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 e...
Jul 01, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 199
Tried It All? How One Veteran Found His Path by Figuring It Out Along the Way What if the biggest barrier to entrepreneurial success isn't having a perfect plan, but being paralyzed by trying to find one? In this episode of Engineer Your Success , Dr. James Bryant talks with Matt Thompson, Navy veteran, management consultant, and franchise owner, about the power of taking action without having all the answers. From missing out on the Naval Academy to opening a men's grooming franchise, Matt shar...
Jun 24, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 198
What if the guilt you feel about wanting more in your career isn't a character flaw, it's actually a sign you're ready for your next level of growth? In this episode of Engineer Your Success , Dr. James Bryant talks with Jake Kennington, a practicing structural engineer and coach, about the struggle ambitious professionals face when they have "everything" but still want more. From working 4 days a week to pursue entrepreneurship to using engineering principles for life design, Jake shares why "c...
Jun 17, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 197
How High Achievers Can Successfully Navigate Career Transitions and Workplace Challenges What if the biggest barrier to career advancement isn't your technical skills, it's how you navigate workplace transitions and speak up in rooms where you're "the only"? In this episode of Engineer Your Success , Dr. James Bryant talks with Ashley Rudolph, performance coach and former tech VP, about the unique challenges high achievers face during career transitions. From leading through layoffs to overcomin...
Jun 10, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 196
What if the biggest barrier to becoming a better leader isn’t your technical ability—it’s how you communicate? In this episode of Engineer Your Success , Dr. James Bryant talks with Susan Young, communications trainer for AEC professionals, about why engineers often struggle to connect—and how to fix it. From public speaking to emails to deep listening, Susan shares battle-tested strategies to help you speak with clarity, confidence, and connection. You’ll hear why "you are the message," how to ...
Jun 03, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 195
What if your biggest challenge with AI adoption isn’t technology it’s people? In this episode of Engineer Your Success , Dr. James Bryant talks with Karrie Sullivan, founder of Culminate Strategy Group, about what it really takes to lead teams through transformation. Karrie shares how she combines psychology, data, and AI to help organizations navigate change with less resistance and more clarity. You’ll hear real-world examples of how emotional intelligence (EQ) can accelerate adoption, build s...
May 27, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 194
Episode Overview In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant interviews Brian Wagner, a professional engineer with over 20 years of experience who draws fascinating parallels between baseball and engineering leadership. Brian discusses his new book "Rounding The Bases: Winning Communication and Leadership for Engineers" and shares insights on effective communication across different audiences. Timestamps 00:00 - 01:00 : Introduction and pre-roll clip about baseball and engineering...
May 20, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 193
How do you stay motivated, ethical, and impactful in engineering—even when everything around you is changing? On this episode of the Engineer Your Success Podcast , Dr. James Bryant talks with Dr. Emily Grubert, a nationally respected researcher in infrastructure and energy systems at Notre Dame. They cover how engineers can adapt to shrinking grant funding, political resistance to climate policy, and a changing professional landscape—while staying true to their mission. You’ll walk away with pr...
May 13, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 192
A Father-Son Conversation on Success and Life: Preparing for College and Beyond In this special audio-only episode of the Engineer Your Success podcast, hosted by Dr. James Bryant, he sits down with his son, James Bryant III (JT), as he prepares to start his freshman year at Virginia Tech. They discuss important topics such as building habits for college success, the difference between good and great people, calculated risks, and the essential values for leading a fulfilled life. With heartfelt ...
May 06, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 191
In this episode of Engineer Your Success , Dr. James Bryant interviews Kevin Moore, Executive Vice President at Rimkus, about his extensive career in structural engineering and his evolution into executive leadership. Kevin shares how his upbringing and years in technical roles shaped his leadership philosophy — with a strong emphasis on authenticity, empathy, and elevating others. The conversation covers: Moving from technical execution to people leadership The value of serving clients well Cre...
