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Artwork for The Manufacturing Employer

The Manufacturing Employer

Jon Franko, Gorilla 76
Manufacturing
Employee Engagement
Workplace Culture
Leadership
Culture
Manufacturing Industry
Recruitment
Gorilla 76
Company Culture
Professional Development
Leadership Development
Employer Branding
Workforce Development
Human Resources
Communication
Financial Planning
Smart Technology
Gen Z
Skilled Labor
Upskilling

The Manufacturing Employer is a podcast built for the hiring managers, HR pros and culture builders at industrial companies. It’s hosted by Gorilla 76 Co-Founder Jon Franko. You’ll hear from those designing great workplaces. Employee engagement, benefits, onboarding - we’ll be talking about the working experience from top to bottom.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes104Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ManagementBusinessCareers

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Manufacturing Employer

Latest Episodes

Nicole Riehl, President and CEO of Executive Partnerships to Invest in Children (EPIC), joins The Manufacturing Employer to reframe childcare as a critical workforce infrastructure issue, not just an employee perk. She discusses the hidden costs of c... more

Paul Sippil, a forensic 401k consultant, joins The Manufacturing Employer to reveal the hidden costs and pitfalls lurking in many manufacturers’ retirement plans. Drawing on decades of auditing and advisory experience, Paul explains how excessive and... more

Shalin Jyotishi, founder of New America's Future of Work and Innovation Economy Initiative, joins The Manufacturing Employer to discuss talent-pipeline challenges in manufacturing. He shares misconceptions about manufacturing careers, the urgent need... more

Susan Taah, occupational health consultant and founder of Work Factor, joins The Manufacturing Employer to examine how things like chronic illnesses, fatigue, mental health and heat stress are impacting today's industrial workforce. Susan shares why ... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Nicole Riehl
President and CEO of Executive Partnerships to Invest in Children (EPIC)
EPIC
Episode: The business case for employer-supported childcare, with Nicole Riehl of EPIC
Paul Sippil
Forensic 401(k) consultant focusing on uncovering hidden fees and inefficiencies
Self-employed forensic retirement consultant
Episode: Uncovering the hidden costs of your 401(k), with forensic 401(k) consultant Paul Sippil
Shalin Jyotishi
Researcher, writer, and policy strategist; founder and MD of New America's Future of Work and Innovation Economy Initiative
New America
Episode: Rethinking manufacturing pathways, with Shalin Jyotishi of New America
Susan Taah
Occupational Health Consultant and founder of Work Factor
Work Factor
Episode: Prioritizing worker health for retention and safety, with Susan Taah of Work Factor
Ray Reader
Marketing strategist at Gorilla, focused on employer branding and recruitment marketing
Gorilla 76
Episode: Bridging marketing and HR to build winning teams, with Ray Reader of Gorilla 76
Hanna Hasl-Kelchner
Author, business strategist, workplace fairness expert
Author of Seeking Fairness at Work
Episode: Cracking the code of workplace fairness, with Hanna Hasl-Kelchner of Business M.O.
Larry Salazar
President and Co-founder of NestSTEPS
NestSTEPS
Episode: What workers really want, with Larry Salazar of NestSTEPS
Jason Woodard
Author and manufacturing leader with 35+ years of frontline and executive experience
Geislinger Corporation
Episode: Manufacturing leadership that works, with Jason Woodard of Geislinger Corporation
Andrea D. Carter
Organizational scientist, workplace belonging expert, and founder/CEO of Andrea Carter Consulting
Andrea Carter Consulting
Episode: "Belonging" and the factory floor, with Andrea D. Carter of Andrea Carter Consulting

Host

Jon Franko
Host of The Manufacturing Employer

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 45 ratings
  • A Thoughtful, High-Value Conversation

    Having been a guest on The Manufacturing Employer Podcast, I was impressed by how intentional and well-prepared Jon Franko is as a host. The conversation was focused, engaging, and grounded in real-world challenges facing manufacturing leaders today.

