Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast

What if workplace safety didn’t start after an accident—but before it ever happened? On this episode of the Made in Iowa Podcast—presented by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield—Leisa sits down with Tom West of Makusafe to unpack the shift from reactive safety models to a proactive, data-driven approach. For decades, companies have relied on insurance and incident response to manage risk—but Makus...

Renee Crowell, Executive Director of The Ingersoll, shared the deeply personal story of how she and her husband Chris found their way to Des Moines — and how the timing felt undeniably right. What stood out most wasn’t just a career move, but their genuine love for the community and their desire to invest in something meaningful. The Ingersoll isn’t just a venue to them — it’s a treasure. A gather...

On this episode of Made in Iowa, John Mickelson lays out a hard truth: many of America’s strongest manufacturing and industrial companies face a two-fold threat. First, founders and long-time owners are aging out without clear succession plans. Second, many of these businesses—while profitable—have never been fully operationalized. They’ve grown on grit, relationships, and instinct, but lack the s...

In a recent episode of Made in Iowa, Stacey Sime, CEO of LifeServe, shared the remarkable preservation effort behind reclaiming the hardwoods used in their new headquarters. She pointed us directly to the creative force behind that transformation — Megan Aronson of Aronson Woodworks (https://www.aronsonwoodworks.com/). In this episode, Megan joins us in studio alongside her self-proclaimed “greate...

In this episode, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about the forces shaping the future of Iowa agriculture. We discuss global trade dynamics and the ways tariffs and international relationships influence Iowa’s agricultural economy. Secretary Naig also shares how the state is actively recruiting food manufacturers and expanding food production capacit...

On this episode of Made in Iowa, host Leisa Fox sits down with entrepreneur Billie Asmus, founder of Repaint Studios, to share the story behind a simple frustration that turned into a national retail brand. Billie didn’t plan to become an inventor or retail entrepreneur. As a busy mom trying to pause a painting project when her daughter woke up from a nap, she grew tired of using plastic wrap and...

In my conversation with Erin Rollenhagen, CEO of Entrepreneurial Technologies, and Ann Staudt, the dynamic duo behind Water Rocks!, listeners discover how a passion for Iowa’s natural resources has been transformed into an innovative educational movement. These two leaders are on a mission to make water science exciting and accessible for learners of all ages. Through engaging online games, captiv...

In this episode of Made in Iowa, we sit down with Will Rogers, founder of Monks Brandy, to talk about what it looks like to take a bold leap later in life. Will shares the story behind the name Monks Brandy, why he chose brandy as his spirit of focus, and what motivated him—in his 50s—to step into the adult beverage world with confidence and intention. Rooted in memories of growing up when Brandy...

Stepping out on your own takes courage—especially when your reputation, relationships, and livelihood are built on trust. In this episode of Made in Iowa, we sit down with Laura Peterson, co-founder of Unison Design Studio, to talk about the bold decision to launch a purpose-driven architecture and design firm rooted in clarity, collaboration, and care. With more than 90 years of collective experi...

On this episode of the Made in Iowa Podcast, I sit down with Loras Schaul, whose career story is anything but conventional. After decades of success in executive-level sales leadership, Loras made a bold, later-in-life pivot—cashing in all his chips to purchase Douglas Machine & Engineering. What followed was not a quiet transition, but an energizing leap into ownership, vision-setting, and hands-...

When LMT Defense made the move from Illinois to Eldridge, Iowa five years ago, they didn’t just relocate a factory—they planted a mission. “We provide tools for individual soldiers to protect themselves and to try to come home at the end of their mission,” says Mike Neff, VP of Operations. That sense of purpose isn’t marketing language; it’s lived every day inside the walls of LMT, where one in fi...

In this episode of Made in Iowa, Leisa Fox visits Electrical Power Products in Des Moines to spotlight the people and innovation behind the systems that quietly keep our world running. Featuring Amanda Haugen, SHRM-CP, Human Resources Manager, and Riley Knutson, Director of Engineering and second-generation leader, the conversation reveals how this modern manufacturing facility produces highly spe...

In this episode of Made in Iowa, Leisa Fox sits down with leaders from Accumold to explore what modern manufacturing looks like in today’s business and cultural climate. The conversation begins with Accumold’s evolution as a company and its role in serving highly specialized global markets, including medical technology, micro-electronics, optics, and emerging technologies. As products continue to...

Reynolds Cramer, CEO of Fareway and a member of the workforce committee for Iowa’s Department of Governmental Oversight and Efficiency (DOGE), outlines the committee’s commitment to strengthening Iowa’s workforce and economic competitiveness. The committee is focused on preparing Iowans for the future through targeted skills-development programs, expanding employment opportunities across sectors,...

What does a science center have to do with Iowa’s future workforce, manufacturing, and innovation economy? In this episode of Made in Iowa, Julie Pelds shares how the Science Center of Iowa is far more than a destination for families—it’s a launchpad for curiosity, problem-solving, and the skills Iowa employers need next. From hands-on learning to immersive experiences, the Science Center is helpi...

In this episode, Leisa sits down with Nikki Wilcox and Sarah Allender of TrueNorth alongside Michele Presley of Servpro to unpack one of the toughest challenges facing property owners today — the rising cost of property insurance. Together, they explore why premiums continue to increase and how proactive risk management strategies can make a measurable difference. From disaster preparedness to doc...

LifeServe Blood Center CEO Stacy Sime joins Leisa for a powerful conversation about leading one of the most mission-critical organizations in healthcare. Serving 175 hospitals across Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Illinois, LifeServe operates in a world of constant uncertainty—short product shelf life, zero predictability in demand, and the highest quality standards imaginable. And unlike any o...

Leisa Fox sits down with Nicole Crain, President of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, to recap a powerhouse month for Iowa manufacturing. October’s Manufacturing Month featured factory tours, leadership roundtables, and signature events like ABI’s Manufacturing Conference and the Legends in Manufacturing Awards—a celebration of the people and companies shaping the state’s economic fut...

In this episode of Made in Iowa, I sit down with David Gion and Kayla Weier of Fable to explore the unique Iowa-rooted story behind their premium, ready-to-drink non-alcoholic cocktails infused with THC and CBD. The conversation delves into how Fable blends real roots, fruits, herbs and spices to craft complex flavors that redefine the “cocktail” experience without the regrets of a hangover. drink...

Guest: Nick Wylie, Founder of Renewablade As the renewable energy industry continues to expand across the Midwest, a new challenge has emerged — what happens to those massive wind turbine blades when their life cycle ends? Enter Nick Wylie and his team at Renewablade, innovators who are transforming a serious sustainability problem into an incredible opportunity. Across the country, “windblade gra...