The Podcast For Makers (makercast)

Sean O'Grady gives us an in depth look at his maker journey. At a young age, Sean found himself without direction, and had it not been for a very strange set of circumstances, he may never have gone down the road he is on today. Sean has a unique way of metalworking, and he has a passion for welding that he picked up later in life. We get to hear about how he uses his small amount of shop time every week to build his skills. He also explains his plan for growing into a full time maker. Listen in as Sean also shares How passion for learning can keep you motivated Starting out with a niche productand Facing the demands of the day job, all the while planning efficiencies with limited shop time Visit the show notes for this episode Tweet at Sean or Jon Checkout Sean or Jon on Instagram Want to support the show while getting an amazing tool to run your maker business? Check out FreshBooks for a free trial, today!

After leaving the Army and becoming burnt out at his job at Costco, Todd Clippinger struck out on his own in 1997. A “severely average” student from a blue-collar family, Todd launched a handyman business with no knowledge of or experience with handyman work. He credits his grandfather’s mentorship, his background as a combat engineer, and his personal quest for excellence for giving him the discipline and determination to succeed. Join our conversation with Todd as we discuss: Finding your limits - and pushing them Hands-on learning The quest for excellence The crucial role of attention to detail Visit the show notes for this episode Tweet at Jon Checkout Todd or Jon on Instagram Want to support the show while getting an amazing tool to run your maker business? Check out FreshBooks for a free trial, today!  

Self-described BMX kid and hack carpenter David Gagné uses his vivid imagination and colorful background to build all kinds of unique creations. As a fan of punk rock from a blue-collar family, David’s passion for making came from day jobs as a bicycle mechanic and construction laborer. Today, David has a “bicycle graveyard” behind his home and a collection of upcycled projects made from old bicycle parts and a growing YouTube channel, Elm City Vintage. Join us as we talk to David about A passion for photography that fizzled when it became a job The punk rock DIY ethic and its similarity to the Maker mindset Learning to make things from readily available junk bicycle parts Diving into new things head first and figuring things out as you go Learning to crawl before you can walk Making YouTube videos that stand out Visit the show notes for this episode Tweet at Jon Checkout David or Jon on Instagram

West Texas native Jeremy Crawford discovered a passion for teaching while serving in the US Coast Guard. That opportunity ended, but Jeremy wasn’t done with teaching. The search for another creative venue led to the creation of his blog - The Countryside Workshop and soon after, The Woodshop 101 Podcast Visit the show notes for this episode.  

Thanks to all the great guests of the show. The winner of the giveaway is revealed on this episode - plus a whole lot more! podcastformakers.com/giveaway

Whether it’s saddles, belts, or other leather goods, artist Don Gonzales sells to cowboys, college students, and everyone in between. Don’s business, DG Saddlery, makes high-end custom saddles in Bryan, Texas. With a one year waiting list, Don’s saddles are made by hand, one at a time, and are covered in Don’s hand-tooled decorative touches. Join us as we talk to Don about: His early aspirations to be a veterinarian Leather as a medium for art How a hobby became a side business became a full-time career Finding direction as a maker and as a business Visit the show notes for this episode Signup for the #MakercastGiveaway Tweet at Jon Checkout Don or Jon on Instagram

Cristiana Felgueiras has a unique view of the world. An artist, musician, and maker from Porto, Portugal, Cristiana started making gifts for her parents and sister when she was still a small child. Early on, she recognized her hands-on approach to learning and the enjoyment she gets from being active, which has transformed itself into her popular YouTube channel, Get Hands Dirty. Join us as we talk to Cristiana about: Never having a “real” job The frustrations of the art world YouTube as an exhibition space / digital gallery The appeal of functional artwork Visit the show notes for this episode Visit the Patreon page for the show Find out details on entering to win the #makercastgiveaway

A woodworker for most of his life, Carl Jacobson is best known for his unusual and unique woodturning projects. As part of the YouTube Maker community, Carl says that his channel encourages him to try new things and stretch beyond his comfort zone. Carl’s experience with YouTube has led him to venture into education, and he plans to release a series of woodturning DVDs for some of his more popular and intricate projects. Join us as we talk to Carl about: Experiments turning unusual materials, including automotive paint build-up The joy of figuring things out for yourself / not following instructions Intentionally leaving mistakes in his videos Visit the show notes for this episode! Get involved in the #makercastgiveaway!

Tim Sway (@tim_sway) is a man of many talents. As a YouTube maker, upcyclist, musician, and host on the Reclaimed Audio Podcast, Tim calls himself a “professional child” who aims to make worthless things into priceless art with a purpose. Tim’s long-term ambition is to use his work not only to inspire others to make things, but also to consider their habits and make a positive impact on the planet as a whole. Join us as we talk to Tim about: The definition of work The positive value of change How flexibility can change your entire life Working with your kids and the genesis of Vance Maker Visit the show notes for this episode Checkout the MakerCastGiveaway!

Eric Schimelpfenig @SketchThis is a self-proclaimed expert at not saying no. During a childhood filled with creating, exploring, and breaking, Eric’s grandfather started teaching him how to fix things. Eric made a career in 3D design, especially kitchen design, and eventually collaborated with Google in the development of SketchUp. Join us as we talk to Eric about: The value of drawing things out before you build them Being a successful “terrible” woodworker The value of reliable equipment Visit the show notes for this episode Checkout the MakerCastGiveaway!

