Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership

<p><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_611_Alexandra_Suchman_mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-737138 size-large" src="https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexsuchman-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="454" srcset="https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexsuchman-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexsuchman-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexsuchman-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/alexsuchman.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;">This week&#8217;s guest is Alexandra Suchman. Ron and Alexandra discussed the concept of relational waste, playing games in continuous improvement, the role of personality differences, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download <strong><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_611_Alexandra_Suchman_mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></strong>.</p> <h3><strong>In this episode you&#8217;ll learn: </strong></h3> <ul> <li>Alexandra&#8217;s favorite quote (2:33)</li> <li>Her background (3:21)</li> <li>Her thoughts on playing games in continuous improvement (5:39)</li> <li>All about relational waste (8:02)</li> <li>How personality differences factor in (10:56)</li> <li>A time when a game didn&#8217;t work out (17:10)</li> <li>Alexandra&#8217;s go-to games for those just getting started (18:51)</li> <li>Her advice for incorporating games (20:46)</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Podcast Resources</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_611_Alexandra_Suchman_mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrasuchman/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alexandra on LinkedIn</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.barometerxp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barometer XP</a></strong></li> </ul> <h3><strong>Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy</strong></h3> <p>Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up <strong><a href="https://www.gembaacademy.com/about/news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></strong>.</p> <h3><strong>What Do You Think?</strong></h3> <p>Have you ever played games in a continuous improvement setting? What kinds of games?</p>

<p><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_610_Heather_Underwood_and_Adam_Marsland__mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-737110 size-large" src="https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/HeatherAdam-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="454" srcset="https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/HeatherAdam-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/HeatherAdam-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/HeatherAdam-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/HeatherAdam.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;">This week&#8217;s guests are Heather Underwood and Adam Marsland. Ron, Heather, and Adam discussed how lean is being applied in legal settings, the status quo when it comes to AI, what the future might look like, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download <strong><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_610_Heather_Underwood_and_Adam_Marsland__mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></strong>.</p> <h3><strong>In this episode you&#8217;ll learn: </strong></h3> <ul> <li>The quotes that inspire Heather and Adam (3:44)</li> <li>Their backgrounds (5:37)</li> <li>The role of lean (7:36)</li> <li>Examples of using lean in a legal setting (10:20)</li> <li>What they&#8217;re learning (13:01)</li> <li>The future of AI and its effect on humanity (17:38)</li> <li>Challenges as it relates to lean and AI (19:14)</li> <li>What things will look like in five years (24:52)</li> <li>The adoption of lean in the legal industry (27:01)</li> <li>Moving from control to curiosity (29:10)</li> <li>Their final words of wisdom (33:33)</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Podcast Resources</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_610_Heather_Underwood_and_Adam_Marsland__mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/apmarsland/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adam on LinkedIn</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherunderwood94/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heather on LinkedIn</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://blog.gembaacademy.com/2020/07/02/ga-326-lean-and-law-in-the-uk-with-adam-marsland/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GA 326 | Lean and Law in the UK with Adam Marsland</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://blog.gembaacademy.com/2022/05/05/ga-422-getting-lean-buy-in-with-adam-marsland/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GA 422 | Getting Lean Buy-In with Adam Marsland</a></strong></li> </ul> <h3><strong>Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy</strong></h3> <p>Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up <strong><a href="https://www.gembaacademy.com/about/news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></strong>.</p> <h3><strong>What Do You Think?</strong></h3> <p>Are you concerned for the future in regards to AI? Why or why not?</p>

<p><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_609_Caleb_Wilczynski_mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-737097 size-large" src="https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/caleb-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="454" srcset="https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/caleb-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/caleb-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/caleb-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/caleb.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;">This week&#8217;s guest is Caleb Wilczynski. Ron and Caleb discussed Caleb&#8217;s experience getting his Master Black Belt with Gemba Academy, the challenges his organization has faced, design engineering, leveraging OEE, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download <strong><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_609_Caleb_Wilczynski_mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></strong>.</p> <h3><strong>In this episode you&#8217;ll learn: </strong></h3> <ul> <li>The quote Caleb likes (3:57)</li> <li>His background (5:07)</li> <li>What he&#8217;s up to in continuous improvement (8:42)</li> <li>About Caleb&#8217;s design engineering role (12:06)</li> <li>Their change management journey (17:20)</li> <li>How else Caleb is using his new skills (21:24)</li> <li>How Caleb plans to share his knowledge (25:45)</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Podcast Resources</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_609_Caleb_Wilczynski_mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-wilczynski/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caleb on LinkedIn</a></strong></li> </ul> <h3><strong>Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy</strong></h3> <p>Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up <strong><a href="https://www.gembaacademy.com/about/news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></strong>.</p> <h3><strong>What Do You Think?</strong></h3> <p>What are your thoughts on Overall Equipment Effectiveness?</p>

