Advertise on podcast: Building Better with Brandon Bartneck

In this solo episode of Building Better, I explore a pattern I see everywhere. In engineering, in leadership, and in life. Most systems are built sequentially. One decision at a time. One optimization at a time. One fix after another. That approach works. It is safe. It prevents disasters. But it rarely produces truly great outcomes. Using product development and APQP as a starting point, I contrast sequential design with parallel processing. Learning late versus pulling understanding forward. Optimizing parts versus optimizing the system. I then zoom out beyond engineering to show how the same pattern shows up in home projects, health, parenting, and how we design our lives and organizations. This episode is about capability, foresight, and the difference between reacting your way to “good enough” and designing for something better from the start. Music credit Slow Burn by Kevin MacLeod

This is my annual reflection episode. In it, I walk through how 2025 forced me to get much clearer about purpose, obligation, and the kind of work I feel called to do. That clarity brought meaning, but it also raised the bar and the weight I feel as a leader. I talk through how this showed up professionally in manufacturing and leadership, what I’ve been wrestling with personally, and the resources that helped guide me through the year, including foundational thinking around work and leadership, and an unexpected influence from music. This episode isn’t a conclusion. It’s a snapshot of where my head was in 2025 and how I’m entering 2026. Topics covered Purpose and obligationWhat it means to live a good life and a good professional lifeApplying gifts in service of othersWhy niche, legacy manufacturing is where I believe I can have the greatest impactLeadership, burden, and responsibilityLiving with obligation without becoming a martyrFoundational thinking around work, roles, and levels of abstractionThe limits of pure rationalityMusic as a way to access meaning, mastery, and emotional truthArtists and work that shaped my thinking in 2025Entering 2026 with clarity but without a fully defined path Music Credit: Slow Burn by Kevin MacLeod

In this solo episode, I explore a question that’s been on my mind for a long time: what actually separates an adequate leader from a good one, and a good one from a great one? I use football as an analogy, not to glorify sports leadership clichés, but to illustrate a distinction that shows up everywhere. In business. In manufacturing. In engineering. In organizations that win once, versus those that win consistently. An adequate leader operates at the tactical level. They make good decisions in the moment. They motivate. They call decent plays. They can win games with the right inputs. A good leader operates at the strategic level. They game plan. They understand matchups. They align tactics to strengths and weaknesses. They win more often. But the leaders who succeed year after year are doing something fundamentally different. They are designing systems. Using the Michigan Wolverines’ path to the 2023 national championship as a concrete example, I break down how Jim Harbaugh and his staff stopped optimizing plays and started optimizing the entire organization around a clear objective. Recruiting. Strength training. Scheme. Coaching roles. Player profiles. Even quarterback selection. Everything was designed to work together toward a specific outcome. This episode is about leadership as organizational design. About why “great people” alone are not enough. About why the right person in the wrong system still fails. And about the leader’s real job: creating a structure where people can exercise judgment, take ownership, and succeed without constant direction. This is a working hypothesis, not a manifesto. But it’s one I believe matters deeply for anyone responsible for building teams, systems, and results that last. Building Better with Brandon Bartneck explores what it means to build—better companies, better systems, and better lives. Through conversations and reflections, Brandon digs into the principles that drive growth, purpose, and meaningful work. Music credit: Slow Burn – Kevin MacLeod

In this solo episode, Brandon breaks down one of the most overlooked drivers of team performance: a leader’s ability to understand the true nature of the work their function is responsible for. Most leaders want high performance and a great environment, but few achieve it. Brandon argues that the root cause isn’t effort, tactics, or leadership style, it’s a fundamental misunderstanding of the function, the type of thinking required for the work, and the capabilities of the people doing it. He unpacks why environments get overwhelmed and inconsistent, why the usual fixes don’t work, and why two failure modes (overwhelmed people in roles that are too big for them, and high-capability people stuck in roles that are too small) destroy momentum and culture. Brandon shares why leaders must define their function’s true responsibility, break down the real cognitive demands of the work, and understand their people at a deeper level. This is the foundation that makes every other leadership practice actually work. Topics Covered• Why overwhelm and inconsistency are symptoms, not causes• The real responsibility of a function inside a business• How leaders collapse different kinds of thinking into “tasks”• Why some people drown and others suffocate• How to define, scope, and assign work correctly• Why capability alignment is the foundation of great culture• What leaders must understand to develop people effectively Connect with BrandonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonbartneck Music CreditIntro and outro music – Slow Burn – Kevin MacLeod Subscribe & FollowApple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

