Engineer Your Success

Episode 248 | Guest: Matt Gradados | Host Dr. James Bryant Episode Description Ignorance gets a bad rap. But this week’s guest, Matt Granados, calls it his greatest strategic asset — and once he explains why, you’ll see it too. James and Matt dig into what it actually takes to build a life and a business rooted in intentionality: the difference between truth and personal preference, why most people badly overestimate their own self-awareness, and the equation that determines whether your systems will produce the outcomes you actually want. If your calendar is full but your fulfillment is not, this conversation is for you. Key Takeaways Ignorance paired with humility is a strategic asset. The willingness to have your gaps exposed is what makes them fixable. Truth is constant. Application changes. Confusing personal opinion for truth is where most conflict starts. The Life Pulse equation: (how well you know yourself + how well you know them) multiplied by your system equals your outcome. A negative input tanks the result no matter how good the system is. Most people are not self-aware. Harvard research cited in the episode: 95 percent believe they are, only 10 to 14 percent actually are. The critical/supportive matrix: critical and unsupportive is mean, uncritical and supportive is dangerous, critical and supportive is love. Structure and rhythm are not confining — they are the conditions under which humans perform best. Every real coaching conversation follows three moves: expose the gap, bridge the gap, sustain the gap. Disagreement is not a failure of the conversation. It is part of the sharpening — but only when the goal is understanding, not winning. Fear is the mind killer. Worry is the time killer. You can bring both along for the ride, but neither belongs in the driver’s seat. Timestamps 00:00 — Cold open: fulfillment is a result of intentionality, not a byproduct of achievement 01:36 — Matt’s one word for himself: “ignorant” — and why it is his edge 04:00 — How Life Pulse started (and what Matt did not know about his own team) 05:35 — Truth vs. fact vs. opinion: why the distinction matters 09:39 — The debate: is everyone broken, or does everyone have room to grow? 22:20 — Weekly planning: two different systems, one shared principle 28:32 — Expose, bridge, sustain: how coaching actually works 34:13 — Mic Flip: Matt turns the questions on James 40:03 — Coach in Your Corner: five moves for a real disagreement About the Guest Matt Granados is the founder of Life Pulse Inc. and the creator of an intentionality-based coaching system he first built for himself, then adapted for his wife, his assistant, his sales team, and his warehouse team before turning it into the foundation of the company. He is the co-author of Motivate the Unmotivated and works with organizations across industries on optimal performance — high output at a sustainable pace, measured against a person’s own capacity. His work has taken him into companies including Twitter and into rooms ranging from ten people to ten thousand. Connect with Matt at lifepulseinc.com and on Instagram @LifePulseInc. About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. His mission is to help professionals win at work and at home by developing the leadership skills and presence that technical training alone does not provide. Sign up for the Winbydesign Newsletter at winbydesign.co

Guest: Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA | Host: Dr. James Bryant, P.E. A 22-year trial lawyer who walked away from a seven-figure career to become a peacemaker — and then took his methods into California’s most violent prison yards. Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA joins the show to break down a deceptively simple, neuroscience-backed technique for defusing any tense conversation in under 90 seconds. James and Doug unpack why naming an emotion calms a nervous system faster than logic ever will, the three objections every leader raises before they try it, and what it means to lead people as nervous systems first and rational thinkers second. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a tool you can use in your very next hard conversation — and know exactly when it’s the wrong one to reach for. Key Takeaways Naming someone’s emotion out loud (“you feel angry”) calms their nervous system automatically — it’s a biological response, not a soft skill trick. The technique works because it reactivates the prefrontal cortex while quieting the brain’s threat response, confirmed by UCLA brain-scanning research. Use a “you” statement, never an “I” statement — the moment you say “I think you feel,” the focus shifts to you instead of them and the technique stops working. Don’t ask “are you angry?” — questions require a working prefrontal cortex, which a dysregulated person doesn’t have access to in the moment. Being wrong about the emotion doesn’t break the technique — the act of trying to name it still tells the other person they’re being heard. Affect labeling can’t be used to manipulate — it only works when it comes from genuine authenticity, something tested directly inside the Prison of Peace project. Every brain in a meeting is unconsciously asking three questions before it can engage: Am I safe? Can I trust you? Do I matter to you? Leaders get faster decisions and more loyalty by regulating people’s nervous systems first, then asking for their input — not the other way around. If someone pushes back with “are you my therapist?” it usually means the technique was done well but too aggressively — back off, then reintroduce it more subtly a few minutes later. Treating people as nervous systems first doesn’t replace logic and data — it’s an additional tool, not a substitute for analytical thinking. Timestamps 00:00 — Why technical leaders are trained to solve problems, not manage emotions 01:40 — Doug’s path from 22-year trial lawyer to peacemaker 07:06 — Sarah’s story: an 18-year prison letter, and the breakthrough behind it 10:43 — The two-word technique — “You feel ___” — and the neuroscience behind it 12:34 — The three objections every leader raises before trying it 24:31 — What most leaders get wrong about human nature 26:44 — Nervous system leadership: the three questions every brain asks 32:36 — Mic Flip – What’s one question Doug has for James 35:00 — The Coach in Your Corner – Choose tools that are fit for purpose About the Guest Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA spent 22 years as a trial lawyer before leaving the practice to earn a master’s degree in peacemaking and conflict studies. In 2009 he co-founded Prison of Peace with Laurel Coffren, spending a decade training people serving life sentences in California and Connecticut prisons to mediate conflict and stop violence using affect labeling. He is the author of De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less, and his next book, Empathy Leadership, releases in September from Simon & Schuster and is available for pre-order now. Connect with Doug at dougnoll.com or dougnoll.substack.com, where he publishes in-depth articles on emotional regulation and conflict resolution. About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. His mission is to help professionals win at work and at home by developing the leadership skills and presence that technical training alone does not provide. Subscribe to the Win By Design Newsletter for weekly leadership insights: www.winbydesign.co

Guest: Hitisha “Tish” Sharma, P.E. | Host: Dr. James Bryant, P.E. | Episode 246 What does it look like when a podcast becomes a coaching relationship before you ever meet the host? Hitisha “Tish” Sharma, P.E. — Associate Principal and Head of Electrical at a Bay Area engineering firm — has been part of the Engineer Your Success community for a long time, and in this episode she traces the full arc of that journey. From the specific episode that changed how she showed up to a career-defining interview, to her evolution from Lead Electrical Engineer to department head to Associate Principal, Tish walks through what it actually looks like to design a career intentionally — and what you have to be willing to do to get there. This is not a typical guest interview. It’s a listener’s honest account of what growth costs, what it produces, and why having a coach in your corner — even through a podcast — can change the trajectory of your career and your life. Key Takeaways The EYS Podcast stands out for MEP engineering professionals because it combines engineering-specific relevance with life and career wisdom — a combination that almost doesn’t exist anywhere else. When you can’t believe in yourself, borrow the belief of the people who do — your tribe is a resource, not just support. Career questions evolve as you grow: from “Am I qualified?” to “What are the right opportunities for me?” — discernment becomes more important than ambition. Work-life balance is less about balance and more about building your life around your priorities and designing how everything else fits in. The people in your personal life can either fuel you or drain you — curating that circle is just as strategic as any career move. When your work becomes mission, the energy equation changes — you stop asking how to recover from work and start finding that work itself restores you. Communicating openly with your inner circle about your season of focus is what keeps relationships alive through growth — not asking for permission, but keeping people engaged. You’re not leaving people behind when your growth diverges — you are giving them freedom to stay where they are while you keep moving forward. Timestamps 00:01 — Introduction — Welcome and overview of Tish’s long-time listener journey 01:04 — What makes EYS uniquely valuable for MEP engineering professionals 05:20 — The episode that changed everything: borrowed belief and Tish’s first career pivot 12:43 — Tish’s career arc: from Lead Electrical Engineer to Associate Principal 15:56 — Priorities over balance: Tish’s evolved approach to winning at work and at home 19:18 — When work becomes mission, not just a job 23:41 — Curating your inner circle: multipliers vs. friction 28:39 — Mic Flip — Tish asks James: What impact do you want your book to have? About the Guest Hitisha “Tish” Sharma, P.E. is an Associate Principal and Head of the Electrical Department at a mid-sized engineering firm in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she also leads business development efforts. A long-time listener of the Engineer Your Success podcast, Tish has navigated significant career transitions — from Lead Electrical Engineer to department head — while building a clear, priorities-driven approach to career growth. She is a returning EYS guest, previously featured in Episode 158: Crafting a Holistic Career: Engineering, Leadership and Personal Growth. She has also collaborated with Dr. Bryant on leadership development programming for the transportation sector. Connect with Tish on LinkedIn: Hitisha Sharma PE, PMP | LinkedIn About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. His mission is to help professionals win at work and at home by developing the leadership skills and presence that technical training alone does not provide. Signup for the Win By DESIGN our weekly newsletter at winbydesign.co

Guest: Nick Serfass | Host: Dr. James Bryant Episode Description What happens when the skills you built in one profession turn out to be exactly what another field needs — even though you never planned for it? Nick Serfass trained as an architect, spent years designing healthcare facilities, and then accidentally built a career leading one of Richmond’s most impactful tech organizations. As executive director of the Richmond Technology Council, Nick has spent eight years shaping the region’s tech community from the inside. In this episode, Nick breaks down what’s actually driving Richmond’s tech growth, why AI’s explosion reminds him of a ketchup bottle, and how design thinking transfers to building communities, events, and entire city ecosystems. If you’ve ever wondered what an “accidental” career pivot really looks like — and why it works — this conversation delivers. Key Takeaways Architecture gave Nick “design thinking” — the ability to look at the total landscape and put pieces together — and that skill travels across industries in ways most people don’t anticipate The Richmond tech community has shifted dramatically: technologists who once stayed behind their screens are now out, engaged, and building relationships in ways that are changing the culture of the field “Not everything we do is for everyone, but there’s something for everyone” — the RTC runs events across cybersecurity, data, women in tech, product design, and software development, intentionally serving different slices of the community Richmond’s biggest challenge isn’t a lack of activity — it’s brand clarity; when everyone is trying to highlight everything, the message lands for no one The most successful companies start with a specific, focused mission — and Richmond’s tech story is most powerful when it’s told with that same discipline AI’s growth isn’t just about the technology itself — it’s about the pace of advancement, and COVID accelerated that by driving an entire global population online almost overnight Nick’s approach to career: he volunteered his way into a new path, gave himself two years to try it, and those two years became eight — the best career moves aren’t always planned, they’re followed Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction to the RVA Leaders Impact mini-series 02:15 — Nick’s take on Richmond’s current tech ecosystem 04:49 — How an architect ends up running a city’s tech council 07:24 — What’s changed most in tech — the ketchup bottle AI analogy 10:05 — How the culture and people of Richmond’s tech community are evolving 12:32 — Inside the Richmond Technology Council: mission, events, and the “Tech’s Most Creative City” campaign 14:37 — Richmond’s biggest challenge: defining a brand identity that cuts through 20:40 — The mic flip: Nick asks James what he’s reading About the Guest Nick Serfass is a licensed architect who spent the early part of his career in healthcare design before transitioning into association leadership. He has led multiple national and regional organizations, including the national organization of architects and its student body, before joining the Richmond Technology Council. For the past eight years, he has served as the executive director of RVATech, driving events, community building, and Richmond’s positioning as a creative tech hub. He is reachable at [email protected] or on LinkedIn, and RVATech’s website is RVATech.com. On the side, he documents his reading on Instagram at @NickSerfass and on TikTok at @ArchNick. About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. His mission is to help professionals win at work and at home by developing the leadership skills and presence that technical training alone does not provide. Get Weekly Leadership Insights at Win By Design: www.winbydesign.co

How to stop avoiding the meeting you know you need to have and close the gap between what you intend and what you do. Episode Description There’s a difference between knowing what you should do and actually doing it — and most leaders have felt that gap. In this episode, Dr. James Bryant shares a real coaching story about a high-performing engineer named Debbie who kept deferring one critical leadership action for two years, not because she lacked talent or drive, but because she didn’t have a system for closing the distance between intention and action. James walks through the coaching conversation that finally moved her: the reframe that helped her see her own avoidance clearly, the vision she built toward instead of away from fear, and the moment she scheduled the meeting live on their call. What followed surprised her and changed the entire team. This episode also introduces the Win by Design framework — a practical, structured approach to intentional leadership built around the DESIGN acronym (Decide, Envision, Strategize, Integrate, Grow, Nourish) — and announces the Win by Design newsletter at winbydesign.co. Key Takeaways The gap between what you intend to do and what you actually do is not a motivation problem — it is a design problem, and it is fixable. Avoidance compounds: every day you don’t act, the weight of inaction grows and quietly starts to function as permission to keep waiting. As engineers, we would never let the cost of a delayed decision justify an indefinite delay on a critical project — but leaders do exactly that in their leadership all the time. You don’t need to eliminate a fear-based mental picture to move. Place a new vision beside it — design toward the outcome you want, not away from the one you fear. There is a meaningful difference between putting something on a to-do list and actually scheduling it. An event on the calendar is real. An intention is not. When a leader shows up consistently, the team opens up — siloed information starts moving, and relationships that appeared adversarial often turn out to be something entirely different. Winning by design means making deliberate choices about your leadership instead of letting circumstances, other people’s reactions, or the accumulated weight of what you haven’t done make those choices for you. Timestamps 00:00 — The gap between intention and action 02:00 — Debbie’s story: a regional engineer and a team she’s been avoiding 03:41 — The real hesitation: the team member she timed her emails around 06:00 — Building a new vision: designing toward success instead of away from fear 09:01 — Scheduling the meeting live: from intention to real commitment 10:05 — The outcome: what actually happened in the room 12:04 — Win by Design: introducing the DESIGN framework 15:31 — Win by Design newsletter + Flip the Mic About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. His mission is to help professionals win at work and at home by developing the leadership skills and presence that technical training alone does not provide. Connect with James at engineeryoursuccessnow.com. Resources Mentioned Win by Design newsletter Ask James Anything

