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Ep. 126: Paragon of a Quality Man (Ft. Steve Smith)
I headed all the way down to beautiful Austin, Texas to do some stand-up comedy, but more importantly to interview my guest today, my Uncle, Steve Smith — for a generational crossover episode full of wisdom ready to be plucked and applied.
Steve was the first in his family to attend college, so naturally MIT seemed like a reasonable place for a smart kid from Bettendorf Iowa (yes, that MIT). He studied Mechanical Engineering after realizing that his math might not be “good enough” to lead him to the promised land in Physics, his original major. A summer job working in the textiles department at MIT eventually led him to completing a double Masters in Mechanical Engineering & Textiles Technology. After working for a few years, he returned to MIT to finish an ScD in Mechanical Engineering & a project in textiles, obtaining a patent for a new way to coat the inside of soda cans.
My uncle told the story of meeting his wife at MIT. “A brilliant woman who is extremely focused” in Steve’s words — it’s clear his love for her is unrivaled, she consumes his heart. When I hear Steve talk about meeting the love of his life way back in sophomore year at MIT in the fraternity house, how they “didn’t vibe” only to reconnect two short years later with a love so clandestine they were engaged 3 months into dating. They both wanted to get married and start a family — no time to waste!!
A real Dunder Mifflin abroad story, we hear all about Steve’s time living & working in Brazil from ‘83-’88. He was a division manager in charge of multiple paper plants, mills, and the harvesting operation required to make the paper. I learn about fluid dynamics, the complications of making paper for different printing processes, and the challenges of running production, especially when a significant portion of your team lacks literacy. We talk about differences in Brazilian topsoil versus Iowa topsoil and the differences across our generations — all while diligently prying for answers to the secrets of happiness and life!
Thank you Steve for your time, generosity, and for being someone I look up to in my life.
FO & BW
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By Top Shelf StudiosI headed all the way down to beautiful Austin, Texas to do some stand-up comedy, but more importantly to interview my guest today, my Uncle, Steve Smith — for a generational crossover episode full of wisdom ready to be plucked and applied.
Steve was the first in his family to attend college, so naturally MIT seemed like a reasonable place for a smart kid from Bettendorf Iowa (yes, that MIT). He studied Mechanical Engineering after realizing that his math might not be “good enough” to lead him to the promised land in Physics, his original major. A summer job working in the textiles department at MIT eventually led him to completing a double Masters in Mechanical Engineering & Textiles Technology. After working for a few years, he returned to MIT to finish an ScD in Mechanical Engineering & a project in textiles, obtaining a patent for a new way to coat the inside of soda cans.
My uncle told the story of meeting his wife at MIT. “A brilliant woman who is extremely focused” in Steve’s words — it’s clear his love for her is unrivaled, she consumes his heart. When I hear Steve talk about meeting the love of his life way back in sophomore year at MIT in the fraternity house, how they “didn’t vibe” only to reconnect two short years later with a love so clandestine they were engaged 3 months into dating. They both wanted to get married and start a family — no time to waste!!
A real Dunder Mifflin abroad story, we hear all about Steve’s time living & working in Brazil from ‘83-’88. He was a division manager in charge of multiple paper plants, mills, and the harvesting operation required to make the paper. I learn about fluid dynamics, the complications of making paper for different printing processes, and the challenges of running production, especially when a significant portion of your team lacks literacy. We talk about differences in Brazilian topsoil versus Iowa topsoil and the differences across our generations — all while diligently prying for answers to the secrets of happiness and life!
Thank you Steve for your time, generosity, and for being someone I look up to in my life.
FO & BW