478 - Bagpipes, Breakdowns, and Life Lessons (Dojo Conversations Episode 146)

What do old cars and bagpipes have in common? More than you might think...

This week, Andrew and Jim take a joyride through the surprisingly parallel worlds of mechanical tinkering and musical maintenance – from leaky fuel lines to temperamental reeds.

Along the way, they swap stories about car ownership philosophies, creative DIY fixes, and the lessons learned from both engines and chanters that just won’t behave. It’s a lighthearted look at frustration, persistence, and knowing when to hold on… and when to finally let go.

🚗🎶 Whether you’re tuning pipes or turning wrenches, this episode is a reminder that mastery isn’t about perfection — it’s about patience, curiosity, and a good sense of humor.

Like, subscribe, and share your best (or worst) mechanical mishap in the comments! Here’s what we cover this week:


• 00:00 – Morning routines & setting the tone

• 03:20 – Car ownership philosophies: new, old, or leased?

• 08:10 – Jim’s decades-long car saga

• 13:45 – The pickup truck dream (and nightmare)

• 22:00 – DIY repairs and mechanical mayhem

• 28:30 – The great gasoline leak incident

• 33:00 – What cars teach us about bagpipes

• 37:00 – The sunk cost fallacy and moving on

• 41:00 – Toyota Camry wisdom: choosing reliability

• 45:00 – Diagnosing problems: first principles & learning by doing

• 50:00 – Mechanics, community, and quirky gas stations

• 54:00 – Wrap-up & what’s next