The Current

What do continuous improvement, Lean Six Sigma, and artificial intelligence have in common? They’re all converging at Process Palooza 2025—and this episode of The Process Palooza Podcast gives you a front-row preview! Join host Todd Andersen for a lively look at what’s ahead for this year’s event, happening August 6–7 at UC San Diego. Special guests include Mojgan Amini, one of the event’s founder...

In this episode, we discuss an exciting offering at UC San Diego's Office of Strategic Initiatives: a new webinar series to foster conversations about continuous improvement, artificial intelligence, and more. Joining us is Laura De La Peña, who previews the upcoming webinar 'Lean Six Sigma vs. Artificial Intelligence.' We explore how Lean Six Sigma and AI can complement each other's strengths and...

What makes Lean Six Sigma such a powerful methodology for improving processes and driving efficiency? In this episode, I sit down with seasoned Black Belt instructor Jim Athon to uncover the real impact of these techniques. We discuss the key principles, common challenges, and why mastering Lean Six Sigma is essential for organizations striving for excellence. Whether you’re just starting out or l...

This episode of the Process Palooza podcast takes listeners on a journey through the lively and bustling Process Palooza 2024 event, held at UC San Diego. With over 660 registered attendees, the event is a hub for innovators and leaders in business and education. Hosted at UC San Diego, the event champions the idea of continuous improvement with a lean Six Sigma mindset. With engaging sessions, sp...

We decided it was time to bring AI back into the discussion for this month's episode of the Process Palooza Podcast. To help us do that, we have invited Jon Wade, a professor of practice at the Jacobs School of Engineering. Dr. Wade specializes in systems engineering, a goldmine field for process improvement information. What we are really interested in, though, is his work in mining that field fo...

Join hosts Miguel Rodriguez and Paul Krueger as they deconstruct a major process improvement project currently in the works using the Lean Six Sigma methodology. Ideas and strategies shared in earlier episodes will be applied to an authentic and current implementation! This is a not-to-be missed show, filling your brain with the best thinkers in process improvement! Transcript w/ timestamps: https...

Are you thinking of adopting a continuous improvement strategy for your organization? Maybe your organization is implementing one that will affect you. Thus far on this podcast, we have looked at continuous improvement within the contexts of AI and leadership. In this episode, we are going to focus on some of the direct methodologies, in this case Lean Six Sigma, and discuss some of the ways UC Sa...

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." For May, Paul is delving into the history of the first programmable, electronic, general-purpose digital computer: ENIAC. Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/4b3vPjM

Cloud Engineer Nick Marangella joins the pod to discuss: • How he started with ACT at UC San Diego • Working on cloud infrastructure with AWS • Participating in GeekMasters • His love of live music & other extracurricular activities Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/49Uh7tU

Ep. 2: The Role of Leadership in Building a Continuous Improvement Culture Building a culture of continuous improvement starts with a singular vision. But where does that vision come from? In this episode, we will explore the role of leadership in directing and modeling major large scale changes and helping employees and stakeholders succeed and grow! Special guests include UC San Diego CIO Vince...

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." For April, Paul is delving into a topic he is very passionate about: the history of NASA's space shuttle program. Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/4av5v1B

Senior Education Technology Specialist Treb Padula joins the pod to discuss: • The purpose behind and creation of Studio U • Who can use Studio U • The experience of using Studio U • Studio U success stories Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/4cE4END

Principal IT Infrastructure Engineer Claudio Lombardo joins the pod to discuss: • His role & the work of the Applications Platform team • The importance of automation and standardization • His passion for music and career as a Sound Engineer • His involvement in the ITS Jam Session Band Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/3PtZF8o

Episode 1: The Evolution of Lean Thinking in the Age of AI Have you ever wondered what planet-shifting generative AI tools mean to the lean mindset? Episode 1 of The Process Palooza Podcast offers a special preview of the March 26 Process PaloozAI Webinar all about this very topic! Special guests include UC San Diego CIO Vince Kellen, Business Improvement Consultant Stephen Yorkstone, and Neil Sah...

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." For March, Paul is delving into one of the most pivotal moments in the history of technology: the first successful telephone call, made by Alexander Graham Bell on March 10, 1876. Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/3P8DC6W Show notes: - The Process Palooza Podcast debuts on March...

Veronica Garcia joins the podcast to discuss: • The UC Womxn in Tech committee • Her role as Voice Services Manager • Her career path at UC San Diego • How trainings & conferences have enriched her career • Parenting three teenagers Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/49uKX8w

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." For February, Paul is digging into the history behind the famous six-game chess match between IBM's Deep Blue computer and world champion Garry Kasparov in 1996. Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/3SQfokk

Erin Kilburn joins the podcast to discuss: • Her journey from Temp to Director of Project Portfolio Management • Project Management vs. Portfolio Management (vs. Change Management) • Balancing quality and quantity in project and operational work • Which LSS tools she relies upon most • ITS-PRO as a tool Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/3SjPVhE

Galen Davis visits the podcast to discuss: • The Kaltura service and its impact at UC San Diego • Optimizing the use of video in learning environments • The academic study of video games • Life at Stanford and hanging with Chelsea Clinton • The “dood” club Transcript w/ timestamps: https://bit.ly/48LxtFs

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." To welcome in the new year, let's introduce a new spin on this series: in each installment, Paul will take a deep dive into one particular historical tech event from a given month. For January, Paul is digging into the history behind the famous "1984" Apple Computer commercial that aired...

For the last podcast episode of 2023, Miguel Rodriguez caught up with CIO Vince Kellen to discuss: • The three most unexpected changes for ITS in 2023 • TritonGPT & Generative AI • The concept of "The Integrative CIO" • How ITS operations & projects can work smarter, not harder • Book & paper recommendations: - "The Rise of the Meta City" - "Talent Tectonics" - "Generative AI at Work" Transcript w...

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." In this episode we learn about some fascinating tech and space related events that took place during the month of December. Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/3t4J1UK

Senior Director of Educational Technology Services Dan Suchy joins the podcast to discuss: - ETS’s “defining moments” and challenges of 2023 - Navigating operational work day-to-day - His thoughts on growing enrollment at UC San Diego - Change management when improving tech tools - Thoughts on AI & what’s on the horizon Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/3RmYeK8

Mark Hersberger sat down with SIO Information Systems Analysts Daniel Volpe and Eugene Vivino to discuss: • How the two came to work at SIO and UCSD • A typical day at sea aboard a research vessel • The food aboard research vessels • The most surprising things that have happened to them at sea • The equipment and programs used to conduct their work Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/46hfxk...

Paul Krueger is back to guide us on another technological trip through time with "This Month in Tech History." In this episode we learn about some fascinating tech events that took place during the month of November. Transcript (w/ timestamps): https://bit.ly/3Qt4Kxy