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Maryland State Senator and IBEW Local 24 leader Cory V. McCray joins Rich and Dan to share how a paid electrical apprenticeship rewired his life—from Baltimore City and the juvenile system to business owner and public service. Cory breaks down how union apprenticeships work, why mentors and discipline matter, and how practical pathways can lift families and entire communities. A grounded, honest guide for anyone who cares about second chances and real opportunity.
Sponsored by Daniel McGhee and the Victory Team
Guest Bio:
Cory V. McCray is a Maryland State Senator, husband, and father of four who completed an IBEW Local 24 electrical apprenticeship before launching a career in business and public service. He’s the author of The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life and serves as a business agent and vice president within his local, championing working families, mentorship, and scalable pathways to the middle class.
Main Topics:
· How a paid union apprenticeship provides wages, benefits, and schooling without debt.
· Discipline, mentors, and “learning to listen” as success multipliers on the job site and in life.
· Differences between premier union apprenticeships and other pathways, plus common pitfalls.
· Moving from limited exposure to leadership: business owner, union officer, and senator.
· Building pipelines for data centers and future infrastructure—and why Maryland needs more tradespeople now.
· Recovery, reprogramming habits, and choosing environments that support growth.
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Chapters
1. 10 Years of the Show (00:00:00)
2. Dan Bennett opens: Cory’s journey from apprentice to senator (00:01:29)
3. Growing up in Baltimore; Mom’s push into apprenticeships; IBEW Local 24 acceptance (00:03:04)
4. Paid to work, paid to learn: wages, benefits, book money incentive (00:07:59)
5. Union vs. non-union pathways; avoiding “stuck” apprentice traps (00:11:29)
6. “It literally saved my life”: juvenile/adult system to a new trajectory (00:14:59)
7. Mentorship, teamwork, and learning from journeymen leaders (00:17:29)
8. Business agent role; what locals actually do (contracts, grievances, organizing) (00:20:59)
9. Explosive demand: new apprentices, big projects, data centers (00:26:29)
10. AI, tech change, and why trades remain essential (00:31:49)
11. Writing the book: industry, agents, publisher; launch milestones & sellouts (00:34:19)
12. Sponsor: Daniel McGhee & The Victory Team (real estate; victoryteamsells.com) (00:36:34)
13. Audiobook: Cory narrates his story (00:43:49)
14. Recovery spaces; habits, environments, and reprogramming life (00:52:34)
15. Helping friends into the trades; failing forward; starting a union-signatory company (00:57:39)
16. Where to buy: theapprenticeshipcheatcode.com, local & national retailers (01:07:56)
17. End • Wrap, thanks, and closing credits (supporters) (01:14:15)
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