Shows
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonHow To Find Fulfillment in Your Life & Work ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep. 8 with Mike HastingsFrom Juvenile Detention to Data Center Leadership: A Story of Redemption and Resilience đŞThe construction and technology industries are filled with unconventional success stories, but few are as powerful as Mike Hastings' journey.At 15, Mike found himself in the juvenile detention systemâfar from the traditional path to success. But his story didn't end there. It was just beginning.In the latest episode of Hands On Heroes, host Valerie Crafton sits down with Mike to explore his remarkable transformation from a warehouse worker at StorageTek to a sales leader at IES Communications, specializing in da...
2026-02-1243 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonHow To Find Fulfillment in Your Life & Work ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep. 8 with Mike HastingsFrom Juvenile Detention to Data Center Leadership: A Story of Redemption and Resilience đŞThe construction and technology industries are filled with unconventional success stories, but few are as powerful as Mike Hastings' journey.At 15, Mike found himself in the juvenile detention systemâfar from the traditional path to success. But his story didn't end there. It was just beginning.In the latest episode of Hands On Heroes, host Valerie Crafton sits down with Mike to explore his remarkable transformation from a warehouse worker at StorageTek to a sales leader at IES Communications, specializing in da...
2026-02-1243 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonHow To Become a Professional Crane Operator as a Woman In Trades with Tiffany Eckard ~Hands-On Heroes Ep 7Thinking about a career in crane operation? Professional Crane Operator, Tiffany Eckard shares why starting as an oiler apprentice might be your best move.An oiler apprenticeship isn't just an entry pointâit's a strategic foundation for a long-term career in heavy equipment operation. While you're maintaining and servicing cranes, you're actually getting paid to learn from experienced operators, understanding the machinery from the ground up.What makes the oiler role so valuable:You gain hands-on knowledge of crane mechanics, hydraulics, and safety systems before you ever touch the controls. You build relationships wi...
2026-01-2941 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonHow To Become a Professional Crane Operator as a Woman In Trades with Tiffany Eckard ~Hands-On Heroes Ep 7Thinking about a career in crane operation? Professional Crane Operator, Tiffany Eckard shares why starting as an oiler apprentice might be your best move.An oiler apprenticeship isn't just an entry pointâit's a strategic foundation for a long-term career in heavy equipment operation. While you're maintaining and servicing cranes, you're actually getting paid to learn from experienced operators, understanding the machinery from the ground up.What makes the oiler role so valuable:You gain hands-on knowledge of crane mechanics, hydraulics, and safety systems before you ever touch the controls. You build relationships wi...
2026-01-2941 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonAchieving Decarbonization in Digital InfrastructureiMasons Climate Accord is a coalition of companies united on carbon reductions in digital infrastructure.Host Valerie Crafton of Hands On Heroes had the pleasure to interview attendees from the most recent iMasons Climate Accord Summit. This episode connects with leaders in the industry. People you'll hear from in this episode include: Alison Tyndall, Director of Industrial Innovations at ClimeCoAmir Ehsasei, Principle at Zamin Consulting LLCSarah Welton, Director at GRESB FoundationPatricia Leyva, Sustainability Enablement and Engagement a...
2026-01-152h 50Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonAchieving Decarbonization in Digital InfrastructureiMasons Climate Accord is a coalition of companies united on carbon reductions in digital infrastructure.Host Valerie Crafton of Hands On Heroes had the pleasure to interview attendees from the most recent iMasons Climate Accord Summit. This episode connects with leaders in the industry. People you'll hear from in this episode include: Alison Tyndall, Director of Industrial Innovations at ClimeCoAmir Ehsasei, Principle at Zamin Consulting LLCSarah Welton, Director at GRESB FoundationPatricia Leyva, Sustainability Enablement and Engagement a...
2026-01-152h 50
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonInto Digital Infrastructure: iMasons Workforce Development Programs ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep5 w/ Hiba AghaOn this episode of Hands-On Heroes, special guest Hiba Agha discusses her role in iMasons and her career in nonprofit organizations.Infrastructure Masons (iMasons) is a global, nonprofit, professional association of individuals connected and empowered to build a greater digital future for all.Hiba shares how her role is focused on building awareness, education, and workforce development by connecting industry, educators, policy makers, and underrepresented talent like veterans, women, and foster youth. They dig into the challenges of scaling initiatives, creating stackable credentials, mentorship opportunities, and the iMasons job matching platform that helps students and professionals find relevant jobs and...
2026-01-011h 09Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonInto Digital Infrastructure: iMasons Workforce Development Programs ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep5 w/ Hiba AghaOn this episode of Hands-On Heroes, special guest Hiba Agha discusses her role in iMasons and her career in nonprofit organizations.Infrastructure Masons (iMasons) is a global, nonprofit, professional association of individuals connected and empowered to build a greater digital future for all.Hiba shares how her role is focused on building awareness, education, and workforce development by connecting industry, educators, policy makers, and underrepresented talent like veterans, women, and foster youth. They dig into the challenges of scaling initiatives, creating stackable credentials, mentorship opportunities, and the iMasons job matching platform that helps students and professionals find relevant jobs and...
2026-01-011h 09
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonBuilding Confidence Through Construction ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep4 W/ Shannon Tymosko "Lady Voltz"Shannon Tymosko is a 4th year Electrical Apprentice and proud sister of the IBEW Local 105, Hamilton. She is also a Skilled Trades Ambassador, Speaker, and an Advocate. She originally completed a Child and Youth work diploma and upon completion she worked at a homeless shelter for youth. Here she found compassion, empathy, hope and a better understanding of people and the challenges life can for Mental Health. Sadly, this job was not one that an individual could thrive on in the GTA and she needed to maintain her college job. This turned into a 10-year...
