Podcasts about manufacturers

300 episodes of Chris asking all the questions, this week he is finally in the hot seat - and it's his high school buddies doing all the grilling!Recorded live at Urban Chestnut Brewing, this episode is split into two parts. First, Chris sits down with a Missouri manufacturing panel - Michael Eaton, Joe Mazzola and Maria Berra to talk Apollo 13 battery cells, pepper spray, whiskey barrels, and keeping it in the family in St. Louis.In part 2, we are flipping the script. To celebrate this milestone episode, three of Chris's oldest friends, Pat, Rob and John take over, asking Chris about his 'magic drug' for keeping the show running for 300 episodes, reminiscing on his first experience of things taking a turn for the worst on stage, and a very exciting personal announcement.In this episode, find out:How Missouri became the birthplace of a surprising range of products that most wouldn't realizeHow a kid who dreamed of building rollercoasters ended up building a manufacturing podcast insteadWhy Chris's dad might be the most legendary guy in their entire high school networkWhy Chris wouldn't watch the Blues win the Stanley Cup live, despite being in BostonWhat Chris says helps you stand out when everyone in your industry is chasing the same trendWhere Chris would send you for the best food and drink in St. LouisEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It's feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:"I don't know if being an engineer is exactly what I wanted to be, but I was certainly going to take that problem-solving skill set and bring it wherever I go." - Chris Luecke, Podcast Host & Community Builder at Manufacturing Happy Hour"The more you can take that ‘all ships rise with the tide' approach, those are the regions I see really being successful in manufacturing." - Chris Luecke, Podcast Host & Community Builder at Manufacturing Happy Hour”What are the things that you can talk about that are timeless, that highlight who you are, that highlight your expertise, that can allow you to stand out from the pack?” - Chris Luecke, Podcast Host & Community Builder at Manufacturing Happy HourLinks & mentions:AssetWatch and MaintainX, our partners for this leg of the All-American Manufacturing Summer Tour.The Missouri Association of Manufacturers, supporting manufacturers and driving turnout for this special St. Louis event.IMTS, hosted by AMT (the Association for Manufacturing Technology) - the country's largest manufacturing trade show.Urban Chestnut Brewing Company is an unconventional-minded yet tradition-oriented brewer of craft beer with authentic heritage and proven quality.Make sure to visit https://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

U.S. agricultural tractor sales dropped nearly 11% in July compared to last year, with combine sales down more than 5%, and Hard Red Winter wheat harvest is nearly complete, with less than 10% remaining, and the crop continues to grade U.S. No. 1.

When small manufacturers hit a growth ceiling, the problem usually isn't the product, it's the constant firefighting, isolation, and lack of structured strategy. Strategic thinking, leadership development, and smart capacity planning often get pushed aside in favor of “just getting through the week.” Today's guest, Brian Becker of Becker Growth Strategy and program director of the Manufacturing Accelerator Program (MAP), helps small manufacturers escape that reactive mode and build organizations that are designed to scale on purpose, not by accident. In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Brian shares how MAP, a tuition-free, national, virtual executive education program gives small U.S.-based manufacturers the tools, peer community, and strategic frameworks they need to grow. He explains why founders often feel alone on an “island,” and how curated cohorts, breakout rooms, and cross-industry conversations (including everything from biotech to feral pig trapping to chocolatiers) create mastermind-style support that changes how owners think and lead. Brian dives into focus and execution as the real differentiators between businesses that plateau and those that expand. He walks through his “future casting” exercise, where owners imagine their ideal business five years from now with smooth operations, predictable revenue, strong team, and then reverse engineer the concrete steps to get there. From figuring out whether you truly have a sales problem or a capacity problem, to deciding whether to chase that dream big-box retail contract, Brian shows how clarity leads to better decisions.He also breaks down a practical task triage system what only you can do, what you can delegate, and what you should only touch on your worst day along with a powerful sports analogy of running a business like a soccer team: you can't play offense (big growth goals) if your defense (operations, fulfillment, and retention) isn't solid. For manufacturers eyeing larger enterprise customers, Brian shares the risks of overreaching too soon and how to ramp capacity intelligently so big opportunities don't become “career killers.” Beyond operations, Brian tackles workforce development and the talent gap in U.S. manufacturing, especially among younger workers. He explains how reframing roles around STEM, robotics, complex problem solving, and hands-on challenges can make manufacturing careers more attractive to the next generation, and how MAP is bringing in workforce experts to help owners rethink how they present and structure these jobs.Throughout the conversation, Brian emphasizes that no one is coming to save your business, but the right questions, the right community, and a willingness to invest time in your own growth can completely shift your trajectory. He shares hard-won lessons from his background in education, nonprofit fundraising, and as COO of Well Found Foods during COVID, plus life advice from his football days: “You said you wanted to be one. This is what being one means.” https://youtu.be/moRBOQXR_ck?si=TNRP9_l6sWXZnqpJ If you're a small manufacturer (or any small business owner) who feels stuck in the weeds, struggling to scale, or unsure whether to double down on sales or build capacity first, this episode will give you concrete mental models, frameworks, and next steps. Tune in to learn how to think more strategically, delegate more effectively, build your peer network, and grow a manufacturing business that doesn't depend on you doing everything yourself. Quotes: “Business owners oftentimes can fall into the trap of worrying about everything else except for the strategic growth of the business.” “Every single business is different, and most importantly, it's because of you and the other people in the business; there's no one-size-fits-all solution.” “For most business owners, they need to invest in themselves, and the sooner they can understand that no one is coming to save them,

The following article of the Infrastructure industry is: “Mexican Manufacturers Face Rising ‘Invisible' Shuttle Costs” by Sebastian Tanzer, CEO, triply GmbH. (AA1581)

Siemens says a small manufacturer can start production optimization for $2,000 a year. Martin Valkysers and Flemming Kongsberg explain what that buys you.Most digital transformation advice assumes a budget and an engineering bench most plants do not have. Flemming Kongsberg, who runs the SMB focus inside the Siemens CTO organization, discards the usual revenue and headcount definitions: an SMB is any manufacturer without the skills to absorb a complex digital change, and that includes some very large companies. He describes one customer running 900 devices across 17 locations where 90 percent of the machines are 30 years or older with zero connectivity. Siemens research also found 40 percent of SMB customers have no IT department.Martin Valkysers frames Siemens Xcelerator as the open digital business platform tying hardware, software, data, and services together, with more than 600 partners today. The SMB starter package is where that becomes concrete. Instead of asking a plant with no IT staff to assemble something from hundreds of apps, Siemens curated roughly 10 to 12 into one bundle covering device connectivity, Performance Insight dashboards for OEE and quality, and a slice of Mendix. A partner installed it in a lab in 24 minutes on an ordinary Windows machine, against the roughly 60 hours a traditional Industrial Edge deployment takes. It is $2,000 per year for three machines with the first three months free, and PROFINET, Ethernet/IP, and the standard protocols are supported, so competitor PLCs connect too.The most useful argument here has nothing to do with buying anything. Flemming makes the case that reaching for AI before you own your data is a losing move, because a model built on information everyone else can reach produces no strategic advantage. You also do not need AI to build a Pareto chart of where your quality losses sit. Martin adds the discipline that gets skipped most: be clear about the problem before you pick the tool.About the GuestsMartin Valkysers is Head of US Market Launch and Growth for Siemens Xcelerator, Siemens' open digital business platform spanning industrial, building, grid, and manufacturing sectors. He has been with Siemens roughly 12 years, previously leading a US operations consulting team focused on lean manufacturing.Flemming Kongsberg leads Global Technology Partners at Siemens Digital Industries Software and runs the company's SMB focus in the US. Before Siemens he spent nearly eight years at Amazon Web Services building partner infrastructure and strategic ISV alliances.Timestamps0:00 Introduction2:20 Martin Valkysers on his path to Xcelerator4:20 Flemming Kongsberg from AWS to Siemens SMB7:10 Four challenges facing manufacturers13:40 Why data comes before AI18:00 What Siemens Xcelerator actually is22:30 Partner ecosystem: build, service, sell31:40 Inside the SMB starter package35:50 What the package costs38:20 A 24 minute install and non Siemens PLCs45:50 Redefining what counts as an SMB53:50 The future of industrial marketplacesReferencesGetting Started with Production Optimization: https://www.siemens.com/en-us/products/industrial-edge/production-optimization-get-started/Operational Efficiency Pack for Small Manufacturers: https://news.siemens.com/en-us/siemens-small-manufacturers-operational-efficiency-pack/This episode is sponsored bySiemens is a global technology company operating across industrial automation, digital software, smart infrastructure, and mobility. Siemens Xcelerator is its open digital business platform and marketplace.https://www.siemens.comAbout Your HostsVladimir Romanov is a co-host of The Manufacturing Hub Podcast and the founder of Joltek, an independent manufacturing and industrial automation consulting firm specializing in modernization strategy, digital transformation, and workforce development. Joltek works with manufacturers and investors to de-risk modernization and build the internal capability to sustain results.Connect with Vlad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladromanov/Want to go deeper? Vlad and the team at Joltek have covered related topics here:Digital Transformation in Manufacturing: https://www.joltek.com/blog/digital-transformation-in-manufacturingEdge Computing and the AI Value of Manufacturing Data: https://www.joltek.com/blog/edge-computing-ai-value-manufacturing-dataDave Griffith is a co-host of The Manufacturing Hub Podcast and founder of Capelin Solutions, an industrial automation firm helping manufacturers adopt smart manufacturing technology. He brings 15 years of experience in industrial automation and digital transformation.Connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegriffith23/Subscribe to Manufacturing Hub: https://www.manufacturinghub.liveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manufacturing-hub-networkYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ManufacturingHub

Humanoid robots are moving closer to real factory deployment, but manufacturers still face major challenges around safety, testing, repeatability and workforce integration. Bruce Richard of Jabil explains what manufacturers need to understand before humanoids can scale across industrial operations.

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Ilana Preuss, a champion of small-scale manufacturing and founder of Recast City, discusses the importance of raising the visibility of small-scale manufacturing, whose impact on the larger economy is being overlooked from lack of data and lack of awareness. While large manufacturers attract lots of attention, a strong domestic manufacturing base requires mapping and connecting networks of smaller suppliers that support these larger entities. Preuss presents tools that can help the cause, as well as a model for regional collaboration. In addition, the ReCast City founder dives into ways in which small and large manufacturers can help raise awareness themselves, such as hosting pitch competitions, holding and sponsoring meetups, and more.

Send us Fan MailManufacturers are under increasing pressure to adopt AI, yet many find it difficult to distinguish practical opportunities from market hype. In this webinar, we explore what AI actually looks like within a manufacturing ERP environment and where it can deliver measurable business value. We address common misconceptions, including the belief that AI requires replacing an existing ERP system, investing in enterprise-scale budgets, or operating as a Tier 1 manufacturer. Instead, attendees will learn how AI can enhance their current ERP platform by leveraging existing operational data to improve decision-making, automate routine processes, and increase overall business efficiency.Video: https://www.elevatiq.com/events-and-webinars/ai-for-manufacturers-practical-erp-use-cases-without-a-costly-system-reset/Questions for Panelists?

