In the first Weld Wednesdays with AWS episode of 2026, I'm sitting down with Dr. Josh Burgess, current President of the American Welding Society and Senior Program Manager for Metallurgical and Welding Engineering at the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Dr. Burgess shares his path from welding in high school and competing at the national level to earning his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in materials science and engineering. Along the way, AWS played a pivotal role—providing scholarships, networking opportunities, mentorship, and leadership development that shaped his career.

This conversation covers:

• How AWS membership opens doors at every career stage

• The value of section involvement and industry networking

• Leadership development through volunteering

• Welding metallurgy, inspection, and failure analysis

• Workforce development and future career paths in welding

• Emerging technology like additive manufacturing and automation

Whether you're a student, working welder, inspector, educator, or industry leader, this episode highlights why welding remains one of the most versatile and opportunity-rich trades available today.

For more on how you can get involved with the AWS Click Here

In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Jason Becker sits down with Josh O'Neal for a wide-ranging conversation on education, certification, and career development in the welding industry.

Josh shares his journey through welding, inspection, and education, including his experiences pursuing credentials like CWI and CWE, navigating student loans and scholarships, and building quality systems that support AWS Accredited Testing Facilities. The discussion also dives into workforce development, credit-for-experience programs, and how industry certifications can translate into academic credit.

Key topics include:

• Welding education pathways and career mobility

• AWS certifications, scholarships, and member involvement

• Quality Assurance Manuals and ATF setup

• Credit-by-exam and equivalency programs in education

• Balancing work, family, and professional growth

• Why education is something no one can take away from you

This episode is a realistic look at the trade-offs, sacrifices, and long-term rewards of investing in your education and your career in welding.

Arc Junkies Podcast:

Instagram: @Arcjunkiespodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arcjunkiespodcast9253

Email: Show@arcjunkies.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-becker-45407b72?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKipEwR3uQXCmCjaEfNzo6w%3D%3D

Arc Junkies Website: https://arcjunkies.com

Arc junkies Merch: https://shop.threadmob.com/arcjunkie/shop/home

Underground Metal Works: https://www.underground-metalworks.com/

Friends of the Show:

American Welding Society Conferences

Inspection Expo and Conference

https://www.aws.org/community-and-events/conferences-and-events/inspection-expo-and-conference/

Use ARCJUNKIES at Checkout and get a free gift at the event.

Outlaw Leather LLC

Outlawleather.com

Instagram: @outlawleatherusa

Use ARCJUNKIES for 15% off all in-stock leather goods

Everlast Welders

Instagram: @everlastwelders

YouTube: Everlast Welders

Online: https://bit.ly/37xJstI

Use Codeword ARCJUNKIES at checkout to get upgraded to a free Nova Foot Pedal and TIG Torch with the purchase of any machine that comes with a stock foot pedal and TIG Torch.

ISOTUNES:

Instagram: @isotunesaudio

Online: https://shop.isotunes.com/arcjunkies10.

Use ARCJUNKIES10 at checkout and save $10 on your purchase

As we wrap up the year, I'm joined by Kevin Johnson, Max Ceron, and Frankie Vargas for our annual end-of-year cross-pod roundtable. We talk candidly about FabTech, the real ROI of in-person podcasting, and why live shows don't always move the needle the way people expect.

Kevin breaks down what went into this year's Fabricator Olympics, what he learned running a large-scale event, and why organization and efficiency matter just as much in events as they do in fabrication shops. We also dig into arc-on time, shop inefficiencies, and why welding is often only a small percentage of what a welder actually does day to day.

The conversation shifts into the welding labor shortage and skills gap—where those numbers come from, whether they're accurate, and why retention, culture, apprenticeships, and shop conditions matter just as much as recruiting new welders. We also cover why so many welders leave the hood for other roles, how benefits factor into pay decisions, and what schools and employers need to change if they want people to stay in the trade.

This is an honest, unscripted conversation about where the industry really is—and where it needs to go next.

Arc Junkies Podcast:

Instagram: @Arcjunkiespodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arcjunkiespodcast9253

Email: Show@arcjunkies.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-becker-45407b72?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKipEwR3uQXCmCjaEfNzo6w%3D%3D

Arc Junkies Website: https://arcjunkies.com

Arc junkies Merch: https://shop.threadmob.com/arcjunkie/shop/home

Underground Metal Works: https://www.underground-metalworks.com/

Friends of the Show:

American Welding Society Conferences

Inspection Expo and Conference

https://www.aws.org/community-and-events/conferences-and-events/inspection-expo-and-conference/

Use ARCJUNKIES at Checkout and get a free gift at the event.

Outlaw Leather LLC

Outlawleather.com

Instagram: @outlawleatherusa

Use ARCJUNKIES for 15% off all in-stock leather goods

Everlast Welders

Instagram: @everlastwelders

YouTube: Everlast Welders

Online: https://bit.ly/37xJstI

Use Codeword ARCJUNKIES at checkout to get upgraded to a free Nova Foot Pedal and TIG Torch with the purchase of any machine that comes with a stock foot pedal and TIG Torch.

