Best Kraig Smith Podcasts (2025)

1
298: Difference between White Lies, Blues Lies, and Placebo | Kraig Facts Podcast #podcast #comedy 2:08:16

3M ago2:08:16

2:08:16

Ever told a little white lie to spare someone's feelings? Or maybe you've heard of "blue lies" used in law enforcement. But what about placebo lies? On this episode, Kraig Smith dives deep into the fascinating world of deception, breaking down the nuances between white lies, blue lies, and the often-overlooked placebo lie. He explores the motivatio…

1
EP#443: Conductive Cuisine 46:06

10M ago46:06

46:06

In this episode of Circuit Break, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig delve into the fascinating and somewhat humorous topic of hot dog conductivity. They explore an in-depth study conducted by Seth Jenkins, Neil LaTourette, and Brendan Liverman on how boiling time affects hot dog conductivity. The hosts also discuss the historical Presto Hot Dogger,…

1
EP#442: Wanting To Be A Wizard - Matt Brown 56:28

10M ago56:28

56:28

In this episode of Circuit Break, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig are joined by Matt Brown, an inventive engineer and YouTube content creator renowned for his electrifying DIY projects and creative automotive builds. The trio delves into the concept of "good enough engineering," where Matt shares insights from his career, including his experience…

1
EP#441: Exploring the Arctic Through Art and Technology with Cy Keener 1:04:16

10M ago1:04:16

1:04:16

In this episode, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig chat with Cy Keener, an interdisciplinary artist who merges art and technology to document and visualize the natural world. Cy discusses his journey from architecture to creating custom instruments and sensors for scientific research in the Arctic. He explains how his work helps visualize complex p…

1
EP#440: HMLV - High Mix Low Volume 1:23:22

10M ago1:23:22

1:23:22

In this episode of Circuit Break, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig dive deep into the concept of HMLV (High Mix Low Volume) PCB manufacturing. They discuss the challenges and advantages of HMLV, contrasting it with high volume manufacturing methods used by giants like Apple and Foxconn. They also share personal project updates, including Parker's …

1
EP#439: The Nuts and Bolts of Quantum Computing - Rick Altherr 1:08:44

11M ago1:08:44

1:08:44

In this episode of Circuit Break, hosts Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig welcome Rick Altherr, a full stack engineer, to discuss the intricacies of quantum computing. Rick shares insights into the working of quantum processors, particularly the trapped ion approach used by IonQ, and delves into the technical challenges and potential future applica…

1
EP#438: Solder Slugs 1:00:43

11M ago1:00:43

1:00:43

In this episode of Circuit Break, hosts Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig dive into the nuances of working with contract manufacturers, specifically focusing on the responsibilities of both the designer and the manufacturer. They discuss critical topics such as reflow profiles, solder specifications, parts washing, and the benefits of allowing your…

1
EP#437: Embarrassingly Parallel Computing - Steve Furber 52:57

11M ago52:57

52:57

In this episode of Circuit Break, hosts Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig interview Steve Furber, Professor Emeritus of Computer Engineering at the University of Manchester. They discuss his early career at Acorn Computers, the development of the BBC Micro and the ARM processor, and his work on the SpiNNaker project, which models brain functions us…

1
EP#436: International Women in Engineering Day with Kaylan Smith and Laura Manley 1:04:48

11M ago1:04:48

1:04:48

In this special episode celebrating International Women in Engineering Day, hosts Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig are joined by Kaylan Smith, Lead Software Developer for Supply Chain and Finance at MacroFab, and Laura Manley, Product Manager for Marketplace & Factory Experience at MacroFab. They discuss their journeys into engineering, challenges…

1
EP#435: Prioritize to learn to Prioritize - Engineering Career Paths 1:08:03

12M ago1:08:03

1:08:03

In this episode of Circuit Break, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig, along with special guests Chris Gammell and James Lewis, discuss various aspects of engineering career paths. They delve into how they chose engineering, their first jobs, reasons for changing jobs, and what being an engineer means at different career stages. They also reflect on …