2025-12-1853 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonBuilding Confidence Through Construction ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep4 W/ Shannon Tymosko "Lady Voltz"Shannon Tymosko is a 4th year Electrical Apprentice and proud sister of the IBEW Local 105, Hamilton. She is also a Skilled Trades Ambassador, Speaker, and an Advocate. She originally completed a Child and Youth work diploma and upon completion she worked at a homeless shelter for youth. Here she found compassion, empathy, hope and a better understanding of people and the challenges life can for Mental Health. Sadly, this job was not one that an individual could thrive on in the GTA and she needed to maintain her college job. This turned into a 10-year...
2025-12-1853 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonHow A Women Dominates A Male Dominated Field with Kate Glantz of Move Over Bob ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep3Kate Glantz co-founder and CEO of Move Over Bob shares how, as a woman, you can dominate in a male dominated field. Her and host Valerie Crafton discuss what "Allyship in Action" really looks like. Kate is a social entrepreneur and brand builder on a mission to reshape whatâs possible for women in the trades. She is the co-founder of Move Over Bob, a media and lifestyle company positioning construction as an aspirational career path for women and girls through multimedia storytelling, industry collaborations, and events. Prior to Move Over Bob, Kateâs ca...
2025-12-0439 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonHow A Women Dominates A Male Dominated Field with Kate Glantz of Move Over Bob ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep3Kate Glantz co-founder and CEO of Move Over Bob shares how, as a woman, you can dominate in a male dominated field. Her and host Valerie Crafton discuss what "Allyship in Action" really looks like. Kate is a social entrepreneur and brand builder on a mission to reshape whatâs possible for women in the trades. She is the co-founder of Move Over Bob, a media and lifestyle company positioning construction as an aspirational career path for women and girls through multimedia storytelling, industry collaborations, and events. Prior to Move Over Bob, Kateâs ca...
2025-12-0439 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonHow To Get More Women Involved In Engineering, Tech & Construction ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep2 AIDC25Discover how to get more women involved in engineering, tech and construction by giving them exposure early and often. Learn more on this episode of Hands-On Heroes - Ep2 AIDC25. Learn more about Hands-On Heroes: https://handsonheroes.net/Discover powerful insights on breaking gender barriers in STEM! In this episode of Hands-On Heroes from AIDC25 (Arizona Infrastructure & Data Center Summit 2025), we explore practical strategies for increasing women's participation in engineering, technology, and construction careers.đŻ Featured in This Episode:*Exclusive interview with Kirk Busch, CEO & Chairman of BigData Southwest and founder of AZ4Solar.org*Inspiring father-daughter story: How ear...
2025-11-261h 40Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonHow To Get More Women Involved In Engineering, Tech & Construction ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep2 AIDC25Discover how to get more women involved in engineering, tech and construction by giving them exposure early and often. Learn more on this episode of Hands-On Heroes - Ep2 AIDC25. Learn more about Hands-On Heroes: https://handsonheroes.net/Discover powerful insights on breaking gender barriers in STEM! In this episode of Hands-On Heroes from AIDC25 (Arizona Infrastructure & Data Center Summit 2025), we explore practical strategies for increasing women's participation in engineering, technology, and construction careers.đŻ Featured in This Episode:*Exclusive interview with Kirk Busch, CEO & Chairman of BigData Southwest and founder of AZ4Solar.org*Inspiring father-daughter story: How ear...
2025-11-261h 40
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonHow to Hire for the Future: AI's Impact on Engineering Talent ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep1 w/ Robert StyHands-On Heroes with Robert Sty focuses on how to hire for the future; AI's impact on engineering talent. To learn more about the Hands-On Heroes mission & support visit: https://handsonheroes.net/Episode one had special guest Robert Sty. As Vice President and Semiconductor & Data Center Practice Lead at HDR Engineering, Inc., Robert spearheads innovation and strategic expansion across advanced manufacturing and mission-critical infrastructure. He brings deep expertise in developing transformative programs and leading the design of next-generation data center, semiconductor, and advanced technology facilitiesâdriving performance, resilience, and scalability for clients operating at th...
2025-11-1353 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonHow to Hire for the Future: AI's Impact on Engineering Talent ~ Hands-On Heroes Ep1 w/ Robert StyHands-On Heroes with Robert Sty focuses on how to hire for the future; AI's impact on engineering talent. To learn more about the Hands-On Heroes mission & support visit: https://handsonheroes.net/Episode one had special guest Robert Sty. As Vice President and Semiconductor & Data Center Practice Lead at HDR Engineering, Inc., Robert spearheads innovation and strategic expansion across advanced manufacturing and mission-critical infrastructure. He brings deep expertise in developing transformative programs and leading the design of next-generation data center, semiconductor, and advanced technology facilitiesâdriving performance, resilience, and scalability for clients operating at th...
2025-11-1353 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonHands-On Heroes TrailerWelcome to Hands-On Heroes - a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to empowering children through early exposure to careers in the skilled trades.As the Voice for the people who build, innovate, and sustain mission-critical infrastructure, Hands-On Heroes introduces the Podcast Host, Val Crafton who is The Voice of Grit â a trailblazer at the intersection of technology, trades, and transformation. With over two decades in mission-critical construction, sheâs made it her purpose to amplify the people behind the progress â the builders, engineers, and innovators shaping our digital world.Through Valâs 21+ years of industry experienc...
