Safety Glasses Required-From Shop to Farm

Chris McKenna, John Williams
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

A podcast from two instructors in Mechanized Agriculture at Fresno State. Topics cover welding, tractors and equipment, basic shop skills, hydraulics, teaching, farming, and anything in between.

  1. Jun 4

    Episode 132 Embracing the Suck

    In this episode, we discuss what it means to "embrace the suck" and push through challenges when things get difficult. We talk about Chris finishing his doctorate, the lessons learned through years of hard work, and how the same mindset applies to fitness, personal growth, and professional development. We also discuss the challenges teachers face throughout their careers and the importance of perseverance when the path forward isn't always easy. Tune in as we share experiences, lessons learned, and why some of the most rewarding accomplishments come from doing the hard things. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us, our email is SGRpodcast@gmail.com Check out the podcast website for the latest full-length episodes: https://safetyglassesrequired.libsyn.com/

    58 min

  2. 11/07/2025

    Episode 131 Justin Bolton

    In this episode, we interview another current student of ours, Justin Bolton. Justin is originally from the San Diego area—or as Dr. Williams likes to say, "LA"—and is currently studying Agricultural Education with an emphasis in Agricultural Mechanics at Fresno State. Unlike many of our students, Justin was never involved in FFA during high school, but his passion for working with his hands and learning technical skills led him to pursue ag mechanics in college. He's quickly found his place in the program, gaining hands-on experience in fabrication, welding, and helping with shop projects and events. Tune in to hear about Justin's unique path into agricultural education, his perspective as someone new to FFA, and his goals for the future in ag mechanics. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is SGRpodcast@gmail.com  Check out the podcast website for the latest episode in full length using the link https://safetyglassesrequired.libsyn.com/  Check out our YouTube pages: John  Chris

    43 min

  3. 10/24/2025

    Episode 130 Artificial Intelligence in Ag Mechanics Part 2

    *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "2f5e101a-323e-485d-af09-392365569eef" data-testid= "conversation-turn-14" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> This week on Safety Glasses Required, we continue our conversation on artificial intelligence, diving deeper into how AI is shaping ag mechanics, from smart technology in the shop to the future of hands-on learning. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu or jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.edu  Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link https://safetyglassesrequired.libsyn.com/

    51 min

  4. 10/10/2025

    Episode 129 Artificial Intelligence in Ag Mechanics Part 1

    This week on Safety Glasses Required, we talk about artificial intelligence—what we think about it, how it's changing the world around us, and start exploring what AI could mean for ag mechanics. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu or jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.edu  Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link https://safetyglassesrequired.libsyn.com/

    49 min

  5. 09/26/2025

    Episode 128 Troubleshooting

    This week on Safety Glasses Required, we dig into troubleshooting in the shop and share how we tackle problems—even when we don't have all the answers.

    46 min

  6. 09/12/2025

    Episode 127 Safety and Equipment Maintenance

    This week on Safety Glasses Required, we talk about staying safe in the shop and why equipment maintenance matters more than you think. If you topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is clmckenna@mail.fresnostate.edu or jswilliams@mail.fresnostate.edu  Check out the podcast website at you can also check out the last episode in full length using the link https://safetyglassesrequired.libsyn.com/

    51 min

  7. 03/12/2025

    Episode 126 Jaime De Anda

    In this episode, we interview another current student of ours, Jaime De Anda. Jaime is from Bakersfield, CA, and graduated from Mira Monte High School. He is currently studying Agricultural Education with an emphasis in Agricultural Mechanics at Fresno State. During high school, Jaime was a state winner in the Agricultural Mechanics CDE, demonstrating his skill and passion for the field early on. Now, as a college student, he has been actively involved in our program, contributing to various activities and events. Tune in to hear about his journey in ag education, his experiences in ag mechanics, and his future aspirations in the industry. If you have topic ideas or want to reach out to us our email is SGRpodcast@gmail.com  Check out the podcast website for the latest episode in full length using the link https://safetyglassesrequired.libsyn.com/  Check out our YouTube pages: John  Chris

    50 min

  8. 10/21/2024

    Episode 125 Yesenia Ramirez

    In this episode, we sit down with Yesenia Ramirez, an Ag Mechanics teacher at Central High School (Fresno-Central) and Fresno State, where she teaches night classes. With roots in Kerman High School and a degree from Fresno State's Ag Mechanics program, Yesenia has dedicated her career to shaping the future of agricultural education. As a key contributor to FFA Field Day and deeply involved in various ag mechanics initiatives, she shares her journey, passion for teaching, and insights into the ever-evolving world of ag mechanics education. Join us as we explore how she is helping foster the next generation of leaders in agriculture. If you have questions Yesenia can be reached through his email yramirez@centralusd.k12.ca.us

    56 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

A podcast from two instructors in Mechanized Agriculture at Fresno State. Topics cover welding, tractors and equipment, basic shop skills, hydraulics, teaching, farming, and anything in between.

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