Manufacturing Culture Podcast

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Manufacturing Culture Podcast 🎙️ | Host: Jim Mayer 🛠️
Exploring the pulse of modern manufacturing. 💡 Unscripted chats. Real stories.

Industry insights. 🌟 Dive into the culture that drives success!
👉 Tune in & transform your workspace!

03/06/2025

"You can feel it the second you walk in the door."

That’s how Nelson Bruton describes workplace culture, and if you’ve worked in manufacturing, you know exactly what he means.

In this week’s episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Nelson joins Jim Mayer for a real conversation about leadership, perseverance, and what it takes to build connection in a digital world.

They talk about:
✔️ Removing friction from the B2B buying process
✔️ Why live chat still needs a human touch
✔️ What a 94% retention rate really says about company culture
✔️ And how personal growth shapes professional success

This one’s full of stories, hard-earned lessons, and a reminder that people still drive business—especially in manufacturing.

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app, watch on YouTube, or visit TheMFGConnector.com

👇 Watch this clip and tell us, what does your workplace feel like?

27/05/2025

🛠️ “Culture is what creates discretionary effort — that extra 10% people give when they don’t have to, but they want to.”
– Josh McKain, Founder of Henry Rose Consulting

In this week’s episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, we dive into the human side of manufacturing — and why great leadership and a healthy culture are more powerful than any machine on your floor.

🎙️ Josh shares:
➡️ How collaboration fuels results
➡️ The true cost of turnover
➡️ Why hiring should be proactive — not panicked
➡️ And the surprising leadership lessons he’s learned from being a parent

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eRUjKJioxmA
🎧 Or listen wherever you get your podcasts
🌐 Full show notes + resources at themfgconnector.com

👇 If you believe culture drives results — share this with your team or tag a leader who needs to hear it!

20/05/2025

“Culture is what people say when leadership isn’t in the room.” – Gina Tabasso

That’s how Gina defines culture—and after more than 30 years in manufacturing, she’s earned the right to say it plainly.

In this episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Gina shares her journey through trade publications, certifications, and now running Barracuda B2B. We talked about what real marketing looks like in this industry, why culture still gets overlooked, and how understanding your people is just as important as understanding your product.

This one’s for anyone working to build stronger teams, clearer messaging, or a more connected workforce.

🎧 Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/B2_rGUEQyMQ
🌐 Or find it at themfgconnector.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

✅ Give it a listen.
👍 Like and follow the page to stay up to date.
📢 And share it with someone in your network who’d get something out of it.

13/05/2025

If your company still thinks marketing is just brochures and trade shows...
You need to meet Stephanie Pryor.

In this week’s episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Jim sits down with the founder of LANC Marketing to talk about what’s really keeping manufacturing from growing—and it’s not just the workforce gap.

It’s the visibility gap. The culture gap. The hesitation to tell real stories that make people want to work here, buy from us, and believe in this industry.

Stephanie shares:
✅ How strategic communication drives revenue (not just awareness)
✅ Why culture and leadership have everything to do with marketing
✅ And how manufacturers can stop playing small and start showing up

💥 Stream the episode on our website, your favorite podcast platform, or catch the full video here on YouTube:
🎥 https://youtu.be/dZvUnD4GSGw

🎧 themfgconnector.com | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

👇 Drop a comment if you’ve ever been told marketing “isn’t a priority.” Let’s talk.

29/04/2025

"Culture is the engine of manufacturing."

We’re back after a short break—and today’s episode is packed with the kind of real-world leadership wisdom that manufacturing needs now more than ever.

This week on The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Jim Mayer sits down with Ron Crabtree—an internationally recognized expert in Lean Six Sigma and operational excellence—to talk about why culture isn't just a part of the business.
It is the business.

In this episode, you’ll hear:
🔹 How leadership drives the human side of change
🔹 Why so many digital transformations fail—and what to do about it
🔹 How to close the skills gap and build the workforce of the future
This conversation is a must-listen if you believe that manufacturing’s future depends not just on new tech, but on building workplaces where people want to be.

This conversation is a must-listen if you believe that manufacturing’s future depends not just on new tech—but on building workplaces where people want to be.

🎧 Listen to the full episode at themfgconnector.com, on your favorite podcast platform, or watch it now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WW3Rt3nhhII

👉 If you find this episode valuable, share it with a friend or colleague who's passionate about making real change in manufacturing.
And don’t forget to rate and review the show—it helps us grow this community of change-makers!

This week on The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Jim Mayer sits down with Ron Crabtree, an internationally recognized expert in Lean Six Sigma and operational excellence, to talk about why culture isn't just a part of the business..

