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 "constructive discontent" is actually healthy and how to build a strong foundation for both career and personal fulfillment.

You'll discover Jake's "strong beam, stronger column" philosophy, learn his three essential habits for personal development, and understand why wanting more isn't selfish, it's strategic. Whether you're feeling stuck in a good job or guilty about your ambitions, this episode will help you embrace growth without compromising gratitude.

⏱️ Key Moments in the Episode

00:00 – Constructive Discontent: Jake's honest struggle with wanting more despite having "so much"
01:45 – From Math to Structures: Jake's journey through different engineering disciplines
03:25 – Small Firm vs. Large Firm: Why new engineers should start small, then scale up
05:44 – The "More" Dilemma: How to articulate what you really want in your career
09:03 – Going Back: Jake's strategic return to a smaller firm for work-life design
12:21 – Strong Beam, Stronger Column: Engineering principles applied to life balance
17:22 – Three Life-Changing Habits: Morning routines, reflective writing, and creative projects
20:42 – Role Reversal: Jake interviews James about faith integration and business evolution

👤 Guest Information

Jake Kennington – Structural Engineer & Human Engineer Coach
Licensed structural engineer with 10+ years experience | Works 4 days/week practicing, 1 day coaching
🌐 humanengineercoach.com | Specializes in one-on-one coaching for engineers and engineering leaders

💡 Key Insights & Takeaways

• "Constructive discontent" allows you to be grateful while still pursuing growth
• Career paths don't have to be linear—you're allowed to change your mind
• Personal life is your foundation ("stronger column") that supports your career ("strong beam")
• Small firms offer broad exposure; large firms provide deep, specialized experience
• Most people are motivated by either gaining something or avoiding pain, know which drives you

🧠 Notable Quotes

"There's this idea of a constructive discontent, you can be grateful for what you have and still want more." — Jake Kennington

"I prefer strong beam, stronger column. Our personal life—who we are and how we spend our time outside of our career—is actually more important than what we do in our careers." — Jake Kennington

🔧 Jake's Three Essential Habits

1. Own Your Morning: Read, write, run—focus on mental and physical health before work demands
2. Daily Reflective Writing: Journal to extract wisdom from experiences and decisions
3. Creative Projects: Lead something outside your day job to exercise different muscles

🎙️ 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 engineeryoursuccessnow.com

Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant

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 overcoming "the only" syndrome, Ashley shares why execution matters more than planning when it comes to real career transformation.

You'll discover why "Ashley excels at excellence" became her defining moment, how to adapt when environments aren't built for you, and what it really takes to turn transitions into opportunities. Whether you're eyeing a promotion or navigating workplace challenges, this episode will help you lead with confidence through uncertainty.

Key Moments in the Episode

00:00 – Leadership Under Pressure: Ashley's critical decision-making moment during team layoffs and the type of leader she chose to become

01:32 – Defining High Performers: The "Ashley excels at excellence" origin story and what drives people to continuously push for better

02:57 – Tech Executive Journey: How Ashley grew from individual contributor to VP in 5 years and the mistakes she learned from

04:09 – Navigating Career Transitions: Leading through uncertainty and preparing your team for their next chapters

09:27 – "Being the Only" Concept: Why it's different from imposter syndrome and how to thrive in rooms not designed for you

10:33 – The Left-Handed Analogy: Adapting to environments built for others without giving up on your goals

11:51 – Three Dimensions of Transformation: Ashley's proven coaching methodology that focuses on real change, not just planning

16:29 – Role Reversal Interview: What high achievers really struggle with—worthiness and self-sabotage patterns

19:41 – Purpose and Calling: Why both coaches continue doing this work and the impact on their clients' lives

Key Insights & Takeaways

• High performers are driven by an internal need to continuously excel
• "Being the only" in a room creates unique challenges beyond typical imposter syndrome
• Most coaching fails at execution—focus on daily actions, not just strategies
• True leadership is revealed in how you handle crisis situations
• Even technical professionals with strong expertise struggle with feelings of worthiness

🧠 Notable Quotes

"I'm willing to do the hard things and I'm willing to have the hard conversations—I'm just not someone that runs away from the scary things." — Ashley Rudolph

"People pay me for the change. They don't pay me for presentation, they don't pay me for a plan." — Ashley Rudolph

👤 Guest Information

Ashley Rudolph – Performance Coach & Former Tech Executive
Founder of Work with Ashley R | Specializes in high achiever career transitions
🌐 workwithashleyr.com
📧 newsletter.workwithashleyr.com
💼 LinkedIn: Ashley Rudolph (with a pH - like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer)

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 engineeryoursuccessnow.com
Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant

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 stop burying the lead, and what it really takes to lead others through words, presence, and mindset. Whether you're presenting to stakeholders or writing that all-important follow-up email, this episode will help you make every word count.

00:00 – You Are the Message: Why communication starts with human connection, not slides or scripts.

01:00 – Confidence, Communication, and Career Growth: Susan shares her journey from radio news to keynote speaking and how engineers can build confidence too.

05:00 – The Real Reason Engineers Struggle to Communicate: What we’re not taught in school, and how to stop letting fear or personality labels get in the way.

