The DooDoo Diva's Smells Like Money Podcast

What happens when an entire state unites around building the next generation of water professionals? In this episode of Smells Like Money, Suzan Chin-Taylor dives back in with Dr. Marissa Jablonski to break down one of the most ambitious and successful workforce development models in the water industry: The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin.Designed to bring together 13 universities, 23 campuses, industry partners, tribal nations, and government agencies, this statewide initiative is transforming how students are trained, how employers find talent, and how communities prepare for future water challenges.Dr. Jablonski shares how the Collaborative was built, why Wisconsin needed it, and the real-world impact it is already having—from K–12 water camps to fieldwork-driven college programs to fully developed internship pipelines across the state.If you’re looking for a scalable, proven blueprint for strengthening the water workforce, this episode delivers the insights and strategy you need.What You’ll Learn- Why Wisconsin created the Freshwater Collaborative- How universities, agencies, and industry partners aligned their goals- The role of K–12 outreach in sparking early interest in water careers- How hands-on fieldwork boosts student retention in water programs- How the Collaborative builds strong statewide internship and job pipelines- Funding models that keep programs sustainable- Why collaboration—not competition—accelerates innovation- How any region can replicate this modelWhy This MattersThe Freshwater Collaborative proves that when institutions share resources and work toward common goals, they can solve workforce shortages, strengthen education, and create long-term environmental resilience. It’s a model built for today’s challenges—and ready to be copied anywhere.Connect With Dr. Marissa JablonskiWebsite: marissajablonski.comInstagram: @PlasticFreeMarisaFreshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin: freshwater.wisconsin.eduLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissajablonski/Email: [email protected] hope you find this episode as informative and as exciting as we have.Please let us know your thoughts about the episode!Connect with Suzan Chin-Taylor, host of The DooDoo Diva's Smells Like Money Podcast:Website: www.creativeraven.com | https://thetuitgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creativeraven/Email: [email protected] Telephone: +1 760-217-8010Listen and subscribe here to your favorite platform:Apple Podcast - Google Podcast - Cast Box - Overcast - Pocket Casts - YouTube - Spotifyhttps://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/ Subscribe to the Podcast:https://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/Be a guest on our show:https://calendly.com/thetuitgroup/be-a-podcast-guestCheck Out my NEW Digital Marketing E-Course & Coaching Program just for Wastewater Pros:https://store.thetuitgroup.com/diy-digital-marketing-playbook-for-wastewater-pros#FreshwaterCollaborative #WaterWorkforce #OneWater #WaterEducation #EnvironmentalCareers #SustainabilityLeadership #WorkforceDevelopment #HigherEdInnovation #CleanWaterFuture #STEMCareers #SmellsLikeMoneyPodcast #CreativeRaven #MarissaJablonski

The water industry is changing fast — and the next generation is ready to change it even more. In this inspiring episode of Smells Like Money, Suzan Chin-Taylor sits down with Dr. Marissa Jablonski, global consultant and Director of the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, to explore how young professionals are reshaping the future of water, wastewater, and environmental work.From her hands-on work in Guatemala and India to her leadership across Wisconsin’s university system, Dr. Jablonski shares what she’s learned about purpose-driven talent, modern communication styles, and why the One Water mindset is no longer optional. We dig into why traditional recruiting falls flat, how AI can lighten the load for small teams, and what really motivates today’s workforce to choose water careers.If you care about building a stronger, more innovative water workforce — or attracting passionate young professionals — this episode is a must-watch.🔑 What You’ll Learn- Why “One Water” thinking matters more than ever- How Gen Z and young professionals view impact, community, and meaningful work- Why today’s communication styles can actually strengthen teams- How global perspective inspires smarter local water solutions- The role of AI and automation in helping overextended water utilities- What makes innovation-friendly organizations irresistible to new talent- How to create pathways that make water careers relevant and exciting🌊 Connect With Dr. Marissa JablonskiWebsite: marissajablonski.comInstagram: @PlasticFreeMarisaFreshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin: freshwater.wisconsin.eduLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissajablonski/Email: [email protected] hope you find this episode as informative and as exciting as we have.Please let us know your thoughts about the episode!Connect with Suzan Chin-Taylor, host of The DooDoo Diva's Smells Like Money Podcast:Website: www.creativeraven.com | https://thetuitgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creativeraven/Email: [email protected] Telephone: +1 760-217-8010Listen and subscribe here to your favorite platform:Apple Podcast - Google Podcast - Cast Box - Overcast - Pocket Casts - YouTube - Spotifyhttps://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/ Subscribe to the Podcast:https://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/Be a guest on our show:https://calendly.com/thetuitgroup/be-a-podcast-guestCheck Out my NEW Digital Marketing E-Course & Coaching Program just for Wastewater Pros:https://store.thetuitgroup.com/diy-digital-marketing-playbook-for-wastewater-pros#OneWater #WaterIndustry #WaterWorkforce #EnvironmentalEngineering #FutureOfWater #WastewaterIndustry #CleanWaterCareers #SustainabilityLeadership #EnvironmentalEducation #SmellsLikeMoneyPodcast #MarissaJablonski #CreativeRaven

