Two Tree Guys

#154: What’s Your Story? - Joe Wightman

Joe Wightman’s journey from a rough start in Loveland, CO, to becoming an Academy Trainer in arboriculture is one of resilience and purpose. After early run-ins with the law and setbacks in construction, a friend’s suggestion led him to tree work—where he found not just a job, but a calling. Now 11 years in, Joe is passionate about safety, hands-on training, and helping others grow in an industry that’s as mentally demanding as it is physical.

#153: Training Talk - Emily Inman and John Wayne - Finding the Next Generation of Arborists

Emily Inman from Charlotte’s Landscape Management Division and arborist John Wayne share their paths into tree care and the growing need to train passionate newcomers. With an aging urban forest and a wave of arborists set to retire, they talk about the importance of early education, hands-on training, and changing perceptions of arboriculture as a skilled, essential trade. From climbing trees to community outreach, it’s all about planting seeds for the future.

#152: What’s Your Story? - Omar Martinez - Pro Select Construction Services

Omar Martinez shares his journey from childhood laborer to project manager at his family’s business, Pro Select Construction Services. Raised in San Diego, Omar reflects on early jobs, lessons in leadership, the challenges of managing older crew members, and the grind of cold sales. Now helping expand the company’s construction division with EV charging stations, Omar also opens up about balancing work with self-love.

#151: Innovation Talk - Jim Depolo - VP Racing Fuel

Jim Deplo joins us to talk about VP Racing Fuels' high-performance blends made for small engines like chainsaws. Learn how their ethanol-free, synthetic fuels improve reliability, reduce maintenance, and keep your equipment running cleaner and longer.

#150: What’s Your Story? - Jalen Rocha

Born in Fresno, CA, Jalen grew up in a blended family and learned early lessons about setting boundaries and offering support without enabling. After leaving home at 18, a series of tough breaks — including flipping a truck and a night in jail — taught him resilience. He eventually found his footing at ArborWorks, where he grew from inventory management to climbing and training others in safety and utility work. He helped the company scale smartly, standardizing gear and improving operations, until changes after a private equity takeover led him to a new chapter at Husqvarna. This is a story of growth, grit, and finding your lane.

#149: What’s Your Story? - Ryan Swederski

From corporate America to concert stages to climbing trees, Ryan Swederski’s path has been anything but typical. After helping his dad run an indoor putt-putt business in Arizona—and picking up DJing and concert booking along the way—Ryan stumbled into the world of arboriculture. One inspiring day watching climbers changed everything. Over the next 15 years, he climbed, led crews, mastered utility line clearance, and eventually launched his own company: Swederski’s Independent Consulting, LLC. Now, Ryan is on a mission to train, consult, and raise the bar for safety in tree care—especially for smaller, growing companies.

#148: What’s Your Story? - Sonia Coyle

From growing up in California’s Imperial Valley with farming parents to running eight marathons, Sonia Coyle’s journey is one of grit, reinvention, and strength. After dropping out of San Diego State, she entered the aerospace world, raised three boys, navigated divorce, and chased joy through dancing and new adventures. Her path took her all the way to England, where she became an accountant, before returning to the U.S. and stepping into the world of tree care with her partner, Tom. Recorded live at the ISA Western Chapter Conference, this episode is about resilience, new chapters, and finding your place—no matter how unexpected.

#147: Training Talk - Sophie Arnold - Poor Man’s Pantin

At just 12 years old, Sophie Arnold started her journey into the treetops—and she hasn’t looked down since. Trained through an academy and known for her creative “Poor Man’s Pantin” rope ascender setup, Sophie is already limb walking big trees and refining her skills with serious intention. With her sights set on competition climbing once she turns 16, she’s all about learning, pushing limits, and sharing knowledge with other kids. Her motto? “Always go slow. Pay attention. Trust your gut.” This episode is a glimpse into the future of arboriculture—and the bright, fearless young climber leading the way.

#146: What’s Your Story? - Sam Cubeiro - Canopy Service Partners

Born in Newport Beach, CA, Sam Cubeiro was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 4—but that didn’t stop him from embracing the outdoors. From diabetes camps to a fly-fishing trip at a Colorado dude ranch, Sam discovered a lifelong passion for nature, adventure, and purpose-driven work. His journey took him from turkey hunting in Kentucky to interning at an outdoor investment firm, working at Facebook, and eventually joining Alpine Investors. Today, he’s building Canopy—a growing network of tree care companies focused on safety, training, and helping founders scale sustainably. This episode dives into how personal passion can lead to professional impact.

#145: Training Talk - Suzanne Guzman - Introduction to AI

AI is here, and for the first time, it’s accessible to everyone—not just programmers. In this episode, Suzanne Guzman, a certified prompt engineer and author, breaks down how AI works, why communication is key, and how anyone can start using it today.

We’ll explore large language models, automation, and how AI can enhance businesses—including unexpected industries like tree care. Learn how to prompt effectively, iterate, and use AI as a tool to refine your brand and workflow. AI is only getting smarter—so don’t wait to get started!