The Crude Cast

Travis McCaughey

Welcome to The Crude Cast, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the oil and gas industry. Whether you're a seasoned professional or exploring the industry for the first time, our podcast offers a unique window into the diverse roles, challenges, and opportunities within this dynamic field. In each episode, we dive deep into: Expert Interviews: Conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts who share their knowledge and experiences on effective communication, teamwork, and leadership. Real-World Stories: Relatable accounts from the field that highlight the essential soft skills needed to thrive in the oil and gas sector. Educational Insights: Practical advice and strategies for improving collaboration, navigating tough conversations, and fostering a positive work environment. Industry Exploration: Discover the varied and often overlooked roles within the industry, and gain insights into how each contributes to the broader picture. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and entertain by showcasing the people and processes that make the oil and gas industry tick. Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills, learn about new opportunities, or simply enjoy engaging stories, The Crude Cast has something for you. Subscribe and join us on this journey as we uncover the rich tapestry of the oil and gas world, one story at a time.

  1. 12/19/2025

    Ep. #45 - Renee Hastings - Transforming Business with Virtual Assistants

    Send us a text In this episode of The Crude Cast, Travis sits down with Renee Hastings, President and CEO of Executive Help Now, to talk about delegation, leadership, and why no successful business is built alone. With 30 years of entrepreneurial experience and a background supporting senior-level executives, Renee explains how leaders get trapped doing work that doesn’t move the needle—and how the right executive support restores focus, productivity, and work-life balance. This conversation covers: When executives should bring on help (earlier than most think)Why delegation is hard—and how to overcome perfectionism and controlWhat a strategic executive assistant actually doesLeadership lessons from Dale CarnegieThis episode is especially relevant for business owners and leaders in oil & gas and other high-demand industries who feel overloaded but know they can’t scale alone. Guest Links: Executive Help Now: https://executivehelpnow.org https://www.facebook.com/ExecutiveHelpNow https://www.linkedin.com/company/executive-help-now/ https://www.instagram.com/executivehelpnow/ https://x.com/executivehelpnw https://www.youtube.com/@reneehastings Tel: 678-782-8820 Host & Show Links: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review on Apple, Spotify or your player of choice—it helps us reach more listeners like you.  📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you want to see the gear I actually use in the field, here are the links. Pocket Knife - https://amzn.to/4pTYNd5 Shokz Headphones - https://amzn.to/3MkEVRN Power Bank - https://amzn.to/48lZ0Qm Multi Tool - https://amzn.to/4pLIPkX Darn Tough Socks - https://amzn.to/48kBuTL Ariat FRC Pants - https://amzn.to/4rDAWjl Keen Work Boot - https://amzn.to/4iB98rE Super Feet Insoles - https://amzn.to/3XBBjxa Fit-Bit Watch - https://amzn.to/48zWCEt NEBO Flashlight - https://amzn.to/4avzmtH Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!

    53 min
  2. 11/07/2025

    Ep. #44 - Jason DeSouza: Protecting Oilfield Workers’ Rights After Injury

    Send us a text  ☝️ 📩 Have Oil and Gas Questions? Text the show!  In this conversation, Travis McCaughey and Jason D'Souza discuss the complexities of the oil and gas industry, particularly focusing on the legal aspects of injury representation. Jason shares his journey from a blue-collar background to becoming an injury attorney, emphasizing the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by workers in this field. They explore the intricacies of litigation, the common injuries sustained, and the misconceptions workers have about their rights. The discussion also covers the role of OSHA, the implications of drug testing, and the importance of company culture in ensuring worker safety. Jason provides valuable insights into the legal process, the significance of having a specialized attorney, and the resources available for injured workers. Whether you’re an operator, contractor, or anyone working in the field, this episode sheds light on what happens after an accident and how to protect yourself, your family, and your future. DeSouza Injury Lawyers - https://jfdlawfirm.com/ (210) 714 4215 intake@jfdlawfirm.com Address: 4047 Naco Perrin San Antionio, TX 78217 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps us reach more listeners like you.  📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shokz Headphones - https://amzn.to/3MkEVRN Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!

