

The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast
Isaac Oakeson
Welcome to The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast - your ultimate guide to everything related to civil engineering! Our goal is to support you at every stage of your journey to becoming a successful professional civil engineer, and to help you enhance your career and personal life.
We share our expertise and provide you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you succeed. Join us for informative and engaging discussions on exam preparation strategies, career development, and cutting-edge engineering innovations.
Whether you're preparing to ace the civil FE or PE exam, looking to adv
We share our expertise and provide you with valuable insights and practical tips to help you succeed. Join us for informative and engaging discussions on exam preparation strategies, career development, and cutting-edge engineering innovations.
Whether you're preparing to ace the civil FE or PE exam, looking to adv
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 17, 2021 • 25min
CEA - Celebrating 100 Episodes of CEA!
We've hit the 100th episode of the Civil Engineering Academy Podcast! It’s been a really fun and educational journey for us, and we truly hope it’s also been great for you. Actually, we’ve had so many interesting guests and covered so many topics that we know we could help you with something.
Celebrating this important milestone, today’s episode is an overview of our journey so far, with our top 10 podcast episodes for you to listen to again. Also, Isaac dives into why he started Civil Engineering Academy, where it’s at right now, and where he sees it in the future. Will he still be helping people with their exams? Listen to this to find out!
Our Partners:
PPI - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/ppi
School of PE - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/sope
CEA Resources Mentioned:
CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com
CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q
CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com
CEA FE and PE Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams
CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter
Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com
Top 5 CEA Podcast Episodes:
The First Things to Do to Prepare for the Civil PE Exam - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cea-the-first-things-to-do-to-prepare-for-the-civil-pe-exam/id1490120985?i=1000458548927
We Started a Podcast! - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cea-we-started-a-podcast/id1490120985?i=1000458548931
Top Secrets to Pass the Civil FE Exam - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cea-top-secrets-to-pass-the-civil-fe-exam/id1490120985?i=1000459158895
The Top 5 Reasons Why Civil Engineering is A Great Field - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cea-the-top-5-reasons-why-civil-engineering-is-a-great-field/id1490120985?i=1000458548930
What is the Best Career Path for Civil Engineers? - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cea-what-is-the-best-career-path-for-civil-engineers/id1490120985?i=1000463267264
dditional Resources Mentioned:
NCEES - https://ncees.org
Engineer to Entrepreneur - https://engineer2entrepreneur.net

Sep 8, 2021 • 30min
CEA - All That Goes Into a Demolition Plan with Mark Oakeson
While big, headline-making demolition projects certainly get our attention, the small ones require just the same amount of “engineering knowledge”. Today, Mark Oakeson jumps on the show to talk about a demolition project he just did. He explains all the details regarding how this type of project takes place in real life, from start to finish.
What You’ll Learn:
Difference Between Big and Small Demolition Projects
What Goes Into the Preparatory Work Before the Actual Demolition Starts
How to Assess the Reliability of the Existing Structure―And Why You Should
How to Determine the Impacts on the Surrounding Buildings
The Building Codes and Standards You Have to Follow
What is a Demolition Plan?
What Documents Should You Submit to Local Authorities?
How to Inform the General Public About the Project and Its Impacts
What is a Precast Double-T Beam? And a Corbel?
How Seismometers Can Help Your Demolition Process
Are Demolition Projects as Regular as Other Types of Projects?
Why Demolition is One of the Most Exciting Projects to Work on
Our Partners:
Purple Mattress - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/purple
School of PE - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/sope
Resources Mentioned:
CEA’s Video of Parking Garage Demolition - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF04MOunIgo
Episode on Youtube - https://youtu.be/V7IC8XrKYic
International Building Code - https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/i-codes/2018-i-codes/ibc/
AASHTO - https://www.transportation.org
National Precast Concrete Association - https://precast.org
Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) - https://www.udot.utah.gov
CEA Resources:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com
CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q
CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com
CEA FE and PE Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams
CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter
CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com
Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Sep 2, 2021 • 25min
CEA - Improving Your Mental Wellbeing with Michelle Dickinson
Mental burnout, depression, anxiety...you name it. Mental health issues have always been around. It was when the pandemic hit, however, that it became obvious the true damage it can cause, especially on a personal level. If you want to know how to better handle such things when life gets tough, this episode is the #1 thing you need.
Today on the show, Isaac chats with Michelle E. Dickinson, a Wellbeing Strategist, mental health advocate, TEDx speaker, and author. Building on her own childhood experience taking care of her mother who suffered from bipolar disorder, Michelle is now on a mission to normalize the mental wellbeing conversation. And as civil engineers who have to work, take professional exams, be a present mother/father, a lovely wife/husband, etc., this conversation is certainly for you, too.
