• 32. Build builders, not projects: what Helpful Engineering learned about innovation and open source

    Helpful Engineering started with 19 strangers on a Reddit thread trying to solve a shortage of face masks and ventilators. Six years later, the nonprofit has mobilized more than 20,000 volunteer engineers, scientists, and makers around open source hardware.

    Amish Chadha, the organization’s Chief Risk Officer, joins our host, Jason Hehman to talk about what happened next: a self described funnel of failure, a shipment of oxygen concentrators that exposed a hard lesson about supply chain visibility, and why the real goal was never building products. It was building builders, a distinction Amish comes back to near the end of the conversation and the one this episode is named for.

    If you lead operations, manage supply chain risk, or want a different way to think about how organizations actually get better at solving hard problems, this one delivers.

    Resources:

    E32 - 33m - Jul 29, 2026
  • 31. Go see, ask why: modernizing railcar maintenance without losing the human side

    What does it actually take to run continuous improvement across a fleet of 115,000 rail cars?

    James Chapman spent nearly a decade at GATX, one of North America's largest railcar leasing companies, moving from Director of Continuous Improvement all the way to leading all of the company's owned North American operations. His approach was simple in concept and hard in practice: get on the floor, ask questions you don't know the answers to, and build a culture that wants to solve problems rather than explain them away.

    In this conversation, Jason Hehman and James get into what daily management actually looks like at scale, the surprising parallels between rail car maintenance and traditional manufacturing, how GATX thought about building custom software versus buying off the shelf, and what happened when the TXI team showed up at one of their maintenance facilities and started asking why.

    If you lead operations, manage a distributed team, or are trying to figure out how to move from isolated fixes to a real platform approach, this one will give you something to think about.

    Keep this conversation going in person. The MIX community is gathering in Chicago on June 4th for drinks, food, and candid conversation with leaders across transportation, logistics, and industrial.

    Reserve your spot at the June MIXer

    Resources:

    E31 - 32m - May 26, 2026
  • 30. Bend without breaking: Building resilience in modern manufacturing.

    What does it actually take to keep a small or mid-size manufacturer competitive right now? Jason Hehman sits down with David Boulay, President of IMEC, the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, to find out.

    David and his team work with thousands of Illinois manufacturers every year. His read on the industry is grounded, honest, and a little different from what you usually hear. In this conversation, they get into why the process has to come before technology, what the workforce challenge actually looks like beyond the "skills gap" talking point, and why David is genuinely optimistic about the next 10 years of domestic manufacturing.

    If you are running a plant, managing operations, or making decisions about where to invest right now, this one is worth your time.

    Resources:

    E30 - 35m - Feb 24, 2026
  • 29. Beyond the rails: how freight transportation has been quietly leading the AI revolution

    In this episode Jason Hehman, Industry 4.0 Vertical Lead at TXI, sits down with Jim Pang, a senior technology executive and product innovator with decades of experience in freight transportation. Together, they uncover the surprising truth about rail's quiet leadership in AI and machine learning applications—innovations that have been transforming the industry for over two decades. 

    From acoustic monitoring systems detecting anomalies across millions of wheels in real-time to computer vision applications in massive rail depots, the rail industry has been pioneering AI solutions long before they became mainstream. The conversation explores how rail's unique challenges—multiple handoff points, legacy systems, and complex stakeholder ecosystems—actually create profound opportunities for innovation. 

    Jim shares his own evolution from operations skeptic to technology bridge-builder, offering insights on scaling AI from proof of concept to production, the critical role of product teams in bridging business and technology, and how cooperative competition models from the software industry could revolutionize rail logistics. This episode reveals how logistics digitization and data standardization are essential enablers for America's manufacturing renaissance.


    Resources:

    38m - Aug 12, 2025
  • 28. The Future of Manufacturing Workforce Development with AR / VR

    Immersive technology is revolutionizing workforce training, and augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are leading the way. From reducing downtime in manufacturing to enhancing hands-on learning without real-world risks, AR/VR is shaping the future of industrial operations.


    In this live episode of the Modern Industrialist Podcast, Jason Hehman is joined by Ed LaFoy, Lead Engineer specializing in spatial computing and XR, and Patrick DeMichael, TXI’s Strategy Practice Lead.


