WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:01.170 --> 00:00:05.370 Welcome to The Chemical Show, the podcast where Chemical means business. 00:00:05.910 --> 00:00:09.720 I'm your host, Victoria Meyer, bringing you stories and insights 00:00:09.720 --> 00:00:13.590 from leaders driving innovation and growth across the chemical industry. 00:00:14.520 --> 00:00:18.840 Each week we explore key trends, real world challenges, and the 00:00:18.840 --> 00:00:20.700 strategies that make an impact. 00:00:20.910 --> 00:00:21.750 Let's get started. 00:00:23.253 --> 00:00:26.253 Victoria: Welcome back to the Chemical Show where Chemical Means business. 00:00:26.423 --> 00:00:27.623 Thank you for joining us today. 00:00:27.683 --> 00:00:31.133 I am so excited to share with you that drum roll. 00:00:31.433 --> 00:00:36.323 This is our four year anniversary episode, four years, and 00:00:36.323 --> 00:00:38.243 what a journey it has been. 00:00:38.273 --> 00:00:40.103 So first of all, thank you. 00:00:40.763 --> 00:00:42.563 Thank you for joining us along the way. 00:00:42.593 --> 00:00:46.433 Thank you for being a loyal listener, for being a new listener. 00:00:46.733 --> 00:00:48.713 Thank you for being an early listener, for sharing it with a 00:00:48.713 --> 00:00:50.723 friend, with a colleague, and more. 00:00:50.750 --> 00:00:58.316 Since starting the Chemical Show in 2021, it has really changed the 00:00:58.316 --> 00:01:00.590 game and it has changed my business. 00:01:00.770 --> 00:01:03.770 It's changed my relationship with people across the industry. 00:01:04.130 --> 00:01:08.300 And I think, and I hope that it has really made a difference for you, 00:01:08.630 --> 00:01:13.260 for others in the industry, for companies, for leaders and more. 00:01:13.290 --> 00:01:19.650 So thank you as part of our four year anniversary, I really wanna take this 00:01:19.650 --> 00:01:22.290 opportunity to do several things. 00:01:22.290 --> 00:01:24.360 Number one, reintroduce myself. 00:01:24.720 --> 00:01:28.890 People are like, how often do you have an introduction call or introduction podcast? 00:01:28.890 --> 00:01:30.270 I'm like, eh, not very often. 00:01:30.270 --> 00:01:32.940 So let me, I'm gonna use part of the time today is just to 00:01:33.300 --> 00:01:34.530 share a bit more about myself. 00:01:34.530 --> 00:01:36.990 As you know, if you're a loyal listener of the Chemical Show, you 00:01:36.990 --> 00:01:39.810 know, I always start with Origin story and I'm gonna start with my 00:01:39.810 --> 00:01:42.240 origin story and what got me here. 00:01:42.690 --> 00:01:46.560 It's gonna be a bit of a then and now reflection on the chemical industry 00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:51.690 and where we were four years ago and where we are today, and very different 00:01:51.690 --> 00:01:54.600 places and yet also very similar. 00:01:54.600 --> 00:01:59.110 And the word I wanna plant in your mind is resilience, because we 00:01:59.110 --> 00:02:00.460 talked a lot about resilience. 00:02:00.855 --> 00:02:05.175 In 2021, we launched the podcast and we are talking a lot about 00:02:05.175 --> 00:02:06.825 resilience today in 2025. 00:02:07.005 --> 00:02:11.535 And then thirdly, I wanna share with you just more about the chemical show, 00:02:11.535 --> 00:02:17.415 where we are and where we are growing to be because, um, as I said, I. 00:02:17.625 --> 00:02:19.905 This journey that started four years ago? 00:02:19.935 --> 00:02:23.535 Well, first of all, it started probably before then, but the podcast 00:02:23.895 --> 00:02:28.945 has been an inflection point, for myself, for my business, and for you. 00:02:29.095 --> 00:02:30.175 I hope so. 00:02:30.955 --> 00:02:33.685 Once again, thank you and let's get going. 00:02:33.955 --> 00:02:38.215 So first of all, um, I'm gonna start with a bit about myself and, and if you guys 00:02:38.305 --> 00:02:42.955 are familiar with the Jay-Z Song, uh, public Service announcement, you know, 00:02:43.015 --> 00:02:45.145 allow me to reintroduce myself well. 00:02:45.510 --> 00:02:47.550 I'm gonna reintroduce myself to you so you know. 00:02:47.610 --> 00:02:48.120 Who am I? 00:02:48.780 --> 00:02:49.950 Victoria King Meyer. 