Teach the Geek: Public Speaking and Communication Skills for Technical Professionals

Dr. Brad Boyce - The Distinguised President of TMS I had a pre-call with my guest, Dr. Brad Boyce, and he said that his public speaking journey was indeed a journey, and he hasn’t reached the destination yet. When he said that, I knew I wanted him to be a guest. He’s a distinguished member of technical staff. I was curious to find out what the undistinguished technical staff does, but distinguished will have to do, I suppose. He’s also a Vice President with The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, or TMS for short (he has been been named President). I’m keen on finding out how he became distinguished, why he got involved with TMS, and why his public speaking journey is one with destination unknown. Want to get in touch with Dr. Boyce? Email him at blboyce@sandia.gov. __ TEACH THE GEEK (teachthegeek.com) Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube Follow @teachthegeek (Twitter) and @_teachthegeek_ (IG) Get Public Speaking Tips for STEM Professionals at http://teachthegeek.com/tips.

Dr. Roberta Rincon: directing research for female engineers Dr. Roberta Rincon is the associate director of research at the Society of Women Engineers. What really made me want to speak with Dr. Rincon is that title of hers. Why does an engineering society need a director of research? What is she researching? What is the research used for? How does she disseminate the research so as many people as possible understand? So many questions, so let’s just get to it! Get in touch with Dr. Rincon at roberta.rincon@swe.org. __ TEACH THE GEEK Get public speaking tips at http://teachthegeek.com/tips Prefer audio? Visit http://podcast.teachthegeek.com

Ron Higgs: Mathematician, flight school vet and C-suite executive Ron Higgs is a fractional COO and veteran of the US Navy. Whenever people step out on their own and start their own businesses. It’s always intriguing to me. Also, in what ways serving in the military prepared Ron for what he does now is of interest. Also, since this is a podcast about public speaking, I’m always interested to learn how it has benefited my guests. Learn more about Ron at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-higgs/. __ TEACH THE GEEK Get public speaking tips at http://teachthegeek.com/tips Prefer video? Go to http://audio.teachthegeek.com Check out the website at http://teachthegeek.com

Dr. Tod Pascal: Nanoengineering Professor and Researcher Dr. Tod Pascal is an assistant professor in Nanoengineering at University of California, San Diego. His research involves studying theoretical and computational methods to elucidate the structure and dynamics of electro-chemical systems. Before that, he was a project scientist. Before that, he was a post doc. Before that, he was a PhD student. And he’s lived all over the world pursuing his work. We chatted about how he came to nanoengineering, in addition to how he goes about presenting such technical information. To get in touch with Dr. Pascal, email him at tpascal@ucsd.edu __ TEACH THE GEEK Check out http://teachthegeek.com/tips for public speaking tips. Prefer video? Go to http://youtube.teachthegeek.com

Ana Kraft - from engineer to CEO of Xena Workwear Ana Kraft is the founder and CEO of Xena Workwear, manufacturing safety boots for women. I never thought that women had issues with safety boots. I figured that as long as the boot was small enough for a woman’s foot, that’s all that matters. Was I wrong! Ana and I chatted about her engineering background, her motivation to start the company, and future plans.  To get in touch with Ana, visit her LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-kraft-b10878aa/. __ TEACH THE GEEK http://teachthegeek.com/tips for public speaking tips Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.com @teachthegeek (FB, Twitter) @_teachthegeek_ (IG, Tik Tok)

Dan Dumbacher - from engineer to Executive Director  Dan Dumbacher is executive director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). You don’t just come out of school and become an executive director, though (unless you found an organization, then I supposed you can do whatever you want). He held a number of positions before this one. I’m interested to learn more about his beginnings in Engineering and his transition to work as an administrator. To get in touch with Dan, email at danield@aiaa.org. __ TEACH THE GEEK For public speaking tips, visit http://teachthegeek.com/tips Prefer video? Go to youtube.teachthegeek.com

Michael Ciannilli - NASA Program Manager and Speaker Michael Ciannilli is a program manager at NASA. I first learned of Michael at the 2022 Influence conference, hosted by the National Speakers Association. He was one of the general session speakers, and after his presentation, I asked him whether he’d be willing to be a guest, and he graciously accepted. We chatte about how he ended up on the Influence stage, his work at NASA, and of course his thoughts on public speaking __ TEACH THE GEEK teachthegeek.com/tips for public speaking tips Prefer video? Go to youtube.teachthegeek.com @teachthegeek (FB, Twitter) @_teachthegeek_ (IG, Tik Tok)

Mechanical Engineer turned Leadership Speaker Jon Rennie Jon Rennie is a mechanical engineer who transitioned into running manufacturing businesses. He’s now a leadership author, podcaster, and speaker. I’m interested to learn more about how a mechanical engineer became a speaker and author. You don’t hear that every day. Also, what type of work did he do coming out of school? Was it what he expected to do? Did he fall into stuff like so many of us? To get in touch with Jon, visit https://jonsrennie.com/ __ TEACH THE GEEK http://teachthegeek.com/tips for public speaking tips Prefer video? Visit http://youtube.teachthegeek.com @teachthegeek (FB, Twitter) @_teachthegeek_ (IG, Tik Tok)

Dr. Conny Lin, the toe-wiggling neuroscientist Dr. Conny Lin is a manager, founder and neuroscientist. She works as a development manager. What does mean? We’ll be sure to find out. She founded the non-profit HirePhD. What is that? Let's ask her. She studied neuroscience all the way to the doctoral level. Why? She has an answer for that. And she wiggles her toes in select situations. You'll definitely want to watch to find out why! To connect with Dr. Lin, her LinkedIn URL is https://www.linkedin.com/in/conny-lin/. __ TEACH THE GEEK  Go to teachthegeek.com/tips for public speaking tips. Prefer audio? Go to podcast.teachthegeek.com @teachthegeek (FB, Twitter) @_teachthegeek_ (IG, TikTok)

Andres Vargas: from engineer to planner I learned of Andres Vargas from his participation as a speaker at the 2022 Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) convention. While he worked as an engineer for some years, he’s now a planner. I don’t know what planners do, so I’m definitely going to ask him about that. I’m also interested in his involvement with SHPE and what his plans are with the organization. And of course, I’m interested in his public speaking journey, too.  Connect with Andres on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ieavargas/. __ TEACH THE GEEK Get public speaking tips at http://teachthegeek.com/tips Prefer video? Go to http://youtube.teachthegeek.com @teachthegee (FB, Twitter) @_teachthegeek_ (IG, Tik Tok)