The TechEd Podcast

Most leaders have a vision, a plan, and the authority to move it forward, but real momentum shows up when you understand how culture is being shaped through trust and influence behind the scenes. Host Matt Kirchner sits down with Dr. Ben Johnson, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools at Bismarck Public Schools, and Bobby Dodd, Assistant Principal at May River High School, co-authors of Intentional Influence. They break down how influence really spreads inside an organization, in schools, in business, and in industry, and why the people with the most impact are often not the ones with the biggest titles. At the center of the conversation is their cultural mapping framework—making the invisible influence network visible. You’ll hear how to identify formal and informal influencers, classify commitment on a five-point scale, and invest your time where it will actually shift the culture instead of just managing noise. In this episode: 3 Big Takeaways from this Episode: 1. Lasting change is a culture outcome, not a plan outcome. Compliance can produce short-term execution, but commitment is what sustains new behaviors when nobody is watching. The work is to build alignment and trust so people internalize the “why” and carry the standard forward. 2. Cultural mapping helps you lead the real organization, not just the org chart. Influence runs through informal networks of credibility and relationships, and the highest-impact people often do not have the biggest titles. When you identify formal and informal influencers and where people sit on a commitment scale, you can invest your time where it will actually shift the culture. 3. Influence spreads fast, so leaders have to manage energy and momentum intentionally. “Energy vampires” and the “pinging effect” are real, and unchecked negativity multiplies through the network. The goal is not to label people, but to understand what’s driving resistance, address it directly, and redirect influence toward the commitments the organization is trying to build. Resources in this Episode: Get the book Intentional Influence: Harnessing Cultural Mapping to Build Commitment More resources on the show notes page: https://techedpodcast.com/influence We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

Higher education is shifting toward a connected model where colleges and universities function as one learner ecosystem. The goal is simple: make credentials stackable, transfer predictable, and pathways flexible enough for learners to move in and out of education as their careers evolve. In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, Matt Kirchner speaks with Dr. Katherine Frank (Chancellor, University of Wisconsin–Stout) and Dr. Sunem Beaton-Garcia (President, Chippewa Valley Technical College) about how their institutions have developed streamlined pathways for learners that support lifelong learning. They break down how institutions can design on-ramps and off-ramps, align programs across tech/community college and university systems, expand credit recognition, and keep partnerships active so transfer works in real life (no more "credits to nowhere"). The conversation also expands to what this shift means nationally as technology and workforce needs change faster. In this episode: 3 Big Takeaways from this Episode: 1. A connected model keeps learners moving across colleges and universities. Stackable credentials, credit for prior learning, and predictable transfer reduce the stop-and-start pattern that derails working adults and career-changers. When pathways are designed for entry, exit, and return, education becomes a long-term system learners can use throughout their careers. 2. Transfer works at scale when it becomes an operating habit, not a one-time agreement. The UW–Stout and CVTC alignment shows what changes when institutions treat pathway design as ongoing work with shared ownership and recurring check-ins. That consistency is what makes transfer feel clear to students and sustainable for faculty and staff. 3. This model makes it easier to keep programs aligned as technology and jobs change. Modular, competency-aligned pathways let institutions update portions of a program without rebuilding the entire structure. It is a practical way to respond faster to industry signal while protecting rigor and program quality. Resources in this Episode: Read the op-ed co-written by Drs. Frank and Beaton-Garcia: "Reframing Higher Education" ➡️ Find more resources on the episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/disruption/ We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

