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Note: this episode was recorded on Wednesday, March 11. That's important to know given the incredibly dynamic situation in the Middle East.

We have a confluence of potential crises to analyze here, and who better to help us with it than the walking encyclopedia AND world atlas, G. Allen Brooks, publisher of the newsletter "Energy Musings?"

Allen and I discuss the energy situation around the Straits of Hormuz bottleneck and its implications for our shipbuilding crisis. Allen highlights the significant disruption caused by the Middle East conflict, affecting 20% of global oil flow and 20% of LNG shipments through the Straits. He emphasizes the critical need for energy security and a viable US shipbuilding industry. Allen discusses the Trump administration's Maritime Action Plan, the challenges of reopening the Jones Act, and the importance of international cooperation. He also stresses the role of nuclear power as a long-term energy solution and the need for champions in the administration and Congress to drive maritime policy.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction and Guest Background
04:14 - Current Energy Market Disruptions
10:30 - Impact on Global Supply and Demand
12:19 - Shipbuilding and National Security
17:33 - Trump Administration's Maritime Action Plan
27:20 - Challenges and Opportunities in Maritime Policy
33:30 - Energy Policy and Nuclear Power

This is one of my richest episodes ever, in the depth and rigor of the analysis and opinions Allen brought us. Check out the whole thing!

Links to Allen's articles:

Straits of Hormuz lessons - https://energymusings.substack.com/p/energy-musings-march-13-2026
The Iran situation's reshaping of energy security strategies - https://energymusings.substack.com/p/energy-musings-march-9-2026

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Prepare to be challenged in how you think about the effects of AI on manufacturing!

Radu Spineanu and Mike Carroll have done the deep thinking and exhaustive research on what AI means for the industrial world so you don't have to.

Radu and Mike from Humble Manufacturing talk all about the integration of AI in manufacturing. Radu, a third-time founder, and Michael, with extensive experience at Georgia Pacific and other industry companies, discuss the evolution of AI, emphasizing the importance of causal models over LLMs like ChatGPT. They highlight the need for AI to handle real-world manufacturing challenges, such as decision latency and friction. Radu mentions the rapid advancements in AI models since October 2022, while Michael stresses the importance of trust and permission layers in AI systems. They predict significant changes in manufacturing business models, including the elimination of friction and the creation of a capacity exchange market.

Highlights:

00:00 - Introductions
04:37 - Challenges and Misconceptions in AI for Manufacturing
07:53 - The Role of Data and Human Interaction in AI
16:03 - The Future of AI in Manufacturing
23:27 - The Impact of AI on Business Models and Organizational Change
26:20 - The Role of AI in Eliminating Friction and Improving Efficiency
32:37 - The Potential for AI to Create Winner-Take-All Markets

This is such a different and all-encompassing take on this vital topic. You owe it to yourself to check out the whole discussion!

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Yep, we're back to shipbuilding again!

Because it's vital.

This time, industry insider Lance Lemcool, an executive who has spent his whole career in the shipbuilding world, discusses the current state of American shipbuilding, highlighting its decline and the need for government support. He emphasizes the industry's volatility, the importance of a stable workforce, and the need for consistent government purchases to stabilize the market. Lance advocates for the passage of the SHIPS for America Act to provide funding for the supply chain and shipyards. He also notes the success of other countries like China and South Korea in shipbuilding due to government investment and automation. Lance sings the praises of the American worker's ability to compete globally if given a level playing field.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
02:56 - Current State of American Shipbuilding
06:56 - Pride and Dedication in Shipbuilding
14:27 - Challenges and Solutions in Shipbuilding
20:58 - Government's Role and International Competition
31:38 - Learning from Other Countries
39:40 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This was the deep dive of all deep dives! You really owe it to yourself to spend the time absorbing the whole thing. It's a masterclass in what's ailing us and what we can do to fix it.

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You guys know I'm all about reliable and affordable energy, a strong military, and rebuilding America's industrial might. That's what makes Tom Holm such a great fit as a guest! As he put it, it's "preaching to the preacher."

Tom, who is Executive Director of the Energy Defense Council, discussed the potential of nuclear energy to enhance military dominance and economic resilience. He highlighted the U.S.'s abundant energy resources and innovative capabilities, emphasizing the need for advanced nuclear power to support military bases and export technology. He shared his experience with the Philippines, where American-made nuclear reactors will soon be installed, and stressed the importance of regulatory reforms to facilitate energy innovation. Tom also underscored the strategic value of self-sufficient military bases and the broader economic benefits of reshoring manufacturing to bolster American infrastructure and security.