    The conversation dives into real-world case studies, including how DHL increased efficiency with AR-enabled logistics and how HABCO Industries leveraged AR to streamline a time-consuming aerospace manufacturing process. The team also examines the role of Apple Vision Pro in industrial settings and what it will take for AR/VR hardware to reach mainstream adoption.


    Whether you're curious about the potential of AR/VR or actively considering it for workforce training, this episode unpacks the opportunities, challenges, and strategies that will define its role in Industry 4.0.


    Resources:


    Produced by NOVA

    51m - Apr 4, 2025
  • 27. From simulation to optimization: the real-world impact of digital twin solutions

    What if you could optimize your manufacturing processes in real time, anticipate failures before they happen, and optimize processes with just a few key data points? That’s the power of digital twin solutions—an evolving technology that’s reshaping industries from smart manufacturing to logistics.


    Host Jason Hehman, Industry 4.0 Vertical Lead at TXI, is joined by Andrew Horner and Alan Gardner, principal engineers at TXI, for a deep dive into what digital twins iiot solutions really are and how companies can start using them today.


    We break down the common misconceptions surrounding digital twins, moving beyond simple simulations to explore how they function as assistive tools for data-driven decision-making. Along the way, we uncover unexpected insights digital twins can generate, from reducing downtime on offshore oil rigs to solving taxi shortages through data-driven visibility. We also discuss the future of AR and AI-powered digital twins, the role of shared data ecosystems, and why starting small with simple data collection can unlock massive value.


    Whether you’re an industrial leader looking to implement digital transformation or just curious about the technology driving Industry 4.0, this conversation offers a practical, engaging look at how digital twins are transforming the way we see, predict, and optimize our world.


    Resources:


    Produced by NOVA

    37m - Mar 8, 2025
  • 26. Balancing compliance, AI, and customer care with Mindr COO Melissa Robbins

    What does it take to lead a company at the forefront of innovation in highly regulated industries? Melissa Robbins, Chief Operating Officer at Mindr, joins the Modern Industrialist Podcast to share her approach to balancing cutting-edge technology with a people-first mindset. Mindr, a leader in substance detection and monitoring solutions, is reshaping public safety with products like Intoxalock and Keeper while maintaining a deep commitment to customer care.

    Melissa reveals how her values-based leadership philosophy, developed at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, drives Mindr's success. From automating compliance processes to building trust with regulators and customers alike, Melissa's strategies offer actionable insights for leaders navigating complex industries.

    The conversation also uncovers how Mindr leverages AI and data to enhance both employee efficiency and customer experience, all while maintaining a strong focus on innovation and public safety. We hope you find Melissa's journey and insights as inspiring and thought-provoking as we did.


    Resources:


    Produced by NOVA

    51m - Jan 21, 2025
  • 25. High-mix, low-volume manufacturing and AR technology with Brian Montanari

    When you’re in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing, you have a unique perspective on efficiency and improvement processes. There aren’t a lot of iterations where you can implement improvements or amortize suboptimization. Brian Montanari is the President & CEO of HABCO Industries, a leader in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing. He joins us on the show today to bring his unique perspective to the conversation.

    We explore his fascinating case study of how his company identified and solved a critical business challenge using Microsoft's HoloLens technology. We also discuss how he has incorporated AI into his business-side processes. 

    As Brian describes these change processes, he weaves in wisdom about leadership and team development. His take on workforce development should be heard across industries. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.


    Resources:

    • Learn more about the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technologies: www.ccat.us


    Produced by NOVA

    48m - Dec 13, 2024
  • 24. Inside a global giant’s digital transformation process

    If you had a bird’s-eye view of digital transformation projects in manufacturing plants across the world, what would you see? No need to guess: Today, our guest is a man who has that exact view.

    Tim O’Neal is the Global Operations Director for Operational Excellence and Leveraged Services for Dow Chemical. He oversees digital transformation projects at over 300 plants in 31 different countries. 

    We have a fascinating conversation about how Tim’s team decides where to pilot new initiatives, how they evaluate success, and what he sees as the future of Industry 4.0.

    Stick around for the end segment, where we briefly cover the latest in GenAI, digital twins, and 3D printing. 


    Resources:


    Produced by NOVA

    56m - Nov 12, 2024
  • 23. NVIDIA’s role in industrial digital transformation

    What’s all the buzz about NVIDIA? And what does it have to do with manufacturing and logistics? In today’s episode, Jason Hehman and Patrick Turley break down everything you need to know.