2025-11-1000 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonHands-On Heroes TrailerWelcome to Hands-On Heroes - a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to empowering children through early exposure to careers in the skilled trades.As the Voice for the people who build, innovate, and sustain mission-critical infrastructure, Hands-On Heroes introduces the Podcast Host, Val Crafton who is The Voice of Grit â a trailblazer at the intersection of technology, trades, and transformation. With over two decades in mission-critical construction, sheâs made it her purpose to amplify the people behind the progress â the builders, engineers, and innovators shaping our digital world.Through Valâs 21+ years of industry experienc...
2025-11-1000 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonClosing a Chapter, Opening a Mission: Hands-On Heroes and the Workforce GapThis is it. The final episode of Beyond the Megawattâbut not the end of the mission.
Since launching in May, Mara and Valerie set out to amplify the voices that weren't being heard at conferences, to dig into the issues that were being talked about but not truly addressed. And over 25 episodes, one theme kept surfacing no matter who they spoke with: the workforce crisis. It became impossible to ignoreâand even more impossible to accept inaction as a response.
In this bittersweet episode, Valerie and Mara announce the...
2025-10-3110 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonClosing a Chapter, Opening a Mission: Hands-On Heroes and the Workforce GapThis is it. The final episode of Beyond the Megawattâbut not the end of the mission.
Since launching in May, Mara and Valerie set out to amplify the voices that weren't being heard at conferences, to dig into the issues that were being talked about but not truly addressed. And over 25 episodes, one theme kept surfacing no matter who they spoke with: the workforce crisis. It became impossible to ignoreâand even more impossible to accept inaction as a response.
In this bittersweet episode, Valerie and Mara announce the...
2025-10-3110 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonRedefining Whatâs Possible in Data Center DevelopmentLuke Kipfer's career path reads like a blueprint for the future of infrastructure leadershipâstarting at 18 cleaning condenser coils on Liebert units, pivoting through operations, retail colo, and hyperscale development, and now shaping strategy in one of the industry's fastest-growing platforms. His story isn't just about climbing the ladder. It's about understanding every rungâand knowing when to step off and build something better.
In this conversation, Luke opens up about the power of non-traditional pathways, the underrated skill of grit, and why the biggest constraint facing the industry todayâworkforce developmentâmight actually be the t...
2025-10-3057 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonRedefining Whatâs Possible in Data Center DevelopmentLuke Kipfer's career path reads like a blueprint for the future of infrastructure leadershipâstarting at 18 cleaning condenser coils on Liebert units, pivoting through operations, retail colo, and hyperscale development, and now shaping strategy in one of the industry's fastest-growing platforms. His story isn't just about climbing the ladder. It's about understanding every rungâand knowing when to step off and build something better.
In this conversation, Luke opens up about the power of non-traditional pathways, the underrated skill of grit, and why the biggest constraint facing the industry todayâworkforce developmentâmight actually be the t...
2025-10-3057 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonStraight from Data Cloud: Live InsightsBeyond the Megawatt took over DataCloud USA 2025, capturing the energy, innovation, and bold conversations happening on the show floor and behind the scenes. This episode is a highlight reel featuring rapid-fire insights from industry leaders solving some of the biggest challenges in mission-critical infrastructureâfrom behind-the-meter power solutions and fiber connectivity to sustainable energy and workforce development.
We also sit down with Lottie and Joe from the DataCloud team to talk about what makes this event essential, how the industry is evolving, and what themes they're forecasting for 2026. Spoiler: investment strategies, quantum computing, energy in...
2025-10-1613 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonStraight from Data Cloud: Live InsightsBeyond the Megawatt took over DataCloud USA 2025, capturing the energy, innovation, and bold conversations happening on the show floor and behind the scenes. This episode is a highlight reel featuring rapid-fire insights from industry leaders solving some of the biggest challenges in mission-critical infrastructureâfrom behind-the-meter power solutions and fiber connectivity to sustainable energy and workforce development.
We also sit down with Lottie and Joe from the DataCloud team to talk about what makes this event essential, how the industry is evolving, and what themes they're forecasting for 2026. Spoiler: investment strategies, quantum computing, energy in...
2025-10-1613 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie Crafton400MW, Half the Time: MOD42âs Modular RealityThe data center industry is racing against the clock, and traditional construction timelines can't keep up. Enter modular data centers: purpose-built, repeatable, and designed to deploy infrastructure at a speed that would make legacy builds look outdated.
Chris Abramo and Meg Tock from Mod42 join Mara and Val to myth-bust the misconceptions around modular construction, explain how they're deploying 400-megawatt sites faster than anyone thought possible, and challenge engineers to rethink what "over-engineering" is really costing the industry.
Chris, a licensed engineer with 20 years of experienceâeight of those in...
2025-10-0948 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie Crafton400MW, Half the Time: MOD42âs Modular RealityThe data center industry is racing against the clock, and traditional construction timelines can't keep up. Enter modular data centers: purpose-built, repeatable, and designed to deploy infrastructure at a speed that would make legacy builds look outdated.
Chris Abramo and Meg Tock from Mod42 join Mara and Val to myth-bust the misconceptions around modular construction, explain how they're deploying 400-megawatt sites faster than anyone thought possible, and challenge engineers to rethink what "over-engineering" is really costing the industry.
Chris, a licensed engineer with 20 years of experienceâeight of those in...
