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.

  1. Jul 21

    EP 16: The Additive Program That Printed Everything Right and Still Failed

    What happens when an additive manufacturing program does everything "right"—the printers are running, parts meet spec, engineers are happy—and it still gets shut down? In this episode, we explore one of the most common reasons additive initiatives fail: they succeed technically but never demonstrate meaningful business impact. Through a real-world case study (with details anonymized), we break down how organizations can mistake activity for progress, measure the wrong metrics, and lose executive support despite delivering high-quality parts. We discuss why business outcomes matter more than print counts, how to align engineering with financial and strategic goals, the danger of repeated technology validation across business units, and why communicating value internally is just as important as delivering technical results. Whether you're leading an additive manufacturing program, evaluating a new technology investment, or trying to scale beyond pilot projects, this conversation will help you connect additive manufacturing to measurable business performance—and avoid becoming the next program that printed everything right and still failed. Subscribe for more conversations on additive manufacturing, technology leadership, and building organizations that turn innovation into lasting business results. 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.

    EP 16: The Additive Program That Printed Everything Right and Still Failed
  2. Jul 7

    EP 15: Building the Next American Century

    Advanced manufacturing is about more than technology—it's about the policies, workforce, and investments that determine whether innovation succeeds. In this episode, Congressman Dusty Johnson joins us to discuss what it will take for America to remain globally competitive. From protecting intellectual property and strengthening the defense industrial base to embracing AI, developing the manufacturing workforce, and fostering entrepreneurship, this conversation explores how policy and innovation intersect to shape the future of American manufacturing. You'll hear why China is driving a renewed focus on domestic manufacturing, why AI should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a threat, how startups and small manufacturers fuel long-term innovation, and what South Dakota can teach the rest of the country about building the next generation of manufacturing companies. Whether you're leading a manufacturing business, developing new technology, or simply interested in the future of American industry, this episode offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead. In this episode, you'll learn: How manufacturing has become a critical component of national competitiveness.Why AI is more likely to create opportunity than eliminate it.The importance of protecting intellectual property and strengthening cybersecurity.How workforce development must evolve for the next generation of manufacturing.Why entrepreneurship and small manufacturers play a vital role in innovation.What policymakers, manufacturers, and technology leaders can do to help build America's industrial future.Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of advanced manufacturing. 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.

    EP 15: Building the Next American Century
  3. Jun 23

    EP 14: Beyond the 3D Print: Why Manufacturing Judgment Matters

    Most conversations about additive manufacturing focus on the printer. Patrick Dobbs believes that's the wrong place to start. In this episode, we sit down with master jeweler, CAD designer, entrepreneur, and manufacturing innovator Patrick Dobbs to discuss why manufacturing judgment—not technology—is often the biggest differentiator between success and failure. Drawing on decades of experience in jewelry manufacturing, digital design, rapid prototyping, and production optimization, Patrick shares practical lessons that apply far beyond the jewelry industry. We explore how manufacturers can use additive manufacturing to improve workflows, create custom production tools, accelerate learning, and drive meaningful business outcomes. Along the way, Patrick challenges common assumptions about automation, AI, and additive manufacturing, arguing that understanding how a product is assembled, finished, inspected, and produced at scale remains a uniquely human skill. 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.

    EP 14: Beyond the 3D Print: Why Manufacturing Judgment Matters
  4. Jun 9

    EP 13: Why the Best Additive Strategies Start with "Why"

    What separates successful additive manufacturing programs from expensive experiments? According to John Kawola, it starts with a simple question: Why? In this episode of The Additive Advantage Podcast, Shon Anderson sits down with John Kawola, CEO of Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF), to discuss nearly three decades of lessons learned from the evolution of additive manufacturing. From his early days at Z Corp to leadership roles at Ultimaker and BMF, John has witnessed the industry's transformation from rapid prototyping to production-ready manufacturing. The conversation explores why the most successful additive initiatives begin with a clearly defined business problem, how companies can avoid common adoption pitfalls, and what it really takes to move from promising pilot projects to repeatable production outcomes. John also shares his perspective on industry consolidation, the changing dynamics between OEMs and distribution channels, the growing importance of application engineering, and why expertise often matters more than equipment. Whether you're evaluating additive manufacturing for the first time or looking to scale an existing program, this episode offers practical insights into technology selection, materials, quality systems, workforce development, and the organizational discipline required to turn additive manufacturing into measurable business value. 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.

