Best Input Switch Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 127 – What You Do After “No” Defines Your Career 25:30

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3d ago25:30

25:30

Every engineer hits a wall. You pitch an idea, chase a promotion, or submit a proposal; then you get a “no.” Most people stop there. But high-impact engineers don’t see rejection as the end. They see it as data. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down how to turn a “no” into fuel for growth, how to ask the right follow-up questions, and how to u…

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Episode 126 – Confidence Wins. Ego Kills. With Chris Stasiuk 1:04:13

10d ago1:04:13

1:04:13

Ego can make you feel powerful—but it’s killing your impact. In this episode, Jake and Steve sit down with Chris Stasiuk, a former electrical engineer turned leadership coach, to unpack the real difference between confidence and ego. This is not theory—it’s practical, tactical advice for engineers who want to influence others, communicate clearly, …

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Episode 125 – Multitasking Is a Myth. Master Task Switching Instead 38:45

17d ago38:45

38:45

Intro: Engineers pride themselves on “handling it all.” But let’s be real—you’re not multitasking. You’re bleeding time and energy through poor task switching. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down why context switching wrecks your focus, how to stop draining your energy every time your attention shifts, and the systems that top performers use…

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Episode 124 – Don’t Be a Paper Engineer with Brooke MacFee 1:01:37

24d ago1:01:37

1:01:37

In this episode, manufacturing engineer Brooke MacFee joins Jake and Steve to share hard-earned lessons from her path across biomedical, aerospace, and small-scale manufacturing. From taking jobs out of necessity to leading teams before she felt ready, Brooke’s story hits every early-career engineer who’s still finding their footing. This conversat…

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Episode 123 – Your Goals Don’t Matter... Your Inputs Do 31:30

1M ago31:30

31:30

Most engineers chase outcomes—titles, numbers, recognition. But outcomes are a lagging indicator of your inputs. In this episode, Jake and Steve break down how to flip your focus from results to repetition, from motivation to momentum, and from willpower to discipline. This isn’t theory—it’s practical, tactical advice for engineers who want to buil…

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Episode 122 – Decision Volume Beats Decision Perfection 27:13

1M ago27:13

27:13

Most engineers hold themselves back by waiting too long to act. In this episode, Steve and Jake Maxey break down how speed of decision-making drives value in your career and projects. Not theory—practical, tactical advice you can use right now. Key Topics Covered • Why projects bleed money from slow decisions, not big mistakes • How to spot critica…

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Episode 121 – Lead Without Authority: Set the Standard 20:03

2M ago20:03

20:03

Your communication (or lack of it) defines your reputation. Miss updates, ghost clients, or wait for someone else to ask, and you’ve already lost trust. In this episode, Jake and Steve break down why communication is the real differentiator in engineering—and how you can lead without authority by setting standards others can’t ignore. Not theory—pr…

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Episode 120 – If You Think Communication Is a Waste of Time, You’re Wrong 15:11

2M ago15:11

15:11

Most engineers think their job is just to deliver the technical work. Drawings done, analysis complete, box checked. Wrong. The engineers who win long term are the ones who manage stakeholder expectations. That means clear updates, fast pivots, and taking ownership of communication—even when it feels uncomfortable or “not your job.” In this episode…

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Episode 119 – Your Biggest Career Killer? Emotional Outbursts and Slow Execution 25:57

2M ago25:57

25:57

Most engineers don’t fail because they lack technical skills. They fail because they blow up in the moment—or because they move too slow. In this episode, Steve and Jake Maxey break down how to control your emotions when feedback hits hard, why perception trumps reality, and how speed separates leaders from the rest. Not theory—practical, tactical …

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Episode 118 – Stop Talking, Start Solving: The Engineer’s Guide to Raising Issues 16:32

2M ago16:32

16:32

Negativity spreads faster than bad code reviews—and it can tank your career. Too many engineers air frustrations in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and end up damaging trust instead of fixing problems. In this episode, Jake and Steve Maxey break down the real playbook for raising issues without becoming “that person.” Not theory—practical, tact…

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Episode 117 – Action Over Anxiety: The Playbook for Early-Career Engineers 22:52

2M ago22:52

22:52

Stepping into your first engineering job? The anxiety is real—but it doesn’t have to own you. In this episode, Jake and Steve Maxey break down the exact playbook for engineers in their first year on the job. Not theory—practical, tactical advice to cut through the noise, avoid rookie burnout, and start stacking wins that actually build confidence. …