What You’ll Learn:
Michelle’s Work in the Mental Health Field
Her Childhood Experience Taking Care of Her Bipolar Mother
How Your Experiences Can Shape Your Path in Life---And Your Career
Michelle’s Expert Point of View on the “Great Resignation”
Her #1 Tip for a Less Stressful Life
Why Taking Care of Your Wellbeing---Physical, Emotional, and Mental---Matters
The Process of Preparing and Delivering a TED Talk
What Inspired Her to Write Her Book
Why the Diet for Your Body Is Just as Important as the “Diet for You Mind”
How Daily Self-Audits And Routine Can Help You Fight Tough Times
Why You Need a Therapist---Even Before You Think You “Actually” Need One
Our Partners:
Built Bar - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/built
PPI - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/ppi
Resources Mentioned:
Michelle’s Program for Organizations - https://www.careforyourpeople.com
Michelle’s Personal Website - https://www.michelleedickinson.com
Breaking Into My Life, by Michelle E. Dickinson - https://breakingintomylife.com
Psychology Today - https://www.psychologytoday.com
National Alliance on Mental Illness - https://nami.org
Man Therapy - https://mantherapy.org
CEA Resources:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com
CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q
CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com
CEA FE and PE Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams
CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter
CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com
Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Aug 26, 2021 • 24min
CEA - The Surfside Florida Condo Collapse with Mark Oakeson
In every structural design class, students are presented with case studies of historical structural failures to learn from. And the case of the condominium collapsed in Surfside, Florida, will certainly be one of them in the future.
Today, Mark Oakeson jumps back on to walk you through some of the aspects he thinks may have led the building to collapse. To do this, he combines his own career and work dealing with structural design on a daily basis with assessment reports evaluating the condo’s conditions.
What You’ll Learn:
● Well-Known Structural Failures of the Past
● Difference Between The ASD and LRFD Design Methods
● Did the Condo’s Design Meet the Requirements of the Code of the Time?
● The Mistake That Possibly Started the Structural Damage to the Building
● What Spalling Concrete Is --- And Why It Was a Warning Sign
● Could We Have Avoided The Collapse?
● How Can We Avoid Other Tragedies Like This?
Our Partners:
Built Bar - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/built
School of PE - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/sope
Resources Mentioned:
Surfside Condo Collapse - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfside_condominium_collapse
Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacoma_Narrows_Bridge_(1940)
Hyatt Regency Walkway Collapse - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyatt_Regency_walkway_collapse
Pemberton Mill Collapse - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pemberton_Mill
CEA Resources:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com
CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q
CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com
CEA FE and PE Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams
CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter
CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com
Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Aug 19, 2021 • 42min
CEA - Egos, Vulnerability, and Personality Traits with Salman Raza
Effective communication in the workplace would solve most of the problems we, engineers, face every day. Yet it’s incredibly hard to achieve it. Do you feel like heated situations in the office could be avoided by simply knowing how to deal with other people’s personality traits as well as your own? Well, then this episode is for you.
Salman Raza has been advising companies on their organizational culture, strategy, and infrastructure for a long time with his consultancy business Razalution Bureau. He teaches managers, leaders, and employees how to communicate and interact effectively in professional settings. Tune in to find out how you can do the same!
What You’ll Learn:
● How Salman Found “What Makes Him Tick”
● Why Most Engineers are Introverts---And How to Use It as a Strength
● How to Have Effective Communication in the Office
● How People’s Different Personality Traits Influence Communication
● How to Assess Your Individual Situation in Your Workplace
● Why Managing Your Own Emotions Can Influence Other People’s Behavior
● The Power of Vulnerability---And How You can Use it to Your Advantage
Our Partners:
Built Bar - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/built
Late Night Entrepreneur - https://latenightentrepreneur.com
Resources Mentioned (some links are affiliate links):
Salman Raza (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/salman-raza-a6173926
Razalution Bureau - www.razalution.co
Life’s Non-Conformities, by Salman Raza - https://salmanraza.net
Hofstede Insights - https://www.hofstede-insights.com
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator - https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics
Keirsey Temperament Sorter - https://www.keirsey.com
How Will You Measure Your Life?, by Clayton M. Christensen - ibit.ly/j28i
CEA Resources:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com
CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q
CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com
CEA FE and PE Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams
CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter
CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com
Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Aug 12, 2021 • 30min
CEA - How Racism and Economics Affect Infrastructure with Collin Yarbrough
Civil engineering is famously known for its positive impacts on society once a project is completed and fully functioning. Today’s episode, however, will make you reflect on societal questions that play a crucial role in our communities long before the project is even approved.
