The CUSW Spotlight Podcast

• Live to Love Another Day with James Duffield - Episode #7

  In this deeply moving episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, Dan speaks with James Duffield, a longtime union member, former Health & Safety Rep, and now Worker Representative, who shares his powerful story of resilience, vulnerability, and hope. James has faced cancer more than once, and now, as he navigates his third and most difficult diagnosis, his message carries even more weight. With honesty and strength, James reflects on what it means to live fully, to struggle openly, and to support others even in the face of life’s toughest challenges. Together, they talk about survivor’s guilt, addiction, the healing power of counselling, and why living in the present is very important. James’s journey serves as a strong reminder for all of us that we are not alone and that even in the hardest moments, connection, compassion, and courage can make all the difference. Tune in to hear: The emotional reality of surviving, and facing critical health issues again The impact of addiction and mental health in our lives The transformative role of counselling A parting message of hope and honesty from someone who’s still in the fight 👉 This episode is a gift. Jamie’s voice, his story, and his willingness to share it will stay with you long after it ends.  Mentioned in This Episode  🔻 𝗦𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲  https://988.ca  🔻 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁  https://homewoodhealth.  If you have any questions or would like to connect with James, please email him directly at [email protected].  If you have a story to share, want to suggest a guest, or have a topic you'd like to hear on the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].  We’d love to hear from you!  🔻 Learn More About CUSW Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 🔻 Stay Informed Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 🔻 Get in Touch Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 🔻 Get Involved Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 🔻 Never Miss an Episode Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: 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!

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• Building Careers and Culture in the Trades with Owen Johnston - Episode #6

  𝗜𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝘄𝗲𝗻 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻. Owen is CUSW’s Recruitment Lead and a man whose career path is as diverse as it is inspiring.  From earning a Social Work degree and working in street outreach for Toronto’s Indigenous community, to scaffolding, parts management, and safety leadership at Bruce Power, Owen has brought compassion, resilience, and adaptability to every role he's taken on.  He’s also a Pro Board Certified Fire Fighter and Live Fire Instructor, a volunteer fire fighter and a contract employee at Georgian College as a live fire instructor in their Marine program. He serves on the boards of both the Saugeen Sparks Training Centre and Indigenous Skills Employment Apprenticeship and Development Canada. (ISEAD) Owen shares how he was introduced to CUSW. This journey led him to his current recruitment role and his ongoing mission to build pathways into the trades for youth, second-career workers, and Indigenous communities.  Host Dan and Owen discuss how cultural respect, mentorship, and safety are foundational to union life, and they emphasize that these values start at home. This episode is a testament to lived experience, lifelong learning, and working together to build a better future. One of Owen’s shining moments has been sharing his Indigenous culture through sweat lodge ceremonies with fellow CUSW members. The next sweat lodge ceremony will be held on August 30, 2025. If you’re interested in learning more or participating, Owen invites you to reach out to the Indigenous Engagement [email protected].  As we approach National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, communities across Canada will be hosting events to celebrate the heritage, strength, and culture of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Check the link below for more information. https://www.cusw.ca/-/national-indigenous-peoples-day?redirect=%2Fnews  If you have any questions or want to connect with Owen, email him directly at [email protected] and if you have a story to share, want to suggest a guest, or have a topic you'd like to hear on the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you! 🔻 Learn More About CUSW Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 🔻 Stay Informed Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 🔻 Get in Touch Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 🔻 Get Involved Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 🔻 Never Miss an Episode Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: 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!

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• Apprentice to Tradeswoman with Alina Murray - Episode #5

  In this episode, we shine the spotlight on Alina Murray. A dedicated member of the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers (CUSW), a 5th-term 309A Electrical Apprentice, a mom, and the first female chair of the Southwest Unit.  Alina opens up about her decision to build a career with CUSW, the opportunities she has embraced, and the challenges she has overcome as a woman in the industry.  The conversation moves between personal and professional, from changing roles in her household and balancing motherhood with job site demands, to overcoming the outdated idea that apprentices don't have a voice, to finding a real sense of purpose and belonging through the union. “Gone are the days when apprentices should be seen and not heard.” Alina shares how the support of her coworkers has helped her grow, and what it really means to speak up, ask questions, and show up for your crew. A powerful listen for anyone curious about life in the trades, especially those wondering what it’s like to start something bold and build it into something meaningful.  We invite you to listen and follow the podcast for more conversations about the people and stories that make up the CUSW community. Interested in getting more involved? Check out the CUSW National Apprentice Committee at https://www.cusw.ca/web/apprenticeship and explore ways to connect, grow, and contribute. If you’d like to reach out to Alina directly, email her at [email protected]. If you have any questions, or want to suggest a topic or guest for a future episode, email us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you! 🔻 Start Your Apprenticeship Journey  Interested in becoming an apprentice? Learn more here: CUSW Apprenticeship Program 🔻 Learn More About CUSW Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 🔻 Stay Informed Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 🔻 Get in Touch Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 🔻 Get Involved Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 🔻 Never Miss an Episode Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: 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!

