Best Gorilla 76 Podcasts (2025)

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BONUS: Gaps in the Manufacturing Industry (and what to do about them), LIVE from Fathom's Manufacturing Exchange in Hartland, WI 42:06

1d ago42:06

42:06

What's better than a live podcast? I live podcast AND a factory tour. For today's episode, we dove into Fathom Digital Manufacturing's Hartland, WI facility before a discussion with industry experts.

1
Chocolate Castings, Apprenticeships and the Future of Manufacturing Careers w/ Mike Kubacki

2d ago

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The workforce crisis in US manufacturing isn’t just a challenge – it’s a national security risk. This is particularly true in casting and forging, where today's guest Mike Kubacki has spent two decades. In our conversation, he explores the urgent need to rebuild America’s industrial base, the reality behind modern manufacturing environments and how…

1
260: Innovations Transforming Automotive Manufacturing featuring STÄUBLI, RAM Solutions, and More 50:12

2d ago50:12

50:12

The automotive industry has come a long way from three-piece suits and mechanical production lines. Twenty-five years ago, manufacturers weren't thinking about EVs, tool changers, or the complexity we see today. Those who weathered 2008 will tell you: when the next downturn comes, it won't be your sales pitch that saves you, it'll be whether you we…

1
Episode 81 - del 2: Ny-nostalgi 2:15:18

6d ago2:15:18

2:15:18

I del 2 av episode 81 skal vi i hovedsak snakke om spillene som har preget spillhøsten vår så langt: Pokémon Legends Z–A, Kirby and the Forgotten Land i bedre og utvidet versjon på Switch 2 og ikke minst et ny-nostalgisk tilbakeblikk på to av tidenes beste Mario-spill i en fersk dobbel-utgivelse. I tillegg har det kommet et nytt mobilspill fra Nint…

1
"What's the ROI?" is the Wrong Question: Measuring Marketing Impact w/ Joe Sullivan

9d ago

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Any business owner, CEO or President wants to feel confident that the dollars they spend will produce a positive return. But sometimes focusing on ROI too soon forces you to abandon your long-term business strategy in favor of short-term wins. In this conversation, we'll look at how to measure marketing impact in two different business scenarios: 1…

1
259: Data Centers, Modularity, and Mission Critical Manufacturing featuring Keith Hutchens of BW Design Group 36:18

9d ago36:18

36:18

Data centers are popping up all over the country, and for good reason. Capacity is doubling every three to four years, equipment is booked years out, and the race for AI computing power is creating opportunities that didn't exist five years ago. Keith Hutchens from Barry-Wehmiller Design Group joins us to discuss how data centers are driving manufa…

1
The Right and Wrong Use Cases for AI in Supply Chain Recruiting w/ Friddy Hoegener

18d ago

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As artificial intelligence creeps into so many facets of our personal and professional lives, it's easy to lose sight of when it's actually working in our favor. In this conversation, Co-Founder and President of SCOPE Recruiting, Friddy Hoegener, discusses the use of AI specifically in the context of recruiting for supply chain and manufacturing ro…

1
258: Mentorship, Mid-Career Entrepreneurship, and Inspiring Women in Manufacturing with Patti Nowak, Owner of Control+M Solutions 1:04:37

17d ago1:04:37

1:04:37

Patti Nowak is a business leader in tech with stories so inspiring you’ll want to take notes. In this episode of the Manufacturing Happy Hour, we grab a beer with Patti, Owner of Control+M Solutions, to talk about mid-life entrepreneurship, mentoring women in manufacturing, and what it takes to build a thriving tech business. Patti started her care…

1
Growing a Profitable Manufacturing Business Without Outside Investors w/ Kyle Ewing

25d ago

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How do you take a boring product in a declining industry and build a powerhouse business around it, all while refusing outside funding? In this conversation, Chairman and CEO of TerraSlate, Kyle Ewing talks through the gritty and sometimes unconventional principles behind his business model – from demanding prepayments, to mastering cold calls, to …

1
257: Thinking Differently About Access to Capital in Manufacturing featuring CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) 1:05:42