Fewer EPA headlines can feel like a green light, but environmental liability does not disappear when oversight fades. We sit down with CRC environmental specialists Harrison Scheider and Dustin Helmenstein to unpack the biggest misconception we hear from insureds and even seasoned agents: “less regulation means less environmental risk.” The laws that create liability largely remain, and the pollution exclusion in GL and property policies can turn an everyday incident into a painful coverage surprise.We dig into what makes environmental claims so tricky, and along the way, we connect the dots for common insured profiles including contractors, manufacturers, real estate owners, habitational and hotel risks, healthcare, and municipalities, plus what faster permitting and accelerated construction can change on the ground.To keep it practical, we share four questions retail agents can use right now to uncover exposures early, create better renewal conversations, and avoid relying on limited GL endorsements that are not true affirmative pollution coverage. If you want a clearer, more confident way to talk environmental insurance, pollution liability, and coverage gaps with clients, hit play and take notes.  Visit REDYIndex.com for critical pricing analysis and a snapshot of the marketplace.Do you want to take your career to the next level? Join #TeamCRC to get access to best-in-class tools, data, exclusive programs, and more! Send your resume to resumes@crcgroup.com today!

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More than 100,000 Southern auto workers produce Tesla, Ford, Nissan, BMW, and more. The Y'all Show is a production of Yall.com and hosted by Jon Rawl.

Send us Fan MailMany manufacturers relying on QuickBooks and spreadsheets believe their current systems are sufficient until growth begins to expose underlying operational constraints. Inventory inaccuracies increase, purchasing becomes more reactive, and disconnected field service and billing processes create inefficiencies that slow the business. Over time, these issues form an invisible barrier to scale, often before leadership identifies fragmented systems as the root cause. This session examines the operational and financial costs of remaining on disconnected tools and provides practical insights into recognizing when it is time to transition to a more integrated business platform.Video: https://www.elevatiq.com/events-and-webinars/outgrowing-quickbooks-when-manufacturers-must-move-to-erp/Questions for Panelists?

The Employers and Manufacturers Association says businesses are forging ahead despite a sluggish economy. The unemployment rate rose to 5.6% in June – the highest level in 11 years. Economists point to the war in Iran as one factor behind the rise, creating uncertainty and making businesses cautious about hiring. EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald told Mike Hosking he's hopeful we've reached the peak – there's good things happening under the surface, so hopefully soon we can start turning the other way. He says there was quite a sharp dip in confidence when the Iran war began, but they're seeing more people deciding they won't hang around until circumstances get better, they'll just get on with life. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These dangerous ingredients shouldn't be considered food. Discover why junk food addiction isn't just an accident, how food engineering and artificial flavors influence cravings, and why some foods are designed to keep you coming back for more.0:00 Dangerous food engineering 0:47 Artificial flavors explained1:35 Microsalt engineering 2:48 Natural and artificial flavors explained4:25 The blood sugar spike crash4:45 Bliss point food science 6:37 Processed food dangers7:50 How to avoid junk food 9:07 Food addiction and dopamine

Every manufacturer says they need people. So why, after decades of talking about the skills gap, do so few workforce development models consistently deliver the talent employers actually need?Tony Davis believes the answer is surprisingly simple: employers have to stop sitting on the sidelines. As Assistant Vice President of Program Scaling and National Director for FAME USA, Tony is helping manufacturers across the country build talent pipelines by putting industry in the driver's seat alongside education. The result is a model that blends paid work experience, technical education and professional behaviors into one employer-led system.In this episode, Matt and Tony explore how the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) grew from Toyota's workforce strategy in Kentucky into a national initiative of the Manufacturing Institute, why professional behaviors deserve the same emphasis as technical skills, what visitors experience inside the flagship Kentucky FAME facility, and how employer collaboration is helping scale one of the country's most successful advanced manufacturing workforce models.In this episode:Why Toyota was the perfect place to launch an efficient, lean, and optimized workforce development modelThe "soft skills vs. hard skills" debateThe unbelievable impact of treating a classroom or lab like a workplaceInside the flagship FAME chapter in KentuckyWhy every manufacturer - not just large enterprises - should get involved in these programs3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:1. Manufacturers should lead workforce development, not simply participate in it. The most effective workforce programs begin with employers defining the skills they actually need, rather than reacting to a curriculum after it's already been built. FAME flips the traditional model by making manufacturers true partners in recruiting, curriculum and continuous improvement.2. Professional behaviors are developed through culture, not coursework. Communication, accountability, leadership and critical thinking aren't mastered in a single class. They're reinforced every day through immersion, expectations and real workplace experiences alongside technical training.3. Building a workforce model is one challenge. Scaling it is another. Expanding from a successful local program to a national network requires more than enthusiasm. Systems, quality assurance and continuous improvement ensure students in every chapter receive the same high standard of preparation.Resources in this Episode:FAME USAThe Manufacturing InstituteNational Association of Manufacturers (NAM)Inside Jefferson County Community & Technical College FAME AMT ProgramConnect with our guest online:FAME USA on LinkedIn |  Connect with Tony on LinkedInFind more notes & resources on the episode page!We want to hear from you! Send us a text.Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

Every shop owner knows the workforce problem by heart. The trades got denigrated, tech ed programs got gutted, and a whole generation of kids never found out that a manufacturing career was even an option. We have all heard that speech a hundred times. What we rarely hear is a practical, repeatable way to actually fix it. In this GenCNC series episode, we sit down with two people who built one. Dave Hataj is the second-generation owner of Edgerton Gear and the founder of Craftsman with Character, a semester-long program that pairs job shadowing with a character and worldview curriculum. Courtney Silver runs Ketchie in North Carolina, where she and her husband Andy took Dave's curriculum and launched their own version, Opportunity Knocks. The through line is simple. Kids are starving for two things, purpose and community, and the shop floor is one of the best places on earth to give them both. Dave shares how a 2014 experiment with ten students grew into a Navy-funded program running across multiple states. Courtney shows why it is far less of a lift than you would think, roughly two hours a week for fourteen weeks with a handful of students. We also get into the payoff owners do not expect. Reverse mentoring from young employees, a culture where machinists suddenly want to be on camera, productivity that climbs year over year, and stories like Miguel, a first-generation immigrant who fell in love with the trade, worked six to ten in the morning before school, and just bought his first home. If you have ever done a plant tour for a school and wondered whether it actually mattered, this one reframes the whole thing. As Dave puts it, we make gears as a vehicle to invest in people. What's Covered in this Episode (2:48) Dave on the origins of Craftsman with Character as a second-generation owner of Edgerton Gear (7:02) The Navy's two million dollar, three-year contract to take the program national (8:30) Inside the Craftsman Code, from I'm not the center of the universe to the world needs me (10:30) Why you need to head to Kennametal's booth at IMTS (11:37) Courtney on discovering Dave's work during COVID and launching Opportunity Knocks (15:25) Why it's not a big lift: twenty team members, six students, two hours a week (17:11) Continuous improvement: field trips, supply chain tours, and a Mastercam capstone part (23:31) Reverse mentoring and the young energy that re-energizes the team (24:40) Twelve years of rising productivity from more engaged, purpose-driven employees (26:17) The DN Solutions install video shot by interns (and a new content culture) (29:26) Breakfast, gratitude, and the lesson on showing up on time (30:30) Turn website visitors into buyers with Navu's AI chat (31:42) Learn more about Miguel, a first-generation immigrant who fell in love with the trade (34:10) Break room culture and crews that stick around after shift (37:01) From feeling less than to finding a joyful place to belong (39:16) The mindset flip: we make gears as a vehicle to invest in people (40:07) Get in the room: the Job Shops Workshop and reception at IMTS (40:58) Miguel buying his first home, and the ripple effect on a community (42:56) How to start, facilitator and mentor training, plus a track for shops without a school partner (45:00) Manufacturers as an army that can heal society by being the hero for one kid (48:52) Practical encouragement to start now Resources Mentioned Craftsman with Character Edgerton Gear Ketchie The Craftsman Code by Dave Hataj Machine Shop Mastery, Episode 106 with Dave Hataj Kennametal Navu IMTS Oscar Mike Foundation Connect with Dave Hataj & Courtney Silver Dave Hataj, Edgerton Gear Craftsman with Character Courtney Silver, Ketchie Connect with MakingChips Website On Facebook On LinkedIn On Instagram On Twitter On YouTube

Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update, have three stories for you this week: two more drones just got exemptions from the FCC's foreign drone ban, Axon Vision and ParaZero team up on a new non-destructive counter-drone system, and the FAA approves a drone system that can trigger avalanches on purpose. Let's get to it.The FCC just granted Conditional Approval to two more drone systems. That's Exedy Globalparts' Ayre CX and Parallel Flight Technologies' Firefly. That brings the total number of exempted drone companies to 17. Back in December, the FCC put nearly all foreign-made drones on its Covered List. That blocked new FCC approvals over national security concerns. But since March, the agency has been approving individual drones almost every month. And there's a bigger change too. As of July 21st, these approvals no longer expire at the end of 2026.Manufacturers can now keep them indefinitely, as long as they follow their onshoring plans. For everyday consumer pilots, nothing changes right now. These are commercial and industrial drones, not camera drones. And DJI and Autel still can't get new models approved under this system.Axon Vision and ParaZero Technologies have announced a new counter-drone setup. It combines Axon's ForceField detection system with ParaZero's DefendAir interceptor. DefendAir uses a net to capture rogue drones instead of shooting them down. The companies are marketing this as a non-destructive option for airports, power plants, and other sensitive sites. They say it was tested during a trial in Israel. Now, the report is a company press release, so treat the performance claims with some caution. Instead of one-size-fits-all kinetic responses, companies are building modular systems that can switch between destructive and non-destructive interception depending on the environment. What's interesting here is that “non-destructive” involves using a net to take down a rogue drone, which still poses a threat to both the drone and people on the ground while falling. The FAA has approved Drone Amplified's MONTIS system for avalanche mitigation. This lets ski resorts and transportation agencies use drones to deploy explosive charges. The goal is to trigger small, controlled avalanches before unstable snow builds into something dangerous. This won't replace helicopters or artillery towers. But it gives crews another tool, especially when weather grounds manned aircraft. It also means fewer people need to physically enter high-risk avalanche terrain. MONTIS shares engineering with the company's IGNIS platform, which is already used for prescribed burns. Drone Amplified developed this with explosives partners Austin Powder and CIL Avalanche, along with help from the Alaska Department of Transportation. It's a solid example of drones taking on jobs that are genuinely dangerous for humans.And the conversation continues on Post flight where we discuss these stories uncensored in the Premium Community, link is in the description. We'll see you for the live Q&A on Monday. Have a good weekend!https://dronedj.com/2026/07/27/fcc-drone-ban-exemption-update/https://www.suasnews.com/2026/07/axon-vision-and-parazero-introduce-new-forcefield-configuration-fornon-destructive-counter-uas-interception/https://dronedj.com/2026/07/15/montis-avalanche-drone-amplified-faa/

If you're a small or mid-sized manufacturer, adopting an agile approach can help you respond to changing customer requirements and fast-moving markets. In this podcast, you'll learn what agile manufacturing is, whether it's a good fit for your business, and how to put it into practice. You can learn more in this episode or read about it on our blog For more information about the MRPeasy software, visit our website: mrpeasy.com

Podcast: Industrial Cybersecurity InsiderEpisode: Supply Chain Risk: What Manufacturers Need to KnowPub date: 2026-07-28Get Podcast Transcript →powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarizationTwo global dairy producers made headlines this week after breaches that started with third party vendors.Dino and Craig break down how it happened and why it keeps happening. They walk through the reality of remote access on the plant floor, from cellular modems to TeamViewer installs nobody remembers approving, and explain why a single sensor in a plant might show you 25 percent of your assets at best. The conversation gets to the root of the problem: people, not technology. OT teams still lock IT out of critical systems, CISOs carry responsibility without authority, and incident response plans rarely account for the integrators working across multiple plants at any given moment. If you lead security for a manufacturing organization, this episode arms you with the tough questions to bring back to leadership before your company is the one filing with the SEC.Chapters:(00:00:00) - The CISO gets hung out to dry, not the third-party vendor(00:01:02) - Two global dairy producers breached through third-party vendors(00:02:12) - The messy reality of remote access on the plant floor(00:03:47) - Why IT has no visibility into what's connected in manufacturing(00:05:29) - North-south versus east-west traffic monitoring(00:06:41) - The culture problem of OT locking IT out(00:08:14) - Responsibility versus authority for CISOs(00:10:47) - The budget excuse and the real cost of downtime(00:14:32) - Incident response plans that leave system integrators out(00:18:56) - SEC filings, brand damage, and the tough questions to askLinks And Resources:Want to Sponsor an episode or be a Guest? Reach out here.Industrial Cybersecurity Insider on LinkedInCybersecurity & Digital Safety on LinkedInBW Design Group CybersecurityDino Busalachi on LinkedInCraig Duckworth on LinkedInThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Industrial Cybersecurity Insider? Have some feedback you'd like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to leave us a review!The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Industrial Cybersecurity Insider, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

Teacher. TV host. Digital content creator. Ian Johnson has done all that and more. On the latest Advanced Manufacturing Live, Johnson traces his manufacturing career journey and the role social media has played in it. He also explains why social media is a must for manufacturers that don't want to get left behind. This episode is a recording of the latest episode of Advanced Manufacturing Live. Previous episodes of Advanced Manufacturing Live are available on advancedmanufacturing.org/live. Follow SME Media on Facebook, LinkedIn, X and YouTube to join us live every other Thursday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time.

