Shows
Manufacturing Happy HourBONUS: Automatica 2025 Preview: Inside Germany’s Premier Automation & Robotics ShowcaseGet ready for a front-row seat to Europe’s biggest automation event! In this bonus episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, host Chris Luecke and Jake Hall – The Manufacturing Millennial – share their excitement and preview what’s ahead at Automatica 2025, taking place June 24–27 in Munich, Germany.Chris and Jake discuss:What makes German manufacturing a global powerhouse in automation and vocational trainingWhat to expect from Automatica: major exhibitors, international tech showcases, and epic trade show boothsWhy this event is a must-attend for anyone in robotics, smart manufacturing, and industrial automationPlus, they crack open a special "S...2025-06-2015 min
Manufacturing Happy Hour230: Shark Tank, Advanced Prosthetics, and How PSYONIC's Ability Hand is Driving Accessibility for Humans and Robots Featuring PSYONIC CEO & Founder Dr. Aadeel AkhtarRobotics is a cool field, no doubt about that. But what’s cooler than using it to change people’s lives?When he was seven years old, Aadeel Akhtar met a girl in Pakistan with a missing leg. This kickstarted a fascination with helping people regain control over lost limbs and a decision that pivoted his planned career in medicine to robotics and prosthetics. Today, he’s the CEO and Founder of PSYONIC, the company behind the world’s first touch-sensing bionic hand. He’s on a mission to make this tech as accessible as possible...2025-04-0846 min
Industrial Souls with John JoyceChris Luecke from Manufacturing Happy HourThis episode, we're talking with Chris Luecke, creator of Manufacturing Happy Hour.
Chris has a knack for helping industrial companies adapt to today's marketing challenges, focusing on turning marketing expenses into real, tangible investments. With a solid background in both manufacturing and digital content, including his successful podcast, Chris brings a practical, no-nonsense approach to building a strong digital footprint and connecting with customers. We'll explore how modern tools like podcasts and videos can cut through the noise and drive conversions.
2025-03-2842 minManufacturing Happy Hour227: Are the Challenges Facing Rural vs. Urban Manufacturers Really That Different? Live from the Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & ConferenceWhen you imagine a rural versus an urban manufacturing company, that picture might look a bit different. But some things are the same. Both types of manufacturers face challenges, but do they face different ones? The good news is that there are some incredible people and businesses in the industry who are on a mission to bridge connections, build up local communities, and train future talent to solve those challenges.Live from the Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & Conference, we sit down with three manufacturing champions to talk about the different challenges facing rural and urban-based...2025-03-181h 07Manufacturing Happy Hour223: The State of Automation Halfway Through the Decade, Live from the 2025 A3 Business ForumTake your mind back to five years ago. Many of us were celebrating the start of what we thought would be an exciting decade for automation. And well… it’s certainly been different and not quite how most of us expected.Now, we sit squarely in the middle of a decade that has pushed automation and AI front and center of so many industries now. So how close were our pre-pandemic predictions on automation? And more importantly, where is automation headed next?This episode was recorded live at the 2025 A3 Business Forum, co-hosted by Jake Hall...2025-02-111h 12
Lights Out: Technology and Automation Podcast by MakingChipsAutomation 101 with Chris Luecke Manufacturing Happy HourAutomation continues to be a popular and divisive topic in the manufacturing world. Automation is important for attracting and retaining young talent and growing your business. So we’ve been working hard to highlight the importance of automation—and where you can dive in—with our Lights Out series. Chris Luecke—the host of Manufacturing Happy Hour—has a similar goal. We’re using our platforms to squash the rumors, lessen fears, and highlight how automation can and will benefit your business. Because if you’re not automating, you’re not making enough chips, and you’re missing out on money...2024-11-2048 minManufacturing Happy Hour206: How Maintenance Leaders and Frontline Workers Can Drive Digital Transformation with Nick Haase, Co-Founder of MaintainXFresh off the heels of IMTS in Chicago, the largest manufacturing show in North America, host Chris Luecke invites Nick Haase, Co-Founder of MaintainX, onto the show to discuss how maintenance leaders and frontline workers can drive digital transformation. Nick gives us a run-down on his background and how his experiences have contributed to creating an intuitive CMMS and EAM platform. The conversation explores how digitizing maintenance departments can not only facilitate broader digital transformation but also capture invaluable tribal knowledge from an aging workforce. This knowledge transfer is essential as companies prepare the next generation of w...2024-10-0850 minManufacturing Happy Hour205: How to Leverage GenAI to Get Out of "Pilot Purgatory" and Address Your Workforce Challenges with Rockwell Automation's Andrew HastertIn the face of a looming talent crisis, with over 3 million manufacturing jobs expected to remain unfilled in the next decade, the industry is turning to generative AI as a vital solution. Host Chris Luecke talks with Andrew Hastert, Director of Digital Strategy and Portfolio at Rockwell Automation, in this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour about how GenAI can not only streamline operations but also empower a new generation of workers who may lack traditional manufacturing experience.They cover GenAI's ability to simplify complex tasks, such as programming and troubleshooting, which could significantly reduce the...2024-10-0159 min
Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing LeadersAt the Boring Bar 1-2 (Jason Zenger, Nick Goellner, Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Peter Eelman, Nicole Wolter, Chris Luecke, and Manny Pasillas)How do you grow a machine shop through acquisitions? What is it like working in a legacy family business? How do you find and hire talented engineers? Where does AI fit into the daily grind? These are all questions that this team of industry experts and friends seek to answer over a glass of bourbon At the Boring Bar. Jason Zenger, Nick Goellner, Mike Payne, Paul Van Metre, Peter Eelman, Nicole Wolter, Chris Luecke, and Manny Pasillas share their unique perspectives on the manufacturing industry—and how it must adapt—in part II. Check it out! S...2024-09-0640 minManufacturing Happy Hour200: Manufacturing Happy Hour: Then & Now, An Interview with Chris Luecke Hosted by Meaghan Ziemba, LIVE from Broken Bat Brewery in Milwaukee, WILet’s raise a glass to 200 episodes down and counting! It’s been an incredible journey so far and to mark this milestone, we’re bringing you a special live episode – this time with host Chris Luecke in the hot seat. So what’s it been like running the Manufacturing Happy Hour podcast? Chris tells us in his own words how much he’s learned as the podcast has grown in the amazing manufacturing community.Live from Broken Bat Brewery in Milwaukee, we’re joined by Manufacturing Happy Hour alumni, including Meaghan Ziemba, the perfect host for this...2024-08-271h 05Manufacturing Happy Hour196: The Skills CNC Machinists Need that You WON'T Learn in Trade School!What does it really take to excel as a CNC machinist? A hunger to learn, a touch of aggressive self-advocacy, and a knack for problem-solving are the major take-home messages in this episode.We speak to Christopher Zappettini, Nushrat Ahmed, and Danny Hill Jr., three CNC machinists who all took different paths into the field, skipping the traditional trade school route. They explore the top skills needed in the industry, how to be a great frontline leader, and their top tips that you won’t get from a trade school. Chris explains what he thinks is...2024-07-3046 min
Shift TalkEmpowering Manufacturing's Future: Chris Luecke Host of The Manufacturing Happy HourChris Luecke, the voice behind The Manufacturing Happy Hour, joins us to talk about critical issues in the manufacturing industry. From closing the management gap and empowering employees through personal branding to engaging with local communities, Chris offers actionable insights to help manufacturers thrive.Connect with Chris and The Manufacturing Happy HourChris Luecke | The Manufacturing Happy HourMany manufacturers and distributors are stuck in a revolving door of new hires, failing to meet production, and losing workers. Learn about how MyWorkChoice builds reliable workforces. 2024-07-2324 minManufacturing Happy Hour189: Lowering Barriers to Entry in Adopting Robotics with Søren Peters, Founder and CEO of HowToRobot.comThe barrier to entry when it comes to robotics is breaking down fast. More and more companies and industries are realizing that robotics is a realistic solution to all sorts of problems. And companies like HowToRobot are paving the way forward.In this episode, we sit down with Søren Peters, CEO and Founder of HowToRobot.com, a platform that provides information and advice on robot suppliers and industrial automation. We hear how Søren stepped away from the world of IT and found his feet in the world of robotics. He shares his take on...2024-06-111h 06Manufacturing Happy Hour188: Adopting a Cybersecurity Strategy That Fits Your Manufacturing Business with Mollie Breen, CEO & Founder of PerygeeHow do you adopt a cybersecurity strategy that fits your manufacturing business? In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, host Chris Lueke is speaking to Mollie Breen, CEO & Founder of Perygee, an automation platform for IT and security teams, built to eliminate the visibility challenges of the digital-first world. They kick off by exploring significant developments in cybersecurity over the past few years. Mollie highlights the dual role AI plays, assisting both hackers in identifying vulnerabilities and defenders in fortifying network security. She underscores the importance of reverting to cybersecurity fundamentals amid tech evolutions, noting tha...2024-06-0449 minManufacturing Happy Hour180: Made in Missouri, Live from the 2024 Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & ConferenceThis episode is all about ‘Made in Missouri’ and was recorded live at the 2024 Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & Conference. It’s a special episode for host Chris Luecke, because not only did he grow up in Missouri, but also because he is a big fan of the Missouri Association of Manufacturers, which is a group that’s constantly advocating for manufacturing and building a great community of manufacturers in their area. This episode is a compilation of three different interviews with three very interesting manufacturers from three different parts of Missouri, focusing on what it’s