The Blast Report

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, and The New York Times!