HIRED! The Podcast With Travis Miller

<p>Welcome to HIRED! The Podcast, where host Travis Miller dives deep into dynamic dialogues with top hiring experts. Join us for candid conversations that transform companies into coveted destinations for talent and empower candidates to stand out from the crowd.</p>

Emergency Economic Update (Ft. Alex Chausovsky)│SPECIAL

Welcome to HIRED! The Podcast, hosted by Travis Miller. In this special emergency episode, Travis is joined by Alex Chausovsky, the Vice President of Analytics & Consulting for Miller Resource Group, to discuss the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and its potential impact on the banking industry, as well as the recent news of tech layoffs and its relation to the U.S. February Jobs Report. Alex shares his expertise on the potential effects of SVB's collapse on the banking industry a...

03-22
24:01

Understanding Your Company's Vision (Ft. Adrian Williams) | Ep. #2

Adrian Williams, Director of Recruiting for Miller Resource Group sit down and discuss the power of listening and how it can help you identify the right candidate to help you achieve your vision and to identify the right opportunity for you and your career. Then they talk about the power of building trust in a sales relationship, how to build that trust, and how you can't fake it. They move on to discuss the future of the energy management and building automation industry (Adrian's specialt...

10-14
34:13

Helping Your Company and Your Career Stand Out (Ft. Gus Bageanis) | Ep. #1

Join Travis and Gus Bageanis, The Director of Recruiting and Business Development for Miller Resource Group as they do a deep dive. What does your company do to stand out and can candidates see it? How do the best candidates stick out and what can they do to bee seen? Should companies search for someone with a better past or greater potential? Join us as we dig into all of these topics and more.

09-28
22:58

Starting an Automation Company With No Safety Net (Ft. James Butler) | Ep. #63

What does it really take to start an automation company with no safety net? In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller talks with James Butler about the leap from employee to founder, the risks behind starting Bridger Automation, and how leadership, hiring, and decision making change when it’s your business on the line. // ABOUT OUR GUEST James Butler is the President and Founder of Bridger Automation, specializing in warehouse automation, conveyor controls, electrical integra...

12-17
34:49

Stop Trying to Be the Smartest Person in the Room (Ft. Anthony Leo) | Ep. #62

Does technical expertise guarantee leadership success? For Anthony Leo, President of IPR Robotics, the path from engineer to the C-Suite meant unlearning the need to be the smartest person in the room. In the Season 5 premiere of HIRED!, host Travis Miller uncovers the real traits that drive career growth. We break down the "Assumption Model" that kills deals, the interview red flag that ends the process immediately, and why curiosity beats knowledge. Plus, blunt advice for today's market. S...

12-03
38:05

How to Fix the Skills Gap (It's Not What You Think) (Ft. Christelle Keefer) | Ep. #61

Is the "skills gap" real, or is it just the story we've been told to believe? In our first-ever on-location episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller travels to the U.S. headquarters of ABB Robotics to find out. He sits down with Christelle Keefer, Global Segment Manager for Education at ABB, to investigate the surprising truth about retraining our workforce for the age of automation, who is truly responsible for building the next generation of talent, and how quickly it can actually ...

07-30
39:56

Why CRM Fails—And What CEOs Must Do About It (Ft. Brian Gardner) | Ep. #60

Why do so many CRM systems fail even with the best tools in place? In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with Brian Gardner—founder of SalesProcess360 and author of CRM for CEO—to explore why CRM adoption often falls flat and what leadership can do to change that. From managing resistant sales stars to turning CRM into a company-wide advantage, Brian shares practical insights that help teams move beyond data entry and into real sales strategy. If you’re leading ...

06-11
39:04

What’s Holding Robotics Back? (Ft. Ken Macken) | Ep. #59

Is the robotics industry as advanced as we think? In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, Travis Miller talks with Ken Macken, CEO & Founder of Workr Labs, about why robotics hasn’t evolved as fast as expected—and what’s holding it back. From legacy software to the scarcity of talent, Ken unpacks the hidden challenges slowing real progress. He also shares a bold vision for the future: one where automation is intuitive, accessible, and woven into the workforce in smarter ways. Whether yo...

05-28
40:18

Robotics Leaders: Are You Listening? (Ft. Jesica Chavez) | Ep. 58

The future of robotics isn’t about talent gaps. It’s about the leaders building smarter teams and opening more doors. Jesica Chavez joins HIRED! The Podcast to share how robotics companies can scale by focusing on people first. From factory floors in Mexico to leadership roles in the U.S., Jesica brings a global view on scaling startups, building diverse teams, and the leadership lessons robotics companies still need to learn. If you care about the future of robotics, this one is for you. J...

05-14
40:59

Play the Game Without Fear | Supply Chain Founder Stories (Ft. Jim Shaw) | Ep. #57

What happens when you’re not afraid to fail? In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with Jim Shaw, President & Co-Founder of Zion Solutions Group, a fast-growing force in supply chain automation and systems integration. Jim Shaw is a senior leader with over 25 years in the supply chain industry, specializing in operations, systems integration, material handling, and logistics. Known for driving innovation and creating engaged, high-performance cultures, Jim ...

