a BROADcast for Manufacturers

Get ready for a powerhouse episode of A BROADcast For Manufacturers as the ladies go live with three inspiring leaders from the heavy equipment world. We’re spotlighting the upcoming Women in Equipment Conference, hosted by the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), and hearing firsthand from the women shaping the future of this traditionally male-dominated industry.

Guests:

linkedin.com/in/kirsten-erickson-4932a552

linkedin.com/in/-alexandra-norris

https...

Is your team constantly firefighting instead of executing strategy? Tyler Nielsen, founder of Vast Insight Partners, joins the BROADcast to reveal how mid-market manufacturers can close the costly gap between strategic intent and operational chaos. With deep experience in FP&A, forecasting, and operations, Tyler shares smart, actionable insights to get cross-functional teams aligned—without a massive system overhaul.

From data paralysis to siloed decision-making, we break down what really holds teams back from profitability and performance. You'll also hear how tariffs and global supply chains are reshaping operations, and why visibility and alignment are your new su...

When GE Healthcare told Sarah Tilkens she was “too good where she was,” she turned rejection into redirection—and launched The KPI Lab. In this episode, she shares how her journey from corporate ops leader to executive coach is reshaping how businesses approach problem solving, people leadership, and continuous improvement.

Sarah brings sharp strategy and a heart-first mindset to every challenge—from leading Kaizen events to coaching executives and mapping out better standards for success.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

The world is noisy. Economic uncertainty, workforce turnover, AI disruption, and generational divides have leaders second-guessing their every move. In this crossover episode of Broadcast for Manufacturers and Blue Collar BS, the gloves come off as Lori Highby, Erin Courtenay, Brad Herda, and Steve Doyle unpack how fear-based leadership is silently sabotaging teams—and what it really looks like to lead with confidence.

This candid, not-so-safe-for-work conversation blends humor and hard truths as the group shares real stories, sharp insights, and a few Brad jokes along the way.

If you’re a business owner, manufacturing lead...

In this episode of ABFM, we sit down with Tyler Marcus, a dynamic force in manufacturing and mentorship. Tyler shares the pivotal lessons that shaped his path, including his non-traditional journey into business, the power of soft skills, and the true value of making time for mentorship.

We explore:

Whether you're in the industry or just love stories of people charting their own course, this conversation wi...

Lisa Kenning, CEO of Matrix Automation, alongside her powerhouse team: Don Rentz, Greg Millinger, and special guest Scott Walberg.

Lisa shares her journey from helping her dad at age 10 to leading a company at the forefront of digital transformation in manufacturing. Together, the group dives into the importance of mentorship, the legacy of family-run businesses, and how lean principles and traceability tech have helped manufacturers achieve near-zero defect rates—even in highly complex, regulated environments.

What We Cover:

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Meet Melanie Varin

Melanie is an author, business owner, and process consultant with 25+ years in executive leadership, strategic planning, global marketing, national sales management, and quality. She led three business turnarounds in Europe and the USA in Fortune 500 companies. Now she supports clients focused on profitable growth. Her company is aptly called TopLine Results Corporation.

Melanie's book – Ignite Topline Growth: How RevOps and Go-To-Market Alignment Spark Success – was written based on her passion for sales and marketing alig...

Sponsored By AdCirrus ERP, your trusted partner for cloud ERP solutions. Learn more at adcirruserp.com.

Meet Jim Mayer

With over two decades of experience in the manufacturing industry, Jim Mayer is a recognized leader, storyteller, and advocate for the transformative power of connection. As the founder of The Manufacturing Connector, Jim has built a platform that strengthens the industry through innovative content, leadership development, and community-building initiatives. His work inspires collaboration, empowers emerging

leaders, and celebrates the human side of manufacturing.

A passionate advocate of manufacturing, Jim is dedicated to...

Sponsored By AdCirrus ERP, your trusted partner for cloud ERP solutions. Learn more at adcirruserp.com.

Meet Jason Greenwood

Jason is the founder of Greenwood Consulting - a specialist B2B e-commerce consultancy. For 25+ years Jason has been helping brands and suppliers expertly architect compelling digital buying and brand engagement experiences.

Along with hosting The E-Commerce Edge Podcast, he is a passionate eCommerce mentor, commentator, keynote speaker and content producer who loves giving back to the industry.

