Rock Solid Leaders

About Rock Solid Leaders

ROCK SOLID LEADERS goes behind the scenes with the experts and executives shaping today’s infrastructure. MATT SILVESTON hosts the podcast and highlights geotechnical innovators & industry leaders as they share lessons from major projects, ethical crossroads, and leadership under pressure. Each conversation uncovers how judgment, and technical skills combine to build resilient projects. Guests share candid stories of navigating complex challenges, balancing risk with vision, and leading teams where stakes are measured not just in dollars, but in public trust and long-term resilience.

Publisher

Matt Silveston

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Aug 2025

Latest episode

1 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Sept 2026

   Steady Ground: Monique Anderson

   What defines a successful engineering career? For Monique A. Anderson, P.E., it is not having every answer. It is knowing how to solve the right problem, communicate clearly and draw on the strengths of a capable team. Monique is a vice president and geotechnical engineer with Shannon & Wilson in Seattle, where she has spent her 36-year career. Her work spans bridges, embankments, buildings, piers, retaining walls, landslides, dams, roadways and complex excavations. She has also helped lead major assignments associated with Seattle’s waterfront and the SR 99 tunnel program. In this episode of Rock Solid Leaders, Monique joins host Matt Silveston to discuss how her understanding of professional success changed as she progressed from project engineer to project manager and firm leader. She explains why technical competence is only one part of effective consulting. Engineers must also understand what their clients need, communicate recommendations clearly and recognize when a problem requires expertise beyond their own. Monique also reflects on the SR 99 tunnel project, the satisfaction of seeing decades of engineering work become part of Seattle’s infrastructure and the collaborative effort required to deliver a major multidisciplinary project. Topics discussed include: Why engineers do not need to know everything The value of teamwork and complementary expertise Translating complex analyses into practical recommendations Why a client may need one clear paragraph instead of five pages of calculations Lessons from Seattle’s SR 99 tunnel and waterfront projects The importance of ownership, curiosity and responsiveness How young engineers can develop stronger communication habits Building long-term relationships with clients Why engineering is fundamentally a service profession Monique’s central message is direct: clients are paying engineers for an answer, not a thesis.

2. 

   20 Aug 2026

   Beyond Calculations: Morgan NeSmith

   Beyond the Calculations with Morgan NeSmith In this episode of Rock Solid Leaders, Matt Silveston sits down with Morgan NeSmith, Director of Engineering and Chief Geotechnical Engineer at Berkel, for a conversation about deep foundations, engineering judgment, leadership, and the changing role of technology in geotechnical engineering. Morgan reflects on more than 30 years in the profession and the lessons that have shaped his approach to engineering. He discusses the importance of understanding geology, the evolution of cast-in-place pile and ground improvement systems, and how advances in installation equipment and real-time monitoring have expanded the industry's capabilities. The conversation also looks ahead. Morgan discusses the potential to combine increasingly sophisticated site characterization with real-time installation data to continuously refine subsurface models and foundation designs. He sees significant potential for AI to organize and interpret these large datasets, while cautioning against relying on technology without the experience and judgment needed to recognize when an answer simply does not make sense. The discussion then turns to leadership and professional development. Morgan describes lessons learned early in his career working alongside experienced drillers and operators. His advice to younger engineers is straightforward: listen, remain curious, ask questions, and recognize that the people working in the field often possess decades of practical knowledge that cannot be learned from a textbook. How Morgan found his way into geotechnical engineering and foundation contracting Why he wishes he had studied more geology How deep foundation technology has changed over the past 20 to 30 years The growing role of automated monitoring and installation data Using field data to refine site characterization and foundation design in real time Where AI can add value to geotechnical engineering Why engineering judgment remains critical as automation increases What experienced drillers and equipment operators can teach young engineers Why curiosity is one of the strongest predictors of a young engineer's development How better site investigations can produce significant downstream savings The deceptively complex nature of deep foundation installation A foundation problem that led to a simple lesson Morgan still remembers: sometimes a little more grout solves the problem Morgan's advice for engineers on their first day in the field Engineering tools will continue to become more sophisticated, but technology does not replace curiosity, experience, or judgment. Morgan's message to the next generation is to spend time in the field, listen to experienced people, ask why decisions are being made, and learn to recognize whether an engineering answer actually makes sense.

