The ProtoPod podcast has launched its third season, continuing its exploration of innovation, engineering, and the future of manufacturing. Hosted by Jordan Rose of Protocase, the show examines how software, automation, and advanced systems are accelerating the transformation of ideas into physical products.
Season 3 builds on 37 previous episodes, focusing on critical themes reshaping modern engineering. These include increasing velocity in product development, the convergence of software and hardware, lessons from next-generation technology company founders, and the rise of physically intelligent systems and digital design tools. The season aims to provide engineers, innovators, and business leaders with practical insights into moving breakthrough technologies from concept to reality.
"Engineering and product development are entering a new era where software, automation, and advanced systems are accelerating how quickly ideas can become real things in the physical world," said host Jordan Rose. "ProtoPod exists to explore that shift. Season 3 is about talking with the people building this future."
The guest lineup includes founders and technical leaders working at innovation's edge. Issac Hicks of Autonomi, Steven Gay and Jakub Cech of Mode Maison, Jim Jarvis of the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association, Jarrod Barker of RealSimGear, Karthik Gollapudi of Sift, Fernando Romero of Iron Age Audioworks, and Caleb Vainikka of Cove Design will share their experiences. Additional guests will be announced throughout the season.
Guests emphasized the importance of bridging digital and physical realms. "In the not-too-distant future, product creation will be fully digital and automated, but today there are still gaps in understanding physical systems," said Steven Gay, Co-Founder and CEO of Mode Maison. His company is acquiring data to reimagine the manufacturing stack.
Karthik Gollapudi, Co-Founder and CEO of Sift, highlighted the convergence trend. "We started Sift to help companies build the next generation of machines, making science fiction a reality," he said. "The path forward is closing the gap between hardware and software. As these worlds converge, real-time understanding becomes essential. Sift provides the intelligence layer that bridges them quickly, safely, and at scale."
The podcast explores aerospace, robotics, advanced manufacturing, and hardware startups. It is available in audio and video formats on platforms including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Protocase, the company behind the podcast, provides custom electronic enclosures and employs a High Velocity Mass Custom (HVMC™) rapid manufacturing process to help engineers bring ideas to life efficiently.
