The Crude Cast

Hosted by Travis McCaughey

Business Management Education

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Welcome to The Crude Cast , the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the oil and gas industry. Whether you're a seasoned professional or exploring the industry for the first time, our podcast offers a unique window into the diverse roles, challenges, and opportunities within this dynamic field. In each episode, we dive deep into: Expert Interviews : Conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts who share their knowledge and experiences on effective communication, teamwork, and leadership. Real-World Stories : Relatable accounts from the field that highlight the essential soft skills needed to thrive in the oil and gas sector. Educational Insights : Practical advice and strategies for improving collaboration, navigating tough conversations, and fostering a positive work environment. Industry Exploration : Discover the varied and often overlooked roles within the industry, and gain insights into how each contributes to the broader picture. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and entertain by showcasing the people and processes that make the oil and gas industry tick. Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills, learn about new opportunities, or simply enjoy engaging stories, The Crude Cast has something for you. Subscribe and join us on this journey as we uncover the rich tapestry of the oil and gas world, one story at a time.

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50 recent

August 27, 202632 min

From ExxonMobil to the Future of Energy Careers - Jack Balagia - Ep. #50

Send us Fan Mail Take a moment to rate and review—it helps us reach more listeners like you. Jack Balagia went from representing energy companies as a young lawyer to serving as Vice President and General Counsel of ExxonMobil. Today, he is helping prepare the next generation of energy professionals. Jack joins Travis on The Crude Cast to discuss his work as Executive Director of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center at the University of Texas at Austin and the Center’s multidisciplinary approach to energy education. Kay Baily Hutchson Energy Center https://kbhenergycenter.utexas.edu/ Jack Balagia https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-balagia-97468b161/ 📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast ? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐 www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod Check out the T-shirts and Hoodies! Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!

July 7, 202650 min

Ep. #49 - Dan Arthur: From Halliburton to the EPA—A Lifetime Solving Energy Challenges

Send us Fan Mail How do you go from driving a cement truck at Halliburton to becoming one of the energy industry's most respected consultants? In Episode #49 of The Crude Cast , Travis sits down with Dan Arthur , President and CEO of ALL Consulting, to discuss a career that spans Halliburton, the U.S. EPA, global consulting, and decades of solving complex energy challenges. Dan shares lessons learned from the field, why hands-on experience matters, the evolution of hydraulic fracturing, produced water management, well integrity, environmental stewardship, and where technologies like geothermal, nuclear, hydrogen, carbon sequestration, and AI fit into the future of energy. Whether you're an operator, engineer, geologist, student, or industry leader, this conversation offers practical insights from someone who has spent a lifetime helping advance the energy industry. 🌐 Website: https://all-llc.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-arthur-p-e-spec-cpg-fgs-qms-ccml-640b946 📧 Email: darthur@all-llc.com 📍 ALL Consulting 1718 S. Cheyenne Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 ☎️ Office: (918) 382-7581 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps us reach more listeners like you. 📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast ? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐 www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!

May 13, 202651 min

Ep. #48 - Oil & Gas Investing, Risk, and Value Creation with Jay Young of King Operating

Send us Fan Mail Jay Young, CEO of King Operating and author of The Upside of Oil and Gas Investing , joins The Crude Cast to explain how oil and gas investing works, what makes a project valuable, and why deal structure, geology, engineering, operations, and investor trust all matter. 🔗 Learn more: https://www.kingoperating.com/ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps us reach more listeners like you. 📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast ? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐 www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod Looking for headphones that dont leave you isolated from the outside world? Try Shokz Headphones - https://amzn.to/3MkEVRN As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!

