Best Zachary Ebert Podcasts (2025)

In this episode, we welcome Brian White, the new VP of HR and Corporate Strategy at Polo Custom Products. Brian shares his unique insights into how HR can foster innovation and contribute to the manufacturing industry. Discussing his background, Brian highlights his passion as an HR professional and the pride he has observed in Polo’s employees. We…

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Recapping the Best Lessons From Inspiring Innovation (w/ Sean Frost) 22:15

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1y ago22:15

22:15

Today we recap some of the best lessons we've learned on our journey through manufacturing and innovation. In this episode, we revisit the importance of building a strong company culture with insights from our CEO, Kent Lammers. We'll also discuss talent development strategies from Alan Frost, and explore crucial cybersecurity precautions with Rob …

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Bridging Product Development and Sales 30:36

1y ago30:36

30:36

Bridging Product Development and Sales In this episode of Inspiring Innovation, we sit down with Ellen Kershke, a technical expert turned sales professional at Polo. Ellen shares her unique experiences and how her background in product development has benefited her current role in sales. We discuss the crossover between these fields and how it has …

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A Toast to Innovation with Brian Weber 16:50

1y ago16:50

16:50

In the second episode of our Happy Hour series, we enjoy a lively conversation with Brian Weber, the Chief Operating Officer of Polo Custom Products. Brian reflects on the company's 75-year legacy and the anticipation of future milestones. He shares insightful manufacturing stories, the impact of Polo's products out in the real world, and humorous …

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Happy Hour with Brian Weber (fueled by Iowa water) 39:25

1+ y ago39:25

39:25

In this episode of Inspiring Innovation, we welcome back Brian Weber, our first repeat guest and the Chief Operating Officer of Polo Custom Products. Inspired by the Manufacturing Happy Hour podcast, we have a casual and fun discussion over some Busch Light, where Brian shares intriguing manufacturing stories and notable achievements. We delve into…

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Offering a Second Chance (w/ Monica Pyles) 35:36

1+ y ago35:36

35:36

In this episode of Inspiring Innovation, I am thrilled to welcome Monica Pyles, a Customer Success Manager at Polo. Monica shares her incredible journey from a traumatic childhood and seven and a half years of incarceration to securing employment and thriving in a corporate role at Polo. We dive into the challenges she faced during reintegration, h…

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Saving on the Cost of Doing Business (w/ Rod Holter - Schooley Mitchell) 35:45

1+ y ago35:45

35:45

In today’s episode of 'Inspiring Innovation', we delve into the crucial topic of cost savings and reduction techniques in the manufacturing sector. Our special guest, Rod Holter, brings his extensive background in aviation, quality engineering, and his transition into private equity, to the table, now flourishing as a franchise owner of Schooley Mi…

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Crafting Excellence: Stories from the Manufacturing Frontlines 33:59

1+ y ago33:59

33:59

In this enlightening episode of Inspiring Innovation, I had the pleasure of hosting Greg Brown, the seasoned Plant Manager of Polo Custom Products in Louisville, Mississippi. Greg's extensive background in manufacturing, paired with a disciplined leadership style honed in the military, has significantly contributed to the Louisville facility's succ…

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From the Frontline to Project Management (w/ Command Sergeant Major Stephen Blake) 29:46

1+ y ago29:46

29:46

In this engaging episode of Inspiring Innovation, we have the privilege of speaking with Command Sergeant Major Stephen Blake, a distinguished veteran of the United States Army and a champion of leadership, project management, and manufacturing in the military sector. Blake shares his invaluable journey, detailing his rise through the ranks to beco…

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Legally Protecting Your Innovations (Chris Proskey - BrownWinick Law Firm) 48:10

1+ y ago48:10

48:10

It’s time to dive into important aspects of custom manufacturing in the context of legal contracts and agreements. To cover this adequately, we are joined by Chris Proskey, a partner at BrownWinick Law Firm who specializes in patent, trademark and intellectual property. We will cover the importance of defining who owns the intellectual property dur…