10:00 – Writing and Speaking with Impact: From email tips to AI support, how to make every word count and lead with clarity.

15:00 – Deep Listening & Presence: What “silent listening” means and how to stay anchored during conversations.

20:00 – Let the Conversation Flow: How staying unscripted helps build trust, connection, and authentic leadership.

Susan Young
Communications Strategist & Trainer for AEC Professionals
Creator of the Top Tier Communicator Program

🌐 aecamplify.com

• Confidence is a learned skill—communication can be trained like any other

• Stop hiding behind “I’m just an introvert” and start building presence

• Clarity in writing starts with knowing the point you’re trying to make

• Your audience is rooting for you—they want you to succeed

• “Silent listening” helps you become a trusted advisor, not just another vendor

• You don’t need to memorize a script to communicate effectively—just be real

• Don’t bury the lead. Make your point. Make every word count.

“Nobody came for your PowerPoint slides. In the end, you are the message.” — Susan Young

“Make your point. Maybe it’s the Jersey in me, but I say: Cut the crap. What are you trying to say?” — Susan Young

Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home.

Through a blend of executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you:

• Lead with clarity
• Communicate with impact
• Build aligned systems that support your values
• Avoid burnout and thrive in every area of life

Learn more at engineeryoursuccessnow.com

Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant

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 stronger teams, and reduce the emotional drama that derails strategic initiatives. Whether you're managing a project, leading an M&A, or simply trying to help your team thrive, this episode offers insights you won’t want to miss

⏱️ Key Moments in the Episode

00:00 – 02:00 – Introduction

02:00 – 07:00 – Karrie’s journey from marketing to transformation and AI consulting

07:00 – 13:00 – How data-driven EQ helps teams adopt change more effectively

13:00 – 17:00 – Case study: M&A roadblocks, seller’s remorse, and emotional drama

17:00 – 23:00 – Leading engineers: Learning styles, trust, and team dynamics

23:00 – 30:00 – Risk-taking, burnout, and redefining success at work and at home

30:00 – 38:00 – Coaching frameworks, impostor syndrome, and self-worth

38:00 – 42:00 – Final thoughts, continuous growth, and how to connect with Karrie

👤 Guest Information

Karrie Sullivan
Founder of Culminate Strategy Group
Expert in AI-driven change management and team psychology

• 💼 Connect with Karrie on LinkedIn
• 🌐 https://culminatestrategy.com/
• 📘 Upcoming ebook: Hacking the Change Curve

💡 Key Insights & Takeaways

• AI adoption is as much about mindset as it is about systems
• Emotional intelligence is a practical leadership skill—not a soft skill
• Belonging and psychological safety accelerate team transformation
• You can segment your team’s learning preferences using data
• “Should” is one of the most dangerous words in the workplace
• True success includes how you show up at home, not just at work

🧠 Notable Quotes

“EQ isn’t about hugging employees. It’s about solving complex problems while letting go of fear, guilt, and shame.” — Karrie Sullivan

“You create that little bit of need to belong… and magic just happens. Adoption just happens.” — Karrie Sullivan

Engineer Your Success equips technical professionals and business owners to become confident, purpose-driven leaders who thrive at work and at home.

Through a blend of executive coaching, business consulting, and strategic content solutions, we help you:

• Lead with clarity
• Communicate with impact
• Build aligned systems that support your values
• Avoid burnout and thrive in every area of life

Learn more at engineeryoursuccessnow.com

Follow Dr. James Bryant | https://sleek.bio/jbryant

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.

• 00:00 - 01:00: Introduction and pre-roll clip about baseball and engineering
• 01:00 - 02:00: Brian introduces himself and his engineering background
• 02:00 - 05:00: The story behind Brian's baseball jersey and the book concept
• 05:00 - 08:00: Curtis Parch's story and lessons on adapting to your audience
• 08:00 - 10:00: How definitions of success evolve throughout your career
• 10:00 - 15:00: Brian's career journey from high school drafting to professional engineer
• 15:00 - 18:00: Discussion on engineering education vs. practical communication skills
• 18:00 - 21:00: Breaking down different types of people engineers interact with
• 21:00 - 22:00: Book information and how to connect with Brian

Brian Wagner

• Professional Engineer with 20+ years of experience in land development engineering
• Background in public safety and emergency management
• Author of "Rounding The Bases: Winning Communication and Leadership for Engineers"
• Website: brianwagner.co
• Connect with Brian on LinkedIn

• How baseball terminology and engineering jargon create similar communication challenges
• The importance of adapting your communication style to different audiences
• Brian's unconventional career path from hand drafting to professional engineering
• The value of practical experience in developing effective communication skills
• How your definition of success evolves throughout your career
• Three types of people engineers typically interact with and how to communicate with each

• "You don't have to be the smartest person in the room, but if you have the ability to communicate and connect the dots, you become the most useful person in the room." - Brian Wagner
• "Technical expertise will get you in the door. It'll get you to that table. It'll bring you to the opportunity. But having strong communication and leadership skills is what sets you apart." - Brian Wagner
• "Engineers are great communicators when they're talking to other engineers... But when you are forced to talk to someone that has a different perspective, that's where the communication challenges come in." - Dr. James Bryant

