What do underground mines and geese in formation have in common? 

Both demand trust, clarity, and the courage to let others lead. 

In this powerful episode of the Better the Pond Pondcast, I had the privilege of sitting down in person with Safety Dave, otherwise known as Dave Speerbrecker—a 36-year mining veteran and General Manager of Support Services at Tyson Mining. 

We dug deep into: 
Dave’s rise from underground worker to safety leader 
The emotional impact of workplace injuries—and how empathy must lead safety 
How Thyssen Mining is reshaping the mining industry through workforce development, tech, and inclusion 
And why kindness, gratitude, and communication aren't “soft skills”—they’re people survival skills 

This one’s about more than mining. It’s about flying in formation—at work, at home, and in life.