00:02:50.100 --> 00:02:56.160 I am today the host and the founder of The Chemical Show, the Chemical 00:02:56.160 --> 00:03:01.440 Summit, and an executive advisor and coach across the chemical industry. 00:03:01.523 --> 00:03:05.243 Where I started my journey though, was where a lot of people, and 00:03:05.243 --> 00:03:06.683 the industry started, right? 00:03:06.683 --> 00:03:10.103 So I'm a chemical engineer by training with an MBA. 00:03:11.038 --> 00:03:14.728 I pursued a career in the chemical industry and in chemical 00:03:14.728 --> 00:03:17.908 engineering, much like many other. 00:03:18.313 --> 00:03:21.763 Of students and many of my guests who were like, well, I 00:03:21.763 --> 00:03:23.143 was good at math and science. 00:03:23.353 --> 00:03:24.553 I like problem solving. 00:03:24.833 --> 00:03:28.073 And that led me to be encouraged to study engineering. 00:03:28.403 --> 00:03:30.383 I grew up on a farm in northern Illinois. 00:03:30.383 --> 00:03:36.023 In fact, you guys who are watching this on, YouTube or seeing clips may notice. 00:03:36.023 --> 00:03:38.453 Hey, that looks like a different recording environment. 00:03:38.453 --> 00:03:38.843 It is. 00:03:39.143 --> 00:03:43.463 I'm actually, at a podcasting conference in Chicago and recording. 00:03:43.543 --> 00:03:47.593 This episode and where I'm sitting today is not far from 00:03:47.593 --> 00:03:48.643 where I went to university. 00:03:48.643 --> 00:03:52.943 So I went to Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, to study 00:03:52.943 --> 00:03:56.243 chemical engineering, and it's not far from where I grew up in 00:03:56.243 --> 00:03:58.313 a small town outside of Chicago. 00:03:58.668 --> 00:04:01.488 Grew up on a farm where you really learn these skills of 00:04:01.488 --> 00:04:03.468 problem solving and hard work. 00:04:03.778 --> 00:04:08.128 I spent my summers bailing hay and milking cows and doing all 00:04:08.128 --> 00:04:11.358 those farm kid things, before I went off to college in Chicago at. 00:04:12.248 --> 00:04:16.483 I, IT as I mentioned, and, um, and started a career in the chemical industry, right? 00:04:16.483 --> 00:04:21.883 So everything from project engineering to manufacturing, at companies including 00:04:21.883 --> 00:04:23.683 Amaco back when there was an amaco. 00:04:23.683 --> 00:04:27.313 Most of it's now Ineos, as you guys know, and Lyon de Bassell 00:04:27.313 --> 00:04:28.933 or predecessor company to that. 00:04:29.203 --> 00:04:32.578 And then, took a pause and went and did an MBA at. 00:04:33.038 --> 00:04:35.258 The Kellogg School at Northwestern University. 00:04:35.258 --> 00:04:39.788 'cause part of my story is I always knew I was starting in engineering and then 00:04:39.788 --> 00:04:43.848 moving into management, whatever that meant at the time my post MBA career 00:04:43.848 --> 00:04:46.518 took me to Houston, where I joined Shell and I spent a big part of my 00:04:46.518 --> 00:04:51.018 career inside of Shell Chemicals, doing everything from strategy to m and a. 00:04:51.663 --> 00:04:55.263 Selling businesses, buying businesses, running businesses, 00:04:55.263 --> 00:04:58.623 turning around businesses, and finally starting businesses. 00:04:58.833 --> 00:05:03.403 And so part of my story and where you see my focus, when I talked 00:05:03.403 --> 00:05:06.523 to certain, uh, people across the industry or attend certain events 00:05:06.523 --> 00:05:08.323 is a big part of my time at Shell. 00:05:08.323 --> 00:05:12.533 I was global marketing manager for the NEODOL alcohols and ethoxylates, 00:05:12.553 --> 00:05:14.233 so the surfactant space, soapy stuff. 00:05:14.653 --> 00:05:19.243 That's where I got really well-versed and well-known and understanding of, 00:05:19.273 --> 00:05:21.493 um, ACI and its members companies. 00:05:21.493 --> 00:05:23.923 And so it's one of my go-to places. 00:05:23.923 --> 00:05:24.343 I love it. 00:05:24.343 --> 00:05:27.803 It's like going home, back in convening and with people 00:05:27.803 --> 00:05:29.393 across the surfactants business. 00:05:29.783 --> 00:05:33.413 I also spent a lot of time in polyethylene, including early in my 00:05:33.413 --> 00:05:37.523 career in manufacturing, and then later starting up Shell's polyethylene business. 