Industry Iowa

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Oct 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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October 6, 2026Episode 8729 min

Episode 87: Thriving Through Change: Building Sustainable Resilience with Jay Abbasi

The pace of change isn’t slowing down. If anything, emerging technology, increasing demands, limited resources, and constantly shifting expectations are making adaptability an increasingly important leadership skill. In this episode of Industry Iowa, host Steven C. Wilson talks with Jay Abbasi, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and former Tesla learning and development leader, about what it takes to thrive in high-pressure, constantly changing environments without losing yourself in the process. Jay describes an earlier version of himself as an “unhappy high performer”—driven, hardworking, and successful, but without a clear sense of how to manage stress, emotion, pressure, or the chaos around him. Personal challenges led him to study neuroscience, psychology, behavior, and resilience and eventually rethink what high performance should look like. His goal became learning how to become a happy high performer: someone capable of performing at a high level while still enjoying the journey and maintaining personal well-being. Jay will continue this conversation as the afternoon keynote speaker at the Iowa Lean Consortium Annual Conference on October 22, where he will introduce his resilience formula and provide participants with practical strategies and tools they can immediately apply. As Jay explains, the goal isn’t simply to survive change. It is to develop the ability to thrive through it—and help others do the same.

September 23, 2026Episode 8632 min

Episode 86: Two Sessions, Two Days: Bonnie Slykhuis Previews Her ILC Conference Workshops

A preview of both Iowa Lean Consortium sessions Bonnie Slykhuis is leading in October — and why the basics still decide everything.

July 1, 2026Episode 8535 min

Episode 85: What Is CMMC — And Why Should Iowa Manufacturers Care?

In this episode of Industry Iowa, host Steve Wilson sits down with Melissa Burant — supply chain specialist and CMMC navigator at CIRAS, Iowa State University — to break down what the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification means for Iowa manufacturers. If your company touches defense contracts in any way — even as a subcontractor — CMMC is no longer something to watch from the sidelines. As of November 2025, the Department of Defense has begun writing compliance requirements directly into contract solicitations. The clock is running. Melissa brings nearly 12 years of CIRAS experience and a background in federal government to the conversation, and she doesn't sugarcoat it. She walks through the three levels of certification, what compliance realistically costs, the misconceptions that are getting manufacturers into trouble, and why this is a business strategy decision — not an IT problem. Whether you're just hearing about CMMC for the first time or you've been putting off taking action, this episode gives you a clear picture of where things stand and exactly where to start

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.