Podcast · Business

MIT Supply Chain Frontiers

by mitsupplychainfrontiers · English · Business

Thought leadership on all things supply chain from the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics.

New episodes: Now and then
Typical length: 41 min
Latest: 17 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

17 Sep 2026 · 41 min

Making Supply Chain Resilience the Default Design: Lessons from Humanitarian Logistics

When disaster strikes, the response is far more complex than mobilizing aid and supplies. In this episode, we explore how supply chains function as critical infrastructure in humanitarian crises and why understanding them as interconnected systems of systems is essential to saving lives and rebuilding communities. Joining the discussion is Dr. Jarrod Goentzel, founder and director of the MIT Humanitarian Supply Chain Lab at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics. Drawing on over two decades of real-world crisis response experience, from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami to the Liberia…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E44 · 20 Aug 2026 · 54 min
Building Global Supply Chain Leaders: Inside the MIT Global SCALE Network
Supply chains are inherently global, shaped by geopolitical dynamics, regional market complexities, and the interconnected movement of goods across continents. As such, preparing the next generation of supply chain leaders demands immersive, culturally-grounded education that reflects real-world challenges from multiple perspectives. In this episode, we're joined by directors of the MIT Global SCALE Network's international centers: Jay Guo from the Ningbo China Institute for Supply Chain Innovation (NISCI), Chris Mejía Argueta from the Graduate Certificate in Logistics and Supply Chain…
E43 · 21 Jul 2026 · 29 min
The Latest Technology in Freight Transportation with Samsara
Freight companies face increasing pressure to adopt AI, but which technology is actually working on the road? This episode examines critical findings from ground-level freight operations, revealing why Excel remains the dominant tool despite digital transformation efforts, and why data quality, not AI sophistication, remains the biggest bottleneck constraining freight efficiency. Joining tech journalist Jason Del Rey are Dr. Angi Acocella, Research Scientist in the FreightLab at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, and David Gal, Vice President of Product and Engineering for…
E42 · 17 Jun 2026 · 46 min
Automating Warehouse Inventory with Drones: An MIT SCM Capstone Project
Warehouse automation is often evaluated through an operational lens in terms of productivity gains, labor efficiency, and accuracy improvements. Yet the environmental impact of technologies like drone-based inventory systems remains poorly understood. In this episode, we explore how a capstone project conducted with Verity, a warehouse automation company, and graduate students in the MIT Supply Chain Management (SCM) program quantified the real sustainability benefits of replacing manual forklift-based inventory counting with drones. Joining the discussion are Tommaso Portaluri,…
E41 · 18 Mar 2026 · 50 min
The State of AI in Warehousing and Omnichannel
AI is “not optional anymore” in large-scale warehouses and omnichannel operations, as it’s becoming foundational to how they function at scale. In this episode, we explore key findings from the State of AI in Warehousing Report and the 2026 State of Omnichannel Supply Chain Report, examining how companies are moving beyond pilots to real-world deployment. From inventory optimization and automated picking to real-time decision-making, AI is transforming operations as pressure grows for faster, more precise, and more flexible fulfillment. Joining the discussion are Dr. Matthias Winkenbach,…
E40 · 18 Feb 2026 · 40 min
Decarbonizing Supply Chains with C.H. Robinson
As climate-related disruptions and regulatory pressures intensify, corporate sustainability is a core strategic necessity for all operations of global firms. In this episode, we discuss how companies are navigating the complex transition toward decarbonization while upholding efficiency and affordability. Joining the discussion are Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan and Tori Arnold from the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab, alongside Rachel Schwalbach, Vice President of ESG at C.H. Robinson, and Brittany Brama, Sustainability Director at C.H. Robinson. From the complexities of Scope 3 data collection…
E39 · 20 Jan 2026 · 44 min
Beyond the Hype: Decoding AI in Supply Chains
Artificial Intelligence is frequently hailed as a transformative force for global supply chains, yet the gap between technological promise and operational reality remains a central challenge for industry leaders. In this episode, host Dr. Matthias Winkenbach, Director of Research at MIT CTL, leads a nuanced discussion on the transition from AI hype to the implementation of functional "decision technology." Joining the discussion are three researchers from MIT CTL who bring diverse perspectives to the AI landscape. Willem Guter of the MIT Intelligent Logistics Systems Lab unpacks the…