Beyond the numbers on your dashboard lies a metric you can’t easily graph but can’t afford to ignore: love. In this episode of the Engineer Your Success Podcast, Dr. James Bryant continues the RVA Leaders Impact mini-series with Utibe “T-bay” Bassey, Vice President of Customer Experience at Dominion Energy and author of Love as a KPI. Together, they explore why the way people see and treat themselves—and others—may be the most important driver of long-term business results. Utibe shares the story behind coining “Love as a KPI,” what she really means by love in a business context, and how leaders can identify the tangible indicators that love is present in their culture, products, and customer experiences. She and Dr. Bryant discuss the fears that often keep leaders from naming love out loud, the surprising welcome this message has received in corporate environments, and how carrying this message has transformed her personally. If you’re a leader who’s tired of chasing metrics that miss the human reality behind your organization’s performance, this conversation will help you reframe how you think about success. You’ll walk away with a new lens for your KPIs, a deeper appreciation for the people behind the numbers, and practical insight on what it means to truly “lead with love as a KPI.” Weekly Newsletter If you want ongoing tools to design your leadership and life on purpose, subscribe to James’s weekly newsletter, Win by DESIGN, at winbydesign.co. Key Takeaways Love, as a leadership principle, means pursuing the highest good of a person — even when it costs you something. It’s not a feeling; it’s a standard. Every business outcome leaders want — retention, referrals, loyalty, discretionary effort — lives in the hands of people. You can’t separate human well-being from business performance long-term. The thing you’ve been putting off because of fear — the message, the idea, the step — is nudging you for a reason. At some point the burden to do what you’re supposed to do outgrows your concern about what people think. How your employees see and treat themselves directly shapes how they show up for customers. Employee self-perception is an organizational performance variable. Businesses interact with people daily and can either affirm or erode their sense of worth — that’s a leadership responsibility, not just an HR function. The message you put out into the world will try you first. If you’re going to carry it, you have to be it. Your inherent worth isn’t earned, assigned by titles, or confirmed by likes. It was assigned before you showed up — and building from that foundation changes everything. Connecting the dots across your career — what excites you, what drains you, what gives you energy — tells a story about who you’re supposed to be. Most people never take the time to read it. Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction: The KPI most leaders are afraid to name 01:49 — Who is Utibe? Beyond the title 05:20 — The origin of “Love as a KPI” — how the phrase found her 07:28 — Defining love as a leadership standard (not a feeling) 10:28 — Three to four years of carrying the message: what changed 17:41 — Utibe’s role at Dominion Energy and the RVA connection 23:45 — What Utibe wants every person to know about their worth 26:56 — Coach in Your Corner: Dr. James Bryant on Applying “love as a KPI” to yourself  About the Guest Utibe Bassey is Vice President of Customer Experience at Dominion Energy and the author of Love as a KPI. Her work sits at the intersection of organizational performance and human dignity — making the case that how leaders treat people is not a soft add-on to strategy, it is strategy. You can connect with Utibe on LinkedIn by searching “Utibe Richmond” or “Love as a KPI,” follow her at @LoveasaKPI on Instagram, or visit loveasakpi.com. About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. His mission is to help professionals win at work and at home by developing the leadership skills and presence that technical training alone does not provide. To keep designing your leadership and life on purpose, subscribe to James’s weekly newsletter, Win by DESIGN, at winbydesign.co

Ryland Potter is the U.S. Director at WDM, a company specializing in pavement condition measurement and friction management. Her work helps transportation agencies use friction data and leading indicators to make proactive decisions about their road networks — part of a broader effort to bring asset management thinking to road safety. In this conversation, she traces her own path through management consulting, a community grocery store that almost was, and finally to the work that fits. Along the way: why curiosity is the option-preserving skill she leans on most, what burnout taught her about updating her thinking, and how she approaches change management as a daily practice rather than a formal plan. Key Takeaways Reactive systems wait for failure. Proactive systems track the leading indicators that predict failure before it happens — and the same logic applies to roads, careers, and leadership. Friction changes in time and in space. The places that demand the most from you are the places that wear down fastest. Knowing where your demand is highest is the first step to managing it. There is no inherent value in data. The value is in implementing decisions from it. Most agencies do not lack data — they lack the work of turning data into useful information. Burnout is often the signal that the best available option has stopped being good enough. The discomfort is the data. Holding your plan loosely is not the same as having no plan. A tight plan held loosely is what allows you to navigate the conditions life actually presents you. Curiosity is a leadership skill. Approaching conversations without all the answers opens up possibilities that confirmation-driven thinking forecloses. We are not who we think we are. We are not the vision of who we want to be. We are eventually what our habits create — which is why systems matter more than goals. Change management is rarely a formal plan. It is the daily practice of choosing whether to move with what is in front of you or reject it. Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction 01:00 — Why pavement friction matters to everyone, not just engineers 03:00 — The shift from reactive to proactive road safety 07:00 — 40,000 fatal crashes a year and what data-driven decisions could change 13:00 — One word to describe yourself: thoughtful, curious, options 17:00 — Returning to Richmond after management consulting burnout 19:00 — What management consulting taught Ryland about updating her priors 26:00 — The community grocery store that almost was 30:00 — Change management as a daily practice, not a formal plan 32:00 — Advice for listeners considering a change 35:00 — The mic flip: what would you go down the rabbit hole on? 36:00 — Vision, curiosity, and the power of habits 39:00 — Coach in Your Corner About the Guest Ryland Potter is the U.S. Director at WDM, a UK-headquartered company with 80 years of experience in pavement condition measurement and the original developers of SCRIM continuous pavement friction technology. After a decade in management consulting and a stint with the State of Virginia, she now works with departments of transportation and private industry to bring proactive friction management into modern asset management practice. She is based in Richmond, Virginia. Connect with Ryland on LinkedIn. WDM | Global Leader of Intelligent Road Management Services Ryland Potter | LinkedIn About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. His mission is to help professionals win at work and at home by developing the leadership skills and presence that technical training alone does not provide. Sign-up for the Win By Design Newsletter Here

Most people can name a building. Very few can name the people who made it possible. Crystal Miller is on a mission to change that — and she is starting long before students ever set foot on a job site. As the program director for architecture and AEC programs at Brightpoint Community College, Crystal sits at the intersection of education, workforce development, and mentorship. In this conversation, she breaks down what it really takes to build the next generation of engineering and construction professionals — and why the pathway to the built environment starts much earlier than most people think. Key Takeaways Architecture is a calling, not a career choice — Crystal’s first filter for every student who walks through her door Community colleges fill a specific and critical gap in the AEC pipeline: entry-level talent with real-world readiness Industry partnerships are not optional — advisory boards, job postings, guest lectures, and career fairs are embedded in how the program operates The AEC workforce is aging out faster than it is being replenished, creating a widening gap between entry-level and mid-level positions Soft skills — or as emerging educators are calling them, durable skills — are the single most consistent gap Crystal sees in students at every level You cannot be a designer if you cannot defend your ideas — public speaking and listening are taught as core design competencies, not extras The historical registry class project is a masterclass in experiential learning: real client, real paperwork, real field work, real outcome Richmond’s AEC market is unusually resilient — a mix of private, government, military, medical, and data center work insulates it from volatility Every student who wants a job leaving Crystal’s program has one when they graduate — sometimes before The pipeline has to start at middle school, not college — Crystal is already working in K-12 environments to introduce design and AEC pathways earlier Timestamps 00:00 — Host intro to the RVA Leadership Series and Crystal Miller’s work at Brightpoint 01:13 — Crystal’s origin story: architecture as a calling from age seven 02:22 — Burnout, the recession, and falling into teaching by accident 03:06 — What solidified teaching for Crystal: real-time impact and non-traditional students 04:15 — Overview of the Brightpoint AEC programs: degrees, pathways, and what students can pursue 05:11 — What sets the program apart: informed career decisions before the debt of a four-year school 07:29 — How the program connects to industry: advisory boards, job postings, guest lectures, career fairs 08:43 — The aging workforce gap and where community colleges fit in the pipeline 10:04 — AI and emerging technology in architecture education: honest about what they are and are not yet teaching 11:58 — Helping students discover their why: individual advising and the historical registry project 16:26 — Beyond technical skill: durable skills, public speaking, and listening as design competencies 20:09 — Richmond’s strengths as an AEC market: geography, diversity of work, and relationship culture 23:34 — What excites Crystal most: the community college becoming a true connector in the pipeline 25:11 — Starting the pipeline at middle school and high school, not college 26:22 — How to find Crystal and the Brightpoint programs 26:37 — Mic Flip: Crystal asks James about his most memorable podcast moments About the Guest Crystal Miller is a licensed architect in Virginia and Arizona with approximately 15 years of experience in the field. She currently leads the architecture and AEC programs at Brightpoint Community College in the Richmond, Virginia area, where she oversees degrees and pathways in architectural engineering technology, CAD and modeling, building construction and supervision, and GIS and survey. Her background includes expertise in historical renovation and adaptive reuse, and she is actively involved in K-12 design education through volunteer work, camps, and school programs. Listeners can find program information at the Brightpoint Community College website — Crystal will provide a direct link. https://www.brightpoint.edu/majors/architectural-engineering-technology-aas About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. His mission is to help professionals win at work and at home by developing the leadership skills and presence that technical training alone does not provide.

Most leaders finish a quarter with a feeling — good or bad — but can’t fully explain why. The problem is usually the same: they never defined what winning looked like. In this Quarterly Review episode, Dr. James Bryant pulls back the curtain on Q1 2026 at Engineer Your Success — what the numbers actually mean, what worked, what didn’t, and what’s being built for Q2. This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s an honest look at how intentional leadership actually operates. Key Takeaways Downloads are a vanity metric — retention is the real indicator of audience relationship. 89% of EYS listeners complete at least 75% of every episode. Measuring engagement across multiple signals — downloads, email open rates, response rates, and real conversations — gives a more honest picture than any single number. When something isn’t working, a pivot is not a failure. It’s the application of the same engineering discipline you bring to your projects. The weekly emails have been the most consistently resonant content in the EYS ecosystem — and that content is coming to audio. Winning at work and at home doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design — and that requires defining what winning looks like before the quarter starts, not after it ends. You cannot course correct what you never defined. If you can’t name your three leadership KPIs for Q2 right now, that is the work. Building tight plans and holding them loosely is not a compromise — it’s how leaders stay responsive without losing direction. Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome and episode setup 01:15 — How EYS measures success: downloads, retention, and engagement 02:30 — The 89% retention stat and what it actually means 03:45 — What’s been working: Coach in Your Corner, Mic Flip, email series 05:15 — What didn’t work: EYS Insiders and the pivot 06:30 — What’s coming: Best of Emails series, Win By Design newsletter, subscriber highlights 07:45 — The book update: manuscript complete, Marcus, and the four-step Blueprint 09:00 — RVA Leadership Series tease and Ask James Anything 09:45 — Coach in Your Corner: Your Q2 KPIs About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. His mission is to help engineering and technical professionals win at work and at home by developing the leadership skills and presence that technical training alone does not provide. Connect with Dr. Bryant at sleek.bio/eyspod. Resources Mentioned Win By Design Newsletter — weekly leadership content for engineering professionals. Official launch June 2026. Sign up here: EYS Email Update – Engineer Your Success Ask James Anything — submit your question by voice or text: https://app.voiceform.com/to/4Mmw5ss8ADqGBukK The Engineer’s Blueprint for Success: Stop Balancing, Start Winning — book in revision, coming soon. sleek.bio/eyspod — podcast hub, newsletter signup, and Ask James Anything

Episode 239 Most business owners reach a point where they realize their company depends on them for everything — and that dependency isn’t just exhausting, it’s a ceiling on growth. But knowing that isn’t enough. The harder question is: what do you actually do about it? In this episode, Dr. James Bryant sits down with Laurie Barkman, a business advisor who has spent her career helping entrepreneurs navigate the grow, transition, and exit chapters of business ownership. Laurie brings a rare combination of C-suite experience, including leading through a billion-dollar acquisition, and on-the-ground advisory work with mature business owners who are ready to build something that doesn’t require them to be in every room. If you’ve ever wondered whether your business could thrive without you — and what it would take to get there — this conversation delivers both the framework and the mindset shift to start. Key Takeaways Owner dependency is often a process problem, not a people problem — most leaders blame the wrong thing. There are two types of business owners: sunsetters who keep delaying transition, and investors who are growing toward it. Knowing which one you are changes everything. Identity is the invisible ceiling — the stronger a leader’s identity is tied to the business, the harder it is to let go in a healthy way. The vacation test is a simple diagnostic: if your business breaks when you step away, you haven’t built an organization — you’ve built a dependency. Delegation fails most often because leaders hand off the task but keep the decision rights. True delegation requires handing off the authority to match. Laurie’s BUILT method — Blueprint, Unlock, Integrate, Lead, Transition — gives business owners a concrete framework for reducing owner dependency and building toward a successful exit. Letting go doesn’t just reduce a leader’s workload — it increases job satisfaction and clarity for the entire organization. The head, heart, and wallet framework: decisions in business transitions require logic, emotional readiness, and financial clarity — and most owners are weak in at least one of the three. Timestamps 00:00 — Opening & Introducing Laurie Barkman 01:40 — One word: Laurie’s answer and why it frames the whole conversation 02:44 — Laurie’s career path and the billion-dollar acquisition 05:35 — The two types of business owners — and which one you want to be 07:46 — Why technical and engineering firm owners make ideal clients 12:04 — The bottleneck is rarely who you think it is 14:10 — The Business Transition Handbook and the BUILT Method 21:55 — CIYC: Delegate. Equip. Empower with Authority. About the Guest Laurie Barkman is a business advisor, author, and founder of The Business Transition Sherpa®, where she works with mature business owners navigating the grow, transition, and exit chapters of entrepreneurship. She is the author of The Business Transition Handbook and the host of the award-winning Succession Stories podcast, which ranks in the top 2% globally. Her work is grounded in firsthand C-suite experience, including serving as CEO of a third-generation company that sold in a billion-dollar acquisition. Laurie works primarily with technical, analytical, and AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) firm owners who want a structured, clear-eyed approach to building lasting business value. Connect with Laurie at lauriebarkman.me or find her on LinkedIn. About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. His mission is to help professionals win at work and at home by developing the leadership skills and presence that technical training alone does not provide. www,engineeryoursuccessnow.com

