Best Jim Vinoski Podcasts (2024)

1
Tommy's Express does manufacturing too? Yep - he's here to tell us why... 30:15

6h ago30:15

30:15

Who knew the fast-growing car wash smash hit company Tommy's Express is also into manufacturing? When you learn why, it makes perfect sense. Ed Ouellette, the company's National Franchise Development Manager, joined us for Episode 108 to explain how so many of the cool and user-friendly features you see at Tommy's are there because they make them f…

1
Clare Epstein from Vector Solutions talks about the latest and greatest in keeping your workers safe 24:14

1d ago24:14

24:14

It should be job one for everyone, but especially for manufacturers, to ensure the people who work for us go home every night in at least as good condition as they were in when they showed up for the job. Among other offeringss, Vector Solutions focuses on providing training that helps make that happen every single day. Clare Epstein, Vector's Gene…

1
Lori Waiser and Brian Hollowaty of Los Angeles Brands tell their manufacturing success story 34:04

8d ago34:04

34:04

Nothing like throwing yourself a challenge! Los Angeles Brands has its production of skin care and beauty products right there in the LA area, just to make things interesting. Then they launch their products against some of the biggest, best-known, and best-funded brands there are! Lori Waiser and Brad Hollowaty joined us to tell us how they do all…

1
Paul H. Tice tells us about his dire warnings about ESG and global finance from his recent book 46:00

22d ago46:00

46:00

This is the most important episode we've done so far. That's because, if we don't heed the call to action from author Paul Tice in his book, *The Race to Zero: How ESG Investing Will Crater the Global Financial System,* our economy and our way of life are doomed. He joined us for Episode 105 to tell us why. According to Tice, ESG - standing for env…

1
Quality guru Michelle Brydalski gives us the all the latest scoop about food safety 36:16

18d ago36:16

36:16

The terrible headlines of recalls and foodborne illnesses can have people thinking our food supply is a disaster. But the fact is that while it's safer now than at almost any time in the past, there are always places where our producers can improve. Michelle Brydalski, VP of Food Safety, Quality, and Regulatory at Charcuterie Artisans, joined us to…

1
Isaac Orr and Mitch Rolling of Always On Energy Research on why we're heading for an energy disaster 31:13

27d ago31:13

31:13

Having just founded Always On Energy Research, Isaac Orr and Mitch Rolling -experts on power generation and our creaky grids - joined us to give us their unique perspectives on America's electricity situation. They publish routinely on the subject on their Substack, "Energy Bad Boys." Isaac is the VP of Research and Mitch is the Director of Researc…

1
Konstantin Christoulakis shares his encyclopedic knowledge of metal markets and mining 40:59

1M ago40:59

40:59

For our 102nd episode, your host is joined by his pal who helped him with a Forbes article about mining a year ago, and who has been his go-to guy for metals intelligence ever since. Konstantin Christoulakis is a senior manager of procurement and risk for a metals trading company, and has oodles of experience in supply chains in general. He talks a…

1
Your host Jim Vinoski explains how Biden's regulations blitz is the industrial suicide of America 15:18

1M ago15:18

15:18

In a recent Forbes article, your host explained how Germany was undergoing the beginnings of deindustrialization as a result of its horrible energy policies, and how that should be a warning to America. Unfortunately the current administration's regulatory policies now have the US on an even worse path than Germany. This is an existential threat to…

1
Our gravelly-voiced announcer John Farabee joins us for Episode 100 to talk supply chains 35:02

2M ago35:02

35:02

Yes indeed, Episode 100 is upon us! We could have a celebrity or a head of state as a guest, but it was obvious the right choice was a guy that fans of the show have heard from many times before! John Farabee, our intro and outro voice-over guy, is also one of the most knowledgeable and insightful supply chain gurus we know. So as the only other gu…

1
Artem Kroupenev from Augury talks about using AI to improve plant capacity and predictability 35:52

2M ago35:52

35:52

Augury got its start using a unique way to monitor manufacturing machine health: the sound of the equipment! It's one of those ideas that, once you hear it, seems so blindingly obvious - except you didn't think of it! Now they have over 150 of the largest manufacturers as customers, and they continue to grow. The company uses AI to reduce waste and…

