Industry Ignited Podcast

Can a company grow, innovate, and remain competitive without losing the values that made it successful? Join Dr. Leeanne Aguilar on Industry Ignited as she welcomes Susan Griffin-Black, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of EO Products, for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, sustainable manufacturing, and building a business that puts people and purpose first. Since founding EO in 1995, Susan has helped transform the natural personal care industry through essential oil-based products, thoughtful ingredient sourcing, and a commitment to responsible business practices. She shares how her passion for creating better products evolved into a successful company, why she chose to keep manufacturing...

Manufacturing success isn't just about having the most advanced machines. It's about building stronger processes, developing skilled employees, and making smarter operational decisions. In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar welcomes Anthony Turgman of Live Solutions to discuss the challenges manufacturers face when adopting new technologies without the proper infrastructure, training, and workforce readiness. Anthony explains why companies must address their operational foundations before expecting AI, automation, and robotics to deliver meaningful results.

Throughout the conversation, Anthony shares valuable insights on manufacturing modernization, leadership, workforce empowerment, and the importance of listening to employees who understand...

Plastics are more than everyday materials. They are helping save lives, supporting groundbreaking medical innovations, and enabling technologies that shape our future. In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar welcomes Bing J. Carbone, CEO and President of Modern Plastics, for an insightful conversation about the remarkable impact of high-performance plastics. Bing explains how specialized materials are used in medical implants, aerospace systems, defense applications, and even the James Webb Space Telescope, highlighting why quality, traceability, and manufacturing precision are critical to success.

Beyond the technology, Bing shares valuable lessons from decades of leading and growing...

Can trust and reputation be more valuable than a signed contract? Join Dr. Leeanne Aguilar on Industry Ignited as she welcomes Gary LoPinto, former CEO of Sarizer Motor Company, for an inspiring conversation about professional racing, entrepreneurship, automotive innovation, and leadership. From his early passion for cars to building a successful business in motorsports and luxury automotive events, Gary shares how he transformed his expertise into opportunities with some of the world's most recognized automotive brands. He also reveals the story behind his 28-year relationship with Porsche, built on trust, personal connections, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results.<...

Refrigeration plays a critical role in modern industries, but its growing energy demands present major challenges for businesses and the environment. In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Isabel Pulido, CEO and Co-Founder of NanoFreeze, to explore how biotechnology is challenging traditional cooling methods and creating new opportunities for energy efficiency. Isabel shares her inspiring journey from studying biodesign and entrepreneurship in Colombia to developing an innovative refrigeration solution inspired by the needs of underserved rural communities. After winning an international Biodesign Challenge, she recognized the global potential of her scientific discovery and began...

Being highly skilled at your job doesn't automatically make you a great leader. True leadership goes beyond technical expertise, professional titles, and individual achievements. In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Dr. Josh O'Neal, Founder of Kinetic Leadership, to explore what separates technical competence from genuine leadership. Drawing from his background in materials science, engineering, and the aerospace and defense industry, Josh shares why character, integrity, discipline, and the ability to influence others are essential to becoming an effective leader. Together, they discuss the dangers of micromanagement, the...

Energy is no longer just another operating expense. It has become a critical factor that can determine whether a business grows, struggles, or shuts down. In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar welcomes David March of Concierge Power and Capital to explore how rising electricity costs, power reliability challenges, and changing energy markets are transforming the way businesses operate. Drawing from his extensive experience in chemical engineering, manufacturing, renewable energy investment, and business leadership, David explains why companies must begin treating energy as a strategic priority rather than simply another utility bill.

Can carbon emissions become part of the solution to the world's growing energy challenges? On this episode of Industry Ignited, host Dr. Leeanne Aguilar welcomes Natan Shahar, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Standard Carbon, for an insightful conversation about carbon capture, renewable energy, and the technologies reshaping industrial decarbonization. Natan explains how his experience working with aging building infrastructure inspired him to explore a different approach to reducing emissions. Instead of requiring companies to replace expensive boilers, industrial equipment, and heating systems, Standard Carbon is developing a process that captures carbon dioxide...

