Your Everything Manufacturing Podcast. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just curious about the industry, we’ve got something for you!
Manufacturing Talk Radio is led by two dynamic hosts, Lewis Weiss and Amy Nicklaus, who bring expertise and fresh perspectives to the industry. Lewis, with five decades of hands-on experience, simplifies complex manufacturing challenges, offering actionable insights on technology, workforce strategies, and industry transformation. Amy brings an engaging approach, exploring the real-world impact of innovations in technology, logistics, and workforce dynamics. Together, they create a compelling and insightful podcast that keeps professionals informed, inspired, and ready for the future of manufacturing.
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Manufacturing Insights: From PMI Recovery to Cybersecurity Challenges
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 • Duration 17:54
Host Amy Nicklaus talks with Peter Okun, Editor of Manufacturing Podcast News, about what a PMI move above 50 really means after months of contraction and why the current reading signals disciplined stabilization rather than an overheated surge. They discuss how global steel output—especially shifts in China—drives price volatility and why manufacturers are prioritizing regional sourcing, longer-term contracts, supplier diversification, and data-driven planning to manage risk. Okun also highlights rising ransomware exposure for mid-size manufacturers, emphasizing that downtime, trust, and reputation costs often outweigh ransom itself, and recommends basics like MFA, tested offline backups, training, and response protocols. The episode covers tariff unpredictability and regionalization, workforce strategies amid a persistent skills gap, thoughtful AI adoption to improve morale and productivity, and why adaptability, resilience, digital visibility, and sustainability will define competitiveness over the next three to five years.
00:00 Welcome and Agenda
01:01 PMI Above 50 Explained
02:32 Recovery or Bounce
03:28 Executive Playbook Now
04:15 Early Expansion Risks
04:57 Global Steel Ripple Effects
06:10 Sourcing for Reliability
07:12 Is Globalization Fading
07:27 Ransomware Reality Check
09:05 Cybersecurity Basics
09:50 Tariffs and Regionalization
10:33 Adapting Supply Strategies
11:44 Workforce and AI Shifts
12:24 Skills Gap and Training
13:29 AI Morale and Reskilling
14:50 Winning Mindset Ahead
15:24 Next 3 to 5 Years
16:31 Sustainability as Strategy
17:07 Key Takeaway Recalibration
17:46 Wrap Up and Where to Follow
Further reading:
At Last: Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing Index at 52.7 Percent
- https://manufacturingtalkradio.com/news/at-last-institute-for-supply-management-manufacturing-index-at-52-7-percent/
Global Steel Output Is Slipping, and the Reasons Go Deeper Than One Bad Month - https://manufacturingtalkradio.com/news/global-steel-output-is-slipping-and-the-reasons-go-deeper-than-one-bad-month/
Why Ransomware Is Hitting Mid-Sized Manufacturers Harder Than Ever
- https://manufacturingtalkradio.com/news/why-ransomware-is-hitting-mid-sized-manufacturers-harder-than-ever/
How USMCA and New Tariffs Are Rattling U.S. Manufacturing
- https://manufacturingtalkradio.com/news/how-usmca-and-new-tariffs-are-rattling-u-s-manufacturing/
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Manufacturing Round Table: January Fed Statistical Report & ISM Report Analysis
Friday, February 27, 2026 • Duration 30:14
Lewis Weiss hosts another Manufacturing Round Table with economist Cliff Waldman and Chris Kuehl to compare the January Federal Reserve industrial production release and the ISM report. After a year-long manufacturing slump, they point to improving signals: manufacturing within industrial production rose 0.8% month over month with broad-based gains, and the ISM index climbed to 52.7, moving above the 50 expansion threshold. The discussion widens to global uncertainty affecting supply chains, shifting trade patterns as China routes production through other countries, and concern that U.S. policy risks damaging critical trade and supply-chain ties with Canada. They also highlight workforce shortages, demographics, and unclear ROI from rapid AI investment.
