The Germinate Podcast

In this forward-looking episode of The Germinate Podcast, Joe Sampson sits down with ag-tech founder and industry thought leader Chris Hunsaker for a wide-ranging conversation about innovation, efficiency, and the future of agricultural equipment.Chris shares his journey from growing up on a farm in southern Idaho to leading a technology-driven company focused on improving how farms manage operations and data. A defining moment from his childhood — watching a storm wipe out ripe wheat that couldn’t be harvested in time — shaped his lifelong interest in efficiency, timing, and helping farmers gain more control in an industry where so much is unpredictable.From there, the conversation moves into the realities facing manufacturers and farms today. Joe and Chris unpack why simply making machines “bigger and faster” has limits, how legacy systems can slow innovation, and why the next wave of progress will come from smarter automation, data use, and rethinking equipment design from the ground up.Chris challenges the traditional “feed the beast” manufacturing mindset — where factories focus on keeping lines running at all costs — and explains how inventory, batch production, and rigid processes can actually hide inefficiencies. Drawing from principles like constraint management and lean thinking, he makes the case that the future belongs to companies willing to rethink how products are designed, built, and supported.The discussion also dives into the accelerating role of AI in design, engineering, and operations. Chris explains how emerging tools are already changing how software is written and how equipment could be designed in the future, lowering the barriers to innovation and opening the door for smaller, more agile companies to compete in new ways.At the center of the conversation is a consistent theme: disruption creates opportunity. For manufacturers, shortliners, and ag-tech companies, this moment represents a chance to lead again — not by copying legacy models, but by embracing automation, smarter data use, and more flexible design approaches.Chris closes by reminding listeners that innovation in agriculture isn’t abstract — it has real-world impact. When better systems help a farmer get a crop harvested before a storm hits, the benefits are immediate and meaningful.

Automation is one of the biggest buzzwords in manufacturing — but according to Matt Henley of THG Automation, most companies are asking the wrong first question.
Instead of “How do we automate everything?”, Matt makes the case for a smarter approach:
Start simple. Start where you win fast. And stop turning automation into a science project.
Joe and Matt dive into the real-world mindset shift companies need in 2026 — from planning and culture to workforce realities and why automation doesn’t eliminate jobs… it changes the game.
Many manufacturers jump in trying to automate their most complex, difficult processes first. Matt explains why this often leads to failure and frustration. The better strategy?
Automate the easy, repetitive work first and create quick, measurable wins.
In welding and fabrication, money is made when sparks are flying. Matt breaks down how automation increases productive time, reduces downtime, and keeps operations focused on throughput instead of struggle.
A major theme of the conversation is cultural:
• Automation removes monotonous, repetitive work
• Skilled employees get opportunities to grow
• Companies retain workers longer
• Shops become more attractive to new talent
Matt shares examples of veteran employees choosing to stay longer because automation improved their day-to-day work.
When a shop adds automation, customers notice. Companies are often contacted for new work simply because they’ve demonstrated improved capacity, quality, and modern capability.
Automation isn’t just an operations decision, it’s a market signal.
Joe and Matt address a common industry mindset:
“Labor will come back” or “The market will turn around.”
Matt’s take is simple: waiting is not a strategy.
Companies that plan, invest, and improve during uncertain times position themselves to grow when others are stuck.
Bringing in automation often signals progress and forward thinking. Employees see opportunity instead of stagnation. It opens doors to:
• New roles
• Expanded capabilities
• In-house production growth
• Increased customer trust
Automation becomes a catalyst for long-term development.
Matt shares how THG Automation was born from a single customer request in 2020. What started as one system quickly revealed a gap in the market for practical, collaborative automation solutions — and the company grew from there.
Matt emphasizes that success doesn’t come from complexity. It comes from:
• Partnering with the right people
• Making informed starting decisions
• Executing with a plan
• Adjusting when needed
Automation works best when companies take ownership of the process.
Matt Henley
THG Automation
 https://thgautomation.com
 [email protected]
What Matt & Joe Talk AboutThe Biggest Mistake Companies Make with AutomationWhy “Arc-On Time” Equals ProfitAutomation Is Not About Replacing PeopleThe Hidden Marketing Advantage of AutomationPlanning vs. WaitingWhy Company Culture Changes When Automation Is IntroducedFrom One Project to a CompanyThe Real Definition of Success with AutomationGuest Info

