Feel Northern Air

BIG IDEA
Whenever you hear your pipes banging or clanging in your house, that's a sign to investigate it, see what's going on, get the pipe secured, make sure there's not water hammer going on.

DESCRIPTION
In this episode, hosts Melissa and Joe tackle two persistent household plumbing frustrations: toilets that run endlessly due to warped flappers from poor water quality or chlorine damage, and the startling banging noises in pipes triggered by sudden water stops known as water hammer. They explain practical causes like faulty fill valves, unsecured pipes, missing...

Joe and Melissa tackle the critical question of how to best protect pipes from freezing. They explain why keeping pipes in heated spaces is ideal, how to properly apply foam insulation and heat tape, and why crawl spaces account for most frozen pipe emergencies. Homeowners learn practical steps to avoid costly water damage when temperatures plummet.

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In this episode of the Feel Northern Air Podcast, hosts Melissa and Joe discuss how to tackle slow drains in the kitchen sink. They provide practical tips such as checking for obstructions, using a garbage disposal properly, and cleaning out the trap under the sink. The episode also highlights preventive measures like using a drain additive to keep pipes clear. 

00:00 Introduction to the Feel Northern Air Podcast
00:29 Addressing Slow Kitchen Sink Drains
01:55 Using a Garbage Disposal Effectively
03:22 Clearing the Drain Manually
03:57 Handling the Trap and Pipes
08:26 Using Additives to Maintain Clear Drains Duration: 00:10:22

The primal panic of a rising toilet bowl is universally understood; this episode moves past discomfort to offer essential plumbing mastery. Learn the simple, non-negotiable rule for prevention: only human waste and toilet paper belong in the bowl, immediately dispelling myths around "flushable" wipes and feminine products. Should a clog occur, Joe and Melissa provide the critical, aggressive plunging technique and the crucial first step of locating your emergency shutoff valve to manage the crisis.

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If you are on city water, a mysteriously higher water bill might be the first sign of a problem; if you're on a well, the pump or pressure switch turning on randomly when no water is being used is a major indicator of a leak.

Hidden water leaks in your home often begin with subtle signs, such as a water bill that is steadily climbing or hearing the unexplained sound of water moving through the pipes when everything is turned off. Key areas to inspect are the plumbing underneath your sinks and bathrooms, as well as exterior...

Melissa and Joe reveal why knowing your main water shutoff location is an act of everyday wisdom few possess. Their candid discussion blends technical know-how with personal stories, urging listeners to confront both practical skill gaps and hidden discomforts. Tune in for regional surprises, honest reflections, and subtle lessons in mastering chaos at home.

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Dive below the surface of routine plumbing frustrations, as Melissa and Joe probe the deep connections between everyday habits and the stories we tell ourselves about blame, prevention, and human messiness. With candid, cinematic clarity, this conversation invites listeners to confront their own discomfort and shame, reframing even the nastiest clogs as part of the irreducible texture of ordinary life. Hear how toxic solutions often worsen the problem—and why the path to true resolution is both simpler and more honest than you think.

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Why does your bathroom become a battleground against sewage smells every winter? This episode peels back the layers on the subtle effects of seasonal change within your home’s plumbing and reveals the often-overlooked dance between architecture, atmosphere, and the human urge to fix what feels broken. Drawing out visceral imagery and real talk from inside Northern Air, listeners will find themselves both visually transported and emotionally resonant as recurring, sensory mysteries yield to expert insight and practical wisdom. The episode navigates between frozen vent lines, the metaphors of plumbing, waxing psychological about why our hidden structures so often be...

Low water pressure isn't just annoying—it's your home's way of signaling problems that range from routine filter maintenance to critical system failures. Joe walks through the spectrum of causes, from whole-house filters that clog faster than you'd expect to well tanks that become waterlogged without warning. Learn when a pressure drop is a DIY fix and when it's time to call a professional before a minor issue becomes a major failure.

BIG IDEA

"If you're having low water pressure and it's all of the sudden, then definitely you may have like a more critical pr...

"Water cannot be compressed, so when it freezes and then it thaws, if it doesn't have anywhere to go, it breaks stuff."

A frozen pipe isn't just an inconvenience—it's a structural failure waiting to happen in your home. 

Joe explains why hot water lines freeze first, how water's incompressibility turns a simple freeze-thaw cycle into a pipe-bursting catastrophe, and the single maintenance mistake that floods basements every spring. 

The physics are unforgiving: water can split mountains, and it will split your pipes too if you don't understand what's actually happening when...

"It's going to happen again if you don't address the real problem.”

