Industry Iowa

Hosted by CIRAS

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Jun 2026

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About the show

A CIRAS podcast to help Iowa businesses and communities prosper and grow. The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) is part of the College of Engineering and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR) at Iowa State University.

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60 recent

June 5, 2026Episode 8433 min

Episode 84:Your Story Is Your Strategy: Legacy, Film, and the Power of Documentary in Business

What do a documentary filmmaker, a surgeon, and a combine harvester have in common? They all show up in this week's episode of Industry Iowa.Host Steven Wilson sits down with Teeg Stouffer, founder and executive producer of Fascination Film Studio in Marion, Iowa — a heritage and legacy documentary production studio serving companies, communities, and families across the United States. Teeg shares why we're living in the documentary era, how story is the most practical tool a business leader has, and what it really means to live from a place of legacy (hint: it's not about the money you leave behind).Whether you're trying to attract talent in a shrinking labor market, build a culture that outlasts you, or introduce a new product without sounding like every other ad — this conversation will change how you think about communication.

March 11, 2026Episode 8325 min

Episode 83: Usable AI and the Future of Business Leadership

Artificial intelligence is moving fast, but many organizations are discovering that technology alone does not create transformation. In a recent conversation with Susan Frew on the Industry Iowa Podcast, we explored how leaders can apply AI in practical ways that actually improve workflows, decision-making, and business results.Learn more about the Ivy Sales Innovation Summit.

March 3, 2026Episode 8231 min

Episode 82: AI Isn’t Replacing People - It’s Multiplying Them

In this episode of Industry Iowa, host Steven C. Wilson (CIRAS/Iowa State University) sits down with Bill Schmarzo for a candid pre-event conversation tied to the 5th Annual Ivy Sales Innovation Summit (Bill’s closing keynote on April 7). Together, they explore why the real power of AI isn’t replacement—it’s amplifying human domain expertise and accelerating professional growth.Schmarzo breaks down a practical three-phase professional development arc (rookie → mastery → elevating the discipline) and explains how AI can support each stage when leaders adopt an “AND mentality”—AI and people, not AI or people. Along the way, they touch on the risk of losing “tribal knowledge” when organizations treat people as interchangeable, and they tee up a fun metaphor: building your own ethical “AI Yoda” to guide better decisions in context.

February 20, 2026Episode 8128 min

Episode 81: Building Capability Where the Work Happens: Helena Industries' TWI and Kata Journey

In this episode of Industry Iowa, Steven C. Wilson sits down with Ann Buck, Continuous Improvement Manager at Helena Industries in Des Moines, to explore their evolving TWI journey and how they are intentionally blending Job Instruction, Job Relations, and robust work standards with Kata-based scientific thinking. Rather than treating improvement as a “flavor of the month,” Helena is building capability at the front line—using PDCA, real-time feedback, and a culture of learning to drive sustainable results without blame. Ann shares how their journey began with Kata to develop scientific thinkers, only to uncover gaps in training consistency and standards. That discovery led them deeper into TWI, where they learned the power of clear standards, effective trainer routines, and leadership behaviors that reinforce trust and accountability.

February 18, 2026Episode 8033 min

Episode 80: Leading Differently When the Work Isn’t Slowing Down

In this episode of Industry Iowa, Steven Wilson talks with Mike Wagner of the White Rabbit Group about how leadership must evolve as workloads grow and teams shrink.Drawing from real-world experience, Mike explains why leadership today is less about pushing harder and more about building capacity, clarity, and trust — and why organizations that lead people well will be the ones that sustain performance in the years ahead.

