Editor David Muller sits down with Associate Editor Cary Gitter to debrief from the 2025 North American Manufacturing Research Conference and its Blue Sky Competition. He discusses this years winners, a team from the University of Georgia with its entry on “Manufacturing Empathy,” and other standouts from the competition.

In this inspiring episode, Toni Neary sits down with industry champion Clint Smith of Mastercam. From his start as a mold maintenance technician to CNC programmer and now a leader in education and workforce development, Clint shares his incredible journey and passion for shaping the next generation of manufacturing professionals.

Fresh from SkillsUSA Nationals, Clint and Toni dive into the impact of competitions like SkillsUSA, WorldSkills, and Project MFG. Clint gives an insider’s look at what it takes to mentor and support students on a global stage, why these contests matter so much to the industry, and how they build not just technical abilities—but confidence, teamwork, and resilience.

Whether you're an educator, employer, or student, this episode will leave you recharged and reminded why investing in skilled trades matters more than ever.

Editor-in-Chief Steve Plumb sits down with Al Whatmough, CEO of Toolpath Labs, to explore the potential of AI in manufacturing. Drawing from his experiences as a machinist, high school teacher and former Autodesk executive, Whatmough shares his thoughts on bridging the gap between design and production, creating a more connected, efficient manufacturing ecosystem through intelligent automation.