Manufacturing Culture Podcast

In this episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Jim Mayer interviews Craig Coyle, a former Apache pilot and now a leadership consultant. They discuss the importance of culture in organizations, the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, and the need for effective leadership in manufacturing. Craig shares his insights on how to create a positive work environment that inspires employees and the significance of community in both military and civilian settings. He emphasizes the importance of treating leadership as a profession and the need for continuous development and support among leaders.TakeawaysCulture is a result and a lag measure of organizational health.Leadership is not just about hard work; it's about inspiring others.The military experience teaches valuable lessons about pressure and leadership.Transitioning to civilian life can be challenging, especially in finding community.Manufacturing has a unique opportunity to create positive change in people's lives.Effective leadership requires understanding and developing relationships.Organizations must focus on higher levels of Maslow's hierarchy to retain talent.Leadership should be treated as a profession with proper training and development.Community and support are crucial for leaders to succeed.The future of manufacturing depends on creating environments that inspire and engage employees.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker05:55 Understanding Culture08:03 Early Life and Background10:19 Choosing West Point11:49 Military Experience and Leadership19:41 Transitioning to Civilian Life22:59 Finding Community in Manufacturing24:10 Building Community in Manufacturing25:17 The Birth of Operation Lead26:12 Challenges in Military and Manufacturing29:21 Understanding Labor as a Commodity31:37 Tapping into Maslow's Hierarchy33:21 The Gap in Leadership Development35:12 Leadership as a Profession39:57 The Importance of Internal Culture42:24 Opportunities in Manufacturing44:12 Encouragement for New Leaders

In this episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Jim Mayer sits down with Lori Highby, a digital marketing strategist, educator, and founder of Keystone Click, to explore the stories manufacturers aren’t telling.They unpack what culture really means inside an organization, why storytelling is manufacturers’ biggest missed opportunity, and how AI is changing, not replacing, the creative process. Lori shares her journey from a night school marketing student to agency owner, her values around lifelong learning, and what it means to lead with clarity.From founding a business during a recession to building a team around education, trust, and curiosity, Lori brings sharp insight to the intersection of manufacturing, marketing, and human-centered leadership.TakeawaysCulture is a collective energy and vibe within an organization.Lori's journey began with a passion for art and sociology.Education is a core value for Lori and her organization.Integrity and creativity are essential in business.AI should be seen as a tool to enhance creativity, not replace it.Storytelling is crucial for manufacturers to differentiate themselves.Community involvement is a priority for Lori and her team.Digital marketing can significantly impact manufacturing sales.Personal hobbies provide mental clarity and focus.Mentorship and paying it forward are important values for Lori.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Icebreakers05:08 Understanding Culture in Organizations06:11 Lori's Journey into Marketing and Manufacturing10:34 Starting a Business During a Recession12:44 Core Values and Organizational Culture15:10 The Role of AI in Creativity and Education18:37 Leveraging AI in Education and Workforce19:28 The Importance of Future Thinking21:16 The Drive to Teach and Share Knowledge22:47 Helping Businesses of All Sizes24:01 Impactful Marketing Success Stories31:45 AI's Role in Shaping Industry Culture33:19 The Future of Marketing in Manufacturing34:53 Understanding the Customer Journey with AI

In this episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Tyler Marshall shares his journey from the seafood industry to consulting in manufacturing. He discusses the importance of culture in organizations, the challenges faced in food manufacturing, and the evolving landscape of leadership in the industry. Tyler emphasizes the need for alignment between employees and organizational goals, the impact of automation, and the future of manufacturing as it adapts to new technologies and workforce dynamics.TakeawaysCulture starts with alignment of values.The seafood industry presents unique challenges.Self-sufficiency is crucial in remote operations.Leadership requires being present on the shop floor.Change management is essential for successful automation.The future of manufacturing will focus on workforce development.Emotional intelligence is key in leadership roles.Attracting talent requires understanding their needs.Automation should not solely focus on cost-cutting.Continuous improvement is vital for success.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker Fun05:43 Defining Culture in Manufacturing09:30 Early Influences and Career Beginnings13:42 Adventures in the Alaskan Seafood Industry17:42 Transitioning to Broader Manufacturing Challenges21:26 Lessons Learned and Unlearning Myths24:59 Current Role and Company Overview26:43 The Importance of Leadership in Manufacturing29:51 Balancing Automation with Human Presence31:43 Change Management and Employee Involvement34:56 Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace36:14 Future Trends in Manufacturing39:26 Leveraging Data for Workforce Improvement41:41 The Need for Continuous Learning and Adaptation

