PODCAST · education
Gear Talk
by Noria Corporation
Gear Talk is the podcast that connects maintenance & reliability professionals with reliable information, insights, and experts, enabling them to accomplish their goals more effectively, efficiently and enthusiastically. Join Wes Cash each month as he talks shop with industry experts, thought leaders, and the folks in the trenches keeping industry moving.
Episodes
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Equipment Flushing Isn't One-Size-Fits-All
What does it actually mean to “flush” a lubrication system? And how do you know whether the flush you’re planning will actually solve the problem? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with flushing expert Larry Jordan of Conquest Services to break down the different types of...
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The CMMS is Dead. Long Live the CMMS!
What if the biggest problem with CMMS isn’t the technology, but how people actually use it? In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash sits down with UpKeep founder Ryan Chan to talk about where CMMS came from, where it’s headed and how emerging technology is changing the way maintenance teams…
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Training Builds Skills. Leaders Build Trust.
How can maintenance and reliability teams turn training and certification into real improvement across the plant? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with Matt Spurlock, PhD, of Georgia-Pacific, to talk about the connection between lubrication certification, leadership, trust…
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Plant Communication Without Bottlenecks
How do strong maintenance and reliability teams align communication across the shop floor, leadership, and peer groups without creating friction or bottlenecks? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with coach Jaison Thomas to talk about building the kind of culture that keeps…
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Who Owns Lubrication?
Why has lubrication drifted from a specialized engineering discipline to something many plants treat as a basic task? In this episode of Gear Talk, recorded at Reliable Plant 2025, host Wes Cash sits down with Danny Shorten to explore how the role of lubrication has changed over the last four...
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Mobile Equipment Reliability
What does reliability look like when your assets aren’t bolted to the floor—but hauling 200 tons of ore up a 6% grade? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with Terry Taylor, a veteran of mining and heavy industry, to explore reliability in mobile equipment environments. From...
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Cultivating a Culture of Reliability
What does it really take to build a culture of reliability—and why do so many programs stall even when the tools are right? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash is joined by Mike Dwyer to explore how reliability succeeds or fails based on culture, communication, and alignment across an...
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People First, Technology Second
AI, sensors, and digital tools are flooding the maintenance and reliability world—but are organizations adopting them the right way? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with Dave Howard, CEO of Erbessd Instruments, to challenge the “technology-first” mindset and make the case…
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Manufacturing in Oklahoma
What does the manufacturing industry look like in Oklahoma? In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash sits down with Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell to discuss the manufacturing industries prevalent in the state of Oklahoma and identify what steps are being taken to bring more skilled professionals...
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Staffing Your Team the Right Way
How do workforce barriers impact staffing in manufacturing? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with the Tulsa Port of Catoosa’s Sheila Shook to discuss the steps that the Port is taking to attract, hire, and educate workers in manufacturing. From transportation limitations, to…
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Finding Your Lube Champion
Who should lead your plant’s lubrication program? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with Noria’s Travis Richardson to unpack what makes a true lube champion. From walking back down eight flights of stairs to grab the right grease, to creating a culture of reliability that…
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Brilliant at the Basics
In this episode of Gear Talk, West Cash sits down with Trent McJunkin—an automotive maintenance pro who rose from technician to strategic leader. They dive into why being brilliant at the basics still matters, how to build trust with your team, and the real key to successful reliability...
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Driving a Lubrication Program
In this episode recorded at Reliable Plant 2025, Steve Breeze from Tolko shares how engaging lube techs in the improvement process can transform a lubrication program. Hear practical ways to build ownership, encourage input from the floor, and drive meaningful change.
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Modern Workforce Development
In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes sits down with Scott Fry, Director of Workforce Development at MidAmerica Industrial Park, to explore one of the biggest challenges facing industry today: workforce recruitment and development. Scott shares firsthand insights into the struggles employers face…
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Succeeding with Remote Monitoring
On this episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash sits down with Levi (last name) from KCF Technologies to discover more about remote monitoring technologies and how to successfully apply them as part of a well-rounded, world-class facility. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State, Levi is...
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Holiday Special: Reliability with Santa!
On this special episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash chats with the most famous guest to visit the show - Santa Claus! With more than 1,500 years as the Worldwide Distribution Manager for the North Pole, Santa knows a thing or two about how crucial reliability is to keeping machines healthy and running...
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State of Reliability in the Middle East
On this episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash sits down with special guest Mina Soliman, CEO of Prime Gear and Noria Regional Technical Consultant, to talk about the state of reliability in the Middle East and the crucial role failure analysis is playing in creating world-class facilities. Mina has...
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On-site Oil Analysis Benefits
On this episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash chats with special guest Lisa Williams, Product Manager at Ametek Spectro Scientific and Sub-Committee Chair for ASTM, to talk about how on-site oil analysis can help catch failures faster in heavy industry and manufacturing. With nearly 20 years of…
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Reliability Advice from an Expert
In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash sits down with special guest Drew Troyer, Global Head of Asset Management for Anglo American, to uncover the history and truth behind condition-based maintenance. With nearly 34 years of experience, Drew reveals how this pioneering evolution from time-based...