    Jason and Patrick explain the technological difference between traditional computer chips (CPUs) and NVIDIA’s GPUs. Then they explain how these NVIDIA GPUs are making GenAI, machine learning, and edge computing possible. Jason and Patrick also get into NVIDIA’s valuation and future, including geopolitical concerns around their supply chain.

    This episode will give you the knowledge you need to better understand the AI market and how it may affect your business.


    Resources:


    Produced by NOVA Media

    34m - Oct 11, 2024
  • 22. Highlights from the International Manufacturing Technology Show

    In Patrick Turley’s own words, his “dogs are barking,” but the ache of his feet doesn’t compare to the excitement he felt walking around the International Manufacturing Technology Show for days. Patrick joins the podcast to give us highlights from the event.

    He tells about trends he saw from 3D printing and additive manufacturing vendors. Then Patrick goes over what he saw in the automation and robotics space. He wraps up by describing what he saw in terms of connected systems and digital twins.

    Whether you are a suit-wearing type or a camouflage-hat-wearing type– or both – you’ll get a lot out of this episode, including a renewed excitement about the future of manufacturing.


    Resources:


    Produced by NOVA Media

    42m - Sep 27, 2024
  • 21. Consumer and professional trends in IoT and 3D printing

    Both IoT devices and 3D printing have followed a similar timeline recently: a surge of interest, lots of hype, and now stricter scrutiny. 

    In this episode, Jason Hehman and Matt Reich discuss where these two technologies are trending, both in the consumer world and in the industrial space.

    Listen in as Jason and Matt break down IoT devices and 3D printing (aka additive manufacturing) in terms of value proposition, maintenance, and ecosystem.


    Resources:


    Produced by NOVA Media

    39m - Sep 20, 2024
  • 20. Takeaways from the Amazon Fulfillment Center tour

    Jason got to take a tour of an Amazon Fulfillment Center and he’s here to share takeaways that every industrial business can benefit from.

    With co-host Patrick Turley, Jason breaks down Amazon’s use of computer vision, edge computing, and digital twins and what it can teach us about Industry 4.0.

    They also touch on how technology can improve workforce retention and how it can help managers make better decisions. 

    These two bearded gentlemen’s childlike excitement about the workings of a warehouse floor will leave you with a smile and a lot to think about for your own company’s future.


    Resources:


    Produced by NOVA Media

    42m - Aug 12, 2024
  • 19. The state of virtual reality and manufacturing

    What’s virtual reality’s value for manufacturing today? In this episode we break down everything you need to know about today’s spatial computing (virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, etc.) for manufacturers.

    We discuss how it could speed up and standardize training. We envision how it could empower more stakeholders, including clients and maintenance teams, to provide input earlier in the design process. We also get into the difference between the spatial computing leaders (Apple, Microsoft, and Meta) and what to watch for in this space.

    The big takeaway: Right now manufacturers can find immediate value in spatial computing by using it as an innovation catalyst. Putting on a spatial computing headset gives new perspective to what is possible, driving teams to better digitize and organize their work. 


    Resources:


    Produced by NOVA Media

    38m - Aug 2, 2024
  • BONUS. Lessons from the Crowdstrike Outage

    What lessons can manufacturing professionals learn from Friday’s Crowdstrike catastrophe?

    We give an overview of what happened and what it can teach the manufacturing community about best practices in the software development process. 

    We also explain what incident response should look like in these situations.

    This episode is for manufacturing executives who need to have a basic understanding of these threats, how to prevent them, and how to respond to them.

    21m - Jul 24, 2024
  • 18. Future-proofing with automation: HS Inc.’s journey

    HS Inc. is a success story of a family-owned manufacturing company surviving and thriving by future-proofing itself. Today its Director of Business Development, Paul St. Louis, joins the show to tell us about their fifty-year evolution from mold maker to automation integrator. 


    Founded in 1969 close to Detroit Michigan, HS Inc. got its start creating parts for the automotive industry. As the industry changed, HS Inc. changed too. They use their know-how to pivot towards making modular systems that could be easily adapted by a variety of industries– yes, even machines that make sheet cake. 


    Paul walks us through how HS Inc. leveraged automation to future-proof itself and how it now does the same for its clients. 


    Plus, stay tuned to the end for our “what we saw in AI this week” section where we discuss the Apple Intelligence announcement.