Jason was born and raised in the USA, spent nearly 30 years in New Zealand...

Sponsored By AdCirrus ERP, your trusted partner for cloud ERP solutions. Learn more at adcirruserp.com.

Meet Curt Anderson

 Curt Anderson is the founder of B2B Tail dedicated to helping manufacturers stop being the best kept secret in their industry through profitable digital sales growth strategies. With over nine years at B2Btail, Curt provides valuable e-commerce strategies that help manufacturing companies achieve their goals and reach success. He creates free resources to guide manufacturers on their e-commerce journey, including checklists, keyword strategies, and website optimization techniques. Curt's mission is to ethically drive the hi...

Sponsored By AdCirrus ERP, your trusted partner for cloud ERP solutions. Learn more at adcirruserp.com.

Meet Vivek Joshi

Vivek is the founder and CEO of Entytle, a provider of Installed Base Intelligence solutions to Original Equipment Manufacturers. He has extensive leadership experience in various industries, spanning diversified industrial manufacturing, healthcare, high technology and private equity. He previously was founder and CEO of LumaSense Technologies Inc., an Operating Partner at Shah Capital Partners, and Senior Vice President of Marketing for Sun Services, a $3.6 billion division of Sun Microsystems. He also served at Webvan as Vice-President...

Sponsored By AdCirrus ERP, your trusted partner for cloud ERP solutions. Learn more at adcirruserp.com.



Meet Hani Malek

With over 35 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, I am a passionate and results-oriented leader with a proven track record of revenue, profit, and cash flow growth.

As a Professional EOS Implementer, I help entrepreneurs and business leaders get better at three things - VISION, TRACTION and HEALTHY. At the end of our journey together, everyone is on the same page with where the company is going and how it is go...

Meet Liz Heiman

Liz has been conquering the sales environment since she was 15, hawking lingerie at local flea markets. A self-proclaimed introvert, she recognized that sales success comes not from owning the room but from owning the relationship. Her transformative training programs have powered the success of HP and Coca-Cola. Liz earned her stripes as head of Miller Heiman's struggling Asian-Pacific region. She engineered a turnaround from red ink to black, catapulting annual sales to $1 million within just two years.

At the vanguard of B2B sales, Liz specializes in propelling manufacturing companies from uncertainty...

Meet Ron Hockersmith

Ron grew up in Arizona and studied Mechanical Engineering at Arizona State University and The California Institute of Technology. After stints in gas turbine engine design and research on the mechanics of viruses he ended up in Milwaukee at GE Healthcare. Ron became a Lean Master Blackbelt and led teams in new product introductions at GE for 14 years before transitioning to a VP of Engineering role for an international defense contractor.  Ron retired early in 2020 and after fixing everything there was to fix on his 1903 Victorian home, he got bored and started working part-time a...

Meet Damon Pistulka

Damon Pistulka is the co-founder of Exit Your Way, a company dedicated to helping business owners maximize their business value, prepare for successful exits, and sell their businesses.

Damon’s journey started on a 3,000-acre farm in South Dakota, where he learned the true meaning of hard work and resilience. His career began in engineering but quickly expanded into leading and scaling companies across industries like manufacturing and healthcare.

Damon’s expertise lies in business strategy, leadership development, transforming business operations, and the lives of those who run them.

Wh...

Meet Eric Decker

Eric Decker is WMEP’s Business Development Manager for southeastern Wisconsin. He works with small and mid-sized manufacturers to help them understand opportunities to improve operations, grow profitability and develop their employees. 

During his career, Eric has spent considerable time serving small and mid-sized manufacturers in southeastern Wisconsin. Before working at WMEP (where he’s been for almost eight years), he worked with organizations such as GPS Education Partners and BizTimes Milwaukee. 

Eric’s family lives in Wauwatosa. During his free time, enjoys the outdoors, cooking, fitness and skateboarding.

Connec...

Meet Susan & Scot Westwater

Meet Susan and Scot Westwater, the dynamic duo behind Pragmatic Digital. They're on a mission to help manufacturers strategically implement AI to accelerate sales cycles and drive revenue growth. With two books and over 40 years of combined experience, they bring a refreshingly practical approach to digital transformation. By combining Susan's customer experience expertise with Scot's tech-savvy, they help manufacturing leaders find more qualified OEM leads and close deals faster. The result? Significantly

reduced development cycles and marketing challenges turned into competitive advantages. No jargon, no empty promises – just measurable business growth.

