In this episode, Jake and Steve break down the core traits that separate engineers who accelerate teams from those who quietly stall progress. This is a raw, practical conversation about how ego shows up in engineering—and how to replace it with real influence, clear communication, and team-building behaviors that actually get noticed.

Not theory—practical, tactical advice from engineers who’ve been there.

Key topics covered:
• The real meaning of agency and urgency—and why they belong together
• How ownership and accountability build trust fast
• Why curiosity and humility unlock next-level influence
• How ego-driven behavior quietly destroys team capacity
• The biggest career-limiting behavior you may not realize you're doing
• Delivering clarity under pressure—even when it's not your fault
• Why engineers need to manage upward as well as across
• Recovering from mistakes in a way that builds your reputation
• Communication strategies that work with execs and field teams alike
• What it really takes to become the engineer people trust

Actionable takeaways:
• Follow up within 24 hours—no exceptions
• Ask people how they want to receive updates
• Don’t wait to be told—take initiative within your lane
• Own the outcome, even when someone else drops the ball
• Convert mistakes into visible lessons learned
• Deliver updates in three clear sentences, not a ramble
• Track your open loops and close them like it matters (because it does)
• Stay curious and ask why, not just what
• Give credit, take feedback, and actually apply it
• Show urgency with your response time and your decision-making

This episode is for engineers who are tired of being overlooked, want to lead without waiting for permission, and are ready to build real trust and career equity through action—not noise.

Where to listen:
Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This one’s for every engineer who’s ever been told to “speak up more” without being given a blueprint.

David Hall—author of Minding Your Time and host of The Quiet and Strong Podcast—joins us to dismantle the noise around introversion in the workplace. He’s not here with theory. This is tactical, field-tested insight for deep thinkers who want to lead without pretending to be extroverts.

We go deep into how to use your internal processor to drive action, earn respect, and stop being overlooked in rooms full of noise.

Key Topics Covered
• What introversion really is (and why most people get it totally wrong)
• The difference between shyness and quiet—and why the confusion screws careers
• How internal processors can dominate meetings without dominating airtime
• Strategic silence: how to build presence before you speak
• The energy cost of context-switching and how to reclaim your calendar
• Using Clifton Strengths to stop fighting yourself and start accelerating
• Tools for managers working with introverted engineers
• Misconceptions about leadership—and how the loudest voice often lacks the most value
• The power of concise, confident delivery when you're not the one talking nonstop
• How David built a podcast and wrote a book as a so-called “quiet” person

Actionable Steps
• Write down one insight and one question before every meeting
• Speak within the first five minutes of a call—even just once—to shift perception
• Request agendas ahead of time so you can prep like a weapon
• Block your calendar for recharge time and deep thinking—not just tasks
• Build a “someday” list to offload ideas that are valuable but not urgent
• Tell your manager how you work best—don’t assume they know
• Stop managing to everyone else’s energy—optimize for yours
• Use written follow-ups after meetings to drop clarity bombs
• Set decision deadlines to avoid drowning in overthinking
• Stop trying to match extrovert volume—match their impact

Who This Episode Is For
• Engineers who feel unseen or undervalued in loud team environments
• ICs who know they’re capable but get dismissed as “quiet”
• First-time managers trying to lead introverted reports effectively
• Burned-out overthinkers looking for structure and clarity
• High-performers who hate traditional networking bullshit

Why It Matters
You don’t need to be loud to lead—but you do need to be heard. Quiet minds build rockets, develop systems, and lead teams. But when your silence is misunderstood, your impact dies in the dark. This episode is about reclaiming visibility without selling out who you are. Your gifts are powerful—if you learn how to use them.

Where to Listen
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts

If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

Episode 108: Guest Mark Smith - Fired, Hired, and Thriving — Real Lessons from the Early Career Shitshow

Your first engineering job might suck. It might burn you out, betray your expectations, or end with you getting fired. That’s not a failure—it’s training. In this episode, we sit down with Mark Smith, founder of Bothwell Engineering, to unpack the early career war stories that shape who you become. From getting let go in his first year to building a thriving consultancy in life sciences, Mark shares tactical lessons for engineers trying to lead with integrity, energy, and clarity. Not theory—practical, tactical advice.

