Best Work Life Balence Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 336: Finding Your Path in Graduate School: Stories From Engineers 19:07

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5d ago19:07

19:07

Engineers Jabreel Walker and Morgan Smith of the GradSWE Affinity Group share their experiences in graduate school in this episode of Diverse.In conversation with host Sam East, they discuss their motivations for pursuing graduate school, the challenges of returning to school after a break, and the differences between the undergraduate and graduate…

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Ep 335: A Fireside Chat With SHPE CEO Suzanna Valdez Wolfe on the State of Latinas in Engineering 30:34

8d ago30:34

30:34

Suzanna Valdez Wolfe, CEO of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), sits down with Karen Horting, CEO and executive director of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.Suzanna shares her journey from El Paso, Texas, to leadership roles in Washington, D.C., and now at SHPE, where she champions familia…

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Ep 334: Women Leading Change in Construction With Turner 35:55

15d ago35:55

35:55

This episode is sponsored by Turner.Blanca Diaz, vice president and construction executive at Turner, and Leah Turner-Jenkins, special projects division manager at Turner, started in the same university engineering program — but their careers took sharply different paths.In conversation with host Sam East, Blanca and Leah reflect on the pivotal tea…

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Ep 333: Building Self-Trust From the U.S. to India With Kelsea Fitzgerald 17:54

24d ago17:54

17:54

Kelsea Fitzgerald, director of operations at Chevron's Engineering and Innovation Excellence Center (ENGINE), shares her journey from studying chemical engineering in the U.S. to taking on a global leadership role in Bengaluru, India. In conversation with Larry Guthrie, director of content strategy at SWE, Kelsea encourages women and allies to buil…

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Ep 332: Advancing Sustainability and the Circular Economy With Cassie Gruber of Jabil 27:43

1M ago27:43

27:43

This episode is sponsored by Jabil.Cassie Gruber, director of sustainability business solutions at Jabil, explores how engineers can shape a more sustainable future in this episode of Diverse.In conversation with Larry Guthrie, director of content strategy at SWE, Cassie explores her unconventional career path from studying art and philosophy to le…

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Ep 331: From Engineering to the Appalachian Trail — and Back Again 22:15

1M ago22:15

22:15

Cassandra Morecroft King, deputy program manager at BlackSea Technologies, did something most people only dream about: she quit her ocean engineering job in oil and gas and set out to hike the entire Appalachian Trail.But the toughest part wasn’t the hike itself — it was reentering the engineering workforce afterward and figuring out how to frame h…

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Ep 330: Like Mother, Like Daughter: A STEM Story from India 19:32

1M ago19:32

19:32

In honor of the 10th anniversary of SWENext, this episode of Diverse brings a special mother-daughter conversation.Bharti B., operations manager at Keysight Technologies, reflects on what it was like to be one of the few women in her computer science classes growing up. Aavya B., who is a SWENext influencer as well as Bharti’s daughter, shares how …

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Ep 329: Breaking Rules and Taking Risks With Melanie Lang, CEO of FormAlloy 19:06

2M ago19:06

19:06

Melanie Lang, co-founder and CEO of FormAlloy, details her entrepreneurial journey and inspires engineers to take bold risks in this episode of Diverse.In conversation with FY26 SWE President Inaas Darrat, Melanie reflects on the pivotal decision to leave a stable career in aerospace and defense to launch her own business.Hear the mistakes Melanie …

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Ep 328: Crafting Your STEM Legacy With Dr. Ruth Jones 25:02

2M ago25:02

25:02

Motivational speaker Dr. Ruth Jones reflects on the importance of leaving a purposeful legacy in this episode of Diverse.As the second African American woman in Alabama to earn a Ph.D. in physics, Dr. Jones shares her trailblazing journey and career advice in conversation with FY26 SWE President Inaas Darrat.Hear what it means to lead as your authe…

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Ep 327: Myths Versus Modern Reality in Construction Management With Carol Holland 31:54

2M ago31:54

31:54

Carol Holland, board of directors chair-elect of the Construction Management Association of America, sits down with Laurie Shuster, editor-in-chief of SWE Magazine, to discuss the evolution of the construction management industry and how AI and digital twin technologies are reshaping the field.She shares stories from her high-profile career and bre…

