Ep. 101 - Supply Chain Podcasting with Kevin Lawton

Ep. 101 - Supply Chain Podcasting with Kevin Lawton

In this live podcast-style conversation from the IWLA event, Kevin Lawton and Nathan Chaney dive into the evolution of podcasting, content creation, and marketing in the warehousing and logistics industry. Both share their paths into supply chain, lessons learned from operations leadership, and how curiosity, networking, and consistent content creation opened unexpected doors in their careers. The discussion explores the power of podcasts as educational and relationship-building tools, why authentic thought leadership matters more than constant sales pitches, and how logistics companies can leverage content to build trust, visibility, and industry authority. The conversation also highlights practical marketing advice for 3PLs and solution providers, including batching content, empowering operational leaders to become visible voices online, and creating educational content that resonates with customers. This episode is packed with practical insights for warehouse operators, logistics leaders, marketers, and anyone interested in the growing role of content and community in supply chain. Chapters 00:00 – Opening & Podcast Fireside Chat Concept 01:00 – Kevin Lawton’s Journey into Warehousing & Podcasting 05:05 – Starting a Podcast to Learn the Industry 08:07 – Nathan Chaney’s Supply Chain Career Path 12:00 – Leadership Lessons from Running a P&L Early 14:20 – Discovering Automation & Innovation Through ProMat 16:00 – Launching Supply Chaney & Supply Chain Social Club 19:38 – Teaching Supply Chain & Developing Future Leaders 20:40 – Why Warehouse Leaders Need More Industry Exposure 25:00 – The Secret to Podcast Consistency & Longevity 29:10 – Turning Podcasts into Multi-Use Content Assets 32:00 – Should Companies Launch Their Own Podcast? 37:00 – Creating Educational Content That Builds Authority 41:10 – TikTok Shop, Warehousing & Modern Content Marketing 44:53 – Marketing Do’s & Don’ts for 3PLs 47:30 – Thought Leadership vs. Constant Selling 51:00 – AI Content Pitfalls & Staying Authentic 53:40 – Final Marketing Takeaways & Closing Thoughts Surgere [https://surgere.com/] is the official sponsor of The Supply Chaney [https://www.linkedin.com/company/supply-chaney/] Podcast for 2026. Surgere’s singular focus is building AI-powered, frictionless supply chains that result in real time, end-to-end visibility with 99.9% accuracy for partners and customers.

Ep. 100 - The Supply Chaney Story

In this episode, Nathan Chaney shares his journey through the supply chain industry, highlighting the importance of networking, continuous learning, and authentic content creation. Discover how his diverse experiences and passion have shaped his role as a thought leader and community builder in logistics. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nathan Chaney 02:16 Early Life and Education 05:46 Career Beginnings in Logistics 08:09 Lessons from Early Career 10:38 Transitioning to Corporate America 12:49 Experiences in the Tech Startup World 16:23 The Importance of Networking 18:40 Starting Supply Chain Consulting 20:49 The Birth of Supply Chain Social Club 25:01 Future of Supply Chain Networking 28:10 The Evolution of Networking Events 30:23 Building a Community Platform 32:28 Expanding Resources in Supply Chain 36:03 Innovative Approaches to Events 37:14 The Role of Media in Supply Chain 42:26 Key Takeaways from 99 Conversations 45:19 Finding Your Purpose in Supply Chain Surgere [https://surgere.com/] is the official sponsor of The Supply Chaney [https://www.linkedin.com/company/supply-chaney/] Podcast for 2026. Surgere’s singular focus is building AI-powered, frictionless supply chains that result in real time, end-to-end visibility with 99.9% accuracy for partners and customers.

Ep. 99 - Warehouse Labor MGMT Tech - with Alex Rhea

In this episode, Alex Rhea, CTO and co-founder of Takt, shares his journey from high school web development to leading innovative supply chain technology. He discusses the evolution of supply chain tech, the importance of human elements, and how Takt is transforming warehouse performance with data-driven solutions.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context at MODX 2026 01:09 Alex Ray’s Background and Business Journey 03:40 Growing Up in DC and Early Influences 07:06 Educational Path and Entrepreneurial Spirit 09:28 First Jobs and Lessons in Customer Engagement 14:57 Transition to Tech and Cloud Computing 16:55 Insights from Warehouse Visits and Data Challenges 20:29 Building Takt: From Pilot to Platform 23:19 Robotics, Automation, and the Human Element 25:58 Team, Culture, and Customer Partnerships 29:26 Lessons for Aspiring Supply Chain Innovators 32:10 Closing Remarks and Future Outlook Surgere [https://surgere.com/] is the official sponsor of The Supply Chaney [https://www.linkedin.com/company/supply-chaney/] Podcast for 2026. Surgere’s singular focus is building AI-powered, frictionless supply chains that result in real time, end-to-end visibility with 99.9% accuracy for partners and customers.

Ep. 98 - The Robot Problem with Manthan Pawar

Explore the world of warehouse robotics with Manthan, founder and CEO of Destro AI, as he shares his extensive experience in robotics engineering, product management, and enterprise deployment. Discover how AI and orchestration are transforming automation in supply chains and manufacturing. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Robotics and Automation 02:50 Manthan's Journey into Robotics 05:41 Early Robotics Experiences and Competitions 08:52 Transitioning to the U.S. and Early Career 11:53 Founding Omega Robotics and Medical Innovations 15:03 Endless Frontier Labs and Venture Capital Insights 17:34 High Robotics and Enterprise Deployments 20:58 Destro AI: Addressing Gaps in Robotics 23:53 Mothership OS: The Future of Robotics 26:45 Human-Robot Collaboration in Warehouses 29:45 Expanding Robotics Beyond Warehouses 32:43 Advice for Implementing Robotics in Supply Chains Surgere [https://surgere.com/] is the official sponsor of The Supply Chaney [https://www.linkedin.com/company/supply-chaney/] Podcast for 2026. Surgere’s singular focus is building AI-powered, frictionless supply chains that result in real time, end-to-end visibility with 99.9% accuracy for partners and customers.

Ep. 97 - African Supply Chains with Jenny Froome

Summary  This interview explores the evolution of supply chain management in Africa, the challenges and opportunities in the region, and the importance of education and resilience in the industry. Guest Jenny shares her insights from 30 years of experience, highlighting the growth of the profession, infrastructure issues, and the role of events in knowledge sharing. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:53 Living in South Africa: Changes and Challenges 01:42 Guest Background: From England to South Africa 02:10 Journey to Africa and Starting AVEN 02:47 Guest's Personal Interests and Travel Experiences 03:59 Travel and Living in the US 05:12 History and Growth of SAPICS 06:08 Challenges in South Africa's Infrastructure 07:16 Hosting Events in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges 08:37 Virtual Events During COVID-19 09:43 Global Challenges and Resilience in Africa 10:45 Developing Supply Chain Talent in Africa 12:15 Education in Supply Chain and Event Management 14:23 Africa as a Leading Destination for Conferences 15:53 Africa's World-Class Event Venues 17:08 Sponsorship and Funding for Industry Events 18:29 Balancing Revenue and Social Impact in Events 19:43 Final Advice: Learning from Global Best Practices Surgere [https://surgere.com/] is the official sponsor of The Supply Chaney [https://www.linkedin.com/company/supply-chaney/] Podcast for 2026. Surgere’s singular focus is building AI-powered, frictionless supply chains that result in real time, end-to-end visibility with 99.9% accuracy for partners and customers.