Apr 29, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 190
Join host Dr. James Bryant as he interviews Aaron Shavel, a seasoned civil engineer with a decade of experience in New York City's transit construction sector. Discover how Aaron navigated his path from field engineer to managing multimillion-dollar MTA projects, and explore his insights on leadership transitions, preventing burnout, and finding work-life balance in the demanding construction industry. Aaron shares valuable wisdom on team building and his "train your replacement" philosophy whil...
Apr 22, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 189
Engineer Your Success: Building Liberia’s Future Through Infrastructure with Jackson Jala Yoko In this episode of 'Engineer Your Success,' host Dr. James Bryant welcomes Jackson Jala Yoko, a civil engineer with a remarkable journey from war-torn Liberia to successful infrastructure projects in the US, and back to his homeland. Jackson shares his childhood experiences during the Liberian civil war, his escape from becoming a child soldier, and his passion for education. After gaining extensive ex...
Apr 15, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 188
In this episode of the Engineer Your Success podcast, host Dr. James Bryant welcomes Johnathan Meade, the CEO of Meade Engineering. Johnathan shares his intriguing journey from working as an electrical drafter in his family business, to venturing into the financial world with Charles Schwab, and eventually returning to helm Meade Engineering. He discusses key decisions in his career, the motivation behind those decisions, and the challenges of navigating growth within the engineering space. Jona...
Apr 08, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 187
Are you leveraging your personal brand to its full potential? In this episode, Dr. James Bryant sits down with branding expert Ari Weinstein to explore how engineers and technical professionals can stand out in their industry. Discover how effective communication, storytelling, and a strong brand identity can propel your career. Struggling with imposter syndrome? Learn actionable strategies to overcome self-doubt and confidently showcase your expertise. TIMESTAMPS: ✅ [00:01:30] The key to standi...
Apr 01, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 186
Feeling overwhelmed by your endless to-do list? Pilots have a system to stay calm, focused, and in control—even at 38,000 feet. In this episode, Bobby Dutton shares the Aviate, Navigate, Communicate framework to help you prioritize like a pro, manage your time efficiently, and thrive in business and life . In this high-impact episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant interviews Bobby Dutton, a computer engineer who found his passion at the intersection of technical expertise and creativ...
Mar 25, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 185
What happens when an engineer sees a gap in education as a design problem to solve? Danielle Passaglia shares how her systems thinking approach led her from designing building systems to creating children's books that inspire young girls to pursue STEM careers. In this inspiring episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant talks with Danielle Passaglia, a mechanical engineer with a mission to transform STEM education. As a design consultant in the building industry for eight years, Daniell...
Mar 18, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 184
Do you believe that competition is the key to success? Melissa’s journey challenges that mindset, revealing why collaboration can unlock more opportunities than competition ever could. The Power of Collaboration: A Conversation with Melissa Drake In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant and guest Melissa Drake explore the importance of collaboration over competition for achieving success. Melissa shares her inspiring journey from a corporate career to becoming an entrepreneur, ...
Mar 11, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 183
Have you ever felt like it's too late to pursue your dream career? Tricia Reich thought the same, until she took a leap of faith. From admin roles to becoming a project engineer, her journey proves that raising your hand and taking chances can lead to incredible opportunities. Tricia Reich’s career journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and taking initiative. In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant explores how Tricia transitioned from administrative roles to beco...
Mar 04, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 182
Navigating Career Struggles and Leading with Confidence: Insights from Civil Engineer Nikolai Oledin In this episode of the Engineer Your Success podcast, Dr. James Bryant interviews civil engineer and career mentor Nikolai Oledin about overcoming career struggles and growing into a leadership role. Nikolai discusses his journey from early career uncertainty to leading high-performance teams at Jacobs, one of the largest civil engineering firms in the world. He outlines the importance of network...
Feb 25, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 181
Unearthing Leadership: Lessons from Historical Engineering Failures In this episode of the Engineer Your Success podcast, host Dr. James Bryant engages in a captivating discussion with geotechnical engineer Michael Bennett. They explore how historical engineering failures, like the 19th-century Johnstown Flood, provide valuable leadership lessons applicable to today's world. Bennett shares his unique journey that intertwines civil engineering and history, shedding light on the creation of his Ge...