Key Topics Covered
• Getting fired in your first job: what it really teaches you
• How to pitch your worst experience as your strongest value
• What makes a real mentor—and how to keep them invested in you
• Why Bothwell Engineering was built to fix broken engineering culture
• How to avoid becoming “just a number” in your career
• The surprising power of honesty in job interviews
• Early career moves that build long-term trust and career leverage
• How co-ops and field experience prepare you for real leadership
• When not to take a full-time offer—and why
• Building a business without burning yourself out

Actionable Steps
• Reframe every failure into a value story—especially in interviews
• Ask the “dumb” questions early—don’t let fear cost you progress
• Get your hands dirty: walk the floor, inspect installs, ask the trades
• Build your micro-resume weekly—track what you learn and share it
• Spend 15 minutes a week expanding your network, no excuses
• Know what “support” looks like—ask for structure if you need it
• Find mentors by implementing their advice, not just listening
• Don’t burn bridges—you’ll see these people again, guaranteed
• Explore co-ops and contractor roles for real-world acceleration
• Challenge clients and companies—your integrity is your brand

Who This Episode Is For
• Engineers in toxic work environments wondering if it’s just them
• Early career ICs with no structure, mentorship, or support
• New grads navigating co-ops, contracts, or first real jobs
• Overlooked engineers trying to find better leadership
• Engineers burned by loyalty to companies that didn’t return it

Why It Matters
Energy, visibility, and performance are what move your career forward—not being “perfect” out of the gate. The early years are where you build your voice, your values, and your ability to lead. This episode is a playbook for turning chaos into clarity—and using every tough lesson to level up faster.

Where to Listen
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts

If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

Episode 107: Learn the Game: Systems, Strategy, and the Equity You’re Missing

In this no-BS breakdown, Jake and Steve dive deep into what separates high performers from invisible ICs. It's not just about doing the work—it's about building value that compounds over time. From turning templates into leverage, to earning internal loyalty and external referrals, this episode shows you how to play the long game in engineering.
Not theory—practical, tactical advice from engineers who’ve been there.

Key Topics Covered:
• What it really means to “learn the game” in engineering
• How to align your work with business goals (or get labeled a low performer)
• Why SOPs and personal systems are a career cheat code
• The power of reusable tools and repeatable execution
• How follow-through separates leaders from everyone else
• Career equity vs resume padding: what clients and bosses actually remember
• Why project adversity can be more valuable than perfect execution
• Leveraging lessons learned while they’re fresh
• The hidden value of visibility and feedback loops
• Who your real “customer” is—and how to earn their loyalty

Actionable Steps:
• Start asking business questions beyond your task list
• Build SOPs for your most common project types
• Create and maintain a personal engineering Excel toolkit
• Standardize drawing notes and design details—stop reinventing
• Review and update lessons learned after every job
• Use calendar blocks for system-building and follow-through
• Capture client and PM feedback as career capital
• Convert successful one-offs into reusable templates
• Don’t skip final QA—train yourself to finish all the way
• Document adversity and outcomes, then share them

Who This Episode Is For:
• Engineers stuck in “heads down” mode
• High performers who get overlooked or misunderstood
• Technical leads trying to level up team execution
• New grads or EITs looking to gain an edge
• ICs who want to build influence without a formal title

Why It Matters:
You can do great work and still get passed over. The difference is visibility, alignment, and value that compounds. Build systems, get seen, and make every project work harder for your future. That’s equity—and it’s how careers are made.

Where to Listen:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts

If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

Episode 106: Guest Aaron Moncur - If You’re Not Building Energy, You’re Dying at Your Desk

Guest: Aaron Moncur, Founder of Pipeline Design & Engineering

In this episode of The Impactful Engineer Podcast, Jake and Steve sit down with Aaron Moncur—founder of Pipeline Design & Engineering and host of The Being an Engineer podcast—to talk about the career factor too many engineers ignore: energy.

Not caffeine. Not motivation. The kind of energy that keeps you clear-headed, confident, and ready to lead. The kind that fuels your career—or quietly kills it.

Aaron shares how getting laid off launched his business, what he learned about designing roles that energize instead of drain, and how engineers can stay sharp without burning out.