2025-10-0948 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonWhy Non-Destructive Excavation Is Non-Negotiable in Mission-Critical ConstructionStarting a construction business with zero industry experience? Kristy Black did exactly thatâand built Black Hydrovac into a critical player in mission-critical infrastructure. But this isn't just a startup story. It's about partnership, risk, resilience, and redefining what it means to support each other in a fast-paced industry.
Kristy spent nearly 20 years in education before COVID shifted everything. When that door closed, she didn't wait for another to openâshe kicked her way through. With encouragement from her husband Adam (a data center construction veteran) and mentorship from someone who believed in her visi...
2025-10-0254 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonWhy Non-Destructive Excavation Is Non-Negotiable in Mission-Critical ConstructionStarting a construction business with zero industry experience? Kristy Black did exactly thatâand built Black Hydrovac into a critical player in mission-critical infrastructure. But this isn't just a startup story. It's about partnership, risk, resilience, and redefining what it means to support each other in a fast-paced industry.
Kristy spent nearly 20 years in education before COVID shifted everything. When that door closed, she didn't wait for another to openâshe kicked her way through. With encouragement from her husband Adam (a data center construction veteran) and mentorship from someone who believed in her visi...
2025-10-0254 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonClimate Optimism: Innovation > GreenwashingWhat happens when two self-proclaimed sustainability "experts" sit down to challenge everything we think we know about greenwashing, carbon accounting, and the future of sustainable construction? This conversation cuts through the noise to reveal why sustainability has finally grown upâand why that's the most exciting thing happening in infrastructure right now.
Charlie and Catherine bring decades of hard-won experience from both inside and outside the corporate sustainability machine. They're not here to shame anyone or preach perfection. Instead, they're making the case for why imperfect progress beats paralyzed perfectionism every single time.
...
2025-09-2559 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonClimate Optimism: Innovation > GreenwashingWhat happens when two self-proclaimed sustainability "experts" sit down to challenge everything we think we know about greenwashing, carbon accounting, and the future of sustainable construction? This conversation cuts through the noise to reveal why sustainability has finally grown upâand why that's the most exciting thing happening in infrastructure right now.
Charlie and Catherine bring decades of hard-won experience from both inside and outside the corporate sustainability machine. They're not here to shame anyone or preach perfection. Instead, they're making the case for why imperfect progress beats paralyzed perfectionism every single time.
...
2025-09-2559 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonDid YOTTA 2025 Deliver? Voices from Across the EcosystemThis episode captures the raw energy and honest conversations from the event floor, featuring voices from across the data center, energy, and infrastructure communities. From modular data center builders to energy innovators, from seasoned industry veterans to newcomers finding their footing, everyone had something to say about whether YOTTA succeeded in bridging the tribes of digital infrastructure.
In the second half, we sit down with George Rockett, the visionary behind YOTTA, for an unfiltered conversation about the challenges of scaling an industry event, the anthropological nature of industry silos, and why bringing manufacturing mindsets...
2025-09-1849 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonDid YOTTA 2025 Deliver? Voices from Across the EcosystemThis episode captures the raw energy and honest conversations from the event floor, featuring voices from across the data center, energy, and infrastructure communities. From modular data center builders to energy innovators, from seasoned industry veterans to newcomers finding their footing, everyone had something to say about whether YOTTA succeeded in bridging the tribes of digital infrastructure.
In the second half, we sit down with George Rockett, the visionary behind YOTTA, for an unfiltered conversation about the challenges of scaling an industry event, the anthropological nature of industry silos, and why bringing manufacturing mindsets...
2025-09-1849 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonBeing your Authentic Self on Stage - You know more than you think you do!The data center industry desperately needs more diverse voices on stage, but too often, women are backing down from speaking opportunities at the last minute. Why are qualified professionals declining panels and presentations? And more importantly, how do we change that?
In this conversation, we dig into the real barriers keeping women from stepping up to the microphone, from imposter syndrome to perfectionism to the fear of being judged. Our guests share hard-won wisdom about finding your authentic voice, preparing powerful stories, and using vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness.
2025-09-1148 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonBeing your Authentic Self on Stage - You know more than you think you do!The data center industry desperately needs more diverse voices on stage, but too often, women are backing down from speaking opportunities at the last minute. Why are qualified professionals declining panels and presentations? And more importantly, how do we change that?
In this conversation, we dig into the real barriers keeping women from stepping up to the microphone, from imposter syndrome to perfectionism to the fear of being judged. Our guests share hard-won wisdom about finding your authentic voice, preparing powerful stories, and using vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness.
2025-09-1148 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonNo Victims, Just Builders: Carrie Goetz on Agency, Trades & AccountabilityIn this powerful episode, we sit down with trailblazer Carrie Goetz â author, educator, and industry pioneer. Weâll explore her human story: how she broke into the industry, the challenges sheâs overcome, and how sheâs helped shape the evolution of the digital infrastructure space. From sparking curiosity in young minds to educating adults across the globe, Carrieâs impact spans generations. Now, as she begins to pass the torch, her legacy continues to inspire the next wave of leaders. Donât miss this conversation with a true industry icon.
Connect with our guest:Â
...
2025-09-0443 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonNo Victims, Just Builders: Carrie Goetz on Agency, Trades & AccountabilityIn this powerful episode, we sit down with trailblazer Carrie Goetz â author, educator, and industry pioneer. Weâll explore her human story: how she broke into the industry, the challenges sheâs overcome, and how sheâs helped shape the evolution of the digital infrastructure space. From sparking curiosity in young minds to educating adults across the globe, Carrieâs impact spans generations. Now, as she begins to pass the torch, her legacy continues to inspire the next wave of leaders. Donât miss this conversation with a true industry icon.
