<a href='https://www.leanblog.org/2018/04/podcast-304-david-meier-lessons-and-wisdom-from-toyota/'>Episode page</a>
Back on the podcast for the fifth time is my friend <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmeier1/'>David Meier</a>, a Lean / TPS consultant who is a former Toyota leader at their plant in Georgetown, Kentucky. He's gotten into what's, perhaps, the most Kentucky of industries… <a href='https://glennscreekdistillery.com/'>distilling bourbon</a> (and more).
You can also listen to another, much longer <a href='https://www.leanblog.org/2018/06/podcast-309-david-meier-bourbon-and-continuous-improvement/'>episode where David and I talk about bourbon, whiskey, and continuous improvement</a> for almost 90 minutes total there.
Today is a shorter episode, where we catch up and hear more about what David has been doing since <a href='https://www.leanblog.org/2010/03/leanblog-podcast-85-david-meier-on-toyotas-challenges/'>his last podcast appearance in 2010 when we talked</a> about the challenges Toyota was facing then. In this episode, David drops a lot of knowledge and wisdom in a very short time — thoughts on problem solving and how Lean thinking isn't easy for anybody, even if you're Japanese.
He's co-author, with Jeff Liker, of the books The <a href='https://amzn.to/2v29XWA'>Toyota Way Fieldbook</a> and<a href='https://amzn.to/2Ju9XBL'> Toyota Talent.</a>

Episode page Back on the podcast for the fifth time is my friend David Meier, a Lean / TPS consultant who is a former Toyota leader at their plant in Georgetown, Kentucky. He's gotten into what's, perhaps, the most Kentucky of industries… distilling bourbon (and more). You can also listen to another, much longer episode where David and I talk about bourbon, whiskey, and continuous improvement for almost 90 minutes total there. Today is a shorter episode, where we catch up and hear more about what David has been doing since his last podcast appearance in 2010 when we talked about the challenges Toyota was facing then. In this episode, David drops a lot of knowledge and wisdom in a very short time — thoughts on problem solving and how Lean thinking isn't easy for anybody, even if you're Japanese. He's co-author, with Jeff Liker, of the books The Toyota Way Fieldbook and Toyota Talent.

<a href="https://www.leanblog.org/2018/04/podcast-304-david-meier-lessons-and-wisdom-from-toyota/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Episode page</a>
Back on the podcast for the fifth time is my friend&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmeier1/" rel="noopener noreferrer">David Meier</a>, a Lean / TPS consultant who is a former Toyota leader at their plant in Georgetown, Kentucky. He's gotten into what's, perhaps, the most Kentucky of industries…&nbsp;<a href="https://glennscreekdistillery.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">distilling bourbon</a>&nbsp;(and more).
You can also listen to another, much longer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leanblog.org/2018/06/podcast-309-david-meier-bourbon-and-continuous-improvement/" rel="noopener noreferrer">episode where David and I talk about bourbon, whiskey, and continuous improvement</a>&nbsp;for almost 90 minutes total there.
Today is a shorter episode, where we catch up and hear more about what David has been doing since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leanblog.org/2010/03/leanblog-podcast-85-david-meier-on-toyotas-challenges/" rel="noopener noreferrer">his last podcast appearance in 2010 when we talked</a>&nbsp;about the challenges Toyota was facing then. In this episode, David drops a lot of knowledge and wisdom in a very short time — thoughts on problem solving and how Lean thinking isn't easy for anybody, even if you're Japanese.
He's co-author, with Jeff Liker, of the books&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2v29XWA" rel="noopener noreferrer">Toyota Way Fieldbook</a>&nbsp;and<a href="https://amzn.to/2Ju9XBL" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;Toyota Talent.</a>

