Make Better Things

Manufacturing and business geek, Mike O’Donnell is inside Iowa State University. He leads the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS), which helps small- to medium-sized industry compete and win in the modern world. EP76 is light and fun, but rich in now value. Manufacturing is the largest industry in Iowa. We talk manufacturing types, environmental complexities, manufacturing 4.0, exoskeletons, talent matching, and future effeciencies.

If manufacturing means something to you, if you’re building a physical product, if you need resources to keep building, this is an excellent listen.

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BONUS MATERIALS

https://ciras.iastate.edu

http://Make-Better-Things.YouDontNeedThisPodcast.com

Roasted Reflections Break: Tinker

https://ibm.com/think/topics/industry-4-0

http://Manufacturability.YouDontNeedThisPodcast.com

https://BenMcDougal.com/tag/research

https://BenMcDougal.com/resources

http://RoastedReflections.com

http://BENBOT.ai

DSM USA

Tiffany Tauscheck is the President & CEO of Greater Des Moines Partnership! This special episode highlights the results of Tiffany’s recent 11-county listening tour with 23 different chambers of commerces and how different communities can collaborate even when environmental factors are different. We then shift gears to discuss leadership within transitional times, data-driven storytelling, and the future of the Des Moines metro.

After you refill your mug, Ben and Tiffany talk about evolving startup communities and entreprenierual ecosystem building. As a cool connection to EP72 of YDNTP, listen as we discuss innovative ideas for member-supported organizations, such as chambers of commerce, non-profits, and industry associations. We review the economic and talent development showcased in the DSM Partnership’s 2024 Annual Report, then go flying with ecosystem allies before an invitation to get in the arena.

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BONUS MATERIALS

Tiffany Tauscheck Bio

Living in Des Moines

Spark DSM + Scale DSM

DSM Partnership’s Entrepreneurship Resources

http://DSM-USA.YouDontNeedThisPodcast.com

EP5 – Jam with Jay 🎙️ Jay Byers

EP13 – Growing the Garden 🎙️ Diana Wright

http://CollectorHardbackEdition.com

http://RoastedReflections.com

http://BENBOT.ai

Speak Up

Erik Dominguez equips leaders to confidently communicate. He transforms fears into fuel and speaks nationwide. Whether you’re interested in paid public speaking or working to unite a team, EP74 will inspire you to pause, listen, then come off mute.

After your friendly host narrates Anticipation within another classic break without commercials, Ben and Erik share a handful of specific terms to avoid, assets to extend your reach, and how to cut things to create space for storytelling to land. If your message matters, this is yet another timeless relic to savor.

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BONUS MATERIALS

https://ErikDominguez.com

https://ErikDominguez.com/youtube-2

http://Speak-Up.YouDontNeedThisPodcast.com

Roasted Reflections Break: Anticipation

Waukee APEX

http://BENBOT.ai

Win Win Win

Nicole Crain is the incoming president for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry. She’s been helping to build business throughout Iowa for over 15 years, so it’s neat to have this 2025 podcast be her first interview as the new leader within Iowa ABI. We toast Mike Ralston and his 20+ years of generous leadership, then discuss negotiating, public policy, and advocacy that is valued by members. Nicole wraps up the first part of EP72 by shared timeless insight for students pursuing a business degree.

After Ben narrates Significance, Alessandra and Stella welcome us back by asking our featured guest, what’s worth sacrificing to pursue progress? We then let future-forward ideas flow, scratch on innovative community building tactics, and share how existing business can weave succession planning into their strategy. Congrats to our featured guest on the new role, and here’s to a fantastic 2025!

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BONUS MATERIALS

https://IowaABI.org

Roasted Reflections Break: Significance

http://Win-Win-Win.YouDontNeedThisPodcast.com

EP32 – Connecting Leaders 🎙️ Jessi McQuerrey

EP40 – Big Business 🎙️ Joe Murphy

EP30 – Exit Ramps 🎙️  Brian Crotty

http://PlayforcePrinciples.com

http://BENBOT.ai

Game Time

Joe Roth leverages game play to build community. This proverbial camp director ignites camaraderie through The Dealt Hand and connects people through a shared experience. Listen as we talk analog game play, event management, and embracing activities that bring you pleasure. Enjoy your time playing in this real and keep doing hard things.

After Ben narrates Echos from the Roasted Reflections library, Joe jams on leading within the startup community. Specifically, his time as the lead organizer for 1 Million Cups Des Moines. We brew on identifying roles amongst a volunteers, fueling diverse collisions within an audience, tips for presenting at 1MC, and how graduating gracefully adds valuable thickness in an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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BONUS MATERIALS
https://TheDealtHand.com
http://Game-Time.YouDontNeedThisPodcast.com
http://1MillionCupsDSM.com
https://1millioncups.com/s/communities
Reading Break from Roasted Reflections: Echos
http://BENBOT.ai