This solo episode is about a question that sits at the center of my work and my life. What is real impact. Not the buzzword. The kind that actually changes the direction of someone’s life. I break down impact from first principles. What it is. How you create it. Why it is more than reach or scale. Impact comes from the quality of what you are doing, the number of people you touch, the depth of the change, the duration of that change, and the way that change moves through other people over time. I also talk through the three ways impact shows up in practice. Direct service to real people. The formation and development of people around you. And building systems, structures, and institutions that keep working long after you stop touching them. From there, I get into how to choose a domain that actually moves the needle. You need to be working on something that touches human flourishing. You need leverage through people or systems. It has to fit your real comparative advantage. And it has to be neglected enough that your effort actually matters. That lens points somewhere most people overlook. The industrial base. Manufacturing. Real operations with real humans and real constraints. A place that shapes the daily lives of millions of people, that has been underserved for decades, and that is full of leverage for someone who can think abstractly and also build in the physical world. I share why I believe this is where my gifts can do the most good. Not as a rationalization, but as the conclusion of a first principles analysis of where impact actually comes from. If you are wrestling with meaning, purpose, or where to direct your best effort, this episode should give you something to think about. Building Better with Brandon Bartneck explores what it means to build better companies, better systems, and better lives. Through conversations and reflections, Brandon digs into the principles that drive growth, purpose, and meaningful work. Music credit: Slow Burn – Kevin MacLeod

Most conversations about work-life balance start with the wrong question. We assume the goal is to limit work, to keep it from taking too much of our lives. So we optimize for time, energy, and boundaries, all while treating work as something to manage or escape. In this solo episode, Brandon challenges that premise. He steps back to ask a more fundamental question: What is work actually for? Brandon explores how work can serve as both a platform for growth and a vehicle for contribution. It's one of the few arenas where we can test our capabilities, develop judgment, and apply our gifts in ways that genuinely help others. He shares why fulfillment doesn’t come from balance or hours worked, but from alignment — integrating work, family, and personal development into a single system aimed at growth, love, and service. This isn’t a prescription. It’s an exploration into what it means to live and work well. Why “work-life balance” starts from the wrong assumption Defining the real problem: what role work plays in a life well lived How work creates the feedback loops that drive capability and maturity The connection between growth, love, and contribution How alignment replaces balance as the goal Why work is something to steward, not escape “Work isn’t something to balance against life. It’s one of the primary ways we learn how to live it.” If this episode sparks reflection — or disagreement — Brandon would love to hear from you.Reach out on LinkedIn or at buildingbetterpod.com. Building Better with Brandon Bartneck explores what it means to build. Better companies, better systems, and better lives. Through conversations and reflections, Brandon digs into the principles that drive growth, purpose, and meaningful work. Music credit: Slow Burn - Kevin MacLeod

What does it take to build a business that isn’t just profitable today, but valuable, resilient, and meaningful over the long term? In this episode, I sit down with Scott Snider, President of the Exit Planning Institute (EPI). Scott and his team work with advisors across the country to help business owners align their business, personal, and financial goals—not just to prepare for a future exit, but to live better as an owner right now. We cover: Why exit planning is less about a transaction and more about designing a good life. The generational differences in how Baby Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials think about success, meaning, and legacy. Why 75% of owners regret selling their business—and how to avoid being one of them. The “four Cs” of decentralizing a business beyond the founder: human, customer, structural, and cultural capital. How to find and lean into your company’s true competitive advantage. The range of exit paths—from PE firms and ETA (entrepreneurship through acquisition) to employee buyouts and family transitions. Scott also shares his own leadership journey scaling EPI, and the lessons he’s drawn from reshaping culture, vision, and values inside his own company. If you’re a founder, executive, or advisor navigating questions of value, succession, and legacy—this one is worth your time. Resources Mentioned: Exit Planning Institute: earncepa.com Owner Readiness research: ownerreadiness.com

