The Engineering Commons Podcast

Follow The Engineering Commons Podcast
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Join engineers Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff as they discuss issues of importance to today's engineering professional. Guest engineers frequently provide insights based on their real-life experiences.


    • Jun 5, 2018 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 15m AVG DURATION
    • 100 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from The Engineering Commons Podcast with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from The Engineering Commons Podcast

    Episode 139 — Estimation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2018 56:53


    Adam, Brian, Carmen, and Jeff discuss the importance of accurately estimating time and budget as a practicing engineer. Brian frequently makes estimates as part of his professional duties. Detrimental effects of our anchoring bias are noted by Jeff. We reference lecture notes from Francine Warner of Kennesaw State University in this episode. In making estimates, … Continue reading Episode 139 — Estimation →

    Episode 138 — Still Awkward

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2017 43:05


    We catch up with Sam Feller (who previously joined us in Episode 70), discussing his interests, projects, and latest entrepreneurial ventures. Having left industry to pursue an academic career, Jeff isn't chomping at the bit to move back into the entrepreneurial world. Our guest for this episode is Sam Feller, a mechanical engineer who may … Continue reading Episode 138 — Still Awkward →

    Episode 137 — Late Summer

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2017 58:55


    In an episode that was recorded in early October, Adam, Carmen, and Jeff reflect on their summer activities, and on plans for the remaining months of 2017. Carmen spent a lot of his summer traveling, both domestically and internationally. Although he spends a good deal of time dealing with marketing people, Carmen claims that he's … Continue reading Episode 137 — Late Summer →

    Episode 136 — Circle of Competence

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2017 64:33


    Adam, Brian, Carmen, and Jeff consider the boundaries of one's own competence in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Competencies seem to be driven by past failures, notes Brian. For learning about “magical potions” developed with “unicorn science” (chemical engineering), Brian recommends the NurdRage channel on YouTube. Brian takes a cruel pleasure in seeing Mehdi … Continue reading Episode 136 — Circle of Competence →

    Episode 135 — Target Audience

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2017 59:06


    In this episode of The Engineering Commons, the gang discusses tailoring a presentation to meet the needs and interests of your intended audience. Adam's favorite form of communication is an old-fashioned face-to-face conversation. The data throughput of smoke signals is a bit too slow for Carmen's needs. Jeff suggests flag semaphore as an alternative means … Continue reading Episode 135 — Target Audience →

    Episode 134 — Twenty Forty

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2017 63:42


    Adam, Carmen and Jeff discuss how engineering might change by the year 2040 in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Adam hopes to move a little higher into middle management over the next decade… unless he wins the lottery and can immediately proceed to retirement! We begin by looking back 23 years, to what engineering … Continue reading Episode 134 — Twenty Forty →

    Episode 133 — Embarrassed Engineer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2017 72:35


    This episode finds the gang discussing engineering projects that went awry, but did not result in the loss of human life. While map makers include trap streets to catch copyright violators, Adam reassures us he's never been asked to physically construct such a street. It seems that mapping software sometimes makes traffic worse. At the … Continue reading Episode 133 — Embarrassed Engineer →

    Episode 132 — By Any Other Name

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2017 59:58


    We discuss the case of an Oregon man fined for “practicing engineering without a license” in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Both Jeff and Adam have attended a few plays authored by William Shakespeare. A line from Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet is often used to assert that names do not change what something … Continue reading Episode 132 — By Any Other Name →

    Episode 131 — Five Years

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2017 67:37


    Chris Gammell returns to The Engineering Commons to discuss how his views on engineering education (and the engineering profession) have evolved over the past five years. Jeff is coming to appreciate that learning is a social event. Massively open online courses (MOOCs) were once thought to be the next “big thing” in education. Our guest … Continue reading Episode 131 — Five Years →

    Episode 130 — DC Motors

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2017 89:19


    In this episode of The Engineering Commons, we discuss an electromechanical component commonly used to achieve physical motion; the ubiquitous direct-current (DC) motor. Carmen admits to getting turned on by electricity… and sugar! Although differences between engines and motors can be argued, at least one definition claims that an engine converts chemical energy to mechanical … Continue reading Episode 130 — DC Motors →

