#214- David Watson
Mining Minds
What if the biggest challenge in mining leadership isn’t strategy, production, or policy — but the brain? In this episode of , , founder of , joins us in the studio for a powerful conversation about what it truly means to lead — starting with yourself. From humble beginnings in Australia to the iron ore boom, David shares his journey from carpenter to supervisor to breaking point — and how a deep dive into the neuroscience of leadership transformed not only his career but his life. This episode unpacks cognitive bias, burnout, trauma, identity, and the toxic validation cycle that many...
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#213- AEMA: LeRoy Shingoitewa
Mining Minds
What happens when a Hopi tribal member steps into one of mining’s most complex spaces — not to fight it blindly, not to defend it blindly — but to bridge it? We sit down with of at the for one of the most powerful and perspective-shifting conversations we’ve had to date. Raised in Moenkopi, Arizona — where some villages still live without running water or electricity by choice — LeRoy shares what it means to carry ancestral responsibility into modern industry. From hauling water at his grandmother’s home to biology, to cultural resource consultant, LeRoy explains how...
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#212- AEMA: Ryan Sistad
Mining Minds
From working road construction in the Midwest to leading a nationally recognized advocacy organization, , Executive Director of , has taken a path that is anything but typical. We explore how entrepreneurship, resilience, and an unwavering belief in responsible development transformed a small regional initiative into a multi-state platform amplifying the voice of mining and industrial projects across America. Ryan shares how he bet on himself, left corporate security, and built a brand during COVID by teaching himself design, digital outreach, and advocacy. We dive deep into permitting...
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#211- AEMA: Troy Hawkins
Mining Minds
Recorded at the 2025 Annual Meeting, this Mining Minds episode features Operations Manager . Troy shares his background as a ninth-generation miner and reflects on how his father—a self-described “tramp miner”—was his hero and shaped his values around respect, hard work, and character over credentials. He discusses growing up in a small mining town, leaving school early, and entering the mining industry alongside his family. Troy reflects on his 23-year career at one operation, where he began as a haul truck driver and advanced through multiple operational and leadership roles....
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#210- AEMA: Milan Calendine
Mining Minds
Join Mining Minds at the 2025 Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada, as we sit down with , geoscientist and marketing manager. In this episode, we reflect on the success of the newly introduced , led by Milan and her outstanding team of marketing and industry experts. Milan also shares her journey from environmental science to marketing, highlighting the critical role marketing plays in today’s mining industry. The conversation expands to the importance of effective communication, personal branding, and community engagement, underscoring the need for mining companies to embrace...
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#209- Utah Mining Association: Trevor Hall
Mining Minds
Sitting down with Mining Minds at the is l, co-founder and host of the podcast. Trevor shares his journey of creating and growing his widely respected podcast—from early mornings dedicated to mining news to building a robust content network. He discusses the origins, challenges, and evolution of the venture, noting that recording and publishing mining news before the market opens became the core ethos of the podcast—one he has meticulously maintained for over eight years. We also explore Trevor’s background, the inspiration behind his work, and his insights into the commodities...
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#208- Utah Mining Association: Kevin Neville
Mining Minds
In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with at the to unpack a raw, honest journey through underground hard rock mining, international contract work, and the realities of chasing success without losing yourself along the way. From his first awe-filled moments descending a shaft at Resolution Copper to managing the mental, physical, and emotional toll of long rotations in Mexico, Kevin shares what it truly means to grow up in the mining industry. Kevin talks about the value of hard work learned early in life, the power of mentors who shape careers underground, and the importance of...
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#207- Safe Word
Mining Minds
Back at it again with the second episode of The Safe Word, where real conversations driven by you—the listeners—are unpacked by seasoned miners with decades of experience. This raw, unscripted discussion tackles some of the most debated—and often misunderstood—topics in mining safety, cutting through policy talk to focus on what actually matters at the face. The conversation begins with safety glasses, examining when they are truly necessary, where the line exists between compliance and over-policing, and how to balance company policy, MSHA standards, and real-world hazard...
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#206- Utah Mining Association: Lyndsey Wright
Mining Minds
In this thought-provoking episode, Mining Minds, sit down with , Executive Director of the for an honest, wide-ranging conversations. From growing up in Texas to working in real estate finance, navigating burnout, and ultimately finding purpose in mining advocacy, Lyndsay shares a career journey shaped by curiosity, resilience, mentorship, and authenticity. This episode goes far beyond job titles. Lyndsay opens up about mental health, work ethic, generational shifts, burnout, leadership styles, and why understanding people is just as critical as understanding numbers. The...
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#205- 2025 Glizzy Golf
Mining Minds
We close out 2025 with a special episode recorded live from the at the Elko Municipal Golf Course — a one-of-a-kind event that continues to bring the mining industry together in the most authentic way possible. This episode is a fast-paced, round-table style snapshot of the people who make mining what it is. From engineers, geotechnical and environmental professionals, surveyors, metallurgists, and processing leaders, to first-generation miners and seasoned veterans — Glizzy Golf is where backgrounds, disciplines, and companies collide on common ground. With over 60 participants and a...
info_outlineOverlooking iconic Hibbing Taconite Mining Operation in Minnesota, Mining Minds had the opportunity to speak with two remarkable women whose stories capture the history and heart of mining in the state.
First, we’re joined by Talia Sandys, Communications and Engagement Director for Mining Minnesota, who has been our guide through the region’s rich mining heritage. Then, we dive deep into the incredible 30+ year career of Darleen Gargano, a retired miner who began her journey in 1976 when opportunities for women in the pit were almost unheard of. From her first day pulling cable and driving haul trucks to operating graders in subzero blizzards, Darleen shares candid stories about resilience, camaraderie, and the changing face of the industry.
Along the way, we explore Hibbing’s fascinating history—including the relocation of an entire town for mining, the legendary Hibbing High School, and life growing up in a tight-knit rural community. With humor, honesty, and a lifetime of lessons, Darleen reflects on what it took to thrive in a male-dominated industry and why she wouldn’t trade her experiences for anything.
Special thanks to Julie Lucas and Talia Sandys (Mining Minnesota) and Kristen Vake (Iron Mining Association of MN) for making this episode possible.
Episode Sponsors:
Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals
Episode Chapters:
1:21 Growing Up in Hibbing, MN
9:32 First Jobs & Path to Mining
12:02 First Day in the Pit
16:59 Night Shifts & Northern Lights
22:37 Haul Trucks, Equipment Training & Early MSHA
26:21 Grader in the Ditch & Earning Respect
37:31 Paving a New Way
44:00 The Labor Bus
56:34 Advocacy, Education, Collaboration from Mining Minnesota