The ReForge Podcast

In this episode, Matthew Chang and Colin Russ, joined by Brian Keith, CMO of Chang Robotics, introduce the ReForge Podcast and lay out the core problem: nearly everyone talking about reindustrializing America has never actually built a factory.

If you care about manufacturing, workforce, industrial policy, robotics, or the future of American communities, this one is for you.

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What we cover

• Why the loudest voices on reindustrialization have zero factory experience — and why that matters
• Gen Z's surprising appetite for trades and hands-on work, and what it means for the labor pipeline
• The case for distributed, community-rooted manufacturing over a single American "Shenzhen"
• How modern factories (full of robotics, automation, and advanced software) are nothing like the assembly lines parents fear

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Chapters

00:00 Why Reindustrialize Now
01:03 Builders vs Armchair Experts
09:01 Hope and Policy for Factory Towns
18:15 Outsourcing and IP Reality
19:52 Faith and Local Industry
28:40 Modern Factories and Next Steps

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Hosts: Matthew Chang, Founder at Chang Robotics | Colin Russ, Co-Host
Featured: Brian Keith, Chief Marketing Officer at Chang Robotics
Find Chang Robotics: https://changrobotics.com

Find Matthew Chang

https://x.com/MatthewChang | https://www.instagram.com/the.matthewchang, https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewachang/ | https://www.tiktok.com/@the.matthewchang

Find Colin Russ

https://x.com/ThaaatColin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinruss/

Find Brian Keith 

http://linkedin.com/in/briankeithal/ | https://x.com/briankeithai

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Follow ReForge
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-reforge-podcast/
X: https://x.com/thereforgepod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereforgepod/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thereforgepod
Website: https://thereforgepodcast.com/

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Want to be a guest or partner?
If you're building, funding, operating, or shaping the future of U.S. manufacturing, we'd love to hear from you.
Email: [email protected]

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About ReForge
ReForge is a podcast featuring conversations with the leaders reindustrializing America. This show exists to prove American reindustrialization is possible, pivotal, and pressing. Hosted by Matthew Chang and Colin Russ. Produced by Chang Robotics.