What if the biggest challenge in mining leadership isn't strategy, production, or policy — but the brain?

In this episode of Mining Minds, David Watson, founder of NeuroLead, 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 high performers quietly live in. David explains how the brain is wired to maximize rewards, minimize threats, and conserve energy — and how those shortcuts can either elevate or sabotage leaders.

We dive into why traditional leadership training often misses the mark, why credibility matters more than PowerPoint slides, and why self-awareness is the foundation of influence. David also shares how hitting "static mode," creating flow, and deliberately repairing mental health are not luxuries — they are leadership responsibilities.

Please welcome David Watson to The Face!

www.NeuroLead.net.au

Episode Sponsors:

Safety First Training and Consulting

JSR Fleet Performance

Motor Mission Machine and Radiator

Episode Chapters:

05:30 Growing Up In Australia

10:42 First Leadership Breakthrough

16:23 Tall Poppy Syndrome Explained

21:19 From Carpentry To Mining Boom

28:33 Mining Town Reality Check

38:51 First Mine Job Trade Assistant

56:09 Leading Without Being Expert

01:11:06 Managing Up With Company Values

01:25:22 Find Your Static Mode

01:48:55 Neuroscience Study Shift

02:12:17 Launching Neuro Lead

02:23:59 Lead Yourself First

02:39:40 Life Changing Feedback

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 LeRoy Shingoitewa of WestLand Resources at the AEMA Annual Meeting 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 traditional ecological knowledge and Western science can coexist — and why both are critical in today's mining landscape. We dive into tribal sovereignty, legacy uranium impacts, water rights, permitting reform, trust-building, consultation breakdowns, NGO pressure, and what real partnership between tribes and mining companies actually looks like.

This isn't a surface-level conversation. It's about preservation, accountability, education, and long-term relationship building. It's about starting with respect instead of checking a box. And it's about one man choosing to stand in the middle — not for money, not for politics — but to make sure his people have a voice at the table. Please help us welcome LeRoy Shingoitewa to the Face.

Big thanks to the American Exploration and Mining Association (AEMA) for having Mining Minds out at the event. We truly appreciate the opportunity and the work you continue to do to support and elevate the voices across our mining industry.

Episode Sponsors:

Safety First Training and Consulting

Motor Mission Machine & Radiator

JSR Fleet Performance

PC-Reps

Chapters:

04:12 Growing Up Hopi: Tradition by Choice

14:48 Tribal Monitors & Entering Mining

20:03 Building Trust After Broken Promises

26:40 Why Early Consultation Matters

32:18 Economic Benefits vs. Cultural Preservation

38:12 Bloodlines, Identity & Sovereignty

45:03 Water, Coal & Hard Lessons

51:00 Western Degrees & Tribal Responsibility

57:42 NGOs, Money & Accountability

01:04:50 Mining 101 & Changing the Narrative

01:10:05 Preserving Culture While Engaging Industry

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

40:07 Mentors, career pivots, and the Tulsa data center money move

44:19 Early Better In Our Backyard: Young Pros, Branding, and Finding a Lane

47:15 From 5 Members to 50: Social Media Value-First Growth Strategy

52:20 Funding Reality Check: Sponsorships, Value, and Playing the Long Game

01:04:28 Partnering with Associations & Connecting Dots Across Projects

01:11:31 Favorite Projects + Boots-on-the-Ground Credibility

Recorded at the 2025 American Exploration and Mining Association Annual Meeting, this Mining Minds episode features Walsh Reclamation Operations Manager Troy Hawkins. 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. Once a rebellious young operator, he evolved into a people-focused leader who prioritizes morale, respect, and personal connection—building high-performing crews through trust and genuine care. Please help us welcome Troy Hawkins to The Face.

We would like to thank the American Exploration and Mining Association (AEMA) for hosting Mining Minds at the event and for their ongoing dedication to advancing and amplifying voices throughout the mining industry.

