Calling all legends! Local narcissists, Jason and Alaina, provide colorful commentary on the cultural zeitgeist, including, but not limited to, pop culture, film, tv, music, theater, and MUCH more-TRUST! Rate us five stars or don’t listen!!! Xoxo
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Three Gen Z brothers discuss life and pop culture from Typical Suburb, Minnesota. Featuring Adam Iverson, Erik Iverson and Jason Iverson.
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Manufacturing is challenging, but if you are connected to a community of leaders, you can elevate your skills, solve your problems and grow your business! MakingChips was launched in 2014 to equip and inspire the metalworking nation. Hundreds of episodes and a million downloads later, it’s an industry-leading source of information, inspiration, and entertainment for manufacturing leaders of all types. It’s hosted by Jason Zenger and Nick Goellner, two multi-generational manufacturing leaders ...
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An attempt at probing the minds of writers, musicians, artists and pretty much anyone else making intriguing contributions to the cultural zeitgeist.
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How Can We Champion Manufacturing? with Terry Iverson (Part 2), 436
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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…
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BOO! Did you spook? If not, the narcissists are sure to frighten in this very special, bone-chilling Halloween episode. They’ve been devouring culture like the gluttons they are. Topics include: DWTS, Agatha All Along, The Substance, Only Murders in the Building, and new pop hits. Other spooks include: work kahoots, face skinny, LMFAO revival, Boba…
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How Can We Champion Manufacturing? with Terry Iverson (Part 1), 435
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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…
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How the Skilled Careers Coalition is Bridging the Manufacturing Skills Gap, 434
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“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. …
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“If I Don’t Get the Tortellini, I’m Dead“
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1:24:47
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Tell a friend to tell a friend the narcissists are back! They had a packed weekend lol and still have to send things into space! #booked They cover many topics as usual: Bossa nova Sundays, Dogs Playing Poker, Disney honeymooners, Agatha All Along, Jason’s familial connections to the mob, Andrew Garfield, the history of dance, and buff Sydney Sween…
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Automation Begins Before Machining with Toolpath Part II, 433
22:44
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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 …
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Automation Begins Before Machining with Toolpath, Part 1
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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…
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Welcome back, Ledglings! Jason and Alaina are reunited and have lots to yap about. They open mail and sponsor Erik calls in to give the narcissists a stern talking to -_- Then they tangent about fall ambiance on YouTube, West Side Story, Survivor updates, Jasons uncle’s ferrets, VBS, bedtime prayers, the rapture, performing spells on Alaina’s hot n…
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Top Technology Takeaways From IMTS 2024, 431
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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…
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How the Mexican Manufacturing Industry Can help you Grow Your American Business, 430
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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 …
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“Mama, There’s a Goblin King Behind You”
1:26:46
1:26:46
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Lock in Legends because Narcissists, Jason and Alaina, are back with another episode of their hit podcast. Today they discuss their recent hiking journey, struggling with clocks, eating in the car, exotic themes for the silver screen, messy pranks, burger fools, and gay witches. They talk recent film and tv watches, open mail, and give their finale…
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The State of Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing, 429
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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 …
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How AI Implementation Can Be Transformative with CloudNC Founder Theo Saville, 428
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34:53
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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, …
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Legends, welcome back, and if you’re new... okay wow. Local narcissists, Jason and Alaina, woke up early to record this riveting episode. Topics include: glambot fails, fall book recommendations, current TV shows and movies, goblin origins, Sydney Dance Company performance of love lock, Babies at weddings, Sleep schedule hacks, Gracie Abram’s worko…
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Practical Use Cases for AI in Your Machine Shop, 427
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29:21
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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…
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Brewing Success for Manufacturing Leaders with ShopFloor Coffee, 426
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40:50
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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…
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Hey Pookies! Local Narcissists, Jason and Alaina, are mic’ed, young, and ready to stick handle the legends through the harrowing world of all things culture. Have no fear! This week’s topics include: mail time, phone in shower, DWTS, sport movies, SNL Host predictions, Sex and the City, baseball term list, the Emmys, Yankee Doodle Dandy lore, Insan…
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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
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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…
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"The White Council" w/ Erik Iverson
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2:12:35
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Legends get ready to enter mental zone 5. Another guest?? Well, yes! Brother of the pod, Erik Iverson, is back as our first two-timer! Lots of yapping to me had on our ~government-funded~ podcast. *To avoid Rings of Power spoiler discussion skip to (1:09:38). Topics include: Alaina downloading Strava Erik’s new “outside clothes” Scaring kids Erik’s…
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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
40:50
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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…
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"Can I Defend Myself?" w/ Josh Gottschalk
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Bello Legends! Sorry for the long time away. In true narcissist fashion, Alaina and Jason were delayed getting this podcast out, but this episode is worth the wait! They are joined by none other than the Worst Legend of the Year award recipient at the 2024 Narcissist Talking Legend Awards, Josh Gottschalk! Gottschalk couldn’t have been more gratefu…
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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
44:19
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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…
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The Past, Present, and Future of IMTS with the "Show Boss" Peter Eelman, 422
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“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…
