The Additive Advantage Podcast

B9Creations

In today’s volatile markets, organizations face a brutal balancing act: the relentless pressure to innovate faster while maintaining operational excellence. Additive manufacturing (AM) was supposed to be the game-changer. But for many companies, it’s become a slow burn of money, time, and credibility. We’ve seen it up close: $4 million spent, 18 months passed, a dozen engineers assigned—and still no outcomes. Pilots stall. Production doesn’t scale. ROI never makes it to the P&L. If you’re a GM or SVP who championed AM and now find yourself watching money burn while results slip away—you’re not alone. The truth? Most companies treat additive as a technical side project, handed to engineering and isolated from the business, with the expectation it will somehow deliver like magic. But innovation without execution is just expense. That’s where the Additive Advantage Model comes in—and this podcast brings it to life. Hosted by Shon Anderson and Dani Mason, with a combined 20 years of additive manufacturing experience, The Additive Advantage Podcast brings you real conversations with industry leaders who have been in the trenches of transformation. These aren’t fluffy tech chats—they’re straight-talk interviews about what it really takes to make additive deliver.

Episodes

  1. EP 08: The Handshake Between Additive & Injection Molding

    3D AGO

    EP 08: The Handshake Between Additive & Injection Molding

    What if the biggest problem in plastics manufacturing isn’t technology—but the gap between them? In Episode 8 of The Additive Advantage Podcast, we sit down with the team at Polymer Dynamics to unpack one of the most persistent challenges in product development: bridging the divide between additive manufacturing and injection molding. For years, engineers have been forced into tradeoffs. Additive offers speed and flexibility, but not always production-grade performance. Injection molding delivers quality and scale—but requires significant upfront investment, time, and tooling. That disconnect slows innovation and limits how quickly companies can move from idea to production. Polymer Dynamics is working to change that. In this conversation, we explore what it really means to “democratize manufacturing,” how companies can close the gap between prototype and production, and why the future of manufacturing may not be about choosing one technology—but integrating the right ones. We also dive into: How internal manufacturing capability changes the way teams design and innovateWhat happens when engineers gain control over productionThe evolving manufacturing toolkit—and how to choose the right processThe role of microfactories and distributed manufacturingWhy speed, cost, and innovation are more connected than most companies realize This episode is a must-listen for anyone thinking about how to scale additive manufacturing, improve product development workflows, or build more resilient manufacturing strategies. Listen to Episode 8 to learn how the “handshake” between additive manufacturing and injection molding is shaping the future of production. About the Show The Additive Advantage Podcast explores what it really takes to turn additive manufacturing into a scalable, performance-driven business capability. Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, the show features real conversations with leaders accountable for outcomes — not hype. Follow & Subscribe Follow The Additive Advantage Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, watch full episodes on YouTube, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on new episodes and insights. Apple | Spotify | YouTube | LinkedIn About the Hosts Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

    36 min
  2. EP 07: When Additive Gets Boring, It Wins

    MAR 17

    EP 07: When Additive Gets Boring, It Wins

    In Episode 7 of The Additive Advantage, we’re joined by Stefan Joens, President of Elnik Systems and DSH Technologies, companies at the center of metal injection molding and sinter-based additive manufacturing. Stefan shares how decades of experience in traditional manufacturing helped his team approach additive manufacturing with a different mindset—one grounded in proven manufacturing principles rather than hype. From debinding and sintering to workforce development and production economics, the conversation explores what it really takes to scale metal additive manufacturing. We discuss why additive should be viewed as just another forming technology in the broader manufacturing toolkit, how education across the entire production chain is critical for success, and why the companies that succeed in advanced manufacturing will be the ones that prioritize people, culture, and collaboration alongside technology. Stefan also shares leadership lessons from relocating his company, building a values-driven team, and why successful entrepreneurs must focus less on having the answers and more on building teams capable of solving problems together. Ultimately, the future of additive manufacturing won’t be defined by machines alone. It will depend on manufacturing discipline, strong leadership, and a clear understanding of where additive truly creates value. Key Takeaways Additive is a tool—not a replacement for manufacturing. Successful companies start by asking what is the best way to make this part, then choose the right technology. Manufacturing fundamentals still apply. Materials control, process validation, quality inspection, and workflow discipline remain critical when scaling additive. Education across the production chain matters. Understanding materials, debinding, sintering, and downstream processes is essential for repeatable production. Technology adoption requires the right mindset. Early hype around additive created unrealistic expectations. Long-term success comes from integrating it into existing manufacturing systems. People and culture drive innovation. Strong teams, clear core values, and collaborative problem solving are essential to building resilient manufacturing organizations. Entrepreneurship requires resilience. Founders and leaders must focus less on having all the answers and more on building teams capable of figuring things out. About the Show The Additive Advantage Podcast explores what it really takes to turn additive manufacturing into a scalable, performance-driven business capability. Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, the show features real conversations with leaders accountable for outcomes — not hype. Follow & Subscribe Follow The Additive Advantage Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, watch full episodes on YouTube, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on new episodes and insights. Apple | Spotify | YouTube | LinkedIn About the Hosts Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

