This week we featured Gail Robertson discussing her diverse background in journalism, fundraising, and marketing, leading to her involvement in the manufacturing sector, particularly mold making. She explored the importance of storytelling in manufacturing, citing examples like Zamboni and Tiger Cat Industries. Gail emphasized the need for better Canada-US relations, highlighting the economic interdependence and the potential for collaboration. She also discussed the challenges of polarization, the impact of media, and the importance of curiosity and open communication in fostering understanding and cooperation. In this short, Gail and I discuss the hateful and intolerant people who make it tougher for all the normies on both sides of the border. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/vjFwDqgm1Ew

This week we featured Gail Robertson discussing her diverse background in journalism, fundraising, and marketing, leading to her involvement in the manufacturing sector, particularly mold making. She explored the importance of storytelling in manufacturing, citing examples like Zamboni and Tiger Cat Industries. Gail emphasized the need for better Canada-US relations, highlighting the economic interdependence and the potential for collaboration. She also discussed the challenges of polarization, the impact of media, and the importance of curiosity and open communication in fostering understanding and cooperation. In this short, Gail explains how some of the characteristics she acquired as a journalist have served her well in traits she recommends to others, such as challenging authority figures. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/vjFwDqgm1Ew

This week we featured Gail Robertson discussing her diverse background in journalism, fundraising, and marketing, leading to her involvement in the manufacturing sector, particularly mold making. She explored the importance of storytelling in manufacturing, citing examples like Zamboni and Tiger Cat Industries. Gail emphasized the need for better Canada-US relations, highlighting the economic interdependence and the potential for collaboration. She also discussed the challenges of polarization, the impact of media, and the importance of curiosity and open communication in fostering understanding and cooperation. In this short, Gail digs into some of the drivers of division between her native Canada and the U.S. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/vjFwDqgm1Ew

For Episode 199, we dive into a whole host of important topics with our longtime pal Gail Robertson. She's the "recovering journalist," entrepreneur, and fellow manufacturer and podcaster who has been on several times before and helped with our most important episodes. Gail discussed her diverse background in journalism, fundraising, and marketing, which led to her involvement in the manufacturing sector, particularly mold-making. She explored the importance of storytelling in manufacturing, discussing examples Jim threw out there like Zamboni and Tigercat Industries. Gail emphasized the need for better Canada-US relations, highlighting the economic interdependence and the potential for collaboration. She also discussed the challenges of polarization, the impact of media, and the importance of curiosity and open communication in fostering understanding and cooperation. Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction 03:33 - Gail's Transition to Manufacturing 07:35 - Challenges in Manufacturing and Media 10:43 - Canada-US Relations and Manufacturing 22:19 - Finding Your Own Sources of Information 33:35 - The Power of Storytelling in Manufacturing 48:08 - Keeping Yourself Open to Differing Viewpoints 69:09 - Final Thoughts and Future Collaboration As you can see, this was a wide-ranging conversation that hit on a whole bunch of important manufacturing and business topics. You owe it to yourself to check out the whole thing!

We have a confluence of potential crises to analyze here, and who better to help us with it than the walking encyclopedia AND world atlas, G. Allen Brooks, publisher of the newsletter "Energy Musings?" In this short, Allen shares his personal experience just what a state terrorism situation in the Persian Gulf feels like. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/jQ9fY-b-CK8

We have a confluence of potential crises to analyze here, and who better to help us with it than the walking encyclopedia AND world atlas, G. Allen Brooks, publisher of the newsletter "Energy Musings?" In this short, Allen tells which countries are getting hit the hardest by the disruption in the Middle East. (Hint: China and Europe.) See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/jQ9fY-b-CK8

We have a confluence of potential crises to analyze here, and who better to help us with it than the walking encyclopedia AND world atlas, G. Allen Brooks, publisher of the newsletter "Energy Musings?" In this short, Allen explains how the issues of energy policy and the state of American shipbuilding are a combination that demands immediate federal action. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/jQ9fY-b-CK8

We have a confluence of potential crises to analyze here, and who better to help us with it than the walking encyclopedia AND world atlas, G. Allen Brooks, publisher of the newsletter "Energy Musings?" In this short, Allen details the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to the state of America's energy supplies. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/jQ9fY-b-CK8

We have a confluence of potential crises to analyze here, and who better to help us with it than the walking encyclopedia AND world atlas, G. Allen Brooks, publisher of the newsletter "Energy Musings?" In this short, Allen explains the most fundamental need to get shipbuilding - and in reality all of manufacturing - back on the right track, and that is champions. We need people at the federal level - officeholders, lobbyists, businessmen, and so on - to advocate for the right priorities and policies. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/jQ9fY-b-CK8

We have a confluence of potential crises to analyze here, and who better to help us with it than the walking encyclopedia AND world atlas, G. Allen Brooks, publisher of the newsletter "Energy Musings?" In this short, Allen dives into some of the shipbuilding realities around this situation. Today's announcement about the Jones act reinforces Allen's points here! See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/jQ9fY-b-CK8

