Tackling The Trades With Marlie & Steph
What happens when a World Cup winner swaps her rugby boots for a pipe wrench? You get Tackling the Trades With Marlie & Steph. Join England Rugby legend and qualified plumber Marlie Packer, OBE, alongside Steph Leese (aka the Pink Plasterer), as they dive into the real, day-to-day experiences of UK tradeswomen. From fitting bathrooms and rewiring commercial sites to painting homes, they’re bringing you the honest stories behind the job.Every two weeks, Marlie and Steph welcome a brilliant lineup of guest tradeswomen to chat about everything that actually matters on site:Finding workwear that actually fitsBalancing home, work, and the hustlePricing jobs with confidenceGrowing your business on social mediaNavigating the chaos of working with friends and familyWhether you’re a seasoned pro on the tools, thinking about starting an apprenticeship, or just love a proper trade yarn, hit follow and join the conversation. New episodes drop bi-weekly.
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Episodes
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There's a way to behave?
Friday, 6 November 2026
Join Marlie Packer and Steph Leese in this episode of Tackling the Trades as they dive into the unwritten rules of site etiquette, bad habits, and pet peeves! From stepping into customers’ homes with dirty boots to leaving a clean workspace for the next trade, they’re breaking down how professional manners, teamwork, and mutual respect make or break your reputation on the tools. This week, Marlie and Steph welcome two fantastic industry pros: Carpenter Alessandra (a.k.a. Ohana Makeover), who shares her biggest site pet peeves, practical apprentice advice on anticipating the next move, and t...
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How to stop working for free.
Friday, 23 October 2026
Join Marlie Packer and Steph Leese in this episode of Tackling the Trades as they pull back the curtain on the hidden costs of running a business in the trades! From soaring fuel prices and insurance to unseen prep time and the "mate's rate" trap, they're breaking down what it really takes to stay afloat and make an actual profit on the tools.This week, Marlie and Steph are joined by three industry experts: Danny Webb (a.k.a. Sparky Milan), best-selling co-author of How to Price Jobs as an Electrician, who breaks down why missing your overheads will leave you working for free; Freya Pell, h...
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Tackling pressure in the trade.
Friday, 9 October 2026
Join Marlie Packer and Steph Leese in this episode of Tackling the Trades as they dive headfirst into the world of mental health on the tools! In an industry where "toughing it out" is often the default, they're breaking down the real-world pressures women face on site and exploring how to keep a positive mind while navigating long hours, tight deadlines, and isolated van life.This week, Marlie and Steph are joined by two incredible guests: Matt Balfour, founder of Let's Go Wellbeing, who shares key insights on spotting workplace burnout, and psychotherapist Hannah Kendell, who tackles the ...
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Staying Active On The Tools
Friday, 25 September 2026
Join Marlie Packer and Steph Leese for episode 2 of Tackling the Trades. They’re diving into how sports, exercise, and staying active can transform life on and off the job site. Joined by special guest Jo Scofield, a Liverpool Feds standalone, England Women's Over-40s football player, and active firefighter, they’ll explore the physical and mental realities of working in demanding, male-dominated industries. From the truth about tool theft and carrying heavy equipment to managing work fatigue and intentional exercise, they discuss how sports foster community, combat burnout, and help future...
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Introducing Tackling the Trades - Meet Marlie!
Friday, 11 September 2026
Join Marlie Packer and Steph Leese in this premiere episode of Tackling the Trades! This week, we're introducing the ultimate collaboration between site life and the sports pitch. They're breaking down the real-world grit it takes to break boundaries in male-dominated industries. Marlie shares her journey from bricklayer's labourer to plumber to England rugby star, proving how early hands-on experience breaks the office job myth and opens doors for the next generation of tradeswomen.Whether you're a seasoned pro looking to share your skills, a sports fan who loves site-ready banter, or sear...
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Tacking The Trades with Marlie and Steph...coming soon.
Saturday, 5 September 2026
Tackling the Trades with Marlie Packer & Steph Leese, launching this September across all major podcast platforms.
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