Relationships are at the heart of everything Mary does, from building out tech solutions in oil and gas to swapping baking tips and golf stories. We got into how she went from Baltimore to becoming the face of Welland, the consulting firm making data reporting way less painful with tools like Unidata and SQL (but don't worry, she keeps it human). Mary’s one of those people who makes remote work look effortless, balancing serious technical chops with genuine connection. Also, her dog’s name is Drago, which basically makes her cooler than all of us.

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00:00 - Intro  
01:13 - Meeting Mike Mapes  
03:42 - Who is Mary Young  
05:44 - Mary’s Early Life in Dallas  
12:46 - New York City Experience  
17:40 - Exploring Houston  
19:07 - June 2025 Insights  
21:04 - The Day Your Dad Almost Died  
23:20 - The Surgeon’s Role  
27:38 - Writing Your Dad’s Eulogy  
32:25 - Mary’s Story Beyond New York  
36:55 - Tony’s Pizza Journey  
41:04 - What is Welland?  
46:25 - How to Reach Mary  
47:30 - Mary Welland - Outro  

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Running a company that’s shaking up oil and gas with AI is wild enough, but try doing that on zero sleep with a newborn in the house. That’s life for Josh Politte, who somehow manages to lead ACT Solutions & Consulting while changing diapers and dodging spit-up. He shares stories from a globe-spanning career (50+ countries!), the year Egypt cracked open his worldview, and how he went from petroleum engineer to Microsoft-powered problem solver. We get into why tech in this industry actually matters, how AI isn't just a buzzword, and why being a new dad might just be the ultimate crash course in leadership.

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00:00 - Intro
01:40 - Who is Josh Pape
11:02 - Josh’s Career Journey: College to Business
16:23 - Technical Skills Development
18:55 - Leading Digital Transformation at BHP
23:35 - Experience as Interim CTO at Digital Wildcatters
25:06 - Passion for the Microsoft Stack
30:51 - Insights on AI Technology
37:24 - Loving Your Work: A Personal Reflection
38:00 - Future Vision: Company Goals in 3-5 Years
41:39 - Hot Seat Questions: Rapid Fire Round
45:10 - How to Connect with Josh

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Steve Cooper went from mining rocks in the UK to mining insights in the oil and gas world, building and eventually selling EnergyIQ, a company that tackled the chaos of industry data before COVID flipped the world upside down. He breaks down how a background in computer science and a bit of stubborn problem-solving turned into a business that stood out by actually giving a damn about data quality. Jeremy digs into the story behind the scenes, what it took to lead through downturns, why timing is everything, and what Steve’s up to now as he backs the next wave of clean energy and tech startups.

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00:00 - Intro
03:08 - Who is Steve Cooper
08:26 - Dual Citizenship Benefits
10:55 - Relocating to Colorado
12:35 - EnergyIQ Overview
17:00 - Seven Lakes Insights
21:15 - Competing in Data Management
22:08 - Surviving the 2015 Downturn
28:13 - Survivor Classification
34:56 - Post-Acquisition Journey
37:16 - Current Projects
39:32 - Entrepreneurial Advice
45:13 - Travel Favorites
47:12 - Restaurant Recommendations
48:56 - Connecting with Steve Cooper
49:30 - Closing Thoughts

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What happens when two sharp minds from the oilfield and IT world team up to fix the clunky data problems plaguing oil and gas? You get Rivitt, an AI-powered game-changer that’s tackling inefficiencies, boosting safety, and making ops smoother than a fresh cup of frac fluid. Jeremy sits down with the brains behind it, Steven and Clay, to talk about scrappy beginnings, bold ideas, and how a little bit of stubbornness (and a whole lot of late nights) turned into a tech company that’s shaking up the industry.

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00:00 - Intro
01:09 - Steve Ko Introduction
07:02 - Steve Ko's First Business
09:42 - Returning to School and Second Business
10:18 - Clay Bonin's Background
17:06 - Steve Ko's Background
24:50 - Steve Ko's Career Path
26:39 - Understanding Worms
28:53 - Knowledge of Paper Mills
35:40 - Steve's Journey to Rice Energy
41:47 - Innovation at Rice Energy
47:08 - Early Days of Rivitt Energy
47:35 - Meeting Clay Bonin
49:12 - Problem Solving at Rivitt 
54:28 - Steve's Impact on Rivitt 
58:14 - Vision for Rivitt 
1:00:56 - Steve as a Visionary
1:05:35 - Final Thoughts
1:05:45 - More Information about Rivitt 
1:06:25 - Outro

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Turning a sketch on a napkin into a $20 million energy tech company? That’s exactly what happened and the story’s wild. From navigating the chaos of startup life to hitting pause after a major health scare, this convo pulls back the curtain on the real grit behind building Westgen Technologies. We’re talking leadership lessons, coaching that actually worked, and a whole lot of figuring things out the hard way. Oh, and if you’re into solving big problems like powering up remote wellsites without trashing the planet, you’ll want to hear how Ben’s doing just that.

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00:00 - Intro
00:39 - Who is Ben Klepacki
10:36 - Balancing Different Personality Types
12:43 - Importance of Executive Coaching
18:23 - The Westgen Technologies Story
24:35 - Early Entrepreneurial Journey
27:25 - Motivations Behind Starting a Company
31:30 - Fundraising Challenges and Stress
35:30 - Relocating to Houston
40:45 - The Reality of 90-Hour Work Weeks
46:00 - Mental Health Struggles in Business
47:52 - Managing a Company During Personal Crisis
50:17 - Future Vision: Life in 3-5 Years
51:30 - Future Vision: Westgen in 3-5 Years
54:10 - Wrapping Up the Discussion
56:15 - Connecting with Ben & Westgen

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Alzheimer’s is tough, but this episode is all about the people fighting back in the most unexpected ways, like hopping on a bike and riding for something bigger. We sat down with Brian from the Alzheimer’s Association and Steve, a cyclist whose mom’s diagnosis lit a fire in him to make a difference. From emotional stories to groundbreaking updates (think blood tests and FDA-approved meds), we cover the science, the personal, and the power of pedaling with purpose. Whether you're in it for the community, the cause, or the ride itself, this one’s got heart, hope, and a whole lot of impact.

