Jason is no stranger to having his products ripped off. But this latest incident is extra. The brazenness, the gall, the cheek of the people behind the Kappa counterfeiting operation is next level. Maker Minute: All Makers (especially those who have had their sh*t ripped off).

Jason is no stranger to having his products ripped off. But this latest incident is extra. The brazenness, the gall, the cheek of the people behind the Kappa counterfeiting operation is next level. Maker Minute: All Makers (especially those who have had their sh*t ripped off).

The Curious Case of the Counterfeit Kappa

Jason and Ben explore the burgeoning science of and exploration into immortality – how close are we and who are the figures/companies pursuing it? Also, should we? Also, favorite vampire movie? Maker Minute: David Sinclair

Jason and Ben explore the burgeoning science of and exploration into immortality – how close are we and who are the figures/companies pursuing it? Also, should we? Also, favorite vampire movie? Maker Minute: <a href="https://sinclair.hms.harvard.edu/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">David Sinclair</a>

Who Wants to Live Forever?

You have super powers, and this episode will teach you how to access them. Jason and Ben talk epigenetics, the placebo effect, the brain wave state you can access to unlock super powers, and more. Maker Minute: Bruce Lipton

You have super powers, and this episode will teach you how to access them. Jason and Ben talk epigenetics, the placebo effect, the brain wave state you can access to unlock super powers, and more. Maker Minute: <a href="https://www.brucelipton.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Bruce Lipton</a>

Mind Over Matter

He might not be an expert, but Jason is clearly accruing experience in this field. We chat his history with 3D Printing, why he's excited about the increasing access to the process, and where it's headed.

He might not be an expert, but Jason is clearly accruing experience in this field. We chat his history with 3D Printing, why he's excited about the increasing access to the process, and where it's headed.

3D Printing

Robbed trains? 90-week lead times? A White House Task Force? What is happening with the supply chain – and what can we expect in 2022 and beyond? Your resident non-experts weigh in. Maker Minute: USPS Workers

Robbed trains? 90-week lead times? A White House Task Force? What is happening with the supply chain – and what can we expect in 2022 and beyond? Your resident non-experts weigh in. Maker Minute: USPS Workers

Supply Chain Woes

It's that time of the year when Jason reviews his highly organized system of post it note ideas and picks which ones we can expect to see realized in the coming twelve months. It's a doozy of a list: Foursevens MX3, a new LED, more tritium products and a bunch of rad 3D-printed goodies.

It's that time of the year when Jason reviews his highly organized system of post it note ideas and picks which ones we can expect to see realized in the coming twelve months. It's a doozy of a list: Foursevens MX3, a new LED, more tritium products and a bunch of rad 3D-printed goodies.

Coming Attractions 2022

There was only one way to go after the NFT episode. Jason and Ben swallow the blue pill and enter the Matr– I mean Metaverse and examine the promises of its virtual glory. The good, the bad, the unknown. It's not coming. It's here. Are you ready? Maker Minute: Ready Player One

There was only one way to go after the NFT episode. Jason and Ben swallow the blue pill and enter the Matr– I mean Metaverse and examine the promises of its virtual glory. The good, the bad, the unknown. It's not coming. It's here. Are you ready? Maker Minute: <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1677720/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ready Player One</a>

The Metaverse

In an I'm No Expert first Jason and Ben bring on a guest to bring the two hosts up to speed on the fast-moving world of NFTs. Alex may not be an expert, but his passion runs deep. We talk nuts and bolts, artists to keep an eye on, and we absolutely 100% do NOT give financial advice. Maker Minute: Dmitri Cherniak

In an I'm No Expert first Jason and Ben bring on a guest to bring the two hosts up to speed on the fast-moving world of NFTs. Alex may not be an expert, but his passion runs deep. We talk nuts and bolts, artists to keep an eye on, and we absolutely 100% do NOT give financial advice. Maker Minute: <a href="https://twitter.com/dmitricherniak" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dmitri Cherniak</a>

NFTs (with special guest Alex Consalvo)

Quitters never win? Think again. Sometimes they live to fight another day...and win THAT fight. Or something like that. Turns out there's some science behind the art of quitting. So stop banging your head against the wall. Walk away and find another one. Maker Minute: David Blaine

