Speaking of Supply Chain is entering a new chapter.

As the industry evolves, the conversations shaping it need to evolve too. This episode marks an important moment for the show and for how real world supply chain insight gets shared.

In this episode, Ellen Wood welcomes Christine Barnhart as the new co host of Speaking of Supply Chain. Christine shares her unconventional journey across engineering, manufacturing, technology, and consulting, and explains how those experiences shape her practical, no nonsense approach to supply chain challenges. Together, Ellen and Christine discuss where the industry is headed, why fundamentals still matter more than hype, and how the podcast will spotlight real voices, real problems, and real progress.

In this episode:

• Christine’s path from engineer to supply chain advisor and connector
• Why planning, data foundations, and people matter more than tools alone
• What listeners can expect from the next chapter of Speaking of Supply Chain

Fast and free delivery is no longer a competitive advantage.
In 2026, it is simply the minimum. What separates retail leaders now is how well they balance speed, cost, and flexibility across an explosion of channels and customer expectations.

In this episode, Ellen Wood sits down with Rob Hahn, COO of Pattern, alongside Miebach’s Julian Osorio, to break down what winning direct to consumer fulfillment really looks like today. Rob shares what brands are getting wrong about speed, why supply chain flexibility matters more than ever, and how specialization, marketplace requirements, and smarter inventory strategy are reshaping modern retail operations.

In this episode:

• Rob’s view on the new DTC table stakes and why reliability wins
• How brands can stay flexible across marketplaces, DTC, and retail channel
• What mid sized retailers should prioritize to improve cost to serve and execution

Supply chains generate more data than ever, yet decisions still lag behind.
As AI adoption accelerates, many organizations struggle to turn insights into action at the pace operations demand. The real challenge is not collecting data, but knowing what to do with it in the moment that matters.

In this episode, Ellen Wood talks with Bekbolat Abdikanov, Generative AI Solutions Lead at Miebach, about how AI is closing the gap between insight and execution. From labor planning and inventory optimization to prescriptive decision making, Bekbolat shares where AI is already delivering real value and what organizations need in place to adopt it successfully.In this episode:

• Why dashboards alone fail to drive better decisions
• How AI is shifting supply chains from reactive to predictive and prescriptive
• What organizational readiness really looks like for successful AI adoption

Fashion supply chains are being forced to move faster, smarter, and with far less margin for error.

Between demand volatility, rising return rates, and shifting trade policies, brands can no longer rely on outdated operating models to compete.

In this episode, Ellen Wood is joined by Julian Osorio and Carlos Oropeza to break down key findings from Miebach’s North American Fashion Benchmarking Study. Drawing on insights from hundreds of industry leaders across the US, Canada, and Mexico, they explore how fashion brands are investing selectively in visibility, automation, and network design to stay resilient in a rapidly changing market.

In this episode:

• How fashion brands are responding to demand volatility and omnichannel pressure
• Where targeted automation and visibility investments are delivering real ROI
• Why returns management and network flexibility are becoming competitive differentiators

Safety isn’t just a compliance checklist anymore.
As regulations shift and oversight relaxes, companies are being challenged to uphold their own safety standards while keeping operations running at full speed. The question is, how do you protect people and productivity at the same time?

In this episode, Ellen Wood talks with Justin Malone, Director of Field Safety at Miner, about how organizations can build safety cultures that last. Justin shares how proactive maintenance, near-miss reporting, and leadership accountability can turn safety from a cost center into a competitive advantage.

In this episode:

• Why fewer regulations mean stronger internal responsibility
• How near-miss reporting prevents costly incidents
• The link between safety culture and operational performance

The loading dock is finally getting an upgrade.
For decades, it has been one of the biggest bottlenecks in logistics, slowing operations, increasing risk, and putting extra strain on warehouse teams. But what if the dock could become one of the fastest and safest parts of your operation?
In this episode, Ellen Wood talks with Mason Cole from Slip Robotics about how their five-minute trailer loading system is changing the way warehouses move goods. Mason explains how the technology makes work safer, empowers teams instead of replacing them, and creates a faster, more predictable flow across the entire supply chain.
In this episode:

• Why dock automation has fallen behind other parts of the warehouse
• How Slip Robotics improves speed, safety, and labor efficiency
• What happens when the dock becomes a strategic advantage

Tariffs. Talent gaps. Tech hype.

As 2026 approaches, supply chain leaders face a new wave of disruption from shifting trade policies to automation investments that don’t always deliver. The challenge is not how to avoid volatility, but how to turn it into an advantage.

In this episode, Ellen Wood talks with Steve Shebuski, Managing Director of Presales Solutions at MCA Connect, about how smart scenario planning, reshoring strategies, and AI-driven data can help organizations navigate uncertainty with confidence. Steve shares why planning small, moving fast, and investing in strong data foundations will define the leaders of the next era.

In this episode:

• How to reframe disruption as a competitive advantage
• Practical first steps toward reshoring and regionalization
• Why accurate data and agile planning are becoming supply chain superpowers

Cybersecurity is no longer a side issue for supply chains.

As global logistics becomes more connected and digitally dependent, protecting data and operations from cyber threats has become mission critical.

In this episode, Ellen Wood sits down with Caleb Mattingly, CEO of Secure Cloud Innovations, to unpack the evolving risks facing logistics networks. From compliance pressures to insider threats and even the vulnerabilities hidden in everyday devices, Caleb shares what leaders need to know to keep their supply chains resilient in an era of constant digital risk.

In this episode:

• Why logistics is becoming a prime target for cyber attacks
• The role of compliance frameworks and insurance in building resilience
• How companies can protect data while expanding automation and connectivity

The bottleneck isn’t the problem. The problem is building a system where that bottleneck shouldn’t exist in the first place.
In this episode, Ellen Wood sits down with Brent Hagan, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Lob, to unpack how teams can reach Amazon-level speed without locking themselves into Amazon-level infrastructure. They break down why “postage is a pass through” is a costly myth, how zone-based pricing changes the game for direct mail, and why shrinking a partner network can actually raise quality at scale.

In this episode:

• The shift from optimizing tasks to designing for outcomes
• How to deliver faster by routing with software instead of adding fixed assets
• What zone-based pricing and the postage myth mean for budgets and ROI

The warehouse labor gap isn’t going away.

Turnover is high, workers are hard to find, and the demand for faster fulfillment keeps climbing. Robotics and AI aren’t just about efficiency anymore—they’re reshaping how companies keep people safe, engaged, and focused on the work that matters.

In this episode, Ellen Wood sits down with Dr. Jan Zizka, CEO of Brightpick, to explore how automation is transforming the warehouse floor. From reducing injury risk to opening up new career paths in robotics, Jan shares how technology is helping facilities build resilience in the face of ongoing labor shortages.

In this episode:

• Why warehouses face growing labor shortages and turnover challenges
• How Brightpick’s automation makes work safer and more sustainable
• The new roles emerging as humans and robots collaborate inside facilities