Featuring: Ron Hein — 88-Year-Old Mining Historian, Veteran, and Co-Author of “Taconite: New Life for Minnesota’s Iron Range”

In the inaugural episode of the Old Guys Rule Podcast, host Ian DeVaney sits down with Ron Hein, an 88-year-old mining expert, military veteran, lifelong learner, and co-author of a major historical work on Minnesota’s taconite mining industry.

This conversation explores Ron’s extraordinary life—from growing up in rural Minnesota and working his first job in a lumber yard to becoming a welder, a boilermaker, a senior leader at Erie Mining Company, and a colonel in the National Guard who later earned the title of brigadier general.

Along the way, Ron reflects on faith, family, perseverance, the history and future of Minnesota mining, environmental misconceptions, and the importance of improving education and rebuilding a common vision for America.

This episode sets the tone for the show: stories of faith, hope, love, hard work, and perseverance told by men who’ve lived long enough to earn the title “old guy”—and have some wisdom to pass on.

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Intro Music: "Old Guys Rule" by The Union of Sinners and Saints

Producer: Rock Media Productions