Engineer Your Success

In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Jim Weldon discusses the price of entrepreneurial success, revealing that his journey of building multiple 8-figure companies nearly cost him his marriage and connection with his children. He shares transformative strategies for bootstrapping profitable ventures, emphasizing the importance of balancing work and family life. Jim highlights the significance of the "Friday at 5pm" rule and offers insights on consulting, product-market fit, and the realities of raising funds, aiming to educate future entrepreneurs on maintaining healthy relationships.

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

This episode of Engineer Your Success features Dr. Srijib Mukherjee, highlighting the significance of mentorship in engineering careers. Key topics include navigating early career challenges, the importance of adaptability, achieving work-life balance, and inspiring mentorship stories that foster growth in aspiring engineers. Practical advice is shared for young professionals aiming to lead effectively.

In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant interviews executive consultant Stephen Hinch, who shares insights from his career generating over a billion dollars in revenue. He discusses the importance of effectively implementing both incremental and disruptive innovations, managing innovation projects, and finding balance in personal and professional success.

Technology has shifted dramatically in the last 30 years, from dialing into universities just to send an email, to AI tools that can transform how we work. The lesson is clear: leaders who don’t stay current risk getting left behind. In this episode, Nathan Whittacre shares the hard-earned lessons of helping businesses adopt technology with strategy, not just hype.

Learn how to shift from control to empowerment so your business — and your team — can grow without burning you out. Description 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 discover: Why the skills that launch a business often stall it later How to spot when you’ve become the bottleneck The difference between specifying outcomes vs. micromanaging details Why empowering employees to design processes leads to real ownership How trust, curiosity, and vulnerability build stronger leaders and healthier teams Practical ways to use KPIs and dashboards to stay in control without hovering If you’re tired of feeling like everything depends on you, this conversation will show you how to create systems, empower your team, and scale your business — without losing your sanity. 🔑 Key Takeaways Micromanagement is a bottleneck, not a strategy. Entrepreneurial traits that spark growth don’t always translate into leadership. Empower your team to design processes — they’ll own the results. Focus on specifying outcomes, not every detail. Trust and vulnerability are leadership strengths, not weaknesses. What gets measured improves: use KPIs and dashboards wisely. 🕒 Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & EYS Insiders Ad 01:00 – Why entrepreneurial skills can hurt you as a manager 04:00 – When entrepreneurs become the bottleneck 07:00 – Micromanagement in action: the fence & muffin stories 10:00 – How to empower your team to own processes 12:30 – Seeing the bigger picture with KPIs and dashboards 14:30 – Cary’s biggest leadership lesson: learning to listen 16:00 – Practical steps to move from “my way” to empowering leadership 20:00 – Dr. James Bryant on the secret to his success: partnership with God 🔗 Resources & Links Connect with Cary Prejean: Strategic Business Advisors | LinkedIn Get free PDF downloads of Cary’s first two books on his website Learn more about Engineer Your Success coaching and resources: www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com 🎧 Join Engineer Your Success Insiders: www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders

What happens when you lose NASA’s moon mission contract to SpaceX and Blue Origin—twice? Aerospace leader Andy Crocker shares how setbacks shaped his purpose and values.

AI in the workplace is advancing faster than most of us can keep up with—but there’s one thing it will never replace: human connection and leadership. In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant sits down with Kenneth Correa, a marketing strategist and emerging tech expert from Brazil. Kenneth has spent over 15 years tracking technologies from blockchain and the metaverse to today’s AI agents. He’s also the author of Cognitive Organizations, a book written entirely with the help of AI agents. Through real-world stories, Kenneth explores the future of work, AI and leadership, and how to use AI productivity tools without losing what matters most—empathy, trust, and human connection at work. From training 7,000 factory workers safely in the metaverse to a failed experiment where a Swiss bank replaced managers with an AI “boss,” you’ll hear both the promise and the pitfalls of AI. If you’re wondering how to leverage AI to free up your time, boost productivity, and strengthen—not replace—the relationships that drive success at work, this conversation is for you. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why AI hype cycles repeat—and how to tell what’s valuable vs. noise A practical case study: how VR training reduced workplace accidents in a major factory project Why replacing managers with an AI boss backfired—and what it teaches us about leadership and empathy How Kenneth uses AI agents in his business to create time for what matters most Three simple steps to start using AI without losing your humanity 📌 Resources & Links Connect with Kenneth Correa on LinkedIn Learn more about Kenneth’s book: Cognitive Organizations Join Engineer Your Success Insiders — a private podcast with weekly coaching insights: 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. Hosted by Dr. James Bryant, PhD, PE, this podcast gives you practical strategies to strengthen your leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence—so you can build stronger teams, make better decisions, and design a life that works on your terms. Learn more at www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com

Lessons from William Davis | EP 206 Listen Now  What You’ll Learn in This Episode The most common mistakes that undermine leadership credibility. How to navigate complex workplace challenges with confidence. Practical strategies for sustaining career growth and avoiding burnout.     Episode SummaryIn this conversation with leadership expert William Davis, we uncover the subtle but powerful pitfalls that can quietly derail even the most promising careers. Drawing on nearly 40 years of leadership experience in corporate America, William shares candid insights, practical strategies, and stories that illuminate both the mistakes to avoid and the actions that lead to long-term success. Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire organization, you’ll walk away with tools you can apply immediately to strengthen your influence, build trust, and stay on the path to professional fulfillment.       Timestamps / Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview01:25 – Early leadership lessons from William’s career05:42 – The credibility killers leaders overlook12:18 – Navigating conflict without damaging relationships18:55 – How to maintain momentum in challenging seasons26:30 – The role of mentorship in avoiding career pitfalls32:15 – Key takeaways & closing thoughts     Connect with William DavisWith nearly 40 years of leadership experience in corporate America, William brings deep insights and practical strategies to inspire transformative change. Through engaging storytelling and actionable guidance, he helps audiences uncover the keys to leadership, succeed while avoiding common failures, and empower themselves to excel in critical leadership roles. LinkedIn: William Davis Website: https://www.williamcdavis.net   Want a Coach in Your Corner?Get weekly leadership tools and insights that help you win at work and at home — straight from Dr. James Bryant.Join at www.engineeryoursuccessnow.com/insiders

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 leadershi

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

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 engine

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 embraci

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 wa

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 en

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?

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 Succes

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

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

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 professi