The future of smart buildings isn't about adding more technology. It's about making technology work better for people. In this insightful episode of Industry Ignited, host Dr. Leeanne Aguilar welcomes Jose Morcillo, CEO and Founder of KNX Supply and Wolf Building Technology, for an engaging discussion about smart building automation, open standards, and the innovations reshaping modern spaces. Drawing from his extensive international experience, Jose reveals the challenges of traditional proprietary systems and why flexibility, reliability, and long-term compatibility are essential when designing intelligent buildings. He also shares how KNX technology allows different manufacturers and...

Innovation isn't just about creating something new. It's about developing technology that solves real problems and can make a lasting impact. In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar welcomes Louis Ross, CEO of MEI Micro, for an insightful conversation about entrepreneurship, advanced engineering, and the future of precision sensing technology. Louis explains how his company is developing navigation-grade MEMS sensors that deliver exceptional accuracy in remarkably small devices, opening opportunities across autonomous vehicles, aerospace, defense, medical wearables, and robotics. He also reveals why moving beyond traditional research and development methods and focusing on scalable manufacturing can make...

Can millions of simple processors working independently unlock a new approach to computing? Steven Swift joins Dr. Leeanne Aguilar on Industry Ignited to discuss the ideas behind WIS and why he believes simplicity at the processor level can create extraordinary flexibility, reliability, and performance at scale. He breaks down concepts including clockless operation, parallel processing, power efficiency, and the ability to distribute computational tasks across different processing units.

Beyond the technology, Steven discusses one of innovation’s biggest obstacles: the willingness to challenge the way things have always been done. The conversation moves from processor architecture and ch...

What does it take to build a workplace where people feel supported, accountable, and motivated to perform? In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Jamile Dingle to explore why strong HR foundations matter from the very beginning. Drawing from his experience across the military, manufacturing, workforce development, and HR leadership, Jamile discusses the importance of clear expectations, consistent policies, documentation, intentional onboarding, communication, and a strong workplace culture.

The conversation also explores why employees often leave managers rather than companies, how leaders can approach accountability as an opportunity for improvement, and why...

What if offshoring isn’t actually saving companies as much money as they think? In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Harry Moser, founder of the Reshoring Initiative, to explore the true cost of offshore manufacturing and why bringing production back to the United States can make strong business sense. Harry explains why companies need to look beyond wages and purchase prices and consider freight, tariffs, inventory, supply chain risk, quality, communication, and the total cost of ownership.

The conversation also explores the future of American manufacturing, workforce development, skilled trades, apprenticeships, ge...

What if one of the world’s biggest waste problems could become one of its most valuable energy solutions? In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Dave Goebel, CEO and Founder of EnVerde LLC, to explore how waste streams can be transformed into clean energy and valuable chemical resources.

Dave shares his journey from global leadership roles in the oil and chemical industries to building a sustainability technology company focused on waste-to-energy innovation. He explains how catalytic gasification can convert organic waste into syngas and heat, why localized energy systems could play an...

What does it take to transform a 50-year-old family business into a future-ready mobility company? In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Tariq Miflal, CEO of Lumala, to explore how a third-generation manufacturing business is evolving from traditional bicycles into e-bikes, cargo bikes, electric mobility solutions, and new sustainable business models.

Tariq shares lessons from leading through disruption, earning the trust of long-time employees, understanding customers firsthand, and choosing profitability over competing in a race to the bottom. From automation and data-driven manufacturing to sustainability, global expansion, and battery-swapping technology, this conversation...

What happens when a frustrating personal recovery experience reveals a problem the healthcare industry has overlooked? On this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Sam Jacobsak, a former professional baseball player turned entrepreneur, to explore how his own shoulder surgery and struggle to sleep during recovery inspired him to build a solution designed around a real patient need.

Sam shares his journey from athlete to entrepreneur, the development of the Shoulder Sleeper, and the importance of listening closely to customers when building and improving a product. He also discusses scaling operations, working with...

