The Crude Cast

Send us Fan Mail 📢 Join the Conversation!  Kolton King has spent more than a decade in wireline, specializing in stuck-pipe troubleshooting and pipe recovery. In this episode, we talk about his path into the oilfield, how stuck pipe is diagnosed and recovered, and the experience it takes to make the right call when a well is already in trouble. Kolton also breaks down MCR Oil Tools’ Radial Cuttin...

Send us Fan Mail Ian Collins spent his early career on drill floors offshore Western Australia before moving into safety after witnessing a fatality during his first hitch in a Singapore shipyard. Today, Ian runs Wellbeing Daily and teaches Human and Organisational Performance with Fisher Improvement Technologies, working across oil and gas, mining, and maritime. In this episode, Ian and Travis di...

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,...

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 H...

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...

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 r...

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 his...

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...

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 h...

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 chall...

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...

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...

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...

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 Previe...

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...

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 l...

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 fr...

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 speaki...

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 sk...

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 con...

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 d...

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 strate...

Send us Fan Mail The Art of Listening in Oil and Gas In the fast-paced, high-risk world of oil and gas, listening isn’t just a soft skill—it’s an operational necessity. Effective listening can mean the difference between seamless collaboration and costly miscommunication. This blog explores six practical ways to refine your communication skills and encourage others to do the same. Learn how keepin...

Send us Fan Mail The Power of Authenticity in Oil and Gas In the high-stakes world of oil and gas, authenticity is more than a personal virtue—it's a cornerstone of trust, communication, and organizational integrity. This blog explores how embracing authenticity enhances decision-making, fosters problem-solving, and drives operational efficiency. Learn why being genuine is essential for build...

Send us Fan Mail Optimize Your Time in Oil and Gas In this episode, we explore 7 proven ways to optimize your time in the oil and gas industry. Learn how to communicate with brevity, solve problems independently, and respect work-life boundaries. These strategies not only boost productivity but also foster a culture of mutual respect and collaboration in high-pressure environments. WIN a Copy of C...