In this episode of The Trades Podcast, hosts Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres interview Dan Clapper, Commercial HVAC and Facility Maintenance Expert at Interplay Learning, to uncover how digital innovation is transforming education in the skilled trades.

Dan discusses how Interplay Learning is empowering tradespeople and companies with 3D simulation and virtual reality (VR) training that bridges the gap between theory and hands-on experience. The platform helps organizations train employees faster, increase safety awareness, and improve retention rates by delivering practical, repeatable training scenarios anytime, anywhere.

The conversation covers the growing need for accessible trades education, the challenges of recruiting and developing skilled workers, and how technology can make technical learning engaging and effective for all skill levels. Dan also shares real success stories from companies leveraging Interplay Learning to upskill their workforce and build stronger, more confident teams.

Whether you’re an HVAC professional, facility maintenance manager, or business owner looking to modernize your training approach, this episode will show how innovation is driving progress in the trades industry.

In this episode of The Trades Podcast, hosts Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres welcome Erin Izen, Executive Director of The Home Depot Foundation®, for an uplifting conversation about service, opportunity, and the power of skilled trades to transform communities.

Erin shares how The Home Depot Foundation® is helping address the skilled labor shortage through its Path to Pro™ program, which provides free training, scholarships, and career resources to help individuals build meaningful careers in the trades. From supporting U.S. military veterans to empowering young people through partnerships with organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs of America®, Erin highlights how strategic investment and community collaboration can open doors to lifelong careers and generational stability.

This episode is a reminder that building futures is not just about tools and materials. It is about lifting people up, restoring purpose, and creating pathways to prosperity through skilled work. If you believe in strengthening your workforce, supporting your community, or inspiring the next generation of trades professionals, this is an episode worth sharing.

• The Home Depot Foundation® — https://HomeDepotFoundation.org
• Path to Pro™ — https://www.pathtopro.com/
• Veteran Support Programs — https://corporate.homedepot.com/page/veteran-housing-grants

• Nearly $600 million invested in veteran causes and skilled trades initiatives
• 400,000+ open skilled trade jobs nationwide
• How Path to Pro™ prepares the next generation of tradespeople
• Partnering with Boys and Girls Clubs of America® to inspire youth early
• Why community engagement and workforce development go hand in hand

If you believe in empowering the trades, building stronger communities, and creating pathways to prosperity, share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Trades Podcast

01:23 Meet Erin Izen and Home Depot Foundation

03:15 Home Depot's Commitment to Veterans and Community

10:52 The Path to Pro: Addressing the Skilled Labor Gap

21:30 Engaging Youth and Parents in Skilled Trades

27:31 Diverse Pathways into the Trades

28:16 Investing in Youth: Path to Pro Updates

29:30 Focus on Key Trade Skills

32:37 Challenges in Trade Education

34:34 Community Engagement and Support

37:01 Addressing the Skilled Trades Shortage

38:37 Empowering Future Generations

40:00 Innovative Approaches to Trade Training

42:53 Influencing Young Minds

46:16 Partnerships with Boys and Girls Club

48:46 Creating Generational Wealth through Trades

In this episode of The Trades Podcast, hosts Jeff and Danny interview Laura Basili, Chief Marketing Officer at Brazilian Lumber. Laura shares how premium hardwood materials, sustainability, and education have positioned the company as a trusted partner for contractors, deck builders, architects, and designers.

She explains how answering real-world installation questions, simplifying sourcing, and elevating product awareness help trade professionals stand out in a competitive industry. The conversation explores how branding, customer relationships, and digital presence can grow a trades-based business and create long-term trust.

Laura also discusses:

The rise of sustainable hardwood decking

Educating contractors through FAQs and customer resources

Marketing strategies tailored to trades professionals

Helping builders and service providers improve visibility

Why storytelling and authenticity matter in construction branding

Listeners will walk away inspired to rethink how they communicate their value, showcase their craft, and build brands that last.

In this inspiring episode of The Trades Podcast, hosts Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres talk with Levi Torres, President and Owner of High Five Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electric. Levi shares how he took his roots as a second-generation plumber and built one of Denver’s most dynamic service companies.

The conversation highlights High Five Plumbing’s unique culture, which emphasizes positivity and customer connection through the power of a high five. Levi also explains the company’s strategic expansion into HVAC and electrical services, their innovative training programs (including virtual reality for apprentices), and the importance of grassroots marketing in achieving growth.

Beyond business, Levi talks about the company’s deep commitment to community—donating over $145,000 to local nonprofits—and his long-term vision of becoming a national brand.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why a simple high five creates a lasting customer experience
• How High Five Plumbing transitioned into HVAC and electrical with strategy and purpose
• Why training programs and VR tools are critical for developing skilled technicians
• How grassroots marketing and culture drive long-term business growth
• The importance of giving back and building a community-focused brand
• Levi’s vision for scaling High Five Plumbing nationally

Jeff and Danny dive into conversation with David Bitan of Bumble Roofing. They cover how David built Bumble not just to be another roofing company, but one that stands out through customer experience, innovation, and community philanthropy. Listeners will hear about the early days, scaling through fancy tech tools, quality control, recruitment, and the importance of making promises you can keep.