Fronius:

Instagram: @FroniusUSA

Website: https://bakersgas.com/collections/fronius-accupocket

ISOTUNES:

Instagram: @isotunesaudio

Online: https://shop.isotunes.com/arcjunkies10.

Use ARCJUNKIES10 at checkout and save $10 on your purchase

In this episode of the Arc Junkies Podcast, Tim Kinnaman returns to continue our deep dive into welding history, shifting the focus to gas welding and cutting. We explore how oxy-fuel processes developed alongside early electrical advancements, why oxy-acetylene welding became the dominant method for decades, and how industrial chemistry played a critical role in shaping welding as we know it today.

The conversation traces the discovery and commercialization of oxygen and acetylene, the rise of early torch designs, and the transition from cutting to welding applications. We also discuss autogenous welding, early shipyard and aviation use, and the companies and innovators that helped scale these technologies worldwide. This episode offers valuable historical context for welders, educators, and industry professionals who want to better understand the roots of modern welding processes.

Arc Junkies Podcast:

Instagram: @Arcjunkiespodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arcjunkiespodcast9253

Email: Show@arcjunkies.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-becker-45407b72?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKipEwR3uQXCmCjaEfNzo6w%3D%3D

Arc Junkies Website: https://arcjunkies.com

Arc junkies Merch: https://shop.threadmob.com/arcjunkie/shop/home

Underground Metal Works: https://www.underground-metalworks.com/

Friends of the Show:

American Welding Society Conferences

Inspection Expo and Conference

https://www.aws.org/community-and-events/conferences-and-events/inspection-expo-and-conference/

Use ARCJUNKIES at Checkout and get a free gift at the event.

Outlaw Leather LLC

Outlawleather.com

Instagram: @outlawleatherusa

Use ARCJUNKIES for 15% off all in-stock leather goods

Everlast Welders

Instagram: @everlastwelders

YouTube: Everlast Welders

Online: https://bit.ly/37xJstI

Use Codeword ARCJUNKIES at checkout to get upgraded to a free Nova Foot Pedal and TIG Torch with the purchase of any machine that comes with a stock foot pedal and TIG Torch.

Fronius:

Instagram: @FroniusUSA

Website: https://bakersgas.com/collections/fronius-accupocket

ISOTUNES:

Instagram: @isotunesaudio

Online: https://shop.isotunes.com/arcjunkies10.

Use ARCJUNKIES10 at checkout and save $10 on your purchase

In this episode, I sit down with returning guest and long-time friend, Dusty James of Pacific Arc TIG Welding, for one of the most honest conversations yet about the realities of doing anything for the long haul — whether it's welding, creating content, teaching, or building a business.

Dusty and I break down what truly keeps people going in the trades and the creator world: passion, curiosity, and the willingness to push through burnout. The two share battle-tested lessons from years of welding and content creation, including graphic shop injuries, why safety training still matters, and the surprising truth behind videos that take days to make… but flop anyway.

We talk about burnout, chasing excitement instead of trends, stolen content, algorithm frustration, writing textbooks, and why the work only becomes sustainable when you genuinely love it.

This episode is a must-listen for welders, educators, content creators, or anyone trying to build something meaningful — even when the numbers don't show it.

Follow Dusty on Instagram Here

Checkout his YouTube channel Here

Checkout his Website and get his Textbook Here

Arc Junkies Podcast:

Instagram: @Arcjunkiespodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arcjunkiespodcast9253

Email: Show@arcjunkies.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-becker-45407b72?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKipEwR3uQXCmCjaEfNzo6w%3D%3D

Arc Junkies Website: https://arcjunkies.com

Arc junkies Merch: https://shop.threadmob.com/arcjunkie/shop/home

Underground Metal Works: https://www.underground-metalworks.com/

Friends of the Show:

American Welding Society Conferences

Inspection Expo and Conference

https://www.aws.org/community-and-events/conferences-and-events/inspection-expo-and-conference/

Use ARCJUNKIES at Checkout and get a free gift at the event.

Outlaw Leather LLC

Outlawleather.com

Instagram: @outlawleatherusa

Use ARCJUNKIES for 15% off all in-stock leather goods

Everlast Welders

Instagram: @everlastwelders

YouTube: Everlast Welders

Online: https://bit.ly/37xJstI

Use Codeword ARCJUNKIES at checkout to get upgraded to a free Nova Foot Pedal and TIG Torch with the purchase of any machine that comes with a stock foot pedal and TIG Torch.

Fronius:

Instagram: @FroniusUSA

Website: https://bakersgas.com/collections/fronius-accupocket

ISOTUNES:

Instagram: @isotunesaudio

Online: https://shop.isotunes.com/arcjunkies10.

Use ARCJUNKIES10 at checkout and save $10 on your purchase

In this episode of Weld Wednesday with AWS, I sit down with Andrew Brown, host of The Lost Art of Skilled Trades Podcast, live from FABTECH 2025 in Chicago. Andrew and I dig into the real numbers behind the Skilled Trades shortage — including the projected need for over 320,000 welders by 2029 and the retirement wave that could pull more than 157,000 welders out of the industry in the next decade.