1
David Schild and the PCBAA are on a mission to rebuild America's printed circuit board industry 27:47

2M ago27:47

27:47

Like too much of American manufacturing, our domestic production capacity for printed circuit boards - the things on which the computer chips that power so much of our world anymore reside - departed decades ago for other lands. Now we're too dependent on foreign nations for that supply, and especially worrying is how much we're dependent on a pote…

1
Frank Seidel of Wamser Batra USA explains why and how US manufacturers should expand into India 33:08

3M ago33:08

33:08

Manufacturing looks like it's turning the corner here in the US, so now is a good time for our domestic producers to look at expanding their businesses. Frank Seidel, Managing Director at Wamser Batra USA, thinks India is a great market to look at, and he joined us to tell us why that is and what companies here need to do about it. He looks at demo…

1
Shawn Connors of the Atomic Garage Movement explains why he's a staunch advocate for nuclear energy 38:07

3M ago38:07

38:07

At one time, when he lived in the shadow of southwest Michigan's Palisades nuclear power plant, former business owner, author, and employee communications guru Shawn Connors opposed nuclear energy. But then he decided to do his own research and discovered that the horror stories in the media that had convinced him nukes were dangerous were just pla…

1
Aaron Halfacre of Modiv chats about how and why his company invests in manufacturing properties 31:15

3M ago31:15

31:15

Modiv is a real estate investment trust (REIT). That's company uses investor money to trade in real estate. For Modiv, it's not just any real estate - the company focuses entirely on manufacturing properties, investing in industrial properties via long-term net leases. Their CEO, Aaron Halfacre, joins us for Episode 95 to tell us why that's a good …

1
Simeon Wallis and Michael Lange from Aprio bring us the latest quarterly manufacturing outlook 28:51

3M ago28:51

28:51

Episode 94 once more features our friends from Aprio, a CPA-led advisory firm with over 700 clients in their Manufacturing and Distribution Practice. Simeon Wallis and Michael Lange join us to discuss their latest quarterly "Manufacturing and Distribution Insights" report, which is a great look into the state of business for American industry. Sime…

1
Ankush Malhotra talks about Fluke Reliability's use of AI to improve preventive maintenance 26:42

4M ago26:42

26:42

Fluke Reliability has been a mainstay in manufacturing maintenance for a long, long time. With tools like temperature and vibration monitors and acoustic and thermal imaging, they've helped make true preventive maintenance a reality for industry. So it was extremely informative for Episode 93 to chat with their president, Ankush Malhotra, about the…

1
James Hohman of the Mackinac Center tells why subsidies for manufacturers are bad news 36:53

4M ago36:53

36:53

Doesn't it seem like every single day now brings fresh news of another monstrous dollop of tax money is being given away somewhere in the US to coerce some manufacturer to build and "create jobs?" That's great news, right? Not so much, and James Hohman, Director of Fiscal Policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy right here in Michigan, is he…

1
Harry Moser of the Reshoring Initiative discusses how to bring more manufacturing back to America 41:16

4M ago41:16

41:16

Starting first with the supply chain and production disruptions of the pandemic, and now being reinforced by the unrest in the Middle East, the idea that outsourcing manufacturing is always a cost savings move has been shown to be wrong. Harry Moser, founder and president of the Reshoring Initiative, has been saying that for years. In fact, he came…

1
Nuclear engineer and Miss America 2023 Grace Stanke shares why we need a lot more nuclear energy! 36:51

4M ago36:51

36:51

Grace Stanke spent her reign last year as Miss America promoting nuclear energy. And she knows what she's talking about - in December she graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in nuclear engineering! She joined us for Episode 90 to talk about why nuclear is safer and less expensive than you might think, and why there are even big…

1
Former Broadway star Michael Lynch of Praxie talks about all things AI! 32:02

4M ago32:02

32:02

Appearing on Broadway in Les Misérables... playing a part on General Hospital... and launching an AI-driven industry software services company? Yep, yep, and yep, if you're Michael Lynch. He joined us for Episode 89 to chat about all of it. After earning a living singing, dancing, and starring on stage and screen, Michael served as CEO of Right Hem…

