Behind The Anvil

Behind The Anvil

by Michael Peterson
Entrepreneurship
Season 3
Behind The Anvil S3 E5 — Getting Started in Bladesmithing for $1,000 or Less
Behind The Anvil S3 E5 — Getting Started in Bladesmithing for $1,000 or Less In this solo episode of Behind The Anvil, host Michael Peterson gets back to the basics and talks about one of the questions he hears often: How can someone get started making knives without spending a fortune? Michael breaks down how to get into bladesmithing for $1,000 or less, covering both traditional forging and stock removal. He walks through the basics of choosing the right steel, essential tools and supplies, belt grinders, handle materials, and where to find quality materials without breaking the bank. Michael also takes a look at his e-book on getting started in knife making, discussing the different chapters and resources included—from choosing your first steel and tools to finding reliable suppliers. He shares plans to update the book with new information based on what he has learned throughout his years in the craft. Along the way, Michael talks about his own journey into bladesmithing, the lessons he learned from mistakes, and why beginners shouldn't feel like they need an expensive shop or every piece of equipment available before making their first knife. He also gives an update on the shop, his decision to temporarily pause knife-making classes, and his plans for revamping both the shop and Behind The Anvil Podcast. Whether you're thinking about making your first knife or you've already started building your shop, this episode is a reminder that you don't need the biggest forge, the most expensive grinder, or a shop full of equipment to begin. Start simple. Practice. Learn from your mistakes. Learn from experienced makers. Most importantly—enjoy the craft. Welcome to Behind The Anvil with host Michael Peterson.
S3 · E5
Sep 7, 2026
1:34:50
From Combat Zones to Open Roads: The Story of John Dunn
From Combat Zones to Open Roads: The Story of John Dunn In this episode of Behind The Anvil Podcast, Michael Peterson sits down with John Dunn for a wide-ranging conversation about military service, aviation, deployments, motorcycles, trucking, and the challenges veterans face when transitioning back to civilian life. John shares stories from his time in the U.S. Air Force, beginning at just 17 years old in 1988. He talks about working with experimental weapons at Eglin Air Force Base, including the Bunker Buster and stealth weapons, before serving at a NORAD alert site in Alaska where F-15s stood ready to respond to potential threats. John also takes us into the extreme conditions of Alaska, where temperatures could reach 90 degrees below zero, making ordinary maintenance work a serious challenge. He shares stories about aircraft maintenance, ordnance, protective equipment, and the realities of working around military aircraft and weapons systems. The conversation continues with John's time in the Army National Guard, including his deployment to Iraq from 2009–2010, where he supervised maintenance on OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters. John discusses the realities of tactical aviation, life in a combat zone, equipment restrictions, and the experiences that stayed with him after returning home. Michael and John also talk about the difficult transition many veterans face after leaving military service, including the loss of fellow service members, depression, and finding the courage to ask for help. John shares resources and personal experiences that may help veterans who are struggling. Then the conversation takes a turn toward motorcycles, including John's journey from a Buell Blast to BMW adventure bikes and his experiences riding The Tail of the Dragon, one of America's most famous—and dangerous—motorcycle roads. From military aviation and frozen Alaskan runways to Iraq, trucking, motorcycles, veterans' struggles, and life after the military, this episode is packed with stories, opinions, and experiences you won't want to miss. Behind The Anvil Podcast — where we talk to the people behind the craft, the stories, and the life experiences that shape us.
