Libsyn Directory

#212- AEMA: Ryan Sistad

Release Date: 02/20/2026

Mining Minds

The future of mining isn’t coming — it’s already clocked in. In this episode of Mining Minds, The Next Shift, Mining Minds sits down in Beatty, Nevada with a panel of young professionals from who are helping redefine the future of modern mining from the ground up. From geology and environmental planning to HR, communications, and project development, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what mining really looks like today — and what it will become tomorrow. The panel dives into the realities of building a world-class mining project, the responsibility that comes with...

#225- Part 2: Hector Denogean

Mining Minds

Arizona Copper Country, Global Mining Projects, Leadership & Legacy Recorded at the historic in Oracle, Arizona, this episode marks Part 2 of ’s incredible mining journey. If you haven’t heard the beginning of Hector’s story, be sure to check out . In this powerful follow-up conversation, Hector shares how his career became more than just a mining story — it evolved into a legacy built underground, across borders, and through generations of miners. From helping support Resolution Copper and mentoring young miners at the San Xavier training mine, to working projects...

#224- AngloGold Ashanti: Mary Koerner

Mining Minds

From Service to Safety, Building Trust, and Leading Forward In Episode #224 of the Mining Minds Podcast, we sit down with , Health, Safety & Security Manager at Nevada project, to explore what it truly means to build safety and culture from the ground up—at a stage where every decision carries weight. From growing up in a small Montana town to serving 12 years in the Army Reserves, Mary shares how her experiences have shaped her approach to leadership today. Her path through mining, manufacturing, and other industries has given her a unique perspective—one that blends...

#223- Mike Hill

Mining Minds

Betting on Yourself, Breaking Cycles, and Building Something Bigger Recorded from the in Sonoita, Arizona, Mining Minds sits down with longtime friend and the Bald Mountain Bad Boy himself, , for a conversation filled with lasting lessons, career pivots, and the realities of rebuilding yourself both inside and outside the mining industry. Mike didn’t follow a clean path into mining—or out of it. He walked away from home in Colorado knowing he needed a reset, landed in Nevada chasing opportunity, and got thrown straight into the deep end of underground mining with zero experience...

#222- AngloGold Ashanti: Joel Donalson

Mining Minds

In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with , Vice President of Sustainability at , from their Las Vegas office overlooking the valley. Joel shares a powerful story that spans generations in mining, from growing up in a mining family to helping lead one of Nevada’s most exciting new projects. We dive into Joel’s journey—from working in an assay lab as a teenager to navigating roles in environmental management, risk, mine engineering, and even ranch operations. His career is a testament to embracing opportunity, adapting to changes, and building a well-rounded perspective...

#221- Gus Sullivan

Mining Minds

This one is personal. isn’t just another mining town—it’s our hometown. It’s where we grew up, where we learned what community really means, and where mining first became real to us. Coming back and sitting down with , Beatty’s Justice of the Peace, isn’t just a conversation—it’s a chance to reconnect with the people and stories that helped shape who we are. Gus has seen every version of this town. From working at his family’s gas station to serving in law enforcement and eventually stepping into the role of Justice of the Peace, his story is woven into the fabric of...

#220- AngloGold Ashanti: Nick Fouché

Mining Minds

In this episode, Mining Minds had the opportunity to get back to our roots in a small mining town that’s seeing new life through projects like North Bullfrog and Arthur with . While on site, we sat down with , Senior Vice President of Nevada Projects for —an individual who cares just as much about production and the success of the town as he does about the people and the environmental impact. From growing up on the coast of South Africa to leading world-class mining projects across the globe, Nick shares a journey shaped by hard work, curiosity, and a willingness to step into the unknown....

#219- BIOBY: Mike Foley, Ashley Burke & Dean DeBeltz

Mining Minds

What happens when you bring together project leaders, national advocates, and boots-on-the-ground operators—all in one room—to talk about the future of mining in America? Recorded in Duluth, Minnesota at the Winter Dinner, this episode delivers a high-impact series of conversations with some of the most influential voices shaping today’s mining landscape. From copper development in Michigan to national policy in Washington, D.C., to the front lines of permitting battles in Minnesota—this episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to move mining projects forward in the...

#218- BIOBY: Shari McGregor-Overbye

Mining Minds

Recorded in Duluth, Minnesota at the Winter Dinner, this episode of Mining Minds brings you a raw, unfiltered conversation with —millwright, industry advocate, and host of the . From growing up learning the trades beside her father to becoming an onsite mechanic, Shari’s story challenges outdated perceptions and highlights the real opportunity within mining and skilled trades. She breaks down the myth that blue-collar careers are a “fallback,” sharing how hands-on skills, work ethic, and determination can outperform traditional paths both financially and professionally. This...

#217- 2026 Elko Mining Expo: Kimberlee Longley & Selina Morales

Mining Minds

In this episode of Mining Minds, we go behind the scenes of the — a 40-year legacy event that transforms a tight-knit mining community into a global hub of innovation, networking, and opportunity. Sitting down with the powerhouse team at the , this conversation uncovers the hardwork, coordination, and passion required to bring over 6,000+ attendees, hundreds of vendors, and massive equipment displays together—year after year. From humble beginnings and small-town roots to managing one of the most anticipated mining events in the industry, Selina Morales and share their personal journeys,...

More Episodes

From working road construction in the Midwest to leading a nationally recognized advocacy organization, Ryan Sistad, Executive Director of Better In Our Backyards, 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 reform, rural vs. urban perspectives, refining bottlenecks, national security, critical minerals, and the power of storytelling in shaping public perception. Ryan shares lessons on partnership, collaboration over competition, and why mining’s future depends on unified messaging and bold advocacy. Please help us welcome Ryan Sistad to the Face.

A huge thank you to the American Exploration and Mining Association (AEMA) for welcoming Mining Minds to the event and for everything you do to support and amplify the voices across our mining industry.

Episode Sponsors:

American Exploration and Mining

Safety First Training and Consulting

JSR Fleet Performance

Motor Mission Machine and Radiator

PC Reps

Chapters:

04:02 Crop insurance, trucking, and union ties

12:17 The entrepreneur itch vs corporate grind

15:38 Minnesota NGOs vs mining: permitting and urban/rural divide

24:33 Checks, balances, and the cost of endless litigation (NEPA)

30:25 Reclamation stories that change minds + Minnesota mine examples