Episodes

  • Reliable Wind Operations
    Jan 13 2026

    In this episode of the ABB Solutions Podcast, host Mike Murphy is joined by Priit Noor from ABB’s High Power Division and Tim Salibi, Wind Segment Sales Manager at ABB. They discuss how wind energy has evolved into a reliable and scalable power source and how operators can better manage critical wind assets over their lifecycle. Tune in to hear insights on:

    • The Evolution of Wind Power: How wind energy has scaled from early generation systems to multi-megawatt turbines that support today’s grid demand.
    • ABB’s Role in Wind Energy: How ABB supports wind operators across electrification, asset reliability, and energy delivery.
    • Operational Challenges in Wind Operations: How system complexity, remote locations, and accessibility impact maintenance and availability.
    • Lifecycle Management of Wind Assets: How operators navigate OEM service agreements, post warranty maintenance, and long term asset planning.
    • Maintenance, Repair, and Life Extension Strategies: How predictive maintenance, generator repair decisions, and life extension options help control costs and maximize asset value.

    References

    If you would like to attend a training, head over to our U.S. Drives & PAC Automations Solutions Training page.

    Interested in learning more about ABB Drives? Join our Tech Tuesday webinars where our experts tackle topics from improving efficiency and reliability to solving maintenance issues.

    Learn more about ABB's wind power solutions: https://new.abb.com/windpower.

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    23 mins
  • Good, Better, Best
    Jan 6 2026

    In this episode of the ABB Solutions Podcast, host Mike Murphy is joined by Randy Stevens, North American Training Manager for Automation Solutions. They explore the “Good, Better, Best” mindset and how it applies far beyond product comparisons, impacting project execution, training, team performance, and continuous improvement. Randy explains why striving for perfection too early can stall progress and why delivering something good is often far better than delivering nothing at all. Tune in to hear insights on:

    • Good, Better, Best Thinking: Why having something functional is better than waiting indefinitely for perfection.
    • The Hidden Worst Case: How having nothing is often the most damaging outcome in projects and processes.
    • Perfection vs. Progress: Why perfectionism can create paralysis and delay real world impact.
    • Continuous Improvement: How starting with good creates momentum that leads to better and eventually best outcomes.
    • Training and Product Development: Applying the mindset to classes, learning content, and real world execution.
    • Feedback and Debriefs: Using lessons learned, customer feedback, and team input to refine and improve results over time.
    • Leadership and Team Enablement: Supporting teams by encouraging progress, learning, and growth rather than nitpicking details.

    References

    If you would like to attend a training, head over to our U.S. Drives & PAC Automations Solutions Training page.

    Interested in learning more about ABB Drives? Join our Tech Tuesday webinars where our experts tackle topics from improving efficiency and reliability to solving maintenance issues.

    Podcast 1: Business Strategy – strategic planning fundamentals to support long-term success: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/17631204

    Podcast 2: Training with ABB Project Management – defining scope, scheduling, and resources for project success: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/15697913

    Podcast 3: Setting and Achieving Goals – creating clarity, ownership, and direction in personal and professional growth:https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/17963852

    Podcast 4: Focus & Productivity – building habits and structure to stay consistent and avoid burnout:https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/18125609

    Podcast 5: Teambuilding – strengthening alignment, roles, and collaboration for high-performing teams: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/17267078

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    10 mins
  • Part 2: Motor Features Based on Process Criticality Without Sacrificing Reliability
    Dec 9 2025

    In this episode of the ABB Solutions Podcast, host Mike Murphy continues the discussion with Abel Cavazos and Wayne Paschal from ABB’s High Power Division. This second installment focuses on how environmental conditions, enclosure selection, and proper monitoring can significantly impact motor life and reliability, especially in high-power and high-criticality applications. Tune in to hear insights on:

    • Motor Enclosure Selection: How WP2, TFC, TX, and TWAC designs differ, when each is appropriate, and how contamination, cooling efficiency, and horsepower size influence enclosure choice.
    • Environmental and Cooling Considerations: Why airborne contaminants, restricted airflow, dirty cooling tubes, and clogged filters can lead to overheating, and which enclosure types help mitigate these issues.
    • Maintenance Practices: Practical steps facilities can take to maintain high-power motors, including differential pressure monitoring, tube cleaning, fin maintenance, and planning for long turnarounds.
    • Monitoring for Reliability: How stator RTDs, bearing RTDs, vibration checks, and temperature delta tracking help plants shift from reactive to predictive maintenance.
    • Criticality and Feature Selection: How CR1 through CR4 ratings influence the level of monitoring required, and why adding diagnostic features helps reduce unplanned downtime.
    • PCIC Presentation Insights: Background on the paper titled The Cost of Specifications Reducing Motor Features Based on Process Criticality Without Sacrificing Reliability, how it ties into API 541, API 547, and IEEE 841, and why it sparked new thinking around criticality at PCIC.

    References:

    Transforming industry with energy-efficient motors and reliable power generators: https://new.abb.com/motors-generators

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    14 mins
  • Mentorship
    Dec 2 2025

    In this episode of the ABB Solutions Podcast, host Mike Murphy is joined by Randy Stevens, North American Training Manager for Automation Solutions. They discuss the value of mentorship and how it strengthens both personal and professional growth. Randy explains how mentors help accelerate development through active listening, guiding questions, and supportive accountability. He also highlights how mentorship improves onboarding, builds confidence, and reinforces leadership skills within an organization. Tune in to hear insights on:

    • Benefits of Mentoring: How both the mentor and the mentee gain confidence, clarity, and accelerated growth.
    • Listening First: Why great mentors prioritize active listening to understand goals, motivations, and challenges.
    • Guiding Through Questions: How asking thoughtful, open-ended questions helps mentees determine their own direction.
    • Supportive Accountability: Encouraging progress by holding mentees accountable in a constructive and confidence-building way.
    • Strengthening Onboarding: How pairing new employees with experienced peers shortens the learning curve and reduces overwhelm.
    • Building Leadership Skills: Why teaching and coaching reinforce the mentor’s own knowledge and leadership capabilities.
    • Seeking the Right Guidance: How identifying and learning from experienced individuals can accelerate career development.

    References

    If you would like to attend a training, head over to our U.S. Drives & PAC Automations Solutions Training page.

    Interested in learning more about ABB Drives? Join our Tech Tuesday webinars where our experts tackle topics from improving efficiency and reliability to solving maintenance issues.

    Podcast 1: Business Strategy – strategic planning fundamentals to support long-term success: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/17631204

    Podcast 2: Training with ABB Project Management – defining scope, scheduling, and resources for project success: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/15697913

    Podcast 3: Setting and Achieving Goals – creating clarity, ownership, and direction in personal and professional growth: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/17963852

    Podcast 4: Focus & Productivity – building habits and structure to stay consistent and avoid burnout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/18125609

    Podcast 5: Teambuilding – strengthening alignment, roles, and collaboration for high-performing teams: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/17267078

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    14 mins
  • Part 1: Motor Features Based on Process Criticality Without Sacrificing Reliability
    Nov 25 2025

    In this episode of the ABB Solutions Podcast, host Mike Murphy is joined by Abel Cavazos and Wayne Paschal from ABB’s High Power Division. The discussion focuses on understanding criticality levels in motor applications, how they impact equipment selection, and what facilities should consider to reduce procurement time and increase reliability. Tune in to hear insights on:

    • Understanding Criticality: How CR1–CR4 ratings impact production risk, repair strategy, and motor specification.
    • Purchasing Considerations: Why motor starting capability, torque requirements, and electrical system limitations drive design choices.
    • Motor Starting Characteristics: How different applications—pumps, fans, conveyors, mills—affect rotor/stator design, starting current, and heat management.
    • High-Inertia & Fully Loaded Starts: What engineering adjustments are required to ensure motors can safely start under demanding conditions.
    • Bearings & Protection: The differences between anti-friction and sleeve bearings, and why lubrication, seals, and contamination control are essential for reliability.