    Resources:


    Produced by NOVA Media

    46m - Jul 1, 2024
  • 17. Top takeaways from the Rethink Conference

    The annual Rethink Conference by the Manufacturing Leadership Council is one of the top events in the digital transformation of manufacturing. What’s discussed there is indicative of what’s likely to come for manufacturers of all shapes and sizes. Jason attended the conference and is ready to report his top three takeaways. Patrick is here to help him analyze it all. 

    The first takeaway: Workforce development is a pain point for a lot of companies out there. Second takeaway: There is an appetite for making supply networks more resilient. Third takeaway: Increased data gathering capabilities mean leaders need to be more selective and strategic in what data they collect, analyze, and use.

    Jason and Patrick dive into each one to discuss solutions. They talk about how to modernize worker training without losing the critical human and cultural aspect of it. They identify standardized, interoperable data and high-quality digital twins as key to resilient supply networks. They discuss things companies should keep in mind when build their data strategy: Legal liability, clarity, and prioritization.

    And, as always, they end with a segment on what AI tool they checked out this week: Patrick has convinced Jason to start using Super Whisper.


    Resources:

    Learn more at ManufacturingLeadershipCouncil.com


    Produced by NOVA Media

    35m - Jun 15, 2024
  • 16. Client-focused speed to-value with Boon’s Deepti Yenireddy

    Deepti Yenireddy has an incredible track record of creating tech products and platforms that change the trajectory of businesses. What’s her secret sauce? She spends 90% of her time with clients. When she’s not with a client, she and her team are in full ‘speed-to-value’ mode– getting iterations to clients to enjoy and give feedback on, within days, not months. Deepti is our guest on the show today and she’s a fountain of insight and knowledge.

    Currently, Deepti is the Founder of Boon, a connected AI platform transforming the trucking and logistics industry. You can tell she spends 90% of her time directly with clients because she rattles off terms like “hours of service review,” “fuel cost mapping,” and “tenders” as if she’s been working in trucking for decades. She breaks down for us where she thinks the industry is at in terms of AI adoption.

    Deepti’s goal is to deliver true, real-world value to all the companies that are supporting the backbone of our economy, getting them to the next level where they can actually see double-digit profit margins rather than single-digit margins. If that resonates with you, you’re going to really love this episode.

    Plus, Jason and Turley talk about where they’ve bumped into AI this week: Machine tending robots who can “see.”


    Resources:

    Learn more at GetBoon.ai


    Produced by NOVA Media

    44m - May 24, 2024
  • 15. Host Roundtable: Catching up and looking forward

    Patrick is finally back from his secret mission, so we’re here to do a group debrief about the past few episodes, tying together themes that we noticed ran throughout.

    We talk about AI safety, forecasting what will need to be done before enterprises are comfortable putting their data into AI tools and training models. We discuss how technology can play an important role in compliance and tracking chain of custody. And we all agree that the importance of business strategy in making tech decisions can’t be emphasized enough. 

    We wrap up by talking about what we want to cover in the upcoming episodes, plus what AI products popped up in our lives this week. 


    Resources:


    Produced by NOVA Media


    34m - May 17, 2024
  • 14. Human-centered tech optimization and automation with Optym’s Chris Torrence

    Transportation is a uniquely physical business– it’s not going to be taken over by AI any time soon. But that doesn’t mean that AI or other tech innovations can’t be genuinely helpful for workers and management. Today, Chris Torrence, Chief Strategy Officer from Optym joins us to talk about how tech automation and optimization should work.

    We have a great conversation about how tech shouldn’t be an additional burden on operators. And, it’s not a fix for a broken process. The point of tech innovation for companies is to make everyone’s lives easier, freeing up more time to address root problems and then “go win more freight.”

    In order for tech to do this, it has to be chosen and implemented in a collaborative manner. We talk about how mid-management and operators need to be brought in for their input, buy-in, and feedback. Departmental silos have to come down. Change needs to be incremental, with a focus on sustainable implementation.

    We had a great conversation with Chris, including chatting about how his time in the Air Force shaped how he approaches things. 

    Plus, stay tuned for our end segment on the prototyping and experimentation TXI has been doing with the new Apple Vision Pro spatial computing device. 


    Resources:


    Produced by NOVA Media

    51m - May 14, 2024
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