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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From climbing the ranks at BP to betting on himself with Adaptive Edge, Danny Falligant has one hell of a story. He walked away from a cushy oil and gas career to shake things up in digital transformation, and now he’s redefining how land departments handle AI, document management, and data. Jeremy gets into the why and how of Danny’s big leap, the real challenges of running a tech startup while juggling family and travel, and why land groups deserve way more credit in the energy world. Plus, a look at where Adaptive Edge is headed, maybe even beyond oil and gas.

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00:00 - Danny Falligant
01:22 - Who is Danny Falligant
06:38 - Evolution of Lease Analyst Role
09:29 - Moving to Denver for BPX
10:52 - Relocating to Colorado
12:52 - Settling into Colorado
13:56 - Departure from BPX
17:40 - Founding Adaptive Edge
19:36 - Growth of Adaptive Edge
22:05 - Innovating Land Group Strategies
26:36 - Adaptive Edge Engagement Process
30:17 - Exploring the Scanning Space
35:45 - Returning to Big Companies?
42:30 - Advice for Young Professionals
45:16 - Building Confidence
46:40 - Future Vision for Adaptive Edge
51:08 - Ryan's Hobbies Outside Work
52:57 - Ryan's Favorite Restaurants
54:31 - Connecting with Danny
55:33 - Outro

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Sales engineering isn’t just about numbers and tech, it’s about people, problem-solving, and, surprisingly, a little bit of soul. This episode of *What the Funk?* brings in Darnell Franco from Detechtion Technologies, a guy who knows his way around compressor fleets *and* the complexities of being human. From breaking down digital twins and edge computing in oil and gas to sharing why mental health and "soul compensation" matter just as much as a paycheck, Darnell keeps it real. If you've ever wondered how to juggle the technical grind with personal growth (without burning out), this one’s for you.

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00:00 - Intro
01:40 - Who is Darnell Franco
07:00 - Balancing Team Dynamics
13:16 - Addressing Burnout
15:28 - Advice for Your Younger Self
20:07 - Overview of Detechtion Technologies
23:14 - Understanding Detection Solutions
26:38 - Exploring the Edge Technology
28:25 - Detection's Approach to AI
30:30 - Digital Twin and Dashboard Insights
34:31 - Impact of Detection on Oil and Gas
38:30 - Choosing the Right Compressor Size
48:03 - Qualities of a Great Sales Engineer
52:47 - Simplifying Complex Topics
54:54 - Connecting with Darnell Franco
56:59 - Podcast Wrap-Up

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From cutting Halo montages to crafting high-impact content for the energy and tech world, Jacob Stiller’s story is one of passion, hustle, and a whole lot of creative grit. What started as DIY GoPro edits turned into a career that’s taken him around the world, co-founding Creator House Media and shaping Digital Wildcatters’ signature style. He opens up about the wild ride—from freelancing through the pandemic to turning storytelling into a powerful tool for industry innovation. Whether it's navigating the highs and lows of content creation or finding new ways to engage an audience, Jacob proves that a mix of adaptability, curiosity, and a camera can take you pretty much anywhere.

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00:00 - Intro
00:40 - Jacob Stiller
01:30 - Who is Jacob Stiller
02:40 - Early Passion for Art
04:10 - Early Passion for Video Editing
09:15 - Hurricane Katrina
13:12 - Your Family
14:07 - Parents' Jobs After Katrina
19:50 - Katrina Impact
20:42 - What's Next
25:48 - Working at TGI Fridays
27:10 - Importance of College Education
29:50 - Jacob's Journey to Digital Wildcatters
33:40 - Timeshare Theory Explained
36:36 - Traveling with Mac
38:55 - First Trip to Denver
42:53 - Origin of Yes Theory
46:00 - Gary Vaynerchuk and Hustle Culture
49:10 - Filming Gary Vaynerchuk Experience
52:13 - Meeting Collin and Digital Wildcatters
56:57 - COVID-19 Impact on Content Creation
58:14 - Jacob's Role in Digital Wildcatters
59:58 - Future of Digital Wildcatters Content

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