What if exhaustion at the end of the day has nothing to do with how hard you worked — and everything to do with the state you were in while doing it? In this episode, Dr. James Bryant sits down with Deri Llewellyn-Davies, a former chemical engineer who spent decades studying peak performance in both extreme sport and the boardroom, to explore the science of flow state and why most leaders are unknowingly blocking their own ability to access it. You will walk away with a clear understanding of what flow state actually is, how to build the conditions that make it possible, and why the state you are in does not just affect your performance — it affects everyone around you. Key Takeaways Flow state is not a hack or a shortcut. It requires purpose, a commitment to mastery, and intrinsic motivation. Remove any one of those three and flow will not come. Technology has not just distracted us — it has hijacked our neurochemistry. The always-on phone keeps most leaders stuck in a high cortisol, reactive state that blocks creativity, focus, and genuine connection. High performance requires recovery. Athletes never skip recovery after an Ironman. Leaders routinely skip it after a demanding workday. The biological need is the same. There are six ultra states, not just flow. Flow, focus, peak, recovery, reboot, and ultra connect each serve a different purpose and require different conditions to access deliberately. The leader’s state sets the temperature for everyone in the room. When you walk in on cortisol, your team feels it immediately. Presence is not just personal — it is a leadership responsibility. Burnout is not about working too hard. It is about values misalignment, feeling unrewarded, and losing connection to purpose — a distinction that changes how you diagnose and address it. Identity built on a single thing is fragile. Deri’s second burnout came when the financial crisis stripped away the wealth his entire identity was attached to. Purpose-anchored identity survives loss. Presence is a decision, not a default. Without an intentional transition between work and home, most people are never fully in either place — and the people around them feel that absence. Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction and episode overview 01:35 — Deri’s journey from chemical engineering to high performance leadership 06:39 — Why post-COVID work culture is blocking peak performance 08:36 — What flow state actually is and the science behind it 12:45 — How to intentionally access flow: the three prerequisites 17:15 — McKinsey research and the six ultra states framework 22:39 — Why ultra connect may be the most important state of all 25:45 — Deri’s two burnouts and what they revealed 30:09 — The inner work: purpose, identity, and rebuilding 33:24 — How to connect with Deri 34:27 — Mike Flip: Deri asks James about his own flow practice About the Guest Deri Llewellyn-Davies is a former chemical engineer who rose to European board level within a decade before transitioning into management consulting and board advisory work. Over the past 25 years he has advised hundreds of scale-up businesses and has sat on more than 330 boards. His work in ultra endurance sport — including climbing the world’s highest mountains and completing Ironman triathlons — led him to develop the Ultra States framework, which helps leaders deliberately design the performance states they operate in. His book Ultra States is available as a free download at ultra-states.com. He is most active on LinkedIn under Deri Llewellyn-Davies. About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. His mission is to help professionals win at work and at home by developing the leadership skills and presence that technical training alone does not provide.

Episode 237 Description What does it look like when an industrial engineer decides that marketing has a measurement problem — and builds an entire business to solve it? Andy Janaitis, founder of PPC Pitbulls, turned his engineering training into a competitive advantage in a field that rarely asks whether the data is actually right. In this episode, Andy breaks down the systematic gap he found in digital advertising and why an engineering mindset may be the most valuable asset you bring into a non-traditional field. Key Takeaways Industrial engineering is “business engineering” — the problem-solving framework transfers to virtually any industry Most paid advertising fails not because the ads are bad, but because the underlying data is wrong or misunderstood Before optimizing for more leads, you have to map the full pipeline — from click all the way to paying customer Clients often don’t know their own goal clearly enough — the real consulting work starts with defining what success actually means Human judgment in the loop will not be replaced by AI; strategic context is the irreplaceable piece Career transitions can be de-risked: Andy negotiated part-time hours before going all in — that move is more available than most engineers think AI proficiency is now a competitive differentiator — engineers who use these tools aggressively will outperform those who resist Your engineering mindset is an asset in non-traditional fields — especially where everyone else is guessing Timestamps 00:00 — What drew Andy to industrial engineering 01:32 — What he thought his career would look like coming out of school 02:42 — Discovering data and modeling as a discipline 05:15 — Early career in government consulting and engineering management 08:08 — The decision to go out on his own 11:33 — Building PPC Pitbulls around a data-first marketing approach 13:46 — The biggest challenge: helping clients define the real goal 16:34 — Mapping the full client pipeline from lead to paying customer 17:49 — The surprising gap: how often businesses misread their own data 21:50 — Advice for engineers who want to branch out 25:19 — AI, existential risk, and how Andy’s firm stays ahead 29:27 — Where PPC Pitbulls is growing next — specialty manufacturers 31:39 — Mic Flip: Andy interviews James 33:58 — Coach in Your Corner About the Guest Andy Janaitis is an industrial engineer turned digital marketing entrepreneur and the founder of PPC Pitbulls, a data-driven paid advertising agency. He applies engineering systems thinking to Google and Meta advertising — helping small and medium businesses measure what is actually working, identify where their pipeline leaks, and drive real business outcomes rather than vanity metrics. Andy works especially with specialty manufacturers and B2B businesses that have strong products but weak digital visibility. Listeners can book a free strategy session directly with Andy at ppcpitbulls.com. About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. His mission is to help professionals win at work and at home by developing the leadership skills and presence that technical training alone does not provide. Get Your weekly Leadership Insights here: https://www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com/eys-email-update

Episode 236: Most engineers and technical professionals are promoted because they’re exceptional at their craft. But nobody tells you that the skills that got you promoted are almost entirely different from the skills you need to lead. If you’ve ever felt underprepared stepping into a management role, this episode will tell you why — and more importantly, what to do about it. Ben Perreau is a former music journalist turned leadership strategist who has advised senior executives at major global organizations. He now helps early career managers build leadership capabilities in real time through his company Parafoil. Ben brings a rare perspective — he’s lived the IC-to-leader transition himself, stumbled through it, and spent his career helping others navigate it better than he did. In this conversation, Ben and James dig into why frontline managers are chronically undersupported, how feedback became the turning point in Ben’s own leadership journey, and what it actually takes to go from high performer to high-impact leader. Plus — James flips the mic and shares the one thing he wishes he had known earlier in his career. Key Takeaways: Almost every individual contributor who transitions to manager is underprepared — not because they’re not talented, but because it’s a fundamentally different career requiring different skills Feedback is the primary mechanism for leadership growth, but most people aren’t ready to receive it even when it’s being given to them High performance requires high learning — the most effective leaders treat their development like an agile process, not an annual review Creating space for reflection — whether through journaling, coaching, or conversation — is a non-negotiable leadership practice As AI takes over more technical work, human judgment, discernment, creativity, and moral reasoning become the differentiating leadership skills Timestamps: [00:24] Introduction — The frontline manager gap and who this episode is for [01:24] What Ben learned advising senior executives at Fortune 100 companies [04:28] Where the real friction is — why frontline managers are left carrying culture change [07:12] Why moving from IC to leader is a career change most people aren’t prepared for [09:05] Ben’s story — from music journalist to accidental manager at 24 [12:51] The moment feedback changed everything — and why pride almost got in the way [16:03] How feedback accelerates leadership development in frontline managers [17:40] The case for continuous feedback vs. the annual performance review [19:43] Are you ready to receive feedback? James coaches directly to the listener [21:48] Practical takeaways — reflection, the whole person, and leading in an AI world [24:23] Mic Flip — Ben asks James what he wishes he had known earlier [26:46] Closing — James thanks Ben [26:57] Coach in Your Corner — Feedback is data, not a verdict on your worth Guest Information: Name: Ben Perreau, Leadership Strategist and Co-founder of Parafoil Contact: [email protected] Website: parafoil.co About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is a professional engineer, executive coach, and the host of Engineer Your Success — a podcast dedicated to helping engineering professionals win at work and at home. James brings a unique blend of technical expertise and leadership coaching to help engineers grow beyond their discipline and into their full potential as leaders.

Episode Description Most leaders are already selling every day. They just don’t call it that. In this episode, Drew Norton — sales trainer, podcast host, and founder of the Everyday Sales Leader — makes the case that influence, discovery, and communication aren’t sales skills or leadership skills. They’re the same skill set, and most engineers are leaving them on the table. Drew spent over a decade building and leading sales teams before turning his focus to training professionals how to communicate clearly, handle resistance, and influence outcomes — without twisting anyone’s arm. His perspective is especially valuable for technical professionals: the goal of sales isn’t to convince — it’s to guide someone through a process of self-discovery until they reach their own conclusion. In this conversation, Drew and James dig into the transition from technical expert to seller-doer, why introverts often outperform extroverts in sales, the three A’s of leadership, and how the inner narrative you carry is the hidden ceiling on everything you’re trying to build — at work and at home. Key Takeaways Great salespeople don’t convince — they guide people to their own conclusions through discovery Engineers transitioning to seller-doer roles tend to over-feature-dump; buyers decide based on benefits and emotional outcomes, not specs The three A’s (Acknowledge, Ask, Agreement) apply equally to closing a sale and correcting a struggling team member Confidence in others starts with confidence in yourself — your inner narrative directly limits your external results You don’t have to choose between winning at work and winning at home; most bottlenecks trace back to leadership or systems, not time Timestamps [00:00]  Introduction — Why sales skills are leadership skills [01:26]  Sales is life: Drew’s core philosophy on communication and influence [04:53]  Drew’s journey — door-to-door sales to training leaders [06:29]  Overcoming the stigma of sales and finding the moral obligation to serve [09:14]  Advice for engineers becoming seller-doers: stop feature-dumping, start benefit-connecting [11:12]  How government and internal leaders can use sales skills to influence teams [14:25]  The three A’s of leadership: Acknowledge, Ask, Agreement [16:12]  Self-leadership and the inner narrative that caps your success [21:52]  The Abundant Man: faith, family, fitness, and finance without sacrifice [26:13]  Mic flip — James answers: what does it take to engineer your own success? Guest Information Name:  Drew Norton, Everyday Sales Leader Website:  theeverydaysalesleader.com About the Host Dr. James Bryant, P.E. is an engineer, executive coach, and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He helps engineering professionals win at work and at home by bridging technical expertise with leadership development. Website: engineeryoursuccessnow.com All links: sleek.bio/eyspod

Episode 234 What if the phrase “psychological safety” has been getting it wrong all along? In this episode, organizational culture expert Hacia Atherton reframes the conversation entirely — it’s not about creating safe spaces. It’s about creating brave spaces. And for engineering leaders navigating high-pressure environments, that distinction changes everything about how you lead. Hacia’s background is as unconventional as her approach: she combines accounting, consulting, and positive psychology — and the origin of that third pillar is something she discovered not in a classroom, but during six months in a hospital bed after a near-fatal horse riding accident. That lived experience gives her a perspective on resilience, reframing, and human performance that is impossible to manufacture. In this conversation, Hacia and James explore why culture problems almost always show up in the numbers first, how leaders unknowingly trigger the people they’re trying to lead, and what it actually takes to help a team stop reacting and start responding — including a concrete conflict mediation framework you can bring to your next difficult conversation. Key Takeaways: Brave spaces, not safe spaces: Psychological safety isn’t about emotional coddling — it’s about whether people can speak up, share ideas, and show up as themselves without shutting down. Culture problems are financial problems: Overtime, turnover, and missed KPIs are often symptoms of psychological distress on the team — understanding the story behind the numbers is where the real work begins. Leaders don’t always fail from malice: Poor leadership often comes from unexamined personal triggers that no one helped them identify or address — and those blind spots have real consequences for team culture. Emotional mastery over emotional intelligence: Knowing you have emotions isn’t enough — the competitive advantage comes from learning to correctly label, interpret, and channel them rather than react from them. When people fill in the blanks, they fill them in differently: Lack of information from senior leadership causes middle managers to invent narratives — and those different narratives create friction, misalignment, and culture breakdown. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [02:38] The psychological story behind the numbers [06:08] Why people leave managers, not companies [10:08] Redefining psychological safety — brave spaces vs. safe spaces [11:27] How to transform workplace culture — the mirror work leaders must do [13:22] Conflict mediation in practice — a step-by-step framework [18:43] What new leaders aren’t prepared for [20:04] How information gaps create culture breakdown [21:35] Hacia’s personal journey — from near-fatal accident to positive psychology [26:23] Human competitive advantage in the age of AI [30:40] Guest question for the host [32:05] Coach in Your Corner Guest Information: Name: Hacia Atherton Website: haciaathe​rton.com About the Host: Dr. James Bryant, P.E. is an engineering leadership coach, the founder of Engineer Your Success, and the host of the Engineer Your Success Podcast. His mission is to help technical professionals design and live a life where they’re winning at work and at home. Connect with James at engineeryoursuccessnow.com or find him on LinkedIn.