    EP 13: Why the Best Additive Strategies Start with "Why"
  5. May 26

    EP 12: Pilot Purgatory — What It Really Takes to Scale Additive

    Manufacturing leaders everywhere are trying to move additive manufacturing beyond prototypes and pilot programs — but scaling additive successfully takes far more than buying another 3D printer. In this episode of The Additive Advantage Podcast, we sit down with Adam Simons, Head of Sales & Applications for North America at ATLIX (formerly TRUMPF Additive Manufacturing), to unpack what actually separates scalable additive programs from “pilot purgatory.” Adam shares practical insights from the front lines of metal additive manufacturing, including why repeatability matters more than printing one impressive part, how post-processing and machining impact real-world economics, and why workforce readiness and operational discipline are becoming the true differentiators in additive success. The conversation explores how manufacturers should evaluate additive opportunities through a business lens first — focusing on measurable outcomes, scalability, and long-term operational impact rather than simply asking whether a part can be printed. Adam also discusses the growing maturity of laser powder bed fusion technology, how organizations can avoid common implementation pitfalls, and what executives should realistically expect when investing in additive manufacturing capabilities. If you’re responsible for manufacturing strategy, operations, engineering, or innovation, this episode offers a grounded and practical look at what it actually takes to industrialize additive manufacturing and turn it into a sustainable competitive advantage. 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.

    EP 12: Pilot Purgatory — What It Really Takes to Scale Additive
  6. May 12

    EP 11: From Islands to Outcomes: Making Additive Work at Scale

    In this episode of The Additive Advantage Podcast, Shon Anderson sits down with Andre Wegner, CEO of Authentise, for a wide-ranging conversation on workflow orchestration, contextual data, AI, and the future of scalable additive manufacturing. Andre shares how Authentise evolved from focusing on IP protection and distributed manufacturing into building systems designed to connect the entire additive workflow — eliminating the “island approach” that continues to limit scalability across the industry. Together, Shon and Andre explore why disconnected machines, software, and data systems create unnecessary friction and why the future of manufacturing depends on continuity across design, engineering, production, and quality. The conversation dives into agile factories, reverse engineering at scale, automation in aerospace and defense, and the growing importance of capturing the “why” behind engineering decisions. Andre also explains why context will become critical for AI-enabled manufacturing systems and why manufacturers need strategic partners instead of simply searching for the next machine. Along the way, the two discuss lessons learned from building companies in additive manufacturing, why curiosity may become one of the most important workforce skills of the future, and how manufacturers can begin thinking differently about additive as a strategic capability rather than a standalone tool. If you’re interested in where additive manufacturing, automation, AI, and digital workflows are heading next, this episode delivers an honest and forward-looking conversation from two leaders deeply involved in building that future. 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.

    EP 11: From Islands to Outcomes: Making Additive Work at Scale
  7. Apr 28

    EP 10: Stop Buying 3D Printers. Start Building Systems.

    In Episode 10 of The Additive Advantage Podcast, Shon Anderson and Dani Mason take on one of the biggest barriers in additive manufacturing: why so many companies struggle to move from prototyping into real production. This solo episode breaks down a hard truth—additive doesn’t scale because of better 3D printers. It scales when companies build systems that deliver consistent, repeatable outcomes. There’s no shortage of innovation in this industry. But too often, organizations prove that a part can be printed without proving it can be produced reliably, cost-effectively, and at scale. Shon and Dani walk through what’s actually required to make additive work in production, including:  Why feasibility is not the same as commercial viability  The role of QA/QC in building repeatable processes  How variability shows up across machines, materials, and workflows  Why supply chain, workforce, and process control matter just as much as the technology itself  What companies get wrong when they treat additive like a tool instead of a system They also share real-world examples from working with manufacturers—highlighting where things break down and how to fix them. If you’re serious about scaling additive manufacturing, this episode will help you rethink your approach—from focusing on printers to building production-ready systems. Watch the full episode to learn how to move from possibility to repeatability—and from prints to 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.

    EP 10: Stop Buying 3D Printers. Start Building Systems.
  8. Apr 14

    EP 09: $2 Billion Later… Why Additive Still Isn’t Delivering

    In this episode of The Additive Advantage Podcast, we sit down with Tuan TranPham to unpack a hard truth about the additive manufacturing industry: despite billions of dollars in investment, the technology still hasn’t delivered at the scale many expected. From the early days of hype and venture funding to today’s push for real production applications, Tuan shares his perspective on what’s been missing. He challenges the industry’s focus on hardware and explains why success in additive manufacturing has less to do with machines—and more to do with cost per part, process integration, and delivering what customers actually need. This conversation dives into the realities of scaling additive, the disconnect between innovation and adoption, and why technologies like binder jetting gained traction by leveraging existing supply chains. It also explores what needs to change for additive manufacturing to move beyond prototyping and into true production. If you’re working in additive, manufacturing, or product development, this episode offers a candid look at where the industry stands today—and what it will take to move forward. Watch the full episode to hear Tuan’s insights on cost, materials, scaling production, and the future of additive manufacturing. 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.

    EP 09: $2 Billion Later… Why Additive Still Isn’t Delivering

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.