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00:00 - Intro
01:22 - Who are Steve Mullen and Brian Tatum
05:32 - Brian Tatum's Involvement with Alzheimer's Association
07:54 - Alzheimer's Research and Funding Updates
11:04 - Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
12:38 - Steve's Passion for Alzheimer's Advocacy
15:55 - End ALZ Ride Overview
20:09 - Experience of Riding in the End ALZ Ride
26:06 - Competing for Donation Dollars in Alzheimer's Research
29:25 - Progress with FDA Approved Alzheimer's Drugs
29:55 - How to Donate to Alzheimer's Causes
33:07 - End ALZ Ride Details: Date and Location
35:08 - Future of Alzheimer's Research in 10 Years
38:14 - Ride Distances in the End ALZ Event
39:24 - How to Get Involved in Alzheimer's Advocacy
39:50 - Closing Thoughts on Alzheimer's Awareness

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Vendor management in oil and gas is usually a mess of outdated systems and constant compliance headaches, but VenLink is flipping the script. We’re talking boots-on-the-ground experience turned into a sleek platform that’s using automation and AI to cut out the inefficiencies, slash risk, and give operators real-time visibility into their vendors. Joshua Owens, who’s been in the trenches with companies like Oxy and Parsley, built VenLink after years of watching vendor oversight go sideways. From rising insurance costs to stalled operations, he’s seen the ripple effects—and built a smarter way to manage it all. This one’s for anyone who’s tired of juggling spreadsheets and wants to see how tech can actually simplify things in the field.

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What do you get when a lifelong pilot and a fashion industry pro team up? Skycam Aviation, that’s what, an aerial imaging company that’s flipping the script on how we track methane leaks and monitor the world from above. They’re strapping HD video systems onto planes, zipping through the skies at 15,000 feet, and collecting jaw-dropping footage packed with data that actually matters. From detecting methane in oil fields to keeping tabs on agriculture and infrastructure, their gear isn’t just smart, it’s downright cinematic. Plus, their story is wild: think private jets, high fashion, and high-tech all mashed into one seriously cool origin story.

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00:00 - Intro
00:53 - Meet Sam and Christine
03:14 - Sam’s Flying Experience
06:19 - Christine’s Flying Experience
14:15 - [Duplicate Chapter Removed]
14:28 - Christine Corcos’s Fashion Background
19:55 - The Slippery Slope of Fashion
23:04 - Skycam Aviation Overview
29:05 - Methane Detection Technology
31:58 - The Fashion Show Story
32:05 - Wrapping Up the Discussion
35:44 - Advice to Your Younger Self
40:40 - Sam’s Fashion Journey
41:54 - How to Find Skycam
42:54 - Final Thoughts and Words

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From radio rigs in Army tents to running IT for a major oil and gas consulting firm, Curtis has had one hell of a ride, and he’s got the stories to prove it. He talks about swapping camo for keyboards, how military comms set the stage for his tech leadership style, and why he’s not sold on jumping on every shiny new AI trend. It’s a refreshingly no-BS look at what it really takes to lead tech teams in high-stakes environments, the power of practical problem-solving, and how staying grounded is just as important as staying cutting-edge.

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00:00 - Intro
01:49 - Who is Curtis Forsythe
02:59 - Curtis' Upbringing and Military Experience
07:54 - Transitioning to IT Consulting
10:37 - Early Career Days in IT
12:47 - Transitioning to Oil and Gas Industry
18:54 - Joining EAG: The Journey
23:00 - Role of a VP of IT
26:00 - Tech Tinkering in IT Management
28:50 - Future of Oil and Gas Technology
34:20 - Discussion on ChatGPT
40:30 - Thoughts on Tesla Innovations
46:46 - Favorite Book Recommendations
49:20 - Connecting with Curtis Forsythe
50:20 - Why Choose E&A for Business

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From growing up in Oklahoma with two teachers for parents to making waves in the oil and gas world, Drew Hopkins has built a career on reputation, relationships, and a whole lot of hustle. He went from Chesapeake Energy to co-founding LIS and now leading business development at Novus, and along the way, he’s picked up some hard-earned wisdom about building a winning culture, driving responsible growth, and keeping your values in check while chasing big goals. This one’s packed with stories, lessons, and a few laughs as Drew shares what it really takes to make an impact in the energy industry.

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00:00 - Intro
03:00 - Who is Drew Hopkins
07:58 - Impact of Teacher Parents
11:47 - Lessons from Teaching Background
18:01 - Transitioning to Novus
18:50 - Land Information System (LIS)
20:50 - Origin of What the Frac Podcast
23:50 - Importance of Consistency
27:55 - What the Frac Booth at NAPE
31:36 - Overview of LandVantage
36:34 - LIS and Sales Experience
38:11 - Novus Consulting Insights
45:09 - Responsible Growth Strategies
51:35 - Favorite Restaurants in OKC
52:58 - Jake's Schedule Update
54:28 - True Vacations vs. Trips
57:25 - Drew Hopkins in the Doghouse
1:02:03 - Connect with Drew Hopkins Online
1:04:10 - Outro

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