1
Energy guru Dr. Lars Schernikau tells us why the touted "energy transition" is completely off-base! 40:08

4M ago40:08

40:08

Episode 88 is another must-listen. Energy economist, entrepreneur, commodities trader, and author Dr. Lars Schernikau joins us to talk about his latest book, *The Unpopular Truth about Electricity and the Future of Energy,* which he co-wrote with Professor William Hayden Smith. Lars dives into just why our current path of rapid additions of variabl…

1
Blake Teipel of Nexa3D gives us all the latest news about the 3D printing scene! 31:36

5M ago31:36

31:36

It's been a while since we covered 3D printing here. Who better to chat with about it than Blake Teipel, who joined us for our Episode 87? He co-founded Essentium, maker of high-speed extrusion 3D printers and materials, and they were just acquired by Nexa3D. Now Blake is Chief Strategy Officer for the combined company, and he'll be there at the he…

1
Governor Greg Gianforte of Montana tells us about his free-market efforts to attract manufacturers! 28:14

5M ago28:14

28:14

Montana isn't just one of America's fastest-growing states in population. It's also rapidly expanding its manufacturing base, growing it by 14% last year alone! Why? Not because of giant dollops of taxpayer-funded subsidies. Governor Greg Gianforte, a serial entrepreneur and former small businessman himself, and the Montana legislature have focused…

1
Jeffrey Korzenik, author of Untapped Talent, talks about second chance hiring! 42:50

5M ago42:50

42:50

For our Episode 85, we're joined by Jeffrey Korzenik, chief economist at one of our major American banks and author of the very important book, Untapped Talent: How Second Chance Hiring Works for Your Business and the Community. He tells us all the critical reason we should all be taking a look at hiring those who've previously been incarcerated or…

1
The true legends of manufacturing livestreaming are here, Curt Anderson and Damon Pistulka! 38:29

5M ago38:29

38:29

If you're doing any kind of show about manufacturing, then you want to be just like Damon Pistulka and Curt Anderson, creators and hosts at Manufacturing eCommerce Success! These two wrote the book on how to make engaging content focused on industry. Plus they were some of the originators at LinkedIn Live, showing the rest of us how to do it right!…

1
Our favorite scientist Mark Mills is back to talk about his book, The Cloud Revolution! 52:08

5M ago52:08

52:08

The funniest polymath around joins us once again, this time to do a deep dive into his latest book. Mark P. Mills, now Distinguished Fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Contributing Editor at City Journal, waxes poetic about his predictions for a whale of a decade in *The Cloud Revolution: How the Convergence of New Technologies Will U…

1
Grid expert Meredith Angwin joins us once again to talk about the fragility of our electric supply! 45:03

6M ago45:03

45:03

Guru on all things power generation Meredith Angwin comes back to the show, this time to focus entirely on the big points of her superb book, *Shorting the Grid: The Hidden Fragility of Our Electric Grid.* (https://www.amazon.com/Shorting-Grid-Hidden-Fragility-Electric/dp/1735358002/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1702947902&sr=8-1) Tune in…

1
Our favorite journalist Eric Starkman talks about Ford and GM's woes and Michigan's energy mandates 48:01

6M ago48:01

48:01

Eric joins us once again for Episode 81! We chat about the recent news of the $10 billion share buyback at GM, the continuing news of the huge scaling back of the pork-laden Ford battery plant in Michigan, and general discussion of how those companies seem to be going off the rails. Eric also offers his take on the recent clean energy legislation t…

1
Ryan Kuhlenbeck of Pico MES joins us to talk about software solutions for your factory floor workers 32:56

7M ago32:56

32:56

With a background as an engineer on the production front lines for GM and Tesla, Ryan Kuhlenbeck set out to found a tech company focused on helping the floor operators solve their biggest problems. He's co-founder and CEO of Pico MES (https://www.picomes.com/), which facilitates solutions such as visual task instructions on screens right on front o…

