Best Mep Engineering Podcasts (2025)

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

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1d 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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Robert Weiss: Nail B2B Video by Leading With Your Message 22:01

4d ago22:01

22:01

Video pro Robert Weiss joins Ryan Cote on the Manufacturer's Mindset Podcast to share how manufacturers win with message-first videos, smarter planning, and AI polish. Learn to turn one shoot into sales, training, and industry-specific assets that drive revenue.By Ryan Cote

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

9d 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

16d 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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Paul Kiesche: Build a Manufacturer Brand That Boosts Sales and Hiring 25:31

21d ago25:31

25:31

In this episode, we speak with Paul Kiesche from Aviate Creative about real world lessons on branding, AI, and resilience. Specifically, how a focused manufacturer brand boosts sales and hiring, how to show up in Google and ChatGPT, and why AI is a tool not a replacement. He also covers losing six clients in two days, the power of niching, and simp…

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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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Don Fuchs: Keep Shoveling and Outlast the Competition 19:40

1M ago19:40

19:40

In this episode of The Manufacturer's Mindset Podcast, Ryan Cote talks with Don Fuchs, CEO of Harris Thermal Transfer Products. Don shares his unique career journey from law and legal tech entrepreneurship to leading a 140-year-old family-owned manufacturing company.By Ryan Cote

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

1M 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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Makenzie Morrill: "Look for the Duct Tape" in Marketing and Customer Success 19:55

2M ago19:55

19:55

In this episode, we chat with Makenzie Morrill, Marketing Mgr at Spartronics, about her journey into manufacturing, networking, and "looking for the duct tape" when solving customer challenges. She shares lessons from being a one-person marketing team, how AMA fuels her growth, and why AI is best as an assistant (not a replacement).…

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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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Ben Hanfling: How Understanding Customer Needs Drives Product Development & Revenue Growth 20:06

3M ago20:06

20:06

In this episode of Manufacturer's Mindset, we sit down with Ben Hanfling, Chief Revenue Officer at Bay Cities Metal Products, a family-owned manufacturing company specializing in roofing and building products. Ben discusses the importance of listening to customers, empowering employees, and the strategic thinking required to increase revenue in a c…

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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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How Should Architects + Structural Engineers Work Together? w/ Point B Design Group & A-1 Engineers 49:36

3M ago49:36

49:36

Why don't Architects sketch with clients anymore? And why don't Engineers invest in teaching their Architect collaborators? These two Austin firms have revolutionized collaboration by front-loading coordination, using paper to build trust, and aligning billing phases perfectly. In this episode, you will learn: → Why front-loading structural knowled…

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How this Architect quit corporate life to start a new firm but without all the growing pains 9:02

3M ago9:02

9:02

In this episode, two ex-corporate architects explain how running their own business actually meant less admin than being employees at a large company. What you'll learn: → Why small firms can now punch above their weight with the right tools → How to set up professional operations in 30 days instead of months → The payment processing strategy that …

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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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Hospitality Design w/ Michael Hsu, FAIA + APTUS - How Should Architects + MEP Engineers Work Together? 44:22

3M ago44:22

44:22

Creating the perfect restaurant vibe requires controlling air temperature, velocity, day lighting, and acoustic quality all at once, but most architect-engineer teams can't coordinate at this level. In this conversation, you'll hear how these Austin-based firms have sustained their decade-plus partnership working on everything from P. Terry's locat…

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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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How this Architect became more selective with clients using Monograph 3:56

3M ago3:56

3:56

Architecture firms often accept any project that comes their way, but what if you could use data to choose only the clients who value your expertise? In this episode, you will learn: → How to replace fragmented spreadsheets with unified financial tracking systems → Why historical project data transforms proposal accuracy and profitability → How to …

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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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How Should Architects + Structural Engineers Work Together? (w/ Arch11 and KL&A Engineers) 44:38

3M ago44:38

44:38

Most architects treat engineers like a service you hand work to, but what if your breakthrough moments happen when you start conceptual conversations before making any structural decisions? What you'll learn: → Why bringing consultants to the table "as quickly and early as possible" unlocks structural innovation most firms never discover → How to r…

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How Should Architects + Engineers Work Together? (w/ Studio GWA + Angus Young) 55:22

4M ago55:22

55:22

Architects don’t design alone. But real collaboration between firms? That’s the hard part. In this episode, you’ll learn what it actually takes to run successful projects across architecture and engineering teams, such as: → How to build trust between teams and clients → How to structure timelines across consultants → How to handle late invoices, d…

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Mike Womack: Elevating Manufacturers with Marketing and Advocacy 22:34

3M ago22:34

22:34

In this episode of Manufacturer's Mindset, we sit down with Mike Womack, Director of Marketing and Communications at NJMEP. We discuss how manufacturers can utilize marketing, adapt to AI, and thrive despite limited resources.By Ryan Cote

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How Should Architects + Landscape Architects Work Together? (w/ Shape Architecture + Superbloom) 1:05:19

4M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

A&E project collaboration sounds great–until projects go over budget, scope gets muddy, and no one's sure who's doing what. In this episode, two award-winning design firms share how they actually make collaboration work: → How to staff and structure projects across two firms → How to run weekly planning and manage deadlines → How to divide scope, r…

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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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Jon M. Williams: The Evolution from EV Batteries to Broader Energy Solutions 20:39

4M ago20:39

20:39

In this episode, we speak with Jon M. Williams, CEO of Viridi Parente, a company at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions. With over 35 years of entrepreneurial experience, Jon offers valuable insights into innovation, leadership, and the evolving landscape of battery technology.By Ryan Cote

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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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Sky Huddleston: Lessons Learned from Innovating the Internal Combustion Engine 18:28

5M ago18:28

18:28

In this episode we sit down with Sky Huddleston, a technologist and engineer specializing in precision machining and fabrication. Sky shares his journey from fixing engines as a teenager to developing a highly efficient internal combustion engine. He discusses his approach to innovation, overcoming regulatory challenges, and the importance of pursu…

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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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Corey Pickett: The Role of MEP and How ITAC Supports NYC Manufacturers 24:26

6M ago24:26

24:26

In this episode, Ryan Cote sits down with Corey Pickett from ITAC, the NYC chapter of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Corey discusses the importance of niche specialization, adapting to industry changes, and the rewarding aspects of supporting local manufacturers.By Ryan Cote

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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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Nick Duff: Fueling the Future of Manufacturing 27:34

6M ago27:34

27:34

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Duff, co-founder and CEO of Pure Prime Solutions, an engineering firm specializing in innovative solutions for industrial manufacturing. Nick shares the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of perseverance, and how he’s leveraging AI and other technologies to drive innovation in the manufacturing spa…

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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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Todd Miller: How Collaborating With Other Manufacturers Grew His Business 21:21

7M ago21:21

21:21

In this episode of The Manufacturer's Mindset Podcast, Ryan Cote sits down with Todd Miller, President of Isaiah Industries, a family-owned business specializing in the manufacturing of metal roofing and other building materials.By Ryan Cote

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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…