Best Jasonzenger Podcasts (2024)

1
How to Win Production Work, 437 41:02

1d ago41:02

41:02

Are you ready to take your manufacturing business to the next level with production work? This episode of MakingChips dives into the top five benefits of production work and the essential steps to position your shop as a full-service production-ready operation. Imagine the stability and growth potential when a substantial portion of your monthly re…

1
How Can We Champion Manufacturing? with Terry Iverson (Part 2), 436 32:29

9d ago32:29

32:29

In this MakingChips episode, Terry discusses the transformative power of mentoring in manufacturing, especially the importance of reverse mentoring. He shares how younger, tech-savvy workers can help Baby Boomers adapt to new technologies, creating a reciprocal learning relationship. This approach combines the strengths of both generations, enhanci…

1
How Can We Champion Manufacturing? with Terry Iverson (Part 1), 435 32:57

16d ago32:57

32:57

On this episode of MakingChips, Jason dives into a conversation with Terry Iverson about his book, “Finding America's Greatest Champion: Building Prosperity Through Manufacturing, Mentoring and the Awesome Responsibility of Parenting.” Through initiatives like CHAMPION Now!®, Iverson strives to change public perceptions about manufacturing. He advo…

1
How the Skilled Careers Coalition is Bridging the Manufacturing Skills Gap, 434 50:32

27d ago50:32

50:32

“How do we connect today’s youth with the skilled careers of tomorrow?” This is the challenge the Skilled Careers Coalition is determined to solve. Manufacturing is at a crossroads. Long-time business owners are retiring without successors, shutting down operations entirely. Skilled operators are stepping away, leaving a void without replacements. …

1
Automation Begins Before Machining with Toolpath Part II, 433 22:44

29d ago22:44

22:44

In this episode of MakingChips, Al Whatmough explores how AI and automation are transforming the manufacturing industry—not by replacing people, but by empowering them to focus on higher-value work. Al shares insights from IMTS and introduces the concept of Human-Aided Manufacturing (HAM), where AI handles routine tasks, freeing machinists to make …

1
Automation Begins Before Machining with Toolpath, Part 1 25:00

1M ago25:00

25:00

How does a machinist from Canada end up leading a California tech startup? In Episode #432 of MakingChips, Al Whatmough shares his unique journey—from the shop floor to becoming the CEO of Toolpath, a company dedicated to improving machining through smart software solutions. Al’s path is shaped by personal challenges, faith, and a passion for build…

1
Top Technology Takeaways From IMTS 2024, 431 28:28

1M ago28:28

28:28

IMTS is where manufacturing's cutting-edge technology takes center stage, and this year was no exception. IMTS 2024 brought the future to the forefront, showcasing the most advanced solutions in the industry. In this episode of MakingChips, Nush Ahmed and Chris Luecke join Paul, Nick, and Mike to dive into the game-changing technologies that caught…

1
How the Mexican Manufacturing Industry Can help you Grow Your American Business, 430 42:49

1M ago42:49

42:49

Why would an American company want to consider expanding operations to Mexico? With more experienced engineers retiring and a decreasing number of new blood entering the manufacturing workforce, Mexico has become a viable option for operations. But is the process worth the potential hassle? Today’s guest is the Senior Director of Latin America for …

1
The State of Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing, 429 33:36

1M ago33:36

33:36

In the wake of 9/11, the aerospace and defense industry experienced a dramatic transformation, with new regulations like the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 reshaping how manufacturers handled sensitive data. For many small shops, it was a turning point—forcing them to adapt while navigating a surge in defense demand. Companies …

1
How AI Implementation Can Be Transformative with CloudNC Founder Theo Saville, 428 34:53

1M ago34:53

34:53

Theo Saville was frustrated by the lack of real-world applications for 3D printing. Then it struck him: Why not make CNC machining as simple as 3D printing? What if we could make machines smarter by installing more sensors? What if we gave the software more inputs to work with? Theo immediately set out to disrupt a 600-billion-dollar industry and, …

