Rephonic
Artwork for Reliability Matters

Reliability Matters

Mike Konrad
Electronics Manufacturing
Reliability
Artificial Intelligence
Electronic Assembly
Electric Vehicles
PCB Fabrication
Electronic Assembly Industry
Sustainability
Reliability Engineering
Contract Manufacturing
Manufacturing
Contamination
PCB Design
Automotive Industry
Aerospace Industry
Indium Corporation
Rework Process
Miniaturization
Battery Management Systems
Batteries

Reliability Matters is a podcast on the subject of reliability of circuit assemblies. Reliability "best practices" and success stories are discussed. This podcast features interviews with experts in the electronic assembly industry.All electronic production segments which effect product reliability are on the table. This includes contamination, coating, cleanliness assessment, inspection, building... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes205Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyEducation

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Reliability Matters

Latest Episodes

Reliability Matters at 200:

The Conversations, Lessons, and People Behind the Podcast

Reliability Matters has reached its 200th episode!

In this special solo episode, host Mike Konrad looks back at the conversations, ideas, and people who have hel... more

Adhesive failures can be frustrating because the problem isn’t always obvious. The adhesive may have been properly selected, the part may look clean, and the process may seem under control. But weeks or months later, a coating lifts, an encapsulant s... more

Artificial intelligence is everywhere right now. It’s in the headlines, it’s being built into software tools, and it’s showing up in more and more conversations about engineering, manufacturing, quality, and process improvement.

But here’s the probl... more

What if passing the test is not enough?

In reliability engineering, we often place a great deal of confidence in laboratory validation. We test, measure, analyze, and document. And when the product passes, we naturally assume it is ready for the fie... 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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Pick, Place, Podcast
Pick, Place, PodcastCircuitHub and Worthington

Recent Guests

Sean Patterson
Author of the Printed Circuit Design and Fabrication article, Why Your AI Training Isn't Sticking
CrossGen AI
Episode: Why Your Al Training Isn't Sticking: Sean Patterson on Making Al Useful in Manufacturing - Ep. 198
Nishith Kumar Reddy Gorla
Dr. Gorla, reliability expert focusing on system-level test design and field reliability alignment
Core Its LLC
Episode: Closing the Gap Between Validation and Reality with Dr. Nishith Kumar Reddy Gorla - Episode 197
Dr. James Maisiri
AI researcher and writer focused on responsible AI, digital transformation, education, labor markets, and societal impact
Independent researcher / University of Johannesburg (affiliation mentioned)
Episode: If We Don't Shape Al, Al Will Shape Us - Dr. James Maisiri on Responsible Technology Adoption # 196
Mehdi Nahali
Founder of PCB Revision Control PRO
PCB Revision Control PRO
Episode: Why PCB Revision Errors Are a Hidden Reliability Risk With Mehdi Nahali - Episode 192
Paul Ross
Chief Marketing Officer at Limble
Limble
Episode: Why Maintenance Is Finally Getting a Seat at the Table With Limble's Paul Ross - Episode 191
Bryan DeBois
Director of Industrial AI at RoviSys
RoviSys
Episode: Predict, Prevent, Produce: RoviSys' Bryan DeBois on Manufacturing's Al Future Episode 190
Kristen Eckart
Engineer with Lockheed Martin in high reliability environments
Lockheed Martin
Episode: From the Factory Floor to System Design: Why Women in STEM Matter with Kristen Eckart - Episode 189
William Santos
International Sales Manager at ABI Electronics and advocate for the Right to Repair movement
ABI Electronics
Episode: Readiness Through Repair: How the U.S Military is Strengthening Capabilities with Right to Repair - Episode 186
Trevor Galbraith
Publisher of Global SMT & Packaging
Global SMT & Packaging
Episode: Electronics Manufacturing Today: Pressures, Priorities, and the Path Forward With Trevor Galbraith - Episode 186

Host

Mike Konrad
Host of Reliability Matters. Focuses on reliability, contamination removal, and cleanliness quantification in electronics manufacturing.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 19 ratings
  • Amazing content

    This podcast channel is my absolute favorite channel to listen to when I'm driving or working out. Mike is a great host & I'm a fan of his show! He's been in the EMS industry for over 35 years. He brings in the experts to address topics related to reliability. Very informative channel.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Samy Nashabe
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

High-quality guests that address practical reliability challenges.
Engaging host with deep industry knowledge.
Strong emphasis on data and evidence in reliability discussions.
Clear takeaways that engineers can apply on the shop floor.