1
EP#434: The Other VCC 46:32

12M ago46:32

46:32

In this episode, Parker and Stephen dive into the intricacies of capacitor selection, discussing various types of capacitors, their properties, and how different factors affect their performance. They also touch on the new custom bare PCB service offered by MacroFab. The episode is rich with technical details, tips for selecting capacitors, and pra…

1
EP#433: Building LibrePCB - Urban Bruhin's Journey in Open Source EDA 54:47

12M ago54:47

54:47

In this episode of Circuit Break, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig welcome Urban Bruhin, the creator of LibrePCB, an open-source EDA tool. Urban shares his journey from being an electrical engineer to developing LibrePCB, driven by his dissatisfaction with existing EDA tools like Eagle. The discussion covers the unique features of LibrePCB, the ch…

1
EP#432: Remote Ownership 59:21

1y ago59:21

59:21

In this episode of Circuit Break, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig discuss the recent increase in semiconductor tariffs and its impact on the electronics industry. Parker shares insights from his latest article analyzing how these tariffs affect bill of materials costs. The hosts also dive into a compelling news story about ASML and TSMC's ability…

1
EP#431: Timing Tariff Modulations 53:36

1y ago53:36

53:36

Summary In this episode, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig delve into the fascinating world of time modulation, discussing recent advancements in capacitor technology. They explore a new dielectric structure made from barium titanate and its potential impact on energy density and efficiency. The hosts also discuss the implications of new tariffs on…

1
EP#430: The Toilet Mountain of Social Media 1:08:24

1y ago1:08:24

1:08:24

Summary: In this episode, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig delve into the hefty topic of U.S. funding for 'digital twin' chips research under the CHIPS Act, comparing its budget to other big expenditures like Boeing's Starliner and military budgets. They also discuss EDA tool pricing, breaking down costs from freeware to industry heavyweights, and…

1
EP#429: The Magic Touch Is Money 49:55

1y ago49:55

49:55

This week we delve into the major (Isn't there always one?) lawsuit against Apple for monopolizing the smartphone market. We explore the implications of Apple’s business practices on innovation, consumer choice, and market competition. The discussion also covers the ethical concerns around Apple's ecosystem exclusivity and how it affects users' per…

1
EP#428: Repairing the Retro Future 55:23

1y ago55:23

55:23

This week we dive into the fascinating world of vintage tech repair, focusing on efforts to preserve General Motors' futuristic '80s digital displays. Hosts Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig discuss the resilience and repair techniques of the Visual Information Center (VIC) screens, introduced in the late '80s. They also highlight MacroFab's new in…

1
EP#427: Food Device Design Derby: Wrap up and Results 50:55

1y ago50:55

50:55

In this episode of Circuit Break, we wrap up the Food Device Design Derby. We celebrate the innovation and creativity of contest entries like the JavAqua, Pizza Pouch, and the winner, BarBuddy, a personal robotic bartender. Notable discussions include a look at podcast statistics, with an impressive 86% of listeners tuning in for entire episodes. W…

1
EP#426: Top Features to Add to Your Next Prototype 38:28

1y ago38:28

38:28

Today, we're tackling a topic that's a gold mine for any designer: crucial features you might not have considered for your prototype. From debug headers to "Swapperoo" resistors and heartbeat indicator LEDs, we're covering it all. Tune in as we share insights, anecdotes, and maybe a few confessions from our own prototyping adventures. Plus, we dive…

1
EP#425: MacroFab Platform Updates from Kyle McLeod and Nicholas Lundgaard 59:17

1y ago59:17

59:17

This week, hosts Parker Dillmann and Stephen Craig are joined by Kyle McLeod, the OE Project Manager, and Nicholas Lundgard, the OE Team Lead at MacroFab. They delve into recent software releases enhancing the ordering experience on the MacroFab platform, including ITAR compliance, improvements in design file uploads, and the introduction of custom…

