CNC Underground: Afterhours

Running a machine shop is often called the hardest business in the world, and this episode covers the realities behind that statement. The conversation focused on why manufacturing and machining are so essential yet underappreciated, and what actually goes on when chaos is normalized in daily shop life. Addressing issues from tribal knowledge to retiring skilled employees, the discussion tackled w...

Get a front-row seat to the changing landscape of modern manufacturing as the microphones flip on Chris Luecke, host of Manufacturing Happy Hour. This episode covers content creation in manufacturing, skill gaps, amplifying new voices, technology trends, and leadership challenges, all delivered through candid conversations and personal stories. The discussion covers generational shifts, the power...

Caz, founder of Caztek Engineering and Caztek Precision, and Landon, director of Strategic Growth, share their no-nonsense approach to rapid business growth in precision manufacturing. Hear what happens when ambition collides with execution: from doubling company size to onboarding second shifts, investing in automation, and developing leadership. The conversation covers scaling teams, striking th...

PLM: buzzword or necessity? Jessica welcomes Michael Finocchiaro, a product lifecycle management veteran, startup advisor, and outspoken industry observer, for a no-nonsense conversation about what PLM is, what it actually solves, lingering shop floor headaches, and why “single source of truth” might be the most misleading promise in digital manufacturing. Get straight talk about the evolution of...

Tyler Stillson, president and owner of Operose Manufacturing, joins host Jessica for an honest discussion about growth, risk, and technology in modern manufacturing. From walking away from engineering school to building a multi-location business, Tyler shares the decisions, challenges, and lessons behind the scenes, from automation investments and scaling through acquisition, to the realities of l...

Jim Vinoski joins CNC Underground AfterHours to share decades of experience in manufacturing, spanning engineering, leadership, writing, and advising. Mechanical engineer, former Forbes manufacturing columnist, industry podcaster, and longtime executive, Jim breaks down the evolution of factory work, the changing nature of automation, and the critical importance of both leadership and adaptable pr...

Get an inside look at the changing face of manufacturing and the skilled trades with hosts Jessica Bird and Darryl Gratrix, founder of NextGen Skilled Trades Consulting. Darryl shares his personal path from a non-technical background to a leader in Canadian manufacturing, addressing tough questions about why the industry is losing talent and what can actually be done to bring the next generation i...

What actually happens when you mix motorsports ambitions, hands-on automotive classes, and a willingness to post real wins and mistakes online?  In this conversation, Nush Ahmed breaks stereotypes about women in manufacturing, shares the truth about getting started in trades, and pulls back the curtain on building a visible career outside the traditional corporate ladder.  With host Jessica Urbans...

Arthur Field, Operations Manager for the Americas at MTDCNC, joins the conversation to break down what truly defines strong partnerships in manufacturing and why clinging to outdated methods can sabotage shop culture, profitability, and growth.  From shop floor trial-and-error to managing international operations, Arthur shares candid stories of career-defining mistakes, hard-won leadership lesson...

Join Jessica Urbans and Jon Ely for CNC Underground After Hours as they take a closer look at the realities of machining—from running parts on twin-turret lathes to managing a modern team and leading Industrial Tool Solutions. Hear how Jon’s career built step by step, starting as an operator, progressing through programming and production roles, moving into sales, and ultimately leading a company....

Join Jessica Urbans and guest Alex Huckstepp, co-founder and chief commercial officer at Uptool, as they talk through the realities of US manufacturing today. This episode covers the evolution of additive and subtractive technologies, the challenges and opportunities for small and medium manufacturers, and what it takes for true innovation to move beyond theory.  Hear firsthand perspectives on the...

Mike Richter, Learning and Development Manager at Wilson Tool International, sits down with host Jessica Urbans to reveal the twists, turns, and lessons learned in his move from public education to manufacturing. With just four and a half years in the industry, but over a decade and a half guiding learners and leading tech integration in schools, Mike's story highlights how unconventional back...

Join host Jessica Urbans as she welcomes Marco Bauer, the mind behind up2parts, an AI-powered manufacturing co-pilot that helps automate CAM programming, quoting, and workflow clarity from quoting to machining. Based in Germany, Marco shares his journey from self-taught machinist to software developer, offering unique perspectives on industry automation, global shop culture, and what sets up2parts...

