Forging Brains Podcast

This was an exciting episode sitting down to learn about Travis Burn's role at the Virginia Tech College. He's had a number of different roles at the college there throughout his time teaching there for 16 years. Was also great to learn how he was able to push himself to earn those Masters Degrees, as well as, becoming an FWCF through the Fellowship. Lot's of dedication and priorities...

Exciting things are in the works for Forging Brains! Recently we took a trip down to Jim Poor's shop, Flatland Forge, with Chris Madrid to document and tell Jim's story through some video series. We'll let you know soon when that'll be available to watch on the Forging Brains YouTube channel. We also caught up about what we've been up to for the past month with contests and cli...

We heard you guys enjoyed the first "tool time" episode we did so we did another episode talking about the tools we use in our everyday horseshoeing careers. There's lot of chatter about what tools are the best and what tools are the cheapest, blah blah bahh... But we broke down the tools we choose to use and what makes them special to us. Also got into the anatomy of these tools abo...

The dynamic duo is back with both of us talking about what tools we like to use, why we use them and also breaking down the anatomy of different tools and their different characteristics. It was also a great catch up episode to talk about what we've been up to the past month since the Winter Clinic. Hope you guys enjoy hearing us breakdown different forging tools! Also check out our website-ww...

Was great to jump on with another guest from across the pond, Toby Pedley! Toby comes from a multi-generational farrier family and from an early age he grew up watching his dad shoe horses so he grew quite an interest in the trade and started learning as early as 11 years old. Granted, there's rules and regulations over in England so he couldn't actually shoe any horses until he was licens...

Farrier training and education in the United States can be a touchy subject amongst people in our trade. Whether or not 6-8 weeks is long enough for someone to be able to successfully learn all the skills needed to become a successful farrier or if attending a school that has a large amount of students at that time if you're going to be able to get enough attention from the instructor to learn...

This was a great conversation we had with Brian Buckner! We learned a lot from him how even when life can dang near cripple you... literally! That through faith, dedication, community and hard work you can pick yourself up and still accomplish and achieve life long goals you've set out for yourself. There's a bunch of inspiring moments Brian shared with us that I think people will like to...

While we were at Well-Shod for the WCB Winter Clinic, we were fortunate to sit down with someone who knows a lot of history about competing at Calgary when it was held at the Stampede grounds, Marshall Illes! There were some stories i was surprised to hear in this episode. Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.com Our Proud Sponsors of the Show www.farrierbox.com use code BRAINS for 25% off...

First episode for the new year of 2026! We were at Riley's shop last week and discussed what we have done over the past year with Troy Wood. Troy was Reserve World Champion in 2025 but also wrapped up and won the 2025 National Championship this winter in Ft Worth, Texas hosted by the World Championship Blacksmiths. Jam packed year with Troy and myself qualifying for the 2026 WCB Team along wit...

Our first "across the pond" episode! This week's guest is none other than the now 6-time World Champ, Steven Beane. It was great to hear how Steven got into this trade and learn about the ambition he has had since a young age. Carving his own spot in history as one of the most decorated farriers in our industry. In this episode you'll hear how Steven prepped himself to win his fi...

Travis Koons is back! Our first episode with Travis wasn't long enough so we wanted him back to continue sharing more of what Master Koonzagi has to offer! We talked a little bit about what Travis has been up to since we last spoke to him and also the business side of shoeing, shoeing horses with concave and the many benefits and side effects flat wide shoeing affects a horse's limb/hoof,...

We've had a month to reflect on what has happened in the past 30 days ish.. And I was able to compete at 3 different contests in that time, the Blacksmith World Championships at Spruce Meadows, Farriers of Washington State Fall Conference, and the Virginia State Fair World Championship Blacksmiths competition. We talked about what happened at those contests, the highs and the lows, and what wa...

Another solo pod with Riley and myself! This time we're chatting about my journey to Spruce Meadows this year so far. The trials and tribulations of practice, what all the classes are at Spruce, how I have been preparing myself, and what are some of my goals for this year. We'll try and do a recap episode after Spruce to talk about how the week went for me and others as well. Also check out our we...

