Best Jan Griffiths Podcasts (2025)

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AI Is About to Change Everything… But Not the Way You Think 40:56

Play Pause

7d ago40:56

40:56

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the Full Video on YouTube - click here AI dominates every conversation in the automotive industry, but very few companies know how to make it truly useful. That focus on real value is what led MIT research scientist Dr. Bryan Reimer to write How to Make AI Useful. The idea began c…

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The Queer Nuns Who Use the Art of Drag to Fight Bigotry 48:19

12d ago48:19

48:19

Today on the podcast, we’re exploring the history and impact of the most colorful nuns that have ever existed: The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Much of the information for this episode comes from thesisters.org. I also cover the Great Folsom Street Fire with much of the information about my discussion coming from The Folsom Street Fire: Anatomy…

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Satanic Panic in Manhattan Beach - the McMartin preschool trial 54:16

20d ago54:16

54:16

Today we’re talking about Satan, ritual sacrifice, child abuse, power tripping authority figures, and moral panic. It’s the McMartin Satanic Ritual Abuse case! Ground zero for the satanic panic was right here in our own backyard, the coastal town of Manhattan Beach south of LA. This episode is heavily inspired by the podcast series The Devil You Kn…

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Inside Panasonic’s Gigafactory: No Blame, Big Results 44:44

21d ago44:44

44:44

Watch the full video on YouTube - click here Inside Panasonic’s gigafactories in Nevada and Kansas, machines never stop running. Every second, 70 batteries roll off the line, powered by thousands of people working 24/7. At the center of it all is Allan Swan, a Scotsman who left aerospace to lead one of the most ambitious manufacturing operations in…

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A Wild West Tale - How Biddy Mason Became the Wealthiest Woman in L.A. 57:54

26d ago57:54

57:54

Today, Judy helps me share the extraordinary tale of an enslaved woman who wins her freedom, the California free Black community who comes together to help her, the white authorities who --- surprisingly --- actually do the right thing when faced with injustice (the bar is on the floor, but these are some of the few white men in history who actuall…

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How Kim Less Leads and Elevates Nissan Aftersales Across the Americas 40:02

1M ago40:02

40:02

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the Full Video on YouTube - click here When people in the automotive world talk about leaders who bring out the best in others, Kim Less's name always surfaces. As Vice President of aftersales for Nissan Americas, she leads a team of more than 1,600 people in the U.S., Canada, Mex…

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Gay Men of Silent Film - Celebrating Gay Rights & Also Gay Wrongs! 44:05

1M ago44:05

44:05

They were glamorous. They were fashionable. They could rock an absolutely fire smokey eye! They’re silent film stars! And many of them were gay men who loved other men and we are here for them. In today’s episode we’re covering two stories of gay men in silent film. One that’s kind of a messy story -- which we enjoy because we love gay rights and a…

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Built by People: The Cultural Transformation Behind Cooper Standard’s Global Success 37:25

2M ago37:25

37:25

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here How does a 65-year-old automotive supplier reinvent itself for the future? That’s the question Jeff Edwards, Chairman and CEO of Cooper Standard, answers in this episode. With 22,000 employees across 20 countries, Cooper Standard is navigatin…

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Unalive in LA - 175 Years of Los Angeles Coroners 50:36

2M ago50:36

50:36

The story of LA’s coroners goes all the way back to 1850 when President Millard Fillmore signed a bill making California the 31st state of the US. In its 175 year history, the department that investigates cause and manner of death has seen countless murders --- many of them high profile, all of them with a story to tell. Today on the show, we explo…

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Deep Hollywood Lore: the Scams & Shenanigans that Brought Cinema to California 1:08:58

2M ago1:08:58

1:08:58

The fact that Hollywood, California ended up being the home of motion pictures in the 20th Century was never a given. In fact, the motion picture industry in the United States came very close to not being possible at all in the early 1900s. So how did the movies come to Hollywood? And what were the circumstances that allowed American films to domin…