Feb 18, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 180
Discover how a computer engineer leveraged his technical mindset to build a real estate empire, eventually replacing his engineering income while traveling the world with his family - and how you can apply these same systematic principles to your own success story. In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant sits down with Harley Green, a former computer engineer who transitioned into real estate investing and virtual assistant services to create a location-independent lifestyle. ...
Feb 11, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 179
How Engineers Can Build Financial Freedom (Without Quitting Their Job) Discover how an industrial engineer transformed from managing railroad crews in the freezing cold to building a $2 billion real estate portfolio. Lane Kawaoka shares his practical, numbers-driven approach to building wealth through real estate while keeping your day job. Perfect for engineers and professionals who want to break free from the traditional career path. Want to build real wealth while keeping your engineering car...
Feb 04, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 178
Discover why technical skills alone won't secure your engineering future. Join Marc Levine, Talent Acquisition Manager at Thermosystems, as he reveals the essential skills that actually determine career success in engineering. Perfect for engineers at any career stage who want to advance their careers and increase their value to employers. In this episode of 'Engineer Your Success' hosted by Dr. James Bryant, the focus is on the vital skills engineering schools don't teach, which are essential f...
Jan 28, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 177
Are You Measuring Your Worth By The Wrong Metrics? Dr. James Bryant shares a deeply personal message about self-worth and the true meaning of success. He addresses those late-night moments of self-doubt that engineering leaders and professionals often face, offering a transformative perspective on personal worth that extends beyond achievements and external validation. The episode weaves together themes of inherent value, the journey of success, and the power of perspective, providing listeners ...
Dec 10, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 176
What if the key to transformative leadership isn't about mastering complex strategies, but rather embracing four fundamental ways of being? Dr. James Bryant unpacks the essential principles that define effective leadership: being real, being whole, being curious, and being open. As leaders navigate the complexities of both professional and personal spheres, these four "B's" serve as guiding pillars for authentic connection, sustainable success, and meaningful impact. Dr. James demonstrates how t...
Dec 03, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 175
How effectively do you really listen? Studies show the average person listens at only 25% efficiency - where do you fall on that spectrum? Dr. James Bryant, delves into the art of active listening, offering eight practical techniques to enhance leadership both professionally and personally. This repackaged content arrives timely for Thanksgiving, providing valuable insights for holiday conversations and workplace interactions. Dr. James draws from personal experience and research to demonstrate ...
Nov 26, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 174
What if the key to transforming chaos into consistent success lies in three fundamental systems that most leaders overlook? Dr. James Bryant delivers a powerful finale to the "Finish Strong" mini-series, sharing the three essential systems that can revolutionize how leaders manage both their professional and personal lives. As an experienced engineering leader and coach, Dr. James breaks down how to transition from constant firefighting to strategic leadership, sharing insights on implementing r...
Nov 19, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 173
What if the same skills that made you successful in business could help rebuild the relationships that success may have cost you? Dr. James Bryant dives deep into the critical intersection of professional success and personal relationships. Through compelling stories of successful business owners facing the consequences of prioritizing work over family, he explores how strategic time blocking can be transformed from a business tool into a bridge for rebuilding meaningful connections. This episod...
Nov 12, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 172
What if you could turn end-of-year overwhelm into strategic success? In episode 171, Dr. James Bryant explores the critical challenge of year-end prioritization. He introduces a powerful Impact vs. Effort Matrix framework designed specifically for managing the unique pressures of year-end tasks. Through practical examples and a systematic approach, Dr. Bryant demonstrates how engineering leaders can make strategic decisions about what truly deserves their attention during the limited time remain...
Nov 05, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 171
What if your biggest setbacks were actually the stepping stones to your greatest achievements? In episode 170, Dr. James Bryant delves deep into the transformative power of failure and how to use setbacks for future success. As part of the Finish Strong miniseries, he introduces the concept of a "failure resume" - a powerful tool for converting challenges into growth opportunities. Through personal stories and practical examples, Dr. James demonstrates how both professional and personal setbacks...
Oct 29, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 170