00:05:38.118 --> 00:05:41.898 Which as people might have heard me say, you know, it took 13 years to start up. 00:05:41.958 --> 00:05:43.038 I wasn't there the whole time. 00:05:43.818 --> 00:05:47.988 Went from Shell to Clariant and then left Clariant in 2017 and kicked 00:05:47.988 --> 00:05:52.158 the tires on a few things and said I can do more value outside of 00:05:52.158 --> 00:05:53.388 companies and inside of companies. 00:05:53.388 --> 00:05:57.363 And that's where I started Progressio Global and my consulting business, working 00:05:57.468 --> 00:06:02.178 on strategy and growth, helping companies in and adjacent to the chemical industry. 00:06:02.838 --> 00:06:06.808 Grow their businesses, implement strategies more effectively with their 00:06:06.808 --> 00:06:08.728 employees and with their customers. 00:06:08.788 --> 00:06:14.808 And for me personally, it's always been about, growth people, um, people 00:06:14.808 --> 00:06:18.408 both inside the company and outside the company and creating that customer focus. 00:06:20.088 --> 00:06:21.108 Along the way. 00:06:21.378 --> 00:06:22.758 Um, and when you. 00:06:23.148 --> 00:06:26.528 Our, a consultant and a professional service provider, you know, people 00:06:26.528 --> 00:06:27.848 say, oh, you should build authority. 00:06:27.878 --> 00:06:30.728 Well, one of the ways to build authority, as they say, to become 00:06:30.728 --> 00:06:32.018 known is through podcasting. 00:06:32.498 --> 00:06:39.153 I had fallen in love with the medium of podcasting, and in 2021, I decided 00:06:39.153 --> 00:06:41.583 to launch The Chemical Show Podcast. 00:06:41.583 --> 00:06:45.273 And in fact, I, um, some of you guys have heard this story, I was actually on a 00:06:45.273 --> 00:06:50.373 goal setting retreat with my husband in November, 2020 and out for a walk and had 00:06:50.373 --> 00:06:53.433 been thinking about this, wanting to start a podcast, not sure what it was gonna be 00:06:53.433 --> 00:06:58.503 about, and this moment of clarity came and it's like, it's The Chemical Show. 00:06:58.823 --> 00:06:59.603 Keep it simple. 00:06:59.903 --> 00:07:03.683 Um, went back to our hotel room, bought the website right away. 00:07:03.783 --> 00:07:05.733 It was available, it was, let's go. 00:07:06.123 --> 00:07:09.573 Um, spoke to one of my business coaches a couple days later who said, 00:07:09.573 --> 00:07:13.593 Hey, I can, would you like me to introduce you to my podcast company 00:07:13.593 --> 00:07:16.353 that I work with that helps, you know, can help you launch your podcast? 00:07:16.353 --> 00:07:17.313 And I said, yes. 00:07:17.403 --> 00:07:20.403 And the rest, as they say is history. 00:07:21.723 --> 00:07:24.393 I'm gonna get to a little bit more about The Chemical Show and the 00:07:24.393 --> 00:07:28.863 business and what that is, but really coming back to me, and this is part 00:07:28.863 --> 00:07:33.783 of my, you know, reintroduction of introducing you to Victoria and what 00:07:34.203 --> 00:07:36.543 gets me going and why do I do what I do. 00:07:37.083 --> 00:07:38.643 I love to engage with people. 00:07:38.643 --> 00:07:40.908 You guys can see this, I believe. 00:07:41.373 --> 00:07:43.353 That people learn from people. 00:07:44.113 --> 00:07:47.233 And that's one of the fundamentals of the Chemical show, that we are 00:07:47.233 --> 00:07:48.883 all going through the same stuff. 00:07:48.913 --> 00:07:53.263 And it's really nice to know that, number one, we're not alone. 00:07:54.163 --> 00:07:54.193 I. 00:07:54.193 --> 00:07:57.628 Um, number two, it's how others are approaching opportunities and 00:07:57.628 --> 00:08:01.588 challenges, and that ties into what we're doing on The Chemical Show. 00:08:01.588 --> 00:08:05.158 It ties into what we do with The Chemical Summit, which I can explain 00:08:05.158 --> 00:08:08.338 more about in a little bit, and also some of the mastermind groups 00:08:08.338 --> 00:08:11.008 that I've launched, including the Chemical Executive Mastermind. 00:08:11.038 --> 00:08:13.618 So if you don't know about that, stay tuned. 00:08:13.618 --> 00:08:16.708 You're gonna be hearing more, not just on the Chemical show, but 00:08:16.708 --> 00:08:20.578 as you, as we go out in our email campaigns and, and outreach, et cetera. 