DisruptED

The manufacturing industry is undergoing rapid transformation, with automation, AI, and cutting-edge technology redefining how products are made and distributed. Despite these advancements, one challenge remains: gender diversity. Women still hold a disproportionately low number of leadership positions in manufacturing, making stories of female leaders all the more essential. In fact, according to a…

The racing industry has long been dominated by men, but change is in motion. Women are increasingly taking leadership roles in motorsports, breaking barriers and driving innovation in engineering and production. While motorsports has historically lacked female representation, organizations and industry leaders are working to create more opportunities for women in motorsports. With STEM fields…

Sustainability has become a defining challenge for industries worldwide, and manufacturing is no exception. As businesses reckon with carbon emissions and waste, the race to develop eco-friendly production methods is on. Tire industry giant Bridgestone-Firestone is at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging innovation to reduce its environmental footprint. After all, the year 2023…

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, the world of advanced manufacturing is undergoing a seismic shift. Generative design, a cutting-edge approach that leverages algorithms to produce optimized designs, is at the forefront of this transformation. As industries from medicine to automotive grapple with the challenges of innovation, this new technological innovation emerges as a…

In the age of rapid technological advancements, the manufacturing sector is undergoing a significant transformation. The rise of generative design, a process that uses algorithms to generate optimized design solutions, is revolutionizing how products are conceptualized and produced. With the global manufacturing market expected to reach $985.5 billion by 2032, the stakes have never…

In an era where the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, the conversation around decarbonization and energy transition has never been more crucial. With the rise of technological advancements and global interconnectivity, the world is witnessing a shift towards sustainable energy solutions. However, the stakes are high. According to recent data, Earth…

The global conversation has shifted dramatically towards decarbonization and sustainability in recent years. With the world experiencing unprecedented levels of disruption, from 5G technology to the challenges of a pandemic, the urgency to address climate change and its implications has never been more palpable. Although most business leaders see the vision of Sustainable Development…

There are real-world implications of decarbonization in the global quest to reduce emissions. Can the disruptors make an impact? In the face of a rapidly changing climate, the global push for decarbonization has never been more urgent. The stakes are high as industries and governments grapple with the challenges of reducing carbon emissions. Reports…

The urgency to combat climate change has reached a fever pitch in recent years. With global temperatures rising and the detrimental effects of carbon emissions becoming more evident, the need for innovative solutions is paramount. One such solution gaining traction is using electrostatic motors to accelerate decarbonization. Research indicates that there will be a…

Digital learning is undergoing a major shift. As businesses look to retain talent and equip employees for evolving roles, the demand for workforce upskilling is rising fast. A 2023 McKinsey Global Institute survey found that 87% of companies worldwide are either experiencing skill gaps or expect to within five years, posing risks to productivity…

Higher education is at a turning point. As employers demand more than technical proficiency, schools are being challenged to equip students with durable skills like collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Traditional classroom models often fall short of this need. This shift has fueled growing interest in mass experiential learning as a way to prepare…

A growing number of colleges are struggling to convert applicants into enrolled students—and to keep them engaged through graduation. With Gen Z students relying heavily on familiar digital platforms like Instagram and Discord for social interaction, traditional college tools for orientation, enrollment, and community-building often miss the mark. According to research, between 10 to 40…

The traditional residential college experience is transforming. Driven by rising costs, declining enrollment, and student demand for flexibility, small private colleges are rethinking their academic models. A 2022 McKinsey & Company survey found that 65 percent of higher education students want aspects of their learning experience to remain virtual, even post-pandemic. This shift signals…

The pandemic magnified long-standing challenges in education, particularly in math, where students across the country have fallen behind. Research from McKinsey & Company found that students, on average, were five months behind in math due to COVID-19-related disruptions. However, the crisis also sparked innovation, with tutoring emerging as one of the most effective interventions…

Education is at a crossroads. With student debt standing at about $2 trillion and industries evolving at an unprecedented pace, the traditional education system is struggling to keep up. The question is no longer just about degrees but about skills, adaptability, and education’s ROI. Can the current system deliver the outcomes society needs at…

