Leo Team
Jan 8, 2026
Now that we've got our own podcast in the mix (Mechanical Intelligence, if you haven't checked it out), we got curious: what are other mechanical engineers actually listening to? We hit up Reddit for the unfiltered truth, and these podcasts came up from recommendations by working engineers. They cover aerospace engineering, vehicle development, computational fluid dynamics, high-performance computing, and the broader trends shaping mechanical engineering's future.
In part 1, we covered five podcasts focused on engineering careers, manufacturing, and learning from failures. Now let’s look at shows that explore the cutting edge of engineering technology, including discussions of the best AI CAD software developments, how AI for mechanical engineering is reshaping design workflows and emerging CAD AI tools.
6. Inside Skunk Works
Produced by: Lockheed Martin
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
Inside Skunk Works offers first-hand accounts from the engineers, designers, and test pilots who worked on some of the most legendary aircraft programs in history. The show covers the history of Lockheed Martin's advanced development division, from its founding by Kelly Johnson to its continued work on hypersonics, unmanned systems, and conceptual design.
One standout episode features Bob Gilliland, the first pilot to fly the SR-71 Blackbird. Gilliland had more flight test hours at Mach 3 than any other pilot and was a protégé of Kelly Johnson. He describes what it took to fly an aircraft designed with slide rules and pencils that still holds the speed record for air-breathing aircraft.
The podcast covers the evolution of stealth technology, from early radar cross-section reduction experiments to the development of the F-117 Nighthawk. Episodes explain how Kelly Johnson's successor, Ben Rich, championed the experimental prototypes that made stealth practical, including the Have Blue demonstrator that proved radar signatures could be reduced to previously unimaginable levels.
Season 2 expands into hypersonics (flying faster than Mach 5), conceptual design processes, and rapid prototyping. Engineers explain how Skunk Works approaches problems that seem impossible and why the division maintains Kelly Johnson's famous "14 Rules" for small teams working on classified programs.
For engineers interested in how design constraints drive innovation, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter episodes are particularly valuable. They explain the "battle of the X-planes" between Lockheed and Boeing, and how designing one aircraft to meet the unique requirements of the Air Force, Marines, and Navy pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible.
Episode length: 25-45 minutes
Why engineers recommend it: Primary source material from the people who actually did the work. Unmatched for aerospace history and understanding how legendary programs came together.
7. Omega Tau
Hosts: Markus Völter and Nora Ludewig
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
Omega Tau ran from 2008 to 2023, producing over 400 episodes (350+ in English) that explored science and engineering in remarkable depth. The podcast's tagline was "the closer you look and listen, the more interesting things get," and each episode delivered on that promise.
What made Omega Tau special was Markus Völter's interviewing approach. He has genuine technical expertise but uses questions to guide guests into explaining their work clearly without dumbing it down. Topics ranged from the F-18 and F-22 Raptor (with pilots Jerry Deren and Dan "Animal" Javorsek) to the LHC beam dump design, helicopter testing at Airbus, climate engineering research, and nuclear waste final storage.
If you’re interested in aviation, these episodes are particularly strong. One features an interview covering why certain aircraft designs work, examining everything from the physics of flight to practical manufacturing constraints. Another explores experimental aircraft design with Paulo Iscold, whose Nixus project represents ground-breaking research in aircraft efficiency.
The podcast also covered simulation and computational topics relevant to modern CAD AI development. Episodes examined how engineers use digital tools to model and test designs before building physical prototypes, examining the gap between simulation and reality.
Note: Omega Tau is no longer producing new episodes, but the archive represents one of the best collections of in-depth engineering content ever created. Start with topics that interest you and explore from there.
Episode length: 1-3 hours (deep dives are the norm)
Why engineers recommend it: Unmatched technical depth. Markus asks the questions engineers actually want answered, and guests have time to explain complex topics properly.
8. Unprofessional Engineering
Hosts: James and Luke
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
Unprofessional Engineering ran for seven years and 341 episodes, building a devoted following among engineering students and professionals who appreciated its accessible, entertaining approach to technical topics. Multiple Reddit users mentioned this one fondly when asked for mechanical engineering podcast recommendations.
