PODCAST · education
Arc Junkies
by Jason Becker
Arc Junkies is a Welding Podcast that is on a mission to help, educate and inspire the next generation of welders. Each week I talk to a new guest about their journey as a welder. Throughout the episodes, we cover different techniques, processes, variables, technical information and life lessons.
Episodes
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Weld Wednesday w/ AWS | Before You Strike an Arc What Every Welding Student Needs to Know feat: Josh Wolfe
What should a student know before walking into welding school on day one? In this episode of Weld Wednesday with AWS, I sit down with Josh Wolfe, welding instructor at Laurel Oaks in Wilmington, Ohio, and host of the Speaking of Skilled Trades podcast, for an honest conversation about what it...
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Wayback Wednesday w/ AWS Certification vs. Qualification w/ Daryl Peterson.
Daryl Peterson is a SCWI and the District Director for District 5 of the American Welding Society. This week we hop in the way back machine to revisit a very controversial topic in the welding Industry. We often hear about welders claiming to be "Certified" and then getting called out on social...
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Weld Wednesday w/ AWS Robots vs. Cobots: Building an Automation Program with Anthony Nighswander of APT Manufacturing
In this episode of Weld Wednesday with AWS, host Jason Becker sits down with Anthony Nighswander, founder of APT Manufacturing and one of the top FANUC integrators in the country. Anthony breaks down the real difference between traditional industrial robots and collaborative robots (cobots), why...
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Weld Wednesday w/ AWSThe $100K Myth: What It Actually Takes to Hit Six Figures in Welding — with Dabs Wellington
Sean "Dabs" Flottman — welder, fabricator, educator, and bracelet-shipping hustle machine — joins Jason on this month's Weld Wednesday with AWS to tackle one of the most debated topics in the trade: the six-figure welding salary. Is it a myth? Is it achievable? And more importantly, what does it...
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402. From Welding School to $100K: The KWI Kids Proving Everyone Wrong w/ Landon Earlywine & Jackson Settler
Think fresh-out-of-welding-school means starting at the bottom? Landon Earlywine (19) and Jackson Settler (18) are about to change your mind. Six months after graduating from the Kentucky Welding Institute, these two are working 60-hour weeks doing TIG stainless pipe fab for data center...
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Weld Wednesdays w/ AWS| Resistance Welding Demystified with Don DeCorte — The Process Hiding in Plain Sight
Don DeCorte spent 46 years in resistance welding, including 31 at Roman Manufacturing, and now teaches the AWS Certified Resistance Welding Technician (CRWT) certification through his consulting company DTS Technical Services. He sits down with Jason to pull the curtain back on the welding…
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401. Data Centers, Nuclear, and the Steel Boom Coming for Welders w/ Stephanie Hoffman
Stephanie Hoffman is back on the show, this time as the new Director of Industry Development and Engagement at Miller Electric. Jason and Stephanie catch up on her time away from the industry, what pulled her back, and the work she is now leading across education, business development, national...
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400. "World's Strongest Welding Table"… Prove It w/ Jason Marburger of Fireball Tool
Jason Marburger of Fireball Tool returns for our annual conversation — and he's not pulling punches. We dig into the public feud between Fireball, Sigmund, and Quantum Machinery over fixture table claims, why "world's strongest welding table" needs data to back it up, and Jason's push to...
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399. From Helper to Foreman: Building a Career in Structural Steel with Chad Doucette
Chad Doucette, foreman at Ace Welding in Oceanside, California, joins Jason Becker on the Arch Junkies Podcast to talk about going from a random job offer on the street to running a structural steel shop — all in five years. Chad breaks down the real path to growth in this industry: why the…
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Weld Wednesday with AWS | National Welding Month Special
In this special National Welding Month edition of Weld Wednesday with AWS, host Jason Becker sits down with three guests who each represent a unique and exciting path that a welding career can open up. Kicking things off is Austin Ross — known across social media as A-Ross Welding — a pipeline...
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398. From Night School to Lincoln Electric's Head of Innovation w/ Sheldon Wray
Jason sits down with Sheldon Wray, head of Industrial Technology and Innovation Strategy at Lincoln Electric, for a conversation that is equal parts inspiring career story and inside look at the future of the welding industry. Sheldon shares how he went from studying electronics and computer...
