Libsyn Directory

#203- Mine Safety & Health Conference: Don Neff

Release Date: 12/13/2025

#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...

#204- Safe Word

Mining Minds

Before the citations. Before the regulations. Before the arguments—there’s people. In the first-ever Safe Word segment of , Grover sits down with longtime mentor, former MSHA inspector, and no-nonsense safety professional to have the conversations most safety meetings never do. This episode strips away the myths, the fear, and the finger-pointing around mining safety and replaces them with something better: honesty, experience, and critical thinking. They break down what MSHA actually does (and doesn’t do), why citations aren’t cash grabs, and how perception, personality, and human...

#203- Mine Safety & Health Conference: Don Neff

Mining Minds

Join from the 2025 as we sit down with , Security Manager and longtime Nevadan. Don shares his journey from growing up in Elko County to serving in the Air Force’s photo-recon field, working as a Nevada Highway Patrol officer, and ultimately finding his place in mining safety. Drawing on decades of experience, Don talks about reading people, leading through influence, and navigating the impact of emerging technology, autonomy, and AI on mine safety. He breaks down the importance of true partnerships—especially in contractor management—and the need for meaningful engagement, strong...

#202- Mine Safety & Health Conference: Adrienne Clinton

Mining Minds

In this energized episode of , we sit down with , a driving force behind the 2025 and a rising leader in mining safety. From her early days in law enforcement to her unexpected path into security, safety, and now industry leadership, Adrienne shares her story full of humor and passion for people. This episode explores the real human challenges inside mining — mental health, generational differences, communication barriers, culture shifts, regulatory frustrations, and the everyday wins that shape safer operations. Adrienne opens up about bombing the interview that actually changed ...

#201- Mine Safety & Health Conference: Jason Bohl

Mining Minds

In this episode of , and sit down with longtime miner, electrician, and leader for an unfiltered conversation about life inside the industry — from early apprenticeships to leadership pressures, from underground lessons to personal turning points. Jason walks us through a career built on work ethic, motivation, and authenticity, sharing how he learned to “figure it out,” how mentors shaped him, and how staying self-driven opened unexpected doors. We also dive into the real side of mining: burnout, mental health, navigating fatherhood while working long hours, rebuilding after...

#200- The Voice Inside The Industry

Mining Minds

Join as we look back on years of conversations, growth, and lessons learned from the people who power the mining industry. This special anniversary episode dives deep into the heart of who we are — the stories that shaped us, the communities that supported us, and our evolution from a simple idea to a respected industry voice. From traveling the country, launching new video platforms, and building workforce development content, to sharing emotional guest stories, advocating for mental health, and expanding our network of miners, leaders, innovators, and veterans — this episode...

#199- Mine Safety & Health Conference: Diane Watson

Mining Minds

In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down at the with returning guest — a respected safety professional, MSHA veteran, and industry leader dedicated to improving safety culture across mining. Originally featured on , Diane returns to share her passion for connecting people, fostering communication, and ensuring the next generation of miners understands the “why” behind safety. From her start as a haul truck operator to her time with and now as the founder of , Diane talks mentorship, accountability, leadership, and the challenges of evolving safety standards in a fast-changing...

#198- Michael Hartley

Mining Minds

In this cutting-edge episode of , we sit down with , Managing Director of a North American AI and performance visualization company revolutionizing how the mining industry makes decisions. From his early years in Nova Scotia to his global career in oil, gas, and mining, Michael shares a fascinating journey that connects human performance, data-driven decision-making, and the future of AI in industrial operations. With real-world lessons, Michael breaks down how human factors engineering and artificial intelligence can change safety, efficiency, and leadership across the mining world....

#197- Travis Macias

Mining Minds

From a 16-year-old kid cleaning shops to the Director of Mine Skills Training at (, embodies what it means to grind, grow, and give back. In this inspiring episode of , Travis shares his raw, real journey through life underground — from hard lessons on the jackleg to leading Nevada’s next generation of miners. He opens up about fatherhood, faith, mentorship, and how tragedy and resilience guided his purpose. Whether you’re a miner, mentor, or dreamer, this is an episode about humility, perseverance, and the power of giving a damn. Travis reflects on the old-school lessons that forged...

#196- Bob Sterns & Virginia Bennett

Mining Minds

As we wrap up our tour to the Minnesota Iron Range, had the opportunity to sit down with and of for a raw and insightful conversation about life, mining, and community in Minnesota’s Iron Range. From Bob’s deep-rooted family history in mining to Virginia’s journey from military brat to analytical technician, they share their insight into the mining cycle of the Iron Range and their passion for preserving it through responsible mining. We talk oil analysis, pellet production, the critical role of Iron Range mining in America’s infrastructure, and the challenges—and...

More Episodes

Join Mining Minds from the 2025 Mine Safety & Health Conference as we sit down with Don Neff, Security Manager and longtime Nevadan. Don shares his journey from growing up in Elko County to serving in the Air Force’s photo-recon field, working as a Nevada Highway Patrol officer, and ultimately finding his place in mining safety.

Drawing on decades of experience, Don talks about reading people, leading through influence, and navigating the impact of emerging technology, autonomy, and AI on mine safety. He breaks down the importance of true partnerships—especially in contractor management—and the need for meaningful engagement, strong systems, and asking the right “what if” questions. Please help us welcome Don Neff to the Face!

Thank you to the Mine Safety & Health Conference for providing us the opportunity to participate in this event.

Event Sponsor:

Safety First Training and Consulting

Episode Sponsors:

Safety First Training and Consulting

JSR Fleet Performance

Liebherr Mining

Chapters:

00:45 Growing Up Nevada

01:40 High School, Sports, and Early Ambitions

02:30 Joining the Air Force & Seeing the World

05:45 Culture Shock Abroad