In this episode, Anthony and Cyndie sit down with Tim Wakefield, founder and CEO of Dead Calm Seas Marine Services. Tim shares how his Navy background and passion for the ocean led him to build a multimillion-dollar marine services company that now leads projects in offshore wind, salvage, subsea infrastructure, and underwater archeology. The conversation highlights the vital role of safety, training, and union values in high-risk environments, the future of skilled trades in marine construction, and why crossover skills and certifications are key to long-term success in this challenging yet rewarding industry.

00:00 – Introduction to Tim Wakefield and Dead Calm Seas Marine Services
02:40 – How Tim and Anthony met, and how their union partnership began
03:35 – The overlap between marine and land-based construction work
04:00 – Why trust and safety are foundational in offshore diving
05:03 – Building a training center specifically for underwater construction
05:38 – What Dead Calm Seas actually does (diving, salvage, offshore wind, archeology, more)
06:46 – Addressing substandard labor practices and “the race to the bottom” in diving
07:59 – Why ongoing training is essential in high-risk underwater work
08:57 – What “salvage work” really involves, from fires to wreck recovery
10:31 – Tim’s path into diving through the U.S. Navy
11:57 – Union vs. non-union labor practices in international waters
12:42 – Comparing global safety standards: U.S. vs. Europe vs. Asia
13:57 – Why certifications and training create better business outcomes
15:03 – How Dead Calm Seas integrates union workers and shifts jobsite culture
16:09 – The future role of skilled trades and unions in offshore wind development
17:47 – The truth about turnover in commercial diving and why it’s so high
18:25 – The hidden value of paid apprenticeships and crossover skill development
20:56 – How diving as a lifestyle can shape career decisions
21:26 – High-profile jobs: shipwreck salvage and underwater archeology in Peru
23:48 – Giving back: recovering lost soldiers through underwater missions
23:59 – Closing thoughts on the partnership and the future of the industry

In this episode, Anthony and Cyndie sit down with Jack Kocsis Jr., CEO of the Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey (ACCNJ). With more than 35 years leading the organization, Jack brings a rare depth of experience from both the construction site and the negotiation table. He reflects on the evolution of labor management partnerships, the origins of the Carpenter Contractor Trust, and how listening yes really listening has been the most powerful leadership tool in his career. Jack also shares his perspective on workforce development, public policy, apprenticeship, and the industry's responsibility to adapt and grow. From enforcing laws on wage theft to building bridges between contractors and unions, this conversation lays out what real collaboration in construction looks like and what still needs to change.

01:26 – Introducing Jack Kocsis Jr., CEO of ACCNJ
02:39 – Jack’s blue collar roots and journey into construction leadership
06:55 – Why the union construction industry is different and more honest
07:29 – What ACCNJ does and the value of listening in leadership
10:43 – The role of trust, fairness, and communication in successful negotiations
11:45 – What healthy labor management partnership really looks like
12:04 – The origins of the Carpenter Contractor Trust
14:53 – How labor and management built a new model of cooperation
15:20 – The challenge of educating policymakers and telling labor’s story
17:33 – The real cost of wage theft and misclassification
18:00 – A pivotal moment: why labor and management stuck together
19:39 – Why lowering wages isn’t the solution for competitiveness
20:00 – Apprenticeship, inclusion, and evolving recruitment in the trades
22:08 – Disproving the myth that union labor is unproductive or costly
23:49 – How contractor success drives union job growth
24:24 – Jack’s policy wish: enforcement over new laws
25:30 – Connecting agencies to catch unscrupulous contractors
26:19 – Changing the culture of the construction industry
26:58 – How Jack defines success after 35 years in the industry
27:41 – Final thoughts and appreciation for partnership

In this episode, Anthony and Cyndie sit down with Jessica Ramirez, a Partner with the Law Offices of D’Arcy Johnson Day and a trial attorney specializing in serious personal injury, sexual abuse, medical device, and product liability litigation. She is an assemblywoman of the 32nd district serving Jersey City and Hoboken. She has served on the New Jersey Ethics Committee and served as an Eminent Domain Commissioner for the State of N.J., presiding over cases dealing with condemnation and eminent domain. Jessica’s main passion is advocating for clients who have suffered sexual assault. She has extensive settlement and litigation experience in this area and knows exactly what it takes to deliver results. Jessica’s newest venture is helping individuals fight back against abusive business practices, by holding sellers of goods accountable when they seek to profit by taking advantage of a consumer. She protects consumers’ rights when they are injured due to fraud, false or misleading advertising, and defective products. Jessica was selected as host of Images/Imagenes TV Show, a four-time Emmy Award-winning show highlighting the Hispanic population in New Jersey. Her passion to fight for justice is as strong today as the very first day she became a lawyer.

https://www.djdlawyers.com

https://eascarpenters.org/

https://cctmarketing.org/

In this episode, Anthony and Cyndie sit down with Jon Young, newly appointed Political Director of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. With nearly 30 years of experience in the labor movement and public service, Jon shares his powerful journey from working construction in Camden to leading policy for one of the most influential unions on the East Coast.

