The Forge with Ryan Miller

The Forge Podcast
  • 5.0 (19)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

Step into the world of industrial manufacturing through candid conversations with the leaders shaping it. Hosted by Ryan Miller, CEO of PWI—a leading manufacturer of cranes, mezzanines, and fall protection systems. This podcast explores what it really takes to build and grow a successful business. Ryan shares his own journey while sitting down with fellow CEOs and team leaders to uncover the stories behind their success—the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned, and the moments that defined them.

  1. 5d ago ·  Video

    Episode 15 | The Cost of Ignoring Technology in Your Business

    PWI's technology journey started with a simple problem: too much time was being lost to processes that could be better. In 2019, Ryan, Darren and Kyle Miller decided to build their own design automation software from scratch. What once took hours could eventually be done in minutes, but getting there came with plenty of mistakes, expensive lessons and systems they held onto longer than they should have. In this episode, the brothers talk about what they learned from building their own tools and where technology has created both breakthroughs and bottlenecks inside PWI. They also share how AI is changing their daily work, from catching costly mistakes to speeding up decisions and helping them think through problems more clearly. If you're trying to improve the way your business operates or figure out where AI actually fits, this episode is a practical look at using technology to remove friction without losing sight of the people and processes behind it. Send us Fan Mail The Forge With Ryan Miller is a podcast created to help develop company cultures that result in strong teams and create lasting business growth. Real conversations with business owners, manufacturers, and leaders about what it actually takes to build something. Hosted by Ryan Miller, CEO of PWI a leading manufacturer of lifting, storage, and safety systems based in Indiana. New episode every Tuesday — subscribe so you never miss one.

  2. Sep 29 ·  Video

    Episode 14 | The Real Value of Your Business Isn't What You Think

    Building a valuable business takes more than growing revenue. Mark Fisher spent decades helping grow Dwyer Instruments from roughly $60 million to $170 million before the company was sold. In this episode, Mark sits down with Ryan to talk about what actually makes a business more valuable and why the strongest companies are built to succeed. Mark shares lessons from years of growth, acquisitions and leadership. Including what worked, what didn't and how Dwyer became a company buyers wanted. Whether you're thinking about selling a company or simply trying to build a stronger business, this episode offers a practical look at creating something that can grow beyond you. Send us Fan Mail The Forge With Ryan Miller is a podcast created to help develop company cultures that result in strong teams and create lasting business growth. Real conversations with business owners, manufacturers, and leaders about what it actually takes to build something. Hosted by Ryan Miller, CEO of PWI a leading manufacturer of lifting, storage, and safety systems based in Indiana. New episode every Tuesday — subscribe so you never miss one.

  3. Sep 22 ·  Video

    Episode 13 | The Ugly Truth About Commission-Based Sales

    Great sales starts with belief. For Ryan, Darren and Kyle Miller, that belief has shaped the way PWI has built its sales culture for more than two decades. In this episode, the brothers trace that philosophy back to a $25,000 lesson in 2003 and explain why PWI has grown a 25-person sales team without relying on commission. They talk about the difference between price and cost, why too much product knowledge can actually hurt a salesperson and what happened the one time they tried to change their compensation model. They also explain why trust still matters more than any sales tactic and why face-to-face relationships continue to win. Whether you're leading a sales team or trying to become better at selling, this episode offers a practical look at building trust, transferring belief and creating a sales culture that lasts. Send us Fan Mail The Forge With Ryan Miller is a podcast created to help develop company cultures that result in strong teams and create lasting business growth. Real conversations with business owners, manufacturers, and leaders about what it actually takes to build something. Hosted by Ryan Miller, CEO of PWI a leading manufacturer of lifting, storage, and safety systems based in Indiana. New episode every Tuesday — subscribe so you never miss one.

  4. Sep 15 ·  Video

    Episode 12 | Marvin Peachey's Hospitality Obsession

    Marv's story starts with an Amish upbringing and years spent working in his father's sawmill. At 26, he bought his father-in-law's manufacturing company on June 6, 2006. Less than two years later, the housing market collapsed and put a business heavily tied to residential construction under serious pressure.   In this episode, Ryan and Marv talk about what it took to survive the 2008 recession and how to keep moving forward through uncertainty. Marv also shares how aviation became a tool that helped him lead his business across multiple states without losing sight of faith and family. He talks about his love for hospitality and the importance of making people feel welcome, whether he's hosting at home or leading in business. If you're building from the ground up or trying to lead through a difficult season, this episode is a practical look at resilience, responsibility and staying grounded when business gets hard.  Send us Fan Mail The Forge With Ryan Miller is a podcast created to help develop company cultures that result in strong teams and create lasting business growth. Real conversations with business owners, manufacturers, and leaders about what it actually takes to build something. Hosted by Ryan Miller, CEO of PWI a leading manufacturer of lifting, storage, and safety systems based in Indiana. New episode every Tuesday — subscribe so you never miss one.