David Meier, Lessons and Wisdom from Toyota

Since 2006, the Lean Blog Interviews podcast has featured in-depth, candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and doers in the world of Lean and continuous improvement. Hosted by Mark Graban—author, consultant, and longtime Lean practitioner—the show explores how Lean principles are being applied across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and more.
What sets this podcast apart? We go beyond tools and buzzwords. Our guests share real-world stories of success, struggle, learning, and leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned Lean veteran or just getting started, you’ll gain practical insights and fresh perspectives that you can take back to your own organization.
Topics include:
<ul>
<li>
Lean as a management system and cultural transformation—not just a toolbox
</li>
<li>
Continuous improvement and problem-solving, at every level
</li>
<li>
Leadership behaviors that support real change
</li>
<li>
Psychological safety as a foundation for improvement
</li>
<li>
Lessons from the Toyota Production System, Lean Startup, and beyond
</li>
<li>
Candid stories about mistakes—and what we learn from them
</li>
</ul>
We don’t talk much about “Lean Six Sigma” here. But if you believe improvement is about people first—this podcast is for you.
Many episodes feature a special focus on Lean in healthcare, reflecting Mark’s deep work in that field. Hear from leaders working to improve patient safety, reduce waste, and build cultures of respect and learning.
Find all episodes and show notes at <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.leancast.org">www.LeanCast.org</a>. Learn more about Mark and his work at <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.leanblog.org">www.LeanBlog.org</a>. Questions or feedback? Email <a class="decorated-link cursor-pointer">mark@leanblog.org </a>

Business

Management

Since 2006, the Lean Blog Interviews podcast has featured in-depth, candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and doers in the world of Lean and continuous improvement. Hosted by Mark Graban—author, consultant, and longtime Lean practitioner—the show explores how Lean principles are being applied across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and more. What sets this podcast apart? We go beyond tools and buzzwords. Our guests share real-world stories of success, struggle, learning, and leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned Lean veteran or just getting started, you’ll gain practical insights and fresh perspectives that you can take back to your own organization. Topics include: Lean as a management system and cultural transformation—not just a toolbox Continuous improvement and problem-solving, at every level Leadership behaviors that support real change Psychological safety as a foundation for improvement Lessons from the Toyota Production System, Lean Startup, and beyond Candid stories about mistakes—and what we learn from them We don’t talk much about “Lean Six Sigma” here. But if you believe improvement is about people first—this podcast is for you. Many episodes feature a special focus on Lean in healthcare, reflecting Mark’s deep work in that field. Hear from leaders working to improve patient safety, reduce waste, and build cultures of respect and learning. Find all episodes and show notes at www.LeanCast.org.Learn more about Mark and his work at www.LeanBlog.org.Questions or feedback? Email mark@leanblog.org

Since 2006, the Lean Blog Interviews podcast has featured in-depth, candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and doers in the world of Lean and continuous improvement. Hosted by Mark Graban—author, consultant, and longtime Lean practitioner—the show explores how Lean principles are being applied across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and more.
What sets this podcast apart? We go beyond tools and buzzwords. Our guests share real-world stories of success, struggle, learning, and leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned Lean veteran or just getting started, you’ll gain practical insights and fresh perspectives that you can take back to your own organization.
Topics include:
<ul>
<li>
Lean as a management system and cultural transformation—not just a toolbox
</li>
<li>
Continuous improvement and problem-solving, at every level
</li>
<li>
Leadership behaviors that support real change
</li>
<li>
Psychological safety as a foundation for improvement
</li>
<li>
Lessons from the Toyota Production System, Lean Startup, and beyond
</li>
<li>
Candid stories about mistakes—and what we learn from them
</li>
</ul>
We don’t talk much about “Lean Six Sigma” here. But if you believe improvement is about people first—this podcast is for you.
Many episodes feature a special focus on Lean in healthcare, reflecting Mark’s deep work in that field. Hear from leaders working to improve patient safety, reduce waste, and build cultures of respect and learning.
Find all episodes and show notes at <a href="https://www.leancast.org" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.LeanCast.org</a>. Learn more about Mark and his work at <a href="https://www.leanblog.org" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.LeanBlog.org</a>. Questions or feedback? Email <a rel="noopener noreferrer">mark@leanblog.org&nbsp;</a>

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