Constructive Coercion Is a Thing features scholar Dr. Jeremy Milloy who studies the history of how we got to have the kind of workplaces we have (good and bad). His work is motivated by the fact that our jobs have a such a huge effect on our lives, our identities, our health, and our life outcomes.

Jeremy’s original work started by studying the concept of violence in the workplace, specifically how seemingly average humans get to the point where they ‘go postal’. And while Jeremy did discover a number of under-reported obvious violence such as shootings and stabbings, he also discovered that workplace violence was much more subtle. His original work targeted North America’s auto manufacturing industry, but the parallels of his findings are widespread across all workers, including construction trades. Themes of hazing, ‘paying your dues’ and enforcing codes of conduct after hours in places like the bar are prevalent amongst most workers, blue collar, hospitality, transportation, everywhere.

Part One of the conversation winds up as we begin talking specifically about substance use in the trades, and Jeremy brings up the concept of Constructive Coercion that was utilized in the 1980’s, as it was thought it would motivate workers to stay off harmful drugs.

To find out more about constructive coercion, catch Constructive Coercion Is A Thing Part 2, released on November 18, 2024.

Off The Clock Toolbox Talk
Men forging health in the unregulated drug crisis, through real f**king talk.
Learn more about the podcast series at TradesPodcast.com.

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Season 4, Episode 3

In this episode, construction safety officer and carpenter C. Michael Kinsella, shares how he owes his whole life to his Red Seal.

When school wasn’t working out so well in junior high, Michael went straight into construction at the ripe old age of 14. ​He loved it. After an overdose at 16, Michael found a father figure in the industry and formed a chosen "family" of mentors around him. He and co-host Trevor Botkin discuss the value of these bonds that are formed on work sites.

​Trevor and Michael go on to discuss some of the physical and psychological stressors of the industry, and the toll it takes on a person and their biological family. And substance use is a regular part of that life.

​Michael explains how he learned how to behave at work - and how to nurture his own physical, social and mental health. He encourages other tradespeople to foster a culture of wellness and humanity amongst their crews as well.

In 2023, Michael co-founded The New PPE, a non-profit organization whose values center around safety, accessibility, and empowerment. It's hope is a future where every workplace in Canada has the tools and knowledge to protect against the preventable tragedy of a toxic drug supply. A future where personal protective equipment includes naloxone and is mandated across all industries. Learn more and offer support at TheNewPPE.org.

Off The Clock Toolbox Talk
Men forging health in the unregulated drug crisis, through real f**king talk.
Learn more about the podcast series at TradesPodcast.com.

Please give us your honest feedback by completing our anonymous survey at tradespodcast.com.
You'll be given the opportunity to enter our monthly draw for a $200 grocery card.
Thanks for supporting Off The Clock Toolbox Talk.

When psychologist, Dr. Nicole Anders, lost her beloved brother Cody to overdose, she navigated her grief through writing daily love letters to Cody. Her book, One Hundred Good-bye’s is a collection of those love letters, bridging the personal and clinical dimensions of her grief.

Nicole discusses that she frequently talks with her kids about their Uncle Cody. She suggests answering questions about a loved one’s overdose factually, but also keeping the answers simple for young children. She says when kids are older, discuss that their loved one took a medicine and didn’t know what was in it. Co-host Daniel emphasizes the centrality of people taking a substance and not knowing what’s in it, and how this drug poisoning crisis is entirely preventable.

Nicole coaches that grief doesn’t make sense, but our brains continually wrestle with it. In her own bargaining stage of grief, she wishes she would have been more loving in her interactions with Cody. In her humanity, even though she’s a psychologist, she wishes she would have dropped her judgement and frustration and just listened to Cody more. She now utilizes the phrase “how human of you” to disarm her own shame, and the shame of others she works with.

The conversation wraps up talking about the importance of person-first language so we see the human in front of us and don’t identify them by one particular struggle.

Off The Clock Toolbox Talk
Men forging health in the unregulated drug crisis, through real f**king talk.
Learn more about the podcast series at TradesPodcast.com.

Please give us your honest feedback by completing our anonymous survey at tradespodcast.com.
You'll be given the opportunity to enter our monthly draw for a $200 grocery card.
Thanks for supporting Off The Clock Toolbox Talk.