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New CWI? Here's What Nobody Tells You About Welding Inspection w/ Daryl Peterson
Passing the CWI exam is a huge accomplishment — but it's only the beginning. In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason Becker sits down with veteran welding inspector Daryl Peterson to discuss what new Certified Welding Inspectors really need to know after earning their certification.…
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397. You've Never Seen Me Sober – High-Functioning Alcohol in the Welding Industry w/ Justin Merrill
"You've never seen me sober." For years, Justin built a respected name in the welding industry — sharp, disciplined, professional. But behind the scenes, there was something no one saw. In this raw and honest conversation, we talk about high-functioning alcohol use in the trades, what it looks…
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396. Human Expertise & Machine Intelligence: Redefining the Inspector's Role in the AI Era.
Recorded live at the Inspection Expo & Conference (IEC), this episode captures a powerful discussion on the future of welding inspection and the rapid integration of AI and automation into the field. Jason Becker hosts a live panel featuring Amanda Young, Vice President of McNDT Pipeline, Ltd.…
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Weld Wednesday From the Shop Floor to the Code Book: Volunteering with AWS Committees w/ Bill Komlos
In this special episode of Weld Wednesdays with AWS, recorded live at the Inspection Expo & Conference in Austin, Texas, Jason Becker sits down with longtime AWS volunteer and industry veteran Bill Komlos for an in-depth conversation on volunteering on AWS code committees. While most welders,...
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395. Over-Welding, Under-Earning: The Real Cost of Bad Welding Habits w/ Nate Bowman
Welding productivity is one of the most misunderstood topics in the industry—and it's costing shops serious money. In this episode, Jason Becker sits down with Nate Bowman to break down the reality behind arc-on time, operator factor, deposition rate, and weld volume. Together, they explain why...
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394. America's Skilled Trades Are Facing a Workforce Cliff — Brian Huff Explains Why
In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason Becker sits down with Brian Huff, founder and CEO of Midwest Technical Institute and Delta Technical College. Brian shares his perspective on the growing skilled labor crisis, why the U.S. is facing a massive workforce shortage, and how removing...
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393. Speed Does Not Equal Skill w/ Alex McNamara
In this weeks episode, I sit down with Alex McNamara, a trades advocate, welder, rigger, and content creator who has become one of the loudest voices pushing for skilled trades education and tool literacy. Alex shares her unconventional path—from theater and set building to welding, rigging, and...
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392. 50 Years Under the Hood w/ George Rolla
In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason sits down with George Rolla, a pipe welder, inspector, educator, and industry leader with over 50 years of hands-on experience in the welding trade. George shares his journey from welding in the Canadian Arctic and North Dakota oil fields to...
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Weld Wednesdays w/ AWS Leveling Up in 2026 – Where do I start and How AWS Can Help? Feat. Dr. Josh Burgess
In the first Weld Wednesdays with AWS episode of 2026, I'm sitting down with Dr. Josh Burgess, current President of the American Welding Society and Senior Program Manager for Metallurgical and Welding Engineering at the Tennessee Valley Authority. Dr. Burgess shares his path from welding in high...
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391. They Can't Take My Education Away From Me w/ Josh O'Neal
In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason Becker sits down with Josh O'Neal for a wide-ranging conversation on education, certification, and career development in the welding industry. Josh shares his journey through welding, inspection, and education, including his experiences pursuing...
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390. Annual CrossPod with the Boys
As we wrap up the year, I'm joined by Kevin Johnson, Max Ceron, and Frankie Vargas for our annual end-of-year cross-pod roundtable. We talk candidly about FabTech, the real ROI of in-person podcasting, and why live shows don't always move the needle the way people expect. Kevin breaks down what...
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389. Gas Junkies w/ Tim Kinnaman
In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Tim Kinnaman returns to continue our deep dive into welding history, shifting the focus to gas welding and cutting. We explore how oxy-fuel processes developed alongside early electrical advancements, why oxy-acetylene welding became the dominant method...
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386. If You Want to Do It Long-Term… You Better Love It w/ Dusty James
In this episode, I sit down with returning guest and long-time friend, Dusty James of Pacific Arc TIG Welding, for one of the most honest conversations yet about the realities of doing anything for the long haul — whether it's welding, creating content, teaching, or building a business. Dusty and…
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Weld Wednesdays w/ AWS The Skilled Trades Gap Isn't a Myth — It's a Warning
In this episode of Weld Wednesday with AWS, I sit down with Andrew Brown, host of The Lost Art of Skilled Trades Podcast, live from FABTECH 2025 in Chicago. Andrew and I dig into the real numbers behind the Skilled Trades shortage — including the projected need for over 320,000 welders by 2029…
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385. Metal Art Is Just Weird Welding w/ David Madero
In this episode, Jason sits down with returning guest and internationally recognized metal artist David Madero for a high-energy conversation about the explosive growth of metal art and its impact on the welding industry. They talk about how competitions like the Fabricator Olympics are inspiring…
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384. Rope Access Welding: The Wildest Welding Jobs You've Never Seen
In this episode, I sit down with Chad Umbel, co-founder of Rigging International Group (RIG), to explore the world of rope access welding, inspection, and high-angle industrial work. We talk about how Chad got into the trade, what rope access training really looks like, and why IRATA and SPRAT...
