PODCAST · technology
21st Century Engineer
by Dennis Truax
Dr. Dennis D. Truax, a renowned professional engineer, educator, and advocate for sustainable infrastructure. With over four decades of experience in academe, consulting, and environmental engineering, Dr. Truax dives deep into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of civil and environmental engineering. As the former President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Co-Founder of Bidcurement, Dr. Truax shares expert insights on workforce development, sustainable infrastructure practices, and innovative solutions for water resources and environmental management.
Episodes
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The $3B Project That Saved Fargo
After Fargo’s 2009 record flood fight when the community mobilized to sandbag and the city came within inches of disaster leaders knew a permanent solution was no longer optional. Dr. Dennis D. Truax talks with civil engineer Joel Paulsen, former Executive Director of the Fargo–Moorhead Flood...
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Why Great Engineers Never Stop Learning
In this episode of 21st Century Engineer, Dr. Dennis D. Truax talks with Katye Miller McGinnis, P.E. about the realities of civil engineering growth: the learning never stops, mentorship takes adaptability, and great projects require empathy inside the workplace and out in the community. Katye...
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The “Doubt Tax” Driving Women Out of AEC
In this special episode of 21st Century Engineer, Dr. Dennis D. Truax talks with Jennifer Todd about the “Doubt Tax” the hidden mental and emotional cost women pay in AEC just to be seen as competent. Jennifer explains why this is different from imposter syndrome, how credibility pressure and…
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The Future of Civil Engineering
Thomas Smith — longtime ASCE leader and Executive Director for the past 11 years joins Dr. Dennis D. Truax for a special edition of the 21st Century Engineer Podcast. They discuss civil engineering’s future through the lens of workforce shortages, AI, sustainability, extreme weather, and the...
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Systems Thinking & Construction Safety with Industry Experts
In this special multi-guest episode, we bring together three industry experts to take on one of the most urgent conversations in civil infrastructure today: how do we build safer, smarter, more resilient projects?Engineers, educators, and practitioners Bill Hayden, Dr. Ahmed Albayati, and Chad...
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Engineered for Integrity
When a late-night call revealed foam discharging into the Mississippi River, chemical engineer Liz Rayfield had to make a decision—one that would shut down an entire plant for a week and cost millions. In this episode, Liz joins Dennis for a raw and insightful discussion about: • Ethical...
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The Engineer Who Fights for Communities
In this episode, Dr. Dennis Truax speaks with BJ Elkins, P.E., a water and wastewater engineer recognized by NSPE as an Emerging Leader. BJ shares how a simple message — “you can use math to help people” — sparked a career focused on service. From working in rural Uganda to solving small-town...
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Breaking Barriers in Geotechnical Engineering
In this episode, Dr. Dennis Truax talks with Sangeeta Bhattacharjee, P.E., PMP, the first woman geotechnical engineer in her Terracon office, about resilience, servant leadership, and breaking gender barriers in engineering. From growing up in Bangladesh to becoming a recognized emerging leader…
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They Don’t Teach This in Engineering School
This edition of The 21st Century Engineer newsletter spotlights Alex Steelman, PE a 2025 NSPE Emerging Leader who shares her journey from aerospace aspirations to building communities through civil infrastructure. Guided by strong mentors and driven by a love for problem-solving, Alex reflects on...
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Does the PE Exam Still Matter?
In this episode of the 21st Century Engineer Podcast, Dr. Dennis D. Truax sits down with Isaac Oakeson, founder of @CivilEngAcademy , to discuss the future of engineering licensure and why earning your PE still defines professional competency in civil engineering.Isaac shares how his own…
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Why Civil Engineering Still Matters
Civil engineering isn’t a luxury it’s a lifeline. Dr. Dennis Truax sits down with Joe Dibbs (Applied Research Associates) to explore how growing up in Lebanon shaped Joe’s view of infrastructure as necessity, his unlikely start as a pastry chef’s aide, and his shift into pavement engineering and...
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What They Don’t Teach You in Engineering School
Welcome to the 21st Century Engineer Podcast, where we spotlight professionals shaping the future of civil infrastructure. In this episode, Dr. Dennis Truax interviews Clint Smith, a civil engineer and project manager at Half Associates, and one of ASCE's 2025 New Faces of Civil Engineering.Clint...