Episode Description: What if you could build an engineering firm where clients actually want to work with you AND top engineers want to work for you? Most firms assume you have to choose – either technical excellence or great relationships. Daniel McCaulley, founder of Ultimus Engineering, proved you can have both. In this conversation, Daniel shares how he went from corporate engineer to building a multidisciplinary firm with a radically different culture. From his “super nerd athlete” background to implementing “trust to verify” remote work policies, Daniel reveals the systems, hiring practices, and leadership principles that make Ultimus a firm people genuinely enjoy working with – on both sides of the table. If you’ve ever thought engineering has to be stagnant or dry, this episode will challenge that assumption. Whether you’re building a technical team, starting a consulting practice, or just trying to create better client relationships, you’ll walk away with practical insights on culture-building, remote team management, and why prioritizing faith and family actually strengthens your business. Key Takeaways: Why hiring for “intangible qualities” matters more than trying to train engineers in soft skills they don’t naturally have The “trust to verify” approach to remote work management that balances flexibility with accountability How offering commission-based compensation to engineers encourages business development and client-facing skills The three-tier priority framework (faith, family, work) that prevents burnout and creates sustainable business growth Why adapting your leadership style to how each person needs to be led is more effective than using one management approach for everyone Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction – The “super nerd athlete” origin story[03:52] How team sports shaped Daniel’s approach to engineering collaboration[06:06] The dark side of “if you’re not first, you’re last” and managing competitive drive[12:55] Getting uncomfortable with Toastmasters and developing soft skills[17:38] Building Ultimus: Creating a customer service-focused engineering firm[20:49] Hiring philosophy: Finding engineers who already have the intangibles[25:18] The platinum rule of leadership – treating people how THEY want to be treated[28:40] Biggest headwind to growth: Finding culture-fit engineers[30:36] Faith as the foundation: Prioritizing in three tiers[35:51] Mike flip moment: The “one thing” principle and 80-20 rule Guest Information: Daniel McCaulley, P.E.Founder, Ultimus EngineeringMultidisciplinary engineering firm specializing in MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing), Aquatics Design, and Structural Engineering Website: ultimus.engineering or ultimusengineering.com Email: [email protected] About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He helps technical professionals and engineering leaders win at work and win at home through a philosophy of work-life integration rather than balance. James believes that work and home don’t compete – they work together to create the integrated life you want. Website: engineeryoursuccessnow.com LinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant All links: sleek.bio/eyspod

What happens when you’ve maxed out all your retirement accounts and followed every piece of conventional financial advice—but still aren’t sure you’re thinking about money the right way? Dr. Adam Link, founder of Fireweed Capital, brings a rare combination of Silicon Valley engineering leadership experience, multiple company exits, and deep finance expertise to challenge how technical professionals think about wealth, risk, and long-term decisions. In this conversation, Adam shares why optimizing for low fees might be costing you more than you think, how behavioral psychology sabotages even the smartest engineers during market downturns, and why your financial goals might be setting you up for disappointment. Whether you’re living paycheck to paycheck or sitting on excess wealth wondering “what’s next?”, this episode will shift how you think about the relationship between money and the life you actually want to build. Key Takeaways: Optimizing for low fees alone can cost you more than paying higher fees for better returns—it’s about net results, not minimizing costs The biggest financial mistake engineers make isn’t poor investment choices—it’s locking in losses during market downturns because they lack clarity on where they’re going Wealth without purpose becomes an endless cycle of “now what?”—defining what you want from life matters more than hitting arbitrary dollar milestones The abundance mindset isn’t just about money—it transforms how you approach career growth, time management, and resource allocation in engineering leadership “Feeling rich” doesn’t require millions—it starts when you have enough freedom to make choices aligned with what matters to you Timestamps: [00:25] Introduction [01:43] How money perspective evolves from finance to engineering leadership [05:25] What engineering leadership teaches about resource allocation and human emotions [10:28] The “I’ve done everything I’ve been told, now what?” challenge [12:20] Why you shouldn’t let the tax tail wag the income dog [14:50] The fee optimization trap engineers fall into [18:43] The $200,000 red number: Why psychology matters more than strategy [23:00] The third entrée story: When Adam first felt rich [26:28] Coach in Your Corner: What are you optimizing for? Guest Information: Name: Dr. Adam Link, Founder of Fireweed Capital Connect: fireweedcapital.com | [email protected] About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He helps technical professionals and engineering leaders make intentional decisions about how they lead, work, and live—so success in one domain strengthens the other. Learn more at engineeryoursuccessnow.com.

Episode Description What happens when the technical skills that fueled your early career stop producing the same results? In this episode, Dr. James Bryant is joined by Dr. Bushra Khan, professor at the University of Ottawa and leadership coach for tech and engineering leaders, to explore why so many engineers hit an invisible career ceiling five to ten years into their careers. This isn’t about working harder or sharpening technical expertise. It’s about recognizing that the role has changed — and the skills required to grow have changed with it. Dr. Khan shares a powerful real-world example of a VP who helped build a company from four people to more than 400, only to be let go years later because he couldn’t make the shift from technical expert to people leader. Together, James and Bushra unpack why terms like “soft skills” miss the mark, how leadership effectiveness depends on understanding how others experience work differently than you do, and why emotional intelligence is better understood as a strategic leadership discipline, not a personality trait. This conversation is for engineers and technical leaders who feel capable, committed, and driven — but sense that something has changed in how advancement works. If your effort no longer translates into momentum, this episode will help you understand why — and where to start. Key Takeaways Career growth often stalls not because performance declines, but because leadership expectations quietly shift Emotional intelligence plays a critical role in leadership effectiveness, particularly as engineers move into people leadership roles Micromanagement is frequently a coaching gap — leaders struggle to transfer what’s in their head to others “My hard isn’t your hard” — effective leadership requires understanding that others experience challenge differently than you did Global future-of-work research consistently points to strategic capabilities like decision-making, influence, and self-awareness as essential for senior leadership A practical starting point: choose one leadership competency, prepare intentional questions before difficult conversations, and externalize your thinking to reduce stress-driven reactions Timestamps [00:24] Introduction — Why some engineers plateau while others break through [01:17] Dr. Bushra Khan’s background — Professor, speaker, and leadership coach [02:30] The “styrofoam wall” — why smart technical leaders get stuck [03:49] Real story — a VP let go after 15 years: “I don’t know how to teach what’s in my brain” [06:59] Why senior leaders fear saying “I don’t know” [08:15] What emotional intelligence really is — and what it isn’t [15:23] Why “soft skills” is an outdated and misleading label [22:07] A mindset shift — “If I can do it, you can do it too” [23:09] Leadership and parenting parallel — “My hard isn’t your hard” [27:03] Understanding the “why” behind behavior and resistance [29:36] Practical homework — applying one leadership competency intentionally [34:34] Host reflection — how leadership expectations have evolved [36:09] Coach in Your Corner — navigating the career ceiling Guest Information Dr. Bushra KhanProfessor, Speaker, and Leadership Coach Professor at the University of Ottawa (MBA & Engineering Management Programs) Leadership coach for technical and engineering leaders Focus areas: leadership development, emotional intelligence, team performance Connect with Dr. Khan: Website: https://leadingwithbk.com LinkedIn: Dr. Bushra Khan Instagram: @LeadingWithBK What “BK” stands for: Leading with Bravery and Kindness About the Host Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He works with engineers and technical leaders to strengthen leadership effectiveness, communication, and decision-making across the full span of their careers. Through coaching, consulting, and conversations with industry leaders, James helps professionals design sustainable success at work while maintaining clarity and stability at home. Learn more at EngineerYourSuccessNow.com or connect with James on LinkedIn.

Episode Description: What if the secret to career advancement wasn’t networking or resume building—but simply doing excellent work right in front of you? In this conversation, nationally recognized lighting designer and electrical engineer Leslie North shares how she built Aurora Lighting Design from a home office into a thriving firm with offices in the Chicago Board of Trade—all through word-of-mouth reputation. Leslie opens up about the painful growth edges of hiring your first employee, the power of being accessible to your family, and why she took pay cuts on her team during COVID rather than letting anyone go. Whether you’re navigating technical leadership, considering entrepreneurship, or simply trying to show up authentically in your career, this episode offers hard-won wisdom about building a reputation through excellence. Connect with Leslie North on LinkedIn, and discover why your work truly is your reputation. Key Takeaways: Your best marketing strategy is doing excellent work on the job in front of you—repeat clients who trust you become gold, and people remember those who did well by them. The first employee is the most daunting growth edge because you’re no longer just protecting your own reputation—you’re creating a work family that requires thinking about HR, benefits, and emotional dynamics Be authentic and willing to be vulnerable in appropriate contexts—it gives people the opportunity to be gracious and develop deeper relationships in a world full of marketing slogans Know what you want your reputation to be, then make all decisions contribute to that—a good reputation takes a long time to build and a bad one takes one minute For early-career professionals: initiate relationships with people you admire and become someone more seasoned professionals would find useful, because mentors give opportunities to those they trust Timestamps: [00:24] Introduction and Leslie’s journey into architectural lighting [04:21] Starting Aurora Lighting Design: The accessibility decision [08:21] Your work IS your reputation: Building through excellence [16:21] Leadership growth edges: Hiring, mentoring, and letting go [26:44] What do you want to be known for? Defining your reputation [29:09] The COVID decision: Keeping the team together [36:13] Leslie turns the tables: Interviewing James [41:03] Coach in Your Corner: Presence over time Guest Information: Name: Leslie North, Lighting Designer, Electrical Engineer, Founder of Aurora Lighting Design Leslie North | LinkedIn About the Host: James Bryant, Ph.D., P.E. is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He helps engineering leaders and technical professionals design and live a life where they can win at work and win at home. Through his coaching practice and podcast, James provides practical frameworks for leadership development, career transitions, and intentional decision-making. Connect with James on LinkedIn or visit engineeryoursuccessnow.com.

Episode Description: What happens when an engineer who’s great at solving technical problems suddenly gets told they need to sell? For many technical professionals, the shift from “doer” to “seller-doer” is one of the hardest transitions in their career. In this episode, Jessica Nuncio—VP of Business Development and Marketing at Naranjo Civil Constructors with nearly 20 years of experience—breaks down exactly how to make that leap without feeling salesy or inauthentic. Jessica shares her unconventional journey from receptionist to estimator to leading business development, the MATCH framework she developed to make BD feel natural for technical professionals, and the hard lessons she learned about burnout, boundaries, and what it really takes to win at work and at home. If you’ve ever felt stuck between technical expertise and business development, this conversation will show you how to bridge that gap. Listen now and discover how to turn relationship-building into your competitive advantage. Key Takeaways: Business development doesn’t mean becoming “salesy”—it’s about shifting from doer to connector and blending your technical credibility with genuine curiosity about helping clients succeed The MATCH framework (Market research, Attract authentically, Time and trust, Connect and close, Hone and harmony) provides a practical roadmap for technical professionals to approach BD systematically Burnout warning signs show up in your body, sleep, and emotions long before they show up on your calendar—learning to pause and evaluate priorities is essential for sustainable success Success isn’t about climbing the ladder; it’s about building bridges that others can cross—investing in mentorship and sponsorship creates lasting impact beyond individual achievement Your unique differences (including being a woman in construction, a minority, or simply approaching problems differently) can be your greatest strength when you lead with authenticity instead of trying to fit in Timestamps: [00:00] Cold open: Why engineers freeze when asked to sell[00:34] Introduction: The seller-doer challenge for technical professionals[01:55] Why engineers freeze and what makes them uncomfortable[05:31] The MATCH framework for business development[08:08] Jessica’s journey: First-gen college student to VP of Business Development[11:15] From receptionist to estimating coordinator in three months[16:28] Discovering the passion for business development[19:07] Recognizing burnout: 3000% growth and the personal cost[21:37] Setting boundaries: Learning to pause before saying yes[25:51] Mentorship, leadership, and empowering women in construction[29:22] Being a woman in construction: The “mandatory” meeting story[34:12] Success is about building bridges, not climbing ladders[36:00] Coach in Your Corner: What is your body telling you? Guest Information: Jessica NuncioVice President of Business Development & MarketingNaranjo Civil Constructors Connect on LinkedIn: Jessica Nuncio | LinkedIn About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He works with engineering and technical leaders who want to win at work and win at home. James helps leaders make intentional decisions about how they lead, work, and live, so success in one domain strengthens the other over time. His approach emphasizes clarity, responsibility, and long-term integrity—acknowledging the effort and trade-offs leadership requires while rejecting the assumption that success must come at the expense of family, health, or presence. Connect with James on LinkedIn or visit www.eysnow.com

Episode Description: What happens when half of an entire profession retires within a few years? Dustin Gardner, a fourth-generation surveyor, is facing that reality head-on. The average licensed land surveyor is now in their early 60s, and the industry is racing against time to train the next generation before decades of expertise walks out the door. In this conversation, Dustin pulls back the curtain on a profession that touches every construction project, property transaction, and development—yet remains deeply misunderstood. From the hidden work that happens before anyone steps foot on a site, to lifetime liability that follows every stamp, to why vampire folklore matters to modern surveying, this episode reveals why attracting new talent means changing how we tell the story. Whether you’re in civil engineering, construction, or leadership, you’ll walk away with fresh perspective on workforce development, cross-generational knowledge transfer, and how family businesses can be a retention advantage rather than a limitation. Key Takeaways: The surveying profession is losing half its licensed professionals to retirement in the next few years, with the average license holder now in their early 60s—creating an urgent need to train the next generation while mentorship is still available. Surveyors carry lifetime liability for every job they stamp—meaning they can be sued for their very first project at their retirement party—yet the profession hasn’t kept pace with inflation on pricing since 2000. The biggest misconception about surveying is that the fieldwork is the work, when in reality, days of courthouse research, calculations, and post-field analysis happen before and after the visible hour on site. Family businesses offer a competitive advantage in retention because people who feel like family at work are more likely to stay, creating natural pathways for the next generation to enter the profession. Reframing surveying from “working in the dirt” to “solving complex problems outdoors with history, math, and law” can attract a new generation who wants intellectual challenge without being desk-bound. Timestamps: [00:24] Introduction – The talent shortage across engineering industries[01:16] The aging crisis in surveying – Half the profession retiring soon[02:17] What surveyors actually do (beyond boundary lines)[06:10] Misconceptions about surveying work and pricing[11:30] Strategies for attracting the next generation[16:45] Why family businesses can be a retention advantage[25:23] Surveying folklore – The boundary pusher vampire[28:07] Leadership advice for introverts in technical professions[29:57] Coach in Your Corner – You are bound by what you define Guest Information: Name: Dustin Gardner, Fourth-Generation Land Surveyor Connect: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-gardner-rls-292781220/ Instagram: @the_superstitious_surveyor About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He works with engineering and technical leaders who want to win at work and win at home. James helps leaders make intentional decisions about how they lead, work, and live, so success in one domain strengthens the other over time. His approach emphasizes clarity, responsibility, and long-term integrity—acknowledging the effort and trade-offs leadership requires while rejecting the assumption that success must come at the expense of family, health, or presence. Connect with James on LinkedIn or visit www.eysnow.com