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Ep 326: Speaking Up as Collegiate Women in Engineering 33:07

2M ago33:07

33:07

Speaking up in engineering classes, labs, and group projects isn’t always easy — especially at the collegiate level.In this episode of Diverse, Eden Katz, vice president-internal at Columbia SWE, and Lauren Grae, vice president-external at Columbia SWE, sit down with host Sam East to reflect on how they’ve built confidence as women in engineering, …

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Ep 325: Building Connections Beyond College With Maria Roma-Hossain 28:44

3M ago28:44

28:44

Transitioning from college to the professional world can be difficult, especially when it comes to growing your network and making friends as an adult.Maria Roma-Hossain, systems engineer at Mammotome, shares her personal experience of navigating the college-to-career transition and making meaningful connections in a new city in this episode.In con…

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Ep 324: Engineering as a Force for Good With Ana Tijerina Esquino 19:48

3M ago19:48

19:48

In this episode of Diverse, Ana Tijerina Esquino, civil engineer at Mott MacDonald, explains why engineering is fundamentally a helping profession that aims to improve society.Ana discusses her unconventional journey into civil engineering, how infrastructure projects have historically harmed marginalized communities, and sustainable practices that…

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Ep 323: Beyond the Leaky Pipeline With Cassie Leonard and Ashley Wynne 25:29

3M ago25:29

25:29

The term “leaky pipeline” is often used to describe why women leave STEM careers, but does that language tell the full story?In this episode, Cassie Leonard, aerospace engineer and founder of ELMM Coaching, and Ashley Wynne, technical engineering manager and co-lead of the HeforSWE Affinity Group, share a more nuanced understanding of why women lea…

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Ep 322: From ‘Together We Rise’ to ‘Embrace Your Story’: A SWE Presidential Transition 23:45

3M ago23:45

23:45

On July 1, 2025, Inaas Darrat assumes the role of president of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), concluding Karen Roth’s one-year term as SWE president.In this special episode, Karen shares her personal highlights from the past year, insights on how the theme of “Together We Rise” came to life during her presidency, and words of advice for Inaa…

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Ep 321: Stories from Community College Students & Alumni in STEM 40:33

4M ago40:33

40:33

What’s it really like to study engineering at a community college, and where can that path take you?Denise Grazielle Cruz, SWE collegiate member at Essex County College, and Maeliz Colon, SWE counselor for the Springfield Technical Community College SWE Affiliate, discuss their STEM experiences at community colleges with SWE President Karen Roth.He…

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Ep 320: Talk Isn’t Cheap: What Your Language Choices Cost You 24:12

4M ago24:12

24:12

Technical skills alone don’t guarantee how you're seen or heard in engineering. In this episode, engineers Zaineb Ahmad and Barbara Read join host Sam East to unpack how language choices shape the way women and underrepresented groups are perceived in STEM workplaces.Hear the key phrases to avoid at work, how to write emails that maintain attention…

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Ep 319: Personal Finance for Engineers With Sandra Park 27:28

4M ago27:28

27:28

In this episode of Diverse, Sandra Park, financial coach for women in STEM, speaks with SWE President Karen Roth about how engineers can achieve financial independence and gain more freedom in their careers.Sandra shares a financial wake-up call from her own engineering journey and discusses practical steps for building a strong foundation, includi…

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Ep 318: How to Navigate Layoffs in Engineering With Brittney Elko and Jessica Rannow 36:00

4M ago36:00

36:00

How can engineers prepare for a potential layoff? What steps should you take immediately after being laid off? And how can you bounce back and find your next career opportunity?In this episode, Jessica Rannow, senior project manager at KPI Solutions, and Brittney Elko, senior director of supply chain at Jasper Therapeutics, answer these questions a…

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Ep 317: The Art of Failure: Kate Hensley on Comedy, Engineering, and Growth 18:38

5M ago18:38

18:38

In this episode of Diverse, Kate Hensley, associate director at Collins Aerospace, joins host Marsha Lynn Bragg, senior editor of publications at the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), to discuss the surprising parallels between STEM and stand-up comedy. Kate shares her nonlinear journey in engineering and how the skills she’s honed through comedy h…

