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Welcome to the new season of Professionals of the Inland Empire (PIE) podcast. In this episode, host John Tulac talks about Policies and Politics with featured guest Jana Spruce.
Spruce is a prominent aeronautical engineer and business consultant who has achieved significant success in the aerospace industry, particularly within the space sector. Previously featured in episode 32, she is recognized for her intelligence, professional expertise, and her entertaining and funny personality. Her professional career is dual-tracked, combining high-level technical engineering with strategic business consulting, allowing her to facilitate the development of team cultures in both government and private sectors.
Spruce is the author of the book Spruce’s Home of the Brave, which serves as a playbook for parents, caregivers, and educators aimed at fostering family closeness through the intentional shaping of “home culture.” In the corporate world, culture is shaped by awards, celebrations, and narratives, principles that Spruce applies to the domestic environment. She highlights holidays as the primary vehicle for cultural shaping, providing consistent opportunities to discuss history, values, and recognition. The book emphasizes using holidays to teach virtues and values rather than merely treating them as themes for decoration, noting that traditions, such as specific family meals like Thanksgiving mashed potatoes, help build lasting memories.
Labor Day, often colloquially viewed as a barbecue weekend, has historical roots that provide a platform for discussing economic systems and workers’ rights. The contrast with May Day is notable, as the U.S. Congress chose the first Monday in September for Labor Day following the Haymarket affair in Chicago in 1886, distancing the holiday from socialist ideologies. This holiday allows for discussions on unions, power imbalances, and the historical significance of the Industrial Revolution, as unsafe working conditions prompted the need for labor movements.
Columbus Day serves to teach themes of exploration, entrepreneurship, and heritage. Christopher Columbus, self-taught in various disciplines, exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit necessary for groundbreaking ventures. The distinction between “first mover” and “second mover” advantages is presented, highlighting how different nations capitalized on discoveries. The holiday is significant for the Italian-American community, reminding them of historical discrimination, such as the lynching of 11 Italians in New Orleans in 1891, while also celebrating their heritage.
Drawing from her background in the space industry, Spruce discusses the psychological and practical aspects of living on frontiers like the Moon or Mars, noting sensory deprivation experienced by astronauts who miss earthly sensations while in space. To enhance comfort, engineers developed specialized items like a “space cup” that allows the aroma of beverages to be enjoyed even in zero gravity.
In terms of business leadership, Spruce employs a strategy called “Celebrating Failure” to foster a culture of psychological safety within technical teams. She introduced the “Brick Story,” where an actual brick is awarded to team members who fail but learn valuable lessons, shifting the culture toward transparency and collaboration. This approach emphasized that admitting mistakes is liberating, and failing early in engineering projects allows for timely corrections before deadlines are reached.
John inquiries about professional transitions in the aerospace industry and how the generational gap necessitated older engineers to pass on wisdom. Spruce comments on her daughter Em’s decision to pursue law over a career in musical theater, demonstrating practical realism. John also recounts a metaphor related to a fire captain’s shared mistakes, underlining the bonding power of humor amid adversity. Lastly, he introduces “Yogi-isms” to help convey life’s nuances to his daughters, underscoring the importance of observation and communication.
The PIE podcast aims to showcase Inland Empire professional talent, foster local economic development, and highlight the Provisors networking community. Catch the full show on YouTube @ProfessionalsofInlandEmpire.
