Energy 101: We Ask The Dumb Questions So You Don't Have To

In this episode of Energy 101, we sit down with John Chaplin of Last Energy to break down how nuclear power really works, clear up common myths around fission, fusion, and reactor fuels, and explore the financial, political, and public-perception challenges facing the industry, while also diving into the so-called “nuclear renaissance,” Last Energy’s innovative approach, emerging use cases like da...

In this episode of Energy 101, we’re joined by Kye Yocham of Fluid Energy to demystify frac chemicals, explaining how drilling mud and key additives work, how frac fluids have evolved from crosslinked gels to slickwater systems, why safety and environmental considerations drive modern chemical design, and how resources like FracFocus provide transparency into the chemicals used in today’s fracking...

This week on Energy 101, we sit down with Andrew Muñoz of 4Cast to explore his path from geophysics to building software that transforms oil and gas project valuation, unpack why geology and seismic data are essential to understanding the subsurface, address common misconceptions about the energy industry, and highlight the critical role geologists and mentorship play in successful drilling operat...

This week on Energy 101, we sit down with Hema Prapoo, Microsoft’s Worldwide Oil and Gas Leader, to discuss her journey from field engineering to tech leadership, how real-time data and emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing are reshaping energy, why collaboration between energy, tech, and policy is essential to solving the energy trilemma, and the growing importance of pairing digita...

In this episode of Energy 101, we’re joined by Reilly from Arbo to unpack the often-overlooked world of energy regulation and grid infrastructure, exploring how Arbo turns permitting and transmission data into actionable intelligence, the current state of the power grid, why transmission bottlenecks and siting issues slow projects for years, and how politics, NIMBYism, and permitting reform all sh...

In this episode of Energy 101, we sit down with investment veteran Sean Maher, co-founder of Third Gear Investments, to explore how the energy market fits into broader investment strategies, the evolution of the energy sector, the trade-offs between investing in startups versus established companies, when it makes sense to go public, and common misconceptions about energy, while also sharing pract...

Lisa Hough, the Queen of Bitcoin joins as a special guest to discuss the connection between Bitcoin and energy consumption. Lisa shares her background in the energy business and explains that while Bitcoin uses energy, it accounts for less than 0.1 percent of worldwide energy production. This episode highlights the innovative aspects of the Bitcoin ecosystem and its potential for adoption by energ...

In this episode of Energy 101, we sit down with Brett Chell, the unconventional and artistic CEO of Cold Bore Technology, to unpack his unlikely path from artist to oilfield leader, the realities of life on drilling rigs, the work ethic that defines the industry, and how Cold Bore’s technology is modernizing operations, while also touching on the role of LNG in global emissions reduction and the n...

In this episode of Energy 101, Tara and Will from ProLytX take us inside downstream oil and gas operations, highlighting the importance of safety in petrochemical facilities, the often-overlooked connection between energy and everyday consumer products, ongoing sustainability and recycling challenges, the industry’s major role in Gulf Coast job creation, and a few personal stories from their own e...

Energy 101 class is back in session as geothermal expert Joe Batir joins us to break down what geothermal energy is, how it works, and why it’s one of the most reliable, dispatchable baseload renewables, covering its history, recent resurgence, costs, global capacity, challenges, future potential, and the powerful synergies between geothermal and oil and gas, including how existing wells can be re...

In this episode of Energy 101, we sit down with Jennifer Stewart, who takes us through her unique path to the oil and gas industry - starting from non-profit work, moving on to data analytics, and eventually mastering OpenWells as a product champion. We also discuss the significance of educating the public on the industry. Join the conversation shaping the future of energy. Collide is the communit...

Our fellow Wildcatter Jeremy Funk joins us on Energy 101 to break down what sales really looks like in the oil and gas industry, sharing how he got started, how technology is changing O&G sales, the difference between being a trusted partner versus a pushy salesperson, why long-term relationships matter, and what’s happening in energy innovation out of Denver, plus a rapid-fire round to wrap i...