00:00 Welcome and Agenda
01:45 Why These Reports Matter
02:22 Fed and ISM Show Uptick
03:24 Caution and Tariff Drag
04:54 Capital Spending on Hold
07:11 Global Uncertainty and Supply Chains
10:02 China Trade Shifts and Workarounds
13:28 Canada Risks and North America
17:48 Looking Ahead to 2026
19:05 Workforce Shortage and AI Hype
21:02 Training Pipelines and Demographics
27:24 Financing Manufacturing Startups
28:42 Wrap Up and Final Takeaways
Reports:
January 2026 ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report: https://www.ismworld.org/supply-management-news-and-reports/reports/ism-pmi-reports/pmi/january/
January Federal Reserve Statistical Release: https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g17/current/g17.pdf
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Today's Manufacturing Insights with MTR Editor Peter Okun
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 • Duration 21:12
In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Amy Nicklaus talks with Peter Okun, the editor of Manufacturing Podcast News, about the current trends, significant stories, and predictions for the manufacturing industry in 2026. They discuss topics such as the evolving role of AI, reshoring, workforce retention, and sustainability. Peter provides detailed insights into how manufacturers are adopting digital tools, dealing with supply chain resilience, and focusing on talent development and process discipline. The episode also sheds light on global events' impact on manufacturing and emphasizes the importance of knowledge capture and frontline leadership development.
00:00 Introduction to Manufacturing Talk Radio News
00:38 Meet the Editor: Peter Okun's Journey
03:14 Key Stories and Trends in Manufacturing
08:20 AI and Automation in Manufacturing
09:57 Labor and Workforce Challenges
11:37 Sustainability and Green Manufacturing
12:51 Future Topics and Advice for Manufacturers
20:09 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes
Read More Here:
2025 in Manufacturing: A Year Defined by Numbers, Policy, and Technology
U.S. Job Market Ends 2025 on Uneven Footing
Three in Ten Firms Say AI Will Replace Workers Next Year
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End of Year Manufacturing Round Table w/ Lewis Weiss, Cliff Waldman, and Chris Kuehl | PART 2
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 • Duration 24:42
In Part Two of the Economic Wrap-Up 2025 roundtable host Lewis Weiss again joins Cliff Waldman, CEO of New World Economics, and Chris Kuehl, Managing Partner and Chief Economist at Armada Corporate Intelligence, to discuss the economic trends of 2025 and predictions for 2026. Key topics include concerns about China's slowing growth, the implications of tariffs and international relationships, and the economic condition in Europe, including the ongoing impact of the Ukraine conflict. The speakers highlight the importance of global interdependencies and the possible consequences for manufacturing and trade, with particular focus on North America, Europe, and Africa.
Key Topics and Timestamps
00:00:Introduction: 2026 Economic Outlook
01:40 International Economy: Focus on China
02:00 China's Domestic Issues (Demographics, Property Bubble)
04:10 Tariffs and Unintended Consequences in Global Trade
06:18 Copper Shortage and International Politics (Chile)
09:10 Economic Status of European Countries
10:25 Geopolitics, Ukraine, and NATO Alliance Strains
11:00 Importance of Trading Partners: Canada and Mexico
14:35 Strained North American Economic Relations
19:40 General Prediction: Volatility and Uncertainty in 2026
21:20 In-Depth Discussion on Ukraine and Russia
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End of Year Manufacturing Round Table w/ Lewis Weiss, Cliff Waldman, and Chris Kuehl | PART 1
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 • Duration 29:26
Economic Wrap-Up 2025: Insights and Predictions for 2026 In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Lewis Weiss welcomes Cliff Waldman, CEO of New World Economics, and Chris Kuehl, Managing Partner and Chief Economist at Armada Corporate Intelligence, to discuss the economic trends of 2025 and predictions for 2026. Key topics include the recent strong GDP performance, the challenges in the labor market, the potential for AI to transform entrepreneurship, and the role of education and apprenticeship programs in addressing skill gaps in manufacturing. The discussion also touches on international demographics, the impact of tariffs, and the evolving economics of cannabis.
00:00 Welcome Back to Manufacturing Talk Radio
01:02 Introducing Our Esteemed Guests
01:45 Chris Keel's Background and Insights
03:12 Cliff Waldman's Background and Insights
06:09 Reflecting on the Economic Landscape of 2025
10:18 The Impact of AI and Demographic Changes
18:53 Challenges in Employment and Manufacturing
22:02 The Role of Education and Apprenticeships
27:49 Innovative Solutions in Workforce Development
31:08 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions
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The Future of Assembly is Here - The Power of Automated Workflows
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 • Duration 21:43
In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Lou Weiss talks with Filip Aronshtein, the founder and CEO of Dirac Inc., about how his company is revolutionizing the manufacturing sector with its first automated work instruction platform.
