HIRED! The Podcast With Travis Miller

What does it really take to start an automation company with no safety net? In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller talks with James Butler about the leap from employee to founder, the risks behind starting Bridger Automation, and how leadership, hiring, and decision making change when it’s your business on the line. // ABOUT OUR GUEST James Butler is the President and Founder of...

Does technical expertise guarantee leadership success? For Anthony Leo, President of IPR Robotics, the path from engineer to the C-Suite meant unlearning the need to be the smartest person in the room. In the Season 5 premiere of HIRED!, host Travis Miller uncovers the real traits that drive career growth. We break down the "Assumption Model" that kills deals, the interview red flag that...

Is the "skills gap" real, or is it just the story we've been told to believe? In our first-ever on-location episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller travels to the U.S. headquarters of ABB Robotics to find out. He sits down with Christelle Keefer, Global Segment Manager for Education at ABB, to investigate the surprising truth about retraining our workforce for the age of a...

Why do so many CRM systems fail even with the best tools in place? In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with Brian Gardner—founder of SalesProcess360 and author of CRM for CEO—to explore why CRM adoption often falls flat and what leadership can do to change that. From managing resistant sales stars to turning CRM into a company-wide advantage, Brian shares practical...

Is the robotics industry as advanced as we think? In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast , Travis Miller talks with Ken Macken, CEO & Founder of Workr Labs, about why robotics hasn’t evolved as fast as expected—and what’s holding it back. From legacy software to the scarcity of talent, Ken unpacks the hidden challenges slowing real progress. He also shares a bold vision for the future: one wher...

The future of robotics isn’t about talent gaps. It’s about the leaders building smarter teams and opening more doors. Jesica Chavez joins HIRED! The Podcast to share how robotics companies can scale by focusing on people first. From factory floors in Mexico to leadership roles in the U.S., Jesica brings a global view on scaling startups, building diverse teams, and the leadership lessons robotics...

What happens when you’re not afraid to fail? In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast , host Travis Miller sits down with Jim Shaw , President & Co-Founder of Zion Solutions Group , a fast-growing force in supply chain automation and systems integration. Jim Shaw is a senior leader with over 25 years in the supply chain industry, specializing in operations, systems integration, material handling,...

The world of manufacturing is changing fast — and staying relevant means evolving just as quickly. In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, Chris Stevens (PMO Business Excellence Manager at Abbott) joins Travis Miller to talk about what it really takes to thrive in an industry where technology, talent, and timelines are constantly shifting. Chris also shares the story behind his passion project, The...

The automation industry isn’t just changing—it’s being rebuilt by the people who refuse to wait for permission. On this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with Nikki Gonzales, a leader reshaping the field by showing up, speaking out, and creating the kind of industry she wants to work in. Recently hired as Director of Business Development at Weintek USA, Nikki brings years...

Most companies are wasting money on marketing that doesn’t work—chasing the wrong audience, burning budgets on ineffective strategies, and missing the biggest opportunity right in front of them. In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with Eddie Saunders Jr., founder of Speak Friend, to expose the biggest marketing mistakes and reveal how to cut waste, use AI to get ahe...

Season 4 of HIRED! The Podcast kicks off with a powerful conversation between host Travis Miller and Bryan Howard, CEO of Peoplyst and author of The Vanguard Edge. In this episode, Bryan shares actionable insights on building resilient, high-performing teams and creating a culture that thrives in the face of change. Bryan dives into his framework for resilience, exploring the importance of mindset...

In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast , host Travis Miller sits down with James Ellis , a top expert in employer branding, for a lively conversation packed with hot takes and real, actionable insights. This isn’t your typical discussion—Ellis breaks down exactly how businesses can stand out by focusing on what makes them unique as employers and why authenticity is key in attracting the right talen...

In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, Travis Miller sits down with Kim Blomquist, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at mHUB, Chicago’s leading manufacturing incubator. Kim sheds light on mHUB’s role in nurturing early-stage startups, particularly in the fields of climate and energy, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. From prototyping labs to a comprehensive mentor network, mHUB...