1
EP#424: Batman, The King of EDC (Every Day Carry) 47:32

1y ago47:32

47:32

This week, delve into the fascinating world of Batman's utility belt. We begin by tracing the evolution of this iconic accessory from its humble origins to its current complex design. The belt features a diverse array of gadgets, tools, and essentials utilized by the Dark Knight. Our discussion covers a wide range of items, from lockpicking tools t…

1
EP#423: Magical Semiconductors of Pixies 51:12

1y ago51:12

51:12

We’re joined by Alexander Vartanov, an electrical engineering student with a knack for hands-on projects. He discusses his journey from early soldering mishaps to his behind-the-scenes role in creative YouTube projects. We delve into his experiences with rapid prototyping for YouTube, his favorite solder, and shopping for surplus aerospace material…

1
EP#422: Wizard Trust Falls for PCB Footprints 56:56

1y ago56:56

56:56

Our hosts discuss Parker’s recent transition from Eagle to KiCad, facing challenges with library management and device layer integration. They discuss the new MacroFab Quote Wizard and our first entry to the MacroFab Food Device Design Derby Challenge! This leads to a discussion of comparing air fryers to convection ovens for fried food fun. The ep…

1
EP#421: Tracing a Path for PCB Design Automation with Sergiy Nesterenko 54:10

1y ago54:10

54:10

Sergiy Nestorenko, founder of Quilter and former SpaceX engineer, discusses revolutionizing PCB design automation. He shares his journey from aerospace to starting Quilter, aiming to transform PCB design into a streamlined, AI-driven process. We delve into the technical hurdles, the fusion of engineering and advanced software, and the vision behind…

1
EP#420: The Mega IIe: A Vintage Computing Adventure with James Lewis 53:19

1y ago53:19

53:19

We dive into the intricate world of vintage computing with James Lewis, aka the Bald Engineer, who takes us through the journey of constructing a functional computer based on the Apple II GS's Mega II chip. He shares his nostalgic connection to the Apple II series, revered for its open design and pioneering hardware engineering. Our conversation sp…

1
EP#419: Kent Johnson: Religious Diversity in Electrical Engineering 58:02

1y ago58:02

58:02

Kent Johnson, Senior Corporate Advisor at the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation joins us this week to discuss the multifaceted role of religious diversity in the workplace. Topics range from addressing challenges, fostering inclusivity, and integrating faith with mental health support. We discuss authentic expression and trust building, soc…

1
EP#418: Entangled Steam 42:47

1+ y ago42:47

42:47

Parker and Stephen dive into the world of batteries, sparked by the BetaVolt BV100's claim of a 50-year lifespan. With discussions on its construction, potential applications, and recycling challenges, they unpack the implications of this revolutionary energy source. 🚨Contest Announcement 🚨: Introducing a new Circuit Break contest! This contest is …

1
EP#417: Cloud of Disks 41:26

1+ y ago41:26

41:26

Join Parker and Stephen as they delve into Japan's decision to phase out floppy disks and CD-ROMs for government submissions. From reminiscing about nostalgic tech quirks to analyzing the challenges and benefits of this transition, they explore the implications for industries and digital competitiveness. Discussing Japan's slow tech evolution, resi…

1
EP#416: No David here, Chris Gammell with Golioth.io 55:10

1+ y ago55:10

55:10

Discuss this episode. We welcome Chris Gammell, Developer Relations Lead at Golioth, to explore the exciting world of IoT (Internet of Things) and hardware. Chris brings his extensive engineering background to Golioth, a software company with a unique approach to IoT solutions. Join us as we delve into Golioth's distinct strengths in security, deve…

1
EP#415: CI/CD - We Salute You with Brenden Duncombe 45:41

1+ y ago45:41

45:41

This week Parker and Stephen welcome Brenden Duncombe to the show to discuss the pros and cons of continuous integration and continuous delivery/deployment (aka CI/CD) for hardware. Continuous integration (CI) refers to the practice of automatically and frequently integrating code changes into a shared source code repository. Continuous delivery an…

1
Welcome to Circuit Break - A MacroFab Podcast 1:44

1+ y ago1:44

1:44

Prepare to plug into the world of electrical engineering on Circuit Break - A MacroFab Podcast. Join two adventurous engineers, Parker Dillmann and Stephen Kraig, as they dissect the latest tech innovations, break down industry news, navigate the challenges of DIY projects and engage in compelling conversations with industry experts. Their real-wor…

