Episode 195: How the Trades Changed My Life | Jameson Lolos | Commercial Kitchen Chronicles
Friday, July 10, 2026 • Duration 52:49
How the Trades Changed My Life | Jameson Lolos | Commercial Kitchen Chronicles
Sometimes the path to the skilled trades isn't a straight line.
In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Jameson Lolos to discuss a journey that started in a technical high school HVAC program, detoured through college and student debt, and ultimately led him back to the trades he was meant to be in.
Jameson shares how a temporary residential HVAC installation job turned into a rewarding career in commercial foodservice equipment repair. From surviving layoffs and navigating career changes during the pandemic to becoming a service manager helping build a brand-new service department at Gillette Restaurant Equipment, his story is one of resilience, growth, and finding purpose through hard work.
The conversation also dives into fatherhood, leadership, continuing education, technician development, and why the skilled trades continue to provide incredible opportunities for those willing to learn.
Whether you're an experienced commercial kitchen technician, HVACR professional, apprentice, service manager, or someone considering a career in the trades, this episode is packed with honest conversations, career advice, and motivation.
In this episode you'll hear about:
Finding your way back to the skilled trades
Trade school vs. college and lessons learned
Residential HVAC compared to commercial kitchen equipment repair
Overcoming layoffs and career setbacks
Building a commercial foodservice service department
Leadership, technician growth, and continuous learning
Balancing family life with a demanding service career
Why commercial kitchen equipment repair is such a rewarding career
A huge thank you to our episode sponsor, Viper by Refrigeration Technologies. From trusted coil cleaners and leak detection products to Nylog, WetRag heat-blocking gel, lubricants, and system protection solutions, Viper manufactures products designed by technicians for technicians. Learn why professionals across the HVACR and commercial refrigeration industries trust Viper every day.
Want to be a guest on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles? We're always looking for technicians, trainers, manufacturers, service managers, business owners, and industry leaders with a story worth sharing. If you're passionate about the skilled trades and want to inspire the next generation, we'd love to have you on the show. Reach out through our social media channels or contact us to be featured on a future episode.
Episode 194: 27 Years in HVAC: The Story Behind Blue Collar Code
Friday, July 3, 2026 • Duration 01:04:32
What does it take to build a 27-year career in HVAC while overcoming addiction, traveling the country as a startup and commissioning technician, and becoming one of the most recognizable personalities in the skilled trades?
In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley sits down with Bobby Armstrong, better known as Blue Collar Code, for an honest, hilarious, and inspiring conversation about life in the HVAC industry.
From residential installations in Florida to commercial service in Arizona and now traveling nationwide commissioning equipment, Bobby shares the lessons he's learned from nearly three decades in the trade. He also opens up about his journey to 12 years of sobriety, proving that your past doesn't have to define your future.
The conversation covers everything from technical growth and industry changes to social media, Construction Confessions, and why having fun on the job doesn't mean sacrificing professionalism.
In this episode, we discuss: • Bobby's 27-year HVAC career • Life as a traveling startup and commissioning technician • Residential vs. commercial HVAC • The story behind Blue Collar Code • The success of Construction Confessions • Addiction recovery and 12 years of sobriety • Mental health in the skilled trades • Social media and content creation for technicians • Lessons learned from decades in the field • The future of the HVAC industry • Favorite tools, guns, and a few laughs along the way
Episode 193:Your Past Doesn't Define Your Future | Lessons on Trades, Business & Wealth Building
Friday, June 26, 2026 • Duration 01:04:28
Your Past Doesn't Define Your Future | Lessons on Trades, Business & Wealth Building
Can your past become your greatest strength?
In this inspiring episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, host Pat Finley and co-host Rich Ortega are joined by Michael Hess and Darin Branch for a powerful conversation about overcoming adversity, finding purpose, building a successful career in the skilled trades, and creating long-term financial freedom.
Michael shares his remarkable journey from growing up in poverty and carrying tools at just 14 years old to overcoming decades of poor decisions, discovering his purpose, and building a life he can be proud of. His story is a reminder that your circumstances don't define your future—your decisions do.
Darin Branch, founder of Whitewood Tax Solutions, brings a different perspective by explaining how blue-collar entrepreneurs and tradespeople can stop simply earning a paycheck and start building real wealth. From tax strategy and business growth to creating generational wealth, Darin shares practical advice that every technician, contractor, and business owner can apply.
Whether you're an HVAC technician, commercial kitchen equipment technician, refrigeration mechanic, electrician, plumber, contractor, or anyone working in the skilled trades, this episode is packed with motivation, business insight, and real-world lessons that can help you grow both personally and professionally.
