Engineering Conversations

Hosted by David deMontigny

Technology Business EducationInterviews guests

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-CA

About the show

Engineering Conversations has one simple goal... to promote engineering. By having conversations with engineers about their backgrounds and careers, we will showcase a wide variety of industries and explore the types of jobs that engineers perform when they finish university. These conversations may help young people understand what it is that engineers do in their day to day work. As young people learn about these types of careers, they may be inspired to become and engineer and help make the world a better place. Engineering Conversations is hosted by David deMontigny, an engineering professor at the University of Regina. The University of Regina is situated on Treaty 4 lands with a presence in Treaty 6. These are the territories of the nêhiyawak (nay-hi-yuh-wuk, Cree), Anihšināpēk (uh-nish-i-naa-payk, Saulteaux), Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda, and the homeland of the Métis/Michif Nation. Today, these lands continue to be the shared territory of many people from near and far. They are an important part of our past, and an even more important part of our future. ------------------------------ Thanks to JennyHDesign and SoulProdMusic for help with the artwork and music!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 8, 2026Episode 6932 min

The 1st Energy Systems Graduates: Delaiya Dutchak and Michael Palsich

Send us Fan MailHave you noticed that more and more engineering schools are starting to offer programs related to energy? The reason for this is that the world has an ever-growing demand for energy and we need engineers that can design and build energy systems that are safe, reliable, sustainable, and affordable. The University of Regina has a new Energy Systems engineering program that has options in petroleum, sustainable energy, and energy transportation and storage.In this episode we sit down with Delaiya Dutchak and Michael Palsich, the first graduates from the new Energy Systems program. Both Delaiya and Michael studied the sustainable energy option. In this conversation they talk about their experience as engineering students, the new Energy Systems program, and their career plans for the future. Delaiya and Michael also offer advice for young people thinking about studying engineering in university.

May 25, 2026Episode 6844 min

From Production to Closure - An Oil Well Lifecycle: Leta Brisebois

Send us Fan MailHave you ever seen a pumpjack in an oil field and wondered how long it has been there, or what will happen to it in the future? It turns out that the life of an oil well depends on its condition, how much oil it produces, and the current oil price. Petroleum engineers are heavily involved in managing the lifecycle of oil wells.In this episode we sit down with Leta Brisebois to learn about her career in the oil and gas industry. Leta has a background in Petroleum Systems engineering and over 25 years of experience in production engineering, spill management and end of life asset retirement strategies for oil and gas sites. Leta recently joined Edge Engineering and Geoscience as a Senior Project Manager, where she supports clients across the full lifecycle of their assets. In this conversation, we hear about her extensive career and what is involved when managing the lifecycle of oil wells. Leta also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

May 11, 2026Episode 6744 min

The Potash Industry - Talking with a Maintenance and Design Engineer: Julien Brazeau

Send us Fan MailDid you know that potash is essential for food production around the world? Saskatchewan happens to account for roughly one third of all global potash production. Engineers from a variety of disciplines are needed to support potash mining operations.In this episode we sit down with Julien Brazeau to learn about his career. Julien has a background in Industrial Systems Engineering and has spent over 18 years working in the potash industry in a variety of engineering roles. Julien is currently the Senior Manager of Maintenance and Engineering for the Mosaic Company at their Esterhazy facilities. In this conversation, we hear about his early career in construction, his decision to go back to school to study engineering and how got his start in the potash industry. Julien also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

April 27, 2026Episode 6649 min

EYES - Educating Youth in Engineering and Science: Kevina Mullock and MacKenzie Chittenden

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we explore how we can nurture and encourage youth to consider a career path in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The world needs more engineers, and STEM outreach is a big part of the process to ensure we will have sufficient bright minds to solve big real-world problems in the future!Kevina Mullock and MacKenzie Chittenden are the Coordinators of Engineering Outreach at the University of Regina. Together they manage and deliver the EYES Program – Educating Youth in Engineering and Science. This program provides youth an opportunity to experience science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in hands-on, interactive activities, workshops, and camps. In this conversation Kevina and MacKenzie explain the various outreach programs they run at EYES, and how similar programs around the country are making a big impact encouraging and attracting youth to careers in STEM.

