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Could We Really Make Anything, Anywhere, Anytime? A Deep Dive into Distributed Manufacturing – Dr. Charles Johnson-Bey, ERVA Co-Principal Investigator
What happens when supply chain resilience meets local production and advanced tech? Charles Johnson-Bey breaks down the five pillars needed to realize distributed manufacturing—starting with equity, education, and connectivity.
View EpisodeThe $10 Million Workforce Experiment That Could Redefine Apprenticeships in America – Lindsay Blumer, CEO of WRTP | BIG STEP
WRTP | BIG STEP is leading a $10 million apprenticeship initiative with national implications. CEO Lindsay Blumer shares how this effort is reshaping workforce systems and building scalable, industry-aligned talent pipelines.
View EpisodeLove It or Hate It: A Surprisingly Human (And Very Fun) Conversation About Math – Dr. Jordan Ellenberg, Mathematics Professor at the University of Wisconsin
Love It or Hate It: A Surprisingly Human (And Very Fun) Conversation About Math Dr. Jordan Ellenberg, Mathematics Professor at the University of Wisconsin Love […]
View EpisodeThe Smart Farm Era Is Here—and It’s Changing How America Grows Food – Dick Pavelski and Andy Diercks, Food + Farm Exploration Center
Farming has entered the smart era. GPS-guided tractors, drones, and real-time data are reshaping agriculture. In this episode, experts reveal how technology is transforming America’s farms, boosting efficiency, and redefining careers in one of our oldest industries.
View EpisodeAI Can Close the Learning Gap in Underserved Classrooms. But We Have to Guide, Not Just Give – Sam Whitaker, Director of Social Impact at StudyFetch
AI is already reaching underserved classrooms—but access alone isn’t enough. This episode explores how guided, responsible use of AI can support literacy, close learning gaps, and bring personalized learning to the students who need it most.
View EpisodeThe Rules for Earning College Credit Are Changing, and Competency (Not Time in Seats) Matters Most – Dr. Paul Carlsen, President of Lakeshore College
How does a rural college lead a national shift? Dr. Paul Carlsen shares how Lakeshore is transforming credit through competency-based education, early college pathways, industry credentials, and $32M in competitive grant funding.
View EpisodeRethinking Risk: How Strategic Guardrails Can Actually Empower Innovation – Abim Kolawole, Chief Audit Executive at Northwestern Mutual
Abim Kolawole shares how Northwestern Mutual uses risk as a strategic tool—empowering innovation, protecting trust, and helping a 167-year-old company stay relevant in a fast-changing, tech-driven world.
View EpisodeThey Haven’t Graduated Yet, but They’re Already Tackling the Big Problems of 2045 – Duncan Kane, SVP at Toshiba
How do we help students think beyond the world as it is and start shaping the world as it could be? This episode explores how K–12 learners develop creativity, purpose, and problem-solving skills when they’re encouraged to tackle the challenges of the future.
View EpisodeTeaching in the Age of Distraction: Why Students Can’t Focus – And What Educators Should Do About It – Dr. Gloria Mark, Author of Attention Span
Attention spans are shrinking—but it’s not just TikTok’s fault. Dr. Gloria Mark joins us to explore how digital habits, stress, and AI are reshaping student focus—and what educators can do about it.
View EpisodeInside the Tour de France: Strategy, Technology, and the Science of the World’s Toughest Race – Jason Gay, Sports Columnist at The Wall Street Journal
How does STEM factor into the world’s toughest race? Get an inside look at the Tour de France 2025, with Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay – featuring a unique STEM-focused look at the race.
View EpisodeOpen to Anything = Hired for Nothing: Accelerate Your Career Search with Smarter Networking
If your networking efforts aren’t leading to job offers, you’re not alone. This guide shows how smarter, more specific conversations can turn vague connections into real career opportunities.
View EpisodeAI Engineering: The Emerging Field Poised to Secure America’s AI Advantage – Pramod Khargonekar, ERVA Co-Principal Investigator and Vice Chancellor for Research at UC Irvine
A new NSF report reveals how AI Engineering can position the U.S. at the global forefront of AI innovation, blending advanced engineering with cutting-edge artificial intelligence systems.