24d ago1:05:42

1:05:42

What does it really take to help manufacturers grow? It’s not just about cutting costs or chasing margins. It’s about understanding how capital really moves through your business. In this episode, we’re sitting down with Erik Skie, Jon Hughes, and Aaron Traut from CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) for a roundtable chat over beers (in spirit, if not literall…

1
Nearshoring Manufacturing from Asia to Mexico: Risks, Rewards, and Realities w/ Matt Hannula

1M ago

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256: Timeless Industrial Marketing Strategies and New Ways Manufacturers Can Reach Their Ideal Customer featuring Wendy Covey of TREW Marketing and Joe Sullivan of Gorilla 76 53:17

1M ago53:17

53:17

1
BONUS: The State of Robotics in 2025: Investing in the Next Wave of Automation with Sanjay Aggarwal of F-Prime Capital (sponsored by RoboBusiness) 21:39

1M ago21:39

21:39

1
From Blueprints to Automation: Revolutionizing Work Instructions w/ Fil Aronshtein

1M ago

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Imagine assembling a complex product with only scattered notes and fading tribal knowledge to guide you. In this conversation, we're talking about manufacturing work instructions. Despite their importance in passing expertise from veterans to new hires, most work instructions are outdated, manual, and hard to keep current – often putting entire pro…

1
255: How AI is Reshaping Security and OT Network Requirements featuring Felipe Sabino Costa, Sr. Product Manager for Networking & Cybersecurity at Moxa 43:54

1M ago43:54

43:54

It’s been over a year since we’ve talked about cybersecurity on Manufacturing Happy Hour, and with AI changing the game completely, we’re overdue for a refresh. Around 80-85% of the global industry doesn’t have basic defense at the edge of their networks; that’s a sobering statistic. Felipe Sabino Costa, Senior Product Manager for Networking and Cy…

1
The Industrial Robotics Race: Why the US Is Falling Behind China w/ Rishabh Agarwal

2M ago

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A widening gap exists between industrial robot deployment in the US and China, even as American manufacturers grapple with rising labor costs and persistent worker shortages. So why does the adoption of domestic manufacturing automation adoption lag behind – especially among small and medium-sized businesses? And what are the real barriers holding …

1
254: From Steel City to Robotics Powerhouse: Pittsburgh’s Industrial Legacy featuring Jay Douglass, COO of ARM Institute 37:42

1M ago37:42

37:42

Before Silicon Valley, there was Pittsburgh in the early 1900s. Young entrepreneurs with serious capital flocked to the city, creating industries from the ground up. Plate glass. Oil drilling. Vulcanized rubber. Steel processes that would literally build America's skyline. But today, something incredible is happening in the Steel City again. The sa…

1
Episode 81 - del 1: Bråss is Back 1:30:09

2M ago1:30:09

1:30:09

Det har vært flere Nintendo Directs, en Indie World Showcase, GamesCom, og en drøss av nyheter og nye utgivelser siden forrige episode. Da ser vi heller ingen annen mulighet enn å dele denne episoden i to. I denne første delen av episoden ser vi på høydepunktene fra de nevnte sendingene til Nintendo; Marios 40-årsfeiring, demoene til The Adventures…

1
Objectives, Hypotheses, Learnings: Smarter Problem Solving for Complex Manufacturing w/ Radhika Dutt

2M ago

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Today's guest, entrepreneur, speaker, and product leader Radhika Dutt, will challenge a core business belief that many of us have probably held for years – that traditional goal-setting frameworks like OKRs, KPIs, or SMART goals, are the surest path to performance and progress. In fact, she'll argue that focusing so intently on numbers and targets …

1
253: Rapid Execution in Industrial Automation: From FEED Study to Recommissioning in Five Months featuring Cassy Gardner and Chris Schleich of E Tech Group 35:48

2M ago35:48

35:48

Manufacturers know that automation is table stakes in 2025, and yet it’s still a bit of an afterthought for some. You'd think something that can make or break a facility would be everyone’s number one priority. And as you'll hear in this episode, overlooking automation can sometimes have disastrous consequences. In this episode, we sit down with Ca…

1
252: Adaptive Production, Resilient Manufacturing, and "Lightbulb Moments" in AI featuring Chris Stevens, SVP and GM of US Automation Business, Siemens Digital Industries 46:18

