Innovation Unplugged

The official podcast of the Alabama Community College System's Innovation Center

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20 episodes
weekly
Avg 43 min
English

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August 13 · 39 min
Beyond the Program
Successful workforce initiatives don't happen by accident—they're built on intentional partnerships, scalable systems, and a relentless focus on students. Kristi Williamson joins Innovation Unplugged to discuss what it takes to move beyond isolated success stories and create workforce models that endure. Together, they explore the future of adult education, the evolving role of community colleges, leadership lessons learned over more than two decades, and why collaboration is the key to expanding economic opportunity.
August 3 · 58 min
More Than a School
Can one campus change the future of an entire community? In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Houston Blackwood and Matt Heaton visit with Jason Davidson, Superintendent of Jackson County Schools, to explore the remarkable story behind the Kevin Dukes Career and Innovation Academy. From advanced career technical programs and cutting-edge STEM labs to fine arts, community partnerships, and workforce training, the academy serves as a hub where education and economic development intersect. Jason shares how honoring Kevin Dukes' vision has created one of Alabama's most innovative learning environments—one designed to prepare students for college, careers, and lifelong success while helping meet the workforce needs of tomorrow.
July 27 · 40 min
Building Bridges and Opening Doors
What happens when strong relationships become the foundation for workforce development across an entire state? In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Houston Blackwood and Matt Heaton sit down with Drew Haney to explore how the Alabama Community College System's External Affairs team connects colleges, businesses, industry partners, and communities with a shared purpose. Drew shares how intentional communication, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to breaking down silos help create new opportunities for training, employment, and economic growth. The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the collaborative work that keeps Alabama's workforce ecosystem connected and moving forward.
July 13 · 48 min
Drone Dominance: Engineering the Future of American Innovation
The next era of military and commercial technology may be decided by who can build the best drones—and build them fastest. In this episode, Jamie Waller shares how his background in propulsion engineering led him to launch RATE Manufacturing and develop a drone platform designed for speed, adaptability, and high-rate production. Houston and Jamie explore America’s growing focus on drone dominance, the importance of domestic manufacturing, and how innovative companies are positioning themselves to support emerging defense initiatives aimed at rapidly scaling unmanned aircraft capabilities. It’s a conversation about engineering, entrepreneurship, and the race to define the future of aviation.
July 6 · 39 min
The Utility Player Advantage, Part 2
What does it mean for a college system to be more than a college system? In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Charles Jones discusses how ACCS has expanded its role to become a trusted partner for employers, communities, and individuals across Alabama. Building on the lessons of personal growth and adaptability from Part One, this conversation explores how the system itself has developed a broader toolbox—one designed to respond to workforce needs, support economic growth, and create opportunity wherever it’s needed most. The discussion is a compelling look at why the future belongs to organizations that can adapt, connect, and solve problems
June 29 · 32 min
The Utility Player Advantage, Part 1
Careers rarely follow a straight line—and that’s often where the greatest opportunities are found. In Part One of this two-part series, Charles Jones shares the lessons learned from a lifetime of saying yes to new challenges. Houston explores how leadership, hands-on work, education, certifications, and diverse experiences combined to create a foundation that could adapt to almost any situation. It’s a conversation about preparing for opportunities before they arrive, building confidence through competence, and understanding why every skill you gain today may become the key to tomorrow’s success.
June 22 · 45 min
More Than a Credential: Anthony Steele’s Story of Recovery, Growth, and Opportunity
Workforce development is about more than jobs—it’s about helping people believe their future can look different. In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Houston Blackwood talks with Anthony Steele about overcoming addiction, finding recovery, and rebuilding his life through the support of Wallace State Community College and Skills for Success programs. Anthony shares how earning his CDL and GED opened doors to employment, stability, and renewed confidence as a husband, father, and professional. This conversation is an honest look at resilience, personal accountability, and the powerful role community colleges can play in helping people move from survival to purpose-driven success.
June 15 · 50 min
Lead with Purpose: Andy Chamness on CTE, Craft Training, and Community Impact
Strong workforce systems are built when education, industry, and leadership move together.In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Houston Blackwood and Matt Heaton welcome Andy Chamness for a discussion on career technical education, workforce partnerships, and the future of craft training in Alabama. As both an education leader and pastor, Andy shares how faith, mentorship, and service have shaped his leadership philosophy and commitment to helping students succeed.The conversation highlights the opportunities ahead for skilled trades, the importance of apprenticeship-style learning, and why meaningful impact starts with investing in people and communities.
June 8 · 47 min
From the Ground Up: Entrepreneurship, Workforce, and the Future of Alabama Development
What does it take to grow a business while also investing in people and communities?In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Devoski Boyd joins Houston Blackwood and Matt Heaton for a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, workforce development, and long-term vision. As the leader of Boyd Walton Construction, Devoski discusses how field experience, operational discipline, and workforce training shaped his approach to leadership and business growth.The discussion also highlights the importance of Skills for Success training, the opportunities emerging across Alabama, and why sustainable development must be connected to workforce readiness and community impact.
June 1 · 43 min
Building Opportunity from the Ground Up: Dr. Chris Kennedy’s Workforce Vision
