Manufacturing Talk Radio

The U.S. services economy continues to expand, reaching 27 consecutive months of growth—and demand remains strong.

Manufacturing Talk Radio hosts Lewis A. Weiss and Amy Nicklaus welcome Steve Miller, Chair of the ISM Services Business Survey Committee, to break down the September 2026 ISM Services PMI report.

Steve shares what the latest 54.9 Services PMI means for the economy, why demand continues to show strength, and what businesses are seeing across supply chains, inventories, employment, pricing, construction, and consumer activity.

The conversation also looks at signs of confidence in future demand and the key indicators to watch as we head toward the next ISM Services report.

Listen for a clear, practical look at what the latest ISM data says about the health and direction of the U.S. services economy.

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The September 2026 ISM Manufacturing Report shows a manufacturing sector that remains relatively steady — but the details tell a more complicated story.

Susan Spence, Chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, joins Manufacturing Talk Radio hosts Lew Weiss and Amy Nicklaus to break down the latest PMI numbers and the trends manufacturers should be watching.

The conversation covers rising prices, new orders, production, employment, backlogs, supplier delays and exports, along with the impact of tariffs, Canada-U.S. trade, geopolitical uncertainty and longer supply chain lead times.

Susan also explains why the Supplier Deliveries Index could be making the headline PMI look stronger than some underlying indicators suggest, why manufacturer sentiment matters, and which numbers could provide the earliest clues about where manufacturing is headed next.

Listen for a straightforward look at the September ISM Manufacturing PMI and what it could mean for manufacturers heading into the final months of 2026.

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The August 2026 ISM Services Report is out—but what do the numbers actually tell us about the direction of the U.S. economy?

Steve Miller joins Manufacturing Talk Radio to break down the latest services-sector data and provide context around the economic indicators businesses should be watching. The conversation explores business activity, demand, employment, pricing pressures, and the broader trends shaping the services economy.

Get a clearer understanding of the numbers behind the ISM Services Report and what they could mean for business conditions in the months ahead.

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Susan Spence of the Institute for Supply Management® joins Manufacturing Talk Radio to review the August 2026 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®.

Discover what the latest Manufacturing PMI® results reveal about demand, production, new orders, employment, inventories, supplier activity, pricing, and the overall health of U.S. manufacturing.

This monthly conversation goes beyond the headline PMI number to explain the economic trends affecting manufacturers, supply chains, business leaders, and the broader economy.

Follow Manufacturing Talk Radio for expert analysis of the ISM Manufacturing Report every month.

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American manufacturing is growing—but who will fill the jobs?

In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Lewis A. Weiss sits down with Carolyn Lee of the Manufacturing Institute to examine one of the biggest challenges facing U.S. manufacturing: building the skilled workforce needed to support new investment, advanced technology, automation, and AI.

Manufacturing has faced a structural talent shortage for years, with hundreds of thousands of open jobs across the industry. At the same time, reshoring, onshoring, new plant investments, artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies are changing the skills employers need.

So where will the next generation of manufacturing workers come from?

Carolyn explains why automation and AI aren't replacing the need for people—they're changing the skills people need to succeed. She and Lou discuss how manufacturers can attract new talent, upskill existing employees, and build stronger workforce pipelines in their own communities.

They also explore:

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Why manufacturing continues to struggle with a skilled labor shortage

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How AI, robotics, and automation are changing manufacturing jobs

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Why manufacturers need to invest in employee training and upskilling

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Manufacturing careers that don't necessarily require a four-year college degree

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The growing importance of technical education and Earn & Learn programs

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How manufacturers can attract younger generations

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Veterans and other overlooked sources of manufacturing talent

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Second-chance hiring and its potential to expand the workforce

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Why workforce development must happen at the local level

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What manufacturers can do now to prepare for the future

Carolyn also challenges outdated perceptions of manufacturing. Today's facilities and careers can look dramatically different from the traditional image of factories and assembly lines. Modern manufacturing needs technicians, engineers, programmers, maintenance specialists, operations professionals, HR, finance, communications, and many other skilled roles.

The future of American manufacturing isn't simply about building more factories or installing more technology. It's about developing the people and skills needed to keep those factories running, innovating, and growing.

If you're a manufacturer, workforce development professional, educator, student, parent, or anyone interested in the future of American manufacturing, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Subscribe to Manufacturing Talk Radio for conversations with the leaders, experts, and innovators shaping the future of manufacturing.

