In this episode, I sit down with returning guest and long-time friend, Dusty James of Pacific Arc TIG Welding, for one of the most honest conversations yet about the realities of doing anything for the long haul — whether it's welding, creating content, teaching, or building a business.

Dusty and I break down what truly keeps people going in the trades and the creator world: passion, curiosity, and the willingness to push through burnout. The two share battle-tested lessons from years of welding and content creation, including graphic shop injuries, why safety training still matters, and the surprising truth behind videos that take days to make… but flop anyway.

We talk about burnout, chasing excitement instead of trends, stolen content, algorithm frustration, writing textbooks, and why the work only becomes sustainable when you genuinely love it.

This episode is a must-listen for welders, educators, content creators, or anyone trying to build something meaningful — even when the numbers don't show it.

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