“Class was intense at times, but it was easy to learn, welcoming, and just very informative.” – Dzana HThat’s how people...
09/04/2025

“Class was intense at times, but it was easy to learn, welcoming, and just very informative.” – Dzana H

That’s how people describe this workshop. And Dzana wasn’t alone.

We’ve heard the same thing from dozens of leaders who joined us—folks who walked in unsure and walked out ready to lead.

If you’re in Cleveland, this is your chance. April 23. One day that could change how you lead through change.

Register here: https://www.mixily.com/event/903839766564914827

or check out the full tour https://themfgconnector.com/lead-the-change-tour

08/04/2025

“I didn’t always lead with empathy. I had to learn how to show up differently.”

That’s what Clare Epstein, General Manager, Commercial at Vector Solutions, shared on the latest episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast.

Her story isn’t polished—it’s real.
From urban planning to safety tech leadership, Clare opens up about the hard-earned lessons that changed how she leads, why safety is more than a checklist, and what it really means to build a strong company culture.

If you're working in manufacturing, leading a team, or just trying to figure out how to build something better, this conversation is for you.

🎧 Listen now at themfgconnector.com, find it on your favorite podcast platform, or watch the full episode on YouTube.

✅ Like, comment, and share to spread this message—culture starts with leadership.

08/04/2025

🚨 It’s go-time.

The Lead the Change Tour kicks off April 23 in Cleveland—and we’re thrilled to be hosted by Ellison Technologies.

This is real-world leadership training for manufacturing professionals leading real teams.

If you're in Cleveland—or have a team there—this is the moment to get in the room.

https://www.mixily.com/event/903839766564914827

Cleveland is locked in. is hosting the very first Lead the Change Tour stop on April 23—and we’re inviting manufacturers...
01/04/2025

Cleveland is locked in.

is hosting the very first Lead the Change Tour stop on April 23—and we’re inviting manufacturers from across the region to pull up a seat.

This isn’t just another workshop. It’s a deep, hands-on day to tackle the real barriers to digital transformation:
– Culture
– Communication
– Readiness
– Leadership gaps

This one-day event is made for the folks who actually carry the change—the leaders in the middle of the storm.

Ellison’s opening their doors. We’re bringing the content. And together, we’re starting this tour with the kind of momentum this industry deserves.

Only 30 seats and going fast
April 23, Brecksville, OH
https://lnkd.in/gwVAZn9W
Let’s lead from the front.

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

26/03/2025

“There’s an arrogance in thinking you can just replace a founder. You can’t replicate that kind of ownership, that kind of pride.” – Bill Ross

We took a short break last week to announce something big—our Lead the Change Tour—but the podcast is back, and this episode is one you don’t want to miss.

🎙️ Jim Mayer sits down with Bill Ross, a private equity leader who’s rethinking how manufacturing companies grow, transition, and lead with purpose.

They talk about: ✔️ The hard truths about founder transitions
✔️ What really makes a strong company culture
✔️ Automation, sustainability, and the future of manufacturing
✔️ Why leadership is more about people than process

Bill’s story is honest, unexpected, and full of lessons for anyone who cares about the human side of manufacturing.

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast app
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lAvSGME49aI
🌐 Or visit us at themfgconnector.com

👍 If it hits home, give it a share—and drop a comment with your favorite takeaway.

18/03/2025

For the first time in a while, there won’t be a new episode this week because we have been working on something over at The Manufacturing Connector.

If you know, keep quiet for one more day.

12/03/2025

"Culture to me means happiness. It’s not about stuff and things—it’s about how your work impacts your life. At the end of the day, it all boils down to one question: Are you happy?" – Jennelle McGrath

How do you know if your company has a great culture? Simple. Ask yourself: Are you happy?

Most workplaces talk about “culture,” but let’s be honest—free coffee and casual Fridays don’t make people love their jobs. A real culture is built on trust, well-being, and leadership that actually cares.

That’s exactly what Jennelle McGrath has built at Market Veep, and it’s why they’ve been named an INC Best Workplace.

✅ Her team gets the first Friday of every month off—for their well-being.
✅ She hires based on values, not just skills.
✅ She believes when employees thrive, the business does too.

In this episode of The Manufacturing Culture Podcast, Jennelle shares:
➡️ Why happiness should be at the heart of leadership
➡️ How to create a workplace where people actually want to be
➡️ The biggest mistake leaders make when trying to “build culture”

If you’ve ever dreaded going to work, this episode will change the way you see leadership.

🎧 Listen now at themfgconnector.com or on your favorite podcast app!
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YCYSoftha2k

👇 Tag a leader who needs to hear this! What’s one thing YOUR company does to create a strong culture? Drop it in the comments!

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