Take a seat at the CNC Underground After Hours table with hosts Jessica Urbans and Christina Casanova for a candid year-end wrap-up that pulls no punches. This episode puts myths to rest, covers mistakes, and lays out practical tactics for shops gearing up for 2026. Automation, tribal knowledge, documentation, training, and shop culture are front and center, woven together with humor, real-world stories, and a touch of chaos.
From passive-aggressive sticky notes on the night shift, to the hazards of undocumented processes, to automation gone awry and expensive dashboards nobody looks at, every topic is handled with raw honesty and sharp wit. Hear why documenting your process is non-negotiable, how five-axis machining isn’t just for aerospace, and why one person’s intuition shouldn’t determine your workflow. There’s thoughtful discussion on the “Silver Tsunami,” building clarity, onboarding, and how investing in training pays off in retention, performance, and morale.
Practical advice, shop survival tactics, and a few fictional gifts (think a self-cleaning, compliment-giving coolant tank) round out the episode, plus time capsule picks for future machinists—including broken tabs and passive-aggressive email threads. For anyone in manufacturing looking for real talk, lessons learned the hard way, and some ideas to bring—and leave behind—for the new year, this episode delivers.
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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/
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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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Looking for real answers to shop floor challenges every CNC machinist and programmer faces? Tired of day shift vs. night shift tension, tribal knowledge getting lost, or wasting time hunting for tools? In this episode, Chris Karnitz, who went from forklift driver to continuous improvement engineer opens up about the gritty realities and genuine strategies that can help you work smarter, not harder.
From running old bandsaws to running multi-spindle Index machines, Chris shares what they don’t teach you in manuals: how to actually optimize toolpaths, the truth about shortcuts (zip ties count!), and why every minute counts for production. Hear about making efficiency second nature, keeping teams engaged, drilling down on shop hacks, and the culture shifts that separate average shops from the ones you want to work for. Got tribal knowledge nobody writes down? Struggling with new tech or leadership that just doesn’t get it? You’re not alone.
Listen for shop floor wins, hard questions, hands-on solutions, and real talk about what makes this trade worth it—beyond just the paycheck.
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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 [Guest] on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-karnitz-746580130/
———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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Go behind the scenes of CNC machining with host Jessica and guest Mike O'Rourke, a cutting tool specialist at Hill Industrial Tools. From the shop floor to high-efficiency toolpaths, learn why real-world experience matters in sales and how technical support can make or break a shop’s efficiency. They discuss partnering with customers, the practical impact of tool selection and after-sale support, and the real-world difference between carbide coolant through drills and cobalt.
Also, hear about custom tool solutions, game-changing strategies for cycle time reduction, and how local manufacturing and technical support set businesses apart. If you're ready for tips on running smarter, reducing cycle times, and winning over stubborn machinists, or just want some fun stories from the shop floor, this episode is packed with hands-on knowledge and real talk.
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Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-urbans-msed-433149166/
Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-casanova-m-ed-868094349/
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-orourke-488948148/
———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: http://www.midwestcamsolutions.com
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Step inside the world of CNC operations and process knowledge with Jess Urbans and special guest Jason Forsell, Director of Operations at Johnstech International. With a manufacturing background starting in 1989 and experience leading teams across the globe, Jason shares practical stories and forward-thinking strategies for using CAM as the single source of truth in modern machine shops.
The discussion spans everything from the shift away from binders and tribal knowledge to the culture of multi-shift teams, the importance of applied engineering education, and the role of CAM in documentation and process consistency. Discover Jason’s perspective on fostering knowledge retention, the real impact of Industry 4.0, training for machinists, and the evolution of shop culture from the US to Europe, Asia, and South America.
Perfect for machinists, programmers, shop leaders, or anyone interested in the future of manufacturing technology and how process knowledge can be truly shared and preserved.
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Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-urbans-msed-433149166/
Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-casanova-m-ed-868094349/
Connect with [Guest] on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-forsell-63660821/
———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: Midwest CAM Solutions www.midwestcamsolutions.com
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Longtime machinist Jared Reining joins host Jessica to talk shop culture, leadership, business lessons, and the path from saw operator to prototype machinist, all the way to starting his own garage shop. With 10 years of experience, including stints at Olander Tooling, Lester, Matthias Die, and Pharma Med Automation, Jared shares hard-earned advice for those looking to break into both CNC manufacturing and entrepreneurship.
The episode opens with Jared's candid stories of early mistakes, hands-on learning, and how those lessons shaped his approach in four different shops. From training apprentices to refining leadership strategies with insights from psychology, Jared offers actionable ideas for building teamwork and strengthening shop morale. Listeners also get a behind-the-scenes look at Arete Manufacturing, including a unique project for electric vehicle fire suppression and thoughts on balancing a side shop with a full-time job.
Jessica and Jared also discuss the future of machining, touching on millennial and Gen Z work habits, AI, automation trends, and why keeping tribal knowledge alive is key. Plus, a round of “Machining Myths” and garage shop confessions bring plenty of humor and wisdom for anyone interested in manufacturing and business.
