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The Catalyst for the Trades

The Catalyst for the Trades.

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Are you driven to achieve more, push boundaries, and see real results in everything you do? The Catalyst is the podcast for the relentless go-getters, innovators, and leaders who are obsessed with turning vision into action. Join us as we dive deep into success stories, strategies, and insights from industry experts who have cracked the code on what it takes to ignite change and get results. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a business leader, or someone determined to excel, this podcast will ...
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In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jennifer Bagley welcomes Utku “Dave” Kaynar, CEO of OnePath, to take you deep inside the future of automation, lead management, and true profitability for the trades. Learn how AI-driven workflows, intelligent booking, and seamless platform integration are helping HVAC, electrical, and plumbing compa…
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What does it really take to build a trades business that runs without you—and gives your family the freedom you dreamed of? In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jennifer Bagley sits down with Mike Abramowitz: systems engineer, author, and founder of the “Time Rich 6” framework. Mike shares the unfiltered journey from direct sales grind …
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The brittle and the velvet, instrument elevation, motific deconstruction, exhibiting the romantic. Collaborators Zosha Warpeha + Mariel Terán discuss their important albums. Zosha's picks: Georg Buljo + Nils Økland – Neve Anne Hytta – Draumsyn Mariel's picks: Kaija Saariaho – Notes On Light, Orion, Mirage Pedestrian Deposit – Dyer's Hands Zosha and…
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Ready to level up your decision-making and accelerate growth? In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, host Jennifer Bagley sits down with Teasha Cable—tech visionary, AI expert, and founder of CModel—to uncover how AI-powered decision intelligence transforms the way businesses operate. Teasha shares the real-world processes, systems, and mindse…
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Scared-fish drones, a reckoning with low frequencies, damp cardboard noise wall, cinematic conjurings. The Taiwanese experimental artist discusses important noise/drone albums with host Jack Chuter. Lucia's picks: Emptyset – Medium Pedestrian Deposit – Dyer's Hands Jack's picks: Aleksandra Słyż – A Vibrant Touch unless – unless Lucia and Jack play …
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Ready to future-proof your contracting business? AI is transforming everything from lead conversion to customer service and financial management in the trades. In this episode, Lynn Wise, founder of Contractor in Charge and One Path AI, joins host Jennifer Bagley to break down how artificial intelligence is accelerating change for home service comp…
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Bach in the club, big idea music, slow sensual states of being. The LA-based pianist and composer discusses three important albums. Qur'an's picks: Bach – Glenn Gould – The Goldberg Variations (both 1955 and 1981) Esperanza Spalding – Emily’s D+Evolution The Internet – Ego Death Qur'an's new album is called Pulse, and it's out now on Leaving Record…
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In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, we sit down with Stephanie Allen, CEO of Airworks Solutions, to talk about what it takes to lead and thrive in today’s fast-changing trades industry. From her journey leading a top HVAC business while balancing life as a mother of four, to her real-world strategies for using AI to accelerate processes and…
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Low every night, channelling relaxation, meeting musical geniuses. Takiaya Reed discusses three important albums. Takiaya's picks: Low – HEY WHAT Alina Baraz + Galimatias – Urban Flora Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Sex & Food The new Divide & Dissolve album is called Insatiable, and it's out now on Bella Union. Check it out here. The Divide And Dissol…
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What does it really take to thrive as a new HVAC business in a crowded market? Jason Walker, founder of HVAC Masters of the Hustle, pulls back the curtain on his own journey from law enforcement to leading high-performing HVAC teams—and building a company that stands out against $100M+ competitors. In this high-energy episode, hosts Jennifer Bagley…
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Ready for a real-world success story that proves the trades are wide open for ambitious go-getters? On this episode of Catalyst, hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz welcome Darren Dixon, an HVAC industry legend, and his son, Tyler Dixon, who swapped college plans for a fast-track sales career in home services. Tyler shares his path from ge…
