Best Manufacturing Podcasts for Industry Professionals
Manufacturing leaders are constantly juggling a flood of change, from automation to supply chain shakeups to shifting customer demands. Keeping up can feel like a full-time job. Podcasts have become one of the easiest ways to stay sharp and plugged in. In fact, a recent report shows that about 73% of engineers listen to work-related podcasts weekly.
This guide highlights some of the best manufacturing-focused podcasts out there, tailored to different roles and interests. Whether you're on the shop floor or in the boardroom, these shows deliver real-world insights, expert takes, and up-to-date industry vibes.
And if you're thinking of launching a podcast for your brand, that's a smart move. There's never been a better time to jump in, and Content Allies can help with that too.
Why Podcasts Are a Smart Learning Tool for Manufacturing Leaders
We know that time is limited on the shop floor. We also know that podcasts give you a flexible way to soak up industry know‑how while commuting, walking the floor, or working hands‑on.
After all, as a podcast production agency, we’re avid podcast listeners ourselves.
That’s how we stay ahead of podcasting trends so we can keep our clients happy.
But for plant managers, engineers, and executives, this format delivers quick exposure to the future of manufacturing, workforce development, and sustainability without the big price tag or time drain of traditional conferences.
Besides, formal training can get pricey fast.
For example, many companies spend on average about $1,071 per employee per year on training programs, according to ELM Learning. That’s before counting travel, downtime, and time away from the floor, which are costs that pile up when multiple people are involved.
That’s where podcasts can help.
Guests on manufacturing podcasts include operators, CTOs, and continuous improvement experts sharing real stories from their plants. That makes each episode a direct line into practical strategies and technology decisions that work. You might hear how one facility slotted robotics/ artificial intelligence into a legacy system or how another revamped its safety procedures with lean thinking.
Of course, we advise you to select the right episodes for your employees. You can even create workshops based on certain manufacturing shows to train them in specific areas.
And unlike vendor white papers, podcasts slice through marketing noise.
They focus on what real manufacturers are doing, not just what they’re selling. That makes them a reliable resource for decision-makers who want honest feedback, smart benchmarking, and affordable continuing education without leaving the floor.
Top Manufacturing Podcasts to Follow in 2026
We’ve curated a list of standout podcasts that offer practical insights for today’s manufacturing professionals. These shows cover everything from lean operations and automation to workforce development, business strategies, and digital transformation. Whether you manage a facility or lead strategy, there’s a podcast here to support your next step.
1. Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership
This weekly podcast is an essential listening for professionals involved in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational leadership.
We like that it combines technical learning with grounded leadership advice across its over 600 episodes. Others like it too; that’s why there’s an average of 796 listeners per episode.
Plus, the host, Ron Pereira, is known for his clear and calm interviewing style that brings out thoughtful, actionable insights.
That’s why the content leans practical.
It’s designed for listeners who want to apply lean strategies for manufacturers or build internal buy-in for improvement work. Expect conversations about leadership without authority, empathy in coaching, and strategies for cultural change.
And you’ll learn all that from industry experts who have walked the walk.
Guests include continuous improvement leaders, authors, and transformation consultants who share practical lessons from inside factories, corporate teams, and even military and nonprofit environments. Topics include Toyota Kata, coaching for lean teams, simplifying processes, and quality management.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
Best Suited For: Plant managers, CI leaders, lean practitioners, and team coaches
2. Manufacturing Happy Hour
With over 300 episodes and 1,700 listeners per episode, this weekly podcast is great for shop-floor realism, but you can also learn more about executive strategy.
One reason is the host, Chris Luecke, an industry veteran known for his engaging and accessible style. Chris picks topics like AI, robotics, automation, workforce development, and smart manufacturing systems.
He also knows how to pick his guests.
Manufacturing Happy Hour features a wide range of expert interviews with senior leaders, founders, and engineers from companies like CADDi, Eclipse Ventures, Rockwell Automation, Moxa, and more. Guests unpack how they approach industrial challenges, implement new technology, and manage through change. It’s a space where innovation meets experience.
Luecke’s interviews are candid and in many cases even recorded at trade shows, industry events, or inside the guest’s own plant.