In this episode, I’m joined by Ali Kashani, Co-Founder and CEO of Serve Robotics. Serve is pioneering autonomous sidewalk delivery at scale—with hundreds of robots already operating in major U.S. cities and thousands more on the way. Ali and I dive into the complexity of autonomy: the technical challenges, the economics, the regulatory and consumer adoption hurdles, and the leadership required to make sense of it all. He shares how Serve is approaching innovation, why their technology and go-to-market path is unique, and what it takes to attract, empower, and retain world-class talent in such a fast-moving space. We also talk about the bigger picture—why last-mile delivery has lagged so far behind other logistics revolutions, and why the sidewalk may hold the key to a generational leap in productivity and sustainability. About Ali KashaniAli Kashani is the Co-Founder and CEO of Serve Robotics, the leading autonomous sidewalk delivery company. He previously co-founded and led robotics efforts at Postmates, which was later acquired by Uber, before spinning out Serve as an independent company in 2021. Under Ali’s leadership, Serve has scaled to one of the largest fleets of urban delivery robots in the world and became a publicly traded company in 2023. Ali is a repeat entrepreneur with a deep background in AI and robotics, and he has been a leading voice on the future of autonomy, urban mobility, and responsible AI deployment. Connect with Ali LinkedIn: Ali Kashani Serve Robotics: serverobotics.com Connect with Me LinkedIn: Brandon Bartneck Podcast: Building Better with Brandon Bartneck PJ Wallbank Springs: pjws.com Edison Manufacturing & Engineering: edison-mfg.com

In this episode, I’m joined by Drew Allen, President & CEO of Grace Technologies. Grace is a family business built on innovation in electrical safety and predictive maintenance, and Drew has carried that forward—shaping the company into a leader in industrial technology and workplace safety. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation. Drew shares the story of Grace’s evolution from a single-product company to a broad portfolio serving the world’s most advanced manufacturers. We dig into his approach to innovation, leadership, and attracting top talent. And we explore the balance between listening to customers and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Drew also shares candid lessons from leading a family business, building high-performance teams, and staying deeply involved as a CEO while empowering his people to deliver. This one blends product, culture, and leadership in a way that I think will resonate with anyone building and leading in manufacturing. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Grace Technologies grew from a single product to five complementary product lines Why customer-driven innovation and quick iteration often beat “pure R&D” The importance of purpose, selection bias, and A-players in building a great culture Drew’s philosophy on leadership—balancing involvement with empowerment How to attract and retain top talent by being specific about what makes your company unique The role of energy infrastructure in U.S. competitiveness and industrial growth About Drew AllenDrew Allen is President & CEO of Grace Technologies Inc., a pioneer in electrical safety and predictive maintenance, consistently ranked as one of Iowa’s Top Workplaces. He also founded Maple Studios, the first venture studio in eastern Iowa, and serves on advisory boards for Atom Power, Proxxi, and YPO Iowa. Drew led the acquisition of Civionics Inc. (now Percēv) and received the National Association of Manufacturers’ Next-Generation Leadership Award in 2020. Connect with Drew LinkedIn: Drew Allen Grace Technologies: graceport.com Email: [email protected]

In this solo episode, Brandon unpacks a challenge he sees everywhere — in his own work, at PJ Wallbank Springs, and in the broader world of leadership and business. The tension between attention and depth. It’s easy to get attention without substance. It’s also possible to have real substance without anyone noticing. But if you want to make a lasting impact, you need both. Brandon explores why that balance is so difficult to achieve, and why ignoring either side limits your reach and influence. He shares an unexpected example from Lupe Fiasco’s Kick, Push — a song that works on the surface as a catchy, joyful story, but rewards the listener who digs deeper. It’s a case study in the “Trojan horse” approach: earning attention in a way that opens the door for real substance. If you’re leading teams, building products, telling your company’s story, or simply trying to make your work matter, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how to bridge the gap between flash and foundation. Topics Covered: Why attention and depth often feel like they’re in conflict How depth without visibility limits your impact The “Trojan horse” concept and why it works Lessons from Lupe Fiasco’s Kick, Push Applying this balance in leadership, engineering, and business Why earning attention isn’t self-promotion — it’s part of the work Links & Resources:Learn more about PJ Wallbank Springs: https://pjws.comLearn more about Edison: https://edison-mfg.comShow notes and full episodes: https://brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetterFollow the podcast:Apple Podcasts

