Best Steamfitter Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 27 Suicide Awareness Month with Joe & Omar 1:10:31

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4d ago1:10:31

1:10:31

In this Suicide Awareness Month episode, Fitter Talk host Curtis Ohlde is joined by Joe Hawk (UA Local 100, Dallas) and Omar Galindo (UA Local 78, Los Angeles) for a powerful conversation about mental health, peer support, and suicide prevention in the trades. The group reflects on their teaching experiences at ITP, noting how the new classroom fac…

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New Season Episode 26 and Have a Safe Labor Day Weekend 45:45

25d ago45:45

45:45

In this week’s episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde sits down with Pete and Craig to share exciting updates from the Training Center—including the launch of new classes and the addition of the South Block rental building to support the growth of apprenticeship programs. They also wrap up a busy week in Ann Arbor at the UA Instructor Training P…

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Episode 25 – Summer Updates, Instructor Training Prep, and Orbital Welding with Jacob Morgan 42:06

2M ago42:06

42:06

Episode 25 – Summer Updates, Instructor Training Prep, and Orbital Welding with Jacob Morgan In this milestone 25th episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde is joined by Pete for a mid-summer check-in. With Summer Break already more than halfway through, the two dive into current events and preparations underway at the training center as they gear…

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Episode 24 – Safety First: Fireworks, Boating & United Association with Rita Neiderheiser 50:16

3M ago50:16

50:16

We're back! After a bit of a break, what better way to kick off a holiday weekend filled with fireworks than by talking safety? 🎆 In this episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde is joined by Pete Smith during breaktime to chat about current events, fireworks safety, and tips for staying safe on the water this summer. Then, Curtis sits down with R…

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Henderson Engineers with Jason Cornett and CO2 Refrigeration 1:17:07

1y ago1:17:07

1:17:07

Welcome back to Fitter Talk! Your host, Curtis Ohlde, returns from a short sabbatical as he embarks on his new role as the HVAC Training Coordinator for Pipefitters Local 533 Training Center. In today’s episode, Curtis is joined by Craig for a special Breaktime news segment where they catch up on summer highlights, the start of the school year, and…

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Celebrating 75 Years: A Journey with Holmberg Mechanical 47:50

1+ y ago47:50

47:50

Join host Curtis Ohlde in this episode of Fitter Talk as he sits down with Angela White, a key figure at Holmberg Mechanical based in the Seattle, Washington Area. As a signatory contractor with UA Local 32, Holmberg Mechanical boasts a rich history in the mechanical industry. Angela shares her personal journey within the company, highlighting her …

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Victaulic with Nathan Noland 41:53

1+ y ago41:53

41:53

In this episode of Fitter Talk we go back to "Tech Talk" as host Curtis Ohlde sits down with Victaulic Rep, Nathan Noland. Nathan share a little about his background before coming to his current role with Victaulic. Victalulic was first started in London in 1919 as Victory Pipe Joint Company as part of the war effort. Then in 1924 came to North Ame…

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Breaktime with Craig Hickson 14:51

1+ y ago14:51

14:51

For this Episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde sits down with co-instructor Craig Hickson to go over current events. A regular interview will not be part of this episode due to some scheduling conflicts but be sure to look for those as they will likely drop weekly until caught back up on regular schedule. Noted in Breaktime from episode 1, Jack…

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Steve Parsons - Pipefitter Local 537, Boston, Massachusetts 1:05:57

1+ y ago1:05:57

1:05:57

In this episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde sits down once again in his home away from home (Holiday Inn Express) to talk with Steve Parsons a member of UA Pipefitter Local 537 in Boston, Massachusetts. Steve starts out sharing about Cathy Merkel the 35+ years Registrar for the International Training Fund. Tuesday of this week, Cathy sent out…

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Why Use Union Labor - Jeff Gilliland Engineer with KU Med Center 36:28

1+ y ago36:28

36:28

In this episode of Fitter Talk, unfortunately coming out two weeks later than planned. Host Curtis Ohlde once again sits down with Craig for catching up on some current events along with Backflow Classes that Craig will have coming up. Then kicks off an new series on Why to use Union Labor with lead Engineer at KU Med Center, Jeff Gilliland. Jeff g…

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UA Local 100 with Ben Bradshaw - Business Manager 28:43

1+ y ago28:43

28:43

In this episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde sits back down with the One & Only, Pat O'Hara. Didn't realize while recording but we have a fan hummin in the background, so please bare with until we can re-edit and see about isolating to remove. Pat shares current events coming up with the local then some of his takeaways from the Construction W…

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Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference Follow Up 1:00:34

1+ y ago1:00:34

1:00:34

In this episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde is joined by Tresa Reece with LU 50 and Carrie Crosby of LU 23 to talk about the two of them recently attending the Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference December 1-3, 2023. We catch up with Tresa who was on the podcast with her husband Frank in Episode 2. Then get introduced to Carrie as she shares …

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Tech Talk - Turbocor with Max Kobelski 52:01

1+ y ago52:01

52:01

In this episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde sits down with Max Kobelski a trainer with Turbocor to learn about oil-less magnetic bearing technology. First, Max shares a little bit of the history of the compressor to current date then talks about the evolution of the compressor over time. In addition Max shares some of more technical aspects o…

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Local Spot Light - Marc Gallego with UA Local 469 43:20

1+ y ago43:20

43:20

In this episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde sits back down with Pat O'Hara for an extended Break Time as they bring current events to UA LU 533 while attending the MCAA 2024 Safety Conference in Tucson, Arizona. In addition they share some of the takeaways of the conference and some of the information they will be taking back to the Safety Pr…