S3 · E4
Aug 31, 2026
1:14:59
Behind The Anvil Podcast — Michael Peterson Sits Down With Well..... Himself
Explicit
Behind The Anvil Podcast — Michael Peterson Sits Down With Himself In this episode of Behind The Anvil, host Michael Peterson sits down with himself for a personal update on the knife business, his return to driving truck, and what’s ahead for the podcast. Michael talks about pausing custom knife orders and knife-making classes for the foreseeable future while he focuses on personal projects and driving truck. He also looks ahead to getting back into knife making later this year, including Christmas orders and some new mosaic Damascus projects. From there, the conversation moves into Michael’s experience as a coal hauler, his thoughts on coal, nuclear power, and America’s energy future, and why reliable energy matters more than ever. Michael also talks about his plans for a new studio, paying down debt, and ways listeners can support Behind The Anvil as the show continues to grow. Then the conversation turns to the American beef herd. Michael discusses how cattle numbers are now comparable to levels seen decades ago, despite the U.S. population being roughly three times larger. He looks at drought, fuel costs, cattle prices, and the difficult choices ranchers are facing. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about knives, trucking, energy, agriculture, and the American economy — with Michael doing what he does best: sharing his thoughts and encouraging listeners to do their own research. Listen and support Behind The Anvil: Behind The Anvil on RSS.com Check out Mike’s Damascus Knives LLC: Mike’s Damascus Knives LLC Subscribe, share, and follow Behind The Anvil on social media. Stay Sharp! And the episode of King Trout On the Screwworms problem and why it' back https://youtu.be/fQGVTJ7zFhs?si=8IGc2wCHIlEIr9kl
S3 · E3
Aug 24, 2026
1:00:36
From Forged in Fire to the Forge: Pablo Martinez’s Bladesmithing Journey
From Forged in Fire to the Forge: Pablo Martinez’s Bladesmithing Journey On this episode of Behind The Anvil, host Michael Peterson sits down with Arizona bladesmith and instructor Pablo Martinez to talk about his journey from discovering blacksmithing through Forged in Fire to stepping into the forge himself—and eventually becoming an instructor at Desert Metalcraft. Pablo’s journey began in 2019 when he took a six-week course at Desert Metalcraft. Just a few years later, he found himself competing on Forged in Fire, taking on the challenge of forging a George Washington Battlesword under the intense pressure of television competition. Pablo opens up about the adrenaline, lack of sleep, COVID-era filming restrictions, mistakes in the forge, and the lessons he took away from the experience. Michael and Pablo also dive deep into the realities of building a bladesmithing business out of a garage in Arizona, repurposing broken axe heads, making knives and jewelry, upgrading equipment, and learning how to properly price handmade work. But this conversation goes far beyond steel and fire. Pablo talks about his career in social services, the burnout that can come from working with at-risk youth and helping people transition back into the community, and how blacksmithing, jiu-jitsu, and Muay Thai have become important outlets for managing that stress. The two also discuss faith, safety, teaching the next generation, traditional crafts, Damascus steel, social media, AI, cybersecurity, and the importance of the blacksmithing community sharing knowledge instead of keeping techniques secret. From a first railroad-spike knife to competing on national television and eventually teaching others, Pablo's story is a great reminder that skill is built through perseverance, mistakes, hard work, and the willingness to keep learning. Whether you're a bladesmith, blacksmith, Forged in Fire fan, or simply someone interested in hearing how a person turns a passion into a craft, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Listen in as Michael and Pablo get Behind The Anvil! Connect with Pablo Martinez Instagram: @3sonsdesertforge on Instagram Learn More & Train at Desert Metalcraft Desert Metalcraft: Desert Metalcraft School
S3 · E2
Aug 17, 2026
1:31:06
One Year at the Anvil: The Craftsman’s Curse, Damascus & the Road Ahead
The Craftsman’s Curse, Damascus & the Road Ahead Behind the Anvil Podcast — Season 3, Episode 1 We’re kicking off Season 3 of Behind the Anvil with a special one-year anniversary episode! Host Michael Peterson sits down with fellow bladesmiths Nate Summers and Ryan Wolf for a wide-ranging conversation about the realities of life as a craftsman, the challenges of running a small creative business, and what it really takes to keep moving forward. Michael opens up about returning to truck driving after experiencing burnout from running his knife business, while Nate talks about the seasonal nature of bladesmithing and how weather, markets, and timing can have a major impact on a craftsman’s livelihood. The conversation dives deep into what they call “the craftsman’s curse” — that constant feeling that a finished piece could always be better. Nate and Michael discuss learning when to stop chasing perfection, finish the project, and move on. Sometimes the finished work becomes more valuable as a record of how far you've come than as a perfect representation of where you are today. The guys also talk about the challenges of working from home while raising a family, balancing customer demands with parenting, and trying to keep a one-person operation running when you're simultaneously the maker, maintenance guy, administrator, marketer, and customer service department. Then things get seriously interesting as the conversation turns to Damascus steel. Ryan Wolf shares his innovative approach to Damascus pattern development, including his unique cubist-inspired Damascus pattern, his collaboration with Nate, and the technical challenges involved in producing complex mosaic designs. The discussion covers titanium Damascus, carbon Damascus, canister forging, argon protection, TIG welding, forging temperatures, soaking times, and the equipment required to bring ambitious Damascus patterns to life. Ryan also takes the conversation in an unexpected direction by discussing his background in glassblowing, showing Michael and Nate some of the tools he created years ago and explaining how working with molten glass influenced his approach to forging and Damascus. The conversation also touches on meteorite Damascus, the realities of selling high-end custom knives, chef knife design, steel loss during mosaic construction, and the years of practice and experimentation required to truly master a craft. From the shop floor to the business side of bladesmithing, this episode is packed with knowledge, stories, failures, lessons, and plenty of discussion about what it means to keep pushing yourself creatively. After one year of Behind the Anvil, Michael looks back at the journey and looks ahead to what's next. Welcome to Season 3. The fire is still burning. Follow Nate Summers Website: https://natetheblademaker.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natetheblademaker/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@natetheblademaker Follow Ryan Wolf Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19F4imc372/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rywolf85/ Behind the Anvil Podcast Hosted by Michael Peterson Subscribe, follow, and share the podcast with someone who appreciates bladesmithing, craftsmanship, creativity, and the stories behind the people who make things with their hands. Thanks for helping us celebrate ONE YEAR of Behind the Anvil!