Most people think a dripping faucet is just an annoyance that needs a quick fix. Joe from Feel Northern Air explains why that drip is actually a symptom of something far more significant happening in your water supply. 

The calcium, manganese, iron, and sediment flowing through your pipes aren't just damaging your fixtures—they're creating a cycle of repairs that will never end unless you address what's really going on. 

This conversation cuts through the surface-level solutions to expose the in...

Yep. A few more of our award-winning radio ads.

Enjoy!

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Almost a year ago, we thought we’d do something a little different, something maybe outside the bounds of “normal” that would give us a way to introduce ourselves to our community without screaming, “Hey, Wanna Buy Our Thing?!”

This is what started it all.

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Joe and Melissa share their experience sponsoring their son's high school football rivalry game and explore how local business involvement in youth sports creates genuine community connection. They examine the deeper impact beyond marketing metrics, from helping kids access proper equipment to becoming part of team identity through simple sponsorships. The conversation illuminates how supporting local athletics builds bridges between businesses and families while addressing real needs in underfunded school programs.

BIG IDEA

"It really does make a difference when you see your son or your daughter or whoever that you are personally...

A Minnesota family's ambitious quest to visit every state park takes a dangerous turn when they attempt to cross the massive Lake of the Woods in a small rental boat with their two young children and dog. What starts as a beautiful day trip to an island state park becomes a harrowing battle against rising waves, plummeting fuel levels, and an approaching storm that leaves them stranded 20 miles from shore. This raw account explores how life-threatening situations can transform from sources of shame into stories of resilience, and why the difference between knowledge and wisdom often becomes clear only...

Joe and Melissa share their personal transformation from a scarcity mindset to embracing possibilities they never thought achievable. From believing they could never afford to travel beyond family visits to now considering property investments in multiple countries, they explore how breaking through one barrier creates momentum for the next. Their candid conversation reveals how fear of the unknown - whether hiring employees, finding enough work, or simply booking a hotel - keeps us trapped in limiting beliefs, and how taking that first small step can shift everything from accomplishment-focused thinking to adventure-focused living.

BIG IDEA<...

A high school teacher named Nob delivered a profound truth that changed everything: 85% of your classmates will vanish after graduation, so stop making life decisions based on their opinions. This episode explores how one powerful moment of perspective shifted a student from victim to victor, transforming years of bullying into a foundation for resilience. The conversation weaves through childhood friendships, loyalty, and the unexpected ways our darkest moments become the source of our greatest strength.

BIG IDEA

"Your last day of high school will be the last time you see or interact...

DESCRIPTION

A high school teacher named Nob delivered a profound truth that changed everything: 85% of your classmates will vanish after graduation, so stop making life decisions based on their opinions. This episode explores how one powerful moment of perspective shifted a student from victim to victor, transforming years of bullying into a foundation for resilience. The conversation weaves through childhood friendships, loyalty, and the unexpected ways our darkest moments become the source of our greatest strength.

BIG IDEA

"Your last day of high school will be the...

Joe opens up about his darkest period in junior high when relentless bullying pushed him toward dangerous friendships and thoughts of self-harm. Just when isolation seemed complete, Jay entered his life - a popular, confident kid who saw past the social dynamics that defined Joe as an outcast. This raw conversation explores how one person's willingness to extend genuine friendship can literally save a life, offering stability and hope when everything else feels broken.

BIG IDEA

"I truly believe that at my lowest point at that time, that's when Jay really came...

Joe shares the raw story of how childhood bullying forged an unshakeable determination to prove doubters wrong, leading him to ignore every professional advisor and buy into Northern Air against unanimous expert advice. What started as a partnership arrangement became a strategic acquisition that grew the company five times its original size within just a few years. This is the candid account of how past pain can fuel future success, and why sometimes the riskiest decisions yield the greatest rewards.

BIG IDEA

"I looked at them and said, are you telling me...

Joe refused to become an employee and instead negotiated a partnership deal that eventually led to full ownership of Northern Air, hammering out the details during late-night conversations in high school football bleachers with his future business partner. The transition from solo entrepreneur to company owner brought unexpected challenges as Joe grappled with the profound responsibility of leading a team and the weight of decisions that affect not just his own future, but the livelihoods of employees and their families. This conversation explores the psychological burden of business ownership and the commitment to creating the best possible workplace in...

Joe transformed his HVAC company from six to twenty employees by confronting a fundamental truth about entrepreneurial psychology: the tension between wanting to skip steps and learning essential lessons the hard way. This conversation explores the mental shift from fearing your first hire to actively seeking team expansion, and why some people are simply unemployable once they've tasted true ownership. The discussion reveals how providential relationships and honest self-awareness about personal limitations can become the foundation for unexpected business partnerships and sustainable growth.

