The CUSW Spotlight Podcast
Welcome to The CUSW Podcast!
Your monthly source for all things CUSW!
This podcast dives into union members' experiences, stories, and insights while also spotlighting training opportunities, union initiatives, and essential information for skilled workers across Canada.
Each episode brings you closer to the people and projects driving CUSW forward, from personal stories and professional development to key topics on workplace safety, mental health, and union advocacy.
Hosted by Dan Plexman, this podcast connects you with the voices of CUSW, keeping you informed and engaged.
Tune in monthly for new episodes, and donโt forget to share your thoughts and let us know what topics matter most to you!
Visit www.cusw.ca to
๐ป Learn More About CUSW
๐ป Stay Informed
๐ป Get in Touch
๐ป Get Involved
๐ป Never Miss an Episode Listen Here
๐ง Listen Anytime, Anywhere! โ Find our podcast on all major directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
๐บ Watch the Podcast on YouTube! โ Subscribe and watch full episodes on our official YouTube channel. Watch Here
๐ต Music Credits: Music Credits: Original music by Glen MacNeil (lyrics, vocals, guitar) with production by Brad MacNeil.
Tune in, stay inspired, and keep shining that CUSW spotlight!
Episodes
25 episodes
CUSW. Driven By Members, Powered By Participation with Kris Croteau - Episode #24
Some people join a union for a job. Others stay because they find a place where their voice can make a difference.For ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐, what started with answering a newspaper ad back in 1999 turned into more than two decades of involvement,...
Day of Mourning. We Do Not Forget. We Act with Rob Ellis - Episode #23
In honour of the ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด, and those that lost their lives or were injured in the workplace, Dan has a difficult but important conversation with ๐ฅ๐ผ๐ฏ ๐๐น๐น๐ถ๐, ๐ณ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฒ ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ, who shares the story of losing his 18-year-old ...
CUSW History. Trades Future. Be Informed - Get Involved with Mark Keyes - Episode #22
In this episode, Dan is having a conversation with Mark Keyes, a long-time CUSW member whoโs been involved at just about every level of the organization.From serving as a Unit Chair in Niagara Hamilton to working on national comm...
Build A Dream. Breaking Barriers - Creating Pathways with Nour Hachem - Episode #21
In this episode, weโre joined by ๐ก๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐บ, ๐๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ ๐ฎ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐บ, a nationally recognized workforce strategist who is reshaping how Canada attracts, prepares, and retains talent across the skilled trades, STEM, and beyond.
Climbing Towers and Pushing Power with Chris Hibbert - Episode #20
What does it really take to keep the lights on?In this episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, Dan talks with Journeyman Power Linesperson Chris Hibbert about what life is really like on the job. Chris describes climbing tal...
Safety Reps Protect They Donโt Police with David Aviles - Episode #19
Before he became a Health, Safety and Wellness leader with CUSW, David Aviles spent nearly two decades roofing and building a business with his father, learning firsthand what hard work truly means.In this episode, David shares hi...
A Power Linesmanโs Commitment to Representation and Training with Stephen McKellar - Episode #18
In this episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, we shine the spotlight on ๐ฆ๐๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ, a powerline technician, trainer, and dedicated union advocate whose journey reflects the ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ช. With ten years of involvement,...
Stories of Strength Trades and the Voice of Glen MacNeil - Episode #17
In this episode of The CUSW Spotlight Podcast, host Dan sits down with a voice every listener knows, even if the face is new. Glen MacNeil, the songwriter and narrator behind the CUSW Spotlight theme, steps into the sp...
ISEAD and CUSW. Leading and Learning Together with Valerie Vanderwyk - Episode #16
In this powerful and heartfelt episode, host Dan Plexman sits down with Valerie (Val) Vanderwyk, Executive Director of ISEAD - Indigenous Skills, Employment, Apprenticeship & Development - a national Indigenous not-for-profit ...