What You’ll Learn:

How Bumble Roofing uses technology for fast, accurate roofing quotes (AI + satellite imagery) Business RadioX ®+2Entrepreneur+2

Why “white glove” service matters in roofing, and what that means in practice Business RadioX ®+1

Lessons from scaling via franchising and partnering with Empower Brands without losing identity PR Newswire+1

How giving back (e.g. donating to nonprofits per new roof) builds purpose and trust LinkedIn+1

The mindset required to lead in a fragmented industry where most roofing businesses are small and local Business RadioX ®+1

Bumble Roofing website: Learn about their services, customer promise, and company values

David Bitan LinkedIn: David Bitan, CEO of Bumble Roofing — insights on his journey and business philosophy LinkedIn

PR Newswire Article “Bumble Roofing Joins Forces with Empower Brands”: about their acquisition and expansion strategy PR Newswire

Business RadioX Interview “Disrupting the Roofing Industry: David Bitan’s Vision for a Better Customer Experience”: for deeper insight into how he’s shaping his brand’s service and growth.

In this episode of the Trades Podcast, hosts Danny Torres and Jeff Mudd interview Brian Huff, CEO of Midwest Technical Institute and Delta Technical College. They discuss the importance of skilled trades, particularly welding, and the growing demand for workers in these fields. Brian shares his journey from a welder to an educator, emphasizing the need for job placement and employer-focused education. The conversation also touches on the skills gap, the importance of soft skills, and the changing perceptions of trades in the education system. Brian provides insights into the future of the trades, the value of trade education, and advice for parents and students considering a career in the trades.

Takeaways

• Job placement is crucial for trade education success.
• The demand for skilled tradespeople is increasing.
• Welding is a vital skill with numerous job opportunities.
• The skills gap in the trades is urgent and growing.
• Soft skills are becoming increasingly important in trades education.
• Trade education is often more affordable than traditional college.
• A good work ethic can lead to career advancement in trades.
• The perception of trades as a second-tier option needs to change.
• Automation in trucking is still a long way off.
• The trades are foundational to the economy and society.

Midwest Technical Institute (MTI)
Website: www.midwesttech.edu
Phone: (888) 709-8324
Locations: Illinois and Missouri
Contact Page: https://www.midwesttech.edu/

Delta Technical College (DTC)
Website: www.deltatechnicalcollege.com
Phone: (866) 733-6652
Locations: Mississippi and Arkansas
Contact Page: https://www.deltatechnicalcollege.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Trades Podcast

03:01 Brian Huff's Journey in Welding and Education

05:52 The Growing Demand for Welders

08:50 The Skills Gap and Job Opportunities in Trades

11:43 Connecting Education with Employment

14:47 The Importance of Job Placement in Trade Education

17:48 The Future of Trucking and Automation

20:43 Changing Perceptions of Trades as a Career Path

24:06 The Eisenhower Moment and Vocational Education

25:53 The Shift in Education: Gen Z and Trade Skills

30:07 The Role of Educators in Trade Schools

32:23 The Importance of Soft Skills in Trades

34:18 The Essential Nature of Trades in Society

36:39 Becoming a Good Worker: The Key to Success

40:55 Opportunities in the Trades for Veterans and Young Adults

46:00 The Bright Future of Trade Careers

Description:
Jeff and Danny talk with Jeremy Logsdon, who co-founded Preventive Pest Control in 2002. He discusses how he turned early hustle, door-to-door sales, and a boots-on-the-ground mindset into a business that now spans nine locally operated branches. Jeremy also shares how leading people, not just solving pest problems, became the critical skill that made his business thrive.

What You’ll Learn:

The unconventional start that led Jeremy into pest control

How early lessons on leadership and persistence shaped his business ethos

Strategies for building a company through adversity rather than avoiding it

Why the “people side” of the business must be prioritized alongside operations

How a steadfast mission—preventing problems before they occur—guides service quality

About Jeremy Logsdon and Preventive Pest Control: A look at their growth from Texas to California and beyond Medium Preventive Pest Control

Preventive’s Service Guarantee and Locations: Locally owned branches, service offerings, and the “Preventive Guarantee” that builds trust Preventive Pest Control+1

Join Jeff and Danny as they sit down with April Edwards, the skilled marketer behind Deck Builder Marketers. With a keen focus on deck building contractors, April walks through how she helps them grow with targeted strategies—from ranking higher in Google to generating consistent leads and crafting marketing systems that work.

Why specializing in deck builder marketing unlocked growth and clarity for April’s business

How being easy to find online—especially by ranking #1 for the right keywords—drives real results

How April’s team uses AI, Google Business Profiles, SEO, PPC, and more to boost exposure

Case examples of quick wins, such as clients ranking dominant in their local markets

The value of systems that support long-term growth—without sacrificing authenticity or quality

April Edwards is the CEO of Deck Builder Marketers. With experience in art, commercial design, and marketing since 2004, she found her stride by focusing on deck builders—making her agency one of the first full-service firms built solely for this trade. She’s passionate about helping contractors grow, scale, and thrive through marketing that works.

Deck Builder MarketersNADRA

Deck Builder Marketers Overview & Free Strategy Session: deckbuildermarketers.com/april-edwards
Deck Builder Marketers

AI’s Role in Deck Builder Marketing: April’s insights on adapting to AI marketing trends for trades businesses
Deck Builder Marketers

How April Scaled a 7-Figure Agency: Niching for clarity, systems, and recurring growth
Seven Figure Agency