Podcast: The Germinate PodcastHost: Joe SamsonGuest: Jason KiesauLinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-kiesauIn the first episode of 2026, Joe Samson sits down with leadership consultant and social intelligence expert Jason Kiesau for a deeply personal and practical conversation about leadership, behavior, and human connection.Jason shares his powerful personal story, from growing up in a volatile household to struggling academically and professionally in his early years and how those experiences shaped his passion for understanding human behavior. Through adversity, self-awareness, and intentional growth, Jason found his calling in leadership development, emotional intelligence, and helping people navigate relationships more effectively at work and at home.The conversation explores why so many workplace challenges are actually behavioral challenges, how most of our communication patterns operate on autopilot, and why self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadership. Jason breaks down the concept of social intelligence, explains how dominant behavior styles influence communication, and shares real-world examples of how misunderstandings between leaders often stem from unmet behavioral needs rather than poor intentions.Joe and Jason also discuss Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how stress, insecurity, and unmet foundational needs can quietly drive decision-making, performance, and conflict. Together, they unpack why leadership begins with leading yourself, why adaptability and versatility matter more than ever, and how understanding behavior can reduce stress while increasing trust, collaboration, and results.This episode blends vulnerability, psychology, leadership science, and lived experience into an honest conversation about growth, purpose, and what it really takes to work well with people in today’s complex world.

In this deeply insightful conversation, host Joe Samson is joined by leadership coach, speaker, and executive leader Chick Herbert for an honest look at what effective leadership really requires in today’s rapidly changing world.Chick brings decades of experience, spanning public companies, private companies, nonprofits, consulting, and executive coaching and shares why leadership remains both simple and incredibly complex. Drawing from his work with hundreds of organizations and thousands of leaders, Chick breaks down why human dynamics, not technical expertise, are often the biggest barrier to performance.Together, Joe and Chick explore the evolving challenges leaders face, including faster change cycles, increased pressure, and the growing importance of being a people-centric leader. Chick discusses the power of asking the right questions rather than providing quick answers, explaining how this approach develops stronger thinkers, reduces dependency, and improves entire organizational systems.The conversation also dives into humility, ego, accountability, AI’s growing impact on leadership, and why leaders must continually calibrate themselves to the “ground truth” inside their organizations. Through stories, practical frameworks, and personal reflections, Chick offers a compelling blueprint for leading with clarity, curiosity, and genuine care.This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to better understand modern leadership and themselves.

In this episode of The Germinate Podcast, host Joe Samson sits down with Tim Burenga of WorkSaver for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, resilience, faith, and what it truly takes to build and sustain a business through uncertain times.Tim shares candid reflections on growing up in a family business, witnessing firsthand the sacrifices and pressure his parents endured during challenging economic cycles. From long hours and financial strain to the quiet strength required to keep moving forward, Tim offers a deeply personal look at the realities behind entrepreneurship that rarely get discussed.The conversation explores how strong partnerships at home shape strong leaders at work, and why surrounding yourself with the right people, personally and professionally, is essential for long-term success. Joe and Tim also dive into the importance of process, habit-building, and accountability, particularly when navigating areas outside your expertise, like finance or operations.Throughout the episode, Tim speaks openly about the role of faith, humility, and community in leadership, emphasizing that growth doesn’t happen in isolation. The discussion also touches on the evolving role of industry organizations like FEMA, the value of collective knowledge, and why staying connected to the broader agricultural and manufacturing ecosystem matters now more than ever.This episode is an honest, thoughtful conversation about perseverance, purpose, and the human side of business, a reminder that progress often comes not from having all the answers, but from showing up consistently, learning as you go, and leaning on the people who walk alongside you.