Reflecting the Past Illuminating the Future with John Wabb - Episode #15
As we wrap up 2025, the CUSW Spotlight Podcast turns the spotlight inward for a meaningful reflection on where weโve been and where weโre headed.CUSW Chair John Wabb joins host Dan Plexman for a year-in-review conver...
Rising Together. Women, Trades and CUSW with Michelle Holmes - Episode #14
In this inspiring episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, host Dan Plexman discusses with Michelle Holmes, Red Seal Electrician, Training Technician at Bruce Power, founding member of the CUSW National Tradeswomen Committee,...
Made in Canada. The CUSW Story with Tom MacLean - Episode #13
On this episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, weโre going back to the beginning, to the stories, people, and ideas that built the๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฆ๐ธ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐. Joining us is ๐ง๐ผ๐บ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป, a founding member of CUSW and the unionโs Nat...
Where Health Safety and Wellness Come Together with Shannon Veitch - Episode #12
In this episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, host Dan Plexman is having a discussion with Shannon Veitch, an electrician and long-time CUSW member who co-chairs the CUSW National Health, Safety & Wellness Committee...
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Owning Your Apprenticeship with Nathan DeGagne - Episode #11
From apprentice to leader, Nathan DeGagneโs journey with CUSW highlights the power of participation and opportunity. In this episode, Nathan shares his experiences in the apprenticeship program, his role in supporting new mem...
Growing Sustainable Community Wealth with Kristopher Stevens - Episode #10
We are back with another insightful conversation, this time with Kristopher Stevens, a dedicated community builder, sustainability leader, and long-time member of the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers. Kris shares how ...
Building a Legacy to be Proud of with Pauline Cranston - Episode #9
On this episode of ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ช ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐, weโre shining the light on Pauline Cranston, a licensed 309A electrician, union leader, proud young mom, and a true force in the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers.Pauline doesnโt just...
Open Minds, Stronger Unions. A conversation with Cody Quan - Episode #8
In this episode of ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ช ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐, Dan Plexman has an interesting conversation with ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ ๐ค๐๐ฎ๐ป, CUSWโs Training and Education Representative, to reflect on his journey, experiences, and the importance of building an inclusive, skille...
Live to Love Another Day with James Duffield - Episode #7
In this deeply moving episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, Dan speaks with James Duffield, a longtime union member, former Health & Safety Rep, and now Worker Representative, who shares his powerful story of resilience, vulnerabili...
Building Careers and Culture in the Trades with Owen Johnston - Episode #6
๐๐ป ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฒ, ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ข๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ต๐ป๐๐๐ผ๐ป. Owen is CUSWโs Recruitment Lead and a man whose career path is as diverse as it is inspiring. From earning a Social Work degree and working in street outreach for Toront...
Apprentice to Tradeswoman with Alina Murray - Episode #5
In this episode, we shine the spotlight on Alina Murray. A dedicated member of the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers (CUSW), a 5th-term 309A Electrical Apprentice, a mom, and the first female chair of the Southwest Unit. Ali...
Brother's Keeper - Union and Family Ties with Calvin Hicks - Episode #4
In this episode of ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ช ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐, we shine a light on ๐๐ฎ๐น๐๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ๐, a passionate advocate for health and safety and a key member of the CUSW since 2017. Calvin worked as a certified health and safety representati...
Day of Mourning Time to Reflect with Shawn Campbell - Episode #3
In this episode of The CUSW Spotlight Podcast, weโre joined by Shawn Campbell, a dedicated union leader whose journey from student apprentice to national health and safety advocate is nothing short of inspiring. Shawnโ...
West Coast Connection with Gary Fiege - Episode #2
In this episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, host Dan sits down with Gary Fiege, a dedicated Union Leader and human rights advocate with decades of experience in the trades. Gary shares his journey from being โvoluntoldโ as a shop st...
Building a better Canada with John Wabb CUSW Chairperson - Episode #1
In our inaugural episode of The CUSW Spotlight Podcast, we sit down with John Wabb to discuss the evolution of CUSW from its humble beginnings in 1999 to the thriving, member-driven organization it is today. John shares his insight...
