Quality Time with MoreSteam Podcast

Episode 29: When the Gemba is the Gridiron

Football meets process improvement in this special episode of Quality Time with MoreSteam. Host Dan Swartwout tackles the story of the fictional Columbus Tigers, a team that uses Lean Six Sigma to turn losses into wins. Discover why continuous improvement belongs on every field.

Episode 28: From Chaos to Order with Dr. Jim Cole

Dr. Jim Cole, a trauma surgeon, combat veteran, and author, joins Quality Time with MoreSteam to share how process improvement principles have shaped his work in military and healthcare settings. As Dr. Cole explains, practical tools and strong leadership can turn even the toughest challenges into opportunities for success.

Episode 27: Managing on Purpose with Mark Reich

Mark Reich, Senior Lean Coach at the Lean Enterprise Institute, joins Dan Swartwout to discuss his new book "Managing on Purpose." Reich shares insights from his 23-year Toyota career, explaining how Hoshin Kanri aligns teams, develops leaders, and drives innovation. Listen as Mark Reich shares valuable lessons from his decades in Lean leadership.

Episode 26: Building Trust on the Shop Floor - Kim Koning's Lean Six Sigma Playbook

Join Kim Koning, Aurorium's Global Director of Operational Excellence, as he shares his journey from Indiana wrestling mats to leading global process improvement. Hear how his early career and MBA in finance shaped his leadership style, why Gemba walks are his favorite trust-building tool, and the moment he realized Lean Six Sigma was essential for staying competitive.

Episode 25: Cheers to 25 Years - Highlights from Quality Time with MoreSteam

Celebrate 25 years of MoreSteam with the 25th episode of Quality Time with MoreSteam! Host Dan Swartwout takes you through 25 standout moments—featuring surprising stories, sharp insights, and plenty of laughs. It’s a greatest-hits episode packed with reasons to love continuous improvement. Don’t miss this special milestone celebration!

Episode 24: Bill Hathaway Reflects on a Quarter Century of MoreSteam

Celebrate MoreSteam’s 25th anniversary with founder Bill Hathaway! In this episode, Bill reflects on MoreSteam's journey and shares insights from a quarter century of process improvement. Don't miss this special episode!

Episode 23: Chris Spranger’s Guide to Making Work Easier and More Fun

How did a firetruck factory and a mouse pad lead Chris Spranger to a career in Lean Six Sigma? Chris shares insights on the importance of soft skills, and how Measurement System Analysis (MSA) ensures reliable data.

Episode 22: Hitting Your Lean IT Stride with Thomas Paider

Thomas Paider, co-author of The Lean IT Field Guide, shares profound insights on Lean, Agile, and creating thriving IT cultures.

Episode 21: Ryan C. Weiss on SIPOC, the Right Mindset, and Continuous Improvement

Ryan C. Weiss, author and entrepreneur, shares insights on SIPOC, eliminating bad handoffs, and the mindset needed for operational excellence.

Episode 20: A Visit From... Whom?

Celebrate the season with a Lean Six Sigma twist on ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Packed with operational excellence and holiday cheer!

Episode 19: Yellow Belts, Big Results with Meredith Brody

Meredith Brody, LSS Black Belt and Principal Project Manager at Constellation, shares insights on launching an impactful Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt program.

Episode 18: Shingo Prize Winner Peter Ward on Operational Excellence and Innovation

Peter Ward, Lean Enterprise Institute Chair and Shingo Prize winner, shares insights on Lean, Six Sigma, and the evolution of operational excellence in business education.

Episode 17: Harmonizing Efficiency with Kevin Keller

Kevin Keller, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, shares insights on process improvement, statistics, and how barbershop harmony inspires operational excellence.

Episode 16: If You Film It, They Will Watch with Dino Tripodis

Dino Tripodis, writer and producer of DOWN TO THE FELT, shares how creativity meets efficiency in indie filmmaking, plus insights on teamwork, feedback, and quality on a budget.