    46 min
  3. EP 06: From Petri Dish to Production: Biotech Manufacturing as National Resilience

    MAR 3

    EP 06: From Petri Dish to Production: Biotech Manufacturing as National Resilience

    In this episode of The Additive Advantage, we sit down with Tom Jantsch, COO of Ronawk, to explore why biotechnology is increasingly a national resilience and security issue. Biotechnology extends far beyond healthcare — impacting agriculture, fuels, materials, and more. As global supply chains face pressure and policy attention intensifies, the ability to produce biotech solutions reliably and at scale becomes critical. Tom shares insights from his operations background and explains why moving biotech from craft-driven experimentation to standardized, repeatable production is essential for long-term competitiveness. This conversation connects national strategy with technical execution — and highlights where additive manufacturing and production discipline can help build resilience. Key Takeaways 1. Biotech Is a National Security Concern Legislative and administrative focus has elevated biotech as a strategic priority. Heavy reliance on overseas production creates vulnerabilities that require stronger domestic manufacturing capability. 2. You Can’t Scale What You Can’t Standardize Many biotech processes remain craft-based and inconsistent across labs. Without standardized environments and processes, predictable scale is impossible. 3. Rethinking Biological Production Mammalian cells require structured, community-driven environments. Scaling effectively means designing production systems that honor biological behavior rather than forcing legacy methods. 4. Modular, Distributed Manufacturing Rather than massive single-purpose facilities, modular and geographically distributed production offers flexibility and surge capacity. 5. The Role of Additive Manufacturing Additive technologies enable controlled, repeatable environments that bridge research and scalable production in new ways. 6. From “Interesting” to Repeatable Scaling biotech isn’t about novelty — it’s about consistency, documentation, and disciplined execution. 7. Leadership and Culture Aligning scientists, engineers, and operators around shared metrics and mission is essential to translating breakthrough ideas into production reality. About the Show The Additive Advantage Podcast explores what it really takes to turn additive manufacturing into a scalable, performance-driven business capability. Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, the show features real conversations with leaders accountable for outcomes — not hype. Follow & Subscribe Follow The Additive Advantage Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, watch full episodes on YouTube, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on new episodes and insights. Apple | Spotify | YouTube | LinkedIn About the Hosts Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

