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Robots, Ice Cream and Instagram: The Viral Mechatronics Lab Turning Engagement Into Employment – Danny Murphy, Mechatronics Professor at Central Virginia Community College
How did a mechatronics class go viral—and start landing students jobs? Discover Danny Murphy’s creative teaching methods that are engaging students, impressing employers, and redefining technical education.
View EpisodeRebuilding Higher Education Around Solving Real-World Problems – Dr. Kristin Wobbe, Director of the Center for Project-Based Learning at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
WPI redesigned its entire curriculum around project-based learning. In this episode, Dr. Kris Wobbe shares how students solve real-world problems—and how any educator can apply this transformative approach in their own classroom.
View EpisodeHow to Build & Grow an Industry-Aligned CTE Program – Maroun Nehme, Director of Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics at BPHS
Discover how Buena Park High School built a hands-on, industry-aligned CTE program with industrial certifications—and used social media to grow enrollment, community support, and employer engagement.
View EpisodeInside the Bipartisan Push for America’s Skilled Workforce – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin
Senator Tammy Baldwin joins The TechEd Podcast to discuss bipartisan support for career and technical education, the future of apprenticeship laws, and funding for short-term training programs.
View EpisodeFrom the Shop Floor to the Fast Lane: How Racing, Technical Skills and Workforce Strategy Collide – Justin Mondeik, Owner & Driver at Mondeik Racing
Super Late Model driver Justin Mondeik shares how technical education gave him an edge in racing—and how manufacturers are using motorsports to recruit skilled talent.
View EpisodeChanging Tariffs Will Impact Technical Education—Here’s What to Do About It – Matt Kirchner, Host of The TechEd Podcast
Tariff policy is shifting by the day—and technical education won’t be immune.
From rising equipment costs to major changes in funding, curriculum, and workforce demand, this episode breaks down five critical outcomes that educators need to prepare for now. It’s not about predicting the future—it’s about scenario planning for what’s coming next.
AI Regulation Can Wait—But Education Reform Can’t – State Senator Julian Bradley
AI, education, energy—these are key issues for states in 2025. In this episode, one state senator shares his perspective on how leaders should approach investment, policy, and regulation in tech and the workforce.
View EpisodeThe 50/50 University Model that Leaves Grads with 2.5 Years of Work Experience and $75k – Dr. Robert McMahan, President of Kettering University
What if every university graduate had 2.5 years of paid, full-time work experience before their first job? At Kettering University, they do. In this episode, President Dr. Robert McMahan explains how their 50/50 model flips the script on student debt, career readiness, and the role of higher ed in the workforce.
View EpisodeMicrosoft, the Packers, and the Venture Firm Betting on Midwest Innovation – Jill Enos, Managing Partner of TitletownTech
Move over, Silicon Valley. The next big tech breakthroughs are getting their start in Green Bay, Wisconsin with support from Microsoft & the Packers.
View EpisodeThe Lifelong Impact of Mentorship for STEM Students – Joe Tanner and Curtis Althaus, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation
Join Joe Tanner, former astronaut, and Curtis Althaus, ASF Scholar, as they discuss the powerful impact of mentorship in shaping the future of STEM leaders and the lifelong value of community and growth.
View EpisodeWhat Rising Tariffs Mean for Companies, Workers, and the Future of Trade – John Murphy, SVP & Head of International at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
What Rising Tariffs Mean for Companies, Workers, and the Future of Trade John Murphy, Senior Vice President, Head of International – U.S. Chamber of Commerce […]
View EpisodeThe Athlete’s Mindset in the Classroom: The Power of Confidence, Goal-Setting, and Positivity in STEM – Kathy Meyers, Teacher at Corner Canyon High School
How can sports psychology help students succeed in math and STEM? Kathy Meyers brings mindset techniques used by elite athletes into the math classroom, sharing how positivity, goal-setting, and resilience can build confidence and STEM skills.