Episode Description: What if the biggest risk to your project isn’t technical—it’s conversational? Most engineering projects fail not because of flawed plans or inadequate technology, but because teams aren’t having the right conversations about trust, coordination, and care. In this episode, Jason Klous, Principal at Midion with over 30 years in complex construction projects, reveals the Language Action Perspective—a framework that transforms how teams communicate and coordinate. Jason shares why the most technically skilled people often struggle with the most critical conversations, how to rebuild trust when it’s broken, and the surprising power of assessments delivered with care. Whether you’re leading a multi-million dollar construction project or navigating difficult conversations at home, this episode will change how you think about communication as the foundation of success. Key Takeaways: The missing conversations kill projects: Technically sound projects fail when teams don’t discuss trust, psychological safety, and coordination—not because of poor planning or inadequate software. Trust has specific domains: When trust breaks down, identify whether the issue is reliability, competence, or sincerity. Once you know which domain is lacking, you can develop a targeted plan to rebuild it. Moods are contagious and foundational: Teams fall into moods unconsciously, and those moods influence listening, trust, and coordination. Identifying and shifting moods can transform project outcomes. Assessments strengthen relationships when delivered with care: The most difficult feedback, when delivered to improve the relationship (not damage it), often brings relief and reveals more about the person delivering it than the person receiving it. Write it down before difficult conversations: To avoid “talking around” the issue, write down what you need to say. This helps you be more direct while maintaining care and candor. Timestamps: [00:51] Introduction – The story teams tell themselves[01:52] Why technically sound projects fail[05:08] The Language Action Perspective explained[09:04] Real-world example: $250M wastewater project turnaround[15:47] The four domains of trust[19:23] Understanding moods vs. emotions[24:30] How to deliver assessments with care[32:25] Having difficult conversations at home[37:03] Coach in Your Corner Guest Information: Name: Jason Klous, Ph.D., Principal at Midion Expertise: Language Action Perspective, Lean Construction, Integrated Project Delivery, Team Coordination Connect: [email protected] | https://midion.com LinkedIn: Jason Klous, PhD | LinkedIn Resources Mentioned: About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and host of the Engineer Your Success podcast. He helps technical professionals and engineering leaders develop the human skills that drive career success—from communication and influence to strategic thinking and team leadership. Connect with James on LinkedIn or visit [website] to learn more about engineering your success. Join the Community Engineer Your Success InsidersOne story. One insight. One action to help you lead with intention. engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspodLinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant

Episode Description: What happens when a construction leader decides that building people matters more than building projects? In this episode of the Engineer Your Success Podcast Heath Troyer—fourth-generation contractor, business owner, and national mental health advocate—opens up about the hidden crisis facing construction leaders today: managing projects has become easier than leading whole humans. Heath and James explore why so many leaders still operate from a “leave yourself in the parking lot” mentality, how self-awareness transforms leadership, and why building systems that build people starts with leaders being willing to do their own work first. This conversation doesn’t just challenge how we think about leadership in construction—it challenges how we show up as leaders in every area of life. If you’ve ever felt the weight of leading while carrying your own unspoken struggles, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: Leadership in construction (and beyond) is shifting from “employee at work” to leading the “whole self”—but most leaders lack the tools to make this transition effectively Self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadership: leaders must run toward therapy, mental health resources, and personal growth first before they can truly support their teams Building systems that build people requires continuous check-ins to understand what motivates each person at their current life stage—not just what serves the company agenda Your worth isn’t measured by your accomplishments; high performers often run toward achievement while running from a foundational belief that they’re “not enough” Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:41    Leadership challenges: managing projects vs. leading people08:25 Self-awareness as the foundation of leadership14:23   Community impact and giving back17:13    Heath’s personal journey and mental health advocacy25:23 What engineering your success really means29:12   Your worth is not measured by your works31:43   Coach in Your Corner and closing prayer About Heath Troyer: Heath Troyer is a fourth-generation construction leader, business owner, and national advocate for mental health in the trades. With over 25 years of experience in roles from carpenter to Senior Project Manager, Director of Field Operations, and Director of Corporate Safety, Heath now owns Troyer Construction Services, specializing in non-profit work including grant-funded home modifications and attainable housing for underserved communities through partnerships with organizations like Neighborhood Link. As a suicide survivor, Heath works nationally with the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) and provides mental health support through YMCA childcare services. He speaks openly about leadership, self-awareness, and creating workplace cultures where people can bring their whole selves to work. His leadership philosophy is simple: we can build more than buildings—we can build people. Connect with Heath on Facebook at Heath Troyer or through Troyer Construction Services. Connect on LinkedIn: Heath Troyer Resources Mentioned: CIASP – Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention – https://www.preventconstructionsuicide.com About the Host: Dr. James Bryant is an executive leadership coach who helps engineering leaders and technical professionals win at work and at home. Through his Engineer Your Success coaching program, he guides high-performing professionals to build careers and lives aligned with their deepest values—without burning out in the process. Connect with James at engineeryoursuccessnow.com. Join the Community Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success InsidersOne story. One insight. One action to help you lead with intention. engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspodLinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant

Episode Overview (EP 225) Struggling to find real success while juggling work and a personal life? In this uplifting episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant speaks with Amrit Dhaliwal, a driven entrepreneur who mastered the art of ‘making it up as he goes’—and still built and sold multiple businesses across diverse industries. Hear how Amrit transformed setbacks into million-pound wins, redesigned home care in the UK, and learned the keys to integrating life, family, and fierce ambition. Perfect for business owners, engineering leaders, and anyone searching for success and fulfillment. He shares his evolution from deli owner to UK franchise leader, revealing actionable success strategies for entrepreneurs, business owners, and engineering leaders. Learn about work-life integration, building winning teams, leadership techniques, cash flow management, redefining home care, balancing priorities, and creating a meaningful business while living a fulfilled personal life. Engineer Your Success helps you thrive in every aspect. 🧭 What You’ll Learn Building businesses without waiting for perfect clarity Learning through action instead of overplanning Reframing challenges into actions, delegation, or deferral How open loops create unnecessary mental load Why not everything that feels heavy is a “problem” How intentional decision-making supports presence at home 🔩 Episode Highlights 00:00 – Episode context and opening reflections01:47 – From delis to home care: Amrit’s entrepreneurial path03:45 – Learning through action and early challenges08:35 – Work, family, and shifting priorities12:08 – Mentorship and surrounding yourself with the right people18:19 – Communication lessons from marriage and leadership31:18 – Focus, decision-making, and closing the problem loop32:37 – Coach in Your Corner: Practical Episode Insights with Dr. James Bryant Guest: Amrit Dhaliwal is CEO and founder of Walfinch, one of the UK’s fastest-growing home care franchise networks with 30+ territories nationwide. A former franchisee turned franchisor, he’s the author of Time to Thrive: The Home Care Revolution and host of the Walking With Walfinch podcast. Amrit has been named in the Social Care Top 30 and recognised as Emerging Franchisor of the Year. Host: Dr. James Bryant is an engineering leadership coach and entrepreneur dedicated to helping technical professionals win at work and at home. With real-world experience in business growth and executive mentorship, he delivers practical insights for intentional leadership and fulfillment. 🔗 Connect With Amrit Franchise opportunities: https://walfinchfranchising.comHome care services: https://walfinch.comLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/amrit-dhaliwal-a436445b 🎧 Join the Engineer Your Success Community on Substack Win By DESIGN: Leadership newsletter built for you🔗 www.winbydesign.co Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspodLinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant 🌟 Engineer Your Success — Dr. James Bryant Success isn’t just about results—it’s about building a life shaped by your values.Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders create systems that bring clarity, confidence, and balance so they can win at work and at home. www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com

🎧 Episode Overview (EP 224) Career paths in engineering are rarely linear—and the decisions that shape our work often ripple into our home lives in ways we don’t always anticipate. In this episode, Dr. James Bryant sits down with Eli May, an engineer who responded to an open call for podcast conversations shared in the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) forum. Eli brings a thoughtful, grounded perspective shaped by career transitions, adaptability, and seasons where work played very different roles. Rather than focusing on fast-track career advice, this conversation explores what it looks like to navigate change honestly—starting over when needed, building a strong foundation, and making career decisions that don’t happen in isolation from family life. If you’re an engineer or technical professional navigating transitions, questioning the “right” path, or rethinking how work fits into your life in this season, this episode will resonate. 🧭 What You’ll Learn Why non-linear career paths are more common than we admit How adaptability becomes a long-term advantage in engineering careers The pressure of fast-track thinking—and why it can be misleading How the role of work can shift across different stages of life Why career and time decisions shouldn’t be made in a vacuum The importance of involving family when priorities and work demands change 🔩 Episode Highlights 00:00 – Welcome and episode context01:45 – Eli’s background and early career journey04:30 – Navigating non-linear career transitions08:19 – Advice to a younger engineer09:16 – Career choices and personal motivation10:09 – Work, family, and shifting priorities12:45 – Family involvement in decision-making15:30 – Closing reflections 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: Eli May 🎧 Join the Community Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success InsidersOne story. One insight. One action to help you lead with intention.🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspodLinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant 🌟 Engineer Your Success — Dr. James Bryant Success isn’t just about results—it’s about building a life shaped by your values.Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders create systems that bring clarity, confidence, and balance so they can win at work and at home. www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com

🎧 Episode Overview (EP 223) Failure is uncomfortable — but ignored failure is costly. In this episode of the Engineer Your Success Podcast, Dr. James Bryant revisits a powerful framework for turning setbacks into meaningful growth. Building on last week’s conversation about recognizing wins and success autopsies, this episode explores the other side of the equation: using failure as feedback. Rather than avoiding failure or beating yourself up over it, James walks through a practical, engineering-minded approach to learning from what didn’t work — so the experience doesn’t get wasted. Through real-world professional and personal examples, he introduces the concept of the Failure Resume and shows how leaders can extract insight, build better systems, and move forward with clarity. 🧭 What You’ll Learn When failure isn’t really failure — and what actually matters Why being right isn’t the same as being effective How to analyze setbacks without blame or shame The Failure Resume as a framework for learning How to apply root-cause thinking to leadership challenges Why lessons from work often strengthen life at home — and vice versa 🔩 Episode Highlights 00:00 — Introduction and Context 01:18 — Revisiting Past Lessons 02:30 — The Failure Resume Concept 02:45 — Personal Story: Leadership and Communication 06:32 — Analyzing Failures Objectively 07:37 — Using the Failure Resume 12:07 — Professional Example: Technical Presentation 13:44 — Personal Example: Time Management 16:03 — Conclusion and Homework 🔗 Resources & Next Steps 📄 Request Your Updated Year-in-Review TemplateEmail James at [email protected] 🎧 Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success InsidersOne story. One insight. One action to help you lead with intention.🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders 🎙️ Podcast HubAll episodes, player links, and highlights.🔗 sleekbio.com/eyspod

🎧 Episode Overview (EP 222) Before you set goals for the new year, there are three questions every leader must ask. Most engineering leaders jump straight into planning—only to base next year’s goals on whatever they didn’t accomplish this year. In this episode, Dr. James Bryant walks you through a simpler, kinder, and far more effective approach to your year-end review. Rather than focusing on the gaps, you’ll learn how to uncover the hidden wins that have been shaping your growth all year long. This re-air of Episode 169 (“Essential Steps to Unlocking Hidden Wins and Mastering Your Year in Review”) is the perfect reset as you prepare to win at work and at home in 2026. Whether this is your first formal review or one of many, this episode will help you slow down, reflect with compassion, and set goals from a place of clarity—not pressure. 🧭 What You’ll Learn Why most year-end reviews leave leaders discouraged instead of energized The three simple questions that reveal the progress you’ve been overlooking How to prepare your mindset and environment for an honest, grace-filled review Why celebrating “mini milestones” builds confidence and momentum How to perform a Success Autopsy to understand why something worked How to turn one-time wins into repeatable habits and systems Why reflection is one of the best investments you can make in yourself 🔩 Episode Highlights 00:00 – Why most leaders focus on what they didn’t accomplish01:30 – The three questions that create clarity for the new year04:00 – Preparing your mindset and space for a meaningful review07:00 – The power of celebrating “mini milestones”10:00 – How to run a simple success autopsy14:00 – Turning reflection into action for the year ahead 🔗 Resources & Next Steps 📄 Request Your Updated Year-in-Review TemplateEmail James at [email protected] 🎧 Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success InsidersOne story. One insight. One action to help you lead with intention.🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders 🎙️ Podcast HubAll episodes, player links, and highlights.🔗 sleekbio.com/eyspod

🎧 Episode Overview (EP 221) The construction and engineering industries are changing—but inclusion hasn’t always kept pace. In this episode, Dr. James Bryant sits down with Dr. Gretchen Gagel, founder of Women Thriving in Construction Global Institute and author of Building Women Leaders: A Blueprint for Women Thriving in Construction. With over 40 years in the industry, Gretchen shares lessons from her leadership journey—spanning construction, consulting, and academia—and reveals what it really takes for women and their allies to lead and thrive in environments that haven’t always welcomed diversity. Together, they explore practical allyship, burnout and balance, dominant culture, and how to build workplaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work. “If you’re not going to back yourself, no one else will.” — Dr. Gretchen Gagel Whether you’re in construction, engineering, or any technical field, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, inclusion, and sustainable success. 🧭 What You’ll Learn Why inclusion challenges persist across engineering and construction What “dominant culture” really means—and how empathy drives change Daily examples of allyship for men and leaders How women can overcome perfectionism and guilt to avoid burnout The power of asking for help and leading with authenticity How leadership growth carries into home life and personal wellbeing 🔩 Episode Highlights 00:00 – Welcome + Gretchen’s story and motivation for her book04:00 – Dominant culture, inclusion, and empathy in engineering and construction09:00 – Simple acts of allyship that change workplace culture11:00 – Burnout, balance, and redefining success15:00 – Asking for help and leading authentically19:00 – Creating the Women Thriving in Construction Global Institute22:00 – Encouragement for women whose careers have stalled24:00 – James on living intentionally and bringing your whole self to work 🔗 Connect with Dr. Gretchen Gagel🌐 gretchengagel.com🌐 womenthrivinginconstruction.org📘 Building Women Leaders: A Blueprint for Women Thriving in Construction (Available on Amazon) 🎧 More Ways to Connect Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success InsidersOne story. One insight. One action to help you lead with intention.🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspodLinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant 🌟 Engineer Your Success — Dr. James Bryant Success isn’t just about results—it’s about building a life shaped by your values.Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders create systems that bring clarity, confidence, and balance so they can win at work and at home. www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com