1
Magda Dexter of Saint-Gobain talks about workforce development 29:27

7M ago29:27

29:27

If you're a manufacturer almost anywhere in the world, you're having some challenges hiring the people you need. That's been Magda Dexter's specialty at Saint-Gobain North America, where she's Sr. VP of Communication and Human Resources. She joins us to tell all about their excellent efforts to attract the talent they need, with initiatives like fo…

1
The guys from Aprio are here to tell us the state of the manufacturing biz! 30:39

7M ago30:39

30:39

For Episode 78, we're joined by Adam Beckerman and Simeon Wallace at Aprio, a CPA-led Advisory Firm with over 700 clients in their Manufacturing and Distribution Practice. Their quarterly "Manufacturing and Distribution Insights" report is a great look into the state of business for American industry. Simeon is Chief Investment Officer and leader o…

1
He's a walking encyclopedia about the bicycle industry! 41:47

7M ago41:47

41:47

Mark Stemmy joins us for our Episode 77 to talk about all things cycling. He's the founder of Optimized Cycling Solutions (https://optimizedcycling.com/), "a bicycle studio focused on bespoke products and services, offering custom frames and complete bikes, built in the U.S.A. and Italy." Plus he's spent decades in the business, and he talks about …

1
Our host tells about the craziness happening with electricity in Michigan and what it means for you! 13:15

8M ago13:15

13:15

Manufacturers uniquely rely on affordable, reliable energy for their business models. Unfortunately, legislators in Michigan's House of Representatives just last week passed a bill that will make our electricity a lot more expensive and a lot less reliable. Here are the basics: Even before last week's bill, Michigan was already on a path to big pro…

1
He want to bring bicycle manufacturing back to the US! 33:08

8M ago33:08

33:08

I can't believe I got to Episode 75 before doing anything on bicycles! But we went big - Tony Karklins, CEO of Time Bicycles and Cardinal Cycling Group, joined us for a great discussion of my favorite sport! Tony digs into: - His own background and how he got to be where he is - including owning his own bike shop as a teenager! - Why pretty much al…

1
She runs an amazing boat building school in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula! 34:11

8M ago34:11

34:11

I learned about the Great Lakes Boat Building School while on a sailing adventure with the Boy Scouts several years ago, when we spent the night docked in Hessel, just a few miles away from Cedarville, where the school is located. For Episode 74, we have Nikki Storey, the school's president, here to tell us all about the history of the GLBBS, what …

1
They made gears for all the Mars rovers!! 28:00

8M ago28:00

28:00

Finally! The end of our broadcasting day came at Huntington Place in Detroit on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, where we did all-day interviews at the Motion + Power Technology Expo put on by the American Gear Manufacturers Association. We finished strong! Forest City Gear's Kika Young, CEO, and Jared Lyford, Director of Operations, joined us to talk about…

1
"Hey! It's all ball bearings nowadays!" 25:04

8M ago25:04

25:04

Our big day at the American Gear Manufacturers Association's Motion + Power Technology Expo was rolling right along as we progressed through the afternoon! Beau Hallavant sat down with us for Episode 69 and told us all about his company, WD Bearing Group. Now, you may think ball bearings are an industry that's pretty locked down and disruption-proo…

1
He tells us about Bourn & Koch, a fascinating machine tool company in Rockford, Illinois! 28:19

8M ago28:19

28:19

Joe Goral keeps our big day of livestreaming moving, joining us for our Episode 68, recorded live from the floor of the Motion + Power Technology Expo at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit. Joe shares the ins and outs of his company, Bourn & Koch, a machine tool outfit. They make parts for a bunch of machines made by companies that are now out of…

1
She never meant to take over her husband's business. But then... 22:22

8M ago22:22

22:22

Ruthie Johnston from Croix Gear & Machining in Hudson, Wisconsin, kept our afternoon of livestreaming from the American Gear Manufacturers Association's Motion + Power Technology Expo at Huntington Place in Detroit moving right along! She joined us for our Episode 70, and told us how she quite unexpectedly took the CEO role at her company when her …

1
He started his own company to make transmissions and gearing systems! 24:17

8M ago24:17

24:17

We were getting close to the end of our livestreaming day at the MPT Expo in Detroit when Michael Cinquemani joined us for our Episode 72. Michael brings us full circle on what's represented at this show put on by the American Gear Manufacturers Association. We started with forging and heard from machine makers, toolmakers, and the people who make …