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Wine and cigarettes, heart and spirit, the cranky and the problematic. The sound artist and musician from Istanbul discusses three important albums. Hüma's picks: Bohren & Der Club Of Gore – Piano Nights Huun-Huur-Tu – Ancestors Call Nine Inch Nails – The Fragile Hüma's latest album is titled Dracones, and it's out now on Editions Mego. Check it ou…
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Is your contracting business ready for the next wave of technology? In this forward-thinking episode, Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz sit down with Paul Redman, CEO of Contractor Commerce, to talk about what it really takes to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market. They dive into the impact of AI, automation, and e-commerce, how lean…
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Motivation means nothing if you can’t execute. In this episode, Sam Wakefield, creator of Close It Now and catalyst of transformative sales events like “Relentless: The Ultimate Sales Transformation”, pulls back the curtain on what actually drives success in the trades: clarity, consistent follow-up, and evolving beyond “lead baby” mentality. Hosts…
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Shooting a shotgun at a water tower, textural amalgams on the Silk Road, kindness in music. The LA-based musician discusses three important albums. Dustin's picks: Motohiko Hamase – Reminiscence Steve Shehan – Arrows goo age – Open Zone Dustin's recent pleasures: Co La – Moody Coup Lucy Liyou – Every Video Without Your Face, Every Sound Without You…
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What does it take to build a thriving, people-first business in the home services industry—and keep it growing for nearly 40 years? In this candid episode, Raul Rodriguez (Founder & President of Power Pro Plumbing) joins hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz to share hard-won lessons on leadership, growth, and adapting to new technology in t…
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What does it take to scale a family-owned trades business from $12M to $20M in just three years? In this episode, Dana Staszkiewicz, co-founder of Opus and Gold, joins host Jennifer Bagley to share what really happens behind the scenes of explosive growth in the home services industry. Dana gets candid about her journey transitioning from global re…
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The flesh and bone of synthesis, all the power in one drum, great songs with shit mixes. The Réunion island-based electronic maloya producer discusses three important albums. Jako's picks: Danyel Waro – Batarsité Patrick Manent – Kozmann ker EPROM – Halflife Jako's new album is called Mahavélouz and it's out on Nyege Nyege Tapes. Check it out here…
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In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, Jennifer Bagley sits down with Danielle Putnam, President of The New Flat Rate, to talk strategy, pricing, and how contractors can stop giving away their profits. Danielle breaks down why it’s time to retire the word “just” from your team’s vocabulary, how the right pricing menu changes everything, and ho…
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One-take to tape, eternal red-lining, escaping the concert hall. The Tiohtià:ke/Montréal-based maker of concrète electronic tape music discusses three important albums. Jeremy's picks: Magnolia Electric Co. – Josephine Baby Huey – The Baby Huey Story: The Living Legend Luc Ferrari – Presque Rien A record Jeremy's been recently enjoying: iPhupho L'k…
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Tascam masterpieces, deadly post-show oil slick, the cult of personality. The member of black metal/shoegaze band Pyramids discusses three important albums. Rich's picks: Lifelover – Pulver Elliott Smith – XO Ink & Dagger – The Fine Art Of Original Sin The new Pyramids album is called Pythagoras and it's out now on The Flenser. Check it out on Band…
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Social media doesn’t have to be overwhelming—or a waste of time. In this episode, Jen McKee, founder of Kee Hart Marketing, shares what actually works for contractors trying to grow online. From personal branding and content ideas to time-saving tools and automation, Jen breaks down real strategies that help HVAC, plumbing, and electrical businesse…
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In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, co-host Chuck Staszkiewicz sits down with Karen Sager, President of Micro Mesh Gutter Guards, to talk about product innovation, contractor profitability, and strategies for standing out in a crowded market. Karen shares the history and evolution of gutter guard technology, how Micro Mesh uses copper filtr…
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Methodical and playful, the Radigue over your shoulder, one riff played well. Sound artist and musician Robbie Judkins discusses three important albums. Robbie's picks: Black To Comm – Alphabet 1968 Èliane Radigue – Jetsun Mila Lungfish – Artificial Horizon Robbie's latest album, Every Movement, is out now on Brachliegen Tapes. Find Robbie on Cargo…
