Shift Talk

A teacher once told Matt Guse he had no future. That teacher later sat across from him at a school board negotiation table. Matt Guse, president of MRS Machining, is an expert in what leadership in manufacturing actually looks like. Hiring the people others gave up on. Building a culture of trust. His 40+ year story is full of grit, second chances and the belief that one of the best things a leade...

In this episode of Shift Talk, Sytease Geib from the Manufacturing Institute shares how manufacturers can continue building future-ready workforces by focusing on skills. We talk about making skills more visible, opening clearer pathways into manufacturing careers, and why recognizing potential - especially from veteran talent - strengthens the industry as a whole. Many manufacturers and distribut...

Manufacturing won’t move forward without culture catching up. Petra Weiser explains why women on the floor are often unseen, why empathy matters as much as policies, and how simple leadership shifts can improve retention and opportunity for everyone. Many manufacturers and distributors are stuck in a revolving door of new hires, failing to meet production, and losing workers. Learn about how MyWor...

Manufacturing is in a tough spot. Hiring is slowing, investments are stalling, and shifting policies are keeping everyone guessing. Economist Michael Austin talks about what this uncertainty really means for the industry and how leaders can build a plan that holds up when everything keeps changing.  Many manufacturers and distributors are stuck in a revolving door of new hires, failing to meet pro...

“Don’t overthink it.” That’s the advice manufacturing consultant Lute Atieh gives to facilities struggling with training in an industry where turnover is high and veteran knowledge is walking out the door.  In this episode, Lute shares how manufacturers can move from outdated onboarding processes that piles new hires into classrooms, pairs them with an overworked veteran, and hopes for the best. ...

For Gordon Patterson, leading Talent Acquisition is about building something that lasts. In this episode, he shares how he shaped a mission-driven team at LKQ. From aligning with Ops to developing future talent pipelines, Gordon shows how people, process, and technology can become your playbook for success.  Many manufacturers and distributors are stuck in a revolving door of new hires, failing to...

Jamey Quelle survived a brain tumor and came back with a new mission: fix what’s broken in manufacturing. In this episode, he shares lessons from 20+ years in the industry, how reffing basketball taught him about workforce dynamics, and why flexibility isn’t just a Gen Z perk - it’s the future of retention. This one’s for leaders looking for creative solutions to today's workforce problems. M...

What happens when HR and Ops don’t share the same goals? You lose money and people. In this episode of Shift Talk, Nicola Worthy, founder of Talent Worthy and a former Director of Talent Development, breaks down why manufacturers keep missing the mark on retention, communication, and leadership alignment.  From the myth of "just hire better" to why autonomy (not flexibility) is the futur...

HR leaders in manufacturing hear it all the time: “We just need better people.” But when turnover is at 300-400%, is it really a hiring problem—or is work itself broken? Josh Drean, co-founder of the Work3 Institute and author of Employment is Dead , breaks down why traditional employment models no longer work for frontline employees and what manufacturers must do to compete for talent.  From reth...

Retention challenges in manufacturing and distribution go beyond the surface—especially for women. On this episode of Shift Talk , we sat down with Shannon Bumgarner, a 25+ year manufacturing veteran and host of the Empowering Women in Industry podcast, to discuss actionable strategies HR managers can implement to create inclusive workplaces, close skills gaps, and reduce turnover in their workfor...

To adapt, it often takes a bit of disruption and outside-the-box thinking.  In this episode of Shift Talk, Tracie Sponenberg, Chief People Officer and co-founder of DisruptHR, shares why HR in distribution and supply chain must keep innovating. Blending over 30 years of experience from her in-house experience at UPS and The Granite Group, Tracie now advises HR pros in distribution, manufacturing a...

Partnerships are everything. Laura Ulrich, Senior Regional Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, returns to Shift Talk to share how her research has grown from a 10-school pilot to a national effort over the past year.  She shares examples of how employers are joining forces with community colleges to tackle labor shortages.  Many manufacturers and distributors are stuck in a revolvin...

Rethink everything you know about work. In this episode of Shift Talk, we spoke with Josh Drean, co-founder of the Work3 Institute and co-author of "Employment is Dead" about the shifting landscape of work.  Traditional employment models no longer meet the needs of a modern workforce and employee experience is taking a backseat to company profits.  Join us as we look into what the future...

In this episode, we chat with Hannah Bolte, Director of People, Communications, & Marketing at Lozier Corporation and Co-Chair of the Women in Manufacturing Nebraska chapter. Hannah gives us an inside look at how she’s creating better ways to connect everyone in the company, from the plant floor to the CEO’s office. She also shares her passion for rebranding manufacturing and making the indust...

Join Stacy Cassio, Founder and CEO of Pink Mentor Network, as she explains her inspiring journey from the factory floor to leading a transformative movement in manufacturing. Learn how she’s creating a culture of mentorship that not only drives innovation and inclusive leadership but empowers women to find their voice and support one another. This episode offers practical advice on how to build a...

Vivian Sanchez, the Training and Development Manager at Lincoln Premium Poultry in Nebraska, joins us to discuss her unexpected journey into the manufacturing industry and her transformative impact on employee engagement and retention.  Many manufacturers and distributors are stuck in a revolving door of new hires, failing to meet production, and losing workers. Learn about how MyWorkChoice builds...

Chris Luecke, the voice behind The Manufacturing Happy Hour, joins us to talk about critical issues in the manufacturing industry. From closing the management gap and empowering employees through personal branding to engaging with local communities, Chris offers actionable insights to help manufacturers thrive. Connect with Chris and The Manufacturing Happy Hour Chris Luecke | The Manufacturing Ha...

Tune in as Joe Suardi, Director of Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning at RK Industries, as we talk about the challenges and opportunities to develop a skilled hourly workforce in 2024. Hear how RK Industries deals with the massive gap in job openings to attract and retain the next generation of skilled and entry-level labor in the construction and manufacturing trades. Connect with Joe Su...

Check out this episode with Chad Moutray, Chief Economist of the National Association of Manufacturers and the Director for the Center of Manufacturing Research at the Manufacturing Institute.   We unpack what 2024 is going to look like (spoiler alert: still lots of uncertainty) and talk about what manufacturers and distributors are doing to improve recruitment and retention to keep up with what h...

Bill Good, Vice President of Supply Chain for GE Appliances shares insights on how they are confronting the generational shift in the labor force, creating a work environment that balances life and pay, and reshaping the traditional manufacturing role to attract and retain workers. Many manufacturers and distributors are stuck in a revolving door of new hires, failing to meet production, and losin...

“Where are all the workers?” We sat down with Federal Reserve Bank economist Laura Ullrich about the future of work and how manufacturing and distribution companies can adapt to what’s coming next.  Connect with Laura on LinkedIn or see her work on the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond website .  Many manufacturers and distributors are stuck in a revolving door of new hires, failing to meet product...

"Debunk the myth that 'flexible work schedules don’t work here', with manufacturing and supply chain expert Todd Warner. This episode is all about how to give workers what they want while getting the headcount you need at your facility.”   Many manufacturers and distributors are stuck in a revolving door of new hires, failing to meet production, and losing workers. Learn about how M...

Mike and Tana Greene are celebrating over 35 years as business owners transforming the staffing industry.   By staying open-minded to change they saw frontline workers' expectations shift before anyone else and founded a company that empowered workers with flexibility.  Many manufacturers and distributors are stuck in a revolving door of new hires, failing to meet production, and losing worke...