Topics: U.S. manufacturing, manufacturing workforce shortage, skilled labor shortage, manufacturing jobs, AI in manufacturing, manufacturing automation, robotics, workforce development, skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, manufacturing careers, reshoring, onshoring, employee training, upskilling, Manufacturing Institute, future of manufacturing.

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How healthy is the U.S. economy—and what do the latest ISM Services numbers really tell us?

Lou Weiss and Amy Nicklaus sit down with Steve Miller, Chair of the ISM Services Business Survey Committee, to discuss the July 2026 Services PMI® Report. They cover the latest data on business activity, hiring, employment trends, AI's growing role in the workplace, healthcare supply chains, tariffs, oil prices, and why small businesses may be among the biggest beneficiaries of artificial intelligence.

The conversation also looks ahead to what businesses should watch for in the coming months and why backlog and employment numbers could be key indicators of future economic growth.

If you want practical insight into the economy without the political spin, this episode delivers expert analysis backed by real industry data.

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In the this month's interview with ISM's Susan Spence, she talks about what to watch for in the upcoming months for consumers

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The latest ISM Manufacturing PMI just delivered its strongest reading since May 2022 — 55.6 — beating Wall Street estimates and marking seven straight months of expansion. Even more significant: the employment index finally broke above 50 at 52.8 after 34 consecutive months of contraction.

Susan Spence, Chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, joins Lewis and Amy on Manufacturing Talk Radio to break down the full report. Key highlights include:

• Strong new orders, backlogs, and production
• New export orders jumping 4.5%
• Pricing pressures continuing to ease
• How greater tariff certainty is unlocking hiring and demand
• Lead-time challenges driven by data-center competition for components
• What to watch in the months ahead for employment, pricing, and order flow

Susan also shares respondent comments on steel pricing, sector differences, and the broader economic picture.

Tune in for the clearest view yet of the manufacturing rebound.

#ISM #PMI #Manufacturing #Economy #SupplyChain #ManufacturingTalkRadio

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Most Americans are surprised to learn that Canada—not China—is America's largest manufacturing trading partner. Watch the full episode now!

Don't forget to subscribe!

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Most Americans assume China is America's largest manufacturing partner—but the reality is different. Canada and Mexico are now the United States' #1 and #2 trading partners, with Canada playing a critical role in keeping American factories running. In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Amy Nicklaus sits down with Peter Okun, Editor-in-Chief of Manufacturing Talk Radio Podcast News, to explore how USMCA strengthens North American manufacturing, supports millions of jobs, and helps the U.S. remain globally competitive.

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Are we heading into economic expansion or just holding steady? Steve Miller breaks down the latest ISM Manufacturing and Services PMI reports — what the numbers really mean for jobs, prices, and supply chains going into the rest of 2026. All four PMI subindexes are now above 50, signaling growth. Employment jumped over three points. The Prices Index eased, hinting inflation pressure may be cooling. But supply chains are still tight in specific areas — especially data center components and petroleum products — and geopolitical events keep adding uncertainty. In this episode, Steve covers: – How to actually read a PMI report (and what the subindexes tell you) – Why employment numbers jumped – Where supply chains are still under pressure – What's driving prices up or down right now – Where economists expect growth to head next – Which industries offer the strongest job opportunities today Whether you're in manufacturing, supply chain, or just trying to make sense of what's happening with jobs and prices, this episode gives you a clear, no-jargon read on where the economy stands right now. Resource: ISM PMI Report — ismworld.org A Manufacturing Talk Radio production.

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In this exclusive Manufacturing Talk Radio interview, hosts Lewis Weiss and Amy Nicklaus sit down with ISM Manufacturing PMI Chair Susan Spence to discuss the latest ISM Manufacturing Report released June 1, 2026. The group break down the key data points impacting the global supply chain and what the effects of that might mean. To shed light on the report’s crucial findings, we speak with Susan Spence, a preeminent authority within manufacturing.

Key Insights Reviewed In The Latest Report

Demand and New Orders

Production Trends

Supply Chain Dynamics

Challenges Facing the Manufacturing Sector

Tariff Impacts

Labor Market Constraints

Global Economic Uncertainty

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Is the global space industry paving the way toward a multi-trillion dollar commercial empire, or are we drastically underestimating the economic ripples it creates right here on Earth?

