The TechEd Podcast
Bridging the gap between technical education & the workforce 🎙 Hosted by Matt Kirchner, each episode features conversations with leaders who are shaping, innovating and disrupting the future of the skilled workforce and how we inspire and train individuals toward those jobs.
STEM, Career and Technical Education, and Engineering educators - this podcast is for you!
Manufacturing and industrial employers - this podcast is for you, too!
Episodes
223 episodes
Inside the Tour de France: Strategy, Technology, and the Science of the World’s Toughest Race - Jason Gay, Sports Columnist at The Wall Street Journal
What does the Tour de France have to do with STEM education? More than you might think.This week, host Matt Kirchner is joined by Wall Street Journal columnist and cycling expert Jason Gay to unpack the world’s most deman...
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Episode 222
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46:17
"Open to Anything" = Hired for Nothing: Accelerate Your Career Search with Smarter Networking
Submit your question for Ask Us Anything!Networking can be the best way to land your first (or next) big job, but are you going about it the wrong way?Too often, networ...
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Episode 221
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24:11
AI Engineering: The Emerging Field Poised to Secure America’s AI Advantage - Pramod Khargonekar, ERVA Co-Principal Investigator and Vice Chancellor for Research at UC Irvine
A new era is emerging where engineering drives AI—and AI transforms engineeringThis week Matt Kirchner is joined by Dr. Pramod Khargonekar—Vice Chancellor for Research at UC Irvine and lead author of the ERVA report
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Episode 220
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55:52
The 5 Strategies Driving Transformative K-12 Education - Dr. Annalies Corbin, Founder of the PAST Foundation
What do all high-impact, disruptive—and sustainable—K-12 programs have in common?In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with Dr. Annalies Corbin, founder and CEO of the PAST Foundation and a...
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Episode 219
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54:50
Robots, Ice Cream and Instagram: The Viral Mechatronics Lab Turning Engagement Into Employment - Danny Murphy, Mechatronics Professor at CVCC
After 20 years in automation and controls engineering, Danny Murphy received a call from a local community college that would bring his journey full circle—back to the kind of impact his own high school electronics teacher once had on him. Toda...
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Episode 218
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48:41
Rebuilding Higher Education Around Solving Real-World Problems - Dr. Kristin Wobbe, Director of the Center for Project-Based Learning at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
What happens when a university rethinks the whole higher ed model rebuilds it around hands-on, project-based learning?Matt Kirchner dives into the bold model pioneered by Worcester Polytechnic Institute with Dr. Kristin Wobbe, Dir...
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Episode 217
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40:02
How to Build & Grow an Industry-Aligned CTE Program - Maroun Nehme, Director of Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics at BPHS
Host Matt Kirchner sits down with Maroun Nehme, Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics teacher at Buena Park High School in California. Maroun has built one of the most impressive high school mechatronics & robotics programs in the country—comp...
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Episode 216
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45:54
Inside the Bipartisan Push for America’s Skilled Workforce - U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin
How do we build bipartisan momentum to support the future of CTE?In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a national leader and co-chair of the bipartisan Congre...
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Episode 215
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24:36
From the Shop Floor to the Fast Lane: How Racing, Technical Skills and Workforce Strategy Collide - Justin Mondeik, Owner & Driver at Mondeik Racing
By day, Justin Mondeik applies his technical skills in engineering; by night and weekend, he races Super Late Model cars.From racing snowmobiles at age four to competing just one level below NASCAR, Justin has built a career on technical...
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Episode 214
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36:45
Changing Tariffs Will Impact Technical Education—Here’s What to Do About It
What do tariffs have to do with technical education? A lot more than you might think.As U.S. trade policy shifts, it’s not just manufacturers who will feel the effects—STEM and technical education programs will too. From rising eq...
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Episode 213
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38:21
AI Regulation Can Wait—But Education Reform Can’t - State Senator Julian Bradley
State Senator Julian Bradley joins Matt Kirchner for a wide-ranging conversation on how policymakers should be thinking about AI, energy, and education. Bradley explains why his committee chose not to recommend regulation of AI, how th...
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Episode 212
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52:50
The 50/50 University Model that Leaves Grads with 2.5 Years of Work Experience and $75k - Dr. Robert McMahan, President of Kettering University
Is the traditional university model failing today’s students—and the industries that depend on them?Dr. Robert McMahan, President of Kettering University, shares a bold, workforce-driven vision for higher education.From co-...
