The CUSW Spotlight Podcast
by Canadian Union of Skilled Workers
Latest episode
The Person Behind CUSW's Political Voice with Jason MacDonald…
The Person Behind CUSW's Political Voice with Jason MacDonald…
About this 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 don’t forget to share your thoughts and let us know what topics matter most to you!
Visit www.cusw.ca to
🔻 Learn More About CUSW
🔻 Stay Informed
🔻 Get in Touch
🔻 Get Involved
🔻 Never Miss an Episode Listen Here
🎧 Listen Anytime, Anywhere! – Find our podcast on all major directories, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📺 Watch the Podcast on YouTube! – Subscribe and watch full episodes on our official YouTube channel. Watch Here
🎵 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
The newest 20 of 37 episodes
- The Person Behind CUSW's Political Voice with Jason MacDonald - Episode #36 · 44 min · Episode 36In this episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, Dan Plexman is having a discussion with Jason MacDonald, CUSW’s Director of Government and External Relations, about the work…
- Raising your Hand and Filling Boots. CUSW-BC with Ben Loyens -Episode #35 · 40 min · Episode 35In this episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, Dan Plexman heads west for a conversation with Ben Loyens, a CUSW-BC Executive Board member and Representative. Ben started his…
- Believe in People. The Truth Before Reconciliation with Valerie Vanderwyk - Episode #34 · 42 min · Episode 34Truth and Reconciliation is a conversation that requires that we listen, learn and willing to look at things we may not have understood before. In this episode of the CUSW…
- Canada is Electrifying. The Future is Bright with Mark Chapeskie EHRC - Episode #33 · 35 min · Episode 33Canada is facing a huge amount of work when it comes to electrification, infrastructure renewal and the future of the electricity grid. But do we have enough people to do it? In…
- The Point of No Return. Discussing Suicide Prevention with Craig Batty - Episode #32 · 41 min · Episode 32This is a difficult conversation, but one that needs to happen. Craig Batty has been a CUSW member since 2001 and has spent much of his career supporting members through the…
- Labour Unites Us. Solidarity Defines Us- CCU Shawn Campbell CUSW - Episode #31 · 33 min · Episode 31𝗦𝗵𝗮𝘄𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹 is back on the 𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗪 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁, and this time there is a lot more to talk about. Since his first appearance on the podcast, Shawn has taken on a new role as…
- Young Man, Old Soul. Growing Up CUSW with Elyas - Episode #30 · 28 min · Episode 30𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝟭𝟭-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝗹𝗱? You get a conversation that's honest, thoughtful, and surprisingly refreshing. In this episode, Dan sits down with…
- Trades and Training. TouchPoints Learning with Carrie Walker Boyd - Episode #29 · 40 min · Episode 29Telling ain't training! Good training should do more than fill a requirement. It should help people see where they fit, what they bring to the table, and how their strengths can…
- Do Something Hard. Do it Today with James Duffield - Episode #28 · 35 min · Episode 28A year ago, James Duffield joined the CUSW Spotlight Podcast during one of the hardest chapters of his life. After being given just six months to live, he shared his story with…
- CUSW. Connected by Trades - United by Purpose with Cody Quan - Episode #27 · 35 min · Episode 27A union is at its best when people are pulling in the same direction. As CUSW continues to grow across Canada, that becomes both more important and more challenging. Members in…
- Inuk Champion to CUSW Apprentice with Johnny Issaluk - Episode #26 · 39 min · Episode 26Some people spend years searching for where they belong. For 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗸, that journey has taken him across the North, around the world as an Inuit Games athlete, and into a…
- Beyond Words. Reconciliation, Land Acknowledgment and Smudging with Daniel Deleary - Episode #25 · 56 min · Episode 25Daniel Deleary brings a perspective that reaches far beyond the trades. Rooted in Anishinaabe teachings, community, culture, and lifelong service to Indigenous people, Daniel…
- CUSW. Driven By Members, Powered By Participation with Kris Croteau - Episode #24 · 27 min · Episode 24Some people join a union for a job. Others stay because they find a place where their voice can make a difference. For 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗮𝘂, what started with answering a newspaper ad…
- Day of Mourning. We Do Not Forget. We Act with Rob Ellis - Episode #23 · 35 min · Episode 23In honour of the 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, and those that lost their lives or were injured in the workplace, Dan has a difficult but important conversation with 𝗥𝗼𝗯 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀…
- CUSW History. Trades Future. Be Informed - Get Involved with Mark Keyes - Episode #22 · 43 min · Episode 22In this episode, Dan is having a conversation with Mark Keyes, a long-time CUSW member who’s been involved at just about every level of the organization. From serving as a Unit…
- Build A Dream. Breaking Barriers - Creating Pathways with Nour Hachem - Episode #21 · 41 min · Episode 21In this episode, we’re joined by 𝗡𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺, 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺, a nationally recognized workforce strategist who is reshaping how Canada attracts, prepares…
- Climbing Towers and Pushing Power with Chris Hibbert - Episode #20 · 33 min · Episode 20What 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…
- Safety Reps Protect They Don’t Police with David Aviles - Episode #19 · 20 min · Episode 19Before 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…
- A Power Linesman’s Commitment to Representation and Training with Stephen McKellar - Episode #18 · 29 min · Episode 18In this episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, we shine the spotlight on 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗠𝗰𝗞𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿, a powerline technician, trainer, and dedicated union advocate whose journey reflects…
- Stories of Strength Trades and the Voice of Glen MacNeil - Episode #17 · 33 min · Episode 17In 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…
