Hands On Heroes with Valerie Crafton

What 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

Sometimes the most transformative technology comes from the most unexpected places. In this episode, we go below the surface—literally—to 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

What happens when AI meets data center infrastructure? Dan Molloy—known throughout the industry as "Fiber Dan"—brings 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

What 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

Welcome 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

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: “What is or where is the cloud?” The answers ranged from humorous takes by

Hosts 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