    Episode 129 — Noticing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2017 73:02


    We are joined once more by Dave Goldberg, author of A Whole New Engineer, to discuss the critical engineering skills of noticing, listening, and questioning. Brian takes a 50/50 shot at guessing whether President Lincoln faces left or right on the United States one-cent coin. For younger listeners, Jeff describes the features of a telephone … Continue reading Episode 129 — Noticing →

    Episode 128 — Industrial Academic

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2017 82:05


    Dr. Dave Vandenbout offers up his insights on choosing between academic and industrial careers in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Carmen wastes no time in revealing his secret method for stress-testing CMOS chips. X-ray systems can be useful in locating bad solder joints hidden underneath a ball grid array (BGA) integrated circuit. Our guest … Continue reading Episode 128 — Industrial Academic →

    Episode 127 — Technical Writing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2017 82:37


    We talk with iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens about documenting and sharing technical procedures, especially those related to the repair of consumer devices. We start this episode by catching up on some past episodes… In Episode 111, “Environmental Engineering,” we talked with Bronwyn Bell, an environmental engineer from Western Australia, who is now featured in an … Continue reading Episode 127 — Technical Writing →

    Episode 126 — Diesel Power

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2017 63:07


    Aeronautical engineer Clay Coons joins us to discuss the many applications of diesel engines. Adam's Kubota BX tractor is powered by a 23 HP diesel engine. During his high school years, Jeff learned that gasoline (petrol) engines don't run too well on diesel fuel. Ska Punk music often features horns, as evidenced on a song … Continue reading Episode 126 — Diesel Power →

    Episode 125 — Cubicle Farm

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2017 68:18


    We discuss how the workplace environment influences our productivity in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Jeff is currently sharing an office, so although he doesn't have much extra space, he does have a door he can close when necessary. Brian uses his office as a storage locker, collecting old printed circuit boards and spare … Continue reading Episode 125 — Cubicle Farm →

    Episode 124 — Mad Skillz

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2017 63:43


    The gang discusses how one acquires the skills most frequently used by engineering professionals. Brian knows that parliamentary procedures are described in Robert's Rules of Order, but he has not had to use such procedures in the course of his engineering career. A quorum is the minimum number of voting members from a deliberative group … Continue reading Episode 124 — Mad Skillz →

    Episode 123 — Transitions 2016

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2017 60:37


    In this episode of The Engineering Commons, we discuss transitions experienced by Adam, Carmen and Jeff during the past year. Brian participates in our round-robin discussion, but it seems his 2016 was fairly routine. Adam has been residing in his new estate since mid-November, and is still uncovering new surprises on his property. A power … Continue reading Episode 123 — Transitions 2016 →

    Episode 122 — Jared Asks

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2016 80:58


    In this episode of The Engineering Commons, we answer questions from listener Jared about coping as an engineering student. Carmen informs us that making accurate estimations is an important engineering skill. In this episode, we answer questions from listener Jared about surviving the math-science death march encountered in the typical engineering curriculum. It's normal to … Continue reading Episode 122 — Jared Asks →

    Episode 121 — Idle Doodling

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2016 66:14


    In this episode of The Engineering Commons, our intrepid crew discusses planning, leading and attending the dreaded corporate meeting. It seems that Brian elects to daydream when in boring meetings, whereas Jeff has been known to doodle extensively. Jeff located a website claiming to offer doodle analysis and interpretation, although the disclaimer notes that it … Continue reading Episode 121 — Idle Doodling →

    Episode 120 — Augmented Engineer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2016 68:14


    This episode of The Engineering Commons finds Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff predicting how virtual and augmented realities might soon be incorporated into daily engineering activities. Adam's not so sure he's ready to plug into the Matrix. Brian suggests that understanding differential calculus is much less practical than knowing Kung Fu. Bullet time is a … Continue reading Episode 120 — Augmented Engineer →

    Episode 119 — Gears

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2016 74:00


    Brian, Carmen and Jeff discuss mechanical gears in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Although a mechanical engineer, Jeff isn't much for working on cars. We share a few stories about synchronizing generators, including use of a synchroscope. Brian mentions mechanisms with extremely high gear ratios. The two main functions of gears are trading off … Continue reading Episode 119 — Gears →

