The CUSW Spotlight Podcast

In 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 the 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗪. 

With ten years of involvement, Steve shares how a career change led him into the trades and opened the door to opportunities to serve, and help strengthen the union from within.

Steve speaks about his experience as a 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, his time working directly with the union during a capacity-building rotation, and his current role training the next generation of apprentices. 

His passion for supporting fellow members, improving safety culture, and helping others grow is evident in every role he takes on, from national committees and bargaining involvement to guiding apprentices as they begin their careers.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that CUSW is more than a workplace; it’s a member-driven community built on mentorship, shared responsibility, and supporting each other. 

Steve’s story highlights the impact one member can have when they choose to get involved, give back, and help ensure every worker has a voice. If you want to get in touch with Steve, reach out to him at 𝘀𝗺𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮
Make sure you also visit https://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 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮. And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues to help shine the spotlight on the work happening at CUSW!  
🔻 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!

In 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 CUSW Spotlight theme, steps into the spotlight to share his remarkable journey through the trades, union life, and creative expression.
From growing up in Cape Breton to spending 30 years in a distillery, transitioning into the electrical trade later in life, and finding his place within the CUSW family, Glen reflects on the chapters that shaped who he is today. 
Together, Dan and Glen talk openly about career pivots, lifelong learning, stepping into union leadership roles, and the responsibility and privilege of being there when someone needs help.
The conversation also dives into mental health, the importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world, and how the culture around speaking up and supporting one another has evolved in the trades. Woven throughout is Glen’s passion for music, creativity, and storytelling, culminating in a special live moment that brings the heart of CUSW full circle.
This episode is a reminder that it’s never too late to start a new chapter, raise your hand, or use your voice, whether at work or in life.
Want to connect with Glen?  Feel free to reach out to him directly at [email protected], and make sure you check out his music at https://www.youtube.com/@GlenMacNeil
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 Dan at [email protected]. 

🔻 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!

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, host Dan Plexman sits down with Valerie (Val) Vanderwyk, Executive Director of ISEAD - Indigenous Skills, Employment, Apprenticeship & Development - a national Indigenous not-for-profit committed to supporting Indigenous youth, communities, and their pathways into education, training, and the skilled trades.
Val shares her personal story as a Mi'kmaq woman and Sixties Scoop survivor, and speaks openly about the importance of community, lifelong learning, and building relationships based on trust, sincerity, and shared responsibility. She reflects on ISEAD’s longstanding partnership with CUSW, describing it as an unwavering relationship rooted in mutual respect, support, and a genuine sense of family.
Together, Val and Dan explore reconciliation as a personal journey, not a checklist. Reconciliation is a daily practice that shapes how we learn, work, and show up for one another. They discuss mentorship, culture, safety, the ripple effect of leadership decisions, and the importance of creating psychologically safe spaces where people can grow, heal, and contribute in meaningful ways.
This conversation is honest, warm, and deeply human. It highlights what is possible when organizations come together with aligned values, open hearts, and a shared vision for long-term positive impact in communities across Canada.
Want to connect with Val and learn more about ISEAD?  Feel free to reach out to her 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 Dan at [email protected]. 
🔻 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!

As we wrap up 2025, the CUSW Spotlight Podcast turns the spotlight inward for a meaningful reflection on where we’ve been and where we’re headed.
CUSW Chair John Wabb joins host Dan Plexman for a year-in-review conversation that explores the progress, challenges, and collective wins that shaped 2025. From expanded member participation and committee-driven initiatives to a growing emphasis on psychological safety, inclusion, and respectful workplaces, this episode highlights the work happening across the Union, both seen and unseen.
John also looks ahead to 2026, an important election year for CUSW, and explains how workplace elections, national leadership roles, and committees all connect to the union’s bottom-up structure. The conversation reinforces a core message: "Every member has a voice, and every contribution matters."
Whether you’re curious about how CUSW operates, considering getting more involved, or simply want a clearer picture of the union’s direction, this episode offers insight, clarity, and encouragement to be part of what’s next.
Want to connect with John 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]. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your friends and colleagues to help shine the spotlight on the incredible work happening at CUSW! 
 
🔻 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!

In this inspiring episode of the CUSW Spotlight Podcast, host Dan Plexman discusses with Michelle Holmes, Red Seal Electrician, Training Technician at Bruce Power, founding member of the CUSW National Tradeswomen Committee, and the 2025 WiN Canada Mentor of the Year.
Michelle shares her 19-year journey in the trades, from her early apprenticeship days to becoming a respected leader, mentor, and advocate for cultural change within CUSW and the nuclear industry. Together, Dan and Michelle dive into the realities of building a career in a male-dominated field, the power of representation, and why mentorship is essential for helping women and underrepresented members thrive.
Listeners will hear candid insights about:
Creating pathways for women and girls in STEM and the skilled trades
How mentorship shapes careers, confidence, and connection
The origins of the CUSW National Tradeswomen Committee
The evolution of CUSW’s health, safety, and wellness culture
Michelle’s role in bringing the Be More Than a Bystander program to CUSW
The importance of community, family, and belonging in sustaining long careers in the trades
Michelle’s passion for lifting others up, challenging outdated norms, and creating safe, supportive workplaces shines through every part of this conversation. Her story is a reminder that when one person steps forward, others rise with them — and when we build together, we rise together.
Whether you're a tradesperson, a mentor, a student exploring your future, or simply someone who believes in fairness and opportunity, this episode is a powerful listen.
Tune in and be inspired.
Because the future of the trades is diverse, collaborative, and rising together.
Want to connect with Michelle or learn more?  Feel free to reach out to her directly at [email protected]

Make sure you visit 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://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 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁@𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘄.𝗰𝗮. 

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with your network to help shine a spotlight on the incredible work happening at CUSW!  
🔻 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!