    Jon creates space for meaningful dialogue—not just surface-level talking points—which makes the podcast valuable for both guests and listeners. It’s clear he cares about delivering practical insights that people can actually use.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Paul Sippil
    United States3 months ago
  • Simply Awesome

    Jon is nothing short of a pro when it comes to all things manufacturing and delivering his Podcast. I recently had the pleasure of being a guest and it was easy breezy. Great conversationalist. Highly recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ktpatrick
    United States6 months ago
  • Fantastic addition to the MakingChips Family

    This should be on everyone’s short list. Because finding great people is one of the biggest challenges in manufacturing, these episodes are a must listen to get better at this part of business.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Machineshopdude
    United States7 months ago
  • Great for business leaders!

    Jon has an incredible knack for asking great questions that elicit great answers. Every business leader should listen to this podcast if they want to get great ideas and be inspired to help lead their companies the right way.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    smgates31
    United States9 months ago
  • Practical and Actionable!

    This podcast delivers practical insights and actionable strategies for employers navigating the challenges of today’s industrial workforce. With engaging interviews and real world examples, it’s a must listen for leaders in the manufacturing industry!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beli0053
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

High-value, practical conversations grounded in real-world manufacturing challenges.
Listeners praise concise episodes that fit into commutes while still delivering depth.
Host conducts focused, well-prepared interviews with credible guests.
Guests deliver actionable tactics that listeners can apply quickly.
Audience quality is boosted by guests who are practitioners with tangible outcomes.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#164
Ireland/Business/Management
Apple Podcasts
#179
Ukraine/Business/Management

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The business case for employer-supported childcare, with Nicole Riehl of EPIC
Q: What are common misconceptions executives have about childcare solutions, and how do you address them?
Common misconceptions include the need for on-site care as the only option; in reality, there are many viable approaches such as stipends, discounts, and flexible scheduling that can be effective without on-site facilities.
The business case for employer-supported childcare, with Nicole Riehl of EPIC
Q: What is the first practical step an employer should take to evaluate childcare investments?
Use free tools like employerchildcarenavigator.org to assess needs, gather data, and identify a roadmap with case studies and vendor options.
The business case for employer-supported childcare, with Nicole Riehl of EPIC
Q: To start, what is the actual cost of absenteeism and turnover tied to childcare, and how do you quantify it for a manufacturing operation?
We quantify it through metrics like call-ins, absenteeism, overtime, double shifts, and lost productivity, then tie those to turnover and recruitment costs to show a clear financial picture.
Rethinking manufacturing pathways, with Shalin Jyotishi of New America
Q: What does a good employer-education partnership look like in practice?
A strong partnership pairs hands-on learning with curricular preparation, includes paid work experiences, and leverages programs like youth apprenticeships and community college collaborations to build a sustainable talent pipeline.
Rethinking manufacturing pathways, with Shalin Jyotishi of New America
Q: From your research, what do students, parents, and educators most misunderstand about modern manufacturing careers?
There is a need to debunk stereotypes and to highlight the breadth of career paths, including roles that are not purely hands-on, and to emphasize the value of early exposure and robust work-based learning opportunities.

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 The Manufacturing Employer

What is The Manufacturing Employer about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show targets HR, operations, and culture professionals in manufacturing, offering actionable strategies to improve employee engagement, onboarding, and retention. Across episodes, guests range from health and wellbeing experts to DEI leaders, ERP and leadership coaches, and practitioners focused on fairness, belonging, sustainability, and second-chance hiring. Notable throughlines include practical shop-floor implementations, data-driven people strategies, and leadership approaches that align culture with business outcomes. The show often features field-tested frameworks, real-world manufacturing case studies, and cross-functional collaboration between HR, marketing, and operations. A standout trait is its ability to connect people-focu... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Manufacturing Employer?

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How many listeners does The Manufacturing Employer get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Manufacturing Employer?

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How many subscribers and views does The Manufacturing Employer have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Manufacturing Employer?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Manufacturing Employer:

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

How many episodes of The Manufacturing Employer are there?

The Manufacturing Employer launched 3 years ago and published 104 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 The Manufacturing Employer?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Manufacturing Employer?

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What guests have appeared on The Manufacturing Employer?

Recent guests on The Manufacturing Employer include:

1. Nicole Riehl
2. Paul Sippil
3. Shalin Jyotishi
4. Susan Taah
5. Ray Reader
6. Hanna Hasl-Kelchner
7. Larry Salazar
8. Jason Woodard

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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