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Ep 316: Game On! Lessons from Board Games to Make Networking Fun 31:05

5M ago31:05

31:05

What if networking could be as fun as game night?! In this special episode of Diverse, recorded live at WE24, hear game enthusiasts and industry leaders Nicole Woon, senior product manager at Microsoft, and Emily Carney, senior manager of site project management at Genezen, explore an unexpected source of networking wisdom: board games. Nicole and …

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Ep 315: Building Community for Military-Connected Engineers 24:47

5M ago24:47

24:47

Helen Mills and Lisa Malmanger, co-leads of the SWE Military and Veterans Affinity Group, share personal stories on why building community is essential for military-connected engineers and their families in this episode of Diverse.Lisa shares the challenges she faced when adjusting to the civilian workforce after serving in the military, and Helen …

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Ep 314: Mindset, Mentorship, and Meaning in STEM With Jayshree Seth, Ph.D. 30:59

5M ago30:59

30:59

In celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jayshree Seth, Ph.D., corporate scientist and chief science advocate at 3M, joins us to discuss the motivation behind her latest book, “The Heart of Science: Engineering Blueprint.”In conversation with SWE CEO and Executive Director Karen Horting, Jayshree share…

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Ep 313: Tales From the Archives: 75th Anniversary Edition With The Cooper Union 38:08

5M ago38:08

38:08

This episode is brought to you by Horton.To see the photos and documents referenced in the episode, watch the video podcast here: https://youtu.be/UlAoX2duYqMIn this special episode of Diverse, Troy Eller English, chief archivist at SWE, and Mary Mann, archives librarian at The Cooper Union, celebrate SWE’s 75th anniversary by unpacking stories fro…

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Ep 312: Resilience & Work-Life Balance in Tech With Discover Financial Services 29:12

6M ago29:12

29:12

This episode is sponsored by Discover Financial Services.How can women in tech build resilience, grow into leadership, and still make time for life outside of work? In this episode of Diverse, host Sam East sits down with two inspiring women from Discover Financial Services: Ranjani Rao, director of infrastructure product management, and Jamie Stal…

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Ep 311: Reaching for the Stars With Anousheh Ansari, Astronaut and CEO of XPRIZE 37:30

6M ago37:30

37:30

This episode is brought to you by Modern Makers.In this episode of Diverse, engineer, entrepreneur, and space explorer Anousheh Ansari sits down with SWE Executive Director and CEO Karen Horting.As the first female private space explorer, Anousheh shares her extraordinary journey, delving into how her problem-solving engineering skills have shaped …

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Ep 310: Advancing Women in Manufacturing With WiM President Allison Grealis 33:44

6M ago33:44

33:44

Allison Grealis, founder and president of the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM), sits down with SWE CEO and Executive Director Karen Horting to discuss the state of women in manufacturing.Allison reflects on her experience launching WiM and leading its growth to over 32,000 members today. She shares creative retention strategies and workforc…

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Episode 309: Balancing Technical Excellence with Emotional Intelligence With Theresa Cummings 29:10

7M ago29:10

29:10

Theresa Cummings, CEO of Cummings Consulting & Management LLC and a mechanical engineer by trade, joins host Sam East in this episode of Diverse: a SWE Podcast.Cummings shares her inspiring journey from engineer to leadership consultant, helping industry leaders like NASA and Coca-Cola build stronger teams. Together, they discuss the pivotal role o…

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Episode 308: Fixing the Female Talent Leak in the Tech Pipeline With Cadence Design Systems 23:33

7M ago23:33

23:33

This episode is sponsored by Cadence Design Systems. What happens when industry leaders refuse to accept the status quo in tech diversity? In this episode of Diverse, Nicole Johnson, global director of social impact & employee engagement for Cadence Design Systems, and Dr. Judith Spitz, founder and CEO of Break Through Tech, discuss their groundbre…

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Episode 307 Engineering Your Next Act: How Getting Fired Launched Lori McDowell’s Best Chapter 19:58

7M ago19:58

19:58

This Women's History Month episode of Diverse features a compelling conversation with Lori McDowell, who transitioned from a 30-year career in chemical engineering to become a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and life coach.In conversation with host Hang Loi, Lori candidly discusses how being fired became her catalyst for change, leading to her bo…