    Episode 118 — Practical Engineering

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2016 85:36


    In this episode of The Engineering Commons podcast, we talk with civil engineer Grady Hillhouse, producer of YouTube's Practical Engineering channel. Carmen has been known to wield a reciprocating saw as he refines his woodworking skills. Our guest for this episode is Grady Hillhouse, a professional civil engineer from Austin, Texas who runs the Practical … Continue reading Episode 118 — Practical Engineering →

    Episode 117 — Soft Skills

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2016 74:15


    This episode of The Engineering Commons dives into the importance of “soft skills” to engineering professionals. A fictional giant from the 1984 Ghostbusters movie, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is the chosen form of Gozer the Gozerian. We use the LinkedIn article “Top 5 Must-Have Soft Skills for Professional Engineers” as a framework for our … Continue reading Episode 117 — Soft Skills →

    Episode 116 — The Grid

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2016 67:52


    Adam, Brian and Jeff discuss the electrical grid in this episode of The Engineering Commons. The difference engine, conceived of by J. H. Müller in 1786, and designed by Charles Babbage in the 1820s, is often considered the world's first computer. Brian notes that electric furnaces are increasingly used in steel production. Adam and Brian … Continue reading Episode 116 — The Grid →

    Episode 115 — Bearings

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2016 75:35


    Carmen and Jeff discuss mechanical bearings in this episode of The Engineering Commons podcast. Carmen has a pretty good sense of his navigational bearing, but is less knowledgeable about mechanical bearings. U.S. interstate highways are numbered with even numbered roads going primarily east-west, and odd numbered roads passing mostly north-south. Differences between skateboards and longboards … Continue reading Episode 115 — Bearings →

    Episode 114 — Driven Electrons

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2016 76:31


    Brian leads our discussion of electric vehicles in this episode of The Engineering Commons podcast. Carmen notes that a single resting electron has a mass of 9.11 x 10-31 kilograms. Brian suggests some form of positronic vehicular propulsion might be possible, although radiation issues would make it impractical for most earthbound applications. One of the … Continue reading Episode 114 — Driven Electrons →

    Episode 113 — Chemical Engineering

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2016 63:49


    Chris Welch joins Adam, Brian, Carmen, and Jeff to talk about the field of chemical engineering. Jeff believes in unicorns, even though he's never seen one! From his childhood, Jeff recalls watching a DuPont film about “Better Living Through Chemistry.” Our guest for this episode is Chris Welch, a chemical engineer from New Brunswick, Canada, … Continue reading Episode 113 — Chemical Engineering →

    Episode 112 — Boomer Exodus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2016 63:50


    The gang discusses opportunities and challenges of dealing with Baby Boomers as they depart the engineering field. Adam is aware of the “retirement cliff,” which describes an impending loss of skilled workers, nearly all of them Baby Boomers, in a short period of time. Americans tend to derive much of their self-identity from their jobs, … Continue reading Episode 112 — Boomer Exodus →

    Episode 111 — Environmental Engineering

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2016 82:02


    Bronwyn Bell joins Adam, Brian, Carmen, and Jeff to discuss the challenges and responsibilities of an environmental engineer working in the mining sector. Carmen likes to help out local beer brewers in harvesting hops, but he's not sure what makes for a good hops growing season. Environmental engineers plan, design and manage projects associated with … Continue reading Episode 111 — Environmental Engineering →

    Episode 110 — Engineering Vacation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2016 63:46


    Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff discuss the activities they enjoy when escaping the workplace for a few days. Brian enjoyed reading Michael Lewis' book “The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine” on a recent vacation. Adam's vacation time is more likely spent making home repairs than traveling to the beach. Vacation spots of possible interest … Continue reading Episode 110 — Engineering Vacation →

    Episode 109 — Design Process

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2016 75:18


    Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff discuss theoretical and practical aspects of the design process, as well as the emotional states they experience when engaged in design activities. Carmen is starting to gain confidence in his design abilities. Jeff notes that a lot of his colleagues wanted to be design engineers, but the number of available … Continue reading Episode 109 — Design Process →