E38 · 17 Dec 2025 · 54 min
Why So Much Food is Lost: Inside Global Food Supply Chains
Global food systems produce more than enough to feed the world—yet nearly one-third of all food is lost or wasted. Much of that loss happens far upstream, driven by perishability, cold chain failures, infrastructure gaps, climate pressures, and supply chain inefficiencies that span continents. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Mejía, founder and director of the MIT Emerging Market Economies Logistics Lab, along with Drs. David Hidalgo and Mauricio Gámez, researchers who model solutions for supply chain issues. They unpack why food supply chains are uniquely vulnerable to disruption,…
E37 · 18 Nov 2025 · 41 min
Weaponized Supply Chains: U.S.-China Trade and National Security
Rising geopolitical tensions and global trade volatility have revealed a key power struggle: supply chains are a matter of national security. This year’s annual report from the congressional U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission warns that China has begun weaponizing key supply chain chokepoints, from critical minerals to foundational semiconductors, creating risks that reach far beyond trade. In this episode, we’re joined by Livia Shmavonian and Josh Hodges, two commissioners of the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission, along with Professor Yossi Sheffi, Director…
E36 · 9 Oct 2025 · 37 min
Sustainability Still Matters
As global supply chains face new waves of political uncertainty, regulatory change, and economic pressure, one thing remains clear: sustainability still matters. The latest State of Supply Chain Sustainability Report from the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab reveals that despite federal environmental rollbacks and shifting investor priorities, companies continue to see sustainability as central to long-term success. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Josué Velázquez Martínez, director of the lab, and Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan, a research scientist in the lab. They unpack key findings from…
E35 · 18 Sep 2025 · 43 min
What Coffee, Cobalt, and Mangoes Have in Common: Introducing the Emerging Market Economies Logistics Lab
Emerging markets play an essential role in global supply chains, providing much of the food, raw materials, and labor that keep the world running. But they also face unique challenges: fragmented systems, limited infrastructure, and volatile economies. At the same time, these regions hold immense potential for innovation, resilience, and growth if their logistics systems can adapt to meet rising pressures from climate change, geopolitical shocks, and shifting consumer demands. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Mejía, Founder and Director of the MIT Emerging Market Economies…
E34 · 15 Jul 2025 · 53 min
The Road to Vehicle Automation: How Far Are We?
Self-driving cars have been heralded by many as the future of transportation—promising safer roads, reduced traffic, and greater mobility for all. Yet despite rapid advancements in technology and a surge in assistive driving features, acceptance of full vehicle automation remains elusive. As the public grapples with questions of trust, safety, and responsibility, the road to widespread adoption of automated vehicles is anything but straightforward. The stakes are high: how we navigate this transition could redefine the way we move for generations to come. So, how far are we from acceptance,…
E33 · 13 May 2025 · 38 min
The State of Sustainability
Sustainability has become an imperative for many companies—but in the face of regulatory rollbacks and budget cuts, are those goals here to stay? In this episode, we explore how companies can meaningfully pursue sustainability, even amid shifting political and economic pressures. We discuss growing public support for sustainability, the role of data and modeling in shaping corporate sustainability strategies, and how companies can build resilient, responsible supply chains. In this episode, we’re joined by members of the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab, hosted within the MIT Center for…
E32 · 4 Mar 2025 · 38 min
The Role of Online Education in Upskilling the Workforce
In recent years, online education has come to the forefront as an alternative to traditional education programs. Its increasing prominence reflects its adaptability, flexibility, affordability, and far-reaching scale. As the global workforce stands to undergo significant changes in the next 5-10 years due to digitalization, advancements in AI, and automation, employers are increasingly valuing skills over degrees. For workers, this requires a practice of continuous learning. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Eva Ponce, Director of Online Education at the MIT Center for Transportation &…
