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CNC Underground: Afterhours

CNC Underground: Afterhours

By: Jessica Bird
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CNC Underground: Afterhours is a candid manufacturing podcast for the people behind CNC machining, CAM, and modern machine shops. Hosted by Jessica Bird, each episode brings real conversations with industry voices about shop culture, technology, tooling, leadership, business, and the future of manufacturing. It is thoughtful, practical, occasionally funny, and always rooted in the real world of making parts and keeping shops moving.Jessica Bird
Episodes
  • 23. Inside the Break Room: Secrets Manufacturing Leaders Only Share Off the Record with Chris Luecke

    23. Inside the Break Room: Secrets Manufacturing Leaders Only Share Off the Record with Chris Luecke
    Jun 24 2026

    Get a front-row seat to the changing landscape of modern manufacturing as the microphones flip on Chris Luecke, host of Manufacturing Happy Hour. This episode covers content creation in manufacturing, skill gaps, amplifying new voices, technology trends, and leadership challenges, all delivered through candid conversations and personal stories.


    The discussion covers generational shifts, the power of industry communities, the evolution from buzzwords to real progress, and practical advice for standing out in a crowded space. Perfect for anyone on the shop floor or in the boardroom looking for actionable takeaways and real talk about where manufacturing is heading.

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    Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaurbans/

    Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinacasanova/

    Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwluecke/

    Manufacturing Happy Hour: https://manufacturinghappyhour.com/

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    Join CNC Underground Newsletter! https://swiy.co/cncunderground

    Join CNC Underground — the go-to weekly newsletter read by 6,000+ elite machinists and programmers. Get cutting-edge tips, tooling strategies, CAM shortcuts, and industry updates in one tight, no-fluff email.

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    About Midwest CAM Solutions:Midwest CAM Solutions is the world’s largest GibbsCAM reseller, helping manufacturers boost productivity with expert CAM software solutions, training, and support.

    Learn more at: www.midwestcamsolutions.com

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    00:00 Amplifying the Next Generation & Podcast Introduction01:35 The Nontraditional Path to Podcasting in Manufacturing03:05 Bringing Manufacturing Conversations into the Public Eye04:27 Why Storytelling Sometimes Falls Short in the Industry05:10 The Early Days of Manufacturing Content Creation06:04 Documenting Tribal Knowledge & the Generational Gap07:38 When Does a Side Project Become a Business?09:44 The Value of Candid Conversations in Manufacturing10:13 "Podcast Guest Bingo": Most Common Leadership Topics11:31 People as a Company's Greatest Asset—But How to Stand Out12:08 Digital Transformation: More Than a Buzzword13:39 Lessons from Implementing Digital Change14:08 The Reality of AI in Manufacturing Workplaces15:34 Addressing Fear and Early Adoption of AI16:40 Looking at How Fast Technology is Advancing17:27 Digital Transformation as a Continuous Process17:52 Data-Driven Decision Making: From Buzzword to Benchmark18:58 Digital Maintenance Platforms as Entry Points19:42 Busting the Biggest Myth in Manufacturing Today21:45 The Real Motivators for Young Talent24:22 How Communities Like Sisterhood of Trades Change the Game26:14 Every Generation's Role as Industry Disruptors27:51 Why Leaders Need to Step Aside for New Voices30:18 Trend or Buzzword? Industry 4.0, 5.0, Digital Twins & More35:06 Is Reshoring Real or Just Hype?39:04 Are "Lights Out" Factories Here?40:34 Off-the-Microphone Leadership Worries41:57 Finding and Empowering Talent in Manufacturing46:47 Attitude vs. Skill: Hiring Strategies in Manufacturing Today47:34 Company Culture: Why It Matters Now More Than Ever49:49 Behind-the-Scenes Questions and Surprising Answers54:13 Manufacturing Ecosystems & Regional Collaboration54:36 One Key Piece of Advice for Manufacturing Leaders55:58 Where to Find Manufacturing Happy Hour & Connect with Chris57:02 Closing Remarks and Takeaways
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    56 mins
  • 22. Hiring Nightmares and Winning Formulas: What Breaks First When Your CNC Shop Booms?