    54 min
  4. EP 05: Additive Manufacturing Is Now a Security Issue

    FEB 17

    EP 05: Additive Manufacturing Is Now a Security Issue

    For years, additive manufacturing was evaluated on performance, cost, and speed. Now it’s being evaluated on something else: security. In this episode of The Additive Advantage, Shon Anderson and Dani Mason unpack the growing scrutiny around additive manufacturing systems—why it’s happening, why it’s accelerating, and why this is far bigger than a “buy American” initiative. What started as an NDAA regulation impacting Department of Defense programs is quickly expanding beyond aerospace and defense. IT departments, procurement teams, legal counsel, and corporate security leaders are now asking new questions: Where is this equipment manufactured?Where is the software written?Where are the servers located?What happens during firmware updates?How is our IP protected in a cloud-connected workflow?Modern additive systems are not just machines—they are cyber-physical production platforms that sit at the direct intersection of digital design and physical output. That shift changes everything. Shon and Dani discuss: Why additive is being evaluated differently than traditional manufacturing equipmentThe risk implications of cloud connectivity and firmware updatesThe growing role of IT and cybersecurity teams in AM adoptionHow regulatory pressure is flowing beyond defense into commercial sectorsWhy this is fundamentally a security initiative—not just an economic oneWhat forward-thinking organizations are doing now to stay ahead of the curveThey also explore how companies can approach this programmatically—evaluating additive not as a one-off equipment purchase, but as part of an integrated production system that includes QA/QC, cybersecurity, legal frameworks, and long-term supply chain strategy. This episode is not about fear. It’s about awareness, accountability, and preparation. Additive manufacturing still offers enormous opportunity—but in today’s environment, success requires aligning technology, business strategy, and security from day one. About the Show The Additive Advantage Podcast explores what it really takes to turn additive manufacturing into a scalable, performance-driven business capability. Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, the show features real conversations with leaders accountable for outcomes — not hype. Follow & Subscribe Follow The Additive Advantage Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, watch full episodes on YouTube, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on new episodes and insights. Apple | Spotify | YouTube | LinkedIn About the Hosts Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

    34 min
  5. EP 04: Additive Isn’t Magic — What Actually Works

    FEB 3

    EP 04: Additive Isn’t Magic — What Actually Works

    Blake Teipel brings a manufacturing-first lens (John Deere/Caterpillar) and hard-earned operator experience from scaling an AM company through the 2020–2024 volatility cycle. Together, the group unpacks why additive still holds real promise—but only when it’s anchored to outcomes, supported by the right operating model, and executed with realistic expectations around adoption, QA/QC, workforce, and supply chain risk. Key Takeaways 1) Additive isn’t a magic box Reject any message that says AM will be fast and easy. Plan for the full system. 2) The industry’s last five years were a stress test Additive’s potential is real, but durable value requires durable operating models—not hype-cycle assumptions. 3) Money, customers, and AM companies want value—on different clocks Misaligned time horizons are a root cause of stalled AM initiatives and churn. 4) Service-forward models reduce customer risk Winning strategies often look like “a great company that happens to use additive,” selling parts and outcomes—not just machines. 5) Razor/razorblade assumptions break in industrial reality  Hardware + materials recurring revenue only works when utilization and capability are truly there. 6) Hardware is necessary—and brutally competitive Hardware strategy must account for long-term differentiation and supply chain realities, not just technical performance. 7) Start with outcomes: “What’s the best way to make this part?”  Outcome-first framing prevents teams from buying equipment before they understand value. 8) QA/QC and repeatability are the real battleground Production-grade additive requires production-grade controls, documentation, and repeatability. 9) Cyber + supply chain risk is now a front-line requirement  Treat AM like any other network-connected manufacturing tech: involve IT early and ask pointed questions. 10) Workforce optimism: build the “lore” The next five years can be a “build” era—if the industry grows steadily and develops talent. About the Show The Additive Advantage Podcast explores what it really takes to turn additive manufacturing into a scalable, performance-driven business capability. Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, the show features real conversations with leaders accountable for outcomes — not hype. Follow & Subscribe Follow The Additive Advantage Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, watch full episodes on YouTube, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on new episodes and insights. Apple | Spotify | YouTube | LinkedIn About the Hosts Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

    52 min
  6. EP 03: Execution Beats Ideas: Leading Technology Initiatives That Actually Work