In an era where corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies are rapidly evolving, adapting to new challenges is paramount. As digital transformation accelerates societal shifts, organizations like United Way of Metropolitan Dallas are at the forefront of addressing critical issues, from education to economic mobility. This episode of DisruptED dives into the dynamic world of…

The rapid evolution of online education has ushered in new challenges and opportunities for engaging learners and improving outcomes. With millions of students relying on virtual platforms, educators and ed-tech innovators face the critical task of creating dynamic, relevant, and impactful learning experiences. The stakes are high, as effective education not only shapes career…

Educational inequities in the U.S. have reached critical levels, particularly in underfunded and underserved communities. Recent data highlights how learning loss and achievement gaps, exacerbated by the pandemic, disproportionately affect minority and low-income students. For example, during the 2020-2021 school year, Black and Hispanic students experienced lower gains in math and reading compared to…

On the latest episode of “DisruptEd,” an insightful look into the philanthropic efforts of Bambino Gesu, also known as the “Pope’s Hospital,” is explored through a conversation with Fabrizio Arengi Bentivoglio, President of Patrons of Bambino Gesu Children’s Hospital. During the episode, host Ron J. Stefanski, sheds light on the intersection of entrepreneurship, healthcare,…

On DisruptED Healthcare, co-hosts Ron J Stefanski and Larry Yuhasz discuss the monumental disruptions in the healthcare sector, particularly in managing prescription health. Joining them is Charles Gellman, CEO & Co-Founder of HiDo Health, who introduces an AI-assisted robotic device that revolutionizes medication dispensing. This innovation aims to bridge the gap between physician encounters…

Making strategic investments might be the solution for economic uncertainty considering the ever-escalating cost of healthcare, which is now leading to a profound shift happening in the American workforce. As individuals are forced to navigate complex systems and inflated costs, healthcare is rapidly transitioning from a basic necessity into a considerable investment, setting the…

The healthcare sector has been going through a significant period of disruption, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of healthcare workers have had to adapt to new technologies and workflows, while simultaneously dealing with the direct impacts of the pandemic. In all, the healthcare workforce has greatly been impacted. With an…

Electric vehicles (EVs) are reshaping the mobility landscape, but concerns about battery safety continue to cloud consumer confidence. Despite media narratives, data confirms that EVs are less likely to catch fire than gasoline-powered vehicles. A study by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency found that EVs are 20 times less likely to ignite than petrol…

Across the country, workforce development systems are under pressure to deliver better outcomes in an economy that demands speed, flexibility, and equity. Traditional pathways, such as community college without clear career prospects, no longer serve enough people well. A report by the Center for Community College Student Engagement found that 42 percent of community…

As the demand for diverse, tech-savvy talent accelerates, the way we spark interest in STEM among underrepresented youth is evolving. At a time when fewer than 1% of venture capital dollars go to Black-led startups and authentic representation in tech remains scarce, books, media, and mentorship are becoming unconventional yet powerful tools for change. Increasingly,…

Detroit is rewriting the rules of workforce development by betting on technology, community, and second chances. Far from a top-down solution, this workforce transformation is driven by grassroots innovation and partnerships that reflect the city’s resilience. As employers call for job-ready talent and traditional education pathways fall short, leaders in Detroit are asking: What…

Today’s digital landscape isn’t just shaped by code—it’s shaped by how deeply companies listen. Whether in retail, software, or AI, brands that center their design around real user behavior are pulling ahead. Intuit’s “Follow Me Home” approach exemplifies this mindset, encouraging teams to observe customers in their daily environments to uncover real needs. This…

Technology disruption continues to reshape how we work, learn, and connect. From bookstores to browsers, the leap from physical to digital has transformed not only industries, but expectations. According to McKinsey & Company, generative AI alone could add up to $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy, making it vital to understand how curiosity,…

Detroit is no longer just the Motor City. It’s becoming a hub for clean energy innovation. As climate change forces global shifts in infrastructure, the spotlight is turning to advanced, decentralized solutions like microgrids. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that microgrids could help improve resilience and reduce emissions, especially in aging urban power…

Detroit is once again at the center of industrial and technological reinvention. At New Lab, an innovation hub in the heart of the city, entrepreneurs, engineers, and dreamers are collaborating to redefine the future of energy and mobility. Energy innovation is no longer just a competitive advantage, it’s a necessity. The manufacturing industry alone…

