Back on His Feet & Back to the Bench – Recovery, Rods, and Rockets

In this powerful and wide-ranging episode of Behind The Anvil, host Michael Peterson sits down with Brad to talk about his hard-fought recovery from back surgery, workers’ comp battles, and the long road back to work. Brad shares the physical and financial challenges he faced—including nerve damage, medication complications, and emergency surgery—and the determination it took to return to the job on December 4th. From there, the conversation shifts gears into fishing rod building, upcoming event prep, diesel engine upgrades, and the pros and cons of modern truck platforms. The two also dive deep into space exploration—discussing NASA funding, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Artemis missions, and the future of heavy-lift rockets. It’s a mix of resilience, craftsmanship, faith, freedom, and forward thinking—another honest and unfiltered conversation from behind the anvil.

From Canada to Custom Craft – A Conversation with Glenn Stoneman In this wide-ranging episode of Behind The Anvil, Michael sits down with Canadian-born entrepreneur Glenn Stoneman to talk craftsmanship, citizenship, and cultural contrasts between Canada and the United States. From Glenn’s custom night lights and wax warmers to discussions on education, healthcare, history, and energy, this episode dives deep into freedom, responsibility, and personal growth. Glenn also shares his involvement in upcoming theater projects, along with reflections on faith, purpose, and perseverance. It’s an honest, thought-provoking conversation about culture, conviction, and carving your own path.

Title: From Fire to Fame – J. Neilson & Shelley of Gypsy Soul Knives In Episode 8 of Behind The Anvil, host Michael Peterson sits down with knife-making legend J. Neilson of J. Neilson Knives and Shelley of Gypsy Soul Knives. They share their journeys into knife making, how a simple hobby turned into a full-time career, and what it was really like being part of the hit show Forged in Fire. J. talks about receiving the unexpected phone call that led to him becoming a judge on the show and what it was like stepping into that role. Together, they share behind-the-scenes moments most fans never see. Michael, J., and Shelley also talk shop—covering polishing techniques, etched finishes, shop organization, teaching methods, injuries, and the importance of sharp knives. They reflect on the tight-knit knife-making community, lessons learned from mistakes, and the impact the craft has had on students and fans around the world. It’s an honest, down-to-earth conversation about fire, failure, and forging your own path.