🎧 Episode Overview (EP 220) If you’ve ever felt that the engineering profession is misunderstood, undervalued, or overlooked by the public — this episode is for you. Dr. James Bryant sits down with Elizabeth “Lizzie” Archer, Assistant Vice President for Economic Inclusion at Kins, who has spent more than three decades helping engineers, architects, and builders be seen, valued, and understood. Lizzie brings a fresh, compelling perspective on how technical brilliance translates into societal impact — and why communication, inclusion, and storytelling are now essential leadership skills for every engineer. They explore the role engineers play in shaping daily life, the importance of broadening the industry’s talent pipeline, and how leaders can communicate the human impact behind their work. Lizzie also opens up about raising three boys while navigating demanding roles in the AEC industry — and what it really looks like to win at work and at home. Even if you’re not in infrastructure or construction, this episode will challenge how you think about engineering leadership, communication, and the future of talent in the profession. 🧭 What You’ll Learn Why engineers struggle to communicate their value to the public How to translate technical work into human-centered impact Why inclusion initiatives strengthen the entire industry How engineering leaders can inspire the next generation The real reason engineers need stronger storytelling skills Practical ways to balance demanding work with family life How AI and climate change are reshaping engineering roles Why enthusiasm, clarity, and presence matter in leadership conversations 🔩 Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and Welcome00:55 – Why Lizzie calls herself an “infrastructure groupie”03:55 – Childhood influences that sparked her love for engineering and architecture06:01 – Communication: why engineers struggle and how to bridge the gap08:19 – Inclusion, small-business access, and building a stronger talent pool11:29 – Helping engineers communicate their impact to society13:49 – Inspiring young people through programs like ACE Mentor & Salvadori20:39 – Winning at work and at home: Lizzie’s story of integrating family23:29 – Lizzie’s questions for Dr. Bryant: AI, climate change, and the future 💬 Guest Bio — Elizabeth “Lizzie” Archer Elizabeth “Lizzie” Archer is the Assistant Vice President for Economic Inclusion at Kins, where she leads initiatives that expand access, opportunity, and participation for historically underrepresented groups in major infrastructure and construction projects. With over 30 years of experience in the architectural, engineering, and construction industries, Lizzie has held leadership roles in marketing, client development, PR, and inclusive business outreach for organizations including Turner Construction, DeBerry, and Tishman. Known for her passion for engineering and for elevating the voices behind the work, she has been recognized with honors such as Outstanding Woman of the Year, the Pillar Award, and multiple accolades within the New York and New Jersey AEC community. Lizzie is also a sought-after speaker for professional groups like WTS, where she teaches engineers how to communicate their value, tell their story, and build confidence. Her mission is simple: help engineers be seen — not just for what they build, but for the impact they create in people’s lives. 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: Elizabeth “Lizzie” Archer https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-geary-archer 🎧 More Ways to Connect Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success Insiders — one story, one insight, one action to help you lead with intention.🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspodLinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbryant2/ 🌟 Engineer Your Success – Dr. James Bryant Success isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about living a life that reflects your values and priorities.Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders build systems that create clarity, confidence, and balance so they can win at work and at home. 👉 Visit: www.EngineerYourSuccessNow.com

🎧 Episode Overview (EP 219) If you’ve ever wondered how great leaders stay steady under pressure, develop other leaders, and build unity across field and office teams — this episode is for you. Dr. James Bryant sits down with Russ Spiegel, Vice President of Operations at Craftsman Electric and former U.S. Marine Corps Battalion Commander. Russ brings decades of leadership insights from the military and the construction/skilled trades industry — all anchored in one core belief: “The most important investment any leader can make is in their people.” They dive into emotional discipline, people development, mindset, and the practical habits that shape culture from the ground up. Russ also shares how growth at work impacts life at home, and why leaders must define their personal philosophy if they want to lead with clarity and purpose. Even if you’re not in construction or the military, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership, culture, and what it really means to invest in people. 🧭 What You’ll Learn Why emotional discipline sets the tone for your entire team How to turn challenges into opportunities through mindset Practical ways to unify field and office teams Why presence and connection matter more than authority How defining your leadership philosophy guides decisions and fulfillment 🔩 Episode Timestamps 01:00 – Russ’s core belief: investing in your people03:00 – Accountability and discomfort in developing leaders05:30– Turning challenges into opportunities08:00 – Emotional discipline: staying steady as a leader11:00 – Bridging the gap between field and office teams14:00 – Connecting by walking around17:30– Refilling your cup and managing energy20:30 – How leadership growth carries into home life24:30 – Defining a personal leadership philosophy29:00 – Russ flips the script and interviews Dr. Bryant 🔗 Connect with Russ LinkedIn: Russ Spiegel 🎧 More Ways to Connect Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success InsidersOne story. One insight. One action to help you lead with intention.🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspodLinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant 🌟 Engineer Your Success – Dr. James Bryant Success isn’t just about achieving results — it’s about building a life shaped by your values. Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders create systems that bring clarity, confidence, and balance so they can win at work and at home. 👉 Visit: www.EngineerYourSuccessNow.com

🎧 Episode Overview (EP 218)What happens when your drive to succeed at work starts costing you what matters most? In this episode, Dr. James Bryant shares the story behind three simple but powerful questions that changed his life — and how those questions became the foundation of the Engineer Your Success framework. Originally recorded with Mark Wright on the Beats Working Podcast, this transparent and inspiring conversation explores ambition, family, faith, and the cost of imbalance — and what it takes to create a life where work and home thrive together. 🧭 What You’ll Learn The three questions that reveal whether you’re truly winning at work and home How to recognize when career goals are out of alignment with personal values Why success without presence comes at too high a cost How Dr. Bryant rebuilt his life and leadership from a place of faith and purpose Practical ways to prioritize family, faith, and fulfillment without sacrificing results 🔩 Episode Timestamps00:00:00 Introduction: The Three Questions00:03:38 Growing Up in Inner City Philadelphia00:05:00 The Path to Civil Engineering00:07:18 Early Career and Work-Life Balance00:12:12 The Turning Point: Realizing Imbalance00:19:32 Making the Change: Prioritizing Family and Self-Care00:20:37 Coaching Others to Win at Work and Home00:22:21 The Turning Point: Choosing Family Over Career00:24:22 A Lesson in Priorities: Early Career Decisions00:27:56 The Power of Delegation in Business00:30:33 Balancing Work and Family: Practical Advice00:35:43 Faith and Business: A Personal Perspective00:38:09 Leadership Coaching – Ad Break00:38:40 Closing: The Select Few 🎧 More Ways to ConnectPrivate Podcast — Engineer Your Success Insiders: One story, one insight, one action to help you lead with intention.🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspodLinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant 🌟 Engineer Your Success – Dr. James BryantSuccess isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about living a life that reflects your values and priorities.Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders build systems that create clarity, confidence, and balance so they can win at work and at home. 👉 Visit: www.EngineerYourSuccessNow.com

🎧 Episode Overview (EP 217) If you’ve ever reached a crossroads in your career and wondered whether to stay comfortable or take a leap — this episode is for you. Dr. James Bryant sits down with Babatunde (Tunde) Onadele Jr., Vice President of Operations at Core Builders, to talk about the leadership journey behind the title. From mentorship and preparation to ambition and faith, Babatunde shares the decisions that shaped his path from project engineer to executive leader. They discuss how to align drive with discipline, how mentorship multiplies opportunity, and why the hardest decisions often lead to the greatest rewards — both at work and at home. Even if you’re not in construction, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership growth, boundaries, and balance. 🧭 What You’ll Learn Why mentorship matters at every stage of leadership How to know when it’s time to take a career leap The connection between ambition, preparation, and readiness How to lead with faith and authenticity in professional spaces The family rule that helped Babatunde win at home Why self-awareness is key to sustainable success How great leaders create opportunities for others to grow 🔩 Episode Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 01:04 The Importance of Mentorship 02:20 Career Journey and Growth 04:05 Making Tough Career Decisions 06:51 Current Role and Responsibilities 09:15 Balancing Work and Home Life 19:09 Leadership and Faith 23:29 Mentorship and Ambition 31:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 💬 Guest Bio — Babatunde Onadele Jr. Babatunde (Tunde) Onadele Jr. is Vice President of Operations at CORE Builders, a South Bay multifamily general contractor. With over a decade of experience in construction leadership, he oversees project operations from design through completion, manages operational risk, and mentors emerging leaders across the industry. A graduate of San Jose State University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, Tunde is passionate about advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within construction—particularly in senior and executive leadership. He serves on the Board of Directors for AGC California, chairs its DE&I Steering Committee, and was recognized as a 2023 Silicon Valley Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. Tunde takes pride in helping others grow, building strong teams, and making a lasting impact in his community. 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/babatunde-onadele-jr/ 🎧 More Ways to Connect Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success Insiders — one story, one insight, one action to help you lead with intention. 🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspodLinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant 🌟 Engineer Your Success – Dr. James Bryant Success isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about living a life that reflects your values and priorities.Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders build systems that create clarity, confidence, and balance so they can win at work and at home. 👉 Visit: www.EngineerYourSuccessNow.com

🎧 Episode Overview If you’re leading a growing construction or technical firm and you’ve ever wondered how to build a team that truly thrives together — this episode is for you. Dr. James Bryant sits down with Tim Ernst, a data-driven HR and organizational development leader with more than 25 years of experience helping companies scale without losing their soul. From reducing turnover by 60% to guiding a 5x headcount expansion, Tim knows what it takes to grow a company that people love to work for. They unpack what culture really means, how to measure its impact, and why great leadership starts with shared values and accountability — not slogans on a wall. Even if you’re not in construction, the lessons here on culture, clarity, and connection will help you lead stronger teams and build a business that thrives through its people. 🧭 What You’ll Learn The biggest myth about culture in construction — and why every organization can have a strong one How to define culture as the lived expression of your vision, mission, and values The core values that create durable, growth-minded teams: dependability, attitude, and professionalism How to grow your own talent and reduce turnover with intentional culture systems Why accountability and communication are essential to scaling a healthy organization How to measure ROI on culture using retention, engagement, and performance indicators What it really means to win at work and at home 🔩 Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction & framing the question: what if culture is your biggest growth lever?02:00 – Tim Ernst’s background and cross-industry HR experience05:00 – Core values that shape strong, people-centered companies09:00 – Shifting culture through transparency and trust13:00 – Scaling from 85 → 400 employees and reducing turnover by 60%17:00 – Measuring the ROI of culture and the power of accountability20:00 – How success at work fuels success at home 💬 Guest Bio — Tim Ernst Tim Ernst is an HR and organizational development leader with over 25 years of experience helping companies grow without losing their culture. He has worked across manufacturing, healthcare, and construction—implementing people-first systems that improve retention, engagement, and leadership alignment. 📧 [email protected]🔗 LinkedIn – Tim Ernst 🎧 More Ways to Connect Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success Insiders — one story, one insight, one action to help you lead with intention.🔗 engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders Podcast Hub: sleekbio.com/eyspod LinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant 🌟 Engineer Your Success – Dr. James Bryant Success isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about living a life that reflects your values and priorities.Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders build systems that create clarity, confidence, and balance so they can win at work and at home. 👉 Visit: www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com

🎧 Episode Overview If you’re leading a growing technical firm and you’ve ever wondered how to build a business that thrives beyond you — this episode is for you. Dr. James Bryant sits down with Matt Middendorp, a former banking executive turned ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) consultant, to explore how employee ownership can strengthen company culture, attract and retain top talent, and create long-term sustainability for engineering firms. Even if an ESOP isn’t on your radar, the leadership principles in this conversation — empowering people, aligning incentives, and protecting your culture — will help you engineer a business that runs on leadership, not dependency. 🧭 What You’ll Learn What an ESOP really is and how it differs from private equity or merger transitions When an engineering firm should consider employee ownership and what makes a company ESOP-ready The cultural and financial benefits — from higher productivity to stronger retention and engagement Common ESOP pitfalls and how to avoid them through proper education and leadership alignment How ownership thinking transforms teams into accountable, growth-minded leaders Matt’s personal story of selling his business and finding balance between professional success and family life 🔩 Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction02:24 – Matt’s Background04:24 – ESOP Basics and Requirements06:39 – ESOP Challenges and Pitfalls08:21 – Real-World ESOP Examples13:21 – Impact on Company Culture18:14 – Getting Started with ESOP19:44 – Matt’s Personal Journey 💬 Guest Bio — Matt Middendorp Matt Middendorp is an ESOP consultant and former banking executive who helps companies engineer successful employee-owned transitions. With more than a decade of experience training financial leaders, Matt is passionate about helping business owners protect their legacy, empower their teams, and create sustainable success through employee ownership.🔗 Learn more: esopready.com 🎧 More Ways to Connect Private Podcast: Engineer Your Success Insiders — one story, one insight, one action to help you lead with intention. www.eysnow.com/insiders LinkedIn: Dr. James Bryant Podcast Hub: https://sleekbio.com/eyspod 🌟 Engineer Your Success – Dr. James Bryant Success isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about living a life that reflects your values and priorities. Dr. James Bryant helps engineering and technical leaders build systems that create clarity, confidence, and the mindset needed so they can win at work and at home. 👉 Visit: www.eysnow.com

