Make Trades Great Again
Whether you're a seasoned professional, a newcomer, or simply interested in the trades, the "Make Trades Great Again" podcast offers something for everyone. Our goal is to promote the value of skilled trades, provide essential resources, and build a strong community of passionate individuals.
Industry Insights - Educational Content - Community Stories - Technology in Trades
Tune in now and be part of the movement to make trades great again!
Episodes
341 episodes
Why does Eric hate this supplier?
Have we become too complacent when it comes to ordering online? Its 2025 and yet, somehow and for whatever reason this online supplier is asking for four forms of order verification and signatures upon delivery for regular, everyday...
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24:51
How old is too old to start in the trades?
Would you hire someone with zero trade work experience? What if they're in their 30's? How old is too old to start in the trades?
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Season 9
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Episode 341
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23:59
Lowest Bidders
Are you the low bid? Are you being beat by the low bidder but offering a more complete job, is it apple to apples? This week the guys chat about a recent encounter Eric had on the job with another local plumber.
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Season 9
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Episode 340
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29:55
Buy Now, Pay Later?
Our customer's finances are feeling the pinch more than ever as prices are the highest on record. Inflation, tariffs, shipping backlogs are just some of the bigger problems on the product side but a big part of the general population is finding...
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Season 9
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Episode 339
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17:31
Accurate Estimates for Plumbing and HVAC
This isn't a how-to guide, let's get that out of the way immediately. The guys chat about the accuracy of estimates, whether the price of a job changes when things are missed AND how some companies operate on the "low upfront bid" a...
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Season 9
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Episode 338
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19:49
Should We Buy USA Made?
As supply chains and tariffs are making running our service and construction businesses increasingly more difficult, is there benefit to buying only US? Do our customers care? Are they willing to pay more for products made in the US? <...
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Season 9
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Episode 337
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31:53
Forging Partnerships
Eric's been working on a plan to partner with local builders for water conditioning in new construction homes and Andy talks about something similar they've been doing with a local general contractor in an affluent Missoula neighborhood. <...
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Season 9
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Episode 336
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17:17
No Custy? No Work!
Some recent changes to standard operating procedures were in order for Andy's plumbing & heating shop, Eric's making the change too. Do you work in client's home's when no one is there? Should you? Give this one a listen and let...
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Season 9
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Episode 334
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24:02
Andy's bougie new Veto bag!
New tools are great but new tool bags are awesome! Andy gives us a close look at his latest addition, the Veto Pro Pac Hybrid Tool and Meter bag (SB-LD)This episode is best viewed on the MH youtube channel: https://youtu.be/R...
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Season 9
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Episode 333
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56:24
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Live from AHR Expo: Milwaukee Tool’s John Jarzombek
Ever wonder how Milwaukee Tool decides what to build next or how they test them? Our guest John Jarzombek is a project manager at Milwaukee Tool. John has personally managed teams developing tools such as the MX Fuel Pipe Threader, the new roll...
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Season 9
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Episode 332
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30:46
Live from AHR w/ Mike Cameron
Are gas absorption heat pumps a viable alternative to the electrification of our heating and cooling systems? Mike Cameron is a longtime Canadian friend working in Vancouver, BC. Mike installs and services a lot of the GAHP units, s...
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Season 9
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Episode 331
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27:48
Get Connected! Tips on building a solid support team
Building relationships with your local suppliers, reps and sales people is important for the success of your business. Of course it is! This week the guys talk about a recent discussion happening behind the scenes about sourcing par...
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Season 9
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Episode 330
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33:44
Solar, HVAC and Boiler talk oh my!
Andy starts off a little spicy in this one. Sometimes the social media comment section is a terrible place! Thanks to Reed Wiens for writing in to the show, this was a fun conversation!
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Season 9
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Episode 329
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33:15
Why does Eric hate zone pumps? Mixing valves, water heaters and more.
Thank you all for messaging! This was a fun conversation!
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Season 8
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Episode 328
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40:08
Attention Menards Shoppers: Fight in the lumberyard
Chad joins the guys to tell the story of a birthday gone bad and it might be all because of an orange bucket…you’ll have to listen to hear the whole story.
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Season 9
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Episode 327
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33:12
Mixed Bag: Resi Fire Sprinklers, GPS tracking and time keeping, Gas station bathrooms w/ Chad
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Season 9
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Episode 326
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26:11
Career Milestones? Was 2024 the tipping point for tech and time?
Andy shares a few things he's observed over the last year that stand out. Eric is a little nervous when looking back on three specific jobs...are we old enough to be replacing equipment we installed new?
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Season 8
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Episode 325
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36:12
Those free “find a contractor” listings
Back when we started out it was tough to get the phone to ring. Getting listed on manufacturer’s websites was one way we got our business name out there. Are you doing it?
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Season 8
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Episode 324
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28:21
Fan Mail: How Does Andy Get Any Work Done?
The guys answer some questions sent in by listeners
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Season 8
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Episode 323
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39:23
Tool Reviews with Eric & Andy
This episode works best as a video, you can watch it over on the MH YouTube channel https://bit.ly/4g4zYXp
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Season 8
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Episode 313
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37:17
When Podcasts Collide
This week the guys are joined virtually by the hosts of the Appetite For Construction podcast, John Mesenbrink & Tim Ward. It's that time of year again where we take a look back and even forward into the new year. There was some fun bs'ing ...
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Season 8
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Episode 311
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48:00
MTGA Road Trip!
It's roadtrip time for Andy as he met up with Eric for a super top secret install in Northern MN. You’ll have to watch [or listen] to learn all about the project. If the podcast just isn’t enough you could search the tag “#duluthbuild” on Insta...
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Season 8
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Episode 310
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52:57
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B.S. & Bad Jobs.
Not all projects are run & organized the same, obviously. This week the guys have a short BS session and talk about a job Eric has coming up and one of Andy's preferred general contractors.
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Season 8
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Episode 309
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33:25
Special Guest: Apprentice Adam Parent
Canadian apprentice Adam Parent joins the guys to talk about his experiences and thoughts bout joining the plumbing trade in Canada. Adam's experience in both residential and commercial work doing both plumbing and heating new cons...
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Season 8
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Episode 309
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40:08
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Van Talk: Guess what? Wrong Part!
It's never great when service vehicles break down but it's even worse when local mechanics are out weeks for repairs and parts are hard to track down. This week Andy retells the story of a relative simple fix for a recent breakdown...
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Season 8
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Episode 308
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30:32