1
Practical Use Cases for AI in Your Machine Shop, 427 29:21

2M ago29:21

29:21

Wouldn’t it be amazing to come up with a design for anything and turn it into a physical reality as easily as you can create something in Photoshop? What would people build if it were that easy? And what if you had machine monitoring in place for every piece of machinery, regardless of its age? In this special episode of MakingChips recorded live a…

1
Brewing Success for Manufacturing Leaders with ShopFloor Coffee, 426 40:50

2M ago40:50

40:50

The two biggest complaints in any business are always the quality of the toilet paper and the coffee. Joking aside—coffee is a crucial part of any shop’s function. You need to have good coffee on the shop floor. Mike Franz and his Co-Founder Amy Teal set out to do two things when they created ShopFloor Coffee. Their first goal was to create an amaz…

1
At The Boring Bar 1-3, (Jason Zenger, Nick Goellner, Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Peter Eelman, Nicole Wolter, Chris Luecke, and Manny Pasillas) 425 34:50

2M ago34:50

34:50

In the final segment of the first edition of At The Boring Bar, our expert panel of guests return to dive into the future of manufacturing and why manufacturing leaders need to embrace technology. They discuss the application of 3D printing and additive manufacturing and how they can be used to attract the next generation. Jason Zenger, Nick Goelln…

1
At the Boring Bar 1-2 (Jason Zenger, Nick Goellner, Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Peter Eelman, Nicole Wolter, Chris Luecke, and Manny Pasillas) 40:50

2M ago40:50

40:50

How do you grow a machine shop through acquisitions? What is it like working in a legacy family business? How do you find and hire talented engineers? Where does AI fit into the daily grind? These are all questions that this team of industry experts and friends seek to answer over a glass of bourbon At the Boring Bar. Jason Zenger, Nick Goellner, M…

1
At the Boring Bar 1-1 (Jason Zenger, Nick Goellner, Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Peter Eelman, Nicole Wolter, Chris Luecke, and Manny Pasillas) 44:19

3M ago44:19

44:19

Some of the greatest ideas in manufacturing don’t happen in boardrooms but over a drink with peers. In At the Boring Bar, Jason aims to cut deeper into the conversations that matter most to manufacturing leaders. So pull up a chair, grab a drink, and join Jason as he uncovers the insights that drive the manufacturing industry forward. In this inaug…

1
The Past, Present, and Future of IMTS with the "Show Boss" Peter Eelman, 422 52:52

3M ago52:52

52:52

“Inspiring the extraordinary” is the theme for this year’s IMTS and that’s exactly what they’re doing. The Emerging Technology Center will showcase extraordinary advances in technology (including an exhibit by BlueForge Alliance and Apptronik's AI-Powered General Purpose Humanoid Robot). They’re offering specific ELEVATE programs for job shops, wom…

1
If You Don't Plan Machine Tool Maintenance, Your Machines Will Do it for You, 421 53:02

3M ago53:02

53:02

Maintenance is something that’s essential to protect the longevity of your machines but rarely something regularly implemented in shops. It’s often a huge and costly mistake. Don’t know where to start? In this episode, Manny Pasillas—a machine tool maintenance expert and the Founder and VP of Business Development for Tech CNCs—shares a simple yet e…

1
Lights Out: Are You Even Prepared to Run a Lights Out Shop? 420 41:53

3M ago41:53

41:53

What do you need to know before you launch automation in your shop? What would be signs that you’re not ready to automate? If you’re launching the process, how can you use your ERP/MRP to the fullest? Even the smallest mistakes—like not having a process in place to deal with the chips your machines are creating while running lights out—can be costl…

1
Lights out: Connecting Advanced Machining Strategies to Business Results Part 2, 419 26:10

4M ago26:10

26:10

Here’s our controversial take: We believe that “automated” is more important than “operated”. It’s a stance that scares a lot of operators—but it shouldn’t. In this episode of MakingChips, Mike Payne and Kaleb Mertz return to dive into part loading and pallet loading, a mixed vs fixed mindset, and why predictive is better than reactive. We’ll conne…

1
Lights Out: Connecting Advanced Machining Strategies to Business Results Part 1, 418 28:48

4M ago28:48

28:48

Machine monitoring can give us insights into our machines that can and should change how we’re operating. The end goal is to drive better business results. But how should monitoring be paired with advanced business strategies to help you achieve those results? Mike Payne, Kaleb Mertz and I connect the dots in this episode of MakingChips. Because if…

