Manufacturing Mavericks with John Barnes

Sometimes the best innovations start with a simple question: "Can that part be made additively?" For Capt. Jason Deichler, that question sparked a Navy-wide manufacturing revolution.In this episode of Manufacturing Mavericks, John Barnes sits down with Capt. Deichler, newly appointed Chief of Staff for the Director of Submarines and former Commodore of Submarine Squadron TWO. Through his former role, Capt. Deichler was the driving force behind the U.S. Navy's advanced manufacturing push in the submarine force. A proud Yinzer, Jason shares how a conversation with Admiral Gaucher sent him on a mission that's reshaping how the Navy thinks about parts, readiness, and the industrial base.This episode is for the problem solvers, the servant leaders, and anyone who believes the best time to swing is before the curve breaks.In this conversation, you'll hear:Why he chose submarines over the F-14 Tomcat (yes, he really did)How Admiral Gaucher's simple question sparked a Navy-wide manufacturing movementHow cold spray technology turned a three-month submarine dry dock into a two-week fixA conversation packed with leadership lessons, dad jokes, Hunt for Red October references, and a genuine love for the mission.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.Connect with John Barnes and The Barnes Global Advisors at barnesglobaladvisors.com

What does it take to leave a career in aerospace engineering and bet on yourself.....twice?In this episode, John Barnes talks with Scott Bledsoe, founder of both TrueField Systems and Blue Force Technologies, about his journey from aerospace engineer to serial entrepreneur. Scott shares the pivotal moments that led him to take the leap, what he's learned building two companies in the defense and aerospace space, and the mindset shifts required when you trade a stable engineering role for the uncertainty of the founder's chair.This is one for the engineers, the builders, and anyone who's ever looked at a problem in their industry and thought: I could solve that better.In this conversation, you'll hear:What drove Scott to leave aerospace engineering and start his own companiesThe early challenges of building TrueField Systems and Blue Force TechnologiesHow his engineering background shapes the way he leads and innovatesLessons for aspiring founders in the defense and aerospace manufacturing spaceAn honest, practical conversation about what it really takes to build something new in a highly technical field.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.Connect with John Barnes and The Barnes Global Advisors at barnesglobaladvisors.com 

Additive manufacturing is changing the way militaries around the world maintain readiness, sustain equipment, and solve problems in the field. No one understands this better than Alex Champion.In this episode, John Barnes speaks with Alex Champion, Additive Manufacturing Lead at the UK Ministry of Defence, one of the most prominent voices driving AM adoption across allied defense organizations. Alex shares what got him into the world of additive, how the UK MOD is approaching technology adoption, and what true understanding of additive manufacturing actually looks like in a defense context.Manufacturing Mavericks goes international in this one, and the lessons apply far beyond the UK.In this conversation, you'll hear:How the UK MOD is integrating additive manufacturing into defense sustainment and operationsThe barriers to AM adoption inside large government organizations and how to overcome themWhat allied nations can learn from each other's approach to advanced manufacturingWhy Alex believes deep technical understanding is non-negotiable for AM leadersEssential listening for anyone working at the intersection of defense, innovation, and advanced manufacturing.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.Connect with John Barnes and The Barnes Global Advisors at barnesglobaladvisors.com

Few people have had a front-row seat to the evolution of America's defense industrial base quite like Adele Ratcliff.In this episode, John Barnes is joined by Adele Ratcliff, recently retired from the U.S. Department of Defense's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program, where she spent her career working to ensure America's manufacturing and defense supply chains remain strong, resilient, and ready. Adele brings a rare perspective, the view from inside the Pentagon on what it really takes to sustain and grow a competitive industrial base, how government and industry can work together more effectively, and the lessons learned from decades on the front lines of national manufacturing policy.In this conversation, you'll hear:What the DoD's IBAS Program does and why it matters for manufacturers across the countryThe biggest vulnerabilities in America's defense industrial base todayHow Adele's career shaped her view on public-private partnership in manufacturingWhat she believes the next generation of manufacturing leaders needs to understand about national securityA fascinating conversation for anyone at the intersection of manufacturing, policy, and national resilience.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.Connect with John Barnes and The Barnes Global Advisors at barnesglobaladvisors.com 

What does it take to build a company at the frontier of manufacturing technology, and convince the world that additive manufacturing is ready for industrial-scale production?In this episode of Manufacturing Mavericks, John Barnes sits down with Kevin Kassekert, CEO of VulcanForms, a company redefining what's possible with metal additive manufacturing. Kevin shares his journey into the industry, the philosophy behind VulcanForms' approach to scaling AM for defense and commercial applications, and what he believes most people get wrong about the future of manufacturing.In this conversation, you'll hear:How VulcanForms is pushing the boundaries of what additive manufacturing can produce at scaleThe leadership mindset required to build a frontier technology companyWhy Kevin believes the manufacturing renaissance in America is just getting startedWhat it takes to win trust from defense and industrial customers as a new playerWhether you're a plant leader, a technology innovator, or someone who believes American manufacturing has a bold future ahead, this one's for you.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.Connect with John Barnes and The Barnes Global Advisors at barnesglobaladvisors.com