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Artwork for Practitioners Unplugged

Practitioners Unplugged

IndustrialSage
Digital Transformation
Industry 4.0
Automation
Interoperability
Manufacturing
Universal Automation
Smart Manufacturing
Supply Chain
Data Management
Data Analytics
Change Management
CESMII
Manufacturing Innovation
Food Manufacturing
Artificial Intelligence
Ecostruxure Automation Expert
Data Aggregation
AI At Scale
Decoupling Hardware and Software
Operational Technology

With the help of AVEVA and Schneider Electric, this show explores the principles of Industry 4.0 through the insights of industry practitioners. Take an in-depth look at leveraging smart manufacturing technologies to drive industry innovation. Hear about firsthand experiences in implementing real-world manufacturing solutions. Our hope is that you will gain valuable knowledge about the challenges ... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes21Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyManagementBusiness

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Artwork for Practitioners Unplugged

Latest Episodes

Key Takeaways

* HSB was founded in 1865 as an engineering and standards organization, not an insurer, and it still leads with inspection and engineering before underwriting today.

* Equipment risk reduction is driving a shift in insurance, mov... more

Key Takeaways

* When a company has known about the skills gap long enough without acting, the problem has shifted from a talent pipeline issue to a leadership accountability issue.

* Change management is not a project phase with a defined star... more

Executive Key Points

* Why manufacturers cannot skip the three smart manufacturing imperatives on the path to AI readiness

* How graph relationships, not hierarchies, connect equipment failures to real business impact

* Why generative AI ca... more

Executive Insights

01

The shift from reactive to proactive supply chain management using predictive analytics.

02

Why nearshoring is no longer just a trend, but a necessary strategy for mitigating geopolitical risks.

03

How to balance cos... more

Executive Key Points

* How one manufacturer solved interoperability for $4K instead of $100K

* Why traditional plant integration approaches create unnecessary cost

* What manufacturing leaders should evaluate before investing in connec... more

For years, the automation industry talked about decoupling hardware and software. IT/OT convergence became a buzzword that everyone nodded at but few truly believed would arrive.

Episode 17 of Practitioners Unplugged, recorded live at Schneider Ele... more

As 2025 drew to a close, Episode 16 of Practitioners Unplugged took a reflective look back at the conversations that shaped our understanding of digital transformation throughout the year. Cohosts Dante Vaccaro and Sree Hameed unpacked the common thr... more

From Run-to-Failure to Predictive Operations: Transforming Water Infrastructure with Nick Valdez

Most people take for granted that clean water flows when they turn on the faucet. Wastewater disappears when they flush. Episode 15 of Practitioners Un... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Jonathan Wise
Vice President of Technology and Chief Architect
Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CESMII)
Episode: How CESMII’s i3X Is Ending Manufacturing’s API Chaos
John Dyck
CEO of Cesmii, expert on interoperability in manufacturing
Cesmii
Episode: Episode #18 | How $4K Beat $100K: A CEO’s Interoperability Story
Renato Silva
CEO of Iimirim
Iimirim
Episode: Episode #17 | Open Automation Is Finally Happening: Real-World Proof from Universal Automation
Jim Davis
Guest contributing to ecosystem and change management themes
Schneider Electric / Industrial Sage team (as discussed)
Episode: Episode #16 | 2025 Year in Review: The Themes That Defined Digital Transformation
Jonathan Alexander
Guest focusing on SPC, analytics highway, and data maturity
Episode: Episode #16 | 2025 Year in Review: The Themes That Defined Digital Transformation
Craig Henry
Guest weighing in on practical AI and industry readiness
Episode: Episode #16 | 2025 Year in Review: The Themes That Defined Digital Transformation
Nick Valdez
Guest contributing to culture and change management snippets
Episode: Episode #16 | 2025 Year in Review: The Themes That Defined Digital Transformation
Ed Koch
Leader in operations and lean manufacturing with over 20 years of experience across consumer goods and beverages.
Competitive Capabilities International (CCI)
Episode: Episode #13 | The “Way” of Manufacturing: Why Principles Should Guide Technology Roadmaps (And Not the Opposite) with Ed Koch of CCi
Jason Head
Controls Development Engineer at Fallas Automation
Fallas Automation
Episode: Episode #12 | Building a Data Highway for AI Success in Manufacturing with Jonathan Alexander of Albemarle Intelligence