Today’s guest is Collin Yarbrough, a pipeline engineer, bakery owner, and the author of Paved A Way. During his graduate studies, he was required to write a paper that later turned into his groundbreaking book, which tells the stories of how infrastructure projects have been silently contributing to social issues such as racism.
What You’ll Learn:
● How Collin Got into Engineering
● Collin’s Tough Life Period After the Recession of 2008
● 3 Key Concepts to Make a Pivot in Life or Career
● What Led Him to Write His Book
● How Infrastructure Projects Can be Tied to Social Issues
● How Cities Can Avoid These Social Problems
● What Engineers Themselves Can Do About it
Our Partners:
School of PE - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/sope
KiwiCo - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/kiwi
Resources Mentioned (some links are affiliate links):
Collin Yarbrough (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-yarbrough-1b3a6717
Collin Yarbrough (Email) - yarbrocr@gmail.com
Collin Yarbrough (@collinwritesdesign) - https://www.instagram.com/collinwritesdesign/?hl=en
Paved A Way: Infrastructure, Policy and Racism in an American City, by Collin Yarbrough - ibit.ly/9E3L
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, by Richard Rothstein - ibit.ly/m3M4
Clarkson University- https://www.clarkson.edu
Southern Methodist University - https://www.smu.edu
Georgetown University - https://www.georgetown.edu
Creators Institute - https://www.creator.institute
Dallas Morning News - https://www.dallasnews.com
Dallas Express - https://dallasexpress.com
Nasher Sculpture Center - https://www.nashersculpturecenter.org
Meyerson Symphony Center - https://www.dallassymphony.org
CEA Resources:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com
CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q
CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com
CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com
Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Aug 5, 2021 • 30min
CEA - How Surveyors and Civil Engineers Work Together with Cory George
“Your design is only going to be as good as the survey that it’s drawn on”. That’s how today’s guest emphasizes the importance of land surveying for civil engineering projects.
Cory George is both a licensed Professional Engineer in NC and SC and a licensed Professional Land Surveyor in NC, SC, TN, FL, and DC. After “falling into the field” while still a major in college doing research for the engineering department, he has now started his own surveying and engineering business called Pilot Surveying and Engineering.
Cory and Isaac discuss various aspects of the surveying profession, as well as how surveyors and civil engineers need to closely work together. Tune in to find out how civil engineers can become surveyors, the current tremendous need for surveyors, the differences between colonial states and public lands when it comes to surveying, as well as how Cory started his business from the ground up---and how you can get started too.
Our Partners:
School of PE - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/sope
KiwiCo - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/kiwi
Resources Mentioned (some links are affiliate links):
Cory George (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-george-pe-pls-ba4aaa21
Cory George (Email) - cory@pilotse.com
Pilot Surveying and Engineering - http://www.pilotse.com
North Carolina State University - https://www.ncsu.edu
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University - https://www.ncat.edu
Carlson BRx7 - https://www.carlsonsw.com/product/brx7-gnss-receiver
Brown's Boundary Control and Legal Principles, by Walter G. Robillard and Donald A. Wilson - ibit.ly/aqh7
CEA Resources:
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com
CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q
CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com
CEA FE and PE Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams
CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter
CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com
Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Jul 29, 2021 • 33min
CEA - Is the Civil PE Exam Tricky with Daniel Reyes, PE
That’s a fact: The PE Exam can be tricky. Whether it’s a calculation-based or a theoretical question, we have to watch out for everything during the exam to make sure our answer is correct. Our guest today will tell you how to prepare for the exam and handle those subtle questions that can trick you into choosing the wrong alternative.
Daniel Reyes is a structural engineer currently working at a consulting firm in Columbus, Ohio. He’s just beaten the exam’s low pass rates for repeat takers after enrolling in the Ultimate Civil PE Review Course, taking the PE Exam for the third time in April, and passing it. For all those who have failed the exam before, you can do this!
In today’s episode, Daniel and Isaac explain the importance of crushing the morning portion of the exam (and how it can help you in the afternoon portion), teaches you how to handle those questions you may not know how to solve, as well as the best resources and study habits you can have to set yourself up for success. And there’s more…Tune in to find out!
