Best Villain Engineering Podcasts (2024)

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Ep. 29 - Managing Customer Support 57:50

9d ago57:50

57:50

Finding the right way to offer customer support can be tricky. You can't run everything yourself forever if you intend to continue your growth. There are so many ways this can go wrong, so make sure to take the time to plan this out as best as possible before you dive in. You can thank us later. In this episode, we will dive deep into how we handle…

1
Ep. 28 - Design Decisions 1:16:38

25d ago1:16:38

1:16:38

It's here! The LumenPnP V4 is finally here, and we wanted to share some of our design decisions and explain why we made some of the choices we did. From wants to necessity, it wasn't easy. It took years of feedback, but we couldn't be happier with what has come from all of it. We wouldn't be where we are without the help of our community and the ha…

1
Ep. 27 - Launch Day 1:02:08

2M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

You did it! You worked hard to prepare everything for launch day, but now it is time to put it all into action. Take what you have learned from the last two episodes and prepare for one of the most fun and stressful days you will ever have. Stephen and Lucian have experienced their fair share of ups and downs with different launch days and are read…

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Ep. 26 - Preparing for a Product Launch - Part 2 1:00:21

2M ago1:00:21

1:00:21

As we gear up for launch day, listen to the conclusion of Preparing for Launch. (If you haven't listened to Part 1, we highly recommend doing so before diving into this episode!) Stephen and Lucian will cover topics like internal work instructions, setting up your PLM software, press kits, and so much more. This is really fun to talk about because …

1
Ep. 25 - Preparing for a Product Launch - Part 1 56:09

3M ago56:09

56:09

What actually goes into launching a hardware product? What can be worked on in advance, and what has to be perfectly timed with the launch date? We'll explore how to structure the necessary planning and share some of the things we have learned through multiple launches we have done ourselves. There is so much to unpack here that we had to break up …

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Ep. 24 - Open Hardware Licenses ft. Thea Flowers 1:25:21

3M ago1:25:21

1:25:21

What does it mean to license something in a way that works for you and your project? Does this fall under copyright or a patent? (The answer may surprise you!) The president of the Open Source Hardware Association, Thea Flowers, stopped by to school us on open hardware licensing, and it was much needed. We start by going over the scope of permissiv…

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Ep. 23 - Making Money with Open Source Hardware 1:00:20

3M ago1:00:20

1:00:20

It is challenging to succeed with open hardware while keeping it sustainable and still making enough money to pay the bills. But there are ways to do it! In this episode, we dive into how you can succeed in doing open hardware. Plus, we talk about how vastly different open hardware is compared to open software. Do you have any questions, comments, …

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Rallies, Road Trips and Jay Read gets Rammed 49:27

3M ago49:27

49:27

Two pods in two weeks?! You can't get rid of us. In this episode we're going somewhat unscripted because Andy's dog ate the show notes but don't let that put you off, this one's another cracker. We're talking about Andy's recent 'Mega-Loop' Rally and his upcoming 'Alpine Ridge Rally 10' while James is getting ready for his annual pilgrimage to the …

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992.2 First Thoughts, the Singer DLS Turbo, Le Mans and Andy's new Beige Volvo 1:05:44

4M ago1:05:44

1:05:44

Andy and James share their reactions to the 992.2. Porsche just recently announced the second generation 992 and besides adding a T-Hybrid engine that comes with the GTS variant, they're throwing everything else away - no rear seats, no manual transmission, no more key-start ignition, no more analog instrument cluster gauges. The cheek! In this epi…

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Ep. 22 - Pricing Your Product 1:00:10

4M ago1:00:10

1:00:10

Pricing your product can be a daunting task. Set the price too high, and you risk alienating potential customers. Set it too low, and you may find yourself struggling to sustain your business. While there's no "one-size-fits-all" formula, our experience in this field has given us some perspective on how to approach it! Adafruit Blog Post: https://l…

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Ep. 21 - Incorporating Community Feedback 59:14

