Journey 2 Master

59 - Do You Work Fast Or Slow - TWO TYPES OF ELECTRICIANS

Jan 7 • 43 min

Do you keep getting shit from the people that you work around for working too slow? Do you think you’re working your ass off, but you still can’t seem to keep up with everyone you work around? Then this episode is for you.

58 - ELECTRICIAN TESTING - Tips For How To Take Your Electrician Exam

Nov 19, 2018 • 16 min

The big question on every 4th year electrical apprentice’s mind is, “what is the test going to be like” to become an electrician? In this episode I talk about how the exam is laid out and what tips you should know going in on test day.

57 - HELP ME!!! Tech Gurus - Why Do I Keep Losing RAID Data?

Nov 17, 2018 • 14 min

I’ve been running into a lot of tech issues lately, so it’s been making it extremely difficult to continue with my content. I NEED HELP!!!! What type of storage/backup solutions should I be using? I’m tired of my RAID 5 crashing and having to spend 3 days…

56 - How To Interview For An Apprenticeship - WHAT IF I HAVE NO TOOL EXPERIENCE?

Nov 12, 2018 • 18 min

Are you about to interview to start an Electrician Apprenticeship program? In this episode I talk about the do’s and don’ts of the interview process, as well as some tips to help you overcome the “lack-of-experience” problem.

55 - Language Of The Trades - The Uncensored Way I Speak (Let People Be - Part 2)

Nov 5, 2018 • 22 min

As requested I’ve done an episode on the new Dodge Ram ProMaster City that I recently got as a work van. I started working out of this thing (and subsequently making this video) about 6 weeks ago, and have been working out of it since.

54 - Apprentice and Master Shoot The Shit

Oct 24, 2018 • 39 min

Colten and I shoot the shit in this episode - we get into what his apprenticeship has taught him and how it’s gone over the past 4 years. We also get into LiveWire and what it was like from his perspective watching us succeed and fail. This is a great one…

$5,000 MILWAUKEE TOOL GIVEAWAY!

Oct 17, 2018 • 8 min

Enter to win over $5,000 in Milwaukee LED lighting products!

53 - New Work-Van Walkthrough (as requested)

Oct 2, 2018 • 26 min

As requested I’ve done an episode on the new Dodge Ram ProMaster City that I recently got as a work van. I started working out of this thing (and subsequently making this video) about 6 weeks ago, and have been working out of it since.

52 - Thank You!!! 10,000 Subs

Sep 11, 2018 • 8 min

Nothing “electrical” in this episode, just a big THANK YOU to everyone for listening and interacting with the podcast for the past year and a half! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! 10,000 subs and counting!

51 - Should You Go To Trade School To Be An Electrician?

Aug 18, 2018 • 7 min

In this episode I give my OPINION on whether or not electrician trade schools are a good idea or not. Again, full disclosure here - THIS IS MY OPINION, HAVING NEVER ATTENDED ONE.

50 - Female Electricians

Jul 24, 2018 • 16 min

I get asked pretty often by young women whether or not they should join the electrical trade. I always tell them a resounding “YES!” However there are some sharp edges to the sword you carry as a female electrician in your first few years that you may…

49 - Working With An Asshole

Jul 3, 2018 • 15 min

I get asked from a good chunk of apprentices, “how do you deal with working under someone who’s a complete asshole everyday?” This is something that most people will have to deal with at one point or another, so lets go into it a little bit.

48 - Am I Too Old To Be An Electrician?

Jul 1, 2018 • 11 min

I get asked so often by old and young people whether or not it is too late for them to become an electrician. The answer is no for most people. Unless you’re 70 there’s no reason why you can’t get into this trade.

47 - The Role Of A Journeyman Electrician

Jun 19, 2018 • 15 min

After being an apprentice for 4 years, you start to wonder what it will be like to be a Journeyman Electrician. In this episode I talk about the risks, rewards, and headaches of getting your J-card.

46 - Should You Do Sidework?

Jun 5, 2018 • 9 min

Doing side-work is one of the most controversial issues in being an electrician. Across the country there are different laws, standards, and practices to handle electricians doing work outside of working for their company.