What does it take to rewrite your story—and help others do the same?In this unforgettable episode, Jim Mayer sits down with HR Huntsman: speaker, strategist, and founder of Leader’s Edge. From a turbulent childhood in the New Mexico desert to building global humanitarian projects and mentoring the next generation of leaders, HR’s journey is a masterclass in intentional transformation.You’ll hear how a single conversation reshaped his definition of success, why mindset matters more than circumstances, and how real leadership means empowering others—not commanding them. Along the way, HR delivers raw insights on creative conflict, workplace culture, and what it takes to architect a future worth building.If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with more purpose, create a culture people believe in, or leave a legacy that actually means something—this episode is for you.TakeawaysCulture is how your people feel about work on Sunday.HR's childhood shaped his desire to change the world.Success is not the goal; being useful is.Leadership is about empowering others, not commanding them.Investing in young leaders is crucial for future success.Work is a noble endeavor that should be respected.Creative conflict is essential for innovation.You can architect your own future intentionally.Public speaking is a privilege to inspire others.Mindset is key to personal transformation.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Icebreaker Fun07:22 Defining Culture in the Workplace09:46 HR's Early Life and Influences15:04 The Impact of John Simmons18:38 Evolution of Leadership Philosophy20:52 Creating Leaders Edge Program24:19 Influential Leaders and Mentors25:19 The Essence of Leadership26:58 The Impact of Public Speaking28:40 Mindset and Personal Transformation34:56 Architecting a New Future38:38 The Future of Leadership in Manufacturing45:36 Creative Conflict and Workplace Dynamics

In this episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, host Jim Mayer talks with leadership coach Nicki Straza about what it takes to create workplaces where people feel safe, trusted, and able to contribute. Nicki draws from more than 25 years of experience in manufacturing, trades, nonprofits, and mental health.The conversation covers how culture is shaped by the small choices leaders make every day, the importance of seeing employees as individuals, and how resilience grows when people feel supported. Nicki shares lessons from her own career about staying in organizations as culture shifted, and what she learned about power, trust, and the conditions that help people thrive.They also discuss the challenges of generational differences, the risks of losing knowledge as experienced workers leave, and how mentorship and co-creation help teams build lasting cultures.TakeawaysResilience grows when leaders create conditions of trust and safety.Culture is shaped by everyday interactions, not slogans or policies.Leaders need to see their employees as individuals, not just as resources.Generational gaps can create tension, but also opportunities for learning and mentorship.Knowledge transfer is essential as experienced workers retire.Real change happens when leaders and employees co-create their environment.Chapters00:00 — Cold open 01:00 — Welcome 03:00 — What culture looks like in practice 05:30 — Generational differences and shared understanding 08:00 — Co-creation and shared responsibility 10:45 — The role of mentorship in building trust 13:20 — Nicki’s early jobs and lessons about leadership 23:00 — When mission and culture start to drift apart 25:30 — The connection between culture and mental health 28:45 — What resilience means at work 30:20 — Why Nicki stayed when others left 36:45 — Helping leaders reclaim their power in healthy ways 39:15 — Building environments where people can thrive 41:00 — The value of personal contribution 43:00 — Helping others see their potential

In this conversation, Jeremiah Llewellyn, a Marketing Development Specialist at Horn USA, shares his inspiring journey from growing up deaf to thriving in the manufacturing industry. He discusses the importance of embracing imperfection for personal growth, how creativity fuels technological advancements, and the impact of his education on his career. Jeremiah emphasizes the need for innovative internship programs to nurture future leaders and explores how hands-on experiences in Mechatronics Engineering can reshape students' educational paths.

In this engaging discussion, Nelson Bruton, who specializes in live chat solutions for industrial companies, shares his insights on enhancing B2B interactions. He emphasizes the crucial role of human connection in the digital landscape, advocating for conversational marketing to reduce friction in the buying process. Nelson reflects on his personal journey and the balance between energy and calmness in leadership. They also explore how AI can complement human interaction and the importance of cultivating a positive workplace culture for better business outcomes.