In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Lew Weiss and co-host Cliff Waldman sit down with Oğuz Karasu, a prominent postdoctoral research fellow at the Saïd Business School and founder of the Space and Economy Alliance. As a specialized teaching fellow in space finance and sustainability, Oğuz provides a rigorous, data-driven framework to examine how the post-Artemis II era is fundamentally shifting the global macroeconomic landscape.

Together, the hosts and their guest explore the hidden complexities of measuring direct and indirect industrial outputs, tracing the financial divide between heavy upstream launch mechanics and expansive downstream data distribution networks. From the impending realization of direct device-to-satellite cellular communication to the engineering barriers of mitigating sharp lunar regolith dust for off-world infrastructure, Oğuz separates reality from speculation.

Tune in to discover how cutting-edge research in space-based solar power depends directly on the launch scalability of platforms like Starship, the strategic balance between public government contracts and innovative private entrepreneurship, and how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and orbital data centers are co-evolving to redefine the limits of human industry.

Timestamps to Watch:

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00:00 – Welcome to the Space Economy: Introducing Scholar Oğuz Karasu

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03:41 – Upstream vs. Downstream: Unveiling the Real Size of the Space Markets

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04:47 – Microgravity Manufacturing: Pharmaceuticals, Crystals, and Biotech

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06:29 – Direct Device-to-Satellite Comm: Connecting the Next 30% of Humanity

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07:44 – The $1 Million Spillover Metric: Tracking Over 2,000 NASA Spinoffs

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10:00 – Space-Based Solar Power: Wireless Beaming and the Starship Multiplier

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11:39 – Lunar Infrastructure Realities: Scalability Obstacles and the Threat of Moon Dust

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13:17 – Market Structure Balance: Public Oligopolies vs. Disruptive Private Tech

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16:00 – Geopolitics vs. Open Markets: The Hard Trade-Off in Global Space Finance

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18:37 – Rising Superpowers: Why China and Regional Blocs are Shifting the Landscape

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26:00 – Cost vs. Returns: Quantifying the Long-Term ROI of Manned Space Flight

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32:42 – AI and Quantum Interconnection: Modeling the Next 50 Years of Orbital Assets

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In this exclusive Manufacturing Talk Radio, we look ahead to a critical conversation centered on the latest ISM Supply Chain Planning Forecast. This comprehensive outlook serves as a major barometer for commercial confidence, offering a dual-sector perspective on where the economy is headed, how corporate leaders are budgeting, and how businesses are adjusting their operational strategies.

Join us as we break down the overarching trends from this pivotal forecast and discuss what these insights mean for the broader economy moving forward.

About this Episode’s Guests

Susan Spence is currently serving as ISM Manufacturing PMI Chair and is a winner of the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award. Her distinguished career includes serving as vice president of the Sourcing & Procurement group at FedEx Corp. With 28 years of experience at United Technologies Corporation (UTC) in leadership roles across supply management and operations, Spence offers unparalleled insight into manufacturing trends and economic activity.

Steven Miller is currently serving as ISM Services PMI Chair and is an accomplished supply chain management executive. His distinguished career includes 40 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, IT implementation and operations, and operations management consulting at Disney, P.F. Chang’s, Accenture, and Kearney. With 40 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, IT implementation and operations, Miller offers unparalleled insight into services trends and economic activity.

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Can artificial intelligence completely replace a manufacturing workforce, and how are massive manufacturing plants adapting to the modern skill gap?

In this episode of Manufacturing Talk Radio, host Lewis Weiss sits down with Tanushree Ghosh, the Senior Director leading site operations at Medtronic's Tempe complex. Managing a population of nearly 800 people across a nine-building facility, Tanushree oversees the production of critical cardiovascular, neurovascular, and pelvic health medical devices. Drawing from her PhD background in science and material chemistry—alongside a 17-year career at Intel—she delivers an authentic look into running a complex manufacturing ecosystem.

Tune in as Lewis and Tanushree break down the actual reality of AI proliferation on the factory floor, separating the media hype from cost-effective operational constraints. Tanushree shares how large companies effectively manage long-term internship and workforce models to upskill the next generation. Finally, explore her parallel career as an author and the founder of the non-profit Her Rights, where she targets gender parity, workforce diversity, and social activism.