View EpisodeThe 5 Strategies Driving Transformative K-12 Education – Dr. Annalies Corbin, Founder of the PAST Foundation
What makes K–12 programs truly transformative? Dr. Annalies Corbin breaks down the 5 strategies that drive long-lasting, career-connected education—and why most reforms miss the mark.
View EpisodeRobots, Ice Cream and Instagram: The Viral Mechatronics Lab Turning Engagement Into Employment – Danny Murphy, Mechatronics Professor at Central Virginia Community College
How did a mechatronics class go viral—and start landing students jobs? Discover Danny Murphy’s creative teaching methods that are engaging students, impressing employers, and redefining technical education.
View EpisodeRebuilding Higher Education Around Solving Real-World Problems – Dr. Kristin Wobbe, Director of the Center for Project-Based Learning at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
WPI redesigned its entire curriculum around project-based learning. In this episode, Dr. Kris Wobbe shares how students solve real-world problems—and how any educator can apply this transformative approach in their own classroom.
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Why STEM Can Future-Proof Private Universities Against the Enrollment Cliff – Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, President of Augustana University
The enrollment cliff is coming. If you want to future-proof your university (especially private ones!), you should invest in growing and marketing your STEM programs. These are the programs students will enroll in, since they tie to high-wage, high-demand careers.
View EpisodeDeveloping an AI Strategy: Best Practices for Business Leaders – Todd Wanek, CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries
AI is here – how are you building a strategy to leverage these tools in your business? Todd Wanek, CEO of Ashley Furniture, gives business leaders best practices for creating an AI strategy. Learn from him in this podcast episode!
View EpisodeEducation Reimagined: What America Can Learn from the Success of North Dakota – Governor Doug Burgum
From student-centric learning, to a K-12 career readiness roadmap, North Dakota has continuously updated their approach to education in order to best serve its students and communities. Now, hear from Governor Doug Burgum about how these lessons can be applied nationwide.
View EpisodeSTEM Education Opens Doors to Top Tech Careers at the DoD – Dr. David Honey, Deputy Undersecretary for R&E – U.S. Department of Defense
A “STEM-Powered Enterprise” with 100,000 engineers in its employ, the U.S. Department of Defense is on the cutting-edge of tech innovation in the world. DUSD Dr. David Honey gives us a unique glimpse into this work and how STEM education can pave the way to a career at the DOD.
View EpisodeThe Titanium Economy: The Companies You’ve Never Heard of That Keep America Running – Asutosh Padhi, Managing Partner for McKinsey & Company North America
There’s a whole subset of our economy that you’ve never heard of, making products vital to your everyday life. The Titanium Economy is a major driver of the U.S. economy, providing jobs, products and well-being like you wouldn’t believe.
View EpisodeBuilding America’s Skilled Workforce – Chelle Travis, Executive Director of SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis talks about how the organization is preparing students for highly-skilled technology & STEM careers through programs, competitions and industry partnerships.
View EpisodeWhat’s New in Automation: AI, Digital Twins, Cobots and More! – Mike Cicco, President & CEO of FANUC America
FANUC is the global leader in industrial robotics and CNC controls. FANUC America President & CEO Mike Cicco shares the latest trends in the industry, including technology innovation, R&D sneak peaks, and how we’re training next-gen automation experts.
View EpisodeWhat the CHIPS and Science Act Means for Technology and Education – U.S. Senator Todd Young
Senator Todd Young, U.S. Senator for Indiana, joins us to talk about the CHIPS and Science Act and how it will impact semiconductor manufacturing and research around emerging technologies in the United States
View EpisodeThe Journey to 1,000 Hours in Space – NASA Astronaut Dr. Don Thomas
NASA Space Shuttle Astronaut Dr. Don Thomas shares about his journey to becoming an astronaut, his four missions to space, and what the future of space exploration could look like.
View EpisodeLeading the Smart Manufacturing Revolution – Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation
Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation talks about smart manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and the workforce of the future.
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