Podcast
Beyond The Blend
Hosted by Plan Grow Do · EN
Beyond the Blend is a conversational podcast series, designed to explore the personal and professional journeys of individuals in the lubricant sector.
Your hosts Steve Knapp and Rob Taylor aim to inspire listeners by sharing stories about careers, challenges, successes, and learning moments.
The focus is on humanising the industry, showcasing its diversity, and highlighting personal experiences to attract and inspire talent.
Guests discuss pivotal moments, including their greatest challenges or adversities and the lessons learned, to demonstrate the rich opportunities within the sector.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Collette and Paul Whiting
Feb 1800:52:39Tap to summarizeIn this special episode of Beyond the Blend, Rob is joined by two guests for the first time, Collette and Paul, the husband-and-wife leadership team behind Delta Xero.This is a conversation about far more than filtration technology. It’s about building a business together, balancing innovation with structure, and learning how to scale without becoming the bottleneck.Paul brings the entrepreneurial, problem-solving mindset. From algorithms and car supermarkets to inventing capillary filtration technology.Collette brings the operational clarity, building systems, processes, and the foundations that allow the business to grow.Together, they share a candid look at leadership, trust, delegation, and what it really takes to turn a technical innovation into a scalable global business.5 from 5 – Getting to Know Collette & Paul Who brings work into the weekend? Who’s the optimist when things feel stuck? Who presses send on the risky email? Who copes better if the other disappears for a week? One word to describe working togetherA revealing and humorous look at how different personalities can complement each other when there’s a shared goal.What We Talk About The Delta Xero story from garage lab innovation to global filtration solutions Why you don’t need to change oil in many applications and what that means for sustainability and uptime Building a business as a couple; separate roles, shared vision, and clear boundaries Moving from founder-led everything to scalable processes and empowered teams The importance of relinquishing responsibility to avoid becoming a single point of failure CRM, marketing, and sales structure as growth accelerators Hiring for attitude, training for skill, and finding people’s true roles Balancing travel, family life, and leadership in a growing global businessKey TakeawaysInnovation Needs StructurePaul’s technical creativity and problem-solving drive the vision, but Collette’s systems and processes make scaling possible. Growth happens when ideas are translated into repeatable operations.Relinquishing Responsibility Is LeadershipLetting go of tasks you’re average at isn’t failure, it’s how businesses scale. Empowering the right people creates resilience and removes single points of failure.Process Enables FreedomClear roles, documented systems, and CRM discipline allow the business to grow without relying on individuals to hold everything in their heads.Hire for Attitude, Develop for SkillFinding the right mindset matters more than perfect experience. People thrive when placed in roles that match their strengths.Shared Vision, Different StrengthsWorking as a couple succeeds because Collette and Paul move toward the same goal using complementary capabilities, innovation and execution.Organic Growth with Intentional SupportBringing in external expertise (sales processes, mentoring, CRM strategy) accelerates growth without losing the business’s core identity.Why Listen?If you’re a founder, technical leader, or part of a scaling SME, this episode offers real insight into: moving from founder-led to process-driven growth balancing innovation with operational discipline building trust and accountability in a growing team turning technical solutions into scalable commercial successIt’s an honest, practical look at what happens behind the scenes when a business moves from survival to structure.What’s Next for Delta Xero? Expanding into new sectors including wind and landfill gas Scaling global distribution and market reach Strengthening marketing, CRM, and sales processes Continuing technology innovation while building a larger, empowered teamConnect with Collette & PaulYou can follow Collette and Paul on LinkedIn and explore Delta Xero’s growing content and technical insights, including their developing YouTube channel.