like to manufac...2024-04-091h 07Manufacturing Happy Hour177: Strengthening Your Engineering Team through Co-Ops and Employee Ownership with Marcease WarrenWell, this episode is certainly a trip down memory lane! Host Chris Luecke is joined by former college classmate Marcease Warren, the VP of Manufacturing at Sentry Equipment. Chris and Marcease catch up on what’s changed since they were pulling all-nighters trying to finish projects at Marquette’s College of Engineering. In this episode, we hear about the trick to scaling a manufacturing department, leading a team of engineers, and the importance of a good company culture where everyone’s on the same page. Marcease shares his take on Industry 4.0 in the engineering space and some...2024-03-1933 minManufacturing Happy Hour175: The Evolution of Industrial Marketing, Live from the 2024 Industrial Marketing SummitWelcome to this special episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, recorded live at the 2024 Industrial Marketing Summit in Austin Texas, where we chat with five awesome industrial marketers about the evolution of industrial marketing. The episode is divided into three parts and you’ll hear why an industrial marketing event is so important at the beginning of 2024, what a rebrand can really mean to an industrial company and how you can effectively market something that is a small part of a bigger industrial solution and make it exciting. Plus, we also talk to our brilliant marketers about...2024-03-051h 06
Manufacturing eCommerce SuccessEpisode 8: Industrial Marketing Summit Preview (Guest: Chris Luecke)Are you ready to supercharge your industrial marketing results in 2024? If so, join us for this MFG eCommerce Success show episode where Chris Luecke, Podcast Host & Community Builder, Manufacturing Happy Hour $ Founder & Podcast Host, Pubcast Worldwide will share the final lineup for the 2024 industrial Marketing Summit, Jan 31 – Feb 2 in Austin, TX and more about the event. Chris will be a panelist at the summit and will share what he expects to learn as an attendee and what...2024-01-2959 min
Content Marketing, Engineered Podcast | TREW MarketingBuilding A Strong Personal Brand with Chris Luecke Building a strong personal brand can be a game changer for salespeople in technical companies. A strong personal brand establishes you as authoritative and credible and helps you stay top-of-mind with your key audience. I invited Chris Luecke, Founder and Podcast Host of Manufacturing Happy Hour on the podcast to share how he built his personal brand, how it benefited him as a salesperson, and how to get started.Chris was generous enough to share how he got started building his personal brand. It all started when he needed to reach a new audience of t...2024-01-1827 min
Workforce 4.0So You Want To Be A Manufacturing Rockstar? (Chris Luecke, Manufacturing Happy Hour)Episode notesThe future of work will require more opportunities for people to work remotely, even within the manufacturing environment. With the rise of remote work, we must be prepared and equipped to not only develop functional systems that our teams can rely on, but also to create more opportunities for our remote teams to interact and be human. When it comes to successfully creating both of those aspects for our future workforce, Chris Luecke is ahead of the game. Join Ann Wyatt as she sits down with Chris to talk about how he is strengthening the...2023-12-1334 minManufacturing Happy HourBONUS: Exploring the Characteristics of Smart Manufacturing Leaders, Live from the 2023 Smart Manufacturing ExperienceThere’s no doubt that Smart Manufacturing has a plethora of benefits for manufacturing organizations. It can help speed up your processes, improve your product quality and reduce your costs.But effective Smart Manufacturing adoption lies with the leader. That’s why host Chris Luecke asked seven industry leaders for their Smart Manufacturing tips and tricks on our latest bonus episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, recorded at the Smart Manufacturing Experience at SOUTHTEC.They discuss how leaders can cultivate a Smart Manufacturing mindset through their organization, why it’s OK to start with small changes and wh...2023-12-051h 12Manufacturing Happy HourBONUS: Defining the Smart Manufacturing Mindset, Live from the Smart Manufacturing Experience (Powered by CESMII)Smart Manufacturing goes way beyond being just a buzzword. It’s a movement and mindset taking the industry by storm. But what does it really mean, what are the key benefits and how can manufacturing leaders get started today?Manufacturing Happy Hour host Chris Luecke asked industry experts these questions live at the Smart Manufacturing Experience at SOUTHTEC. In this special bonus episode, seven manufacturing leaders shared their own definitions of Smart Manufacturing, the secrets behind the successful digital transformations they’ve overseen and the best ways to adopt a Smart Manufacturing mindset.Stay tuned for...2023-11-281h 16Manufacturing Happy Hour161: Do Your Values Align with Your Company's Culture? An interview with Jim Mayer, Host of the Manufacturing Culture PodcastIn every manufacturing organization, company culture is key to success. But what does company culture really mean? And how can manufacturing leaders ensure the culture in their organization is the best it can be? Jim Mayer, founder of TCO Strategies and host of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast, joins Manufacturing Happy Hour to share his thoughts. He provides a super-simple definition of company culture, describing it as the alignment of values between employees and the organization. In the episode, we also look at what got Jim interested in manufacturing culture to begin with and how he ca...2023-11-1446 min
