Made in Iowa, The Manufacturing Podcast

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...