Meet Angela Thurman

Angela Thurman holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and is a certified Project Management Professional™. She served for more than ten years as a Subcontracts Program Manager at Collins Aerospace, managing complex third-party products for their large customers such as Boeing and Airbus. While at Collins she was recognized as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Supplier Management.

Since leaving Collins in late 2020, Ms. Thurman has launched Thurman Co., LLC, a technical project management consulting firm in Houston, TX. Thurman Co. provides its clients with customized project ma...

Meet Emily Honor Hubbard

Emily Honor Hubbard is the owner of Empathic Engineering, where she coaches people in manufacturing to reduce stressful misunderstandings with improved communication. She is a Spanish-bilingual mechanical engineer, has published research on the development of empathy in engineers, and served in several international manufacturing roles, including Ford Motor Company in Mexico. Now, she is grateful

to identify opportunities for manufacturing teams and individuals to build new skills so their work becomes more impactful and enjoyable.

Connect with Emily!

Empathic Engineering

(608)239-2738 

LinkedIn

Meet Erica Case

Erica Case is currently the Head of Human Resources at LiveWire Group, LLC. Ms. Case joined LiveWire from Harley-Davidson where she was most recently Director Human Resources, Global Manufacturing and Product Development. Prior to that Ms. Case held multiple Human Resources roles in her 16 years at Harley-Davidson. Prior to joining Harley-Davidson, Ms. Case held various positions at Kraft Foods, AT&T (formerly SBC), and owned and operated The Alchemist Theatre. Ms. Case also serves on the Board of Director for Milwaukee Area Technical College and the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council. Ms. Case holds an...

Meet Pam Buckley

Pam Buckley is a CPA and senior manager of the Outsourced Accounting & Advisory practice at Chortek. She started her career at Chortek 26 years ago as an auditor and business process consultant. She left public accounting for 17 years and worked as a controller and CFO at various manufacturing firms. This experience gave her valuable first-hand knowledge of the day-to-day challenges manufacturers face. In 2021, she returned to Chortek to apply her expertise, helping build a new Outsourced Accounting & Advisory practice specializing in manufacturing.

Links

MIT Pirate Certificate

Serviceberry

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Meet Nirav Shah and Peter Nicholson

Nirav Shah has been working in the ERP space for the past 20 years. During those years, he has worked primarily to help customers of all various sizes and industries implement advanced warehousing and manufacturing processes. He also has an MBA in Accounting which helps him work closely with finance teams to melt proper finance rules and guidelines to manufacturing/distribution processes. Recently, he started a VAR to help companies realize the benefits of cloud ERP solutions specifically in the B2B manufacturing and distribution industries.

Peter Nicholson has long...

Meet Ken Fanger

Ken has 30 years' experience, he's an MBA, a CMMC-RP and is part of the Cyber Reserve and a graduate of the Goldman Sachs' 10KSB Program. He is working on an Interational project to help AI increase voter engagement. He has started the movement towards Humanizing Security - to make allies of all of us.

Resources

See Something, Say Something

CyberAB.org 

Connect with Ken!

On Technology Partners

info@ontechnologypartners.com 

kennethfanger.com

Facebook

Li...

Meet Chantel Soumis

Chantel Soumis is an accomplished international speaker and LinkedIn influencer in digital marketing, Chantel shares cutting-edge news, articles, and insights aimed at propelling companies to new heights of success through innovative marketing practices. With a global reach, she has graced stages from London to LA, captivating audiences with her expertise and passion for revolutionizing marketing strategies in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Links

Keystone Click AI Ethics Policy

Connect with Chantel!

LinkedIn

Highlights

00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker

02:12 Guest...

A Special Video Episode

In this engaging episode recorded live at the Podcast Town Festival, the hosts delve into the increasing career satisfaction experienced by women in the manufacturing sector. Inspired by an article from Supply and Demand Chain Executive, the discussion highlights how training, opportunities, and innovative benefits are attracting female talent. The conversation examines companies' roles in breaking cultural barriers, the transformative impact women have in manufacturing, and strategies like on-site clinics and educational support. Additionally, the hosts share insights on networking, community involvement, and educational initiatives aimed at young girls to foster interest in...

