Advertise on podcast: The Manufacturing Employer

Tracy Lovejoy, Co-CEO of Catalyst Constellations and co-author of "Move Fast, Break Shit, Burn Out," joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss the vital role of catalysts within manufacturing organizations. Tracy explains how these change agents connect dots, challenge the status quo and drive innovation—but also why they can burn out without the right support.

Eric Margheim, founder and CEO of BeThere Immersive, joins The Manufacturing Employer to explore how immersive technology is transforming recruitment, onboarding and training for manufacturers. Drawing on his experience pioneering VR 2.0, Eric discusses the “experience gap” that often leads to mismatched hires and high turnover. He shares how realistic, accessible virtual reality experiences—capturing the actual sights and sounds of the shop floor—help boost retention and accelerate learning.

Glenn Bostock, Founder and CEO of SnapCab, joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss why continuous improvement starts with people, not just processes. Drawing on more than 40 years of experience building SnapCab from a small cabinet shop to an international manufacturer, Glenn shares how caring, kindness, and psychological safety drive performance and innovation. He shares how surfacing mistakes is rewarded at SnapCab, why radical caring forms the foundation for growth and how businesses thrive by focusing on usefulness over profit.

Dave Hataj, owner and president of Edgerton Gear, joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss how mentorship and character-building can transform lives through the skilled trades. Drawing on his experience and his work founding the "Craftsman with Character" program, Dave shares why manufacturing is about much more than technical skills—it’s about instilling responsibility, dignity and purpose in the next generation. The conversation explores overcoming negative perceptions of blue-collar work, the critical role of mentorship, and how manufacturers can build a sustainable talent pipeline by investing in both character and community.

Georgina Woodley, Chief Insight Officer at Custology Insights and creator of the Human Energy Intelligence framework, joins The Manufacturing Employer to explore the power of invisible human factors in manufacturing workplaces. Georgina shares why traditional engagement efforts often miss the mark, and how leaders can better recognize and respond to hidden stress, declining energy and emotional dynamics before they impact productivity or retention. She shares practical strategies for measuring team energy, fostering joy and creating conditions where people consistently bring their best. Find more information on Joy-O-Meter here: https://www.custology-insights.com/joy-o-meter Access Joy Lift: 7 Pathways to Unleash More Joy here: https://www.the-transformation-initiative.com/joy-lift

Grace Wright, VP of Innovation at Gorilla 76, joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss leading teams through AI-driven change with a focus on people and process. Drawing from her own career journey, Grace discusses the importance of adapting to uncertainty, building trust around new technology and keeping human expertise at the core of transformation. She shares the thinking behind Gorilla’s "People Policy", her approach to scaling AI adoption across teams and why the winning companies will be those that prioritize learning, transparency and empowering employees to drive innovation.

Amanda Aschinger, co-founder and CEO of Solstice Productions, joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss how manufacturers can revamp process documentation to improve onboarding, training and retention. Amanda discusses why traditional, text-heavy manuals fall short and how modular, video-based systems offer a more accessible and engaging approach. The conversation explores practical steps for getting started, keeping documentation up-to-date and embedding company culture into training for long-term success.

Ben Tasker, a nationally recognized leader in AI education and workforce transformation, discusses how manufacturers can move from anxiety about AI to measurable impact. Ben shares strategies for building AI fluency, rethinking upskilling and taking a systems-based approach rather than chasing tools. The conversation covers practical use cases for AI on the manufacturing floor, why responsible change management is critical and how human skills remain invaluable in this new era.

Nicole Riehl, President and CEO of Executive Partnerships to Invest in Children (EPIC), joins The Manufacturing Employer to reframe childcare as a critical workforce infrastructure issue, not just an employee perk. She discusses the hidden costs of childcare challenges, and how manufacturers can address absenteeism and turnover linked to them. She shares actionable strategies including flexible scheduling, stipends and community resources, and explains how even incremental changes can yield strong ROI in recruitment, retention and productivity.

Paul Sippil, a forensic 401k consultant, joins The Manufacturing Employer to reveal the hidden costs and pitfalls lurking in many manufacturers’ retirement plans. Drawing on decades of auditing and advisory experience, Paul explains how excessive and undisclosed fees quietly erode employee savings and trust. He breaks down common misconceptions, the risks of undetected conflicts of interest, and why transparency and detailed invoicing are essential for both owners and employees.

Shalin Jyotishi, founder of New America's Future of Work and Innovation Economy Initiative, joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss talent-pipeline challenges in manufacturing. He shares misconceptions about manufacturing careers, the urgent need to modernize work-based learning and the importance of employer investment in workforce development. The conversation explores practical steps for building strong partnerships with educators, the potential of MEPs and youth apprenticeships, and highlights some of the programs making a difference today.

Susan Taah, occupational health consultant and founder of Work Factor, joins The Manufacturing Employer to examine how things like chronic illnesses, fatigue, mental health and heat stress are impacting today's industrial workforce. Susan shares why traditional wellness programs often fall short and highlights practical, data-driven strategies for embedding health initiatives within operations. The conversation explores the financial impact of chronic disease, the competitive edge of supporting employee well-being, and the pivotal role of frontline supervisors in influencing workplace culture and retention.

Ray Reader, strategist at Gorilla 76, joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss why marketing and HR must collaborate to attract and retain talent. Ray explains how authentic employer branding and employee stories help manufacturers stand out. The conversation offers actionable steps for building a strong employer brand and driving better hiring results.

Hanna Hasl-Kelchner, award-winning author and workplace fairness expert, joins The Manufacturing Employer to explore what fairness really means in a modern manufacturing plant. Drawing on decades of business law and social psychology experience, Hanna reveals why fairness is so crucial for employee engagement and retention, and how unwritten workplace rules quietly undermine both. She explains the social contract between employers and employees, offers practical ways leaders can identify and address hidden biases, and shares actionable steps for building trust and a truly fair culture on the shop floor. See the article she references in the podcast here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/48-ways-managers-abuse-power-destroy-employee-hanna/

Larry Salazar, President and Co-Founder of NestSTEPS, joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss what employees really want from their workplace. With more than 25 years at the intersection of technology, HR benefits and financial services, Larry shares why housing and homeownership have emerged as powerful tools for workforce stability and retention. The conversation explores evolving employee expectations around dignity, progress and financial wellness, revealing how housing benefits not only address financial stress but also foster deeper loyalty and long-term engagement.