In this episode of Energy 101, our DW resident roughneck, Fracslap, breaks down what it really takes to do one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, sharing firsthand insight into the risks, grit, and realities of life in the oilfield. Join the conversation shaping the future of energy. Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world prob...

This week on Energy 101, Justin Ballard, the Bitcoin Lawyer, gives us a clear 101 on bitcoin, breaking down how bitcoin mining can expand access to power in developing countries, reduce oil and gas emissions by using flared gas, and eliminate wasted renewable energy by putting excess solar and wind power to work. Join the conversation shaping the future of energy. Collide is the community where oi...

Consider this your warning, this episode of Energy 101 is a little out of control (just kidding… kind of), as we go fully behind the scenes to talk New Year’s resolutions, what we’re excited about at DW in 2023, office icks, and plenty of unfiltered chaos, including a moment you’ll have to listen to believe, featuring a questionable attempt at doing the splits. Join the conversation shaping the fu...

This week on Energy 101, Sydney and Jules are joined by DW’s resident Rad Dad, John, and guest Bobby Neelon to talk all things data, covering Bobby’s path from high school math teacher to data analytics engineer, why mineral rights matter, how data technology in oil and gas has evolved over the past decade, and why data is now critical to every energy business, capped off with a rapid-fire round....

Anup, the brains behind Pangaea Charging, has made it his mission to bring EV charging stations to every corner of the commercial world. From apartment buildings to grocery stores, Anup’s got you covered. And even if you’re just looking for a charger for your single-family home, he’s happy to help out there too. His chargers work with any type of electric vehicle and have those fancy universal plu...

Sydney and Jules sit down with Vicki Knott, CEO and co-founder of CruxOCM, to get a crash course on midstream, covering her background on the Keystone Pipeline, how automating control room operations improves safety, why pipelines are critical to energy infrastructure, and wrapping up with a rapid-fire round. Join the conversation shaping the future of energy. Collide is the community where oil &a...

In this episode of Energy 101, we turn on the cameras and give you a raw, behind-the-scenes look at everyday life at DW, wrapping up Fuze, reading mean reviews, talking about what the team is excited for next, breaking down perception versus reality, and, of course, taking on the Spicy Gummy Bear Challenge. Join the conversation shaping the future of energy. Collide is the community where oil &amp...

In this episode of Energy 101, Julie and Sydney sit down with Magy Avedissian of QRI to talk energy consumption, her journey from petroleum engineering in California to living in Europe, why Americans rarely discuss reducing energy use, the balance between supply and demand, and practical tips anyone can use to cut their energy consumption. Join the conversation shaping the future of energy. Colli...

Welcome to the first-ever crossover episode of Energy 101 and Chuck Yates Needs a Job, where we sit down with Chuck Yates to break down the basics of the Inflation Reduction Act, swap stories about being starstruck by Bret Michaels, and hear Chuck’s all-time most embarrassing moment, you won’t want to miss it. Join the conversation shaping the future of energy. Collide is the community where oil &...

In this week’s episode of **Energy 101**, Flipping the Barrel co-founder Massiel Diez breaks down what wireline actually is, shares how she got into oil and gas, her experience working as a field engineer, what it’s really like being a woman in the field, and how she ultimately made the transition into sales. Join the conversation shaping the future of energy. Collide is the community where oil &a...

In this episode of Energy 101, Diana Grauer breaks down technology readiness levels, explaining how the energy industry determines which technologies are ready for real-world deployment and which still need testing before they can scale. Join the conversation shaping the future of energy. Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world probl...

In this episode of Energy 101, Justin Gauthier clears up why we can’t actually dig all the way to China, while also explaining why oil and gas still matter and why access to energy is a privilege many people take for granted. Join the conversation shaping the future of energy. Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together...

This week on Energy 101, Kay McCall of the Renewable Energy Alliance joins us to break down the basics of renewable energy and help us better understand how renewables fit into today’s energy landscape. Join the conversation shaping the future of energy. Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. J...