What to Pack Podcast | Practical AI Guidance for Manufacturing & Trades Leaders
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A new podcast for manufacturing & skilled-trades leaders

Before you start with AI, know what to pack.

AI and automation are changing how manufacturers and trades businesses operate. Knowing where to start can be the hardest part.

Join Lori and Melissa for practical conversations about the tools, people, processes, and decisions that help you move forward with confidence.

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What to Pack Podcast cover art: an orange and teal backpack marked AI sits on a winding trail at sunrise, with Lori and Melissa named as hosts.
Hosted by Lori & Melissa
The premise

Every good journey starts with a plan.

Before you head into unfamiliar territory, you need to understand the terrain and know what to bring. The same is true for AI and automation.

What to Pack helps manufacturing and trades leaders sort through the possibilities, understand the risks, and prepare their teams for what comes next.

We're here to help you make sense of the journey, one practical conversation at a time.

  1. Understand the terrain

    Where your operation stands today, and what's realistic to change.

  2. Know your destination

    The business outcome you're after, not just the technology.

  3. Decide what to pack

    The tools, skills, and guardrails worth carrying, and what to leave behind.

What we'll explore

What's in your pack?

Four themes we keep coming back to. Some conversations dig into one; others wander across all four.

  • Tools & Technology

    AI, automation, and data tools through practical applications, not hype.

  • People & Preparation

    The skills, training, and cultural readiness your team needs to move forward.

  • Risks & Guardrails

    Governance, human oversight, costs, and the decisions that deserve extra scrutiny.

  • Real-World Applications

    Actual operational challenges, and where technology makes a meaningful difference.

At the trailhead

First episodes are on their way.

We're lacing up. Get Trail Notes and you'll hear the moment new episodes are ready.

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Meet your guides

You've got guides for the journey.

HEADSHOT PLACEHOLDER

Lori Highby

The strategic perspective

Lori helps leaders connect technology decisions to business priorities and practical next steps.

HEADSHOT PLACEHOLDER

Melissa LAST NAME TBC

The people & process perspective

Melissa helps organizations prepare their teams and operations for meaningful change.

Together, they explore what to bring, what to leave behind, and how to make better decisions along the way.

Trail Notes

A little guidance for the trail ahead.

New episode announcements, show notes, and practical insights from Lori and Melissa, delivered to your inbox.

  • Know when new episodes drop
  • Show notes you can skim in a few minutes
  • Practical takeaways, no AI hype