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René Abrahams
Feb 400:58:16Tap to summarizeRené Abrahams’ journey is anything but ordinary.Born and raised in Durban during apartheid-era South Africa, René entered the workforce at a moment of profound national change. What followed was a career shaped by curiosity, courage, activism, and an unwavering belief in evolution, personally, professionally, and industrially.From being among the first women to work in refinery laboratories, to leading trade-union negotiations for tens of thousands of workers, to shaping sustainable transformer fluids and now innovating synthetic esters at Perstorp, René has consistently chosen to be at the frontier of change rather than a passenger within it.This episode goes far beyond job titles. It’s a deeply human conversation about freedom, identity, sustainability, leadership culture, and what it really means to stay curious over a 25+ year career. Key Takeaways1️⃣ Change was never optional - it was the environmentGrowing up in a segregated South Africa meant René experienced injustice early, even if it felt “normal” as a child. Entering the workforce post-democracy shaped her adaptability, resilience, and willingness to challenge the status quo. 2️⃣ Reading opened the door to possibilityA love of books, so strong she exhausted her local library, planted the seeds for imagination, ambition, and a belief that other futures were possible beyond the environment she grew up in. 3️⃣ Leadership means driving the bus, not sitting on itWhether in trade unions, technical committees, or innovation teams, René consistently steps forward to shape direction rather than wait for permission, a pattern that has defined her leadership style. 4️⃣ From environmental activism to sustainable lubricationRené’s move from environmental consulting into lubricants wasn’t a contradiction, it was an evolution. At Nynas, she became a leading technical voice on bio-based and re-refined transformer oils, helping utilities transition toward lower-carbon solutions. 5️⃣ Give me time - and I’ll master itInitially uninterested in transformer fluids, René later took ownership of a 27-product portfolio, joined IEC technical committees, and represented Sweden internationally. Her lesson: don’t judge complexity too early — immersion changes everything. 6️⃣ Cultural intelligence matters as much as technical skillMoving from South Africa to Sweden meant constantly adjusting to different definitions of “professional.” Over time, René stopped shrinking to fit rooms and started allowing rooms to adjust to her. 7️⃣ From activism to intentional peaceHaving spent years fighting injustice, René now focuses on cultivating cultures of openness, collaboration, and calm. For her, high-performing teams are built on trust, not politics, posturing, or passive aggression. 8️⃣ Sustainability is still a journey, not a switchPerformance and price still dominate buyer decisions, but René sees steady progress. The key, she believes, is clarity: clear sustainability visions, stepwise transitions, and honesty about trade-offs. 9️⃣ Innovation happens at the frontierNow at Perstorp, René is back in deep chemistry, formulating synthetic esters while bringing sustainability, performance, and market relevance together. It’s where she thrives most: building something new from the ground up. 🔟 Stay curious - alwaysRené’s final advice is simple and powerful: life doesn’t narrow with age; we just become more intentional. Curiosity keeps possibility alive, in careers, industries, and life itself. Connect with René• LinkedIn: René Abrahams https://www.linkedin.com/in/ren%C3%A9-abrahams/• Look out for René at industry events including ELGI and other European forumsWhy Listen?This episode is a masterclass in human leadership within a technical industry, if you care about:• Sustainability beyond buzzwords• Building inclusive, high-functioning teams• Navigating identity, culture, and confidence• Leading change without losing yourself
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Jade Thompson
Jan 2100:55:00Tap to summarizeJade Thompson didn’t plan a career in lubricants, like many in our industry, she arrived by accident and stayed by choice. Originally seeking lab experience to support a Master’s in equine parasitology, Jade found herself drawn into oil analysis, reliability, and ultimately circular lubrication and sustainability. Today, she plays a key role supporting sales and customers globally with RecondOil at SKF, sitting at the intersection of chemistry, reliability, sustainability, and real-world application knowledge. In this episode, Jade shares her journey from lab benches and blending plants to reliability labs, sales support, and global technical roles, alongside a very human story involving horses, cage fighting, family, learning, and confidence. Key Takeaways 1️⃣ Careers in lubricants often start by accident, and that’s a strength Jade’s route into the industry wasn’t planned, but curiosity, analytical thinking, and a love of problem-solving kept her here. She’s another reminder that this sector rewards people who stay curious and adaptable. 2️⃣ Application knowledge beats product knowledge Jade is clear: turning up without understanding the application makes you “no use to the customer.” Real value comes from understanding systems, asking questions, and being honest about what you don’t yet know. 3️⃣ Reliability is deeply personal From blending plants to reliability labs, Jade found real satisfaction in solving problems and seeing assets move from constant failure to sustained uptime. That sense of impact still drives her today. 4️⃣ STEM isn’t just a subject, it’s a way of thinking In her work empowering women in STEM, Jade stresses that STEM skills apply far beyond job titles. She uses analytical thinking everywhere, from lubrication decisions to animal care and everyday life. 5️⃣ Self-learning is non-negotiable Jade highlights the importance of owning your development. Forums, journals, videos, research, and asking questions all matter, especially in an industry where no one can know every application. 6️⃣ Confidence doesn’t always look loud Despite working in male-dominated environments, Jade’s experience has been shaped by strong mentors, supportive leaders, and a practical, no-nonsense approach. She focuses on competence, contribution, and consistency. 7️⃣ Circular lubrication changes the conversation RecondOil appealed to Jade because it brings together sustainability, chemistry, reliability, and commercial impact. It’s not about selling more oil, it’s about looking after it better. 8️⃣ Passion shows up in unexpected ways Whether it’s caring for horses, training in cage fighting, or diving deep into paper and pulp applications, Jade’s discipline and commitment show up everywhere, professionally and personally. Why Listen? If you work in lubricants, reliability, sales, or technical support, this episode is a reminder of what buyers really value: application understanding, honesty, curiosity, and care. It’s also an honest, human story about finding your place in an industry that most people never planned to join — and loving it once you arrive. Connect with Jade LinkedIn: Jade Thompson Follow her work, events, and industry conversations, and don’t be surprised if networking turns into real-world meetups.