We like how this show is a reliable resource for professionals who want to hear what real operators and innovators are doing.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
Best Suited For: Automation engineers, digital transformation leads, mid-career manufacturing managers, and innovation officers
3. Making Chips Podcast for Manufacturing Leaders
We picked this manufacturing podcast because it’s another longstanding one with a good viewership: it has nearly 500 episodes and over 1 million total downloads.
Plus, this weekly show is built for job shop owners, machine shop leaders, and manufacturing executives.
We like the hosts too: Nick Goellner, Mike Payne, and Paul Van Metre bring on guests with firsthand experience and fresh insight on leadership, operations, and business growth.
These guests include award-winning shop owners, financial consultants, and technology experts.
Even better, the format is conversational and practical.
These manufacturing experts discuss everything from ERP systems and automation to mergers, acquisitions, and workforce development. You can hear about the lessons they learned in the trenches, plus their strategies for better margins, stronger teams, and long-term planning.
You’ll also hear how successful manufacturers are adapting to future trends like smart factories and industrial IoT, managing finances, and creating cultures that retain talent and support innovation.
The lesson is simple: if you want to create thought leadership, these are the right things to discuss and the right guests to book.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
Best Suited For: Job shop owners, production managers, and business leaders in machining and custom manufacturing
4. Advanced Manufacturing Now
Produced by SME Media, this twice-weekly podcast features over 550 episodes focused on making manufacturing smarter.
With around 900 listeners per episode and a steady publishing schedule, it's a reliable knowledge source for professionals in the advanced manufacturing industry, automation, and workforce development.
We think the guests are top-notch.
These are executives and technical experts from organizations like DMG Mori, Stratasys, Castrol, Deltek, and SME.
Plus, they debate very interesting topics from additive manufacturing and ERP integration to digital twins, cybersecurity, and CMMS best practices. We also like that this manufacturing podcast includes perspectives from education leaders, workforce strategists, and software developers working at the edge of Industry 4.0.
Basically, you’ll learn a lot about emerging technologies and real implementation strategies from people leading the change.
Even better, each episode is brief and information-dense, making it easy to fit into a daily routine.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
Best Suited For: Manufacturing engineers, digital transformation leaders, operations executives, and technology adopters
Did the podcasts on this list spark ideas? Many manufacturers are launching their own shows to share expertise, connect with peers, and influence the industry. At Content Allies, we build turnkey podcast programs for B2B brands including those in industrial automation, supply chain, and smart manufacturing. From concept to content, we help you create a show that delivers value and drives results. Let’s talk.
5. Manufacturing Matters Podcast
This manufacturing podcast airs more rarely: just twice per month. We think this is the sweet spot, though planning a weekly show in your content calendar could increase your engagement rates.
For example, this show has a close-knit audience of 150 listeners per episode; more frequent episodes could help it perform better.
That said, we like the Manufacturing Matters Podcast because it brings attention to the people and companies that shape Hudson Valley manufacturing.
With just under 100 episodes, the show keeps its focus local while delivering stories with national relevance in workforce development, manufacturing leadership, and industry advocacy.
Hosted by Harold King and Johnnieanne Hansen of The Council of Industry, the podcast features conversations with leaders from semiconductor firms, aerospace suppliers, food processors, and advanced materials manufacturers.
We like that the tone is approachable, and the episodes dig into career paths, leadership styles, and the challenges manufacturers face in today’s economy.
We recommend this manufacturing podcast to professionals interested in regional manufacturing ecosystems or those leading small to mid-sized companies navigating complex markets.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
Best Suited For: Regional manufacturers, workforce developers, and education-industry partnership leaders
6. The Manufacturing Executive
We recommend this weekly podcast for leaders of midsized manufacturers. You’ll also like that the show is hosted by Joe Sullivan of Gorilla 76.
And if you’re new to it, you have over 280 episodes with an average of 562 listeners per episode to browse. You’ll listen to stories from operational experts, marketing strategists, technology CEOs, and factory founders who share how they solve real problems inside industrial companies.
We also picked this show because it has a wide topic selection, not necessarily always connected directly to manufacturing.
You can hear about B2B sales and marketing, digital transformation, nearshoring, employee ownership, automation, workforce retention, and engineering innovation. It’s basically a mix of strategy and operations, grounded in stories from the front lines. The show is also known for exploring how manufacturers can apply technology without losing sight of people and process.
That’s why we like it so much.
