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The Trade Up Podcast

The Trade Up Podcast

By: John Finan & Lisa Brandt
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About this listen

The Trade Up Podcast is your guide to understanding, navigating, and excelling in the world of a career in the trades.

Join John Finan and Lisa Brandt, co-authors of TRADE UP, as they delve into why the trades stand out as a compelling career choice for the younger generation. Uncover the various pathways leading to a successful entry into the trades and gain insights on how to thrive in this field. Tune in to hear firsthand experiences from individuals thriving in the industry.

© 2025 The Trade Up Podcast Career Success Economics
Episodes
  • Tiling Her Own Path: Jada Finch on Trades, Art, and Independence

    Tiling Her Own Path: Jada Finch on Trades, Art, and Independence
    Mar 11 2025

    On this episode of The Trade Up Podcast, John Finan talks with Jada Finch, a 21-year-old professional tiler who started at just 15 and now runs her own company.

    Jada shares how she balanced full-time work during COVID schooling, converted a bus into a camper, and approaches tiling as an art form.

    She discusses the freedom her career choice has given her compared to university-bound peers and navigating family expectations in the trades.

    Find and discover her company Pink Collar Contracting & Tile!

    For more information about the Trade Up: Why buy a job when you can start a career? book, please visit: https://tradeupbook.ca/
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    24 mins
  • Smart Trades: AI Insights & the Future of Canadian Universities

    Smart Trades: AI Insights & the Future of Canadian Universities
    Feb 25 2025

    On this episode of The Trade Up Podcast, John explains what he's learning about Artificial Intelligence and how it applies to skilled trades and to business owners like himself.

    Plus, John shares his forward-thinking insights on the future of Canadian universities, highlighting pivotal changes in higher education that could make skilled trades an even more attractive career path.

    Tune in for an engaging conversation with your hosts Lisa Brandt & John Finan!

    For more information about the Trade Up: Why buy a job when you can start a career? book, please visit: https://tradeupbook.ca/
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    25 mins
  • Breaking Myths & Building Trades

    Breaking Myths & Building Trades
    Jan 28 2025

    Welcome to Season 2 of The Trade Up Podcast! On this episode, Lisa and John tackle the age-old question: Are younger workers really lazy? You might think you know the answer, but the surprising reason behind this stereotype will have you rethinking generational divides. They also discuss the growing trend of younger students entering trades programs and how companies like John's are recruiting skilled workers in innovative ways.

    From understanding what "NEET" means for young people to uncovering the best platforms for finding trades jobs, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the world of work.

    Tune in for an engaging start to the season!














    For more information about the Trade Up: Why buy a job when you can start a career? book, please visit: https://tradeupbook.ca/
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    19 mins

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