Jon also reflects on his time as a Camden County Commissioner and how partnerships with local schools are shaping future trade workers. If you’ve ever wondered how unions truly transform lives or what it takes to create lasting change in underserved communities, this conversation is a must-listen.

https://eascarpenters.org/

https://cctmarketing.org/

00:00 – Intro
01:03 – Meet Jon Young: Political Director, Commissioner, Advocate
02:24 – If you only knew one thing about the trades… it’s integrity
03:16 – The two biggest misconceptions about union construction
04:38 – Programs that promote diversity and access in the trades
06:56 – Las Vegas training stories and union leadership impact
09:11 – Jon’s journey: from non-union laborer to union leader
15:50 – The link between policy and good jobs
16:18 – How Project Labor Agreements benefit communities
18:36 – Defining success through “the dash” and impact
21:25 – The fight against wage theft and modern-day slavery
24:29 – Educating policymakers and students about labor history
26:25 – External vs internal challenges: wage theft vs aging out
28:44 – How unions support families, not just workers
30:18 – Reclaiming the labor movement’s story and relevance
31:12 – Partnering with vocational schools to build the pipeline
35:19 – Mentorship, expectations, and equity in recruiting
37:19 – Support systems, career pathways, and higher ed access
38:33 – Final thoughts and why representation matters

In this episode, Anthony and Cyndie sit down with Todd Vachon, a union carpenter, faculty member in the Department of Labor Studies and Employment Relations at Rutgers University, and Director of the Labor Education Action Research Network (LEARN). As the Director of LEARN, Todd oversees the University’s labor education programs, including classes, research, and workshops for workers, unions, and other justice-focused organizations. His research focuses on inequality, labor, and justice. He has written several books and is currently president of the New Brunswick chapter of the Rutgers University faculty union, AAUP-AFT. He is also President of the Middlesex-Somerset Central Labor Council and Vice President for Higher Education of AFTNJ.

https://smlr.rutgers.edu/academic-programs/areas-study/labor-studies-and-employment-relations-lser

https://smlr.rutgers.edu/LEARN

https://eascarpenters.org/

https://cctmarketing.org/

In this episode, Anthony and Cyndie sit down with Edward DeAngelis, founder of EDA Contractors, which he established in 1999. Under Ed's leadership, EDA has become a top provider in the exterior envelope sector, specializing in roofing, masonry, and architectural wall panels while earning recognition as a top workplace in Philadelphia for six consecutive years. Ed is committed to high-quality work, exemplified by the EDA Envelope Warranty - a 10-year watertight guarantee. He fosters a positive workplace culture, prioritizing personal and professional development, mental health, and emotional intelligence. With a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Saint Joseph's University, he has received numerous accolades, including 2024's Philadelphia Business Journal's "Most Admired CEO" and multiple Top Leadership Awards from the Philadelphia Inquirer.

https://edacontractors.com/

https://eascarpenters.org/

https://cctmarketing.org/

In a special "bonus" episode of Labor Lounge Podcast, Q104.3’s Ken Dashow sits down with Co-Hosts Anthony and Cyndie to discuss the inspiration behind the podcast, its mission, and what listeners can expect. They explore how Labor Lounge shines a spotlight on the skilled trades industry, offering real conversations, expert insights, and stories from those shaping the field. You can listen to Ken Dashow on Q104.3 in NYC or tune in to iHeartRadio's Custom stations nationwide. He is a Brooklyn-born rock music enthusiast who enjoys golfing and home remodeling, including basic plumbing and spackling. Ken is also a connoisseur of wine, spirits, and ale, and he started a pandemic video series on mixing drinks. He is a tech expert and hosts "Breakfast With The Beatles" on Q104.3 and "Ken Dashow's Beatles Revolution" podcast on iHeartRadio.

https://q1043.iheart.com/

https://www.iheart.com/podcast/139-ken-dashows-beatles-revolu-28153532/

https://eascarpenters.org/

https://cctmarketing.org/

In this episode, Anthony and Cyndie sit down with Reverend Dr. Willie Dwayne Francois III who serves as Senior Pastor of Fountain Baptist Church in Summit, New Jersey and President of the Black Church Center for Justice and Equality—a national think tank and policy advocacy organization. He also serves as Associate Dean of NYTS and Associate Professor of Theology at Union Theological Seminary, where he directs the Master of Professional Studies Program at Sing Sing and Bedford Hills Correctional Facilities and co-directs the Doctor of Ministry program. His second book, titled Silencing White Noise: Six Practices to Overcome our Inaction on Race, was released in 2022. And his upcoming book is tentatively titled Outing Blue Privilege: A Call for Public Love when Public Safety is Not Enough. His pastoral activism takes shape around racial equity, economic justice, and criminal justice reform. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion, holds a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, and earned a Doctor of Ministry from Emory University. He serves as a commissioner of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of the New Jersey State Department and national co-chair of the Social Justice Commission of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. Francois co-authored the book Christian Minister’s Manual: For the Pulpit and the Public Square for All Denominations - the most progressive and comprehensive clergy resource and the first interdenominational manual written for Black clergy in 56 years. He also has bylines in HuffPost, The Hill, Religion Dispatches, Sojourners and The Christian Century concerning a range of matters pivoting around race, class and religion in America.

https://fountainbaptistsummit.org/

https://buildingoneamerica.org/

https://eascarpenters.org/

https://cctmarketing.org/