What if audit wasnât just a watchdogâbut a catalyst for innovation, trust, and long-term growth? And what can education learn from it? In this episode of The TechEd Podcast , Matt Kirchner sits down with Abim Kolawole, Chief Audit Executive at Northwestern Mutual, to explore how risk management, when done right, becomes a strategic advantage. Abim shares his remarkable journeyâfrom growing up in Nigeria and watching Wall Street as a kid, to becoming a lawyer at the SEC, to now leading audit at o...
Jul 15, 2025â˘50 minâ˘Ep. 225
In this episode of The TechEd Podcast , Duncan Kane, Senior Vice President at Toshiba America, shares insights from nearly two decades of working at the intersection of industry and education. Drawing from his leadership in STEM outreach, Duncan explains why Toshiba sees early STEM engagement not just as a good causeâbut as a strategic investment in the future of innovation and the workforce. One way Toshiba brings this vision to life is through its long-standing partnership with the National Sc...
Jul 08, 2025â˘49 minâ˘Ep. 224
In a world of digital overload, short-form media, and AI-powered personalization, staying focused has never been harder. Today, the average attention span on any screen is just 47 seconds. What's causing this decline in focus, and what should educators do about it? Those are some of the questions we discuss with Dr. Gloria Mark, UC Irvine informatics professor and author of Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity. Dr. Mark explains the psychology behin...
Jul 01, 2025â˘50 minâ˘Ep. 223
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 worldâs most demanding sporting event: the Tour de France. They break down everything from team tactics to jersey competitions to the breathtaking drama expected in this yearâs raceâhighlighting the fierce rivalry between defending champion Tadej PogaÄar and two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard. Alo...
Jun 24, 2025â˘46 minâ˘Ep. 222
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, networking conversations end the same way: the other person says, âIâll keep an eye out and let you know if I hear of anything that fits.â You nod, thank them⌠and never hear from them again. So what went wrongâand more importantly, what can you do better? In this episode of The TechEd Podcast , Matt Kirchner breaks down why most job ...
Jun 17, 2025â˘24 minâ˘Ep. 221
A new era is emerging where engineering drives AIâand AI transforms engineering This week Matt Kirchner is joined by Dr. Pramod KhargonekarâVice Chancellor for Research at UC Irvine and lead author of the ERVA report AI Engineering: A Strategic Research Framework to Benefit Society . Dr. Khargonekar unpacks the emerging discipline of AI Engineering, where engineering principles make AI better, and AI makes engineered systems better. From robotics and energy systems to engineering education and d...
Jun 10, 2025â˘56 minâ˘Ep. 220
What do all high-impact, disruptiveâand sustainable âK-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 author of Hacking School: Five Strategies to Link Learning to Life . With more than 25 years of experience transforming how students learn, Dr. Corbin offers a bold, research-backed framework for schools to break away from obsolete models and embrace learning thatâs applied, rel...
Jun 03, 2025â˘55 minâ˘Ep. 219
After 20 years in automation and controls engineering, Danny Murphy received a call from a local community college that would bring his journey full circleâback to the kind of impact his own high school electronics teacher once had on him. Today, heâs a nationally recognized educator, named A3âs 2024 Educator of the Year, and heâs redefining what hands-on learning can look like in a modern mechatronics lab. In this episode, Danny shares how early challenges in the classroom led him to move beyon...
May 28, 2025â˘49 minâ˘Ep. 218
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, Director of the Center for Project-Based Learning. A biochemist turned curriculum innovator, Kris has spent nearly two decades helping WPI embed real-world projects into every stage of a studentâs education. From first-year seminars on global challenges to immersive junio...
May 20, 2025â˘40 minâ˘Ep. 217
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 countryâcomplete with a structured 3-year pathway, hands-on labs, and SACA and FANUC certifications that prepare students directly for todayâs workforce. But the learning doesnât stay inside the classroom. Maroun leverages the power of social media, videos and events ...
May 13, 2025â˘46 minâ˘Ep. 216
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 Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus. Drawing from her personal upbringing in a STEM-focused household and her decades of public service, Senator Baldwin shares why CTE is essential to our economic future. Senator Baldwin offers a candid look at how federal policy is ...
May 06, 2025â˘25 minâ˘Ep. 215
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 skill, hands-on passion, and relentless drive. In this episode, he shares how a technical education prepared him for success on and off the trackâand how motorsports can help manufacturers reach the next generation of talent. In this conversation, Justin takes ...
Apr 29, 2025â˘37 minâ˘Ep. 214
What do tariffs have to do with technical education? A lot more than you might think. As U.S. trade policy shifts, itâs not just manufacturers who will feel the effectsâSTEM and technical education programs will too. From rising equipment costs to a surge in demand for skilled talent, todayâs tariff decisions could reshape how we train tomorrowâs workforce. In this episode, Matt Kirchner explores five critical ways that educators should be preparing for the ripple effects of tariffs. Itâs a wake...
Apr 22, 2025â˘38 minâ˘Ep. 213
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 this move differs from other states, and how artificial intelligence could help solve workforce shortages in critical sectors like healthcare, public safety, and manufacturing. The conversation also explores the future of nuclear energy as a clean, scalable power sou...
Apr 15, 2025â˘53 minâ˘Ep. 212
Is the traditional university model failing todayâs studentsâand the industries that depend on them? Dr. Robert McMahan, President of Kettering University, shares a bold, workforce-driven vision for higher education. From co-op rotations that give students 2.5 years of paid, professional experience before graduation, to integrating trends like artificial intelligence and sustainability across all disciplines, McMahan outlines what it takes to future-proof students for a rapidly evolving economyâ...