Quitters never win? Think again. Sometimes they live to fight another day...and win THAT fight. Or something like that. Turns out there's some science behind the art of quitting. So stop banging your head against the wall. Walk away and find another one. Maker Minute: <a href="https://davidblaine.com/drowned-alive/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">David Blaine</a>

When To Quit

Did the M 16 lose the Vietnam War for the United States? That's a bold claim and obviously an inaccurate one. BUT, there is an interesting story about the M 16 as it pertains to its reliability (or notorious lack thereof) that we dive into. A little war history, a little product design, a lot of non-expert discussion of a topic brought to mind on the heels of our withdrawal from Afghanistan. Maker Minute: Mikhail Kalashnikov Honorable Mention: Kenmore Progressive Vacuum Cleaner

Did the M 16 lose the Vietnam War for the United States? That's a bold claim and obviously an inaccurate one. BUT, there is an interesting story about the M 16 as it pertains to its reliability (or notorious lack thereof) that we dive into. A little war history, a little product design, a lot of non-expert discussion of a topic brought to mind on the heels of our withdrawal from Afghanistan. Maker Minute: Mikhail Kalashnikov Honorable Mention: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fUdDjlOcgA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kenmore Progressive Vacuum Cleaner</a>

The M16: A Case Study in Reliability

The podcast about everything and nothing. Jason Hui is a maker and founder of Prometheus Lights. Ben Hardy is a writer, content marketer, and former editor of Bobvila.com. Join their deep dives into topics in which they have much interest ... and no expertise.

I listen to every episode. It is informative and funny. It’s like hanging out with Jason and Ben in the shop taking about whatever comes to mind. Love the format. Keep up the great work. Keep up the interesting subjects coming.

Love this podcast

The podcast about everything and nothing. Jason Hui is a maker and founder of Prometheus Lights. Ben Hardy is a writer, content marketer, and former editor of <a href="http://Bobvila.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bobvila.com</a>. Join their deep dives into topics in which they have much interest ... and no expertise.

I'm No Expert

When we asked our audience to suggest some topics, @bertocaster requested "Working with Titanium, from raw material to fit and finish." We didn't stick solely with Titanium because Jason has a lot to say about a few different materials, but Ti is definitely the star of this episode. Maker Minute: La Costena  That famous burrito we mention. (Yes, that's a burrito).

When we asked our audience to suggest some topics, @bertocaster requested "Working with Titanium, from raw material to fit and finish." We didn't stick solely with Titanium because Jason has a lot to say about a few different materials, but Ti is definitely the star of this episode. Maker Minute: <a href="http://www.costena.com/famous.html" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">La Costena</a> That famous burrito we mention. (Yes, that's a burrito).

Materials: A Titanium Love Story

From the good ole days of smoking sections and free meals to the modern day cattle cars with wings – this one's got it all. But we'll have to charge extra for most of it. Tips to minimize travel stress, must-have travel carries, plus a billion dollar flight-related app idea that one lucky listener will surely rush off to develop.

From the good ole days of smoking sections and free meals to the modern day cattle cars with wings – this one's got it all. But we'll have to charge extra for most of it. Tips to minimize travel stress, must-have travel carries, plus a billion dollar flight-related app idea that one lucky listener will surely rush off to develop.

Air Travel

We're baaaaack. Kicking off Season 2 with product recommendation on a pair of wiper blades that Jason swears by. Change your life. Maybe save your life. Bonus feature: they'll wipe away all those tears you've been crying since INE went on break. Winter is coming. With it comes rain and snow. Maker Minute: PIAA

We're baaaaack. Kicking off Season 2 with product recommendation on a pair of wiper blades that Jason swears by. Change your life. Maybe save your life. Bonus feature: they'll wipe away all those tears you've been crying since INE went on break. Winter is coming. With it comes rain and snow. Maker Minute: <a href="http://www.piaa.com/siliconewiperblades" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">PIAA</a>

"Life Hacks" – The Last Wiper Blades You'll Ever Need

It's coming. Will you survive? Jason and Ben confront the sobering reality that is the impending Apocalypse and the unlikelihood of survival due to a myriad of factors, not least of which being Ben's myopia and Jason's urban setting. Cities will fall first... Join them and evaluate your own level of preparedness. Maker Minute: Patriots by James Wesley Rawles

It's coming. Will you survive? Jason and Ben confront the sobering reality that is the impending Apocalypse and the unlikelihood of survival due to a myriad of factors, not least of which being Ben's myopia and Jason's urban setting. Cities will fall first... Join them and evaluate your own level of preparedness. Maker Minute: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Patriots-Novel-Survival-Coming-Collapse/dp/1469235633" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Patriots by James Wesley Rawles</a>

Will You Survive the Coming Apocalypse?

