Its My Time Podcast

Episode 259: Bradston Henry - Marvelously Mediocre and Thriving

After 13 years, I sit down with Bradston Henry, a Georgia Tech engineering graduate who's mastered the art of being "good enough" at everything—and why that's actually a superpower.

From his Jamaican engineering family roots to surviving Georgia Tech's brutal curriculum, to pivoting from mechanical engineering to programming, Bradston's journey proves that self-awareness beats perfectionism every time.

We discuss:

• The "fastest on JV, slowest on Varsity" philosophy

• Why AI is basically "trust me, bro" (problematic for bridges)

• How engineering trauma bonds last forever

• The unexpected path from break-dancing to programming

• Why engineers make great storytellers

• Preparing for fatherhood while building careers

Plus: Why Georgia Tech prepares you for anything life throws at you (because nothing will ever be that intense again).

Connect with Bradston:

LinkedIn: Bradston Henry

Podcast: Semantics (Theme-antics)

IT'S MY TIME PODCAST

Share your transition: [email protected]

Episode 258 features Dr. Susan Burns, Professor of Civil Engineering at Georgia Tech and my former geotechnical engineering professor. In this reunion conversation, Dr. Burns shares her journey from a NASA engineer's daughter to becoming a beloved educator and administrator at one of the nation's top engineering schools.

We discuss:

• Growing up in a science-oriented family (NASA father, chemist mother)

• The evolution of Georgia Tech from "harsh" to nurturing

• Why civil engineering is a people-serving profession

• The importance of mentorship in engineering

• Her current role as interim AVP for Research

• How alumni donations transformed Tech's campus

Dr. Burns reminds us that engineering isn't just about structures and calculations—it's about relationships, service, and preparing the next generation to literally hold lives in their hands.

A genuine conversation about transitions in academia, engineering, and life.

#Engineering #Education #GeorgiaTech

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This episode contains discussion of business opportunities with MLM connections. Claims made have not been verified. Listen with caution and read full disclaimer.

Episode 257 features Barry Nembhard and Paul Dolphin discussing mindset transformation and business opportunities. Post-recording research revealed unverifiable claims and MLM connections.

This episode is preserved with extensive warnings as an educational example of red flags in business opportunities.

NOT AN ENDORSEMENT. For MLM information: ftc.gov/mlm

Renaldo Lawrence is a content creator, educator, and Adobe Educational Leader based in London, England. For nearly seven years, he's posted daily 30-60 second encouragement videos—a practice that started after one message saved someone's life.

In this episode, Renaldo and I reconnect to talk about his journey from professional basketball player to educator, his mission to inspire students and strangers alike, and why he believes "age is a gift."

What we discussed:

✅ The phone call that changed everything (why he posts daily encouragement)

✅ His near-death accident and the wake-up call it provided

✅ "I don't have bad days—I might have a bad hour, but never a bad day"

✅ Teaching 1,300 students in London (and why classroom size matters)

✅ YouTube University: Learning anything from drone videography to life skills

✅ His 99-year-old mother and the importance of seeing family while you can

✅ Why the next generation doesn't know their history (and how to fix it)

✅ Building a self-help course on self-care launching fall 2019

✅ Going from 5 days/week to 3 days/week (and how it changed his life)

✅ Paper and pencil > digital: Writing down goals and solutions

✅ His great-great-grandfather was the first Black man in the South Carolina Senate

CONNECT WITH RENALDO:

Instagram: @renaldlawrence1

Facebook: Renaldo Lawrence

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@renaldostechnologyworld-u2m

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renaldo-lawrence

ABOUT IT'S MY TIME PODCAST:

Hosted by Asher Tchoua, this podcast highlights everyday people with extraordinary stories. Because we all have a voice, a vision, and a way we lead those we serve.

Website: itsmytimepodcast.com

📬 SUBSCRIBE for weekly conversations that remind you: your time is now.

Nicole Stuhr is a civil site design and stormwater engineer, a working mom of twins, and someone who stayed with the same company for 11 years—by choice.

But her journey from Georgia Tech grad to senior engineer wasn't without challenges. Imposter syndrome. Learning how to "hobby." Balancing million-dollar projects with bedtime routines.