1
EP#414: Net Running the Nut Runners with Joe Grand 1:06:51

1+ y ago1:06:51

1:06:51

This week Parker and Stephen welcome Joe Grand to the show to discuss insecure IoT devices. Inspired by a recent incident where Bosch wrenches were infected by ransomware called DRILLCRYPT, the guys asked Joe to join them to talk about how attackers could compromise the safety of the wrench and cause safety issues for users. Of course, this kind of…

1
EP#413: The Gray Zone with Kent Johnson 57:21

1+ y ago57:21

57:21

This week Parker and Stephen welcome Kent Johnson to the show to discuss ethics in engineering. It’s a topic that has been alluded to over the course of Circuit Break, but this is the first time Parker and Stephen have delved into it with a real expert on the matter. Yes, most companies have standards and regulations and a moral code that guide the…

1
EP#412: Great Classes, Odd Teachers, Chickens, Snakes 50:16

1+ y ago50:16

50:16

A recent Circuit Break Community thread about K-map design inspired a tangential conversation about how well certain subjects are taught in college. Parker and Stephen love a good tangent, thank you, and so they dug in by recalling their own experiences at school with excellent professors who clearly wanted electrical engineers to succeed, while ot…

1
EP#411: Entropy rules everything with James Lewis 1:01:03

1+ y ago1:01:03

1:01:03

This week Parker and Stephen welcome James Lewis back to the show after a rather long absence! The occasion stems from James chiming in on a Circuit Break Community thread that Stephen started, asking all about component aging effects. Stephen posed questions like, “What happens to resistors over 5 years? How about 20 years? Are there rules of thum…

1
EP#410: Eighth Annual MacroFab Star Wars Christmas Special - Somehow this Podcast Returned 2:46:57

1+ y ago2:46:57

2:46:57

Not unlike Han Solo emerging from cryosleep, the annual MacroFab Star Wars Christmas Special is back! Parker and Stephen welcome Josh Rozier, Chris Kraft, and Hyr0n to Circuit Break for a wide-ranging discussion covering at least the following about the Star Wars universe: The Most Ingenious Pieces of Technology in Star Wars The Most Underrated Cha…

1
EP#409: You Down with SDV 54:49

1+ y ago54:49

54:49

Parker and Stephen discuss a recent news story about how car manufacturers are increasing their focus on Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) which are cars that use more software instead of physical components to control vehicle functions. This prompted a comparison between SDVs and Drive-by-Wire or DbW technology in the automotive industry, which is …

1
EP#408: Pete Staples from Blue Clover on the PLT, Device Testing, more! 56:00

1+ y ago56:00

56:00

Parker and Stephen welcome Pete Staples, the CEO and Co-Founder of Blue Clover Devices, to the show! Staples founded Blue Clover in 2003 to explore ways to make the electronics industry more efficient. Prior to that, he worked as a systems engineer at Boeing Satellite Systems in El Segundo near LAX. Blue Clover continues to hone their processes to …

1
EP#407: Holy Static Hazard Batman! 56:23

1+ y ago56:23

56:23

Parker and Stephen discuss a recent article exploring how electrostatic discharge damage isn’t the only kind of static hazard your digital designs can face and possible solutions to such problems, a recent report that CHIPS for America published, entitled “The Vision for the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program” (NAPMP), which elaborat…

1
EP#406: Dr. Duncan Haldane from JITX on Automating Circuit Design 1:07:12

1+ y ago1:07:12

1:07:12

Parker and Stephen welcome JITX CEO and Co-founder, Dr. Duncan Haldane, to the show to discuss his company, which is a code-powered PCB design platform that aims to revolutionize circuit board design by integrating automation with human expertise. Prior to co-founding JITX, Dr. Haldane was responsible for a “hyper-aggressive pogo-stick” robot calle…