Episode Sponsors:

American Exploration and Mining

Safety First Training and Consulting

JSR Fleet Performance

Motor Mission Machine and Radiator

Episode Chapters:

05:05 Feral Mining-Town Childhood & How Kids Are Different Now

12:18 School Struggles, Sports Dreams, and Learning Outside the Classroom

33:34 "Your long hair will never make you successful" — proving them wrong

39:14 When leadership gets personal

47:22 How he builds trust

55:40 Hiring without the script: real interviews, real people

01:01:27 Marriage & support system

01:12:04 First Date at Carver's

01:16:20 Stepping into Walsh

01:22:54 Scaling Up with Trust

01:24:18 Why People Take a Pay Cut to Work for Good Leaders

01:33:10 Pucker Factor Stories

Join Mining Minds at the 2025 American Exploration and Mining Association (AEMA) Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada, as we sit down with Milan Calendine, geoscientist and marketing manager. In this episode, we reflect on the success of the newly introduced Mining Marketing Summit, 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 innovative marketing strategies and leadership development. Please help us welcome Milan Calendine to the Face!

Thank you to the American Exploration and Mining Association (AEMA) for welcoming Mining Minds to the event and for continuing to support and elevate voices across the mining industry.

Sponsors:

American Exploration and Mining Association (AEMA)

Safety First Training and Consulting

Motor Mission Machine & Radiator

JSR Fleet Performance

Chapters:

03:21 Milan's Background and Upbringing

06:38 Growing Up in Tucson

13:25 College Journey and Challenges

19:32 Discovering Dyslexia and Overcoming Obstacles

27:11 Ego and Confidence in Leadership

32:23 Starting a Career in Environmental Science

35:52 First Impressions of the Mining Industry

39:32 Marketing and Geophysics

46:35 The PR Problem in Mining

58:26 The Importance of Marketing in Mining

01:00:39 Developing a Unified Marketing Message

01:05:32 The Mining Marketing Summit Vision

Sitting down with Mining Minds at the Utah Mining Association's 110th Annual Convention is Trevor Hall, co-founder and host of the Mining Stock Daily 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 market. Listeners can expect a compelling look into the media business within the mining industry, the importance of consistency, and Trevor's vision for the future of the Clear Commodity Network—an umbrella platform for commodities-focused content. This episode highlights the dedication, passion, and strategic thinking required to produce meaningful content in a specialized market.

Thank you to the Utah Mining Association for welcoming us as part of your incredible event and for your continued support in amplifying the voices inside our industry.

Episode Sponsors:

Utah Mining Association

Safety First Training and Consulting

Episode Chapters:

02:41 Trevor's Background and Education

04:48 Discovering Mining

08:06 Starting the Mining Stock Daily Podcast

11:26 Building a Media Business

14:57 Collaborating and Expanding

22:21 Understanding Commodity Prices

22:27 Dynamic Content and Value Addition

22:49 Vision and Partnerships

25:11 Building Clear Commodity Network

28:08 Challenges and Future Plans

In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with Kevin Neville at the Utah Mining Association Convention 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 recognizing burnout before it costs you more than a paycheck. We dive into mining culture, leadership lessons, work-life balance, and why underground mining still holds a special place in his heart—even after stepping into a new chapter outside the mine. Please help us welcome Kevin Neville to the Face!

Thank you to the Utah Mining Association for welcoming us as part of your incredible event and for your continued support in amplifying the voices inside our industry.

Episode Sponsors:

Safety First Training and Consulting

JSR Fleet Performance

Motor Mission Machine & Radiator

Episode Chapters:

02:56 High School and Early Adulthood

07:00 Mission Experience in Argentina

29:13 Learning from History and Leadership

29:43 Gratitude and Mentorship in Mining

31:16 Challenges and Misconceptions in Mining

49:56 Venturing into International Mining

01:00:57 Balancing Family and Work Life

01:01:09 Reconnecting with Old Friends

01:02:40 Career Transitions and Challenges

01:05:55 Finding Fulfillment in a New Role

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 awareness without losing credibility with the workforce.

We then shift into a deeper discussion on whether all accidents are preventable, exploring the realities of the human element, external factors, and the role of safety professionals in influencing behavior without becoming "the safety cop."

Finally, the episode takes a hard look at complacency—how routine, fatigue, confidence, and attitude can quietly erode situational awareness, and why addressing complacency requires awareness and leadership, not just additional rules.

Chapters:

01:31 Safety Glasses Debate

18:03 Philosophical Safety Questions

22:48 Understanding Risk Assessments

23:58 The Importance of JSAs

26:55 Learning from Experience

30:44 Complacency vs. Confidence

32:50 The Human Element in Safety

40:57 Attitude and Work Ethic