My guest for podcast #152 is <a href='http://mattstewartbooks.com/'>Matt Stewart</a>, and we are talking about his book <a href='https://amzn.to/2TPr9c6'>The Walk-On: Inside Northwestern's Rise From Cellar Dweller To Big Ten Champ</a>. Matt and I are both graduates of Northwestern University. While he played football on a championship team, I was on the field as a marching band drummer. There are a lot of football stories in the book, but our episode focuses on the lifelong leadership lessons that come from the rise of Northwestern's program – how do we motivate people to tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges?

Matt's book website: <a href='http://www.mattstewartbooks.com/'>www.MattStewartBooks.com</a>.
For a link to this episode, refer people to  <a href='https://www.leanblog.org/152'>www.leanblog.org/152</a>.

ADVERTISEMENT: This podcast episode is brought to you by Creative Safety Supply, leaders in Visual Safety, floor marking, label printing and more. Visit their website at <a href='http://www.creativesafetysupply.com/leanpodcast/'>www.creativesafetysupply.com/leanpodcast</a>  for a discount. Check out their  <a href='http://www.creativesafetysupply.com/LabelTac-4-Industrial-Labeling-System/'>industrial labeling system</a>  and  <a href='http://www.creativesafetysupply.com/SafetyTac/'>SafetyTac tape products</a>.

My guest for podcast #152 is Matt Stewart, and we are talking about his book The Walk-On: Inside Northwestern's Rise From Cellar Dweller To Big Ten Champ. Matt and I are both graduates of Northwestern University. While he played football on a championship team, I was on the field as a marching band drummer. There are a lot of football stories in the book, but our episode focuses on the lifelong leadership lessons that come from the rise of Northwestern's program – how do we motivate people to tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges? Matt's book website: www.MattStewartBooks.com. For a link to this episode, refer people to www.leanblog.org/152. ADVERTISEMENT: This podcast episode is brought to you by Creative Safety Supply, leaders in Visual Safety, floor marking, label printing and more. Visit their website at www.creativesafetysupply.com/leanpodcast for a discount. Check out their industrial labeling system and SafetyTac tape products.

My guest for podcast #152 is&nbsp;<a href="http://mattstewartbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Matt Stewart</a>,&nbsp;and we are talking about his book&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/2TPr9c6" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Walk-On: Inside Northwestern's Rise From Cellar Dweller To Big Ten Champ</a>. Matt and I are both graduates of Northwestern University. While he played football on a championship team, I was on the field as a marching band drummer. There are a lot of football stories in the book, but our episode focuses on the lifelong leadership lessons that come from the rise of Northwestern's program – how do we motivate people to tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges?

Matt's book website:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mattstewartbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.MattStewartBooks.com</a>.
For a link to this episode, refer people to &nbsp;<a href="https://www.leanblog.org/152" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.leanblog.org/152</a>.

ADVERTISEMENT: This podcast episode is brought to you by Creative Safety Supply, leaders in Visual Safety, floor marking, label printing and more. Visit their website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.creativesafetysupply.com/leanpodcast/" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.creativesafetysupply.com/leanpodcast</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;for a discount. Check out their &nbsp;<a href="http://www.creativesafetysupply.com/LabelTac-4-Industrial-Labeling-System/" rel="noopener noreferrer">industrial labeling system</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;and &nbsp;<a href="http://www.creativesafetysupply.com/SafetyTac/" rel="noopener noreferrer">SafetyTac tape products</a>.

Matt Stewart, ’Walk On,’ Lessons from Northwestern’s Unlikely Rose Bowl Run

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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Matt Stewart, ’Walk On,’ Lessons from Northwestern’s Unlikely Rose Bowl Run

Matt Stewart, ’Walk On,’ Lessons from Northwestern’s Unlikely Rose Bowl Run

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