Episode Description What if building the business of your dreams quietly cost you everything that you care about? Jim Weldon built multiple 8-figure companies—self-funded, debt-free, and profitable from day one. But success came at a cost: he worked 340 days a year for seven years and nearly lost his marriage and connection with his kids. In this episode, Jim shares his journey from obsessed entrepreneur to present father and husband, the single agreement with his wife that changed everything, and his proven strategies for bootstrapping profitable companies without venture capital. In This Episode: How to bootstrap a company from $0 to $60M in three years Why 99% of companies won’t get VC funding (and what to do instead) The “Friday at 5pm” rule that saved his family Teaching vs. torturing: working successfully with your son Building AI-powered businesses in 2025 Guest Jim Weldon – Entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience building self-funded, profitable companies. Founder of Prospect Desk (prospectdesk.ai). Works alongside his son in business. Key Takeaways Keep your day job until your side business generates real cash If people won’t pay you to consult, you don’t know enough to build that company yet Get customers to prepay—it’s the real test of product-market fit You’ll spend 70% of time on business as an entrepreneur—engineer specific carve-out times for family Physical presence ≠ mental presence. It takes intentional work to truly be there. Best Quotes “What did it cost me? Nearly everything. Just being healthy, emotionally, physically, relationship wise was not healthy.” – Jim Weldon “You’re 99 times more likely NOT to raise money from an institutional investor. Why would that be your strategy?” – Jim Weldon “Do you wanna make this an experience where you teach him or torture him?” – Jim’s wife Connect with Jim Email: [email protected]: prospectdesk.ai Resources Prospect Desk – AI-powered prospecting platform Charlie Munger’s mental models YPO & EO – Peer learning organizations About This Podcast Engineer Your Success helps engineering leaders and business owners win at work and at home. Hosted by Dr. James Bryant, PhD, PE. New episodes every Tuesday Join Engineer Your Success Insiders for exclusive coaching insights: engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders

What if the same engineering mindset that helps you solve complex problems at work could also help you build a thriving marriage at home? In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant sits down with Gabriela Embon—chemical engineer turned relationship coach, keynote speaker, and host of the Life Engineering Podcast. Gabriela shares the four pillars of a legendary marriage—me, you, our, and us—and explains how intentional structure, communication, and rituals can transform relationships. Together, James and Gabriela explore why so many high achievers excel in their careers but struggle at home, and what it takes to align professional success with personal fulfillment. If you’ve ever wondered how to strengthen both your leadership at work and your partnership at home, this episode will show you practical steps to start engineering not just your career, but also your love and legacy. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why many professionals settle in relationships while striving at work How to apply engineering principles to love, intimacy, and communication The four pillars every marriage needs to thrive The role of rituals in keeping couples connected How to pursue both career success and a legendary relationship Resources & Links: Connect with Gabriela: GabrielaEmbon.com Download the prologue of her book Becoming a Power Couple: BecomingAPowerCouple.net Learn more about Engineer Your Success Insiders: www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders

Engineering careers are never a straight line—and mentorship can make all the difference. This episode of Engineer Your Success, features insights from Dr. Srijib Mukherjee, Senior Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and professor at the University of Tennessee. We explore what it takes to grow as an engineer, lead authentically, and give back through mentorship. You’ll hear practical lessons and inspiring stories that span academia, utilities, consulting, and research, including: How to navigate early career challenges and stay authentic Why adaptability matters more than chasing money or titles What it means to “win at work and at home” at different life stages Practical advice for young professionals who want to grow as leaders An inspiring story of mentorship that helped a student become an engineer against the odds Connect with Dr. Mukherhee on LinkedIn Want more tools to help you win at work and at home? Visit EngineerYourSuccessNow.com. Join the Engineer Your Success Insiders private podcast: www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders

Episode Summary: Innovation isn’t just about having a great idea — it’s about making that idea stick and turning it into bottom line impact. In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant talks with Stephen Hinch — executive consultant, former tech executive at Hewlett-Packard, Agilent Technologies, and TeamLogic IT, and author of Winning Through Innovation. Steve shares lessons from a career credited with over a billion dollars in new revenue. From leading disruptive projects inside large corporations to running his own IT business, Steve explains what it takes to drive meaningful innovation while still keeping balance in life. You’ll Learn: The difference between incremental and disruptive innovation Why most managers can’t lead true disruptive innovation Best practices for staffing and launching innovation projects How failure can be a stepping stone to success Lessons from Steve’s journey: R&D → marketing → general manager → entrepreneur What it really means to win at work and at home Connect with Steve Hinch: Website: https://www.stephen-w-hinch.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shinch/ Resources & Next Steps: Join the Engineer Your Success Insiders private podcast: www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders Learn more at: www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com

Episode Description Technology has transformed dramatically over the past 30 years — from dial-up connections and floppy disks to AI tools that can rewrite how we work. The lesson is clear: leaders who don’t stay current risk getting left behind. In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant sits down with Nathan Whittacre, CEO of Stimulus Technologies and author of The CEO’s Digital Survival Guide. Since 1995, Nathan has been helping businesses adapt to every major tech wave. He shares stories from his early days sending emails through university mainframes, to guiding companies through today’s AI-driven workplace. Together, James and Nathan explore: Lessons learned from three decades of tech evolution — and how they apply today Why leaders must focus on ROI before adopting new technology How process-mapping prevents wasted effort and failed implementations The growing importance of cybersecurity and compliance for every business Practical ways engineering leaders can leverage AI as a tool, not just hype Whether you’re leading a small team or a whole organization, this conversation will help you see how technology can serve as an asset — if you stay intentional, strategic, and current. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 01:00 – Meet Nathan Whittacre– From founding Stimulus Technologies in high school to leading through today’s AI-powered workplace 04:00 – Lessons from 30 Years of Tech – How the industry evolved from Windows 95 to AI and what leaders can learn 06:00 – ROI Over Hype – Why leaders must set baselines and ask “why” before adopting new tech 09:30 – Process Mapping in Action – The “wasted reports” story and how to avoid automating the wrong work 12:30 – Writing The CEO’s Digital Survival Guide – Why leaders need trusted guides for technology decisions 18:00 – Cybersecurity & Compliance – The next big threats and how structure strengthens organizations 21:00 – Key Takeaway – Stay current with technology, or risk getting left behind Connect with Nathan Whittacre LinkedIn: Nathan Whittacre | Website: https://www.stimulustech.com/ Resources Engineer Your Success Insiders – A private podcast for leaders who want practical coaching in their corner. Join here.

Micromanagement may feel like the fastest way to get results, but it’s actually the biggest bottleneck in your business. In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant sits down with Cary Prejean — a CPA and strategic business advisor with 40 years of experience — to explore why entrepreneurs often sabotage their own growth and how to break free. You’ll learn how to: Spot when you’ve become the bottleneck Empower your team to design and own the processes Use trust, curiosity, and vulnerability as leadership strengths Apply KPIs and dashboards to stay in control without micromanaging If you want to scale your business without burning out, this conversation will show you how to lead with trust, clarity, and impact.

What happens when you dedicate five years competing against SpaceX and Blue Origin for NASA’s moon mission—and lose, twice? Aerospace executive Andy Crocker shares how he led a 300-person team through the highs and heartbreak of NASA’s human landing system project. The loss forced him to recalibrate not just his career but his purpose, leading him to write The Unconditional—a book for his kids that became a framework for leadership and life. Andy and Dr. James Bryant explore five unconditional values—love, gratitude, integrity, accountability, and endeavor—that help leaders win at work without losing what matters most at home.

AI is transforming the workplace—but it can’t replace human connection. Kenneth Correa shares stories of AI innovation and why leadership still depends on empathy, trust, and people first.

Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about people. After four decades leading at companies like Bank of America and Alight Solutions, William Davis left corporate America to help shape the next generation of leaders. In this episode, he shares why true leadership begins with your team, not your title, and how to build relationships that inspire trust and performance. You’ll discover the difference between being a boss, a manager, and a leader—and three practical tips for connecting with your team in meaningful ways.

Is AI a threat to your career—or the ultimate tool to help you lead and innovate? In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Greg Shove shares how artificial intelligence can be used to sharpen thinking, improve leadership, and unlock growth. With over 35 years in tech and seven startups under his belt, Greg explains how to become an AI driver—using AI as a thought partner rather than a shortcut—and why early adoption can give leaders and teams a lasting competitive edge. You’ll learn: How to avoid losing yourself in the grind of entrepreneurship or leadership. Why adopting AI early can give you more room to innovate and grow. The mindset shift from “AI is cheating” to “AI is a thought partner.” Practical ways to integrate AI into your daily work for better thinking, leadership, and results. 📌 Mentioned in this episode: Greg Shove – CEO of Section and Chairman of Machine & Partners | LinkedIn Section’s AI Academy – Upskill your team in AI adoption 💡 Take Action: Experiment with AI daily. Treat it as your copilot, not your autopilot—bring your own expertise, judgment, and creativity, and let AI help you think bigger, move faster, and grow smarter. 🎧 Want a Coach in Your Corner Every Week? You’re always the one people come to for answers, but who’s in your corner? My private podcast, Engineer Your Success Insiders, gives you practical leadership tools you won’t hear on the main show. In just 3–5 minutes each week: One Story | One Insight | One Action to help you win at work and at home. Join now at www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders. 🔧 About Engineer Your Success Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home. Through executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you: Lead with clarity and communicate with impact Build aligned systems that support your values Avoid burnout while achieving professional success Transform from technical expert to influential leader 🔗 Learn more at www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com 📲 Follow Dr. James Bryant | sleek.bio/jbryant

Feeling mentally checked out at work? Struggling with workplace disengagement or wondering how to regain work motivation? In this episode, Aaron Moncur—engineer, entrepreneur, and host of the Being an Engineer podcast—shares how he went from feeling burned out at work to rediscovering joy by changing how he approached his engineering career. His story is a powerful reminder that even small, intentional shifts can reignite your energy and transform your career and life. You’ll learn: Why losing your spark is often a sign to re-evaluate—not walk away entirely. The simple but powerful principle Aaron used to find joy at work again. How autonomy and trust fuel creativity, productivity, and positive workplace culture. Practical ways to build a team culture that drives employee engagement. 📌 Mentioned in this episode: Aaron Moncur – Founder of Pipeline Design & Engineering Aaron’s podcast: Being an Engineer – engineering career advice and leadership tips PDX: The Product Development Expo (October 21–22) 💡 Take Action: If you’re feeling burned out or disengaged in your job, don’t settle—get curious. Identify one thing that’s draining your energy, and make a small, deliberate change this week to move toward work that fuels you. 🎧 Introducing Engineer Your Success Insiders You’re always the one everyone comes to for guidance and solutions. But who’s in your corner? Engineer Your Success Insiders is my new private podcast for leaders who want practical frameworks, not just theory. Every week in just 3–5 minutes, you’ll get: One Story | One Insight | One Action This isn’t content you’ll hear on the main podcast—these are the tools and strategies I use with my private coaching clients. Ready to have a coach in your corner? www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders

What if burnout isn’t caused by working too much—but by caring too much without the right systems to support you? In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant talks with Peter Atherton, leadership consultant and former engineering firm principal, about high-performance burnout and building sustainable leadership. From the hidden signs of disengagement to reclaiming agency and purpose, Peter shares a proven, practical approach to transforming burnout into impact. You’ll discover how to spot burnout before it takes over, how to lead without falling into the “hero on a hamster wheel” trap, and why time ownership is the most powerful skill no one teaches. Whether you’re a technical leader feeling stretched too thin or a high achiever seeking a healthier path forward, this episode will help you build a career that works—for you and those you lead. 🚀 Special Announcement: Engineer Your Success Insiders – Your Weekly Leadership BoostWhat if you had a coach in your corner every week helping you focus on what matters most, communicate with clarity, and lead with confidence? That’s the idea behind Engineer Your Success Insiders, a private podcast for leaders who want practical tools—not just theory. Every week in just 3–5 minutes, you’ll get: One Story One Insight One Action It’s the coaching support you didn’t know you needed until now.🎧 Join now → Engineer Your Success Insiders ⏱️ Key Moments in the Episode 00:00 – Pre-roll: “You can remove the work. It doesn’t remove the burnout.”01:00 – Peter’s Journey to Burnout and Recovery: From firm owner to exhausted executive06:00 – What Burnout Looks Like for High Achievers: Emotional exhaustion, resentment, and loss of meaning07:00 – Breaking the Cycle: From checking out to journaling to leadership consulting10:00 – The 4 Power Skills and 4 Habits: A practical framework for sustainable leadership24:00 – Rethinking Delegation and Redefining Success: From heroism to systems thinking28:00 – Final Takeaways: Micro-leadership, macro-impact 💡 Key Insights & Takeaways Burnout is fueled by misalignment, not laziness Only high achievers burn out—because they care deeply and carry too much for too long Organizational success depends on personal sustainability Four leadership power skills: critical thinking, communication, connection, alignment Behind every skill is a leadership habit: caring, learning, replenishing, time ownership Leading with systems frees others to grow—and frees you to breathe 🧠 Notable Quotes “You can remove the work. It doesn’t remove the burnout.” — Peter Atherton “Only your high achievers burn out. Not your mid or low performers. That’s who I focus on today.” — Peter Atherton 👤 Guest Information Peter C. Atherton, P.E. – Leadership Consultant | Author | Former Engineering Firm PrincipalPeter helps high-performing firms and executives build aligned cultures, scale leadership, and avoid burnout. He is the author of Reversing Burnout and Next-Level Leadership. 🌐 ActionsProve: Strategic Planning, Growth, and Development for AEC 💼 LinkedIn: Peter Atherton  About Engineer Your Success Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home. Through executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you: Lead with clarity and communicate with impact Build aligned systems that support your values Avoid burnout while achieving professional success Transform from technical expert to influential leader 🔗 Connect With Us 🌐 www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com👤 Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant  