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Sound through helium, medieval flute on a hill, puncturing the tension. The Berlin-based producer and musician discusses three important albums. Tim's picks: Second Woman – S/W Kara-Lis Coverdale – A 480 The Hilliard Ensemble – Perotin Tim's new album, Trill Scan, is out now on Constellation. You can also check it out on Tim's bandcamp. His website…
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Join us for an inspiring episode of The Catalyst for the Trades, featuring Denise Swafford, Chief Commercial Officer at P1 Service Group. Denise shares her incredible career journey, starting from humble beginnings in the call center to reaching the C-suite. Discover how her dedication, resilience, and passion for the trades propelled her to achiev…
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Join us on this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades as we sit down with Ray Reyes, a former Navy veteran turned successful plumbing entrepreneur. Ray shares his inspiring journey of building New Jersey Pipe Doctor from the ground up, highlighting the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. Discover how his military background, strategic …
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Pieces of life, countryside backpack diffusions, noisy-distorted-no-wave-crazy-guitar. The Paris-based guitarist discusses three important albums. Nina's picks: Gastr Del Sol – Upgrade & Afterlife Géométries – Nebuloasa Officine – S/T (2E) Nina's new album, Bye Bye Bird, is out now on Ideologic Organ. Check it out on Bandcamp. Nina is also on Insta…
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In this episode of "Catalyst for the Trades," hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz dive deep into the strategic planning necessary for building a home service business with a future sale or exit in mind. The hosts engage in a rich discussion about vital business practices inspired by recent conversations with successful entrepreneurs from t…
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Elegant and effusive, timeless eternities, bulky sounds. The Brussels-based sound artist and composer discusses three important albums. Liew's picks: Susan Alcorn – Soledad David Behrman – Leapday Night Portishead – Third Liew's latest album is titled In All Possible Places At Once, released on Chinabot. Check it out here. Liew's website is here. D…
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Join host Jennifer Bagley, CEO of CI Web Group, and her guests, Darren Dixon, CEO and founder of fyxify, and George Donaldson, CEO of Fix-It Group, as they discuss the transformative landscape of the home services industry in this engaging episode. The conversation delves into the significant shifts driven by AI technologies, consumer behavior chan…
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Join Jennifer Bagley as she hosts Trey McWilliams, CEO of McWilliams & Sons and founder of Blue Cardinal Home Services Group, in this enlightening episode of "Catalyst for the Trades." Discover the journey of this third-generation leader as he shares his insights into scaling a home services business with a strong focus on people and leadership dev…
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Hunting for errors, the lesson in Queens, massive dub sound systems, peripheral vibes. Simon Grab and David Meier discuss four important albums. Simon's picks: Dhangsha – Broadcast Signal Intrusion DJ K – PANICO NO SUBMUNDO David's picks: Tyshawn Sorey – that / not Alice Coltrane – Journey In Satchidananda Simon and David's collaborative album is t…
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In this episode of Catalyst for the Trades, hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz sit down with Mark Evans, a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and wealth-building expert. Mark shares his journey in the trades and breaks down the essential steps for creating long-term financial success. They discuss business scalability, smart investment stra…
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In this episode of "Catalyst for the Trades," hosts Jennifer Bagley and Chuck Staszkiewicz are joined by George Donaldson, a leading figure in the home services industry known for scaling the Fix It Group from $1.7 million to $100 million. The trio dives deep into the crucial strategies and considerations for home services businesses looking to sca…
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3am Vegas haze, inappropriate wedding songs, coffee shop intensity vortex. The host of Crucial Listening discusses three important albums. Jack's picks: R.E.M. – Automatic For The People Baby Dee – Love's Small Song JUNKO / SACHIKO – Vasilisa The Beautiful I'll be back with a guest next time. Thank you so much for all your support, I'm grateful! Do…
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In this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades, Jennifer Bagley sits down with Josh Koplin, co-founder of Eden, to explore the evolving landscape of consumer behavior in the trades industry. The discussion focuses on how businesses can leverage digital tools, AI-driven consumer experiences, and innovative content strategies to gain a competitive ed…