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Local Union 533 Peer Support Program 45:25

1+ y ago45:25

45:25

In this episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde sits down with Pat O'Hara who's back from the trenches of working at the Battery Plant as well as Robin and Nancy with Mindful Momentum to talk about the Peer Support Program. Robin and Nancy both share their backgrounds as well as the path to starting the Peer Support program from early discussions…

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Merry Christmas from Fitter Talk 24:50

2y ago24:50

24:50

In this episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde does an extended Break Time with Craig Hickson. Craig gives an update on the Hickson Fixin' Sourdough Starter. Shares about class and Christmas Break plans. Then Curtis gives an update on events and classes coming up for the both the Union Hall and Training Center. Be sure to stop by the Training Ce…

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So you want to be a Pipefitter - Chris McGhee Service Side 1:07:36

2y ago1:07:36

1:07:36

In this episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde sits down with Pipefitters Local 533 Training Coordinator Chris McGhee to talk about the Service Side of the Training Center. First Chris shares a little personal background as well as his role as the Coordinator. Then talks about what he would recommend for a background and what anyone apprentice o…

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Going International with Paddy Kavanagh - Connect Trade Union 1:22:34

2y ago1:22:34

1:22:34

In this weeks episode 10 of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde goes International to talk with Paddy Kavanagh the General Secretary for the Connect Trade Union which joined the United Association in 2015. Paddy talks about their 40,000 skilled crafts women and men that the Trade Union represents, Density (Market Share) of union labor in Ireland along w…

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So you want to be a Pipefitter - Pete Smith Construction Side 1:04:46

2y ago1:04:46

1:04:46

In this episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde once again sits down with Craig Hickson. Craig gives us an update on the Sourdough Bread and needing a name. He also gives an update on status of Codes Class then discuss briefly about our episode topic, So you want to be a Pipefitter. Craig shares a few things from the Service Side that he feels wo…

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Local 533 Health Fair - Bonus Track 28:30

2y ago28:30

28:30

In this Bonus Episode on the 2023 Local 533 Health Fair, host Curtis Ohlde sits down for Break Time with Craig Hickson once again to get an update on the Sourdough. If you have any suggestions for Craig's 3-1/2 year old Sourdough be sure to reach out to us. Craig shared about his time while attending the Health Fair. Curtis then interviewed Krisha …

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Continued Education - Journeyman HVAC 43:21

2y ago43:21

43:21

In this episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde sits down with volunteers from the 2022-23 Journeyman HVAC Class to talk about why it was important for them to take not only this class but other continuing education classes. This episode recording was the first recording for Fitter Talk. Fitter Talk is a production of Cow Town Productions L.L.C. …

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UA Local 464 & Nick Bell 1:10:18

2y ago1:10:18

1:10:18

In this episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde sits down with Craig Hickson for Break Time. Craig shares a little about himself in the trade for LU 533 and as a Training Instructor. Craig also shares why he decided to be part of the Peer Support Program. If you are a member of LU 533 be sure to check out the Peer Support Page on the local533.com…

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Continued Education with Shiney - Why Pipefitter Safety? 45:13

2y ago45:13

45:13

In this episode of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde fly's solo for a quick break time giving updates. Then sits down with LU 533 Journeyman Eric Seigler "Shiney" to talk about continued education classes for Journeyman and of all classes to take, Pipefitter Safety (OSHA-30). They also discuss and critique the classes on what can be done better to imp…

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Transitioning to Helmets with Milwaukee Tool 40:09

2y ago40:09

40:09

In this Episode 4 of Fitter Talk. Host Curtis Ohlde sits down with Pat O'Hara for Break Time with Pat. They congratulate Cole Rogers for winning the Welding Competition last year during the International Training Program and Jacob Lee winning the HVAC division at this years ITP. Pat gave an update on MINK, up coming golf tournament and Clay Shoot. …

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Safety with David Miguel 50:51

2y ago50:51

50:51

In this episode of Fitter Talk, Host Curtis Ohlde sits down with Pat O'Hara for Break Time and this discuss current events and wrap up from attending the International Training Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Then Curtis sits down with David Miguel a Safety Specialist in Trenching, Shoring, Confined Space, Emergency Retrieval as well a OSHA-30 inst…

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Local 50 With the Reece's 52:20

2y ago52:20

52:20

In today's episode of Fitter Talk, your host Curtis Ohlde sits down for Break Time with Patrick O'Hara to discuss current events. Then onto the main guests Tresa and Frank Reece of UA Local 50 in Toledo Ohio. Tresa and Frank share some personal stories as well as being not only part of the UA Family but also having two sons in UA Local 50 as well. …

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Reflecting with Jack Hicklin & Dave Young 1:40:45

2y ago1:40:45

1:40:45

In this Episode 1 of Fitter Talk, host Curtis Ohlde sits down with two of his mentors Jack Hicklin and Dave Young to Reflect over their careers as Pipefitters and going over the work, the changes, challenges, mentors they had and what it means to them to be a skilled craftsman with L.U. 533 and the United Association. Fitter Talk is a production of…

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Fitter Talk - Trailer 2:09

2y ago2:09

2:09

Welcome to Fitter Talk. Join your host Curtis Ohlde a member of L.U. 533 and United Association as he sits down with local members and members from the UA as they share information about their locals, talk with retirees, journeyman, apprentices, contractors and customers. Topics to go over but not limited to are reflecting over a career as a Union …