The Crude Cast

Episod

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  What Is Nondestructive Testing (NDT)? A Career In Inspections - Marty Anderson - Ep.# 51 16.09.2026 1j 4min

  Send us Fan Mail Marty Anderson has spent more than 40 years in welding, inspection, and nondestructive testing. In this episode, Marty breaks down what NDT is, why qualified inspectors matter, how automation and AI are changing the field, and why integrity is critical when your job is determining whether equipment is safe. We also talk about the shortage of NDT technicians, career opportunities, and how young people can get started in the industry. Reach out to Marty here: linkedin.com/in/ma...
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  From ExxonMobil to the Future of Energy Careers - Jack Balagia - Ep. #50 27.08.2026 32min

  Send us Fan Mail Take a moment to rate and review—it helps us reach more listeners like you. Jack Balagia went from representing energy companies as a young lawyer to serving as Vice President and General Counsel of ExxonMobil. Today, he is helping prepare the next generation of energy professionals. Jack joins Travis on The Crude Cast to discuss his work as Executive Director of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center at the University of Texas at Austin and the Center’s multidisciplina...
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  Ep. #49 - Dan Arthur: From Halliburton to the EPA—A Lifetime Solving Energy Challenges 07.07.2026 50min

  Send us Fan Mail How do you go from driving a cement truck at Halliburton to becoming one of the energy industry's most respected consultants? In Episode #49 of The Crude Cast, Travis sits down with Dan Arthur, President and CEO of ALL Consulting, to discuss a career that spans Halliburton, the U.S. EPA, global consulting, and decades of solving complex energy challenges. Dan shares lessons learned from the field, why hands-on experience matters, the evolution of hydraulic fracturing, produce...
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  Ep. #48 - Oil & Gas Investing, Risk, and Value Creation with Jay Young of King Operating 13.05.2026 51min

  Send us Fan Mail Jay Young, CEO of King Operating and author of The Upside of Oil and Gas Investing, joins The Crude Cast to explain how oil and gas investing works, what makes a project valuable, and why deal structure, geology, engineering, operations, and investor trust all matter. 🔗 Learn more: https://www.kingoperating.com/ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps us reach more listeners like you. 📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your ...
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  Ep. #47 - Mineral Rights, Royalties, and AI in Oil & Gas with Jace Graham 01.04.2026 58min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Crude Cast, Travis McCaughey talks with Jace Graham about mineral rights, royalty interests, and how mineral deals work in the oil and gas industry. Jace explains the difference between mineral rights, royalty interests, non-participating royalty interests, overriding royalties, and working interests in clear terms. He also discusses how title, ownership history, landwork, and relationships affect mineral transactions, along with why trust and transpare...
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  Ep. #46 - Understanding Dyslexia: Insights for the Oilfield Workforce - Russell Van Brocklen 03.02.2026 57min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Crude Cast, Travis sits down with Russell Van Brocklen to break down dyslexia in a way that actually matters on the job—especially in high-risk, procedure-driven work like oil and gas. Russell explains the brain science behind dyslexia, why many dyslexic thinkers become hyper-specialists, and how that can translate into exceptional performance in technical roles. They dig into hiring and training: why “What’s your specialty?” might be one of the best in...
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  Ep. #45 - Renee Hastings - Transforming Business with Virtual Assistants 19.12.2025 53min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Crude Cast, Travis sits down with Renee Hastings, President and CEO of Executive Help Now, to talk about delegation, leadership, and why no successful business is built alone. With 30 years of entrepreneurial experience and a background supporting senior-level executives, Renee explains how leaders get trapped doing work that doesn’t move the needle—and how the right executive support restores focus, productivity, and work-life balance. This conversatio...
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  Ep. #44 - Jason DeSouza: Protecting Oilfield Workers’ Rights After Injury 07.11.2025 1j 20min

  Send us Fan Mail ☝️ 📩 Have Oil and Gas Questions? Text the show! In this conversation, Travis McCaughey and Jason D'Souza discuss the complexities of the oil and gas industry, particularly focusing on the legal aspects of injury representation. Jason shares his journey from a blue-collar background to becoming an injury attorney, emphasizing the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by workers in this field. They explore the intricacies of litigation, the common ...
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  Ep. #43 - James Kell with Scratchie: Rethinking Motivation with Self Determination Theory 04.10.2025 33min

  Send us Fan Mail ☝️ 📩 Have Oil and Gas Questions? Text the show! In this episode of The Crude Cast, Travis sits down with James Kell—carpenter turned entrepreneur—to explore how motivation, recognition, and psychology can reshape safety and productivity across industries. Drawing on his journey from construction to building Scratchie, James introduces listeners to Self-Determination Theory—the idea that autonomy, competence, and relatedness drive people to thrive. Together, they d...
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  Ep. #42 - Stephanie Hajducek - Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Industry 05.09.2025 1j 14min

  Send us Fan Mail ☝️ 📩 Have Oil and Gas Questions? Text the show! In this episode of The Crude Cast, Travis sits down with Stephanie Hajducek—project specialist at Enbridge and founder of This One’s for the Gals. From a simple idea to a thriving nonprofit, Stephanie shares how she’s connecting young women to careers in construction, energy, manufacturing, and maritime. Hear the story of how a conference trip sparked an initiative that now impacts hundreds of schools across Texas, t...
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  Ep. #41 - Russell Wilson: Life as an Oilfield Driller 31.07.2025 1j 46min