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Episode 306 Apple's Engineering Camp: Mentorship, Diversity, and Design 24:52

7M ago24:52

24:52

This episode and the WE24 Podcast Studio are proudly sponsored by Apple. In this episode of Diverse, Lindsay Epstein, product design engineer at Apple, and SWE collegiate member Alden Sherrill discuss the significance of community, diversity in design, and emerging trends in health and clean energy technology. In conversation with FY25 SWE Presiden…

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Episode 305: Navigating New Routes: Women Engineers Transforming Public Transport 20:01

8M ago20:01

20:01

In this episode of Diverse, host Siddika Demir speaks with Renée Amilcar, the first female president of UITP, the International Association of Public Transport, about her trailblazing career in a male-dominated industry.Renée shares her passion for public transport and discusses the vital role it plays in sustainable urban development. She reflects…

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Episode 304 Breaking Barriers Together: Insights on Allyship at GE Vernova 20:18

8M ago20:18

20:18

This episode is sponsored by GE Vernova.In this episode of the Diverse podcast, Reggie Miller, chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for GE Vernova, joins host Inaas Darrat, SWE president-elect, to discuss the importance of allyship in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the workplace.Miller shares his personal …

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Episode 303: Navigating Hidden Curriculums in STEM with Camille Smith, Founder of STEM So(ul)cial 21:52

8M ago21:52

21:52

This episode of Diverse welcomes Camille Smith, a chemical engineer and founder of STEM So(ul)cial, to explore the challenges and opportunities for women and minorities in STEM. In conversation with host Inaas Darrat, SWE president-elect, Smith shares her journey of navigating her identity in the workplace and the barriers women of color often face…

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Episode 302: Security, STEM, and Sisterhood: Lessons from 20+ Years at the State Department 20:12

8M ago20:12

20:12

This episode is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. In this episode of Diverse, Trisha Marks, director of security technology operations at the U.S. Department of State, shares her incredible journey as a trailblazing woman in engineering with host Larry Guthrie, SWE’s director of content strategy. Marks reflects on her upbringing in Brookly…

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Episode 300: The Toll of Stress: Understanding Weathering and Its Impact on Women of Color 33:32

8M ago33:32

33:32

Louvere Walker-Hannon, application engineer senior team lead at MathWorks, joins us for this episode of Diverse to unpack the concept of weathering — the physical toll chronic stress takes on the human body, especially among women of color. In conversation with host Inaas Darrat, SWE president-elect, Walker-Hannon shares her inspiring journey in ST…

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Episode 301: Building Stronger Teams: Leadership Lessons With Leadership Expert Ucheonye Maple 24:55

8M ago24:55

24:55

In this episode of Diverse, Ucheonye Maple, leadership expert, author, and founder of the Women Who Leap Community, explores the evolving landscape of leadership in high-stakes industries like aerospace and defense, emphasizing the crucial role of empathy, communication, and adaptability. Uche shares her insights on how leaders can foster diverse, …

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Episode 299: Leading with Purpose: Navigating the Leap to Senior Roles 31:07

8M ago31:07

31:07

In this episode of Diverse, host Tracy White, who leads SWE's Mid-Career Professionals Affinity Group, sits down with past SWE Presidents Stacey DelVecchio and Colleen Scholl to explore their journeys into senior management.They share insights on mentorship, senior-level interviews, adapting communication styles, and redefining work-life balance. L…

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Episode 298: From Campus to Career: Building Your Network and Finding Your Voice 35:49

9M ago35:49

35:49

In this episode of Diverse, host Alyssa Acosta, co-lead of SWE’s Early Career Professionals Affinity Group (ECP AG), sits down with guests MP Delisle, past ECP AG co-lead, and Amber Krecemen, ECP AG co-founder, to discuss the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from college to professional life as women engineers. They share personal insights …

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Episode 297: Engineering a Legacy: Grassroots Fundraising and Mentorship at GE 19:23

9M ago19:23

19:23

This episode is sponsored by GE Vernova and GE Aerospace.As SWE celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025, join us as we reflect on GE’s deep-rooted commitment to the organization, dating back to 1961 when it became one of the first companies to donate to SWE. Guests Megan Stewart of GE Vernova and Kim Hammer of GE Aerospace discuss how employee-led …

