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For our 200th episode, we have a guy who has one whale of a life story!

Denny LaVé, a US Senate candidate from Idaho, talks about his background in the trades, entrepreneurship, and faith. Denny discusses his company, Precision Precast Erectors, which specializes in precast concrete installations. He shares his journey from an iron worker to business owner, emphasizing the dignity and financial stability of trades jobs. Denny highlights the importance of faith in personal growth and societal well-being, and his campaign's focus on revitalizing American manufacturing and resource extraction. He also addresses the challenges young people face in establishing households and the need for systemic changes in healthcare and tax policies.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
06:09 - The Importance of Skilled Trades and Career Guidance
14:17 - Entrepreneurship and Risk-Taking
18:37 - Faith and Personal Growth
26:04 - Running for Office and Public Policy
32:07 - Challenges Faced by Young People
38:07 - The Role of Public Policy in Supporting Trades and Manufacturing
45:27 - The Importance of Faith in Public Life
48:31 - Denny's Vision for the Future
54:55 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Of all our episodes, this one is the most worthy of diving into the whole episode. What a great bunch of insights and ideas Denny brought us!

Denny's campaign website: https://www.dennyforsenate.com/
Denny's book: https://newlionofidaho.com/

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For Episode 199, we dive into a whole host of important topics with our longtime pal Gail Robertson. She's the "recovering journalist," entrepreneur, and fellow manufacturer and podcaster who has been on several times before and helped with our most important episodes.

Gail discussed her diverse background in journalism, fundraising, and marketing, which led to her involvement in the manufacturing sector, particularly mold-making. She explored the importance of storytelling in manufacturing, discussing examples Jim threw out there like Zamboni and Tigercat Industries. Gail emphasized the need for better Canada-US relations, highlighting the economic interdependence and the potential for collaboration. She also discussed the challenges of polarization, the impact of media, and the importance of curiosity and open communication in fostering understanding and cooperation.

Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction
03:33 - Gail's Transition to Manufacturing
07:35 - Challenges in Manufacturing and Media
10:43 - Canada-US Relations and Manufacturing
22:19 - Finding Your Own Sources of Information
33:35 - The Power of Storytelling in Manufacturing
48:08 - Keeping Yourself Open to Differing Viewpoints
69:09 - Final Thoughts and Future Collaboration

As you can see, this was a wide-ranging conversation that hit on a whole bunch of important manufacturing and business topics. You owe it to yourself to check out the whole thing!

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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