In which Jason and Ben discuss the importance of prototyping early and often, both as a maker and a creator. A look back at the IDEO shopping cart and the diverse team that brought it to life.  See the ABC Nightline special on the IDEO Shopping Cart here.  More on the IDEO Shopping Cart here. 

In which Jason and Ben discuss the importance of prototyping early and often, both as a maker and a creator. A look back at the IDEO shopping cart and the diverse team that brought it to life.  See the ABC Nightline special on the IDEO Shopping Cart <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td2DAjoJsdQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.  More on the IDEO Shopping Cart <a href="https://www.ideo.com/post/reimagining-the-shopping-cart" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.

Prototyping

Jason rocked the LED flashlight world a year and a half ago when he announced the acquisition of the Foursevens brand. Since then he's released updated versions of the Preon and Mini flashlights, and now he's finally launched the newest version of the Foursevens flagship flashlight: the Quark MKIII. We get into all the details about the new light and the process of iterating a legendary product. See the  new Quark MKIII  Maker Minute: Kickstarter

Jason rocked the LED flashlight world a year and a half ago when he announced the acquisition of the Foursevens brand. Since then he's released updated versions of the Preon and Mini flashlights, and now he's finally launched the newest version of the Foursevens flagship flashlight: the Quark MKIII. We get into all the details about the new light and the process of iterating a legendary product. See the <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/foursevens/foursevens-quark-mkiii-led-flashlight-the-legacy-continues?ref=2yq7yr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> new Quark MKIII</a> Maker Minute: Kickstarter

Foursevens Quark MKIII: The Legacy Continues

The Lumen Wars drag on, with 20K lumen flashlights eligible for 3-day shipping on Amazon Prime and the maker of a 90K lumen flashlight admitting "This device isn't very practical for most uses because it just blinds you if you're shining it at anything closer than about 100 feet." Charge your batteries and walk with us through across the battlefield, where falsely-advertised run times are the norm, unbalanced batteries catch fire, and a clutch of makers ask "What if there's a better way?" Open your mind, then press play. Maker Minute: Don "McGizmo" McLeish

The Lumen Wars drag on, with 20K lumen flashlights eligible for 3-day shipping on Amazon Prime and the maker of a 90K lumen flashlight admitting "This device isn't very practical for most uses because it just blinds you if you're shining it at anything closer than about 100 feet." Charge your batteries and walk with us through across the battlefield, where falsely-advertised run times are the norm, unbalanced batteries catch fire, and a clutch of makers ask "What if there's a better way?" Open your mind, then press play. Maker Minute: <a href="http://dmcleish.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Don "McGizmo" McLeish</a>

Lumen Wars

Inspired by a video on a Japanese minimalist, Jason and Ben dive in (lightly, so as to not disturb the peace) to this topic with (reserved and delicate) gusto, exploring the magic of soft close drawers, the vanishing night sky, and fascinations with the ninja. Maker Minute: "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less"

Inspired by a video on a Japanese minimalist, Jason and Ben dive in (lightly, so as to not disturb the peace) to this topic with (reserved and delicate) gusto, exploring the magic of soft close drawers, the vanishing night sky, and fascinations with the ninja. Maker Minute: "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less</a>"

We Need More Less In Our Lives

Also called stress tests, torture tests have provided EDC enthusiasts (and makers) thousands of hours of fun (and just as many tears) dropping, smashing, and submerging all in the name of science. And cred. And YouTube views. In this episode Jason and Ben explore the many ways a person can torture test a product, and Jason recounts some of the creative ways he has stress tested Prometheus products, including the infamous 2011 CandlePower Forums Alpha Drop Test gathering. Maker Minute: Elzetta Tactical Flashlights

Also called stress tests, torture tests have provided EDC enthusiasts (and makers) thousands of hours of fun (and just as many tears) dropping, smashing, and submerging all in the name of science. And cred. And YouTube views. In this episode Jason and Ben explore the many ways a person can torture test a product, and Jason recounts some of the creative ways he has stress tested Prometheus products, including the infamous 2011 CandlePower Forums Alpha Drop Test gathering. Maker Minute: <a href="https://www.elzetta.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Elzetta Tactical Flashlights</a>

