Why Your Kids Should Skip College and Join the Trades (Seriously!)

Kicking off the show with a bang, Eric G. and guest co-host John Dudley dive into the wild world of home improvement and the trades. With over 30 years of experience, Eric shares a hilariously cringy flashback to his past television adventures, including a cringe-worthy moment involving producers trying to squeeze drama out of unsuspecting contestants. But the laughs don’t stop there; they take a sharp turn to a serious topic: the lack of emphasis on trades in education. Eric points out that while kids are funneled into college with hefty debts, they could be earning six figures as electricians or plumbers if they’d just learned a skill instead of racking up student loans. It’s a reality check and a call to arms for parents and educators everywhere to rethink how we guide our youth. John chimes in with his own experiences, highlighting the importance of hands-on skills and how they shape personal growth. They explore the stigma around blue-collar jobs and why breaking that barrier is crucial for future generations. Takeaways: In this episode, we dive deep into how the trades are often overlooked by schools pushing traditional college routes, which is just absurd if you ask me. John Dudley shares his wild journey from being a scrawny roofer to a successful contractor, proving that hard work pays off way better than a humanities degree. We chat about the crazy misconceptions around cabinet colors in home design, which can cost you a fortune if you don't get it right – talk about a recipe for disaster! The conversation shifts to the urgent need for tradespeople as the industry faces a massive shortage – seriously, if you can hold a hammer, you're golden! We reflect on the importance of teaching kids practical skills early on, because honestly, who wouldn't want to know how to change a light bulb instead of just scrolling through TikTok? Finally, we emphasize that getting into the trades isn't just about making money – it's about pride, craftsmanship, and the satisfaction of building something with your own two hands. Links referenced in this episode: aroundthehouseonline.com aerobroom.com sitehypedesign.com Companies mentioned in this episode: Paramount Loss HDTV Designer Finals Eagle Hardware and Garden Lowe's Aerobroom Mentioned in this episode: Check out the BEST Trailer in the US! Summit Trailers SiteHype Designs Visit SiteHype Designs and lets build a website that works as hard as you do! Use Promo Code "Eric G" for your free website audit and 30 minute consultation. Site Hype Designs 🔥 Join the Around the House Insider today and unlock more of the show you love! For just $4 a month, you’ll get: ✔️ Early access to the weekend show every Thursday ✔️ Extended exclusive episodes you won’t hear anywhere else ✔️ Full access to our entire back catalog ✔️ Direct access to Eric G with a private email ✔️ Plus member-only shows coming soon And right now—sign up for 30 days and get two free Around the House with Eric G stickers! But hurry—this offer is only good while supplies last. 👉 Head to AroundTheHouseOnline.com or click the link https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support Around the House Insider The Around the House Show's New Website Check it out at AroundtheHouseOnline.com Clean up inside and out with AeroBroom The world's first 2-in-1 sweeper broom and cordless leaf blower combined in one convenient tool to clean your outdoor living spaces. With the Aerobroom, you can use it to sweep just like a normal broom, or you can blast debris from hard-to-reach areas. AeroBroom Suscribe to our YouTube Channel Want even more home improvement tips, tricks, and insider advice? Subscribe to my YouTube channel @AroundTheHouseEricG for project guides, product reviews, and behind-the-scenes content you won’t hear on the podcast. Don’t miss out—hit that subscribe button today! Around the House YouTube Need Holiday Gift Ideas? Check out our new ones at AroundtheHouseonline.com Looking for quick gift ideas for Christmas or the Holidays? Check out our latest gift guide at https://aroundthehouseonline.com/holiday-ideas/ Around the House Online Gift Ideas