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The Hidden Cost of America’s Crumbling Infrastructure
In this compelling episode of the 21st Century Engineer Podcast, Dr. Dennis Truax (former ASCE President) is joined by civil engineer and infrastructure advocate Ana Tijerina Esquino to break down the 2025 ASCE Infrastructure Report Card. From pothole-ridden roads to outdated water systems, they...
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Bridge Engineering, War, and the Future of Civil Infrastructure
Tony Golopany escaped the Kosovo War as a child and went on to design and rate over 100 bridges across the U.S. — all before turning 30. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Dennis Truax explores Tony’s path from refugee to one of ASCE’s 2025 New Faces of Civil Engineering. Discover what it really...
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Engineering with Empathy
Civil engineers are overworked, underpaid, and undervalued — but Erin Robinson is proving it doesn’t have to stay that way. Named one of ASCE’s 2025 New Faces of Civil Engineering, Erin joins Dr. Dennis Truax to unpack the real issues no one wants to talk about: ➡️ Pay gaps and broken loyalty in...
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Breaking Barriers in Engineering
What does it take to thrive as a minority woman in engineering and construction? And how do you navigate toxic workplaces without losing your purpose — or your power? In this compelling episode of 21st Century Engineered, Dr. Dennis Truax sits down with Sairan Aqrawi, professional engineer…
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Why the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project Failed
What happens when billion-dollar environmental engineering relies on broken models? Dr. Dennis Truax sits down with veteran civil engineer Dennis Lambert to unpack the collapse of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project once positioned as a flagship solution to Louisiana’s land loss crisis....
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Finding the Why in Civil Engineering
Civil engineering isn’t just about concrete and calculations—it’s about people, purpose, and the long game. In this episode of 21st Century Engineer, Dr. Dennis Truax welcomes Josh Burnett, founder of Redesign Studio LLC, to talk through the real-world challenges and mindset shifts required in...
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Bridges, Resilience & Civil Engineering's Future
What inspires someone to become a civil engineer? In Autumn Buesking’s case: a childhood bridge, a statewide flood, and a spaghetti-and-glue design contest. In this episode of 21st Century Water, host Dr. Dennis Truax welcomes Autumn — named one of ASCE’s 2025 New Faces of Civil Engineering — to...
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Impact, Identity, and the Engineer’s Purpose
What does it take to build a meaningful engineering career in the 21st century?In this episode of The 21st Century Engineer, Dr. Dennis Truax sits down with Intisar Farhan Ahmed, geotechnical engineer and 2025 ASCE New Face of Civil Engineering, to explore how culture, mentorship, and proactive...
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Why Engineering Licensure Matters More Than Ever
In this episode of The 21st Century Engineer, host Dr. Dennis Truax welcomes Monica Gilmore, Executive Director of the Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors. Together, they unpack why professional licensure (PE) still matters in today’s evolving engineering...
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How LLMs Will Transform Civil Engineering
What happens when large language models (LLMs) become part of the engineering team? In this episode of the 21st Century Engineer Podcast, we sit down with William (Bill) Katzenmeyer, P.E., C.F.M. civil engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of CLB Engineering to explore how LLMs like GPT-4 are...
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Why 40% of Our Water Disappears
Welcome back to another episode of the 21st Century Engineer Podcast, where we explore innovation, infrastructure, and the minds reshaping our world. In this powerful episode, host Dennis sits down with Emma Quail, a seasoned expert in non-revenue water, leak detection, and water infrastructure...
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Breaking Barriers in Transportation Engineering
On this episode of the 21st Century Engineer, we welcome trailblazer Eileen Vélez Vega, PE, MSCE, a civil engineer and aviation specialist who made history as Puerto Rico’s first female Secretary of Transportation and Public Works.In conversation with Dr. Dennis Truxillo, Eileen shares the...
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Mentoring in Engineering: Why Every Civil Engineer Needs a Guide
In this episode, Dr. Dennis Turek sits down with Tirza Austin, community manager at ASCE, to talk about mentorship in engineering, how structured programs support career growth, and why mid-level professionals are the mentors most in demand. Tirza shares insights into how ASCE is redesigning...
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Why 60% of Civil Engineering Projects Fail
Dr. William Hayden Jr. joins us to explain why 60% of engineering projects don’t meet goals—and why it has nothing to do with technical ability. Drawing on global consulting work and a sharp eye for systems thinking, he shares stories from inside the AEC industry, his personal encounters with Dr....