    JAN 20

    EP 03: Execution Beats Ideas: Leading Technology Initiatives That Actually Work

    Most technology initiatives don’t fail because the technology doesn’t work. They fail because execution is underestimated. In this episode of The Additive Advantage, we sit down with Todd Gagne—former Concur executive, serial entrepreneur, and founder of Wildfire Labs—to talk about what it really takes to move strategic initiatives from idea to impact. Todd brings experience from early-stage startup failure, enterprise-scale growth, and hands-on work helping leaders turn ideas into real businesses. The conversation spans additive manufacturing, AI, leadership, and systems thinking, with one consistent theme: technology succeeds or fails based on people, alignment, and execution. Link to Show Notes This conversation reinforces a simple truth: no matter how advanced the technology, success is determined by people, incentives, and execution. Leaders who understand this—and act on it early—build organizations that can adapt, scale, and win. If the real challenge for you is turning insight into execution—and you want to talk through what this looks like in your organization—you can find us at: https://www.b9c.com/additiveadvantage About the Show The Additive Advantage Podcast explores what it really takes to turn additive manufacturing into a scalable, performance-driven business capability. Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, the show features real conversations with leaders accountable for outcomes — not hype. Follow & Subscribe Follow The Additive Advantage Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, watch full episodes on YouTube, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on new episodes and insights. Apple | Spotify | YouTube | LinkedIn About the Hosts Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

    56 min
  7. EP 02: If Your Additive Program Looks Exciting, It’s Probably Broken

    JAN 6

    EP 02: If Your Additive Program Looks Exciting, It’s Probably Broken

    On The Additive Advantage, we talk about why additive manufacturing succeeds or fails — and why the answer is never the printer itself. In this episode, we’re joined by Paul Chabala, Senior Manager of Managed 3D Printing Services at Ricoh USA, who brings one of the clearest inside-out perspectives on enterprise additive manufacturing. Paul began his career in product development, but additive pulled him into manufacturing when his organization needed to move from experimentation to production — without an internal playbook for how to do that. During his time at Crown Equipment, he helped build additive as an operational capability, navigating challenges that don’t show up in slide decks: leadership buy-in, skills gaps, resourcing tradeoffs, governance, and risk. Today, Paul works on the solution side, helping companies adopt and scale additive through managed services — applying the hard lessons he learned the first time around. This conversation isn’t about machines. It’s about what has to change inside an organization for additive to work — and why, when it finally does, it looks a lot more boring than expected. What You’ll Learn in This Episode 1. Additive Is an Organizational Change Problem First Technology readiness is rarely the limiting factor. The real friction shows up when additive moves from R&D into production and collides with existing structures, incentives, and leadership priorities. 2. The Most Critical Role Is the “Translator” Organizations underestimate how important it is to have someone — or a team — who speaks DFAM, manufacturing rigor, and executive ROI language simultaneously. Without that translation layer, additive stays siloed and fragile. 3. Parallel Systems Are a Symptom — Not the Goal Running key capabilities in parallel (like DFAM “shadow lanes”) can keep progress alive when alignment doesn’t exist, but it’s also a signal that additive hasn’t been fully absorbed. Success means merging back into the core business once the capability proves itself. 4. ROI Must Be Framed at the Enterprise Level Department-level wins aren’t enough. To scale additive, leaders must understand how time-to-value, risk reduction, and operational flexibility roll up to enterprise outcomes and the P&L. 5. The Future of Additive Sounds Boring — and That’s the Point Five years from now, the winners won’t be talking about machines. They’ll be talking about managed capabilities, protected learning, documented processes, and additive that simply runs like manufacturing. 6. Education Is the Infrastructure That Makes Additive Scalable Education isn’t just a training program — it’s how organizations become capable of making good decisions about additive. Without str About the Show The Additive Advantage Podcast explores what it really takes to turn additive manufacturing into a scalable, performance-driven business capability. Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, the show features real conversations with leaders accountable for outcomes — not hype. Follow & Subscribe Follow The Additive Advantage Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, watch full episodes on YouTube, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on new episodes and insights. Apple | Spotify | YouTube | LinkedIn About the Hosts Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

    49 min
  8. EP 01: Why Most AM Initiatives Fail (And How Yours Won’t)

    12/16/2025

    EP 01: Why Most AM Initiatives Fail (And How Yours Won’t)

