
Why MetaPod
MetaPod embraces the MetaOps™ philosophy: the recognition that no single, one-size-fits-all solution exists for achieving business superiority. Instead, we focus on continuous Business Process Improvement (BPI) and Operational Excellence (OpEx) as the keystones for securing an organization's dominant stance in its market(s).
Ron Crabtree brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to MetaPod. Through engaging discussions with thought leaders and innovators, Ron unveils the myriad paths businesses can navigate to surpass traditional boundaries and achieve unprecedented success.
Episodes
Monday Dec 01, 2025
The Zelem Shift: How Culture and Leadership Combat the Labor Shortage
Monday Dec 01, 2025
Monday Dec 01, 2025
Explore the hidden impact of workplace culture and the shift from correction to prevention with Ron Crabtree and Jim Zelem on MetaPod. Dive into why culture is built on behaviors leaders reward and tolerate, how to move from firefighting to prevention with better questions and feedback loops, and practical ways leaders can build trust, engagement, and retention by changing their own behavior first.
Monday Nov 03, 2025
The Next Generation of Expertise: Autonomous AI in Manufacturing
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Explore tribal knowledge loss and AI-enabled decision-making on the plant floor with Ron Crabtree and Bryan DeBois on Meta Pod. Dive into how machine teaching captures expert heuristics before retirements, how predictive AI shifts teams from reacting to anticipating, and why autonomous AI trained safely in simulations can match or even outperform veteran operators, starting in decision support before moving to closed-loop control.
Monday Oct 06, 2025
From Chaos to Clarity: Why Every Business Needs a Systems Champion
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Explore systems champions and process-first, AI-driven digitization with Ron Crabtree and Devid Jenyns on MetaPod. Dive into how to capture tribal knowledge before it walks out the door, use dashboards to pinpoint where to improve, and apply the 80/20 rule to prioritize SOPs and automation.
Monday Sep 01, 2025
The Gratitude Gear: Building Loyalty Beyond Paychecks
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Explore the forever labor shortage and digital transformation with Ron Crabtree and Lisa Ryan on Meta Pod. Dive into why gratitude is the missing gear in manufacturing, how stay interviews and reverse mentoring strengthen retention, and how to overcome resistance to change, whether it’s cultural or technological.
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
Building Talent Before You Need It: A Smarter Approach to Workforce Strategy
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
Wednesday Aug 20, 2025
Explore the forever labor shortage and sustainable workforce development with Ron Crabtree and Tia Rivera on MetaPod. Dive into why companies must shift from reactive hiring to strategic talent pipelines, how to align training programs with real job requirements, and ways to better leverage existing employees through clear mobility and upskilling pathways.
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Smarter Logistics: Using AI to Do More with Less
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Explore operational efficiency and sustainability-driven emissions reduction with Ron Crabtree and Rich Savoie on MetaPod. Dive into AI-powered data harmonization, aligning cost-and-carbon KPIs, and Pareto-focused quick wins.
Learn more about AdionaTech’s AI-powered logistics and optimization solutions at AdionaTech.com
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
How to Relocate Operations Without Regret: What to Plan and What to Avoid
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
Explore manufacturing relocation strategies and common pitfalls to avoid with Kim Crabtree and Neal McGee on this special edition of MetaPod. Dive into proven methods for moving operations, why emotional and operational alignment is key, and how to avoid disaster by asking the right questions before making a move.
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
Smarter Procurement: Using Software to Transform Sourcing & Supplier Strategy
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
Explore cost transparency and digital procurement transformation with Kim Crabtree and Jeoff Burris on this special edition of MetaPod. Dive into how to build systems that reflect real cost structures, why rapid evolution beats digital revolution, and how smarter sourcing leads to 12-18% savings.
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
The ROI of Simulation: How Digital Twin Modeling Drives Financial Wins
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
Explore digital-tein supply-chain simulation and enterprise-wide data aggregation with Kim Crabtree and Greg Smith on this special edition of MetaPod. Dive into how centralized data unlocks proactive risk modeling, why scenario planning beats spreadsheet guesswork, and the concrete savings companies gain when they test “what-if” moves before they act.
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
How Smart Companies Prepare for Tariff Waves with Strategic Planning
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
Thursday Jul 03, 2025
Explore the total landed cost modeling and strategic supply chain planning with Ron Crabtree and Dennis Schneider on this special edition of MetaPod. Dive into why most companies aren’t fully accounting for tariff impact, how to collect the right data to drive decisions, and what a well-aligned supply chain strategy really looks like.