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Digital Transformation in Civil Engineering
Dennis D. sits down with Tiffani Neilson (CMO, IoT Marketing) to explore how the engineering and infrastructure industries are adapting to digital transformation. From broadband access to AI-driven content and the future of trade shows, this episode breaks down the opportunities and challenges...
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The Burnout Behind America's Infrastructure Crisis
Why are so many civil engineers leaving the industry? In this episode, Scott, Dennis, and Miles dissect the toxic cultures, lack of purpose, and outdated systems driving talent out of one of America’s most essential professions. If you care about infrastructure, this one’s a must-listen.
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Engineers vs. AI: Who’s Really in Control?
Is artificial intelligence really a threat to engineering—or is it just another tool in the box? In this episode of The 21st Century Engineer, host Dennis sits down with Nick Heim, Senior Innovation Engineer at StructureCare and host of the AEC Engineering & Technology Podcast, to talk about the...
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How AI Is Rewriting Engineering Ethics
This episode of The 21st Century Engineer Podcast, Dennis sits down with Tara Hoke — ethics counsel for ASCE and a 20-year veteran in civil infrastructure — to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping the ethical responsibilities of modern engineers. From the collapse of IBM’s Watson to…
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Why the Future of Flood Engineering Depends on Data, Passion & Digital Twins
In Episode 7 of The 21st Century Engineer, we sit down with Sarah McEwen — PE, CFM, and Central Region Hydrology & Hydraulics Discipline Lead at Neel-Schaffer — to discuss what it means to lead the future of water resource engineering. From the Mississippi River Basin Model to AI, digital twins,...
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From Engineering Dreams to Global Impact
What happens when your dream to save the world meets the reality of design spreadsheets and construction sites? In this episode, Dr. Dennis Truax talks with civil engineer and nonprofit leader Laura Wilson, who shares how her early passion for environmental work turned into a career that spans...
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Building Impact: A Real Talk Between Generations of Civil Engineers
What does it mean to be a civil engineer in the 21st century? In this episode, we’re bridging generations — sitting down with young professional Matthew Jacobson for a real, thoughtful conversation about leadership, service, and engineering in a world that’s changing fast. Hosted by a past...
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Balancing Passion & Profession: An Engineer’s Journey from the Field to the Field
What does it take to balance two seemingly opposite careers? In today’s episode of The 21st Century Engineer, we sit down with Alexis Moran—a civil & environmental engineer who also spent five years as an NFL cheerleader for the New Orleans Saints. Alexis shares her remarkable journey—from...
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Will AI Replace Engineers? Digital Twins, Big Data & the Future of Engineering
Welcome to The 21st Century Engineering Podcast, where we dive into the future of engineering, technology, and infrastructure. Hosted by Dennis D. Truax, Ph.D., P.E., a distinguished leader in the civil engineering community, this podcast explores the rapidly evolving engineering landscape. Each...
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Ethics, Leadership, and Building a Legacy with Jacob Forester
In this episode of The 21st Century Engineering Podcast, Dr. Dennis D. Truax speaks with Jacob Forester, a former student and long-time friend, about his diverse career journey in civil engineering. Jacob reflects on his transition from consulting to government work and ultimately to starting his...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Dr. Dennis D. Truax, a renowned professional engineer, educator, and advocate for sustainable infrastructure. With over four decades of experience in academe, consulting, and environmental engineering, Dr. Truax dives deep into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of civil and environmental engineering. As the former President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Co-Founder of Bidcurement, Dr. Truax shares expert insights on workforce development, sustainable infrastructure practices, and innovative solutions for water resources and environmental management.
HOSTED BY
Dennis Truax
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does 21st Century Engineer have?
21st Century Engineer currently has 36 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is 21st Century Engineer about?
Dr. Dennis D. Truax, a renowned professional engineer, educator, and advocate for sustainable infrastructure. With over four decades of experience in academe, consulting, and environmental engineering, Dr. Truax dives deep into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of civil and...
How often does 21st Century Engineer release new episodes?
21st Century Engineer has 36 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to 21st Century Engineer?
You can listen to 21st Century Engineer on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts 21st Century Engineer?
21st Century Engineer is created and hosted by Dennis Truax.
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