Thankful for The Geothermal Boom: Scaling the Drilling Industry

In this pre-Thanksgiving special, Brock and Dave kick things off with lighthearted banter about the trials of coaching youth basketball and the realities of sports parenting . The conversation soon pivots to a deep dive into the history of American labor. Dave recounts his father’s experience during the post-war industrial boom—specifically how Caterpillar once hired 7,000 people in a single week—and contrasts that era with the difficulties of today’s automated hiring landscape .

A central theme of the episode is the preservation of "Tribal Knowledge," the essential, unwritten skills passed down by veteran workers . The hosts illustrate the value of this knowledge with a story about how Toyota utilized Ford’s own abandoned quality manual to revolutionize manufacturing . They apply these lessons to the drilling industry, critiquing the "Johnny" method of unstructured apprenticeship and advocating for a blend of classroom theory and field experience .

On the technical front, Dave troubleshoots a client’s slow penetration rates, explaining why switching from roller cone to drag bits and using proper fluids is essential . Finally, the duo discusses the massive scaling required for the upcoming geothermal boom, warning new investors that deep pockets cannot bypass the laws of physics or the need for experienced drillers . The episode concludes with a special guest appearance by Brock’s 7-year-old son, Bo .