00:08:21.188 --> 00:08:26.478 I started as a chemical engineer dipping my toes into the chemical industry. 00:08:26.478 --> 00:08:30.918 And today what I would tell you is fundamentally I'm an entrepreneur. 00:08:31.738 --> 00:08:33.328 , I'm a media business owner. 00:08:33.328 --> 00:08:36.958 I'm a coach, and I'm a public speaker, and those are the things that I love to do. 00:08:37.603 --> 00:08:41.893 My core values, and these are the things that come through on the 00:08:41.893 --> 00:08:45.163 Chemical show, in the Chemical Summit, in my coaching and speaking. 00:08:45.163 --> 00:08:47.623 And the other things I do is number one, connections. 00:08:47.743 --> 00:08:52.573 I love building connections, connecting people with each other, 00:08:52.993 --> 00:08:55.003 helping make those connections. 00:08:55.093 --> 00:08:56.563 Number two, insights. 00:08:56.673 --> 00:08:59.883 This idea again, that we can all learn from each other. 00:08:59.883 --> 00:09:04.413 And for me, a big part of my DNA is continuous learning. 00:09:04.693 --> 00:09:08.203 , as I mentioned earlier, I'm at a podcasting conference and I talk to 00:09:08.203 --> 00:09:09.313 somebody, they're like, why are you here? 00:09:09.313 --> 00:09:10.843 I'm like, to become better. 00:09:11.293 --> 00:09:16.813 To become better to, for myself, for you, my listeners, um, 00:09:16.873 --> 00:09:20.303 and the chemical community, as well as inside the chemical show. 00:09:20.693 --> 00:09:24.083 And to become better with that in my business and more. 00:09:24.083 --> 00:09:25.193 And then three is growth. 00:09:25.253 --> 00:09:26.963 And I'm very growth oriented. 00:09:26.963 --> 00:09:30.413 And, you know, everything I have done along the way really is 00:09:30.413 --> 00:09:34.373 about growing businesses, growing people, and achieving growth. 00:09:34.403 --> 00:09:36.023 So that's me. 00:09:36.256 --> 00:09:37.011 oh, next step. 00:09:37.126 --> 00:09:39.106 I'm looking at my notes 'cause I've, you know, wrote down what I 00:09:39.106 --> 00:09:40.276 wanted to talk to you guys about. 00:09:40.646 --> 00:09:44.216 I had this question recently, so I ran into somebody and event Slack 00:09:44.636 --> 00:09:47.096 Victoria, like, what do you do? 00:09:47.096 --> 00:09:48.686 Like, what's really, what do you do? 00:09:48.986 --> 00:09:53.036 And so what I would tell you is when I started The Chemical Show, this 00:09:53.036 --> 00:09:54.746 actually has marked a pivot for me. 00:09:55.086 --> 00:09:58.086 I do very little consulting today, like you still consulting a little bit. 00:09:58.116 --> 00:09:59.316 I do advisory work there. 00:09:59.316 --> 00:10:02.246 So what I would say is, number one, I have a media business. 00:10:02.786 --> 00:10:06.936 The chemical show, that also it has an extended network beyond that and there 00:10:06.936 --> 00:10:08.526 will be some additional podcasts coming. 00:10:08.526 --> 00:10:09.366 So stay tuned. 00:10:09.756 --> 00:10:12.906 And with this media business, I collaborate and consult with 00:10:12.906 --> 00:10:17.196 companies and leaders on how to make an impact through new media. 00:10:17.196 --> 00:10:20.646 So you guys have heard some of the sponsorship ads, um, 00:10:20.676 --> 00:10:21.846 and messages throughout. 00:10:21.906 --> 00:10:25.866 I talk to companies that are gonna have guests on The Chemical Show 00:10:25.866 --> 00:10:27.876 about how do we make a more effective 00:10:28.181 --> 00:10:31.421 story for them, for you and to create that impact. 00:10:31.421 --> 00:10:32.201 So that's number one. 00:10:32.441 --> 00:10:34.331 Number two, I host an event, The Chemical Summit. 00:10:34.331 --> 00:10:36.971 So if you do not know about The Chemical Summit, I'm just gonna tell 00:10:36.971 --> 00:10:38.741 you that is a place that you need to be. 00:10:39.081 --> 00:10:41.031 This is the third year for the Chemical Summit. 00:10:41.031 --> 00:10:45.711 It is held on September 30th and October 1st in Houston, Texas. 00:10:45.771 --> 00:10:50.421 It is a small conference, and I really mean that it is small, 150 people. 00:10:50.781 --> 00:10:53.426 Um, and it's about connecting leaders together. 