#216- BIOBY: Brian Goldner

What does it feel like to hit one of the highest-grade nickel drill holes on the planet… and not even be on the drill pad when it happens? In this long overdue episode, we sit down with Brian Goldner, Chief Exploration and Operations Officer at Talon Metals, for a front-row look at modern-day exploration, discovery, and the relentless pursuit of what's hidden beneath the surface. Recorded in Duluth, Minnesota at the Better In Our Backyards Winter Dinner, this conversation dives deep into the science, the risk, and the reward of chasing critical minerals in today's world. Brian takes us from a kid in Minneapolis obsessed with rocks to leading one of the most exciting nickel discoveries in North America. We unpack the realities of exploration — a career built on being wrong, challenging assumptions daily, and pushing forward until something clicks. From helicopter-supported fieldwork in remote areas to building an in-house drilling operation during COVID, Brian shares how innovation, teamwork, and timing all play a role in success. At the center of it all is Talon's recent discovery — a drill hole so significant it ranks among the best globally across multiple metals. But this episode isn't just about the win. It's about the process, the failures that lead to breakthroughs, and the responsibility of developing resources the right way — for communities, for the environment, and for the future of domestic mining.   Episode Sponsors: Safety First Training and Consulting Motor Mission Machine and Radiator Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals    Chapters:  01:00 Welcome to Better In Our Back Yards & Talon Metals 04:12 From Physics to Geology 08:45 Discovering Economic Geology 12:00 How Nickel Deposits Actually Form 18:05 Helicopters, Remote Exploration & Field Life 24:00 Mentorship & Learning Under a Legend 28:00 Prospecting, Core & First Discoveries 35:10 Building an In-House Drilling Operation During COVID 44:10 Critical Minerals, Nickel & Global Demand 52:30 The Vault Discovery: A Career-Defining Moment 01:07:30 The Future of Mining, Technology & Exploration