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Episode 296: Systems Thinking and Innovation in Aerospace Engineering 36:09

9M ago36:09

36:09

In this inspiring episode of Diverse, Enanga Daisy Fâlé, senior systems engineering manager at Northrop Grumman, explores her dynamic career in aerospace. Enanga shares the pivotal experiences and influences that sparked her passion for STEM and led to her leadership role in systems engineering.The conversation also highlights groundbreaking innova…

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Ep 295: Sisterly Advice: Engineering Execs Share Keys to Success 41:37

9M ago41:37

41:37

Two sisters earned degrees in electrical engineering — but from there, their careers diverged into different paths.Jeanne Trinko Mechler, fellow at Marvell, followed the technical track, and Donna Trinko Majcen, vice president and general manager of the global services portfolio at Keysight Technologies, pursued the management track.In conversation…

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Ep 294: The Power of Perseverance With Secretary of Puerto Rico DTOP Eileen Vélez-Vega 44:09

10M ago44:09

44:09

In 2020, longtime SWE member Eileen Vélez-Vega made history as the first woman to be appointed Secretary and CEO of the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works.In this conversation, recorded live at WE24, she reflects on her inspiring STEM journey and the unique pivots along the way: from being the first engineer in her family, to…

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Ep 293: Curiosity, Courage, and Leading With Impact With Emma Quentin of BD 20:18

10M ago20:18

20:18

This episode is sponsored by Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD).Emma Quentin, vice president of urology critical care and surgery at BD, shares her inspiring journey from chemical engineer to global health care leader in this episode of Diverse.In conversation with Larry Guthrie, director of content strategy at SWE, Quentin discusses the role curio…

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Ep 292: Becoming a Better Ally: Insights From Men in Engineering 27:28

10M ago27:28

27:28

Trevor George, co-lead of SWE's HeForSWE Affinity Group, and Luke Ciccone, collegiate engagement chair of SWE’s HeForSWE Affinity Group, offer actionable advice for men looking to support women in STEM in this episode of Diverse.In conversation with Ashley Wynne, co-lead of the HeForSWE AG, George and Ciccone share their personal stories of allyshi…

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Ep 291: Supporting Postpartum Engineers in the Workplace With Megan Casey 33:53

11M ago33:53

33:53

Megan Casey, mechanical engineer and engineering manager, reflects on how to navigate returning to work as a postpartum engineer in conversation with FY25 SWE President Karen Roth.Drawing from her personal experiences, Casey shares the challenges of transitioning back to the workplace after two pregnancies: one that was medically complicated and an…

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Ep 290: Celebrating Indigenous Voices in STEM With Dr. Teenie Matlock 36:41

11M ago36:41

36:41

Dr. Teenie Matlock, professor emerita of cognitive science at the University of California, Merced and active member of the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, joins us in this episode of Diverse to honor Native American Heritage Month. Interviewed by Laurie Shuster, editor-in-chief of SWE Magazine, Dr. Matlock shares how her heritage shaped her upbringi…

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Ep 289: How Chicago Public Schools Partnered With SWE to Provide a Hands-On STEM Experience 28:46

11M ago28:46

28:46

Kelli Easterly, executive director of STEM at Chicago Public Schools, and Eleonora Chakraborty, president of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Chicago Regional Section, share their unique STEM outreach partnership in this episode recorded live at WE24.In conversation with Karen Horting, CEO and executive director of SWE, the group discusses “Inv…

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Ep 288: CHIPS Act Update With Dr. Laurie E. Locascio of the U.S. Department of Commerce 34:44

11M ago34:44

34:44

Dr. Laurie E. Locascio, U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), reflects on the implementation of the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act which appropriated over $52 billion for semiconductor manufacturing, research and development, and workforce training …

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Ep 232: The Benefits of Neurodiversity in the Workplace With Holly Hansen of 3M 38:20

11M ago38:20

38:20

In this episode, Holly Hansen, Pilot Plant and Product Development Manager at 3M, shares her personal experiences with ADHD and provides insight on how to better support neurodiverse folks in the STEM workforce.Hansen covers the different types of neurodiversity, the accommodations needed to make everyone successful, strategies for self-advocacy, a…