Let’s raise a glass to 200 episodes down and counting! It’s been an incredible journey so far and to mark this milestone, we’re bringing you a special live episode – this time with host Chris Luecke in the hot seat.

So what’s it been like running the Manufacturing Happy Hour podcast? Chris tells us in his own words how much he’s learned as the podcast has grown in the amazing manufacturing community.

Live from Broken Bat Brewery in Milwaukee, we’re joined by Manufacturing Happy Hour alumni, including Meaghan Ziemba, the perfect host for this episode, plus lots of manufacturers, creators, and tech leaders.

Chris shares some of the best advice he’s heard from guests on the show, including how to be a self-advocate, the importance of connecting with the next generation of talent, and the power of networking events in fostering a community. We hear some behind-the-scenes details of handling feedback, producing those early episodes, and why Chris decided to start the podcast in the first place.

Huge thanks to anyone who’s listened to and supported the podcast over the years. Here’s to another 200 episodes!

In this episode, find out:

Introduction to our host this episode, Meaghan Ziemba of Mavens of Manufacturing
Chris explains how he feels about it being the 200th episode and reflects on his first guest on the show
Why Manufacturing Happy Hour began as a way to connect with younger manufacturers
Why community and networking have always been such a big feature of the Manufacturing Happy Hour mission
Chris reflects on the most memorable moments from his podcast
The top challenges Chris faced when creating the podcast and the game-changing advice he received
How listener feedback has impacted Chris’ approach to podcasting and helped him grow
Why manufacturers need to be an “aggressive self-advocate”
How podcasts like this help to attract more young people into the industry and why Chris believes we need to listen rather than assume we know what younger people are looking for in this industry
How podcasting and attending events is making a tangible impact on companies in the industry
Chris shares his predictions for next year and beyond and his plan for the next 200 episodes
Rapid fire questions on Chris’ favorite tech, events, guests, podcasts, and some behind-the-scenes stories
The top things Chris has learned about leadership since starting the podcast
Introduction to the companies who made this event possible

Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!

Tweetable Quotes:

“When I say Manufacturing Happy Hour is listened to by leaders in manufacturing, I don't always mean the C-suite. I define leader as anyone who cares about their career, the industry, or their business. People that are driven in their careers.”
“How do I attract the next generation? I need to listen to the next generation in terms of hearing what they want, rather than just assuming that me, as someone who’s been doing this for five plus years, knows all the answers.”
“I'm trying to pick the best stories to tell, but I think it's just consistency. It's doing these things on a regular basis that gets folks out there, gets folks talking to people that they might not have met before."

Links & mentions:

Broken Bat Brewery, baseball themed craft brewery and tap room in Milwaukee
Mavens of Manufacturing, live video series hosted by Meaghan Ziemba that celebrates women in manufacturing
Episode 56: Closing the Gender Gap in Manufacturing with Meaghan Ziemba, Meaghan’s guest episode

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.

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