S3 · E1
Aug 10, 2026
1:47:49
Season 2
From Marine to Mentor: Building Better Business Systems with Rue Knows
Behind The Anvil Podcast – Season 2, Episode 31 From Marine to Mentor: Building Better Business Systems with Rue Knows In this episode of Behind The Anvil Podcast, host Michael Peterson sits down with entrepreneur, Marine Corps veteran, and business systems expert Rue Knows for an honest conversation about resilience, rebuilding, and creating businesses that actually work. Rue shares his incredible journey of joining the United States Marine Corps at just 17 years old, overcoming homelessness after his military service ended due to injury, and eventually building a successful painting company that generated more than $1.2 million in annual revenue. But as he explains, impressive revenue doesn't always equal profit. Rue opens up about the costly mistakes, leadership challenges, and hard lessons he learned while growing too fast without the right systems in place. Michael and Rue dive into: The realities of transitioning from military life to entrepreneurship. Why Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are essential for long-term success. Building businesses that don't depend on the owner for every decision. Hiring, leadership, and avoiding expensive growth mistakes. Residential vs. commercial contracting. The power of virtual assistants and AI to help small businesses save time and increase efficiency. How AI tools like ChatGPT can help entrepreneurs with writing, marketing, business planning, and creative work. Why business owners should validate AI-generated information instead of accepting it at face value. Planning your business by working backward from your long-term goals. Michael also shares personal updates about returning to knife making, lessons learned from scaling his own business, and his vision for combining a knife shop with a café in the future. Connect with Rue Knows: RueKnows.com @RueKnows YouTube: @RueKnowsLocal Follow Behind The Anvil Podcast New episodes every Monday on your favorite podcast platform, with the video edition releasing later on YouTube. Hosted by Michael Peterson Owner, Mike's Damascus Knives LLC Stay Sharp, America!
S2 · E32
Aug 3, 2026
1:33:14
From Broke to Brand: The Dr. Robert Garcia Story ⭐
Behind The Anvil Podcast, host Michael Peterson sits down with Dr. Robert Garcia—U.S. Air Force veteran, CEO of Garcia Global Media, founder of SHIFT Advanced Life Design Magazine, author, and media strategist. Dr. Garcia shares his incredible journey from growing up in a low-income family in Northern California to earning multiple advanced degrees and building a nationally recognized public relations and media company. He opens up about the challenges he faced, how the Air Force changed the direction of his life, and the lessons that helped him transform setbacks into opportunities. The conversation explores the creation of SHIFT Magazine, its mission to help readers "shift into a better version of themselves," and how Dr. Garcia helps entrepreneurs, veterans, and small business owners gain visibility through podcasts, television, magazines, and strategic media campaigns. Michael also shares his own experience working with Dr. Garcia and how those efforts helped him gain television exposure. You'll also hear stories about Garcia Grill, where Dr. Garcia served hundreds of meals to fellow service members during deployment, his thoughts on handling negativity on social media, practical advice for building a recognizable brand, and why consistent effort beats chasing overnight success. Whether you're an entrepreneur, veteran, content creator, or someone working toward a dream, this episode is packed with motivation and practical advice to help you keep moving forward. Connect with Dr. Robert Garcia: • Website: Garcia Global Media • Facebook: Rob "The Warrior Strategist" • LinkedIn: Dr. Robert Garcia • SHIFT Magazine: SHIFT Advanced Life Design Magazine Follow Behind The Anvil Podcast for new episodes every Monday, featuring makers, veterans, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders who are forging success one story at a time
S2 · E31
Jul 27, 2026
1:04:46
Season 2, Episode 30 – Take the Chance and Have That Conversation
Season 2, Episode 30 – Take the Chance and Have That Conversation Sometimes the biggest opportunities in life begin with a simple conversation. In this episode of Behind The Anvil Podcast, host Michael Peterson is joined by co-host Brad Caughey to discuss why you should never be afraid to take a chance and talk to someone new. Michael shares the story of meeting a representative from Valor Atomics at a Maverik in Utah—a brief conversation that could lead to an exciting future collaboration and a behind-the-scenes look at one of America's most innovative nuclear technology companies. The conversation expands into the future of American energy as Michael and Brad explore helium-cooled small modular nuclear reactors, the need to modernize the aging U.S. power grid, the role of coal, natural gas, wind, solar, and why reliable energy should remain America's top priority. They also discuss domestic manufacturing, data centers, infrastructure, trade skills, and why taking calculated risks can open doors in both business and life. Brad also gives an update on BC Custom Rods, explaining the difference between inshore and offshore fishing rods, his custom rod-building business, and what's next as he continues growing the company. Michael also talks about returning to Robinson Transport on the night shift, the realities of life behind the wheel, and finding gratitude in the opportunities God provides—even when life doesn't go according to plan. Whether you're an entrepreneur, outdoorsman, energy enthusiast, or someone looking for encouragement to step outside your comfort zone, this episode reminds us that one conversation can change everything. Take the chance. Start the conversation. You never know where it might lead. Follow Behind The Anvil Podcast and Mike's Damascus Knives: YouTube: Website: https://MikesDamascusKnives.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/MikesDamascus X (Twitter): https://x.com/MikesDamascusKnives TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@mikesdamascusknives Follow BC Custom Rods: Facebook: https://facebook.com/BCCustomRods Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Until next time... Stay Sharp!