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Beyond PR: Why Employees Are the Most Important Audience You Have 34:23

2M ago34:23

34:23

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the Full Video on YouTube - click here Why do so many companies spend millions shaping their external image while missing the most important audience: their own people? That’s the question Jan Griffiths brings to Tina Kozak, CEO of Franco, in this episode of the Automotive Leaders…

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From Power to Partnership: Why Automakers Have to Reinvent How They Do Business 35:15

3M ago35:15

35:15

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here Ford just made waves with news of a $30,000 EV pickup built on a universal platform. It promises fewer parts, lower costs, and faster assembly. But Jan Griffiths asks a bigger question: if automakers can reinvent the product, why not reinvent…

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Liderazgo, Cultura y la Incertidumbre que Enfrentan los CEO de la Industria Automotriz 48:20

3M ago48:20

48:20

This episode is also available in English - click here La carrera de Tony Trecapelli en la industria automotriz comenzó en Saturn, donde pudo ver, de primera mano, cómo podía ser la cultura centrada en personas. Se confiaba en los empleados, se fomentaba la colaboración y los líderes trataban a la fuerza de trabajo como compañeros. Ese ambiente for…

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Leadership, Culture, and Navigating Uncertainty as a CEO in the Auto Industry 53:58

3M ago53:58

53:58

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more This episode is available in Spanish - click here Watch the full video on YouTube - click here Tony Trecapelli's career in automotive began at Saturn, where he saw firsthand what a people-centered culture could look like. Employees were trusted, collaboration was encouraged, and leaders…

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Why Leaders Must Press Pause 8:09

3M ago8:09

8:09

Sometimes the best leadership lesson comes from pressing pause. That's why Jan Griffiths has decided to step away from the usual guest interviews to share something personal: she's taking a break. Not a long one, just enough to recharge and remind us all that rest isn't weakness; it's strength. Leaders set the tone, and showing it's okay to step ba…

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Still Leading Like It's 1995? Your Outdated Leadership Is Slowing Down the Auto Industry 22:57

4M ago22:57

22:57

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - Click here If you’re still leading like it’s 1995, or worse, 1985, you’re holding this industry back. We’ve spent decades obsessing over products and systems, yet barely stopped to ask ourselves: What kind of leaders are we? That’s the question Jan want…

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Calese Crowder "the Burbank sniffer" - What is wrong with this man? 27:37

4M ago27:37

27:37

Calese Crowder – arguably the worst person in Southern California (and that’s saying something) – is at it again. He’s a man who has been caught multiple times "sniffing women" in various retail establishments. And, as of July 22, he was caught doing it again. On this episode, I share all the details we know about the latest incident and Calese's s…

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The Weight of Leadership: The True Cost of Poor Leadership in the Automotive Industry 42:08

4M ago42:08

42:08

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here Jay Butler doesn't just understand troubled operations. He's worked through them at every level. From the production lines of Nissan and Mercedes-Benz and now as a consultant for distressed plants, he has seen what causes operations to fall a…

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An Exciting Podcast Update! 0:56

5M ago0:56

0:56

Exciting news from Haunted Hollywood Hour! The pod is preparing for an all new season with improved audio and even more episodes delivered regularly to the feed. But as we get ready to roll out more weird, historical, Hollywood stories, we need to do a lot of behind the scenes podcasting work. So, pardon our dust while you catch up on old episodes …

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Transforming Webasto: Why Legacy Automotive Companies Must Rethink Leadership & Culture to Stay Competitive 46:12

5M ago46:12

46:12

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here Webasto is a legacy company with roots going back to 1901, but staying competitive in today’s automotive industry requires more than history. It also means challenging long-standing norms without discarding the company’s strengths. To underst…

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Leading Through Change: The Culture Shift Automotive Leaders Need to Compete Today 50:47

