Sean O'Grady gives us an in depth look at his maker journey. At a young age, Sean found himself without direction, and had it not been for a very strange set of circumstances, he may never have gone down the road he is on today. Sean has a unique way of metalworking, and he has a passion for welding that he picked up later in life. We get to hear about how he uses his small amount of shop time every week to build his skills. He also explains his plan for growing into a full time maker. Listen in as Sean also shares

• How passion for learning can keep you motivated
• Starting out with a niche productand
• Facing the demands of the day job, all the while planning efficiencies with limited shop time

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After leaving the Army and becoming burnt out at his job at Costco, Todd Clippinger struck out on his own in 1997. A “severely average” student from a blue-collar family, Todd launched a handyman business with no knowledge of or experience with handyman work. He credits his grandfather’s mentorship, his background as a combat engineer, and his personal quest for excellence for giving him the discipline and determination to succeed. Join our conversation with Todd as we discuss:

• Finding your limits - and pushing them
• Hands-on learning
• The quest for excellence
• The crucial role of attention to detail

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Want to support the show while getting an amazing tool to run your maker business? Check out FreshBooks for a free trial, today!

Self-described BMX kid and hack carpenter David Gagné uses his vivid imagination and colorful background to build all kinds of unique creations. As a fan of punk rock from a blue-collar family, David’s passion for making came from day jobs as a bicycle mechanic and construction laborer. Today, David has a “bicycle graveyard” behind his home and a collection of upcycled projects made from old bicycle parts and a growing YouTube channel, Elm City Vintage. Join us as we talk to David about

• A passion for photography that fizzled when it became a job
• The punk rock DIY ethic and its similarity to the Maker mindset
• Learning to make things from readily available junk bicycle parts
• Diving into new things head first and figuring things out as you go
• Learning to crawl before you can walk
• Making YouTube videos that stand out

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West Texas native Jeremy Crawford discovered a passion for teaching while serving in the US Coast Guard. That opportunity ended, but Jeremy wasn’t done with teaching. The search for another creative venue led to the creation of his blog - The Countryside Workshop and soon after, The Woodshop 101 Podcast

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Thanks to all the great guests of the show. The winner of the giveaway is revealed on this episode - plus a whole lot more!

podcastformakers.com/giveaway

Whether it’s saddles, belts, or other leather goods, artist Don Gonzales sells to cowboys, college students, and everyone in between. Don’s business, DG Saddlery, makes high-end custom saddles in Bryan, Texas. With a one year waiting list, Don’s saddles are made by hand, one at a time, and are covered in Don’s hand-tooled decorative touches. Join us as we talk to Don about:

• His early aspirations to be a veterinarian
• Leather as a medium for art
• How a hobby became a side business became a full-time career
• Finding direction as a maker and as a business

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Cristiana Felgueiras has a unique view of the world. An artist, musician, and maker from Porto, Portugal, Cristiana started making gifts for her parents and sister when she was still a small child. Early on, she recognized her hands-on approach to learning and the enjoyment she gets from being active, which has transformed itself into her popular YouTube channel, Get Hands Dirty. Join us as we talk to Cristiana about:

• Never having a “real” job
• The frustrations of the art world
• YouTube as an exhibition space / digital gallery
• The appeal of functional artwork

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Find out details on entering to win the #makercastgiveaway

A woodworker for most of his life, Carl Jacobson is best known for his unusual and unique woodturning projects. As part of the YouTube Maker community, Carl says that his channel encourages him to try new things and stretch beyond his comfort zone. Carl’s experience with YouTube has led him to venture into education, and he plans to release a series of woodturning DVDs for some of his more popular and intricate projects. Join us as we talk to Carl about:

• Experiments turning unusual materials, including automotive paint build-up
• The joy of figuring things out for yourself / not following instructions
• Intentionally leaving mistakes in his videos

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Get involved in the #makercastgiveaway!

Tim Sway (@tim_sway) is a man of many talents. As a YouTube maker, upcyclist, musician, and host on the Reclaimed Audio Podcast, Tim calls himself a “professional child” who aims to make worthless things into priceless art with a purpose. Tim’s long-term ambition is to use his work not only to inspire others to make things, but also to consider their habits and make a positive impact on the planet as a whole. Join us as we talk to Tim about:

• The definition of work
• The positive value of change
• How flexibility can change your entire life
• Working with your kids and the genesis of Vance Maker

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Checkout the MakerCastGiveaway!

Eric Schimelpfenig @SketchThis is a self-proclaimed expert at not saying no. During a childhood filled with creating, exploring, and breaking, Eric’s grandfather started teaching him how to fix things. Eric made a career in 3D design, especially kitchen design, and eventually collaborated with Google in the development of SketchUp. Join us as we talk to Eric about:

• The value of drawing things out before you build them
• Being a successful “terrible” woodworker
• The value of reliable equipment

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Checkout the MakerCastGiveaway!