1
Is Work-Life Balance a Fallacy? Part 2, 417 25:34

4M ago25:34

25:34

What if your life has little distinction between work and play? What if you’re so passionate about what you do that the time you spend on it is inconsequential? We began to explore the idea of work-life integration in part 1 of this series. In part 2, we dive into the creative ways we integrate our work and personal lives so that we can be fully pr…

1
Is Work-Life Balance a Fallacy? Part 1, 416 27:36

4M ago27:36

27:36

Work-life balance. It’s a phrase that’s often thrown around. Many of us struggle feeling like we’ll never achieve some sort of balance. Work usually fills a greater space than we think it should. But what if that’s okay? Everyone’s heard the adage, “Find something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” What if you love your work? What …

1
MakingSparks: Using LinkedIn to Drive Leads for Your Manufacturing Business with Preston Hadley, 415 37:24

5M ago37:24

37:24

There are over 1 billion users on LinkedIn worldwide, 200 million of which are in the United States. Manufacturing is one of the largest industry segments represented on LinkedIn. Interestingly, LinkedIn is rewarding people who create content and share it on their platform. Why? It’s simple—they need more content. It’s time for manufacturing and fa…

1
MakingSparks: What’s Keeping You Up at Night? An Update from Matthew and Casey, 414 23:55

5M ago23:55

23:55

What’s keeping you up at night? What are you excited about? It’s important to reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly. Why? First and foremost, to learn from our mistakes. But secondly, to embrace gratitude. Even despite challenges and setbacks, there’s always room for gratefulness and thankfulness. So in this episode of MakingSparks, Casey and …

1
How to Adapt CNC Training for the Next Generation of Manufacturing Leaders - Part 2, 413 41:12

5M ago41:12

41:12

Gamification. Gamification is a highly successful strategy in the world of marketing. It’s used all the time to enhance engagement in children’s education. How can we apply gamification concepts to manufacturing education? Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Gabe Kooyers, and Chris Townsend joined me in this discussion and nailed down some incredible ways …

1
How to Adapt CNC Training for the Next Generation of Manufacturing Leaders - Part 1, 412 34:55

5M ago34:55

34:55

How do we train the next generation of manufacturing leaders so employers are ready to hire them immediately? Do students still need to learn manual machinery? Or do employers only want skilled CNC machinists? These are just a few questions we dissect in this conversation with special guest and long-term educator Gabe Kooyers. Because if we’re not …

1
MakingSparks: Women in Welding, 411 38:03

5M ago38:03

38:03

Did you know that only about 6% of welders are women? Women bring a much-needed perspective and expertise to the table. So how do we get more women in welding? NIX has actively been trying to recruit, hire, and retain more women. In this episode of MakingSparks, we sit down with Tori Guzman and Aubree Beyer to hear what they think we can do—or cont…

1
MFG News Special: Where are We at with the Reshoring Initiative? 410 44:27

6M ago44:27

44:27

Where is the United States with reshoring initiatives? Do we still have huge vulnerabilities in our supply chain(s) that need to be addressed? If we continue to reshore manufacturing, will companies remain competitive? Reshoring impacts supply chains. Reshoring brings more jobs and opportunities to the US. These are all valid questions that are pla…

1
Lights Out: A Samurai's Journey to Automation, 409 46:25

6M ago46:25

46:25

Can small shops begin to automate their processes? Where do they start with automation? In this episode of MakingChips, the CNC Samurai, Steve Courchane, returns to share his passion for automation. He lays out his 3M process and how it changes the way you view automation. Because if you’re not modeling, making, or measuring—you’re not MakingChips.…

1
How Can Manufacturing Leaders Measure Their Customer Relationships? 408 33:56

6M ago33:56

33:56

Whether you’re a small business or a growing enterprise, you need to seek out new customers and build relationships with them while pushing them through your sales pipeline. The reality is that you have to make more sales to grow your business. You need a way to track and measure your progress with potential customers (and current key accounts). In…