We've got a special guest this week with Jennifer Horn. You'll hear in this episode that Jennifer had the determination from day 1 to become a successful farrier and blacksmith. She managed to build a successful business, become a Certified Journeyman Farrier and compete at farrier contests while raising a family and managing a horse farm. A lot of people have seen the great works of art s...

Mason may not be very well known yet but he is dang sure doing his best by climbing through the ranks and trying to soak up as much as he can from those who are willing to offer their knowledge to him. Mason Mileski is a Utah farrier who has been shoeing for a short period of time but has made a big impact on his career by seeking help from top farriers in the industry. He didn't attend a farr...

We were honored to sit down with a legend in the PBR Bullfighting world, Shorty Gorham! You may be wondering what bullfighting and farriery have in common and why we sat down to hear from Shorty but in the short, it's work ethic. He didn't get into bullfighting for the fame or desire to get inducted into the PBR Hall of Fame, he did it because he enjoyed fighting bulls with a passion and t...

This week's guest is one a lot of people know, Conrad Trow! Conrad set out to horseshoeing school when he was 18 in Kentucky, coming from South Africa, when back home for an apprenticeship for a few years before making the decision to move back to the States for good. He's living proof of the American Dream and taking advantage of every opportunity he was offered along the way! He's be...

Most everyone in our scene has met our guest, Weston Newsom, and guarantee that everyone you ask will tell you that he's the nicest guy you'll meet and give you the shirt off his back. Weston shared with us his interests throughout the years from working ranches, like the 6666's and others, to then finding a passion for shoeing horses and competing at the WCB contests, building spurs a...

It's that time of year where everybody is busy and busting their butts but we're back with another episode of Forging Brains Podcast! Just a recap of what we've been up to and what we have planned for the upcoming months as well. We look forward to seeing everyone out an about! Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.comOur Proud Sponsors of the Showwww.farrierbox.com use code BRA...

We recently asked you guys on the Forging Brains Facebook page if you had some questions you'd like for us to chat about on the podcast while we were planning on being at Troy Wood's shop. Just so happened that this years cultural exchange student, Ed Beeston was staying with Troy and happy to sit down with us for the recording as well. It was cool to hear what his journey has been like so...

Early on the podcast we had Robert Jukes as a guest of ours and is still one of the most listened to episodes we've uploaded. So when we heard Robert is moving back to his homeland in Australia, we wanted to get him on the podcast to hear what he has planned and how he plans to do a move halfway across the world. Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.comOur Proud Sponsors of the Showwww.rus...

Last week's episode was with the judge of the next  @wcbfarrier  contest in Amarillo, Texas John McNerney of  @yukonforge  and this week's episode is with 3 highly skilled and devoted guys- Jim Poor, Bodie Trnka, and Chris Madrid to talk through how someone can break down a shoe list or their practice regimen to get to the top. These guys know what it takes to win and have a lot of wins un...

Hear from the judge of the upcoming WCB in Amarillo, Texas! The West Texas Ranch Rodeo shoe list just came out and we sat down with John McNerney of Yukon Forge to hear how he made the shoes and what he's going to be looking for in each class as well. If you're looking for an edge on your competition, this provides great insight for what's to be expected from the judge of the West Texa...

I've known these guys for over half my life now and if it wasn't for them, I probably wouldn't have a career as a farrier. Billy Lovell and I met in high school going to high school rodeos and then he encouraged me to take up the farrier program at Walla Walla Community College where we both took the class together. I met Matt Magan while I was in the farrier program as he graduated from there the...

While at the AFA Convention we were able to sit down with Juan Berumen and hear his story how he has navigated his way through his career, working for some of the legends of our trade, and earning a spot on the American Farrier's Team as well. Also check out our website-www.forgingbrains.com Our Proud Sponsors of the Show www.rustybrownjewelry.com use code BRAINS for 20% off your order! www.farrie...