In this episode of Engineer Your Success, Dr. James Bryant interviews Brian Wagner, a professional engineer with over 20 years of experience who draws fascinating parallels between baseball and engineering leadership. Brian discusses his new book "Rounding The Bases: Winning Communication and Leadership for Engineers" and shares insights on effective communication across different audiences.

• 00:00 - 01:00: Introduction and pre-roll clip about baseball and engineering
• 01:00 - 02:00: Brian introduces himself and his engineering background
• 02:00 - 05:00: The story behind Brian's baseball jersey and the book concept
• 05:00 - 08:00: Curtis Parch's story and lessons on adapting to your audience
• 08:00 - 10:00: How definitions of success evolve throughout your career
• 10:00 - 15:00: Brian's career journey from high school drafting to professional engineer
• 15:00 - 18:00: Discussion on engineering education vs. practical communication skills
• 18:00 - 21:00: Breaking down different types of people engineers interact with
• 21:00 - 22:00: Book information and how to connect with Brian

Brian Wagner

• Professional Engineer with 20+ years of experience in land development engineering
• Background in public safety and emergency management
• Author of "Rounding The Bases: Winning Communication and Leadership for Engineers"
• Website: brianwagner.co
• Connect with Brian on LinkedIn

• How baseball terminology and engineering jargon create similar communication challenges
• The importance of adapting your communication style to different audiences
• Brian's unconventional career path from hand drafting to professional engineering
• The value of practical experience in developing effective communication skills
• How your definition of success evolves throughout your career
• Three types of people engineers typically interact with and how to communicate with each

• "You don't have to be the smartest person in the room, but if you have the ability to communicate and connect the dots, you become the most useful person in the room." - Brian Wagner
• "Technical expertise will get you in the door. It'll get you to that table. It'll bring you to the opportunity. But having strong communication and leadership skills is what sets you apart." - Brian Wagner
• "Engineers are great communicators when they're talking to other engineers... But when you are forced to talk to someone that has a different perspective, that's where the communication challenges come in." - Dr. James Bryant

1. Be willing to change and make adjustments to your communication style
2. Recognize that different stakeholders speak different "languages"
3. Avoid using technical jargon and acronyms when communicating with clients
4. View communication challenges as opportunities for growth
5. Success is defined differently at different stages of your career

• "Rounding The Bases: Winning Communication and Leadership for Engineers" by Brian Wagner
• Available on Amazon

• Visit engineeryoursuccessnow.com for more resources on leadership and communication
• Follow Engineer Your Success on social media
• Subscribe to our podcast for more episodes on engineering leadership
• James Bryant | SleekBio

Engineer Your Success helps technical professionals develop the leadership and communication skills needed to excel in their careers. We believe you don't have to choose between success and sanity - you can thrive in both your professional and personal life.

How do you stay motivated, ethical, and impactful in engineering—even when everything around you is changing? On this episode of the Engineer Your Success Podcast, Dr. James Bryant talks with Dr. Emily Grubert, a nationally respected researcher in infrastructure and energy systems at Notre Dame. They cover how engineers can adapt to shrinking grant funding, political resistance to climate policy, and a changing professional landscape—while staying true to their mission. You’ll walk away with practical strategies for building a future-ready engineering career, grounded in ethics, resilience, and real-world value.

🧠 Topics We Cover:

• How engineers can respond when funding disappears
• Building resilient infrastructure under uncertain policy
• Ethical responsibility in engineering design
• Community-first thinking and public consultation
• The role of universities and professors in shaping future engineers
• Career pivots that stay true to your mission
• Smart design strategies to reduce long-term risk
• What engineers can do right now to lead meaningful change

00:00 Energy Transition Challenges Amidst Rhetoric

05:21 Optimistic Environmental Progress Paths

07:44 Optimizing Infrastructure for Change

12:21 Prioritize Design for Green Buildings

13:55 Predictable Problems: Proactive Solutions

16:55 From Biology to Engineering

21:33 "Transportation Leadership Internship Program"

23:11 Civil Engineering: A Meaningful Profession

27:27 Redefining Ambition

28:51 Infrastructure & Safety Expertise Offered

👤 About Dr. Emily Grubert
Dr. Emily Grubert is Associate Professor of Sustainable Energy Policy, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Earth Sciences at the University of Notre Dame. Her research focuses on justice-oriented deep decarbonization and decision-making frameworks for large-scale infrastructure systems. With experience at the U.S. Department of Energy and a Ph.D. from Stanford, she helps engineers build ethical, sustainable careers that adapt to changing societal needs.

📲 Connect with Emily Grubert

→ Email: egrubert@nd.edu

→ University Profile: https://keough.nd.edu/profile/emily-grubert/

👨‍🏫 Connect with the Host – Dr. James Bryant

James Bryant | SleekBio

A Father-Son Conversation on Success and Life: Preparing for College and Beyond In this special audio-only episode of the Engineer Your Success podcast, hosted by Dr. James Bryant, he sits down with his son, James Bryant III (JT), as he prepares to start his freshman year at Virginia Tech.

They discuss important topics such as building habits for college success, the difference between good and great people, calculated risks, and the essential values for leading a fulfilled life. With heartfelt fatherly pride and wisdom, Dr. Bryant shares his experiences, offering advice on mastering challenges and the importance of personal growth. Whether you're a parent or a young adult, this episode presents valuable insights for navigating life's transitions.

00:00 Introduction to a Special Episode

01:34 Father-Son Conversation Begins

02:12 JT's College Preparations and Habits

03:52 Dr. Bryant's Business Motivation

04:55 Advice to Younger Self

06:56 Calculated Risks and Faith

08:25 Legacy and Current Challenges

13:25 Books and Final Thoughts

16:39 Conclusion and Parting Words

Connect with Dr. Bryant

James Bryant | SleekBio