Growing a service-based business is exciting — until rapid demand outpaces your team’s ability to keep up. In this episode, host Suzan Chin-Taylor sits down with Paty Rubio to uncover the real insights your employees wish they could tell you… but often won’t.If you’re hiring, promoting, or building a team, this episode will transform how you think about leadership, culture, and retention. Paty reveals how the same data-driven tools used to understand customers can uncover what your staff truly needs to thrive — from meaningful work to strong leadership support.🚨 Leaders, owners, and managers — this one’s for you.If you want lower turnover, happier teams, and smarter staffing decisions, press play now.💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode- Why fast growth demands intentional communication & leadership- How promoting the wrong person can derail your team (and how to prevent it)- What your employees really want, need, and fear- Why new leaders fail — and how the right training changes everything- What the next-generation workforce values most (hint: it’s not money)- How third-party feedback uncovers the truth your staff won’t say- How employee insights build a stronger culture and higher retention✨ Key Takeaway- Your business may rely on systems and equipment — but people are the engine.When leaders understand what staff aren’t saying, they make better decisions, build stronger teams, and create workplaces where people actually want to stay and grow.👤 Connect With Paty RubioWebsite: customersfit.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paty-rubio/Email: [email protected] hope you find this episode as informative and as exciting as we have.Please let us know your thoughts about the episode!Connect with Suzan Chin-Taylor, host of The DooDoo Diva's Smells Like Money Podcast:Website: www.creativeraven.com | https://thetuitgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creativeraven/Email: [email protected] Telephone: +1 760-217-8010Listen and subscribe here to your favorite platform:Apple Podcast - Google Podcast - Cast Box - Overcast - Pocket Casts - YouTube - Spotifyhttps://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/ Subscribe to the Podcast:https://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/Be a guest on our show:https://calendly.com/thetuitgroup/be-a-podcast-guestCheck Out my NEW Digital Marketing E-Course & Coaching Program just for Wastewater Pros:https://store.thetuitgroup.com/diy-digital-marketing-playbook-for-wastewater-pros#EmployeeInsights #LeadershipGrowth #WorkforceDevelopment #TeamRetention #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeFeedback #CompanyCulture #ServiceIndustrySuccess #StaffDevelopment #RetentionStrategies #LeadershipTraining #BusinessGrowth #HRStrategy #SmellsLikeMoneyPodcast #CreativeRaven #EmployeeEngagement #PromotionStrategy #TeamDevelopment