Episodes are tailored for executives looking to improve business models, strengthen leadership, and make smarter investment decisions. From our own research, the listeners are typically from operations, business development, and technical management roles.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
Best Suited For: Manufacturing executives, operations directors, and industrial sales leaders
7. Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast
One thing we appreciate about Great Question is its consistency.
The podcast is published daily by Endeavor Business Media, and already has over 340 episodes that bring in about 1,200 listens per month.
So it’s perfect if you need a daily dose of manufacturing wisdom.
The podcast delivers fast, topical coverage for professionals managing production, facilities, or supply chain operations. Unlike some of the other podcasts we reviewed here, the tone is informative. Still, you’ll get a lot from it because the content reflects practical, real-time concerns across plant floors and logistics networks.
Episodes cover safety leadership, workforce shortages, industrial ergonomics, maintenance planning, additive manufacturing, and OT cybersecurity.
Guest experts include CTOs, ergonomists, consultants, and project managers from companies like Intrepid Automation, IACME, and Arc Public Benefit Corp. Conversations explore implementation details and tools that help facilities reach operational excellence.
This podcast fits easily into the workday and is geared toward professionals making tactical and strategic decisions across industrial settings.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
Best Suited For: Plant supervisors, reliability engineers, EHS professionals, and supply chain managers
8. The Job Shop Show
Focused on the realities of custom manufacturing, this podcast has over 130 episodes that dig into what makes top-performing job shops successful. Hosted by Jay Jacobs and Jonathan Friedl, who are great hosts in our opinion.
We recommend this show to job shop owners, operators, and small manufacturing teams navigating growth, technology, and culture.
The first reason is that guests include entrepreneurs, plant managers, and precision manufacturing leaders. They discuss digital transformation insights, workforce strategy, CNC innovation, sales models, and family business operations.
Besides, episodes frequently highlight the daily challenges of building and scaling a custom shop while staying competitive in cost, quality, and lead times.
We also like that the tone is peer-to-peer. You’ll get highly practical insights from those running operations, solving problems, and finding new ways to compete in tight markets.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
Best Suited For: Job shop owners, custom manufacturers, operations managers, and manufacturing entrepreneurs
9. Swarfcast
With 295 episodes and a weekly release cadence, Swarfcast is a staple for professionals in the machining and precision manufacturing space.
One reason we picked it is because it’s hosted by Noah Graff, a veteran machine tool dealer and editor of Today’s Machining World. As you can expect from Noah, the show brings a mix of business advice, technical insights, and real-life shop floor stories.
Each episode dives into topics like CNC automation, lean manufacturing, equipment trends, customer relationships, and workforce challenges.
Graff interviews machining business owners, technical experts, turnaround consultants, and manufacturing entrepreneurs who openly share lessons learned from experience.
Noah Graff, indeed has a great interview technique; other people need more intensive host training to get to his level.
Listeners include shop owners, engineers, and production leads looking for strategies they can apply in sales, operations, and planning. However, we recommend the show to anyone navigating leadership inside small to midsize machining companies.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
Best Suited For: CNC shop owners, machining entrepreneurs, sales managers, and operations leads
Managing a podcast in-house can be time-consuming, especially when you’re balancing plant operations, vendor management, and strategic planning. Content Allies makes it easy to scale. We handle scheduling, editing, promotion, and analytics so you can focus on sharing insights with your audience. Whether you're aiming to recruit talent, build partnerships, or establish leadership in your niche, we help manufacturers launch podcasts that move the needle. Check out our success stories to see how we can help.
10. Leadership in Manufacturing
Hosted by Sannah Vinding, this twice-monthly podcast centers on leadership inside manufacturing, electronics, and supply chain companies.
This manufacturing podcast has 130 episodes and around 128 listeners per episode, with a similar viewership rate to Manufacturing Matters.
However, that show was mostly tackling regional issues. This one delivers focused conversations about leading teams, building culture, and adapting to change.
Vinding is a great host, too.
She brings over 20 years of experience in product development and team building, and her guests include executives, engineers, and innovation specialists. Topics include cross-cultural leadership, motivation, communication strategy, and the impact of digital transformation on team performance. Each episode emphasizes real-world decision-making over theory.
