TradingUp
TradingUp is new podcast series produced by Journey12 in proud partnership with Carl Sandburg College. More than just a podcast, TradingUp is a front-row seat to the lived experiences of men and women who’ve chosen a path that’s too often overlooked—the skilled trades.
In each episode, we’ll shine a light on real people, telling real stories of how they’ve charted careers rooted in technical skill, resilience, and hands-on problem solving. These are not narratives of overnight success or viral fame, but of purpose forged in welding bays, machining shops, dental hygiene labs, and behind the dashboards of diesel engines—where grit, craftsmanship, and passion come together to build something lasting.
Through these conversations, we’ll explore what it means to trade up—not just in job titles or earning potential, but in personal fulfillment, community contribution, and the dignity of meaningful work. We’ll meet individuals who have discovered their calling through Sandburg’s programs and partnerships, and who now keep our communities moving forward—quietly, reliably, and often without fanfare.
At a time when the world seems increasingly tilted toward screens and abstraction, these stories remind us of something vital: that there is extraordinary value in the tangible, in the applied, and in the deeply human act of working with one’s hands. This series honors that work—and the people who do it.
TradingUp is here to challenge assumptions, celebrate possibility, and inspire a deeper appreciation for the trades and the institutions, like Sandburg, that make these journeys possible.
Episodes
13 episodes
SANDBURG IS AT THE HEART OF THE TRADES: Building futures, breaking barriers, and meeting students where they are
Join host Craig Williams for an inspiring conversation with Ellen Burns, Dean of Career and Technical Education, and Jessa Morgan, Trades Program Advocate at Carl Sandburg College. Together, these two dynamic leaders are revolutionizing how stu...
REBOOTING AT 40: How information technology careers offer second chances and first opportunities
Join host Craig Williams for an inspiring conversation with Nate Budde, a 40-year-old career changer who traded retail management for network administration, and Linda Lee, whose 24-year journey at Carl Sandburg College spans the entire digital...
BEYOND THE CHAIR: How a career in dental hygiene builds trust, health, and community one smile at a time
Join host Craig Williams for an illuminating conversation with Ashley Reeves, dental hygiene educator at Carl Sandburg College, and Alan Castro Medrano, a recent graduate now serving rural communities at Eagle View Community Health Center.<...
A HEAD START WITH BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND: Kathy Wight on the power of dual credit
In this episode of Sandburg TradingUp, host Craig Williams sits down with Kathy Wight of the Regional Office of Education to explore the transformative impact of Dual Credit programming for high school students. Kathy shares her passio...
TWO PATHS. ONE PASSION: Gaming to gears and driveway to dealership
What happens when childhood hours spent with LEGO bricks and racing video games collide with real-world opportunity? Brandon O'Reilly's journey from Fast and Furious fan to rising MOPAR technician proves that passion can find its path in unexpe...
BRAVERY + GED + SANDBURG = CNA: Tabby’s story
Today’s episode takes us into the heart of what second chances—and the people who make them possible—can really mean.We’ll meet Tabby Heitmeier, a young woman whose early struggles in a traditional high school setting nearly derailed her...
TOOLS, TALENT, AND TENACITY: The Draven Leady story
In this episode of Sandburg's Trading Up, host Craig Williams sits down with Draven Leady, a recent Carl Sandburg College graduate who’s charted an inspiring course through the college’s automotive and welding programs. Draven’s story ...
WE WILL FIND A WAY: Breaking barriers with ICAPS and ROE 33
In this episode of Sandburg’s Trading Up, Craig Williams sits down with Margaret Segerston and Becky Wade of Regional Office of Education 33 to explore how the Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System—better known as ICAPS—is ...
ANCHORED BY CARE: Rhonda and Lauren's shared mission to lift others
When it comes to helping students find their way, Rhonda Nelson and Lauren Eurales don’t just advise — they invest. In this deeply human episode of Trading Up, host Craig Williams talks with two Carl Sandburg College prof...
THE ARCHITECTS OF POSSIBILITY: How two Sandburg recruiters are changing lives
There's something magical that happens when the right person shows up at exactly the right moment in someone's educational journey. Today, I'm joined by two remarkable women who make that magic happen every single day. Gabriella Hurtado serves ...
THE HEART OF THE WORK: How nursing heals more than the body
In this episode of Trading Up, we explore what it really means to care — not just as a profession, but as a deeply human calling. We sit down with two remarkable women whose journeys began with hardship, wound their way through persona...
TRACY ENGSTROM ON THE MISSING LINK: Why soft skills matter more than you might think
You know, you can have all the technical knowledge in the world, a stellar GPA, and impressive credentials, but if you can't communicate effectively, work as part of a team, or present yourself professionally, you're missing that critical trans...