<p><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_608_Ricky_Banks_mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-737026 aligncenter" src="https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ep-608-rickybanks-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="454" srcset="https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ep-608-rickybanks-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ep-608-rickybanks-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ep-608-rickybanks-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ep-608-rickybanks.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;">This week&#8217;s guest is Gemba Academy Senior Coach and Instructor Ricky Banks. Ron and Ricky discussed what it means to lead without authority, working with incarcerated individuals, the importance of building relationships, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download <strong><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_608_Ricky_Banks_mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></strong>.</p> <h3><strong>In this episode you&#8217;ll learn: </strong></h3> <ul> <li>Ricky&#8217;s background (3:17)</li> <li>What &#8220;leading without authority&#8221; means to him (4:15)</li> <li>Whether it&#8217;s more or less important today (6:10)</li> <li>Building trust and credibility (7:47)</li> <li>An example of a spectacular leader (10:49)</li> <li>How it feels working with incarcerated individuals (15:02)</li> <li>How these skills work in the coaching context (18:24)</li> <li>The importance of relationships (22:27)</li> <li>The role of likeability (23:32)</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Podcast Resources</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_608_Ricky_Banks_mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickybanks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ricky on LinkedIn</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://ministrymanna.life/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ministry Manna</a></strong></li> </ul> <h3><strong>Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy</strong></h3> <p>Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up <strong><a href="https://www.gembaacademy.com/about/news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></strong>.</p> <h3><strong>What Do You Think?</strong></h3> <p>What does the phrase &#8220;leading without authority&#8221; mean to you?</p>

<p><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_607_Michelle_Troseth_and_Dr._Tracy_Christopherson_mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-737006 aligncenter" src="https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/tracymichelle-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="454" srcset="https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/tracymichelle-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/tracymichelle-300x200.jpg 300w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/tracymichelle-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.gembaacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/tracymichelle.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: left;">This week&#8217;s guests are Michelle Troseth and Tracy Christopherson. Ron, Michelle, and Tracy discussed the concept of an internal operating system, dealing with both burnout and boredom, the importance of personal alignment, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download <strong><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_607_Michelle_Troseth_and_Dr._Tracy_Christopherson_mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></strong>.</p> <h3><strong>In this episode you&#8217;ll learn: </strong></h3> <ul> <li>Michelle and Tracy&#8217;s favorite quotes (3:12)</li> <li>Their backgrounds (4:37)</li> <li>Characterizing burnout (6:03)</li> <li>Dealing with boredom (9:27)</li> <li>About the &#8220;internal operating system&#8221; (11:24)</li> <li>How to prevent leaders from self-sabotaging (16:22)</li> <li>&#8220;Upgrading&#8221; your operating system (20:52)</li> <li>The importance of personal alignment (24:23)</li> <li>An example anecdote (26:52)</li> <li>How that kind of impact makes them feel (30:56)</li> </ul> <h3><strong>Podcast Resources</strong></h3> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/lssacademy/GA_607_Michelle_Troseth_and_Dr._Tracy_Christopherson_mixdown.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-christopherson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tracy on LinkedIn</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletroseth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michelle on LinkedIn</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.missinglogic.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Missing Logic</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.missinglogic.com/burnout-proof-leadership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Burnout Proof Leadership</a></strong></li> </ul> <h3><strong>Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy</strong></h3> <p>Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up <strong><a href="https://www.gembaacademy.com/about/news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></strong>.</p> <h3><strong>What Do You Think?</strong></h3> <p>What about the concept of an internal operating system can you relate to?</p>