The recent imposition of a 50% tariff on a wide array of Canadian imports, including furniture, represents a significant development within the industry, prompting urgent reflection among retailers regarding their sourcing strategies. This tariff, set to take effect on August 19, directly challenges the previous assumption of Canada as a safe haven for sourcing, compelling stakeholders to reassess their inventory and pricing structures in light of potential margin pressures. Additionally, the episode delves into the ramifications of Sleep Number's acquisition by Sleep Country Canada, following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, which may redefine competitive dynamics in the bedding sector. The discussion further encompasses the evolving marketing strategies employed by manufacturers of adjustable bases, emphasizing the necessity for retailers to enhance their sales techniques to better convey the health benefits of these products. As we navigate this complex landscape, it becomes evident that the interplay of tariffs, corporate acquisitions, and innovative selling approaches will significantly shape the future of the furniture industry. The podcast delves into the implications of the recent imposition of a significant tariff on a wide spectrum of Canadian imports, including furniture, which has been a surprise to many within the retail sector. This new regulation, which is set to take effect imminently, comes at a time when many retailers had strategically shifted their sourcing to Canada to circumvent tariffs on Asian goods. The speakers elucidate how this unexpected tariff demonstrates the volatility of international trade relations, particularly emphasizing that businesses must remain vigilant and adaptable to such changes. They underscore the importance of assessing one's supply chain in light of this new duty, urging retailers to evaluate their Canadian-sourced products and anticipate potential margin pressures that may arise in the coming months. This analysis is not only essential for immediate operational adjustments but also critical for long-term strategic planning as the industry navigates these tumultuous waters. Moreover, the conversation transitions to the recent developments regarding Sleep Number's Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, culminating in the announcement of a buyer, Sleep Country Canada. The speakers provide a comprehensive overview of the implications of this acquisition for the broader bedding market, highlighting how a stabilized Sleep Number brand, backed by a financially robust parent company, poses a renewed challenge to competitors. They thoughtfully consider the ramifications of this transaction, noting how it may influence market dynamics and consumer perceptions, especially as Sleep Country seeks to leverage Sleep Number's innovative technologies in their expansion efforts. This segment of the podcast serves to inform industry stakeholders about the evolving landscape of competition and the necessity for proactive strategic responses. Lastly, the discussion shifts to the retail environment, characterized by dwindling foot traffic amidst a backdrop of uneven sales performance. The speakers analyze the current consumer behavior patterns, illustrating a dichotomy between premium buyers and value-seeking shoppers. They articulate that even in a challenging market, the quality of demand remains robust among those who do venture into stores, emphasizing the importance of enhancing the customer engagement experience. The podcast suggests that retailers ought to focus on optimizing their sales strategies and training their staff to capitalize on the high-stakes nature of each customer interaction, thereby maximizing revenue per visit. In conclusion, the episode encapsulates a series of critical insights into the complexities of the furniture industry and the multifaceted challenges that retailers must adeptly navigate in this evolving landscape.Takeaways:The recent imposition of a 50% tariff on Canadian imports, including furniture, significantly alters sourcing strategies for retailers, necessitating immediate reassessment of cost structures.The acquisition of Sleep Number's assets by Sleep Country Canada marks a pivotal transition, with implications for market competitiveness, particularly in the bedding sector.Manufacturers of adjustable bases are advocating for a paradigm shift, asserting that these products should be perceived as essential components of sleep systems rather than mere upgrades.Retailers are urged to enhance their sales techniques by focusing on the health benefits of adjustable bases, thus optimizing customer engagement and sales conversion rates.The remodeling market remains robust despite challenges in new home construction, suggesting a strategic avenue for furniture retailers to capitalize on existing homeowner investments.Artificial intelligence is poised to transform supply chain visibility and efficiency, yet it is crucial for organizations to ensure data integrity and interconnectivity across platforms to maximize its potential.

Ducati wrapped up the Manufacturers' title at the UK Round at Donington Park. The season of dominance by the Aruba.it squad also confirmed their Teams' success but finally as the summer break dawned for WorldSBK Nicolo Bulega's unbeaten run was halted by a stunning win for Iker Lecuona. Steve and Gordo break down the action from Round 8 of the Superbike World Championship and get you up to date from the WorldSBK paddock.

Host Charlie James previews his upcoming interview with South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Annie Andrews before revisiting the state's legislative battle over making Ivermectin an over-the-counter medication. Despite the bill passing nearly unanimously in both the House and Senate, it was ultimately sent back to the Agricultural Committee and effectively killed by Representative Davey Hiatt. Drawing on research from Diane Hardy of the Mom and Pop Alliance of South Carolina, James reveals that Representative Hiatt's son, Lander Hiatt, is a registered lobbyist for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). He suggests that the bill's sudden defeat may have been directly influenced by this deep-seated lobbying connection to major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

Matt Dmytryszyn talks about what ASML's (ASML) earnings beat means for the greater AI chip trade. He says ASML Holding intends to raise prices for chipmaking equipment, which can impact companies like Applied Materials (AMAT), Lam Research (LRCX), and KLA Corp. (KLAC). Matt also touches on CapEx spending plans and ways the AI memory trade ties into chip manufacturers. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/ About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Today I'm joined by Kelley Stumpe, Founder & CEO at The Car Mom. She has built the largest online following of car-buying moms in the country, and she has never taken a dollar from a manufacturer to do it. That refusal has gotten her blacklisted from press events and cut off from loaner cars, but it has also made her the most trusted voice family car shoppers turn to. Topics: 04:00 The Most Car Seat-Friendly SUV. 06:30 Selling To Women Isn't Different. 09:30 The Seven-Door Car Parents Want. 11:30 Salespeople Know Nothing About Cars. 20:30 The Free Event That Drives Business. 27:10 Why Kelley Stays Undisputed. 41:15 The 100,000-Mile Secret. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Digital Dealer – Join dealership leaders from across the country for two days of expert-led education, practical AI strategies, networking with industry peers, and hands-on access to the latest products and solutions. September 22–23 in Detroit. Register today ⁠here⁠. 2. Podium - If your AI isn't driving real outcomes, it's time to take a closer look @ here. 3. CDG Marketplace — Get peer-validated reviews and real-world intel on every major dealership technology provider, all from verified dealers inside the CDG Platform. Visit @ ⁠here.⁠ Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cdgcircles.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Industry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dealership recruiting ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgrecruiting.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Fix your dealership's social media ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.trynomad.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Request to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgpartner.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Industry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Request to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠x.com/GuyDealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/cardealershipguy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@guydealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠threads.net/@cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Everything else ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For decades, the world's top soccer players laced up boots made from the skins of wild kangaroos. Manufacturers claimed kangaroo leather offered unmatched performance, and millions of kangaroos were commercially killed across Australia each year to supply the global athletic footwear industry. That story has changed dramatically. In this episode of the Animal Wellness Podcast, host Joseph Grove examines one of the most successful corporate animal-protection campaigns of recent years: the effort to eliminate kangaroo leather from elite soccer. Joining the program are Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy, and Ryan Luterman-Sevel, director of social media and the campaign's resident numbers guy. Ryan's detailed research tracked every player at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, documenting which boots they wore throughout the tournament. The results were striking. Just four years after kangaroo leather was already beginning to decline, only one player initially appeared to be wearing kangaroo-leather boots at the 2026 World Cup—and by the tournament's later rounds, even that player had switched to synthetic footwear. The conversation explores: Why kangaroo leather became the industry standard for elite soccer boots. How synthetic materials now outperform traditional leather in many respects. The six-year Kangaroos Are Not Shoes campaign and the strategy behind it. Why major brands including Nike, adidas, Puma, New Balance, ASICS, Mizuno and Diadora moved away from kangaroo leather. How consumer pressure, corporate engagement and legislative advocacy combined to change an entire marketplace. What the disappearance of kangaroo leather at the World Cup means for wildlife conservation and animal welfare. What lessons this campaign offers for future efforts to replace animal-derived products with humane alternatives. The episode also discusses the science of modern performance materials, the myths surrounding kangaroo leather, and how sustained advocacy can produce measurable, global change—even within industries long considered resistant to reform. Whether you're a soccer fan, an advocate for wildlife, or simply interested in how campaigns influence major corporations, this episode offers an inside look at how persistence, data and strategic advocacy helped transform one of the world's most recognizable sporting traditions. Guests Wayne Pacelle President, Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action Ryan Luterman-Sevel Director of Social Media, Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action Learn More Center for a Humane Economy Animal Wellness Action Kangaroos Are Not Shoes campaign Subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends and colleagues. Your support helps us continue bringing you conversations about the people and campaigns advancing animal protection around the world. The Animal Wellness podcast is produced by Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. It focuses on improving the lives of animals in the United States and abroad through legislation and by influencing businesses to create a more humane economy. The show is hosted by veteran journalist and animal-advocate Joseph Grove.    www.animalwellnessaction.org www.centerforahumaneeconomy.org   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalWellnessAction Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AWAction_News Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHumaneCenter   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animalwellnessaction/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centerforahumaneeconomy/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/animal-wellness-action/    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_6FxM4hD6oS5VSUwsCnNQ 

Burton Kelso, The Technology Expert joins Megan Lynch to discuss how AI is used in product development.