In this conversation, Nicole and I (her former Georgia Tech classmate) reconnect to talk about:

✅ Why being a mom of twins is "efficient" (her engineer brain is showing)

✅ The moment she realized: "Maybe there's more to life than just work"

✅ How she went from working overtime constantly to learning dance and book clubs

✅ Beating imposter syndrome after 10 years: "I finally know what I'm doing"

✅ What it's like auditing 60-year-old contractors as a 22-year-old female engineer

✅ Why civil engineering only gets attention when something breaks

✅ The evolution of work-life balance across generations

✅ Her philosophy: "We work to live, not live to work"

CONNECT WITH NICOLE:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-stuhr

ABOUT IT'S MY TIME PODCAST:

Hosted by Asher Tchoua, this podcast highlights everyday people with extraordinary stories. Because we all have a voice, a vision, and a way we lead those we serve.

Website: itsmytimepodcast.com

📬 SUBSCRIBE for weekly conversations with people who chose growth over comfort.

In this episode, I reconnect with my 5th-grade classmate Ali Awad, now known as "The CEO Lawyer," who has built a

We take a deep dive into Ali's transformation from the shy, quiet kid in Dalton, Georgia, to a fearless entrepreneur who

Topics:

How Ali's father enrolled him in martial arts to combat bullying—and how that discipline shaped his entire business

Running a six-figure eBay business in middle school while maintaining straight A's

The concept of "breaking your brand" and why changing environments is crucial for growth

How growing up in a Palestinian immigrant family shaped his survival-based approach to entrepreneurship

Managing a law firm with virtual teams in Mexico and Colombia

Why he believes "you should only fear God and not fear man"—and how faith drives fearless business decisions

The stories behind his book "Laws of Victory" and the childhood lessons he still applies today

His approach to AI implementation in the legal industry

Why he refuses to buy retail and how that mindset extends to every business decision

The importance of fair compensation and ethical business practices in building a lasting company

Guest Bio: Ali Awad is the CEO of a multi-million dollar personal injury law firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. Starting with

Connect with Ali: Instagram/TikTok/Facebook: @CEOLawyer

Book: "Laws of Victory" available on Amazon

EP 253 — Sonya Denise: Whispers of Grace, Boundaries & Becoming

Author, retired educator, and nonprofit founder Sonya Denise returns to talk about healing without perfection, choosing peace over chaos, and serving families through the Sonya Denise Foundation. We cover “no more shame,” how to set healthy boundaries, practical journaling rhythms, mental-health access, and the launch of her 365-day devotional Whispers of Grace and podcast Transformational Conversations.

Links

• LoveSonyaDenise.com — books & merch

• TheSonyaDeniseFoundation.com — programs & giving

• New devotional: Whispers of Grace

• Podcast: Transformational Conversations with Sonya Denise

In this episode, Asher sits down with Janeekis Harper, a construction manager turned solopreneur, to talk about career transitions, personal growth, and finding balance between discipline and self‑care. From building projects to building a life of purpose, Janeekis shares lessons learned from leadership, career pivots, and redefining success on her own terms.

🎧 Tune in for insights on:

Navigating career transitions and finding your lane

What it takes to thrive as a woman in construction

Learning when to stay, when to shift, and how to grow from both

➡️ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/O3kjxzdSvNQ

🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and Audible.

🏈 “When family, faith, and football come together, you get something special.”

In Episode 251 of It’s My Time Podcast, Asher sits down with Coach Gabe and his son Clay Jackson for a heartfelt conversation about parenting, leadership, and teamwork.

From California’s football culture to lessons on integrity and faith, this episode highlights what it means to lead by example both at home and on the field.

🎧 Tune in and subscribe for new episodes every week.

How do you rediscover purpose when the path changes?

In this week’s episode, Brendan Ferguson shares lessons from teaching overseas, returning home, and rebuilding a career in engineering.

It’s a reminder that growth isn’t always glamorous—sometimes it’s about slowing down, realigning, and moving forward with quiet confidence.

Watch full episode on YouTube → https://linktw.in/YAsqqt

Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts 🎧 itsmytimepodcast.com