EP - 37 “James”
From the oil fields of South Dakota to SIP-built homes across Minnesota, Episode 37 dives into the world of hands-on industries and hard-earned insight. James joins us remotely while Hunter brings his familiar energy back to the studio, and together they navigate the realities of working-class life, shifting economies, and building something that lasts.
Guest Panel:
James:
Born and raised in the backwoods of northern Minnesota, James spent his early years on the field or fishing line. These days he’s splitting time between running coil rigs in South Dakota, raising a family in Montana, and reflecting on his years building SIP homes across the Midwest.
Hunter:
Richmond native and Virginia Tech alum, Hunter took his agriculture degree through Greensboro and Denver as a hemp and cannabis grower. Now back in RVA, he’s sharpening his golf game and aiming to become the most iconic recurring guest The Slanted Attic has ever seen.
Topics Covered:
- Inside the life of a coil rig crew: what they do and how it works
- Field maintenance and common challenges on-site
- How energy ops synchronize on a single well pad
- The economics of oil: refining, overhead, and consumer costs
- Safety training in high-risk environments
- RVA’s 2024 water infrastructure failure
- The ongoing failure of schools to teach financial literacy
- The importance (and cost) of learning skilled trades
- CDL mandates and the path to certification
- The coming retirement wave of baby boomers
- Building custom homes with SIPs and modular techniques
- Log cabins and the dream of rustic living
- Flashbacks to childhood gaming and shared memories
- What it really takes to buy a home in today’s market
- Closing thoughts from the attic
Whether you're someone who’s worked a trade, wondered what happens behind the scenes of energy production, or just want to hear stories from two people with dirt under their nails and perspective in their back pocket—this episode delivers.
New episodes of The Slanted Attic Experience drop every other Monday at 10:30 AM EST, with surprise episodes popping up when you least expect them.
Catch up and stay connected at: https://dot.cards/slantedattic