This one’s for the builders who feel stuck. For the quiet grinders wondering why it still doesn’t feel right. For the engineers who know they’ve got more in the tank but can’t seem to access it.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why getting laid off was the best thing that ever happened to Aaron’s career
• The task-by-task audit that changed how he worked
• How to identify what’s draining you—and fix it
• When your job is “fine” but feels soul-crushing
• Tactical ways to recharge without checking out
• How journaling and AI can supercharge self-awareness
• A 3-part model for finding your high-energy, high-impact zone
• Why productivity systems matter more than hours worked
• Creating a role inside your company—or creating your own
• Why fun side projects may hold your next move
  
  

Actionable Steps:

• List what gives and drains energy—then track it
• Rate weekly tasks by energy and impact
• Add a short weekly reflection to spot patterns
• Try Aaron’s AI journaling trick to review your mindset
• Start one habit that adds energy to your day
• Propose a project that aligns with your strengths
• Turn repeated tasks into systems that save energy
• Get a mentor or coach to check your blind spots
• Celebrate energizing wins—even the quiet ones
• Shift from “doing the work” to designing how you work

Who This Episode Is For:

• Engineers quietly burning out but still performing
• High performers feeling oddly drained
• New grads trying to find traction
• Anyone who wants to build energy instead of lose it
  
  

Why It Matters:

Energy is your fuel. If you don’t manage it, your performance, motivation, and growth will stall—no matter how smart you are. This episode shows how to track, protect, and multiply it—so you can do work that actually sustains you.

Where to Listen:

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts.

If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

Episode 105: You’re Good at Your Job. Here’s Why That’s Not Enough

In this episode of The Impactful Engineer Podcast, Jake and Steve go deep on the real career tactics that separate average engineers from top performers. No guests. No fluff. Just two seasoned professionals pulling back the curtain on what actually moves the needle—especially early in your career.

From learning to advocate for yourself to mastering meetings and building real career equity, this conversation is packed with brutally honest insights that most people wish someone told them sooner. This isn’t about doing more work—it’s about playing the right game, building the right habits, and becoming someone people trust with real responsibility.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why waiting for recognition is a career killer—and how to show your value proactively
• Knowing when it’s time to leave: how to assess toxic or stagnant work environments
• The hidden cost of saying yes to everything (and how it leads straight to burnout)
• What actually gets you promoted—and why technical skill is only part of the equation
• How to own coordination meetings, gain respect, and avoid endless RFIs
• The mindset shift from “doing the job” to “running the project”
• Why checklists, systems, and templates are the cheat code to flawless execution
• How to build internal equity—not just a resume—with each project you touch
• Using client feedback, visibility, and intentional follow-ups to grow career capital
• The value of knowing how your company actually makes money—and aligning your work accordingly

Actionable Steps:

• Stop working in silence—start explaining your decisions and linking them to client success
• Build and refine personal checklists for recurring tasks or design processes
• Run your meetings with clear agendas, defined outcomes, and next steps
• Identify three high-impact templates or calculators you use often—and formalize them
• Schedule a 30% design review with peers to pressure-test ideas early
• Start asking business questions: how does your company win work? What’s the profit driver?
• Keep a running lessons-learned doc—and revisit it before each new project
• Track wins that matter (cost saved, timeline protected, errors prevented) and make sure people know
• Carve out time to turn your work into reusable systems before moving on

Who This Episode Is For:

• Early- and mid-career engineers trying to break into leadership roles
• Individual contributors who feel overlooked or undervalued
• Project engineers, PMs, or tech leads trying to manage teams and outcomes better
• Anyone who wants to stop spinning their wheels and start building real momentum

Why It Matters:
You can do great work and still get passed over. In today’s fast-paced engineering world, visibility, prioritization, and proactive leadership are just as important as technical skill. This episode shows you how to shift from just doing your job to becoming the engineer people rely on to move things forward—fast, accurately, and with impact.

Where to Listen:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Or wherever you get your podcasts

If something in this episode struck a chord, share it. With your team, your boss, your mentee—whoever needs to hear it. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth, just like the best careers do.