I share how I first discovered the workforce gap when I moved into teaching, and Andrew breaks down why so many companies are struggling to connect with Gen Z. We talk about wage issues, soft skills, entry-level expectations, and why companies can't just post an ad and expect welders to line up anymore.

We also get into a topic that both of us feel strongly about: mentorship vs. gatekeeping. I talk openly about my own early struggles finding someone willing to teach me, and Andrew explains why passing knowledge down is critical if we want the next generation to succeed.

We wrap up with a discussion on automation, co-bots, and why welders, pipefitters, ironworkers, and aerospace fabricators continue to be irreplaceable in a world that's becoming more digital every year.

If you care about the future of the welding workforce, this is an important conversation.

To get involved with AWS click here

In this episode, Jason sits down with returning guest and internationally recognized metal artist David Madero for a high-energy conversation about the explosive growth of metal art and its impact on the welding industry. They talk about how competitions like the Fabricator Olympics are inspiring a new generation, how Metal Shop Masters changed the visibility of metal art, and why companies like Activision, Diablo, and Call of Duty keep calling David for custom sculptures.

The two dive into tools, techniques, laser welding safety, blacksmithing crossover, and the role of social media in bringing more people into both welding and art. David also shares behind-the-scenes stories, including his newest anime sculptures and upcoming maker-camp goals.

Whether you're a welder, artist, or someone who loves hearing passionate creators talk about their craft — this episode delivers.

Give David a Follow on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @Madero_Co

Arc Junkies Podcast:

Instagram: @Arcjunkiespodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arcjunkiespodcast9253

Email: Show@arcjunkies.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-becker-45407b72?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKipEwR3uQXCmCjaEfNzo6w%3D%3D

Arc Junkies Website: https://arcjunkies.com

Arc junkies Merch: https://shop.threadmob.com/arcjunkie/shop/home

Underground Metal Works: https://www.underground-metalworks.com/

Friends of the Show:

American Welding Society Conferences

Inspection Expo and Conference

https://www.aws.org/community-and-events/conferences-and-events/inspection-expo-and-conference/

Use ARCJUNKIES at Checkout and get a free gift at the event.

Outlaw Leather LLC

Outlawleather.com

Instagram: @outlawleatherusa

Use ARCJUNKIES for 15% off all in-stock leather goods

Everlast Welders

Instagram: @everlastwelders

YouTube: Everlast Welders

Online: https://bit.ly/37xJstI

Use Codeword ARCJUNKIES at checkout to get upgraded to a free Nova Foot Pedal and TIG Torch with the purchase of any machine that comes with a stock foot pedal and TIG Torch.

Fronius:

Instagram: @FroniusUSA

Website: https://bakersgas.com/collections/fronius-accupocket

ISOTUNES:

Instagram: @isotunesaudio

Online: https://shop.isotunes.com/arcjunkies10.

Use ARCJUNKIES10 at checkout and save $10 on your purchase

In this episode, I sit down with Chad Umbel, co-founder of Rigging International Group (RIG), to explore the world of rope access welding, inspection, and high-angle industrial work. We talk about how Chad got into the trade, what rope access training really looks like, and why IRATA and SPRAT certifications matter.

Chad breaks down how RIG hires and evaluates welders, how they test welders on rope, and what it takes to work offshore in places like Alaska—battling tides, weather, and extreme conditions. We also dive into rescue planning, safety culture, nondestructive testing, and the massive projects RIG is involved in, from stadiums to petrochemical plants to heavy construction.

If you've ever been curious about rope access welding or wondered what it takes to work in some of the most challenging environments on the planet, this episode pulls the curtain back

Check out RIG's website Here

Give them a follow on Instagram Here

info@rigintlgrp.com

Arc Junkies Podcast:

Instagram: @Arcjunkiespodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arcjunkiespodcast9253

Email: Show@arcjunkies.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-becker-45407b72?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKipEwR3uQXCmCjaEfNzo6w%3D%3D

Arc Junkies Website: https://arcjunkies.com

Arc junkies Merch: https://shop.threadmob.com/arcjunkie/shop/home

Underground Metal Works: https://www.underground-metalworks.com/

Friends of the Show:

American Welding Society Conferences

Inspection Expo and Conference

https://www.aws.org/community-and-events/conferences-and-events/inspection-expo-and-conference/

Use ARCJUNKIES at Checkout and get a free gift at the event.

Outlaw Leather LLC

Outlawleather.com

Instagram: @outlawleatherusa

Use ARCJUNKIES for 15% off all in-stock leather goods

Everlast Welders

Instagram: @everlastwelders

YouTube: Everlast Welders

Online: https://bit.ly/37xJstI

Use Codeword ARCJUNKIES at checkout to get upgraded to a free Nova Foot Pedal and TIG Torch with the purchase of any machine that comes with a stock foot pedal and TIG Torch.

Fronius:

Instagram: @FroniusUSA

Website: https://bakersgas.com/collections/fronius-accupocket

ISOTUNES:

Instagram: @isotunesaudio

Online: https://shop.isotunes.com/arcjunkies10.

Use ARCJUNKIES10 at checkout and save $10 on your purchase