In this episode we discuss: • Overcoming adversity and difficult beginnings • Finding purpose through the skilled trades• Lessons learned from failure and success• Building a profitable service business• Tax strategies for small business owners• Financial planning for tradespeople• Entrepreneurship and business growth• Creating generational wealth• Developing discipline and the right mindset• Why your decisions—not your past—determine your future
Episode 192: HVACR Panda: The Truth About Leaving the Navy for the Skilled Trades
Friday, June 19, 2026 • Duration 54:02
From Navy Veteran to HVACR Technician: David Weeks (HVACR Panda) Shares His Story
What happens when military service doesn't translate into the skilled trades the way everyone says it will?
In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley sits down with David Weeks, better known online as HVACR Panda, for an honest conversation about life after the Navy, entering the HVACR industry, and building a career in commercial refrigeration and foodservice equipment repair.
David served six years in the U.S. Navy as a Fire Controlman specializing in ballistic missile defense systems before transitioning into civilian life. Like many veterans, he was told his military experience would prepare him for success in the trades. The reality? It wasn't quite that simple.
Now, just three and a half years into the industry, David has already worked on walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, reach-in refrigerators, ice machines, rooftop units (RTUs), exhaust systems, commercial kitchen equipment, dishwashers, mixers, and more while working alongside his father in the family business.
In this episode, we discuss:
• Military life and service in the U.S. Navy • Transitioning from military service to HVACR • Why military experience doesn't always directly translate to the trades • Commercial HVACR and refrigeration careers • Working in a family-owned service company • Ice machine training and factory education • Learning commercial kitchen equipment repair • Challenges facing new technicians • The future of the skilled trades • Social media and the HVACR Panda journey • Advice for veterans considering HVAC, refrigeration, or foodservice equipment repair
Episode 191:From Rooftops to Reels: Joe Blanchard on HVAC/R, Content Creation & the Trades
Friday, June 12, 2026 • Duration 01:11:39
Commercial HVAC/R in the Real World | Featuring Joe Blanchard
What does it take to succeed as a commercial HVAC/R technician in today's industry? How do you balance real service calls, troubleshooting complex equipment, and building a social media presence that educates and inspires thousands of technicians?
In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley sits down with HVAC/R technician and content creator Joe Blanchard for an honest conversation about life in the skilled trades, the rise of HVAC social media, and the future of technician-driven content.
Joe shares his journey in commercial HVAC and refrigeration, how he got started creating content on TikTok and Instagram, and why a new generation of technicians is using social media to educate, entertain, and attract more people to the trades. From real-world service calls and troubleshooting strategies to content creation, industry trends, and the importance of building community, this episode is packed with valuable insights for technicians at every stage of their career.
Topics discussed include:
🔧 Commercial HVAC service and refrigeration repair ❄️ HVAC/R troubleshooting and diagnostics 📱 Building a following as a trade content creator 🎓 Training and developing the next generation of technicians 💡 The impact of social media on the skilled trades 🛠 Real-world service call experiences and lessons learned 🚀 The future of HVAC, refrigeration, and technician education
A special thanks to our friends at Viper from Refrigeration Technologies for supporting this episode. Whether you're sealing a system with Nylog, protecting components with WetRag, tracking down leaks with Big Blu, or cleaning coils with Viper's industry-leading products, Refrigeration Technologies continues to provide technicians with solutions that work in the real world. Trusted by HVAC/R and refrigeration professionals across the industry, Viper products are designed by technicians, for technicians.
Episode 190: From F-14 Tomcats to Foodservice: The Career Journey of Anthony Dileo | Commercial Kitchen Chronicles
Friday, June 5, 2026 • Duration 01:05:42
From working on F-14 Tomcats in the U.S. Navy to running service calls around the Washington D.C. beltway, leading technicians, managing facilities, and ultimately moving into business development, Anthony Dileo has experienced nearly every side of the service industry.
In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Anthony joins Pat Finley and Rich Ortega to share his incredible career journey through the skilled trades. What started in a high school vocational program led to military service as an avionics technician, years in the commercial foodservice equipment repair industry, leadership roles, facility management, factory experience, and eventually a transition into business development.
Along the way, Anthony opens up about career growth, leadership challenges, burnout, lessons learned from both successes and setbacks, and how each chapter of his career prepared him for the next.
Topics covered in this episode: • Growing up in vocational education and entering the trades • Working on F-14 Tomcats in the U.S. Navy • Life as a service technician in the D.C. market • Transitioning from technician to leadership • Recognizing and overcoming burnout • Working as an in-house dining service technician • Facility management and operational leadership • Career pivots and learning from failure • Moving from the tools into business development • Advice for the next generation of technicians
Whether you're a new technician, a seasoned veteran, or someone considering a move into leadership, this episode is packed with real-world experience and valuable insight from someone who has lived every stage of the journey.
A special thank you to our sponsor, Viper Products by Refrigeration Technologies. From Nylog and WetRag to Big Blu and industry-leading coil cleaners, Viper continues to provide technicians with products they can trust every day in the field.
