The Happy Engineer

Zach White built his engineering career at a Fortune 50 company before burning out and rebuilding from scratch, and that personal experience is the foundation of everything on this podcast. White holds a BS in mechanical engineering from Purdue and an MS from the University of Michigan, and he now runs Oasis of Courage, a coaching company exclusively for engineers. The show blends two formats: interviews with high-performing engineers and leadership coaches, plus solo episodes where Zach breaks down frameworks from his Lifestyle Engineering Blueprint coaching program. Topics include navigating promotions, handling engineering management transitions, overcoming imposter syndrome, setting boundaries, salary negotiation, and building resilience in high-pressure technical roles. The interview episodes feature engineering directors, VPs, CTOs, and executive coaches who share the specific decisions and habits that shaped their careers. White is a direct interviewer who pushes past generic advice to get at the actual mechanics of career growth. Over 200 episodes have been released, and each one runs roughly 30 to 50 minutes. The show resonates particularly with mid-career engineers who feel stuck between technical work and leadership, and White addresses that tension with both empathy and practical strategy. Production quality is polished, with clear audio and well-structured conversations. If you are an engineer who wants to advance without sacrificing your wellbeing, this podcast offers a framework built specifically for the engineering mindset.