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Episode 116: Guest Brian Walch - The 3 Stages of Career Growth: What Engineers Need and Managers Overlook 59:10

3M ago59:10

59:10

Most engineers think career growth is about waiting for promotions or cranking out projects. It isn’t. In this episode, Brian Walch—leadership coach, consultant, and founder of Shift Focus Coaching and Consulting—breaks down the real framework for building a fulfilling career and the role managers play in making (or breaking) it. Not theory—practic…

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Episode 115 - Nice Won’t Make You Better — Truth Will 18:25

3M ago18:25

18:25

Most engineers want feedback—until it stings. Then they explain it away, blame the delivery, or wait for someone “better” to say it. That’s how careers stall. In this episode, I break down how to separate signal from noise, use even the roughest feedback to grow, and stop making your improvement someone else’s responsibility. Not theory—practical, …

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Episode 114 - Still Drowning? You're Addicted to Noise 24:47

3M ago24:47

24:47

Tired of feeling overloaded no matter how hard you work? This episode breaks it down. It’s not about adding more energy—it’s about deleting what doesn’t matter. Jake lays out a ruthless framework for increasing clarity, output, and agency by maximizing your signal-to-noise ratio. Not theory—practical, tactical advice for engineers buried in distrac…

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Episode 113 - We Finally Solved It (You're Welcome) 3:05

3M ago3:05

3:05

You'll definitely want to know what we have discovered in this episode. We're very excited to share this with you all.By Steve & Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers

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Episode 112: The Doors Will Come—Will You Have the Key or Just Regret? 35:59

3M ago35:59

35:59

You don’t know which doors you’ll need to open—until they’re locked in your face. And when that moment comes, it’s too damn late to wish you had started building your network. This episode isn’t about “networking.” It’s about regret-proofing your career. Jake and Steve break down the truth engineers don’t hear enough: the relationships you build to…

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Episode 111: How to Ruin a High-Performing Team 18:22

4M ago18:22

18:22

In this episode, Jake and Steve break down a real-world story of a promising project derailed by ego-driven leadership—and how it quietly destroyed the motivation of a high-performing engineering team. If you've ever worked under someone who needed to be the smartest in the room, this one will hit home. Not theory—practical, tactical advice. Key To…

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Episode 110: From Friction to Force Multiplier — Traits of Impactful Engineers 40:40

4M ago40:40

40:40

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—p…

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Episode 109: Guest David Hall - If You Think More Than You Speak, You’re Not Broken—You’re Dangerous 55:50

4M ago55:50

55:50

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 l…

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Episode 108: Guest Mark Smith - Fired, Hired, and Thriving — Real Lessons from the Early Career Shitshow 52:59

4M ago52:59

52:59

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 t…

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Episode 107: Learn the Game: Systems, Strategy, and the Equity You’re Missing 24:37

5M ago24:37

24:37

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 …

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Episode 106: Guest Aaron Moncur - If You’re Not Building Energy, You’re Dying at Your Desk 59:40

5M ago59:40

59:40

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 car…

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Episode 105 - You’re Good at Your Job. Here’s Why That’s Not Enough 32:54

5M ago32:54

32:54

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 …

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Episode 104 - Your Habits are the Ceiling on Your Career 36:46

5M ago36:46

36:46

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 lifesty…

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Episode 103 - They Don't Need a Hero, They Need a Reply 29:16

5M ago29:16

29:16

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 styl…

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Episode 102 - If You Say This at Work, You’re Being Replaced Already 31:45

6M ago31:45

31:45

***************************************************************************************** Let's dive in! The Impactful Engineering Project's purpose is to bring awareness, access, success, and mentorship to all new and aspiring engineers. But it doesn't stop there. What we talk about on this podcast applies to seasoned engineers as well. The commun…

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Episode 101 - Communication Frameworks For Engineers - Guest Salvatore Manzi 1:00:30

6M ago1:00:30

1:00:30

You do not want to miss this episode with our guest Salvatore Manzi. Expert coach, expert communicator. Hugely valuable insight into the world of communicating your expertise to others in a way that sets you apart and helps you in your career more than any other skill. I guarantee you will walk away with something useful to apply to your every day …

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Episode 100 - Engineer Origins, Go Make Yourself An Awesome Story 32:57