January 20, 2026Episode 7941 min

Episode 79: AI Isn’t an IT Project: Why Leadership Owns the Future of Work

Paul Gormley from CIRAS discusses the strategic implementation of artificial intelligence in Iowa manufacturing organizations. With nearly 27 years at CIRAS, Paul explains that AI has been around for decades but became more accessible with tools like ChatGPT in late 2022. He emphasizes that AI should be treated as a strategic business decision rather than just a technology implementation, comparing it to productivity improvement methodologies where those closest to the work identify the best use cases. Paul describes seeing practical applications in vision systems, preventive maintenance, and front office operations like scheduling and supply chain management. He warns against common mistakes like using AI as a search engine and stresses the importance of using it as an iterative, collaborative tool. CIRAS has partnered with University of Iowa and Iowa State to develop a three-level training curriculum (literacy, fluency, and integration) being rolled out through community colleges. Paul concludes that manufacturers who use AI wisely will focus on strategic growth and innovation rather than just defensive efficiency measures.

October 3, 2025Episode 7839 min

Episode 78: The Age of Average with Chad Cooper

In this episode of Industry Iowa, Steven Wilson sits down with Chad Cooper, copywriter at de Novo Marketing, broadcaster, and storyteller, to explore the power of brand storytelling in what he calls the “Age of Average.” Together they unpack why so much of branding has become bland, safe, and forgettable—and what it takes for businesses to stand out. Chad shares memorable examples of creative storytelling, including a wind energy campaign that turned a natural annoyance into a symbol of potential, and outlines practical steps any business can use to connect more authentically with its audience. If you’ve ever wondered how to break free from the sea of sameness, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.

October 17, 2025Episode 7744 min

Episode 77: Intelligent Automation, Human-Centered Innovation: A Conversation with Andrew Pfeiffer

In this insightful episode of Industry Iowa, Steven Wilson sits down with Andrew Pfeiffer, founder of the Process Innovation Lab, to explore the evolving world of intelligent automation—and why it’s about far more than just bots and workflows.Andrew unpacks the integrated capabilities behind intelligent automation—from process analysis and user-centric design to AI, case management, and chatbots. But what sets this conversation apart is the focus on the human side of automation: how design thinking, empathy, and rapid prototyping are reshaping how we solve problems and deliver value.We also discuss: 🔧 How intelligent automation differs from traditional IT and RPA 💡 Why fast prototyping and agility matter more than ever 🤖 What makes a process a great candidate for automation 🧠 How leaders can embrace experimentation and manage risk 🕵️ The invisible signals of inefficiency—and how to find them 📈 Why operational excellence today must include digital toolsWhether you're an operations leader, IT professional, or innovation strategist, this episode will expand your view on how to align technology, people, and purpose for real business impact.🎧 Listen now and discover what intelligent automation really means.

August 18, 2025Episode 7529 min

Episode 75: Redefining Confidence in Leadership with Erik Dominguez

In this episode of the Industry Iowa Podcast, I sit down with keynote speaker and communication coach Erik Dominguez, who will be speaking at this year’s Iowa Lean Consortium Conference. We explore how real leadership confidence is formed—not by eliminating fear, but by learning to navigate it.Topics include: • Why Imposter Syndrome is more common than you think • How discomfort signals growth, not failure • The power of vulnerability (and when to share it) • How to expand your comfort zone intentionally • The secret connection between confidence and storytellingWhether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this conversation offers practical insights and a mindset shift that could reshape how you lead.

August 7, 2025Episode 7429 min

Episode 74: Building Vibrant Communities Through Public-Private Partnerships

In this episode of Industry Iowa, I sit down with Mayor Nick AbouAssaly of Marion, Iowa, to talk about what it really takes to create communities where people and businesses want to be.From reinventing Marion’s City Square into a year-round destination to launching bold new projects like the upcoming Aquatic Center, Nick shares how collaboration between business and civic leaders is key to shaping quality of life, attracting talent, and driving economic vitality.Why public-private partnerships are essentialHow business investment in “quality of place” fuels growthWhat Marion is doing right—and what other communities can learnWhether you’re in city government, economic development, or business leadership, this conversation is packed with insights you can use.EconomicDevelopment #PublicPrivatePartnerships #CommunityLeadership #IndustryIowa #MarionIA #CityPlanning #BusinessLead