If you’re a manufacturer who’s looking to expand their network and repertoire of sage industrial wisdom, the world of podcasts has some top-notch shows that you should try:
- Making Chips
- The Podcast for Makers (also known as MakerCast)
- Gemba Academy Podcast: Learn Manufacturing
- Advanced Manufacturing
- The Manufacturing Connection
- The Manufacturing Report
- The Art of Manufacturing
- IndustrialSage
Quick Refresher– What’s a Podcast?
Podcasts are a modern evolution of the traditional radio talk show, and they’re a fantastic new medium for many reasons.
First and foremost, they’re free! Second of all, podcasts are an invaluable way to consume information on-the-go.
Busy professionals may not have the time to sit down with long books or tv shows…but for anybody stuck with a long commute or a job that requires a lot of travel time, podcasts are an exceptional source of education.
Third, unlike audiobooks (which are limited by what books actually get published, and then which publications are recorded in an audio format) podcasts abound in every niche! They can be recorded and released in a matter of days or even hours, so you can consume up-to-date information about current events or important developments within your career field.
Lastly, unlike radio or some audiobooks, podcasts are available on-demand.
All you need to access a podcast is a smartphone – and with it you can binge hours and hours of content wherever you are.
So now that you know about podcasts…which should you consume first?
We’ve got some ideas.
1. MAKING CHIPS
Episodes: Released Weekly
These guys have been on the podcasting scene for manufacturers since 2014, and they just surpassed 350,000 downloads!
A radio talk show is actually how Jason Zenger and Jim Carr got started working together. They both run separate industrial family businesses– Jason in supply, metalworking, and tool cribs; Jim in CNC machines and CAD systems.
In the summer of 201, Nick Goellner –a content marketing C.M.T.S.E. (Certified Machine Tool Sales Engineer), also with CNC experience– joined the team and became the Making Chips Managing Director.
With over 175 episodes and counting, as well as a blossoming online blog, this is one manufacturing podcast you’d be amiss to ignore.
2. MAKERCAST (THE PODCAST FOR MAKERS)
Episodes: *Stopped May 18, 2018
If you enjoy building anything with your hands, drop everything and turn on this podcast.
The interviewees range from casual woodworkers to CNC hobbyists and beyond. Some have their own workshops, others only a garage…but they’re all united by their love of creating. Real people, with real stories – it doesn’t get much better than that.
Sadly, the show stopped syndicating in May of 2018 due to insufficient funding on Patreon. However, the episodes are still available for listening!
The show’s ending may feel a little tragic, but at least you can consume all 100 of their interviews at your own pace.
3. GEMBA ACADEMY PODCAST: LEAN THINKING
Episodes: Released Weekly
Formerly titled “Lean Manufacturing,” this podcast has over 250 episodes and counting! Ron Pereira of Gemba Academy hosts regular interviews with all sorts of people: from Green Berets, to Toyota, to Hawaiian Airlines.
If you enjoy business philosophies and practical, educational tips from real-life stories, you’ll love these chats. Gemba Academy covers everything from lean manufacturing, to leadership in blue collar workforces, and even applications from Plato!
Since Gemba Academy is all about educational opportunities, you can be sure that you’ll learn as much from their podcast as from their many training courses.
4. ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
Episodes: Released Bi-Weekly
Rather than having one or two regular hosts, these podcast episodes are carried by multiple editors of different manufacturing publications by SME. Each of them interviews an executive or employee of well-known industrial or manufacturing companies.
Alan Rooks, Editor in Chief of Manufacturing Engineering, is a common leader here– but you also get to hear chats directed by representatives of Smart Manufacturing Magazine, Manufacturing Magazine, and more. They explore common problems or emerging trends in the manufacturing world with companies like FANUC America, BlueTooth, and L’Oreal– just to name a few.
AdvancedManufacturing.org is a major source of news updates and in-depth technical information for manufacturers, which expands far beyond merely the podcasting world. Whether you prefer video, audio, print, blogs, or mobile apps…they definitely have something for you.
5. THE MANUFACTURING CONNECTION
Episodes: Released Monthly
Gary Mintchell covers this crossroads “where IT and OT converge,” and discusses the integration of operations technology, information technology, and of course the human element.
With over 180 episodes, Gary explores everything from the Internet of Things, to artificial intelligence, to cybersecurity, to worker safety, to the influx of robots in the manufacturing world…just to name a few.
Not only does Gary cover hot topics in the manufacturing world– he also addresses common fears or fallacies in industrial and blue-collar cultures, and doesn’t shy away from addressing the economic or political tides that may be influencing the business world.
6. THE ART OF MANUFACTURING
Episodes: Released Weekly
If you’re a risk-taking entrepreneur trying to “make it,” then don’t miss this show by Krisztina ‘Z’ Holly. The podcast explores the factories and mindsets of young brands seeking success in their respective fields.
Whether you want to hear more about product launches, 3-D printing, silicon valley culture, or even holograms – Z has had many an interview that may interest you.
Best of all, at just over 50 episodes, you can catch up on this show in its entirety with relative ease!
7. THE MANUFACTURING REPORT
Episodes: Released Weekly
This show hosted by Scott Paul, President of American Manufacturing, is focused on the winds of change blowing through the industrial world. With just over 75 episodes under his belt, Scott explores these many new developments with manufacturing executives, factory workers, and even political policymakers.
From training or attracting younger workforces, to overseas trade, to even America’s opioid crisis; this show provides national news and behind-the-scenes glances into political developments for manufacturers in the United States. Weekly reports on current events don’t get much better than this.
8. IndustrialSage
Episodes: Released Weekly
This is a bit of shameless plug, but we felt this list would be somewhat incomplete if we didn’t include the video-podcast that we know best!
IndustrialSage is hosted by Danny Gonzales, CEO of Atlanta-based video marketing agency Optimum Productions; and focuses on digital sales and marketing tactics that manufacturers might be struggling to master.
Episodes –which come in a video format as well as podcast format– are produced in the company’s in-house studio, and many include interviews with executives from companies like ABB, Stanley Black & Decker, Rockwell Automation, Siemens Digital, and many others.
In addition to the podcast that started in 2017, IndustrialSage also produces all kinds of content for anybody hungry for more. This site has bi-weekly blogs, free downloadable marketing resources, video tutorials, webinars, and even a report from surveying over 150 manufacturers! about their sales & marketing tactics.
Viewers can receive weekly newsletters to stay up-to-date on every new episode, article, or offer; and audience members can submit questions or apply to become guests on the show, absolutely free.
Did we leave out your favorite?
These were our top eight valuable manufacturing podcasts – but, of course, there are many more out there. Comment and tell us: where do you go for sage, industrial wisdom?
