Lean Blog Interviews - Healthcare, Manufacturing, Business, and Leadership
Mark Graban
575 episodes
5 days ago
Since 2006, the Lean Blog Interviews podcast has featured in-depth, candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and doers in the world of Lean and continuous improvement. Hosted by Mark Graban—author, consultant, and longtime Lean practitioner—the show explores how Lean principles are being applied across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and more.
What sets this podcast apart? We go beyond tools and buzzwords. Our guests share real-world stories of success, struggle, learning, and leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned Lean veteran or just getting started, you’ll gain practical insights and fresh perspectives that you can take back to your own organization.
Topics include:
Lean as a management system and cultural transformation—not just a toolbox
Continuous improvement and problem-solving, at every level
Leadership behaviors that support real change
Psychological safety as a foundation for improvement
Lessons from the Toyota Production System, Lean Startup, and beyond
Candid stories about mistakes—and what we learn from them
We don’t talk much about “Lean Six Sigma” here. But if you believe improvement is about people first—this podcast is for you.
Many episodes feature a special focus on Lean in healthcare, reflecting Mark’s deep work in that field. Hear from leaders working to improve patient safety, reduce waste, and build cultures of respect and learning.
Find all episodes and show notes at www.LeanCast.org.
Learn more about Mark and his work at www.LeanBlog.org.
Questions or feedback? Email mark@leanblog.org
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Since 2006, the Lean Blog Interviews podcast has featured in-depth, candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and doers in the world of Lean and continuous improvement. Hosted by Mark Graban—author, consultant, and longtime Lean practitioner—the show explores how Lean principles are being applied across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and more.
What sets this podcast apart? We go beyond tools and buzzwords. Our guests share real-world stories of success, struggle, learning, and leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned Lean veteran or just getting started, you’ll gain practical insights and fresh perspectives that you can take back to your own organization.
Topics include:
Lean as a management system and cultural transformation—not just a toolbox
Continuous improvement and problem-solving, at every level
Leadership behaviors that support real change
Psychological safety as a foundation for improvement
Lessons from the Toyota Production System, Lean Startup, and beyond
Candid stories about mistakes—and what we learn from them
We don’t talk much about “Lean Six Sigma” here. But if you believe improvement is about people first—this podcast is for you.
Many episodes feature a special focus on Lean in healthcare, reflecting Mark’s deep work in that field. Hear from leaders working to improve patient safety, reduce waste, and build cultures of respect and learning.
Find all episodes and show notes at www.LeanCast.org.
Learn more about Mark and his work at www.LeanBlog.org.
Questions or feedback? Email mark@leanblog.org
Jared Thatcher on Growing the Global Lean Summit and Partnering with Toyota
Lean Blog Interviews - Healthcare, Manufacturing, Business, and Leadership
10 minutes 39 seconds
3 months ago
Jared Thatcher on Growing the Global Lean Summit and Partnering with Toyota
In this bonus episode of Lean Blog Interviews, host Mark Graban talks with Jared Thatcher, founder of the Global Lean Summit, to preview the upcoming event taking place September 23–25, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana.
Jared shares the Summit’s origin story—from a virtual event launched during COVID lockdowns to a high-impact in-person gathering that brings together Lean leaders, practitioners, and learners from a wide range of industries.
This year’s Summit includes:✅ A site visit and training day at Toyota Material Handling✅ A new healthcare track, co-hosted with Indiana University’s medical school✅ A foundational Kaizen facilitation workshop for hands-on learning✅ Free in-person access for university students✅ A 30-60-90 day virtual follow-up to help participants apply what they learned
Notable speakers include Phil Wickler (GE Aerospace), Sam McPherson, Mohamed Saleh, Nick Katko, Hide Oba, and Mark Graban, among others.
Whether you’re just starting your Lean journey or looking to deepen your capabilities, the Global Lean Summit is designed to foster meaningful connections, practical learning, and sustained improvement.
🌐 Learn more and register at GlobalLeanSummit.com💡 Subscribe & catch new episodes at LeanCast.org
Lean Blog Interviews - Healthcare, Manufacturing, Business, and Leadership
Since 2006, the Lean Blog Interviews podcast has featured in-depth, candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and doers in the world of Lean and continuous improvement. Hosted by Mark Graban—author, consultant, and longtime Lean practitioner—the show explores how Lean principles are being applied across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, startups, and more.
What sets this podcast apart? We go beyond tools and buzzwords. Our guests share real-world stories of success, struggle, learning, and leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned Lean veteran or just getting started, you’ll gain practical insights and fresh perspectives that you can take back to your own organization.
Topics include:
Lean as a management system and cultural transformation—not just a toolbox
Continuous improvement and problem-solving, at every level
Leadership behaviors that support real change
Psychological safety as a foundation for improvement
Lessons from the Toyota Production System, Lean Startup, and beyond
Candid stories about mistakes—and what we learn from them
We don’t talk much about “Lean Six Sigma” here. But if you believe improvement is about people first—this podcast is for you.
Many episodes feature a special focus on Lean in healthcare, reflecting Mark’s deep work in that field. Hear from leaders working to improve patient safety, reduce waste, and build cultures of respect and learning.
Find all episodes and show notes at www.LeanCast.org.
Learn more about Mark and his work at www.LeanBlog.org.
Questions or feedback? Email mark@leanblog.org
