In this special Christmas Day episode of Workforce Skills, John sits down with Kenny Austin to share a powerful story of transformation, accountability, and second chances.

Kenny opens up about his journey through addiction, prison, recovery, and rebuilding his life through hard work, mentorship, and structure. From graduating the New Freedom program to rising through the ranks at PHP Commercial Painting, Kenny explains how trusting the process, asking for help, and surrounding himself with the right people changed everything.

This conversation dives into life inside a halfway house, the realities of recovery during the holidays, leadership through accountability, and what it truly means to earn a “hand up” instead of a handout. If you or someone you know is struggling, this episode is proof that real change is possible.

In this episode of Workforce Skills, John Morris delivers a blunt but necessary message as the holidays approach: slow the f* down**. From costly estimating mistakes and rushed jobsite work to emotional decisions that derail careers and lives, John explains why speed is often the enemy of success.

Drawing from real experiences in business, leadership, recovery, and workforce development, John breaks down the importance of quality over quantity, logic over emotion, and patience over pressure—especially for those rebuilding their lives after incarceration or addiction.

This episode is a reminder that real growth doesn’t happen overnight, mistakes multiply when we rush, and the best outcomes come when we take our time and do things the right way.

In this episode of Workforce Skills with John Morris, John sits down with Sarah Gehrt, a graduate of his workforce and life skills classes who once came through his reentry program after serving six years in prison.

Sarah opens up about a lifetime of addiction, the moment everything caught up with her, and what it took to finally decide, “If I want to be something different, I have to do something different.” She shares how John’s “beast mode” mindset, accountability, and real-world workforce skills helped her go from angry and resistant to applying for 60 jobs in a week, pursuing education, and rebuilding her life.

Today, Sarah is a Walden University graduate (summa cum laude), the first recipient of a full-ride Bridges Reentry scholarship, and a Student Success Advisor supporting hundreds of students. She now mentors other women coming out of incarceration, advocates for stronger vocational and soft-skills programs, and proves that your past doesn’t have to define your future.

If you’re coming out of prison, in recovery, hiring second-chance employees, or you just need a reminder that change is possible, this conversation will hit home.

In Episode 94 of the Workforce Skills Podcast, John Morris sits down with a very special guest — his wife, Lori Morris — to talk openly and honestly about what it’s really like to work together every single day.

John and Lori share the routines, boundaries, struggles, and habits that keep their marriage strong while running a fast-paced commercial painting company. From early-morning schedules and office roles to gym time, decompressing at home, and setting clear “work zones” vs “home zones,” they break down how they’ve learned to thrive both professionally and personally.

They also dive into deeper topics: addiction, sobriety, past marriages, sacrifice, misunderstandings, and why supporting each other’s goals is the foundation of their success. Lori talks about how her perception of people in recovery changed after meeting the men and women who work at PHP Commercial Painting — and how lack of support at home can derail someone’s progress.

Whether you work with your spouse, want to understand relationship dynamics in a business, or just want an honest conversation about partnership and growth, this is one of the most candid episodes yet.

The holidays aren’t easy for everyone — especially for employees struggling with loneliness, financial stress, addiction, or family issues. In this powerful Thanksgiving episode, John Morris opens up about why this season can be the most dangerous and emotionally challenging time of the year for many workers, especially those rebuilding their lives after prison, addiction, or homelessness.

John talks candidly about the realities he sees every year: people slipping back into old habits, isolating themselves, or simply getting “too far in their own head.” He explains how business owners and leaders can step up, watch for warning signs, offer support, and create a family-like culture that keeps people grounded through the holidays.

From opening his own home for Thanksgiving to encouraging employees to look out for one another, John shares practical, heartfelt examples of how leadership extends far beyond job sites, production, and profit — especially right now.

This episode is a reminder that the holidays don’t need to be perfect. They need to be supportive.

In Episode 92 of Workforce Skills, John Morris breaks down one of the most important realities in today’s business world: technology-driven change is no longer optional — it’s required for growth.

From outgrowing legacy systems like WorkGlue to implementing advanced tools like RingCentral, AI-driven estimating platforms, real-time scheduling, equipment tracking, and internal automation, John shares how PHP Commercial Painting is transforming operations at every level.

He explains why many companies stay stuck: leaders are afraid of new technology, avoid risk, and refuse to adapt. But the businesses willing to evolve — willing to automate, innovate, and modernize their systems — are the ones that scale.

This episode is a must-listen for business owners, managers, and anyone responsible for operations or technology adoption. Learn how the right tools can streamline communication, cut inefficiencies, empower employees, and change the entire direction of your company.

If you want your business to grow, you must be willing to change.

In this episode of Workforce Skills, John Morris dives into one of today’s biggest conversations — artificial intelligence. From blueprint estimating tools to ChatGPT, AI is changing the way we run businesses, write emails, and even bid jobs. But where do we draw the line between using technology and letting it think for us? John shares how he’s using AI inside PHP Commercial Painting to boost accuracy, accountability, and profit — and why the trades still need the human touch that machines can’t replace.

In this episode, John Morris shares the core mission that drives PHP Commercial Painting: “We deliver unmatched quality and craftsmanship by ensuring every detail reflects excellence, even when no one is watching.”

John opens up about a $40,000 mistake that became a turning point for the company—a lesson in accountability, pride, and doing the right thing no matter the cost. He explains how living by a mission statement, not just writing one, builds long-term trust with clients and strengthens team culture.

You’ll learn why quality matters more than cutting corners, how to turn failure into opportunity, and why every business—and person—should define and live by their own mission statement.