The automotive aftermarket often flies under the radar—but it plays a major role in advancing engineering, manufacturing, and performance. In this episode, Mike Spagnola, President & CEO of SEMA and PRI, joins me to explore how the specialty automotive sector is driving innovation across ICE, hybrid, EV, hydrogen, and beyond. We dive into how SEMA supports manufacturers with hands-on product development, CAD data, vehicle scanning, emissions testing, and ADAS calibration. Mike also shares his perspective on regulatory trends, technology-neutral advocacy, and what makes the SEMA Show such a powerful platform for connection and growth. If you care about how products actually get developed—and how small and mid-size companies are building the future of transportation—this conversation is for you. About MikeMike Spagnola is the President & CEO of SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) and PRI (Performance Racing Industry). Before stepping into this leadership role, Mike built and sold multiple companies in the automotive aftermarket, led product development efforts, and served on SEMA’s board. He’s a hands-on car guy who understands the needs of manufacturers, retailers, regulators, and racers alike. About SEMASEMA is a nonprofit trade association that supports over 7,000 member companies across the automotive aftermarket. From CAD access and regulatory guidance to emissions labs and the world-renowned SEMA Show, their mission is to help small and mid-sized companies grow and compete globally. Key Topics: What the automotive aftermarket actually is—and why it matters SEMA Garages and how they help manufacturers develop, test, and certify products Navigating CARB, EPA, and emissions compliance for performance parts Why access to CAD data and pre-release vehicles is a game changer What happens to ADAS systems when you modify ride height, tires, or wrap a car How SEMA advocates for a technology-neutral approach (ICE, hybrid, EV, hydrogen) Behind the scenes of the SEMA Show—and what success really looks like The real impact of aftermarket innovation on the transportation ecosystem Chapters: Mike’s Background and Passion for the Industry What SEMA Is and Who They Support How the SEMA Garages Enable Product Development Navigating Emissions Compliance and CARB Regulations ADAS Technology, Vehicle Modification, and Future Standards Protecting the Industry Through Advocacy and Education The SEMA Show and What Makes It Work Closing Reflections on Innovation, Community, and Impact

In this solo episode, Brandon reflects on a recurring theme in his work and leadership journey. The increasing presence of uncomfortable, ambiguous, and high-stakes problems. He explores how the most meaningful work often comes with the most discomfort, and why learning to sit with that tension is both necessary and worthwhile. This isn’t a glorification of pain for its own sake. It’s about the real cost, and real opportunity, that comes with doing work that matters. Brandon draws parallels between leadership and parenting, discusses the danger of ego-driven ambition, and makes the case for a third path: learning to genuinely enjoy the discomfort that comes with deep, purposeful work. If you're navigating difficult challenges, leading teams, or simply trying to do something meaningful with your career, this episode is for you. Topics Covered: The difference between technical problems and leadership problems Why deeper impact often brings more ambiguity and pain The trap of surface-level productivity Ego-driven work vs. purpose-driven work How parenting offers a model for enduring discomfort with joy The mindset shift required to find meaning in difficult work Why this tension sits at the core of leadership and contribution Links & Resources: Learn more about PJ Wallbank Springs: pjws.com Learn more about Edison: edison-mfg.com Show notes and full episodes: https://brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/262-2/ Follow the podcast: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Welding isn’t just sparks and heat—it’s an essential (and often misunderstood) part of modern manufacturing. In this conversation, Ami Spira, General Manager of Civan Lasers USA, joins me to talk about the state of the art in welding technology and why laser welding is making such a big impact. We cover how different welding methods work, what makes laser welding unique, and why Civan’s dynamic beam shaping enables new capabilities that weren’t possible before. We also dig into the engineering behind keyhole formation, melt pool control, and how to join dissimilar materials like aluminum and copper without compromising strength or conductivity. If you're designing or building physical products, there's a lot to take away here. This isn’t surface-level talk. It’s a deep dive into the physics, materials science, and decision-making that go into modern manufacturing—and the cool engineering work that’s pushing it forward. About AmiAmi Spira is the General Manager of Civan Lasers USA. He’s been with the company for over seven years, previously leading marketing and business development efforts before taking on the US leadership role in early 2024. Ami’s background spans B2B photonics, law, and business, but what stands out is how clearly he understands both the technical and strategic side of building something meaningful. About Civan LasersCivan Lasers is pioneering Dynamic Beam Laser (DBL) technology, making it possible to weld thick and complex materials with speed, precision, and control. Their high-power, single-mode lasers with programmable beam shaping are enabling new possibilities in manufacturing, from automotive to aerospace to additive. WebsiteLinkedIn Key Takeaways Traditional welding methods (like arc welding and MIG/TIG) are still widely used, but they have limitations in precision and speed. Laser welding uses a highly concentrated stream of photons to deliver fast, precise joins with minimal heat-affected zones. Dynamic beam shaping allows engineers to tailor the weld geometry, reduce defects, and join dissimilar or difficult materials. Laser welding is unlocking new possibilities for materials like high-strength aluminum, diecast alloys, and copper-aluminum connections. The ability to control the melt pool and keyhole in real-time is critical for quality and repeatability. Manufacturing and design go hand-in-hand. Engineers who understand welding limitations can design better, more efficient parts. Advances in automation and AI are reshaping how welding processes are developed, optimized, and executed. Real innovation doesn’t just happen in new product design—it’s alive and well in how we build things, too. Chapters Intro to Laser Welding and Civan's Role Welding Basics: Arc, Friction, and Laser Challenges of Material Properties and Dissimilar Joins What Makes Dynamic Beam Shaping Unique How Lasers Penetrate Thick Sections with Precision Design for Manufacturing: Why Welding Considerations Matter Diecasting, AI, and What’s Next for Welding Innovation Reflections on the Role of Engineering in Building the Future