00:10:53.426 --> 00:10:57.506 So we have stories on the stage and speakers on stage, but more importantly, 00:10:57.836 --> 00:11:03.356 building connections in the audience amongst attendees who are talking 00:11:03.356 --> 00:11:04.886 about, Hey, what just happened up there? 00:11:04.886 --> 00:11:05.486 Do you believe that? 00:11:05.486 --> 00:11:06.626 How are you guys approaching that? 00:11:06.626 --> 00:11:10.376 Because once again, I believe people learn from people and 00:11:10.406 --> 00:11:11.936 we are all in this together. 00:11:13.091 --> 00:11:17.791 The third piece of my business portfolio is executive coaching. 00:11:17.971 --> 00:11:22.831 I do one-on-one coaching with executives and an exclusive executive mastermind, 00:11:22.831 --> 00:11:27.091 Chemical Executive Mastermind, which is a 12 month small group program 00:11:27.091 --> 00:11:31.386 where we're bringing in leadership learnings as well as creating a 00:11:31.456 --> 00:11:36.741 peer group advisory, ecosystem to help leaders become better leaders. 00:11:37.251 --> 00:11:38.481 One of the things that. 00:11:38.951 --> 00:11:43.521 Became really apparent to me when I moved from big corporate Shell to Clariant 00:11:43.541 --> 00:11:48.311 and then to working with small companies is all too often leaders are alone. 00:11:48.491 --> 00:11:48.881 Right? 00:11:48.881 --> 00:11:50.141 We kind of forget that. 00:11:51.363 --> 00:11:55.203 There are other people doing the same thing, learning from each other and more. 00:11:55.203 --> 00:11:59.973 And so back to this people learning from people and helping people grow. 00:12:00.393 --> 00:12:03.783 Um, the Chemical Executive Mastermind is that third part of that ecosystem. 00:12:04.173 --> 00:12:05.853 The fourth is strategic advisory work. 00:12:05.853 --> 00:12:08.493 So I haven't fully left corporate behind. 00:12:08.823 --> 00:12:13.053 Um, and it's really a much more focused on helping startups move 00:12:13.053 --> 00:12:17.793 into commercialization, helping companies and leaders in transition, 00:12:18.133 --> 00:12:19.723 and really applying my network. 00:12:20.238 --> 00:12:23.718 The knowledge that I've built through The Chemical Show, the community and more. 00:12:24.048 --> 00:12:25.968 Um, and then the fifth thing is professional speaking. 00:12:26.328 --> 00:12:31.868 Whether at corporate events, at conferences coming in and engaging, 00:12:32.228 --> 00:12:36.638 sharing insights, wisdom, knowledge, helping you grow, helping your 00:12:36.638 --> 00:12:39.676 businesses become more, That's that reintroduction part. 00:12:39.676 --> 00:12:41.266 That's kind of the part one of this. 00:12:41.266 --> 00:12:45.256 And, um, if any of that resonated with you, send me an email. 00:12:45.316 --> 00:12:46.156 Uh, let me know. 00:12:46.246 --> 00:12:48.076 If you have any questions, let me know. 00:12:48.256 --> 00:12:49.576 Happy to answer those for you. 00:12:50.206 --> 00:12:51.226 My podcast journey. 00:12:51.226 --> 00:12:53.356 So The Chemical Show, let's talk about, we're doing the 00:12:53.356 --> 00:12:54.526 look back on The Chemical Show. 00:12:54.706 --> 00:12:59.566 You guys might remember episode number one, April of 2021. 00:12:59.626 --> 00:13:04.096 And my first guest was Brad Beauchamp, who is the CEO of Carpenter Company. 00:13:04.573 --> 00:13:05.773 I reached out to Brad. 00:13:05.773 --> 00:13:07.993 He was one of the first guys I went out to and said, Hey, would you be 00:13:07.993 --> 00:13:09.883 willing to do this podcast with me? 00:13:09.943 --> 00:13:11.383 And he said, yes. 00:13:11.473 --> 00:13:17.803 And by the way, we did our interview and he promptly introduced me to a 00:13:17.803 --> 00:13:22.903 dozen people, many of whom were also on that first year of the podcast. 00:13:22.903 --> 00:13:29.218 So I owe big kudos and big thanks to Brad for being the number 00:13:29.218 --> 00:13:34.188 one guest, and helping launch, and grow The Chemical Show. 00:13:34.188 --> 00:13:36.288 So, Brad, if you're listening, thank you. 00:13:36.828 --> 00:13:40.783 Um, today's episode is episode number 210. 00:13:41.231 --> 00:13:41.621 Awesome. 00:13:41.861 --> 00:13:46.691 Hard to imagine when we, I just began, uh, that I would get to this 210 point. 