With your host Megan Switzer, our guest this week is an environmental driller from Canada. Rachel has been running and working a driller for 5 years and finds it to be a very fulfilling career!
Geotechnical drilling is an important part to the construction process. This is generally one of the first steps in the design and building phase. Rachel talks about how she's either the clients best friend or worst enemy with news about the soil.
Rachel discusses the difficulty of getting into the trade and what she'd suggest for other women who are trying to decide if this is for them.
I highly suggest following @bournetodrill on IG for more drilling content and another amazing role model for women in construction.
Links
Rachel's Instagram
Social Media Doin'GirlyThings
Podcast Host's Drone Business

In this electrifying episode of The Sparky Life, host Lia Lamela dives deep into the dynamic world of the construction industry with an absolute powerhouse: Barb Allen, a trailblazer with over three decades of experience in leadership, from a licensed carpenter to superintendent and business owner. Join us in todays amazing conversation.
0:00 Introduction: Women Reshaping Construction and Persistent Challenges
1:00 Introducing Barb Allen: Extensive Experience and Perspective
2:30 Being Labelled "Difficult" as a Female Leader
4:30 Leadership Techniques: Letting People Come to Their Own Conclusions
7:30 The Initial Shock of Women in the Trades
8:30 Shift to Microaggressions and Unconscious Biases
11:30 Differences in Male and Female Conversational Styles
12:30 Dealing with "Yesing to Death" and Lack of Follow-Through
14:30 Leadership Title Without Actual Authority
17:30 Bosses Undermining Authority and the Importance of Reinforcement 19:30 The Constant Need to Reprove and Reasons for Women Leaving 21:30 Having Conversations with Leaders About Lack of Authority
25:00 Using the Socratic Method for Leadership Discussions
27:30 Approaching Leaders with the Assumption of Good Intentions
28:30 Sponsor Message: Supply House
29:30 Lack of Understanding from Clients and Design Teams
31:30 Assumptions About Women's Lack of Field Experience
34:30 Leadership Skills Versus Trade Skills and the Peter Principle
37:30 The Necessity of Leadership Training and its Impact on the Bottom Line
40:30 Reasons for Leaving Jobs: Bad Bosses Versus Pay
41:30 The Cost of Employee Turnover and the Practice of Pigeonholing 43:00 Differences in Male and Female Leaders Letting People Go
46:00 Being the One to Speak Up in Meetings and Male Colleagues' Reactions
48:00 Advice on Speaking Up and Potential Career Repercussions
52:30 Example of Inappropriate Industry Event and Varying Reactions
57:30 The Importance of Building a Strong Support Network
58:30 Where to Find Barb Allen and Her Podcast
Follow Barb here - www.constructionbarb.com or @constructionbarb
Thanks to our sponsor SupplyHouse! - Visit www.supplyhouse.com/t-m
🔥 Don’t forget to LIKE 👍, COMMENT 💬, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more motivation & success tips!
📲 Follow me on social media for more adventures:
Instagram: @yourconstructionnetwork
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesparkylifepodcast
#construction #womeninconstruction #leadership #mentorship #career #trades #superintendent #genderequality #podcast #lialamela #barballen #thesparkylife #constructionbarb #constructivebehaviors #empowerment #building #industry #2025

Ever wondered why you should NEVER take the elevator during a fire in a high-rise? This video dives deep into the life-saving technology of elevator recall and the critical role it plays in fire safety.
Learn why elevator recall is one of the most important fire safety systems in a building and how it's designed to prevent you from unknowingly entering a dangerous situation.
💡 Special Thanks to Our Sponsor:
SupplyHouse – Get the best tools & supplies!: https://www.supplyhouse.com
Don't forget to subscribe for more insights into the builders of our civilization and the technologies that keep us safe! Drop a comment below with "fire alarm" if you found this episode fiery!