decision-making Archives

The One Question That Changes an Engineering Career | Marc Champagne on Mental Fitness

by Max Ahumada | May 4, 2026 | Podcast

What questions are shaping your destiny? Do you even believe in destiny? How do you improve your mental fitness (is there a gym for that)?

In this episode, we do more than ask questions. We are going to explore questions themselves like the philosophers of old. Guest Marc Champagne has been living a personal transformation from powerful questions and mental fitness. He recently launched an exceptional new book, “Personal Socrates” you will love.

Questions lead and answers follow. So ask great questions if you want great answers!

Marc has been mastering the power of questions at a whole new level. He unpacks the mental fitness practices and questions being asked by some of the most influential and brightest thinkers in the world. He has over a decade of research behind him, but more importantly, his own life.

Despite practicing mental fitness for years, Marc hit rock bottom and learned the power of questions and personal introspection the hard way.

So press play and let’s chat… and start asking yourself, “how will this conversation change my life?”

191: The Time Mindset – Beyond the Reach of Money

by Max Ahumada | Oct 21, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, I dive into a powerful shift in mindset around time, sparked by an incredible lesson I learned from a high-level mastermind event.

We often say time is more valuable than money, but do we truly live by that? I reflect on how we, especially as engineering leaders, prioritize money and overlook time, and how that mindset might be costing us in the long run.

I also share three essential principles about time, compounding growth, and why time freedom always precedes financial freedom.

This episode is all about taking action now to build the life and career you dream of—before it’s too late.

So press play and let’s chat… about how time is your most valuable asset and how to make it work for you!

190: Receive the Best Performance Review of Your Engineering Career with Curtis Mitchell

by Max Ahumada | Oct 14, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, get the one key that unlocked the best performance review of Curtis Mitchell’s career.

It’s not what you think it is, either.

Curtis Mitchell is a graduate of The Lifestyle Engineering Blueprint™️ coaching program for engineering managers. He has over 15 years of experience in data science and software engineering roles.

He was told his performance was below average, and unacceptable, by his leaders at various Silicon Valley startups.

When he finally landed a role at NASA’s Ames Research Center, a dream job for the 12-year old inside, he knew he had to turn that around.

That’s when he hired a coach, changed his mindset, took new actions… and received the best performance review of his career.

Curtis is currently working on AI and privacy engineering programs with the United States Census Bureau as an emerging technology fellow, and now lives in San Francisco, California.

So press play and let’s chat… it’s time to unlock your future growth with one simple strategy!

173: Now You Can Make Hard Career Decisions Seem Simple

by Max Ahumada | Jun 17, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, I explore the critical importance of aligning your core values and vision before making significant career decisions.

Drawing from my experience working with an engineering leader named Ashley, who faced a pivotal career move, I illustrate how defining your values and vision ahead of time can transform decision-making from a stressful and uncertain ordeal into a confident and clear process.

You’ll learn why it’s essential to understand what truly matters and how to create a roadmap for your ideal life and career, emphasizing the importance of doing the inner work in advance to make informed, aligned decisions.

By the end of our discussion, you’ll have practical insights on how to prioritize your core values and articulate a compelling vision for your future.

So press play and let’s chat…about making career decisions that truly reflect who you are and where you want to go!

172: Master Product Management Like a Marketing Pro with Amberdeep Aurora

by Max Ahumada | Jun 10, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, meet my good friend Amberdeep Aurora, an accomplished Product Management leader who knows how to speak geek… because he started where you did, engineering.

Amberdeep is fluent in the languages of Consumer, Business and Technology. Besides being a utility patent holder, one of his products has won recognition for being Popular Science Magazine’s 100 Greatest Innovations of 2021.

We cover the key difference between outcomes and outputs, the 3 key trade offs to a product’s success, and how to make better decisions.

You may or may not see Product Management on your career ladder, but if you want to be a STEM professional capable of success and influence outside the walls of your cubicle, this conversation is critical.

Currently a Group Product Manager at Whirlpool Corp, a Global $20B World’s Most Admired Company (ranked by Fortune, 14 years in a row), Amberdeep leads a team of product managers in improving the shopping experience across the company’s North American Portfolio of six Direct-to-Consumer eCommerce websites.

So press play and let’s chat… it’s time to stop talking about solutions and start listening to our customer’s problems!

166: Get Rid of Toxic Work Culture Once and For All with Anese Cavanaugh | Award-Winning Author

by Max Ahumada | Apr 29, 2024 | Podcast

In this episode, I welcome back award-winning author and creator of the IEP Method™️, Anese Cavanaugh.

Check out Episode 023: Change Your Life by Mastering Your Energy for our previous powerful interview.

IEP is about your Intention, your Energy, and your Presence.

It is the foundation for creating a Positive Energy Workplace™️ and Anese is passionate about helping you discover one simple truth:

Culture transformation CAN begin with you, and while the work itself is easy and rewarding, it’s not common.

The question you must ask yourself… is it worth it?

I’ll tell you from my experience, YES.

So press play and let’s chat… if you practice IEP, you’ll get rid of toxic culture once and for all!

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