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Bonsoir Legends! The narcissists have much to yap about as they’ve been separated from you for too long! Parting is such sweet sorrow. Today’s topics: HotD, Rings of Power, DC23, the Muppets, Halloween costume ideas, perpetual stew, video essays, chicken recipes and a big movie roundup, some new (It Ends with Us + drama), some old (The Outsiders, n…
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If You Don't Plan Machine Tool Maintenance, Your Machines Will Do it for You, 421
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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…
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Lights Out: Are You Even Prepared to Run a Lights Out Shop? 420
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41:53
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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…
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Hello!! It’s Jason here. Currently traveling internationally and did not have time to write up the description. Releasing the episode now though, for you to enjoy! Apologies, again!By Alaina and Jason
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Lights out: Connecting Advanced Machining Strategies to Business Results Part 2, 419
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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…
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Hoody, Legends. Jace and Ali (s/o HotD) are here to deliver the good news. They have so much to talk about so LOCK IN. Alaina tells her tale of being TRAPPED in the airport for days, Jason reads out some mail, and they both are still screaming from the last HotD episode. Lots of movies to cover: Twisters, Longlegs, Roman Holiday, The Prestige, & Du…
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Lights Out: Connecting Advanced Machining Strategies to Business Results Part 1, 418
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28:48
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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…
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Is Work-Life Balance a Fallacy? Part 2, 417
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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…
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Is Work-Life Balance a Fallacy? Part 1, 416
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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 …
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So nice to see you, legends. Jason and Alaina are happy to be back on the mic spitting major bars post July 4th. They are huge into ~summer vibage~ and play some songs inspired by 2018 forgotten hits. They also discuss House of the Dragon, Charlotte the Stingray, Inside Out 2, Saturn returns, best Valley Fair rides, what Pixie we’d be, wedding entr…
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MakingSparks: Using LinkedIn to Drive Leads for Your Manufacturing Business with Preston Hadley, 415
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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…
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MakingSparks: What’s Keeping You Up at Night? An Update from Matthew and Casey, 414
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23:55
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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 …
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Hey uglies (it’s Opposite Day.) Jason and Alaina have sooooo much to discuss after their big trip to da big apple. They deep dive into their experience at the Met, & seeing celebrities. Then they DON’T talk about The Jimmy Awards, HotD, cotton candy grapes, Katy Perry x Dr. Luke, influencers returning furniture, Bridgerton Finale, The Notebook, and…
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How to Adapt CNC Training for the Next Generation of Manufacturing Leaders - Part 2, 413
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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 …
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Crystallizing and Unraveling The Now with Novelist Paul Lynch
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Sometimes I find myself in the throes of writing agony. I don’t like the term writers’ block because it implies a certain impermanence. But what is vernacularly referred to as writers’ block, is part and parcel of the creative act itself. Anyone who’s tried to do something creative for an extended period of time can vouch for this. No one can exact…
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How to Adapt CNC Training for the Next Generation of Manufacturing Leaders - Part 1, 412
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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 …
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One (1) Year Anniversary! A Year in Review
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Happy birthday legends! A year ago you were born. To celebrate, proud parents Jason and Alaina pulled together the top 53 most SHOCKING moments from the last year, as well as go over the best/worst episodes. They also just chit chat :) Topics include: how records work, The Traitors cast reveal, “skinny ninny Minnie summer,” party hat lore, pigeon p…
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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…
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Pop, six, squish, uh-oh, circero, AirPods. The Narcissists (lady slayers, Jason and Alaina) are both in the country, and both up to no good once again. Todays topics: Ship of Theseus, The Hobbit 2, X-Men ‘97, Survivor finale, super powers, James Dean hot??, kicking graves, “lobster tail,” Knives Out 3 and Traitors 3 casting, Iron Claw, and Jason’s …
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MFG News Special: Where are We at with the Reshoring Initiative? 410
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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…
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Lights Out: A Samurai's Journey to Automation, 409
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46:25
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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.…
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Hey legends -_- The narcissists are bbbback with another hit episode. Today’s “yip” topics: Rube Goldberg machines, escape rooms, Eartha Kits, the fable of Androcles and the Lion, egg toss at church picnics, breakfast sandwiches, Swiss German, and royal portraits. Compared to the “yap” topics of: Hailey Bieber pregnancy, “summer of sports,” Pinocch…
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How Can Manufacturing Leaders Measure Their Customer Relationships? 408
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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…
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MakingSparks: Why Numbers are Important for Your Manufacturing Business | Mike Payne Part 2, 407
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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,…
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"YOU Keep My Nature Out of Your Positing!”
1:52:28
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Podcast vibesss. Hey legends. Narcissists, Jason and Alaina, are reporting live from the red carpet. They discuss their fav Met Gala looks and drama, Jason’s 24 hr trip to NYC, smiling at dogs, the formation of European borders, urinal culture, pinkaty drinkity, and lots of new music recs! Stream on every platform so we can get lots of money.…
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MakingSparks: Oklahoma Meets Indiana - A Manufacturing Chat with Mike Payne Part 1, 406
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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…
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“If You’re Packing Heat, You’re in for a Treat”
1:52:01
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Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah the narcissists are back to serve up another ep, legends. Coming off some devastating news (and a new fuck ass bob), the legends are absolutely scrambling. Thank god they find purchase in talking about Challengers, Rugrats in Paris, #summerofsports, Misogynior, Dexter’s laboratory impression, Blade …
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