    1h 20m
  3. 10/04/2025

    Ep. #43 - James Kell with Scratchie: Rethinking Motivation with Self Determination Theory

    Send us a text  ☝️ 📩 Have Oil and Gas Questions? Text the show!  In this episode of The Crude Cast, Travis sits down with James Kell—carpenter turned entrepreneur—to explore how motivation, recognition, and psychology can reshape safety and productivity across industries. Drawing on his journey from construction to building Scratchie, James introduces listeners to Self-Determination Theory—the idea that autonomy, competence, and relatedness drive people to thrive. Together, they discuss why behavior-based safety often falls short, how small acts of recognition spark big changes, and how organizations like McDonald’s and oilfield operators alike are applying these insights to create safer, more connected workplaces. Whether you’re in oil and gas, construction, or any field where safety and culture matter, this episode offers a fresh take on building engaged, high-performing teams.  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps us reach more listeners like you.  📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod Support the show https://www.joinpodmatch.com/thecrudecast As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shokz Headphones - https://amzn.to/3MkEVRN Support the show for as little as 3$!

    33 min
  4. 09/05/2025

    Ep. #42 - Stephanie Hajducek - Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Industry

    Send us a text  ☝️ 📩 Have Oil and Gas Questions? Text the show!  In this episode of The Crude Cast, Travis sits down with Stephanie Hajducek—project specialist at Enbridge and founder of This One’s for the Gals. From a simple idea to a thriving nonprofit, Stephanie shares how she’s connecting young women to careers in construction, energy, manufacturing, and maritime. Hear the story of how a conference trip sparked an initiative that now impacts hundreds of schools across Texas, the unique challenges women face entering heavy industry, and the success stories of girls who turned opportunity into careers. Stephanie’s mission is clear: awareness, exposure, and belief that “girls can’t be what they can’t see.”  Travis will match donations up to $2000. Donate to This One's for the Gals at: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=TLMXNJ448SPS4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review—it helps us reach more listeners like you.  📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shokz Headphones - https://amzn.to/3MkEVRN Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!

    1h 14m
  5. 07/31/2025

    Ep. #41 - Russell Wilson: Life as an Oilfield Driller

    Send us a text In this gritty and honest episode of The Crude Cast, we sit down with Russell Wilson, a longtime driller, tool pusher, and all-around oilfield veteran. From high-tech hydrate experiments on the slope, Russell shares battle-tested stories from his two decades in Alaska's harshest conditions. We get into everything: The dangers—and discipline—behind continuous circulation$60M well disasters and the lessons they taughtWhy training and mentorship are the future of rig safetyHydrate drilling for the Japanese governmentAnd how wildcards, weather, and crew chemistry shape every hitchWhether you're new to the field or a salty hand yourself, this episode delivers raw insight, laughs, and hard truths about what it really means to work the iron in Alaska. 🎧 Subscribe now and share it with someone who's ever pulled slips or swung tongs. 📩 Text the Show Have Oil and Gas Questions? Text the show!  📢 Join the Conversation! Want to share your thoughts or become part of The Crude Cast? Leave a voicemail or send a text now! Visit: 🌐 www.crudecommunication.com 📺 www.youtube.com/@crudecommunication 💼 www.linkedin.com/in/travismcc 📖 Buy Crude Communication on Amazon 🌐www.patreon.com/cw/thecrudecastpod As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Shokz Headphones - https://amzn.to/3MkEVRN https://www.joinpodmatch.com/thecrudecast Support the show Support the show for as little as 3$!

    1h 46m

About

Welcome to The Crude Cast, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the oil and gas industry. Whether you're a seasoned professional or exploring the industry for the first time, our podcast offers a unique window into the diverse roles, challenges, and opportunities within this dynamic field. In each episode, we dive deep into: Expert Interviews: Conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts who share their knowledge and experiences on effective communication, teamwork, and leadership. Real-World Stories: Relatable accounts from the field that highlight the essential soft skills needed to thrive in the oil and gas sector. Educational Insights: Practical advice and strategies for improving collaboration, navigating tough conversations, and fostering a positive work environment. Industry Exploration: Discover the varied and often overlooked roles within the industry, and gain insights into how each contributes to the broader picture. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and entertain by showcasing the people and processes that make the oil and gas industry tick. Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills, learn about new opportunities, or simply enjoy engaging stories, The Crude Cast has something for you. Subscribe and join us on this journey as we uncover the rich tapestry of the oil and gas world, one story at a time.