1
MakingSparks: Why Numbers are Important for Your Manufacturing Business | Mike Payne Part 2, 407 41:04

6M ago41:04

41:04

You need to know the “numbers” in your business. Every business owner needs to know that they’re making enough to pay their employees, make and deliver their products, and grow the business. That’s just good business. Non-financial metrics are important, too. A successful business has to focus on quality, safety, customer service, on-time delivery,…

1
MakingSparks: Oklahoma Meets Indiana - A Manufacturing Chat with Mike Payne Part 1, 406 37:41

7M ago37:41

37:41

Mike Payne has spent the last 20+ years deeply entrenched in the M&A process with dozens of companies throughout Oklahoma. Early in his career, he realized he loved the world of manufacturing. He also learned that he enjoyed operating a business. He was just waiting for the right opportunity to unfold. Then it happened: Six years ago, Mike was able…

1
Should You Use a Recruiter to Find Your Next Manufacturing Leader? 405 46:33

7M ago46:33

46:33

Are you the type of manufacturing leader who prefers to do everything yourself? You learn and innovate as you go, right? We’ve learned from experience: There is an art and a science to recruiting. I’ve muddled through using LinkedIn Recruiter to make some hires. And while it’s a great tool, it can only do so much. So in this episode of MakingChips,…

1
The Journey from Scan to CAD to Part at Hill Manufacturing, 404 33:36

7M ago33:36

33:36

My shop has been restoring a 1959 Ford F10. When we decided to recreate a digital dash for the truck, we decided to ask the LinkedIn world for help. That’s when I met Ira Laughy with rapid3D. Rapid3D exists to solve complex measurement challenges to empower confident decision-making. We scanned the space and current dash and Ira and his team helped…

1
Are You Putting Too Much Trust in Your Supply Chain? 403 38:41

7M ago38:41

38:41

How important is building relationships and trust with your vendors? When you do have established relationships, are you placing too much trust in them? How do you balance being business savvy and trusting? Mark McCormack is known for saying “All things being equal, people will do business with a friend; all things being unequal, people will still …

1
How Businesses Can Collaborate with Technical Education, 402 37:19

8M ago37:19

37:19

What are the benefits of working closely with a local career & technical education center? You can have a huge impact on the local community, education system, and businesses. If you partner with a local technical center, it could have a far-reaching impact—and it just might help you recruit the next generation. Nix Partners with a local career & t…

1
SZN1: Should Women Entrepreneurs Choose the Manufacturing Industry? 401 40:17

8M ago40:17

40:17

POV: You’re a woman with an entrepreneurial edge. You want to start a business. Why not consider the manufacturing industry? There are only 6,431 women-owned manufacturing businesses in the United States (representing just 2% of all manufacturing companies). 20% of them are minority-owned. This industry needs a woman’s perspective and expertise. So…

1
Lights Out: How to Prioritize Flexibility when You Invest in Automation, 400 36:09

8M ago36:09

36:09

POV: You’ve decided to start the process of implementing automation in your machine shop—but it isn’t as easy as flipping a switch. It’s a process that consists of failing forward and learning from every mistake. Tom Schroeder—the Executive Vice President at PBC Linear—joins us in this episode of Lights Out to share how to prioritize flexibility wh…

1
Do We Need More Manufacturing Entrepreneurs? 399 43:56

8M ago43:56

43:56

There are around 17,000 contract manufacturing job shops in the US. That sounds pretty great, right? The truth is that growth is down 16% since 2008. Now, more than ever, we need new entrepreneurs in the manufacturing industry. Matthew Nix, Paul Van Metre, Drew Crowe, and Mike Payne join me in this roundtable discussion to talk about the vast oppor…

1
MakingSparks: Staying Connected through Your Front Line Leaders Part 2, 398 29:56

9M ago29:56

29:56

How can leadership remain connected to what’s happening on the shop floor? At Nix, we’ve found a creative way to bridge a gap that many businesses experience. We’ve implemented a program that allows our front line to address problems and propose solutions so that their everyday real-world problems are being fixed. Dakota Hunt and Jack Henry Hagan r…