2M ago46:18

46:18

Manufacturers (not just the guys on the shop floor, but the C-suite behind them) are on a race to the finish line when it comes to automation. Most of us by now are pretty familiar with how AI and automation can play a role in manufacturing. But it looks like we’re heading to the next stage… In this episode, we hear from Chris Stevens, the SVP & GM…

1
AI Agents and Humans: The Future of Factory Teams w/ Karan Talati

2M ago

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Imagine a factory floor where specialized AI agents tackle real manufacturing roles – from inventory planning to quality inspection, each with their own set of tasks and responsibilities. Today, CEO and Co-Founder of First Resonance, Karan Talati, will dig into the practical side of agentic AI: how these intelligent systems are moving beyond theory…

1
251: What is a Corporate Venture Studio? An Interview with Joel Reed, President of Premier Labs 33:11

2M ago33:11

33:11

We just can’t stay away from Pittsburgh’s robotics scene! So we’re back, this time turning the spotlight on the business and startup angle with Premier Labs. Premier Labs is a corporate venture studio, a relatively new model that changes how technology comes to market. President Joel Reed joins the episode to give real examples and explanations abo…

1
MEP Impact: Empowering Small Manufacturers with Training, Partnerships and Advocacy w/ Pete Connolly

2M ago

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In today’s conversation, you'll hear from CEO of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Pete Connolly. Pete has spent over 40 years navigating the manufacturing landscape – from running divisions at a global defense company to leading a statewide organization dedicated to empowering small and midsize manufacturers. He’ll break down what th…

1
How Soft Skills Drive High-Impact Engineering Teams w/ Aaron Moncur

3M ago

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What separates high-performing engineering teams from the rest? In this conversation, founder of Pipeline Design & Engineering, Aaron Moncur, will talk about the often overlooked drivers of engineering success, from the power of clear communication to the role of psychological safety and trust within teams. He'll explain why technical expertise alo…

1
250: How to Uncover Your "Hidden Factory" and Extract More Value from the Plant Floor featuring Tri Tech Automation 51:15

2M ago51:15

51:15

As manufacturers are under pressure to do more with less and somehow fill roles in an increasingly smaller talent pool, unlocking your “hidden factory” could be the solution. To celebrate episode 250, Chris Luecke returns home to St. Louis to meet with some of his early career mentors from Rockwell Automation – now heading up Tri Tech Automation. R…

1
BONUS: How is the Manufacturing Industry Doing Halfway through 2025? Recorded at Hexagon LIVE 2025 28:05

3M ago28:05

28:05

What happens when you put five podcasters in a room together at one of the biggest events of the year for innovative industrial tech? A super broad view of what’s happening in the industry and what we’ve got to look forward to. Recorded live from Hexagon’s 2025 event, we welcomed four friends of Manufacturing Happy Hour, returning to the show to ta…

1
Agentic AI and the Future of Asset Lifecycle Management w/ Kendra DeKeyrel

3M ago

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In today's conversation, Vice President, Asset Lifecycle Management Products and Engineering at IBM, Kendra DeKeyrel, shares how AI is already making a difference on factory floors – from visual inspections that spot defects in real time to smart software that optimizes field service and work orders. But what happens when AI can act autonomously, a…

1
Workforce as Critical Infrastructure: Following North Carolina's Model w/ John Loyack

3M ago

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In today’s conversation, Vice President of Economic Development for the North Carolina Community College System, John Loyack, will use the success of his home state to illustrate what it takes to become a thriving manufacturing hub today. You’ll hear why the workforce itself must be treated as critical infrastructure – every bit as important as roa…

1
249: Why Pittsburgh has been Successful Commercializing Robotics with Jennifer Apicella, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network 49:23

3M ago49:23

49:23

Pittsburgh’s success in the robotics space didn’t happen overnight. It’s been over 40 years in the making, with education, business, and new innovations all coming together to make the city one of the big robotics hubs alongside Boston and San Francisco. The Pittsburgh Robotics Network has been a key player in that success, giving individuals, comp…

1
The State of Robotics in 2025: Live from the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston, MA 17:49

3M ago17:49

17:49

What will it take to get humanoid robots out of the experimental phase and into our daily lives? A lot of us always dreamed of having our own C-3PO at the ready, but how close are we really? Well, it’s a little more complicated than simply getting them on a production line. If we want robots to make an appearance not just in the manufacturing space…