What if spine surgeons could operate with real-time 3D guidance while reducing their reliance on intraoperative radiation? In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Erez Lampert, CEO and founder of PathKeeper Surgical, to explore how AI, optical 3D imaging, and surgical navigation are changing the future of spine surgery.

Erez shares how his background in aerospace, defense, and digital dentistry helped shape PathKeeper’s approach to precision and safety in the operating room. They discuss the limitations of traditional X-ray-based navigation, the challenges of building trustworthy surgical AI, PathKeeper’s vision for an A...

What does it take to walk away from a successful career in finance and build a purpose-driven brand from the ground up? In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Anu Luthra, founder and CEO of Lumehra, to explore her journey from corporate finance to entrepreneurship and the lessons she learned along the way.

Anu shares how her first product became an unexpected lesson in market validation, why even a great idea isn’t enough if it doesn’t solve a clear customer problem, and how learning to separate emotion from the numbers help...

What if the future of aviation could combine vertical takeoff, turbine-powered endurance, and the flexibility to serve both military and civilian missions?

In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with James Thurman, Founder and CEO of Portal Aircraft Company, to explore his vision for the next generation of VTOL aircraft. Drawing on his experience as a naval aviator, aerospace engineer, professor, aircraft owner, and defense industry professional, James shares how real-world aviation challenges inspired him to develop a different approach to vertical flight.

The conversation explores Portal Aircraft’s turbine-powered architecture, th...

What does it really take to bring a life-saving medical breakthrough to patients? In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Dr. Michael Weickert, CEO of Pacylex Pharmaceuticals and FE Pharmaceuticals, to discuss the realities of building first-in-class therapies in oncology and infectious disease. From the challenges of securing funding for breakthrough innovations to navigating clinical development and investor skepticism, Dr. Weickert shares decades of experience leading biotech companies focused on transforming patient care.

The conversation explores the future of cancer treatment, groundbreaking approaches to combating antibiotic resistance, and why some of the...

What if one of the biggest opportunities to improve surgical safety and operating room efficiency has been hiding in plain sight? In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leanne Aguilar sits down with Will Crawford, CEO and Co-Founder of Smart Step Surgical, to discuss how a simple observation in the operating room led to the creation of an innovative medical device that is transforming surgical ergonomics and workflow.

Will shares his journey from a successful career in spine surgery sales to launching a MedTech startup, the challenges of commercializing a medical device, and the lessons he learned...

What does it take to build technology that keeps critical systems operating when reliability matters most? In this episode of Industry Ignited, host Dr. Leeanne Aguilar welcomes Omer Sharar, CEO and Founder of infiniDOME Solutions, for an engaging discussion on the future of GPS protection, resilient navigation, and the innovations driving next-generation autonomous systems. Omer shares the story behind his company's mission to develop practical, scalable solutions that help organizations navigate increasingly complex operational environments.

The conversation explores the evolution of navigation technology, the challenges of launching a hardware...

What separates companies that simply survive from those that continue to grow for decades? In this thought-provoking episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar welcomes Emir Avdic, President and CEO of Sebright Products Inc., for an in-depth conversation about leadership, innovation, employee ownership, and building organizations where people genuinely care about the company's success. Emir explains how international experience, strategic thinking, and a people-first mindset have helped transform Seabright into a stronger, more connected business while tackling some of the world's biggest recycling and sustainability challenges.

Throughout the episode, you'll learn why communication...

What if one breakthrough could dramatically improve the efficiency of electric vehicles, data centers, renewable energy systems, and the power grid? In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Don Currie, CEO of Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd., to explore the innovation behind zero-voltage switching and why it has the potential to change how electricity is converted and delivered across multiple industries. Discover why engineers, manufacturers, and energy leaders are paying close attention to this emerging technology.

Beyond the technology, Don reveals the mindset that helped him navigate uncertainty, pivot from fossil fuels to...