4M ago59:14

59:14

Trying to find the best way to incorporate community feedback can be tough, especially when that feedback is criticism. You have to be the director of your project's path, know where it has to go, and be opinionated. You have to assume they mean well in their criticism and you need to really show off the work that was done when a community member a…

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Ep. 20 - Leasing a Space 1:31:25

5M ago1:31:25

1:31:25

When do you decide to sign a commercial real estate lease? Do you truly need one? These are challenging questions, but in this episode, we're here to help. Stephen and Lucian will walk you through what's acceptable, what's not, what factors to consider, what could be deal breakers, and all the other aspects of this decision. Getting this right is c…

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Ep. 19 - Cost Downs (Reducing Costs in Your Supply Chain) 1:09:35

5M ago1:09:35

1:09:35

What is the process of reducing costs in your supply chain without making your product worse? This is a tricky subject and needs to be handled with care. Luckily for you, we have already gone through this many times and can help you successfully cost down your supply chain by helping you find another way to potentially save money and what to look f…

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Ep. 18 - How to Write a PRD (Product Requirement Document) 51:41

6M ago51:41

51:41

Ever wonder if your product is truly worth the time and effort it takes to bring it to market? How can you ensure it resonates with your target audience? This episode delves into the significance of a PRD and discusses how it can pave the way for your product's success from the very beginning. PRD Template: https://github.com/opulo-inc/prd-template…

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Ep. 17 - Do's and Don'ts of Naming Your Company 1:02:28

6M ago1:02:28

1:02:28

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Ep. 16 - Open Hardware with Thea Flowers 1:25:38

7M ago1:25:38

1:25:38

In this episode, we sit down with Thea Flowers, a huge advocate for open source who has done many things to be a beacon of light for others who believe in open source and open hardware as well. From running her own open-hardware synthesizer company to working at Google, Thea has contributed to many big projects and has even been a paid musician. Sh…

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Back for more! Curb and Canyon returns! Car culture, driving and two knuckleheads talking about Porsches... 1:03:21

7M ago1:03:21

1:03:21

Andy and James are back! We've missed you, but after some hilariously over-the-top scheduling snafus, we're back and broadcasting from Minnesota to Melbourne for the start of our FOURTH season of this podcast for Porsche enthusiasts by Porsche enthusiasts. Buckle up as we share our Porsche escapades from over the last few months, from the laughable…

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Ep. 15 - Offloading (Making Yourself Obsolete) 54:01

7M ago54:01

54:01

How do you make yourself obsolete? That question may sound odd at first, but as Opulo continues to grow, how do Stephen and Lucian handle offloading their tasks to others while maintaining the speed and precision needed to keep up with demand? This topic was a user-submitted topic from our O.H.M. Podcast Channel found on our Discord. Thank you, app…

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Ep. 14 - Owning Your Data 47:35

8M ago47:35

47:35

What does it take to own your data, and when is it okay to hand over the reins? Should you self-host or not? Stephen and Lucian discuss topics like when it is okay to give up some control for convenience and how to walk that fine line. Plus, they talk about what would happen if Discord or Google went belly-up tomorrow and how that would affect your…

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Ep. 13 - Hardware Release Cycle 1:06:17

8M ago1:06:17

1:06:17

Stephen and Lucian are asked to divulge more detail about how they handle making a new hardware release and how it is much more involved than a software release. Software is changeable, but hardware is permanent. That makes a big difference when considering what goes into a hardware release, including what you should do between prototyping and rele…

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Ep. 12 - Improving FreeCAD ft. Brad Collette from Ondsel 1:19:24

9M ago1:19:24

1:19:24

In this episode, we're excited to have guest Brad Collette! Brad is the cofounder and CTO of Ondsel, an Open-Core company working to improve FreeCAD. Ondsel is also building features on top of FreeCAD that are aimed specifically at commercial applications. We hear how Brad has been involved with FreeCAD development for over a decade, started Ondsel…