AI is everywhere in the wastewater world right now — but how much of it actually works?In this episode of the Smells Like Money Podcast, host Suzan Chin-Taylor sits down with Chris Koch, CTO and co-founder of Palin, for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what today’s sewer inspection AI can really do.Together, they break down the hype, the limitations, and the real benefits of AI-powered defect coding. From why some tools struggle with accuracy to how Palin’s “AI + multi-human review” model delivers more reliable results, this conversation gives you a true apples-to-apples comparison of AI vs. reality.Whether you’re a contractor, municipality, engineer, or technology evaluator, this episode will help you make smarter decisions about AI-driven assessment tools — and understand where human expertise still matters most.💡 What You’ll Learn- Why some AI inspection tools fall short on accuracy- How AI handles common defects well but struggles with unusual ones- When human oversight becomes essential- How Palin’s hybrid approach improves consistency- Why U.S. sewer systems create unique challenges- Where AI is headed next in inspection and asset management- Why high-quality defect data is the base for every rehab decision💬 Key Quote“Accuracy matters. If the defect data isn’t right, everything downstream is wrong.”🔗 Resources👉 Try Palin’s free AI test: palin.com👉 Connect with Suzan: creativeraven.com👉 More podcast episodes: creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast👤 About the Guest – Chris KochCo-Founder, Pallon (Switzerland)Email: [email protected]: linkedin.com/in/christiankoch3/Website: pallon.comI hope you find this episode as informative and as exciting as we have.Please let us know your thoughts about the episode!Connect with Suzan Chin-Taylor, host of The DooDoo Diva's Smells Like Money Podcast:Website: www.creativeraven.com | https://thetuitgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creativeraven/Email: [email protected] Telephone: +1 760-217-8010Listen and subscribe here to your favorite platform:Apple Podcast - Google Podcast - Cast Box - Overcast - Pocket Casts - YouTube - Spotifyhttps://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/ Subscribe to the Podcast:https://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/Be a guest on our show:https://calendly.com/thetuitgroup/be-a-podcast-guestCheck Out my NEW Digital Marketing E-Course & Coaching Program just for Wastewater Pros:https://store.thetuitgroup.com/diy-digital-marketing-playbook-for-wastewater-pros#SmellsLikeMoneyPodcast #WastewaterIndustry #SewerInspection #AIForInfrastructure #PipelineInspection #ChrisKoch #PalinAI #DigitalTransformation #WaterIndustryTech #AssetManagement #CivilInfrastructure #DataAnalysis #EngineeringTech #AIvsReality #KeepItFlowing

Artificial intelligence isn’t replacing sewer inspectors — it’s empowering them.In this episode of The DooDoo Diva’s Smells Like Money Podcast, host Suzan Chin-Taylor sits down with Chris Koch, Co-Founder of Pallon (Switzerland), to explore how AI-driven inspection data and human expertise are working together to transform the way we manage underground infrastructure.With Europe years ahead in adopting hybrid AI models for CCTV pipeline inspection, Chris reveals how North America can leverage the same strategies to improve accuracy, reduce data subjectivity, and solve skilled-labor shortages — without replacing people or disrupting existing workflows.From integration with tools like PipeTech and Rhino Vision to real-world examples from the U.S. and Canada, this conversation uncovers how the future of inspection is hybrid — AI + humans working side by side for better, faster, and more reliable results.🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:- Why sewer inspection accuracy and consistency matter more than ever- How Pallon’s AI model blends field engineering and computer science- The hidden subjectivity of PACP coding — and how AI helps fix it- Why human verification remains essential in AI workflows- How automation helps tackle labor shortages and data backlogs- The European approach to AI-driven inspection — and how it’s being adopted across North America- Real-world integration success stories from contractors and municipalities🧠 Key Takeaways- AI doesn’t replace inspectors — it enhances their precision- Better data = smarter decisions, faster repairs, and lower costs- The most successful systems are hybrid: automation + expert oversight👤 About the Guest – Chris KochCo-Founder, Pallon (Switzerland)Email: [email protected]: linkedin.com/in/christiankoch3/Website: pallon.comI hope you find this episode as informative and as exciting as we have.Please let us know your thoughts about the episode!Connect with Suzan Chin-Taylor, host of The DooDoo Diva's Smells Like Money Podcast:Website: www.creativeraven.com | https://thetuitgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creativeraven/Email: [email protected] Telephone: +1 760-217-8010Listen and subscribe here to your favorite platform:Apple Podcast - Google Podcast - Cast Box - Overcast - Pocket Casts - YouTube - Spotifyhttps://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/ Subscribe to the Podcast:https://creativeraven.com/smells-like-money-podcast/Be a guest on our show:https://calendly.com/thetuitgroup/be-a-podcast-guestCheck Out my NEW Digital Marketing E-Course & Coaching Program just for Wastewater Pros:https://store.thetuitgroup.com/diy-digital-marketing-playbook-for-wastewater-pros#PipelineInspection #AIinInfrastructure #SewerIndustry #WastewaterManagement #SmartCities #UtilityManagement #CivilEngineering #InfrastructureTech #AIandHumans #PallonAI #SmellsLikeMoneyPodcast #CreativeRaven