In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Ayesha Ibrahim, CEO of Honey Corn, to explore how one natural ingredient, honey, became the foundation of an award-winning ethical skincare brand. What started as a personal search for relief from postpartum eczema evolved into a global entrepreneurial journey driven by sustainability, innovation, and a passion for creating products that work. Ayesha shares how ancient knowledge, scientific research, and a commitment to natural ingredients inspired Honey Corn's unique approach to skincare while challenging traditional beauty industry norms.

Beyond skincare, this conversation...

Why Reliability Wins Missions isn't just a statement; it's the philosophy behind the next generation of autonomous aircraft. In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Mark Strauss, Founder and CEO of Wave Aerospace, to discuss how his company is redefining UAV performance with aircraft designed to succeed when conventional drones can't. Discover how innovative engineering, intelligent power management, and mission-focused design enable these systems to operate in extreme environments where failure simply isn't an option. 

Throughout the conversation, Mark explains why reliability must be built into e...

What does it take to build successful companies across multiple industries and then apply those lessons to one of the biggest challenges in commercial energy? In this episode, Andrew Stock joins Dr. Leeanne Aguilar to discuss the future of solar, energy storage, geothermal power, and the critical role of financing in helping projects get built. Andrew explains why many solar companies struggle, how outdated distribution models inflate costs, and why the next wave of innovation will come from improving efficiency across the entire supply chain.

The conversation also explores entrepreneurship, leadership, AI, operational systems, and the mindset...

What separates a successful battery company from one that runs out of money before reaching scale? In this episode, Mark Hagedorn shares the operational playbook behind building and growing battery energy storage businesses, including lessons learned from startups, manufacturing facilities, supply chains, and large-scale energy projects. He explains why great technology alone isn't enough and how strong operations, financial planning, and customer focus ultimately determine long-term success.

From domestic content requirements and battery controls to ERP systems, quality management, and scaling manufacturing capacity, this discussion offers a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of the energy storage industry...

What if manufacturers could reduce energy costs, lower carbon emissions, and modernize critical infrastructure without investing any capital upfront? In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with David Kipling, CEO of On-site Energy Group, to explore how innovative energy financing models are helping industrial companies unlock major savings while accelerating their sustainability goals. David shares his journey from corporate finance and renewable energy development to building a fast-growing energy business with more than $90 million in assets under management.

The conversation covers the biggest challenges facing manufacturers today, including rising energy costs, decarbonization pressures...

What if the next breakthrough in AI, engineering, or product innovation isn't something humans invent, but something nature has already perfected? In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar sits down with Sidney Rostan, Founder and CEO of Bioxegy, France's leading biomimicry R&D design office, to explore how companies are using nature-inspired solutions to solve some of industry's most complex challenges. From aerospace and automotive to manufacturing and artificial intelligence, Sidney reveals how biomimicry is helping organizations improve performance, reduce costs, create patents, and unlock entirely new approaches to innovation.

Sidney shares the realities of...

What really happens when manufacturers compete only on price? In this powerful conversation, David Thuro explains why cheap manufacturing often leads to hidden costs, quality failures, and long-term risk. As the leader of Thuro Metal Products, David has spent decades producing mission-critical precision parts for aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial markets where accuracy, reliability, and traceability are essential. He shares how technology, automation, and process innovation helped transform the company into a trusted supplier for some of the world’s most demanding industries. 

This episode also explores the future of American manufacturing, leadership development, AI-driven operations, and how...

Why do so many breakthrough technologies never make it into the real world? In this powerful conversation, Mussel Polymers CEO George Boyajian breaks down the hidden reasons most deep tech startups fail and what founders should be doing differently from day one. Drawing from decades of experience in university commercialization, venture creation, and advanced materials, George shares the exact framework his team used to review hundreds of technologies before selecting the one that became Muscle Polymers.

This episode explores everything from startup risk management and investor matchmaking to biomimicry, manufacturing scale-up, and the difference between creating a...