1
EP#405: Does ChatGPT want a cold beer? 45:53

1+ y ago45:53

45:53

Parker and Stephen discuss the fact that physical limitations of shrinking process nodes are leading to new advancements in silicon interposers and enabling 2.5D packaging architectures, which is making 3D packaging possible, plus an exploration of what ChatGPT is and isn’t capable of, in terms of it answering our questions and whether or not it ma…

1
EP#404: The Barcode is 50 with its creator, Paul V. McEnroe 54:42

1+ y ago54:42

54:42

Parker and Stephen speak with Paul V. McEnroe, an award-winning engineer who developed multiple state-of-the-art technologies during his long career, including more than two decades in leadership roles at IBM. McEnroe is best known for his primary role in developing the Universal Product Code (UPC), the barcode used on every product in supermarkets…

1
EP#403: Captured Pads 51:23

1+ y ago51:23

51:23

Parker and Stephen check in with the new Circuit Break Discourse community and a Chip of the Week discussion initiated by mobius_striptease, a closer look at the LT3073 3A, Ultra-Low Noise, High PSRR, 45mV Dropout Ultra-Fast Linear Regulator, a discussion about in and out pads ensues, Parker digs into Weldestroyer updates and how he found that a fo…

1
EP#402: Consciously Collecting Concepts 54:01

1+ y ago54:01

54:01

Parker and Stephen discuss Parker’s participation in Extra Life Day: Revenge of the Holiday Special on November 4, 2023, in which he’ll be playing and streaming STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order for 24 hours to raise funds for kids at his local Texas Children's Hospital, the related but unusual Star Wars Halloween costume he’ll be donning this year, che…

1
EP#401: Recording Studio Problem Solving with Electrical Audio’s Greg Norman 1:17:49

1+ y ago1:17:49

1:17:49

Parker and Stephen have a great talk with Greg Norman, a recording engineer, producer, and technician at Steve Albini’s studio, Electrical Audio, in Chicago, who also constructs and repairs various audio devices out of necessity and general interest, under the name, Normaphone. Greg discusses his background and early “pre-Google” experiments and le…

1
EP#400: We Are Circuit Break! 50:10

1+ y ago50:10

50:10

Parker and Stephen celebrate episode 400 of the MacroFab Engineering Podcast and announce its relaunch as Circuit Break starting next week, plus a discussion about MacroFab’s tenth anniversary, the end of our Slack channel and launch of our new Circuit Break Community hub, a brief history of this podcast and its trajectory, key projects that have b…

1
EP#399: Zero to One: Joshua Manley on the language of the 3D realm 1:00:59

1+ y ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Parker and Stephen welcome Josh Manley back to the show to discuss how humans and CAD can interact! Josh is the co-owner and CEO of CADClass.org. Through a comprehensive array of courses and literature, CADClass.org provides education of various software and design methodologies, catering to individuals across all proficiency levels. Since 2010, Jo…

1
EP#398: Duke Nukem v. Parker, Raspberry Pi 5, Weldestroyer! 49:13

1+ y ago49:13

49:13

Parker and Stephen discuss Parker’s past and upcoming Extra Life Day charity work, in which he plays video games like Duke Nukem and STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a rather deep dive into the newly launched Raspberry Pi 5, personal project updates from Stephen about the Weldestroyer 3000, and much more…

1
EP#397: Guard the CHIPS, New Math for Double E’s 49:06

1+ y ago49:06

49:06

Parker and Stephen discuss community feedback that led Parker to order a Bambu X1 Carbon 3D Printer, which should be arriving any day now, S to the L to the A, “guardrails” that the U.S. Commerce Department has placed on the CHIPS for America program, the healthy job market for engineers in America right now, flagging down the double E’s, how to te…

1
EP#396: PoE - Phantom over Ethernet 59:38

1+ y ago59:38

59:38

Parker and Stephen discuss the Cloudlifter mechanism they now use to help enhance the sound of this podcast, what phantom power is and what it actually does, more reverse polarity protections from the community, some of this show’s most audible fans, down with Slack, up with Discourse, an overdue box truck update, and much more. Relevant links: Wha…

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