#113 Pandemic Reflections: Humor and Hardships

#115 The Evolution of Auto Repair: A chat with Andy Bougie

Jason and John sit down with Andy Bougie, a self-employed mechanic from South St. Paul who has been wrenching since 1989. Andy talks about starting at Sears Auto Center, learning from old-school techs, buying his own shop in 2006, keeping up with modern vehicle diagnostics, and why being a mechanic today takes way more brains than people realize. This episode covers the evolution of the auto industry, scan tools, vehicle computers, EVs, hybrid batteries, customer service, bad DIY repairs, shop ownership, hockey coaching, youth sports parents, training the next generation, and why the trades are still one of the smartest career paths out there. Question for listeners: What trade skill do you wish more young people understood before choosing college or career training? 00:00 When Google Has No Answers 01:42 DIY Limits and Pro Tools 02:24 Podcast Intro and Guest Setup 05:02 Andy’s Origin Story at Sears 07:46 Vo Tech and Trades Debate 08:20 Hockey Parenting and Reality Check 15:48 Why Midwest Asks High School 17:46 Staying Sharp With Tech Training 19:32 Scan Tools Computers and Gateways 23:37 Freedom Tech and Overton Window 27:20 Diagnosing Noises and Customer Clues 31:54 Specialization ASE and People Business 36:11 EVs Question and Hybrid Story Tease 36:44 Hybrid Repair Reality Check 38:17 EV Range and Rural Life 40:41 Mandates and Market Pushback 43:08 Emissions Testing Lessons 47:27 Worst Jobs and Old Trucks 50:11 Warranties and Sealed Transmissions 52:48 DIY Disasters and Safety 56:54 Shop Injuries and Hard Lessons 01:00:57 Electrical Work Mindset 01:07:00 Reviews and Firing Customers 01:10:22 Handling Complaints Directly 01:11:52 Communication Calms Customers 01:14:20 Cleanliness And Respect 01:16:29 Hail Repair Done Right 01:18:24 Podcast Plugs And AI Career 01:20:37 Miracle Hockey Debate 01:24:25 Hiring And Mentoring Techs 01:28:34 Rebuilding The Shop 01:32:52 Advice For Young Techs 01:40:20 Closing Banter And Thanks 🔗 Be a Guest — https://isawpodcast.com/be-a-guest 🍻 Support the Podcast — https://buymeacoffee.com/isaw 📷 Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/isawpodcast/ 👍 Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/isawpodcast/ #ISAWPodcast #AndyBougie #AutoMechanic #SkilledTrades #MechanicLife #AutomotiveRepair #EVs #TradesLife #YourWorkKeepsTheWorldWorking

#114 RIP Spirit: Cheap Flights, Dead Stores & Retail War Stories

Jason and John react to the sudden shutdown of Spirit Airlines and use it as a jumping-off point to talk about failed businesses, cheap flights, customer service disasters, Kmart, Sears, Blockbuster, Toys “R” Us, RadioShack, Party City, Spirit Halloween, Costco, retail work, bad warranties, and why some businesses disappear while others figure out how to survive. This one starts with video production headaches and turns into a full-on rant about budget airlines, lost retail icons, customer service, shoplifting stories, old-school blue light specials, cheap pizza, Halloween costumes, and remodels that never end. Question for listeners: What closed-down business do you miss the most — and what made it special? 00:00 Pre Show Banter 01:04 Why Video Matters 02:31 Mic Trouble Dad Sneezes 04:16 Spirit Airlines Shutdown 06:32 Flying Budget Airlines 11:30 Bankruptcy Causes And Bailouts 14:39 Last Flight And Memes 16:36 Stores We Miss 19:52 Sears Kmart Nostalgia 29:08 Retail War Stories 36:24 Blue Light Specials 38:07 Walmart Night Shift Reality 38:47 Walmart Door Standoff 40:36 Kmart Cafe Nostalgia 41:23 Closing Day Chaos 42:15 Chasing Shoplifters 43:42 Iconic Stores Gone 45:21 Cheap Pizza Debate 45:42 Costco Love and Hate 49:15 Kmart Dotcom Surprise 52:32 Kenmore Dryer Trouble 55:08 Reviews and Bad Diesel 57:53 Old Timer Wisdom 01:00:49 Spirit Halloween Fight 01:08:02 Remodel Joke and Wrap Links & resources: 🔗 Be a Guest — https://isawpodcast.com/be-a-guest 🍻 Support the Podcast — https://buymeacoffee.com/isaw 📷 Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/isawpodcast/ 👍 Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/isawpodcast/ #ISAWPodcast #RIPSpirit #SpiritAirlines #RetailMemories #TradesLife #BlueCollarPodcast #YourWorkKeepsTheWorldWorking https://www.theroot.com/brawls-and-all-heres-the-most-ridiculous-spirit-airlin-1851521401 https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/sears-has-just-5-locations-left-will-they-survive-into-2026/ar-AA1Rm4WE#image=1 https://brostocks.com/2025/11/06/how-many-kmarts-are-left-in-the-united-states/