6M ago32:57

32:57

...Let me ask you this. Going through university, did you ever think, "I shouldn't have picked this"? Since it wasn't your natural state to be building Legos, taking things apart, and figuring out how they work, did that thought ever cross your mind? Absolutely. I had my eye on the prize: get the degree and start working in the field. College is an…

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Episode 99 - Conversations For Outcomes, Not "Hard Discussions" 24:53

6M ago24:53

24:53

...Three weeks? Perfect. I had three and a half. I actually had about two months, because we still had to order the material and wait for delivery. I easily could have said, because I’m a high achiever and didn’t want to upset anyone on the call, "No problem, we’ll get it done next week." But that’s exactly the trap. Avoiding the hard conversation …

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Episode 98 - What Stands in the Way Becomes the Way 18:00

7M ago18:00

18:00

...There's this quote that I have been kind of living with this week because I really liked it. And of course it's from Marcus Aurelius, the stoic—you know, that it just is what it is. I love the way they think. But it says: “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” And what that means, of course, is that t…

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Episode 97 - How To Receive Critical Feedback 9:15

7M ago9:15

9:15

Even as high performers, we do get critical feedback. Sometimes this feedback can really dig into our egos. And if we aren't careful, it can push us to an emotional response that is going to hurt more than help our situation. Today, I want to quickly cover the do's and don'ts of getting critical feedback. First, let's talk about the don'ts. Don’t r…

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Episode 96 - Interview With Bug Meehan - Engineering Growth: From CAD to Clarity 57:18

7M ago57:18

57:18

...Exactly. And even in emails now, I’ll start off with one bolded sentence that’s basically, “Here’s what this whole thing is about,” and then the rest is detail. Because I don’t expect everybody to read the whole thing. But I want to make sure they get the point... ...It's respect and it's clarity. It shows that you’ve thought through what you’re…

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Episode 95 - How To Become Valuable Quickly - Interview With Edwin Montas - ACE Alumni, Gilbane Building Co 49:31

8M ago49:31

49:31

...Someone once told me: "You need to be valuable. If you're not valuable, you're not going anywhere." That stuck with me. So I told myself I wanted to be cross-trained. If there’s no work in one area, I should have the skills for another. I told my supervisors, “I’m doing project engineering, but I want to learn superintendent work. And when I did…

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Episode 94 - How To Create Less "Meetings That Could Have Been Emails" 35:42

8M ago35:42

35:42

...So it was basically the person doing a loop around the office. Meeting time, meeting time, meeting time, meeting time, you, you. And then we'd all get in the thing. It's like, holy shit, okay. And then we would show up in the meeting room, big old table. We're all around it. And then the person would proceed to tell us, why don’t you guys have d…

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Episode 93 - How You Actually Find Fulfillment At Work 27:28

8M ago27:28

27:28

... So I said, what is the most Googled search: how to find career success? You know, because that's kind of what we like to talk about. And so what do most people search about when they're looking for that? So it says according to available information: "The most common Google search related to finding career success is likely how to find a fulfil…

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Episode 92 - There’s a Bigger Picture to Everything—Do You Ever Challenge Your Perspective? 26:26

8M ago26:26

26:26

...but today? Not normal. I put together a list of quotes from people we listen to, respect, or at least keep an eye on. We’re gonna break them down, figure out what they mean for high performers—not saying we are, but, you know... Yeah, they’re going to be good. All right, let’s start by lifting people up with this one... *************************…

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Episode 91 - Exceeding Expectations: Do You Even Know What That Means? 34:19

9M ago34:19

34:19

....Most people think, “Yeah, I’m an awesome engineer. I get all my stuff done on time. I make the margins I’m supposed to. All the deliverables are complete, etc., etc.” Yeah, five people in my 360 review out of 30 said I had exceptional skills in something. Stuff like that. Exactly. And they’re like, “You know what? I’m awesome. I’m exceeding exp…

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Episode 90 - Interview w/ Chris Jasinski @ HGA & ACE Mentorship Program Rhode Island 1:00:07

9M ago1:00:07

1:00:07

Chris Jasinski is with HGA (full service architecture, interior design, landscape architecture). He is a business development professional and we get into some great discussion on breaking some mindsets, but more importantly, talking the ACE Mentorship Program. We break it down and give you insights into the program from the perspective of a mentor…

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Episode 89 - Not Your Average Goal Setting - This Shit Works 19:11