Connect with our guest:Â
...
2025-09-0443 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonQuantum to Kilowatts: Whatâs New at DataCloud USAThe data center industry is shifting from fiber-first to power-first strategy, and DataCloud USA is bringing all the right players to the table. Joe Howarth and Lottie Westerling share what makes their Austin event differentâfrom quantum computing keynotes to bold predictions about infrastructure's next frontier.
Key Themes:Â
⢠Power-first strategy replacing traditional fiber-first thinkingÂ
⢠Quantum computing's impact on data center design requirements
⢠Industry talent pipeline challenges and solutionsÂ
⢠Cross-industry collaboration between power, fiber, and investmentÂ
⢠Workforce development through direct C-suite connectionsÂ
⢠The audacious possibili...
2025-08-2815 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonQuantum to Kilowatts: Whatâs New at DataCloud USAThe data center industry is shifting from fiber-first to power-first strategy, and DataCloud USA is bringing all the right players to the table. Joe Howarth and Lottie Westerling share what makes their Austin event differentâfrom quantum computing keynotes to bold predictions about infrastructure's next frontier.
Key Themes:Â
⢠Power-first strategy replacing traditional fiber-first thinkingÂ
⢠Quantum computing's impact on data center design requirements
⢠Industry talent pipeline challenges and solutionsÂ
⢠Cross-industry collaboration between power, fiber, and investmentÂ
⢠Workforce development through direct C-suite connectionsÂ
⢠The audacious possibili...
2025-08-2815 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonLabor Crisis as a National EmergencyWhen you flip a light switch, there's no David Copperfield hiding behind the sheetrock. That's science at work, not magic. But what happens when we can't find the people who understand that science? Greg Crumpton, a 30-year veteran of the mechanical contracting industry, calls it what it is: a national emergency. In this unfiltered conversation, Greg pulls zero punches about SMEs who hoard knowledge, the generational divide that's costing us innovation, and why AI is a tool, not a threat. From liquid cooling in 1988 IBM mainframes to today's data center boom, this episode tackles the workforce pipeline crisis head-on...
2025-08-2154 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonLabor Crisis as a National EmergencyWhen you flip a light switch, there's no David Copperfield hiding behind the sheetrock. That's science at work, not magic. But what happens when we can't find the people who understand that science? Greg Crumpton, a 30-year veteran of the mechanical contracting industry, calls it what it is: a national emergency. In this unfiltered conversation, Greg pulls zero punches about SMEs who hoard knowledge, the generational divide that's costing us innovation, and why AI is a tool, not a threat. From liquid cooling in 1988 IBM mainframes to today's data center boom, this episode tackles the workforce pipeline crisis head-on...
2025-08-2154 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonFrom Tribes to Transformation: George Rockett on Uniting Digital Infrastructure at YOTTA in Las VegasThis isn't just another industry eventâit's a movement. đ In this episode of Beyond the Megawatt, George Rockett shares how his vision to unite the "tribes" of digital infrastructure is transforming the way our industry collaborates, innovates, and tackles its toughest challenges.
From energy as the new front line to partnerships over competition, discover why the second year of this event is set to double in size and change the game for data centers worldwide.
đď¸ Plusâhear what's coming in the Innovate Arena and why George says we're in a "jet engin...
2025-08-1435 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonFrom Tribes to Transformation: George Rockett on Uniting Digital Infrastructure at YOTTA in Las VegasThis isn't just another industry eventâit's a movement. đ In this episode of Beyond the Megawatt, George Rockett shares how his vision to unite the "tribes" of digital infrastructure is transforming the way our industry collaborates, innovates, and tackles its toughest challenges.
From energy as the new front line to partnerships over competition, discover why the second year of this event is set to double in size and change the game for data centers worldwide.
đď¸ Plusâhear what's coming in the Innovate Arena and why George says we're in a "jet engin...
2025-08-1435 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonFuture-Ready Starts Early: Inspiring Kids to Discover Computer Science and the TradesWhat if the workforce crisis isn't about lazy kids or entitled generationsâbut about a complete failure to show young people the pathways that actually exist? Michael Wilson from GenTech is proving that early exposure changes everything, from elementary students programming Amazon warehouse robots to former farm workers' kids seeing automation as opportunity instead of threat.
This conversation cuts through the usual workforce development rhetoric to reveal what's actually working: turnkey programs that bring expertise directly to underserved schools, real-world projects that make learning relevant, and pathways that don't require families to go into de...
2025-08-0746 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonFuture-Ready Starts Early: Inspiring Kids to Discover Computer Science and the TradesWhat if the workforce crisis isn't about lazy kids or entitled generationsâbut about a complete failure to show young people the pathways that actually exist? Michael Wilson from GenTech is proving that early exposure changes everything, from elementary students programming Amazon warehouse robots to former farm workers' kids seeing automation as opportunity instead of threat.
This conversation cuts through the usual workforce development rhetoric to reveal what's actually working: turnkey programs that bring expertise directly to underserved schools, real-world projects that make learning relevant, and pathways that don't require families to go into de...
2025-08-0746 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonVoices That Move Markets: Live From the WiMCO Tech SummitWhat happens when you really listen to the conversations happening in the margins? Four years ago, Jackie Pasierbowicz overheard women talking about professional isolation right after a networking event designed to support them. That moment of recognition sparked the 7x24 Exchange WiMCO Tech Summit â now a sold-out annual gathering that's redefining how we think about professional development in mission-critical industries.