Episode # 309 of the Pool Nation Podcast - What does a true partnership between manufacturers and pool professionals actually look like? In this episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar De Jesus, John "JJ Flawless," and Zac "The Pool Boy" Nicholas sit down with Todd Pieri of AquaStar Pool Products for one of the most honest conversations we've had about the future of the swimming pool industry. From pricing strategies and manufacturer transparency to product innovation, warranties, and building trust with pool professionals, this episode dives into the issues that affect every builder, service company, retailer, and distributor. Todd explains why AquaStar believes consistency matters more than promotions, why they reduced prices on multiple products in 2026 instead of raising them, and how listening to pool pros has driven some of their biggest product innovations. The team also tackles one of the industry's hottest topics—constant manufacturer price increases—and discusses how those decisions impact builders, service companies, homeowners, and the long-term health of the pool industry. If you're serious about growing your business, protecting your profits, and staying ahead of where our industry is headed, this is an episode you don't want to miss. In This Episode You'll Learn: • Why consistency builds stronger partnerships than rebates and promotions • AquaStar's philosophy on transparent pricing • Why AquaStar lowered prices on multiple products • How pool professionals directly influence new product development • The real cost of warranty programs—and a different way to handle them • How innovation can make service companies more profitable • Why "Run Your Freaking Pump" is more than just a slogan • What manufacturers can do to better support pool professionals • The future vision for AquaStar and the swimming pool industry Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast 02:00 – Meet Todd Pieri from AquaStar Pool Products 10:00 – The AquaStar story: From startup to industry leader 14:00 – What real manufacturer partnerships should look like 18:00 – How pool pros inspire AquaStar product innovation 24:00 – The truth about pricing, inflation, and manufacturers 34:00 – Why AquaStar reduced prices instead of increasing them 41:00 – Why rebates don't always benefit pool professionals 50:00 – Net pricing vs. rebate programs explained 57:00 – Warranty philosophy and improving products through feedback 1:07:00 – AquaStar's vision for becoming the "Pros' Pro Brand" 1:16:00 – The "Run Your Freaking Pump" movement 1:18:00 – Final thoughts and closing Special Thanks To Our Visionary Partners A huge thank you to our incredible Visionary Partners for helping us continue to educate, inspire, and elevate the swimming pool industry: • The SPPA • BluRay XL • AquaStar Pool Products • Natural Chemistry • Raypak • Heritage Pool Supply Group • Hayward Pool Products • EnCore Brands • Poolside Tech – The Attendant • Pool Brain • Nidec / U.S. Motors • OnCore Filtration Your support allows us to continue providing free education and resources to thousands of pool professionals around the world. Subscribe & Connect If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another pool professional. For more education, events, certifications, and business training, visit Pool Nation and become part of the fastest-growing community in the swimming pool industry. Master the Business. Perfect the Craft.

While some say go big or go home, others will tell you great things come in small packages. This week on America on the Road,  we test both theories as Jack Nerad and Chris Teague review two family-friendly SUVs. On the Go Big side of the ledger Chris puts the luxurious 2026 Ford Expedition Platinum through its paces. Thinking smaller, Jack pilots the efficient 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid to a Fourth of July celebration — at Dodger Stadium, no less. The pair also discuss Lucid's leadership shakeup and missed targets, Rivian's building momentum, Volkswagen's potential massive job cuts, Subaru's new Trailseeker EV, Kia's refreshed Niro Hybrid, and Hennessey's wild new manual-transmission hypercar. Do you have a spare $2.65 million burning a hole in your designer jeans?

Did you ever wonder why so many people didn't get out before the dot-com crash? It's an important question to ask yourself, especially if you believe you'll know exactly when to get out before any potential correction in today's AI and semiconductor stocks.   The reality is that the dot-com bubble burst only 25 years ago. Human nature hasn't changed since then. Investors today are no smarter than investors were back then, and the same emotions that drove the bubble are showing up again. There were four major reasons so many people lost money during the tech bust.   The first was that investors stopped focusing on earnings and price-to-earnings ratios. Instead, they justified sky-high valuations by looking at metrics like website traffic, page views, click-through rates, and the number of "eyeballs" on a screen. The assumption was that if revenue kept growing, profits would eventually follow. Many ignored the reality that businesses also have expenses, competition, and execution risk.   The second reason was FOMO or the fear of missing out. Between 1995 and 2000, the Nasdaq surged roughly 400%. As people watched friends, coworkers, and investors make fortunes on tech stocks and IPOs, more and more money poured into the market. Institutional investors and retail investors alike stopped worrying about valuations. They simply saw stocks going up and didn't want to miss the ride.   The third reason was the belief that "this time is different." You heard it everywhere: "You just don't get it. This is the new economy." Investors argued that traditional valuation metrics no longer mattered because the only thing that counted was gaining market share. Profitability could always come later.   The fourth reason was the assumption that capital would never dry up. Few investors paid attention to where companies were getting their money. Many businesses were surviving on venture capital rather than sustainable profits. When funding slowed and investors became more selective, those companies had no profitable business model to fall back on. Many quickly went bankrupt.   At the peak of the bubble, investors stopped asking basic questions. What am I paying for this company's earnings? What am I paying for its cash flow? In many cases, there weren't any. Yet investors convinced themselves the speculative frenzy would continue indefinitely.   The biggest lesson is a humbling one. We like to believe we'll recognize the top and get out before everyone else. But investors in 2000 believed the same thing. Human psychology hasn't changed, which is why bubbles continue to repeat throughout history.   Don't Build That Data Center in My Backyard The race to build AI infrastructure is running into an obstacle that many investors probably didn't see coming: local communities.   Across the country, residents are protesting and filing lawsuits to stop new AI data centers from being built in their neighborhoods. One of the biggest concerns is something most people never think about, the constant noise. Data centers operate around the clock, with cooling fans, chillers, and backup generators creating a continuous hum 24 hours a day. That may not sound like a major issue until you have to live next to it.   New York has become one of the focal points of this debate. While the state has plenty of available land for development, many communities are pushing back. Governor Kathy Hochul is even considering legislation that would place a moratorium on the construction of large data centers in certain areas.   Public opinion reflects that growing resistance. According to recent polling, 44% of Americans oppose additional data center construction, while only 21% support it. When the question becomes more personal and whether people would support a data center being built in their own community, opposition jumps to 57%, while support falls to just 14%.   Residents also question the long-term economic benefits. Building a data center may create thousands of construction jobs, but once the facility is complete, permanent employment may fall to just 100 to 200 workers. At the same time, these facilities consume enormous amounts of electricity. In some regions served by smaller utilities, a single data center could account for as much as 25% of total power demand, raising concerns about higher electricity costs and increased strain on the grid.   The political landscape is becoming more challenging. Lawmakers in states including Arizona, Illinois, and Ohio have restricted or eliminated tax incentives that were previously used to attract data center investment.   Even the companies building this infrastructure recognize the growing risk. The hyperscalers are expected to spend nearly $1 trillion on AI infrastructure this year, but increasing public opposition could slow those plans. Nebius Group, for example, warned in its 2025 annual report that rising resistance to data center projects in certain communities could become a headwind for future expansion.   Investors have spent a great deal of time focusing on AI demand, chips, and software. However, another risk is emerging that deserves attention: if communities continue saying, "Not in my backyard," the pace of AI infrastructure growth may not be as smooth as many expect.   Is Crypto Weakening One of America's Most Powerful Weapons? One of the United States' greatest geopolitical advantages isn't its military, it's the U.S. dollar.   Roughly 90% of global foreign exchange transactions involve the U.S. dollar. That dominance gives the United States enormous leverage. When the U.S. imposes financial sanctions and cuts countries off from the dollar-based financial system, it becomes far more difficult for them to conduct international trade, finance military operations, or access global markets.   That advantage is beginning to erode. Countries that have long opposed the United States such as Russia, Iran, and North Korea are increasingly turning to cryptocurrencies to bypass traditional financial channels. According to reports, their use of virtual currencies for cross-border transactions surged from roughly $12.5 billion in 2024 to more than $100 billion in 2025.   Crypto gives sanctioned nations another way to move money. It can be used to purchase drones, weapons, military components, and fuel, while also helping finance operations such as smuggling oil and paying suppliers outside the traditional banking system.   North Korea has become one of the world's most aggressive crypto thieves, using hacking and other cybercrimes to steal digital assets that can then be converted into funding for its military and weapons programs.   Part of the challenge is that cryptocurrency wallets are identified by long strings of letters and numbers rather than names. While blockchain transactions are publicly visible, identifying the person or organization controlling a wallet can be extremely difficult without additional intelligence. That makes enforcement of financial sanctions much harder.   Even terrorist organizations such as Hamas have, at times, solicited donations in cryptocurrency, illustrating how digital assets can be used to circumvent traditional financial controls.   This is why I believe cryptocurrency has become more than just an investment story, it has become a national security issue.   If Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies were to experience a significant decline in value, it would reduce the purchasing power of those holding large crypto reserves, including sanctioned actors that rely on digital assets. While it would not eliminate their ability to use crypto, it could make this alternative financial system less effective and increase the relative importance of the dollar-based financial system.   The stronger the role of the U.S. dollar in global commerce, the more effective financial sanctions remain as a non-military tool of foreign policy. With cryptocurrencies becoming more widely adopted, policymakers will need to consider the risk of weakening one of America's most effective forms of economic leverage.   Even with oil off its recent peak, you still may not see cheaper airline tickets. You might assume that with the decline in oil prices, jet fuel costs are also declining, and airlines will pass those savings on to travelers through lower ticket prices. Oil and jet fuel prices have indeed come down, but don't expect airlines to slash fares anytime soon.   The reason is simple: demand remains strong. Even after airlines raised fares eight times since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, analysts say the average round-trip domestic ticket climbed roughly 19% to about $638 yet demand barely changed. In other words, consumers have shown they are willing to pay higher prices to travel. If people keep buying tickets, airlines have little incentive to lower fares and give up those higher profit margins.   Supply is also likely to remain constrained. Airlines aren't rushing to add flights because keeping capacity tight helps support higher ticket prices. The bankruptcy and downsizing of low-cost carriers such as Spirit Airlines has also reduced competition on many routes, making it easier for the remaining airlines to maintain pricing power.   To be fair, airline pricing should be viewed over a longer time horizon. From 2019 through 2025, overall consumer prices rose about 26%, while average airfares actually declined roughly 3.5%. So, despite the recent increases, airline tickets are still relatively inexpensive compared with the broader rise in inflation over the past six years.   The bottom line is that lower fuel costs alone don't guarantee lower ticket prices. As long as travel demand remains healthy and airlines keep capacity in check, consumers may not see much relief at the checkout screen.   Letting Air Out of the Investment Portfolio Balloon Before It Pops At one point or another, we've all seen a balloon inflated until it finally bursts. The same thing can happen to an investment portfolio.   Watching your portfolio grow is exciting, but every investor knows that markets don't go up forever. The challenge is that no one knows exactly when a portfolio has become too inflated. One of the biggest reasons investors refuse to sell is simple: they hate paying taxes. Believe me, I dislike paying taxes just as much as anyone else. But you should never let the tax bill dictate your investment decisions.   Sometimes the smartest move is to relieve some of the pressure in your portfolio before the market does it for you. There are two simple ways to accomplish this: trim oversized positions and sell investments that have become significantly overvalued.   The first strategy is reducing concentration risk. If you review your portfolio and discover that a single stock has grown to 10% or 12% of your total assets, it may be time to trim that position back to 7% or 8%. Yes, you'll likely owe capital gains taxes, but you'll also be reducing the risk that one investment can have an outsized impact on your portfolio if it suddenly declines.   The second strategy is selling investments that have exceeded your target price and can no longer be justified based on their fundamentals. If the valuation has become stretched and the company's earnings outlook no longer supports the stock price, it may be time to take profits. Again, you'll probably owe taxes on the gain, but remember that capital gains are generally taxed at favorable rates. More importantly, paying a 20% or 25% tax on your profit is often far less painful than watching the entire investment lose 20% or more in value. That 20% decline occurs on the entire position rather than just the gain.   No strategy is perfect. You may trim a position only to watch it continue climbing for another year or two. That's part of investing. Risk management isn't about perfectly timing the top, it's about ensuring that no single investment or sector can seriously damage your long-term financial plan.   Consistently following a disciplined, conservative approach won't always maximize returns during bull markets, but it can significantly reduce risk over a full market cycle. When the next major correction inevitably arrives, your portfolio should be positioned to withstand it. That makes it far easier to stay invested, avoid emotional decisions, and continue building wealth instead of panic-selling after the damage has already been done.   Successful investing isn't just about finding great investments. It's also about knowing when to reduce risk. Sometimes, letting a little air out of the balloon today is the best way to keep it from popping tomorrow.   Is AI creating the next memory boom... or setting up the next bust? SK Hynix just pulled off the largest foreign ADR listing in U.S. history, pricing its American depositary receipts at $149 and raising $26.5 billion. That isn't just a fundraising event, it is fuel for one of the most aggressive semiconductor expansion plans the industry has ever seen.   The company is pouring money into new factories, equipment, and advanced packaging capacity around the world. In the United States, SK Hynix is building its first manufacturing facility, a $4 billion advanced packaging plant in West Lafayette, Indiana, expected to be completed in 2028.   Back home in South Korea, the spending is even more staggering. SK Hynix plans to invest up to $720 billion expanding memory production, including a $390 billion semiconductor cluster in Yongin. The company has also committed roughly $7.8 billion by the end of 2027 for additional extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines, the highly specialized tools needed to manufacture cutting-edge HBM chips. These machines cost as much as $400 million each, are in extremely limited supply, and are only produced by ASML. The company is even accelerating its expansion timeline by more than a decade, with four new fabrication plants now expected to be completed by 2033.   The question investors should be asking isn't whether AI demand is real. It clearly is. The real question is whether the industry is repeating a familiar pattern. Memory has always been one of the most cyclical businesses in technology. Every major technology revolution from the dot-com boom, to smartphones, to cloud computing created a surge in demand for memory chips. Manufacturers responded by rapidly expanding production. Eventually supply caught up, prices collapsed, profits disappeared, and investors who arrived late learned just how brutal the memory cycle can be.   Today feels different... but that is often what every cycle feels like while it is happening.   SK Hynix's market value has increased more than sevenfold over the past year as AI infrastructure spending has created a shortage of HBM. Revenue nearly tripled between 2023 and 2025 to roughly $65 billion, and Wall Street expects sales to surge again to approximately $235 billion in 2026.   Those are incredible numbers. But when major memory producers start announcing massive capacity expansions, history suggests investors should at least consider what happens when today's shortage eventually becomes tomorrow's surplus. AI may create years of strong demand for memory, but the semiconductor industry has a long history of building too much capacity just as demand begins to normalize. The opportunity is enormous, but so is the risk if history repeats itself.   Financial Planning: Simple vs Compounding Interest Loans Many people assume that choosing a simple interest loan over a compound interest loan will dramatically reduce the amount of interest they pay, but in most real-world lending situations, the difference is minimal. The reason is that the power of compounding only becomes significant when a balance grows over time because interest is being added to the principal. With most consumer loans, borrowers either make interest-only payments that keep the principal balance unchanged or make payments that reduce the principal over time. In either case, the interest charged during each payment period is based on the outstanding loan balance at that time, not on an ever-growing balance. Since the loan balance is remaining the same or steadily declining rather than increasing, there is little opportunity for “interest on interest” to accumulate. While compounding can become important if unpaid interest is capitalized and added to the loan balance, that is the exception rather than the rule. For most mortgages, HELOCs, auto loans, personal loans, and similar debt, borrowers should focus far more on the interest rate than on whether the loan is described as using simple or compound interest.   Too Many People Are Using Target Date Funds in Their 401(k) For years, we've discussed the drawbacks of target date funds, including their higher fees and one-size-fits-all approach. Despite those concerns, they remain incredibly popular because they are simple and require very little effort from the investor. According to Vanguard, 61% of 401(k) participants invest in target date funds.   On the surface, they sound like the perfect solution. If you plan to retire around 2045, you simply choose the 2045 Target Date Fund and let it manage your investments. The fund automatically adjusts your portfolio over time, gradually reducing your exposure to stocks and increasing your allocation to bonds as you approach retirement.   Many investors don't realize how significant that shift can be. By the target retirement date, a target date fund may hold around 50% of its assets in bonds. The adjustments don't stop there. Reaching the target year doesn't mean the fund is liquidated or that you receive your money. Instead, the fund continues along its glide path and could increase its bond allocation to 70% or even 80% over the following years.   That approach may have made sense decades ago, but retirement looks very different today. Many people will spend 20 years or more in retirement. Over that length of time, maintaining enough exposure to stocks can be critical to helping your portfolio grow and keep pace with inflation. A portfolio that becomes too conservative too quickly may struggle to provide the long-term growth many retirees need.   Another limitation is that target date funds only manage the assets inside your 401(k). They don't take into account your IRAs, brokerage accounts, pensions, real estate, or other investments. As a result, your overall portfolio allocation could end up being far different than what is appropriate for your financial goals.   The convenience of target date funds is appealing, but convenience shouldn't replace planning. A successful retirement requires understanding how your money is invested, estimating what your portfolio could be worth when you retire, and developing a strategy for how those assets will be invested throughout retirement, not just until you reach it.   Is That Really Your Son or Daughter Calling You? You know your children's voices. You talk to them regularly. Then one day you get a frantic phone call from your son or daughter. They tell you they've just been in a serious accident. They need $15,000 immediately or they're going to jail. They tell you exactly how to send the money. Without hesitation, you wire the funds because you want to help your child.   Unfortunately, you have just been scammed by AI. AI-powered scams are exploding. Reports show AI-related fraud surged more than 1,200% in 2025, and at the current pace, losses from AI scams in the United States could reach $40 billion annually by 2027. Another study found that one in four adults has already experienced an AI voice scam.   Your first reaction may be, "That could never happen to me. I don't post anything on social media." But the problem may not be your online presence. It's your children.   Many people regularly post videos on social media, and today's AI only needs about three seconds of someone's voice to create a convincing clone. Once scammers have that sample, they can make it sound like your son or daughter is saying almost anything.   So how do you protect yourself? If you receive an emergency call asking for money, don't panic. Before sending anything, ask a question that only you and your child would know the answer to. Make it something that has never been shared publicly.   For example, ask about a funny childhood memory that only the two of you remember. Don't use information like birthdays, graduation dates, wedding dates, or other facts that could be found online or in public records. Remember with all these data centers there is so much information that is being obtained and saved but used for the wrong purposes.   Even better, establish a family safe word or passphrase today. Choose something simple that everyone can remember but that would never appear online.   If you ever receive one of these calls, ask for the safe word. If they can't provide it, assume it's a scam until you can verify the situation by calling your child directly or contacting another trusted family member.   As AI continues to improve, these scams will only become more convincing. The same technology powering innovation is also giving criminals new tools to exploit unsuspecting families. Stay alert. Verify before you trust. A few extra minutes could save you thousands of dollars and a great deal of heartache.   Is It Boom or Bust for Micron? It is hard to argue with Micron's incredible stock performance. Through July 2, the shares were up 242% year to date and an astonishing 701% over the previous 12 months. Even after recently falling about 22% from their peak, investors are still debating whether the company has much more room to run.   The good news is that Micron has locked in 15 new customers under long-term supply agreements, with some contracts extending as long as five years. Many of these agreements include customer deposits, giving the company excellent revenue visibility and reducing uncertainty over future sales. For investors, that is exactly the kind of stability they like to see.   But every smart investor should also ask: What is the downside?   While those contracts provide a strong foundation, they do not guarantee that demand will remain as strong over the long term. Unless a customer goes bankrupt, the contracts are largely locked in, but technology changes quickly. High prices and limited supply often encourage innovation, and the AI memory market is no exception.   Several companies are developing new architectures that reduce or even eliminate the need for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), which has been one of Micron's biggest growth drivers. As companies search for lower-cost and more efficient alternatives, demand for HBM could eventually soften.   Nvidia also signaled in June that it is redesigning portions of its upcoming Vera Rubin AI platform to use memory more efficiently. While Nvidia remains a major customer for HBM, improvements in memory efficiency could reduce the amount of HBM required per AI system over time.   Meanwhile, newly public chipmaker Cerebras has taken an entirely different approach. CEO Andrew Feldman has said the company's wafer-scale AI chips do not use HBM at all, arguing that it is too expensive and supply constrained. If other AI hardware companies pursue similar designs, it could create additional competition for HBM.   None of this means Micron's growth story is over. The company's long-term contracts provide meaningful protection, and AI demand remains exceptionally strong today. However, investors should remember that today's shortages and premium pricing often inspire tomorrow's technological breakthroughs.   The question for Micron investors is whether HBM remains the industry standard for years to come or whether innovation eventually reduces the need for it. If demand for HBM begins to slow, Micron's remarkable growth could also begin to moderate.   Companies Discussed: Caterpillar Inc. (Ticker: CAT)