What actually happens inside those massive Amazon facilities—and how do products arrive at your door with such astonishing speed? In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner explores these questions with Amanda Willard, Strategic Workforce Development, and Logan Schulz, Senior Manager of Reliability & Maintenance Engineering at Amazon. They take us behind the scenes of the advanced robotics, mechatronics, and automation systems that power Amazon’s fulfillment network—and the skilled technicians who keep the entire operation running. Amanda and Logan share how the Reliability & Maintenance Engineering (RME) team prepares the workforce behind this technology, including Amazon’s mechatronics and robotics apprenticeship. They reveal what today’s technicians actually do, the durable skills that matter most, and how Amazon develops talent capable of maintaining one of the world’s most complex automation ecosystems. Listen to learn: 3 Big Takeaways from this Episode: 1. Maintenance roles have shifted from mechanical work to high-level cognitive problem-solving. Technicians at Amazon diagnose interconnected networks, sensors, PLC systems, and smart devices alongside mechanical equipment. This evolution requires system-level thinking, the ability to interpret data, and strong analytical abilities—skills that anchor long-term career growth. 2. Apprenticeships are a business strategy that strengthens the entire talent pipeline. Amazon’s mechatronics and robotics apprenticeship builds internal talent, increases employee retention, and prepares the workforce for future technology needs. With industry certifications, structured mentorship, and extensive hands-on training, the program creates a sustainable pipeline of highly skilled technicians. 3. Durable skills prepare learners for technologies that don’t exist yet. Troubleshooting methods, programming fundamentals, data analytics, and understanding how systems interconnect form the foundation technicians will rely on as automation accelerates. As AI, predictive maintenance, and IoT devices expand, adaptability and analytical reasoning will matter more than the specific robots or tools a technician first learned on. Resources in this Episode: Learn more about Amazon Reliability & Maintenance Engineering Learn more about the Amazon RME Mechatronics & Robotics Apprenticeship program Find more resources on the episode page! https://techedpocdast.com/amazon We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

With states stepping directly into the venture capital arena, a major shift is underway in how early-stage companies are funded—and where the next generation of innovation will be built. In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner dives into this emerging movement with Pete Martin, Director of Portfolio Management at the MSU Research Foundation, and Alison Todak, Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Together, they unpack why states like Michigan are deploying public capital into startups, how PitchMI became one of the largest pitch competitions in the country, and what this means for founders, investors, educators, and the broader innovation economy. From filling early-stage capital gaps to catalyzing private investment, Michigan is using public VC models to strengthen its entrepreneurial ecosystem—and the results are showing. Pete and Alison detail the strategy behind PitchMI, the sectors driving the next decade of growth, the role of universities in spinning out new technologies, and how public and private capital partners are increasingly collaborating rather than competing. Listen to learn: 3 Big Takeaways from this Episode: 1. States are stepping into early-stage VC because private capital isn’t meeting the needs of pre-seed founders. Michigan’s earliest-stage companies often start in a funding vacuum, and state-backed dollars are designed to close that first-capital gap. The PitchMI model shows how public investment can de-risk companies enough for private VCs to participate later. 2. PitchMI is creating a statewide pipeline of founders, companies, and investors. The competition drew 375 applicants in two weeks and activated partners across smart zones, universities, investors, and the private sector. Even companies that didn’t win are already raising capital, hiring talent, and gaining visibility through the program. 3. Public and private VC are becoming collaborators in building regional innovation economies. Founders backed by public funds gain access to non-dilutive programs, state networks, and industry connections, while private firms gain earlier access to high-potential deals. This shared model is shaping how capital formation and startup ecosystems will evolve over the next decade. Resources in this Episode: https://msufoundation.org/pitchmi/MSU Research FoundationMichigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)Find more on the episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/msuresearch/ We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

With the pace of change in technology, geopolitics, infrastructure, and the economy, what should technical educators and workforce leaders be watching most closely in 2026? In this year’s annual Predictions episode, host Matt Kirchner shares the fifth edition of a listener-favorite tradition, scoring last year's predictions and looking ahead to the trends and technologies that will shape Tech Ed in 2026. What's in store for 2026? Energy, defense, materials, biomimicry, AI, smart tech, humanoids, design...and the future of technical education. Listen to the whole episode to hear about these and more! Full show notes, links & resources on the episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/predictions26 We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

Watch the episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/f5gWUVQI0jI Melissa Martin and Matt Kirchner are back to answer your questions, covering everything from university curriculum design, to AI in the classroom, to what employers actually expect when they invest in education. This one moves fast, but it’s focused: how do you build programs that truly prepare students for modern work? How do you keep education from falling behind as technology accelerates? Along the way, Matt and Melissa break down what universities need to change, how to raise the bar in the age of generative AI, why ethics can’t be an afterthought, and how to help HR teams understand the value of credentials and new pathways. Listen to learn: 3 Big Takeaways from this Episode: 1. have to teach applied industrial skills, not just theory. Matt argues that a four-year program can cover a lot of “cool stuff in the lab,” but it still needs authentic manufacturing equipment and technology so graduates understand what they will actually see in industry. He frames this as an employer expectation problem: even when budgets are tighter at the four-year level, universities still need to build around the same core technologies students will encounter on day one in manufacturing. 2. AI changes the standard for student work and makes ethics a core requirement. Melissa and Matt point out that AI is designed to produce an answer even when it doesn't know (causing a 'hallucination'), which means students must learn to question outputs and verify accuracy instead of treating AI as a sole source of truth. From there, the conversation moves from classroom integrity into broader ethics: what it means to do original work, and how humans should think and behave as AI becomes more capable and more embedded in decision-making. 3. Industry and HR and educators must understand each other's needs to build a successful partnership. Education and Industry both have a responsibility to do their part in a partnership. HR departments must understand the changing landscape of certifications, 3-year degrees and other credentials that students are gaining to demonstrate their technical competency. Likewise, educators must adopt industry practices of tracking metrics to show employer partners the ROI of their investments in the program. Access tons of links & resources on the episode page: https://techedpodcast.com/askusanything-122025/ We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

The clearest way to understand Ronald Reagan’s leadership may not be from a podium, but from a saddle, a woodpile, and a quiet table where he worked through the ideas that shaped an era. In this on-location episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with former Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker inside the Reagan Ranch Center, recorded at the same table and microphones Reagan used for his radio addresses. The conversation moves beyond “Reagan the icon” and into Reagan at Rancho del Cielo, the place Ed Meese famously pointed to as the best window into Reagan the man. You’ll hear how the ranch functioned as Reagan’s “open air cathedral,” where he worked the land, cleared brush, and rode horses to clear his mind before returning to the weight of world events. You’ll also hear the personal stories that make Reagan feel three-dimensional again, including the extraordinary bond he formed on horseback with Secret Service agent John Barletta, and the deeply human way Nancy Reagan talked about letting the ranch go. Matt and the Governor also discuss timeless values that define Reagan's legacy. Walker frames Reagan’s optimism as more than tone, because it was paired with firm beliefs, disciplined preparation, and a sustained message about freedom as something fragile that must be defended and passed on. Listen to learn: because3 Big Takeaways from this Episode: 1. Reagan’s optimism was anchored in conviction. Walker points to Reagan as a “happy warrior” who appealed to people’s better nature while staying strong in his positions. These timeless values are why he had such strong support, even in a divided government. 2. Reagan treated freedom as a generational responsibility, not a permanent condition. Walker highlights Reagan’s repeated warning that freedom is “never more than one generation away from extinction,” and that it must be defended and passed on. He ties that message to Reagan’s Cold War moral clarity, including the belief that if freedom is lost here, “there’s nowhere else in the world left,” and the urgency behind “tear down this wall.” 3. Reagan’s legacy is a case study in the long-term impacts of a great leader. Great American Presidents like Washington, Lincoln and Kennedy are remembered more for their character than their politics. This podcast is an exploration into the character of Ronald Reagan, another great leader who is remembered for his optimism, conviction and humility. Access resources, links and more on the episode page! We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with Irv Blumkin, Chairman of Nebraska Furniture Mart (NFM), and Ryan Blumkin, Executive Vice President, to unpack nearly 90 years of retail innovation, from Mrs. B’s pawn-shop beginnings to multi-acre campuses in Omaha, Kansas City, Dallas, and soon Austin. They explore what it’s like to partner with Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway, build massive destination developments, and still obsess over every single SKU and customer interaction. From dynamic pricing and AI-enabled operations to a mind-blowing learning trip through China’s retail and technology ecosystem, Irv and Ryan share how NFM is using data, automation, and emerging tech to deepen their moat, without ever losing sight of values, culture, and long-term thinking. They also talk careers in retail tech, why young “outside-the-box” thinkers matter, and the role of lifelong learning in leading through disruption. Listen to learn: 3 Big Takeaways from this Episode: 1. Timeless values can scale into a $2 billion business. Mrs. B’s simple principles (sell at a great price, tell the truth, and pay your bills) still anchor NFM’s strategy, even as the company builds 1.8 million-square-foot campuses and expands into new markets like Austin. Irv connects those values directly to long-term growth, customer trust, and the family’s partnership with Berkshire Hathaway. 2. Technology is now core infrastructure, not an add-on. NFM’s nightly web crawling, digital price tags, and dynamic pricing systems automatically position them as the best value against online competitors, while complex distribution networks and emerging AI tools optimize inventory and logistics. Ryan frames this as building a “moat” with data, automation, and relentless operational excellence, not just more advertising. 3. Lifelong learning is mandatory for modern leadership. Irv has invested in executive education for decades, and both he and Ryan describe their China trip as “eye opening” in terms of speed, scrappiness, AI adoption, and asset-light business models. They’re already translating those lessons into new e-commerce strategies, warehouse automation concepts, and AI-enabled process improvements back at NFM. Resources in this Episode: Nebraska Furniture MartSix Days in China: The Speed, Scale and Innovation Outpacing the U.S.MORE LINKS & RESOURCES ON THE EPISODE PAGE: https://tech We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

What if you could get a behind the scenes look at China's most innovative tech companies, factories and logistics hubs—seeing how they really run and asking the questions most Americans never get to ask? This week, you do. Matt Kirchner and Todd Wanek, CEO of Ashley Furniture, sit down to debrief the trip they took together to China. In a candid, off-the-cuff conversation, they trade questions and challenge each other’s assumptions as they compare what they saw there with what’s happening in U.S. business, policy, and education. After six days of nonstop plant tours and tech company visits, they debrief what they saw: an engineering-driven society, central planning at massive scale, open-source AI innovation, and humanoid robots that are improving in real time. They contrast that with U.S. politics, policy, education, and workforce development, and lay out the uncomfortable truths and huge opportunities for American manufacturing and technical education. 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube Listen to learn: 3 Big Takeaways from this Episode: 1. China is running its economy like a highly-engineered business, and that's giving them a competitive edge. Matt and Todd break down how central planning, five-year plans, and an engineer-dominated Politburo have turned China into an “engineering society” that can move at staggering speed and scale. They contrast this with U.S. gridlock, pointing to examples like nuclear power, rare earths, and infrastructure to illustrate the gap. 2. Open-source AI and clustering are creating a compounding advantage in technology and e-commerce. In China, new code and algorithms are often pushed to open platforms, enabling “once one humanoid learns to walk, they all learn to walk”–style progress. E-commerce and tech clusters in places like Shenzhen centralize training, capital, and services, letting thousands of companies iterate together, scrape competitors in real time, and weaponize interest-based social media marketing. 3. The U.S. must treat AI education, automation, and rare earths as “musts,” not “shoulds.” China has made AI mandatory in K–12 while the U.S. still debates chatbots and bans tools in classrooms. Matt and Todd highlight the mismatch between 36,000 lawyers and only ~300 mining/metallurgical engineers graduating each year, and argue for a national shift: rebuild manufacturing clusters, lower the cost of automation, expand applied AI education, and rapidly grow talent in critical technical disciplines. We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

With artificial intelligence stepping off the laptop and out onto job sites, factory floors, and flight decks, are we preparing students for the AI that sees, senses, and acts in the real world, not just the kind that chats back? Matt Kirchner sits down with Lieutenant General Brian Cavanaugh, USMC (Ret.), CEO of VigilanteX. After decades commanding Marines and integrating emerging tech into national defense, Cavanaugh now leads a company building applied AI platforms at the edge: solar- and Starlink-powered trailers with cameras and compute that monitor sites 24/7 and turn video into real-time safety, security and efficiency intelligence. Together, Matt and Brian unpack what “applied AI” really means across the edge-to-cloud continuum. They discuss AI agents running on the edge, natural language search over video, and systems that close the loop from sensor to decision in seconds. They also explore why simply teaching students to prompt chatbots isn’t enough, and how K-12, CTE, and higher education can catch up to a world where AI is baked into every system, every site, and every mission. Listen to learn: ➡️ Watch the Full Episode on YouTube 3 Big Takeaways from this Episode: 1. AI at the edge is becoming a digital teammate. VigilanteX’s platforms use cameras, connectivity, and on-site compute to watch for fall risks, PPE issues, intrusions, and abnormal conditions across construction, manufacturing, logistics, and energy sites. The system flags events in real time, routes the right video to supervisors, and builds a data trail leaders can use to change procedures before accidents happen. 2. Edge-to-cloud literacy is a new baseline skill for technical careers. Cavanaugh and Kirchner break down how raw sensor and video data is processed locally, filtered, and then pushed to the cloud for storage, analytics, and dashboards. Understanding where computation lives, what data moves, and how AI agents plug into that pipeline prepares students for roles in automation, OT/IT, robotics, and cyber-physical systems in any industry. 3. We need to teach applied AI, not just chatbots. While large language models are powerful, the episode shows how AI is part of the edge-to-cloud continuum. Giving students hands-on experience with autonomous systems, computer vision, and industrial data flows helps them see AI as something they can design, deploy, and govern rather than a black box that only lives in a browser. Find links & more resources on the episode page! We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

How can CTE listen to regional economic and workforce needs and build a vision so big that others can't help but support it? Watch this episode on YouTube Matt Kirchner sits down with Adam Snoddy, Principal of the Butler Tech Aviation Center, to explore how one district used its regional economic identity to design a world-class CTE program. Located between Cincinnati and Dayton—home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Amazon’s CVG air hub, a web of regional airports, and one of the densest aviation job markets in North America—Butler Tech built a high school aviation program directly aligned to its region’s workforce DNA. Adam walks us through how the program launched in 2019 and quickly outgrew its original model. Today, Butler Tech is opening a 20,000 sq. ft. aviation high school and 8,500 sq. ft. hangar, backed by $15 million in district, county, JobsOhio, and city investment. Students begin with a full sophomore-year “Introduction to Aviation” exploration before choosing pathways in Flight, Maintenance, or Engineering, with engineering intentionally grounded in maintenance fundamentals to create stronger systems thinkers and safer future engineers. The real story? This aviation program is a template. Whether your region is built on advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, energy, agriculture, or something entirely different, Butler Tech’s approach offers a roadmap for building CTE around local industry, future workforce demand, and transferable technical skills. Listen to Learn: 3 Big Takeaways from this Episode: 1. CTE should be built around regional economic DNA. Southwest Ohio’s aviation ecosystem—CVG, Wright-Patt, Joby, UPS, regional airports—creates unmatched demand for aviation talent. Butler Tech aligned its entire program to that reality, proving CTE is strongest when built around local industry needs and future workforce trends. 2. An exploration-first model helps students make smarter pathway decisions. Every student begins with “Intro to Aviation,” experiencing flight, maintenance, and engineering pathways. This helps students discover interests—and eliminate misaligned ones—long before making postsecondary commitments. 3. Hands-on systems training creates better technicians, engineers, and pilots. Butler Tech’s engineering pathway starts with maintenance fundamentals because employers consistently stress that engineers must understand the systems they design. Students build real-world intuition early, leading to safer, more capable graduates in any technical field. Resources in this Episode: Butler Tech's Aviation prograWe want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

With technical colleges serving as the front line for breaking generational poverty, one question rises to the surface: how do we design education that truly creates economic mobility? In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner digs into that question with Dr. Anthony Cruz, President of Milwaukee Area Technical College — the largest nonprofit technical college in the country and one of the most diverse institutions in the Midwest. Dr. Cruz brings a compelling mix of lived experience and visionary leadership: a first-generation college graduate whose parents worked in factories, now leading a college that serves 31,000 students a year and sits at the epicenter of Milwaukee’s economic and social challenges. From meeting students where they are to engineering economic mobility, Dr. Cruz lays out the blueprint for how technical colleges can change the trajectory of entire families. From breaking cycles of generational poverty to preparing students for an AI-driven workforce, this conversation explores what’s required from technical colleges today, and why their role has never been more vital. Listen to learn: Big Takeaways 1. Technical colleges are uniquely positioned to break generational poverty. MATC sees itself as an “engine of economic mobility,” serving students who often arrive without the financial resources or social capital others take for granted. Layered support — scholarships, retention coaches, food pantries, advising — helps remove barriers so students can persist and earn family-sustaining wages. 2. Student success requires developing grit, not just academic skill. Cruz emphasizes that grit is innate but must be nurtured. Many students have never seen examples of success around them, so MATC focuses on helping them build resilience semester after semester until they launch into the workforce. 3. The future of technical education demands agility — especially with AI. AI is reshaping jobs faster than curriculum cycles. MATC is equipping faculty to use AI tools now, while building flexible programs that can adapt quickly to emerging technologies rather than waiting years for revisions. Resources Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeMATC Promise ProgramChecota Scholars Program We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

Higher education can’t keep teaching “just in case” knowledge. In an era where technology evolves faster than curriculum, universities must align directly with industry needs — and that’s exactly what Paul Lavoie is doing at the University of New Haven. In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with Paul, the university’s Vice President of Innovation and Applied Technology and former Chief Manufacturing Officer for the State of Connecticut. Together, they explore what it means to build higher education that works like industry: agile, applied, and focused on real development rather than theory. From the creation of the new Center for Innovation and Applied Technology to rethinking how students, employers, and universities collaborate, Lavoie shares a bold vision for transforming education into an engine for workforce growth and innovation that doesn't require reinventing the wheel. In this episode: Resources in this episode: Center for Innovation and Applied TechnologyNational Center for Next Gen ManufacturingWe want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

What does it really take to get started with artificial intelligence in a small or mid-sized company right here in the U.S.? In Part 2 of this two-part series, Matt Kirchner continues breaking down A Manufacturer’s Guide to AI Tech — exploring the final 7 technologies reshaping how organizations operate, automate, and make decisions. From autonomous mobile robots and smart drones to AI-powered industrial robots, next-gen metrology, and smart materials, Matt explains how these tools are already being used across industries. He also connects these innovations to larger questions about the workforce, education, and the future of human capability in an AI-driven economy. Listen to learn: Including…the final 7 technologies from A Manufacturer’s Guide to AI Tech. FULL SHOW NOTES (plus links & resources): https://techedpodcast.com/appliedai Want to see all the videos and data? We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

What does it really take to get started with artificial intelligence in a small or mid-sized company right here in the U.S.? We're breaking it down in this two-part series. In part 1, Matt Kirchner shares lessons from his recent trip overseas and what he learned visiting 26 advanced tech companies in six days. From open-source innovation and mandatory AI education to the work ethic driving global competition, Matt explains why the time to act on AI is now, and how American business leaders can take practical steps to stay ahead. He connects global insights to the realities of U.S. manufacturing and education, explores what it means to see before others see in the age of AI, and outlines the first practical technologies every organization should understand, from AI agents and MCP servers to embedded smart technology and digital twins. In this episode: Including...the first 5 technologies from A Manufacturer’s Guide To AI Tech. FULL SHOW NOTES (plus links & resources): https://techedpodcast.com/appliedai Want to see all the videos and data? Watch this episode on YouTube. We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

Rural America is on the brink of an economic transformation. With more than $1 trillion in advanced manufacturing investments (and nearly two-thirds of that flowing into rural regions) this moment represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalize local economies, strengthen school-industry partnerships, and empower students with career pathways in advanced manufacturing. Matt Kirchner sits down with Duwain Pinder, Partner at McKinsey & Company and a leader of the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility to explore the institute’s new report: Manufacturing in rural America: A plan for K–12–industry partnerships This conversation examines the gap between the career-connected learning students want access to, and the opportunities afforded them in rural districts. Matt and Duwain discuss how manufacturers and school districts can work together to close this gap and prepare the next generation for the influx of jobs coming to rural America. Listen to learn: 3 Big Takeaways from this Episode: 1. Rural America is the new frontier for advanced manufacturing. McKinsey’s analysis found that 63 % of $1 trillion in announced U.S. manufacturing investments are being built within 15 miles of rural communities. Pinder explains that these projects will define America’s manufacturing future and bring high-quality jobs to places that have long been left behind. 2. The skills gap solution isn’t either-or...students need basic academic and technical skills. McKinsey’s research shows that foundational reading and math scores are eroding across the U.S., especially in rural communities, even as demand grows for advanced manufacturing talent. Duwain and Matt agree that employers shouldn’t accept this trade-off. Students must graduate ready to read, calculate, and communicate and understand robotics, PLCs, and other manufacturing tech, which requires schools and employers to work together on both fronts. 3. Using existing successful models (not always reinventing the wheel) will help rural K-12 accelerate and scale career-connected learning. Nearly 8 in 10 rural students want apprenticeships and hands-on learning, yet only 3 in 10 can access them, a gap that represents a massive opportunity. Evidence-based models like youth apprenticeships, dual-enrollment, and early-college high schools already exist. If districts embrace these, plus partner with employers and workforce associations, they can create career-connected learning more quickly. Visit the show notes page for more We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

When the founder of the world’s largest furniture manufacturer partners with one of the nation’s most innovative technical colleges, you get one of the most unique learning centers in the world. This week, host Matt Kirchner is joined by the visionaries behind the landmark Wanek Center of Innovation at Western Technical College: Ron Wanek, Founder of Ashley Furniture Industries, Dr. Josh Gamer, Associate Vice President of Workforce Partnerships and Innovation, and Dr. Roger Stanford, President of Western Technical College. The conversation is a masterclass in industry partnerships, future-forward educational technology, and building a true pipeline from K-12 education to technical colleges to a four-year degree. This episode is a must-listen for any educator, employer, or policymaker committed to a skills-based, adaptable future workforce. Listen to learn: 3 Big Takeaways from this Episode: 1. U.S. education must refocus on technical skills to compete globally. Ron Wanek warns that the U.S. is falling behind countries like Germany and China because it has deprioritized technical education in favor of liberal arts. His partnership with Western is designed to reverse that trend through STEM and workforce training. 2. The Wanek Center is a national model for Industry 4.0 integration in education. The facility includes 39 networked robots, a live IoT data infrastructure, and the first educational Digital Twin of its kind. The Digital Twin allows students to simulate manufacturing process changes in a virtual environment before applying them to the physical robotic cells. Students and employers alike now use the space to prototype real-world innovations. 3. Western has built a full pipeline from middle school to a 4-year Automation Leadership degree. Through dual credit programs, high school students in the district now earn thousands of Western Technical College credits annually. A full-time K-12 liaison connects schools and employers, supporting everything from field trips to FIRST Robotics. Dr. Roger Stanford also signed 13 new transfer agreements with UW-Stout—including a direct 61-credit transfer into the new Automation Leadership bachelor’s degree, which stacks seamlessly from credentials like SACA into advanced career pathways. Resources in this Episode: Learn more about the Wanek Center of Innovation: westerntc.edu/WanekCenter We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn

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Haven’t been to a technical college in the last 3 years? The transformation is striking, and it’s only a glimpse of the reinvention higher education faces in the next decade. In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner talks with Layla Merrifield, President of the Wisconsin Technical College System, about why the future of higher education depends on bold innovation. Merrifield doesn’t mince words: credit loss should be a thing of the past, neurodivergent inclusion is an imperative, and U.S. colleges can no longer “rest on our laurels” as global competition accelerates. From the arrival of Workforce Pell, to personalized student success plans, to stackable credentials, Merrifield argues that technical and community colleges must evolve—or risk irrelevance. Her perspective offers educators and employers alike a roadmap for building systems that are more inclusive, more responsive, and more essential than ever. Listen to learn: all3 Big Takeaways from this Episode: 1. Higher education must pivot quickly to stay relevant. Layla pointed to campuses closing outdated programs while adding new ones, the arrival of Workforce Pell expanding aid to short-term credentials, and the dramatic transformation of technical college facilities—“if you haven’t been on a campus in three years, you’d be shocked at how different it looks.” Together, these shifts show that technical colleges are reinventing themselves faster than most people realize . 2. Credit loss should be a thing of the past. Merrifield highlighted UW–Stout’s automation leadership degree, where students can use industry certifications to transfer 88 of 120 credits toward a bachelor’s. She also emphasized dual credit programs, transferring entire programs, and credit for work experience as essential tools to eliminate wasted time and money. 3. Universal design for learning makes inclusion the default. Layla explained that universal design for learning ensures learning is accessible to all from the start rather than relying on retrofitted accommodations. With 20–25% of learners falling into neurodivergent categories, she argued that education must be designed with multiple pathways for receiving and demonstrating knowledge—whether that’s reading, video, hands-on practice, or other modes. In her words, “Why not design our learning so that it is accessible to everyone right from the start? Resources in this Episode: Learn more about the Wisconsin Technical College System: www.wtcsystem.edu We want to hear from you! Send us a text. Instagram - Facebook - YouTube - TikTok - Twitter - LinkedIn