This episode takes you behind the scenes of building something the industry said it didn't need, why "love farming" (recruiting without adjusting culture) sets everyone up to fail, and how balancing technical excellence with em...
2025-07-3145 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonVoices That Move Markets: Live From the WiMCO Tech SummitWhat happens when you really listen to the conversations happening in the margins? Four years ago, Jackie Pasierbowicz overheard women talking about professional isolation right after a networking event designed to support them. That moment of recognition sparked the 7x24 Exchange WiMCO Tech Summit â now a sold-out annual gathering that's redefining how we think about professional development in mission-critical industries.
This episode takes you behind the scenes of building something the industry said it didn't need, why "love farming" (recruiting without adjusting culture) sets everyone up to fail, and how balancing technical excellence with em...
2025-07-3145 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonDisrupting the Grid: Veterans, Energy Innovation, and the Future of Modular PowerWhat happens when a Navy submarine veteran challenges everything the data center industry thinks it knows? You get a conversation that's equal parts uncomfortable and essential. Tony Grayson doesn't just question industry assumptions, he dismantles them with the precision of someone who's managed 14-megawatt floating data centers under conditions most of us can't imagine.
Key Insights:Â
⢠Why veterans managing submarine IT infrastructure are the data center operators we desperately need but consistently overlookÂ
⢠The uncomfortable truth about SMR timelines and why most nuclear promises won't deliver until it's too lateÂ
â˘...
2025-07-2447 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonDisrupting the Grid: Veterans, Energy Innovation, and the Future of Modular PowerWhat happens when a Navy submarine veteran challenges everything the data center industry thinks it knows? You get a conversation that's equal parts uncomfortable and essential. Tony Grayson doesn't just question industry assumptions, he dismantles them with the precision of someone who's managed 14-megawatt floating data centers under conditions most of us can't imagine.
Key Insights:Â
⢠Why veterans managing submarine IT infrastructure are the data center operators we desperately need but consistently overlookÂ
⢠The uncomfortable truth about SMR timelines and why most nuclear promises won't deliver until it's too lateÂ
â˘...
2025-07-2447 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonNuclear Power by 2026? The Data Center Energy CrisisThe energy conversation in data centers just got real. In this episode, we dive deep with Alison Krager Hahn from the Department of Energy and Rhea Williams from E3 Energy Partners on the hybrid strategies reshaping how we power digital infrastructure. From nuclear timelines that will surprise you to the natural gas bridges we need today, this conversation cuts through the noise to deliver the hard truths about America's power crisis.
Key Insights from This Episode:
⢠Nuclear deployment is accelerating faster than expected - with concrete 2026 timelines and construction already underway for commercial advanced reactors
⢠Natural gas represents the crit...
2025-07-1738 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonNuclear Power by 2026? The Data Center Energy CrisisThe energy conversation in data centers just got real. In this episode, we dive deep with Alison Krager Hahn from the Department of Energy and Rhea Williams from E3 Energy Partners on the hybrid strategies reshaping how we power digital infrastructure. From nuclear timelines that will surprise you to the natural gas bridges we need today, this conversation cuts through the noise to deliver the hard truths about America's power crisis.
Key Insights from This Episode:
⢠Nuclear deployment is accelerating faster than expected - with concrete 2026 timelines and construction already underway for commercial advanced reactors
⢠Natural gas represents the crit...
2025-07-1738 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonThe Eight-Week Mark: What Weâve Learned, and What Comes NextEight weeks into Beyond the Megawatt, Mara and Val pause to reflect on what they've learned about starting a podcast, challenging industry norms, and amplifying voices that typically don't get heard. This honest conversation reveals the real motivations behind their platform and why non-traditional career paths might be exactly what the data center industry needs.
Key Insights:
⢠The shame of non-traditional paths - Why many successful professionals hide their unconventional routes into infrastructure and construction
⢠Breaking conference barriers - How arbitrary rules keep fresh voices off industry panels and what need...
2025-07-1048 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonThe Eight-Week Mark: What Weâve Learned, and What Comes NextEight weeks into Beyond the Megawatt, Mara and Val pause to reflect on what they've learned about starting a podcast, challenging industry norms, and amplifying voices that typically don't get heard. This honest conversation reveals the real motivations behind their platform and why non-traditional career paths might be exactly what the data center industry needs.
Key Insights:
⢠The shame of non-traditional paths - Why many successful professionals hide their unconventional routes into infrastructure and construction
⢠Breaking conference barriers - How arbitrary rules keep fresh voices off industry panels and what need...
2025-07-1048 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonTalent That Scales: Redefining People Strategy in Mission Critical InfrastructureHalf of all data center talent will retire within the next decade. At the same time, we need to double our workforce to meet exploding infrastructure demand. This isn't just another workforce challengeâit's an existential threat to the mission-critical systems that power our digital economy.
Dr. Tracy Brown (Chief of Staff) and Lisa Stevens (Head of HR at CleanArc Data Centers) join Valerie Crafton to tackle the hard truths about talent development in mission-critical infrastructure. From the cultural disconnect veterans face transitioning to corporate environments to the performance review theater that wastes everyone's ti...
2025-07-0336 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonTalent That Scales: Redefining People Strategy in Mission Critical InfrastructureHalf of all data center talent will retire within the next decade. At the same time, we need to double our workforce to meet exploding infrastructure demand. This isn't just another workforce challengeâit's an existential threat to the mission-critical systems that power our digital economy.