45 - Let People Be (No Such Thing As Good And Bad)

May 18, 2018 • 11 min

Do you find yourself judging the activities and decisions of other people frequently? Do you feel judged by your activities and decisions? Do you give a shit? In this episode I talk about how there’s no such thing as good or bad, rather just value…

44 - Stop Losing Your Tools (Theft and Misplacing)

May 15, 2018 • 5 min

Something that happens a lot in the trades is theft. Leaving your tools on jobsites or sitting in the back of your truck overnight is a sure way to keep wasting money on new ones. Not only will other people take them if they’re left out, they could get…

43 - Electrical Exams and My Experiences With Them

May 9, 2018 • 10 min

I’ve taken a few electrical exams over the years of being an electrician. All of the exams are difficult and require the ability to index information while being timed. All electrical exams are open book.

42 - #THDProSpective Tool Event Recap

Apr 18, 2018 • 23 min

Well everyone, I survived the NYC thunderdome! I’m back in my small little piece of the world where there’s an abundance of green grass and space to stretch my legs. New York was an amazing place to visit but I’m glad to be home.

41 - NYC #THDProSpective Tool Event

Apr 12, 2018 • 8 min

Well everyone….the time is here! I’m in New York City for this year’s #THDProSpective tool event and I’m about to find out what tool manufacturers will be sending me over the next year to test, review, and give away!

40 - CONSCIOUSNESS - Where Are You Shining Your Flashlight?

Apr 8, 2018 • 13 min

Hello everyone! I’ve been slow getting content out the past couple weeks because I’ve been working out of town for the past 13 weeks. In this episode I give everyone an update on how I’m doing and talk a little bit about some things that have been on my…

39 - Every Master Has A Master - How To Learn More and Have People WANT To Teach You

Apr 8, 2018 • 17 min

As a master electrician I’ve learned over the years that there is always someone out there who is better than me. There will always be an older guy that’s been doing this longer and that has a different way of thinking. Every person has a different…

38 - Pain, Diabetes, And What Your Body Goes Through As An Electrician

Mar 6, 2018 • 12 min

This episode talks about the things your body goes through as an electrician. I’ve been doing this for a decade now, and my joints, my knees, and my back feel the stress of wearing a tool belt as well as bending down and working on my knees.

37 - Paying Child Support, Getting Pregnant At 18, and Being A Single Parent

Mar 1, 2018 • 21 min

I’ve been a single parent since I’ve been a parent. Let me tell you guys it has been a very tough road.

36 - Mistakes I Made As An Apprentice Electrician

Feb 26, 2018 • 36 min

In this episode I talk about all of the crazy shit I’ve done to hurt myself and break things over the years in hopes that y’all won’t do the same.

35 - Day 1 of Your Electrical Career - How To Be A Great Apprentice

Feb 23, 2018 • 15 min

What is it like being an apprentice electrician? How do you act, what is your job like, and how do you ensure you’re a good helper?

34 - Construction vs Service and The Different TYPES of Electrical Work You Can Do

Feb 20, 2018 • 17 min

I get asked a lot about the different types of electricians that are out there so this episode breaks down the different market segments of this trade, and what types of environments each electrical job entails.

33 - Questions For My Followers

Feb 15, 2018 • 11 min

We’re crossing 4,000 subscribers on YouTube so it’s time to start organizing and streamlining comments and conversations. Also I’d like some feedback from you all on the show in general.

32 - Husband & Wife Electrical Life

Feb 13, 2018 • 39 min

In this episode I bring my wife Emily into the thunder-dome and get her take on managing the office side of an electrical contracting company.

31 - Closing Down Shop

Feb 5, 2018 • 21 min

Well my dudes and dudettes…it’s time for some lasting change. In this episode I talk about my recent decision to shut down my electrical contracting company and go back to work for someone else.

30 - Wizards And Trolls

Feb 4, 2018 • 17 min

I try really hard not to address external bullshit human drama as it swings its way into my life but the past month and a half has shown me that sometimes there is a lesson to be had in all of it.

29 - Real Talk (Part 2 of 2) - WHAT’S YOUR WHY?

