Mining Minds

In this energized episode of Mining Minds , we sit down with Adrienne Clinton , a driving force behind the 2025 Mine Safety & Health Conference and a rising leader in mining safety. From her early days in law enforcement to her unexpected path into security, safety, and now industry leadership, Adrienne shares her story full of humor and passion for people. This episode explores the real human cha...

In this episode of Mining Minds , Dino and Grover sit down with longtime miner, electrician, and leader Jason Bohl for an unfiltered conversation about life inside the industry — from early apprenticeships to leadership pressures, from underground lessons to personal turning points. Jason walks us through a career built on work ethic, motivation, and authenticity, sharing how he learned to "figure...

Join Mining Minds as we look back on years of conversations, growth, and lessons learned from the people who power the mining industry. This special anniversary episode dives deep into the heart of who we are — the stories that shaped us, the communities that supported us, and our evolution from a simple idea to a respected industry voice. From traveling the country, launching new video platforms,...

In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down at the Mine Safety & Health Conference with returning guest Diane Watson — a respected safety professional, MSHA veteran, and industry leader dedicated to improving safety culture across mining. Originally featured on Episode #93 , Diane returns to share her passion for connecting people, fostering communication, and ensuring the next generation of mine...

In this cutting-edge episode of  Mining Minds , we sit down with Michael Hartley , Managing Director of InterKnowlogy, a North American AI and performance visualization company revolutionizing how the mining industry makes decisions. From his early years in Nova Scotia to his global career in oil, gas, and mining, Michael shares a fascinating journey that connects human performance, data-driven de...

From a 16-year-old kid cleaning shops to the Director of Mine Skills Training at Great Basin College ( GBC/NORCAT) , Travis Macias embodies what it means to grind, grow, and give back. In this inspiring episode of Mining Minds , Travis shares his raw, real journey through life underground — from hard lessons on the jackleg to leading Nevada's next generation of miners. He opens up about fatherhood...

As we wrap up our tour to the Minnesota Iron Range, Mining Minds had the opportunity to sit down with Bob Sterns and Virginia Bennett of US Steel Minntac for a raw and insightful conversation about life, mining, and community in Minnesota's Iron Range. From Bob's deep-rooted family history in mining to Virginia's journey from military brat to analytical technician, they share their insight into th...

What does pride, legacy, and the future of mining look like on Minnesota's Iron Range? In this episode, we sit down with Ida Rukavinia , Commissioner of the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation , and Kristen Vake , Executive Director of the Iron Mining Association of Minnesota , to dig deep into the history, culture, and future of mining in northern Minnesota. From immigrant roots...

In this special episode of the  Mining Minds Podcast , we sit down at  U.S. Steel Minntac  with  Mike Bakk , Director of Facilities Excellence , and  Chrissy Bartovich , Senior Director of Environmental . From humble beginnings to leading major projects that shape the future of steelmaking, Mike and Crissy share their personal journeys, leadership lessons, and the innovations driving today's minin...

In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with Matt and J ulie Lucas at their home on Minnesota's historic Iron Range. From growing up in Hibbing and Chisholm to careers in environmental consulting, mining operations, and advocacy, Matt and Julie share their personal journeys that reflect the resilience and determination of the mining industry. Matt talks about working nearly two decades alongs...

Overlooking iconic Hibbing Taconite Mining Operation in Minnesota, Mining Minds had the opportunity to speak with two remarkable women whose stories capture the history and heart of mining in the state. First, we're joined by Talia Sandys , Communications and Engagement Director for Mining Minnesota , who has been our guide through the region's rich mining heritage. Then, we dive deep into the inc...

Get ready for one of our most unforgettable episodes yet—recorded on a pontoon boat floating on Fall Lake, at the edge of the iconic Boundary Waters in Minnesota! This isn't just another podcast; it's a full-circle conversation with Dean DeBeltz , a third-generation Iron Ranger, passionate outdoorsman, and Vice President of External Relations & Project Operations at Twin Metals Minnesota . From ru...

In this special on-location episode, Mining Minds travels to the heart of Minnesota's Iron Range to sit down with Rory Oberhelman , Senior Project Coordinator, and Johnny Eloranta , Community Relations Advisor at New Range Copper Nickel . Broadcasting from the iconic nickel room, the conversation dives into the history, pride, and promise of mining in northern Minnesota. Rory shares his unconventi...