Episode 15: Cooking Up Efficiency With Brian Bross

Brian Bross, MoreSteam eLearning Project Manager and former executive chef, shares how lean principles can transform kitchens and beyond in this insightful and fun episode.

Episode 14: (I've Had) The Conference Time of My Life

Listen as Dan and Peg reflect on their time at MoreSteam's Best Practices For Operational Excellence Conference. Plus, get an answer to the burning question: Are CI professionals better comedy writers than generative AI?

Episode 13: Revolutionizing Process Improvement with the Power of Generative AI

Explore how Generative AI is transforming process improvement with insights from Ken Robinette, practical applications for organizations, and the innovative ways MoreSteam integrates AI into its solutions.

Episode 12: Master Black Belt Insights with Maria Fry – Focusing on People and Leadership

Are you curious about the role of a Master Black Belt? Are you interested in the things Master Black Belts do? Listen as MBB Maria Fry and Lindsay Van Dyne, cover all facets of what it means to a be an MBB.

Episode 11: Finding Your North Star Metric and the Power of Experimentation with Karina Kretz

Karina Kretz, Director of Product for EngineRoom®, shares insights on statistics, experimentation, and using data to drive process improvement. Learn how EngineRoom helps simplify complex problems and uncover actionable insights.

Episode 10: Why Omar Mora Hates Waste and Loves Continuous Improvement

Omar Mora, a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, shares his insights on eliminating waste, experimentation in continuous improvement, and using EngineRoom software.

Episode 9: Gemba Walks, Lean Six Sigma Music, and AI with Emmanuel Aouad

Emmanuel Aouad, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, blends Lean Six Sigma with music, sharing his creative process, insights on AI in process improvement, and the world's first first rap album turned video game experience.

Episode 8: Leadership, Coaching, and Lean Tailgating with Ken Robinette

Ken Robinette, Master Black Belt and MoreSteam VP, shares leadership lessons, coaching strategies, and how Lean Six Sigma principles can even improve your next tailgate party.

Episode 7: Lean for Small Businesses and Future Leaders with Alan Goodman (Part 2)

Alan Goodman returns to discuss using Lean in small businesses, improving customer service, and teaching Lean principles to the next generation of problem solvers.

Episode 6: Lean Principles and Championship Success with Alan Goodman (Part 1)

Alan Goodman, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and award-winning baker, joins the show to share stories from the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship season, entrepreneurship, and more.

Episode 5: Lean Culture and the Power of Curiosity with Shawn Washburn

Manufacturing engineer and podcaster Shawn Washburn joins the show to share his insights on building Lean culture, fostering creativity, and asking better questions to drive continuous improvement.

Episode 4: Lessons from Blockbuster’s Rise and Fall with Alan Payne (Part 2)

Dive deeper into Blockbuster’s legacy as Alan Payne discusses the transition to DVDs, the rise of Netflix and Redbox, and the nostalgia surrounding the iconic video rental giant.

Episode 3: Lessons from Blockbuster’s Rise and Fall with Alan Payne (Part 1)

Explore the rise and fall of Blockbuster Video with Alan Payne, one of its most successful franchisees. Discover lessons from process improvement and customer insights that shaped Blockbuster’s journey.

Episode 2: Building Businesses and Teams with Rich Razgaitis

Learn the keys to scaling businesses and building high-performing teams with Rich "Raz" Razgaitis, CEO of FloWater. Raz shares strategies for overcoming entrepreneurial challenges and achieving rapid growth.

Episode 1: Visual Management and Operational Excellence with Peg Pennington

Discover how visual management and operational excellence principles can improve processes and drive success. Peg Pennington, President of MoreSteam, shares insights from her career, including her time at Ohio State's Center for Operational Excellence.

Podcast Trailer · Quality Time with MoreSteam

On Quality Time with MoreSteam, a variety of guests will join host Dan Swartwout to discuss continuous improvement, operational excellence, and business-related issues. Look for new episodes every other Tuesday.