Our Partners:
PPI is our partner to help you ace your FE and PE exams. Use our discount code of CIVAC and our link to get 15% off - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/ppi
KiwiCo - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/kiwi
Resources Mentioned (some links are affiliate links)
Daniel Reyes, PE (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-reyes-p-e-9a3014152
The Ultimate Civil PE Review Course - https://civilpereviewcourse.com
The Ultimate Civil FE Review Course - https://civilfereviewcourse.com
CEA Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q
CEA Free Facebook Community - https://ceacommunity.com
CEA Practice Exams - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/exams
CEA Newsletter - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter
CEA Website - https://civilengineeringacademy.com
Civil Engineering Reference Manual - Click here
PPI Civil PE Structural Depth Practice Exams - Click here
PPI Six-Minute Solutions for the Civil PE Structural Problems - Click here
ASCE-7 - https://www.asce.org/asce-7
ACI 318 - https://www.concrete.org/tools/318buildingcodeportal.aspx.aspx
XactAnalysis - https://www.xactware.com
Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Jul 22, 2021 • 25min
CEA - Balancing Motherhood and Civil Engineering with Bahaar Taylor, PE
Work-life balance is a topic that keeps coming up in our everyday lives. At the end of the day, we all have not only career goals but also personal goals and family responsibilities. Even though it can sound daunting, today’s guest will show you it’s possible.
Bahaar Taylor is a structural project engineer at Erickson Structural Consulting Engineers in Washington, a 2021 ASCE New Face of Civil Engineering, wife, and mother of two. After getting her degree from Brigham Young University, she got elected as the president of the Oregon Chapter, and that’s exactly when she had her first child!
In this episode, Bahaar explains how she manages to succeed at work without forgetting her family responsibilities, how role models can encourage young people to go for the career they want no matter what (especially young women), how she deals with the negative criticism that eventually comes up on job sites for being a woman, and much more!
Resources (some links are affiliate links)
Bahaar Taylor (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bahaarkalra
Bahaar Taylor (email) - bahaar.taylor@gmail.com
Brigham Young University - https://www.byu.edu
ASCE Oregon Section - https://www.asceor.org
ASCE’s New Faces of Civil Engineering - https://www.asce.org/new_faces_of_civil_engineering
School of PE - http://www.civilengineeringacademy.com/sope
Purple Mattress - http://civilengineeringacademy.com/purple
Haven’t joined up in our free community? What’s wrong with you? J/K. Ok, just go there and join a group of like-minded civil engineers! - https://ceacommunity.com
Join over 4000 engineers like you and learn the tips and tricks to passing the FE and PE. We even have a free resource for you! - https://civilengineeringacademy.com/join-our-newsletter
Check out our Youtube Channel for more content, live sessions, and much more - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q
If you need exams, solved problems, or courses, make sure to check out our home base. We can definitely help you on your journey to become a professional engineer - https://civilengineeringacademy.com
Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com

Jul 15, 2021 • 26min
CEA - Engineering Our Future with Luis Duque
Calling all international students and professionals out there! Today’s episode features Luis Felipe Duque, an engineer in the US from Colombia, who has recently become a Professional Engineer after passing his PE exam.
Luis is currently a bridge engineer working on the erection, retrofitting, and dismantling of bridges at Foothills Bridge Co. in Boulder, Colorado. His passion for construction started out while watching his father’s work as an architect, but he soon realized he wasn’t that interested in this side of the job to follow in his footsteps. However, since he’s always liked the hands-on approach of the industry, he then decided to go for civil engineering.
Being born in Colombia, Luis discusses the process of being accepted in an American university, how playing tennis has helped in and outside the court, his decision to pursue a career in structural engineering while still a freshman, as well as how those interested in bridge engineering can prepare for a career in the field. As an advocate of integrating innovation to help us with our work, Luis goes on to discuss how AI and other technology may change the future of the industry---and how we can benefit from that.
Resources (some links are affiliate links)
Luis Duque (LinkedIn) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisduqueeit
Luis Duque’s Twitter (@LuisDuqueEIT) - https://twitter.com/LuisDuqueEIT
Engineering Our Future Contact Form - https://www.luisfelipeduque.com/home/contact
Engineering Our Future Website - https://www.luisfelipeduque.com
Engineering Our Future Podcast - https://www.luisfelipeduque.com/home/engineering-our-future-podcast
Luis Duque’s Reading List - https://www.luisfelipeduque.com/books
South Dakota State University - https://www.sdstate.edu
University of Utah - https://www.utah.edu
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) - https://www.asce.org
Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) - https://www.asce.org/structural-engineering/structural-engineering-institute
America’s Infrastructure Report Card - https://infrastructurereportcard.org
The Miracle Morning, by Hal Elrod - Click here
I Will Teach You to Be Rich, by Ramit Sethi - Click here
Think And Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill - Click here
Check out our Youtube Channel for more content, live sessions, and much more - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPeFLBZ2gk0uO5M9uE2zj0Q
If you need exams, solved problems, or courses, make sure to check out our home base. We can definitely help you on your journey to become a professional engineer - https://civilengineeringacademy.com
Reach out to Isaac - isaac@civilengineeringacademy.com