The mining industry stands at a crossroads. With a rapidly aging workforce, persistent misconceptions, and the growing demand for innovation, the need to reshape how we attract, develop, and retain talent has never been more urgent. In this powerful panel edition of the Mining Minds Podcast , we bring together six influential leaders from across the industry to engage in an honest, forward-thinkin...

In this episode of the podcast Mining Minds sits down with two remarkable women reshaping the health and wellness landscape: Melissa Montalvo and Josie Cervantes of Elko Replenish Med Spa . Together, they reveal how their professional experiences—from ER trauma to urgent care frustrations—sparked a vision: to create a space that not only heals but empowers. That vision became Elko Replenish Med Sp...

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast , we sit down with Trampus Cook , Regional Director for RAM Enterprise Inc. , whose journey through the mining world is as rich and layered as the ore bodies he's helped uncover. A fourth-generation miner and cowboy at heart, Trampus takes us through his early days jacklegging in narrow veins of California gold mines, running heavy equipment under Lake E...

In our final episode from the 2025 Women in Mining Conference, we're joined by the passionate, bold, and trailblazing Jessica Scanlan —geological engineer, social media influencer, and founder of Mine Life Media . Jessica shares her unique path from a small-town girl in handmade dresses to becoming a respected voice in the mining industry. We dive into her early aspirations, challenges in mining,...

Recorded on-site at the 2025 Women in Mining National Conference in San Antonio, this episode brings authentic, unfiltered stories from two rising voices in the mining world— Margaret Hinton and Paige Courtney . With backgrounds as diverse as cotton farming and competitive athletics to engineering and financial investigations, Margaret and Paige dive into how they found purpose and passion in the...

Mining Minds is recording again from San Antionio for the Annual Women in Mining Conference—and in this powerful episode, we sit down with Jennie (Rice) Davis , a trailblazer whose mining journey redefines perseverance, grit, and growth. Starting as a janitor at just 18, Jennie carved her way through the industry—hauling rock in 777s, navigating early-career adversity, and ultimately rising to bec...

In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode, Mining Minds sits down with the unforgettable Patti Haye — mother, grandmother, storyteller, and true pioneer of family life. At 87 years young, Patti takes us on a powerful journey through her life growing up post World War II, navigating early motherhood, and supporting a family through decades of cross-country moves, strikes, and the Alaskan wildernes...

Join Mining Minds on location at the Women in Mining 2025 National Conference in San Antonio, Texas , as we sit down with two dynamic women shaping the future of mining— Kimberly Myhre and Alexia Carver . Sponsoring the trip were Arnold Machinery and Gold West Fire and Safety , this special episode dives deep into the real-world experiences of women at different stages in their mining careers. Kim...

In this episode of Mining Minds , we sit down with JD Sundseth —owner of Mountain States Mine Development and Reclamation LLC . JD takes us on a candid journey through his life: from a small-town kid in Spring Creek, Nevada, to a tire-slinging high schooler at Les Schwab , to operating heavy equipment in remote mountain terrain. He opens up about starting a family young, learning the ropes the har...

Mining Minds is excited to announce our strategic partnership with Jerry Rynearson and JSR Fleet Performance . In this episode we discuss what the influence of mining looks like, we explore the critical importance of understanding operational material management and how past lessons can serve to educate the future of the mining industry. We discuss the concept of viewing production as an ecosystem...

Tony Morfin , Partner and CEO of Gold West Fire and Safety , sits down with Mining Minds to share his personal journey of hard work and resilience. A third-generation miner and proud Nevadan, Tony grew up surrounded by the mining industry, offering a firsthand perspective on what it's like to grow up in a mining town. From the age of 13, when he started his first job, Tony's work ethic was shaped...

In this episode, Mining Minds sits down with Merlyn McGraw , a man whose life journey has been shaped by the hard work and values he learned growing up on a ranch in Wyoming. Merlyn shares stories from his early years working alongside his family, where he first understood the importance of hard work, respect, and dedication. From his humble beginnings at a local gas station to riding a Kawasaki 1...