What happens when decades of experience in classrooms, career tech education, and workforce leadership all converge in one mission?In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Houston Blackwood and Matt Heaton sit down with Dr. Chris Kennedy to discuss his transition from K-12 leadership into workforce development at Wallace Community College. From agriculture classrooms to statewide leadership roles, Dr. Kennedy reflects on the lessons learned serving students, supporting teachers, and building career pathways that create real opportunity.The conversation explores the future of workforce development in the Wiregrass region, the importance of partnerships between education and industry, and why helping students discover purpose still drives the work today.
May 18 · 43 min
The Real ROI of Industry + Community Colleges
Strong workforce systems aren’t built in isolation—they’re built through trust and collaboration. In Episode 101, Micheal Breland shares how Wiregrass Construction Company partners with Alabama’s community colleges to create meaningful training and hiring pathways. Houston and Matt explore the relationships, the shared ownership, and the real-world benefits that come from aligning industry needs with education delivery—offering a clear model for what effective workforce development should look like.
May 11 · 21 min
The First 100- Building a Workforce Movement That Actually Works
Episode 100 isn’t about looking back—it’s about understanding what it takes to build something that lasts. Chancellor Baker joins Innovation Unplugged to break down the problem the Innovation Center was designed to solve, the impact it’s already making across colleges and industries, and the shifts happening at a system level. This episode pulls back the curtain on how alignment, speed, and industry partnership are changing the game—and what leaders should be preparing for next.
May 4 · 48 min
From Cool Event to Real Enrollment: Turning Simulation into Strategy
Career fairs inform. Simulation influences. Houston Blackwood presses Matt Heaton and Tom Chappell on how immersive mobile simulators move students from curiosity to commitment — and how colleges must follow through to convert exposure into credentials. If workforce development is about pipelines, this episode explains how early engagement creates real momentum.
April 27 · 41 min
Building a Scalable Workforce Partnership Why Colleges and ATN Deliver More Value Side by Side
Workforce training doesn’t fail because of demand — it fails because of capacity. In this episode, Perry Shields joins Houston Blackwood and Matt Heaton to explore how the Alabama Training Network and community colleges collaborate to meet industry needs with precision and consistency.They address the real questions colleges ask: Does partnership dilute control? How does revenue sharing work? What about quality and brand? The conversation reveals how aligned systems, shared expertise, and transparent agreements create higher frequency training, stronger client retention, and long-term economic impact for Alabama manufacturers.
April 20 · 38 min
From Policy to Production: Turning Workforce Strategy into Economic Results
Workforce conversations often live in boardrooms. Results live on job sites and factory floors. In this episode, Chad Bryant joins Houston Blackwood and Matt Heaton to bridge the gap between the two.From automotive giants and shipbuilding to HVAC, weatherization, diesel, and customer experience pathways, Chad outlines how coordinated action — not isolated programs — drives stronger economic outcomes. With flexible funding, higher-volume training delivery, and direct legislative insight, this conversation shows how systems thinking transforms workforce from reactive to strategic.
April 13 · 40 min
Leverage the Tool. Protect the Craft. Lead the Shift.
AI is not a disruption to fear — it’s a tool to master. In this episode, Randy Sparkman joins Houston and Matt to discuss how skilled trades professionals can use AI to enhance productivity, compress training timelines, and strengthen decision-making on the jobsite.They tackle the near-term credentialing gap, why AI literacy must become foundational in workforce training, and what uniquely human skills — judgment, empathy, creativity — become even more valuable in an AI-augmented workforce. If you’re in construction, manufacturing, maintenance, or technical education, this episode is your playbook for staying ahead.
April 6 · 48 min
From Asphalt to Advocacy: Leadership That Builds Systems
Tim McCartney’s journey from a family construction business to statewide workforce leadership offers a powerful lesson: real leadership builds people and systems that outlast you.In this episode, Houston and Matt explore Tim’s philosophy on servant leadership, competitive standards, competency-based hiring, and why Alabama’s community colleges are central to the state’s economic future. If you care about technical education, employer engagement, and creating high-paid, high-demand career pathways — this conversation delivers both vision and execution.
March 30 · 46 min
Build the Backbone. Empower the Frontline: Inside the Strategy That Connects High Schools, Adult Ed, and Industry
Great workforce systems aren’t built on programs—they’re built on infrastructure. Dr.Courtney Taylor breaks down how Accelerate Mississippi serves as a single point of coordination while empowering colleges, nonprofits, and industry partners to execute locally. The discussion explores career coaches in every high school, reconnect strategies for 18–24-year-olds, flexible funding mechanisms, and the power of working with champions instead of chasing consensus. If you care about breaking silos between education and workforce, this episode delivers a practical roadmap.
March 23 · 40 min
Earn While You Learn: A Smarter Model for Alabama’s Workforce Future
What if students didn’t have to choose between education and income? In this episode of Innovation Unplugged, Houston Blackwood and Matt Heaton sit down with AudreyWebb to explore how FAME and Registered Apprenticeships are giving students real paychecks, real experience, and real career direction—while still in school. From manufacturing floors to healthcare systems, these work-based learning models are helping students graduate workforce-ready and helping employers build loyal, skilled talent pipelines across Alabama.
March 16 · 48 min
Aligned to Win: How Strategic Workforce Partnerships Drive Growth
When workforce strategy aligns with real employer demand, everyone benefits. In this episode, Barry May shares how ACCS partners with industries across manufacturing, healthcare, construction, logistics, and beyond to deliver training that strengthens bothcompanies and communities. Houston and Matt explore how funding, alignment, and collaboration translate into employee advancement, business expansion, and long-term economic stability. It’s a look at how disciplined strategy creates human impact.

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