Episode 104: Your Habits Are the Ceiling on Your Career

In this episode of The Impactful Engineer Podcast, Jake and Steve revisit one of the most important drivers of long-term success: your habits. Whether you’re trying to move up in your role, communicate more confidently, or just feel better every day—this conversation digs into how your lifestyle directly impacts your career as an engineer.

From fitness and nutrition to cluttered workspaces, sleep, reading, and building relationships—this episode gets real about what it actually takes to perform at a high level. It’s not about adding more to your plate—it’s about refining how you show up, what you repeat, and who you become in the process.

Key Topics Covered:

• How physical appearance, hygiene, and presence affect your influence as an engineer
• The silent energy drain of a messy work or home environment
• Why “look good, feel good, perform better” is backed by more than just good vibes
• Realistic ways to improve sleep, clean eating, and basic movement—even with a packed schedule
• How reading, podcasts, and learning routines build confidence and keep your edge sharp
• Why social reps matter—and how to intentionally connect with peers and future collaborators
• How your network creates opportunities faster than skills alone
• Using daily conversations to build trust, grow visibility, and avoid becoming invisible at work
• How high-level engineers and VPs succeed: it’s not just skill—it’s who they know and how they connect

Actionable Steps:

• Clean your workspace and sleeping space—your brain will thank you
• Replace late-night scrolling with a book or a short audio learning session
• Create a standing weekly lunch or walk with someone in or outside your team
• Make a short list of people to reconnect with professionally—start small
• Add a 10-minute daily walk or basic workout to reset your energy
• Buy and cook whole foods—cut out processed snacks for one week and feel the difference

Who This Episode Is For:

• Engineers looking to level up professionally through better life structure
• Professionals stuck in “grind mode” and feeling depleted
• Team leads or technical managers looking to set a higher standard for themselves and others
• Anyone who’s ready to take control of how they show up in their work and in life

Why It Matters:

Your technical skills are only part of the story. What you do every day—the way you eat, rest, learn, and communicate—sets your ceiling. This episode is about lifting that ceiling by tightening your habits and being intentional about how you live and connect.

Where to Listen:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Or wherever you get your podcasts

If something in this episode hit home, tell someone. Share it directly with a friend or colleague. The best way to grow this show is through word of mouth—and the best way to grow your career is to take what you hear here and put it into practice.

Episode 103: Your Habits Are the Ceiling on Your Career

In this episode of The Impactful Engineer Podcast, Jake and Steve dive deep into the daily habits that separate high-performing engineers from the rest. Technical skill might get your foot in the door, but it’s your personal systems—your sleep, your diet, your routines, your communication style—that determine whether you level up or burn out.

This conversation explores how simple, repeatable actions drive clarity, energy, and trust across engineering teams. Whether you’re running projects, leading teams, or building your reputation from the ground up, the way you show up every day matters more than you think.

Key Topics Covered:

• The connection between professional perception and personal hygiene
• Why a clean workspace boosts focus and mental performance
• How diet, exercise, and sleep impact your work output as an engineer
• Building your personal brand through responsiveness and follow-through
• The career cost of ghosting coworkers, PMs, or clients
• Daily learning habits that keep your thinking sharp and adaptive
• How to stop isolating yourself and start creating career leverage through relationships

Tactical Action Steps:

• Deep-clean your work environment to improve energy and reset your mindset
• Set a consistent bedtime and use it to anchor your day
• Build a short, repeatable daily movement routine
• Start reading again—10 minutes a night can sharpen your edge
• Schedule a lunch, coffee, or 15-minute call with someone outside your core team
• Reconnect with a former colleague or client and ask what they’re working on

Why This Episode Matters:

Many engineers unknowingly cap their career potential by neglecting the habits that build trust, increase visibility, and improve decision-making under pressure. If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck despite working hard, this episode gives you the playbook to shift from reactive to intentional—and build momentum that lasts.

This episode is for:

• Engineers at any level who want to grow in their career
• Project managers and team leads focused on building trust and performance
• Professionals trying to balance execution with long-term growth
• Anyone in technical fields ready to tighten up their routines and get back control

Listen now on:

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Or wherever you listen to podcasts

If this episode helped you rethink your approach, share it with your team or forward it to a peer. Strong engineering culture starts with individual consistency—and that starts with you.