View EpisodeBaseball’s Infamous Scandal Inspired Its Biggest Tech Breakthrough…And Changed the Game Forever – John Hankins, Co-Inventor & Owner of PitchCom
A scandal rocked baseball, but it also sparked a tech revolution. Discover how PitchCom is transforming MLB with wireless communication, real-time data, and game-changing innovation in this fascinating conversation with co-inventor John Hankins.
View EpisodeThe Right Idea, The Right Founder: How Undercapitalized Entrepreneurs are Getting Their Shot – Jennifer Abele & Raquel Filmanowicz, Managing Partners at VC 414
Why do so many great startups go unfunded? This episode explores how undercapitalized entrepreneurs secure venture capital and what investors look for in the right idea, the right founder, and a scalable business.
View EpisodeCan U.S. Manufacturing Keep Its Edge? What it Will Take to Compete Globally in 2025 – Congresswoman Haley Stevens
Can U.S. manufacturing stay competitive in 2025? Congresswoman Haley Stevens explores the policies, innovations, and workforce strategies needed to strengthen America’s industrial future in a rapidly evolving global market.
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Why STEM Can Future-Proof Private Universities Against the Enrollment Cliff – Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, President of Augustana University
The enrollment cliff is coming. If you want to future-proof your university (especially private ones!), you should invest in growing and marketing your STEM programs. These are the programs students will enroll in, since they tie to high-wage, high-demand careers.
View EpisodeDeveloping an AI Strategy: Best Practices for Business Leaders – Todd Wanek, CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries
AI is here – how are you building a strategy to leverage these tools in your business? Todd Wanek, CEO of Ashley Furniture, gives business leaders best practices for creating an AI strategy. Learn from him in this podcast episode!
View EpisodeEducation Reimagined: What America Can Learn from the Success of North Dakota – Governor Doug Burgum
From student-centric learning, to a K-12 career readiness roadmap, North Dakota has continuously updated their approach to education in order to best serve its students and communities. Now, hear from Governor Doug Burgum about how these lessons can be applied nationwide.
View EpisodeSTEM Education Opens Doors to Top Tech Careers at the DoD – Dr. David Honey, Deputy Undersecretary for R&E – U.S. Department of Defense
A “STEM-Powered Enterprise” with 100,000 engineers in its employ, the U.S. Department of Defense is on the cutting-edge of tech innovation in the world. DUSD Dr. David Honey gives us a unique glimpse into this work and how STEM education can pave the way to a career at the DOD.
View EpisodeThe Titanium Economy: The Companies You’ve Never Heard of That Keep America Running – Asutosh Padhi, Managing Partner for McKinsey & Company North America
There’s a whole subset of our economy that you’ve never heard of, making products vital to your everyday life. The Titanium Economy is a major driver of the U.S. economy, providing jobs, products and well-being like you wouldn’t believe.
View EpisodeBuilding America’s Skilled Workforce – Chelle Travis, Executive Director of SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis talks about how the organization is preparing students for highly-skilled technology & STEM careers through programs, competitions and industry partnerships.
View EpisodeWhat’s New in Automation: AI, Digital Twins, Cobots and More! – Mike Cicco, President & CEO of FANUC America
FANUC is the global leader in industrial robotics and CNC controls. FANUC America President & CEO Mike Cicco shares the latest trends in the industry, including technology innovation, R&D sneak peaks, and how we’re training next-gen automation experts.
View EpisodeWhat the CHIPS and Science Act Means for Technology and Education – U.S. Senator Todd Young
Senator Todd Young, U.S. Senator for Indiana, joins us to talk about the CHIPS and Science Act and how it will impact semiconductor manufacturing and research around emerging technologies in the United States
View EpisodeThe Journey to 1,000 Hours in Space – NASA Astronaut Dr. Don Thomas
NASA Space Shuttle Astronaut Dr. Don Thomas shares about his journey to becoming an astronaut, his four missions to space, and what the future of space exploration could look like.
View EpisodeLeading the Smart Manufacturing Revolution – Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation
Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation talks about smart manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and the workforce of the future.
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