Large language models aren’t just improving — they’re transforming how we work, learn, and make decisions. In this upcoming episode of Problem Solved, IISE’s David Brandt talks with Bucknell University’s Dr. Joe Wilck about the true state of LLMs after the first 1,000 days: what’s gotten better, what’s still broken, and why critical thinking matters more than ever.

Sponsored by Autodesk FlexSim

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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast or sponsoring an episode? Email [email protected]

Process, People, and Purpose: Operations the Chick-fil-A Way

Behind every lightning-fast drive-thru order at Chick-fil-A is a carefully designed system supported by real people who care — and continuous improvement that never stops. In this episode of Problem Solved, Elizabeth Grimes talks with Sam Hartman, multi-location Owner/Operator, and Matt Riley, VP of Enterprise Solutions, to uncover how Chick-fil-A balances efficiency with genuine hospitality. 

They discuss:

• Why the right people + thoughtful training matter more than any process
• How simple operational tweaks — even moving the cups — can save seconds that scale to hours
• Why “my pleasure” is more than a catchphrase — it’s a cultural mindset
• How Chick-fil-A uses data, observation, and feedback loops to refine systems every day
• What leaders can learn about feedback culture, hands-on leadership, and developing talent

This conversation reveals what truly drives Chick-fil-A’s reputation: not just speed, but purpose, consistency, and care.

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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast or sponsoring an episode? Email [email protected]

Here’s the problem — running a restaurant that serves thousands with consistency and care isn’t easy. At Chick-fil-A, every second counts, and every process is engineered for excellence.

In this Problem Solved trailer, Chick-fil-A owner Sam Hartman and Matt Riley, VP of Enterprise Solutions, share how they build systems that balance speed, quality, and human connection.

🎙️ Full episode coming November 11— only on Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast.

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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email [email protected]

Here’s the problem: Artificial intelligence is evolving faster than most organizations can keep up — and the risks of falling behind are real.

In this episode, futurist and ethnographer Mike Courtney, CEO of Aperio Insights, joins IISE’s David Brandt to unpack how AI is reshaping the way we work, think, and lead. Together they explore:

• Why AI can solve problems at scale — and create them at scale
• How industrial and systems engineers can lead responsibly through the AI revolution
• The paradox of innovation: moving fast without losing the human touch
• What “humans in the loop” really means for the future of work

From dark factories and automation to collaboration, creativity, and behavioral change, Courtney sheds light on how to balance speed, ethics, and adaptability in an AI-driven world.

🎙️ Presented by The Poirier Group — unlocking organizational potential through results-driven solutions.
🔗 thepoiriergroup.com

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email [email protected]

Here’s the problem: AI is evolving faster than most organizations can keep up — and the risks of falling behind are real.

In this episode, futurist and researcher Mike Courtney, CEO of Aperio Insights, joins IISE’s David Brandt to explore how industrial and systems engineers can lead through the AI revolution. From balancing innovation with ethics to building systems that keep “humans in the loop,” this conversation reveals how to harness AI’s power without losing our human advantage.

Full episode available October 28.

🎙️ Presented by The Poirier Group — unlocking organizational potential through results-driven solutions.
🔗 thepoiriergroup.com

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email [email protected]

Much of the world around us—our workplaces, products, and public spaces—was never designed with everyone in mind. That oversight can create barriers, limit performance, and even put people at risk. But when ergonomics meets universal design, inclusion becomes innovation.

In this episode of Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast, we hear from two leading voices in human factors and ergonomics: Bobbie Watts, past president of IISE’s Applied Ergonomics Society, and Anuja Patil, current president and risk control director at CNA Insurance.

Together, they unpack how universal design principles are reshaping the way we work, build, and live—from accessible workplaces and flexible production lines to AI-powered safety systems and healthcare environments designed for all.

🔹 Learn how “solving for one benefits many.”
 🔹 Discover real-world examples of design that improves performance, safety, and longevity.
 🔹 Explore how ergonomics and inclusion fuel innovation in the age of AI.

Whether you’re an engineer, designer, or leader, this episode will change how you think about accessibility, efficiency, and the human side of systems design.

🎙️ October is National Ergonomics Month — celebrate with us by learning how thoughtful design makes work better for everyone.

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Learn more about The Applied Ergonomics Division
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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email [email protected]

What does it mean to design without limits? In this trailer for Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast, past AES president Bobbie Watts and current president Anuja Patil preview their upcoming conversation on how ergonomics and universal design are shaping the workplace of today and tomorrow.

From the curb cut effect to AI-enabled tools, discover how design choices can reduce injuries, improve performance, and expand opportunities for all.
Episode Available October 14.

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email [email protected]

What happens when an athlete applies industrial and systems engineering principles to her training?

In this inspiring bonus episode of Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast, Anwaar Zyoud shares how she earned her black belt in just one month, rose to the national team of Jordan, and competed on international stages all while discovering the power of ISE.

By recording, analyzing, and optimizing her performance just like an engineer would, Anwaar transformed challenges into victories and carried that mindset into her professional career. Today, she serves in the office of His Majesty King Abdullah II.

Her story is proof that ISE can open doors everywhere from the arena to the workplace.

Anwaar Zyoud's video, How ISE Wins Fights
Hannah Brook's video, Food Security and Technology: A Moving Picture
All top entries: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLizt3nogHG51F-UxJ1UtMzO6thJ69CUmB
ISE Impact - Short Video Contest Details

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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
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What do food security, taekwondo, and industrial engineering have in common?
They’re all part of the stories featured in the ISE Impact Short Video Contest—a creative initiative inviting students and professionals to explain the value of industrial and systems engineering (ISE) in just one minute.

In this episode of Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast, we speak with with Dr. Ana Muriel from UMass Amherst, who helped to spearhead the contest, along with contest winners Hannah Brooks, a nursing student who tackled food security through animated storytelling, and Anwaar Zyoud, an industrial engineer from Jordan who used ISE methods to improve her taekwondo performance.

You’ll hear how these short videos are helping prospective students and the public better understand the power of ISE—and how this field impacts nearly every industry imaginable.

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just curious about the hidden role of engineering in everyday life, this episode will challenge you to explore and expand your view of what ISE can do.

👉 Subscribe to Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast for more conversations that showcase how industrial and systems engineers solve the world’s toughest problems.

Hannah Brook's video, Food Security and Technology: A Moving Picture
Anwaar Zyoud's video, How ISE Wins Fights
All top entries: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLizt3nogHG51F-UxJ1UtMzO6thJ69CUmB
ISE Impact - Short Video Contest Details

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Problem Solved on LinkedIn
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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email [email protected]

Many students have never heard of Industrial & Systems Engineering — and even fewer understand the incredible impact it has on the world. This episode of Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast explores a creative solution to that challenge: the ISE Impact Short Video Contest, which invites students and professionals to explain ISE’s value in just 60 seconds.

You'll hear from:

• Dr. Ana Muriel, associate professor at UMass Amherst and co-creator of the contest
• Hannah Brooks, a nursing student who used stop-motion animation to tackle global food security
• Anwaar Zyoud, an industrial engineer who used ISE methods to transform her Taekwondo performance

Together, they show how creativity, storytelling, and problem-solving can inspire the next generation of engineers.

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Problem Solved on LinkedIn
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Problem Solved on TikTok

Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email [email protected]