Big Ideas Lab | Machinists @LivermoreLab

Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

Before a laser fires or a rocket launches, machinists make the mission possible. This episode explores the world of machining at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory—where skilled craftspeople transform raw materials into components for fusion research, national security, and space exploration. From time-tested manual tools to advanced digital manufacturing, machinists at the Lab combine traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to solve some of the most complex engineering challenges on Earth.

Spotify: livermorelab.info/3DZZgrO
Apple: livermorelab.info/3FOiBwB
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Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series.

Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch and Lacey Peace.

Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Daniel Brunelle.

Story Editing by Daniel Brunelle.

Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell.

Narrated by Matthew Powell.

Video Production by Levi Hanusch.

Guests featured in this episode (in order of appearance):

Drew Hash - Apprentice Machinist, LLNL
Dawn Hill - Senior Machinist, LLNL
Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

$Big Ideas Lab | Discovery Science at NIF At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s National Ignition Facility, scientists recreate the most extreme conditions in the universe. Through the Discovery Science Program, researchers and students from around the world gain rare access to this machine to run experiments that exist for only a fraction of a second, yet reshape what we know about stars, planets, and matter itself. These experiments don’t just explore the cosmos; they create a shared laboratory for discovery and the training ground for the next generation of scientists who will evaluate the safety, security and effectiveness of our nation’s nuclear deterrence. Guests featured (in order of appearance): Dan Kalantar, Chief Systems Engineer for Experimental Systems at NIF, LLNL Tilo Doeppner, Experimental Physicist at NIF, LLNL Apple: https://livermorelab.info/3O7dHiq Spotify: https://livermorelab.info/46cxIdD Big Ideas Lab is a Mission.org original series. Executive Produced by Levi Hanusch. Script by Caroline Kidd. Sound Design, Music Edit and Mix by Matthew Powell. Story Editing by Levi Hanusch. Audio Engineering and Editing by Matthew Powell. Narrated by Matthew Powell. Video Production by Levi Hanusch. Brought to you in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.$

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