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Brenna Huovie
Jan 701:00:28Tap to summarizeHow do you build a career that keeps evolving as fast as the industry you’re in?In this powerful episode, we meet Brenna Huovie, a chemical engineer turned global business leader whose 30+ year career spans Exxon, Honeywell UOP and now Lubrizol. From refinery floors to corporate boardrooms, Brenna has reinvented herself multiple times while staying rooted in science, curiosity and a genuine desire to help others grow. She opens up about introversion, self-awareness, diversity advocacy, and navigating a business landscape that’s moving faster, and messier, than ever before. A brilliant conversation with a brilliant leader. Key Takeaways1️⃣ Chemistry meets purposeA high-school chemistry teacher sparked Brenna’s lifelong fascination with solving big, real-world energy problems. 2️⃣ Careers are built through reinventionRefinery operations → catalyst performance → strategy & commercial leadership → additives VP. Every transition expanded her impact. 3️⃣ An introvert’s guide to leading loudlyBrenna trained herself to perform confidently onstage , proving introverts can be exceptional communicators and keynote presenters. 4️⃣ Letting go to help others growDelegation wasn’t natural, but becoming a leader meant moving from doing the work to empowering the people. 5️⃣ Communication is a technical skillThe best technical sellers and innovators are those who ask questions, listen deeply and translate complexity into clarity. 6️⃣ Advocating for women in energyBrenna has long supported women’s networks that help build confidence, capability and belonging in male-dominated sectors. 7️⃣ Leadership in chaosToday’s volatility requires leaders who pause, think critically, and choose the signal over the noise. 8️⃣ Humans + technology = the winAI only works when paired with human skills: creativity, judgment, and narrative. That’s where new value emerges. Why Listen?If you’ve ever questioned your next move, struggled with confidence, or wondered how to lead without losing your true self, this episode delivers reassurance and clarity from someone who’s lived it.A must-listen for:• Future leaders• Women in STEM• Technologists growing commercial influence• Anyone navigating fast-moving change Connect With BrennaLinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennahuovie/Lubrizol - https://www.lubrizol.com/solutions/technologies/lubricant-and-fuel-additives
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Tobias Daley
Dec 1000:56:25Tap to summarizeFrom apprentice in a noisy workshop to leading a global innovation team shaping the future of industrial efficiency, Tobias Daley’s journey is a brilliant reflection of where tradition meets transformation in the lubricants and fluid power world. His story is filled with curiosity, hands-on learning, family values, and a passion for helping industry do things better -sustainably, digitally, and with people at the centre. Key TakeawaysFalling in love with engineering earlyA childhood surrounded by engineers -and a defining visit to a coal-fired power station -sparked a lifelong fascination with how the world really works. Learning the trade -under pressure (and under escalators)Early career van-based adventures fixing real-world breakdowns -from wave energy in Orkney to London Underground escalators -taught him resilience, people skills, and practical expertise you can’t learn in a classroom. Discovering the impact of our industryWhether powering turbines, marine vessels, excavators or data centres -lubricants and hydraulics silently enable the world modern life depends on. Our industry has a much bigger story to tell. Mentors matterGuidance from influential colleagues like Steff’s and Dr. John helped Tobias step into confidence -eventually realising he didn’t need to be an expert in everything if he built the right network. ‘Just be you’ leadershipTobias openly shares his turning point -letting go of trying to be who he thought leaders should be, and instead leading with authenticity, humility and humanity. His team thrives on