2026-W41 Julie Newman: Engineering, Twins, and Systems for a Growing Family

Christine sits down with Julie Newman, chief engineer for satellites at Impulse Space and mother of three, preparing to welcome a second set of twins. They talk about building an engineering career alongside a growing family, preparing for maternity leave, and the ways parenting can change how you approach work.

Julie discusses her book, Pull, Don’t Push, and why well-intentioned messages about STEM can discourage the girls they’re meant to inspire. The conversation ranges from AI tools and the value of interdisciplinary skills to the practical systems that keep a large household running, including color coding for twins.

They also get into book marketing, reading nonfiction without feeling obliged to finish every page, and bringing accurate engineering into children’s books. Plus: public speaking as a career skill, advice for women starting out in engineering, and why a turbopump might become a “turtle pump” when toddlers encounter rocket science.

Show notes

Guest & host

• Julie Newman, engineer, author, and STEM advocate
• Christine Corbett Moran, host of RE:Productivity, engineer, author

Books discussed

• Pull, Don’t Push: Why STEM Messaging to Girls Isn’t Working and What to Do Instead by Julie Newman. Julie explains how outreach can replace discouraging narratives with messages that connect engineering to what girls care about.
• Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein. Julie connects the book to her experience building valuable skills across disciplines.
• Rocket Science for Kids: An-Easy-to-Understand Guide by Russell Newman, illustrated by Laura Fearn. Technically accurate rocket science with watercolor animals, including the family’s “turtle pump” anecdote.

Engineering & career

• Julie’s path through SpaceX, NASA JPL, Boeing, Outpost, and Impulse Space
• Why skills at the intersection of disciplines can be especially valuable
• Public speaking, outreach, and writing as engineering career skills
• Maternity leave, career transitions, and advice for women entering engineering

Parenting & household systems

• Preparing for a second set of twins and five children under five
• Color coding and the logistics of a growing family
• Applying engineering skills to household organization
• How parenthood changes priorities and approaches to work

AI, reading & creative projects

• Using AI to manage email, refresh a website, and experiment with marketing
• Learning from side projects and bringing those skills back to work
• Audiobooks, nonfiction, and permission to skip unhelpful chapters
• Making science engaging and accurate for young children