What if your AI strategy doesn't need more agents, just a better plan?This week Chris sits down with Joseph June, who leads AI strategy at PTC to talk about what companies are getting wrong with AI - going too broad too fast.Joseph goes into why picking one problem and really solving it is the way to go when onboarding AI. He shares a great example of what a strong AI use case looks like on the shop floor and unpacks the concept of ‘production data foundation'.The conversation turns to where agents are headed. There's also some good, grounded discussion here on building trust with AI and how the process mirrors onboarding any new employee.In this episode, find out:How AI experience helped Joseph make the leap from ServiceMax into leading AI strategy at PTCThe most common mistake manufacturers make when rolling out AIWhat separates companies making AI progress from those stuck in pilot purgatoryWhat ‘production data foundation' means, and why simply having more data shouldn't be the goalHow AI agents are being used in manufacturing today, and where that's headed nextWhy the plan behind your agents matters more than the agents themselvesHow to build trust in AI gradually, using the advise, assist and automate frameworkEnjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It's feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!Tweetable Quotes:“A lot of the hesitation and a lot of the concerns people have about AI are probably real, but a lot of them are sentiment, and it takes time to be able to build that trust.” - Joseph June, Head of AI Strategy at PTC“What's unique about AI that is different from a person - it is capable of processing a very large amount of data in a faithful and ruthless way to be able to accomplish a particular outcome.” - Joseph June, Head of AI Strategy at PTC“The type of data matters. Data that represents individual decisions that people or groups of people have made in efforts to accomplish a specific goal. That's really valuable data.” - Joseph June, Head of AI Strategy at PTCLinks & mentions:PTC enables companies to differentiate their products and services, improve operational excellence, and increase workforce productivity. Manufacturers can capitalize on the promise of today's new technology to drive digital transformation.ServiceMax helps customers keep the world running with asset-centric field service management software. Their cloud-based software and mobile apps provide a complete view of assets to field service teams.Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