BIG IDEA

I would make a terrible employee because...

Joe shares his journey from being a solo plumber trapped by fear and scarcity thinking to acquiring Northern Air and building a real team. He opens up about the mental barriers that kept him stuck doing all the work himself, even with part-time help, and how the opportunity to partner with an established company shifted his entire approach to growth. This conversation explores the psychological challenges of scaling a service business and the moment when everything changed.

BIG IDEA

"I was to a point with my original, my first company to where...

Hiring his first employee forced Joe to rethink his work-life balance, productivity, and leadership style, revealing unexpected benefits and tough lessons about growth. The shift from solo operator to mentor and manager opened new doors for connection and efficiency, while also highlighting the challenge of finding and keeping good people. Tune in for a genuine look at the human side of building a business in the trades.

THE BIG IDEA
Bringing in your first employee isn’t just about getting help—it’s a catalyst for personal and professional transformation that reshapes how yo...

DESCRIPTION

Joe and Melissa explore the emotional and practical challenges of scaling a small business, from Joe’s struggle to hire his first employee to the invaluable role their children played in the journey. This candid conversation reveals the tension between control and growth, and the importance of family in building a legacy. Perfect for entrepreneurs navigating the leap from solo to team.

BIG IDEA

Joe opens up about the overwhelming responsibility of hiring his first employee, grappling with relinquishing control while ensuring others’ livelihoods.

Cont...

Joe and Melissa Bates overcame their son Ian’s dyslexia by tailoring homeschooling to his needs, using tools like red transparency sheets and embracing his passion for manuals. They leaned on mentors and community support to navigate challenges in parenting and marriage. Their journey highlights how creative problem-solving and intentional relationships foster resilience and family strength.

BIG IDEA

Their story weaves a tactile, heartfelt exploration of how intentional relationships and creative problem-solving can unlock potential in children and strengthen family bonds, offering listeners a profound perspective on resilience and connection.

Joe and Melissa Bates abandoned traditional schooling setups to tailor homeschooling to their children’s unique learning styles. They learned through costly missteps that education thrives on flexibility, like studying on a couch or with music, rather than rigid structures. Their journey shows how embracing individual strengths can transform learning into a mission of personal alignment.

BIG IDEA

Their story, grounded in trial, error, and eventual wisdom, illustrates how education can be a fluid, personalized mission to align with each person’s natural design, offering listeners a fresh perspective on learning and life.

Joe and Melissa Bates defied convention by building a debt-free plumbing business through creative hustling and Dave Ramsey’s financial principles. Their relentless experimentation, from Menards aisles to social media, shaped a resilient family and business. Mentors and homeschooling reinforced their commitment to questioning norms and passing on financial wisdom to their children.

BIG IDEA

Their story, bolstered by mentors like Mike and Susan, illustrates how questioning norms and persisting through doubt can carve a unique path to personal and professional fulfillment.

Contact us at FeelNorthernAir.com.

Joe and Melissa Bates share their journey of homeschooling and running a business while embracing differences in themselves and their children. Inspired by their church community, they defied traditional paths in education and pivoted their plumbing business to focus on service over convention. Their story is a vivid exploration of adaptability, resilience, and growing alongside their kids in a world that prizes conformity.

BIG IDEA

From drawing inspiration from their church community to questioning traditional paths in education and business, they reveal how embracing differences—whether in themselves, their kids, or their unconventional ap...

Joe and Melissa Bates open up about their bold decision to homeschool their four children, driven by a desire to nurture independent thinkers who stand firm in their beliefs. They share the challenges of adapting to each child’s distinct learning style, from their creative eldest, Cassidy, to their sensitive daughter, Ella, and how these lessons reshaped their parenting approach. Through candid stories of doubt, growth, and perseverance, they illustrate how questioning conventional education led to a family of resilient, principled individuals.

QUOTE:  The beauty of what you’ve done with our kids is to help...

Joe and Melissa Bates recount how a layoff sparked Legacy Plumbing and Heating, guided by mentors who shaped their business and family life. They reflect on the wisdom poured into them and their drive to pay it forward in their community. This episode captures the grit of entrepreneurship and the quiet strength of human connection.  

BIG IDEA

“When I see other people in a similar situation where I was, I always tell the kids, when I retire someday, I want to find me in 2009 and go find that guy and make a difference in...

Joe and Melissa Bates recount starting a business amid economic hardship, raising four kids while relying on faith to overcome fear. Sacrificing their retirement for a truck and growing their own food, they built a legacy of resilience and integrity. Their story shows how trust and purpose can transform struggle into strength.  