trust, care, and psychological safety. Coaching the next generation on and off the pitchWhether guiding global engineers or managing his local Under-9s football squad, he brings energy, humour and kindness -and the belief that everyone grows when they feel supported. Innovation with purposeDigital tools only make a difference when people understand and use them. Tobias believes the future belongs to partnerships, open collaboration, and talent development that unlocks real sustainability gains. Why Listen?This conversation is a masterclass in career growth, modern leadership, and the real-life purpose behind industrial engineering. If you work in lubricants, fluid power, sustainability, or innovation -or simply want inspiration to lead more authentically -Tobias delivers big. Connect with TobiasLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobias-daley-4975756b/
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Amanda Hay
Nov 2600:49:19Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Beyond the Blend, we sit down with Amanda Hay, a journalist-turned-data leader whose career spans community newspapers, graphic design, energy reporting, and now global commodity intelligence at ICIS.Amanda’s story is a brilliant reminder that skills aren’t linear, they evolve. From her early days in local newsrooms to now guiding global base oil insight for one of the industry’s leading data organisations, she has built a career rooted in curiosity, communication, and clarity.This conversation dives deep into journalism, data, visual storytelling, AI, and the human side of the lubricants supply chain. It’s thoughtful, real, and full of insights for anyone navigating change or looking to bring meaning to technical work. Key Takeaways1. Journalism Never Leaves YouAmanda’s first love was journalism - community storytelling, accountability, connection. Those instincts now underpin her work in base oils, proving that clear communication and curiosity are universal career assets.2. Data + Story = ImpactWhen she says “data is integral to storytelling,” she means it. In a world of shrinking attention spans, Amanda believes the job is to turn complex commodity data into narratives people can act on, not just charts on a screen.3. The Art of VisualisationAs a former graphic designer, Amanda champions accessible, thoughtful visuals. Clean design, readable colours, and simplicity matter - especially for neurodivergent audiences and overloaded industry professionals.4. A Global Lens on Base OilsFrom Houston to Brazil, Singapore to Cape Town, Amanda’s role gives her a truly global perspective. She sees firsthand how base oils markets are shifting, integrating, and demanding faster, clearer insight.5. Journalism Skills Belong in Our IndustryAs commodity markets evolve, Amanda highlights a rising need for “data journalists”, people who can decode complexity, ask better questions, and translate insight for modern buyers.6. AI Isn’t the Enemy - It’s the AmplifierICIS is deep into AI adoption. For Amanda, AI isn’t replacing intelligence, it’s enhancing it. The human job now is to interpret, question, contextualise, and bring the data to life.7. Creativity Still MattersOutside work, Amanda channels her creativity into photography. She captures her travels, her life, and her curiosity through a lens, a reminder that creative energy fuels analytical clarity.8. Advice for Early-Career Professionals“Keep your options open.” Journalism gave Amanda skills that transferred beautifully into energy, base oils, data, and storytelling. She encourages new talent to stay adaptable and to carve paths that didn’t exist 10 years ago. Connect with Amanda• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahay/• ICIS: https://www.icis.com Why ListenIf you sit anywhere in the lubricants supply chain; technical, commercial, data, marketing, or leadership, this episode is a masterclass in how human stories and hard data collide.It’s also a fresh reminder that careers aren’t straight lines, and that our industry benefits massively from people with unusual, creative, or journalistic backgrounds.