5M ago50:47

50:47

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here No one would try to stream a 4K video on a '95 Windows computer—but in the auto industry, we're still trying to lead today's transformation with leadership models built decades ago. That's the hard truth Jan puts on the table in this conversa…

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Rewind: Griffith Jenkins Griffith - attempted murderer & ostrich tycoon (originally aired Jan. 23, 2025) 50:44

5M ago50:44

50:44

Resurfaced from the archives, this episode originally aired Jan. 23, 2025. He was part of an ostrich consortium that failed due to an 1880s sex scandal. He shot his wife in the face. He was the embodiment of late-stage capitalism. Today, we're bringing you the story of Griffith Jenkins Griffith — the namesake of Los Angeles' Griffith Park. Historia…

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Rewind: What happened to Prof. Lowe's resort above Los Angeles? (originally aired Jan. 29, 2025) 1:03:05

6M ago1:03:05

1:03:05

Resurfaced from the archives, this episode originally aired Jan. 29, 2025. Love Wicked? This guy probably inspired The Wizard of Oz. This story of a whimsical professor is also a tribute to Altadena, a city recently devastated by the wildfires this month. Andrea Antony-Morr is on the podcast this week discussing Professor Thaddeus Lowe who, after b…

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Why Elon Musk’s Leadership Approach Needs a Serious Rethink 14:16

6M ago14:16

14:16

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here Elon Musk did what most thought was impossible. He built a mission-driven brand that captured global attention, made electric vehicles desirable, and forced legacy automakers to rethink everything. But lately, his leadership has taken a turn—…

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Chaos Queen Marjorie Cameron - Jack Parsons' 2nd Wife 1:08:02

6M ago1:08:02

1:08:02

This week’s episode is about Jack Parsons' second wife, Marjorie Cameron, who may actually be more interesting than her rocket scientist/occultist husband. She grew up in the room where her aunt died, was a weirdo in school, worked on secret stuff for the Joint Chiefs, had an orgy with so many people (including Bob Hope and a defrocked priest) and …

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Why Authentic Leadership Matters Most in Times of Crisis 12:02

6M ago12:02

12:02

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here As the auto industry faces a new wave of uncertainty—tariffs shifting daily, global instability, and mounting supply chain questions—leaders are under pressure to act fast. For many, that means retreating into old habits, tightening control, …

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The Disappearance of Michael Darnell Bell Jr. 55:13

6M ago55:13

55:13

In 2011, Michael Darnell Bell, a 25-year-old, is found by CHP officers in a car on the side of the I-5 freeway. It's 3:00 AM in the morning. His car is out of gas. The CHP officers pick him up and drive him to a gas station about 5 miles down the freeway and drop him off there. He’s never seen again. As we delve into the details, we’re gonna get so…

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The Rocket Science and Sex Magick of Jack Parsons 1:12:20

7M ago1:12:20

1:12:20

This week, we’re covering another aerospace weirdo with connections to the Mojave Desert. He’s a rocket man, an occultist and a fan of orgies. This is the Jack Parsons episode with Ringa Sunn who is back on the show from Pittsburgh! And Andrea from Long Beach is back! Together, we’ll answer the question on everyone’s mind: did Jack Parsons and Scie…

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2025 WRI Results: Toyota Soars, Honda and GM Improve, Others Decline 44:14

7M ago44:14

44:14

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here Season 6 opens with a deep dive into the 2025 Working Relations Index (WRI)—and the numbers are telling. Toyota, Honda, and GM continue to rise, while Ford and Stellantis slide further down. The gap between the top and bottom OEMs? The larges…

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Season 5 Recap: Key Conversations Driving the Automotive Industry Forward 11:50

7M ago11:50

11:50

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Season Five of the Automotive Leaders Podcast comes to a close, and with it, a year of powerful conversations that challenged the way we think about leadership in the automotive industry. This season wasn’t just about bringing guests to the mic—it was about tackling real-world issues. F…

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Mojave Mayhem: George Van Tassel, Frank Critzer, the Integratron & Giant Rock 1:21:46