    References:

    Transforming industry with energy-efficient motors and reliable power generators: https://new.abb.com/motors-generators

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    13 mins
  • Focus & Productivity
    Nov 4 2025

    In this episode of the ABB Solutions Podcast, host Mike Murphy is joined by Randy Stevens, North American Training Manager for Automation Solutions. They discuss one of the most common challenges professionals face: maintaining focus in a world filled with distractions. Randy shares practical advice on creating structure and consistency to help you stay clear-minded, avoid burnout, and achieve meaningful goals. Tune in to hear insights on:

    • The Value of Focus: Why intentional time to think is crucial for personal and professional growth.
    • Battling Distractions: How to manage the constant interruptions of modern communication.
    • Building Habits of Focus: Scheduling recurring focus blocks to create structure and discipline.
    • Consistency Over Intensity: Why small, steady actions matter more than short bursts of effort.
    • Avoiding Burnout: Recognizing early signs and making changes before it’s too late.
    • Process Over Perfection: How focusing on daily discipline leads to long-term success.

    References

    If you would like to attend a training, head over to our U.S. Drives & PAC Automations Solutions Training page.

    Interested in learning more about ABB Drives? Join our Tech Tuesday webinars where our experts tackle topics from improving efficiency and reliability to solving maintenance issues.

    Podcast 1: Strategy – defining direction and aligning your team: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/17631204

    Podcast 2: Project Management – scope, scheduling and resources defined: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/15697913

    Podcast 3: Team Building – communication, cohesion and collaboration: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/17267078

    Podcast 4: Setting and Achieving Goals – creating structure and maintaining momentum: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/17963852

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    12 mins
  • Setting and Achieving Goals
    Oct 7 2025

    On this episode of the ABB Solutions Podcast, host Mike Murphy sits down with Randy Stevens, North American Training Manager for ABB Automation Solutions. Together they talk about the importance of setting clear goals in both your personal and professional life, and how those goals help you take control of your direction and success.

    Tune in to hear insights on:

    • The Power of Goals: Why defining your goals gives you ownership of your path in life and work.
    • Breaking It Down: How to make big goals more realistic through simple backward planning and small milestones.
    • Career Growth: How ABB’s mentoring programs help employees build a strong foundation for leadership and growth.
    • Realistic vs. Outrageous: Finding the balance between stretch goals and expectations that are too high to reach.

    Practical Advice: Randy’s tips for setting goals that fit your situation and checking in regularly to stay on track.

    If you’d like to learn more about leadership, planning, and personal growth, check out these previous episodes of the ABB Solutions Podcast:

    Strategy: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/17631204

    Team Building: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1770390/episodes/17267078

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    12 mins
  • Motion OneCare
    Oct 6 2025

    On this episode of the ABB Solutions Podcast, host Mike Murphy is joined by Brie Stanley, Director of Offer Management for Motion Services at ABB. They discuss ABB Motion OneCare, a tailored service platform designed to extend equipment life, increase uptime, and reduce costs. Brie explains how OneCare is not just a service agreement, but a personalized partnership that adapts to each customer’s needs.

    Tune in to hear insights on:

    • What is Motion OneCare? How ABB builds tailored partnerships to support long-term operational goals.
    • Maximizing Equipment Life: Lifecycle assessments, preventive maintenance (L1 to L4), reconditioning, modernization, and advanced diagnostics such as ABB Ability™ LEAP.
    • Remote Condition Monitoring: How smart sensors and real-time diagnostics spot issues before they become downtime.
      Flexible Support Models: Adapting to both proactive and reactive maintenance approaches.
    • Predictable Costs and Expertise: How OneCare delivers budgeting confidence and access to ABB’s global service professionals.
    • Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: Insights from ABB Energy Appraisals and ways to reduce energy waste.
    • Real-World Success: A global customer boosted uptime by 13 percent through their OneCare agreement.
    • Getting Started: The process of building a OneCare agreement and the role of ABB’s Project Management Office in ensuring success.

    References

    If you would like to attend a training, head over to our U.S. Drives & PAC Automations Solutions Training page.

    Learn more about ABB Motion OneCare: https://new.abb.com/service/motion/abb-motion-onecare.

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    11 mins