1
Rapid Reshoring: Building a Reliable North American Supply Chain w/ Mike Wynn

3M ago

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From a global pandemic to kick off this decade to the tariff rollercoaster of 2025, recent history has created plenty of reasons for American manufacturers to assemble a base of credible, responsive suppliers right here in North America. In today's conversation, Vice President at Advanced Purchasing Dynamics, Mike Wynn, will discuss why purchasing …

1
Episode 80: Gravende gorilla og Ruffen ved ælvebredden 1:35:35

3M ago1:35:35

1:35:35

Mario Paint er tilbake, Pokémon Presents hadde noen høydepunkter og Donkey Kong Bananza er allerede et av årets klart beste spill. Adrian har bursdag og vi kjører i gang en sommerepisode midt i fellesferien - selvsagt med prat om Nintendo og alt som hører med. Vi ønsker fortsatt god sommer til våre lyttere! PS! Tidligere i juli var vi med i en flot…

1
248: Reindustrialization and Building in the Midwest with Chris Nolte, Co-Founder of Bloom 55:14

3M ago55:14

55:14

The reindustrialization movement is fully underway, and cities like Detroit are leading the charge. But how do we accelerate the timescale it takes to get America back to the ‘golden days’ of manufacturing? The key, as you’ll hear in this episode, isn’t to keep looking back at the past. It’s to use the tools and resources we have today with a healt…

1
Lessons from Toyota: Building Aligned Manufacturing Organizations w/ Mark Reich

3M ago

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In today's episode, senior coach at Lean Enterprise Institute, Mark Reich, dives into a Japanese strategic planning methodology that was born out of Toyota. Known as Hoshin Kanri, this system is focused on building alignment from the executive suite down to the shop floor, and driving meaningful action at every level. In our conversation, we'll dis…

1
How Manufacturers Can Engage Website Visitors in Real Human Conversations w/ Nelson Bruton

4M ago

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How can you transform a website visit from a qualified prospect into a real, human conversation? This is the question my guest, President of ManufacturingChats.com, Nelson Bruton, will be answering in today's episode. Specifically, he'll explain how a human-powered website chat function can drive that engagement. In this conversation, we'll explore…

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247: Lessons from a Serial Entrepreneur: Mark DeSantis on Startups, Robotics, and Commercializing Tech 1:05:19

4M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

What if accepting failure was the key to entrepreneurial success? Mark DeSantis has built and sold multiple companies over the years and like any entrepreneurial journey, it’s been a mixture of ups and downs, failures and successes. But in this episode, we hear that acknowledging the possibility of failure is what gave him the courage to keep on go…

1
Finding the Root Causes of Success Rather Than Failure w/ George Pesansky

4M ago

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George Pesansky has spent more than 30 years driving operational excellence and performance improvement in the manufacturing sector. And his perspective turns some conventional wisdom on its head. In this episode, he’ll reveal why focusing on the root causes of SUCCESS (rather than failure), leads to breakthrough results on the shop floor and beyon…

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246: automatica 2025: Exploring Innovation, Robotics, and Startups Across Bavaria, Germany, and Europe 1:24:30

4M ago1:24:30

1:24:30

You’ll want to grab yourself a pilsner for this episode. Manufacturing Happy Hour heads overseas to sample some fine German beer in the city of Munich…and we also headed to automatica 2025 while we were there. Europe’s biggest AI and automation event is a must-visit if you can get over there. But if not, this episode has you covered. Between event …

1
Reshaping the Homebuilding Industry with Advanced Robotics and Microfactories w/ Vikas Enti

4M ago

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Imagine a future where homes are built faster, more affordably, and with the flexibility to meet the needs of any community—all while tackling the immense challenge of climate change. Today’s conversation is centered on rethinking one of the world’s oldest industries: construction. Co-Founder and CEO of Reframe Systems, Vikas Enti, will explore why…

1
245: A Grassroots Approach to Shaping the Future of American Industry with Bret Boyd, CEO of Sustainment 56:14