3. 

   21 Jul 2026

   Designing for the Unknown: Yazen Khasawneh & Spencer Ness Discuss Soft Soils

   Every geotechnical engineer eventually faces a project where the soil refuses to behave as expected. In this episode of Rock Solid Leaders, Dr. Yazen Khasawneh of the University of Notre Dame and Spencer Ness of Terracon discuss how under-consolidated soils challenged conventional lateral pile design and why field observations ultimately changed their understanding of the problem. The conversation explores the limitations of traditional testing methods, the importance of selecting the right soil parameters, and why engineering judgment remains indispensable even as computational models become more sophisticated. The discussion also examines how artificial intelligence may reshape geotechnical engineering while reinforcing that successful designs will always depend on quality field data and a solid understanding of soil behavior. Whether you're a practicing engineer, researcher, or student, this episode offers valuable lessons on uncertainty, investigation, and the importance of listening to what the ground is telling you.

4. 

   17 Jul 2026

   Duncan Wyllie Discusses Engineering Uncertainty

   In this episode of Rock Solid Leaders, Matt Silveston speaks with Duncan C. Wyllie, Ph.D., P.Eng., Principal Engineer with Wyllie & Norrish Rock Engineers Ltd., about risk management in geotechnical engineering. Dr. Wyllie explains that geotechnical risk is not defined by a factor of safety alone. It requires an understanding of both the probability of an event and the consequence if that event occurs. He discusses the importance of quantifying risk where possible, including the use of risk frameworks such as FN charts. The conversation also addresses one of the central challenges in geotechnical practice: making decisions with incomplete information. Dr. Wyllie discusses the limits of subsurface investigation, the danger of assuming conditions are uniform, and the need for careful field judgment. He shares examples from rock engineering where surface conditions appeared competent, but subsurface conditions told a different story. The discussion moves into practical lessons from rock slopes, rock anchors, blasting, long-term weathering, and maintenance. Dr. Wyllie emphasizes that geotechnical risk does not end when construction is complete. Rock, soil, water, ice, roots, and time continue to affect performance long after a project is built. The episode also includes a direct discussion on language in geotechnical reports. Dr. Wyllie identifies “assume” and “guarantee” as words that deserve particular caution because they can imply a level of certainty that geotechnical engineers often do not have. This episode serves as a preview of Dr. Wyllie’s GeoVirginias presentation, Risk Management for Geotechnical Engineering, and provides practical insight for engineers, owners, public agencies, and younger professionals learning how to evaluate and communicate risk.

5. 

   9 Jul 2026

   Ground Control: Dr Mazen Adib on Geotechnical Leadership for Design Build Projects

   The ground is hidden. The risk is real. In this episode of Rock Solid Leaders, Matt Silveston talks with Dr. Mazen Adib of Fugro about geotechnical leadership in large design-build projects. They discuss managing subsurface uncertainty, identifying risk early, the growing use of AI, CPT-centric design, instrumentation, artesian pressures, and the line between innovation and unacceptable risk. Mazen also shares a practical framework for improving consistency, quality control, and decision-making on complex infrastructure projects.

6. 

   30 Jun 2026

   Dr. Amy Cerato: Engineering With Courage

   Engineering with Courage | Dr. Amy Cerato What happens when an engineer is forced to choose between staying silent and standing up for what they believe is right? In this episode of Rock Solid Leaders, Matt Silveston sits down with Dr. Amy Cerato, Presidential Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Oklahoma, to discuss how a proposed highway through her community transformed her from an internationally recognized geotechnical researcher into a leading voice for engineering ethics, public policy, and infrastructure accountability. Dr. Cerato shares how technical expertise, communication, and leadership intersect when engineering decisions affect people's lives. The conversation explores the responsibilities engineers have beyond design, the importance of critical thinking, why maintaining infrastructure often deserves greater priority than building new, and the courage required to challenge the status quo. Whether you're an engineer, student, or elected leader, this episode offers valuable insights into leadership, integrity, and the lasting impact of using your expertise to serve the public.

7. 