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Weld Wednesday w/ AWS Welder to CWI Making the Leap Without Loosing Your Identity
In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason Becker chats with Eric Cunningham, a passionate educator and welding program director who's spent years shaping the next generation of welders. Eric shares his path from being a hands-on fabricator to leading an entire welding program, the...
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383. The Spark That Started It All: Tim Kinnaman on the True History of Welding
In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason Becker sits down with welding historian Tim Kinnaman for a fascinating look at how modern welding was born. Tim walks us through the incredible journey from ancient discoveries of static electricity to the development of arc power sources and…
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382. Confidence Doesn't Equal Competence: The Truth About Welding Wages
In this solo episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason breaks down the real reason welding wages aren't skyrocketing — the skills gap. He dives deep into what employers actually pay to keep a welder on staff, why so many applicants are failing basic tests, and how underqualified welders are…
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381. Don't Quit w/ Jason Becker
Arc Junkies Podcast: Instagram: @Arcjunkiespodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arcjunkiespodcast9253 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-becker-45407b72?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKipEwR3uQXCmCjaEfNzo6w%3D%3D Arc...
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380. That First Minute Changes Everything w/ Ryan Eubank
In this week's episode, Jason Becker welcomes back longtime friend and mentor Ryan Eubank, along with his student Matt Nonato, for a powerful conversation about what it really means to be an educator in the welding world. Ryan opens up about his morning rituals, how he transforms students' lives...
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Weld Wednesdays w/ AWS Starting a Welding Business What I wish I Knew w/ Kevin Johnson
In this episode of Weld Wednesday with AWS, I sit down with Kevin Johnson, host of the Welding Business Owners Podcast, owner of JAMW Fabrication, and mastermind behind the Fabricator Olympics. Kevin shares lessons learned from starting his welding business, the importance of outsourcing,...
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379. "The Questions That Build Safer Welds." w/ Kim Meszaros
This week, Jason talks with welding engineer Kim Meszaros about the why behind codes and standards. Kim explains how ASME Section IX and other codes evolve—not as busywork, but as lessons learned from incidents, accidents, and new technologies. They discuss how welders should approach WPS...
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Fronius Friday from FabTech 2025
In this Bonus episode of Arc Junkies, I sit down and chat with Wesley Doneth and Chris Bajek from Fronius USA to talk about some of thier new equipment hitting the market this year. If you didn't get a chance to make it to FabTech, you can get an inside scoop of whats coming your way in the world...
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378. The Story of the Bead Man w/ Dante Terrell
This week on Arc Junkies, I sit down with Dante — a pipe welder and rap artist who's built a career balancing two worlds. Dante shares his story of starting in the shipyards, transitioning into pipe welding, and how music became a creative outlet that resonated with welders everywhere. We dive…
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Bonus: Weld Wednesday w/ AWS Dr. Josh Burgess Recorded at FabTech 2025
In this bonus episode of Weld Wednesday w/ AWS I'm chatting with incoming president Dr. Josh Burgess. Dr. Burgess started his career as a welder in High School and had an unquenchable thirst for more knowledge which has lead him down an incredible path as the incoming AWS President. For more...
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377. From Puppets to Pit Bikes: Alex Jordan's Welding Journey
Alex Jordan may spend his nine-to-five building animatronics and puppets for places like Universal and Disney, but that's just the beginning of his welding story. After hours, Alex runs his own job shop, dives into 3D printing as a fabrication tool, and shares his knowledge through YouTube and...
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Weld Wednesday w/ AWS FabTech 2025 w/ Matt Ruben
Fabtech 2025 is almost here! Jason sits down with Matt Rubin, Managing Director of Sales and Expositions for AWS, to break down everything you need to know about the biggest welding and fabrication show of the year. From conference sessions and networking events to the all-new AWS podcast booth,...