    22. Hiring Nightmares and Winning Formulas: What Breaks First When Your CNC Shop Booms?
    Jun 10 2026
    Caz, founder of Caztek Engineering and Caztek Precision, and Landon, director of Strategic Growth, share their no-nonsense approach to rapid business growth in precision manufacturing. Hear what happens when ambition collides with execution: from doubling company size to onboarding second shifts, investing in automation, and developing leadership. The conversation covers scaling teams, striking the balance between moving fast and getting it right, hiring the right talent, iterating on core values, integrating new technology, and finding the sweet spot between innovation and discipline. If you're building, scaling, or rethinking your business operations in manufacturing or engineering, this conversation reveals real-world approaches and honest reflection you won’t want to miss.———Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaurbans/Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinacasanova/Connect with Landon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/landon-wiser-55455386/ Connect with Caz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casimir-sienkiewicz-375a20/ ———Join CNC Underground Newsletter! https://swiy.co/cncundergroundJoin CNC Underground — the go-to weekly newsletter read by 6,000+ elite machinists and programmers. Get cutting-edge tips, tooling strategies, CAM shortcuts, and industry updates in one tight, no-fluff email.————About Midwest CAM Solutions:Midwest CAM Solutions is the world’s largest GibbsCAM reseller, helping manufacturers boost productivity with expert CAM software solutions, training, and support.Learn more at: www.midwestcamsolutions.com—————————————————————————————————00:00 CNC Underground After Hours begins00:06 Show introduction and guest overview01:07 What Caz and Landon focus on right now02:48 Making the business scalable and building a team03:55 When to chase perfection vs making progress06:38 Lessons learned: allowing new hires to make mistakes10:05 How CazTek operates day-to-day11:14 Service offerings: engineering, prototyping, manufacturing12:58 Bringing more manufacturing in-house14:15 Division of responsibilities in operations and growth15:39 Industry trends: reshoring, manufacturing growth, tariffs15:59 Pursuing AS9100 certification and entering government work17:45 What happens when things go wrong internally?18:30 Saying yes too quickly vs waiting for readiness20:13 Out-of-the-box thinking at CazTek21:15 Fostering creative and cross-disciplinary solutions23:28 Ruby bearings and innovation stories from medtech25:58 CazTek’s role as a catalyst with OEMs and product development27:13 The drivers and practical steps for 100% growth30:24 Strategy shift: building leadership and middle management33:22 What broke first during scaling—and how hiring changed35:59 Attitude vs skill in hiring practices36:31 Aligning hiring/firing/accountability with core values37:00 Creating and preserving company culture38:27 What breaks operationally as growth demands new shifts41:05 Automating, AI, and the future of lights-out manufacturing46:47 Mistakes you only want to make once49:13 Machines, people, or process: what matters most in scaling a business?51:25 Planning for growth: foundation over speed53:19 Fielding diverse perspectives and learning from disagreements54:29 Hot Takes: automation, quoting, hiring, machines vs systems58:57 Fixing problems if starting from scratch in a shop62:13 The real goal: a great workplace and making an impact63:11 Strategy, vision, and the next debate
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • 21. Single Source of Truth or Epic Myth? The Wild World of PLM with Michael Finocchiaro

    21. Single Source of Truth or Epic Myth? The Wild World of PLM with Michael Finocchiaro
    May 27 2026
    PLM: buzzword or necessity? Jessica welcomes Michael Finocchiaro, a product lifecycle management veteran, startup advisor, and outspoken industry observer, for a no-nonsense conversation about what PLM is, what it actually solves, lingering shop floor headaches, and why “single source of truth” might be the most misleading promise in digital manufacturing.Get straight talk about the evolution of CAD data management, the realities of digital threads, the hype versus substance of buzzwords like AI and the metaverse, and how startups are shaking up a space long dominated by enterprise giants. Michael breaks down the intersection of engineering and manufacturing, the fragmentation of today’s tools, and the future shape of digital shop floors. Whether you’re on the production line, in management, or wrangling unruly BOMs, this episode brings sharp insights and practical advice.———Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaurbans/Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinacasanova/Connect with Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfinocchiaro/ Michaels YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFutureOfPLM Websites: www.demystifyingplm.com. www.threaded.live ———Join CNC Underground Newsletter! https://swiy.co/cncundergroundJoin CNC Underground — the go-to weekly newsletter read by 6,000+ elite machinists and programmers. Get cutting-edge tips, tooling strategies, CAM shortcuts, and industry updates in one tight, no-fluff email.————About Midwest CAM Solutions:Midwest CAM Solutions is the world’s largest GibbsCAM reseller, helping manufacturers boost productivity with expert CAM software solutions, training, and support.Learn more at: www.midwestcamsolutions.com—————————————————————————————————00:00 AI Bubble or Forest Fire?00:30 Introducing Michael Finocchiaro & PLM 10102:26 CAD Origins and Product Data Management03:11 Why PLM Grew Beyond Files05:18 Bill of Materials & Truth Myths06:31 What PLM Actually Solves08:22 What Goes Wrong with PLM Implementations10:12 Why PLM & Manufacturing Remain Disconnected11:28 The Challenge of Tribal Knowledge12:26 Startups vs. Big Companies in Knowledge Capture12:52 Buzzword Bingo: Digital Thread, Twin, AI, and More15:26 Why Integration is Still Elusive16:03 Connecting Shop Floor, ERP, and PLM17:23 Does the Demand for Integration Actually Exist?18:57 Should Companies Go Early on AI?19:53 Startups Building Faster Solutions20:19 In-House Hack Jobs vs. Scalable Solutions22:17 How Cloud & “Best in Class” Are Actually Playing Out23:26 Is Metaverse Real for the Shop Floor?25:13 Why Mining Leads in Digital Twins & Automation26:40 Buzzwords Michael Thinks Will Fade27:38 What Makes Startups Exciting Right Now28:47 The Risks of Overhype & Why Fundamentals Win31:45 AI Bubble or Forest Fire Revisited33:09 Fundamentals: Real Engineering Still Matters35:40 Red Flags in Software Pitches38:03 How Creativity from Art & Music Influences Engineering39:56 Staying Open, Avoiding Tunnel Vision41:15 Where to Find Michael Finocchiaro42:06 Best Advice for Evaluating Software Demos43:03 Episode Wrap—————————————————————————————————
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    43 mins
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