Aug 22, 2017 • 17 min

Since my camera died making the last REAL TALK video, I recorded a second video to finish it off. This is Part 2 of “Real Talk” where I talk about making sure you know your “why.”

28 - Real Talk (Part 1 of 2) - I’M TOO DAMN NICE

Aug 21, 2017 • 13 min

Shit gets real in the next 2 episodes. This is part 1 of a 2 part topic where I’m re-evaluating what the hell we’re doing.

This Week In Review - 7/29/17

Aug 12, 2017

27 - THANK YOU!!! 500 SUBSCRIBERS!!!

Aug 12, 2017 • 3 min

Man I’m fired up! Thank you guys SO much for subscribing to my channel. I hit 500 subscribers in only about 3 months!

26 - How To Become An Electrician

Aug 3, 2017 • 9 min

I’ve had a ton of people ask me to make this video so here it is. If you’re interested in becoming an electrician, here’s how you go about it.

25 - Electricians Need Websites

Jul 31, 2017 • 11 min

Let’s face it, all attention is on the web these days. There’s not a lot of people (other than your grandmother) who still uses a phone book, or reads reader’s digest. Everything is online. All peoples’ eyeballs and ears are online in some sort of…

24 - Solo Saturday - (The Woes Of Being A Master Electrician)

Jul 26, 2017 • 9 min

Today I get to work alone. None of my guys wanted to work this weekend so I have to fill in and take care of some loose ends. They’ve been busting their little electrician asses for me all week so they deserve to have 2 solid days off.

23 - Should You Take Payment Up-Front As An Electrician?

Jul 21, 2017 • 9 min

The big question asked by so many…Should I take money up front before beginning a job?

LiveWire Electrical - This Week In Review - 7/15/17

Jul 20, 2017

The Surging Forward Podcast With Dave Ballentine

Jul 17, 2017

22 - Layoffs And Electricians

Jul 13, 2017 • 14 min

I’ve had a number of people ask me lately about the stability of the electrical trade, and whether or not they should be worried about the economy/layoffs. In this episode I discuss my experiences with ups and downs and why being an electrician in an…

21 - Josh Talks Martial Arts, Parenting, & Old People

Jul 10, 2017 • 15 min

Welcome to another “Josh Talks” episode, where I pick my 12 year old son’s brain about a topic of the day. In this episode Josh talks about why he loves being in martial arts, and what type of weapon training he enjoys most. We also delve in to parenting,…

LiveWire Electrical - This Week In Review - 7/1/17

Jul 2, 2017

LiveWire Electrical Commercial

Jul 2, 2017

20 - 20 Electrical Books Worth Reading

Jun 27, 2017 • 33 min

If you aspire to be a wizard electrician, or just somebody super into electricity, this episode is for you. I’ve compiled a good chunk of my electrical library, and in this video I go through the 20 books that I think are worth reading and why.

19 - WE CRUSHED IT!!! (We Got Fired Part 3 of 3)

Jun 21, 2017 • 8 min

We totally crushed it guys!!! We were given the chance to go back and do the work, and I have to say we showed up in a way that impressed all of us.

18 - WE WERE REHIRED!!! (We Got Fired Part 2 of 3)

Jun 20, 2017 • 1 min

WE WERE REHIRED!!! I got a call-back from that customer that fired us and she thought it was extremely reasonable to give us a shot after offering to do all of the work for free. I don’t think there are many companies out there that would have even…

17 - WE GOT FIRED!!! (Part 1 of 3)

Jun 19, 2017 • 9 min

In this episode WE GET FIRED from a job! I talk about what happened, and how we lost the business, and what my plan is to gain it back.

16 - What Separates A Good Electrician From A Bad Electrician?

Jun 12, 2017 • 15 min

In this episode I give my OPINION about what it takes to be a good electrician from watching the guys who came before me.

Practice Tests and Study Materials

Jun 11, 2017

15 - Talking To The EATON Engineers About AFCI/GFCI Issues

Jun 9, 2017

In this episode I go over the response I got back from the Eaton engineers about AFCI, GFCI, and DF (AFGF) breakers. I have to say, I’m impressed with the prompt response and depth of detailed information they provided.