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Innovation in Product Development (w/ Carla DeShaw) 40:58

2y ago40:58

40:58

In this episode of Inspiring Innovation, Sean Frost talks with Carla DeShaw, a leading figure in product development and innovation. They delve into product development strategies for product engineers and technology advancements in manufacturing. Carla shares insights regarding various manufacturing processes including RF sealing, Impulse sealing,…

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Protect Your Business from Hacking (w/ Rob Ward) 37:40

2y ago37:40

37:40

It’s a dangerous digital world out there, with many threats facing all businesses. In this episode, host Sean Frost is joined by Rob Ward, Polo's VP of IT, who shares his experiences in the company, on his past projects and the role IT plays in the manufacturing industry. He also provides insights into cybersecurity threats, discussing how bad acto…

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The World of Defense Procurement (Ron Houle - Pivot Step Consultants) 56:04

2y ago56:04

56:04

Exploring Manufacturing Trends in the Defense Industry: A Conversation with Ron Houle The episode of 'Inspiring Innovation' features Ron Huell, the founder and president of Pivot Step Consultants, who shares his extensive experience and insights about the defense industry, procurement process and innovative changes in the sector. Ron discusses his …

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Developing a Strong Workforce (w/ Al Frost) 42:19

2y ago42:19

42:19

Things are changing rapidly around hiring and retention of team members in a manufacturing environment. And so I had to get my dad, Al Frost, (he’s an HR professional) on the show to walk through ways to be effective in developing and maintaining a strong workforce. On this episode we discuss: Al’s 15 minutes of fame at the Home Depot The current h…

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Crafting a Strong Culture (w/ Kent Lammers) 42:29

2y ago42:29

42:29

Polo Custom Products CEO Kent Lammers joins the show. He shares with host Sean Frost how he views the building of culture and innovation at Polo and how critical those pieces are to success in manufacturing. On this episode we discuss: Kent’s Polo journey A balance of technology and finance The keys to a successful acquisition or divesting The secr…

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Partnership and Collaboration are Key 18:32

2y ago18:32

18:32

Host Sean Frost shares some of the experiences he’s seen at Polo Custom Products how the team comes together to deliver on its promises to customers. In doing so, we review some of the conversations we’ve been having with manufacturing experts who operate behind the scenes. On this episode we discuss: Seeing the team come together The criticality o…

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Supply Chain Became (too) Exciting (w/ Jennifer Fennell) 44:35

2+ y ago44:35

44:35

Five years ago if you started discussing supply chain to someone their eyes would instantly glaze over. But in today’s post-COVID world, everyone is struggling to keep up and it’s one of the most challenging aspects of running a successful manufacturing business. Host Sean Frost speaks with Jennifer Fennell, Director of Supply Chain at Polo Custom …

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The Highest Quality (w/ Dawn Silver) 25:18

2+ y ago25:18

25:18

Polo Director of Quality, Dawn Silver, joins Sean Frost to talk about how regulations and requirements drive activity across the manufacturing. Silver has been with Polo for nine years and has a degree in biology and a master's in science. Before Polo, she worked at a contract sterilization company in the greater Chicago land area and fulfilled mul…

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Building Success for 75 Years (w/ Polo COO Brian Weber) 54:54

2+ y ago54:54

54:54

Whenever someone offers you the opportunity for a plant tour, you can always learn something. And in the case of Polo Chief Operating Officer Brian Weber, it led him down an entirely different career path. On this episode we discuss: The tour that led to a job offer Working on and racing motorcycles Learning about the variety of manufacturing proce…

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Manufacturing Solutions for Customer Success (w/ Lyn Lemke) 27:07

2+ y ago27:07

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As a leader in the sales organization at Polo Custom Products, Lyn Lemke has had a front row seat as ideas and designs have turned into products. She shares what it’s like to be a part of that process with host Sean Frost. On this episode we discuss: Transitioning from retail into manufacturing Differences between industrial and medical product mar…