S2 · E30
Jul 20, 2026
1:37:22
From Marine to Mission: Dallas Poore & the Warriors of the Wind Marine Corps veteran,
From Marine to Mission: Dallas Poore & the Warriors of the Wind Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, filmmaker, and founder of Warriors of the Wind, Dallas Poore joins Michael Peterson for an inspiring conversation about service, purpose, and the ongoing fight to save veteran lives. Dallas shares his journey from growing up on an Iowa farm to earning his commission in the United States Marine Corps. He reflects on experiencing the events of September 11 while on active duty, serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and maintaining Marine Corps aircraft under the harsh conditions of Kuwait before deployments throughout the Pacific. The conversation also explores Dallas's passion for diving, including a life-threatening encounter with a typhoon in the East China Sea, and how those experiences helped shape his perspective on leadership, resilience, and life after military service. Following his time in the Marines, Dallas built successful businesses before recognizing the growing mental health crisis affecting veterans. That realization led him to create Warriors of the Wind, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing veteran suicide through community, purpose, and the therapeutic power of motorcycles. Rather than focusing only on past trauma, Dallas's program encourages veterans to build a new mission by serving their communities, earning motorcycles through volunteer work, and reconnecting with fellow veterans. Michael and Dallas also discuss the Warriors of the Wind documentary project, its submission to Angel Studios, and the vision of expanding the program across America through riding communities, research, and future tiny-home communities for homeless veterans. They also talk about content creation, small business challenges, filmmaking, and future collaborations to continue supporting the veteran community. If you're passionate about supporting our nation's veterans, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Learn more about Dallas Poore and Warriors of the Wind: Website: https://www.warriorsofthewind.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warriorsofthewind23/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@warriorsofthewind YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@warriorsofthewind Follow Behind the Anvil Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share to help us continue bringing you conversations with makers, veterans, entrepreneurs, and inspiring people from around the
S2 · E29
Jul 13, 2026
1:22:52
From Middle School Dreams to Published Author – S.L. Kunz Talks Writing, ADHD, AI & Rock Star Romance
Host Michael Peterson sits down with author S.L. Kunz for an inspiring conversation about creativity, storytelling, overcoming challenges, and turning lifelong dreams into reality. Stephanie shares how her passion for writing began in middle school, inspired by fantasy classics like The Lord of the Rings, and how she eventually fulfilled her dream of becoming a published author. Together, Michael and Stephanie discuss the realities of writing books, battling writer's block, managing ADHD and dyslexia, and the tools that help keep creative projects moving forward. The conversation dives deep into Stephanie's four-book rock star romance series, exploring her unique character-driven writing style, the challenges of developing believable relationships, and how each novel follows a different member of the band while building an interconnected story. Stephanie also discusses her audiobook production process, finding narrators through ACX and social media, and the lessons she hopes readers take away from her characters' struggles and triumphs. Michael and Stephanie also explore the growing role of AI in creative work, social media marketing for indie authors, handling trauma in storytelling, favorite childhood movies, future writing projects, conspiracy theories, space exploration, and advice for aspiring writers looking to publish their first book. Whether you're an author, reader, creative entrepreneur, or someone chasing a dream you've held onto for years, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and plenty of laughs along the way. Connect with S.L. Kunz Website: slkunz.com Instagram: instagram.com TikTok: tiktok.com Facebook: facebook.com Linktree: linktr.ee The August Bleeding Series by S.L. Kunz Bleeding Denial Bleeding Ghosts Bleeding Oath Book Four – Coming Soon Available on Amazon and major online book retailers.
S2 · E28
Jul 6, 2026
1:22:52
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