The world of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by AI, Web3, quantum computing, and global interconnectedness. The rapid acceleration of technology and shifting workplace dynamics present both immense opportunities and challenges for professionals across industries. In an age where adaptability and resilience are key to success, how can individuals navigate this…

Within the last six to eight years, what qualifies as fact-based information has been challenged by several political groups and debates. Advocacy for censorship has been on the rise; this is especially true for young adult books involving LGBTQ+ themes and books centering around people of color. While censorship demands were predominately held in…

The Queens Public Library is a library system that includes a digital and written collection with sources of information in over 200 languages, provides free classes and workshops each year at 65 locations across 178 square miles, and welcomes more than 11,400,000 visitors through its doors with 940,000 active cardholders. When the pandemic hit…

Host Ron J Stefanski is excited to bring another episode of this special DistruptED Public Library Edition series to listeners and viewers. In this second installment, Stefanski looks at Queens Public Library and the public library innovations that created an even more essential service for the New York City Borough for over 125 years,…

The majority of Americans over the age of sixteen say public libraries play a critical role within their communities, with 95% agreeing the materials and resources available at public libraries provide opportunities for everyone to succeed and promote literacy and a love of reading. 94% of these Americans say having a public library improves the…

Job markets have seen quite a number of changes as technological advancements reshape industries at fast paces. Yet, a significant portion of the workforce remains trapped in low-skill positions with little opportunity for upward mobility. But in a city like Detroit, there is a challenge of upskilling workers that is being compounded by systemic…

As the tire industry experiences and faces rapid change, Bridgestone — a global leader in mobility solutions — is leveraging cutting-edge technology and a deep-rooted culture of innovation to redefine what tires can do. From AI-driven analytics to sustainability initiatives, Bridgestone is at the forefront of an evolving landscape. But what truly sets them apart…

The automotive world is seeing some unprecedented change, and the tire industry is no exception. As electric vehicles (EVs) grow in popularity, sustainability is a major concern. With new mobility trends emerging, companies like Bridgestone are at the forefront of innovation. Additionally, with the popularity of vehicles on the road being fitted with Bridgestone or…

The tech industry continues to be a dynamic sector that sees constant evolution and growth. It also offers a variety of career opportunities. However, the traditional path of obtaining a four-year degree is no longer the only way to break into tech. With the rise of bootcamps, certifications, and other unconventional career journeys, many…

Quantum computing is gearing up to revolutionize industries in a multitude of ways. With AI accelerating rapidly, quantum computing is also having its impactful moment, and even on its way to alter cybersecurity, finance, and data processing. And there’s a reason for the rise. Cybercrime alone is a $10 trillion industry that is exposing…

The conversation around AI in procurement is heating up as companies increasingly look to automate repetitive tasks and reimagine the way they engage suppliers. A report by McKinsey even suggests that automation can save up to 40 percent of procurement tasks, freeing professionals to focus on higher-value negotiations. With AI chatbots now taking on…

The employment landscape has undergone quite a lot of changes in recent years, most of which has been driven by technological advancements, shifting economic realities, and major disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. As automation and AI transform industries, and certain traditional career paths become obsolete, people of all ages are grappling with how to…

As the world confronts climate change and searches for sustainable energy sources, hydrogen has emerged as a promising solution to reduce carbon emissions. With global energy demands rising and industries like shipping and manufacturing grappling with decarbonization, hydrogen is gaining attention. A key driver of this transition is the Inflation Reduction Act, which has…

AI is revolutionizing nearly every aspect of our lives, and retail is no exception. Traditional commerce, once dominated by in-store interactions, has shifted toward e-commerce, yet the online experience often lacks the nuanced guidance of a knowledgeable salesperson. With advancements in Generative AI (Gen AI), this gap is closing, transforming the retail experience through…

The fusion of technology and education is more critical today than ever. For a brief segment of DisruptEd, Ron J. Stefanski explored one particular factor that promises to redefine the landscape of learning. He discussed Joel Podolny, the founder and CEO of Honor Education –  an e-learning platform. Formerly the Dean of Yale School of…