Dr. Tracy Brown (Chief of Staff) and Lisa Stevens (Head of HR at CleanArc Data Centers) join Valerie Crafton to tackle the hard truths about talent development in mission-critical infrastructure. From the cultural disconnect veterans face transitioning to corporate environments to the performance review theater that wastes everyone's ti...
2025-07-0336 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonCan Data Centers Ever Be Sustainable? These Women Say Yes!What happens when you put three sustainability leaders in one room and ask them to call BS on industry practices? You get the most honest conversation about data center sustainability we've had yet.
Karen Cooper (DLR Group), Jenna Middaugh (Green Building Initiative), and Patricia Leyva (Equinix) didn't hold back. From fear-based pricing to parallel study failures, this episode tackles why sustainability initiatives keep getting blamed for project problemsâand what to do about it.
Key Insights From This Episode:
⢠Sustainability should be code-required, not optional â No one argues...
2025-06-2638 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonCan Data Centers Ever Be Sustainable? These Women Say Yes!What happens when you put three sustainability leaders in one room and ask them to call BS on industry practices? You get the most honest conversation about data center sustainability we've had yet.
Karen Cooper (DLR Group), Jenna Middaugh (Green Building Initiative), and Patricia Leyva (Equinix) didn't hold back. From fear-based pricing to parallel study failures, this episode tackles why sustainability initiatives keep getting blamed for project problemsâand what to do about it.
Key Insights From This Episode:
⢠Sustainability should be code-required, not optional â No one argues...
2025-06-2638 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonRedefining Power: Transformational Leadership in a Transactional IndustryLeadership in mission-critical industries isn't brokenâit's being measured all wrong. This conversation with executive coach Lori Severson and leadership expert Andrea Janzen exposes the invisible barriers keeping transformational leaders stuck and offers a bold roadmap for change.
Key Revelations:
⢠Why women's leadership journey feels like "dying by a thousand cuts"âand how those small moments add up to systemic exclusion
⢠The missing metrics that keep our most effective leaders overlooked while rewarding outdated transactional behaviors
⢠How to handle "you're too aggressive" criticism in real-time without losing your authentic...
2025-06-1945 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonRedefining Power: Transformational Leadership in a Transactional IndustryLeadership in mission-critical industries isn't brokenâit's being measured all wrong. This conversation with executive coach Lori Severson and leadership expert Andrea Janzen exposes the invisible barriers keeping transformational leaders stuck and offers a bold roadmap for change.
Key Revelations:
⢠Why women's leadership journey feels like "dying by a thousand cuts"âand how those small moments add up to systemic exclusion
⢠The missing metrics that keep our most effective leaders overlooked while rewarding outdated transactional behaviors
⢠How to handle "you're too aggressive" criticism in real-time without losing your authentic...
2025-06-1945 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonAI, Audacity & the Education Reboot Weâre Too Scared to StartWhat if the solution to the data center workforce crisis starts in kindergarten?
Dr. Sharon Jones, founder of the Dottie Rose Foundation, joins us for a conversation that challenges everything you think you know about AI education, workforce development, and the future of technical careers. From her unexpected journey from DJ dreams to computer science advocacy, Sharon reveals why "the power of the blend" - human creativity combined with AI capabilities - is the key to thriving in our rapidly evolving industry.
Key Insights:
⢠Start AI literacy ea...
2025-06-1242 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonAI, Audacity & the Education Reboot Weâre Too Scared to StartWhat if the solution to the data center workforce crisis starts in kindergarten?
Dr. Sharon Jones, founder of the Dottie Rose Foundation, joins us for a conversation that challenges everything you think you know about AI education, workforce development, and the future of technical careers. From her unexpected journey from DJ dreams to computer science advocacy, Sharon reveals why "the power of the blend" - human creativity combined with AI capabilities - is the key to thriving in our rapidly evolving industry.
Key Insights:
⢠Start AI literacy ea...
2025-06-1242 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonDigging Differently: The Hidden Innovation Transforming Data Center ConstructionSometimes the most transformative technology comes from the most unexpected places. In this episode, we go below the surfaceâliterallyâto explore how hydro excavation is changing data center construction, winter operations, and workplace culture in ways that extend far beyond digging.
Kristy Black didn't start Black Hydrovac because she discovered a passion for construction equipment. She started it because she wanted to build teams of people who could think, solve problems, and grow in an industry that too often treats skilled workers as interchangeable parts. What emerged is a company that's revolutionizing both exca...
2025-06-0538 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonDigging Differently: The Hidden Innovation Transforming Data Center ConstructionSometimes the most transformative technology comes from the most unexpected places. In this episode, we go below the surfaceâliterallyâto explore how hydro excavation is changing data center construction, winter operations, and workplace culture in ways that extend far beyond digging.
Kristy Black didn't start Black Hydrovac because she discovered a passion for construction equipment. She started it because she wanted to build teams of people who could think, solve problems, and grow in an industry that too often treats skilled workers as interchangeable parts. What emerged is a company that's revolutionizing both exca...
2025-06-0538 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonFiber, Foresight, & The future: Solving for scale in the age of AIWhat happens when AI meets data center infrastructure? Dan Molloyâknown throughout the industry as "Fiber Dan"âbrings decades of networking expertise and bold predictions about the future of mission-critical systems. From his early days discovering the internet in high school to his current role as a fiber infrastructure expert, Dan offers a unique perspective on how artificial intelligence will reshape everything from workforce training to blockchain applications in hyperscale environments.