1. Be willing to change and make adjustments to your communication style
2. Recognize that different stakeholders speak different "languages"
3. Avoid using technical jargon and acronyms when communicating with clients
4. View communication challenges as opportunities for growth
5. Success is defined differently at different stages of your career

• "Rounding The Bases: Winning Communication and Leadership for Engineers" by Brian Wagner
• Available on Amazon

• Visit engineeryoursuccessnow.com for more resources on leadership and communication
• Follow Engineer Your Success on social media
• Subscribe to our podcast for more episodes on engineering leadership
• James Bryant | SleekBio

Engineer Your Success helps technical professionals develop the leadership and communication skills needed to excel in their careers. We believe you don't have to choose between success and sanity - you can thrive in both your professional and personal life.

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 practical strategies for building a future-ready engineering career, grounded in ethics, resilience, and real-world value.

🧠 Topics We Cover:

• How engineers can respond when funding disappears
• Building resilient infrastructure under uncertain policy
• Ethical responsibility in engineering design
• Community-first thinking and public consultation
• The role of universities and professors in shaping future engineers
• Career pivots that stay true to your mission
• Smart design strategies to reduce long-term risk
• What engineers can do right now to lead meaningful change

00:00 Energy Transition Challenges Amidst Rhetoric

05:21 Optimistic Environmental Progress Paths

07:44 Optimizing Infrastructure for Change

12:21 Prioritize Design for Green Buildings

13:55 Predictable Problems: Proactive Solutions

16:55 From Biology to Engineering

21:33 "Transportation Leadership Internship Program"

23:11 Civil Engineering: A Meaningful Profession

27:27 Redefining Ambition

28:51 Infrastructure & Safety Expertise Offered

👤 About Dr. Emily Grubert
Dr. Emily Grubert is Associate Professor of Sustainable Energy Policy, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Earth Sciences at the University of Notre Dame. Her research focuses on justice-oriented deep decarbonization and decision-making frameworks for large-scale infrastructure systems. With experience at the U.S. Department of Energy and a Ph.D. from Stanford, she helps engineers build ethical, sustainable careers that adapt to changing societal needs.

📲 Connect with Emily Grubert

→ Email: egrubert@nd.edu

→ University Profile: https://keough.nd.edu/profile/emily-grubert/

👨‍🏫 Connect with the Host – Dr. James Bryant

James Bryant | SleekBio

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 fatherly pride and wisdom, Dr. Bryant shares his experiences, offering advice on mastering challenges and the importance of personal growth. Whether you're a parent or a young adult, this episode presents valuable insights for navigating life's transitions.

00:00 Introduction to a Special Episode

01:34 Father-Son Conversation Begins

02:12 JT's College Preparations and Habits

03:52 Dr. Bryant's Business Motivation

04:55 Advice to Younger Self

06:56 Calculated Risks and Faith

08:25 Legacy and Current Challenges

13:25 Books and Final Thoughts

16:39 Conclusion and Parting Words

Connect with Dr. Bryant

James Bryant | SleekBio

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

• Creating high-performing teams through transparency

• Balancing work ambition with personal life

• Preparing for the future of engineering, including technology and inclusion

Whether you're climbing the leadership ladder or helping others grow, Kevin’s insights offer a powerful roadmap for leading with integrity and impact.

00:00 – Introduction to Engineer Your Success

00:42 – Meet Kevin Moore: A Journey in Structural Engineering

02:35 – Transition to Executive Leadership

07:32 – The Importance of Authentic Leadership

15:38 – Managing a Large Team

18:01 – A Message to the Team Kevin Leads

21:13 – Leadership Advice for Aspiring Executives

21:23 – Advice for Aspiring Engineering Leaders

21:43 – The Importance of Confidence and Planning

23:45 – Interview Anecdote: Speaking the Right Language

30:32 – Balancing Work and Personal Life

33:29 – The Future of Engineering: Technology and Diversity

37:46 – Final Thoughts & How to Connect with Kevin

Kevin Moore is a nationally recognized structural engineer and executive leader with decades of experience in advanced analysis, design, and evaluation of buildings in high seismic regions. Over the course of his career, Kevin has evaluated more than 500 buildings and contributed to some of California’s largest and most complex structural steel projects, including the Sacramento Kings Arena, Loma Linda Hospital, and 200 Park.

A lifelong Californian, Kevin brings deep expertise in navigating some of the nation’s most stringent building code environments. His work spans new construction, existing building evaluations, and construction engineering support at scale.

In addition to his technical accomplishments, Kevin is a passionate advocate for the structural engineering profession. As a leader within the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC), he helped launch and fund two endowments focused on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the industry.

Currently serving as Executive Vice President at Rimkus, Kevin now leads a 400-person business unit — combining his engineering roots with a people-first leadership approach.

When he’s not leading teams or shaping the future of engineering, you’ll find him on the track racing his early 1990s BMW.

Contact Kevin: Email | kevin.moore@rimkus.com | Kevin Moore | LinkedIn

Connect with Dr. Bryant

James Bryant | SleekBio