Episodes

  • Change by Design - Greg Livelli

    Change by Design - Greg Livelli
    Jan 8 2026

    In this episode of Change by Design, host Chad Jackson interviews Greg Livelli, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Harvey Performance Company. Livelli shares his non-linear career path from business development in Asia to leading global transformation initiatives, offering a unique perspective on how curiosity and a “love for transformation” drive engineering success.

    Their conversation centers on the evolving role of engineering leaders—shifting from purely technical managers to the architects, coaches, and translators who must bridge the gap between complex engineering vision and business execution. Livelli details the importance of balancing structured governance with agile experimentation, navigating the generational “brain drain” through reverse mentorship, and redefining engineering metrics to focus on impact and engagement rather than just output .
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    50 mins
  • Deep Dive with Alex Atala

    Deep Dive with Alex Atala
    Jan 6 2026
    In this episode of Change by Design, host Chad Jackson sits down with Alex Atala (Amazon, formerly of Stryker) to explore the human side of engineering transformation. They discuss why technical expertise alone isn’t enough to drive change and how “soft skills” like transparency, negotiation, and psychology are the true differentiators for success. Alex shares candid insights from his career, breaking down the red flags that signal a doomed initiative and the “green flags” that set teams up for a win. Key Topics:
    • The Change Agent Toolkit: Why communication and building trust are your most critical assets.
    • Red Flags vs. Green Flags: How to evaluate leadership competence and project viability before you commit.
    • Success & Failure Stories: Real-world lessons from a seamless medical device launch and a chaotic product recall.
    • Navigating Team Dynamics: Overcoming the “square engineer” stereotype to build consensus across diverse groups.
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    25 mins
  • Weekly Roundup - 12/29

    Weekly Roundup - 12/29
    Dec 29 2025
    Join Lifecycle Insights’ CEO Chad Jackson and Head of Content Josh Corman as they wrap up 2025 with a deep dive into the critical shifts facing engineering leaders. In this episode, the team explores why cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought and how “Agile for Hardware” is reshaping development cycles through frequent prototyping. They also outline a strategic framework for change agents to assess the business value versus execution risk of new initiatives—helping you decide when to push forward and when to say “no.” Finally, get an exclusive preview of the Q1 2026 research agenda, focusing on Change Agent careers, MBSE, and Model-Based Definition (MBD). Key Topics:
    • Cybersecurity in Design: Moving from IT firewalls to engineering competency.
    • Agile for Hardware: The cultural shift toward early, frequent physical prototyping.
    • Strategy Framework: How to balance initiative value against organizational risk.
    • 2026 Outlook: Upcoming research on MBSE, MBD, and Change Agent success.
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    43 mins
  • The Life of an Engineering Change Agent

    The Life of an Engineering Change Agent
    Dec 18 2025

    Lifecycle Insights CEO and Chief Analyst Chad Jackson talks with change agents Alex Atala and Marshall Hulbert about how they’ve led major engineering transformations—from early CAD adoption to model-based definition—while navigating resistance, politics, and cross-functional complexity. They share the key skills, mindsets, and approaches that make change initiatives succeed—or fail—offering practical guidance for anyone looking to drive real change in engineering organizations.
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    37 mins