  5. Sep 8 ·  Video

    Episode 11 | The Growth Mistake Most Businesses Make

    Growth creates complexity, and eventually the way your business is structured has to change. For Ryan, Kyle and Darren Miller, breaking PWI into focused divisions has become a major part of scaling beyond their current ceiling. In this episode, the brothers talk about building these "funnels" and giving leaders more ownership without disconnecting them from the rest of the company. They share real examples of where this structure is already taking shape across PWI and explain the important difference between a funnel and a silo. One creates focus while keeping communication open. The other creates separation. Whether you're an owner who has become the bottleneck or a leader navigating growth, this episode explores how the right structure can help a business scale without losing alignment along the way. Send us Fan Mail The Forge With Ryan Miller is a podcast created to help develop company cultures that result in strong teams and create lasting business growth. Real conversations with business owners, manufacturers, and leaders about what it actually takes to build something. Hosted by Ryan Miller, CEO of PWI a leading manufacturer of lifting, storage, and safety systems based in Indiana. New episode every Tuesday — subscribe so you never miss one.

  6. Sep 1 ·  Video

    Episode 10 | Turning Misery Into Ministry with Donnie Foster

    Some seasons cost more than money. For Donnie Foster, the cost was 23 years on the streets, in gangs and behind bars in some of California's toughest prisons. Until a single act of forgiveness from a woman he'd robbed changed the direction of his life for good. In this episode, Donnie sits down with Ryan to tell the story most people never get the full version of. Childhood abuse that started at age three, a decade riding with a motorcycle gang and a moment where he was facing 102 years to life. Donnie shares the full story in his two books, Face Down & Face Down: But God. Whether you're leading a company or just trying to hold your own family together, Donnie's story is an honest look at what it costs to change and why it's worth it. Send us Fan Mail The Forge With Ryan Miller is a podcast created to help develop company cultures that result in strong teams and create lasting business growth. Real conversations with business owners, manufacturers, and leaders about what it actually takes to build something. Hosted by Ryan Miller, CEO of PWI a leading manufacturer of lifting, storage, and safety systems based in Indiana. New episode every Tuesday — subscribe so you never miss one.

  7. Aug 25 ·  Video

    Episode 9 | The Big Shift from Local to National Sales

    Getting focused costs more than most owners expect. It sometimes means turning down work that is already paying the bills. Ryan, Darren and Kyle learned that while building PWI from the small farm repair shop their dad started in 1979 into a national supplier of overhead cranes, mezzanines and fall protection. In this episode, the three brothers talk about what that climb actually cost them. Ryan shares the decade he believes the company lost to good opportunities and the moment he realized he was the one holding it back. The brothers also get into the conversations where they told loyal, paying customers they no longer did that work, and the 37-foot beam that never made it to Phoenix. Whether you're running a small shop or scaling something much bigger, this episode offers an honest look at narrowing your focus, saying no to good money and building a business that lasts. Send us Fan Mail The Forge With Ryan Miller is a podcast created to help develop company cultures that result in strong teams and create lasting business growth. Real conversations with business owners, manufacturers, and leaders about what it actually takes to build something. Hosted by Ryan Miller, CEO of PWI a leading manufacturer of lifting, storage, and safety systems based in Indiana. New episode every Tuesday — subscribe so you never miss one.

  8. Aug 18 ·  Video

    Episode 8 | Cam Boyer's Blueprint for Scaling a Business Worth Hundreds of Millions

    Scaling a business means taking responsibility for the people, the culture and the mistakes along the way. Cam Boyer learned that over three decades of building companies from the ground up. Most notably, he helped take Grand Design RV from a startup to roughly $500 million in just four years before it was sold to Winnebago. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Cam to talk about what that growth taught him about leadership. Cam shares the confrontation that changed the way he led and what he learned after being demoted from president back to VP of Finance. He also tells the story of the phone call that nearly cost him the opportunity to join Grand Design. Whether you're growing a small team or scaling something much bigger, this episode offers an honest look at leading through mistakes, taking care of your people and building a business that lasts. Send us Fan Mail The Forge With Ryan Miller is a podcast created to help develop company cultures that result in strong teams and create lasting business growth. Real conversations with business owners, manufacturers, and leaders about what it actually takes to build something. Hosted by Ryan Miller, CEO of PWI a leading manufacturer of lifting, storage, and safety systems based in Indiana. New episode every Tuesday — subscribe so you never miss one.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Step into the world of industrial manufacturing through candid conversations with the leaders shaping it. Hosted by Ryan Miller, CEO of PWI—a leading manufacturer of cranes, mezzanines, and fall protection systems. This podcast explores what it really takes to build and grow a successful business. Ryan shares his own journey while sitting down with fellow CEOs and team leaders to uncover the stories behind their success—the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned, and the moments that defined them.

Information

  • Creator
    The Forge Podcast
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Forge with Ryan Miller
  • Show Website
    The Forge with Ryan Miller

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