1
She is a firestorm of energy and tells us all about HM Manufacturing and much, much more! 26:28

8M ago26:28

26:28

Nicole Wolter, CEO of HM Manufacturing (who does LOTS of other stuff too!), joins us for our Episode 67, recorded live from the floor of the Motion + Power Technology Expo at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit. Nicole tells us all about her family-owned machine shop that makes gears and more. Plus she tells us all the fabulous work she does to su…

1
These guys are into just about everything when it comes to making gears! 29:09

8M ago29:09

29:09

John Perrotti is CEO of Gleason Corporation in Rochester, New York. He sat down to chat with us for Episode 71, in the middle of the afternoon during our full day of livestreaming from the American Gear Manufacturers Association's Motion + Power Technology Expo at Huntington Place in Detroit. John's company makes machines like grinders and cutters.…

1
Hear about gearmaking and the American Gear Manufacturers Association's MPT Expo from the top dog! 30:27

8M ago30:27

30:27

Matt Croson, President of the AGMA, joins us once again for our Episode 65, recorded live from the floor of the Expo at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit! Matt kicked off a whole day of livestreamed interviews, telling us what the show is all about and what the AGMA does for its membership. Plus there's a little talk about heavy metal music! Tun…

1
These two ladies tell us all about what forging is! 27:33

8M ago27:33

27:33

Lori Brown and Cindy Hall join us for our Episode 66, recorded live from the floor of the Motion + Power Technology Expo at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit! Lori and Cindy tell us all about their company, Clifford-Jacobs Forging in Champaign, Illinois. We put them in as our first company interview because forging is the earliest step in gearma…

1
It's our favorite independent journalist Eric Starkman... LIVE! 39:08

8M ago39:08

39:08

In case you missed it when it was actually live... For our second-ever live broadcast, Eric joined us once again to talk about the hot manufacturing topics of today. Tune in and hear him discuss the UAW strike and the missteps of automakers like GM and Ford. (CEO pay and recalls, anyone?) He covers some of the positives and negatives of Stellantis …

1
He's here to tell us how lots of what you hear about environmental matters simply isn't true! 42:05

9M ago42:05

42:05

Jason Hayes from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy joined us for Episode 63 to talk about how so much of what we hear about the environment and energy just ain’t so, and how the false narratives are driving some really bad decisions, especially for manufacturers. He’s an outdoorsman and a former backcountry ranger and forester. He has multiple …

1
Follow the science! Our favorite scientist is back to tell us about his book and much more! 47:13

9M ago47:13

47:13

Mark Mills joins us again, this time for what was our first livestream episode! Maybe you missed the live show, but here it is in all its glory. He's a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a physicist with a background in mining and manufacturing. Last time he told exactly why there won't be near enough minerals for the "energy transition." No…

1
He founded Skymall. His new startup is disrupting home construction with robotics and modularity! 42:44

9M ago42:44

42:44

Bob Worsley doesn't let the grass grow under his feet! First he founded Skymall and sold it to Rupert Murdoch. Then he ran successfully for an Arizona state Senate seat. And now he's tackling the housing crisis. His new company Zennihome, is using robotic automation to make small housing units, built on the dimensions of shipping containers, "live …

1
She's an expert on electric grids, and she says blackouts are on their way! 49:40

9M ago49:40

49:40

Meredith Angwin, author and speaker, joins us for Episode 60 to tell us why she thinks our fragile electric grids are soon going to be failing us. Since she predicted the failure of the Texas grid during the winter storm a couple years ago, you probably ought to be listening to her. Plus she actually wrote the book on the subject: Shorting the Grid…

1
No, wind and solar and storage did NOT save the Texas power grid during this summer's heat wave! 14:57

10M ago14:57

14:57

Your host Jim Vinoski is flying solo again on this one, talking about why the claims that renewables and power storage saved the day in Texas this summer are complete hogwash. This one's critical. Because what's playing out in Texas is soon going to be playing out everywhere: more and more unreliable power generation, less and less reliable generat…

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Jim Vinoski Podcasts

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