Some brands of motorcycle--we know who you are--can't stop going on (and on) about their past. Kind of like the neighbor who can't believe a gallon of gas isn't 35 cents anymore. But is clinging to the mythology of past successes healthy for the future of a brand, as marketers would lead you to believe? Or is a backward view unhealthy for both the manufacturer and its true believers. Think of it this way: the brand with the greatest legacy of all, be it Grand Prix wins or iconic models or the way it revolutionized motorcycling itself is a brand we don't think of as having any legacy at all: Honda. Manufacturers who can't seem to address modernity lean on legacy like it's a walker to keep them from falling over. Motorcycle Global's Michael Uhlarik weighs in on the perils of clinging too tightly to what once was. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sally Powell Price, PG.Dip., M.Sc. joined MilliporeSigma in 2020 as a Regulatory Subject Matter Expert for Public Health focusing on food safety, testing, and environmental monitoring in North America. Previously, she served as Food and Environmental Lab Supervisor at the New York City Department of Health Public Health Laboratory, and as Director of Lab Operations at a Boston-based startup. She holds a bachelor's degree in Biology from Hamilton College and an M.Sc. degree in Microbiology and Immunology from James Cook University (Australia), and completed her professional training at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Sally currently co-chairs both the International Government Relations Committee and the Laboratory Science and Technology Committee for the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO). She is a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) Food Safety Communities of Practice and has served as an Advisory Panel member for several AOAC International working groups.  Justyce Jedlicka, M.B.A. works in North America Commercial Applications for Food, Beverage, and Industrial Regulatory for MilliporeSigma, where she is responsible for engaging with influencers in the food and beverage industry to align initiatives with regulatory compliance and promote best practices for food safety and quality testing methods. Justyce has been serving the food and beverage industry since 2013, and received both a B.S. degree in Chemistry and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Missouri in St. Louis. She previously served as the Chair of the Food Sciences Section of the American Council of Independent Labs (ACIL) and currently serves on the Food Science Section Executive Committee at ACIL and the Board of Directors for the Independent Laboratory Institute. She is a member of IAFP, ISBT, SMA, and AOAC. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Sally and Justyce [2:51] about: Emerging food risks in North America, and how the concept of a "food risk" has evolved over the past decade Differences and similarities in how regulators are handling novel versus established food risks What a rapid and agile response to a food risk might look like, whether such a response exists in North America, and whether existing regulatory frameworks can become more proactive than reactive Manufacturers' challenge of balancing speed-to-market with regulatory compliance in an evolving risk landscape The greatest tensions between food innovation and regulatory readiness in the North American market Whether contract laboratories and testing laboratories are equipped to keep pace with emerging food risks How companies can future-proof their testing and compliance strategies The role that scientific partners like MilliporeSigma play in helping regulators and manufacturers become more agile in an evolving food risk landscape. Resources MilliporeSigma for Food Safety Sponsored by: MilliporeSigma We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

What to expect at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 and an interview with the Manager of Onsite Learning at the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum. Also, how L3Harris converted the Qatari-gifted 747 into Air Force One, the Cirrus TRAC10, window seat lawsuits, a rule change to allow supersonic flight over the United States, and an update on Boom Supersonic's strategy for its self-developed Symphony engine. Image by Linda and Lily. Guest Dick Knapinski is Director of Communications for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). He has served in that capacity since 2010 and has been with the organization since 1992. Dick serves as the liaison between the media and EAA throughout the year, particularly during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the world’s largest fly-in convention. The event runs July 20-26, 2026. Dick Knapinski Boeing Plaza will be packed with aircraft to celebrate the aviation technology theme. Currently planned innovation displays for July 21 include BETA Technologies, Bye Aerospace, Jetson, American Drone, MagniX, Zipline, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Airhart Aeronautics, Merlin Labs, Amazon Delivery, and Starlight Productions. In addition to the displays on Boeing Plaza, Bye Aerospace, Jetson, BETA Technologies, American Drone, and ScaleWings plan to fly during the afternoon air show. Drone delivery company Wing will display the latest developments in its operations at Twilight Flight Fest. Learn more about the AirVenture Airshows and performers, Aircraft Anniversaries & Gatherings, Authors Corner, AviationTech, KidVenture, and the Fly-In Theater. Rare warbird static/flying displays will include the B-29 “Doc,” as well as a rare Consolidated PB4Y and the CAF’s B-24 Liberator on static display at Boeing Plaza. Vicky Benzing will fly her P-51 “Plum Crazy,” and Bernie Vasquez will demo a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in afternoon shows. The Aviation Gateway Park will spotlight helicopters, advanced vertical lift platforms, and eVTOL aircraft through static displays and interactive exhibits. Before joining EAA, Dick built a broadcasting career in Wisconsin, including stints as Program Director at WNBI Radio, News Director at WMGV Radio, and Station Manager at WLFM-FM/Wisconsin Public Radio. He also spent years as a sportswriter for the Appleton Post-Crescent. Dick holds a private pilot certificate and remains active as a writer and spokesperson for EAA. Aviation News How was the new Air Force One prepared for flight? The two permanent VC-25 replacements were selected in 2015, and the $3.9 billion fixed-price contract was signed in February 2018. Boeing began physical refurbishment work in February 2020 on two 747-8I airframes originally built for the bankrupt Russian carrier Transaero. Boeing has already reported $2.5 billion in losses on the program. The current delivery target for the first jet is between 2027 and 2028, with the second jet to follow later. The ex-Qatari 747-8 “bridge” aircraft was gifted to the U.S. Air Force in May 2025 and entered service on July 1, 2026. L3Harris did the conversion in about 10 months. The quick conversion was accomplished due to several factors: Pre-staged employees operated on a 24/7, three-shift structure. (Boeing has worked a normal single-shift industrial pace, with no incentive to surge, staff once costs started ballooning.) The bridge aircraft came with a luxury interior. (Boeing's jets had incomplete interiors – basically shells.) Missing VC-25 elements. Reports (unconfirmed by the government) include no evidence of defensive countermeasures and a lack of EMP hardening. L3Harris didn’t out-engineer Boeing. They ran a 24/7 surge crew on a plane that already had a finished VIP interior, targeted a much narrower requirement (“executive airlift” vs. full presidential command-post survivability), and the government has not been forthcoming about which hardened-aircraft features (EMP shielding, missile countermeasures, full secure comms suite) were omitted. See also: Trump wants the $400M Qatari-gifted new Air Force One to be the centerpiece of his presidential library. But there's a problem. Cirrus launches TRAC10, a new light aircraft for the flight training market Purpose-designed for flight schools and to be powered by a turbocharged Rotax 916 iSc FADEC engine, the plane has a three-seat interior, a Garmin flight deck, and the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System. Cirrus says they have 100 orders from 13 flight schools. United Airlines must face lawsuit over ‘window seats’ that lack windows Not every “window seat” has a window. Sometimes it has a wall. That's just the way it is. But last August, some passengers filed class actions ⁠against United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, claiming that the carriers failed to properly disclose the lack of a window during the booking process. United claimed that “window seat” described the seat’s location and did not contractually promise that the seat would, in fact, have a window. In San Francisco, U.S. District Judge James Donato rejected the airlines' request to dismiss the suit. New Rule Clears Way for Quiet Supersonic Flights By way of history: The FAA issued 14 CFR § 91.817 in April 1973, prohibiting civil aircraft from flying at speeds exceeding Mach 1 over land in the United States. The ban came as a result of early Air Force and NASA-controlled boom tests over cities, concerns over the Boeing 2707 SST program, and the impending arrival of the Concorde. NASA’s X-59 QueSST is flying specifically to gather community-response data on its “quiet boom” design.  In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Proposed rule: Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight), the FAA is looking to replace the blanket Mach-1 ban with a noise-based standard. Supersonic flight over land would be permitted if the boom signature falls under a certain loudness threshold. The NPRM states, “Manufacturers have demonstrated it is possible to fly supersonic aircraft without sonic booms reaching the surface by using sonic boom abatement techniques, making complete prohibition on civil supersonic flight outside of test areas no longer appropriate and an unnecessary restraint on the growth of the U.S. aviation sector.” The NPRM shifts the regulatory trigger from speed to noise. Right now, § 91.817 just bans anything faster than Mach 1 over land. The proposed rule keeps that structure but adds an exception: an operator may exceed Mach 1 if it can demonstrate that the sonic boom’s overpressure at the surface does not exceed 0.11 pounds per square foot (psf). This NPRM only covers en-route/overland boom noise. A separate rule on takeoff/landing noise is expected later this year, with both rules targeted for finalization by mid-2027. The comment period ends August 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT. Boom Supersonic Q2 2026 Update https://youtu.be/gtf0-bVSbeA?is=GmG8VhICNm4wg7tP The FAA proposal to change from speed regulation to noise regulation is something Boom Supersonic and others have been seeking. In the Boom Supersonic Q2 2026 Update video, Blake Scholl reveals Boom's strategy for the Symphony engine. The company intends to market a variant of the engine for behind-the-meter power generation that AI companies can utilize for power. In large part, the engine OEMs wouldn’t develop an engine for the Overture because the huge development cost couldn’t be covered by the expected engine volume. So when Boom announced it was developing its own engine, the business case was unclear. But by focusing on the ground power generation market, Boom can spread development costs over a greater number of engines. Also, that revenue stream would generate cash flow for the Overture program. National Air and Space Museum Celebrates 50 Years With Opening of Five New Galleries Hillel attended the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum media preview of the opening of the five galleries. Last episode, we listened to two recordings from that event. This week Hillel speaks with Mike Hulslander, the museum's Manager of Onsite Learning. Mike has worked in museums and zoos for more than 28 years and has researched, written, presented, and evaluated science programs for school groups, families, and the general public. At the Air and Space Museum, he is responsible for science-focused programs and exhibitions. Mike also manages the Museum's learning centers: How Things Fly and the Design Hangar. Mike is also an adjunct faculty member at the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education. He serves as a science educator on the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program national review panel for experiment selection and has participated in reviews for the past 11 missions aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. Supersonic demo Lift vs. Angle of Attack Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, Hillel Glazer, and Brian Coleman.

This episode is a live recording from our webinar on product costing for manufacturers. Our guest Yesim Tilley is a chartered manufacturing accountant with over 20 years of experience across many industries, including electronics, automotive, and plastics. Yesim shares her insight on why margins are often lower than expected, where production costs are commonly underestimated, and what manufacturers can do to understand their true cost of production. Read about MRPeasy at www.mrpeasy.com  Learn about Yesim Tilley and Skynet Accounting at www.skynetaccounting.co.uk/  

CEDIA Expo 2026 is shaping up to be one of the custom integration industry's biggest events, and manufacturers are investing more than ever. In this CE Pro Podcast, Zachary Comeau sits down with CEDIA Expo leaders Jason McGraw and Brian Pagel, along with Josh.ai CEO Alex Capecelatro and Origin Acoustics CEO Nick Berry, to discuss why the show remains the industry's premier gathering, how attendee feedback is shaping the event, and why hands-on experiences continue to matter in an AI-driven world.

Welcome to Episode 127 of The Modelgeeks Podcast!   In this episode, by suggestion from listener Brian Klimek, The Geeks are talking “Wish Lists”.  Manufacturers put them out all the time, we've all likely added our wants to one at some point and often kit makers have responded. Have any of your own “wish list” inputs ever been put to sprue?We dive further into the Mail Bag with one particular email from a young modeler out of Canada who keeps plenty busy with life and manages to get in some bench time when he can, as well as hearing from long time listeners and friends. From the Modelgeeks Podcast web page we take a look at the Listener Gallery and the fine work that has caught our eye....and of course we fire up the Gonk-U-Lator  to see who amongst our Patreon supporters is the big winner!  Support the show, and get your name into the Gonk-U-Lator  to win cool prizes!!!With summer in full swing, we hope everyone is enjoying time with family and friends, staying safe…and getting those final details in place for you Nats entries! Mentioned in the Episode:IPMS USA National Convention T V (Tuomas' You Tube Channel)  Share your work with us and the rest of the scale modeling community through our web page, or through our Facebook community page. We love seeing other people's work. Who knows who you may inspire through your latest masterpiece!Modelgeeks web page: Modelgeeks Podcast Facebook community: The ModelGeeks Model Shack …and of course you can email us at: contact@modelgeekspodcast.com We also want to thank each of our sponsors for their support. We are very lucky to have their support. When you have the time, pay a visit to their web sites, and have a look at their fine products. Sponsors:Furball Aero-DesignTamiya USADetail & ScaleLionHeart HobbyBases By BillHypersonic ModelsMatters Of ScaleKotare ModelsSquadron  If you're a wicked ModelGeek go check out the following links!IPMS USA Events PageAMPSButch O'Hare Modeling ClubThe Interesting Modeling Company We are very fortunate to be able to join the scale modeling podcast community and are in the company of several other really GREAT podcasts. Hopefully, someday we'll earn our wings and be able to keep up with those guys!  Please check them all out at Scale Model Podcasts. Blogs:The Kit BoxSprue Pie with FretsModel Airplane Maker Support the show, and get your name into the Gonk-U-Lator  to win cool prizes!!!Support the showModel Geeks Podcast

The Transformation Ground Control podcast covers a number of topics important to digital and business transformation. This episode covers the following topics and interviews:   Manufacturers Don't Have an ERP Problem, They Have a Decision Problem There Is No One Size ERP Fits All (Sanjay Brahmawar, CEO of QAD|Redzone) System of Record vs. System of Action We also cover a number of other relevant topics related to digital and business transformation throughout the show.  

