Iowa Business Podcast
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Forging the Future: How Seneca Foundry Blends Tradition, Technology, and Teamwork
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa Fox visits Seneca Foundry to talk with Lori Mason and Steph Kruger, two of the driving forces behind one of Iowa’s most resilient and forward-thinking manufacturers. The conversation dives deep into the foundry business—its history, challenges, and evolution. Lori and Steph open up about navigating…
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Automation for All: Inside the Mind of a Student Innovator
Keegan Fogarty didn’t come to the University of Iowa planning to start a business — but a spark from the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) ignited something bigger. Now a senior mechanical engineering student, Keegan is building General Robotics, a company that could change how small and mid-size manufacturers think about automation. In this…
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From Code to Culture: Tim Gifford on Innovation and Impact
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa Fox sits down with Tim Gifford, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Lean TECHniques, a company that’s redefining what it means to be agile in today’s digital world. Tim shares the remarkable story of how Lean TECHniques began—with a small, passionate team determined to build…
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Shutdown and Showdown: What D.C.’s Gridlock Means for Iowa Manufacturers
This week on the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa Fox is joined by Alex Parker, Tax Legislative Affairs Director for Eide Bailly—and one of the nation’s most insightful voices on the intersection of policy, taxation, and business. Before joining Eide Bailly, Alex spent years as a journalist in Washington, D.C., covering the very decisions that…
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Nuclear Verdicts, Cyber Threats, and Market Shifts: The Future of Insurance for Iowa Manufacturers
The world of Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance is shifting rapidly, and for manufacturers, staying informed is more critical than ever. In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa Fox sits down with Katie Hensley, Risk Management Consultant with Cottingham & Butler, to make sense of the new realities shaping insurance coverage. Together,…
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The One Big Beautiful Bill Explained with Eide Bailly’s Tax Experts
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa Fox sits down with Emma Brock, Tax Partner, and Jim Donovan, National R&D Tax Lead at Eide Bailly, to unpack the sweeping implications of the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3). The conversation dives into how this legislation affects small to mid-sized businesses, with…
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Simplifying Complexity: Data, Process, and Strategy
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa Fox sits down with Jason Greer, founder of Peel Business Design, to dig into the crucial balance between strategy, process, and data. With years of experience helping manufacturers unlock growth, Jason emphasizes that success isn’t about gathering endless numbers but about identifying the right ones.…
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Building Auto-Jet and Beyond: John Rapp on Entrepreneurship
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa Fox sits down with John Rapp, President of Auto-Jet Muffler Corporation, a Des Moines-based company recognized for its high-quality exhaust systems and technical precision. John shares his entrepreneurial roots and the lessons that continue to drive his leadership style today. From his early business ventures…
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Innovation, Leadership, and the Future of Iowa Manufacturing
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa Fox sits down with Loraine Hardin, an EOS Implementer, to reflect on three powerful events that spotlighted the strength and innovation of Iowa businesses. We begin with the Inaugural Traction Table, where business owners gathered to dig into the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Loraine shares…
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Bridging the 2030 Workforce Gap: A Roadmap for Iowa Manufacturers
Most people wouldn’t consider a blood center to be a manufacturer… unRecorded live at the CBJ Manufacturing Conference in Cedar Rapids on August 28th, this special episode features a candid discussion on one of the most pressing issues facing Iowa manufacturers: how to bridge the workforce gap created by the 240,000 Baby Boomers expected to…