04-30
39:43

How to Stay Relevant in a Disrupted Industry (Ft. Chris Stevens) | Ep. #56

The world of manufacturing is changing fast — and staying relevant means evolving just as quickly. In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, Chris Stevens (PMO Business Excellence Manager at Abbott) joins Travis Miller to talk about what it really takes to thrive in an industry where technology, talent, and timelines are constantly shifting. Chris also shares the story behind his passion project, The Home of Manufacturing, a centralized, free resource created to amplify voices and connect the f...

04-16
40:35

This Is Automation, Rebuilt (Ft. Nikki Gonzales) | Ep. #55

The automation industry isn’t just changing—it’s being rebuilt by the people who refuse to wait for permission. On this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with Nikki Gonzales, a leader reshaping the field by showing up, speaking out, and creating the kind of industry she wants to work in. Recently hired as Director of Business Development at Weintek USA, Nikki brings years of industry insight, a passion for making automation more accessible, and a proven track record...

03-26
44:54

Stop Wasting Money on Bad Marketing (Ft. Eddie Saunders Jr.) | Ep. #54

Most companies are wasting money on marketing that doesn’t work—chasing the wrong audience, burning budgets on ineffective strategies, and missing the biggest opportunity right in front of them. In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with Eddie Saunders Jr., founder of Speak Friend, to expose the biggest marketing mistakes and reveal how to cut waste, use AI to get ahead, and engage the 95% of potential customers most brands ignore. Eddie also shares his unconve...

03-05
39:06

Are You Building a Vanguard Team? (Ft. Bryan Howard) | Ep. #53

Season 4 of HIRED! The Podcast kicks off with a powerful conversation between host Travis Miller and Bryan Howard, CEO of Peoplyst and author of The Vanguard Edge. In this episode, Bryan shares actionable insights on building resilient, high-performing teams and creating a culture that thrives in the face of change. Bryan dives into his framework for resilience, exploring the importance of mindset, team strength, and adaptability. Learn how to evaluate your team, hire for growth, and foster ...

11-27
41:23

The Brutal Truth About Employer Branding (Ft. James Ellis) | Ep. #52

In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with James Ellis, a top expert in employer branding, for a lively conversation packed with hot takes and real, actionable insights. This isn’t your typical discussion—Ellis breaks down exactly how businesses can stand out by focusing on what makes them unique as employers and why authenticity is key in attracting the right talent. Ellis dives deep into how employees can actively shape a brand and gives concrete strategies fo...

09-11
43:27

The Fresh Faces of Manufacturing (Ft. Kim Blomquist) | Ep. #51

In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, Travis Miller sits down with Kim Blomquist, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at mHUB, Chicago’s leading manufacturing incubator. Kim sheds light on mHUB’s role in nurturing early-stage startups, particularly in the fields of climate and energy, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. From prototyping labs to a comprehensive mentor network, mHUB equips these startups with the tools they need to scale, secure funding, and prove their busines...

08-28
38:22

Family-Driven Automation and Robotics (Ft. Flex-Line Automation) | Ep. #50

In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, Travis Miller is joined by Cathy Rinne, President and CEO of Flex-Line Automation, alongside her daughter Lauren Van De Mark, Sales and Marketing Manager, marketing intern Isaiah Roth, and Customer Service Specialist Cayla Sibley. Together, they explore the nuances of talent acquisition in manufacturing and automation, offering valuable insights into the importance of evaluating candidates beyond technical skills and rebranding the industry to attract fr...

08-15
44:10

Can Emotional Insight Improve Sales? (Ft. Karine Leblanc) | Ep. #49

Join us in this insightful episode of HIRED! The Podcast, hosted by Travis Miller, as we dive into the world of transitioning from technical roles to sales with Karine Leblanc, who is “Not Your Typical Engineer™”. Author of How to Be Human in a Technical World, Karine shares her journey and emphasizes the critical role of soft skills, especially communication and interpersonal skills. This conversation explores hiring and managing individuals with low emotional intelligence (EQ), offering st...

07-31
44:52

Human Connection: Beyond AI’s Reach (Ft. Britta Muehlenberg) | Ep. #48

In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, host Travis Miller interviews Britta Muehlenberg, Chief Operating Officer at Acrolinx, about the transformative role of AI in the workplace and the importance of human talent and leadership. Travis and Britta discuss generative AI’s impact on the job market, leadership, and employee engagement. They explore the need for courageous communication, healthy conflict, and a culture of shared credit. They also highlight the significance of human connection in...

07-17
46:28

AI, Burnout, and a New Era of Leadership (Ft. Luis Báez) | Ep. #47

In this episode of HIRED! The Podcast, we sit down with Luis Báez, a former executive at Tesla and Uber, who shares his remarkable journey from corporate sales to entrepreneurship. Discover how Luis has leveraged his extensive experience to become a successful sales and leadership coach, guiding others to achieve their goals. We explore key themes such as self-awareness as a manager, the importance of vulnerability in leadership, and the evolving challenges of managing teams in an AI-driven w...

06-26
43:04

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