Host

Dante
Host of Practitioners Unplugged; affiliated with Practitioners Unplugged

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 4 ratings
  • Practical, insightful, and no fluff

    This show is a must listen if you’re in manufacturing, automation, or industrial tech. The guests bring real world experience, and the conversations actually dig into what’s working on the ground – not just theory. Great format, sharp insights, and relevant every time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    reviewdewes
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Strong emphasis on data-driven modernization appeals to engineers and ops teams.
Quality guests and formats build credibility for sponsors and potential collaborators.
Guests bring hands-on experience and actionable lessons.
Real-world case studies beat theory-heavy episodes.
Practical, insightful insights for plant floor leaders.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#60
Brazil/Technology

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Navigating Supply Chain Resilience in 2024
Q: Can you share a concrete business transformation example that demonstrates the impact of interoperability?
A small manufacturer in Medina, Ohio used a crowdsourced, standards-based information model to connect a PLC and cloud workflow, enabling quality and reliability improvements with minimal on-premise infrastructure and under $4,000 in cost, illustrating how open standards can democratize smart manufacturing for small players.
Navigating Supply Chain Resilience in 2024
Q: Can you unpack that statement and define interoperability for executives who hear about it at the summit?
Interoperability is the real, practical ability for diverse software and hardware to communicate through standard interfaces and APIs, enabling data to flow across previously siloed systems and unlock scalable AI and analytics across the organization.
Episode #15 | From Run-to-Failure to Predictive Operations: Transforming Water Infrastructure
Q: Do you have any advice for others that are out there, water waste, water municipalities, people that are on the fence on, hey, do we digitize? Do we become more automated? Is there a value to this?
Pick up the phone and call someone. Reach out to your local distributor or channel partner, learn what's out there, understand that there are incredible products that can reduce headaches.
Episode #15 | From Run-to-Failure to Predictive Operations: Transforming Water Infrastructure
Q: What are your thoughts on the next generation of talent coming in, relationship with technology, and how that's going to play out?
The last few years, we've really struggled with acquiring particular types of talent, especially engineering resources. We began looking at different avenues to support our engineers and optimize our workforce through technology.
Episode #13 | The “Way” of Manufacturing: Why Principles Should Guide Technology Roadmaps (And Not the Opposite) with Ed Koch of CCi
Q: How important do you feel that the initiative of standardizing and simplifying has laid the groundwork to accelerate digital transformation?
Ed discusses the critical importance of embedding a standard way of operating to facilitate digital transformation and the sharing of best practices across locations.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
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Frequently Asked Questions About Practitioners Unplugged

What is Practitioners Unplugged about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on practical, real-world applications of Industry 4.0 in manufacturing and process industries. Discussions span data analytics, digital transformation, connectivity, and human factors, with guests sharing actionable lessons from projects that improve energy efficiency, automation, and operational excellence. Across episodes, listeners get a mix of case studies, tech-forward strategies, and leadership insights designed for engineers, operations leaders, and tech-minded managers evaluating how to modernize plants and supply chains. A notable trait is the emphasis on foundational infrastructure and cross-organization collaboration as prerequisites for successful innovation, not just software adoption.

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How many episodes of Practitioners Unplugged are there?

Practitioners Unplugged launched a year ago and published 21 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Practitioners Unplugged?

Recent guests on Practitioners Unplugged include:

1. Jonathan Wise
2. John Dyck
3. Renato Silva
4. Jim Davis
5. Jonathan Alexander
6. Craig Henry
7. Nick Valdez
8. Ed Koch

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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