Episode 189: Starting Over From Scratch: Brent Hall’s Bold Move That Changed Everything
Friday, May 22, 2026 • Duration 52:46
From New York to Atlanta. From established business to starting over from scratch. What would you do?
This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley sits down with Brent Hall, founder and owner of Favored Mechanical Solutions (FMS), for an honest conversation about risk, entrepreneurship, commercial foodservice equipment repair, and what it really takes to build a service company people trust.
Brent shares his journey of building a successful commercial foodservice equipment repair company in New York, making the bold move to Atlanta, Georgia, and starting all over again. No shortcuts. No guarantees. Just hard work, relationships, and betting on yourself.
The crew dives into building customer trust, growing a commercial refrigeration and cooking equipment service business, creating content in the trades, balancing family life with entrepreneurship, and lessons learned from building a company from the ground up. If you own a service company, dream about starting one, or want to level up in commercial foodservice equipment repair, this episode hits home.
Topics include: • Building Favored Mechanical Solutions from the ground up • Leaving New York and relocating to Atlanta • Entrepreneurship in the skilled trades • Customer relationships and business growth • Commercial refrigeration and cooking equipment service • Creating content as a technician • Service company lessons learned the hard way • Family, sacrifice, and chasing bigger goals
Whether you're fixing fryers, chasing refrigeration calls, working on commercial kitchen equipment, or building your own service business, this episode is packed with insight from someone out there grinding every day.
Big thanks to Viper by Refrigeration Technologies for supporting Commercial Kitchen Chronicles. From coil cleaners and leak detection products to trusted chemicals technicians depend on every day, Viper helps keep service professionals working smarter in the field.
Episode 188:
Friday, May 15, 2026 • Duration 01:02:59
This week on the Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Jay McDonough of Restaurant Appliance Repair out of Kansas City, Missouri for a real-world conversation about what it takes to build a name in the Foodservice Equipment Repair Industry. 🔥
Jay started RAR at just 25 years old and has spent the last 11 years grinding through commercial kitchen equipment repair, refrigeration, walk-in cooler and freezer installs, electrical troubleshooting, equipment sales, and building solutions for restaurants across the KC market.
This episode dives deep into: ✔️ Commercial kitchen equipment repair ✔️ Refrigeration and HVACR service ✔️ Walk-in cooler and freezer installs ✔️ Starting and growing a service company ✔️ Social media and content creation in the trades ✔️ The future of foodservice equipment repair ✔️ Building a new line of food equipment products
If you’re a technician, business owner, installer, refrigeration mechanic, or someone trying to grow in the skilled trades, this episode is loaded with insight from someone actually out there doing the work every single day.
This episode is brought to you by Viper products built for real technicians. From Big Blu leak detector and Venom packs to Nylog White, Viper continues making products that belong on every service truck. Nylog White is NSF registered and perfect for refrigeration, food equipment, gas piping, water lines, and more. Whether you’re working on restaurant equipment, HVACR systems, or refrigeration repairs, Viper has products designed to help techs work smarter and cleaner.
Episode 187: Commercial Kitchen Chronicles Goes Off the Rails Again
Friday, May 8, 2026 • Duration 01:10:05
What happens when Pat, Jason, and Rich get together with zero agenda and full permission to go off the rails? This episode right here 🔥
The crew is back for one of the most unfiltered Commercial Kitchen Chronicles episodes yet. We’re talking commercial kitchen equipment repair, HVACR, refrigeration tech life, service call chaos, career moves, burnout, leadership, the realities of the trades, and all the random BS that happens when technicians start talking shop.
Jason jumps back in after grinding through his new role, Rich brings the heat like always, and the entire episode feels like hanging out after work with the guys who actually understand what life in the field is like. No corporate filter. No polished nonsense. Just real tech talk from people actually doing the job.
If you’re tired of fake trade content made by people who haven’t touched a tool in years, this episode is for you.
Huge shoutout to 🐍 Viper from Refrigeration Technologies for sponsoring the episode. If you work in commercial kitchens, you already know grease destroys coils and wrecks efficiency. Viper coil cleaners are technician safe, non corrosive, and actually cut through the nasty buildup without destroying the equipment you’re trying to save. No gimmicks. Just products that work when the pressure is on.
Episode 186: Aaron Jacobitz 💥 Sales, Systems, and Teams: What It Really Takes to Grow
Friday, May 1, 2026 • Duration 54:39
What’s REALLY holding service companies back? 🤔
In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we sit down with 🎙️ Aaron Jacobitz from Refrigeration Heroesto break down the hard truths about sales, team building, and growth in the refrigeration and foodservice repair industry.
