# Episode 318: Remembering Aaron

- Show: [Making It](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it)
- Published: 2021-08-13
- Length: 47m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-08-13-episode-318-remembering-aaron
- Listen: https://making-it-with-jimmy-diresta-bob-clagett-and-david-picciuto.castos.com/episodes/episode-318-remembering-aaron

## Summary

Jimmy Diresta, host of Making It, eulogizes his assistant and friend Aaron Mattia, who recently passed away, detailing Aaron's journey from a disillusioned Mythbusters crew member to a vital part of Diresta's workshop community. The conversation highlights Aaron's selfless nature, his technical expertise with CNC and injection molding equipment, and his role as a 'shop manager' who anticipated needs and organized the workspace. Diresta shares specific anecdotes about Aaron's dedication, including a forklift accident that tested their relationship, and reflects on the importance of the maker community in providing support for those struggling with personal challenges.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-08-13-episode-318-remembering-aaron#t=1) Introduction: Announcing the loss of Aaron Mattia
- [0:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-08-13-episode-318-remembering-aaron#t=46) The timeline of Aaron's final days and hospitalization
- [0:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-08-13-episode-318-remembering-aaron#t=46) Aaron's background: Mythbusters, Marine Corps, and moving to East Durham
- [0:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-08-13-episode-318-remembering-aaron#t=46) Aaron's work ethic: Anticipating needs, organizing the shop, and 'third hand' role
- [25:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-08-13-episode-318-remembering-aaron#t=1501) The forklift accident: Dropping a machine and the lesson on trust
- [35:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-08-13-episode-318-remembering-aaron#t=2100) The maker community as family and support system
- [44:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-08-13-episode-318-remembering-aaron#t=2655) Conclusion: Aaron's calculated move and legacy of service

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mythbusters (product)
- CNC (tool)
- Harbor Freight (company)
- Best Buy (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [333: Project Purgatory](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-06-04-333-project-purgatory) (Embedded.fm)
- [STL327: Live from Woodworking In America](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2024-10-18-stl327-live-from-woodworking-in-america) (Shop Talk Live)
- [The 10 Most Memorable Moments from the First 100 Episodes of Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-07-19-the-10-most-memorable-moments-from-the-first-100-episodes-of-manufacturing-happy) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [STL342: What We Wish We Knew](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/shop-talk-live/2025-05-30-stl342-what-we-wish-we-knew) (Shop Talk Live)
- [CNC, Hip Hop, and Turning Manufacturers into Heroes with Tony Gunn](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-09-07-cnc-hip-hop-and-turning-manufacturers-into-heroes-with-tony-gunn) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-08-13-episode-318-remembering-aaron. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Making It.