In this episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, host Jim Mayer sits down with Josh McKain, founder of Henry Rose Consulting, to explore the power of collaboration, leadership, and culture in modern manufacturing.From his unexpected journey from public accounting into the manufacturing world, to building a business focused on organizational alignment, Josh shares the real-world lessons that shaped his leadership philosophy. They dive into the human side of operations — from tackling turnover and hiring proactively, to creating environments where employees stay, grow, and thrive.Josh also opens up about the risks of entrepreneurship, the role of mentorship, and his newest venture: writing a children’s book. This conversation is packed with practical takeaways for leaders at any level who want to build stronger teams and a better future for the industry.Key TakeawaysCollaboration isn’t just a soft skill — it’s how real work gets done.Strong cultures lead to lower turnover and higher engagement.Hiring should be proactive and aligned with company values.Organizational health is the foundation for long-term success.Leadership is shaped by both mentorship and personal experience.A growth mindset helps leaders navigate uncertainty and change.The cost of poor culture is often hidden — until it shows up in results.The future of manufacturing depends on how we lead today.Episode Chapters00:00 – Introduction to The Manufacturing Culture Podcast 01:10 – Josh McKain's Journey: From Accounting to Manufacturing 03:04 – Defining Culture in the Workplace 04:32 – Early Career Lessons and Transition into Manufacturing 07:58 – What Drives Employee Engagement 09:02 – Mentorship and Its Lasting Impact 10:42 – How Positive Leadership Experiences Shape Culture 14:58 – Proactive Hiring vs. Hiring in Crisis 17:13 – The Real Cost of Turnover in Manufacturing 19:41 – What Parenting Taught Josh About Leadership 25:26 – Advice for People Starting in the Industry 27:13 – Launching Henry Rose Consulting 27:41 – Risk, Fear, and the Leap into Entrepreneurship 31:39 – Business Development and Building Trust 32:37 – Team Alignment and the Importance of Vision 35:21 – Culture as a Competitive Advantage 41:21 – Employee Engagement and Leadership That Works 43:53 – Josh’s Take on the Future of U.S. Manufacturing 47:50 – A Lighthearted Close: Josh’s Children’s Book Journey

Show Description:In this episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, host Jim Mayer sits down with Gina Tabasso, a powerhouse in industrial marketing whose career spans trade publications, Lean Six Sigma certifications, welding credentials, and a deep respect for the people who make manufacturing work.Gina shares how she learned to speak the many “languages” of the industry—sales, marketing, operations, and shop floor realities—and why that fluency matters more than ever. From her time managing publications like Welding Design & Fabrication to launching her own firm, Barracuda B2B, Gina unpacks what makes great marketing in manufacturing—and why so much of what’s out there misses the mark.They talk culture, storytelling, the future of the workforce, and the tension between compassion and success in a field that’s both evolving and enduring.Whether you're on the floor, in the front office, or helping companies grow from the outside, this is a conversation about connection, clarity, and the kind of leadership this industry needs now.Takeaways:Culture in manufacturing needs to evolve—and that shift starts with listening.Certifications like Lean Six Sigma and Sandler Sales create a strong foundation for marketing that works.Sales and marketing can’t operate in silos—they need to collaborate, and speak the same language.Storytelling is more than branding—it’s how manufacturers make themselves understood.Applying process discipline (like Lean) to marketing builds measurable, sustainable growth.Resilience isn’t just a business trait—it’s a human one. And it’s everywhere in manufacturing.Automation is coming, but people—especially a well-supported workforce—remain central to the future.Compassion and professionalism are not opposites; they’re both essential for long-term success.Building a strong network is just as strategic as any marketing funnel.Self-care matters—even in a high-pressure, production-driven world.Chapters00:00 Understanding Manufacturing Culture05:39 Gina's Journey into Manufacturing08:30 The Role of Certifications in Marketing11:29 Insights from Trade Publications14:26 Marketing Strategies for Manufacturers17:21 The Importance of MEPs in Manufacturing19:55 The Future of Manufacturing and Marketing26:16 Emotional Investment in Work and Client Relationships26:50 The Unique Story of Each Business27:48 Understanding Customer Perception28:40 Addressing Internal Culture and Client Relationships30:06 Strategic Planning for Business Growth31:54 Building a Valuable Network33:02 Challenges in a Male-Dominated Industry35:36 Navigating Job Loss and Career Transitions39:03 Influential Figures in Gina's Journey42:15 The Resilience of Manufacturing46:55 Personal Insights and Advice for Marketers

Stephanie Pryor, an entrepreneur and founder of LANC Marketing, uncovers why the manufacturing industry struggles with visibility. She shares her journey shaped by Bethlehem Steel and discusses the crucial link between culture and marketing. Stephanie emphasizes that visibility is vital for survival, especially to attract the next generation to skilled trades. The conversation dives into refreshing perspectives on marketing as a growth engine, the importance of psychological safety in workplace culture, and the storytelling needed to redefine manufacturing's future.