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Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-urbans-msed-433149166/
Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-casanova-m-ed-868094349/
Connect with Jared on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-reining-84b212236/
———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: http://www.midwestcamsolutions.com
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Rachel Marshall—better known online as The Lathe Babe—shares her story of trading cosmetics counters for CNC machines and now operating a thriving family-run shop, Excel Machine Manufacturing, in Utah. Host Jess Urbans takes you through Rachel’s unconventional path into manufacturing, working side-by-side with her husband, and why they've purposely kept the business small. Rachel discusses the surprising links between sales skills, retail experience, and machine shop work, and her candid thoughts on the importance of women and the next generation in the trades.
This episode covers the reality of running a shop with your spouse, balancing personal and professional life, and building shop culture with a team of just two. Rachel explains how she uses social media to connect with others in the industry, the value of mentorship, and the skills she brought from her previous careers. Expect real talk on manufacturing stereotypes, the myth of needing to “grow big or go home,” and the everyday creativity that drives the trades.
Whether you run a shop or wonder how the worlds of makeup and machining overlap, you'll find practical advice, humor, and inspiration for anyone interested in small business, skilled trades, or a career pivot.
Connect with Rachel (“The Lathe Babe”) and Excel Machine Manufacturing on LinkedIn, Instagram, or at excelmachine.net. For questions or RFQs, reach out to Luke at lukexelmachine.net. Don’t forget to subscribe for more real stories from the CNC Underground.
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Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-urbans-msed-433149166/
Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-casanova-m-ed-868094349/
Connect with Rachel Marshall on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-marshall-2ba41116b/
———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: http://www.midwestcamsolutions.com
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From multi-turn machines and the evolution of CAM platforms to the surprising power of additive manufacturing and the real talk on ITAR regulations, this episode brims with stories, insights, and laughter from the world of advanced machining. Dan Graczak, a seasoned applications engineer whose career has spanned everything from EDM to additive workholding, breaks down which myths hold up on the shop floor, why knowledge of G-code still matters, and what sets DMG Mori apart in an industry full of change.
Hear firsthand confessions of flammable mistakes, the surprising strength of 3D printed materials, and how a strong workplace culture and investment in people keep both careers and companies thriving. Whether you're deep in the manufacturing world or just CNC-curious, there’s something in this candid, fast-paced conversation to keep you listening to the end
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Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-urbans-msed-433149166/
Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-graczak-6ba8b0359/
———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.
————
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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From custom race car parts at sixteen to high-stakes aerospace and defense prototypes, Ben Martin shares an inside look at the world of machining, shop culture, and mentorship. Hear his take on early career challenges, the real differences between industries like medical and defense, and why well-kept shops and open conversations make all the difference for both seasoned machinists and new apprentices. This episode mixes personal stories, industry insights, and a healthy dose of humor with practical advice—plus, lively rounds of “Forgivable or Fireable” and “Machinist Myths”—all while highlighting the importance of continued learning, automation, and challenging old stereotypes in manufacturing.
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Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-urbans-msed-433149166/
Connect with Ben on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-martin-5a2b8847/
———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.
————
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: http://www.midwestcamsolutions.com
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Minnesota’s manufacturing community takes center stage as Jessica sits down with Steve Kalina, President & CEO of MPMA (Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association) and a Marine Corps veteran, for a real-world look at workforce development, next-generation talent, and the unique spirit driving the region’s shops. Steve traces his experiences from scrubbing toilets at his family’s machine shop at age 13 to running marathons and leading one of Minnesota’s top manufacturing groups.
This episode features practical stories about building character on the shop floor, the impact of early STEM education, and creating hands-on experiences for kids at the Minnesota State Fair’s Manufactured Day. Steve discusses why engaging students as young as pre-school matters, explains the differences between STEM and manufacturing career tracks, and addresses common misconceptions about Gen Z in the trades.
Lighthearted “forgivable or fireable” scenarios and rapid-fire “Would You Rather” keep things fun. Listeners will hear about volunteer efforts, peer support among competitive shops, and what makes Minnesota’s manufacturing sector stand out from the rest. Steve closes with advice about surrounding yourself with great people, plus resources for getting involved with MPMA.
For more information about MPMA, Manufactured Day at the State Fair, or how to get involved, visit mpma.com
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Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-urbans-msed-433149166/
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-kalina-954ab145/
———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.
————
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: http://www.midwestcamsolutions.com
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On this episode of CNC Underground, Jess Urbans sits down with Matthew Roderick, CTO of R&S Machining, to talk about forging a career in manufacturing from the ground up. Matthew shares his journey from janitor to tech leader, the importance of mastering every role along the way, and how investing in people fuels company growth. They dive into topics like in-house post processor development, custom machine monitoring systems, the real-world impact of flashy CAM trends, and why AI and automation are tools to amplify, not replace, shop floor talent. Whether you’re a seasoned machinist or new to the trade, this episode shines a light on building a long-lasting and rewarding career in CNC.
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Connect with Jess on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-urbans-msed-433149166/
Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-roderick-0bb7121b0/
Website: R & S Machining
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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
Ever crash a CNC machine and still get promoted?
Hosts Jess Urbans and Christina Casanova kick off CNC Underground After Hours, where shop floor mishaps meet real talk and laughs.
On this pilot episode, they dig into the realities of manufacturing life, why there’s no safe place to be real about shop struggles, and how comedy fuels survival in CNC world.
Discover why every machinist, programmer, and shop leader will see themselves in these stories, and pick up insights you won’t find in a corporate brochure.
Get ready to rethink what "shop wisdom" really sounds like.