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Sound as living entity, eating your greens, divinity and dedication. The Berlin-based, Mexican multimedia artist and DJ discusses three important albums. Daniela's picks: Éliane Radigue – Trilogie de la Mort Coil – Musick To Play In The Dark Vol 1 / Vol 2 Alice Coltrane – Eternity Daniela Huerta's solo debut album, Soplo, is out now on Elevator Bat…
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Episode Summary: In this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades, we engage in an enlightening conversation with Sebastian Jimenez, CEO of Rilla. Drawing striking parallels between tech entrepreneurship and stand-up comedy, Sebastian delves into the essence of trial, failure, and iteration as the cornerstone of success in both fields. The discussion…
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Rothko croissants, records like old trees, cave-age slowcore. The French musician and artist discusses three important albums. Félicia's picks: Morton Feldman – Rothko Chapel | Why Patterns? Robert Ashley – Private Parts Low – I Could Live In Hope Félicia's latest album, Space As An Instrument, is out now on Shelter Press. Check it out here. Her we…
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What does it take to turn your customer service team into a powerhouse for growth? In this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades podcast, Brigham Dickinson, founder and president of Power Selling Pros, shares his proven strategies for transforming call-handling into a competitive advantage. Explore the "Pattern for Excellence," learn how to WOW cu…
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In this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades, we sit down with Devon Murphy, co-owner of Reignite Sales Solutions, to explore how businesses can unlock untapped potential by reigniting past leads and optimizing their appointment-setting processes. Devon shares his insights on aligning team values with company goals, crafting effective sales strat…
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In this insightful episode of The Catalyst for the Trades Podcast, host Jennifer Bagley sits down with guest Dwight Miller to dive deep into transformative strategies for entrepreneurs and business owners. They explore the importance of alignment with vendors and partners, the value of hiring coaches to tackle personal blind spots, and the pivotal …
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In this episode, Jennifer Bagley, Mary Belden-McGrath, and Eric McGrath discuss the transformative power of leadership training and the importance of adapting to change in a rapidly evolving business landscape. They share personal experiences with the Bold training program, emphasizing the need for emotional intelligence, collaboration, and a growt…
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Socialist pop music, the control of the clock, the beautiful digital. The Hailuoto, Finland-based artist and poemproducer discusses three important albums. Antye's picks: Silly – Mont Klamott BLACK QUANTUM FUTURISM – Waiting Time​/​Weighting​/​Wading Time: On Juneteenth, Watch Night, Freedom​’​s Eve, and Emancipation Day Helena Gough – With What Re…
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In this episode of The Catalyst for the Trades, host Chuck Staszkiewicz sits down with Erik Flegal, founder and CEO of Family Fortune Financial, to tackle some of the most pressing topics for trade business owners. From essential tax prep strategies to planning memorable holiday parties and re-energizing your team after the new year, this conversat…
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In this kickoff episode of Catalyst for the Trades, with Jennifer Bagley, Chuck Staszkiewicz and Crystal Williams, we're joined by our guest Darren Dixon, CEO and founder of fyxify, to explore how technology and market trends are reshaping the home services industry. Darren shares his insights on the influence of private equity in real estate, the …
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Mad standards, worst planet ever, fire in a pet shop. The improvising pianist discusses three important albums. Pat's picks: Ahmed Abdul-Malik – Nights On Saturn The Music Improvisation Company – S/T Sun Ra – The Magic City Pat has a new solo electronics record out now on 577 Records, titled This Is Trick Step. Check that out here. Pat is also on I…
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Clarity and self-indulgence, the end of history, awakening the ear. The philosopher and artist discusses three important albums. Miguel's picks: Nico – Nico's Last Concert "Fata Morgana" Scott Walker – Tilt Maryanne Amacher – Sound Characters (Making The Third Ear) The new Nzʉmbe album, "Ardor or Entropy", is out now on Drowned By Locals. Check it …
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Nothing but blancmange, beautiful death-adjacency, laughing through the discomfort. The vocalist of Buñuel and the late Oxbow discusses three important albums. Eugene's picks: Johnny Hartman – The Voice That Is! Billie Holiday – Lady In Satin Arthur Prysock – Compact Jazz The new Buñuel album, Mansuetude, is out now on Overdrive/Skingraft. Check it…
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