What The Funk?

From Twitter hot takes to tech innovation, Zac Coplon’s journey to co-founding 4cast is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and good timing. With roots in Oklahoma and a background as a mineral buyer, Zac saw an opportunity to shake up the oil and gas industry with a fresh, user-friendly approach to forecasting. Along the way, he’s balanced building a brand on social media with navigating t...

Tired of the same old clunky tools in oil and gas? Avenirre is flipping the script with software that makes managing production and cash flow actually simple. Built by industry pros Casey Patterson and Larry Brazile, this cloud-based platform gives small and midsize operators enterprise-level power, think daily analytics, emissions tracking, and real-time well profitability insights, all without t...

What’s it like to juggle mineral rights, navigate messy title issues, and help families manage royalties, all while thriving in the oil and gas world without relying on the industry’s boozy networking culture? That’s the life of a veteran landman who’s turned nearly two decades of experience into a thriving business. From his small-town roots to leading Land Runner, he’s mastered the art of buildi...

Who says oil fields can’t get a tech makeover? Amplified Industries is turning the energy game on its head with slick software that cuts spills, boosts production, and saves cash, all while making advanced tech easy for operators to use. Founded by two MIT whizzes with backgrounds in quantum physics and investment banking, this Boston-based startup has gone from tinkering with small wells to tackl...

Josh Young, Portfolio Manager of Bison Interests, joins us to share his unique perspective on incentive theory and its impact on the oil and gas sector. Influenced by his time at the University of Chicago and mentorship from Nobel laureates like Milton Friedman, Josh’s contrarian approach to investing is rooted in a deep understanding of behavioral drivers in the market. In this engaging episode,...

Sally Hallingstad, a Business Development Executive at Moss Adams, joins Jeremy Funk on "What the Funk?" to share her authentic approach to networking in the energy sector. From her roots in North Dakota to her impactful role at the Denver Petroleum Club and now in Houston, Sally's journey highlights resilience and the power of genuine connection in male-dominated industries. Her strategies—stayin...

Vicki Knott, CEO and Co-Founder of Crux OCM, shares her inspiring journey from growing up in rural Newfoundland to becoming a tech leader in the oil and gas industry. Vicki talks about her unique upbringing on a remote island, her transition from engineering student to CEO, and how she uses AI to innovate in industrial markets. She discusses the challenges she faced, including her unconventional a...

Jeremy chats with Mark D’Alessio, Senior Account Executive at Esri, about how mapping and GIS technology are shaping the oil and gas industry. They dig into how Esri’s tools help improve safety, efficiency, and decision-making, while Mark shares his journey from finance in New Jersey to working in energy tech in Houston and what it says about where the industry is headed. Join the conversation sha...

Jeremy sits down with Deanna Zhang, CEO of V1 Climate Solutions, to talk about her jump from banking into the fast-moving world of climate tech. Deanna shares how her Houston roots and Yale background shaped her view on global energy challenges, the “missing middle” in funding for early-stage hard tech, and how AI and industrial innovation are helping bridge that gap as the energy landscape contin...

Jeremy sits down with Ashley McCormick, founder of Rooted in Leadership, to talk about her journey from Nebraska to leading leadership development in the oil and gas world. Drawing from her time at Devon Energy and Paycom, Ashley shares a contrarian take on leadership centered on listening, empowerment, and coaching and how the right training, technology, and mindset can transform company culture,...

Join over 4,000 professionals in the next-generation community for the energy industry 👉 https://bit.ly/4dwXWsE Dive deep into AI's Next Frontier: Oil & Gas Innovation Unveiled with Jeremy and guests Jon Brewton and Matt Kilker from data² on the What the Funk? Podcast. Discover how AI is set to revolutionize the oil and gas industry, with key insights from industry veterans. Key Takeaways inc...

Join over 3,000 professionals in the next-generation community for the energy industry 👉 https://bit.ly/4dwXWsE Dive deep into the future of painting with PaintJet's disruptive tech on this episode of What the Funk? Podcast. Discover how Nick Hegeman, CEO & Co-Founder of PaintJet, is revolutionizing the painting industry with innovative robotics, tackling the labor shortage challenge in const...

