Heizer Render Munson OM Podcast

Barry Render interviews Christopher Tang, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, about national security and global supply chains. They discuss geopolitical disruptions, China’s role in manufacturing, reshoring and nearshoring, semiconductors, skilled labor shortages, and the growing impact of AI.

Barry and Misty interview Brandi Shortt, President of ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages. They discuss the Coca-Cola bottling system, supply chain challenges during COVID, AI, warehouse automation, and managing supply chain risk.

In this episode, Barry Render and Misty Blessley speak with retired U.S. Army Colonel J. Reckard about the critical role supply chains play in military operations and national security. Drawing on nearly three decades of military experience and subsequent work in the defense industry, Reckard discusses strategic stockpiles, contested logistics, 3D printing in the field, munitions supply chains, and global shipping choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz and the South China Sea. This conversation offers a unique perspective on how supply chain principles impact both military readiness and the global economy.

In this episode, Barry Render and Misty speak with Bryan Hartling, Senior Program and Project Manager at Verizon, about how artificial intelligence is transforming business operations. Bryan shares insights into Verizon's AI initiatives, including machine learning applications, procurement automation, business intelligence modernization, and the evolving role of AI in decision-making. The conversation also explores the future impact of AI on jobs, software services, and organizational innovation.

OM Podcast #52: Renewable Natural Gas & Heavy-Duty Transportation by Heizer Render Munson OM Podcast

In this episode, Barry Render and Misty Blessley interview Dr. Satinder Singh, Medical Director at Lehigh Valley Health Network, Jefferson Health. They discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare, from reducing administrative tasks to improving the doctor–patient relationship. Dr. Singh also shares insights on AI reliability and the importance of strong clinical foundations when adopting new technologies.

In this episode, Barry Render and Misty Blessley interview Kyle Stephens, Senior Director at General Dynamics IT (GDIT), about how artificial intelligence is reshaping work in mission‑critical and national security environments. Kyle discusses how he uses AI to accelerate analysis and improve decision‑making, as well as the implications for workforce upskilling. The conversation also explores why AI security in defense goes far beyond cybersecurity and how AI is being deployed by both the U.S. and its adversaries.

In this episode of the Heizer Render Munson OM Podcast, Barry Render speaks with Ron Piccolo, CEO of the Florida Semiconductor Engine, about why semiconductors have become a critical issue for U.S. competitiveness. Their conversation explores advanced semiconductor packaging, supply‑chain risk, and the role universities, industry, and government can play in reshoring key capabilities. Ron also shares how Florida is building a specialized ecosystem focused on high‑reliability applications in space, healthcare, and defense.

In this episode of the OM Podcast, Barry Render and Misty Blessley speak with David Aschenbrand of Newmark about the evolving role of cold storage and temperature‑controlled facilities in today’s supply chains. The conversation explores facility design, labor challenges, automation and AI, and what the Cold Chain Index reveals about the future of operations management.

In this episode, Barry Render interviews continuous improvement expert and author John Dyer to explore what real operational excellence looks like. John shares insights from 40+ years in manufacturing and consulting, discussing why continuous improvement efforts often stall, how leaders can transition from managers to coaches, and how AI will reshape team‑based problem solving. For a transcript of this podcast, visit the blog: https://operationsmanagementblog.com/category/podcast/