQbt  Instagram: http://ms.spr.ly/6050mpQbQ  TikTok: http://ms.spr.ly/6051mpQbv  Twitter: http://ms.spr.ly/6052mpQba

  7. Apr 7

    Supporting the Skilled Trades: Innovation, Partnerships, and Jobsite Impact

    What does meaningful support for the skilled trades look like today, and where is it headed?  Recorded at World of Concrete 2026, this conversation brings together perspectives from the field, labor organizations, and product development. The episode features Sean Kelley and Justin Ross of Milwaukee Tool alongside Bob Jacobson of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC), exploring how real‑world jobsite challenges across North America continue to shape innovation in the skilled trades.  The discussion examines how manufacturers and trade organizations collaborate to better understand evolving jobsite needs, from improving safety on active construction sites to developing solutions that enhance productivity, workflow, and system compatibility. The group also highlights the role of user feedback in research and development, and how insights from the field directly influence the tools and systems professionals rely on every day.  Workforce development is another key focus, including the impact of training programs, apprenticeships, and mentorship in preparing the next generation of tradespeople. The conversation also explores how technology, particularly cordless platforms and connected systems, is changing how crews operate, communicate, and adapt on modern jobsites.  From attracting new talent to addressing ongoing labor challenges, this episode underscores how industry collaboration continues to shape the future of the skilled trades across construction, concrete, and commercial jobsite environments.  Follow The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Represents for more insight (@uncja):    Website:  carpenters.org  Facebook: United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America | Facebook   YouTube:  (1015) UBC Social - YouTube  Instagram:  (9) Instagram  Follow Us on Social:    Facebook:   Milwaukee Tool | Facebook  Instagram:   Milwaukee Tool (@milwaukeetool) • Instagram photos and videos   TikTok:  TikTok - Make Your Day   Twitter:  Milwaukee Tool (@MilwaukeeTool) / X  YouTube: (1015) Milwaukee Tool - YouTube

  8. Mar 31

    Reimagining Multi-Raceway Branch Conduit Installations with @_ksparky

    Branch conduit work demands precision - even small inconsistencies can lead to rework, lost time, and added strain. Recorded at PIPELINE™ 2025, this episode features Jack Fisher, Product Manager on Milwaukee Tool’s Plumbing and Electrical team, in conversation with San Diego-based electrician Kevin Martinez (@_ksparky). Together, they explore the challenges of conduit bending and the jobsite research that inspired the M18 FUEL™ Branch Conduit Bender with AUTO-ZERO™.  Kevin shares lessons from his 11-year career, including the traditional trade-offs electricians face when choosing between portability and powered solutions. Jack explains how observing branch installations in the field revealed workflow gaps - especially when running multiple raceways - and how ergonomic studies influenced this tool’s development.  They dive into repeatability, AUTO-ZERO™ functionality, and how the M18 FUEL™ Branch Conduit Bender supports consistent bends in ½”–1” EMT and ½”–1” Rigid conduit. The conversation also touches on the M18 FUEL™ ½”-1” Steel Pipe Cutter and Milwaukee Tool’s broader R&D process — from jobsite observations and feedback to final launch.  A grounded discussion on conduit bending, ergonomics, and how professional insight shapes tool innovation.  🔗 Learn more about the M18 FUEL™ Branch Conduit Bender:  https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/details/m18-fuel-branch-conduit-bender-w-auto-zero/5150-20  🔗 Learn more about the M18 FUEL™ ½”-1” Steel Pipe Cutter:  https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/details/m18-fuel-1-steel-pipe-cutter/3469-20  Follow Kevin Martinez (@_ksparky):  YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ksparky18?si=xv4R1MaKi91KsVdr  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ksparky/  Follow Us on Social:  Facebook: http://ms.spr.ly/6059mpQbt  Instagram: http://ms.spr.ly/6050mpQbQ  TikTok: http://ms.spr.ly/6051mpQbv  Twitter: http://ms.spr.ly/6052mpQba

See All (16)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Join Milwaukee Tool and industry professionals as they discuss topics, trends, and technologies that are pushing the industry forward. Each episode offers honest conversations and firsthand perspectives that shed light on the ideas, challenges, and people driving innovation in the field. Hear real stories and insights on transforming ideas into products, solving problems together, and building partnerships that move the industry forward. Released monthly: Industry Forward, Conversations from the Trades. This is Powered by the Trades, A Milwaukee Tool Podcast ​

Information

You Might Also Like