Arc Junkies
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
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 being a certified welder to her work on waveform design and advanced robotic systems. Josh dives into ...
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 confidence, career readiness, a...
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 Wednesdays with AWS, but the weekly episodes and State of the Arc are on pause through July and August. In this episode, I explain why I’m ...
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 keeps him inspired, how he builds community through YouTube and m...
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 metal fabrication, including examples from defense, aerospace, and r...
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 of domestic steelmaking and ho...
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 shares insights from a career that’s shaped industry standards and trained countless professionals. They d...
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 challenges and solutions in the heavy equipment sector. Then, we turn to the...
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 implications for welder certification and filler metal strength. The conversation also touches on design considerations and the differences b...
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 accessories used in critical industries, their journey is all about people over profit. Hear how their commitmen...
In this episode of State of the Arc, we’re covering four of the most talked-about developments shaping the welding and skilled trades world right now:
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Battery-powered flash-butt welding is here — and it’s already c...
What’s up Arc Junkies, welcome back to the show! Joining me this week is Rex from the Handheld Laser Institute. In this episode, we demystify the tech that’s been flooding your feed—handheld laser welding. Rex breaks down what makes it revolutionary, the real differences between arc and laser, and why the barrier to entry is higher than most realize. We talk about procedure development, cracking challenges with aluminum, metallurgi...
In this episode of State of the Arc, I'm bringing you the top stories that matter:
In this weeks episode I'm chatting in person w/ Austin Ross and Leo Martinez. Austin stopped by the shop and we decided to chat about their travels on the pipeline and the classes they're offering right now. In this episode we chat about training welders, welding on the pipeline, machine rebuilds, and access to information in today's day and age.
Check out Austins YouTube Channel Here
Give him a follow in Instagram Here
In this week’s episode of State of the Arc, we dive into:
In this episode of Arc Junkies, I sit down with Sam Noland, Product Manager, and Kodi Welch, Market Segment Manager, from Miller Electric to talk all things innovation, welding automation, and the evolving demands of our trade. We cover Miller’s customer-back innovation strategy, how welding codes like AWS D1.1 and D1.2 are influencing machine development, and the rise of co-bots and robotics in both small and large fabrication sho...
In this episode of State of the Arc, we're diving into four major trends shaping the welding and fabrication world in 2025.
🔧 Topic 1: How rising tariffs are impacting steel, stainless, and aluminum prices — and what shops are doing to stay competitive
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In this episode of Weld Wednesdays with AWS, Jason Becker talks with global welding leader Steve Snyder about the expanding international footprint of AWS certification programs. From developing training infrastructure in Africa and Southeast Asia to launching new standards for robotic and thermoplastics welding, the conversation explores how welding certifications are transforming global workfor...
In this episode, I’m joined by Nick Mcmillen and Ziad Bedran, co-founders of OWETEC Services, a welding education and consulting company that’s rewriting the rules. We explore their uniq...
Welcome to the very first bonus episode of State of the Arc, powered by Arc Junkies!
This is your fast, no-fluff update on what's happening right now across the welding and fabrication world.
In today’s episode:
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