Mining Minds

Open pit operator turned safety professional Annie McWilliams sits down to talk about her journey in mining and her new journey out of mining. Annie shares some stories about operating equipment, her passion for helping others, and her approach as a woman in the mining industry. As Annie steps away from the mining community to be closer to home, Mining Minds would like to wish her the best of luck...

Underground miner and shotcrete professional Sean Gallian sits down at the face to talk to Mining Minds. Sean explains some of the medical challenges that affect his work-life balance. He discusses the impact of passing down knowledge, the importance of seeing the bigger picture, and shares where he would like to develop in the future. Join Mining Minds as we welcome in Sean Gallian to the Studio....

Internationally Certified Life Coach Holly Gallian joins Mining Minds at the Face to talk about her mining journey and her mission to help others. She discusses peeling back that emotional onion and finding those "gold nuggets" that are inside us all. From managing projects to managing a mining schedule, Holly provides some coaching to Mining Minds and gets us to think about our why!     Contact H...

Back from action, 2nd Lieutenant, Jason James hits the studio to talk to us about his experiences in mining and his vision for Mining Minds. Jason is one of the knuckleheads behind the idea of Mining Minds and has been away serving his country. We took the opportunity to introduce Jason to the Mining Minds community and learn about the military man. Join us as we welcome Jason back to the face. Br...

Industrial Hygiene professional Melissa Anderson stops by to share her mining experiences and get some heat readings inside the studio. She talks about going from an engineer and into the industrial hygiene field, her mining journey in other countries and in other parts of the U.S. Tune in as we discuss different hazards miners face from an industrial hygiene standpoint and how Melissa helps miner...

From Nevada's desert mines to Alaska's frozen frontiers, miner Sam Delany has lived the grind, the laughs, and the life of underground mining. In this candid conversation, Sam shares how he broke into mining after years in welding and construction, the culture shock of moving north, and the realities of camp life on a 28/14 rotation. Packed with underground stories, raw safety lessons, and even a...

What does it take to go from controlling the skies to safeguarding the mines? In this powerful episode of Mining Minds, Jim Hoover shares his incredible journey from U.S. Navy air traffic controller to haul truck operator, safety leader, and federal MSHA inspector. Jim pulls no punches as he talks about shaping safety programs, challenging inspectors, and mentoring future leaders in the mining ind...

The Nevada mining landscape has changed forever. In this episode of Mining Minds, we dive back into the "rumor mill" to discuss the merger that created Nevada Gold Mines, the world's largest gold producer. From uncertainty at the face to leadership reshuffles, PTO changes, housing market impacts, and community skepticism, the guys break down what this merger really means for miners, families, and...

From the military to mechanics, from Reno to mine sites across Nevada, Brent Adams has built a career—and a life—on hard work and integrity. In this episode of Mining Minds , Brent opens up about his early days repairing heavy equipment, the lessons learned in the military, and how raising his hand for every challenge eventually led him into project management at Komatsu Mining . Beyond mining, he...

In this episode of Mining Minds , we sit down with Curtis Cadwell, a mining leader who has built a career on bridging cultures, driving innovation, and staying connected to the people at the face. From his beginnings as an accountant in New Mexico to managing global operations across Nevada, Australia, and now South Carolina, Curtis shares stories of lessons learned, challenges faced, and the impo...

From summer jobs in Beatty to becoming a seasoned underground electrician at Cortez, John Allsup has lived the mining life from every angle. In this episode of Mining Minds, John opens up about growing up in a mining family, chasing education, and finding his path through the trades. He recalls wild summer student jobs that would never fly under today's safety standards, the crash of Las Vegas con...

Transforming a workforce known for long shifts, fatigue, and tough conditions into one that thrives in health and wellness? In this inspiring episode of Mining Minds , health and wellness coach Natashia Dallin shares her journey from teaching science in rural Nevada to helping miners and their families change their lives. From her early exposure to mining in Alaska to coaching miners through shift...

