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by Manufacturing Talk Radio
Your Everything Manufacturing Podcast. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just curious about the industry, we’ve got something for you!Manufacturing Talk Radio is led by two dynamic hosts, Lewis Weiss and Amy Nicklaus, who bring expertise and fresh perspectives to the industry. Lewis, with five decades of hands-on experience, simplifies complex manufacturing challenges, offering actionable insights on technology, workforce strategies, and industry transformation. Amy brings an engaging approach, exploring the real-world impact of innovations in technology, logistics, and workforce dynamics. Together, they create a compelling and insightful podcast that keeps professionals informed, inspired, and ready for the future of manufacturing.
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The August 2026 ISM Services Report is out—but what do the numbers actually tell us about the direction of the U.S. economy? Steve Miller joins Manufacturing Talk Radio to break down the latest services-sector data and provide context around the economic indicators businesses should be watching. The conversation explores business activity, demand, employment, pricing pressures, and the broader trends shaping the services economy. Get a clearer understanding of the numbers behind the ISM Services Report and what they could mean for business conditions in the months ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Susan Spence of the Institute for Supply Management® joins Manufacturing Talk Radio to review the August 2026 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®. Discover what the latest Manufacturing PMI® results reveal about demand, production, new orders, employment, inventories, supplier activity, pricing, and the overall health of U.S. manufacturing. This monthly conversation goes beyond the headline PMI number to explain the economic trends affecting manufacturers, supply chains, business leaders, and the broader economy. Follow Manufacturing Talk Radio for expert analysis of the ISM Manufacturing Report every month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
American manufacturing is growing—but who will fill the jobs? In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Lewis A. Weiss sits down with Carolyn Lee of the Manufacturing Institute to examine one of the biggest challenges facing U.S. manufacturing: building the skilled workforce needed to support new investment, advanced technology, automation, and AI. Manufacturing has faced a structural talent shortage for years, with hundreds of thousands of open jobs across the industry. At the same time, reshoring, onshoring, new plant investments, artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies are changing the skills employers need. So where will the next generation of manufacturing workers come from? Carolyn explains why automation and AI aren't replacing the need for people—they're changing the skills people need to succeed. She and Lou discuss how manufacturers can attract new talent, upskill existing employees, and build stronger workforce pipelines in their own communities. They also explore: Why manufacturing continues to struggle with a skilled labor shortage How AI, robotics, and automation are changing manufacturing jobs Why manufacturers need to invest in employee training and upskilling Manufacturing careers that don't necessarily require a four-year college degree The growing importance of technical education and Earn & Learn programs How manufacturers can attract younger generations Veterans and other overlooked sources of manufacturing talent Second-chance hiring and its potential to expand the workforce Why workforce development must happen at the local level What manufacturers can do now to prepare for the future Carolyn also challenges outdated perceptions of manufacturing. Today's facilities and careers can look dramatically different from the traditional image of factories and assembly lines. Modern manufacturing needs technicians, engineers, programmers, maintenance specialists, operations professionals, HR, finance, communications, and many other skilled roles. The future of American manufacturing isn't simply about building more factories or installing more technology. It's about developing the people and skills needed to keep those factories running, innovating, and growing. If you're a manufacturer, workforce development professional, educator, student, parent, or anyone interested in the future of American manufacturing, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Subscribe to Manufacturing Talk Radio for conversations with the leaders, experts, and innovators shaping the future of manufacturing. Topics: U.S. manufacturing, manufacturing workforce shortage, skilled labor shortage, manufacturing jobs, AI in manufacturing, manufacturing automation, robotics, workforce development, skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, manufacturing careers, reshoring, onshoring, employee training, upskilling, Manufacturing Institute, future of manufacturing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How healthy is the U.S. economy—and what do the latest ISM Services numbers really tell us? Lou Weiss and Amy Nicklaus sit down with Steve Miller, Chair of the ISM Services Business Survey Committee, to discuss the July 2026 Services PMI® Report. They cover the latest data on business activity, hiring, employment trends, AI's growing role in the workplace, healthcare supply chains, tariffs, oil prices, and why small businesses may be among the biggest beneficiaries of artificial intelligence. The conversation also looks ahead to what businesses should watch for in the coming months and why backlog and employment numbers could be key indicators of future economic growth. If you want practical insight into the economy without the political spin, this episode delivers expert analysis backed by real industry data. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In the this month's interview with ISM's Susan Spence, she talks about what to watch for in the upcoming months for consumers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The latest ISM Manufacturing PMI just delivered its strongest reading since May 2022 — 55.6 — beating Wall Street estimates and marking seven straight months of expansion. Even more significant: the employment index finally broke above 50 at 52.8 after 34 consecutive months of contraction. Susan Spence, Chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, joins Lewis and Amy on Manufacturing Talk Radio to break down the full report. Key highlights include: Strong new orders, backlogs, and production New export orders jumping 4.5% Pricing pressures continuing to ease How greater tariff certainty is unlocking hiring and demand Lead-time challenges driven by data-center competition for components What to watch in the months ahead for employment, pricing, and order flow Susan also shares respondent comments on steel pricing, sector differences, and the broader economic picture. Tune in for the clearest view yet of the manufacturing rebound. #ISM #PMI #Manufacturing #Economy #SupplyChain #ManufacturingTalkRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Your Everything Manufacturing Podcast. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just curious about the industry, we’ve got something for you!Manufacturing Talk Radio is led by two dynamic hosts, Lewis Weiss and Amy Nicklaus, who bring expertise and fresh perspectives to the industry. Lewis, with five decades of hands-on experience, simplifies complex manufacturing challenges, offering actionable insights on technology, workforce strategies, and industry transformation. Amy brings an engaging approach, exploring the real-world impact of innovations in technology, logistics, and workforce dynamics. Together, they create a compelling and insightful podcast that keeps professionals informed, inspired, and ready for the future of manufacturing.
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