What’s the point of innovation? In this solo episode, Brandon Bartneck reflects on what innovation actually means—and why the version we celebrate most (flashy tech, hype cycles, moonshots) often misses the point. Drawing from personal experience at Boeing, Bose, and multiple advanced tech sectors, Brandon shares why he’s now more energized leading engineering at a spring company than he’s ever been before. This isn’t innovation theater. It’s real work, with real people, solving hard problems that actually matter. Brandon breaks down his first-principles approach to innovation:• Make things better for people, especially operators• Advance the manufacturing ecosystem, particularly in overlooked small/mid-sized companies• Contribute to long-term economic value through a sustainable moat Along the way, he explores the difference between adding technology vs. creating value, why simple gravity-fed solutions might beat flashy automation, and what real engineering fulfillment looks like in practice. This is a grounded, honest take on innovation from someone who’s lived both ends of the spectrum—and now knows exactly where the magic really is. Key Takeaways: Innovation isn’t about headlines or hype. It’s about solving meaningful problems. True innovation starts with knowing what you're optimizing for. Real-world engineering constraints sharpen creativity and impact. Flashy tech can be a distraction. Simpler, thoughtful solutions often win. Innovation should create value for people, companies, and communities—not just press releases. There’s deep fulfillment in solving problems others overlook. Links & Resources: More episodes Connect with Brandon Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify

Big innovation doesn’t always mean big headlines. Sometimes it looks like improving how 5.5 million students get to school every day. In this episode of Building Better, Brandon Bartneck talks with Sean McCormack, Chief Information Officer at First Student. They dive into the challenges of routing 45,000 school buses, the role of AI and EVs in improving safety and sustainability, and why “user-centric design” means something very different when your user is a bus driver in the dark at 6am. Sean brings a refreshing perspective on product development and leadership. He talks about real-world agile development—not the buzzword version—and what it means to test, learn, and iterate when people’s lives are at stake. They also explore the difference between flashy products and meaningful work, and how the most rewarding engineering problems often live in overlooked corners of our world. About Sean McCormackSean McCormack is CIO at First Student, where he leads digital strategy, technical operations, and innovation. Prior to joining First Student, he served as VP of Engineering at W.W. Grainger and CTO at Harley-Davidson, where he launched connected vehicle programs and led product innovation. His background spans enterprise architecture, e-commerce, and systems integration across global organizations. About First StudentFirst Student is the leading provider of K–12 transportation in North America. Every day, they help 5.5 million students get to school safely across 45,000 buses. Recognized as one of Fast Company’s 2025 Most Innovative Companies, First Student delivers a wide range of services including special needs transportation, route optimization, EV transition, fleet maintenance, and more. Key Takeaways Safety—not efficiency—is the top priority in school transportation Technology like AI cameras and EVs are improving both safety and cost long term Agile development and real-world testing are essential for effective product development Listening to end users—especially drivers—is critical for designing tools that actually work There’s massive opportunity in solving “unsexy” problems that others overlook Links & Resources Learn more: firststudentinc.com Follow First Student: LinkedIn Show Notes: brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/seanmccormack Listen & Subscribe Apple Podcasts Spotify