Why This Steamfitter Left Welding for Manufacturing Stories

<p>Brook Laing started in the trades as a steam-fitter welder and eventually found her way into industry media, where she now helps tell the stories behind manufacturing and fabrication. In this episode, Brook shares how she got into the trades, why she left union work, and how podcasting and content creation became part of her mission to make the industry more approachable and human.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>What You&#39;ll Learn</strong></p><ul><li><p>How Brook went from college plans to welding and steam-fitting.</p></li><li><p>Why she loved the work but still chose to pivot out of the trade.</p></li><li><p>The difference between a steam-fitter and a pipe-fitter.</p></li><li><p>Why layoff culture can make trade careers hard to sustain.</p></li><li><p>How she got involved with the Sisterhood of the Skilled Trades.</p></li><li><p>Why trade communities and apprenticeship support matter.</p></li><li><p>How her podcast helps introduce new people to the trades.</p></li><li><p>Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for recruiting and retention.</p></li><li><p>How manufacturing content can focus on the people, not just the shop.</p></li><li><p>What she thinks about automation, robotic welding, and the future of skilled labor.</p></li></ul><p><br></p><p>Thank you to this week&#39;s sponsor Abicor Binzel. Learn more about the xFUME Pro here <a href="https://goweld.link/abicorpod">⁠<u>https://goweld.link/abicorpod</u>⁠</a> </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect With Brooke Laing</strong></p><ul><li><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-laing11/">⁠<u>https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-laing11/</u>⁠</a> </p></li><li><p>Instagram: @lainggerr <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lainggerr/">⁠<u>https://www.instagram.com/lainggerr/</u>⁠</a> </p></li><li><p>TikTok: @lainggerrr <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lainggerrr?_r=1&_t=zs-95fyp7cvkfl">⁠<u>https://www.tiktok.com/@lainggerrr</u>⁠</a></p></li><li><p>Two Bolts Short Of A Flange Podcast: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6pmLbiTozQOjsh4d7fun2s?si=fc6f8fc7c08d4e06">⁠<u>https://open.spotify.com/show/6pmLbiTozQOjsh4d7fun2s?si=fc6f8fc7c08d4e06</u>⁠</a> </p></li><li><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TwoBoltsShortofaFlange">⁠<u>https://www.youtube.com/@TwoBoltsShortofaFlange</u>⁠</a> </p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Download The Weld App</strong></p><p>iOS: App Store <a href="https://goweld.link/AppleApp">⁠<u>https://goweld.link/AppleApp</u>⁠</a> Android: Google Play <a href="https://goweld.link/Android">⁠<u>https://goweld.link/Android</u>⁠</a> </p><p><br></p><p>If this show has helped your welding career, leaving a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts helps other welders find it.</p><p><br></p><p>#WeldingPodcast #WeldingCareer #steamfitter #twoboltsshortofaflange #WeldingEducation </p>