00:13:47.021 --> 00:13:50.471 I'm proud to say that we are the number one business podcast 00:13:50.471 --> 00:13:51.791 in the chemical industry. 00:13:52.031 --> 00:13:58.691 We're recently recognized by Plastics News as a 2025 social media account to follower 00:13:59.081 --> 00:14:03.221 and um, I'm really excited that people. 00:14:04.106 --> 00:14:07.766 Reach out to me, approach me, talk to me at conferences and elsewhere and 00:14:07.766 --> 00:14:11.036 say, Hey, you are doing a great job. 00:14:11.036 --> 00:14:12.086 I can't believe it's you. 00:14:12.236 --> 00:14:13.676 I love your podcast. 00:14:13.676 --> 00:14:15.446 I loved this episode. 00:14:15.446 --> 00:14:16.556 Or I like this. 00:14:16.796 --> 00:14:17.966 You know, people tell me different things. 00:14:17.966 --> 00:14:20.186 One person said, I, I love the origin stories. 00:14:20.186 --> 00:14:20.726 You know what? 00:14:21.176 --> 00:14:21.956 Me too. 00:14:22.526 --> 00:14:25.646 I love, you know, this aspect of when you talk to this leader. 00:14:25.886 --> 00:14:26.546 Me too. 00:14:26.696 --> 00:14:31.376 The reality is I have a great job, um, and a great business. 00:14:31.376 --> 00:14:35.906 And frankly, I think of it as a real privilege to be able to 00:14:35.906 --> 00:14:40.016 speak with leaders, have great conversations, ask them questions 00:14:40.016 --> 00:14:41.756 that maybe you would like to ask. 00:14:41.816 --> 00:14:45.746 Um, get to know them better and get to share their stories. 00:14:45.776 --> 00:14:50.276 And, that is really just a huge blessing to me. 00:14:51.596 --> 00:14:54.206 People ask me, here's the next question that people ask me sometimes. 00:14:54.206 --> 00:14:55.026 Who's your favorite guest? 00:14:55.376 --> 00:14:57.506 I would say, I don't have a favorite guest. 00:14:57.896 --> 00:15:00.146 Um, you are all my favorites. 00:15:00.176 --> 00:15:05.036 And you know, I will tell you every episode, every guest brings different. 00:15:05.261 --> 00:15:07.151 Aspects of value and fun. 00:15:07.151 --> 00:15:09.911 And while that was cool, I can't believe they did that. 00:15:09.911 --> 00:15:12.941 I can't believe they said that I'm so appreciative of 00:15:12.941 --> 00:15:13.811 what they're going through. 00:15:14.171 --> 00:15:18.371 Um, what I really enjoy and, and this is true, people across the 00:15:18.371 --> 00:15:24.881 chemical industry, and you know this is I get to talk to smart people and 00:15:24.881 --> 00:15:29.351 with interesting topics every day or every week, and that's really great. 00:15:30.026 --> 00:15:31.526 Um, how do I find guests? 00:15:31.526 --> 00:15:32.996 So that's always a good question too. 00:15:33.056 --> 00:15:34.556 Recommendations and referrals. 00:15:34.556 --> 00:15:37.256 So people will reach out and say, Hey, I really suggest 00:15:37.256 --> 00:15:38.186 that you talk to this person. 00:15:38.186 --> 00:15:38.666 I'm like, great. 00:15:38.756 --> 00:15:39.536 Make an introduction. 00:15:39.956 --> 00:15:43.766 companies reach out to me and say, Hey, we'd like to talk and be on the podcast. 00:15:43.766 --> 00:15:46.736 I'd like to have a guest on the podcast and say, great, let's talk 00:15:46.736 --> 00:15:48.656 about what that is and how that fits. 00:15:48.746 --> 00:15:50.636 Um, or I, we reach out and find them.. 00:15:50.636 --> 00:15:52.916 So in wide variety of ways, a lot of it is referrals. 00:15:53.231 --> 00:15:57.081 'cause as you guys know, a warm referral is better than a cold call any day. 00:15:57.681 --> 00:16:00.301 , so let's talk a little bit about the then and now. 00:16:00.301 --> 00:16:03.471 And this is, I wanna just switch and pivot to that piece of, 00:16:03.531 --> 00:16:05.601 um, of the podcast episode. 00:16:06.051 --> 00:16:10.191 So when we started, when I started The Chemical Show, , April of 2021. 00:16:10.431 --> 00:16:14.001 You think about where the chemical industry was then we were one 00:16:14.001 --> 00:16:16.011 year into the Covid pandemic. 00:16:16.431 --> 00:16:19.881 Um, in some ways maybe there was, it was a bit of the heydays, right? 00:16:19.881 --> 00:16:21.411 So business felt pretty good. 00:16:21.411 --> 00:16:22.371 In many parts of it. 00:16:22.371 --> 00:16:23.331 There was a lot of demand. 