E31 · 9 Jan 2025 · 32 min
Smarter Warehouses: AI & Robotics at the Forefront of Logistics Innovation
In this episode we sit down with Dr. Matthias Winkenbach, Director of Research at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, Alejandro González, Software Business Unit Director at Mecalux, and Iñaki Fernández, Chief Technology Officer at Mecalux. Mecalux, a provider of warehouse management solutions, is a founding research partner of the new MIT Intelligent Logistics Systems Lab, which is at the forefront of advancing logistics through innovative technology. We discuss how AI and machine learning are not just buzzwords but can actually create additional value in warehouse robotics, such…
E30 · 16 Jul 2024 · 48 min
Vehicle Routing in the Age of AI
Vehicle routing is one of the most well-understood, extensively studied problems in both history and academia—it's been studied by academics since the early 1800s. Yet 200 years later, optimal efficiency remains just out of reach. And given the enormous increase in pressure for consumer expectations in recent years, that remaining "last mile" of vehicle routing efficiency could, on a global scale, make a huge difference to a huge number of people. In this episode, we're joined by Matthias Winkenbach, Director of Research at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics. Matthias is an expert…
E29 · 29 May 2024 · 43 min
Empowering Micro Retailers in Emerging Markets
In this episode, we sit down with members of the MIT Low Income Firms Transformation (LIFT) Lab: Director Josué Velázquez Martínez, Postdoctoral Researcher Sreedevi Rajagopalan, and Doctoral Student Fabio Castro. We discuss the LIFT Lab's work empowering micro-retailers and nanostores in emerging markets to lift themselves out of poverty. These retailers, while making up an overwhelming majority of retail business in their regions, are at a significant disadvantage when dealing with large suppliers and competing with large retailers—some 30% of these firms fail within 5 years of opening.…
E28 · 25 Mar 2024 · 54 min
The Warehouse of the Future
Warehouses are undergoing a fundamental transformation—in response to the explosion of growth in the e-commerce space and worldwide large-scale supply chain disruptions, warehouses have gone from places simply for goods to sit to highly interconnected, automated hubs of activity. Warehouses of the future leverage new technologies in automation and digitalization to enhance precision, flexibility, and efficiency to adapt quickly to changing market and supply chain trends and needs. In this episode, we're joined by Miguel Rodríguez García, a Postdoctoral Associate at the MIT Center for…
E27 · 8 Jan 2024 · 47 min
Innovation in Motion: Shaping the Next 50 Years of Supply Chain
On this episode, we're joined by Melanie Nuce-Hilton, SVP for Innovation and Partnerships at GS1 US, a nonprofit standards organization best known for administering the Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode—and celebrating its fiftieth anniversary right around the same time as MIT CTL. Melanie talks all about the history of supply chain standards over the last 50 years, including the UPC barcode, RFID, and others. And she also discusses the exciting innovations that are on the horizon to uncover new possibilities for industry stakeholders. Host & Executive Producer: Benjy KantorMarketing…
E26 · 29 Nov 2023 · 38 min
Sustainability Contains Multitudes
MIT CTL Research Scientist David Correll joins us to share findings from the State of Supply Chain Sustainability 2023. Pressure on firms to make their supply chains more sustainable has increased over the past four years and isn't going anywhere, though the distinct areas of sustainability on which that pressure focuses are constantly changing. Indeed, sustainability is complex and contains multitudes. The report also takes a look at firms' progress on achieving their Scope 3 emissions goals. The full State of Supply Chain Sustainability report is available free at sscs.mit.edu. Host &…
E25 · 29 Sep 2023 · 40 min
The Magic Conveyor Belt: Supply Chains, A.I., and the Future of Work
In this episode, MIT CTL Director Yossi Sheffi, an expert with nearly five decades of experience in the supply chain and logistics areas, sits down with Susan Lacefield, Executive Editor of Supply Chain Quarterly. Yossi and Susan discuss the miracle of modern global supply chains—a magic conveyor belt that moves goods from mines and forests to supermarket shelves. They also discuss supply chain resilience in the face of major disruptions, the growing role that AI will play in supply chains, and how that affects practitioners, businesses, and consumers alike. Executive Producer: Benjy…
E24 · 15 Aug 2023 · 36 min
Blue Sky, Gray Sky – Part 2
