Optimistic Outlook

On the Optimistic Outlook, Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA, engages listeners in the technological transformation occurring across American industry and infrastructure. Episodes not only examine challenges related to climate, workforce and digital transformation but offer solutions and a path forward by deploying readily available technologies. Barbara’s visionary perspective is designed to spark bold thinking among listeners, urging them to innovate toward a sustainable and eco-friendly future. Each episode delves into the intersection of technology, leadership, and workplace dynamics, offering practical insights and inspiring stories from industry experts. From renewable energy to digital manufacturing, Barbara explores the transformative potential of sustainable solutions, urging listeners to rethink traditional approaches and embrace innovative strategies. With a keen eye toward mentorship and collaboration, Barbara empowers individuals to drive positive change within their organizations and communities. Listeners can expect thought-provoking discussions on topics such as the role of digitalization in reshaping industrial manufacturing, the impact of sustainable transportation on urban development, and the importance of fostering a culture of innovation in the workplace. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, Barbara demonstrates how businesses can leverage technology and leadership to address pressing environmental challenges while driving economic growth and prosperity. The Optimistic Outlook is more than just a podcast—it’s a platform for meaningful dialogue and inspiration. Listeners are encouraged to join the conversation and contribute their ideas for building a more sustainable and resilient future. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring leader, this podcast offers invaluable insights and practical advice for navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing world. Join Barbara Humpton and her guests as they explore the possibilities of tomorrow and uncover the key drivers of success in an era defined by innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Together, let’s imagine a future where optimism reigns supreme and bold ideas pave the way toward a brighter, more sustainable world for all.
Episodes
Episodes



Monday Oct 16, 2023
ARPA-I and the path to greener, safer transportation
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Imagine self-healing concrete or traffic lights with “eyes” that save lives in crosswalks. Technology startup leaders join Barbara to discuss breakthrough innovations that could be accelerated by the launch of a new White House initiative: Advanced Research Projects Agency – Infrastructure (ARPA-I). Listen for inspiring, detailed insights from Ginger Krieg Dosier, Founder and Board Member, Biomason, and Angus Pacala, CEO, Ouster, as they discuss the power of applying emerging technologies and fresh R&D investment to transportation infrastructure.
Show notes:
White House fact sheet: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2023/06/13/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-new-actions-hosts-inaugural-arpa-i-summit-to-highlight-the-next-generation-of-transportation-infrastructure-innovation-for-americans/
Ouster: https://ouster.com/
Biomason: https://biomason.com/



Thursday Sep 07, 2023
Green Radiology and decarbonizing healthcare
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
With American healthcare representing 10% of U.S. carbon emissions, decarbonizing hospitals and healthcare systems promises to deliver meaningful climate action. In this episode, Barbara brings listeners inside an innovative project reducing energy usage in imaging at University of California San Francisco (UCSF). The solutions will not only help to support decarbonization but yield immediate operational savings for hospitals and healthcare systems recovering financially from the pandemic. Guests are Dr. Sean Woolen, USCF’s Assistant Professor for Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging and Director of the Green Radiology, and Jerry Folsom, Global Head of Digital Portfolio for Healthcare and Life Science, Siemens Smart Infrastructure.
Show notes:
Study results: https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/en-us/press-room/press-releases/greenradiology
Smart healthcare: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/markets/healthcare.html
Press release: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/usa/siemens-helps-put-sustainability-forefront-medical-imaging-care.html



Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Sustainable beer brewing and scaling climate solutions
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Effective partnerships between large companies and startups can accelerate net-zero strategies and even produce cost savings that strengthen the business case. Recording from the TED Countdown Summit, Barbara talks to Maisie Devine, Executive Director of Sustainable Innovation at AB InBev and Founder of the award-winning 100+ Accelerator program, which is building an ecosystem of partners delivering breakthrough advancements in supply chain decarbonization. They share takeaways from the conference and introduce listeners to a unique vertical farming project that could remake hops production. Siemens is a member of the TED Future Forum, a TED Countdown initiative focused on the role of business in accelerating solutions to the climate crisis.
Show notes:
100+ Accelerator: https://www.ab-inbev.com/sustainability/100-accelerator/
Vertical farming: https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company/stories/industry/2023/vertical-farming-controlled-environment-agriculture-cea-digital-transformation-sustainability-80-acres-farms.html



