In this conversation with Melinda Lee, structural engineer and author Wayne Kalayjian reveals how he transformed the untold story of Michelangelo’s collapsing dome, a crisis that birthed modern engineering, into a compelling narrative. He reveals how he translated 18th-century Italian archives and complex physics into a gripping narrative and explains why clarity, concision, and audience-centric communication are at the heart of good writing.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

The "Spaghetti Method" of Storytelling

"You can’t serve a tangled bowl of pasta, straighten one strand at a time."

Wayne’s approach to untangling concurrent events: isolate threads, introduce them logically, and rebuild the big picture.

Writing for Humans (Not Just Engineers)

"If your readers don’t read it, writing a book is meaningless."

Wayne’s mantra: Simplify without "dumbing down." Use analogies (like domes as living organisms) to make technical concepts visceral.

The Counterintuitive Power of Constraints

Why Wayne embraced the "hardest story to tell" and how constraints (like 18th-century Italian translations) forged sharper communication skills.

Audience Connection Without Crossing Boundaries

"'Research their world thoroughly, but never presume intimacy - true connection comes from respect, not forced familiarity."

Learn how to deeply understand your audience's needs and knowledge level while maintaining professional rapport.

Connect with Wayne Kalayjian

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whkalayjian/

About the Guest:

Wayne Kalayjian, PE, SE, CFE, is a world-renowned structural engineer and storyteller who bridges Michelangelo’s genius with modern engineering in his book Saving Michelangelo’s Dome. As an expert, he’s designed bridges, tunnels, and even rescued Cape Cod’s historic Highland Lighthouse from collapse, but his real passion is transforming technical chaos into compelling narratives for leaders and everyday readers.

Fun Facts:

• ✍️ Serial Author: Currently brewing his second book (because one dome-saving saga wasn’t enough).
• 📜 Renaissance Mind: Holds a dual degree in art history + engineering.
• 🌉 Reluctant Hero: Once moved a 4,000-ton lighthouse to safety like it was a chess piece.

Melinda Lee is a Presentation Skills Expert, Speaking Coach, and nationally renowned Motivational Speaker. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Psychology, is an Insights Practitioner, and is a Certified Professional in Talent Development as well as Certified in Conflict Resolution. For over a decade, Melinda has researched and studied the state of “flow” and used it as a proven technique to help corporate leaders and business owners amplify their voices, access flow, and present their mission in a more powerful way to achieve results.

She has been the TEDx Berkeley Speaker Coach and has worked with hundreds of executives and teams from Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Caltrans, Bay Area Rapid Transit System, and more. Currently, she lives in San Francisco, California, and is breaking the ancestral lineage of silence.

Website: https://speakinflow.com/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/speakinflow

Instagram: https://instagram.com/speakinflow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpowerall

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