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Changing 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.
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The 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.
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Microsoft, 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.
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The 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.
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What 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 […]
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The 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.
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Baseball’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.
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The 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.
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Can 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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The AI Degree Built to Solve Real-World Problems – Dr. John Walz, President of MSOE
MSOE built a hands-on AI degree designed for real-world problem-solving. From supercomputers to industry partnerships, Dr. John Walz shares how AI is transforming education, workforce readiness, and university operations.
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How Your Morning Coffee Could Kickstart a Student’s Career – Mike Franz, Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer at ShopFloor Coffee
Coffee and manufacturing go hand in hand—but what if your morning cup also built the future workforce? ShopFloor Coffee invests 20% of proceeds into scholarships, robotics teams, and technical training, helping students launch careers in manufacturing.
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Robots, Leadership, and the Next Generation of Automation Talent – Mike Cicco, President & CEO of FANUC America
A candid, behind-the-scenes conversation with FANUC America CEO Mike Cicco about his own career journey and why FANUC is now investing so much into the next generation of automation talent.
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The AI Cure for Healthcare’s Cost Crisis – Rick Anderson, Chairman and CEO of The Hive Health
Discover how The Hive Health uses AI to analyze 40M+ data points, eliminate price gouging, and save health systems millions—ensuring access to care and reshaping workforce needs in healthcare and beyond.
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Demystifying Nuclear Power: Recommissioning, SMRs, and a Clean Energy Future – Patrick O’Brien, Director of Government Affairs and Communications at Holtec International
Nuclear energy is back in the spotlight. Learn how it’s shaping clean energy, workforce innovation, and sustainability with insights on small modular reactors, public perception, and groundbreaking advancements in the field.
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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.
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Developing 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!
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Education 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.
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STEM 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.
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The 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.
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Building 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.
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What’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.
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What 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
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The 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.
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Leading 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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