4M ago56:14

56:14

You might be surprised to learn what the biggest challenge manufacturers say they’re facing right now. The talent gap comes up a lot on this podcast, but early survey findings from the New American Industrial Alliance (NAIA), show that “access to capital” is really what holds most mid-market manufacturers back. In this episode, we sit down with the…

1
244: Automate LIVE 2025: Warehousing Innovations, AI at the Edge, and Interoperability 42:09

4M ago42:09

42:09

“The hardest part of robotics isn't actually doing robotics. It's providing a solution that solves a real customer problem.” Melonee Wise’s quote from this episode is a good summary of what we talk about in this episode – practical, real-world applications of the technology we see hyped. Robotics, AMRs, humanoid robots, automation, AI – all of thes…

1
Industrial DataOps and Rise of AI Agents w/ Aron Semle

4M ago

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In this conversation, Chief Technology Officer of HighByte, Aron Semle, dives into the concept of Industrial DataOps. He talks about some of the unique challenges with collecting and managing data in manufacturing environments and the importance of contextualizing it all to drive action. Aron also touches on the the rise of AI agents. He explains h…

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243: Inside Automate 2025: Robotics, Automation Trends, and Expert Insights from Automate LIVE 41:44

4M ago41:44

41:44

Welcome to Part 1 of our two-part Automate 2025 recap series. In this episode, we dive into current trends in automation and robotics, including cobots, open operating systems, and more. The interviews were recorded as part of A3's Automate LIVE series of interviews and include insights from the following industry leaders: Jerry Perez, FANUC Americ…

1
Fair Chance Hiring: Transforming Businesses and Lives w/ Marcus Sheanshang

5M ago

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In today's conversation, CEO of JBM Packaging, Marcus Sheanshang, will share how his company's Fair Chance Hiring program – focused on recruiting, hiring and training previously incarcerated individuals – has not only filled critical staffing gaps but created transformational second chances in their lives. From setting up training equipment inside …

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242: Industrial History and the Low-Carbon Economy of the Future with Ted Fertik, VP of Manufacturing & Industrial Policy at BlueGreen Alliance 50:57

5M ago50:57

50:57

When we talk about building a more productive and competitive manufacturing industry, talk of AI, automation, and other new tech usually crops up. But let’s not forget the basics – the way we power, staff, and build sustainable practices. That stuff’s also important. We’re in an era of transformation right now, but it’s definitely not the first tim…

1
Episode 79: Switch to Switch 2 1:33:14

5M ago1:33:14

1:33:14

Nintendo Switch 2 er her! Hør om hvordan det gikk da vi prøvde å skaffe oss den nye Nintendo-konsollen på lanseringsdagen, og hør hva vi synes om Pro Controller 2, Welcome Tour - og ikke minst: Mario Kart World. Vi snakker også om den nyeste Nintendo Direct-sendingen som i sin helhet handlet om Donkey Kong Bananza. Og om vi ikke hadde gledet oss no…

1
BONUS: Automatica 2025 Preview: Inside Germany’s Premier Automation & Robotics Showcase 15:07

5M ago15:07

15:07

Get ready for a front-row seat to Europe’s biggest automation event! In this bonus episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, host Chris Luecke and Jake Hall – The Manufacturing Millennial – share their excitement and preview what’s ahead at Automatica 2025, taking place June 24–27 in Munich, Germany. Chris and Jake discuss: What makes German manufacturi…

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241: How NVIDIA and AI Agents Are Transforming Industrial Automation with Alvin Clark 36:06

5M ago36:06

36:06

We’re seeing a huge leap in potential when it comes to what AI can accomplish in industrial settings. Not only can it catch errors, it can provide intelligent insights to prevent them in the first place, reduce waste, save costs, and improve processes. Recorded live from Automate 2025, we sat down with Alvin Clark, Senior AI Engineer at NVIDIA, to …

1
Stronger Relationships, Stronger Manufacturing: The Power of Trust w/ Michael Kornuta

5M ago

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In this episode, founder and CEO of NORAMARK, Michael Kornuta, shares how his experiences in design and fabrication have led him to observe a lack of connectivity among U.S. manufacturers – particularly when compared to the Chinese manufacturing ecosystem. And he'll offer a perspective on why stronger networks that are rooted in trust will be key t…

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