    Episode 108 — Engineering Sensibilities

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2016 66:55


    Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff discuss an engineer's sense of right and wrong, and why that worldview may conflict with organizational priorities. A recent article in Engineering & Technology Magazine addressed the issue of whether engineers are “made,” or “born.” Brian references the classic spherical chicken joke. A discussion ensues about how often engineers see … Continue reading Episode 108 — Engineering Sensibilities →

    Episode 107 — Steel

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2016 69:17


    This episode of The Engineering Commons finds Adam, Brian and Jeff talking about steel, the most common of engineering metals. Jeff and Brian consider whether comic book hero Superman should have been called the “Man of Osmium,” or the “Man of Molybdenum,” rather than the “Man of Steel.” Steel is not an element one can … Continue reading Episode 107 — Steel →

    Episode 106 — Flight Test

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2016 80:35


    Aerospace engineer Eric Becker explains the duties of a flight test engineer, and offers a few insights on dealing with operational risk, in this episode of The Engineering Commons. Like most engineers, Carmen occasionally worries whether he's made the proper decision at work. To avoid making mistakes, Carmen suggests napping under one's desk, like George … Continue reading Episode 106 — Flight Test →

    Episode 105 — Reddit Questions 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2016 73:32


    Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff answer questions from Reddit, and discuss a few queries of their own making. Jeff is patiently waiting to be asked to consult for an obscenely large hourly rate. Brian struggles to remember the exact wording of a quotation from the movie Good Will Hunting: “Nobody in this town works without … Continue reading Episode 105 — Reddit Questions 3 →

    Episode 104 — Downturn

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2016 93:26


    Civil engineer Mike O'Connor shares stories of continuously revamping his professional skills to stay afloat during turbulent economic times. Adam sees economic cycles, both short- and long-term, influencing his engineering activities. Petroleum engineers have recently seen an economic downturn in their industry, similar to a downward slide suffered 30 years ago by the oil business. … Continue reading Episode 104 — Downturn →

    Episode 103 — Ones and Zeros

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2016 98:40


    Electrical engineer Dave Vandenbout guides us through a survey of programmable logic devices, and offers advice for young engineers wanting to succeed in the world of digital design. Brian finds his work offers a good mix of analog and digital electronic design challenges. The issue of signal integrity has been discussed on several podcasts, including … Continue reading Episode 103 — Ones and Zeros →

    Episode 102 — Admiral Rickover

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2016 72:33


    Metallurgical engineer Paul Cantonwine shares insights into the life and career of Admiral H. G. Rickover in this biographical episode of The Engineering Commons podcast. Adam has no interest in being associated with solar FREAKIN' roadways. (While a cool concept, not everyone believes solar roadways are feasible.) Our guest for this episode is materials engineer … Continue reading Episode 102 — Admiral Rickover →

    Episode 101 — Effective Email

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2016 77:24


    Electrical engineer Bob Schmidt joins Adam, Carmen, Brian and Jeff to talk about the importance of making a good impression, and delivering the intended message, with effective email. Jeff readily admits that he doesn't use newer communication channels such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. Rather than use Instagram, Jeff has a Kodak carousel projector in … Continue reading Episode 101 — Effective Email →

    Episode 100 — Interdisciplinary Skills

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2016 78:26


    Founding co-host Chris Gammell returns to The Engineering Commons to talk about the importance of interdisciplinary skills with Adam, Carmen and Jeff. Knowledge of heat transfer is useful in circuit design, acknowledges Carmen. As part of a required engineering class, sixteen Harvard students designed a smoker for cooking the “perfect” beef brisket. Chris' educational site, … Continue reading Episode 100 — Interdisciplinary Skills →

    Episode 99 — Review 2015

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2016 64:38


    Adam, Brian and Jeff discuss highlights and back stories from episodes of The Engineering Commons podcast released in 2015. Brian started work the Monday after he graduated from college, and now wishes he had taken a little time off before beginning his professional career. Listener Joel suggests we invite Karl Stephan to participate in a … Continue reading Episode 99 — Review 2015 →