Tom produces the annual Technology, Energy , and Vehicle Conference, or TEVCON, which is coming up in April. That link and a couple other important ones are down below.

TEVCON: https://tevcon.com/
Energy Defense Council: https://tevcon.com/about_the_show.cfm
InfraGard: https://infragard.fbi.gov/

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This show is a solo promo for my upcoming book, which went to the publisher last week.

In it, I discuss the book, tentatively titled, "Inspiring American Makers," which profiles 22 American manufacturers to counter the misconception that the U.S. no longer manufactures. I highlight the country's second-place ranking in global manufacturing and advocate for a resurgence in national industrial power. I also emphasize the positive impact of automation on manufacturing jobs, which have evolved beyond the dangerous and dirty tasks of the past. Finally, I address the decline in male workforce participation and the need for education reform to value hands-on trades.

My book aims to inspire and inform about the dynamic and essential role of American manufacturing.

To get regular email updates about it, please sign up for my newsletter here:

http://eepurl.com/i1RHCI

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section. And definitely share this with your friends and colleagues!

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Yep, we're right back to discussing the American shipbuilding crisis!

During our January focus on shipbuilding, one of the best articles we used as a resource was one on the Jones Act co-authored by Colin Grabow at the Cato Institute.

Colin joined us to share his broader perspectives on the U.S. shipbuilding situation.

Colin discussed the complexities of shipbuilding, emphasizing the need for free market principles. He highlighted the inefficiencies of the Jones Act, which mandates U.S.-built ships for domestic water transport, noting it has failed to protect U.S. shipbuilding competitiveness. He pointed out that U.S. shipyards build fewer than three large ocean-going cargo ships annually, compared to China's 800. Colin suggested reducing tariffs on steel, attracting skilled foreign workers, and rethinking the Jones Act to allow U.S. shipyards to specialize and compete globally. He also criticized the Ships for America Act for its potential to exacerbate labor shortages in the Navy.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
04:53 - Philosophy on Shipbuilding and the Jones Act
08:14 - Challenges and Failures of the Jones Act
14:47 - Historical Context and Government Involvement
18:36 - Government Regulation and Market Dynamics
22:05 - Comparative Analysis with Other Countries
25:19 - The Ships for America Act and Its Implications
31:39 - Navy Shipbuilding Challenges
33:27 - Recommendations for Improving Shipbuilding

This was an incredibly deep and detailed discussion, folks. Tune in for the whole thing and learn a bunch about not just shipbuilding but lessons that apply to American manufacturing as whole.

Colin's article about the Jones Act: https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/pa845.pdf

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Too many manufacturers still struggle with effective maintenance management, and still scratch their heads over what they should be doing with AI.

MaintainX has answers for them on both counts. They're leading the digital revolution in maintenance and operations, enhancing the way teams work and collaborate worldwide.

Hugo Dozios-Caouette, CTO and co-founder of MaintainX, joined us to discussed the company's AI-assisted industrial maintenance software. MaintainX focuses on improving maintenance efficiency by reducing paper-based processes and enhancing user experience. Hugo emphasized the importance of starting AI implementations at the field level to build trust and capture critical knowledge. The company aims to automate routine tasks, improve data accuracy, and provide just-in-time assistance to technicians. Future plans include enhancing AI capabilities, improving asset management, and facilitating machine connectivity to optimize operations and compliance.

Here are some of the highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
04:09 - Focus on Maintenance in Manufacturing
08:02 - Consumerization of Enterprise Software
08:43 - Integration of AI in Manufacturing
11:09 - Challenges of Top-Down AI Implementation
14:09 - Importance of Frontline Workers' Knowledge
18:20 - Maintain X's Solutions and Implementation
21:18 - Preparing for Maintain X Implementation
26:04 - Future Directions for Maintain X

This is a meaty episode! Tune in for the whole thing.

MaintainX website: https://www.getmaintainx.com/

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It's the fourth and final week of the monthlong solo efforts by our host Jim Vinoski and his deep dive into the crisis in American shipbuilding.

This week's episode focuses on identifying solutions to the tremendous problems we face.

Jim discusses a number of the solutions his research has identified for the crisis, emphasizing the need for a stronger Navy presence and consistent ship orders to support existing shipyards. He highlights the impact of regulatory costs and labor issues, advocating for a national consortium to review regulations and improve workforce development. Jim supports the Ships for America Act for public funding to boost shipbuilding but acknowledges potential unforeseen consequences. He calls for studying successful shipbuilding nations like China and Europe to learn best practices.

At the end, however, Jim expresses skepticism about the likelihood of implementing these solutions due to current political priorities and the utter insanity of much of our "expert" class.