From walking into Elko without a job to becoming the coordinator of a world-class mine rescue team, Tito Segovia's journey is one of drive, discipline, and passion for leadership. In this episode of Mining Minds , Tito opens up about his early beginnings in retail, breaking into mining, and how his competitive spirit and work ethic propelled him from the warehouse to emergency response. He shares...

In this powerful episode of Mining Minds , firefighter and paramedic Gilbert "Junior" Aguirre shares his journey of resilience, family, and unshakable determination. From his early struggles and finding his calling in the fire service to battling leukemia head-on, Junior opens up about the mental strength it takes to face life's hardest moments. He speaks about the brotherhood of firefighting, the...

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Ill Zakiel —a former underground miner turned hip-hop artist. Born in Guadalajara and raised in Carlin, Nevada, He shares his journey from haul truck operator to face miner and ultimately making the leap into music full-time .He talks about the adrenaline of his first cage ride underground, the heat and hazards of face mining, and the l...

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Scott Arendt , a safety and health professional whose journey through mining has taken him from warehouse work to leadership in contractor safety and training. Scott shares how he broke into mining, the lessons he carried from his time at The Citadel military college, and the value of teamwork, leadership, and humor in building strong c...

Fresh off night shift, Hazen Mascaro sits down with the Mining Minds crew to talk mining life, dozer work, and the reality of keeping haul trucks safe on the dumps. From terrifying first days in a haul truck to mastering the craft of running dozers, Hazen shares the lessons, laughs, and close calls that shaped his career. Beyond the pit, he opens up about mine rescue, family, hunting adventures in...

Step inside the high-stakes world of mine rescue with the Mining Minds crew as they share raw stories, unforgettable training moments, and the realities of being first on the scene when everything is on the line. From grueling competitions and rope rescues to life-saving EMT calls and lessons learned in the chaos of real emergencies, this episode uncovers the grit, camaraderie, and problem-solving...

What happens when a third-generation miner trades his hard hat for a new career in real estate? In this episode of Mining Minds, Derrek Anderson takes us deep into his world—growing up in a mining family, cutting his teeth as an electrician, facing the pressure of shovel breakdowns with fleets on standby, and building lifelong friendships forged in dust and diesel. From late-night callouts and fro...

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Kiwi Kaupa, an electrician, entrepreneur, and innovator who has taken his skills from New Zealand and Australia to the mining industry of Nevada. Kiwi shares how his love for fixing things began as a kid, how he built his career through an 8,000-hour apprenticeship, and why he sees mining as both a calling and an opportunity. He talks a...

Join Mining Minds as we sit down with Ramon Aguirre , an underground miner whose journey spans from the drifts of Nevada to serving his country in the U.S. Army. Ramon shares how his mining career began, what drove him to enlist in the military, and how the lessons of discipline, safety, and brotherhood have carried back into his life underground. Ramon opens up about the challenges of mining and...

Mining Minds sit down to tackle a topic that's  often considered taboo in the mining community: finances. From making good money at the mine to spending it just as fast, the crew opens up about personal struggles, lessons learned, and strategies for building financial stability . They dive into everything from impulse spending and "keeping up with the Joneses" to debt snowballs, budgeting with cas...

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Tom Mann , a proud multi-generational miner whose journey began in Idaho and carried him to the pits of Nevada. From running haul trucks, dozers, and blades to earning his seat as a shovel operator, Tom shares stories of adapting to big iron, building crews, and navigating the challenges of man camp life while raising a young family. To...

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast , we sit down with Tim Chapman , a Georgia native whose journey took him from football fields and construction sites in the South to the gold mines of Northern Nevada. Tim shares how an accident shifted his path from athletics to heavy equipment, his first days operating haul trucks in a Nevada snowstorm, and the values that have carried him through a di...

In this episode of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with Brad Stocks ( Stocks Mining Services ), known to many as the Rock Doctor and a true veteran of the underground. Growing up around mines with his father, Brad shares stories of cutting his teeth in small operations, driving declines into high-grade veins, and learning the hard lessons that shaped his career. From jacklegging at 19 to sup...