my TRUE POSITION

The Defense Manufacturing Boom Is Coming: Are You Ready?

Defense spending is rising. Aerospace production is accelerating. Munitions demand is growing. And behind the scenes, manufacturers are preparing for what could become one of the biggest opportunities in decades. In this episode of My TRUE POSITION, Jim Carr shares what he's seeing firsthand from the front lines of aerospace and defense manufacturing. He discusses why some shops will be positioned to thrive, why others may struggle to keep up, and what leaders should be doing today to prepare for the demand that's coming tomorrow. If you're a shop owner, manufacturing executive, or anyone responsible for growth and capacity planning, this episode offers practical insights into the future of American manufacturing and the opportunities that may lie ahead. The work is coming. The real question is: will your company be ready?

A Young Engineer Asked Me for 3 Pieces of Advice: Here Are Ten!

A young mechanical engineering student named Jake Masters reached out to me on LinkedIn asking for advice before stepping into his family's 70-year-old CNC manufacturing business. That message inspired this episode. In this solo episode of My TRUE POSITION, Jim Carr shares 10 hard-earned lessons about leadership, failure, culture, cash flow, technology, and what it really takes to survive in precision manufacturing. This isn't motivational fluff. It's real-world operator wisdom from someone who's lived it. Whether you're entering the family business, leading a shop, or building the next generation of manufacturing — this episode is for you. Because inheriting the company is one thing. Improving it? That's leadership.

MRP Is Broken: How Modern Shops Are Rebuilding Their Tech Stack

In this episode, Jim Carr sits down with Lorin Shamos from First Resonance to break down why traditional ERP and MRP systems are falling behind—and what a modern "Factory Operating System" actually looks like. From real-time scheduling and material planning to execution, traceability, and automation, this conversation dives into how advanced manufacturers are replacing spreadsheets and firefighting with systems that actually reflect reality. If your operation still depends on manual updates, outdated data, and constant rescheduling… this episode will hit home.

When Failure Isn't an Option: Inside High-Reliability Manufacturing

Not all manufacturing is created equal. Some parts can fail. Others can't. In this episode, Jim Carr sits down with Errick Egeland from The Lee Company to explore what it takes to manufacture miniature, high-reliability fluid control components used in aerospace, medical, defense, and space applications. From precision flow control to extreme repeatability, this conversation dives into the discipline required to build components where failure is not an option. If you think tight tolerances are challenging… wait until performance, pressure, and reliability are all on the line.

Space Junk, Collisions, and Control: Who's Managing the Chaos in Orbit?

Space isn't just about launching satellites anymore—it's about maintaining them, inspecting them, and eventually removing them. In this episode, Jim Carr sits down with Jeff Schloemer from Astroscale to break down the emerging world of in-orbit servicing and space logistics. From satellite inspection and life extension to debris removal and collision prevention, this conversation explores how space is becoming a fully operational environment—and why that matters for the future of infrastructure, defense, and global communication. If you think manufacturing is complex on Earth… wait until you hear what it takes in orbit.