Thursday Jun 22, 2023
The real purpose of industrial automation
Thursday Jun 22, 2023
Thursday Jun 22, 2023
Barbara shares her keynote speech from May’s Automate conference in Detroit.
Show notes:
Siemens and FREYR: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/freyr-scale-battery-cell-gigafactory-production-siemens-xcelerator
Advanced Manufacturing: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/topic-areas/advanced-manufacturing.html
Optimizing Battery Production: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/topic-areas/advanced-manufacturing/large-battery-manufacturing.html



Monday Apr 24, 2023
How to optimize for change
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Barbara reflects on how her ideas about leadership changed during the pandemic by sharing an audio version of her recent leadership essay, The Greatest Gift We Can Give Our Organizations.
Show Notes:
Comment on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/greatest-gift-we-can-give-our-organizations-barbara-humpton/
Art of Leading Interview: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/key-role-leaders-help-people-understand-what-good-looks-adam-bryant/?trackingId=gXb6mof6ZeWLcKVC6p4P1w%3D%3D
Barbara’s 2021 leadership essay: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/i-fell-ill-covid-19-shutdowns-began-heres-what-taught-barbara-humpton/



Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Cracking the code: How to transform industry and infrastructure
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Thursday Mar 16, 2023
Siemens CEO Roland Busch joins Barbara to discuss “glocalization” and how to scale technologies shaping a better tomorrow as industry and infrastructure become more productive and sustainable.
Show notes:
Roland on glocalization: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/globalization-isn-t-working-but-glocalization-can-davos2023/
Siemens Xcelerator and Industrial Metaverse: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/company/insights.html
Roland’s annual shareholders meeting speech: https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:44ea0485-0c69-4005-be07-ae7364cf41aa/Roland-Busch-HV-Rede-2023-EN.pdf
Rail Manufacturing Announcement: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/siemens-mobility-invest-220-million-north-carolina-rail-manufacturing-facility



Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
A turning point for the electric grid
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
The U.S. power grid has been called both the “greatest machine ever built” and the “great enabler” of our greatest innovations. But can we successfully reinvent it? In this decade of action, with technology companies stepping up and new federal climate and infrastructure laws moving forward that each focus on power grid modernization, Barbara is joined by Karen Wayland, CEO, Gridwise Alliance. Karen is a recognized expert in national energy and environmental policy who has served in leadership positions at the highest levels of government and nonprofits.
Show notes:
Gridwise Alliance: https://gridwise.org/
Grid Modernization: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/bipartisan-infrastructure.html



Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: What’s next?
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities, joins the podcast to provide a local perspective on the deployment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With many communities directly accessing federal infrastructure funds for the first time, Anthony outlines priorities for cities, towns, and villages nationwide.
Show Notes:
NLC Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources: https://www.nlc.org/initiative/ready-to-rebuild/
Siemens Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/bipartisan-infrastructure.html
Youth Excel: https://www.nlc.org/initiative/youth-excel/#:~:text=To%20support%20cities'%20efforts%20to,Youth%20Economic%20Recovery%20and%20Empowerment.



Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
The power of psychological safety
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
For the last episode of 2022, Barbara is joined by Dr. Connie Hadley, an organizational psychologist and founder of the Institute for Life at Work, to discuss how to build stronger, more innovative teams. Building on the show’s core theme of optimism and last year’s episode on growth mindset, this conversation unpacks how work cultures rooted in trust and psychological safety foster individual resilience and wellbeing. The outcome? Work environments more conducive to healthy risk taking that lead to growth and more impactful results.
Show notes:
Psychological Safety 101: https://www.institutelifework.org/topic-briefings/psychologicalsafety



Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
A model microgrid in Bronzeville
Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
Tuesday Nov 29, 2022
Barbara visits a groundbreaking microgrid project in the South Side Chicago neighborhood of Bronzeville. Features interviews with ComEd CEO Gil Quiniones and Paul Pabst, who leads ComEd’s Smart Grid department.
SHOW NOTES:
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecvUf5sdOJs&list=PLF415F6CFBF8D6A91&index=2
Microgrids opportunities in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: https://new.siemens.com/us/en/company/bipartisan-infrastructure.html

The Optimistic Outlook
The national conversation surrounding America’s infrastructure has focused on how to fix it and fund it. In The Optimistic Outlook podcast, Siemens USA CEO Barbara Humpton looks deeper, focusing on how reinventing infrastructure can help address societal challenges.