By Mick, co-host of That’s Skimming Alright
If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be co-hosting a podcast, I’d have laughed you off the scaffold. I’m a plasterer, not a presenter. But here we are – That’s Skimming Alright is live, and me and Dave are chatting our way through the plastering world one episode at a time.
So, why did we start it? Simple. Because no one else was.
A Podcast by Plasterers, for Plasterers
Me and Dave are both plasterers by trade. We’ve done the years on the tools – the early starts, the cold sites, the last-minute panics before handover. Then, like a lot of lads who’ve been around a while, we found ourselves moving into teaching. Suddenly we were showing the next generation how to hold a trowel, how to mix properly, and how to spot when you’ve gone a bit too heavy on the first coat.
That shift – from tools to teaching – gave us a new perspective. We realised there was loads to say about this trade: not just how to do it, but what it means to do it. The pride, the graft, the laughs, the mistakes. And we couldn’t find a podcast out there that sounded like the real conversations we were having in the workshop or on site.
So, we bought a £20 mic from Amazon , hit record, and decided to see what happened.
Our motto says it all: two lads, one mic, not a clue – and that’s exactly how we like it. It’s raw, it’s unfiltered, and it’s us.
Why the Trade Needs Its Own Voice
There are loads of trade podcasts out there, but most lump everything together – builders, sparkies, plumbers, roofers. Great chats, sure, but plastering is its own beast.
Plastering isn’t just a job; it’s an art form. It’s physical, it’s technical, and it’s full of characters. You’ve got old-schoolers who’ve been at it since the eighties, young lads learning their trade, and everyone in between. It deserves a space where those voices can come through – where we can talk about our world without having to explain it to outsiders.
That’s what That’s Skimming Alright is for. It’s our corner of the airwaves, where plasterers can hear their own stories told with honesty, humour, and a bit of heart.
Keeping It Real and Having a Laugh
We never wanted the show to sound too serious. Let’s face it – on site, you’ve got to keep your sense of humour. One minute you’re flying through a ceiling, the next you’ve dropped your hawk in the bucket. That’s life on the trowel.
So, while we do talk about teaching, techniques, and the future of the trade, there’s also plenty of banter and chaos. We share site stories, classroom confessions, and all the daft moments that make plastering what it is.
Because behind every smooth wall is a plasterer with a story – and usually a good laugh to go with it.
Building Community Through Conversation
For me, one of the best parts about the podcast has been hearing from other plasterers who say, that’s exactly what it’s like for me. It reminds you that we’re all part of the same community. Whether you’re still grafting on the tools or teaching the next batch of learners, we’ve all walked similar paths.
And that’s what That’s Skimming Alright is really about – connection. We’re not experts or media types; we’re just tradesmen who care about our craft.
If the podcast helps someone feel more proud of what they do, or gives a bit of insight to someone thinking of joining the trade, that’s job done.
Looking Ahead
There’s a serious side to all this too. The industry needs more young people picking up the trowel. We need to show that plastering isn’t just hard work – it’s skilled work, creative work, and, yes, sometimes even fun work.
If That’s Skimming Alright can help shine a light on that – if it can get one or two new faces into the trade, or encourage an experienced plasterer to think about teaching – then it’s worth every dodgy microphone moment we’ve had.
So, whether you’re skimming a ceiling, driving to a job, or having a brew after a long day, give us a listen. You might learn something, have a laugh, or just nod along thinking, yeah, been there.
Because at the end of the day, we’re all still learning – and that’s skimming alright.
Lath and Plaster 