Send us Fan MailA modular schedule can collapse over one thing: late decisions. That's why cross-laminated timber (CLT) and modular construction fit together so well and why they can also magnify each other's coordination mistakes if you treat them like conventional builds. Sidney Filippis, Director of Design at Sterling Structural, details what it really takes to bring mass timber into a factory-driven workflow without surprises. Sidney explains how modular teams should think about CLT, whether as a substitute for familiar assemblies or as a structural system that changes how loads, tolerances, and interfaces behave. Sidney also shares the first design assumptions to revisit when moving from steel to mass timber, including lighter weight impacts and the reality that wood, steel, and concrete each bring different tolerance expectations. Additionally, Sidney discusses costs: CLT can be more expensive up front, so the smarter comparison is total project cost, where exposed wood finishes can reduce drywall, paint, and labor while faster installs cut schedule risk. From there, Sidney details aspects that can make or break projects: MEP penetrations, connection engineering, acoustics planning, and moisture protection on site, and more.If you're considering a first step, Sidney explains why a plant tour and a pilot project can de-risk adoption, plus what success could look like for mass timber and commercial modular construction in the coming years.Support the showListen to all episodes of MBI's Inside Modular podcast at https://www.modular.org/inside-modular-the-podcast-of-commercial-modular-construction/

Check out our Patreon for a daily Lawrence Select™ Meme: https://www.patreon.com/insidegamesYTJoin the Inside Games notification Discord server for alerts when we publish new videos: http://discord.gg/ArvphbMPFJHosted by:Lawrence: http://twitch.tv/sirlarr | Bruce: http://twitch.tv/brucegreene Edited by: Shooklyn: https://linktr.ee/ShooklynSources --https://www.polygon.com/ram-manufacturers-sued-supply-price-fixing/https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/65375103/Garciaguirre_et_al_v_Samsung_Electronics_Co,_Ltd_et_alhttps://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/06/25/xbox-console-price-update/https://blog.playstation.com/2026/03/27/new-price-changes-for-ps5-ps5-pro-and-playstation-portal-remote-player/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/corporate/release/en/2026/260508.htmlhttps://store.steampowered.com/hardware/steammachinehttps://youtu.be/66QzlDewigE?t=775https://www.empiresofeve.com/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sciencegroen/the-archive-epics-of-virtual-history

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Tuesday, June 30, 2026. #1 – From ACCESS APPALACHIA - Trails create connections and opportunity Across West Virginia, trail builders, community leaders, and outdoor advocates are working together to expand the state's outdoor recreation network. A feature from Access Appalachia highlights the people and partnerships behind trail development projects that connect communities, improve quality of life, and support tourism-driven economic growth. Supporters say investments in trails continue positioning West Virginia as a premier destination for outdoor recreation and adventure travel. Read more: https://accapp.symmetry-events.com/article/trails-access-the-people-building-west-virginias-outdoor-network/   #2 – From NAM - Form Energy expands manufacturing capacity Form Energy continues to scale production at its Weirton manufacturing facility as demand grows for the company's innovative long-duration battery technology. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, the company has tripled commercial sales while expanding operations to meet increasing demand for reliable energy storage solutions. Economic development leaders say Form Energy's growth highlights West Virginia's role in advanced manufacturing, energy innovation, and next-generation technology development. Read more: https://nam.org/6-form-energy-triples-commercial-sales-and-scales-manufacturing-to-meet-demand-for-reliable-power/   #3 – From WV GAZETTE-MAIL - WV restaurants earn James Beard recognition West Virginia's food scene recently received national attention during the James Beard Awards ceremony in Chicago. Several restaurants with West Virginia ties were recognized during the prestigious culinary awards event, reflecting the growing reputation of the Mountain State's chefs, restaurants, and food culture. Industry leaders say the recognition helps showcase West Virginia's hospitality sector and growing culinary tourism opportunities. Read more: https://www.wvgazettemail.com/life/the_food_guy/food-guy-wv-restaurants-honored-at-james-beard-awards-ceremony-in-chicago/article_cff3019a-3f3f-40a2-a9db-00cbe317ba2a.html   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Send us Fan Mail Jeff and Scott speak with Charles Crain, Managing Vice President of Policy at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Charles works closely with NAM's member companies to advocate for tax policies that support manufacturers and strengthen the manufacturing sector. In this episode, Jeff and Scott first discuss the important matter of how to pronounce NAM (NOT like Viet-NAM). They then discuss NAM's role in the policy process, how the organization identifies and prioritizes its tax policy agenda, and some of its most significant advocacy successes. They also explore the story behind NAM's efforts to secure the bonus depreciation adjustment in the corporate alternative minimum tax. 

This week, we discuss the PCE report, new home sales, GDP, and PMI. Inflation continues to run well above the Federal Reserve's target. While personal income growth appeared strong, much of the increase reflected a one time government payment. Adjusting for this temporary boost, the savings rate fell to just 2.8%, suggesting that many consumers are increasingly stretched. New home sales surprised to the downside, while the median months for sale rose to its highest level since 2021, underscoring further weakness in the housing market. Although the final estimate of first quarter GDP was revised higher, the increase was driven primarily by a decline in imports rather than stronger domestic demand. More concerning, consumption growth was revised down from 1.0% in the initial estimate to just 0.5% in the final estimate, adding to evidence of a slowing consumer sector. Meanwhile, the headline manufacturing PMI appeared robust, but much of the strength reflected firms building inventories in response to supply concerns and policy uncertainty. Manufacturers also reported layoffs amid weakening demand and elevated uncertainty. Taken together, while several headline figures suggested resilience, the underlying details painted a considerably weaker picture of the economy.

A U.S. trademark is valuable, but it does not automatically protect your brand around the world. That is the big lesson in this article on international trademark protection, and it catches many founders and small business owners by surprise.In the United States, a federal trademark registration can support enforcement, licensing, investor diligence, marketplace complaints, and brand credibility. But trademark rights are generally territorial. Your U.S. registration usually protects you in the United States, while other countries and regions have their own trademark systems, rules, fees, deadlines, and enforcement standards.For a business planning to sell internationally, manufacture abroad, launch ecommerce campaigns, franchise, license, distribute products, or attract overseas customers, this matters quickly. A brand can become visible in another market long before the founder has thought through trademark protection there. Unfortunately, copycats, competitors, opportunistic distributors, and local filers may notice that visibility too.The article explains two common paths for protecting a trademark internationally. One path is filing directly in individual countries or regions. This can be useful when a company needs a customized local strategy, expects objections, or wants local counsel involved from the beginning.The second path is the Madrid Protocol, a centralized filing system that allows eligible trademark owners to seek protection in multiple member jurisdictions through one international application. It can be efficient, but it is not a single worldwide trademark. Each designated country can still examine the mark under its own laws and issue refusals, oppositions, or limitations.That distinction is important. Many business owners hear “international filing” and imagine one magical global certificate arriving with a tiny legal marching band. Reality is more practical. Madrid can simplify parts of the process, but it does not erase local trademark law.The article also walks through a step-by-step strategy. First, identify where the brand actually matters. Where are the customers? Where are products made? Where are distributors or licensees located? Where is expansion realistic? Filing everywhere can waste money, but filing nowhere can leave the business exposed.Third, conduct searches before entering new markets. Look for identical marks, similar marks, translations, phonetic equivalents, related goods and services, and local-language issues. A name that works beautifully in English might be unavailable, descriptive, confusing, or accidentally hilarious somewhere else.Fourth, choose the right filing route. Direct country filings and Madrid-based filings both have advantages. The right choice depends on budget, timing, geography, risk tolerance, and the company's growth plans.The article also highlights practical business hazards. Foreign copycats may file first. Manufacturers or distributors may try to claim local rights. Translation issues can create unexpected problems. Madrid filings may still face refusals. Maintenance deadlines can be missed.The overall message is not that every company should immediately file in every country. That would be expensive, unnecessary, and a great way to make your legal budget do cardio. International trademark protection should match the business strategy.For founders and small business owners, the best first move is to prioritize. Focus on countries tied to revenue, manufacturing, distribution, franchising, licensing, investor expectations, or realistic expansion. Then decide whether direct filings, Madrid filings, or a mix of both makes sense.Your U.S. trademark is a strong start. But if your brand is crossing borders, your trademark strategy should cross borders too. Give the brand a passport before it gets stopped at customs by a competitor with better paperwork.To chat about this one-on-one, grab a free consult at strategymeeting.com

Manufacturers are rushing to understand how they're being represented in ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and other AI platforms. But running a GEO audit is only the beginning. In this episode, Gorilla 76 strategists Maya Harrington and Chelsey Trevino share lessons from GEO audits they've conducted across industrial manufacturers. They discuss the patterns they're seeing, common misconceptions and how marketers can avoid getting overwhelmed by a flood of recommendations. The conversation includes examples of manufacturers that were showing up in AI-generated answers — but not for the industries, applications or buyer problems they wanted to be known for. You'll learn: What GEO audits actually measure Why business context matters before you start auditing How AI tools associate companies with industries and problems The role of foundational educational content Why schema markup keeps appearing in audit findings How technical content hidden in PDFs can limit visibility Practical ways to run a lightweight GEO audit using prompts alone Whether you're just starting to explore AI visibility or already conducting GEO audits, this episode will help you focus on the actions that matter most. ABOUT IMC LIVE IMC Live is the interactive webinar series from the Industrial Marketing Collective — created for marketers at manufacturing companies. Each session is designed to help you connect with peers, sharpen your skills and drive measurable results in your work.

When I opened my first salon I was passionate about hairdressing but like most salon owners I knew very little about business, and negotiating with product suppliers was where my naivety was fully exposed. This week I take you behind the scenes of what's really happening when you deal with a manufacturer or distributor.You'll come away understanding how the commercial side works: list price, rebates, the size of the pie, and the difference between a real partnership and a shiny distraction. My aim is simple. I want you walking into that conversation informed, prepared, and able to build a deal where both businesses genuinely win.IN THIS EPISODE:Why the list price is never the real price, and what sits behind itThe size of the pie: how much value a supplier can actually offer youHow rebates really work, including the catch that traps a lot of ownersHow to prepare before you negotiate so you hold the stronger positionWhy the real goal is a partnership where both businesses winEPISODE TIMESTAMPS[00:00] Introduction[00:20] The dark arts of negotiating with your product suppliers and manufacturers[02:07] Why nobody actually pays the full list price on the page[03:07] Manufacturer versus distributor, and why that structure changes everything behind the scenes[05:08] The list price is just the start of a commercial conversation[08:23] The experience gap between you and the person across the negotiating table[09:50] The size of the pie: the concept that underpins every deal[11:04] How you get to choose where that value lands in your business[13:10] Rebates explained, and the two important realities that owners often overlook[15:54] Shiny object syndrome, and the seduction of events and luxury experiences[17:41] Why putting your business out to tender is simply smart, professional practice[19:13] How to prepare properly before you ever sit at the tableWant MORE to help you GROW?