   25 Oct 2025

   Tides and Transit — Mike Seekings on Charleston’s Water, Mobility, and Tough Choices

   “Between 1900 and 1980 we had about seven or eight king-tide events a year. Today, it’s closer to eighty. Resilience isn’t optional anymore—it’s survival.”Charleston City Councilman Mike Seekings joins Matt Silveston to talk about what happens when a historic coastal city faces a rising ocean. From king tides that now flood streets weekly to the rebirth of the Low Battery seawall and the launch of Lowcountry Rapid Transit, this conversation explores leadership in a city learning to live with water and move through it. Mike shares how Charleston rebuilt its most iconic wall without raising taxes, why transit is a cornerstone of resilience, and what leadership looks like when every decision carries long-term consequences. Key Themes: The measurable rise in tidal flooding and what it means for the city’s future. The Low Battery seawall: a century-old structure reborn through political persistence and public transparency. Funding infrastructure through tourism revenues, not new taxes. Why public transit and the 21-mile Lowcountry Rapid Transit project represent a new model of resilience.

8. 

   9 Oct 2025

   Resilient Nation: Congressman Garret Graves

   On this episode of Rock Solid Leaders, Congressman Garret Graves joins Matt Silveston to explore what it means to build a Resilient Nation. From leading Louisiana’s post-Katrina recovery to reshaping national policy on infrastructure and energy, Graves shares what he’s learned about preparing for storms—both literal and political. This conversation dives deep into how America can move from reaction to readiness, from rebuilding to building stronger. “Resiliency isn’t about bouncing back—it’s about bouncing forward.”

9. 

   28 Sept 2025

   Digging Deeper: Frederic Masse on Urban Foundations and Real-Time Risk Management

   DIGGING DEEPER: Frédéric Massé on Urban Foundations and Real-Time Risk Management What does it take to build safely in the middle of a crowded city? In this episode of ROCK SOLID LEADERS, Frédéric Massé (Nicholson Construction) shares hard-earned lessons from projects in Pittsburgh and beyond. From unexpected underground obstructions to managing noise, vibration, and logistics, he explains how geotechnical contractors solve the toughest challenges when space is limited and the stakes are high. Listeners will learn: How real-time monitoring has prevented costly failures on active sites How re-purposing exiting site features can save both time and money Why hands-on construction experience is essential for young engineers The rise of design-build contracting in U.S. geotechnics If you’re building in urban environments—or preparing to—this episode shows what it really takes to succeed underground.

10. 

    27 Sept 2025

    Design REVOLUTION: Michael McGuire on DM 7.2

    Forty years is a long wait for an update. The new Foundations and Earth Structures Design Manual (DM 7.2) is here — modernized, reorganized, and built to guide engineers through the most critical foundation decisions of our time. In this episode of ROCK SOLID LEADERS, Michael McGuire (Lafayette College), one of the manual’s lead authors, breaks down what’s changed, why it matters, and how it will shape the future of design education and practice. Listeners will learn: The biggest updates in DM 7.2, from shear strength to deep foundations Why the manual is both a roadmap for students and a tool for practitioners Where AI fits into the next generation of engineering design tools This isn’t just an update. It’s a design revolution.

11. 

    24 Sept 2025

    P-Y Curves and BEYOND: Anne Lemnitzer on Foundations and Resilience

    P-Y curves may sound like a niche topic, but they’re central to how we design deep foundations under lateral loads. In this episode of ROCK SOLID LEADERS, we get technical. Dr. Anne Lemnitzer (UC Irvine) explains why P-Y curves matter, how they’re evolving with new research, and what that means for geotechnical and structural engineering. Listeners will learn: How new testing is reshaping old assumptions What engineers must consider when applying P-Y curves to real-world projects Advice for young engineers If you’ve ever designed or relied on a foundation, this episode will change the way you think about laterally loaded piles.

12. 

    22 Sept 2025

    Shaping the FUTURE: Carlos Santamarina on Geotechnics and AI

    The future of geotechnical engineering won’t look like its past. In this episode of ROCK SOLID LEADERS, Dr. Carlos Santamarina (Georgia Tech) shares how geotechnical engineering is evolving — and how artificial intelligence is changing the way we study and design with soil. Listeners will learn: How AI is transforming subsurface exploration and data interpretation Why cross-disciplinary thinking will define the next generation of geotechnics The challenges of applying new tools to old problems like liquefaction and slope stability How young engineers can prepare for a profession in transition If you want to know where geotechnical engineering is headed — and how AI is accelerating that shift — this episode is for you.