00:16:23.691 --> 00:16:26.721 Conversations were dominated by supply chain, right? 00:16:26.721 --> 00:16:31.221 Both the whipsaw of plants, of consumer behaviors of work from home, 00:16:31.221 --> 00:16:35.061 which changed co consumer behaviors and just the dynamics going on. 00:16:35.061 --> 00:16:39.381 Then, um, I went back and I looked, and actually I've done a episode, 00:16:39.381 --> 00:16:44.631 I'll link to it in the show notes of the Top 10 Events from 2021. 00:16:44.991 --> 00:16:48.381 2021 when we started the podcast, was event and supply 00:16:48.381 --> 00:16:53.541 chain dominated really about the physical changes in the industry. 00:16:53.541 --> 00:16:55.911 So first of all, energy and energy policy. 00:16:56.331 --> 00:17:00.591 The US Gulf Coast had faced winter storm Yuri in February of 2021. 00:17:00.591 --> 00:17:06.891 Do you guys remember that when, um, the power grid went down like in a heartbeat? 00:17:07.081 --> 00:17:10.381 , and chemical plants went down in a heartbeat and things froze up. 00:17:10.721 --> 00:17:15.661 Caused tremendous damage, caused a lot of supply chain disruptions and 00:17:15.661 --> 00:17:18.891 really changed the game of what was going on at that point in time. 00:17:19.041 --> 00:17:22.041 Number two is China energy policy and rolling blackouts. 00:17:22.041 --> 00:17:25.671 So, it was proceedings of Winter Olympics and number three was UK 00:17:25.671 --> 00:17:28.071 Natural Gas and energy pol shortages. 00:17:28.071 --> 00:17:28.761 So that's that. 00:17:29.806 --> 00:17:32.566 Weather, hurricane Ida hit l Louisiana. 00:17:32.566 --> 00:17:36.736 So the more weather related stuff, labor shortages and issues and supply chain. 00:17:36.736 --> 00:17:39.766 Back in 2021, it was all about the physical changes going on 00:17:39.826 --> 00:17:46.306 in the industry plants, weather, energy, supply chain, and more. 00:17:46.756 --> 00:17:48.706 Fast forward April, 2025. 00:17:48.706 --> 00:17:51.886 Here we are entering, well, finishing up four years of the chemical 00:17:51.886 --> 00:17:53.026 show, entering the year five. 00:17:53.446 --> 00:17:56.326 This time, it's all about the policies. 00:17:56.356 --> 00:17:58.816 Some of the topics are the same, but we're all about the policies. 00:17:58.816 --> 00:18:00.196 Number one, new administration. 00:18:00.496 --> 00:18:04.756 You guys know all about that, both in the US and elsewhere, setting new policies, 00:18:05.086 --> 00:18:08.776 so geopolitics and trade policies related to the Russia, Ukraine war. 00:18:08.961 --> 00:18:11.991 Which has happened the last couple of years, middle East, and the 00:18:11.991 --> 00:18:15.531 challenges and the, the conflicts that are there and kind of China and 00:18:15.531 --> 00:18:20.491 everyone we are seeing tremendous oversupplying industry rationalization 00:18:20.521 --> 00:18:21.991 in a way that we didn't anticipate. 00:18:21.991 --> 00:18:26.161 So you will hear in an upcoming episode when I talk to Kendall Justin Yano, 00:18:26.241 --> 00:18:27.651 next week it's gonna get published. 00:18:28.041 --> 00:18:30.696 We talked about just some of the rationalization that's going on in 00:18:30.701 --> 00:18:34.341 the industry, the fact that we have entered a deep trough, one that 00:18:34.551 --> 00:18:36.051 we've not really seen for 20 years. 00:18:36.051 --> 00:18:39.321 And so this is playing a big effect on the industry. 00:18:39.711 --> 00:18:41.541 And then, you know, the third piece is. 00:18:41.871 --> 00:18:42.501 2021. 00:18:42.501 --> 00:18:46.161 We talked a lot about sustainability and there was all the glory days. 00:18:46.461 --> 00:18:49.101 2025, we are talking about sustainability again. 00:18:49.381 --> 00:18:53.511 And it's about getting real and figuring out where the impact 00:18:53.511 --> 00:18:55.041 is still really important. 00:18:55.401 --> 00:18:59.601 The goals are there, and there's a continued focus, but it's really 00:18:59.601 --> 00:19:04.311 much more about being measured, being resilient, and making things happen. 00:19:04.431 --> 00:19:05.256 And then of course. 00:19:06.111 --> 00:19:09.021 We are on this journey in the 2020s of digitization. 