Episode 8 – Behind The Anvil Podcast In this episode, Mike sits down with Forged in Fire champion and Brother of the Blade, Nate Summer. They dive into the realities of maker burnout and how to push through those tough seasons while keeping the fire alive. Nate also shares plenty of laughs with a few classic dad jokes, and stories of his journey— from crafting his very first knife to selling that first piece. Listeners will hear about the creation of his Friet knife, his background in maker education, and valuable tips of wisdom for anyone walking the bladesmithing path. Whether you’re a seasoned smith or just starting out, Nate’s story is full of insight, grit, and inspiration.

In this episode of Behind the Anvil, host Michael Peterson sits down with host of Double B Creates Kevin Beck and Brad Caughey to reflect on recent tragic events, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and how they’ve impacted their lives and communities. Together, they discuss the importance of dialogue over hatred, personal freedom, and accountability, while also diving into topics like faith, parenting, education, and the role of critical thinking in today’s world. With honesty and respect, the conversation explores how to find hope, unity, and positivity in challenging times.

Forging Strength: Cheyenne Brown’s Journey In this powerful episode, Mike sits down with bladesmith, blacksmith, and skull carver Cheyenne Brown. She shares her inspiring journey of breaking into the world of metalwork while overcoming the darkness of an abusive marriage. With two special needs children, Cheyenne forged not only blades but also a better life for her family. Listen as she opens up about how her craft became a source of healing, empowerment, and support for her kids, and how she continues to balance the demands of being a single mother with the challenges and triumphs of the bladesmithing world.

In Episode 6 of Behind The Anvil, host Mike Peterson sits down with Jose Roberto Alaniz Jr., owner of 3rd Day Coffee Seguin and a devoted servant of Jesus Christ our Lord. Jose shares his powerful testimony of feeling the Lord’s call—how at first he resisted, and how God turned up the heat to forge him into the man he is today. From personal trials to divine guidance, Jose reveals how his faith and his passion for coffee have intertwined, opening doors to share the Gospel and connect with people from all walks of life. This heartfelt conversation blends the aroma of good coffee with the richness of a life transformed by Christ’s calling

In this moving episode, host Mike sits down with Justin Mellor, the founder of United We March / Gut Check—a powerful charity challenge that raises awareness and support for veterans and first responders. Justin opens up with striking honesty about his personal battle with drug addiction and the pivotal moment that transformed his life: participating in the Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. That grueling experience ignited a profound shift—a determination to turn his life around and dedicate himself in service to others. From that turning point, Justin launched United We March and the Gunnison Gut Check walk—a ruck-style challenge in central Utah designed not just as a fundraiser, but as a movement. These events have empowered participants across the region to support veterans, first responders, and community resilience. Tune in as Justin shares how his journey from personal struggle to leadership in community and service became a catalyst for healing—not only for himself, but for many others in central Utah and beyond. This is a story of redemption, community, and the enduring spirit of service.

website unitedwemarch.com FB: United We are stronger

Episode 4 – Behind The Anvil In this episode, bladesmith Dustin Rhodes — Forged in Fire competitor, Master of Arms, and owner of Axes on Main / Forge a Memorie — shares his journey into bladesmithing and blacksmithing. We talk about his passion for teaching the craft, inspiring the next generation, and passing on wisdom for anyone pursuing the trades or other artisan paths.

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.