Hosts James and Luke had chemistry that listeners compared to Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond from Top Gear. They covered everything from bridges and welding fundamentals to the F-22 Raptor's stealth technology, how golf balls are made, the ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition, and a "Companies That Built the World" series featuring Lockheed Martin.
The show positioned itself as "Stuff You Should Know, but for engineering." Episodes broke down complex topics like how aluminum is manufactured, what separates hypercars from supercars, nuclear fusion progress, and the engineering behind aircraft carriers. They also covered career-oriented content like "What is Mechanical Engineering?" and "What is Electrical Engineering?" that helped students understand their options.
What made the show special was its accessibility. Reviews mention nine and ten-year-olds listening and understanding the content, while college engineering students found it kept them excited about engineering "even when the upper division curriculum is trying to beat the excitement out of me." One listener wrote that they became a guest on the show and still think of it fondly years later.
The podcast was entirely self-funded with no sponsors, which gave James and Luke complete creative freedom. In their final episode, they reflected on seven years of podcasting, their favorite and least favorite episodes, and the millions of listens they accumulated.
Note: The show ended in 2023, and unfortunately most episodes have been removed from podcast platforms. Only a handful remain available, but if you can find the archive, it's worth exploring.
Episode length: 30-40 minutes
Why engineers recommend it: Accessible explanations of engineering topics delivered with genuine enthusiasm and humor. Perfect for sparking interest in STEM or enjoying engineering content during a commute.
9. The Neil Ashton Podcast
Host: Dr. Neil Ashton (NVIDIA Distinguished CAE Architect, formerly AWS)
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
Neil Ashton is at the center of the CAD AI and computational engineering world. He worked in Formula 1 with the Lotus team (now Alpine), contributed to the 2021 F1 technical regulations, led computational engineering strategy at AWS, and now works as a Distinguished CAE Architect at NVIDIA. His podcast brings together elite engineers from F1, cycling, aerospace, and academia.
The show focuses on CFD, machine learning, and high-performance computing. Recent episodes have explored foundational models in fluid dynamics (examining whether AI can predict fluid behavior), GPU acceleration for CFD simulations, and the evolution of AI adoption in engineering organizations.
One particularly valuable episode features Dr. Chris Rumsey from NASA Langley Research Center, one of the leading voices in CFD and turbulence modeling. They discuss verification and validation in turbulence modeling, the role of machine learning in advancing high-lift prediction, and the path toward certification by analysis (reducing the cost of aircraft certification through simulation).
Another features Professor Jack Dongarra, inventor of the LINPACK library still used to benchmark the Top 500 supercomputers and a key figure in the creation of MPI (Message Passing Interface). They discuss the challenges and opportunities in high-performance computing and what the future holds for engineering simulation.
The show also covers F1 in technical depth. Nikolas Tombazis, former head of single-seater matters at the FIA and now Chief Technical Officer, discusses the evolution of aerodynamics in F1, the role of CFD versus wind tunnel technology, and how teams balance technology with entertainment value.
For engineers evaluating best AI CAD software options or trying to understand how AI for mechanical engineering will evolve, this podcast provides insights from people actively building these tools.
Episode length: 45-90 minutes
Why engineers recommend it: Direct access to the people shaping the future of computational engineering. Neil's background means guests share technical details they might hold back elsewhere.
10. Impulse to Innovation (IMechE)
Host: Dr. Helen Meese
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) produced this monthly podcast from 2020 to 2024, covering engineering topics from a UK and global perspective. Hosted by Chartered Engineer Dr. Helen Meese, each episode featured news, interviews, and discussions relevant to mechanical engineers worldwide.
The show covered emerging technologies like quantum engineering (explaining how quantum mechanics is becoming a practical engineering field, with applications from quantum-dot TVs to quantum-enhanced encryption), virtual and augmented reality in engineering (with Prof. Roy Kalawsky discussing 30 years of VR/AR development and its impact on industry), and service robotics and cobots (exploring how these machines will work alongside humans in manufacturing and homes).
Other episodes addressed practical career topics: engineering workforce challenges, essential management skills for young engineers, and the T-level qualification for 16-year-olds entering technical careers.