"Hope is not a strategy." In this episode, we are joined by Kathy Fulton, Executive Director of the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN), who discusses her work connecting private-sector resources with disaster response needs: a "gray sky" response, after a disaster hits. For instance, if a supplier has excess food they need to offload, ALAN will connect them with a warehouse with the capacity to accept the delivery. ALAN forges partnerships between various players in the supply chain as well as between the public and private sectors, which, along with information sharing among all parties,…
E23 · 31 Jul 2023 · 31 min
Blue Sky, Gray Sky – Part 1
In the wake of a disaster, restoring supply chains can be critical in assuring that the most vital needs of affected communities are met. In this episode, Tim Russell and Lauren Finegan of the MIT Humanitarian Supply Chain Lab discuss the fundamentals of humanitarian logistics and disaster response—including how to best build resilient communities, how the public and private sectors can work together for optimal disaster response, and how their research and work helps inform and strengthen disaster response work worldwide. Learn more about the work of the MIT Humanitarian Supply Chain Lab.…
E22 · 11 May 2023 · 45 min
The New Competitive Edge: Analytics-Driven Supply Chain Design for Value Creation
Supply chain design has traditionally been conducted with only one dimension in mind: cost minimization. The conventions of supply chain design date largely from the 1990s. But major technological strides have been made in the years since, allowing for much more complex considerations to be taken into account. So most companies, by using this obsolete approach, are putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage. Today's episode features Milena Janjevic, Research Scientist at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, and Mike Bucci, a Senior Director for Solutions Delivery at Coupa…
E21 · 2 Nov 2022 · 24 min
Shipper Ghost Lanes - Hidden Costs and Consequences
Truckload transportation services procurement is costly and time-intensive. These months-long procurement events typically result in thousands of contracts between shippers and carriers. The contracts cover each of the shipper’s product distribution lanes or origin-destination pairs. Due to truckload supply and demand uncertainty, shippers often adopt a coverage strategy to secure contracted capacity on combinations of lanes to meet expected demand. However, this strategy leads to unnecessary costs and inefficiencies. We find that many lanes never end up being utilized. We refer to…
E20 · 11 Aug 2022 · 54 min
Empathetic Leadership in the Field–More Insights with the MIT CTL Military Fellows
Parker, Young, and Luebbert discuss how leading teams in high-stress environments like military combat requires empathy and humility.
E19 · 26 Apr 2022 · 31 min
Supply Chains across Sectors - A Conversation with the MIT CTL Military Fellows
In today’s episode, research scientist David Correll speaks with the 2021–22 MIT CTL military fellows: US Army Col. Joe Parker, Lt. Col. Brian Young, and Louisiana National Guard Lt. Col. Stephen J. Luebbert. The fellows discussed their experiences in the military and the MIT SCM program. For written and downloadable transcripts visit ctl.mit.edu Their conversation explores the differences and similarities between private-sector and military supply chains in strategy, leadership, and on-the-ground implementation. We learn how in the private sector, cost and efficiency drive supply chain…
E18 · 11 Feb 2022 · 30 min
Moderna’s Road to the Vaccine and Beyond
Paul Granadillo, SVP Global Supply Chain at Moderna describes how the company met logistics and production requirements during the ramp-up to a global Covid-19 vaccine rollout.
E17 · 8 Dec 2021 · 30 min
Bottleneck Analysis to Understand Systems in Disruption
Conceptual and simulator approaches to addressing bottlenecks in complex supply chain systems
E16 · 29 Sep 2021 · 39 min
Voices from Beyond the Open Road - Utilization, Shippers, and Driver Quality of Life pt. 2
Earlier this year, MIT CTL's David Correll spoke with over-the-road truckers about their experiences in order to shed light on why it is that U.S. truckers appear to be both scarce and underutilized at the same time. During the year, Dr. Correll oversaw three MIT SCM master's capstones that addressed truck driver utilization and retention in contrast to shipper and receiver policies and practices. These were completed as part of the MIT FreightLab's Driver Initiative. In today's episode, we hear how a variety of factors influence driver utilization, and how they may impact the widespread…

About MIT Supply Chain Frontiers

Thought leadership on all things supply chain from the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics.

MIT Supply Chain Frontiers is a English business podcast from mitsupplychainfrontiers. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: mitsupplychainfrontiers
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Now and then
Typical length: 41 min
Latest episode: 17 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1509776693

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