Our Podcast: Talking Textiles
- Liz Johnson [Brookwood Companies] sits down with featured guests Tanya Wade [Manufacturing Solutions Center at CVCC]; Jennifer Fennell [Polo Custom Canvas]; and Robert Finnegan [AFFOA] to record a live podcast from Advanced Textiles Expo 2025, focusing on how to assess and hire talent. They open by exploring key qualities to define strong candidates—such as drive, curiosity, adaptability, and a desire to contribute to a larger purpose. The discussion then shifts to the importance of educating prospective workers about the opportunities within the industry and the landscape of today's industrial fabric trades. The guests also highlight the value of creating environments that support work–life balance, foster leadership development, and offer pathways of innovation and technology growth. They conclude by discussing innovative training tools like Thread X, which uses augmented technology to help train employees on manufacturing processes.
Listen From Anywhere
Join us each month for insider views, best practices and tips from successful companies in the industrial fabric market. Discover the road to the fabric industry and gain insight from shared experiences.
Previous Episodes
Tackling Tariffs
The episode looks at the uncertainties of tariffs and how companies are making things work amongst the policy changes. They touch on onshoring and nearshoring, being transparent with customers, evaluating new sources, and what can be gained through customer loyalty. Our host is Tony Ehrbar (Renegade Plastics and American Tent) who is joined by Brent Nussbaum (Miller Weldmaster), Kristi Reiherzer (SHADE Industries) and Brian Coughlin (SIOEN).
Our Future Workforce — Leveraging Career Pathways and High Schools to Drive Talent Pipelines
In part three of the Workforce Special Series, host Robert Finnegan, Director of Education and Workforce Development at AFFOA, focuses on how companies can leverage traditional Career and Technical Education (CTE) to develop a talent pipeline for next-generation employees. The discussion covers the historic textiles city of Fall River MA, and how community, school, and industry come together to strengthen career pathways in fashion, design, and technology. Our guests are Judi Vigna, CEO of Specialized Career Guidance, and Patti Rego, Executive Director of Viva Fall River.
Industry Podcasters Talk Podcasts
In this episode, Jonathan Sweet, ATA, sits down with podcasters Kyle Richardson (L&A Tent Rentals) host of Under the Vinyl, along with Lori Antone and Dan McGowan (TVF) hosts of The Textile Nerd Podcast. Our featured guests talk about how they got into the industry and why they do a podcast on the side. They share on the importance of storytelling and offer tips on how to engage listeners, gain rapport and what makes a good guest.
Beyond the Buzz – The Impacts of Digital Engineering and Automation on Our Current and Future Workforce
In the second installment of our Workforce Special Series with AFFOA, host Robert Finnegan, Director of Education and Workforce Development at AFFOA, leads a compelling discussion with industry leaders and technologists about how digital engineering and automation are transforming the textiles manufacturing industry. Join us as we delve into the workforce implications of these cutting-edge advancements. Our guests include Gabrielle Ferrara, President of Ferrara Manufacturing; Christine Spiegel, Director of Marketing at Parkdale Mills; Caitlin Knowles, Senior Textiles Engineer at AFFOA; and Jon Zornow, Inventor and Founder of Sewbo.