9M ago19:11

19:11

Most people track the wrong stuff. Let's start tracking the right stuff, doing more of what matters, and reach those goals without even tracking the output. ***************************************************************************************** Let's dive in! The Impactful Engineering Project's purpose is to bring awareness, access, success, and …

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Episode 88 - Interview w/ Dominic Michaud (Engineering Expertise, Personal Growth, Business) 40:34

9M ago40:34

40:34

In this episode, we sit down with Dominic Michaud ing. M.Sc, the visionary founder of SDM Consultants. Together, we explore his journey—from humble beginnings to achieving technical mastery, and eventually, taking the leap into entrepreneurship. Dominic shares how "learning how humans work" became the cornerstone of his success, allowing him to str…

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Episode 87 - Break Through With A New Mindset 13:46

9M ago13:46

13:46

Let's talk a little bit about how our habits are stabbing us in the back and how we will see the way forward much faster by breaking them if they don't serve us. Your great habits could holding you back, especially this one. ***************************************************************************************** Let's dive in! The Impactful Engine…

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Episode 86 - Delegation Is Stupid 18:20

10M ago18:20

18:20

This is a short presentation I gave to the team at work to stir up some thoughts around delegation and challenge those thoughts that don't serve us. This is a solid reminder of the power of delegation and why you should consider it as an excellent tool, but also as a necessary growth lever as well. **************************************************…

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Episode 85 - Setting Expectations Drives Results 22:03

10M ago22:03

22:03

A short conversation Steve and I had around setting expectations with suppliers and vendors (but really in any scenario) to help everyone win. ***************************************************************************************** Let's dive in! The Impactful Engineering Project's purpose is to bring awareness, access, success, and mentorship to …

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Episode 84 - New Year Dead Zone 14:28

10M ago14:28

14:28

How do we achieve true work-life balance at the end of the year and propel us into the New Year at the same time? ***************************************************************************************** Let's dive in! The Impactful Engineering Project's purpose is to bring awareness, access, success, and mentorship to all new and aspiring engineer…

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Episode 83 - Guest Shailvi Wakhlu (Self-Advocacy & Data Driven Careers) 59:43

10M ago59:43

59:43

In this episode, we are joined by Shailvi Wakhlu, a seasoned expert in the tech industry with 17 years of experience, now working with teams to increase profits, productivity, and performance. Former executive at Strava, Shailvi delves into the crucial topic of self-advocacy, exploring its significance in the engineering realm. She emphasizes defin…

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Episode 82 - Guest Jake Kennington, PE, SE (Purposeful Routines, Writing to Think, Creating for Impact) 1:02:44

11M ago1:02:44

1:02:44

Jake Kennington is our guest for this episode of The Impactful Engineer. Do you have someone you look up to or have admiration for, or that you aspire to be? They just seem to have what you want, or are doing things you want to do, and seem to do it despite some the reasons you give for not being able to (ouch, but stay with me). Why is that? What …

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Episode 81 - The Debt You Hadn't Considered & Aren't Paying Off Quickly Enough 14:35

11M ago14:35

14:35

Jake covers a different take on debt. Debt in your career. How do we get ahead of the interest we are accruing and pay it down? Enjoy! ***************************************************************************************** Let's dive in! The Impactful Engineering Project's purpose is to bring awareness, access, success, and mentorship to all new …

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Episode 80 - The Underrated & Misunderstood Value of Face Time 24:36

11M ago24:36

24:36

Steve and I discuss why not getting enough face time will always be an anchor to your career progress. Enjoy! ***************************************************************************************** Let's dive in! The Impactful Engineering Project's purpose is to bring awareness, access, success, and mentorship to all new and aspiring engineers. B…

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Episode 79 - Want To Accelerate Your Own Career? Lift Others Up & Have Their Back 10:59

11M ago10:59

10:59

Jake covers how this concept will have a huge effect on your own path and ability to boost the team's success. Enjoy! ***************************************************************************************** Let's dive in! The Impactful Engineering Project's purpose is to bring awareness, access, success, and mentorship to all new and aspiring engi…

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Episode 78 - Don't Choose When To Be Great 21:51

11M ago21:51

21:51

Steve and I remind you that every single project you work on has a huge impact on where your career will go. We cover the common pitfall most engineers make in their mindset when looking to be on the project teams that "get the best projects." Enjoy! ***************************************************************************************** Let's div…