Gear Talk

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.

Gear Talk is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 35 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Gear Talk, a education show with 35 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #35

  The CMMS is Dead. Long Live the CMMS!

  Aug 17, 202624 min

  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 capture information, analyze data and get work done. Ryan shares how his own experience with cumbersome, desktop-based maintenance software led to the creation of UpKeep, and why putting technicians first can make the difference between useful maintenance data and another digital filing cabinet. The conversation also looks ahead at AI, voice interfaces, connected technicians and what these tools could mean for reliability over the next decade. You’ll learn about: Why traditional CMMS workflows often struggle with technician adoption How better usability can lead to better maintenance data Why collecting more data doesn’t automatically create more value How AI can help teams make sense of years of maintenance history Where AI can support RCA, FMEA, diagnosis and decision-making How voice-driven inspections are already changing maintenance workflows Why the connected technician may be closer than many plants realize What maintenance teams can do now instead of waiting for the “perfect” technology Whether your plant is still working from paper, already experimenting with AI or somewhere in between, this conversation offers a practical look at how CMMS technology is evolving and why the people using it still matter most. Learn about this episode's sponsor at https://www.assetwatch.com/get-started?utm_source=noria&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast-ads-wes&utm_term=q1-2026&utm_content=get-started ▶️ Watch more Gear Talk episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4 Have questions or topic ideas? Email us at podcast@noria.com Like and Subscribe to stay connected with Gear Talk.

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  Episode #34

  Training Builds Skills. Leaders Build Trust.

  Jun 30, 202622 min

  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, and organizational commitment. Drawing from 30 years of experience in oil analysis and lubrication, along with doctoral research focused on MLT-certified professionals, Matt shares what his findings reveal about how certified employees view their leaders and what actually helps technical knowledge turn into action. While training and certification remain critical for building frontline knowledge and technical credibility, the conversation points to a bigger issue: leaders have to trust their people, listen to their recommendations, and create the conditions for trained employees to use what they know. From the difference between management and leadership to the role of trust, empowerment, and technical credibility, this episode explores why reliability programs need both skilled people and strong leadership to succeed. You’ll learn about: Why certification is valuable for frontline lubrication professionals How technical credibility differs from leadership ability What Matt’s research found about certified leaders and employee commitment Why trust plays such a major role in reliability program success The difference between managing processes and leading people Why leaders need to listen to the people closest to the equipment How training can lose impact when employees are not empowered to act Why strong reliability programs require both technical skill and leadership behavior Whether you’re leading a maintenance team, managing a lubrication program, or working on the front lines of reliability, this episode offers practical insight into how organizations can make training and certification more effective by pairing them with trust, leadership, and follow-through. Learn about this episode's sponsor at https://www.assetwatch.com/get-started?utm_source=noria&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast-ads-wes&utm_term=q1-2026&utm_content=get-started Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4 👉 Have questions or topic ideas? Email us at podcast@noria.com 👍 Like and Subscribe to stay connected with Gear Talk

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  Episode #33

  Plant Communication Without Bottlenecks

  Apr 28, 202627 minS0

  <p>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 teams connected, engaged, and moving in the same direction. Drawing from experience in the Air Force, chemical manufacturing, food and beverage, and plant leadership, Jaison shares practical insight into how leaders can build trust on the factory floor, communicate effectively across levels of the organization, and create systems that help teams respond...

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  Episode #32

  Who Owns Lubrication?

  Mar 30, 202624 minS0

  <p>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 decades—and why it may be time to rethink it.</p> <p>Drawing from experience in lubricant testing, field engineering, marine environments, and lubrication management, Danny explains how some organizations gradually lost dedicated lubrication expertise and what that erosion has cost them. From lube room standards and lubricant selection to le...

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  Episode #31

  Mobile Equipment Reliability

  Feb 13, 202624 minS0

  <p>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.</p> <p>From massive draglines in Texas to gold mining operations in Nevada and coal fleets in West Virginia, Terry shares hard-earned lessons on lubrication, oil analysis, planning, and culture. He explains how structured PM systems, in-house oil labs, and disciplined execution helped drive major cost reductions—and why mobile...

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