Top Technology Podcasts

Tomorrow, Today
Tomorrow, TodayShekhar Natarajan
Acquired
AcquiredBen Gilbert and David Rosenthal
Hard Fork
Hard ForkThe New York Times
The Room Podcast
The Room PodcastClaudia Laurie and Madison McIlwain
Building AI Boston
Building AI BostonBuilding AI Boston
Bourbon with Brad
Bourbon with BradCompletely Offensively LLC
Dwarkesh Podcast
Dwarkesh PodcastDwarkesh Patel

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Closing the Gap Between Validation and Reality with Dr. Nishith Kumar Reddy Gorla - Episode 197
Q: How should engineers think differently about testing from the end-user perspective?
They should include service manuals and operator usage in test design, recognize that users may not follow instructions, and design tests that capture how products fail in actual use rather than only in engineered scenarios.
Closing the Gap Between Validation and Reality with Dr. Nishith Kumar Reddy Gorla - Episode 197
Q: What does your DFMEA framework bring to reliability testing that traditional methods miss?
It provides a structured, living view of the product's interactions and failure modes, incorporating input from functional block diagrams, P-diagrams, usage patterns, field failure trends, and service information to ensure test cases reflect real-world conditions.
Why PCB Revision Errors Are a Hidden Reliability Risk With Mehdi Nahali - Episode 192
Q: Where does revision control fit into the broader picture of reliability and manufacturing?
Revision control sits at the core of the reliability stack; it ensures that every design decision, BOM, and production file is aligned and traceable, so downstream processes like placement, reflow, and inspection are based on a single, validated baseline, reducing errors and speeding investigations.
From the Factory Floor to System Design: Why Women in STEM Matter with Kristen Eckart - Episode 189
Q: What advice would you give to women entering electronics manufacturing today?
Embrace the opportunity, join a supportive community, and seek mentors; the industry needs diverse perspectives and offers opportunities to contribute meaningfully across roles.
From the Factory Floor to System Design: Why Women in STEM Matter with Kristen Eckart - Episode 189
Q: What barriers did you notice as the only or among the few women in your classes, and how did that shape your approach to problem solving?
She describes needing to network, be creative, and build confidence through preparation and collaboration to overcome isolation and bias in male-dominated environments.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Reliability Matters

What is Reliability Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A technically focused show exploring reliability in electronic assemblies, with a steady stream of expert interviews and practical guidance. Episodes cover contamination control, cleanliness assessment, rework and inspection, failure analysis, and process optimization across design, manufacturing, and test. Recurring threads include real-world reliability challenges, data-driven decision making, and the role of governance, standards, and education in achieving dependable products. The host frequently emphasizes actionable takeaways for engineers and managers, including how to quantify cleanliness, improve failure prevention, and implement reliable manufacturing practices. The format often blends practitioner experience with industry perspec... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Reliability Matters?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Reliability Matters. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Reliability Matters and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Reliability Matters get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Reliability Matters, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Reliability Matters?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Reliability Matters, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Reliability Matters have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Reliability Matters has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Reliability Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Reliability Matters:

1. The D-Code Podcast
2. Pick, Place, Podcast

How many episodes of Reliability Matters are there?

Reliability Matters launched 8 years ago and published 205 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 Reliability Matters?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Reliability Matters?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Reliability Matters from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Reliability Matters?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Reliability Matters. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Reliability Matters?

Recent guests on Reliability Matters include:

1. Sean Patterson
2. Nishith Kumar Reddy Gorla
3. Dr. James Maisiri
4. Mehdi Nahali
5. Paul Ross
6. Bryan DeBois
7. Kristen Eckart
8. William Santos

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days