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Lean Coffee Talk (formerly known as Lean Whiskey)

Mark Graban & Jamie Flinchbaugh
Lean
The Problem-Solver's Toolkit
Kpis
Psychological Safety
Change Management
Toyota Kaizen
World Cup
Ford
Quality

Formerly known as ”Lean Whiskey.” Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh share more than just their MIT degrees: they’re authors, speakers, and trusted voices in the Lean community... plus they’re both serious about their coffee. Each episode offers insightful discussions on essential topics like operational excellence, leadership effectiveness, organizational culture, problem-solving strategies, innov... more

PublishesInfrequentlyEpisodes60Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ManagementBusiness

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Artwork for Lean Coffee Talk

Latest Episodes

n Episode 9 of Lean Coffee Talk, Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh begin with World Cup observations that turn into a broader discussion about process measures, results, technology, officiating, and why referees are rarely the primary reason a team l... more

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Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh sit down with single-origin coffees and a 1987 GM Confidential report Mark pulled from the Don Ephlin papers at Wayne State's Reuther Library. The document, "NUMMI Management Practices: Executive Summary," lays out f... more

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How many KPIs are too many — and how do leaders know which metrics actually matter?

Episode page

In Episode 7 of Lean Coffee Talk, Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh explore how organizations overload themselves with metrics, why some “red” indicato... more

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Episode page with links, video, and more

In this episode, Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh respond to listener questions about system design, leadership behavior, and navigating misguided Lean requirements.

They explore why some systems—like colle... more

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Number of Listeners
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Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | LeadershipRon Pereira: Lean Thinker & Co-Founder of Gemba Academy

Recent Guests

Tracy O'Rourke
Co-author of The Problem-Solver's Toolkit
Just In Time Cafe / The Problem-Solver's Toolkit
Episode: Daily Coffee and Productivity Routines, Crossover Event with the Just-in-Time Cafe
Elisabeth Swan
Co-author of The Problem-Solver's Toolkit
Just In Time Cafe / The Problem-Solver's Toolkit
Episode: Daily Coffee and Productivity Routines, Crossover Event with the Just-in-Time Cafe

Hosts

Mark Graban
Host of Lean Coffee Talk; widely recognized for Lean coaching, author, and speaker. Affiliated with Lean Blog / Lean Coffee Talk community and related Lean improvement initiatives.
Jamie Flinchbaugh
Co-host with a background in Lean coaching, leadership development, and community leadership within the Lean ecosystem.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#121
Mexico/Business/Management

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

System Design, Psychological Safety, and When Lean Quotas Backfire
Q: What advice do you have for balancing short-term results with long-term capability building in a lean journey?
Aim for small, learnable steps that demonstrate impact while building capability. Show evidence of improvements (not just potential) and avoid overemphasizing vanity metrics. Create activation energy so people try one thing, then build on that momentum with supportive leadership, feedback loops, and visible results that justify continuing the journey.
System Design, Psychological Safety, and When Lean Quotas Backfire
Q: How should someone balance coaching, direct teaching, and enabling long-term Lean growth in a department that isn't in control of the company journey?
Identify a clear objective and communicate the journey, not just the end state. Document before/after progress, set realistic priorities, and focus coaching on a handful of leaders who can cascade capability. Use coaching selectively, paired with directive action where needed, to move the organization while respecting boundary conditions.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Lean Coffee Talk

What is Lean Coffee Talk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show pairs two veteran Lean thinkers to explore operational excellence, leadership, and culture with practical, real-world storytelling. Across episodes, they dissect management approaches, problem-solving tactics, measurement, and change—often using coffee as a running metaphor to keep conversations accessible and grounded. Topics frequently touch on sustaining Lean in large organizations, coaching and psychological safety, and the challenges of translating Lean concepts across industries. A notable strength is the conversational, experience-driven format: the hosts share anecdotes, interview or reflect on long-running debates, and invite listener questions, which keeps the content actionable for practitioners and leaders seeking tang... more

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How many listeners does Lean Coffee Talk get?

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How many subscribers and views does Lean Coffee Talk have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Lean Coffee Talk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Lean Coffee Talk:

1. Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership

How many episodes of Lean Coffee Talk are there?

Lean Coffee Talk launched 7 years ago and published 60 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Lean Coffee Talk?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Lean Coffee Talk?

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What guests have appeared on Lean Coffee Talk?

Recent guests on Lean Coffee Talk include:

1. Tracy O'Rourke
2. Elisabeth Swan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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