David Abshire interviews Matt Harriman, an oil-and-gas planning consultant, author, and software entrepreneur, about building a career around clarity, personal values, and meaningful impact. Harriman explains why he bootstrapped Pod Two, how he balances work with family, and why speaking honestly, experimenting early, and staying connected to people matter more than chasing titles alone.

• Harriman entered oil and gas through a summer job at Chesapeake while he was in graduate school and needed money for an engagement ring.
• Working in a large company and later at startup InterSight sharpened his preference for focused work tied to a clear business purpose.
• He built a self-funded company to preserve flexibility, family time, and the ability to grow without investor-driven pressure.
• Harriman describes challenging harmful team behavior on a major consulting project, even though speaking up risked a key revenue stream and his job.
• His book, Integrated Upstream Planning, grew from a sense that the knowledge needed to exist, not from a major business strategy.
• Pod Two’s “make work suck less” purpose is rooted in reducing workplace stress and helping people have better lives beyond work.
• He sees software as broad impact and executive coaching as deeper, more personal impact, and values having both.
• His “go do stuff” advice encourages early-career people to learn what fits by trying work and noticing what they enjoy and do well.
• Harriman says salary and title can become an endless scoreboard; he wishes he had made more effort to keep in touch with people he valued.

In this episode, Tim White shares his unconventional journey from the Navy to reliability engineering, emphasizing the importance of proactive maintenance, data-driven decision making, and building a strong reliability culture in various industries.

key topics

• Impact of military experience on maintenance thinking
• Fundamentals of reliability across industries
• The importance of proactive maintenance and upstream thinking
• Using AI and data for failure prediction
• Building a reliability culture in organizations

Discover the lessons Jeremy Shaw learned in nuclear energy and project management.

In this conversation with Jeremy Shaw, we delve into the lessons learned from his extensive career in the nuclear and petrochemical industries. Shaw shares insights on project management, leadership, and the importance of transparency in business.

## From Construction to Nuclear
Jeremy grew up surrounded by construction and energy, inspired by family members in the field. Although he considered other paths, his experience led him back to his roots in nuclear energy. He highlights the rigorous quality standards in the nuclear sector, comparing them to military precision. This foundation has shaped his approach in the petrochemical projects he now oversees.

## The Challenge of Integration
Shaw's turning point came during a multi-billion dollar petrochemical project. He noticed the disconnection among various project management systems. "Finding out what everybody's strengths are and what their weaknesses are... made things so much more visible," he explains. By integrating systems under one reporting framework, they were able to enhance visibility and efficiency. Utilizing tools like Power BI, they could connect real-time analytics with on-site progress.

## Embracing Transparency
One of the core beliefs Shaw emphasizes is the necessity of transparency in the industry. He argues that openly sharing what went wrong can save time and resources. "Transparency saves time, effort, rework, and money," he asserts. This commitment to honesty stems from his nuclear background, where operational transparency is critical for safety and improvement.

## Coaching Meets Leadership
Shaw's experience as a wrestling coach has profoundly influenced his leadership style. He instills discipline and accountability in his team while encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones. "If we're all just willing to go with the normal day-to-day stuff, then we're never going to innovate," he says. This mindset fosters a culture of growth and continuous learning.

## A Lesson in Learning
Shaw concludes with a powerful message: "Never stop being a student." He reflects on his journey, emphasizing the importance of setting high goals and continuously challenging oneself. This philosophy of lifelong learning has propelled him from project management to entrepreneurship.

In a world where industries evolve rapidly, Shaw’s insights remind us of the value of adaptability, transparency, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.

To hear more from Jeremy Shaw and his experiences, listen to the full episode of the Under Pressure Podcast.