1
Ep. 11 - Quality Control 1:08:25

10M ago1:08:25

1:08:25

How do you make sure that the things being sent out your door are to the standard of quality that you would expect? How do you try to overcome human error when considering quality control checks? What's a QC Buddy, and why is traceability important? Take a lesson from Stephen and Lucian as they dive into this beefy topic that is hard to contain in …

1
Ep. 10 - Automation Equipment 42:10

10M ago42:10

42:10

Automation tools can be a robot you bought off the internet, or it can be something you make yourself. When should you automate a task? Would automation reduce mistakes, improve quality, or improve joy? Sometimes, but not always! In this episode, Stephen and Lucian hope you learn something from some of their mistakes and some of their wins with aut…

1
Ep. 9 - Time Management 57:48

11M ago57:48

57:48

When it comes to time management, everything can seem important, but what is the most important to tackle right away? Picking between these can be tricky, yet finding the balance between being efficient and not running into burnout is important to figure out. Stephen and Lucian dive into the issues they have run into and how they have found solutio…

1
Ep. 8 - Ryan from V1 Engineering 1:40:14

11M ago1:40:14

1:40:14

Ryan from V1 Engineering sits down to talk to us about how the desire for a 3D printer led to the birth of V1 Engineering. From working for free to outgrowing his jobs, Ryan had no plans to start a business and even pushed back from the idea of it. With a tremendous amount of attention and desire for his CNC design on Thingiverse, he finally listen…

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Ep. 7 - Buying Stock 1:16:38

12M ago1:16:38

1:16:38

In this episode, we guide you through what is essential to prepare for when buying stock. Whether you're just starting to sell your product or managing it while your company is already in full swing, Stephen and Lucian share their personal experiences and answer some of the most challenging questions in this category. They discuss topics such as ho…

1
Ep. 6 - Research and Development 57:03

12M ago57:03

57:03

How much are you focusing on existing products vs new products for the future? Do you stick with the customer base that is reliable or do you take a risk? In this episode, Stephen and Lucian will talk about tailoring to existing customers without losing what will bring in new customers, plus learning about 'the onion of tolerance'. They will even t…

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Porsche nostalgia, road trip adventures, the art of customization and just calm the f*** down! 1:09:24

1y ago1:09:24

1:09:24

Welcome to another episode of Curb and Canyon! Come along with us as we reflect on a recent local car show that stirred up nostalgia-filled emotions with some epic examples of truly classic Porsches. Swapping car show tales for adventure stories, we recount recent road trips and the thrill of maneuvering through curving backroads both through the R…

1
Ep. 5 - Community Communication 1:16:08

1y ago1:16:08

1:16:08

Communicating effectively with your community on an open source project is vital to keeping your project alive and healthy. But how do you make the right choice with so many options out there? Tune in and find out how Stephen and Lucian have made the tough calls of where to start and what they learned along the way! To learn more about what we do, …

1
Ep. 4 - Launching the Longmill - ft. Chris from Sienci Labs 1:49:20

1y ago1:49:20

1:49:20

In this episode, we have our first guest! Chris is the cofounder and CTO of Sienci Labs, which makes the open source LongMill CNC. We hear how Chris and his cofounder Andy started the company, launching two successful Kickstarters, and what they have planned for the future. Now that we've had Chris on the show, we'll have him back for other episode…

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Revving Engines with Luke: A Journey from Passionate Car Enthusiast to YouTube Phenomenon 1:09:13

1y ago1:09:13

1:09:13

Get ready to rev up your engines as we bring you an exclusive conversation with Luke, the man behind YouTube’s ‘Cars With Luke’ with his jaw-dropping cinematic car videos, set against the mesmerizing backdrop of the Swiss Alps. Join us as Luke dives into his passion for cars, the profound influence of the TV show Top Gear on him and his latest adve…

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Ep. 3 - Tools While Scaling Up; How Much Structure is Too Much? 51:55

1y ago51:55

51:55

When is a tool worth paying for? How do you decide when a project is good enough for your company? Finding the right tool or project for your company can be tough. Lulzbot's blog post about OHAI: https://lulzbot.com/learn/introducing-ohai-kit-your-guide-to-open-hardware-assembly Opulo's assembly docs: ohai.opulo.io If you want to learn more about w…