    Episode 98 — Relocation

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2015 74:55


    Mechanical engineer Jim Heilman returns to The Engineering Commons to cover questions engineers should ask before relocating to advance their careers. Adam moved for his current job, but had to abandon the high-speed internet connection he enjoyed at his previous residence. Our guest for this episode is Jim Heilman, a mechanical engineer who spent two … Continue reading Episode 98 — Relocation →

    Episode 97 — Next Hundred

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2015 64:54


    Adam, Brian, and Jeff discuss where the podcast should venture during its second hundred episodes. Adam claims to be better at long term than short-term planning. Listener feedback is encouraged as we try to sort out what topics to cover in upcoming episodes. Tutorial episodes (for example, Nuts and Bolts) seem well-received, but require substantial … Continue reading Episode 97 — Next Hundred →

    Episode 96 — Perceptions

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2015 69:30


    This episode of The Engineering Commons finds the gang discussing how engineers are perceived by those outside the engineering field. Jeff accidentally reveals the plot of a well-known fairy tale, Rumpelstiltskin, while sharing a childhood recollection. At the end of 1981, when Jeff graduated from college, inflation in the U.S. was around 10%, six-month certificates … Continue reading Episode 96 — Perceptions →

    Episode 95 — Details

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2015 65:17


    Brian, Carmen and Jeff discuss the role of details in engineering projects, and how one goes about evaluating, managing, sharing, and documenting critical minutia. In the introduction, Jeff misses the detail that this podcast is published in November, not October. Carmen doesn't mind sweating the details, but reviewing documentation for typographical errors is not his … Continue reading Episode 95 — Details →

    Episode 94 — Relevance

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2015 67:30


    This epiosde of The Engineering Commons finds Adam, Brian, and Jeff discussing what it means to be relevant, and how engineers can increase their relevance on the job. Brian is not entirely sure what a thought leader is, but he's pretty certain he doesn't want to be one. However, Brian invents the perfect term for … Continue reading Episode 94 — Relevance →

    Episode 93 — Capacitors

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2015 78:25


    Electrical engineer James Lewis stops by to share his insights on the surprisingly complex world of capacitors. Carmen introduces the show as covering “passives.” This refers to passive electrical devices that have no control over voltage, current, or signal gain. Our guest for this episode is electrical engineer James Lewis, a Marketing Director for capacitor … Continue reading Episode 93 — Capacitors →

    Episode 92 — Garage Gear

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2015 77:47


    Adam, Brian, Carmen and Jeff discuss tools they use for utility and enjoyment at home, where the cost-to-quality evaluation is slightly different than in the workplace. Jeff's collection of tools is rather ancient, as suggested by his 35 year old corded Craftsman drill, and his 20 year old cordless Mikata drill with rapidly fading batteries. … Continue reading Episode 92 — Garage Gear →

    Episode 91 — Home Automation

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2015 77:38


    This episode of The Engineering Commons finds the guys discussing the technologies, toys, and tribulations associated with wiring one's home to the internet. Carmen is holding off on constructing his own JARVIS (Just A Rather Very Intelligent System) personal assistant until he can construct it using nothing but solder and transistor-transistor logic (TTL). Fermilab's Main … Continue reading Episode 91 — Home Automation →

    Episode 90 — Traffic Engineering

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2015 85:54


    Adam leads us through some key concepts related to traffic engineering in this episode of The Engineering Commons podcast. Brian has some practical reason for looking forward to self-driving cars. During 2013 the United States experienced 32,719 motor-vehicle related fatalities. Self-driving cars may have a disruptive effect on the auto insurance industry. Our guest for … Continue reading Episode 90 — Traffic Engineering →

    Episode 89 — Early Lessons

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2015 76:56


    In this episode of The Engineering Commons, we discuss the lessons we learned during our first two or three years of working as engineering professionals. Adam considers himself a fast learner, although he finds that pain occasionally increases the rapidity of his learning. In this episode, Adam, Brian, Carmen, and Jeff discuss lessons learned early … Continue reading Episode 89 — Early Lessons →

    Claim The Engineering Commons Podcast

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel