What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Patrick Adams and guest Brian Meyers discuss leadership principles and the importance of mentorship, active listening, and creating a safe environment for innovation. They highlight the significance of continuous improvement and adapting Lean practices to fit specific organizational needs. Brian discusses his rapid adoption of Lean principles, inspired by trips to Japan and Europe, and the transformative impact on his business culture.

About the Guest:

Brian Meyers is the President of JcrOffroad, Victory 4×4, and Fat American Mfg, where he’s spent over 20 years transforming a garage startup into a thriving company powered by a 50+ person team and a strong Lean culture. After realizing that leadership begins with personal accountability—not blame—Brian committed to becoming the leader his team deserved. Now, through his Lean by Doing podcast and speaking, he shares real stories, hard-earned lessons, and practical tools to help other leaders grow, improve, and build cultures their teams are proud to be part of.

Links:

2025 Lean Solutions Summit

Click Here For Brian Meyers LinkedIn

Click Here For Brian Meyers YouTube 

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Patrick Adams and guest Tilo Schwarz discuss the challenges of maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly changing world. They highlight the need for companies to adapt quickly, citing an example of a high-end electronics company facing competition that can deliver in weeks what their company takes months. They emphasize the importance of developing a learning organization, starting with individual learning and scientific thinking.

About the Guest:

Tilo Schwarz is an author, leadership coach, and co-founder of the Campus for Leaders at Ansbach University of Applied Sciences. He specializes in helping leaders cultivate team creativity and adaptability through scientific thinking and coaching practices. As a former plant manager, Tilo led a team that won the A.T. Kearney "Factory of the Year" award and placed second in the WHU/INSEAD "Best Factory" competition. He began practicing Toyota Kata in 2007, collaborating with Mike Rother during its foundational research. Tilo has authored several books and frequently speaks at international events, focusing on leadership that empowers teams to innovate and grow.

Links:

2025 Lean Solutions Summit

Click Here For Tilo Schwarz LinkedIn

Click Here For Tilo Schwarz Website 

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Patrick Adams and guest Katie Anderson discuss strategic planning, emphasizing the importance of ongoing adjustments rather than annual reviews. Katie highlights the Japanese method Hoshin Kanri, which involves continuous reflection and adjustment. They stress the need for leaders to align strategic goals with customer needs and organizational capacity.

About the Guest:

Katie Anderson is an internationally recognized leadership and learning coach, consultant, and professional speaker, best known for inspiring individuals and organizations to lead with intention and increase their personal and professional impact. Katie is passionate about helping people around the world learn to lead and lead to learn by connecting purpose, process, and practice to achieve higher levels of performance. Her book Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: Lessons from Toyota Leader Isao Yoshino on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning is an international #1 Amazon bestseller.

Links:

2025 Lean Solutions Summit

"Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn" Link

Click Here For Katie Anderson's LinkedIn

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Patrick Adams, Andy Olrich, and guest Billy Ray Taylor discuss the connected business model, emphasizing the importance of ownership and accountability in leadership. They highlight the significance of visual management systems, such as KPA and KPI boards, to drive continuous improvement and psychological safety. Check out the upcoming Lean Solution Summit, where Billy will lead an executive track focused on leadership and organizational transformation.

About the Guest:

Billy Ray Taylor is the CEO of LinkedXL, a global consulting and software company known for its Connected Business Model (CBM), which helps organizations align strategy, execution, and measurable outcomes. With over five years leading LinkedXL, Billy has focused on building systems that connect people, processes, and assets to drive collaboration and operational excellence.

Before founding LinkedXL, Billy served as a global operations strategist at Goodyear, where he led major operational turnarounds. His experience laid the foundation for his mission to help organizations achieve sustainable value through strategic alignment and leadership development. He is also the author of The Winning Link and a respected speaker who shares practical insights on leadership, culture, and performance.

Links:

Click Here For Billy Ray Taylor's LinkedIn

2025 Lean Solutions Summit

The Winning Link

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Shane Daughenbaugh, Andy Olrich, and guest Matthew Rassi discuss the future of manufacturing. They explore the unique characteristics and misconceptions about Gen Z in the workforce. They emphasize the importance of providing purpose, ownership, and flexibility to engage Gen Z.

About the Guest:

Matthew is a seasoned Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years of experience in production leadership and operations, including 10 years in medical device manufacturing. He holds a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and teaches Six Sigma courses at Governors State University. He serves on the Board of Advisors for FCS Manufacturing and is a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineering. In 2021, he earned a patent for a laparoscopic instrument design. Through his consulting work, he helps small businesses implement Lean practices and develop self-directed teams. Matthew is also active in reentry support for formerly incarcerated individuals through Lifehouse-Group. Outside of work, he enjoys family life with his 11 children and 3 grandchildren and restoring old homes.

