In Episode 6 of Behind The Anvil, host Mike Peterson sits down with Jose Roberto Alaniz Jr., owner of 3rd Day Coffee Seguin and a devoted servant of Jesus Christ our Lord. Jose shares his powerful testimony of feeling the Lord’s call—how at first he resisted, and how God turned up the heat to forge him into the man he is today. From personal trials to divine guidance, Jose reveals how his faith and his passion for coffee have intertwined, opening doors to share the Gospel and connect with people from all walks of life. This heartfelt conversation blends the aroma of good coffee with the richness of a life transformed by Christ’s calling

In this moving episode, host Mike sits down with Justin Mellor, the founder of United We March / Gut Check—a powerful charity challenge that raises awareness and support for veterans and first responders. Justin opens up with striking honesty about his personal battle with drug addiction and the pivotal moment that transformed his life: participating in the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. That grueling experience ignited a profound shift—a determination to turn his life around and dedicate himself in service to others. From that turning point, Justin launched United We March and the Gunnison Gut Check walk—a ruck-style challenge in central Utah designed not just as a fundraiser, but as a movement. These events have empowered participants across the region to support veterans, first responders, and community resilience. Tune in as Justin shares how his journey from personal struggle to leadership in community and service became a catalyst for healing—not only for himself, but for many others in central Utah and beyond. This is a story of redemption, community, and the enduring spirit of service.

website unitedwemarch.com FB: United We are stronger

Episode 4 – Behind The Anvil In this episode, bladesmith Dustin Rhodes — Forged in Fire competitor, Master of Arms, and owner of Axes on Main / Forge a Memorie — shares his journey into bladesmithing and blacksmithing. We talk about his passion for teaching the craft, inspiring the next generation, and passing on wisdom for anyone pursuing the trades or other artisan paths.

In Episode 3 of Behind The Anvil, Michael Peterson sits down with J. Lyn Christiansen — a devoted single mother of three, full-time professional, and self-published author of The Flame of God. Together, they dive into the world of writing, going down the rabbit hole of juggling real life and the creative process of putting pen to paper. J. Lyn shares her journey as an author, her creative process, and valuable tips for aspiring writers. The conversation also explores Michael’s upcoming book The Walk and his collaboration with J. Lyn as his ghostwriter. It’s an inspiring and insightful episode filled with faith, perseverance, and the power of storytelling.

Episode 2 – Behind The Anvil In this episode, host Michael Peterson sits down with Bradley Caughey, owner of BC Custom Rod LLC, to talk about the craft and passion behind building one-of-a-kind fishing rods. From bringing a customer’s dream rod to life, to facing life-changing challenges like back surgery and the difficult recovery process, Bradley opens up about the journey — including what it’s like to lose feeling from the knee down. It’s a powerful conversation about craftsmanship, resilience, and the will to keep moving forward.

Episode 1 – Welcome to Behind The Anvil In this very first episode, host Michael Peterson, owner of Mike’s Damascus Knives LLC, steps up to the mic to introduce himself and the brand-new Behind The Anvil podcast. Michael shares a bit about his background in bladesmithing and what listeners can expect from the show — from in-depth interviews with bladesmiths and knife-makers to behind-the-scenes shop talk, industry insights, and much more from the world of custom knives. But Behind The Anvil is more than just life in the shop — it’s about life behind the anvil. Michael sets the stage for Season 1 with a mix of craft, business insights, and great conversation, giving listeners a true insider’s look at the bladesmithing community. Whether you’re a seasoned smith, an aspiring maker, or simply curious about the craft, this episode lays the foundation for the stories, lessons, and connections to come.