The RV industry is chasing the wrong generation. While manufacturers court 30-somethings with outdoor TVs and influencer campaigns, the buyers who are actually writing checks right now look nothing like the people in the ads.Last week I sat around a campfire in Hocking Hills, Ohio with 88 members of our RVCommunity. I asked how many had bought a new RV in the past year. Eleven hands went up. A 12th would have, but he was out on a six-mile hike. He was turning 70.That tells you everything the sales charts do not.In this episode we dig into who is really driving the RV market right now, what experienced RVers actually want that manufacturers keep missing, the quiet but alarming shift happening in our national parks, and a dramatic rescue on the Appalachian Trail that is a reminder of exactly why preparation matters out there.Read the companion blog post on RVing in the second half of life at RVLifestyle.com - link below.Here is the complete episode, start to finish.THE RV PODCAST - MONDAY NEWS EDITION Episode Air Date: Monday, June 23, 2026 - 6:00 AM Approx. Running Time: 25 Minutes Host: Mike WendlandTHE LAST GENERATION THAT KNOWS HOW TO TRAVEL ...and why the RV industry keeps ignoring themOPENLast week I was sitting around a campfire in Hocking Hills, Ohio, with about 50 members of our RVCommunity.com.I asked a simple question: how many of you have bought a brand new RV in the last year?Eleven hands went up. A 12th would have, but he was out on a six-mile sunset hike - and he was turning 70 that summer.This was happening while the RV industry is posting some of the worst wholesale shipment numbers in over a decade.Which raises a question the people running this industry ought to be asking themselves: who exactly are they building RVs for?Because I can tell you who is actually buying them. And they look nothing like the people in the ads.OPENINGGood morning and welcome to the RV Podcast Monday News Edition. I'm Mike Wendland.Eighteen Emmy Awards. Thirty-plus years covering everything from wars to the White House to consumer affairs. And for the past 15 years, living the RV lifestyle myself with my wife Jennifer in every type of rig you can imagine, coast to coast, all 48 contiguous states.Today's show is a little different. Instead of leading with a breaking story, I want to start with something I witnessed firsthand that I believe tells you more about the real state of the RV market than any press release you will read this year.And if you want to go deeper after you listen, I have been writing about this topic at RVLifestyle.com for the past several weeks. We have been exploring what it means to RV in the second half of life - the freedom, the community, the mindset, and yes, the ways the industry keeps getting it wrong. There is a link in the show notes. I think you will recognize yourself in it.Here is what is happening on the road. And here is what the industry is getting wrong. Let's get into it.LEAD STORY: THE LAST GENERATION THAT KNOWS HOW TO TRAVELThe RV industry is having a rough year. A really rough year. And the numbers tell the story fast, so let me give them to you and move on, because the real story is not the numbers. The real story is who is still out there buying and camping while those numbers grind downward.Wholesale shipments are down more than 13 percent through the first four months of 2026. Retail sales off 14 to 15 percent from last year. The industry's own forecast, just revised downward again this month, now projects this as one of the worst years for new RV sales in over a decade.So who is still buying?Here is what I can tell you from 15 years in this world and from what I saw last week in Hocking Hills. The people who are still writing checks for new RVs, right now, in the worst market in a decade, are the people the industry seems most determined to pretend do not exist.Baby Boomers. Older Gen Xers. People who grew up reading paper maps. Making reservations by phone. Talking to strangers when they got lost. Fixing things with their hands. Navigating real uncertainty with nothing but experience and nerve.According to industry research, Americans 50 and older remain the primary customer segment for RVs. Many are retirees fulfilling long-held travel dreams, and that population is still growing as the tail end of the baby boom ages into retirement. These are people with home equity, disposable income, and something even more valuable: the time and the confidence to actually use what they buy.And yet when you look at the ads. When you watch the Go RVing campaigns. When you walk the floor of any major RV show and look at the marketing materials stacked at the booths. You see toned and trendy 30-year-olds doing yoga on the roof of a Class B. You see influencers with ring lights and perfect hair. What you do not see is the 68-year-old retired engineer who just dropped $95,000 on a new fifth wheel and is headed to Alaska.That is a real blind spot. And I think it is costing the industry real money.Here is what I saw at our Hocking Hills rally. Eighty-eight people, ranging from their 50s into their 80s. Riding bikes and e-bikes and scooters. Hiking up and down some of the most spectacular terrain in the Midwest. One of our members, a retired RV technician, got under a fellow member's trailer and repacked the wheel bearings on the spot. Another couple spent an afternoon giving scooter lessons to anyone who wanted to learn.Nobody was stuck. Nobody was panicking. When something broke, someone fixed it. When someone needed help, someone helped them. These are people who grew up problem-solving before there was an app for it. And they brought every one of those skills out here.I asked how many had bought a new RV in the past year. Eleven hands went up. Twelve if you count the man who was out on a six-mile hike at 70 years old.This is happening while the industry chases 33-year-olds with solar panels and TikTok aesthetics.I am not saying younger buyers are not important. They are the future and we need them. But the marketing case being made inside RV boardrooms right now, that the 50-plus buyer is yesterday's news, is demonstrably wrong. And in a market this soft, you cannot afford to ignore your most reliable customer.I wrote about this at length over at RVLifestyle.com. It is part of an ongoing series we have been running on RVing in the second half of life. The link is in the show notes. If today's lead story speaks to you, that post will too.STORY 2: WHO IS ACTUALLY DRIVING THE MARKETThe demographic picture of who owns and buys RVs is more complicated than the ads suggest, and it is worth understanding.The median age of RV owners has come down in recent years. Younger buyers were absolutely part of the pandemic surge. Millennials and Gen Z now represent roughly 22 percent of RV owners - the same share as Baby Boomers - which tells you something about how quickly the demographics shifted during COVID.But here is what the industry sometimes misses in that data. Younger buyers came in during a period of historically low interest rates, flush pandemic savings, and work-from-home flexibility. Those conditions no longer exist. The buyers who are proving most resilient in this market are the ones who are not dependent on 7 percent financing to make the purchase work.Industry analyst Earl Hunter Jr., founder of The Unity Folks, put it bluntly in a recent trade publication outlook piece. He said the biggest trend in the RV industry right now is, simply, lack of growth. And that the industry has not figured out why emerging demographics and nontraditional consumers have little to no interest in the RV lifestyle.That is a real problem worth solving. But while the industry works on reaching new audiences, there is a generation of experienced, well-capitalized, deeply motivated buyers out on the road right now who built this market and are still carrying it. They deserve a little more respect than a supporting role in someone else's marketing story.STORY 3: WHAT EXPERIENCED RVers ACTUALLY WANT - AND WHAT MANUFACTURERS KEEP MISSINGI want to tell you one more thing from Hocking Hills, because I think it reveals something important about the disconnect between what the industry is building and what experienced RVers actually need.During our campfire conversation, I asked people what features they most use in their current rigs. What do they love. What they would change.Nobody mentioned outdoor TVs. Not one person. This is notable because outdoor entertainment has been one of the most aggressively marketed RV features of the last several years. Manufacturers have been loading up rigs with outdoor TVs, outdoor kitchens, outdoor speakers. The assumption is that RVers want to recreate the suburban living room experience outside.Our members were out hiking six miles. They were packed into a campfire circle talking to each other. They were fixing each other's trailers. The last thing they wanted was a television.What did they talk about wanting? Better towing stability. Improved service networks. Simpler systems that do not require a software update to turn on the hot water. Quality that lasts. And dealers who actually know the products they are selling.These are people with decades of RV miles behind them. They know exactly what they need and exactly what they do not. When you have that kind of experience, you stop being impressed by features and start being impressed by reliability.The industry could learn a lot by listening more carefully to the people who have been doing this the longest....

This week on Catalyst, Tammy is joined by Carolyn Lee, President of The Manufacturing Institute, the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers. Carolyn grew up in a manufacturing family on Long Island and spent years on Capitol Hill before taking the helm of the MI in 2017. Tammy and Carolyn dig into the widening gap between AI adoption at the executive level and awareness on the shop floor, and why closing it is the defining challenge for American manufacturing right now. They also unpack the fear factor driving resistance to change and Carolyn announces the forthcoming AI for Manufacturing 101 curriculum to help manufacturers who are at risk of falling behind. Please note that the views expressed may not necessarily be those of NTT DATALinks:Carolyn LeeThe Manufacturing Institute - AI Skills Training Learn more about Launch by NTT DATASee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Growing your own machinists and orchestrating robots across four continents, is this what the future of manufacturing looks like? This live episode from Hapa's Brewing in the Bay Area features two panels of people who have built careers at the intersection of mechatronics, automation, and industrial innovation. First up, Vinod, Kevin, and Adam get into what it takes to build a skilled workforce from the ground up, talking about apprenticeships, college partnerships, and growing your own talent in-house. Then we get into the bigger picture with our founder panel Kim, Glenn, Nick, and Florian on what Silicon Valley gets wrong about manufacturing, and what manufacturers are missing by not paying closer attention to what's being built there. In this episode, find out: How Vinod bootstrapped an automation company in the Bay Area while raising a family and why his wife had something to do with it What Kevin learned from a 3-year German apprenticeship that he thinks more US manufacturers should be paying attention to How Adam solved his machinist shortage by bringing the training programme in-house and partnering with a local college How Kim thinks about leading companies through inflection points when there are no guardrails or safety nets Why Glenn believes manufacturers who aren't paying attention to what's being built around them won't even know when it's too late How Nick's B2C background completely changed the way he thinks about building software for frontline manufacturing workers Why Florian ignored his investors and opened a public-facing robotics storefront on the main street of Mountain View Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It's feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going! Tweetable Quotes: “You don't have that mechanical job anymore that's done by one person. You need support, whether it's software support or you need a robot at your side.” – Kevin Toomer, Product Manager at Sumitomo Drive Technologies “In automation, you don't need a master's or a PhD to be successful. Just getting creative and having that experience in mechanical engineering really helped me in my career.” – Vinod Anandarajah, Co-Founder and CEO at Kanavu Automation ”In Silicon Valley, we tend to love disruption because to us it represents something new and something better. But when you get on a manufacturing floor, they tend to want predictability.” - Kim Losey, Founder and CEO at NextLine Group Links & mentions: Kanavu Automation, bringing value to manufacturing clients via a strategic focus on machine automation and robotics MaintainX, empowering maintenance professionals to reduce unplanned equipment downtime and boost production capacity NextLine Group, architecting what is next in robotics engineering Sumitomo Drive Technologies, providing engineered solutions to industrial power transmission customers Beluga Navigation Systems, building deep tech navigation solutions for vehicle and vessel navigation InOrbit.AI, leading AI-powered robot orchestration platform, driving software-defined operations at scale Hapa's Brewing Company, craft brewery and taproom located in San Jose, CA Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

The DBC gang is back in studio after a LONG wreck-filled Cup Race in the Irish Hills of Michigan, this time with a pair of 23XI Racing teammates in Bubba Wallace and Riley Herbst. The episode starts with a recap of both drivers' weekends, followed by some high praise for Riley Herbst from Bubba Wallace for the teammate he's been. The group talks about Cleetus McFarland's performance in the ARCA and Trucks race, the difference between racing both vehicles, and what Ford seems to be missing from a lackluster performance in their own backyard. Plus, Bubba Wallace opens up about what it's like to race around Carson Hocevar, his post-race conversation with The Hurricane that had social media buzzing, and how there's a difference between racing hard and racing stupid. The group debates if Denny Hamlin will retire at the end of next season, their Mt. Rushmore of NASCAR drivers, who is at fault for the massive wreck on the restart of the Cup race, and much more. As always, Reaction Theatre brings the laughs, followed by S*** Show HOF and Ask DBC. Plus, Freddie shouts out all of the weekend winners from around the country. Want more DBC? Check out and subscribe to the new DBC YouTube channel! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.