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Episode 211
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41:53
Microsoft, the Packers, and the Venture Firm Betting on Midwest Innovation - Jill Enos, Managing Partner of TitletownTech
What happens when a legendary NFL team partners with a tech giant to fuel regional innovation?In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down with Jill Enos, Managing Partner at TitletownTech — the one-of-a-k...
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Episode 210
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48:59
The Lifelong Impact of Mentorship for STEM Students - Joe Tanner and Curtis Althaus, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation
The right mentor can totally change the college and career trajectory of a student. Today, we're exploring the power of mentorships through the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.Join former NASA astronaut Joe Tanner and current Astronaut ...
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Episode 209
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35:29
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
With tariffs back in the spotlight, what’s their real impact on trade, business, and jobs? Are they a necessary tool for protecting American industry, or do they do more harm than good?This week, host Matt Kirchner sits down with John Mu...
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Episode 208
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43:28
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
Why do so many students (and adults) believe they “just aren’t good at math”? How can educators shift that mindset and build confidence in STEM learning?In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, host Matt Kirchner sits down ...
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Episode 207
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41:50
Baseball’s Infamous Scandal Inspired Its Biggest Tech Breakthrough...And Changed the Game Forever - John Hankins, Co-Inventor & Owner of PitchCom
With sign-stealing scandals shaking Major League Baseball, the game needed a solution. Enter PitchCom, the cutting-edge communication technology that’s changing the way baseball is played.In this episode of The TechEd Podcast, h...
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Episode 206
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44:53
The Right Idea, The Right Founder: How Undercapitalized Entrepreneurs are Getting Their Shot - Jennifer Abele & Raquel Filmanowicz, Managing Partners at VC 414
Venture capital is the engine behind many of the world’s most innovative startups—but only 2% of VC funding goes to women-led businesses. Why does this gap exist, and how do we fix it?This week Matt sits down with Jennifer Abele a...
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Episode 205
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44:34
Can U.S. Manufacturing Keep Its Edge? What it Will Take to Compete Globally in 2025 - Congresswoman Haley Stevens
How does the U.S. stay competitive in manufacturing, EVs, and AI while protecting innovation and growing the workforce?Manufacturing has always been the backbone of Michigan’s economy, and few people understand this better...
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Episode 204
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38:20
The AI Degree Built to Solve Real-World Problems - Dr. John Walz, President of MSOE
What does it take to be a true pioneer in artificial intelligence education?The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) didn’t just see AI coming—they got out in front of it. Dr. John Walz, President of MSOE, joins The TechEd P...
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Episode 203
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45:22
How Your Morning Coffee Could Kickstart a Student’s Career - Mike Franz, Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer at ShopFloor Coffee
With coffee fueling the shop floor, can it also fuel the future of manufacturing?This week, Matt Kirchner is joined by ShopFloor Coffee Co-Founder Mike Franz as they explore the intersection of coffee, manufacturing, and workforce...
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Episode 202
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45:22
Robots, Leadership, and the Next Generation of Automation Talent - Mike Cicco, President & CEO of FANUC America
What does it take to lead the world’s largest robotics and CNC company? Mike Cicco, President and CEO of FANUC America, pulls back the curtain on his journey from programming robots to driving global innovation. Recorded live at IM...
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Episode 201
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28:20
The AI Cure for Healthcare’s Cost Crisis - Rick Anderson, Chairman and CEO of The Hive Health
This marks a milestone 200th episode of The TechEd Podcast! Matt Kirchner is joined by Rick Anderson, CEO of The Hive Health, to explore how transparency and technology are reshaping healthcare. Rick shares how The Hive Health uses AI ...
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Episode 200
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50:29
Demystifying Nuclear Power: Recommissioning, SMRs, and a Clean Energy Future - Patrick O'Brien, Director of Government Affairs and Communications at Holtec International
With energy consumption skyrocketing and sustainability challenges becoming more pressing, nuclear energy is once again in the spotlight.But while its potential is undeniable, there's still a lot of public misperception of nuclear...
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Episode 199
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43:40
Forget “That’s How We’ve Always Made It” and Teach the Design Freedom of 3D Printing - Shon Anderson, CEO of B9Creations
When used to its full potential, additive manufacturing can revolutionize the way we design and make things. But too often, educators and manufacturers are stuck in old ways of thinking.In this episode of The TechEd Podcast
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Episode 198
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46:27