James Gibbs has worked in mining for 40 years and knows a thing or two about mine worker issues. IN fact, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine invited Gibbs to be his guest at President Biden's 2023 State of the Union address. Gibbs used the opportunity to plead his case for continued support in protections for miners -- and for assistance in good paying jobs with benefits for replacing lost mining jobs. Gibbs has plenty to say about politics and how miners have been treated by everyone from major political parties and coal companies to specific lawmakers.

In fact, he had so much to say in this episode that we're continuing the conversation in an upcoming Part II.