April 15, 2026Episode 6527 min

BONUS: Behind the Scenes on our 2nd Anniversary

Send us Fan MailCan you believe this tiny little podcast project is already two years old? In this bonus episode, Justin Gwilliam comes back on the show to help celebrate the occasion and ask some more “behind the scenes” questions. (I honestly think he just came for the cake and to tease me a bit.)I extend a sincere thank-you to all of the guests that came on Engineering Conversations this past year to share their story. Without guests, there is no show! My hope is that these episodes help people learn a bit more about engineering by hearing people talk about their careers.Last, but not least, thank you to all of the listeners! I am truly blown away by the number of people that tune in all over the world to hear some engineering conversations!

April 13, 2026Episode 6454 min

From Petroleum Engineering to Agricultural Risk Modeling: Mehdi Mohammadpoor

Send us Fan MailIt is very difficult to predict the direction an engineering career will take as there are so many options. One certainty is that an engineer can always take their knowledge and skills with them to address problems and challenges that exist in whatever industry they choose to work.In this episode we sit down with Mehdi Mohammadpoor to learn about his career. Mehdi has a background in petroleum engineering, where he completed advanced degrees. He worked as a research engineer, completing a number of projects for the oil sector. Eventually, an opportunity arose for him to take his experience and skills to a new sector. Mehdi is currently the Manager for Risk Modeling at the Farm Credit Canada. There, he leads a team of data scientists to study risk in financing and insuring the agriculture and food industries. In this conversation, we will hear about his journey in engineering. Mehdi offers advice to young people, and reminds all of us that engineers can take their problem-solving skills to any sector.

March 30, 2026Episode 6350 min

Air Quality and Environmental Engineering: Kevin McCullum

Send us Fan MailEnvironmental engineering is a broad field that includes air, water, and soil engineering. Among those areas, air quality has broad impacts on the environment since it is not always localized. For example, forest fires can affect the air quality for people and wildlife that are thousands of kilometers away.In this episode we sit down with Kevin McCullum to learn about his career as an environmental engineer. Kevin has worked in both private industry and government sectors for 30 years, gaining a wealth of experience. During his career he has worked on a number of engineering projects related to air, water, and soil, but he has a true passion for air quality projects. Kevin is the Principal Engineer and Owner at KRM Environmental Consulting. His firm provides a variety of engineering services for air, water, and soil quality monitoring, and they offer services in data analytics and environmental reporting. In this conversation, Kevin shares his journey in engineering and talks about some of the projects he worked on. He also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

March 16, 2026Episode 6243 min

Electrical Engineering Consulting: Trevor Chadwick

Send us Fan MailThe world relies on electricity for practically everything we do, including in our work lives and personal lives. Electrification has changed the world, and we need engineers to design and build electrical systems.In this episode we sit down with Trevor Chadwick to talk about his career. Trevor has a background in Electronic Systems engineering and has worked in electrical consulting for fifteen years. Trevor is the President and Principal Engineer at Wick Engineering. His consulting firm works on a variety of electrical projects for commercial buildings, healthcare, industrial facilities, educational institutions, private homes and more! In this conversation Trevor talks about his journey in engineering and his experience as an electrical engineering consultant. He also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering.

March 14, 2026Episode 6148 min

BONUS: Engineering Students in Offices Eating Pi

Send us Fan MailTo celebrate Pi Day, I invited some fourth-year engineering students to my office to eat some pie and talk about their experience in engineering! We will hear their thoughts on surviving engineering, gaining work experience, completing a capstone project, and more!A big thank you to Madison French, Sarah Schatz, and Pranav Mukesh for coming on the show to share their journey in engineering!Happy Pi Day!

March 2, 2026Episode 6052 min

Mining and Active Allyship: Jocelyn Peltier-Huntley

Send us Fan MailEngineering careers can be dynamic, across many different sectors, and in new areas that require experience, a problem-solving lens, and perspective.In this episode we sit down with Dr. Jocelyn Peltier-Huntley to talk about her experience as a mechanical engineer. She has extensive experience in the mining sector, where she worked in coal mining, lead and zinc smelting, and the potash industry. After working for over a decade, Jocelyn decided to go back to university to do research on workplace culture. Jocelyn is the Principal and Owner of Prairie Catalyst Consulting, and her company helps support individuals and organizations to make work places more equitable. Recently, Jocelyn published a book called Active Allyship that highlights evidence-based solutions that can help make positive change in workplace culture.In this conversation, Jocelyn talks about her extensive career and the work she is doing at Prairie Catalyst Consulting. She also offers advice to young people thinking about a career in engineering, and advice to those thinking about going back to graduate school.

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