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Jim Carroll
Nov 1200:46:55Tap to summarizeIn this powerful episode, Beyond the Blend heads to St. Louis, Missouri, to meet Jim Carroll - Executive VP at Schaeffer Manufacturing and current President of the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA).Jim’s story spans decades of service - in both the U.S. Army, where he served for 30 years and rose to the rank of Colonel, and in the lubricant industry, where he’s spent over 25 years helping one of America’s oldest lubricant companies thrive through change.From rebuilding engines to leading global advocacy, Jim’s career is proof that discipline and curiosity can coexist beautifully and that leadership, at its best, means never standing still. Key Takeaways1. From Steel to Schaeffer:Jim began his career on the factory floor at National Steel, where curiosity for “how things work” turned into a lifelong technical fascination. A customer-turned-colleague, he joined Schaeffer in 1998 - and never looked back.2. The Fixer Mindset:As a child taking apart broken appliances, Jim learned a simple truth: If it’s stupid and it works, it wasn’t stupid. That mindset shaped his leadership style - pragmatic, creative, and unafraid of failure in pursuit of improvement.3. Service and Structure:Three decades in the U.S. Army instilled discipline, courage, and the conviction that “an 80 percent plan executed today beats a 100 percent plan that never starts.” Those lessons now guide how Jim builds teams, makes decisions, and handles complexity in business.4. Leading Through Advocacy:As ILMA President, Jim is passionate about advocacy and common-sense regulation. His mission: ensure that small, independent lubricant manufacturers have a seat at the table when shaping the policies that define their future.5. Sustainability Is Our Story:Jim argues that the lubricant industry is already one of the biggest sustainability success stories - reducing friction, saving energy, and extending equipment life — but not telling that story loudly enough.6. Always Learning:Whether through Stanford’s strategic-planning courses or back-of-the-bus “nerd chats” with industry peers, Jim’s commitment to continuous learning is unwavering. His advice to the next generation: Learn both the chemistry and the mechanics - innovation happens where they meet.7. The Next Chapter:Far from slowing down, Jim’s focus is now on strategy, value creation, and mentorship -ensuring the next generation of leaders inherits both knowledge and purpose. 🔗 Connect with Jim• Jim Carroll on LinkedIn• Schaeffer Manufacturing• ILMA Why ListenThis episode goes far beyond lubricants - it’s about character, curiosity, and commitment. Jim Carroll’s story shows how a sense of duty, whether on the battlefield or in business, can shape not only a career but an entire industry.For anyone navigating leadership, legacy, or the next chapter of their career, this one’s full of insight, humour, and heart.
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Gwyn Simmonds
Oct 2900:50:18Tap to summarizeFrom geology graduate to global sales leader, Gwyn Simmonds has spent more than 25 years at the intersection of data, reliability, and customer trust. In this episode, Steve explores how a curiosity-driven career led Gwyn from the lab bench to the boardroom and what’s changed along the way.Gwyn shares honest reflections on leadership, travel, and learning on the job, revealing how oil analysis has evolved from pipettes and paper reports to automation, AI, and insight-driven service. Key TakeawaysFrom Geology to Oil AnalysisStraight from the University of Staffordshire, a newspaper ad led Gwyn into his first lab role. What began as “a job that paid the bills” turned into a lifelong fascination with data, machines, and people.Curiosity Opens DoorsNot an engineer by background, Gwyn credits curiosity, and mentors like Mike Bourne, for showing him how data tells stories. That early curiosity built the foundation for his technical and commercial confidence.Lab Coats to LeadershipOver time, Gwyn moved from interpreting data to managing accounts, then to leading global sales and marketing for eight laboratories worldwide. His leadership philosophy? “Lead from the front but bring everyone with you.”Technology Transforms TalentFrom pipettes to robots and from spreadsheets to Power BI dashboards, Gwyn describes how AI and automation are changing not just how labs work, but who works in them. Data literacy now sits beside engineering know-how.Trust and FlexibilityWith teams across continents, Gwyn leads through trust rather than control balancing global travel with family life in North Wales. His open, people-first approach shows that culture matters as much as process.Learning Never StopsFrom workplace book clubs (The Challenger Sale, Lean Selling, Modern Sales Leadership) to industry networking, Gwyn emphasises that growth comes from sharing knowledge, not guarding it. 🔗 Connect with Gwyn• Gwyn Simmonds on LinkedIn• POLARIS Laboratories Why ListenIf you’ve ever wondered what a career in lubricants and condition monitoring really looks like, this episode offers a candid, human look at how curiosity, learning, and leadership evolve over time.Whether you’re just starting out, leading teams, or simply trying to balance work and life on the road, Gwyn’s journey shows that staying curious is still the best strategy there is.
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