Make Trades Great Again

Hosted by Eric Aune, Andy Mickelson

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Episodes

395

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 30, 2026Episode 39427 min

Packout at Pipeline with Nick Trawicki

Our annual trip to Milwaukee PIPELINE is always great fun. This year we talked all things Packout with product manager Nick Trawicki. Packout was first released in June of 2017. Since its launch, Packout has expanded to literally hundreds of products that are mostly intended to save us time on and off the job site. Text the guys your ideas & feedback! 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

August 25, 2026Episode 39630 min

Feast or Famine?

There are pockets of the US that are struggling, other areas that are as busy as ever. What gives? We want your feedback! Text, email, comment, DM! Text the guys your ideas & feedback! 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

August 18, 2026Episode 39331 min

Top 5 Skills Apprentices Need Master To Be Successful

Calling all apprentices (and those training them)! One of our most listened to episodes went live back in April 2024 and still tallies downloads today so we decided it was time for a followup! We changed it up a little from our first list of 5 Things Apprentices Should Do Every Day Thanks for listening, have a great day! Text the guys your ideas & feedback! 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

August 12, 2026Episode 39255 min

Rewind! Wives Special! Knowing what you know now...

This episode aired in August '24 and had been one of our most downloaded ever, give it a listen, we hope you enjoy it. We will be back with new episodes soon! 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 decade on top of her (former) day job. It was so cool to hear their perspectives as we consider looking back to the early days of starting our business. Text the guys your ideas & feedback! 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

July 2, 2026Episode 39123 min

Andy Hates Combi Boilers Too

The guys revisit a topic they’ve been getting a lot of feedback from. It started with a recent MTGA episode titled “Eric Hates Combi Boilers”. In this episode, Eric and Andy discuss the pros and cons of combi boilers, common issues, applications, and backup strategies for heating systems. They share insights on system reliability, application scenarios, and practical tips for homeowners and professionals. Text the guys your ideas & feedback! 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

June 23, 2026Episode 39029 min

We Installed a Radiant Cooling System...You Can Too!

Andy and Eric discuss their recent project installing a Viessmann air-to-water heat pump system, exploring its performance, efficiency, and potential applications in radiant cooling and heating. They share insights on system design, energy savings, and practical considerations for HVAC professionals. Takeaways The Viessmann system can operate quietly and efficiently in residential settings. Proper piping size and layout are critical for system performance. Monitoring power consumption helps optimize system operation. Wide delta T in radiant cooling shrinks as the system reaches steady state. Condensation risk can be managed by controlling dew point and set points. Text the guys your ideas & feedback! 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

June 16, 2026Episode 38943 min

The Boys Are Back Together in Montana

Eric is flying out to work with Andy on the Mickelson P&H shop! This episode features a deep dive into radiant heating design, heat pump integration, and insulation strategies for shop construction. Hosts Eric and Andy share practical insights, calculations, and real-world examples to optimize energy efficiency and system performance. Key Topics Radiant slab design and insulation Low water temperature operation and energy savings Heat pump integration and buffer tanks BTU load calculations and insulation impact Climate considerations for radiant cooling and heating Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Anticipation of Collaboration 02:43 Exploring Air to Water Heat Pumps 05:32 Designing Efficient Heating Systems 08:35 Innovations in Radiant Heating and Cooling 11:03 Understanding Dew Point and Humidity Effects 13:59 Transitioning to Electric Heating Solutions 20:30 Electricity Costs and Utility Management 23:10 Heating System Design and Efficiency 26:30 Understanding Water Temperature and Energy Consumption 29:50 Heat Pump Technology and Energy Transfer 34:29 Piping and Insulation Considerations 39:19 Feedback and Future Topics Text the guys your ideas & feedback! 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

June 9, 2026Episode 38829 min

Eric Hates Combi-Boilers

Should we stop installing combi-boilers? Eric and Andy discuss the pros and cons of combi-boilers, the longevity of different heating systems, and practical advice for choosing the right water heating solutions for North American homes. Chapters 00:00 The Combi-Boiler Debate 05:20 Longevity and Efficiency of Heating Systems 10:44 Indirect Water Heaters vs. Combi-Boilers 15:49 The Importance of Proper Sizing 20:53 The Future of Combi-Boilers Text the guys your ideas & feedback! 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

June 2, 2026Episode 3871 hr 7 min

Who is Mark Wille

Hey MTGA fans, we're excited for you to meet a good friend of ours, olease give it a listen! Mark Wille shares his journey from childhood in construction to becoming a leader in building science and education. Discover his insights on trades, education, leadership, and his innovative children's book series that aims to inspire the next generation of builders. Key Topics Journey from childhood in construction to industry leader The importance of trades and vocational education Innovative approaches to inspiring youth in construction Building science and energy efficiency advancements Leadership, mentorship, and community impact Text the guys your ideas & feedback! 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

May 26, 2026Episode 38641 min

Trouble with Trying New Equipment

We explore the challenges and lessons learned from installing new heat pump systems, including a detailed account of a failed project. We discuss equipment selection, troubleshooting, and the realities of integrating innovative technology into residential heating and hot water systems. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to New Technologies in HVAC 02:44 Challenges with New Equipment Installations 05:21 Case Study: Air to Water Heat Pump Installation 08:00 Understanding System Limitations and Performance 10:44 The Importance of Proper Equipment Selection 13:35 Learning from Past Experiences 16:16 Customer Expectations and Communication 18:58 Technical Challenges and Support Issues 20:16 Navigating Equipment Challenges 23:11 Customer Communication and Solutions 26:14 Innovative Heating Solutions 29:49 Quality of Equipment and Manufacturing 33:19 Understanding Heat Pump Performance Text the guys your ideas & feedback! 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