{"podcast":{"title":"Manufacturing Happy Hour","slug":"manufacturing-happy-hour-854319","podcast_index_feed_id":854319,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/manufacturing-happy-hour/","website_url":"http://manufacturinghappyhour.com","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/7968874c-8954-4422-a98e-f26fe180b6e9/Podcast-Icon-Logo-Black_1400.jpg","author":"Chris Luecke","episode_count":355,"summary":"Welcome to Manufacturing Happy Hour, the podcast where we get real about the latest trends and technologies impacting modern manufacturers. Hosted by industry veteran Chris Luecke, each week, we interview makers, founders, and other manufacturing leaders that are at the top of their game and give you the tools, tactics, and strategies you need to take your career and your business to the next level. We go beyond the buzzwords and dissect real-life applications and success stories so that you can tackle your biggest manufacturing challenges and turn them into profitable opportunities. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-17T16:20:13.548335+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour-854319"},"episode":{"title":"BONUS: What Manufacturers Can Learn from Central Wisconsin's Workforce Strategy (LIVE from Wausau, WI)","slug":"bonus-what-manufacturers-can-learn-from-central-wisconsin-s-workforce-strategy-live-from-wausau-wi","published_at":"2026-06-05T10:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour-854319/bonus-what-manufacturers-can-learn-from-central-wisconsin-s-workforce-strategy-live-from-wausau-wi","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour-854319","url":"http://manufacturinghappyhour.com","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/b5e3070d-57c8-4f14-aabf-ff7e1237e782.mp3","summary":"What happens when manufacturers stop competing for talent and start working together to develop it? In this special LIVE episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour, Chris travels to Wausau, Wisconsin for a collaboration with the Central Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance (CWIMA) to explore how manufacturers across the region are working together to strengthen workforce development, accelerate innovation, and build a thriving manufacturing ecosystem. The discussion features five manufacturing leaders representing a wide range of industries: Jim Waldron, President of Wausau Tile John Peterson, Owner & CEO of Schuette Metals Scott Mattmiller, Greenheck Group Laura Strek, President of Imperial Industries Tom Felch, J&D Tube Benders Together, they discuss everything from workforce shortages and apprenticeship programs to automation, mentorship, community engagement, and why collaboration may be the biggest competitive advantage a manufacturing region can have. Make sure to visit ManufacturingHappyHour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.","meta_description":"What happens when manufacturers stop competing for talent and start working together to develop it? In this special LIVE episode of Manufacturing Happy Ho…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2625,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/manufacturing-happy-hour-854319/episodes/bonus-what-manufacturers-can-learn-from-central-wisconsin-s-workforce-strategy-live-from-wausau-wi/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour-854319/bonus-what-manufacturers-can-learn-from-central-wisconsin-s-workforce-strategy-live-from-wausau-wi.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}