In this edition of This Week in Business History, Kelly Barner remembers key innovations, inventions, and firsts that took place between September 13th and the 17th. In our main story, she shares the life story of the man who fixed Thomas Edison’s lightbulb, drew Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone into reality, and made a real and lasting mark on his community. We’ll also hear about the release of Super Mario Bros., find out why the founder of General Motors hated cars, and wish a happy birthday to Agatha Christie and Wendy Thomas.
More Podcast Episodes
inclusion
Podcast
September 22, 2025
Equity in Action: How Inclusion Leads to Supply Chain Innovation
In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton welcomes Lushentha Naidoo, Managing Director of the European Supplier Diversity Program (ESDP), for a candid conversation on purpose-driven leadership and the business value of inclusive procurement. Drawing on a 14-year transformation career at Unilever and a personal journey from apartheid-era South Africa to global operations leadership, Lushentha shares how caring as a leadership “superpower” can fuel innovation, save jobs, and build psychologically safe teams. She explains how supplier diversity isn’t charity. It’s a competitive advantage that increases agility, strengthens resilience, and unlocks fresh thinking when disruption hits. She also breaks down how ESDP bridges corporates and diverse suppliers through a fast-growing database, networking events, and the Inclusive Procurement Academy, teaching pitching, storytelling, and “corporate readiness.” From real success stories (mentorship that kept a founder in the fight) to pragmatic guidance for senior leaders doubling down on DEI, this conversation offers actionable takeaways: define the why, build inclusive cultures, and widen the supplier funnel so the best partner wins. This episode is hosted by Scott Luton, and produced by Trisha Cordes, Joshua Miranda, and Amanda Luton. Additional Links & Resources Check out all the great resources and information mentioned during…
supply chain
Podcast
May 22, 2024
Key Takeaways from the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium and Expo 2024 with Mike Griswold
Mike Griswold is back with us, and in this episode of Supply Chain Now, host Scott Luton welcomes Mike to the show to discuss the key takeaways from the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium & Expo 2024. Listen in and learn more about: the keynote by Gartner’s CEO Tom Enright, and the challenges ahead for the supply chain industry the emphasis on CSCOs to demonstrate their value beyond traditional execution roles and to focus on new areas the appropriate use of technology in supply chains Tune in for that and more, including a look ahead to upcoming Gartner events, including the reveal of the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2024.