The Formula Student episode, recorded live at Silverstone, captures what makes competitive engineering education effective. Helen spoke with teams, judges, and sponsors about what separates winning teams and why thousands of students compete each year.
For engineers interested in the NHS's net zero commitments, one episode features Dr. Nick Watts, Chief Sustainability Officer, explaining how engineering is driving sustainable healthcare technology adoption.
Note: The podcast concluded in December 2024 after 51 episodes, but the archive remains valuable. Helen Meese signed off by noting the show had reached listeners in 109 countries.
Episode length: 30-45 minutes
Why engineers recommend it: Broad coverage of mechanical engineering topics from a professional institution perspective. Good for staying current on industry trends and policy discussions.
Honorable Mentions
These Podcasts were also mentioned, and we think you should also check them out:
DeviceTalks – Essential for medical device engineers. Covers MedTech industry news, regulatory topics, and features leaders from companies like Abbott, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic. Listen on Spotify
Beers with Engineers – Hosted by Bert Uschold from Dexterity Engineering in the Boston area. Engineers discuss work and life over a cold one. More casual than most engineering podcasts, but full of practical wisdom from experienced professionals. Listen Spotify
**The Race F1 Tech Show :**If you want to understand how aerodynamics and vehicle engineering work at the highest level, The Race F1 Tech Show is the podcast. The show covers F1 car development in technical detail so if you’re a fan you get access to genuine F1 engineering expertise.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
FAQ
What's the best podcast for understanding AI in CAD and mechanical engineering?
The Neil Ashton Podcast offers the most direct coverage of CAD AI and AI for mechanical engineering. Neil interviews the people building these tools and discusses both current capabilities and future directions. The Engineered Mind (covered in Part 1) also covers AI/ML in simulation extensively.
Which podcast is best for aerospace engineering?
Inside Skunk Works provides unmatched first-hand accounts from aerospace history. For more technical aerospace content, Omega Tau's archive includes deep dives on specific aircraft, propulsion systems, and aerospace engineering topics.
Are there any podcasts about CFD and simulation?
The Neil Ashton Podcast focuses heavily on CFD, HPC, and machine learning for simulation. The Engineered Mind also covers CFD, FEA, and computational methods regularly. The Race F1 Tech Show discusses CFD in the context of F1 car development.
Which podcast is best for Formula 1 engineering?
The Neil Ashton Podcast features F1 engineers and discusses F1 aerodynamics and regulations. Neil worked with the Lotus F1 team and contributed to the 2021 F1 technical regulations, so he brings genuine insider perspective to discussions of vehicle aerodynamics and computational methods in motorsport.
What's the most accessible engineering podcast for beginners or kids?
Unprofessional Engineering was specifically designed to make engineering topics understandable and entertaining for everyone. Reviews mention children as young as nine listening and understanding the content. Unfortunately, the show ended in 2023 and most episodes have been removed, but any archived episodes you can find are worth listening to.
How long are typical episodes?
It varies significantly. Unprofessional Engineering and Impulse to Innovation typically run 30-45 minutes. Inside Skunk Works episodes are 25-45 minutes. Omega Tau and The Neil Ashton Podcast often run 1-2 hours for more in-depth discussions.
Are these podcasts free?
Yes, all podcasts listed are free on major platforms (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.). Some offer bonus content through Patreon, but main episodes are always free.
The Reality of AI in Mechanical Engineering
These podcasts reveal an important truth about AI for mechanical engineering: the technology is advancing rapidly, but practical application requires understanding both the possibilities and limitations.
The engineers interviewed on these shows describe AI tools that accelerate specific tasks (like CFD post-processing, toolpath generation, or part search) while emphasizing that AI doesn't replace engineering judgment. The best AI CAD software augments human expertise rather than trying to automate entire design processes.
For engineering teams evaluating CAD AI options, the podcasts above provide valuable context. They help separate marketing hype from genuine capability and offer frameworks for thinking about where AI fits into engineering workflows.
One More Thing
If you're looking for AI that actually helps mechanical engineers work faster, Leo AI is the engineering copilot used by over 60,000 engineers at companies like HP, Scania, Intel, and Elbit. Engineers using Leo report 34% reduction in design errors, 32% increase in part reuse, and 5-7 hours saved per engineer per week.
