What does it take to turn a simple idea into something that could change an entire industry?

Ryan sits down with Matt Ferguson, a journeyman lineman, storm worker, and inventor who spent years working in the field before developing a safer approach to one of the most common tasks crews perform every day.

From chasing opportunities to break into the trade, to working long hours on storm restoration, to surviving early setbacks as an apprentice, Matt shares the experiences that shaped both his career and his perspective on safety.

The conversation explores why some of the best innovations come from the people doing the work, how a chain from Home Depot and an old set of pole tongs sparked an idea in his dad’s garage, and why challenging “the way it’s always been done” is critical to moving the industry forward.

Whether you’re an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, or someone looking to make a difference in your trade, this episode is a reminder that small ideas can have a big impact.

Topics covered:

• Breaking into the line trade and earning opportunities
• Lessons learned from storm work
• Working through fear and setbacks as an apprentice
• Why experience creates better solutions
• The problem with accepting “the way it’s always been done”
• How Matt developed his pole tong safety innovation
• Innovation, safety, and improving the trade
• Why workers should share their ideas and challenge old assumptions
• Matt’s vision for the future of the industry

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⚡️GUEST: MATT FERGUSON⚡️

LinkedIn: Matthew Ferguson

🎙️HOST: RYAN LUCAS🎙️

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

What happens before a single power line ever goes up?

Ryan sits down with Jake Brown, Brad Minerick, and Jonathan Pipsair to pull back the curtain on foundation drilling, one of the most important and least understood trades in the utility industry.

Jake is a VP-level drilling operations leader overseeing projects across North America. Brad is a superintendent who has spent years balancing road life, family, and leadership in the field. Jonathan brings more than 40 years of experience in foundation drilling, including marine and amphibious projects throughout the Everglades and Louisiana.

Together, they share what decades in the trade have taught them about road life, family sacrifice, career growth, leadership, and the hidden work that happens long before the lights turn on.

The conversation explores why drilling is more art than science, what most people never see behind reliable power, the realities of spending years on the road, and why the higher you climb the ladder, the more you should understand what you're asking for.

Whether you're an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, or simply curious about the people who build the infrastructure around us, this episode offers a rare look into the foundation of line work.

Topics covered:

• The hidden trade behind every power line
• Why drilling is more art than science
• The realities of life on the road
• Family sacrifice and career growth
• The generation gap in the trades
• Leadership, ambition, and climbing the ladder
• Pride in building something tangible
• What decades in the field teach you about success

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Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🎙️HOST: RYAN LUCAS🎙️

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠

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LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Email: ⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

What does it actually take to become a good powerline apprentice in 2026, and why are so many young apprentices feeling behind before they’ve even really started?

Ryan sits down with Shayla Gaffney, a final-year powerline apprentice and content creator, sharing a more honest look at what apprenticeship actually feels like for the next generation entering the trade. From line school and storm work to learning under pressure and finding the right crew, Shayla speaks openly about the reality of becoming good at something that takes years to master.

They dig into why apprentices can’t rush the process, the pressure of constantly feeling behind, the importance of crew culture and mentorship, and how the right foreman can completely change an apprentice’s confidence and future in the trade. Shayla also shares lessons from storm work, learning by watching experienced linemen, and why good apprentices focus less on chasing the title and more on earning trust over time.

Topics covered:

• Why so many apprentices feel behind in today’s trade culture
• The reality of learning under pressure on a crew
• Why becoming good at line work takes years, not months
• The difference the right crew and foreman can make
• Learning by watching experienced linemen work
• Why rushing the process hurts more than it helps
• The mental side of apprenticeship nobody talks about
• Storm work, confidence, embarrassment, and growth
• Crew culture, mentorship, and earning trust over time
• What young apprentices actually need to hear entering the trade

✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️

📱FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⚡️GUEST: SHAYLA GAFFNEY⚡️

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@shaygaff.co

TikTok: @shaygaff.co

🎙️HOST: RYAN LUCAS🎙️

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠

TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Email: ⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