13. 

    18 Sept 2025

    Hidden Shaking: Russell Green on Earthquake Risks

    Hidden Shaking: Russell Green on Earthquake Risks When the Christchurch earthquake struck, entire neighborhoods sank as the ground beneath them turned to liquid. In this episode of ROCK SOLID LEADERS, Dr. Russell Green (Virginia Tech) explains why liquefaction remains one of the most destructive—and misunderstood—earthquake hazards. He breaks down what happened in Christchurch, what those failures revealed, and the new tools engineers use to analyze and prepare for the next event. If you want to understand how earthquakes really reshape the ground—and what engineers are doing to stay ahead—this episode delivers the inside look.

14. 

    15 Sept 2025

    Buried Risks: Damian Siebert and the Hidden Challenges of Urban Projects

    Buried Risks: When the Ground Rewrites the Plan A shipwreck under a city block. A bulkhead failing in a storm. A sensor that says “stop—now.” In this episode of ROCK SOLID LEADERS, Damian Siebert (Haley & Aldrich) takes us inside urban geotechnical work where surprises are guaranteed and decisions can’t wait. You’ll hear: The enabling work that quietly makes—or breaks—projects How real-time monitoring can change the course of a project What it takes to deliver bad news and keep trust Designs that fail safely when the unknown shows up Why denser cities and aging utilities raise the stakes If you build in cities, this is your field manual for the ground you can’t see.

15. 

    10 Sept 2025

    Seismic Truth: Ellen Rathje on Earthquakes, Risk, and Resilience

    The ground never lies — but it doesn’t always tell the whole story. On this episode of ROCK SOLID LEADERS, I sit down with Dr. Ellen Rathje (University of Texas at Austin) to uncover the seismic truth behind earthquake risk. Ellen reveals: Why small details determine survival or collapse How new tools are reshaping seismic risk assessment What past earthquakes teach us about preparing for the next one If you’ve ever wondered how we design for resilience when nature calls the shots, this is the seismic truth you need to hear.

16. 

    8 Sept 2025

    Deep Foundations: The Hidden Strength

    Deep Foundations: Paul Axtell on Drilled Shafts What really holds up our biggest bridges? In this episode, Paul Axtell (Dan Brown and Associates) talks about drilled shafts, field challenges, and the mindset required to lead in geotechnical engineering. A conversation about risk, resilience, and building strength from the ground down.

17. 

    2 Sept 2025

    Decision Traps: How Hidden Bias Derails Smart Teams

    The biggest risk on any project isn’t underground—it’s in the decisions we make. In this episode, Aaron Mann  reveals how optimism bias, loss aversion, and overconfidence can quietly unravel even themost skilled teams. We talk about why smart people are more vulnerable than they think, and how leaders can build cultures that resist bias and protect judgment under pressure. If you’ve ever led through uncertainty, this episode will hit home. Because no matter how strong your design, a single blind spot can bring it all down.

18. 

    28 Aug 2025

    NATURE'S ARMOR-Where biology meets geotechnical innovation

    Nature’s Armor: Where biology meets geotechnical innovation What if soil could protect itself? In this episode of ROCK SOLID LEADERS, I talk with Dr. Brina Montoya of NC State to explore how microbes can turn sand into stone through a process called bio-cementation. From wave tank studies showing bio-cemented dunes resistinghurricane waves to field trials that balance plant growth and soil stability, Dr. Montoya’s research is reshaping the way we defend coastlines, slopes, and infrastructure. This is more than science—it’s a new vision of resilience, built not with concrete and steel, but with biology itself.

19. 

    24 Aug 2025

    Mary Nodine

    Innovation in geotechnical engineering doesn’t come easy—Mary Nodine shares the wins, the pushback, and the promise of Measurement While Drilling (MWD).A discussion with Mary Nodine in advance of her presentation at GeoCarolinas.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

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Books guests

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