7M ago1:21:46

1:21:46

Today we're sharing the story of George Van Tassel who left a successful aerospace career to move his wife and 3 daughters literally under a rock in the middle of the Mojave Desert, where he communicated with aliens, held UFO conventions, and devoted his life to building a time machine. Helping me tell today's story is Andrea from Long Beach and Be…

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A Mojave Desert Manhunt 1:14:24

7M ago1:14:24

1:14:24

Today's episode is about a turn-of-the-century manhunt in the Mojave Desert that’s been told and retold by various folks over the years like a game of white people telephone… We never fully get the truth of what really happened, but I’ll do my best to parse through the tale of Willie Boy whose story has now been portrayed in multiple movies. Ringa …

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Reviving an Icon: Leadership, Innovation, and the New Goodyear Mindset 32:45

7M ago32:45

32:45

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here How do you transform a brand that's been part of American history for 125 years, without losing the DNA that made it legendary? In this episode, Goodyear CEO and President Mark Stewart joins Jan Griffiths to share how he is breathing new life…

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Bigfoot encounters in Southern California: The Fontana Speedway Monster 36:45

7M ago36:45

36:45

50 miles east of Los Angeles, there’s a town of about 200,000 that was mostly made up of chicken farms and citrus groves in the early 1900s, but by the 1940’s its population grew when Henry Kaiser opened a steelmill. This is the location of Bigfoot phenomena known as the Fontana Speedway Monster. Canadian Tessa is back, joining me as we discuss the…

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Bigfoot encounters in Southern California: Edwards AFB Sasquatch 46:27

8M ago46:27

46:27

We’re talking Bigfoot encounters in Southern California with Canadian friend Tessa! Because there's so many Sasquatch stories to cover, this will be a multipart series. Today's episode focuses on the Bigfoot encounters in and around Edwards Air Force Base, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Stay tuned for next week's episode where we cover t…

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David Koresh's Hollywood Era 1:06:53

8M ago1:06:53

1:06:53

Today we’re talking about the man behind one of the most tragic cult stories in US history — David Koresh who was born Vernon Howell and who went on to become the leader of the Branch Davidian religious sect, his life ending on April 19, 1993 following a 51 day stand off with the ATF and FBI who raided their Waco compound, resulting in the deaths o…

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Behind Martinrea’s Strength: Pat D’Eramo’s No-Fear, People-first Leadership 34:12

8M ago34:12

34:12

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here When Pat D'Eramo entered the auto industry four decades ago, leadership looked very different. Power meant control. Leaders gave orders, and people followed—or else. But even back then, Pat knew there had to be a better way. That mindset was …

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Broke actor murders for honeymoon money or "when Aries go bad" 1:00:03

8M ago1:00:03

1:00:03

Today on Haunted Hollywood Hour, we have a little astrological fun and find out our friend’s astrology, then match them with a murderer who has the same sun sign as them. In this case, Bel is an Aries. And I’m going to tell her the story of Daniel Wozniak — who is also an Aries. He’s an Orange County community theater actor who might be the stupide…

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You Dig You Die: Strange Tales from Cahuenga's Past 39:36

8M ago39:36

39:36

Cahuenga Pass is where a California governor got part of his face ripped off, where 10 people died because of cursed treasure, where the Egyptians allegedly buried a god’s penis, and that’s just the beginning! Today we’re bringing you an episode about place, myth, people, history, and inaccuracy. The place we’re exploring is as intrinsic to Hollywo…

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Liberation Day: The Day the US Tariff Bomb Hit the Auto Industry 25:52

8M ago25:52

25:52

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here It was 6 PM on April 2nd in Detroit, and the news just dropped—a sweeping new tariff announcement from Trump had thrown the automotive industry into chaos. In this episode, Jan Griffiths sits down with Sig Huber, Chief Commercial Officer at E…