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• Brother's Keeper - Union and Family Ties with Calvin Hicks - Episode #4

  In this episode of 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗪 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁, we shine a light on 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀, a passionate advocate for health and safety and a key member of the CUSW since 2017.   Calvin worked as a certified health and safety representative in road building and utility installation before transitioning to CUSW.  Driven by a passion for creating safe and supportive workplaces, Calvin faced significant challenges advocating for safety standards, including pressure from employers to cut corners. These experiences shaped his commitment to CUSW’s values and led him to join the union’s Workplace Development Program, where he now supports health and safety representatives and stewards.   In his current role, Calvin serves on several committees, including Health, Safety, and Wellness, Member and Family Support, and Unit Capacity Building. He has spearheaded initiatives such as developing a WSIB mentorship training program, designing a system to track and assist injured members, and creating monthly health and safety bulletins for representatives.   A certified instructor trainer through the Workers Health and Safety Center, Calvin also provides training on health, safety, and mental health. His work is inspired by personal experience, including a family tragedy that highlighted the importance of workplace safety. Through his efforts at CUSW, Calvin has turned this adversity into a mission to ensure no worker or family endures the same challenges.   Want to connect with Calvin or learn more?  Feel free to reach out to him directly at [email protected]   Don’t forget to visit www.cusw.ca to explore more opportunities and resources. If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email us at [email protected].   And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues to help shine the spotlight on the incredible work happening at CUSW!   🔗 Mentioned in This Episode  𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 🔻 Learn More About CUSW Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 🔻 Stay Informed Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 🔻 Get in Touch Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 🔻 Get Involved Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 🔻 Never Miss an Episode Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: 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!

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• Day of Mourning Time to Reflect with Shawn Campbell - Episode #3

  In this episode of The CUSW Spotlight Podcast, we’re joined by Shawn Campbell, a dedicated union leader whose journey from student apprentice to national health and safety advocate is nothing short of inspiring. Shawn’s story begins in 2014 as an Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) student, working with a small contractor before joining the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers (CUSW) in 2016. His passion for creating safer and more inclusive workplaces was recognized when he was nominated for the role of Workplace Health & Safety Representative, a pivotal moment that laid the foundation for his ongoing leadership today.  Now, Shawn wears multiple hats:  Recorder on the CUSW National Executive Board,  BTU JHSC Worker Co-Chair at the Bruce Power site,  Member of the National Health, Safety & Wellness Committee, and  Vice President of the Confederation of Canadian Unions.  Together with host Dan, they dive deep into what it really means to advocate for workers, beyond job titles. They discuss the importance of mentorship, building a culture of care on job sites, navigating leadership roles, and how unions can continue to evolve to meet members’ needs.  Want to connect with Shawn or learn more?  Feel free to reach out to him directly at [email protected] Don’t forget to visit www.cusw.ca to explore more opportunities and resources. If you have a story to share, a guest to suggest, or a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast, email us at [email protected]. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues to help shine the spotlight on the incredible work happening at CUSW!  🔗 Mentioned in This Episode Want to explore more about what we talked about today? Below you'll find links and resources referenced in the episode. National Day of Mourning Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Power Sector Benefit Trust The Green Book 🔻 Learn More About CUSW Discover who we are and what we stand for: CUSW - Who We Are 🔻 Stay Informed Get the latest news and updates: CUSW News 🔻 Get in Touch Need to contact CUSW? Find out how: CUSW Contact Page 🔻 Get Involved Explore opportunities to participate and make a difference: CUSW Participation Model 🔻 Never Miss an Episode Catch up on all our podcast episodes here: 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!

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