Apr 08, 2025â˘42 minâ˘Ep. 211
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 â the one-of-a-kind venture firm backed by the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft. Jill unpacks how TitletownTech is redefining early-stage investing by embedding startups directly into industry, education, and community. From AI labs and autonomous robotics to sustainable agtech and nucl...
Apr 01, 2025â˘49 minâ˘Ep. 210
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 Scholar Curtis Althaus as they dive into the powerful, and often overlooked, role mentorship plays in building tomorrowâs innovators. Through their personal stories, youâll hear how mentorship goes beyond simply offering advice. Itâs about offering guidance in t...
Mar 25, 2025â˘35 minâ˘Ep. 209
With tariffs back in the spotlight, whatâs 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 Murphy, Senior Vice President, Head of International for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, to break down the complex world of tariffs and trade policy. With decades of experience in global trade, John sheds light on the history, purpose, and unintended consequences of...
Mar 18, 2025â˘43 minâ˘Ep. 208
Why do so many students (and adults) believe they âjust arenât good at mathâ? How can educators shift that mindset and build confidence in STEM learning? In this episode of The TechEd Podcast , host Matt Kirchner sits down with Kathy Meyers, a veteran high school teacher who blends sports psychology with math instruction to help students overcome self-doubt, develop resilience, and master problem-solvingâcritical skills for both the classroom and the workforce. Kathy shares how techniques used b...
Mar 11, 2025â˘42 minâ˘Ep. 207
With sign-stealing scandals shaking Major League Baseball, the game needed a solution. Enter PitchCom, the cutting-edge communication technology thatâs changing the way baseball is played. In this episode of The TechEd Podcast , host Matt Kirchner sits down with John Hankins, co-inventor and owner of PitchCom, to unpack the surprising origins of the technology (it was inspired by John's stage mentalism experience!), the innovative and unhackable tech that comprises the PitchCom system, and why i...
Mar 04, 2025â˘45 minâ˘Ep. 206
Venture capital is the engine behind many of the worldâs most innovative startupsâbut 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 and Raquel Filmanowicz, Founders and Managing Partners of VC 414, a firm dedicated to funding women, minority, veteran, and LGBTQ entrepreneurs. They break down how venture capital really works, what makes a startup investable, and how educators can help the next genera...
Feb 25, 2025â˘45 minâ˘Ep. 205
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 Michiganâs economy, and few people understand this better than Congresswoman Haley Stevens. Representing Michiganâs 11th District, she has spent her career championing industrial policy, workforce development, and technological innovation. From her time on the U.S. Auto Rescue Task Force to her leadership on the House Science, Space...
Feb 18, 2025â˘38 minâ˘Ep. 204
What does it take to be a true pioneer in artificial intelligence education? The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) didnât just see AI comingâthey got out in front of it. Dr. John Walz, President of MSOE, joins The TechEd Podcast to discuss how his institution became one of the first in the nation to offer a baccalaureate degree in AI and how it continues to lead in engineering, computing, and applied AI technology. MSOEâs AI degree isnât just about theoryâitâs about application. Students ge...
Feb 11, 2025â˘45 minâ˘Ep. 203
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 development. What started as a side project quickly became a nationwide movement to support technical education and career awareness in manufacturingâall through a product that shop workers already know and love. From the early morning rituals of manufacturing profess...
Feb 04, 2025â˘45 minâ˘Ep. 202
What does it take to lead the worldâs 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 IMTS 2024, this episode is packed with insights on mentorship, leadership, and how FANUC is reshaping the future of manufacturing. Mike shares the bold moves behind FANUCâs massive growth, the game-changing scholarships empowering the next generation of talent, and how r...
Jan 28, 2025â˘28 minâ˘Ep. 201
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 and data-driven insights to negotiate fair pricing for medical devices, save providers millions of dollars, and help health systems remain viableâeven in underserved communities. Itâs a game-changing model thatâs keeping hospitals open, providers supported, and pat...
Jan 21, 2025â˘50 minâ˘Ep. 200
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. For many, the words "nuclear energy" conjure outdated fears that overlook decades of innovation, safety advancements, and the vast opportunities in nuclear power today. In this episode of The TechEd Podcast , host Matt Kirchner sits down with Patrick OâBrien, Directo...
Jan 15, 2025â˘44 minâ˘Ep. 199
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 , host Matt Kirchner welcomes Shon Anderson, CEO of B9Creations, to discuss how 3D printing is advancing both industry and education. From manufacturing precise components for medical devices and aerospace to equipping students with in-demand skills, Shon explains how reliab...
Jan 07, 2025â˘46 minâ˘Ep. 198
As 2024 comes to a close, itâs time for our annual predictions episode! What trends will shape technical education, industry, and workforce development in the year to come? This week, Matt dives into the most pressing topics for 2025: from AI in education, to economic and workforce trends, to new technologies to keep an eye on. With 13 predictions grounded in data, this episode will get you ready for the year to come. Listen to learn: Why applied AI is set to dominate STEM education in 2025 The ...
Dec 31, 2024â˘49 minâ˘Ep. 197
'Twas the night before Christmas, And STEM and TechEd Had closed up their classrooms, a long break ahead. The students all home not shedding a tear That school was on hold till the start of next year. Quiet the trainers pneumatics, hydraulics No action on systems to learn mechatronics. The robots all homed, depowered and sleeping Routers and mills neither cutting nor beeping. Empty their fixtures, empty their chucks Dark were the bays full of autos and trucks. The training equipment had all been...
Dec 24, 2024â˘5 minâ˘Ep. 196
