Category: Podcasts

First Crack 84. Rich Huelskamp on Making an Energy Efficient Home

Rich Huelskamp built a 100% off-grid, renewable-energy home down in Red Wing, MN. He and I talk about how he got his home down from the average 25kWh/day to 6. Along the way, he goes through the steps to making a urban/suburban home more efficient.

If you’re looking to replace your home’s appliances, Rich recommends picking from ACEEE.org’s list of most energy efficient appliances

Listen to Rich Huelskamp on Making an Energy Efficient Home [36 min]

First Crack 83. Chris Dykstra, Zanby, and Social Networking

As part of my ongoing effort to highlight Minnesota-based internet startups, Chris Dykstra and I talk about the strengths and weakness of various social networks (evite, yahoo groups, meetup, linkedin), and how his Zanby is aiming to solve them. Namely – how a single person easily manage dozen of disparate and related groups.

Listen to Chris Dykstra on Zanby and social networks [22 min]

PodcastMN Live to Hard Drive June 2006

Tonight, PodcastMN was at the Acadia Cafe for the inaugural PodcastMN Live to Hard Drive event.

The line up included:

I had a great time. Learned about how each of us do our show, wine tasting, the word “Amen”, and well, since I’m writing this while The Nameless Band Representing Creot Radio is playing, that’s it thus far.

Cinema Playground went all out with a 3-round movie trivia show with – non-podcasting contestants. Remarkable…and hard.

Overall, a refreshing change from the sitting-around-drinking-talking-geek meetups. About 15 seats were filled at any given time so, I’m declaring it a success. There were even requests for another one. I’m up for it. Who else?

Thanks to Ted and the Acadia Cafe for the space, Matt for running the sound, and everyone that did their show.

J Wynia has took some photos of the evening.

First Crack 81. Omar Ansari Talks Surly Beer

Fewer than 6 months after seling the first keg of Surly Beer, Omar Ansari and I talk about starting a microbrewery in Minnesota. He shares the challenges of finding brewing equipment, zoning, and getting Surly into local bars and restaurants.

We also do a live tasting of Surly’s new Belgian Saison-esque CynicAle

Listen to Omar Ansari talk Surly Beer [34 min]

First Crack 80. Robert Metcalf and FlySpy.com to Find Better Airfare

A quick conversation with Robert Metcalf from FlySpy.com on the need to find better airfare and the power of TechCrunch.com as a PR channel (same way Ryan talks about Digg).

Drop a message on the First Crack voicemail line: 612-284-4148

Listen to Robert Metcalf and FlySpy.com to Find Better Airfare [12 min]

First Crack 79. Slush Recipe and House Memories

Jen shares her family Slush recipe (get out the cheap Brandy) while we share some memories about our old house. The place my Grandparents lived in for 40 years, my mom for a good chunk of that, Jen and I for 2, and Cooper for his first 6 months. We cover the good, the bad, and the renovated. Listen close and there’s a Dirk Gently reference in there for you.

I’m also introducing a new segment: Two Minutes with Mom.

Drop a message on the First Crack voicemail line: 612-284-4148

Listen to the Slush Recipes and House Memories [39 min]

First Crack 78. The Trouble with Business Models

As I promised, here’s the second half of my conversation with J Wynia on geeky stuff. (The first half is at GlassTooBig.com)

Here, we talk about making money, keeping overhead low, income diversification, and making sure an idea needs a business model.

Listen to the Trouble with Business Models [39 min]