
How many rock-star individual contributors do you know who failed as leaders? In this episode of The Energy Detox, I head to a historic covered bridge in Western Pennsylvania to explore three challenges that often trip up successful technical and operational professionals when they move into leadership: protection, capacity, and span. What should you protect when you're no longer just the technical expert? How do you create capacity through delegation? And how do you widen the span of your ex...
Sep 18
8 min

Despite being the butt of endless jokes, the best weather forecasters quietly demonstrate executive presence every day in how they: 1) are willing to make predictions—and be wrong 2) translate mountains of data into clear, actionable guidance 3) take the most default of all default conversation topics (“So… how ’bout the weather?”) and actually engage stakeholders Because weather is constant—something we check, talk about, and experience every day—these leadership lessons are hard to ignore o...
Jan 25
11 min

How can you mirror the mission of the Pittsburgh-based unicorn Gecko Robotics? How can lessons from its co-founder and CEO, Jake Loosararian, shape how you respond to tough feedback? How does the unicorn-level independence of Grove City College—Loosararian's alma mater—exemplify conscious leadership? And how does Dunder Mifflin’s roast of Michael Scott fit into all of this? To answer these questions — and extend your leadership shelf life — check out Episode 124 of The Energy Detox.
Oct 14, 2025
14 min

Do you know that a 5.2-mile well drilled from the White House lawn in any direction could reach beneath virtually all of the former — and some might argue present — swamp known as Washington, DC? Do you know if the Oklahoma City Thunder have been invited to the White House in recognition of their NBA championship? Do you know that Expand Energy drilled a record-setting 5.2 mile lateral that — some might argue — is even more deserving of White House recognition? Do you know that Oklahoma City’...
Oct 1, 2025
13 min

Which mission is more likely to "stick" with the 400,000 people attending the Bloomsburg Fair: A) providing energy security around the world and lowering global emissions; or B) providing several hundred corn dogs (along with free rides and games) to you and your family? And more importantly: What can fair food (like the inspirational Mr. Sticky's) teach you about effective communication? To explore those questions — and how they apply to energy advocacy, corporate messaging, and career t...
Sep 24, 2025
9 min

How many M&M’s does it take to match the energy in one Mcf of natural gas? Find out in this SHALE INSIGHT® 2025 recap, which asks: Are you an energy dense leader…or are you an “energy dense” leader? #ConsciousLeadership
Sep 18, 2025
14 min

How often have you been the victim — or the perpetrator — of gaslighting? Where does gaslighting most often creep into oil & gas workplaces? How do you deal with the fallout when it happens?
Sep 10, 2025
14 min

Are you unwittingly becoming a SOULLESS & STERILE leader akin to Cracker Barrel’s new logo? What image do people SEE when they think of you, your company, or your industry? How will a tasty 💡 giveaway at the 2025 Women's Energy Network Shale Insight Happy hour remind you to take a serious look at YOUR BRAND of #leadership? For help answering those questions, check out Episode 119 of 'The Energy Detox' podcast. Register for the September 17 WEN happy hour, sponsored in part by Witting...
Aug 22, 2025
11 min

Pee-wee’s Big Adventure hit theaters on August 9, 1985. The Alamo is marking the occasion by displaying one of the bikes from the movie. You, too, can mark the anniversary by using two classic lines from the film to give your professional & personal development strategy a tune-up: 🚲 "I know you are, but what am I?" 🚲 "Come on, Simone, let's talk about your big but."
Aug 9, 2025
6 min

Your breath may seem odorless to you...but those around you know it stinks. Which is why a bit of "leadership mercaptan" can help alert you to toxic things that are unwittingly flowing from your mouth...before they become a problem. That being said, celebrate today's "National Fresh Breath Day" (celebrated every August 6th) by checking out Episode 117 of 'The Energy Detox' podcast. #ConsciousLeadership
Aug 6, 2025
10 min
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