
Free Daily Podcast Summary
by Ian MacFayden
The Trade Life by Projekt Network is a show about the real work, real pressure, and real satisfaction of building a career in the skilled trades. Host Ian MacFayden sits down with tradespeople, business owners, apprentices, and industry voices to unpack the stories, decisions, and lessons that shape life on the tools and in the office.From starting out as an apprentice, to running your first crew, to pricing jobs, managing clients, navigating burnout, hiring talent, and scaling a business — this show goes beyond surface-level advice and gets into the realities of the trade world as it actually is.If you’re in the trades, hiring trades, or building something of your own, The Trade Life gives you the conversations and perspectives that help you level up.A Projekt Network Original.
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Mike Holmes Jr. and Ian MacFayden aren't verified love experts but this week they get real about one of the most overlooked parts of the trade life: your marriage. In this episode, they break down what it actually takes to prioritize your relationship when you're grinding long hours, running a business, and raising kids. They know they aren't perfect, but they are trying, just like you.From knowing your wife's love language, to planning ahead for birthdays (set that two-month reminder!), to why giving her the gift of time beats any physical present, this one's a must-listen for every tradesman who wants to be a better husband.Subscribe for more Trade Life content every week.#TradeLife #TradeLifePodcast #MikeHolmesJr #Relationships #MarriageAdvice #Tradesmen
Mike Holmes Jr. and Ian MacFayden hit the floor at Skills Canada 2026 and they've got a lot to say. From jaw-dropping student competitors to the future of the trades, the two sit down to recap everything they saw, felt, and took away from one of Canada's biggest skilled trades events. If you believe in building the next generation of tradespeople, this one's for you.
Mike Holmes Jr. and Ian MacFadyen sit down to go through the photos submitted to the Fence & Deck Competition sponsored by Turkstra Lumbar on Projekt Network, and they don't hold back. The guys break down what's working, what's not, and what separates a good build from a great one before crowning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Plus, find out who took home the People's Choice Award as voted by the Projekt Network community. If you submitted, entered, or just love a solid outdoor build, this one's for you.
If you could start your trade over, what would you pick? Two carpenters debate the trade they'd choose for love vs. the one they'd choose for money - and hand out plenty of grief to electricians, roofers, and painters along the way.Carpentry wins their hearts, but the cash points somewhere else entirely. No trade is safe.🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Shortage of workers or shortage of skill? On this episode of Trade Life Podcast, the guys pour a Carlsberg and dig into the skilled trades shortage from every angle: the stigma that's followed contractors for decades, the guidance counselors who steered kids away from the trades, the gap between 100 job applicants and zero qualified hires, and why post-secondary education shouldn't be the automatic next step after high school. Expect honest stories, a few tangents, and a clear message by the end: don't sleep on the trades, or you'll get slept.In this episode:Why "shortage" might be the wrong wordThe stigma problem and where it came fromEducation pathways that fail tradespeople (and everyone else)Why trades should be the default - and college the exceptionEmpowering the next generation to try a trade👍 Like, subscribe, and share if this hit home. We're a small show growing fast - every follow helps.#SkilledTrades #TradeLife #Construction #CareerAdvice #Trades
What’s it really like growing up as the son of a TV icon?In this deeply personal episode of the Trade Life Podcast, Mike Holmes Jr. opens up about his childhood, family struggles, growing up around construction, and the realities behind the public image people thought they knew.From bankruptcy and divorce to working construction at 14 and eventually joining his dad on set, Mike shares the experiences that shaped his work ethic, mindset, and approach to fatherhood today.This isn’t just a story about TV or the trades, it’s about resilience, family, identity, and building a better future from difficult beginnings.Topics covered:Growing up before fameFinancial struggles and family instabilityMike Holmes’ rise from contractor to TV personalityChildhood anxiety and overcoming adversityStarting in the trades at 14The pressure of proving yourselfFatherhood, work ethic, and breaking generational patterns🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations from the trades, construction, entrepreneurship, and real life behind the scenes.#TradeLifePodcast #MikeHolmesJr #Construction #Trades #BlueCollar #Podcast #Tradespeople #MikeHolmes #BuildingTheTrades
In this episode, we get real about what it actually takes to build something — from surviving six weeks without a paycheck to nearly going bankrupt with 30 carpenters on staff. We break down the entrepreneurial mindset: personal accountability, pushing through the hard times, knowing when to cut your losses, and why the fear of failure might actually be your biggest driver.Whether you're running a crew, starting your own business, or just trying to level up — this one's for you.🔑 Topics covered:Why "winning or learning" beats "winning or losing"The real reason high achievers do uncomfortable thingsHow to know when to push through vs. when to walk awayWhy your habits (fitness, health) predict your success in businessChoosing your hard now so life gets easier later
What if “work–life balance” isn’t real?In this raw and reflective episode, Ian and Mike open up about their struggles to juggle entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and fulfillment - and how tragedy, growth, and passion reshaped their mindset.💬 Topics include:The story of the fisherman and the myth of “balance”How grief and burnout forced a resetWhy passion makes you more present with your familyThe trap of guilt and social media expectationsFinding your personal “sparkle” - the thing that makes you, you
The Trade Life by Projekt Network is a show about the real work, real pressure, and real satisfaction of building a career in the skilled trades. Host Ian MacFayden sits down with tradespeople, business owners, apprentices, and industry voices to unpack the stories, decisions, and lessons that shape life on the tools and in the office.From starting out as an apprentice, to running your first crew, to pricing jobs, managing clients, navigating burnout, hiring talent, and scaling a business — this show goes beyond surface-level advice and gets into the realities of the trade world as it actually is.If you’re in the trades, hiring trades, or building something of your own, The Trade Life gives you the conversations and perspectives that help you level up.A Projekt Network Original.
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