14 - Getting Good Reviews Online

Jun 6, 2017 • 20 min

This episode talks about the importance of getting good reviews from people, and how word of mouth spreads like wildfire online. Negative reviews are far louder than positive so be sure to get as many positives on your side as you can in the event you get…

13 - Hard Work, Burnout, & Self-Motivation

May 31, 2017 • 29 min

This episode is fire! I get a little bat-shit-crazy and go bananas on everyone about self-motivation, not burning out, and how much hard work is entailed in this entrepreneur thing.

12 - Creating a Facebook Video Ad

May 29, 2017 • 29 min

Today I talk about creating a Facebook Video Ad that is native to Facebook Feeds. I go over how to build a video, and how to set up and distribute your first locally-targeted Facebook ad.

11 - Josh Talks About Cells

May 25, 2017 • 16 min

In this episode I introduce my son Josh, and he talks about viewing the cells of a butterfly wing through a microscope in school. He also gets into how viruses work, and why they do what they do.

10 - Why You Should Be An Electrician

May 25, 2017 • 19 min

Being an electrician may not seem as glorifying as your average manicured desk job. Your fingernails will not stay clean, no amount of hair gel can keep your mop in place, and you will be risking your life on a daily basis…….BUT, I swear it’s the one job…

9 - When To Start Hiring Your First Electricians/Helpers

May 22, 2017 • 15 min

This episode dives into HIRING. When I chose to hire and why, as well as what dollar figures I had as a target before I made the jump to hire. Hiring is perhaps the scariest part I’ve come across as a small business owner. As a new electrical contractor I…

8 - MID MAY UPDATE (Rentals, Facebook Ads, Organization, and Hiring)

May 18, 2017 • 18 min

In this episode I show off the new fancy ride I’m stuck with for the next two weeks as well as talk about some of the things that have been going on since the last episode. Well it just so happens that a few months back I got into a wreck in downtown…

7 - Angie’s List/HomeAdvisor Merger And What It Could Mean For Contractors

May 11, 2017 • 11 min

In this episode I talk about how a new electrical contractor should go about getting the best pricing on their materials by sitting down with their local supply houses. As an electrical contractor you should be getting lower prices than the average person…

New Facebook Group - “Electrical Wizardry”

May 10, 2017

6 - Build It In Your Mind (The Importance Of Beating A Job On Paper Before You Put Your Tools On)

May 8, 2017 • 9 min

In this episode I talk about the importance of always keeping extra materials on you and building a job in your mind so you’re not wasting time driving back and forth to Home Depot or a nearby supply house. Having to leave a job and spend an hour driving…

5 - How To Get Better Pricing From Electrical Supply Houses

May 5, 2017

In this episode I talk about how a new electrical contractor should go about getting the best pricing on their materials by sitting down with their local supply houses. As an electrical contractor you should be getting lower prices than the average person…

New Facebook Page - “Journey 2 Master”

Apr 30, 2017

4 - Why I Chose To Be An Electrician

Apr 19, 2017 • 14 min

Being an electrician was not my first pick of things to do with my life. After flying planes, working construction, being a chef, working in restaurants, being in the Marines, working in factories, and being a corporate salesman I was given the…

3 - How To Make The Phones Ring

Apr 15, 2017 • 21 min

In this episode we talk about the different paid lead services we’ve used since inception and which ones are worth the buck. From Angie’s List, to Home Advisor, Yelp, Yellow Pages, Houzz, Facebook, AdIQ, Google AdWords, and Yodle - we’ve tried them all. I…

2 - Where We’re Headed (Goals)

Apr 15, 2017 • 16 min

In this video I talk about my plans for where I’d like to be over the next decade. I’d like LiveWire Electrical to be a company that’s known for the quality of work we do, as well as the quality of relationships we nurture.

1 - Documenting My Startup

Apr 15, 2017 • 17 min

I’m Dustin Stelzer, I own an electrical contracting company called LiveWire Electrical Services, Inc. based out of Austin, Texas. I took my Master Electrican license exam in October of 2016 and passed on the first attempt. Ever since then I’ve been…