Interviews with Technical People

Buckle your seatbelt... this episode is jam packed with information.  We are joined by Mike Renoe, the VP of Engineering for Takeout Central, a community-first restaurant delivery service located in Chapel Hill, NC. Mike leads a team of talented multi-platform engineers, and works across the various elements of the business in order to align technology goals with the overall business goals.  We start out by discussing Mike's role as VP of engineering, from hiring new engineers to overseeing the product that they are designing.  As the episode goes on, we dive into a wide range of topics covering software security, management strategies, the future of american innovation, virtual reality, augmented reality, and life after engineering.  You may need to listen to this episode twice to fully receive all of the information, but its well worth the effort.

Remember to take our survey afterwards to provide feedback and tell us how we are doing.

We are joined by Zach Eichholz, the sustainability program manager and resiliency planner for the City of Cape Canaveral, Florida.  This show covers an enormous number of topics, and also set a record for the longest show we have recorded so far, so feel free to split it into smaller chunks for your listening pleasure!  However, it covers some very important topics revolving around climate change, sustainability, and renewable energy.  We learn about some of the ways cities large and small are incorporating more sustainable practices.  As a city on a barrier island in Florida, we also get a unique glimpse into a community that is uniquely threatened by sea level rise, and the steps that they are taking to mitigate its effects and consequences.  We also get to hear about some of the CliFi (Climate Fiction) works that Zach has written, which help to spread awareness for climate action in an encouraging and hopeful manner. 

You can follow Zach on Linkedin here and can get more information about his published books.

Finally, remember to take our survey to provide us with feedback on this episode, and on the podcast in general.  We want your honest answers!  

p.s., the largest port in the world by cruise passenger traffic is the Port of Miami.

We are joined by Jeremy Harmon, a commercial pilot who flies to islands on the coast of Maine, and also a certified flight instructor specializing in tail wheel and float planes.  Jeremy owns and operates a flight school called "Higher Ground Aviation", and also flies for Penobscot Island Air.  We discuss a wide range of aviation topic related to small planes, flying in Maine, and the evolution of aviation techniques.  Bonus conversation about how to find aviation fuel for your float plane on Maine lakes!

More info on Jeremy's Flight School can be found at:
http://highergroundaviationllc.com/
and
https://www.facebook.com/highergroundaviation

After you have listened, please take our brief survey to provide feedback and help us improve the show going forward.

We are joined by an old friend, Marie Henderson.  Marie is a science team member on the Mars Science Laboratory mission, taking pictures with the Curiosity Rover from the surface of Mars and analyzing the images while pursuing a Ph.D. in Planetary Science at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. We discuss topics ranging from the Mars Curiosity rover to lunar volcanism.  Plus, bonus conversation about the astronaut application process!

After you have listened, please take our brief survey to provide feedback and help us improve the show going forward.

We came up with the idea of launching this podcast as we realized we did not know much about the work that our friends did, but we also knew that they were doing very interesting things.  This developed into an idea to start a show that could provide a platform to learn about science and technology through conversations with people.  The goal is both to educate and to entertain.  To increase awareness for the great problems and opportunities that we face, and the ways in which science and engineering are providing unique solutions.  We also wish to show the importance and impact of these topics to everyday people.  Finally, we aim to get some perspective on how someone arrives at the position and career that they are in.  All through an engaging conversation! 

We will release a new episode roughly every two weeks, with each one having a new guest and therefore a new topic to discuss.  We hope you tune in to follow along on our journey.

We are joined by Suresh Singh, a technical writer for a company that manufactures ground support equipment for the airline industry.  We discuss the ins and outs of the business, and get into the fun details of how these vehicles are designed, tested and used.  Plus, a bonus conversation about toilets on airplanes.

After you have listened, please take our short survey to provide feedback and help us improve the show going forward.