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Exploring the Legacy of Porsche: From the iconic 911 ST to its modern day 992 reimagining 1:16:02

1y ago1:16:02

1:16:02

Ever wondered about the secret sauce behind the enduring success of the Porsche brand? Prepare to have your curiosity satisfied as we talk through the history of the iconic Porsche 911 ST, to the engineering marvel that is the Porsche 992. Get ready for a wild ride as we slay the Dragon with motion sickness and make bold decisions on whether to hol…

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Ep. 2 - Sourcing: A Broad Overview 1:03:34

1y ago1:03:34

1:03:34

In this episode, we dive into sourcing! How do you find vendors? How do you vet them, and make sure you’re getting a quality part? What about duties, shipping, and minimum order quantities? This is a summary, overarching episode about sourcing. Every topic we cover here could have a whole episode dedicated to it, so let us know what you’d like us t…

1
Driving Passion: A Journey into the World of Porsche with Mo' and Kerstin from Flat 6 High 5 1:05:58

1y ago1:05:58

1:05:58

Do you ever wonder what it truly means to be embedded in the world of automobiles? Meet Moritz and Kerstin from Flat 6 High 5, as they intertwine their love for Porsche vehicles into their relationship, creating a unique dynamic, shared experiences and a story that every car enthusiast would appreciate. We navigate through their vibrant journey, fr…

1
Ep. 1 - The Benefits of Open Source 32:36

1+ y ago32:36

32:36

Ever wonder how a radically open-source company can be successful? What's the balance between running a company that makes money and supporting a community? (Turns out, they work together better than you might think!) Stephen and Lucian dive into the things they've seen be overwhelmingly beneficial about keeping the source of your hardware product …

1
Ep. 0 - Introducing the OHM Podcast! 15:48

1+ y ago15:48

15:48

Ever wonder how a radically open-source company can be successful? What are the benefits, and what are the challenges? How do you manage version control, hiring, work instructions, and payroll? Opulo employees Stephen Hawes and Lucian Chapar cover the details of running an Open Hardware company, as well as interview anyone from hobbyists to CEOs th…

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Under the Hood with Henry Catchpole: Exploring Porsche's Legacy 1:01:57

1+ y ago1:01:57

1:01:57

Get ready to rev your engines and shift into high gear as we embark on a thrilling journey exploring the realm of motoring journalism with the one-and-only Henry Catchpole. Renowned for his articulate and engaging content, Henry takes us down memory lane, sharing his two-decade-long passion for automobiles, his admiration for Evo magazine and his l…

1
Revving Up with Porsche: Celebrating Innovations, Anniversaries, and Road Trips 54:01

1+ y ago54:01

54:01

Hold onto your steering wheels as we're diving into the captivating world of Porsche's Mission X concept car. Will it live up to the brand's hypercar legacy? As we celebrate Porsche's 75th anniversary, we also take a closer look at their latest models and ponder whether we're experiencing the golden years of the brand. Plus, find out how the Porsch…

1
The Porsche Connection: Emblem Makeover, Reunited with Past Loves, Porsche Super-Villains and a Heartwarming Update 1:07:53

1+ y ago1:07:53

1:07:53

James and Andy are back again for more Porsche banter! Have you ever found yourself reminiscing about the cars you used to own and wondering if you should buy them back? This week, our Porsche passion is reignited as we discuss the new Porsche Crest design, share stories about our favorite past cars, and even touch on the tale of a kangaroo collidi…

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The 718 Spyder RS, vicarious living through your Porsche purchases and the usual Porsche banter 1:04:50

1+ y ago1:04:50

1:04:50

This week we're talking about the new 718 Spyder RS - perhaps Porsche's swan song for the Cayman / Boxster's combustion engine. We also have not one but two 'Videos of the Week' for you, both with epic cinematography telling compelling stories about the Porsches they feature. Plus we're back with all the usual insult throwing, chaos laden Porsche b…