Known for being a woodworking teacher, Katie Jackson started a woodworking career only after graduating from college for painting and education. Her creative spirit and drive to empower others led her to woodworking education targeting at-risk girls and young women. An experiment in collaborative woodworking and reclaimed materials, while never profitable, led to a line of custom furniture and eventually a book, Hand-Built Outdoor Furniture. Join us as we talk to Katie about: Working with ADHD The value of teamwork and collaboration Learning woodworking by studying antiques The importance of education in opening woodworking to women Learning from failure Visit the show notes for this episode Checkout the MakerCastGiveaway!

Jared Hildabrant is an electrician by day and a Maker by night. Growing up in a tight-knit blue-collar community, Jared remembers a world where every home had a small workshop out of necessity. He became an electrician only after trying several other jobs and finding they didn’t feel right. Jared used these experiences to guide him toward a career in a skilled trade that provides satisfaction and a solid footing on which he could start a family. We talk about The value of taking things apart Exposing your children to making Seeing college as a means of escape Taking good lessons from bad experiences Visit the show notes for this episode.

Growing up in New York, Sarah Cooley found her entrepreneurial spirit out of nowhere. Sarah is the founder of Simply Curated, a maker of boutique hand-poured soy candles in elegant glass containers modeled on vintage barware. After a career in design and marketing, Sarah found that she missed working with physical products — and from this, a candle company was born. Join us as we talk to Sarah about: The importance of customer feedback Adapting to the market when ideas come into conflict with reality The perks and pitfalls of wholesaling Responsibilities beyond the sale Visit the show notes for this episode

Andy Birkey takes pride in being known for the “weirdness” of his work. A life-long maker, Andy pays his bills doing restoration work on churches and cathedrals. But in the true maker spirit, Andy’s other projects can incorporate reclaimed materials, metal, wood, plastic, and aesthetics from modern to steampunk. Connecting with the maker community has given Andy an opportunity to share a lifetime of knowledge with a new family around the world. Join us as we talk to Andy about: Travel, architecture, and their power to change perspective Learning by getting in over your head The power of being able to switch on the fly The transcendental nature of The Craft Visit the show notes for this episode This episode is brought to you by FreshBooks - Cloud Accounting

Jason Harrelson is the founder of Harrelson Trumpets. An experience in college led Jason to question what made one trumpet sound good while another sounded bad. Following that question all the way down the rabbit hole caused Jason to drop out of school and start his own company manufacturing high-end custom brass instruments. When you ask Jason what he does, however, he calls himself an inventor. Join us as we talk to Jason about: Growing up in the cab of a Big Rig and learning to make your own fun on the road Gaining knowledge and skills without learning to conform Falling in love with the trumpet How becoming a police officer taught him to be a better businessman The future of Harrelson and his philosophy on life Visit the show notes for this episode This episode is brought to you by FreshBooks - Cloud Accounting

Bill Livolsi developed his skills as a writer doing work he didn’t care for. After ten years in the same niche, he began to search for something more than just a paycheck. In the last year, Bill has reinvented himself, connected with a community, and found a passion in making — and writing about it. In this episode, we discuss: Learning to recognize your strengths Transitioning into a new career Embracing imperfection Finding your passion and creating opportunities Co-authoring a book with Jimmy DiResta Visit the show notes for this episode This episode is brought to you by FreshBooks - Cloud Accounting

Laura Kampf is an artist and Maker from Cologne, Germany. Through her popular YouTube channel, Laura shares projects spanning a number of disciplines, insight on making as a career, and her impeccable taste in music — all beautifully filmed thanks to a keen eye and a solid foundation in videography. Join us as we discuss:  Finding your path Building a business from the ground up Insecurity and taking pride in your work Learning by doing The difficulty of client relations and knowing your own worth Visit the show notes for this episode This episode is brought to you by FreshBooks - Cloud Accounting

Tech startups and chocolate don’t seem like they have anything in common; but Ben Tseitlin, an entrepreneur and educator, uses chocolate as a way to introduce people to making. His company Benchic Chocolate offers hands-on classes in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas, and also sells complete chocolate-making kits so you can experience the process at home. Listen to our conversation with Ben as we discuss: The pleasure of taking things apart to see how they work College pressure and its role in molding extracurricular activities University prestige and its inverse relationship with practical skills training Choosing to leave the expected path The meditative process of making chocolate The satisfaction of teaching others Visit the show notes for this episode This episode is brought to you by FreshBooks - Cloud Accounting  

Bill Fienup started his career in product development while still a student in grade school. Though his perpetual motion machines were doomed to failure, they sparked a lifelong passion for product development that persisted throughout his life. Now, as president of Catalyze Chicago, Bill runs an incubator for hardware startups where he uses his experience to help others bring their products to market.  Follow along as we talk to Bill about: Bringing a product to market The risk inherent in the traditional secretive product design model The gap between prototype and production NDA vs MVP Experimentation, failure, and iteration The importance of losing The benefits of community and diversity of talent Visit the show notes for this episode This episode is brought to you by FreshBooks - Cloud Accounting  

As a soldier in the US Army, Mike Merzke found himself making rudimentary furniture for his fellow soldiers while deployed to Iraq. His making hobby made life a little more comfortable for the soldiers away from home. Now, as Mike nears retirement from the Army, he is building his former hobby into a business — Merzke Custom Woodworking. Join us as we talk to Mike about: Viewing mistakes as practice instead of failures Smart shop expansion and the right time to buy new tools Using social media for business portability Expectations as a roadblock to success Visit the show notes for this episode This episode is brought to you by FreshBooks - Cloud Accounting