What if the biggest problem in electric vehicles is something manufacturers can’t even see? In this fascinating episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Efrat Avnet Steinberg, the CEO of INNER, a company pioneering breakthrough CT scanning technology for EV battery inspection. Together, they dive into the hidden defects impacting EV batteries, why traditional quality checks are missing critical failures, and how microscopic flaws inside battery packs can lead to recalls, warranty losses, safety risks, and even fires.

Efrat explains how Inter is developing real-time battery imaging systems capable of operating directly on production lines, he...

What if the biggest advantage in manufacturing wasn’t a new machine, but a smarter tooling strategy?

In this episode, West Ohio Tool CEO Kaci King explains how custom-engineered cutting tools are helping manufacturers slash downtime, increase productivity, and save millions in operational costs. From solving “impossible” machining problems to creating tooling solutions that dramatically outperform industry standards, Kaci shares the engineering philosophy driving one of the most innovative tool companies in manufacturing today.

This conversation also explores leadership, family business growth, manufacturing culture, and the future of supply chain resilience in an era of rising...

What does it really take to lead in industries where timing, compliance, trust, and execution can determine success or failure?

In this episode of Industry Ignited, Dr. Leeanne Aguilar interviews Captain Pablo Ahumada, CEO of NEXA Industrial Solutions (GEDEF Holdings), about his journey from construction and logistics into global defense manufacturing and aerospace ambitions. Pablo shares hard-earned lessons about innovation, risk assessment, operational discipline, international business relationships, and leading under pressure in highly regulated environments.

The discussion covers everything from defense supply chains and manufacturing capacity in South America to leadership psychology, crisis management, stakeholder...

Hypersonic technology promises speeds beyond Mach 5, but there’s a critical problem most people overlook: the materials. In this deep-dive conversation, Dr. Ed Pope shares over 30 years of experience developing advanced ceramics and composites designed to survive extreme environments. From reusable heat shields to next-generation carbon-carbon materials, he explains what actually happens when systems are pushed to their physical limits, and why most materials fail.

Beyond the science, this episode explores the gap between innovation and adoption. Why do defense and aerospace companies continue relying on decades-old materials? What’s stopping better solutions from being used today? And...

Thinking about investing in automation? Watch this first. In this episode, Bill Willard shares decades of experience helping manufacturers move from “shiny object” automation to scalable, real-world solutions that deliver results. He explains why most companies underestimate the true cost of automation, why labor reduction is often the wrong ROI focus, and how overlooking operators and maintenance teams can quietly sabotage even the best-designed systems.

This conversation goes beyond the hype to reveal what actually drives success, clear process understanding, smart implementation strategies, and building trust at every level of the organization. Whether you’re just starting your a...

Damien’s journey is anything but ordinary. After losing his father, he stepped into leadership with little experience in the industry and a promise to keep the business alive. Today, he leads a company at the forefront of aerospace innovation, turning simple mechanical parts into smart, connected technologies.

In this conversation, he opens up about overcoming rejection, scaling from scratch, betting big during COVID, and building a culture that drives performance. If you're an entrepreneur, engineer, or leader navigating complex industries, this episode offers powerful insights on innovation, leadership, and the courage to take risks when it ma...

The future of work is being rebuilt right now and manufacturing is at the center of it. In this episode, Connie Gunther shares how emerging technologies like AI are transforming workforce training, accelerating certification, and helping companies scale faster than ever before. But technology alone isn’t the answer. True transformation comes from aligning industry, education, and community in a way that creates real career pathways.

Drawing on years of experience across global industries, Connie explains why traditional systems are falling short and how new models, like learn-while-producing training, are closing the gap. This conversation offers a fo...

In this episode of Industry Ignited, we challenge one of the biggest assumptions in renewable energy: that bigger is always better. Host Dr. Leeanne Aguilar speaks with Frank Gagnon of Wind-Do Energy about a new model for wind power, mid-scale turbines designed to work in networks, not just massive standalone farms.

Frank shares how his industrial engineering mindset led him to rethink wind technology from the ground up, focusing on cost efficiency, manufacturability, and real-world deployment. The discussion covers everything from why large wind projects often face resistance to how smaller turbines can be integrated into farmland...