Shows
CNC Underground: Afterhours10. Surviving the CNC Rollercoaster - Truth Bombs, Honest Recaps, and Future Plans with Jessica and ChristinaTake 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 stories, and a touch of chaos.From passive-aggressive sticky notes on the night shift, to the hazards of undocumented processes, to automation gone awry and expensive dashboards nobody looks at, every topic is handled with raw...
2025-12-1746 min
CNC Underground: Afterhours9. Night Shift Survival and Shop Floor Wins You Need to Hear with Chris KarnitzLooking 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.From running old bandsaws to running multi-spindle Index machines, Chris shares what they don’t teach you in manuals: how to actually optimize toolpaths, the truth about shortcuts (zip ties count!), and why every mi...
2025-12-0327 min
CNC Underground: Afterhours8. The One Tool Mistake That Costs You The Most With Mike O'RourkeGo 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 support, and the real-world difference between carbide coolant through drills and cobalt. Also, hear about custom tool solutions, game-changing strategies for cycle time reduction, and how local manufacturing and technical support set businesses apart. If you're re...
2025-11-1933 min
CNC Underground: Afterhours7. How Did Jason Forsell Capture Years of Tribal Shop Knowledge Without a Single Spreadsheet?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 discussion spans everything from the shift away from binders and tribal knowledge to the culture of multi-shift teams, the importance of applied engineering education, and the role of CAM in documentation and process consistency. Discover Jason’s perspective on fo...
2025-11-0543 min
CNC Underground: Afterhours6. Why One Machinist Thinks Cheap Equipment Will Sink Your Shop With Jared ReiningLongtime 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 manufacturing and entrepreneurship.The episode opens with Jared's candid stories of early mistakes, hands-on learning, and how those lessons shaped his approach in four different shops. From training apprentices to refining leadership strategies with insights from psychology...
2025-10-2249 min
CNC Underground: Afterhours5. From Makeup Counters to Metal Chips: How Rachel Marshall Became the Lathe BabeRachel 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 surprising links between sales skills, retail experience, and machine shop work, and her candid thoughts on the importance of women and the next generation in the trades.This episode covers the reality of running a shop with your spouse...
2025-10-081h 00CNC Underground: Afterhours4. Inside the Future of CNC: ITAR, Probes, and Family-First Culture with Dan GraczakFrom 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 shop floor, why knowledge of G-code still matters, and what sets DMG Mori apart in an industry full of change. Hear firsthand confessions of flammable mistakes, the surprising strength of 3D printed materials...
2025-09-2444 minCNC Underground: Afterhours3. Essential Strategies to Advance Your Machining Career with Ben MartiFrom 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 apprentices. This episode mixes personal stories, industry insights, and a healthy dose of humor with practical advice—plus, lively rounds of “Forgivable or Fireable” and “Machinist Myths”—all while highlighting the importance of continued learning, automation, and challenging old stereoty...
2025-09-1038 min
CNC Underground: Afterhours2. Behind Closed Doors of Minnesota Manufactured Day with Steve KalinaMinnesota’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 shop at age 13 to running marathons and leading one of Minnesota’s top manufacturing groups.This episode features practical stories about building character on the shop floor, the impact of early STEM education, and creating hands-on experiences for kids at the Minn...
2025-08-2745 minCNC Underground: Afterhours1. Why Mastering G-Code Still Matters in an Automated CNC World with Matthew RoderickOn 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, custom machine monitoring systems, the real-world impact of flashy CAM trends, and why AI and automation are tools to amplify, not replace, shop floor talent. Whether you’re a seasoned machinist or new to th...
2025-08-1355 minCNC Underground: AfterhoursCNC Underground: Afterhours - Kicking Off With Comedy and CamaraderieEver 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, and shop leader will see themselves in these stories, and pick up insights you won’t find in a corporate brochure.Get ready to reth...
2025-07-2809 min