We recommend this manufacturing podcast to professionals looking to sharpen their leadership approach inside technical environments. We believe it’s especially relevant for companies managing both product innovation and team dynamics.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
Best Suited For: Engineering managers, HR leaders, supply chain executives, and cross-functional team directors
11. Manufacturing Tomorrow
Produced by the Ohio Manufacturing Institute at The Ohio State University, this monthly podcast has published 123 episodes and averages 356 listeners per episode.
We like how it discusses manufacturing innovation in Ohio and beyond through interviews with executives, engineers, government leaders, and educators.
Guests discuss new technologies, supply chain resilience, workforce education, and public-private partnerships that support industrial growth.
The tone is research-driven, with episodes exploring how regional efforts and academic resources fuel productivity and competitiveness. Topics include smart manufacturing systems, technical training programs, and academic-industry collaboration.
This podcast appeals to professionals seeking insights into community-based innovation, public sector support, and industry-academic engagement.
Best Suited For: Economic development leaders, university partners, manufacturers in education-linked ecosystems
12. Manufacturing Talk Radio
With 792 episodes and an average of 2,300 listeners per episode, Manufacturing Talk Radio delivers high-frequency insight into American manufacturing. Hosted by Lewis Weiss and Tim Grady of All Metals & Forge Group, the podcast invites leaders from across the sector to discuss market shifts, trade policy, innovation, and supply chain strategies.
The topic selection is quite interesting and forward-looking.
You’ll hear about reshoring, artificial intelligence, robotics, sustainability, skilled trades, and economics.
The tone is informative, with some episodes formatted as special reports that explore economic forecasts or technology disruption in detail.
Besides, the guest list features thought leaders like Harry Moser of the Reshoring Initiative and Jeremy Leonard of Oxford Economics. Discussions combine expert analysis with industry commentary, offering a view into the forces shaping U.S. manufacturing policy and operations.
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
Best Suited For: Manufacturing executives, policy watchers, sourcing strategists, and industrial economists
Power Your Manufacturing Podcast with Content Allies
Podcasts are invaluable resources for industrial professionals to stay sharp without leaving the floor. Whether you’re focused on lean practices, digital transformation, or workforce strategy, there’s a show built for your role.
Start with Gemba Academy, Manufacturing Happy Hour, or The Manufacturing Executive.
If you’re considering a podcast to reach your own manufacturing audience, Content Allies can help you build, launch, and grow a show that speaks directly to your peers.
FAQS
What are the best manufacturing podcasts for industry professionals to listen to?
Great options include Gemba Academy, Manufacturing Happy Hour, The Manufacturing Executive, and Advanced Manufacturing Now. These shows offer expert interviews where you can learn about the newest industry insights. You can even find interesting perspectives on how modern manufacturing has evolved since the early industrial revolution.
How can industry professionals benefit from listening to manufacturing podcasts?
Podcasts make it easy to learn from industry experts during commutes or downtime. Many share actionable tips and leadership guidance that teams can apply directly inside their facilities or production workflows.
What topics are typically covered in manufacturing podcasts?
Episodes usually explore a wide range of topics related to operations and innovation, such as the role of robotics, composite materials, advanced manufacturing technologies, connected devices on the factory floor, supply chain strategy, workforce development, and new applications in manufacturing.
Which podcasts focus on Industry 4.0, automation, and smart manufacturing?
Shows like Industry 4.0 Ready, The Digital Factory, and Advanced Manufacturing Now dive into smart technologies, IoT, robotics industry trends, and digital transformation strategies used by modern manufacturers adopting next-generation systems.
How can Content Allies help manufacturing companies launch a successful podcast?
Content Allies partners with manufacturers to create high-value shows that highlight their innovations in manufacturing and position leaders as trusted voices in the industry. We handle strategy, production, and guest outreach so teams can focus on sharing insights, not managing podcast logistics.
What types of conversations resonate most in manufacturing-focused podcasts?
Audiences tend to respond well to deep dives into industry challenges, interviews with leaders, discussions about advanced technologies, and stories from successful manufacturing businesses. These formats provide context, credibility, and immediately useful takeaways.
Why are podcasts becoming an invaluable resource for manufacturers navigating digital transformation?
As companies adopt new tools, robotics innovations, and connected systems, many leaders turn to podcasts for real-world examples and practical guidance. They offer a steady stream of industry insights that help teams understand emerging trends and refine their own strategies.