Make Trades Great Again

In this episode of Make Trades Great Again , Eric and Andy dive into how artificial intelligence, especially tools like ChatGPT, is reshaping the trades industry. They share personal experiences on using AI for everything from generating heat load calculations and troubleshooting boiler issues to crafting proposals and even coming up with recipe ideas! Tune in to hear how AI is saving time, enhanc...

Industry trade shows are an awesome way to see the latest new technology, to network with manufacturers and their reps, or even make purchases with some of the best deals of the year.  This week the guys ask ChatGPT for a list of important shows throughout the plumbing, hvac and building industries. Why you should attend, where and when they are, are all discussed in this episode. Thanks for liste...

Have you sent in a message to the guys recently? This was a fun episode, we tried to get to all the questions, thank you for sending them our way!  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly...

What do you do when your spouse leaves town for the weekend? The only obvious answer for Eric was to tear out their two tankless water heaters and the boiler so he could start over. But wait, there’s more!  In order for this to be called a success it had be finished before Heather returned home after just two days away.  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at w...

The title may be confusing or even misleading. The guys talk about a recent trailer purchase Eric made for the business. It's not anything special but it should help with the workflow. Here's to hoping he made the right purchase!  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social cha...

Thanks to longtime listener Will Rutherford for writing in to the show asking our thoughts on taking a job started by another contractor.  Also, have you ever walked on a job? You might be surprised who actually has (Andy or Eric?)!  Thanks Will!  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our soc...

Hey we got caught up in vacation, so here is a throw back from our conversation with Patrick Caldow @caldowplumbing on IG. We'll be back soon with new content! Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign u...

Industry news starts off today's episode with earning report from Lowe's indicating a droopy economy related to home improvements. But don't let that get you down! Eric gives us a recap of a recent Heat Pump Water Heater install.  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our socia...

Not every day is great. Sometimes you need to depend on the ones who depend on you.  Side note: No mater how much you talk thru a project and setting expectations before the job, there’s likely going to be some revelations by the customer as they realize how things are different now. After you did the install of the new furnace or water heater etc  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a fr...

One of Andy's recent projects takes a turn for the worse when the general contractor decides safety is definitely not first!  Warning: This episode is probably cool af and you'll likely be hooked for life on the MTGA podcast!  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channel...

We're so excited and thankful for all the support and reaching this milestone!  In this week's episode the guys look back at some highlights from the first four years of the MTGA podcast!  There have been many great guests and some big supporters over the years. Special thanks to all who have dropped in, stuck around, sent in your ideas and questions. And thanks to our super fans Jay, Ch...

"Do you have any advice for couples considering starting a business together?" We had so much fun having the girls join us that we asked them back for another episode and it was awesome.  Once again we'd like to thank Sheryl and Heather for putting up with us and for making every day better as we work our way to the top building our business and making this life together. Thank you!...

Ever think "If only I knew then what I know now" ? We are so pumped to bring you this and the next episode with special Guests Heather Aune & Sheryl Mickelson, the obvious better halves of the MTGA team.  Sheryl runs the office and a good part of the business for Mickelson Plumbing & Heating.  Heather has done the books for both MH & Aune Plumbing & Heating for over a dec...

Milwaukee Tool invited Eric out to see all the new tools available and coming soon to a job site near you. Eric gives us an inside look at some of the new tools and info you might not have seen yet.  This episode has a ton of visual info best viewed on the MH Youtube channel  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback o...

You might know Colton as @viking_pipefitter on the socials. You might know him from a training session or trades show when he worked for Viega but do you know how he got his start?  This was a fun conversation, we hope you enjoy it!  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels!...

The guys talk stress relief and how to handle the day-to-day stresses of running a small business. Some days are better than others for sure but having one or two things to keep you sane can make a huge difference!  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechani...

The guys are bs'ing about vans again. Should we change the title to the podcast to "Van Talk"? lol Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/MH_email

The guys talk AI and how they've been using it for work. Scheduling, emails, videos etc. are just some of the ways Eric has put ChatGPT to work for him.  Are you using any form of artificial intelligence on the job or in the office for day to day tasks? We'd really like to talk to you about it so text us!  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.pr...

Most would agree it’s a good idea to have options when it comes to supply chain but we’re often loyal to at least one supplier. So, what would make you switch to another supplier?    Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb...

As things slow down and the job outlook or load changes we have to consider how to fill the schedule. Does that mean taking on work you normally wouldn't?  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social channels! Eric Aune @mechanicalhub Andy Mickelson @mick_plumb Newsletter sign up: h...

Longtime friend of MTGA, Jason Norman joins Eric & Andy to get deeper into the EV Fleet debate. Will we be forced to change our work schedules, driving habits? Will field techs no longer get to drive their work van home? This has been a very popular topic for the podcast, thank you all for the feedback and listens!  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at ww...

Eric hits the road, or sky’s to join Andy in Missoula for a special project.  We’ve talked connected appliances and controls many times on the podcast and do it again this time. A couple new Tekmar products will serve Andy’s clients well.  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www.propane.com/hybrid  Send us your feedback or topic ideas over on our social chan...

There's no other way to say it, it sucks falling behind on keeping the shop and vehicles tidy. Extra money is spent on redundant materials and tools, time is lost looking for that one thing you just know you had...  The guys talk shop and all things that go with it in this episode of the Make Trades Great Again podcast.  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course...

Milwaukee Tool recently announced and shipped the long awaited M12 tubing cutter capable of cutting up to 2" copper pipe.  Whoa, whoa that's not all! Andy makes a pretty bold statement, naming the BEST SCREWDRIVER IN THE WORLD. Hint: It's a Wiha.  The guys talk new tools, favorite tools and get into some general BS about tools for the heck of it.  Text the guys your ideas & feed...

MTGA friend Denver Baker joins the guys to talk E.V.’s. Specifically, service vehicles for his or the many HVAC contracting companies.  The crew talks tech, charging, current offerings from the usual suspects and so new auto makers offering rechargeable cargo vehicles.  We’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject!  Text the guys your ideas & feedback! Get a free 2 hour online course at www....