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Interviews Episodes

From Newsroom To Packaging: Sarah Wynn On Building Digital Community
March 5, 2026

From Newsroom To Packaging: Sarah Wynn On Building Digital Community

Automation media, trade shows, and digital content are reshaping how the industrial automation industry connects. In this episode, Sarah shares insights from covering manufacturing and packaging events, building relationships across OEMs and integrators, and how social media and content creation ar…

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Conveyor Cougar: Automate or Get Left Behind with Cathy Rinne
Feb. 26, 2026

Conveyor Cougar: Automate or Get Left Behind with Cathy Rinne

Season 7 of Automation Ladies opens with grit, ingenuity, and a candid look at what it takes to run a modern automation integration company.Hosts Nikki Gonzales and Courtney Fernandez sit down with Cathy “Conveyor Cougar” Rinne, President of FlexLine Automation, a 15-person, woman-owned systems…

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From Beer Bar to Buildathon: Margarita Rosenkrans’ Journey with Ignition
Aug. 14, 2025

From Beer Bar to Buildathon: Margarita Rosenkrans’ Journey with Ignit…

In this episode of Automation Ladies, Courtney steps in as co-host while Nikki recovers from pneumonia, and they welcome Maggie Rosenkranz from Inductive Automation as their guest. The conversation kicks off with a recap of OT SCADA CON, highlighting the event’s growth, strong sense of community, a…

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From Tesla Batteries to Underground Tunnels with Riddhi Padariya
July 17, 2025

From Tesla Batteries to Underground Tunnels with Riddhi Padariya

Ever wondered what it takes to lead automation projects at trailblazing companies like Tesla and The Boring Company? Nikki chats with Riddhi Padariya about her journey from nerdy high schooler inspired by "How It's Made" to b...

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AI in Industrial Automation - Insights with Ashlesha and Alex from Masked Owl Technologies
June 26, 2025

AI in Industrial Automation - Insights with Ashlesha and Alex from Ma…

How will AI change Industrial automation? Ashlesha Anil Chaudhari and Alex Kaderi from Masked Owl Technologies join us this week to discuss how their team is building practical solutions to support engineers and rethink the...

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Automating the Farm - The Future of Agtech with Katie Bradford
June 19, 2025

Automating the Farm - The Future of Agtech with Katie Bradford

How is automation and robotics changing the future of farming? Katie Bradford, Founder and CEO of Rotate8, joins Nikki to share her story of building practical automation that empowers small farms to thrive without sacrificing repairability or local expertise. Tune in to hear the challenges and opp…

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Bridging Tech, Manufacturing & STEM Careers with Brit Bartolini
June 5, 2025

Bridging Tech, Manufacturing & STEM Careers with Brit Bartolini

This week Nikki sits down with Brit Bartolini, Enterprise Account Director at MaintainX, for a conversation on digital transformation in manufacturing, the future of maintenance, and attracting new generations to STEM careers...

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Fixing Automation’s Biggest Skills Gap With Paul Godines
May 29, 2025

Fixing Automation’s Biggest Skills Gap With Paul Godines

Frustrated by the skills gap in automation? There’s a new approach in town. Join Nikki Gonzales as she sits down with Paul Godines from Logix Trainers to talk real solutions for bridging the entry-level technician divide. On this episode of Automation Ladies, you’ll get the inside story on why simu…

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Building Smart Factories and Smart Teams: Secrets from Dr. Nicole Schra-Martin
May 15, 2025

Building Smart Factories and Smart Teams: Secrets from Dr. Nicole Sch…

How do you build sustainable talent pipelines for the industry? Nikki Gonzales, Ali G, and Courtney Fernandez sit down with Dr. Nicole Schra Martin, an expert in manufacturing and automation, to discuss early STEM education, practical hiring for automation roles, and the changing face of industrial…

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Building Kansas City’s Go-To Controls Team with Caitlyn Young
May 1, 2025

Building Kansas City’s Go-To Controls Team with Caitlyn Young

What is it like to build a thriving controls engineering company with your partner? The Automation Ladies sit down with Caitlyn Young from Integrated Controls and Engineering to discuss what it takes to balance business, engi...

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AI, Tariffs, and Million-Dollar Mistakes in Automation—Live Insights With Frank Hurtte & Larry White
April 24, 2025

AI, Tariffs, and Million-Dollar Mistakes in Automation—Live Insights …

Curious why manufacturer-distributor relationships still make or break automation sales? Nikki Gonzales talked with industry veterans Frank Hurtte & Larry White at AHTD about tariffs, global supply chain headaches, how AI is ...

