The Think Factory Podcast

In this episode of The Think Factory, host Chris Santomassimo sits down with Paul Hudson, CEO of Hudson Printing, for a candid conversation on innovation, purpose, and the evolving role of print in a digital world.

Paul unpacks how Hudson Printing is pushing boundaries—from environmental commitments like carbon balancing to proprietary offerings like Spark+ (enhanced color) and TOPO (tactile embellishments). Paul believes every pie...

In this episode of The Think Factory, therapist and Train Emotions founder Barbara Mosquera shares how childhood trauma, cultural identity, and access to care shape her mission. A former teacher turned therapist, Barbara now leads a diverse team focused on making mental health support more relatable and affordable—especially for communities of color. She opens up about her psychodynamic approach, her upcoming CASA volunteer work, a...

In this episode of The Think Factory podcast, host Chris Santomassimo speaks with Kevin Heslin, President of Seaway Printing, and Ian Heslin, Vice President, about Seaway’s evolution from a $1 million general commercial shop into a $27 million specialized, data-driven operation. They discuss how performance transparency and real-time data tracking have optimized productivity and fostered a culture of accountability and continuous i...

As the owner and COO of Evolve Human Labs, Courtney Balderas-Jacob is shaping what care looks like with trauma-informed leadership and spaces that welcome everyone who walks in. In this episode, she shares how designing for empathy and simplicity isn’t just good for clients—it’s transformed how her teams work, grow, and stay engaged.

Courtney also gets candid about leading a workplace where five generations work side by side. From...

In this episode of The Think Factory podcast, Alka Bahal sits down with Darryl Stratton, HR Director of Alpine Ocean. Alpine Ocean provides expert services in acquiring, analyzing and interpreting data from marine offshore, nearshore and freshwater environments. The company caters to complex and challenging projects that require high-quality data, on-time delivery, and exacting safety standards.

Stratton shares his perspective on t...

In this episode of the Think Factory Workplace Podcast, our podcast host Alka Bahal sits with Deepak Shrivastava to discuss valuable HR insights, emphasizing the importance of hiring the right talent for fast-paced, evolving environments. Drawing from his experiences, Deepak explains that the key to success is hiring individuals exhibiting natural curiosity and adaptability, citing real-life instances.

With a career that spans manag...

In this episode of The Think Factory Podcast, Mark Whitehead, co-founder of NDAY Security, pulls back the curtain on the world of offensive cybersecurity---where expert testers play the role of attackers to strike first and expose vulnerabilities. While most businesses think defense means installing antivirus software and hoping for the best, he explains how real protection comes from testing your systems before an actual attacker ...

In this episode of The Think Factory, we sit down with Amy Zitelman, co-founder of Soom Foods, to trace her family’s bold journey turning tahini from a niche ingredient into a pantry staple across 5,000 stores — including Whole Foods and Walmart. Amy shares the experiences that set the stage for their breakout success during the pandemic, when home cooks discovered tahini’s magic beyond hummus — in banana bread, sauces, and even co...

In a candid conversation, La-Toya Hackney shares her professional journey and what it means to grow into leadership roles you once dreamed about. As Saint-Gobain North America's SVP and General Counsel, she reflects on navigating increasing complexity in the world of law, embracing Gen AI responsibly, and balancing risk without burning out teams or budgets.

La-Toya leaves listeners with a practical career tool: four key questions to...

In this episode of The Think Factory, Alexis Bovalino, HR Director at Burgatory Bar, shares how a people-first mindset and a culture of transparency helped their restaurant group not just survive the pandemic—but come out stronger. From raising wages during COVID to promoting over 75% of managers from within, Alexis reveals how empathy, curiosity, and accountability fuel their leadership style and employee loyalty.

Alexis discusses ...

Think print is dead? Think again. In this episode of The Think Factory, we chat with Gene Plotkin, Vice President of Sales at Mimeo, a company that has been quietly transforming the print and packaging world for the past 25 years. Mimeo has built a business model that serves over 3,000 customers, from big pharmaceutical companies to smaller, emerging businesses, all by providing high-quality print solutions with incredible speed an...

On this episode of The Think Factory Podcast, we chat with Adrienne Fudge, the powerhouse behind 40 Dreams Catering and Cooking Thyme — a cooking school with heart. Adrienne shares how her team creates joyful, hands-on culinary experiences for everything from corporate events to kids’ birthday parties. Whether it’s a team-building pasta night or a bridal shower with a gourmet twist, her goal is simple: bring people together through...

On this episode of The Think Factory podcast, host Marco Gonzalez sits down with John Fudge, Executive VP of USA Funding, to talk about how his firm has transformed SBA lending. With over 35 years in the game, John explains how USA Funding bridges the gap between borrowers and banks by customizing loan packages and matching them with the right lenders—generating over $400 million in annual volume. Built on hustle, grit, and a netwo...

In this episode of The Think Factory Podcast, Chris Santomassimo chats with Greg and Halie from Flex Technology Group (Flex TG) to unpack how organizations are reimagining their print operations. Whether it's high-quality marketing materials, expanding into wide-format, or even embroidery, Flex’s OEM-agnostic approach helps tailor solutions that truly align with each client’s goals.

Greg and Halie's conversation also highlights a ma...

In this episode of The Think Factory, Susan Kleiner sits down with Sharon Diamondstein, Director of Congregational Learning at the Jewish Center of Princeton to discuss the vibrant and inclusive community their center has built.

As the Director, Sharon creates innovative programs that blend religious education with real-world applications. With a diverse range of programs from religious education to social activities, the Jewish Cen...

In this episode of The Think Factory podcast, our host Chris Santomassimo speaks with Tim Murphy, President of Printware LLC, about the evolution of the printing industry and the rise of inkjet.

From tactile engagement to lasting impressions, Tim shares stories that highlight how print—especially direct mail—is still a highly effective customer touchpoint. The conversation dives into user experience, the evolution of packaging, and ...

In this episode of the Think Factory podcast, host Marco Gonzalez chats with Colonel Antonio Martinez, U.S. Army Reservist and CEO of Renaissance Global Services (RGS), a veteran-owned firm specializing in project and construction management. Colonel Martinez shares how his military background shapes RGS’s hands-on, mission-driven approach, empowering teams to make decisions that keep projects moving and clients happy. He highlight...

In this episode of The Think Factory, Gia Lacqua opens up about her personal journey from corporate burnout to discovering her true calling. She shares how years of chronic stress and the pressure to constantly achieve led her to a breaking point, ultimately realizing that she had been chasing someone else’s definition of success. Gia dives into the importance of listening to your intuition, unlearning unhealthy habits, and redefin...

On this episode of The Think Factory, we're pulling back the curtain on one of the most underestimated drivers of success in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) world: logistics. Andrew Lynch, President of Zipline Logistics, joins us to share real-world lessons on why making sure your product is on the shelf every time your customer shows up is what sets the winners apart from the rest.

Whether you’re a brand founder, a retail seller,...