Key Insights & Bold Takes
⢠AI isn't coming for technical jobs firstâit's targeting middle management decision-making while making hands-on expertise more valuable...
2025-05-2927 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonFiber, Foresight, & The future: Solving for scale in the age of AIWhat happens when AI meets data center infrastructure? Dan Molloyâknown throughout the industry as "Fiber Dan"âbrings decades of networking expertise and bold predictions about the future of mission-critical systems. From his early days discovering the internet in high school to his current role as a fiber infrastructure expert, Dan offers a unique perspective on how artificial intelligence will reshape everything from workforce training to blockchain applications in hyperscale environments.
Key Insights & Bold Takes
⢠AI isn't coming for technical jobs firstâit's targeting middle management decision-making while making hands-on expertise more valuable...
2025-05-2927 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonDesign to Handover: Closing the Gap on Commissioning, Workforce, and the Future of OpsWhat happens when you combine decades of commissioning expertise with a vision for transforming how we develop the next generation of infrastructure talent? You get a conversation that challenges everything from when commissioning should start to how we can solve the workforce crisis while building better facilities.
Lillian Rivera and Jim McEnteggart are launching 21st Century Ops with a bold approach that flips traditional commissioning on its head. Instead of bringing operational expertise in at the end of projects, they're advocating for "operationally directed design" that considers the humans who'll operate these systems for...
2025-05-2928 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonDesign to Handover: Closing the Gap on Commissioning, Workforce, and the Future of OpsWhat happens when you combine decades of commissioning expertise with a vision for transforming how we develop the next generation of infrastructure talent? You get a conversation that challenges everything from when commissioning should start to how we can solve the workforce crisis while building better facilities.
Lillian Rivera and Jim McEnteggart are launching 21st Century Ops with a bold approach that flips traditional commissioning on its head. Instead of bringing operational expertise in at the end of projects, they're advocating for "operationally directed design" that considers the humans who'll operate these systems for...
2025-05-2928 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonMic Check: Accountability, Origins, and the Truth Behind the PodcastWelcome to our inaugural episode! Hosts Mara Ervin and Valerie Crafton sit down with psychotherapist and workplace wellbeing consultant Kate Ahl for an honest conversation about inclusion, allyship, and the hidden challenges facing professionals in mission-critical industries.
This isn't your typical diversity discussion. We dig into why women are leaving tech and construction as fast as they're entering, what neurodivergent thinking brings to complex problem-solving, and why creating inclusive workplaces benefits everyoneânot just underrepresented groups.
Key Themes Explored:
⢠The disconnect between conference visibility and job site real...
2025-05-2941 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonMic Check: Accountability, Origins, and the Truth Behind the PodcastWelcome to our inaugural episode! Hosts Mara Ervin and Valerie Crafton sit down with psychotherapist and workplace wellbeing consultant Kate Ahl for an honest conversation about inclusion, allyship, and the hidden challenges facing professionals in mission-critical industries.
This isn't your typical diversity discussion. We dig into why women are leaving tech and construction as fast as they're entering, what neurodivergent thinking brings to complex problem-solving, and why creating inclusive workplaces benefits everyoneânot just underrepresented groups.
Key Themes Explored:
⢠The disconnect between conference visibility and job site real...
2025-05-2941 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie Craftonđď¸ Beyond the Megawatt: Live from the Cloud Run! âď¸Your Co-Hosts Mara Ervin & Valerie Crafton MBA are thrilled to share our latest episode, recorded live at the 3rd Annual Cloud Run hosted by the 7x24 Exchange DC Chapter.
This special edition kicks off with the race start, led by the dynamic Scott Davis with HazTek Safety Management, setting the tone for a day filled with energy and community spirit.
Throughout the event, we posed a seemingly simple question:
âWhat is or where is the cloud?â
The answers ranged from...
2025-05-2207 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie Craftonđď¸ Beyond the Megawatt: Live from the Cloud Run! âď¸Your Co-Hosts Mara Ervin & Valerie Crafton MBA are thrilled to share our latest episode, recorded live at the 3rd Annual Cloud Run hosted by the 7x24 Exchange DC Chapter.
This special edition kicks off with the race start, led by the dynamic Scott Davis with HazTek Safety Management, setting the tone for a day filled with energy and community spirit.
Throughout the event, we posed a seemingly simple question:
âWhat is or where is the cloud?â
The answers ranged from...
2025-05-2207 min
Hands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonComing Soon: Beyond the Megawatt - The Data Center Podcast You've Been Waiting ForHosts Mara and Val introduce their new podcast "Beyond the Megawatt" from Data Center World, created specifically to amplify the voices of tech leaders who are actually building data centers but rarely get heard at conferences. Tired of the same perspectives week after week, they're digging into the weeds to find the people tackling real pain points and asking the audacious question: "Is it actually working?"
Expect tough conversations, industry callouts, and plenty of laughter as they learn from those building infrastructure right now.
New episodes will drop every Thursday.
...
2025-05-0401 minHands-On Heroes with Valerie CraftonComing Soon: Beyond the Megawatt - The Data Center Podcast You've Been Waiting ForHosts Mara and Val introduce their new podcast "Beyond the Megawatt" from Data Center World, created specifically to amplify the voices of tech leaders who are actually building data centers but rarely get heard at conferences. Tired of the same perspectives week after week, they're digging into the weeds to find the people tackling real pain points and asking the audacious question: "Is it actually working?"
Expect tough conversations, industry callouts, and plenty of laughter as they learn from those building infrastructure right now.
New episodes will drop every Thursday.
...
2025-05-0401 min