1
The 911 ST, 992.2, Hybrids, the next Porsche Hyper Car and more 1:03:24

1+ y ago1:03:24

1:03:24

Andy and James are back, talking all things Porsche. In this episode we're talking about some of the latest news and rumors from the world of Porsche from the whispers of the new 911 ST, the forthcoming second generation of the 992 and the potential for Porsche going all-in on their vision for hybrid 911s and EVs. We're also talking about Andy's mo…

1
Andy's Latest GT4 Video and Everyone's Going Surfing Safari, Porsche Style 1:04:50

1+ y ago1:04:50

1:04:50

Back for more Porsche banter, the Curb and Canyon team is back!! Andy and James are talking all things Porsche as usual. In this pod we talk through Andy's recent 'Last Rasp' video which gives the GT4 lovers some epic content to drool over, James just bought a new Porsche (!) but unlike several other enthusiasts at the moment he is NOT going all 'S…

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992.2 Updates: the Dawn of the Hybrid 911? A new 4.0 NA Engine?? Porsche banter and more. 1:02:40

1+ y ago1:02:40

1:02:40

Welcome back to the Curb and Canyon podcast, now in its 3rd season! In this opening episode we talk about one of the most anticipated (for better or worse) generations of the Porsche 911 to be released in the last 50 years... the first ever HYBRID version of the 911 that is rumored to be coming with the latest 992.2. While news of a potential hybri…

1
Holiday Special - A final hurrah for 2022 with the new Porsche Dakar, Tasmania, Andy's 964 performance mods and more Porsche banter 1:12:43

2y ago1:12:43

1:12:43

In this final episode for 2022, James and Andy are rounding out the year by talking about their thoughts on the new 911 Dakar and how Porsche is preparing for the kind of future you saw in the Mad Max movies... Andy just recently completed an epic tour of Tasmania in his GT4, we're talking about James' future plans for his 911 ownership and much, m…

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Dear Evil Engineer: Could I plunge Earth into an eternal winter? 7:36

2y ago7:36

7:36

This polar bear has had it with global warming ruining its habitat, Can it flip the tables on humanity? Dear Evil Engineer, I am a resentful and wealthy polar bear. You can only imagine the trauma my species has experienced; it wasn’t long after the hunting stopped that our habitat started melting away into the ocean. We’re sick to the (very large)…

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Dear Evil Engineer: Should I impress my date by engineering a unicorn? 7:40

2y ago7:40

7:40

A lovestruck villain would like to engineer the ideal romantic gift. Dear Evil Engineer, For 35 years, I have considered myself a strong, independent villain who doesn’t need a partner in crime, but I have recently become smitten with someone I met at my local farmers’ market. She is gorgeous, funny, has a fluffy white cat, and makes the best beetr…

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Dear Evil Engineer: Could I build a solid gold castle? 7:11

2y ago7:11

7:11

This month, the Evil Engineer breaks some bad news to a villain who wants to live out their retirement like El Dorado. Dear Evil Engineer, After a long and lucrative career in real estate, I am ready to put my wealth to good use. I would like to build myself a castle from gold, à la El Dorado. When I say gold, I should specify that I mean solid gol…

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Dear Evil Engineer: Could I pick off tourists near my house with a microwave weapon? 7:39

2y ago7:39

7:39

A directed-energy weapon could deter dawdling tourists, but your energy would be better spent throwing stuff. Dear Evil Engineer, Five years ago, I hung up the white cat and retired to a pleasant village in the Cotswolds. Unfortunately, this village has been flung to unwanted prominence as the location used for filming a hit period drama series. Li…

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Ours and Your Favorite Drives, the new 911 T and special guest, Andy at 9 Werks Radio 1:17:52

2y ago1:17:52

1:17:52

James and Andy are back for more Porsche banter and this week they have quite a lot to talk about! The new 911 Carrera T has been released at the tail end of the 992.1 generation, plus there are new rumors and speculation are swirling around Porsche and their potential entry to Formula. The main topic up for discussion in this episode however is ab…

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