Work & Talk Podcast
Welcome to Work N Talk Podcast — the space where builders, contractors, and trade pros share their real stories, lessons, and leadership journeys. From electricians and plumbers to HVAC techs, roofers, and general contractors, we shine a light on the men and women shaping communities with their hands, vision, and grit. Hosted by Wilson Betances and powered by Energize Us EDU Inc., Work N Talk blends real talk from the job-site with strategies to grow your business, strengthen leadership, and find purpose in the trades.
🔨 Learn proven pricing and profit strategies.
🎙 Hear unfiltered conversations from the field.
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All Episodes
Leviton LIVE Nashville | From Edison’s Light to the Next Generation of Contractors
Welcome back to the Work & Talk Podcast — the podcast for tradespeople, by tradespeople. In this exclusive episode, we sit down with Joshua Knott and Steven Doty of Leviton Manufacturing Company — recorded live at Leviton LIVE Nashville. ⚡ We explore how a friendship between Thomas Edison and Isidor Leviton sparked over a century of innovation that continues to shape the electrical industry today. From the first pull-chain light switch to modern electrification, Leviton’s legacy has always been about one thing — progress through people. 💡 In This Episode: The real story behind Edison and Leviton’s partnership that changed lighting forever How Leviton evolved from gas lamps to smart homes The culture and values that have kept Leviton thriving for 120 years Inside Leviton LIVE: how contractors and builders are trained for the future The future of electrification, AI, and data in the trades What today’s contractors can learn from Leviton’s “always forward” mindset 📍 Recorded Live from Leviton LIVE Nashville 🎧 Stream Now on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts Work. Build. Talk. — The future of the trades starts here. 🔗 podcast.energizeus-edu.today 👷 Hosted by: @willmbetances 🎥 Presented by: @workntalkpodcast
From Chaos to Cash Flow: How Contractors Get 6–10 Hours Back Weekly
The Work & Talk Podcast — for tradespeople, by tradespeople. Today we sit down with Justin Lund (@itsjustinlund) to unpack the Delegation Priority Pyramid — a simple, repeatable framework for contractors to buy back 6–10 hours a week, fix cash flow, and stop firefighting. What we cover: Why your first hire isn’t a journeyman — it’s admin (and how to know) The Delegation Priority Pyramid: Admin → Marketing → Sales → Leadership How one HVAC company had $800,000 stuck in AR — and collected $600K in 90 days Founder Freedom Playbook (free): track your time, find bottlenecks, delegate the right work Buying back your time: 10 hours = more bids, better clients, fewer late nights Cash flow reality: AR, payroll, taxes, and the systems that keep you out of trouble Routine > heroics: how to avoid burnout and build a business you actually enjoy Why watch: If you’re in Year 0–3 or bouncing between $500K–$2M and feel stuck, this episode gives you a practical plan to grow without hating your life. Guest: @itsjustinlund (IG/TT/LI) Hosts: @workntalkpodcast 🎧 Listen everywhere: podcast.energizeus-edu.today Live cadence: The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri @ 7 AM ET • Guest episodes — Wed @ 8 PM ET Comment: What will you delegate first this week (admin, AR follow-ups, materials runs, inbox)? We’ll feature a few in the next show.
The Builders Show | Contractor Business Plan 101: Pricing, Leads & Your First Year (Leviton Next Gen)
Going out on your own? We cover first-year mistakes, pricing you can defend, lead flow that works, and the “Contractor GPS” so you stop winging it. Plus TN licensing (LLE vs CE) and a look ahead to Leviton’s Next Gen Contractors event. Subscribe for The Builders Show M/W/F 7 AM ET • @workntalkpodcast The Builders Show — the morning show for builders, electricians, and contractors. We took a week off (baby on the way!) and we’re back with a tactical episode for anyone in Year 0–3 of business or about to go out on their own. What we cover today: First-year contractor mistakes (and how to avoid them) The Contractor GPS: how to set a destination (not just “get jobs”) Pricing basics: stop guessing — start with targets, quarters, and weekly revenue Lead flow: what actually works early (and what to avoid) Saying no to bad customers without starving your pipeline TN Licensing: LLE vs CE (scope, limits, prep that actually helps) Leviton Next Gen Contractors Event (Nashville): what we’ll share on business planning, pricing & load centers Why watch: Real, usable steps before you clock in — build a business you don’t end up hating. Listen anywhere: podcast.energizeus-edu.today Follow: @workntalkpodcast (IG & YouTube) Live cadence: The Builders Show — Mon/Wed/Fri @ 7 AM ET • Guest episodes — Wed @ 8 PM ET Comment: What’s your one move this week — apply for a license, price a MPU, join an association, or set a monthly target?
Work & Talk Podcast | “Passing the Test” w/ Sergio Cortes (Serge Electrical Training)
Welcome back to the Work & Talk Podcast – the podcast for tradespeople by tradespeople. This week Will sits down with Sergio Cortes (@elprofecodemaster) of Serge Electrical Training, the creator of the Surge Method that’s helping electricians pass their licensing exams nationwide. We’ve worked with Sergio for almost two years behind the scenes, but this is the first time we’ve sat down to share his story: from the Coast Guard to master electrician at 25, to opening his own business and now teaching 40+ electricians a month how to pass. What you’ll hear: Military roots → residential rewires → big jobs → teaching Why leadership matters as much as skillset (even as an apprentice) The Surge Method: reading the NEC like a jobsite, not a textbook How to prep once and pass your exam instead of paying fee after fee The coming shift in solar & renewables: “soletricians,” battery installs, and why code knowledge = career leverage Sergio’s new book & on-demand platform (Spanish + English) Why listen: If you’re thinking about your license, your first crew lead role, or moving from installer to professional, this episode gives you a playbook. 🎧 Full audio: podcast.energizeus-edu.today 📲 Call to Action (end of description) Follow our hosts: @workntalkpodcast @wmbetances @cameronvogelsang Follow our guest: @elprofecodemaster / @sergeelectricaltraining Subscribe for live morning shows M/W/F 7 AM ET and guest episodes Wed 8 PM ET Comment: What’s the one thing holding you back from your license or leadership role? We’ll feature a few in our next Q&A episode. Want to be a guest or sponsor? Fill out the link in bio to showcase your business, vision, or brand on the show.