Level Up – Episode 7: The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life: A Conversation with Cory McCray

In this powerful episode of Level Up, Desmond Stinnie and Addison Wiggin sit down with Cory McCray to discuss his deeply personal new book, The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life. Senator McCray shares how growing up in East Baltimore, facing real challenges, and entering the electrical trades through apprenticeship not only gave him a career—but redirected the course of his life. Now a respected public servant and advocate, McCray talks candidly about the life-changing potential of skilled trades, the need to reframe outdated narratives, and why policy and opportunity must align to create real access for young people. It’s a conversation about discipline, dignity, and the transformative power of work—told by someone who’s lived it. If you care about economic mobility, educational alternatives, or second chances, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.