The Downtime | Episode 34: Miracle on 34th

In this episode of The Downtime, co-hosts Sarah Wynn and Sheri Kasprzak reflect on the year, including the creation of the podcast.

Courtesy: WTWH Media

In this episode of The Downtime podcast, hosts Sarah Wynn and Sheri Kasprzak kick things off with the kind of candid, friendly energy that has become the show’s signature. From the very start, it’s clear this episode is about reflection — where the podcast began, how it’s grown, and what’s coming next as the manufacturing industry continues to evolve.

The conversation opens on a lighthearted note, with Sarah and Sheri sharing their “outfits of the day.” Sarah sports an Ohio State University cap, while Sheri wears a Brown University sweatshirt in remembrance of the victims and survivors of a recent tragedy there. The moment sets the tone for the episode: personal, thoughtful, and grounded in real-world experiences beyond the factory floor.

From there, the hosts rewind to the origins of The Downtime. Sarah and Sheri recall how quickly they became friends and how that chemistry led to the creation of the podcast. Rather than producing a stiff, overly technical show, they wanted a space to talk about manufacturing in a conversational way—one that felt approachable to industry veterans and newcomers alike. That commitment to authenticity has shaped every episode since.

Listeners are reminded that The Downtime thrives on community input. Sarah encourages the audience to submit ideas for interviews and episode topics, while Sheri shares that listeners can reach out via LinkedIn or by emailing [email protected]. The podcast, they emphasize, is a two-way conversation—and the best ideas often come directly from the industry itself.

As the discussion continues, Sheri reflects on the behind-the-scenes process of building the podcast alongside Sarah, from shaping the show’s voice to refining its visual identity. One standout element? The podcast’s epic thumbnails. Sheri explains how watching them evolve has been one of her favorite parts of the creative process, turning each episode into something visually memorable.

The conversation then shifts to the broader manufacturing landscape. Sheri discusses the ongoing labor shortage and how The Downtime aims to get more people excited about careers in the industry. By spotlighting innovation, real challenges, and the humans behind manufacturing, the podcast hopes to help close the perception gap and inspire the next generation of workers.

Looking ahead, Sarah and Sheri share the trends they see shaping 2026, particularly around automation. They discuss how companies are moving beyond one-off automation projects and instead focusing on scalable, long-term strategies that can grow alongside their operations.

One of the biggest announcements of the episode comes when Sarah reveals that season two of The Downtime will premiere on January 8, 2026. The news signals a fresh chapter for the podcast, building on the momentum of season one while continuing to push conversations forward.

The episode wraps with a discussion of personal resolutions and goals for 2026, bringing things full circle with the same honesty and warmth that opened the show. As the season comes to a close, The Downtime leaves listeners with a sense of optimism — for the podcast, for manufacturing, and for the year ahead.

Episode 34 Timestamps

00:18 – Sarah Wynn and Sheri Kasprzak kick off the episode.

02:21 – Sarah and Sheri talk about their outfits of the day, with Sarah talking about her Ohio State University cap and Sheri talking about her Brown University sweatshirt, worn to commemorate the victims and survivors of the tragedy there.

04:00 – Sarah and Sheri chat about how The Downtime podcast came to be, recalling how the pair quickly became friends and decided to talk about manufacturing in a conversational way.

06:28 – Sarah tells listeners how they can submit their ideas for interviews or podcast episodes. Sheri tells listeners they can reach out either over LinkedIn or at [email protected].

08:18 – Sheri recalls how she and Sarah built the podcast together.

09:48 – Sarah announces that season two of the podcast will premier Jan. 8, 2026.

11:21 – Sheri talks about the evolution of the podcast’s epic thumbnails and how they are her favorite part of the development process.

16:39 – Sheri discusses the labor shortage in manufacturing and how the podcast aims to get people excited about the industry.

17:36 – Sarah and Sheri talk about the trends they see coming in 2026, including automation and how companies plan to scale their automation strategies.

25:33 – Sarah and Sheri talk about their resolutions and goals for 2026.

33:42 – Episode ends