We have a confluence of potential crises to analyze here, and who better to help us with it than the walking encyclopedia AND world atlas, G. Allen Brooks, publisher of the newsletter "Energy Musings?" In this short, Allen gives the details of the current disruption to global energy supplies driven by the war in Iran. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/jQ9fY-b-CK8

Note: this episode was recorded on Wednesday, March 11. That's important to know given the incredibly dynamic situation in the Middle East. We have a confluence of potential crises to analyze here, and who better to help us with it than the walking encyclopedia AND world atlas, G. Allen Brooks, publisher of the newsletter "Energy Musings?" Allen and I discuss the energy situation around the Straits of Hormuz bottleneck and its implications for our shipbuilding crisis. Allen highlights the significant disruption caused by the Middle East conflict, affecting 20% of global oil flow and 20% of LNG shipments through the Straits. He emphasizes the critical need for energy security and a viable US shipbuilding industry. Allen discusses the Trump administration's Maritime Action Plan, the challenges of reopening the Jones Act, and the importance of international cooperation. He also stresses the role of nuclear power as a long-term energy solution and the need for champions in the administration and Congress to drive maritime policy. Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Background 04:14 - Current Energy Market Disruptions 10:30 - Impact on Global Supply and Demand 12:19 - Shipbuilding and National Security 17:33 - Trump Administration's Maritime Action Plan 27:20 - Challenges and Opportunities in Maritime Policy 33:30 - Energy Policy and Nuclear Power This is one of my richest episodes ever, in the depth and rigor of the analysis and opinions Allen brought us. Check out the whole thing! Links to Allen's articles: Straits of Hormuz lessons - https://energymusings.substack.com/p/energy-musings-march-13-2026 The Iran situation's reshaping of energy security strategies - https://energymusings.substack.com/p/energy-musings-march-9-2026

Prepare to be challenged in how you think about the effects of AI on manufacturing! Radu Spineanu and Mike Carroll have done the deep thinking and exhaustive research on what AI means for the industrial world so you don't have to. In this short, Mike and Radu share the promise that's inherent in AI for the industrial world. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/Dxnn-pETWvk

Prepare to be challenged in how you think about the effects of AI on manufacturing! Radu Spineanu and Mike Carroll have done the deep thinking and exhaustive research on what AI means for the industrial world so you don't have to. In this short, I share a fake Mike Rowe quote AI created about me, and Radu and Mike explain that aspect of ChatGPT and other platforms' shortcomings. Truth can be sacrificed on that altar, it turns out. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/Dxnn-pETWvk

Prepare to be challenged in how you think about the effects of AI on manufacturing! Radu Spineanu and Mike Carroll have done the deep thinking and exhaustive research on what AI means for the industrial world so you don't have to. In this short, Mike and Radu discuss some of the specific work that AI will dramatically change, and how you can position yourself to win as that happens. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/Dxnn-pETWvk

Prepare to be challenged in how you think about the effects of AI on manufacturing! Radu Spineanu and Mike Carroll have done the deep thinking and exhaustive research on what AI means for the industrial world so you don't have to. Radu and Mike from Humble Manufacturing talk all about the integration of AI in manufacturing. Radu, a third-time founder, and Michael, with extensive experience at Georgia Pacific and other industry companies, discuss the evolution of AI, emphasizing the importance of causal models over LLMs like ChatGPT. They highlight the need for AI to handle real-world manufacturing challenges, such as decision latency and friction. Radu mentions the rapid advancements in AI models since October 2022, while Michael stresses the importance of trust and permission layers in AI systems. They predict significant changes in manufacturing business models, including the elimination of friction and the creation of a capacity exchange market. In this short, Mike and Radu detail the importance of your workers capturing actionable data so that AI can deliver the most effective solutions. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/Dxnn-pETWvk

Prepare to be challenged in how you think about the effects of AI on manufacturing! Radu Spineanu and Mike Carroll have done the deep thinking and exhaustive research on what AI means for the industrial world so you don't have to. Radu and Mike from Humble Manufacturing talk all about the integration of AI in manufacturing. Radu, a third-time founder, and Michael, with extensive experience at Georgia Pacific and other industry companies, discuss the evolution of AI, emphasizing the importance of causal models over LLMs like ChatGPT. They highlight the need for AI to handle real-world manufacturing challenges, such as decision latency and friction. Radu mentions the rapid advancements in AI models since October 2022, while Michael stresses the importance of trust and permission layers in AI systems. They predict significant changes in manufacturing business models, including the elimination of friction and the creation of a capacity exchange market. In this short, Mike and Radu detail how AI can help us develop the workforce we need for today's industry. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/Dxnn-pETWvk

Prepare to be challenged in how you think about the effects of AI on manufacturing! Radu Spineanu and Mike Carroll have done the deep thinking and exhaustive research on what AI means for the industrial world so you don't have to. Radu and Mike from Humble Manufacturing talk all about the integration of AI in manufacturing. Radu, a third-time founder, and Michael, with extensive experience at Georgia Pacific and other industry companies, discuss the evolution of AI, emphasizing the importance of causal models over LLMs like ChatGPT. They highlight the need for AI to handle real-world manufacturing challenges, such as decision latency and friction. Radu mentions the rapid advancements in AI models since October 2022, while Michael stresses the importance of trust and permission layers in AI systems. They predict significant changes in manufacturing business models, including the elimination of friction and the creation of a capacity exchange market. In this short, Mike and Radu discuss how AI might foster a winner-take-all marketplace dynamic. See the whole episode here: https://youtu.be/Dxnn-pETWvk