1
MakingSparks: Growing Shop Floor Front Line Leaders Part 1, 397 27:06

9M ago27:06

27:06

How do we recruit more young talent to fabrication? How do we navigate rapid growth balanced with training and development? How do we help develop young talent into our future leaders? These are just a few questions we wrestle with in this episode of MakingSparks with special guests Dakota Hunt and Jack Henry Hagan. – Matthew Nix Segments [0:48] Jo…

1
MakingSparks: Manufacturing Precision and Processes with BWXT GM Nate Foote, 396 38:14

9M ago38:14

38:14

BWXT Mount Vernon produces components for naval nuclear reactors, used in submarines and aircraft carriers. Their sprawling facility is home to CNC machine tools and sophisticated welding and heat-treating equipment. In this episode of MakingSparks, General Manager Nate Foote shares more about their commitment to processes, their recruiting practic…

1
MakingSparks: How Technology Drives Innovation on the Other Side of Metalworking Nation, 395 44:01

9M ago44:01

44:01

What are the pros and cons of plasma cutters vs. water jets vs. lasers? How does cutting with nitrogen differ from cutting with oxygen? How is technology driving innovation in fabrication? R.J. Reed and Brendon DiVincenzo join us in this episode of MakingSparks to cover all things lasers and fabrication. Because if you’re not MakingSparks with the …

1
An Important Update on Jason Zenger and the Leadership Lessons We Learned from It, 394 36:21

10M ago36:21

36:21

On December 7th, 2023, Jason had a heart attack, the type well-known as the “widow-maker.” Miraculously, Jason survived. Then he survived a heart transplant. January 19th, 2024, he went home. Jason beat the odds. In this episode of MakingChips, we’ll share Jason’s miraculous story. We’ll also share some of the lessons we’ve learned throughout the l…

1
MakingSparks: Expanding and Transitioning a Family Business in Manufacturing with Joe Patterson, 393 44:50

10M ago44:50

44:50

Every family business that’s growing and expanding runs into some challenges. From navigating tough conversations with family to determining a centralized versus decentralized model, there are numerous things to consider. Joe Patterson’s family business overcame the challenges that came their way and expanded globally. However, they had lofty goals…

1
MakingSparks: Embracing the Family Aspect of Business with Tad Dickel Part 2, 392 34:58

10M ago34:58

34:58

communication with your family? How do you foster open communication in difficult conversations? Running a family business is full of unique challenges—and successes—that many other businesses don’t have to think about. But navigating those challenges doesn’t have to be difficult. Tad Dickel returns in this episode of MakingSparks to cover it all. …

1
MakingSparks: Navigating a Family Business in Manufacturing with Tad Dickel Part 1, 391 30:15

10M ago30:15

30:15

Nix Companies is a fifth-generation family business in an industry that's predominantly privately held and family-owned. Family-owned businesses are the fabric of our economy. Today’s guest on MakingSparks, Tad Dickel, is a Leadership & Strategy Consultant with a special interest in family-owned businesses. He helps them with everything from govern…

1
SZN1: Manufacturing Fuels Grit with Drew Crowe and Andy Mueller Part 2, 390 22:43

10M ago22:43

22:43

Cutting tool manufacturers have to remain on the cutting edge. If you do so, it’s possible to stay competitive. We know that a solid education and training for new talent is the best first step. But you also have to learn to embrace grit to make it through. We cover what else is important to remain successful and competitive in this episode of Maki…

1
SZN1: Manufacturing Fuels Grit with Drew Crowe and Andy Mueller Part 1, 389 49:59

11M ago49:59

49:59

Andy Mueller is a seasoned vet in manufacturing, one of the real OGs. I’ve leaned on him for advice and support throughout the years because he’s been through the seasons and weathered the storms. Andy was able to step in and teach my students things that I couldn’t with my limited resources. That’s why, in this episode of MakingChips, we have a co…

1
SZN1: Manufacturing Fuels Gratitude with Drew Crowe and Kyle Stoff, 388 50:40

11M ago50:40

50:40

Kyle Stoff spent his high school years doing parkour and making butterfly knives by hand. By the end of his Junior Year in high school, he’d decided he wanted to get into manufacturing to perfect his knife-making process. He skipped his Senior Year and dove into a full-time program at Ranken, becoming one of my best—and youngest—students. Now, Kyle…

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