1
La Industria Automotriz bajo Presión: Desglosando los nuevos aranceles 28:29

8M ago28:29

28:29

This episode is the Spanish version of episode #150 ¿Qué acaba de suceder? Esa es la pregunta que todos se hacen en la industria automotriz después del sorprendente anuncio de la nueva administración: un arrasador arancel del 25% sobre los vehículos importados y las autopartes clave. Para encontrarle más sentido a todo, Jan Griffiths le da la bienv…

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Auto Industry Under Pressure: Breaking Down the New Tariffs 29:06

8M ago29:06

29:06

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here What just happened? That's the question hanging over the automotive industry after the new administration's surprise announcement: a sweeping 25% tariff on imported vehicles and key auto parts. To help make sense of it all, Jan Griffiths welc…

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Vampira - The Remarkable Life & Legacy of a 1950s Dark Goddess 1:03:20

8M ago1:03:20

1:03:20

Maila Nurmi became a cultural icon with her creation of Vampira in 1954 but she earned practically nothing for the role and struggled financially for the rest of her life. Still, Maila's story of ambition, struggle, friendships and fame remains an inspiration for anyone who dreams of making a lasting impact. Who was Maila Nurmi? Learn her full stor…

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Customs vs. C-Suite: The Disconnect That’s Hurting Trade Compliance Strategy 24:03

9M ago24:03

24:03

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here Trade compliance might not be the most thrilling topic—until it starts costing your company millions. That’s exactly what’s happening as tariffs shift overnight, companies scramble for answers, and supply chain leaders face an avalanche of co…

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Rewind: The UFO experienced by millions in Los Angeles (Also: the history of the Viper Room) 48:37

9M ago48:37

48:37

This is an episode that originally aired Oct. 29, 2024. New episodes of Haunted Hollywood Hour will be coming soon! Propaganda told those on the West Coast of the U.S. to fear foreign invasion during World War II. Something did invade the skies over Los Angeles, but it wasn’t an overseas’ military, it was something that remains a mystery to this da…

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Rewind: A true past life Hollywood story (also: the room where Janis Joplin died) 1:08:59

9M ago1:08:59

1:08:59

This is a rewind of the episode we released on October 31, 2024. We'll be back with an all new episode next week! He lived for 61 years, building up his career in the entertainment industry, first as a dancer, then a manager, then an agent to successful film actors. But in 1964, Marty Martyn would suddenly succumb to an illness, perishing on Christ…

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Leadership through Tariff Chaos and Embracing Autoculture 2.0 46:36

9M ago46:36

46:36

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more The auto industry is holding its breath. A 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada is about to take effect, and the ripple effects will be massive. Suppliers are drawing a hard line—either OEMs accept the costs, or shipments stop. The chaos is real. It’s a high-stakes moment, but Jan…

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The Scandalous Pancho Barnes & Her Happy Bottom Riding Club 1:18:29

9M ago1:18:29

1:18:29

This week’s story is about defying gender norms in the early 20th century, leading a life of adventure and chaos, and experiencing all the joy and heartache that comes with committing to authenticity. This is a tale of woman who was forced to marry a Reverend when she was just 19, and when she wanted out of the marriage and was refused a divorce, s…

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Linda Goodman & the Hollywood Hills Penis Mystery 59:36

9M ago59:36

59:36

On New Year’s Day, 1970, a man claiming to be an astral traveler visited astrologer Linda Goodman in her room at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood. He claimed that inside a hill next to the Cahuenga Pass, there was an ancient Egyptian burial chamber that held the penis belonging to the Egyptian god Osiris. So began Linda’s quest to scan and study th…

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The Kettering Model: Bridging Academia and Industry for Automotive’s Next Leaders 39:46

10M ago39:46

39:46

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more Watch the full video on YouTube - click here Dr. Robert McMahan, President of Kettering University, started out as a kid with binoculars, staring up at the stars, fascinated by the unknown. Now, he's shaping the next generation of leaders who will drive innovation in the auto industry b…