April 1, 202658 min

Ep. #47 - Mineral Rights, Royalties, and AI in Oil & Gas with Jace Graham

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Crude Cast, Travis McCaughey talks with Jace Graham about mineral rights, royalty interests, and how mineral deals work in the oil and gas industry. Jace explains the difference between mineral rights, royalty interests, non-participating royalty interests, overriding royalties, and working interests in clear terms. He also discusses how title, ownership history, landwork, and relationships affect mineral transactions, along with why trust and transparency still matter in a relationship-driven business. The conversation also covers how modern tools like AI, CRM systems, data workflows, and digital outreach are beginning to shape mineral acquisition and investor communication in oil and gas. This episode is a useful listen for: oil and gas professionals mineral owners royalty owners landmen energy investors anyone who wants to better understand the business side of oil and gas That description is better for discoverability because it repeats the right keywords naturally without sounding stuffed. 🔗 Learn more: https://www.rising-phoenix.com/ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps us reach more listeners like you. 📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast ? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐 www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shokz Headphones - https://amzn.to/3MkEVRN Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!

February 3, 202657 min

Ep. #46 - Understanding Dyslexia: Insights for the Oilfield Workforce - Russell Van Brocklen

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Crude Cast , Travis sits down with Russell Van Brocklen to break down dyslexia in a way that actually matters on the job—especially in high-risk, procedure-driven work like oil and gas. Russell explains the brain science behind dyslexia, why many dyslexic thinkers become hyper-specialists, and how that can translate into exceptional performance in technical roles. They dig into hiring and training: why “What’s your specialty?” might be one of the best interview questions you can ask, how to train neurodiverse employees without “big picture first” confusion, and why starting ultra-specific can prevent misunderstandings that lead to incidents. Russell also lays out a practical method using short written steps and AI to confirm understanding—then having a supervisor approve it—so safety-critical tasks don’t get lost in translation. If you lead people, write SOPs, train new hires, or care about safety culture, this conversation will change how you think about learning differences—and how to unlock talent the right way. 🔗 Learn more about Russell’s work: https://dyslexiaclasses.com/ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps us reach more listeners like you. 📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast ? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐 www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shokz Headphones - https://amzn.to/3MkEVRN Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!

December 19, 202553 min

Ep. #45 - Renee Hastings - Transforming Business with Virtual Assistants

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Crude Cast , Travis sits down with Renee Hastings , President and CEO of Executive Help Now , to talk about delegation, leadership, and why no successful business is built alone. With 30 years of entrepreneurial experience and a background supporting senior-level executives, Renee explains how leaders get trapped doing work that doesn’t move the needle—and how the right executive support restores focus, productivity, and work-life balance. This conversation covers: When executives should bring on help (earlier than most think) Why delegation is hard—and how to overcome perfectionism and control What a strategic executive assistant actually does Leadership lessons from Dale Carnegie This episode is especially relevant for business owners and leaders in oil & gas and other high-demand industries who feel overloaded but know they can’t scale alone. Guest Links: Executive Help Now: https://executivehelpnow.org https://www.facebook.com/ExecutiveHelpNow https://www.linkedin.com/company/executive-help-now/ https://www.instagram.com/executivehelpnow/ https://x.com/executivehelpnw https://www.youtube.com/@reneehastings Tel: 678-782-8820 Host & Show Links: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review on Apple, Spotify or your player of choice—it helps us reach more listeners like you. 📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast ? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐 www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you want to see the gear I actually use in the field, here are the links. Pocket Knife - https://amzn.to/4pTYNd5 Shokz Headphones - https://amzn.to/3MkEVRN Power Bank - https://amzn.to/48lZ0Qm Multi Tool - https://amzn.to/4pLIPkX Darn Tough Socks - https://amzn.to/48kBuTL Ariat FRC Pants - https://amzn.to/4rDAWjl Keen Work Boot - https://amzn.to/4iB98rE Super Feet Insoles - https://amzn.to/3XBBjxa Fit-Bit Watch - https://amzn.to/48zWCEt NEBO Flashlight - https://amzn.to/4avzmtH Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!