Links:

Click Here For Matthew Rassi's LinkedIn

Click Here For Lean Manufacturing Expert Website 

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Catherine McDonald, Shane Daughenbaugh, and guest Daniel Walker discuss the importance of innovation, culture, and leadership in change management. The empathize the significance of middle management in organizational change and innovation. He shares his research on empowering middle managers and the need for a culture of continuous improvement.

About the Guest:

Dr. Walker has been developing his skills in problem-solving, innovation, and culture change for several decades. He is a certified Six Sigma black belt. He holds a BS in Plastics Engineering Technology, an MS in Management, Strategy, and Leadership, and a PhD in Business Management. His doctoral research focused on organizational change and innovation. He has a passion for facilitating the learning process, focusing on leadership development and cultural innovation.

Links:

Click Here For Daniel Walker's LinkedIn

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Andy Olrich and guest Hessam Vali discuss the importance of aligning leadership with personal and organizational values. Hessam shares his journey of self-reflection and the impact of a pivotal moment with a CEO. They discuss practical steps for embedding purpose, such as documenting values, integrating them into daily operations, and fostering a culture of vulnerability and trust. Hessam also highlights the significance of storytelling and recognition programs in reinforcing values and engaging employees. 

About the Guest:

Hessam Vali is Co-Founder of Techam Solutions, an engineering and management consulting firm focused on operational excellence and business transformation. A Certified Six Sigma Black Belt and ASQ Certified Quality Professional, Hessam has a strong track record of leading teams to streamline processes and deliver measurable results.

With deep expertise in Lean tools like Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, SMED, and 5S—as well as methodologies like DMAIC and DMADV—he has led major product development projects in the automotive and construction sectors. Customer-focused and results-driven, Hessam combines technical precision with strategic insight to tackle complex challenges.

Links:

Click Here For Hessam Vali's LinkedIn

Click Here For Website 

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Shane Daughenbaugh, Andy Olrich, and guest Jason Jackson discuss the concept of the Silicon Prairie and its growing tech innovation. Jason shares his leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of agility, self-awareness, and continuous improvement. They highlight the success of Nebraska's Center of Operational Excellence (COE) in fostering a culture of continuous improvement, which helped the state navigate the pandemic effectively.

About the Guest:

Jason Jackson is a Marine Corps veteran and Chief Human Resources Officer for the State of Nebraska. Known for blending Midwestern grit, military discipline, and a passion for public service, Jason drives government transformation through Lean principles and servant leadership.

With experience in both public and private sectors, he champions simplicity, hard work, and continuous improvement. From optimizing HR systems to streamlining services, Jason proves that innovation and compassion can thrive in the heartland.

Links:

Click Here For Jason Jackson's LinkedIn

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Shane Daughenbaugh, and guest Lindsay Shababy discuss the importance of empathy in Lean transformation in healthcare. The emphasize the need to see the world through others' eyes, especially in healthcare where staff often face burnout and systemic challenges. They highlight the balance between empathy and accountability, using practical examples like improving patient flow from the ED to the floor by addressing communication gaps. 

About the Guest:

Lindsay Shababy is the founder of Summit Performance Solutions, a consulting firm that helps healthcare leaders create sustainable improvement systems without overloading their teams. With over 10 years of healthcare operations experience and a military background, she takes a practical, disciplined approach to solving challenges in clinical settings. A Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with a Master of Health Administration, Lindsay has led initiatives delivering over $15 million in impact. She focuses on making continuous improvement simple and effective, specializing in operational stability, daily management systems, and leadership development.

Links:

Click Here For Lindsay Shababy's LinkedIn

Click Here For Summit Performance Solutions Website

What You’ll Learn:

In this episode, host Catherine McDonald, Shane Daughenbaugh, and guest Randy Kesterson discuss the integration of AI with Lean thinking on the Lean Solutions Podcast. They emphasize the importance of maintaining human judgment and involvement in the process. They also discuss the need for accurate data collection and the potential for AI to transform workplaces, urging leaders to embrace AI to stay relevant.

About the Guest:

Today’s guest is Randy Kesterson, a seasoned operations executive, consultant, and thought leader with over three decades of experience in manufacturing, supply chain, and Lean transformation. Randy’s career includes executive roles at companies like Eastman Chemical and J.M. Huber Corporation, where he led significant enterprise-wide process improvement initiatives.

As a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a skilled coach, Randy helps organizations achieve operational excellence through practical strategies grounded in real-world experience. He currently serves as a trusted advisor and consultant, guiding leaders across industries in strategy deployment, leadership development, and continuous improvement.

Links:

Click Here For Randy Kesterson's LinkedIn

Click Here For Kesterson Group Website