Join over 3,000 professionals in the next-generation community for the energy industry 👉 https://bit.ly/4dwXWsE Dive deep into the new world of land administration with Taylor Richards, Director of Land Administration at Civitas Resources, on this insightful episode of What the Funk? Podcast. Discover how Taylor, a dynamic leader and mom, navigates the complexities of merging multiple companies i...

Jeremy sits down with Dan Locke, Co-Founder and CEO of Giv.co, to unpack his entrepreneurial journey from college days at Brandeis to building companies that blend business with purpose. They talk about turning friendship into partnership, the role of technology and AI in creating more meaningful connections, and why integrating philanthropy into everyday business can lead to more authentic relati...

Jeremy sits down with Trisha Curtis, President and CEO of PetroNerds, for a wide-ranging conversation on the realities of today’s oil and gas industry. From her journey from a small-town farm in Colorado to becoming a global energy expert, Trisha shares sharp, data-driven insights on global markets, P&A wells, carbon credits, long-term oil investing, and how technology and politics are shaping...

Jeremy sits down with Bella Kelada-Khalil, Jr. Business Development Manager at Midnight Marketing, to talk marketing, creativity, and standing out in the oil and gas space. Bella shares her journey from a shy theater kid in Montreal to helping build bold brands, along with her fearless approach to content, transparent communication, and why authenticity, not buzzwords, is what really drives connec...

Jeremy sits down with Charles Cormier, CEO of TopLeads Agency, to break down what actually works in cold email outreach. From making hundreds of calls a day to building multiple businesses, Charles shares how he uses creative strategy, AI, and an unapologetically authentic approach to help CEOs and founders connect with the right people, generate leads, and scale, while challenging traditional ide...

Jeremy sits down with Chris Walcot, CEO of Progressive Technology Solutions Ltd, to unpack his journey from growing up in Cardiff, Wales, to leading a global tech company expanding into the US market. Chris shares how Progressive TSL evolved from a service business into a tech powerhouse, along with insights on ERP systems in oil and gas, scaling with modular technology, ESG reporting, and how inn...

Jeremy sits down with Dominique Ferency, Data Engineering Sub-Chapter Head at Chevron, to explore her path from Seven Lakes to building a career in data and technology. They talk about Chevron’s approach to data engineering, Dominique’s early passion for tech, and why strong professional networks and continuous learning are critical in today’s evolving energy and data landscape. Join the conversat...

Jeremy sits down with Jordan McGee, Vice President of Land Technology at Northern Oil and Gas, to explore how AI and technology are reshaping oil and gas land management. From running title in Oklahoma to leading land tech strategy in Minnesota, Jordan shares real-world insights on managing massive land portfolios, streamlining operations, and where the industry is headed as technology continues t...

Jeremy sits down with Dave Levitt, co-founder of MOIC Partners, to break down what it really takes to scale a tech company beyond early adopters. Drawing on 40+ years in sales leadership across oil and gas and enterprise tech, Dave shares lessons from building CRM-driven sales engines, achieving massive growth and exits, and why borrowing big-company sales processes can be the unlock for smaller s...

Jeremy sits down with Jason Reed to talk through his wide-ranging career in oil and gas, from working with major operators like BP and QEP to moving into the tech side with Enverus and Novi. Along the way, they cover applied science in energy, how digital technology is reshaping upstream operations, the realities of international work, and Jason’s outlook on the future of energy, including geother...

Jeremy sits down with Mik to explore his international journey through technology and oil and gas, from early work in automotive and aerospace to leading roles at major tech companies and startups. Mik shares how his computer science background, Stanford MBA, and experience across Europe and the U.S. shaped his approach to integrating AI and new technologies into traditional industries—and what pr...

Jeremy sits down with Rachel, CEO of W Energy Software, to talk through her path in the oil and gas industry, her leadership philosophy, and where she sees the industry heading. The conversation covers building and evolving a company, navigating life as a female CEO in a male-dominated space, balancing a demanding career with family, and the advice Rachel would give to young professionals focused...

Jeremy sits down with Marty Dytrych, founder of Industrial Data Labs, to talk about how AI is transforming industrial sales and sourcing in the PVF world. Marty shares his path from real estate to tech entrepreneurship, the inefficiencies that inspired Industrial Data Labs, and how AI-driven automation is improving RFQs, accuracy, and profitability, along with a grounded take on cutting through AI...