Second Chances That Work: How Margo Walsh Is Transforming Lives Through Employment — and Changing Business in the Process — A Special Encore Presentation of Blue Sky

Second Chances That Work: How Margo Walsh Is Transforming Lives Through Employment — and Changing Business in the Process — A Special Encore Presentation of Blue Sky

From Blue Sky by Bill Burke

June 24, 2026 · 42 min · Episode 162

About this episode

Margo Walsh discusses her mission to provide second chances through employment for individuals with substance use disorder and criminal records.

Margo Walsh is an entrepreneur on a mission to prove that second chances are good for business. As founder of MaineWorks — a certified B-Corp — she has built a model that connects people with substance use disorder and/or criminal records to meaningful employment in the construction sector, tackling two of society's most persistent challenges at once. MaineWorks doesn't just find jobs for people — it sets them up to succeed. Through the non-profit she co-founded with her sister, Margo ensures that returning workers have what they need to show up and thrive: like proper clothing, boots, transportation, and the basic building blocks of a fresh start. What began in Maine has grown into a regional movement, expanding across New England and serving as a replicable blueprint for companies and communities across the country. Margo's work has earned widespread recognition and multiple awards — and in this episode, she shares what it was like to attend a State of the Union address as a senator's guest, a testament to the national impact of her vision. This is a story about optimism in action — and what becomes possible when we invest in people others have written off. Chapters: 00:00…

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