#113 Pandemic Reflections: Humor and Hardships

Jason and John look back at the so-called pandemic years now that we’re on the other side. From construction workers being called “essential” but never getting thanked, to lab leak debates, vaccine side effects, billionaire wealth, empty airports, personal space, 24-hour stores disappearing, and why people still drive like COVID traffic never ended. This episode is blunt, funny, and a little heated. Question for listeners: What is one thing from COVID that never went back to normal, good or bad in your life? 00:00 Cold Open and Weather 00:46 Canada Follow Up and Weekly Catch Up 01:46 Podcast Intro and Sticker Shoutout 03:23 Addressing a Viewer Comment 04:22 Post Pandemic Reflections 06:38 Essential Workers and Jobsite Reality 08:43 Lab Leak vs Market Debate 14:26 Vaccine Risks and Side Effects 18:03 Mandates and Personal Stories 19:49 Conspiracy Theories and Global Crackdowns 22:19 World Economic Forum Concerns 23:10 Billionaires Cash In 24:07 Prices Spike After COVID 24:47 What We Miss 26:29 Eerie Empty Airports 28:10 Personal Space Is Gone 29:29 Common Decency Check 31:50 Cart Narcs And Petty Justice 32:47 Cybertruck Roast 33:58 Bikes Back Cold Ride 35:07 Next Big Distraction 39:32 24 Hour Stores Disappear 41:56 33 Fights To Rule World 44:39 Wrap Up And Where To Find Us 🔗 Be a Guest — https://isawpodcast.com/be-a-guest 🍻 Support the Podcast — https://buymeacoffee.com/isaw 📷 Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/isawpodcast/ Threads — @isawpodcast 👍 Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/isawpodcast/ #ISAWPodcast #PostCovid #EssentialWorkers #ConstructionLife #TradesLife #YourWorkKeepsTheWorldWorking https://www.science.org/content/article/house-panel-concludes-covid-19-pandemic-came-lab-leakhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S093936252500038Xhttps://scienceinsights.org/how-common-is-vaccine-injury-what-the-data-shows/#google_vignettehttps://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=Awrhdt3UxvtphgIA.VlXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzIEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Nj?type=E210US105G0&mkr=7&p=covid+vaccine+injury+statistics+chart&fr=mcafee&th=659&tw=474&imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fichef.bbci.co.uk%2Fnews%2F640%2Fcpsprodpb%2F6CE6%2Fproduction%2F_117887872_vaccine_death_comparison_640-nc.png&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Findonesia%2Fmajalah-56798026&size=195KB&name=Vaksin+Covid-19%3A+Apa+yang+terjadi+pada+dosis+yang+tak+terpakai%3F+-+BBC+...&oid=1&h=1782&w=1280&turl=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%2Fid%2FOIP.iODczXY7EiHIgd0_X2PkIwHaKT%3Fpid%3DApi&tt=Vaksin+Covid-19%3A+Apa+yang+terjadi+pada+dosis+yang+tak+terpakai%3F+-+BBC+...&sigr=CcoBDwCQgq.k&sigit=RsZnWmUtRgAY&sigi=41diD4n4NHKn&sign=hK3UhdZg3FPR&sigt=hK3UhdZg3FPR