Meet Moustafa Moursy

Moustafa Moursy is a deeply experienced entrepreneur who empowers business owners to scale rapidly by rationalizing and mastering processes specific to their circumstances. Moustafa leads Push Analytics, a top consultancy firm helping businesses grow and optimize their business processes. His strong technical foundation and expertise in B2B sales and sales leadership allow him to combine complex processes and technology stacks to deliver custom, hyper-focused systems that maximize efficiency, profits, and market share. By observing functions, conversing with principals, and creating elegant structures, Moustafa and Push generate rapid growth and help businesses more powerfully...

Meet Chris Czarnik

Chris Czarnik, a former military officer and HR manager, revolutionized job search approaches with "The Human Search Engine," endorsed by US Congress as a standard. He later innovated talent acquisition processes to reduce turnover and authored "Winning the War for Talent," influencing over 3,500 organizations worldwide. As a coach and strategist, Chris offers customized solutions to enhance talent

management, helping CEOs and leaders cultivate environments where employees excel. As a top speaker for Vistage for five consecutive years, he empowers organizations to adapt to modern challenges and rethink success in talent development.

Meet Terry Tuttle

Terry Tuttle is President of HellermannTyton North America, the leading supplier of cable management products to the automotive, heavy truck and equipment, renewable energy and other industrial markets. Previously, Tuttle held various marketing positions with HellermannTyton and had been VP of Sales and Marketing in 2009 before her current appointment. She has held advisory positions with the Federal Reserve of Chicago and a board position with Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast. Tuttle also is a keynote speaker and panelist. She is a wife and mom (currently of a high school senior) and also enjoys traveling...

Meet Whitney Jennings

Whitney started working for an automotive gasket manufacturer in 1994, and has worked in the aftermarket ever since. She’s been a pricing specialist, a sales administrator, customer service manager, sales manager, and today, president of her own company. She’s married and has two daughters. One is a senior in HS and the other started college last year. I also have 4 stepchildren who are all grown, 2 pugs and a beabull (beagle/bulldog mix).

QXHD is a woman owned / woman-controlled business based in Phoenix, AZ.

Connect with Whitney!

QX Heav...

Meet Stacia Hobson

Stacia Hobson, co-owner of Image Industries Inc, began her career in the family business upon graduating college. Although her plan was never to work for the business let alone own it, she was the key driver in transforming the business from 100% distribution to 100% manufacturing.

Today, she runs operations for her family’s multimillion-dollar manufacturing business serving nine distinct vertical markets.

Stacia is acutely aware of what it takes to succeed as a woman in a male-dominated, blue-collar industry. She is passionate and proud to be in manufacturing as she feels th...

Meet Prashanth Sharma

Prashanth Sharma is the CTO at ThoughtFocus and leads the technology function across all business lines and customer engagements. With over 22 years of industry experience, Prashanth is spearheading the next wave of technology growth at ThoughtFocus, motivating teams to exceed customer expectations.

Connect with Prashanth!

www.thoughtfocus.com

LinkedIn

Highlights

00:00 National Donut Day Fun

01:49 Introducing Our Guest: Prashanthh Sharma

03:02 Hardware vs. Software Evolution in Manufacturing

05:43 The Role of Robotics in Manufacturing

08:20 Sustainability and Technology

11:13...

Meet Trevor Blondeel

Trevor Blondeel founded Manufacturing Greatness. He has 25 years of experience leading manufacturing plants and is the host of the podcast Mindfulness Manufacturing.

He works with organizations as a speaker, advisor, and coach to connect the top to the shop. In his spare time, he serves as the president for the Kentucky/Indiana National Speakers Association chapter.

Connect with Trevor!

Manufacturing Greatness

trevorblondeel.com

LinkedIn

Instagram

Mindfulness Manufacturing Podcast

Highlights

00:36 Introduction and Recent TV...

Meet Jaclyn Kolodziej

Jaclyn Kolodziej, Client Growth Services Specialist at the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC), has worked on over 220 marketing projects over the past two years.

