Skipping College, Finding Vocation and Dignified Work
Sword&Spade
Cody and Sebastion share their journey from schooling to careers in framing and construction instead of college. They discuss starting in the trades as teenagers, launching a construction company, Atlas, choosing to stay rooted in their local community, converting to Catholicism, and building a culture of craftsmanship. The conversation explores work-life integration, mentorship, competency over artificial self-esteem, and the future of skilled trades. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction & Background 03:34 - Cody's Journey into Construction 08:01 - The College Question 14:30 - Starting Atlas Framing Company 19:49 - Sebastian's Path 26:03 - From General Contractor to Specialist 33:37 - Faith & Conversion 45:58 - Community & Rootedness 49:23 - Catholic Trade Schools & Durable Trades 56:13 - The Future of Construction 1:07:45 - Competency Over Self-Esteem 1:11:25 - Work Culture & Faith on the Job Site Find more conversations like the one in this episode by joining the readership of Sword&Spade Magazine! Resources * Letters to a Young Catholic by George Weigel * Durable Trades by Rory Groves * Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew Crawford * Fraternus Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios