Industrial Storytellers is a story-first podcast about the wild, wise, and unexpectedly human moments in manufacturing and the skilled trades. Hosted by Jim Mayer of The Manufacturing Connector, each episode is recorded on-site at major industry events like Hexagon Live, AME, FabTech, and MT Series West. The show features candid, unscripted conversations with the storytellers shaping the voice of modern industry—content creators, podcasters, filmmakers, and brand builders who’ve seen it all and aren’t afraid to talk about it. If you’re looking for technical specs, this ain’t that show. But if you want to laugh, nod, and maybe rethink what the word industrial really means—welcome. New episodes drop monthly. Wild stories, wisdom, and the occasional f-bomb.
Industrial Storytellers is a story-first podcast about the wild, wise, and unexpectedly human moments in manufacturing and the skilled trades. Hosted by Jim Mayer of The Manufacturing Connector, each episode is recorded on-site at major industry events like Hexagon Live, AME, FabTech, and MT Series West. The show features candid, unscripted conversations with the storytellers shaping the voice of modern industry—content creators, podcasters, filmmakers, and brand builders who’ve seen it all and aren’t afraid to talk about it. If you’re looking for technical specs, this ain’t that show. But if you want to laugh, nod, and maybe rethink what the word industrial really means—welcome. New episodes drop monthly. Wild stories, wisdom, and the occasional f-bomb.
In the debut episode of Industrial Storytellers, Jim Mayer is joined by Chris Luecke (Manufacturing Happy Hour), Nikki Gonzales (Automation Ladies), and guest co-host Phil Lewis to kick off the series with a mix of insight, irreverence, and real industry stories.
They talk about everything from technical sales and trust on the factory floor to the stories women in engineering still can’t safely share. Nikki reflects on the unseen weight of navigating a male-dominated industry. Chris shares how pop punk shaped his media voice—and how a single message from a stranger proved his content was making a difference. Phil tells the story of a Detroit line worker who once said “get this sh*t outta here”… and later came back with gratitude.
There’s karaoke. There’s Eminem. There’s Belle and Sebastian (Nikki’s actual favorite, in case you were wondering—no boy bands here). And there’s a powerful throughline: this industry is full of humans who are figuring it out, together.
If you came for specs and sales decks, this ain’t that show.
But if you want to laugh, nod, and feel a little more connected to the world behind the machines?
Welcome.
Bonus: The Odin Response
During the episode, Jim promised to share the ChatGPT-generated reply he sent to a spammy LinkedIn DM. As promised, here it is:
Hey —
I’ve lived long enough—and seen enough—to know that wisdom offered freely is rarely free, and often not wisdom.
Men don’t reclaim strength from ebooks. They reclaim it by knowing who they are, why they’re here, and what’s worth carrying through the fire.
So I’ll pass. But may your intentions be true, and your path less noisy.
—Jim (Odin on a Tuesday)
You're welcome.
Bonus 2: The Retro Encabulator
Because if you know, you know.