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 .