00:19:09.021 --> 00:19:12.321 Heck, we've been on this journey for more than the 2020s. 00:19:12.351 --> 00:19:16.281 I started doing digitization, we called it e business, um, back 00:19:16.281 --> 00:19:18.141 in 20, in the year 2000, right? 00:19:18.141 --> 00:19:21.591 So here we are, 2025 with chemical companies still trying to figure this out. 00:19:21.951 --> 00:19:27.136 Much, much more about AI and harnessing AI and augmentation. 00:19:27.181 --> 00:19:28.471 The world is a different place. 00:19:28.771 --> 00:19:32.281 And yet some of the fundamentals are still the same supply chain, 00:19:32.311 --> 00:19:37.511 sustainability, resilience and a continued recognition that the chemical 00:19:37.511 --> 00:19:41.461 industry is a key critical driver for much of what's happening in the world. 00:19:43.006 --> 00:19:44.596 So where are we going? 00:19:44.686 --> 00:19:49.516 So, okay, second of all, let me just direct you to episode 180 where I 00:19:49.516 --> 00:19:53.576 recorded six trends influencing the chemical industry in 2024 and 25. 00:19:53.966 --> 00:19:55.856 I think that's a great episode to look back at. 00:19:55.856 --> 00:20:00.146 I will also link to the most recent episode featuring Kurt Barrows and 00:20:00.146 --> 00:20:01.501 Tony Potter from s and p Global. 00:20:01.841 --> 00:20:04.481 That talked about 2025 chemical industry outlook. 00:20:04.481 --> 00:20:09.741 'cause again, I think that is a great topic for us to get focused on here. 00:20:11.291 --> 00:20:13.721 On our four year anniversary and as we go forward. 00:20:14.231 --> 00:20:15.641 So what's next? 00:20:15.741 --> 00:20:18.711 The Chemical Show is going to continue to grow. 00:20:19.041 --> 00:20:23.121 We are gonna continue to do more live events, so LinkedIn Live 00:20:23.151 --> 00:20:28.101 other live events to get you more engaged, um, or to keep you engaged. 00:20:28.401 --> 00:20:33.381 We are going to be continuing to bring great leaders and guests and stories. 00:20:33.996 --> 00:20:36.756 To the chemical show audience to you. 00:20:37.356 --> 00:20:40.206 Um, and then the third piece is that I think we're gonna be starting to 00:20:40.206 --> 00:20:41.466 make this a little bit more personal. 00:20:41.466 --> 00:20:46.356 So often we bring in that perspective from leaders about where it's at. 00:20:46.356 --> 00:20:50.916 But I really think back to this idea that The Chemical Show and the 00:20:50.916 --> 00:20:55.476 community that we've built is about people connecting with people, um, 00:20:55.536 --> 00:20:59.376 sharing stories, understanding that we are all in this together and. 00:21:00.036 --> 00:21:03.666 We are journeying on this current path to success. 00:21:03.666 --> 00:21:06.246 So, um, stay tuned. 00:21:07.056 --> 00:21:07.566 Thank you. 00:21:08.106 --> 00:21:09.636 Thank you for joining me on this journey. 00:21:10.116 --> 00:21:11.736 Happy four years anniversary. 00:21:12.026 --> 00:21:15.296 As this gets published, we may be adding in a few messages around 00:21:15.296 --> 00:21:17.186 some special promos we have. 00:21:17.606 --> 00:21:19.916 Um, but you know, here we are. 00:21:20.726 --> 00:21:21.476 Once again. 00:21:21.536 --> 00:21:22.736 Thank you for joining me today. 00:21:23.876 --> 00:21:25.136 Thank you for listening. 00:21:25.136 --> 00:21:29.906 Thank you for being on a four year journey of the Chemical Show and keep listening. 00:21:29.906 --> 00:21:33.881 Keep following, keep sharing, and we will talk with you again soon. 00:21:35.015 --> 00:21:37.235 Thanks for joining us today on The Chemical Show. 00:21:37.565 --> 00:21:42.065 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, 00:21:42.305 --> 00:21:45.695 and most importantly, share it with your friends and colleagues. 00:21:46.685 --> 00:21:50.015 For more insights, visit the Chemical show.com 00:21:50.495 --> 00:21:51.980 and connect with us on LinkedIn. 00:21:52.745 --> 00:21:56.705 You can find me at Victoria King Meyer on LinkedIn, and you can also 00:21:56.705 --> 00:21:58.865 find us at The Chemical Show Podcast. 00:21:59.045 --> 00:22:02.225 Join us next time for more conversations and strategies 00:22:02.525 --> 00:22:04.295 shaping the future of the industry. 00:22:04.685 --> 00:22:05.405 We'll see you soon.