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Proper Maintenance Structure
In this episode of Gear Talk, we dive deep into the world of maintenance and reliability with our special guest, Brian Brzinski, founder of AMSS Advanced Management Systems & Services, Inc. With over 25 years in maintenance and reliability and over 30 years in manufacturing, Brian brings a wealth...
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Onboarding and Technical Skills
Wes Cash welcomes industry veteran Jerry Putt to Gear Talk for an in-depth discussion on the evolution of technical skills and onboarding in today's industrial landscape. With 39 years at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and 13 years at Noria, Jerry brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Join...
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Transformational Leadership
Join Wes as he speaks with Jody Parsons. Jody is a leadership development coach and will be talking about how you can effectively lead during changes with your reliability and lubrication programs within your organization. Find out ways to strengthen employee engagement and change the status quo....
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Tribology in the Fast Lane
In our latest episode, join Wes as we dive deep into the heart of NASCAR racing with tribologist Lake Speed Jr. Discover the critical role of tribology in the racing world and how it's not just about the car but the science behind it that leads to victory. From the intricate process of applying...
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Staffing Issues in the Lube Industry
The lubrication industry is at a critical juncture. As seasoned professionals retire, there's a noticeable void in technical expertise not staying within the facilities. In this episode, Wes sits down with Lubrication Expert Rafe Britton for an in-depth discussion on staffing issues in the...
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Leadership Lessons in Lubrication
In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes sits down with Jeff Walkup, FluidLife's vice president of sales and marketing, to discuss leadership lessons in lubrication. As an industry veteran, Jeff is passionate about the impact of leadership on maintenance and reliability teams and how it drives…
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Empowering People to Succeed
In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes sits down with Charli K. Matthews, CEO and founder of Empowering Brands, and a passionate advocate for empowering teams. Charli believes in the power of psychological safety — a place where speaking up, taking responsibility, and proactive action are not just...
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Getting Buy-In for Change
In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes sits down with Paul Farless, an industrial service technician with Noria, to discuss getting buy-in for change. One of Paul's passions is preaching change and awareness within facilities to cultivate long-term success and sustainability. Whether you're part of a...
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The Future of Reliability
In this episode, Wes sits down with Jeremy Drury, a leading expert in IoT, to explore its impact on the maintenance and reliability world. IoT has been hyped up for a while now, and thanks to Jeremy, we're getting some practical information on where to start with IoT, what's realistic for the...
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Operator-Driven Reliability
In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes sits down with Jeremie Edwards, an MLE-certified technical consultant with Noria, to discuss operator-driven reliability. When it comes to this topic, many people try to implement operator-driven reliability, but they may not know how to do this or even where to...
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Getting Maintenance Specifics Right
In this episode, Wes is joined by Greg Christensen, host of CMMSradio, for an in-depth discussion on all things CMMS. The episode covers Greg's background, how he began his podcast, and guidance for considering a CMMS and cutting through the noise to choose the right one.
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A Storeroom’s Place in Reliability
In this episode, Dr. John Ross with Maintenance Innovators joins Wes to discuss a topic commonly overlooked in the industry — the role of the storeroom in reliability. Join Wes and John as they chat about this crucial topic that plays a vital role in a facility's lubrication program and its…
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Designing for Reliability
In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes is joined by Daniel Rader, Reliability Engineer at L3Harris Technologies, to discuss the proactive side of reliability and how we design reliability into our systems and into our machines.
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Public Utility Reliability
In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes is joined by Scott Furman, Reliability Coordinator at the City of Tulsa, to discuss the growing need for reliability in public utilities, how tough it can be to sell the need for public utility reliability and what the City of Tulsa is doing in this space.
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The Golden Age of Lubrication
In this episode, Wes is joined by industrial lubrication visionary Jim Fitch. Jim is the founder of Noria Corporation and has been a thought leader for decades within the fields of machinery lubrication, oil analysis and reliability. Wes and Jim discuss the history behind the company, how Jim has...
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Trade School vs. University
In this episode, Wes sits down with Amy Moore, the Dean of Academic Affairs for a local trade school here in Tulsa. Wes and Amy discuss the state of the trades in 2023, and why choosing a trade instead of a college degree might make sense. As someone with both extensive in-the-trenches experience...
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Innovations in Lubrication
In this inaugural episode of Gear Talk, Wes sits down with Noria's Chief Strategy Officer Bennett Fitch. Bennett has extensive experience in industrial lubrication and oil analysis and as the son of Noria founder Jim Fitch, has been immersed in this culture from a young age. Wes and Bennett…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Gear Talk is the podcast that connects maintenance & reliability professionals with reliable information, insights, and experts, enabling them to accomplish their goals more effectively, efficiently and enthusiastically. Join Wes Cash each month as he talks shop with industry experts, thought leaders, and the folks in the trenches keeping industry moving.
HOSTED BY
Noria Corporation
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Gear Talk have?
Gear Talk currently has 36 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Gear Talk about?
Gear Talk is the podcast that connects maintenance & reliability professionals with reliable information, insights, and experts, enabling them to accomplish their goals more effectively, efficiently and enthusiastically. Join Wes Cash each month as he talks shop with industry experts, thought...
How often does Gear Talk release new episodes?
Gear Talk has 36 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Gear Talk?
You can listen to Gear Talk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Gear Talk?
Gear Talk is created and hosted by Noria Corporation.
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