In manufacturing and industrial sectors, thought leadership has traditionally lived in conference rooms, white papers and trade publications. Today, the way ideas spread and the way leaders connect has shifted. Podcasting has emerged as a powerful medium for sharing expertise, human stories and transformative insights in ways that feel personal, accessible and authentic. Always Lifting naturally brings those worlds together.
Hosted by Karen Norheim, CEO of American Crane, Always Lifting goes beyond conventional business conversations. It offers a space where leadership philosophies, technology trends, GRIT and wellness intersect. Anchored by a deceptively simple question: What does it mean to lift? For Karen, lifting is not just about moving heavy equipment; it is about elevating people, ideas, communities and ourselves through resilience and curiosity. That mindset is increasingly essential in a world where industrial success is shaped as much by culture and vision as it is by engineering.
Podcasting as a Modern Vehicle for Industry Influence
The strength of podcasting lies in its intimacy. Listeners do not receive a polished press release, they hear a voice, a laugh, a moment of hesitation and the vulnerability that comes with real leadership. This format breaks down barriers and shows leaders as humans who wrestle with decisions, uncertainty and growth. In manufacturing, where credibility is often built over decades of experience, podcasting opens a new door. It invites people into the thought process, not just the final outcome.
Always Lifting brings that same openness to the manufacturing world and reflects the culture we live every day at ACECO. The podcast explores leadership from inside real experience, offering a closer look at how people think, how they fail, how they adapt and how they lift others around them. These conversations go beyond technical expertise and highlight the mindset, wellness, storytelling, technology adoption, community involvement and commitment to continuous improvement that guide our work. They reinforce the truth that innovation at ACECO does not come only from machinery or digital tools. It comes from the people behind them and the leaders who choose to share their journey openly.
A New Model for Thought Leadership in Manufacturing
Manufacturing companies often operate at the center of transformative change—automation, AI, sustainability, workforce development, yet they rarely tell the stories that shape those changes. Podcasts like Always Lifting fill that gap. Instead of presenting lessons from a podium, they explore real questions:
How do leaders cultivate resilience?
What does authentic culture look like in practice?
How do organizations adopt emerging technologies without losing their heritage?
How do individuals stay grounded while navigating disruption?
These conversations don’t push an agenda, they invite reflection. They challenge assumptions. They expand perspectives. By engaging with these ideas, Always Lifting reinforces ACECO’s belief that our people, our values, and our willingness to adapt are what drive sustainable innovation and long-term success.
Why It Matters Now
The future of industrial work isn’t defined solely by tools and processes, it’s defined by people who learn, communicate and lead differently. Thought leadership is no longer top-down. It is collaborative, experiential and ongoing. Always Lifting is ACECO’s way of joining that shift—sharing the conversations, questions and perspectives that continue to shape us as leaders, partners and community members.
Whether you’re a maker, engineer, innovator or lifelong learner, these conversations remind us of something essential: leadership is not just the path you walk, it’s who you lift along the way.
Ready to lift your perspective? Catch full episodes of Always Lifting on YouTube or stream them on your favorite podcast platform.