In this episode, host Beau Wigington chats with Mark Levin, Nate Bowman, Jason Becker, Adam Stretch, Justin Nixon, and Austin Hargit about welding education that matches today’s work, how accredited testing actually runs, and practical technique myths, so you can pass tests, pick the right training path, and build a career you’re proud of.

Key Topics Covered

• Apprenticeship that pays: Why Welder Underground hires 18–28-year-olds at $15/hr to learn and how “show up on time + bring enthusiasm” beats prerequisites.

• Realities of training: Traditional school vs. modern apprenticeship; teaching through a live 18-ft sculpture build bound for Paris.

• “Teach for the job”: Why MIG dominates entry-level work and how to prepare for it without ditching stick/TIG fundamentals.

• Test day without panic: What hold points are, why skipping one is an automatic fail, and how an ATF routes your test.

• Certificate vs. certification: What actually counts in industry and the paperwork/logistics behind true certs.

• Technique myths with evidence: Push vs. drag (short-circuit vs. spray), polarity (DC+ vs. DC−) explained in plain language.

• Flux-core with shielding gas: Why it can look good yet break brittle—what’s happening in the flux chemistry.

• Inspection mindset: Basing welds on data and repeatability “10 times out of 10,” not opinions.

• Career ladders: From welder to CWI/SCWI, plus where NDT and phased-array UT fit.

• Social media as a help line: Getting accurate guidance vs. filtered hype; how to vet advice.

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Guests’ Content & Contact

• Marc Levin

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/b9USCroNxYb 

• Instagram - @welderundergound https://www.instagram.com/welderunderground/ 

• Nate Bowman

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Fm1dGXvNxYb 

• Instagram -  @weldscientist https://www.instagram.com/weldscientist/ 

• Jason Becker

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/YZs86gBNxYb 

• ​Instagram: @arcjunkiespodcast https://www.instagram.com/arcjunkiespodcast/ 

• Adam Streich

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/SjMHDYGNxYb 

• Instagram - @akstreich https://www.instagram.com/akstreich/ 

• Justin Mixon

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/VEG22HKNxYb 

• Instagram - @thatclassy_diver https://www.instagram.com/thatclassy_diver/ 

• Austin Hargett

• Full EP - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/UCaeIVQNxYb 

• Instagram - @dr.weldz https://www.instagram.com/dr.weldz/ 

Connect with Beau Wigington

Instagram: @beaudiditwelding — https://www.instagram.com/beaudiditwelding

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauwigington

E-mail: beauw@weld.com