  Send us Fan Mail In this gritty and honest episode of The Crude Cast, we sit down with Russell Wilson, a longtime driller, tool pusher, and all-around oilfield veteran. From high-tech hydrate experiments on the slope, Russell shares battle-tested stories from his two decades in Alaska's harshest conditions. We get into everything: The dangers—and discipline—behind continuous circulation$60M well disasters and the lessons they taughtWhy training and mentorship are the future of rig safetyHydra...
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  Ep. #40 - From Oilfields to the ISS: How Distran Is Revolutionizing Leak Detection w/ Dan Moseley 29.06.2025 1j 4min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we interview Daniel Moseley from Distran USA about a ground breaking gas leak detection camera that uses ultrasonic imaging to "see" sound. Daniel explains how the technology stacks up against conventional OGI and FID tools, what it means for regulatory compliance, and why it's becoming a must-have tool across all oil and gas sectors. Episode Preview: "If your leak is a mosquito, our camera is a pair of bat ears." "We found the same percentage of metha...
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  Ep. #39 - Jon Collins - Calibrating a Career: Inside the Life of an Instrument Tech. 19.05.2025 58min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Crude Cast, Jon Collins, an instrument technician with over 12 years in oil and gas, shares his journey from leaving college to leading complex instrumentation projects on the North Slope. He talks about the influence of his grandfather, the hands-on nature of his work, the blend of old and new tech in the field, and the personality traits that make someone thrive in a rotational, team-driven environment. 📩 Text the Show Have Oil and Gas Questions...
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  Ep. #38 - Impatient Employees 05.05.2025 3min

  Send us Fan Mail Harnessing Impatience: Turning Eager Energy into an Oilfield Asset Impatience isn’t just a challenge—it’s untapped potential waiting to be leveraged. In the oilfield, where efficiency and innovation are critical, channeling the energy of impatient employees can lead to incredible results. This blog explores how to turn impatience into a competitive advantage, offering strategies like balancing workloads, allocating tasks wisely, and granting autonomy. Learn how to manage and ...
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  Ep. #37 - From Bullcook to Field Operator: Life on the North Slope with Matt Serafine 28.04.2025 41min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Crude Cast, Travis sits down with Matt Serafine, a seasoned oilfield operator whose path into the industry is anything but typical. From painting houses and cooking offshore to managing wells on Alaska’s North Slope, Matt shares the story of how persistence, networking, and a willingness to speak up helped in oil and gas operations. They cover everything from daily life on the slope—including negative 60° winters to how communication with leadership pla...
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  Ep. #36 - Practice Speaking 14.04.2025 5min

  Send us Fan Mail Mastering Public Speaking in the Oilfield: Practical Skills for Real-World Impact Clear communication can be the difference between success and failure. Public speaking in this industry isn’t about polished presentations—it’s about being direct, relatable, and ensuring your message gets through when it matters most. This blog dives into actionable steps to boost your public speaking skills, from leading toolbox talks to commanding presence in safety meetings. Learn how practi...
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  Ep. #35 - Inside the Pipeline: The Role of a Remote Pipeline Controller with Ceola Hart 23.03.2025 1j 15min

  Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, Ceola Hart, a Remote Pipeline Controller, shares her career journey from retail to the oil and gas industry, highlighting the critical role she plays in ensuring safe, efficient pipeline operations. She discusses the importance of systems, safety protocols, and clear communication with field personnel, balancing technical expertise with interpersonal skills. Ceola also reflects on the impact of mentorship, how it shaped her growth, and the stabilit...
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  Ep. #34 - Giving Feedback 17.03.2025 5min

  Send us Fan Mail The Power of Feedback In an industry where precision, safety, and efficiency define success, feedback isn’t just a tool—it’s a necessity. But simply sharing observations isn’t enough. The real impact comes from delivering feedback in a way that inspires action, fosters growth, and strengthens team dynamics. This episode explores how a culture of constructive feedback can drive continuous improvement, prevent costly mistakes, and enhance workplace relationships. Learn how effe...
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  Ep. #32 - Why Argue 03.03.2025 6min

  Send us Fan Mail Managing Argumentative Behavior in Oil and Gas In a high-pressure industry like oil and gas, conflicts can flare up as quickly as a gas well under pressure. While disagreements can be disruptive, they also present opportunities for growth, innovation, and improved collaboration. Understanding the root causes—whether it’s a need to be heard, a work style mismatch, or just a tough day—can turn conflict into progress. This blog explores effective strategies for navigating argume...
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  Ep. #33 - Bring Facts 17.02.2025 7min

  Send us Fan Mail The Power of Fact-Based Decision-Making in Oil and Gas In an industry where every decision carries weight, relying on solid, indisputable facts is not just best practice—it’s essential. But data alone isn’t enough. The ability to present and interpret information effectively can determine whether a project moves forward or stalls. This blog explores how combining facts with strategic communication can drive action, secure buy-in, and optimize operations. Learn how documentati...