In this episode of Weld Wednesday with AWS, I sit down with Mariana Ludmer—Operations Manager at California Welding Institute and long-time AWS volunteer—to talk about how welding competitions are shaping the next generation of welders.

We cover the impact of AWS-sponsored competitions on student confidence, career readiness, and community engagement. Mariana shares how her section in Southern California has built one of the most active and inclusive welding competition circuits in the country, and how these events bring together students, employers, unions, and vendors. Whether you're an instructor, employer, or student, this episode highlights the real-world benefits of competition—from skill-building and certification to job placement and industry networking.

For more information on how you can get involved with AWS, check out there website here

In this special solo episode, I’m taking a moment to talk directly to all of you—the listeners who’ve made Arc Junkies what it is today. I’ve been grinding hard for the past five years, juggling family, business, and content creation, and it’s time for a short reset. I’ll still be dropping Weld Wednesdays with AWS, but the weekly episodes and State of the Arc are on pause through July and August. In this episode, I explain why I’m stepping back, what’s ahead for the show, and how you can stay connected in the meantime. This isn’t goodbye—it’s just a much-needed breather. See you in September.

Arc Junkies Podcast:

Instagram: @Arcjunkiespodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arcjunkiespodcast9253

Email: Show@arcjunkies.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-becker-45407b72?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKipEwR3uQXCmCjaEfNzo6w%3D%3D

Arc Junkies Website: https://arcjunkies.com

Arc junkies Merch: https://shop.threadmob.com/arcjunkie/shop/home

Underground Metal Works: https://www.underground-metalworks.com/

Friends of the Show:

American Welding Society Conferences

Weld Summit

https://www.aws.org/community-and-events/conferences-and-events/welding-summit/registration#regform

Use ARCJUNKIES at Checkout and get a free gift at the event.

Outlaw Leather LLC

Outlawleather.com

Instagram: @outlawleatherusa

Use ARCJUNKIES for 15% off all in-stock leather goods

International Welding Bureau

Internationalweldingbureau.com

Everlast Welders

Instagram: @everlastwelders

YouTube: Everlast Welders

Online: https://bit.ly/37xJstI

Use Codeword ARCJUNKIES at checkout to get upgraded to a free Nova Foot Pedal and TIG Torch with the purchase of any machine that comes with a stock foot pedal and TIG Torch.

Walter Surface Technologies

https://hubs.ly/Q034MdgX0

ISOTUNES:

Instagram: @isotunesaudio

Online: https://shop.isotunes.com/arcjunkies10.

Use ARCJUNKIES10 at checkout and save $10 on your purchase

In this episode, I catch up with my friend and fellow educator Dusty James. We talk about life under the hood and behind the camera—raising kids while running a business, the challenges of creative burnout, and how teaching others has deepened our own understanding of welding.

Dusty shares what keeps him inspired, how he builds community through YouTube and mentorship, and why progress is worth celebrating—even if it’s just pushing a broom at the end of a long day. We also chat about FabTech plans, cleaning the shop for mental clarity, and how passion for the craft keeps us going.

Whether you're a welding instructor, content creator, or just grinding it out in the shop, this episode has something for you.

Arc Junkies Podcast:

Instagram: @Arcjunkiespodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arcjunkiespodcast9253

Email: Show@arcjunkies.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-becker-45407b72?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKipEwR3uQXCmCjaEfNzo6w%3D%3D

Arc Junkies Website: https://arcjunkies.com

Arc junkies Merch: https://shop.threadmob.com/arcjunkie/shop/home

Underground Metal Works: https://www.underground-metalworks.com/

Friends of the Show:

American Welding Society Conferences

Weld Summit

https://www.aws.org/community-and-events/conferences-and-events/welding-summit/registration#regform

Use ARCJUNKIES at Checkout and get a free gift at the event.

Outlaw Leather LLC

Outlawleather.com

Instagram: @outlawleatherusa

Use ARCJUNKIES for 15% off all in-stock leather goods

International Welding Bureau

Internationalweldingbureau.com

Everlast Welders

Instagram: @everlastwelders

YouTube: Everlast Welders

Online: https://bit.ly/37xJstI

Use Codeword ARCJUNKIES at checkout to get upgraded to a free Nova Foot Pedal and TIG Torch with the purchase of any machine that comes with a stock foot pedal and TIG Torch.

Walter Surface Technologies

https://hubs.ly/Q034MdgX0

ISOTUNES:

Instagram: @isotunesaudio

Online: https://shop.isotunes.com/arcjunkies10.

Use ARCJUNKIES10 at checkout and save $10 on your purchase