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376. Known Flaws, Real Lessons: Building Better Inspectors w/ Jeremy Ring
"Sonaspection has been keeping inspectors honest since 1980—by making flaws on purpose. This week, Jeremy Ring joins me to talk NDT, mentorship, and how controlled cracks build better inspectors." This week on the Arc Junkies Podcast, I'm joined by Jeremy Ring, President of Sonaspection. If…
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Weld Wednesdays w/ AWS Future-Proofing Welding Careers: Automation, AI, and Additive Manufacturing Feat. Teresa Melfi & Josh Sullivan
In this episode of Weld Wednesday with AWS, I'm joined by Teresa Melfi and Josh Sullivan from Lincoln Electric to talk about the evolving role of automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, and artificial intelligence in the welding industry. Teresa shares insights from her 40+ year career—from...
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Weld Wednesday w/ AWS "Community Impact: How Welding Competitions Are Shaping the Next Generation" w/ Mariana Ludmer
In this episode of Weld Wednesday with AWS, I sit down with Mariana Ludmer—Operations Manager at California Welding Institute and long-time AWS volunteer—to talk about how welding competitions are shaping the next generation of welders. We cover the impact of AWS-sponsored competitions on student...
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375. Hitting Pause Not Stop w/ Jason Becker
In this special solo episode, I'm taking a moment to talk directly to all of you—the listeners who've made Arc Junkies what it is today. I've been grinding hard for the past five years, juggling family, business, and content creation, and it's time for a short reset. I'll still be dropping Weld...
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374. Bird's Eye View from Under the Hood w/ Dusty James
In this episode, I catch up with my friend and fellow educator Dusty James. We talk about life under the hood and behind the camera—raising kids while running a business, the challenges of creative burnout, and how teaching others has deepened our own understanding of welding. Dusty shares what...
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State of the Arc #8 Welding in 2025: Tools, Trends, and Talent That Matter
In this episode of State of the Arc, Jason Becker breaks down four of the most important trends shaping the welding industry in 2025. We start with the rise of welding simulation software — how it's transforming training and reducing material waste. Then we explore the impact of 3D printing on...
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State of the Arc #7: Steel, Reactors, and Rod Ovens: Welding Trends You Need to Know
In this episode of State of the Arc, Jason Becker breaks down four major developments reshaping the welding industry right now. First, we look at the surge in government-funded nuclear projects and the increased demand for welders trained to ASME and NAVSEA standards. Then we shift to the revival...
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373. Take Pride in What You Do w/ Al Moore
In this episode, Jason Becker sits down with Albert Moore, Jr., a true industry veteran with over 50 years of experience in structural steel, welding inspection, and nondestructive testing. From his early days as an ironworker to co-founding NAVSEA Solutions and Marion Testing & Inspection, Al...
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State of the Arc #6: Smart Factories, Heavy Equipment Welding, Infrastructure Jobs & Tax Policy Shifts
In this episode of State of the Arc, I cover four high-impact stories shaping the future of welding and manufacturing in America. First, we break down the trends transforming global manufacturing through 2028—from smart factories to sustainability pressures. Next, we explore new welding…
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Weld Wednesdays Changes to the D1.1:2025 Structural Steel Code Book
Summary In this episode of Weld Wednesdays, Jason Becker and Daryl Peterson discuss the recent updates to the AWS D1.1 structural steel code, focusing on the changes from the 2020 to the 2025 edition. They explore various aspects of the code, including new definitions, clarifications, and the...
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372. Living on the EDGE w/ Stacia and Eric Mueller
In this episode, Jason sits down with Eric and Stacia Mueller, owners of Edge Welding Cups, to discuss how they've built a family-run business that's disrupting the welding consumables industry. From humble beginnings in scientific glassblowing to producing high-performance TIG and MIG…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Arc Junkies is a Welding Podcast that is on a mission to help, educate and inspire the next generation of welders. Each week I talk to a new guest about their journey as a welder. Throughout the episodes, we cover different techniques, processes, variables, technical information and life lessons.
HOSTED BY
Jason Becker
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Arc Junkies have?
Arc Junkies currently has 500 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Arc Junkies about?
Arc Junkies is a Welding Podcast that is on a mission to help, educate and inspire the next generation of welders. Each week I talk to a new guest about their journey as a welder. Throughout the episodes, we cover different techniques, processes, variables, technical information and life lessons.
How often does Arc Junkies release new episodes?
Arc Junkies publishes regularly with 500 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Arc Junkies?
You can listen to Arc Junkies on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Arc Junkies?
Arc Junkies is created and hosted by Jason Becker.
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