BIG IDEA

“God is bigger than our excuses.”  

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Joe  was laid off in January 2009, facing a bleak winter with a new house, four kids, and no job prospects. In a pivotal moment, Melissa countered his fear with “God’s got this,” sparking a shift from despair to determination. This episode traces their journey of resilience and faith through the chaos of the Great Recession.  

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Joe and Melissa Bates unpack his raw journey from hospital clerk to master plumber in Minnesota, shaped by a mentor’s patience and the humbling art of cutting pipe straight. Beyond the tools, this episode of Feel Northern Air reveals the gritty camaraderie of job-site hazing and the quiet pride of mastering a trade. Hit play for a tactile glimpse into plumbing’s human side, with plans to share its sarcastic soul on social media.

THE BIG IDEA

Beyond the tools, it’s a story of human connection: the camaraderie of job-site ribbing, the hu...

How do you raise kids who stand firm in a world that pulls them to conform? In this episode, Joe and Melissa Bates peel back the layers of their homeschooling life, where faith, community, and conviction collide with real-world challenges. From multi-generational Sabbath gatherings to a teen selling HVAC to folks triple his age, they share how their kids learned to navigate life alongside people of all walks—not just their peers. Picture a shy homeschooler building a housecleaning gig or a football star choosing practice over Friday night games, all while lifting his team. This episode digs into th...

Picture this: a creaky 1972 pop-up camper swaying in a Minnesota storm, parked at the end of an airplane runway, with a family of six scrambling for safety in a mosquito-infested truck bed. In Episode 3 of the Feel Northern Air Podcast, Joe and Melissa Bates relive their wildest homeschool adventure—a trip to the Laura Ingalls Wilder pageant in Walnut Grove. What starts as a quest to bring “Little House on the Prairie” to life turns into a gritty lesson in resilience, bonding, and the unpredictable beauty of learning outside the lines. From wading in Plum Creek to braving Voyagers Nation...

What does it take to raise kids who thrive outside the traditional classroom? In Episode 2 of the Feel Northern Air Podcast, Joe and Melissa Bates dive into the uncharted waters of homeschooling after a move to Minnesota leaves them isolated and searching for connection. A chance encounter with a fellow homeschooling family sparks a lifeline—practical advice, philosophies, and a fresh lens on learning that reshape their approach. From clashing over desks versus “living books” to embracing a rhythm of service, work, and passion-driven education, they unpack how this journey forged their kids into resilient, engaged adults. Ian’s aerospac...

What happens when two parents with opposite instincts—one a rule-following athlete, the other a free-spirited dreamer—face the daunting choice of how to educate their kids? In this raw, relatable debut episode of the Feel Northern Air Podcast, Melissa and Joe Bates unpack their journey from clashing perspectives to an unexpected homeschooling experiment that defied their own expectations. With candor and warmth, they trace the tension of their early marriage, the weight of their own school experiences, and the quiet triumph of watching their three-year-old daughter read—years ahead of schedule. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about the...

Joe steps out of an Illinois hospital gig into the raw, frostbitten unknown of Aitkin’s trades, where self-doubt gnaws as fiercely as the subzero winds. Picture a guy who’d never swung a hammer, now hauling pipe and digging ditches, his shiny new hiking boots laughably outmatched by the job. Melissa smirks recalling the ribbing from weathered crew guys, while Joe fumbles through a wardrobe rethink—cheap socks and jeans swapped for wool and layers, all to outlast a Minnesota winter. It’s a story of shaky first steps, camaraderie forged in the freeze, and the quiet grit of adapt...

Joe and Melissa unravel the jarring shift from Chicago’s restless pulse—where convenience hummed 24/7 and violence lurked too close—to Aitkin’s stillness, where shops shut at five and a fevered kid meant a 45-minute trek for Tylenol. They trade gang threats for woods deep enough to lose yourself in, swapping urban blocks for miles of silence. Melissa’s voice catches as she recalls a friend’s stabbing, a wound that fueled their escape, while Joe fumbles through the absurdity of no late-night stores after a lifetime of instant access. Yet, amid the isolation, a church embraced them, family linge...

Joe and Melissa Bates peel back the layers of their leap from a noisy, unsafe Illinois city life to the quiet, frigid unknowns of rural Minnesota. Picture this: a young couple, two small kids in tow, waking to bar fights across the street, clutching a baseball bat for peace of mind. Then, a vacant family home in Aitkin, a daughter’s medical needs, and a plumbing job Joe had no clue how to do beckon them north. They recount the bone-chilling reality of heating with wet wood, the sting of job rejections, and the warmth of friends who hauled th...