I Shower After Work Podcast: Deconstructing The Construction Trades

 Blue-collar workers in the construction trades do not typically develop and host podcasts. Yet, it's important that we hear their voices. One of podcasting's enduring robustness is its ability to wriggle into niches ignored by other media and make itself comfortable in that community. 

As of early 2026, there are approximately 8.3 million payroll construction employees in the U.S. Total industry employment, including self-employed individuals and specialized contractors, often exceeds 11 to 12 million.

The I Shower After Work (ISAW) Podcast is a candid, explicit-language show hosted by electricians Jason and John, focused on the skilled trades and construction industry. It highlights the lives of field workers, featuring stories, industry tips, and humor, often while the hosts unwind with a drink after a long day in the field. 

 The show covers various trades, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and carpentry. The podcast is aimed at field workers, not office staff, aiming to celebrate the highs and lows of hands-on labor. 

Episodes often feature guest interviews, discussions on career advice, mental health in the trades, and workplace stories.

 

The show's website announces: "Jason and John are happy you decided to join them for this wild ride! They have a deep respect for all the trades and for all the men and women that are in this with them. The ISAW Podcast dives into every trade in the construction area."

 

Jason from Canada says: "I've been an electrician since 2009 and have been working in the field and in service ever since. I have been lucky enough to have seen the full scope from residential to commercial to industrial during my career with Local 292 in Minnesota and around the Midwest. This has given me a broad insight of what can be seen and expected in the trades' day to day.

"I was transferred around as an apprentice getting experience with a number of different shops and have been with my current employer since I became a Journeyman. This is a second career for me coming from the financial industry in my home country of Canada, hence the nickname, and couldn't be happier with the opportunities the trade has provided me. Not to mention the opportunities I have had since immigrating to the United States in 2006.

"John and I hope to bring you some insight and experience from all our years in the field and mostly a few laughs, but hope to be able to share your stories and experience as well. Tune in, shout out and let's talk about this wild career choice we all second guess on a weekly basis."

 John says: I have been an Electrician for the majority of my adult life. 2023 has given me 20 years of experience in the trades. I’ve worked in a lot of the industries involved in the electrical sector. As an apprentice I spent my time doing service, light commercial, and residential wiring in the non-union area of South Dakota. As a Journeyman, I was fortunate to spend a very short time in the oil field area of North Dakota. I then spent several years as a Service Tech in South Dakota.

"The experience gained from being a Service tech has been unmatched by anything else I’ve done. I moved from South Dakota to Minnesota in 2013 and joined the IBEW 292 union. I have had the ability to see and do things that I would have never done in South Dakota just based on the scale of buildings.

"Fast forward to now and Jason and I have decided to pool our 30+ of experience to bring you an honest view of the Trades that maybe you don’t know or just bring you a laugh on one of those garbage days you’re having. Thanks again for joining us!! Slainte!!"

Hosts Jason and John in the recent Cathartic Confessions' episode grapple with doing video. If you were expecting Tim Taylor from the Home Improvement TV show grunting, you'll be disappointed. The hosts sound like your run-of-the-mill college professors -- insightful, witty, and knowledgeable. The sound design is done well like a perfect installation of a house's wiring. 

Episodes average about an hour, with their best shows, I think, a bit shorter and crisper. In the Unpopular Opinions & Construction Life episode, the hosts dive into a plethora of unpopular opinions, slicing through the stereotypes and discussing real-life experiences from the construction world. They discuss the importance of children learning household responsibilities, their take on kids charging exorbitant prices for shoveling snow, and the tensions of dealing with judgments and misconceptions about being a construction worker. The conversation takes a turn to addressing the absurdity of legal tender refusal, the practicality of certifications, and the struggles of modern-day worker recognition. Plus, they touch upon humorous and frustrating day-to-day encounters on the job site. 

In The Concrete Jungle: Inside Road Construction episode, the hosts discuss the frustrations and challenges of living with ongoing road construction. Broadcasting from the east side job trailer, John and Jason highlight the stalled construction efforts due to travel and vacations, and the impact on daily commutes—and jab at the 'dipshits' who make it worse. Then they dish on the dire fate of construction workers caught in reckless driving zones.

 I learned quite a bit from their October 2025 show -- The real ROI of Home improvement -- where the hosts started with a discussion on simple DIY projects and then took a broader look at what adds real value to your home, they cover everything from kitchen remodels, bathroom updates, to exterior facelifts like new siding and landscaped lawns. They discussed the importance of quality workmanship whether done by a contractor or through your own hard work. Along the way, they shared personal stories of home renovations, provide tips on cost-effective updates, and debate the value of luxury upgrades vs. practical enhancements. 

I love that this show is from two construction trades workers, who have a dialed-in view of their industry and the world around them. I like the clever podcast title that pokes fun at stereotypes of construction workers. 

Furthermore, I love the professionalism, knowledge, and wit of the hosts, Jason and John. 

Check out The I Shower After Work (ISAW) Podcast. Get your mind dirty.