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.