Manufacturing Happy HourBONUS: Your Host Went to Oktoberfest, So Here Are Some Mindset and Productivity TipsHere's an oldie but a goodie! While Chris was on holiday in Munich for this year's Oktoberfest, that was no excuse not to give you an episode this week. We're diving back in the archives for this episode with Craig Francisco where he shares some of his best mindset, productivity, and podcasting tips from one of his old podcasts: 8 Keys of Sales Excellence. Enjoy the throwback!2023-10-0324 min
Industrial Strength MarketingHow to Stand Out in the Content Jungle with Chris Luecke, founder of Manufacturing Happy Hour.Ready to take your content engagement to the next level? Tune in to this enlightening conversation with Chris Luecke, the mastermind behind Manufacturing Happy Hour. From hidden leadership insights in manufacturing podcasts to building thriving communities, Chris reveals how to make your content resonate and your audience connect.In this episode of the Industrial Strength Marketing Show, Chris Luecke joins our host James Soto to explore how content creators are not only competing with others in their industry, but also with any other activity that could grab someone's attention.Connect...2023-09-0721 minManufacturing Happy Hour145: How to Break Through the Noise and Build Trust with Storytelling in Manufacturing with James SotoMore and more voices are being heard as the manufacturing community grows online. And while this can only be a good thing, it does make it tougher for individuals to be heard above the noise. In this episode, we welcomed James Soto, CEO of Industrial Strength Marketing, to talk about his tactics for getting his message across and building trust in the community. James explains why storytelling is so important, how different types of “noise” can hold manufacturers back, and why you need to fully understand channels to get the most out of them. He also sh...2023-07-1843 minManufacturing Happy Hour144: The Experience Mindset: Creating an Amazing Customer Experience through a Great Employee ExperienceWhat does it mean to have an experience mindset? Tiffani Bova, keynote speaker, author and Growth and Innovation Evangelist at Salesforce, joins Manufacturing Happy Hour to explain how manufacturing leaders can prioritize employee experience while still keeping customer experience front of mind, using research found for her book The Experience Mindset. When Chris saw Tiffani speak on the topic at a KUKA Robotics event, he couldn’t wait to get her on the show! In this episode, Tiffani shares why companies put customers’ needs first, why it pays off to prioritize your employees and why the C...2023-07-1147 minManufacturing Happy HourBONUS: Content Strategies for Manufacturers that Break Through the NoiseFrom self-awareness to consistency, from personal branding to trust-building, there are more than a few ways that manufacturers can break through the noise on social media. In this bonus episode, your host Chris Luecke explores how manufacturers can cut through the noise by creating engaging, insightful content so that you can build trust with your ideal customer audience. While this brand-building strategy is a long-term play, it can yield exponential returns if you have the patience.2023-05-3023 minManufacturing Happy HourLeadership Perspectives on Robotics, Highlights from Automate LIVE in Detroit, MITime to buckle up for a masterclass in manufacturing with not one – but three – manufacturing experts! On this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we share the best of three interviews conducted at Automate LIVE in Detroit, MI. Chris sits down for conversations with Milton Guerry, President of Schunk, Mike Cicco, President & CEO of FANUC America Corporation and Søren Peters, CEO of HowToRobot. They share their career journeys, insights and predictions for manufacturing, AI and automation, plus reveal top tips for manufacturing leaders and team members alike. In this episode, find out: How Milton...2023-05-0944 minMaking Chips Podcast for Manufacturing LeadersLights Out: Automation 101 with Chris Luecke Manufacturing Happy HourAutomation continues to be a popular and divisive topic in the manufacturing world. Automation is important for attracting and retaining young talent and growing your business. So we’ve been working hard to highlight the importance of automation—and where you can dive in—with our Lights Out series. Chris Luecke—the host of Manufacturing Happy Hour—has a similar goal. We’re using our platforms to squash the rumors, lessen fears, and highlight how automation can and will benefit your business. Because if you’re not automating, you’re not making enough chips, and you’re missing out on money...2023-04-2448 min
ASSEMBLY AudibleThe World According to Manufacturing Happy Hour Founder, Chris LueckeIs there anyone with a better beat on digital media and podcasting in the manufacturing space than Chris Luecke? Manufacturing Happy Hour founder and podcast host Chris Luecke joins us for an episode of ASSEMBLY Audible. Chris has interviewed hundreds, maybe even thousands, of industry professionals throughout developing his podcast, Manufacturing Happy Hour. Listen to the world, according to Chris, as we talk podcasting, marketing, cybersecurity, and everything in between. Chris was gracious to volunteer for the first-ever round of "Industry Innovations." Listen to find out!
