{"podcast":{"title":"The Lost Art Of the Skilled Trades","slug":"the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648","podcast_index_feed_id":6923648,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-lost-art-of-skilled-trades/","website_url":"https://www.andrewbrown.net","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/646c90b5-c725-4a9f-b15c-452ed30769ee/Cover-TLAOST-3.jpg","author":"Andrew Brown","episode_count":98,"summary":"Welcome to The Lost Art of the Skilled Trades, the ultimate podcast dedicated to celebrating and exploring the world of skilled trades. Hosted by Andrew Brown, a passionate advocate for the trades industry, this podcast is your go-to source for knowledge, inspiration, and practical advice. Andrew brings a unique perspective shaped by years of hands-on experience, entrepreneurial success, and a deep commitment to elevating the trades. Dive into the fascinating and ever-evolving world of skilled trades, where creativity, problem-solving, and dedication come together to build the world around us. From carpentry and HVAC systems to electricians, plumbers, millwrights, and beyond, every episode uncovers the grit, determination, and artistry that define the people behind these essential professions. Andrew’s journey began with a life-changing moment on September 11, 2001, when he worked alongside tradespeople, first responders, and community helpers at Ground Zero. This experience inspired him to dedicate his life to advocating for the unsung heroes of the trades. Through his company, Andrew has helped provide tools, equipment, and resources to industry professionals worldwide. Now, thr…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-01T10:20:44.576717+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648"},"episode":{"title":"What Happens After 30 Years in the Trades? | Herb Sargent","slug":"what-happens-after-30-years-in-the-trades-herb-sargent","published_at":"2026-03-31T22:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648/what-happens-after-30-years-in-the-trades-herb-sargent","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648","url":"https://the-lost-art-of-skilled-trades.captivate.fm/episode/life-skills-before-job-skills-how-herb-sargent-built-a-trades-company-that-actually-develops-people","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/354e3233-cfac-419a-8c12-1c2b686e271c.mp3","summary":"What if the real workforce problem isn't recruiting — it's that we're handing young people tools before we've taught them how to live? Herb Sargent, recently retired CEO and Board Chair of Sargent Corporation, has spent decades proving there's a better way. Herb watched a man named Freedom — a 70-year-old truck driver shuffling between offices and a trailer he lived in — and made a decision: nobody who works for Sargent Corporation would retire without dignity. That commitment turned into a full workforce development system that teaches budgeting, retirement planning, soft skills, and career pathways — before a single shovel hits the ground. Herb Sargent is the recently retired CEO and Board Chair of Sargent Corporation, a 100% employee-owned civil construction company founded in Maine in 1926. Under his leadership, Sargent grew to 550+ employee-owners, built a construction academy that helped grow their under-25 workforce from 10% to 25%, and achieved 1 million injury-free man-hours through a single five-second mindset shift. If you lead a trades company, run a workforce development program, or are trying to recruit and retain Gen Z workers, this conversation is exactly what you need to hear. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) – Legacy Before We Begin: Herb opens with the question he asks every veteran worker — what do you want your legacy to be — and it reframes the entire episode. (06:00) – Life Skills Before Job Skills: Herb explains how COVID exposed a generation that never worked at McDonald's, and why Sargent Corporation decided to meet new hires where they are — budgeting, financial literacy, and retirement planning first. (13:00) – The Freedom Story: The truck driver named Freedom — shuffling to his trailer at 70 years old — became the moment that defined Herb's mission…","meta_description":"What if the real workforce problem isn't recruiting — it's that we're handing young people tools before we've taught them how to live? Herb Sargent, recen…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2322,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648/episodes/what-happens-after-30-years-in-the-trades-herb-sargent/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-lost-art-of-the-skilled-trades-6923648/what-happens-after-30-years-in-the-trades-herb-sargent.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}