Prepare to be challenged in how you think about the effects of AI on manufacturing! Radu Spineanu and Mike Carroll have done the deep thinking and exhaustive research on what AI means for the industrial world so you don't have to. Radu and Mike from Humble Manufacturing talk all about the integration of AI in manufacturing. Radu, a third-time founder, and Michael, with extensive experience at Georgia Pacific and other industry companies, discuss the evolution of AI, emphasizing the importance of causal models over LLMs like ChatGPT. They highlight the need for AI to handle real-world manufacturing challenges, such as decision latency and friction. Radu mentions the rapid advancements in AI models since October 2022, while Michael stresses the importance of trust and permission layers in AI systems. They predict significant changes in manufacturing business models, including the elimination of friction and the creation of a capacity exchange market. Highlights: 00:00 - Introductions 04:37 - Challenges and Misconceptions in AI for Manufacturing 07:53 - The Role of Data and Human Interaction in AI 16:03 - The Future of AI in Manufacturing 23:27 - The Impact of AI on Business Models and Organizational Change 26:20 - The Role of AI in Eliminating Friction and Improving Efficiency 32:37 - The Potential for AI to Create Winner-Take-All Markets This is such a different and all-encompassing take on this vital topic. You owe it to yourself to check out the whole discussion!

We're back on the vital business of shipbuilding! Industry insider Lance Lemcool, an executive who has spent his whole career in the shipbuilding world, discusses the current state of American shipbuilding, highlighting its decline and the need for government support. He emphasizes the industry's volatility, the importance of a stable workforce, and the need for consistent government purchases to stabilize the market. Lance advocates for the passage of the SHIPS for America Act to provide funding for the supply chain and shipyards. He also notes the success of other countries like China and South Korea in shipbuilding due to government investment and automation. Lance sings the praises of the American worker's ability to compete globally if given a level playing field. In this short, Lance takes on the notion that the U.S. is no longer capable of competing in building large sailing vessels. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/DGiAzabXwro

We're back on the vital business of shipbuilding! Industry insider Lance Lemcool, an executive who has spent his whole career in the shipbuilding world, discusses the current state of American shipbuilding, highlighting its decline and the need for government support. He emphasizes the industry's volatility, the importance of a stable workforce, and the need for consistent government purchases to stabilize the market. Lance advocates for the passage of the SHIPS for America Act to provide funding for the supply chain and shipyards. He also notes the success of other countries like China and South Korea in shipbuilding due to government investment and automation. Lance sings the praises of the American worker's ability to compete globally if given a level playing field. In this short, Lance talks about how adhering to supposed "free" trade when the other side is cheating is industrial self-sabotage. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/DGiAzabXwro

We're back on the vital business of shipbuilding! Industry insider Lance Lemcool, an executive who has spent his whole career in the shipbuilding world, discusses the current state of American shipbuilding, highlighting its decline and the need for government support. He emphasizes the industry's volatility, the importance of a stable workforce, and the need for consistent government purchases to stabilize the market. Lance advocates for the passage of the SHIPS for America Act to provide funding for the supply chain and shipyards. He also notes the success of other countries like China and South Korea in shipbuilding due to government investment and automation. Lance sings the praises of the American worker's ability to compete globally if given a level playing field. In this short, Lance points out the quality differential between Chinese and American construction. (Given the recent failure of Iran's Chinese-made rockets, this become even more apparent.) See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/DGiAzabXwro

We're back on the vital business of shipbuilding! Industry insider Lance Lemcool, an executive who has spent his whole career in the shipbuilding world, discusses the current state of American shipbuilding, highlighting its decline and the need for government support. He emphasizes the industry's volatility, the importance of a stable workforce, and the need for consistent government purchases to stabilize the market. Lance advocates for the passage of the SHIPS for America Act to provide funding for the supply chain and shipyards. He also notes the success of other countries like China and South Korea in shipbuilding due to government investment and automation. Lance sings the praises of the American worker's ability to compete globally if given a level playing field. In this short, Lance makes the case for government support to get the ball rolling on rebuilding American shipbuilding. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/DGiAzabXwro

We're back on the vital business of shipbuilding! Industry insider Lance Lemcool, an executive who has spent his whole career in the shipbuilding world, discusses the current state of American shipbuilding, highlighting its decline and the need for government support. He emphasizes the industry's volatility, the importance of a stable workforce, and the need for consistent government purchases to stabilize the market. Lance advocates for the passage of the SHIPS for America Act to provide funding for the supply chain and shipyards. He also notes the success of other countries like China and South Korea in shipbuilding due to government investment and automation. Lance sings the praises of the American worker's ability to compete globally if given a level playing field. In this short, Lance shares the immense pride every single person involved in building a big ship feels. See the whole show here: https://youtu.be/DGiAzabXwro