With a diverse background in various manufacturing sectors, Jaclyn has amassed a wealth of experience driving progress and innovation through marketing. Her unwavering goal has always been to propel momentum by executing marketing projects and crafting strategic growth plans for manufacturers.

Jaclyn blends her passion for achieving tangible results with her expertise in marketing playing a pivotal role in assisting manufacturers across Illinois to enhance their...

Meet Rachel Slade

Rachel is an author and journalist (trained as an architect) with more than 15 years of publishing experience. Her first book, "Into the Raging Sea," about the 2015 sinking of the American cargo ship El Faro, was a NYT Notable Book and winner of the Maine Literary Award. Her second book, "Making It in America," about the American manufacturing revival, came out in January 2024.

She has a passion for uncovering and developing compelling tales about politics, work, design, and urban planning that engage and inspire audiences across different mediums and genres. She has produced...

Meet Barbara Pennell Jaynes

In 2013, Barbara founded Positively-Funded. She has engaged with manufacturers, facilitating their strategic growth planning: beta testing, opening new markets, product launches, and creating key industry partnerships. 

Highlights

00:00 Travel Stories and Favorite Destinations

03:28 Introducing Barbara Pennell Jaynes

04:56 Business Development vs. Traditional Marketing

06:04 The Importance of Real-World Feedback

08:44 Beta Testing and Storytelling in Manufacturing

12:08 The Value of Manufacturing Facility Tours

14:14 LinkedIn Strategies and Weird Facts

21:23 Conclusion and Contact Information

Connect with Barbara!

This special episode, partially recorded live at the Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Southern Wisconsin Chapter event 'From Mic to Merlot' on May 15, 2024, at Wollersheim Winery, delves into the experiences and impact of WiM. The hosts share their excitement about the event and interview Andrea Virsnieks, President of WiM Southern Wisconsin, who provides insights into the organization’s mission, history, and her personal journey in reviving the chapter. The episode also features interviews with several WiM members discussing the importance of networking, the unique challenges and opportunities for women in the manufacturing industry, and the sense of community within WiM. Li...

Meet Chris Peer

Chris brings more than 20 years of experience in B2B digital marketing strategy, lead generation, and marketing consultancy for manufacturing firms. An author and entrepreneur, Chris is the founder and CEO of G8P and SyncShow.

Having witnessed the pain and frustration caused by ineffective marketing, Chris and his team developed the Great 8 Pillars to transform the marketing department from a corporate expense into a profit center. He has helped hundreds of companies scale through world-class marketing best practices.

Chris’ perspective on marketing operations transcends tactical methodologies and focuses on pe...

In this special 50th episode, Erin, Lori and Kris reflect on their podcast journey, celebrating the diverse and enlightening conversations they've had with various guests from the manufacturing industry. They reminisce about starting the podcast, how it's evolved, and the personal growth and gratification they've experienced along the way. Highlighting their favorite episodes, they discuss poignant moments with guests like Nicole Donnelly and Nicki Vo, share valuable insights on manufacturing, digital transformation, women in STEM, and the importance of veterans in the workforce. The episode emphasizes the value of authenticity, diverse opinions, and the unique perspectives each host brings...

Meet Jeff Beyle

Jeff started out writing software and then went to law school because he played softball with a bunch of lawyers and thought their work was interesting.

Then he got lucky and joined Coca-Cola and had the opportunity to move to Hong Kong. He spent 7 years there, focusing mainly on China and Korea. Jeff moved to Seattle to join Getty Images. Eventually, he had the opportunity to set up Getty Images’ business in Latin America. After he and his then-biz-partner sold that company to Getty Images, his current business partner convinced him to co...

Meet Retired LtCol Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz

Retired LtCol Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz is an award-winning businesswoman with first-hand experience hiring Veterans who coaches employers how to boost productivity and reduce turnover by hiring and retaining Veterans. She helps companies become “Veteran-Ready” through the creation of a Veteran Talent Strategy. Her “Veteran Talent Academy” equips employers to find, hire and leverage Veterans’ skillsets. She is the Founder & CEO of Vanguard Veteran, LLC, author of “Beyond ‘Thank You For your Service,’ The Veteran Champion Handbook” for Civilians and has Masters degrees in Nursing and Political Science. She grew up as a Navy ‘brat,’ ser...