If you’re a technician, service manager, or business owner trying to level up… this one is going to hit 👇
We’re talking: 🔥 Why most service companies stay stuck (and how to fix it) 🔥 The real role of SALES in a service business (without being pushy) 🔥 How to build high-performing teams that actually produce 🔥 Why communication might be more valuable than technical skill 🔥 The shift from “just a tech” to a high-value professional 🔥 Systems, processes, and leadership that actually scale a company
This isn’t theory. This is real-world insight from someone driving growth inside the industry right now.
🐍 Brought to you by Viper from Refrigeration Technologies
If you’re still fighting callbacks, dirty coils, or chasing leaks… you’re making your life harder than it needs to be.
From coil cleaners to leak detection and system protection, Viper has the tools techs actually trust in the field. 👉 Do it right the first time and keep your callbacks low
🎯 Who this episode is for: ✔️ Refrigeration technicians ✔️ Foodservice equipment repair pros✔️ HVACR professionals✔️ Service managers and business owners✔️ Anyone trying to grow in the skilled trades
Related Shows Based on Content Similarities
Discover shows related to Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
Whether you're an HVAC technician, refrigeration mechanic, foodservice equipment technician, contractor, apprentice, or simply passionate about the skilled trades, this episode delivers real conversations, real experiences, and plenty of laughs.
This episode is brought to you by Viper Refrigeration Technologies.
When the job demands products you can trust, reach for Viper. Whether it's Nylog White Gasket & Thread Sealant for leak-free threaded connections, WetRag Heat Blocking Putty to protect valves and components while brazing, or Viper's industry-leading coil cleaners that keep systems running efficiently, Viper has products built by technicians, for technicians. Learn more at https://www.refrigtech.com/
If you enjoyed this episode: • Subscribe to Commercial Kitchen Chronicles on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen. • Leave a 5-star review to help more technicians discover the show. • Share this episode with a coworker, apprentice, or friend in the trades. • Follow Commercial Kitchen Chronicles on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X for more interviews, training content, and behind-the-scenes stories.
Commercial Kitchen Chronicles is the original foodservice equipment repair podcast—bringing together the technicians, manufacturers, trainers, and industry leaders who keep commercial kitchens running every day.
A special thanks to our episode sponsor, Ambro Controls.
When you're working with nitrogen, you want gear that just makes sense. Ambro Controls has expanded their Nitrogen Purge Kit by adding a new Blowout Gun and Flow Regulator to go along with the Extended Refillable Cylinder Adaptor—all at no additional cost. Whether you're flowing nitrogen during brazing, flushing drain lines, or pressure testing small systems, you've got everything you need in one kit. Available in 200, 400, and 870 PSI options. Ask for it at your local supplier and check out what's new from Ambro Controls.
If this episode encouraged you or taught you something new, please help support the show by: • Following Commercial Kitchen Chronicles on your favorite podcast platform • Leaving a 5-star rating and review • Sharing this episode with another technician, business owner, or entrepreneur • Subscribing on YouTube for future livestreams and exclusive content
Commercial Kitchen Chronicles is the original foodservice equipment repair podcast—built by technicians, for technicians—bringing you real conversations, expert insights, and inspiring stories from across the skilled trades.
Whether you're a veteran, apprentice, service technician, HVAC contractor, refrigeration mechanic, foodservice equipment technician, or business owner, this episode offers valuable insight into what it really takes to build a successful career in the skilled trades.
A huge thank you to our episode partner, Viper Products from Refrigeration Technologies.
If you're working on commercial kitchens, refrigeration systems, or HVAC equipment, you already know grease, dirt, and buildup can destroy system performance. Viper Coil Cleaners are designed to cut through heavy buildup while remaining technician-safe and non-corrosive. From coil cleaners and leak detectors to industry favorites like Nylog Blue, Nylog White, WetRag Heat Shield, and Big Blu Leak Detector, Viper continues to provide products trusted by technicians across the industry.
✅ Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube ✅ Leave a review to help more technicians find the show ✅ Share this episode with a veteran, apprentice, or technician ✅ Follow Commercial Kitchen Chronicles on social media ✅ Visit commercialkitchenchronicles.com for more episodes
Commercial Kitchen Chronicles is the original foodservice equipment repair podcast, bringing together technicians, manufacturers, trainers, and industry leaders to share real-world experiences from the field.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another technician. Every share helps us continue highlighting the people, stories, and opportunities that make the HVAC/R, refrigeration, foodservice equipment repair, and skilled trades industries stronger.
💥 If you’ve ever felt stuck… underpaid… or like your company isn’t moving forward… this episode will challenge how you think about your role in the industry
👉 Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway 👉 Share this with a tech or manager who needs to hear it 👉 Subscribe for more real-world content from the foodservice repair industry
Commercial Kitchen Chronicles The original foodservice equipment repair podcast Real techs. Real stories. Real growth. 👊
