Always Lifting

In this episode of the Always Lifting Podcast, host Karen Norheim sits down with Rachel Zepernick, General Manager at Thomas (ThomasNet.com), the 128-year-old trusted platform for connecting North American manufacturing suppliers and buyers. From that front-row seat, Rachel sees the trends shaping manufacturing before most people even feel them. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:58 – What is Th...

Today's guest is Maura Thomas: attention management expert, TEDx speaker, and author of multiple books on personal productivity. Maura's work has been a genuine gamechanger for Karen personally and this conversation will show you why. Maura makes the case that time management is the wrong goal. The real question is: where is your attention going? ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00:00 – Introduction to M...

Today's guest is Lisa Ryan, founder of Grategy, certified speaking professional, and author of Gear Up for Greatness and the upcoming The Smart Plant: Aligning AI, Automation & People. Lisa has spent 15 years helping manufacturing and industrial leaders build cultures where people actually want to stay. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 00:57 – Lisa's career story: from executive rec...

Today’s guest is Krisna Hanks: Director of Employee Wellness at Ovadia Heart Health, co-owner of Square One Wellness, author, international executive coach, and metabolic health expert. We talk about what it means to “CEO your health” and why leaders must make wellness the priority. In this episode, we discuss: • What metabolic health really means and why it matters beyond weight • Krishna’s perso...

Today’s guests are Ally and MC, lifelong friends, moms, and co-founders of Lessen the Loads, a service that helps families (and more) offload laundry and clutter so they can get time back for what matters most. Topics Discussed:  - How a real-life “overwhelmed mom” moment sparked the business - Going from lab partners to business partners and why their friendship works - Building a flexible, well-...

Today’s guest is Dr. Adelle Shade, Chief Innovation Officer at Alvernia University and founder of Total Experience Learning (TExpL), a framework helping educators create innovative, student-centered learning environments. We talk about: - What TExpL is and how it connects student interests to academic standards - Why teachers are essentially project managers - What innovative classrooms look like...

Today’s guest is Thomas Ripsam, CEO of C.F. Martin & Company, the legendary guitar maker founded in 1833 and revered by musicians worldwide. As Martin’s first non-family CEO, Thomas shares what it takes to honor nearly 200 years of history while still pushing the brand forward. In this conversation, we talk about: • Leading through change while protecting what makes a brand special • Craft, cr...

Today’s guest is Erica Deuschle, Managing Partner of KW Main Line and the powerhouse behind the unforgettable brand Trust the Pineapple. From charging groceries on a credit card as a young mom starting in real estate to leading a $250M+ team ranked among the top in Pennsylvania, Erica’s journey is built on grit, faith, and relentless drive. But at the core of her success is something deeper: hospi...

In this episode, Karen sits down with artist, sculptor, and muralist Greg Dy Young to talk about creativity, grit, and lifting others through art. After a life-changing injury in 2017 left him facing multiple surgeries and a long recovery, Greg made the bold decision to finally put his artwork into the world. What followed were award-winning exhibits, massive community murals, and powerful sculptu...

Karen sits down with Ed “Kingfish” Lada, President & CEO of Goodwill Keystone Area, to explore how a $102M social enterprise is using workforce development, sustainability, and AI literacy to lift communities across 22 Pennsylvania counties. From re-entry success stories to “AI @ Home” and ethical tech conversations, Ed shares why the future of work must include everyone. Today's Conversa...

Karen sits down with friend and fellow second-generation leader Beth Hahn, President of Berkshire Systems Group and SAH, for a conversation on building culture that lasts. Beth shares how she grew from a small startup into leading a multi-location company—and why caring for your people, serving the community and leading with integrity are the real drivers of success. Beth’s story is proof that cul...

Karen sits down with Dr. Kryn McClain—licensed professional counselor, trauma therapist and founder of Paragon Behavioral Health and Catapollo VR—to explore how mental health, leadership and immersive virtual reality can work together to lift people higher. Kryn shares her journey building a people-first therapy practice to creating VR training modules that improve real-world outcomes. She also sh...

Always Lifting dives deep into the intersection of technology, leadership, and humanity with strategist, coach, and “tech whisperer” Chad Harvey. Chad has a unique gift: he can walk into a room, talk about AI, and leave you feeling both smarter and more aware of just how much is changing around us. He recently led an AI training for our team at American Crane, sparking lightbulb moments that are s...

Host Karen Norheim sits down with entrepreneur, storyteller, and award-winning business owner Freddy Vasquez, founder and “Big Cheese” of FXV Digital Design. Fresh off his company’s recognition at the 2025 Greater Reading Chamber Business Excellence Awards—right alongside American Crane—Freddy shares his inspiring journey from designing MySpace pages to building a thriving digital design agency. T...

Karen sits down with Joni Naugle — “The CEO Whisperer” — to explore the power of coaching, leadership, and peer learning. As a Vistage Chair and executive coach, Joni has guided countless CEOs and leaders through chaos, uncertainty, and pivotal career moments. Together, Karen and Joni discuss: ✨ How Joni became a Vistage Chair and what makes peer groups so impactful ✨ The difference between lead...

Always Lifting with Karen Norheim is a video podcast exploring leadership, innovation, wellness, heritage, and grit — all through the lens of curiosity, resilience, and storytelling. Hosted by Karen Norheim, CEO of American Crane and Equipment Corporation, each episode dives into personal insights, leadership philosophies, and big ideas shaping your world.  What does it mean to lift? Whether it’s...