#112 Coffee Talk: Canadian Immigration and Freedom 250

Jason and John open by joking about poor sleep caused by a dog throwing off a Sleep Number bed, introduce Remy the corgi, and then shift to work: projects are moving fast but the Twin Cities outlook looks slow, with over 200 apprentices still on the book. They celebrate spring weather, then roast a goofy immigration-assistance website advertising immigration to Canada while discussing Canadian immigration trends and the speaker’s easier U.S. citizenship process as a Canadian married to a U.S. citizen. Other topics include a coworker who talks too loudly in a small break area, frustration with people wasting money on rims and smoke-stack trucks, opinions on face and neck tattoos, road construction driving and merging, building and riding new pedal-assist e-bikes, and ideas to step up a 250th-anniversary Fourth of July party. Question for listeners: What is one thing in your life that seems completely normal to you but makes absolutely no sense to someone else? Drop it in the comments — we’ll read the best ones on the show. 00:00 Coffee and no sleep 00:18 Meet Remy the corgi 01:46 Work slowdown worries 03:51 Spring weather vibes 04:38 Loose episode format 05:18 Canada immigration ad 13:59 Inside voice pet peeve 16:06 Rims on junk cars 21:05 Rolling coal trucks 24:37 Face tattoos debate 27:56 Neck Tattoo Red Flags 28:34 Construction Traffic Chaos 29:56 No More Merging 30:24 E-Bike Build Fails 34:53 First Ride Speed Shock 36:06 Seat Pain Upgrades 37:51 America 250 Celebration Talk 41:44 Philly Price Tag Breakdown 47:10 Freedom 250 Website Oddities 50:38 Mount Rushmore Crowd Warning 52:24 Fourth of July Party Ideas 54:15 Wrap Up and Plugs 🔗 Be a Guest — https://isawpodcast.com/be-a-guest 🍻 Support the Podcast — https://buymeacoffee.com/isaw 📷 Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/isawpodcast/ 👍 Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/isawpodcast/ #ISAWPodcast #TradesLife #Immigration #Ebike #250thAnniversary #YourWorkKeepsTheWorldWorking https://cuin.ca/https://www.fox29.com/news/philadelphia-spend-120m-2026-americas-250th-birthday-events https://reason.com/2025/07/07/taxpayers-are-supposed-to-shell-out-150-million-for-next-years-july-4th-celebrations/

#111 Letting the Thoughts Loose

Jason and John kick off the I Shower After Work Podcast from their job trailers with Jason overtired and fired up, debating whether Jason’s wife should get a cat despite their high-energy dog Ripley and concerns about litter boxes, nighttime chaos, and the dog hurting the cat; John shares practical advice for introducing pets and suggests the cat appeal is a lower-maintenance companion. They vent about long work weeks, John’s delayed motorcycle pickup from St. Paul Harley despite otherwise good service, and Netflix raising prices again while streaming still beats cable. The conversation bounces through the Renaissance Festival as “Comic-Con” with in-character people and the absurdity of zip-tying swords, Tenacious D’s cover of “Wicked Game,” targeted ads after their Big Pharma episode, and fake “construction” thirst-trap videos. They close with a Gen Z–style monologue pitching the trades, shouting out John’s daughter taking the JATC entrance exam. Question for listeners: What is one hobby, purchase, or life choice you love but know is quietly eating your time or money? Drop it in the comments and we’ll read the best ones on air. 00:00 Fired Up Cold Open 00:56 Haircut and Jobsite Heat 01:23 Crunch Time Workweek 02:47 Cat Debate Begins 05:49 Litter Box and Introductions 07:50 Marriage Stakes and Compromise 12:30 Same Shit and Missing the Bike 17:55 Renaissance Festival Takes 21:13 Ren Fair Immersion and Zip Ties 23:15 Escapism and Instagram Scroll 25:21 Late Night Insta Algorithm 26:13 Saturday Morning Thirst Feed 26:56 Fake Trades Thirst Traps 28:41 Confidence And Secrets 32:09 Streaming Price Rants 36:01 Music Cover Recommendation 36:50 Ads And Amazon Tracking 38:40 Bird Nerd Banter 41:42 Gen Z Trades Pitch 51:51 Dirty Hands Clean Money 54:29 Wrap Up And Sign Off 🔗 Be a Guest — https://isawpodcast.com/be-a-guest 🍻 Support the Podcast — https://buymeacoffee.com/isaw 📷 Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/isawpodcast/ 👍 Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/isawpodcast/ #ISAWPodcast #LettingTheThoughtsLoose #TradesLife #YourWorkKeepsTheWorldWorking