Jessica Urbans brings together manufacturing engineer Josh Weis from Aurelius Manufacturing for an in-depth, candid conversation about shop life, process changes, and the quirks of CNC culture. Josh shares his upbringing in the machine shop, entry into the world of lathes and mills, and transition into CAM programming. Their exchange covers generational shifts, adapting to new technologies, shop c...

Take a seat at the CNC Underground After Hours table with hosts Jessica Urbans and Christina Casanova for a candid year-end wrap-up that pulls no punches. This episode puts myths to rest, covers mistakes, and lays out practical tactics for shops gearing up for 2026. Automation, tribal knowledge, documentation, training, and shop culture are front and center, woven together with humor, real-world s...

Looking for real answers to shop floor challenges every CNC machinist and programmer faces? Tired of day shift vs. night shift tension, tribal knowledge getting lost, or wasting time hunting for tools? In this episode, Chris Karnitz, who went from forklift driver to continuous improvement engineer opens up about the gritty realities and genuine strategies that can help you work smarter, not harder...

Go behind the scenes of CNC machining with host Jessica and guest Mike O'Rourke, a cutting tool specialist at Hill Industrial Tools. From the shop floor to high-efficiency toolpaths, learn why real-world experience matters in sales and how technical support can make or break a shop’s efficiency. They discuss partnering with customers, the practical impact of tool selection and after-sale suppo...

Step inside the world of CNC operations and process knowledge with Jess Urbans and special guest Jason Forsell, Director of Operations at Johnstech International. With a manufacturing background starting in 1989 and experience leading teams across the globe, Jason shares practical stories and forward-thinking strategies for using CAM as the single source of truth in modern machine shops. The discu...

Longtime machinist Jared Reining joins host Jessica to talk shop culture, leadership, business lessons, and the path from saw operator to prototype machinist, all the way to starting his own garage shop. With 10 years of experience, including stints at Olander Tooling, Lester, Matthias Die, and Pharma Med Automation, Jared shares hard-earned advice for those looking to break into both CNC manufact...

Rachel Marshall—better known online as The Lathe Babe—shares her story of trading cosmetics counters for CNC machines and now operating a thriving family-run shop, Excel Machine Manufacturing, in Utah. Host Jess Urbans takes you through Rachel’s unconventional path into manufacturing, working side-by-side with her husband, and why they've purposely kept the business small. Rachel discusses the sur...

From multi-turn machines and the evolution of CAM platforms to the surprising power of additive manufacturing and the real talk on ITAR regulations, this episode brims with stories, insights, and laughter from the world of advanced machining. Dan Graczak, a seasoned applications engineer whose career has spanned everything from EDM to additive workholding, breaks down which myths hold up on the sh...

From custom race car parts at sixteen to high-stakes aerospace and defense prototypes, Ben Martin shares an inside look at the world of machining, shop culture, and mentorship. Hear his take on early career challenges, the real differences between industries like medical and defense, and why well-kept shops and open conversations make all the difference for both seasoned machinists and new apprent...

Minnesota’s manufacturing community takes center stage as Jessica sits down with Steve Kalina, President & CEO of MPMA (Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association) and a Marine Corps veteran, for a real-world look at workforce development, next-generation talent, and the unique spirit driving the region’s shops. Steve traces his experiences from scrubbing toilets at his family’s machine sho...

On this episode of CNC Underground, Jess Urbans sits down with Matthew Roderick, CTO of R&S Machining, to talk about forging a career in manufacturing from the ground up. Matthew shares his journey from janitor to tech leader, the importance of mastering every role along the way, and how investing in people fuels company growth. They dive into topics like in-house post processor development, c...

Ever crash a CNC machine and still get promoted? Hosts Jess Urbans and Christina Casanova kick off CNC Underground After Hours, where shop floor mishaps meet real talk and laughs. On this pilot episode, they dig into the realities of manufacturing life, why there’s no safe place to be real about shop struggles, and how comedy fuels survival in CNC world. Discover why every machinist, programmer, a...