Torture Tests

Death and taxes, right? Jason and Ben talk strategies to increase life expectancy AND improve the quality of those extra years, the biggest killers you can avoid, and immortal jellyfish. Ready to face the unknown? Maker Minute:  Cixin Liu

Death and taxes, right? Jason and Ben talk strategies to increase life expectancy AND improve the quality of those extra years, the biggest killers you can avoid, and immortal jellyfish. Ready to face the unknown? Maker Minute: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Remembrance-Earths-Past-Three-Body-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B01N198VU5" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Cixin Liu</a>

Mortality

Alternate title: Dogs vs Cats. Alternate alternate title: Dog People vs Cat People. It's all of that and more. Hear tales of dogs throwing owners under the bus, magic cats who form uncanny psychic links with their owners, a dog that can detect blood sugar levels. Love em, hate em, can't live without em? Doesn't matter: they are hear to stay. Maker Minute: Elle &amp; Coach

Alternate title: Dogs vs Cats. Alternate alternate title: Dog People vs Cat People. It's all of that and more. Hear tales of dogs throwing owners under the bus, magic cats who form uncanny psychic links with their owners, a dog that can detect blood sugar levels. Love em, hate em, can't live without em? Doesn't matter: they are hear to stay. Maker Minute: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Elle-Coach-Diabetes-Daughters-Everything/dp/031625875X" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Elle &amp; Coach</a>

Dogs and Cats

With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world. – Dalai Lama And yet who among us hasn't suffered a crisis of confidence at some point in their lives? In this episode Jason &amp; Ben explore self esteem &amp; self confidence – how to define them, ways to manufacture the latter, and real-world examples that can inspire you to find yours. Maker Minute: The Dawn Wall

With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world. – Dalai Lama And yet who among us hasn't suffered a crisis of confidence at some point in their lives? In this episode Jason &amp; Ben explore self esteem &amp; self confidence – how to define them, ways to manufacture the latter, and real-world examples that can inspire you to find yours. Maker Minute: <a href="https://www.dawnwall-film.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Dawn Wall</a>

Self Esteem & Self Confidence

Jason dropped bombs on this episode. One was the first official tease of the NEW Prometheus Lights Delta Flashlight, which is currently up on the darksucks.com site. Alpha, Beta, Delta – get it? THEN he hit us with a ridiculously effective stain removal product that he and his stumbled upon and we have to share.  No, this is not a sponsored episode. It's just two guys sharing some tips on making life more bearable. You got stains, we got your solution. Maker Minute: Zout

Jason dropped bombs on this episode. One was the first official tease of the NEW Prometheus Lights Delta Flashlight, which is currently up on the <a href="http://darksucks.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">darksucks.com</a> site. Alpha, Beta, Delta – get it? THEN he hit us with a ridiculously effective stain removal product that he and his stumbled upon and we have to share.  No, this is not a sponsored episode. It's just two guys sharing some tips on making life more bearable. You got stains, we got your solution. Maker Minute: <a href="https://www.zout.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zout</a>

"Life Hacks" – The Last Stain Remover You'll Ever Need

Where would we be without it? There'd be no podcast, for starters. No Prometheus Lights? Is there any great achievement in life that wasn't powered by coffee? No surprise here: Jason took a scientific approach to determine the perfect brew, which he shares in this episode. It's an exploration in grind fineness, time in contact, filter properties, and, of course, personal taste. We also briefly investigate a Department of Defense initiative aimed at discovering the optimal amount of coffee to drink – and when to drink it. K-cups and dead turtles? Oh yeah, we go there. Maker Minute: Mokhtar Alkhanshali

Where would we be without it? There'd be no podcast, for starters. No Prometheus Lights? Is there any great achievement in life that wasn't powered by coffee? No surprise here: Jason took a scientific approach to determine the perfect brew, which he shares in this episode. It's an exploration in grind fineness, time in contact, filter properties, and, of course, personal taste. We also briefly investigate a Department of Defense initiative aimed at discovering the optimal amount of coffee to drink – and when to drink it. K-cups and dead turtles? Oh yeah, we go there. Maker Minute: <a href="https://www.portofmokha.com/team" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Mokhtar Alkhanshali</a>