November 7, 20251 hr 20 min

Ep. #44 - Jason DeSouza: Protecting Oilfield Workers’ Rights After Injury

Send us Fan Mail ☝️ 📩 Have Oil and Gas Questions? Text the show! In this conversation, Travis McCaughey and Jason D'Souza discuss the complexities of the oil and gas industry, particularly focusing on the legal aspects of injury representation. Jason shares his journey from a blue-collar background to becoming an injury attorney, emphasizing the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by workers in this field. They explore the intricacies of litigation, the common injuries sustained, and the misconceptions workers have about their rights. The discussion also covers the role of OSHA, the implications of drug testing, and the importance of company culture in ensuring worker safety. Jason provides valuable insights into the legal process, the significance of having a specialized attorney, and the resources available for injured workers. Whether you’re an operator, contractor, or anyone working in the field, this episode sheds light on what happens after an accident and how to protect yourself, your family, and your future. DeSouza Injury Lawyers - https://jfdlawfirm.com/ (210) 714 4215 intake@jfdlawfirm.com Address: 4047 Naco Perrin San Antionio, TX 78217 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps us reach more listeners like you. 📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast ? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐 www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shokz Headphones - https://amzn.to/3MkEVRN Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!

October 4, 202533 min

Ep. #43 - James Kell with Scratchie: Rethinking Motivation with Self Determination Theory

Send us Fan Mail ☝️ 📩 Have Oil and Gas Questions? Text the show! In this episode of The Crude Cast , Travis sits down with James Kell—carpenter turned entrepreneur—to explore how motivation, recognition, and psychology can reshape safety and productivity across industries. Drawing on his journey from construction to building Scratchie, James introduces listeners to Self-Determination Theory—the idea that autonomy, competence, and relatedness drive people to thrive. Together, they discuss why behavior-based safety often falls short, how small acts of recognition spark big changes, and how organizations like McDonald’s and oilfield operators alike are applying these insights to create safer, more connected workplaces. Whether you’re in oil and gas, construction, or any field where safety and culture matter, this episode offers a fresh take on building engaged, high-performing teams. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps us reach more listeners like you. 📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast ? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐 www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod Support the show https://www.joinpodmatch.com/thecrudecast As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shokz Headphones - https://amzn.to/3MkEVRN Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!

September 5, 20251 hr 14 min

Ep. #42 - Stephanie Hajducek - Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Industry

Send us Fan Mail ☝️ 📩 Have Oil and Gas Questions? Text the show! In this episode of The Crude Cast , Travis sits down with Stephanie Hajducek—project specialist at Enbridge and founder of This One’s for the Gals . From a simple idea to a thriving nonprofit, Stephanie shares how she’s connecting young women to careers in construction, energy, manufacturing, and maritime. Hear the story of how a conference trip sparked an initiative that now impacts hundreds of schools across Texas, the unique challenges women face entering heavy industry, and the success stories of girls who turned opportunity into careers. Stephanie’s mission is clear: awareness, exposure, and belief that “girls can’t be what they can’t see.” Travis will match donations up to $2000. Donate to This One's for the Gals at: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=TLMXNJ448SPS4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps us reach more listeners like you. 📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast ? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐 www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shokz Headphones - https://amzn.to/3MkEVRN Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!

July 31, 20251 hr 46 min

Ep. #41 - Russell Wilson: Life as an Oilfield Driller

Send us Fan Mail In this gritty and honest episode of The Crude Cast , we sit down with Russell Wilson, a longtime driller, tool pusher, and all-around oilfield veteran. From high-tech hydrate experiments on the slope, Russell shares battle-tested stories from his two decades in Alaska's harshest conditions. We get into everything: The dangers—and discipline—behind continuous circulation $60M well disasters and the lessons they taught Why training and mentorship are the future of rig safety Hydrate drilling for the Japanese government And how wildcards, weather, and crew chemistry shape every hitch Whether you're new to the field or a salty hand yourself, this episode delivers raw insight, laughs, and hard truths about what it really means to work the iron in Alaska. 🎧 Subscribe now and share it with someone who's ever pulled slips or swung tongs. 📩 Text the Show Have Oil and Gas Questions? Text the show! 📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast ? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐 www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shokz Headphones - https://amzn.to/3MkEVRN https://www.joinpodmatch.com/thecrudecast Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!