Making Sparks

Making Sparks

Matthew Nix and Casey Voelker

Episodes 59
Avg. Duration 38m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 5.0 (4)
Since Jul 2024
Latest Episode Mar 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
83%
Hosting
rss.libsyn.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Matthew Nix and I, Casey Voelker, are here to speak to the welding and fabrication industry. And just like MakingChips, we want to equip and inspire while attracting the next generation. Everyone will have some takeaways from MakingSparks.

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Recent Episodes

The Hard Truth About Pricing Your Work

Mar 25, 2026 40m

In this episode, hosts Matthew and Casey sit down with Codie Aljets, owner and artist behind Sage Country Customs, to talk about the realities of building a business around custom metal art. Codie…

What Modern Fabricators Can Learn from Blacksmiths

Mar 11, 2026 42m

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The Critical Few: How to Focus Your Business for Real Growth

Feb 25, 2026 58m

🔥 Welcome to Making Sparks, the podcast where we ignite your passion for metal fabrication and fuel your business success! 🔥 In this episode, hosts Matthew and Casey sit down with executive coach…

The Price of Progress: Investing in Machines, People, and Trust

Jan 28, 2026 42m

🔥 Welcome to Making Sparks, the podcast where we ignite your passion for metal fabrication and fuel your business success! 🔥 In this episode, hosts Matthew and Casey sit down with Rob Sublette of…

From Logos to Legacy: Why Your Brand Needs a Story

Jan 14, 2026 48m

When your back is against the wall, you don't get a playbook. You get a choice. From credit card debt and loan sharks to customs audits and six-figure B2B deals, this episode breaks down what it…

From the Shop Floor to Magnolia Network: Why Authenticity Wins

Dec 31, 2025 55m

You don't end up on the Magnolia Network by accident. You earn it through craftsmanship, discipline, and work that speaks for itself. In this episode of Making Sparks, host's Matthew Nix and Casey…

The Science Behind Better Welders and Better Shops

Dec 17, 2025 33m

Most fab shops say they can't find good welders. Nate Bowman says that's not the real problem. From outdated training models to unclear career pathways to leaders expecting loyalty without direction,…

You Can't Elbow Your Way to Leadership — Goodhart Sons' Wake-Up Call

Dec 03, 2025 52m

Most fab shops talk about culture. Marc and Mike Goodhart had to rebuild theirs. From stepping into a fifth-generation family business… to confronting the hard truth that you can't "muscle" your way…

Reviving the Trades: Santiago Rivera on Tough Love, Structure, and Second Chances

Nov 19, 2025 37m

Most welding instructors teach technique. Santiago Rivera teaches transformation. From learning to weld left-handed for a car… to surviving addiction… to rebuilding a welding program that changed…

Character Over Competency: Why Blue Collar Leadership Starts with Vulnerability

Nov 05, 2025 1h 2m

Most leaders in manufacturing are focused on performance, process, and technical competence. But when a team is underperforming, the root cause often has nothing to do with skills or processes like…

Why Showing Up Still Matters in Manufacturing

Oct 22, 2025 20m

Most people see Fabtech as just a trade show. But for those in the fabrication world, it's where the entire industry comes together — to connect, learn, and see what's next. In this episode, Casey…

From Hands-On to High-Tech: The Real Future of Fabrication

Oct 08, 2025 26m

Most people think automation replaces welders. Graham Williams thinks it saves them. In this episode, recorded live at FABTECH, we sit down with Graham Williams of Vectis Automation to talk about how…

Culture Under Fire: Building Values That Survive Growth Jesse Kleiman Part 2

Sep 24, 2025 50m

Most shop owners talk about culture. Few actually put it into practice. In Part 2 of our conversation, Jesse Kleiman shares how he's building JR Metal Works on values that stick — from making hard…

Grow Fast or Go Broke: The Truth About Scaling a Fab Shop

Sep 10, 2025 47m

Most fab shops dream of growth. Few are ready when it comes. Jesse Kleiman didn't just grow JR Metal Works — he scaled it from a garage startup to a 70-person team taking on enterprise-level…

The Hanna Golf Story: Building with Grit, Craft, and American-Made Pride

Aug 27, 2025 32m

Most golf brands take the shortcut: outsource, import, slap on a logo. Jared decided to do it the hard way. ⠀ In this episode, we dig into the Hanna Golf story — how a sales guy became a maker,…

Trial by Fire: How Leadership Finds You on the Shop Floor

Aug 13, 2025 41m

In this MakingSparks episode, Casey and Matthew talk with Keith — a leader whose career has been shaped by both running a fabrication shop and now serving as General Manager at Fabrication Solutions…

Clueless CEO or Culture Genius? When Curiosity Beats Credentials

Jul 30, 2025 49m

What happens when a self-proclaimed "mechanically deficient" leader takes the reins of a 170-person fabrication business? For Brandon Stanchock, it meant leaning into curiosity, asking "dumb"…

Your Process Is Only as Good as Your People

Jul 16, 2025 54m

What do you do when your fab shop isn't broken—but you know it could be better? In this episode, Alfonso Aramburo joins us from Southern California to talk about the work he does turning around…

How to Grow a Small Fabrication Shop without Losing Control

Jul 02, 2025 49m

What does it take to run a fab shop, scale a personal brand, and merge two business models—without losing your mind? In this episode, the Ross Brothers, Rodney Ross & Austin Ross joined us from…

How to Build a Culture While the Last Generation Lets Go

Jun 18, 2025 44m

What does it really look like to step in as 2nd Generation & a lead a fabrication shop when the 1st Generation is still helping run it? In this episode, Jason Hayes, President of Top Coat…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Making Sparks have?

Making Sparks has published 59 episodes since July 2024, covering topics in Business, Careers.

Is Making Sparks still active?

Making Sparks is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 38m.

How do I contact Making Sparks for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Making Sparks, including email and social media links.

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