Coffee

Jason knows too well the negative impact knock offs can have on a small business. Unfortunately the small guy has little recourse when up against a big company or a manufacturer in China. We dive into one of the more famous examples of a knock off – the Emeco Navy Chair, explore some of Jason's experience with Prometheus Lights and Beta knock offs, and offer a few ways (both practical and impractical) to fight back. Maker Minute: The Emeco Navy Chair

Jason knows too well the negative impact knock offs can have on a small business. Unfortunately the small guy has little recourse when up against a big company or a manufacturer in China. We dive into one of the more famous examples of a knock off – the Emeco Navy Chair, explore some of Jason's experience with Prometheus Lights and Beta knock offs, and offer a few ways (both practical and impractical) to fight back. Maker Minute: <a href="https://www.emeco.net/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Emeco Navy Chair</a>

Knock Offs

More than 50% of Americans (including Jason &amp; Ben) either work for or own a small business. So everybody: how's it going for you? The future of our country's economy depends on you listening to this episode. Don't let us down. Maker Minute: (just you wait and see).

More than 50% of Americans (including Jason &amp; Ben) either work for or own a small business. So everybody: how's it going for you? The future of our country's economy depends on you listening to this episode. Don't let us down. Maker Minute: (just you wait and see).

Small Business in America

There are Things You Need to Know. And many folks out there don't. Part of it comes down to survival. Part of it comes down to pride. You still don't know how to change a tire? Come on, man. Get it together. In this entirely non-aggressive and not-ranty episode of I'm No Expert, Jason and Ben bemoan the loss of basic knowledge and learning in our society but find hope within the pages of a book for kids. Maker Minute: The Dangerous Book for Boys

There are Things You Need to Know. And many folks out there don't. Part of it comes down to survival. Part of it comes down to pride. You still don't know how to change a tire? Come on, man. Get it together. In this entirely non-aggressive and not-ranty episode of I'm No Expert, Jason and Ben bemoan the loss of basic knowledge and learning in our society but find hope within the pages of a book for kids. Maker Minute: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Book-Boys-Conn-Iggulden/dp/0062208977" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Dangerous Book for Boys</a>

Knowledge is Dead

Embrace your imperfect self! Jason and Ben break down Wabi Sabi, the traditional Japanese aesthetic based on the acceptance of imperfection and transience. Guarantee you start to see it everywhere... Maker Minute: Serge Panchenko

Embrace your imperfect self! Jason and Ben break down Wabi Sabi, the traditional Japanese aesthetic based on the acceptance of imperfection and transience. Guarantee you start to see it everywhere... Maker Minute: <a href="http://www.sergeknives.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Serge Panchenko</a>

Wabi Sabi and the Quest for Imperfection

You can't avoid it, so you might as well embrace it. Jason and Ben talk traditions, tree cutting, Starbucks cup controversy and more. Get yourself into the spirit and don't forget that 15% off Holiday sale Jason's running over at www.darksucks.com. Discount code HOLIDAYME15 gets you savings on a bunch of great gift options. Maker Minute: All of Amazon's seasonal workers.

You can't avoid it, so you might as well embrace it. Jason and Ben talk traditions, tree cutting, Starbucks cup controversy and more. Get yourself into the spirit and don't forget that 15% off Holiday sale Jason's running over at <a href="http://www.darksucks.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.darksucks.com</a>. Discount code HOLIDAYME15 gets you savings on a bunch of great gift options. Maker Minute: All of Amazon's seasonal workers.

Holiday Spirit

What's going on with Foursevens? When are the new lights coming? Jason hears your questions, and he answers them all in turn. Getting prototypes to market is no easy (or fast) business, but when you hear all the updates, upgrades, and plans for the near and far future, the wait will be worth it. Shop Foursevens

What's going on with Foursevens? When are the new lights coming? Jason hears your questions, and he answers them all in turn. Getting prototypes to market is no easy (or fast) business, but when you hear all the updates, upgrades, and plans for the near and far future, the wait will be worth it. <a href="https://darksucks.com/collections/foursevens" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shop Foursevens</a>

Foursevens Update

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The best podcast episodes on Startups. For anyone working in a startup, or anyone interested in the incredible stories behind how people built companies like Instagram, and Facebook. Offering both practical advice and insights, as well as the stories for how many of the biggest startups got to where they are today. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!