S2E18 – Flipping the Mic: The Untold Story of Pat Southwell

In the most-requested episode of Solar Sidekicks yet, Lauren flips the mic and interviews her co-host Pat Southwell — and it’s an absolute belter.

From dropping out of school and working in a Kmart warehouse at 15, to becoming a licensed electrical inspector, CEC insider, solar trainer, and respected industry voice — Pat gets real about the winding path he took to get where he is now.

There are no filters here — just a raw, honest, and often hilarious chat about the early trade days, working with his (left-handed wire-twisting) dad, his A-Grade setbacks, industry war stories, battery gray areas, and how the solar coaster nearly flung him off a few times.

💬 In this episode:

• The real story behind Pat’s start in solar
• Life before and after the CEC
• Southwell Solar Training and what’s next
• Why Melbourne’s “inspector shortage” might be BS
• Grey-area battery rules, CER madness & 6 selfie frustrations
• R U OK? Day reminders and mental health in the trade
• WorkSafe surprise visits (and how to handle a dob-in)
• True Value Solar, ground-mount chaos, and career curveballs
• The hilarious twist of how Lauren got nominated for a Solar Cutters Award (👀)

This one’s big, bold, and completely unfiltered — equal parts origin story, industry breakdown, and inspo for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re winging it, burning out, or finding their way in solar the long way round.

Real talk. Trade talk. Solar Sidekicks at its raw best.