Circle Of Trades

Travis Waldstein talks jobsite safety, OSHA training, AI in the trades, customer service, local media, and why hands-on trade work still depends on real people, real skill, and real community connection.

Travis Waldstein talks HVAC regulations, trade licensing, Council Bluffs growth, local politics, College World Series parking, and the foul ball Todd probably should have caught.

On this episode of Circle of Trades, Travis Waldstein talks through local debate, personal responsibility, mental health, business lessons, and why failure can often teach more than success.

This episode of Circle of Trades features Travis Waldstein talking with Todd Studer about summer HVAC issues, cottonwood and dirt clogging air conditioning units, rising repair costs, older systems, replacement decisions and a brief local discussion about responsibility, pets and the Council Bluffs pit bull ordinance.

On this episode of Circle of Trades, Travis Waldstein talks about the realities of running a business in today’s economy, from rising fuel and material costs to the frustration of modern marketing and technology overload. The conversation also dives into local development projects, housing demand, mental health services, community growth, and why entrepreneurs have to focus on what they do best wh...

Todd Studer and Travis Waldstein talk spring HVAC and plumbing work, rising costs in the trades, local business updates, Rusty Cuts new ownership, supporting small town businesses, and concerns about licensing standards in the HVAC industry.

Todd Studer and Travis Waldstein take Circle of Trades outdoors at Botna Bend Park for a laid back conversation about camping, local meat lockers, grilling, spring plumbing and HVAC calls, storm season, and protecting outdoor equipment.

Travis Waldstein joins Todd for a spring conversation covering mowing season, small engine repairs, Celebrate CB, Railroad Days, local construction growth, trade opportunities, and why southwest Iowa continues to feel like a good place to build and do business.

Travis Waldstein joins Todd for a conversation on why showing up for rural communities matters, how local trades are evolving, and why supporting small town businesses is critical to keeping southwest Iowa strong.

An impromptu episode of Circle of Trades as Travis Waldstein stops by the studio and dives into real shop talk from septic installs to business growth plus a little Midwest sports and small town perspective along the way.

Travis Waldstein leads the conversation on Iowa basketball’s surprising run, ongoing growth at Waldstein Plumbing and Air Serve, and the importance of getting outside and recharging this time of year. A mix of sports, business updates, and local perspective from one of Council Bluffs’ busiest operators. Hashtags #CircleOfTrades #TravisWaldstein #SmallBusiness #IowaBasketball #CouncilBluffs #Pottaw...

Travis Waldstein leads the conversation on the transition into spring HVAC and plumbing work, what customers are asking for right now, and how Iowa Western’s expanding apprenticeship programs are creating real opportunities for both employers and the next generation of skilled trades workers.

Todd Studer sits down with Travis Waldstein of Aire Serv Heating and Air Conditioning and Waldstein Plumbing to talk about a major step forward for the company. Travis shares why hiring the right operations person can transform a growing business, how leadership requires learning to let go of certain responsibilities, and why building the right team is the key to scaling. The conversation also tou...

Todd Studer and Travis Waldstein cover a lot of ground in this Circle of Trades conversation, from old houses and outdated plumbing systems to how service businesses earn trust in smaller communities. Travis shares why older homes require deeper technical knowledge, why meeting customers where they are matters, and how empathy, options, and long term relationships should come before chasing dollar...

Todd and Travis get into a very real service business problem: how do you handle after hours calls when people are stressed, it feels like an emergency, and nobody wants to fight a phone tree or an AI bot. Travis shares what he’s tried, what has worked and what has not, and why “less is more” can matter when customers just want a live human fast. Along the way, they hit the bigger point: communica...

Travis Waldstein checks in from the real world of contracting after a rough stretch at the shop. Water line breaks road closures power issues and the kind of problem solving that never shows up in the brochure plus a quick detour into travel stories and early Hawkeye football talk.

Todd Studer and Travis Waldstein are back in the studio for another episode of Circle Of Trades, starting with wrestling and local sports talk before getting into what really matters in the trades world. The conversation centers on integrity, accountability, and responsibility in business, what it looks like to own mistakes, and why strong culture matters from the shop to the jobsite. Along the wa...

Todd Studer and Travis Waldstein are back for another episode of Circle Of Trades, mixing shop talk, workforce issues, apprenticeships, and the realities of running a trades business with plenty of humor along the way. From workforce development at Iowa Western to fuel costs, material pricing, apprenticeships, and the business side of HVAC and plumbing, this conversation covers what trades profess...

Travis Waldstein from Aire Serv Heating and Air Conditioning and Waldstein Plumbing joins Todd Studer to kick off 2026 with a wide ranging conversation about business growth reflection and forward momentum. Coming off a Hawkeye bowl win the discussion moves into hiring an operations manager evolving leadership roles adapting to economic shifts and why strong processes matter as companies scale. Th...

Travis Waldstein from Aire Serv Heating and Air Conditioning and Waldstein Plumbing joins Todd Studer for a real life episode that literally starts with Travis grandkids on his lap. With the holidays approaching they talk about what it means to run 24 7 service when emergencies do not take days off how teams balance on call work with family time and what unpredictable Midwest weather means for the...

Travis Waldstein of Aire Serv Heating and Air Conditioning and Waldstein Plumbing joins Circle of Trades for a wide ranging shop talk episode. We dig into what contractors notice in a 100 year old building, how sound and airflow actually work in a recording space, what cold snaps mean for frozen pipes and water damage, and why “fix it now or pay later” is real. Travis also shares a big update on s...

Back with another episode of Circle of Trades , Todd Studer sits down with Travis Waldstein of Aire Serv Heating and Air Conditioning and Waldstein Plumbing for a wide-ranging conversation that blends winter HVAC realities with the bigger picture of running a trades business. From cold snaps and emergency calls to planning for slower months, staffing, private equity pressure, and what it really ta...

On this episode of Circle of Trades , Todd Studer sits down with Travis Waldstein of Aire Serv Heating and Air Conditioning and Waldstein Plumbing for a real-world look at how tariffs and commodity pricing are driving up the cost of parts, fixtures, and equipment. They talk about what those increases mean for contractors and customers, why quotes can only stay “good” for so long, and how small bus...

Travis Waldstein of Aire Serv Heating and Air Conditioning and Hayden Waldstein of Waldstein Plumbing for a practical winter-prep episode of Circle of Trades. The conversation covers simple steps that prevent frozen pipes and water damage, why HVAC airflow impacts plumbing problems, and how smart shutoff valves and moisture sensors can protect a home when you travel. They also get into water testi...

Todd Studer sits down with Travis Waldstein of Aire Serv Heating and Air Conditioning and Waldstein Plumbing for a wide-ranging Circle of Trades conversation. They recap the recent local election, talk about staying civil online, and break down what homeowners should know as year-end HVAC and efficiency incentives change. From energy realities to practical decisions on furnaces and air conditioner...