    Why do so many additive manufacturing (AM) initiatives stall, miss ROI targets, or quietly disappear—despite great technology and smart engineers? In this episode of The Additive Advantage Podcast, hosts Dani Mason and Shon Anderson cut through the hype to unpack the real reasons AM programs fail—and what successful organizations do differently. Spoiler: it’s rarely the printer. From misaligned incentives and weak business cases to overlooked human dynamics and poor partner selection, this conversation dives deep into what actually determines success or failure in AM, advanced manufacturing, and even AI-driven initiatives. You’ll hear real-world stories from aerospace, medical, life sciences, and manufacturing leaders—plus practical, no-BS advice for executives, engineers, and transformation leaders who want AM initiatives that hit the P&L, not just the lab. In this episode, we cover: Why “can we?” vs. “should we?” is the most important AM questionThe #1 mistake companies make when launching AM programsHow hidden people and organizational gaps derail promising initiativesWhy most AM pilots never make it to production—or the P&LHow to think about total cost of ownership, not just cost per partThe role of trust, transparency, and partnership in successful transformationWhy picking the right partner matters more than picking the right printerWhat AM leaders can learn from AI adoption and change managementHow to future-proof your AM strategy in a rapidly evolving landscapeWho should watch this: Manufacturing executives, GMs, and SVPsAdditive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing leadersEngineering, supply chain, and quality professionalsAnyone responsible for technology transformation, ROI, or innovation strategyIf you’ve ever asked: Why didn’t our AM initiative deliver the results we expected?How do we know if additive is the right solution?How do we de-risk AM before spending millions?This episode is for you. 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify 📺 Watch on YouTube ⭐ If you found this episode valuable, leave us a 5-star review—it helps the show grow 📩 Have a real-world AM success or failure story? Reach out to us at info@additiveadvantage.services Follow The Additive Advantage Podcast 🔹 LinkedIn 🔹 YouTube 🔹 Apple Podcasts 🔹 Spotify #AdditiveManufacturing #AdvancedManufacturing #ManufacturingLeadership #AMStrategy #DigitalManufacturing #Industry40 #SupplyChain #EngineeringLeadership #AIinManufacturing #AdditiveAdvantagePodcast About the Show The Additive Advantage Podcast explores what it really takes to turn additive manufacturing into a scalable, performance-driven business capability. Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, the show features real conversations with leaders accountable for outcomes — not hype. Follow & Subscribe Follow The Additive Advantage Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, watch full episodes on YouTube, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on new episodes and insights. Apple | Spotify | YouTube | LinkedIn About the Hosts Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

    42 min

  9. SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

    Introducing the Additive Advantage Podcast

    Join hosts Dani Mason and Shon Anderson as they pull back the curtain on what it takes to drive technology-fueled business growth. With 40 years of combined experience, they reveal how to transform additive manufacturing from endless pilots into real business results. Discover the Additive Advantage model, a strategic roadmap and AI-enabled toolset designed to connect your strategy with execution and deliver ROI. Tune in to hear from industry leaders who have successfully navigated these challenges. If you're ready to make innovation deliver, this podcast is for you! #AdditiveManufacturing #Innovation #BusinessGrowth About the Show The Additive Advantage Podcast explores what it really takes to turn additive manufacturing into a scalable, performance-driven business capability. Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, the show features real conversations with leaders accountable for outcomes — not hype. Follow & Subscribe Follow The Additive Advantage Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, watch full episodes on YouTube, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on new episodes and insights. Apple | Spotify | YouTube | LinkedIn About the Hosts Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

In today’s volatile markets, organizations face a brutal balancing act: the relentless pressure to innovate faster while maintaining operational excellence. Additive manufacturing (AM) was supposed to be the game-changer. But for many companies, it’s become a slow burn of money, time, and credibility. We’ve seen it up close: $4 million spent, 18 months passed, a dozen engineers assigned—and still no outcomes. Pilots stall. Production doesn’t scale. ROI never makes it to the P&L. If you’re a GM or SVP who championed AM and now find yourself watching money burn while results slip away—you’re not alone. The truth? Most companies treat additive as a technical side project, handed to engineering and isolated from the business, with the expectation it will somehow deliver like magic. But innovation without execution is just expense. That’s where the Additive Advantage Model comes in—and this podcast brings it to life. Hosted by Shon Anderson and Dani Mason, with a combined 20 years of additive manufacturing experience, The Additive Advantage Podcast brings you real conversations with industry leaders who have been in the trenches of transformation. These aren’t fluffy tech chats—they’re straight-talk interviews about what it really takes to make additive deliver.

Information

  • Creator
    B9Creations
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Additive Advantage Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Additive Advantage Podcast