What if your ADHD wasn’t a flaw—but a design feature? In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant talks with Jake Brown, business coach and consultant for entrepreneurs and middle managers with ADHD, about how embracing neurodivergence can unlock new levels of leadership and self-acceptance. From hiding ADHD at work to reframing it as a superpower (without the cape), Jake shares his journey of shedding judgment and building a business that embraces his wiring. You’ll discover: How Jake reframed ADHD from a liability to a leadership asset The surprising role of doodling in managing overwhelm and unlocking flow How to navigate rejection sensitivity and create judgment-free zones for creativity Whether you’re navigating your own ADHD or leading someone who is, this episode will help you lead with empathy, design your rhythm, and own your brilliance. 🎧 Introducing Engineer Your Success Insiders You’re always the one everyone comes to for guidance and solutions. But who’s in your corner? Engineer Your Success Insiders is my new private podcast for leaders who want practical frameworks, not just theory. Every week in just 3–5 minutes, you’ll get: One Story | One Insight | One Action This isn’t content you’ll hear on the main podcast—these are the tools and strategies I use with my private coaching clients. Ready to have a coach in your corner? Join Engineer Your Success Insiders. 🕒 Key Moments in the Episode 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction: James welcomes Jake Brown back to the podcast 02:15 – Hiding ADHD at Work: The invisible tax of masking neurodivergence 05:00 – Finding His Niche: Realizing that 90% of his coaching clients have ADHD 08:34 – From Broken to Designed: The Monet moment that reframed everything 13:00 – The Power of Doodling: How this practice helps Jake focus and switch tasks 15:30 – Rejection Sensitivity & Fear of Judgment: How RSD affects ADHD leaders 18:30 – Unjudged Output: Why play matters more than productivity 20:30 – Creating Your Own Operating System: Practical adaptations that work 23:00 – Radical Self-Acceptance: You can’t lead others until you accept yourself 25:00 – Final Reflections: Lead with your design, not in spite of it 💡 Key Insights & Takeaways You’re not broken—you’re designed. ADHD isn’t a defect; it’s a different operating system. Masking your identity at work creates hidden stress. When 20% of your energy is spent on not getting caught, you’re not thriving. Doodling can be a focus tool, not just a creative outlet. It helps pause mental chaos and jumpstart action. RSD (Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria) is real. And it explains why so many leaders hold back from showing up authentically. Unjudged output—like play or doodling—can restore confidence and energy. Acceptance is the foundation of growth. You can’t lead or connect fully until you accept who you are. Notable Quotes “It’s a design feature, not a design failure.” — Dr. James Bryant “People aren’t broken. They’re just operating on a different rhythm.” — Jake Brown 👤 Guest Information Jake Brown – Business Coach for Neurodivergent Leaders Jake helps entrepreneurs and middle managers with ADHD unlock their unique leadership style and thrive without pretending to be someone else. He’s known for his coaching insights, powerful analogies—and his doodles that have taken over LinkedIn. 📲 Connect with Jake Brown Website: https://airballoonadvisory.com/jakebrown/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/airballoon 🔧 About Engineer Your Success Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home. Through executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you: Lead with clarity and communicate with impact Build aligned systems that support your values Avoid burnout while achieving professional success Transform from technical expert to influential leader 🔗 Learn more at www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant

Leadership, Legacy, and Work-Life Fit: A Journey from NASA to Space Center Houston and Beyond What if the secret to developing great leaders isn’t found in training programs, but in the experiences, mentoring, and coaching you provide along the way? In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant talks with Brady Pyle, Chief HR and Inclusion Officer at Space Center Houston, about intentional leadership development and creating sustainable work-life fit. From transitioning between vastly different organizational scales to building leadership capacity in growth mode, Brady shares his 70-20-10 approach to developing leaders. You’ll discover how to distinguish between mentors, coaches, and sponsors in your career growth, why setting boundaries early prevents workplace burnout, and how personal mission statements guide career decisions. Whether you’re an engineer stepping into leadership roles or a seasoned professional navigating career transitions, this episode will help you develop others while maintaining what matters most. 🚀 Special AnnouncementEngineer Your Success Insiders – Your Weekly Leadership Boost 🚀 What if you had a coach in your corner every week helping you focus on what matters most, communicate with clarity, and lead with confidence? That’s the idea behind Engineer Your Success Insiders, a private podcast for leaders who want practical tools, not just theory. Every week in just 3–5 minutes, you’ll get: One Story One Insight One Action It’s the coaching support you didn’t know you needed until now. 🎧 Join now → Engineer Your Success Insiders 🚀 Special Announcement Engineer Your Success Insiders – Your Weekly Leadership Boost 🚀 Key Moments in the Episode 00:44 – Introduction: Brady’s journey from NASA co-op student to Chief HR Officer at Space Center Houston 07:26 – The 70-20-10 Leadership Model: Breaking down experience, mentoring, and training in leadership development 15:21 – Work-Life Fit vs. Balance: How to set boundaries and adapt success definitions across life seasons 19:53 – Out of This World Leadership: Brady’s blog, book publication, and building leadership brand 23:31 – Key Question for James: Brady asks about the podcast journey and evolution 26:52 – Final Takeaways: Why human connection skills matter more than ever in the AI era Key Insights & Takeaways The 70-20-10 Leadership Development Model: 70% on-the-job experiences, 20% mentoring/coaching relationships, 10% formal training content Merit Has Three Dimensions: Task merit (what we typically think of), cultural merit (knowing how to get things done), and political merit (having sponsorship) Work Will Take As Much As You’re Willing to Give: Set boundaries early and communicate them clearly, or the workplace will consume everything Personal Mission Statements Enable Better Decisions: Brady’s mission “to improve leadership wherever I go” helped him say no to misaligned opportunities Human Connection Skills Are Future-Critical: As AI advances, the ability to build genuine relationships and connect with people becomes even more valuable 🧠 Notable Quotes “Generally when people ask ‘What is your strategy to develop leaders,’ they jump right to the training programs. You gotta back up and go, ‘Hey, we need to look at the kinds of experiences we’re providing to prepare them for leadership.'” — Brady Pyle “It will take as much as you’re willing to give it. So you’ve gotta set your boundaries, then communicate and hold to those, or the workplace is just gonna take more and more.” — Brady Pyle 👤 Guest Information Brady Pyle – Chief HR and Inclusion Officer at Space Center Houston Brady brings 30 years of HR leadership experience, including nearly three decades at NASA where he served as Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer. He supports Space Center Houston’s team and 1.3 million annual guests while leading their expansion to serve 2 million visitors yearly. Brady is the author of “Out of This World Leadership: Living the Fruit of the Spirit to Lead Well” and is working on a second book about building culture. 🌐 outofthisworldleadership.com 💼 LinkedIn: Brady Pyle 📚 Book: “Out of This World Leadership” (Amazon & Barnes & Noble) About Engineer Your Success Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home. Through executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you: Lead with clarity and communicate with impact Build aligned systems that support your values Avoid burnout while achieving professional success Transform from technical expert to influential leader 🔗 Connect With Us Learn more at www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant

What if the pressure you’re feeling isn’t a sign of failure, but a signal that you’re growing into something greater? In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant sits down with Ken Mika, an accomplished geotechnical engineer and construction QA leader, to explore what it really takes to grow in your engineering career—without burning out or losing yourself in the process.  From his early days working in a family flower shop to leading technical teams across the U.S., Ken shares a journey marked by risk-taking, service, and intentional presence. You’ll hear how he uses everything from powerlifting and early morning workouts to breathwork and meditation to manage stress and stay grounded as a father, leader, and doctoral student. Whether you’re facing a career transition, wondering how to stay centered while juggling responsibilities, or just need encouragement to take your next step—this episode offers wisdom you can apply right away. 🚀 Special Announcement Engineer Your Success Insiders – Your Weekly Leadership Boost 🚀 What if you had a coach in your corner every week helping you focus on what matters most, communicate with clarity, and lead with confidence? That’s the idea behind Engineer Your Success Insiders, a private podcast for leaders who want practical tools, not just theory. Every week in just 3–5 minutes, you’ll get: One Story One Insight One Action It’s the coaching support you didn’t know you needed until now. 🎧 Join now → Engineer Your Success Insiders 🚀 Special Announcement Engineer Your Success Insiders – Your Weekly Leadership Boost 🚀 ⏱️ Key Moments in the Episode 01:10 – Ken’s unconventional path into civil engineering 03:00 – The early family tragedy that shaped his work ethic and values 04:35 – Taking career risks: How to think through your fallback plan 05:20 – Why hands-on experience is critical early in your career 07:15 – Moving from technical roles into strategic leadership 08:00 – The emotional intelligence gained from working on complex remediation projects 09:00 – The power of volunteering: Giving back after being on the receiving end 11:00 – Founding a STEM expo that grew from 100 to 400+ attendees 13:00 – The hardest part of national leadership: Voting for the whole, not just your region 15:00 – Why Ken went back for a doctorate in organizational leadership 17:00 – Transactional vs. transformational leadership in M&A 18:30 – How Ken manages the pressure of work, parenting, and school 20:00 – The deep personal “why” behind being fully present at home and work 24:00 – From powerlifting to yoga: Physical and spiritual tools for dealing with stress 25:45 – Leading yoga sessions at civil engineering conferences (!) 💡 Key Insights & Takeaways Take calculated risks—Ken shares a clear framework for evaluating opportunities and making bold moves in your career. Experience matters—Don’t underestimate the value of spending time in the field early on. It’s where emotional intelligence and technical judgment are forged. Be fully present—In an always-on world, intentional presence is Ken’s anchor for handling pressure and honoring what matters most. Service deepens leadership—Ken’s lifelong commitment to volunteering isn’t just a side activity—it’s part of how he leads, grows, and stays connected to purpose. There’s power in transformation—From technical roles to strategic leadership, from powerlifting to yoga, Ken demonstrates that growth requires shedding old identities to embrace new ones. 🧠 Notable Quotes “What’s my fallback if it doesn’t work out? What’s the opportunity I’m gaining by taking this risk?” — Ken Mika “We can’t develop future leaders unless space is made by current leaders.” — Ken Mika “I try to be fully present with my kids, fully present at work, fully present in everything I do.” — Ken Mika 👤 Guest Information Kenneth Mika Construction QA Expert | Area Manager at TetraTech | Doctoral Candidate | Yoga Instructor | Volunteer Leader Kenneth R. Mika is a seasoned civil engineer based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with a specialization in environmental remediation. He currently serves as Area Manager and Client Manager at Tetra Tech, Inc., where he leads a 30-person team across construction quality assurance projects.  Kenneth holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and he is pursuing a doctorate in business with a focus on organizational leadership. He has held several national roles within ASCE and was awarded the Edmund Friedman Young Engineer Award and the William H. Wisley Award. He is also the owner of a yoga company and a proud father—committed to leadership that aligns with both performance and purpose. 💼 Active on LinkedIn 🔗 Connect with Ken on LinkedIn 🔧 About Engineer Your Success Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home. Through executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you: Lead with clarity and communicate with impact Build aligned systems that support your values Avoid burnout while achieving professional success Transform from technical expert to influential leader 🔗 Learn more at www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com 📲 Follow Dr. James Bryant | sleek.bio/jbryant

Exit to Excellence: How Founders Can Transition with Purpose and Power What if the biggest barrier to a successful business exit isn’t market conditions or company valuation, but the founder’s inability to imagine life without their business? In this episode, Dr. James Bryant reunites with Jerome Myers, exit strategist and business partner, to explore why 80% of businesses listed for sale never complete their transaction—and why 75% of those who do exit regret their decision. Whether you’re an engineering leader building a consultancy, planning your eventual exit, or simply interested in leadership development, this conversation reveals why identity work is just as important as financial planning. Key Moments in the Episode 02:52 – The Sobering Statistics: Only 20% of listed businesses successfully sell, and 75% regret it 05:00 – The Founder’s Exit Paradox: How founders become so intertwined with their business that separation feels impossible 15:10 – The Six Centers of Doubt: Where uncertainty hits hardest for exiting business owners 23:00 – Four Post-Exit Archetypes: Victim, hero, villain, or guide—who will you become? 27:14 – The NEXT Framework: Nourish, Evaluate, eXplore, Transcend 39:19 – Dr. Bryant’s Story: How his son’s near-death experience crystallized his values Jerome’s Philosophy: Love vs. Fear Decision Making Core Principle: “Love is the only law. Fear is the opposite of love. When making decisions, we get to pick which emotion drives that decision.” The Six Centers of Doubt Framework: Self-Image – Redefining who you are without your business role Relationships – 60%+ of daily relationships will change post-exit Work – What to do with 30-100 hours previously spent on business Health – Reprioritizing wellness in an older body Prosperity – Optimizing time, talent, energy, and treasure (not just money) Significance – Finding meaning through service to others Key Takeaways for Technical Leaders • Identity separation is crucial – Whether transitioning from engineer to leader or founder to post-exit life • Proactive planning beats reactive – Develop your next identity before you need it • Systems thinking applies – Treat major transitions like complex engineering projects • From hero to guide – The most fulfilling path leads to developing others rather than being the main character 🧠 Notable Quotes “You can’t become the person in the moment. You have to be the person when the moment arrives.” — Jerome Myers “We want to help somebody exit to something instead of exit from their company.” — Jerome Myers 👤 Guest Information Jerome Myers – Exit Strategist & Transformation Guide Helps founders exit with clarity and confidence, focusing on post-exit fulfillment rather than just transaction completion. Author of “Exit to Excellence: Your Journey to Your Next.” Website: https://exittoexcellence.com LinkedIn: Jerome Myers Previous Episode: Listen here About Engineer Your Success Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home. Through executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you: Lead with clarity and communicate with impact Build aligned systems that support your values Avoid burnout while achieving professional success Transform from technical expert to influential leader 🔗 Connect With Us Learn more at www.www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com  Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant Exit to Excellence: How Founders Can Transition with Purpose and Power What if the biggest barrier to a successful business exit isn’t market conditions or company valuation, but the founder’s inability to imagine life without their business? The post Exit to Excellence How Founders Can Transition with Purpose and Power with Jerome Myers appeared first on Engineer Your Success.