Aronshtein shares insights into his background in electrical engineering and robotics, the motivations behind starting Dirac Inc., and how their software significantly reduces the time and effort needed to create manufacturing work instructions. The discussion highlights the software's impact on improving training, reducing errors, and enhancing overall efficiency in various manufacturing environments.
Aronshtein emphasizes the benefits for both engineers and operators and shares real-world examples of drastic improvements achieved by their clients.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:20 Meet Phil Stein: Background and Journey
02:08 Direct's Innovative Software Solution
03:22 Training and Implementation
05:00 Real-World Impact and Success Stories
09:12 Software Sales and Future Plans
14:08 Client Feedback and Continuous Improvement
19:24 Case Studies: ARA and Sputnik
21:45 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
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How the Space Economy Is Creating New Manufacturing Opportunities
Monday, December 22, 2025 • Duration 43:41
In this episode of Manufacturing Think Tank, host Cliff Waldman is joined by Harvard Business School professor Matt Weinzierl and Blue Origin strategy manager Brendan Rosseau to discuss the burgeoning space economy. The conversation delves into the entrepreneurial drive needed to explore space, the integration of space manufacturing into existing industries, and the potential economic benefits. They also touch on technology frontiers like AI and robotics, and how they interconnect with space development, alongside workforce implications and educational needs to support this growing sector.
00:00 Introduction to Manufacturing Think Tank
00:26 Exploring the Space Economy
00:52 Meet the Experts: Matt Wineur and Brendan Rousseau
02:52 The Evolution and Risks of the Space Sector
04:18 Public and Private Roles in Space
16:27 Manufacturing in Space: Opportunities and Challenges
21:04 Impact of Space on Terrestrial Economics
26:33 Stimulating Manufacturing Entrepreneurship
29:33 Addressing the Skills Deficit in Manufacturing
33:17 Educational Institutions and the Space Economy
38:41 The Future of Globalization and Space
41:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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The Voice of Manufacturing Returns with Lewis Weiss — Big Shifts Ahead for Industry Leaders
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 • Duration 09:01
Welcome to the rebooted Manufacturing Talk Radio!
After a year-long hiatus, hosts introduce the new 2.0 version of the show with new co-host, Amy Nicklaus. The episode covers a recap of the past year's key developments in manufacturing, including AI, labor shortages, supply chain stabilization, and reshoring.
New episodes promise more engaging discussions on sustainability, digitization, and the US economy with industry leaders and experts.
Subscribe, share, and stay tuned for candid, informative, and exciting conversations ahead.
00:00 Welcome Back to Manufacturing Talk Radio 2.0
01:00 Meet the New Co-Host: Amy Nicklaus
01:40 Topics and Trends in Manufacturing
03:39 Recap of the Past Year in Manufacturing
05:11 Sustainability and Digitization in Manufacturing
06:42 Future Discussions and Closing Remarks
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Quantum Computing with Florenta Teodoridis of USC Marshall School of Business
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 • Duration 30:48
On this episode of Manufacturing Think Tank just one of many shows on Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Cliff Waldman explores the profound impact of quantum computing on manufacturing and the broader economy, with guest Floreta Teodoridis.
This conversation highlights the potential to revolutionize areas such as simulating physical systems for material and drug discovery, solving complex optimization problems like logistics in manufacturing, and analyzing large datasets to speed up the search and potentially crack current encryption methods.
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Special Report: Host Cliff Waldman breaks down the real implications of tariffs with Harry Moser and Jeremy Leonard
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 • Duration 33:44
Manufacturing Talk Radio is BACK! Well... almost! But we are too excited and too many important things are happening in the world of manufacturing to delay any longer. This special report features manufacturing and economic expert insights from friends of the show Harry Moser and Jeremy Leonard, hosted by longtime MTR contributor Cliff Waldman. This is a conversation you won't want to miss.
Stay tuned for new episodes coming soon!
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