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Collaborative Innovation, AI, & Cultural Dynamics w/ Dylan DuFresne
Dec. 12, 2024

Collaborative Innovation, AI, & Cultural Dynamics w/ Dylan DuFresne

How can the collaboration between AI and cultural understanding create optimal performance in projects? Join us with Solutions Architect, Dylan DuFresne , as we navigate the complex landscape of digital transformation, sheddi...

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Boiler Technologies, Training, & Empowerment w/Eric Johnson
Nov. 27, 2024

Boiler Technologies, Training, & Empowerment w/Eric Johnson

Dive into the world of boiler technologies, the growing role of automation, and the power of training and development. Join us with, Eric Johnson , CEO of Boilearn, as we enthusiastically tackle the pivotal topic of training ...

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Essential Leadership Skills & Community w/Alicia Lomas
Nov. 21, 2024

Essential Leadership Skills & Community w/Alicia Lomas

What are the essential skills for a leader to create a supportive work culture? With retic and humor, our conversation with Alicia Lomas uncovers the nuances of leadership, exploring invaluable lesson on emotional regulation,...

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From Passion to Purpose, Navigating Through Career Changes & Growth w/Alex Pool
Nov. 14, 2024

From Passion to Purpose, Navigating Through Career Changes & Growth w…

What if passion, resilience, and community could lead you to unexpected heights in a career? Join us along with Alex Pool from Masked Owl Technologies as we discuss how achievements, setbacks, fervor, and maintaining strong i...

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Unlocking Industrial Efficiency: Insights on Compressed Air Systems w/Rob Michael
Nov. 7, 2024

Unlocking Industrial Efficiency: Insights on Compressed Air Systems w…

Discover how optimizing often-overlooked compressed air systems can revolutionize industrial efficiency. Nikki, Ali, Courtney, and Senior Compressed Air Technician, Rob Michael , share practical wisdom on avoiding design mist...

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Gender Dynamics, Mentorship, and Innovation w/ Christine Lee and Mara Pillott
Oct. 31, 2024

Gender Dynamics, Mentorship, and Innovation w/ Christine Lee and Mara…

Challenging existing norms and community are the keys to navigating the ever-evolving realm of industrial automation Join us in addressing the changing landscape of remote work, the intricate gender dynamics, and the urgent d...

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Attending Industry Events Increases Professional Growth, w/ Brandon Peters
Oct. 22, 2024

Attending Industry Events Increases Professional Growth, w/ Brandon P…

Attending industry events are crucial in extending your professional network and growing professionally. Join us with Brandon Peters , CEO of Shockwave Automation, as we highlight how short, focused sessions and face-to-face ...

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Connecting Through Content Creation, Cultural Exchange, & Personal Growth w/Jakob Sagatowski
Oct. 17, 2024

Connecting Through Content Creation, Cultural Exchange, & Personal Gr…

Balancing work, life, and personal growth with cultural experiences and collaborative mindsets. Join us for a hearty conversation with Jakob Sagatowski , Software Engineer & CEO Sagatowski, involving traditions and career tra...

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Exploring Cybersecurity in Industrial Automation w/ Michael Grollmus
Oct. 10, 2024

Exploring Cybersecurity in Industrial Automation w/ Michael Grollmus

Cybersecurity has become one of the fastest-growing fields, offering a wealth of job opportunities. Join us as we discuss the challenges and advancements in cybersecurity in industrial automation with Michael Grollmus , CEO o...

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Insights on Effective Social Media in the Industrial Sector with Susan Wilson
Oct. 3, 2024

Insights on Effective Social Media in the Industrial Sector with Susa…

If you know us ladies, you know we love to network, both in-person and online, especially through social media. Join us, as we delve into the wonders and the transformations of social media with Susan Wilson from Inductive A...

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Modernizing Dairy Farming with Automation ft. Vinny Endres
Sept. 26, 2024

Modernizing Dairy Farming with Automation ft. Vinny Endres

Nikki & Ali, sit down with Vinny Endres, owner of Bitmasked Automation & a trailblazer in dairy farm automation. Vinny shares his journey from growing up on a dairy farm to becoming a diesel mechanic, then discovering his pas...

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Building a Visionary Business in Automation with Erick Collins
Sept. 19, 2024

Building a Visionary Business in Automation with Erick Collins

What happens when a young troublemaker with a love for computers and cars finds himself at the forefront of the robotics and machine vision industries? Nikki and Courtney chat with Erick Collins, owner of Rockport Integration...

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Bridging Innovation and Culture with Casey from HARTING (Automate 2024)
Aug. 29, 2024

Bridging Innovation and Culture with Casey from HARTING (Automate 202…

Join the Automation Ladies as they chat with Casey Spitz, the VP of Development and Innovation at HARTING. She takes us through setting up product development teams in the US, all things connectors, and customer engagement st...

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