Sponsored By:2023-03-2238 min
The Manufacturing Come UpA Glimpse Into Jake Hall and Chris Luecke's Journey To SuccessJoin Chris Luecke, Jake Hall, and Host Malachi Greb at the A3 - Association for Advancing Automation Vision Show! 🔹 Jake Hall is the Manufacturing Millennial! He has over a decade of experience working with systems integrators and manufacturers. He understands the importance of advocating industry 4.0, digital technology, robotics and automation solutions. With Jake's personal brand, he has gained over 50,000+ followers and 50 million views on social media. 🔹 Chris Leucke is the host of Manufacturing Happy Hour. Chris helps turn marketing expenses into marketing investments! He has a lot of knowledge to give; check out his podcast! He has...2022-12-1425 minManufacturing Happy HourAI, Autonomous Transformation, and Avoiding "Pilot Purgatory" with Microsoft's Brian EvergreenWe’re all familiar with Microsoft. That’s a given. But we’re certainly not all familiar with the autonomous AI work they are doing. That’s why we called on an expert to give us the lowdown on what autonomous AI means, highlight its risks and opportunities and give us his verdict. On episode 118, Brian Evergreen, Global Head of Autonomous AI Co-Innovation at Microsoft, joins Manufacturing Happy Hour. If the episode title (or Brian’s job title) doesn’t make a ton of sense to you just now, you’re in the right place because Brian is...2022-12-1346 minManufacturing Happy HourThe Power of Having Employees with Strong Personal Brands featuring Daniel MurrayHaving employees with strong personal brands is a great asset for any business, manufacturing or otherwise.In this episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we talk to Daniel Murray, marketing ops leader and the founder of podcast and marketing community, Marketing Millennials.Daniel discusses his career so far, how he simplifies marketing for marketers and the benefits of building personal brands. He also provides unmissable tips on building lasting LinkedIn posting habits and what platforms he finds most engaging right now.This episode is simply a masterclass in marketing and it’s gold for an...2022-10-1148 minManufacturing Happy HourThe 10 Most Memorable Moments from the First 100 Episodes of Manufacturing Happy HourWe’ve just hit our milestone episode! The big 100, so it makes perfect sense to mark the occasion with a special episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour. While Manufacturing Happy Hour has been around for over 5 years, over the course of 75+ videos and over 130 episodes, we’re choosing to label this one Episode 100 (even if it is closer to 200 episodes at this point).In this episode, we’ll recount 10 of the most memorable moments from the past 5 years, but they might not be the moments you expect. From live events to a few surprise moments, get ready...2022-07-1926 minManufacturing Happy HourCobots, Hollywood, and New Applications for Robotics with FANUC America's Jerry PerezWelcome to another episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour recorded in front of a LIVE audience. A couple of months ago at IME West in Anaheim, we had a chance to sit down with Jerry Perez, FANUC America's Executive Director of Global Accounts. FANUC is one of the biggest names in industrial robotics in the world, so as you can probably guess, this is a very robot-centric conversation.In this episode, Jerry shares some insights on the role of the global pandemic in creating that shift from automotive to non-automotive applications of robotics. He also highlights some out-of-the-box...2022-06-1440 min
Being an EngineerChris Luecke | Solving Marketing Problems with an Engineer MindsetSend us a textChris Luecke helps industrial companies turn marketing expenses into marketing investments. He is a podcaster, marketer, and self-proclaimed "media maverick" in the manufacturing industry. As the host of the podcast Manufacturing Happy Hour, Chris interviews leaders in the industrial sector to simplify and explore the latest trends and technologies impacting modern manufacturers.In this episode, we discuss how engineers and manufacturers can more effectively tell their story through digital content, and what the most common branding mistake being made by engineers is. We also hear from Chris about the most common...2022-06-1021 min