Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast

Season 7 of Problem Solved kicks off with Guy Primus, an industrial engineer whose career has taken him from technology and business to Hollywood, virtual reality, entrepreneurship and AI.
Primus joins Problem Solved to talk about the systems-thinking mindset that has connected his unconventional career and why defining the right problem may be more important than solving it. He shares how an early lesson from Georgia Tech professor Don Ratliff helped him understand the possibilities of industrial engineering, and how those same skills later influenced his work at companies including Microsoft, Starbucks and in the entertainment industry.  
The conversation explores the intersection of creativity and engineering, using AI to accelerate innovation, understanding the human side of technology, and finding opportunities to apply analytical thinking in unexpected places. Primus also reflects on entrepreneurship, leadership and the importance of combining what you're good at with what genuinely interests you. 

Don't miss the Season 7 Premiere of Problem Solved, September 1.
Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Problem Solved on LinkedIn
Problem Solved on YouTube
Problem Solved on Instagram
Problem Solved on TikTok
Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast or sponsoring an episode? Email egrimes@iise.org

Learn more about IISE's Emerging Technologies Forum

In this special From the Archives edition of Problem Solved -
What does industrial and systems engineering have to do with elections? More than you might think. In this October 2024 conversation, Dr. Gretchen Macht of the University of Rhode Island's Engineering for Democracy Institute reveals the complex systems behind the voting process, from managing voter flow and mail-in ballots to simulation, facility planning, staffing and optimization. Revisit a fascinating look at how engineers help election officials navigate limited resources, complex constraints and one nonnegotiable priority: accuracy.
Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Problem Solved on LinkedIn
Problem Solved on YouTube
Problem Solved on Instagram
Problem Solved on TikTok
Original episode produced and edited by David Brandt
Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast or sponsoring an episode? Email egrimes@iise.org

Learn more about IISE's Emerging Technologies Forum

Learn more about IISE's Emerging Technologies Forum

In this special From the Archives edition of Problem Solved, IISE's Keith Albertson revisits one of the most unforgettable conversations in the podcast's history with Professor Shaul Ladany.
An industrial engineer, professor emeritus at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, world-record race walker, and two-time Olympian, Professor Ladany has lived a life unlike any other. As a child, he survived the Holocaust and Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Decades later, he escaped the terrorist attack at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. Throughout it all, he built a distinguished career in industrial engineering while inspiring generations of students through his resilience, discipline, and unwavering determination.
Before the episode begins, Keith shares why this conversation has remained one of his personal favorites and why he believes it's still worth hearing today.
Discover this remarkable conversation for the the first time, or enjoy revisiting it with us!

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Problem Solved on LinkedIn
Problem Solved on YouTube
Problem Solved on Instagram
Problem Solved on TikTok
Original episode produced and edited by David Brandt
Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast or sponsoring an episode? Email egrimes@iise.org

Learn more about IISE's Emerging Technologies Forum

Learn more about IISE's Emerging Technologies Forum

In this special "From the Archives" episode of Problem Solved, IISE's David Brandt revisits one of his favorite conversations with IISE Fellow and ISE magazine columnist Kevin McManus.
In this episode from 2019, they explore the parallels between industrial engineering principles and everyday life, discussing topics such as continuous improvement, essentialism, leadership, workplace culture, and lifelong learning. Their thoughtful conversation offers a unique perspective on how industrial and systems engineering can help individuals and organizations focus on what matters most while eliminating waste and creating meaning.
Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Problem Solved on LinkedIn
Problem Solved on YouTube
Problem Solved on Instagram
Problem Solved on TikTok
Original episode produced and edited by David Brandt
Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast or sponsoring an episode? Email egrimes@iise.org

Learn more about IISE's Emerging Technologies Forum

Learn more about IISE's Emerging Technologies Forum

Within the profession of industrial and systems engineering, the names Frank and Lillian Gilbreth are everywhere - appearing on awards, scholarships, professorships, and libraries. But who were the people behind those names, and how did their work help shape the profession we know today?
In this episode of Problem Solved, historian Mike Farrelly of the Montclair History Center and Township Historian takes us on a journey through the lives of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, the pioneering husband-and-wife team whose innovations laid the foundation for modern industrial and systems engineering.
Hear how Frank began his career by revolutionized bricklaying, how the Gilbreths pioneered motion studies using photography and film, and how their work influenced fields ranging from construction and manufacturing to surgery and workplace design. The episode also explores Lillian's groundbreaking contributions as a psychologist, educator, inventor, and one of the most influential women in engineering history.
Along the way, Mike shares fascinating stories about the real-life family behind Cheaper by the Dozen, including how the Gilbreths applied their principles at home while raising 12 children.
Whether you're an industrial engineer, a student of history, or simply curious about the people whose ideas continue to shape the way we work and live, this episode offers a fascinating look at two remarkable innovators whose legacy can still be felt more than a century later.
A huge thank you to our guest, Mike Farrelly, for sharing this thorough look at this remarkable family.
• Learn more about the Montclair History Center
• Watch Mike Farrelly's presentation featuring historical photographs of the Gilbreth family and their work:
https://youtu.be/5N6RR0XD5Tk?si=LW9ixkOys1MqGZTL
• Read Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
• Read Belles on Their Toes by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Problem Solved on LinkedIn
Problem Solved on YouTube
Problem Solved on Instagram
Problem Solved on TikTok
Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast or sponsoring an episode? Email egrimes@iise.org

Learn more about IISE's Emerging Technologies Forum