In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, Travis Miller is joined by Cathy Rinne, President and CEO of Flex-Line Automation, alongside her daughter Lauren Van De Mark, Sales and Marketing Manager, marketing intern Isaiah Roth, and Customer Service Specialist Cayla Sibley. Together, they explore the nuances of talent acquisition in manufacturing and automation, offering valuable insights into the impo...

Join us in this insightful episode of HIRED! The Podcast, hosted by Travis Miller, as we dive into the world of transitioning from technical roles to sales with Karine Leblanc, who is “Not Your Typical Engineer™”. Author of How to Be Human in a Technical World , Karine shares her journey and emphasizes the critical role of soft skills, especially communication and interpersonal skills. This conver...

In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller interviews Britta Muehlenberg, Chief Operating Officer at Acrolinx, about the transformative role of AI in the workplace and the importance of human talent and leadership. Travis and Britta discuss generative AI’s impact on the job market, leadership, and employee engagement. They explore the need for courageous communication, healthy confl...

In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, we sit down with Luis Báez, a former executive at Tesla and Uber, who shares his remarkable journey from corporate sales to entrepreneurship. Discover how Luis has leveraged his extensive experience to become a successful sales and leadership coach, guiding others to achieve their goals. We explore key themes such as self-awareness as a manager, the importanc...

Recruiting pros, listen up - the latest episode of HIRED! The Podcast is a must-listen. Host Travis Miller sits down with Ann Wyatt, President of Ann Wyatt Recruiting and host of the Workforce 4.0 podcast. Their lively discussion explores effective interview strategies, building positive organizational cultures, achieving work-life balance for employees, and more. Ann offers insightful perspective...

In this episode of "HIRED! The Podcast," host Travis Miller engages in a captivating conversation with Trice Kabundi, a Managing Director of World 50 Group. Trice shares her unique approach to hiring, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and creativity. She delves into her philosophy of looking beyond traditional resumes to discover true potential, bringing fresh perspectives and st...

Welcome to another episode of HIRED! The Podcast, hosted by Travis Miller. Today, we're joined by Colleen Hayes, a distinguished Global Strategy and Marketing Executive, to discuss the evolving job market for executives, the critical role of networking in job searches, and the intersection of AI with modern marketing strategies. Join Travis and Colleen as they discuss the challenging executiv...

Welcome to another engaging episode of HIRED! The Podcast, where we explore the hiring landscape, talent acquisition, and the dynamic world of work. Host Travis Miller is joined by Kevin Hanegan, Chair of the Advisory Board for The Data Literacy Project and former Chief Learning Officer for Qlik. Together, they delve into leveraging data analytics to navigate recruitment complexities, emphasizing...

Welcome to HIRED! The Podcast, where we delve deep into the world of professional development and career growth. In this episode, join host Travis Miller as he sits down with Dr. Carrie Graham, a renowned Adult Learning Strategist & Instructional Design Expert, to explore the transformative benefits of lifelong learning. Explore Dr. Graham's insights on the importance of lifelong learning...

Welcome to HIRED! The Podcast, your go-to resource for career advancement and job market insights. Get ready to unlock the secrets to success with our guest, Josef Stetter, an esteemed Author and Career Coach Specialist from The Celebrate Group. Join us as we uncover Josef's unparalleled expertise in personal branding, interview techniques, and career development strategies that have helped t...

In this episode, host Travis Miller delves into the captivating world of industrial technology and next-gen advocacy with special guest Jacob Sanchez. From igniting passion in young minds through hands-on experiences to navigating the intricacies of workplace autonomy and learning, Travis and Jacob share invaluable insights drawn from their own journeys. They discuss the pivotal role of education...

Feeling like you're writing with your non-dominant hand at work? Dr. André Martin, renowned organizational psychologist and author of the upcoming book "Wrong Fit, Right Fit - Why How We Work Matters More Than Ever," joins host Travis Miller on HIRED! The Podcast to expose the shocking truth about "wrong fit" companies and their impact on your career and mental health. Dr....