The Blast Report

Embark on a special journey back to our roots! Recorded during the ISEE 50th Conference, host Evan Thibaud and producer Pedro Pereira from BlastThink give you a behind-the-scenes look. In this unique episode, usual host Evan Thibaud takes a seat in the guest chair for the first time to share a "state of the union update." Pedro Pereira leads the conversation into the origins of The Blast...

Join the explosive world of mining with our latest episode of The Blast Report ! Our host Evan Thibaud teams up once more with the insightful Bill Adamson for a journey into the mindset of enjoying work and the profound impact of learning in a fun way on relationships within the mining industry. In this episode , Bill and Evan engage in a candid conversation about the significance of a positive mi...

In this episode of The Blast Report we invite you to embark on a captivating journey with us, our host Evan Thibaud and our guest Bill Adamson! Join us as Bill Adamson shares how he got started in the mining industry and how it's taken him around the world. Bill opens up on the importance of being humble, knowledge-sharing, and the constant pursuit of learning. It's a conversation that goe...

In this new episode of The Blast Report, we dive into the world of beaver dams, draglines, demolition, and an era of change with the industry veteran, Joe Strobbe. For part two of our interview with Joe Strobbe, Evan Thibaud asked him about some of his past projects. Joe shares his feelings and experience on dropping dragline booms and how his career in blasting has been an enjoyable experience fu...

In this episode, we gave Joe Stobbe a call. Joe shares with Evan Thibaud his unique entrance into the explosives industry and shares the history behind water-resistant ANFO and cast blasting in the basin. This episode is brought to you by Pneu Wave Consulting, where they bring innovation to the industry. Their goal is bridging the gap between those who create technology and those who are in the fi...

Mike Ballance tells us one last story. It's one of those blasts that we all hope never happens, but it's those bad blasts that tend to make a good story...

In this short episode, Mick Fritz and Mike Ballance talk about lugging a 35mm camera to the bench and how our ability to analyze blasts today has improved with new technologies.

Mike and Mick talk about the impact Electronic detonators had on the industry.

Mike Ballance shares one of his biggest challenges in his career and where he's at now.

Mike and Mick reminisce over the good old days and the rise of independent distributors. The days of small businesses and the differences in today's industry.

Mike Ballance shares stories with Mick Fritz and Evan Thibaud about his origins in the industry and how the booster business got primed!

You may be the best blaster on-site or know your rock more than anyone else, but taking a trip down the road to see how other blasters apply their knowledge to different rocks can be a humbling trip. In this episode, Evan Thibaud and Paul Sterk discuss different blasting practices they've seen and how variables such as stemming and sub-drilling can vary greatly depending on the rock.

Paul Sterk and Evan Thibaud talk about odd times when abandoned explosives have been found in the communities around blasting operations. They dive into some stories which could’ve ended terribly and how communication with local fire departments and training is needed.

In this Father's Day episode, Dan Sterk, son of our Co-host Paul Sterk, is a surprise guest to share what it was like growing up as the 21st generation of his family in the mining industry. Dan reveals how he found his own way with the advice and guidance of his father.

Long-time manager of Wampum Hardware Company, Jay Elkin shares his story and the story of a hardware company that is in a leading position in their area of explosives by staying true and providing quality services over the years.

Derek Bowen shares his origin story with Evan Thibaud and opens up about some odd encounters with homeowners. For every bad story, there are handfuls of heartwarming examples of stewardship for neighbors.

Past president of SAMSSA and Chairman of NORCAT, Tom Palangio, has held countless positions of influence in his local mining community. Evan Thibaud asks Tom how his early roles morphed as he adapted into the career he has today and the development of fragmentation analysis.

"Challange them on how we can make that work" Paul Sterk and Evan Thibaud discuss the importance of training and the methods different companies use over the years.

Consultant and business owner, Mike Koehler shares how getting your hands dirty is valued in the explosives industry and its addition to creating the joy behind pressing the button.

Mike Koehler discusses with Evan Thibaud on how to navigate the ISEE as a new member or small business. Mike shares his origin story and how he’s met unique characters and managed some challenging situations of the years.

Evan Thibaud’s first career job underground was salt mining in Louisiana. Paul and Evan chat about salt mining and discuss his first encounter with MSHA and how the attitude towards inspectors can be perceived but how their presence is necessary.

Part two of the Sage of Gillian and Paul Worsey. As they foster the industry with their Undergraduate and Master’s programs at Missouri Science and Technology, they also were raising their own kids.  In this episode, Evan talks with Paul and Gil about this experience and continues their conversation on the geological factors of blasting.

Evan Thibaud asked his former professors and mentors; Paul and Gillian Worsey how they met and how these two have created a unique partnership in work and love to create a legacy of learning.  Working together, they talk about their start and how they built a community of explosives engineers in such a way it has been recognized on the Cover of Popular Science Magazine, The Discovery Channel,...

The Paul Sterk Origin Story and a look at safety improvements over the years. Paul Sterk discusses how he came to work in the mining and explosives industry. In this casual podcast, Paul shares stories from the past of using cigarette butts as earplugs and reminisces on a different attitude towards safety today.

The Paul Sterk Origin Story and a look at safety improvements over the years. Paul Sterk discusses how he came to work in the mining and explosives industry.  In this casual podcast, Paul shares stories from the past of using cigarette butts as earplugs and reminisces on a different attitude towards safety today.