Timestamps to Watch:

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00:00 – Meet Guest Tanushree Ghosh: Senior Director at Medtronic

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02:15 – Inside the Tempe Complex: Medical Device Manufacturing at Scale

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03:41 – Addressing the Skill Gap, Obsolete Equipment, and Workforce Realities

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05:06 – Developing Long-Term Interships & Mentorship Programs

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08:47 – The Real Impact of AI vs. AI Hype in 2026 Manufacturing

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13:17 – Capital Equipment Depreciation and the Mathematics of Automation

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16:14 – Leveraging AI and Startups for Small to Medium-Sized Companies

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19:59 – Social Activism: Founding "Her Rights" and Fostering Gender Equality

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21:35 – Authorship & Literature: Navigating Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Social Change

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24:54 – Ruthless Efficiency: Work-Life Balance and Finding Personal Success

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29:05 – The Struggle of the "Stanford Duck": Being Vulnerable About Mental Health

Continued Reading + Resources

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Queer Chronicles Book: https://mybook.to/queerchronicles

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Beyond #MeToo Book: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-MeToo-Ushering-Womens-Noise-ebook/dp/B0CN4GJVFN

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Her Rights Advocacy: https://www.herrights.org/

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Thoughts & Rights Platform: https://www.thoughtsandrights.com/

Connect with our Guest

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Instagram: @thoughtsrightsnimages

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X: @thoughtsnrights

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Is the global manufacturing economy headed for a crash, or is it entering a historic resurgence? In this episode of Manufacturing Think Tank, host Cliff Waldman sits down with top economists Mark Vitner (Founder of Piedmont Crescent Capital) and Jeremy Leonard (Director of Industry Services at Oxford Economics) to break down how the conflict with Iran is transforming the global manufacturing outlook. Despite major geopolitical uncertainty, the U.S. manufacturing sector has shown surprising resilience. Our guests explain the hidden economic forces at play—including massive waves of domestic reshoring, the build-out of massive AI data center infrastructures, and the critical differences in energy independence between the U.S. and Europe. Tune in to discover which sectors are set to benefit from defense replenishment and domestic chemical production, why automotive and consumer durables face heavy demand destruction, and what the ending of the war could mean for the future of global supply chains. Timestamps to Watch: 00:00 – Meet the Economists: Mark Vitner & Jeremy Leonard 03:37 – Is the War Damaging U.S. Manufacturing? 07:44 – Winners & Losers: How Oil Prices Impact Chemicals, Automotive, and Aerospace 12:42 – The Most Impacted Manufacturing Industries 19:52 – Europe vs. U.S.: The True Extent of the Energy Crisis 24:55 – The Structural Reality of Reshoring & Pharmaceutical Supply Chains 34:31 – The Long-Term Geopolitical Fingerprint of the Iran Conflict 41:27 – Global Manufacturing: How the Rest of the World is Responding 45:48 – Federal Reserve Rates, Policy Reversals, and AI Opposition Risks

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In this exclusive Manufacturing Talk Radio interview, host Lewis Weiss sits down with ISM Services PMI Chair Steve Miller to discuss the pivotal May ISM Services Report the very day it is released June 3rd 2026, breaking down the key data points impacting the services economy. To shed light on the report’s crucial findings, we speak with Steve Miller, a preeminent authority within the services sector. Miller is currently serving as ISM Services PMI Chair and is an accomplished supply chain management executive. His distinguished career includes 40 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, IT implementation and operations, and operations management consulting at Disney, P.F. Chang’s, Accenture, and Kearney. With 40 years of experience in procurement, supply chain management, IT implementation and operations, Miller offers unparalleled insight into services trends and economic activity. Check out data discussed in this episode here: https://www.ismworld.org/globalassets/pub/research-and-surveys/rob/nmi/fuelrob202605svcs.pdf

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In this exclusive Manufacturing Talk Radio interview, hosts Lewis Weiss and Amy Nicklaus sit down with ISM Manufacturing PMI Chair Susan Spence to discuss the latest ISM Manufacturing Report released June 1, 2026. The group break down the key data points impacting the global supply chain and what the effects of that might mean. To shed light on the report’s crucial findings, we speak with Susan Spence, a preeminent authority within manufacturing.

Spence is currently serving as ISM Manufacturing PMI Chair and is a winner of the J. Shipman Gold Medal Award. Her distinguished career includes serving as vice president of the Sourcing & Procurement group at FedEx Corp. With 28 years of experience at United Technologies Corporation (UTC) in leadership roles across supply management and operations, Spence offers unparalleled insight into manufacturing trends and economic activity.

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