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 once you notice them.

Check out the Season 7 kickoff of The Energy Detox, recorded during the January 2026 winter storm that impacted much of the United States.

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.

Are you a hub-like leader OR an origin & destination (O&D) leader?

Do people view interactions with you as a disruptive layover OR do they actually want to start and/or end a journey with you?

Are you over-reliant on outside resources to fuel your leadership actions OR do you lead like a self-sufficient, reliable, energy independent microgrid that is always ready to deliver?

To help answer these questions, check out Episode 115 of The Energy Detox, which is inspired by Pittsburgh International Airport's transformation from hub to O&D, its soon-to-arrive new terminal, the development of the Marcellus #NaturalGas resources under PIT by CNX, the differentiated #leadership of Christina Cassotis, and the microgrid operated by Liberty Power Innovations, a Liberty Energy company.

Visit PITleadership.com to learn more.

#ConsciousLeadership

With news that EQT has optimized some of its firm transportation portfolio, this morning's a good time to ask yourself whether the commitments governing your professional and personal life are still providing the same value you'd anticipated when you signed up for them...assuming you even remember signing up in the first place.

The headline: EQT sells portion of its capacity on the Mountain Valley Pipeline (by Paul J. Gough of The Pittsburgh Business Times)

The article: https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2021/10/27/eqt-mountain-valley-pipeline.html

The goal: to (G)row, (P)rotect, and (S)ustain success by pondering these 3 questions throughout your day:

💡 What unnecessary commitments are hindering your ability to flourish?

💡 How much time, energy, and money are you spending to protect old habits?

💡 Are you unwittingly signing up for an unsustainable level of new obligations?

For an expanded conversation on the topic of (figurative) FT agreements and how they produce unsustainable leaders, check out this April 2020 episode of The Energy Detox:

https://www.wittingpartners.com/the-energy-detox/firm-transportation-agreements-and-unsustainability

Using yet another headline pointing to dwindling Cushing storage, this live episode of #TheEnergyDetox will help you properly measure and value your personal energy reserves.

The headline: 𝐔.𝐒. 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐢𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚 (by Stephanie Kelly of Reuters)

The article: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-demand-oil-surges-depleting-tanks-oklahoma-2021-10-27/

The goal: to (𝐆)𝐫𝐨𝐰, (𝐏)𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 (𝐒)𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 success by pondering these 3 questions throughout your day:

💡 How might your personal growth be outpacing available resources?

💡 Does the value you command reflect your full potential?

💡 Have you unwittingly become an energy hub for your stakeholders?

#leadership #sustainability

When was the last time you re-stacked your professional building blocks?

Well, regardless of your answer, this live episode of #TheEnergyDetox will use yet another headline about the escalating cost of #energy in Europe to help you revisit the most fundamental elements needed for you and your stakeholders to sustain professional momentum heading into the winter.

The headline: 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬: 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞'𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 (Reuters)

The article: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/bleak-houses-families-struggle-foot-frances-soaring-energy-bills-2021-10-26/

The goal: to (𝐆)𝐫𝐨𝐰, (𝐏)𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 (𝐒)𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 success by pondering these 3 questions throughout your day:

💡 What are the critical building blocks for continued growth?

💡 Who are the people you are tasked with protecting?

💡 How can you mitigate the effects of professional and personal volatility?

#leadership #sustainability

Are you unwittingly choosing propaganda over purpose?

To help you answer that question, this live episode of hashtag#TheEnergyDetox will use some climate news out of China to reframe the way that you are approaching your professional and personal commitments.

The headline: China says it must consider food and energy security when curbing emissions

The article: https://www.reuters.com/business/cop/china-says-must-consider-supply-chain-food-energy-security-when-curbing-2021-10-24/

The takeaway: "China should 'manage the relationship between pollution reduction and carbon reduction and energy security, industrial supply chain security, food security and normal life of the people,' said a cabinet document published by official media Xinhua." (Reuters)

The goal: to (G)row, (P)rotect, and (S)ustain success by pondering these 3 questions throughout your day:

💡 How might your short-term focus be hindering long-term growth?

💡 What are the hidden costs of protecting a flimsy narrative?

💡 What tools are you using to better connect your purpose to your people?

Thanks to the inescapable “energy crisis” headlines flooding newsfeeds, the world’s AWARENESS of energy—or at least awareness of rising energy costs—is greater than it’s been in years.

As is often the case with headlines, however, they can distract you from underlying issues that may be even more problematic—albeit not quite as sexy or attention-grabbing as something labeled with the word “crisis.”

Similarly, many energy industry leaders are suffering from a “Consciousness Crisis” and are unwittingly ignoring issues that are chipping away at their credibility and effectiveness as they and their teams focus on navigating the energy crisis, the supply chain crisis, the labor crisis, and whatever other crises are grabbing their attention.

That being said—and in honor of Energy Awareness Month—this episode of The Energy Detox will raise awareness of the common (yet often hidden) barriers holding leaders like you back from achieving sustained success.

“When life knocks you down, stay there and take a nap…”

…is probably NOT something Tony Robbins or other motivational speakers would say to fire up an audience.

But sometimes you NEED to be told to take a nap…or to lower the bar…or to give up.

Now, one obviously shouldn't give this advice casually.  In fact, suggestions like those should probably come with a “MATURE CONTENT” warning, as they’re inappropriate for many audiences.

That being said, are you sick of the non-stop barrage of conventional leadership posts, quotes, articles, books, webinars, and speakers recycling the same ol’ advice encouraging you to “give it all you’ve got” and “get right back on your feet?"

If so, then listen to this episode of The Energy Detox, where we’ll drill into unconventional leadership and (de-)motivational themes that will help you and your stakeholders withstand the non-stop punches being thrown at today's energy industry.

If you thought the Colonial Pipeline attack was bad, just wait until you see how vulnerable your company’s communication pipeline is to leaks, corrosion, bottlenecks, and other potentially catastrophic threats.

And to help you identify those vulnerabilities, this live episode of The Energy Detox will lay out the 5 most important communications-related questions you and other energy industry leaders need to ask so that you can:

1 - Eliminate corrosive communications—hidden problems that can lead to catastrophe

2 - Avoid dependence on “automated” communication strategies that can open you up to incidents far costlier than the Colonial cyberattack

3 - Re-route and think better on your feet instead of remaining over-reliant on a single (and often outdated) leadership communication pathway that is preventing you from reaching your stakeholders in a timely and effective manner

4 - Anticipate communications bottlenecks that will arise when your existing pipeline network can't handle the volume (or complexity) of the messages you're trying to share

5 - Reduce the odds of your audience declaring a dubious “force majeure incident” that can render your seemingly perfect communications plan even more useless than Colonial’s 5,500 miles of pipe were following the cyberattack

Sure, you may be sitting in the driver’s seat…but your passengers know that your “autopilot” leadership style is driving them away from long-term success.

So, to prevent the leadership equivalent of “highway hypnosis,” we kick off Season 2 of The Energy Detox by sharing 5 parallels between Driving, Drilling, & Leading that you need to be aware of so that you don’t wind up stuck on the side of the road, in a mile deep hole, or at a hopeless organization.

And by the end of this episode, you should be asking these questions of yourself:

1) Is my over-reliance on outside resources causing me to take my hands off the wheel?

2) Am I over-investing in one fuel type and ignoring the many benefits of hybrid options?

3) How is my relentless focus on future goals (generally a good thing) causing me to ignore historical information that WOULD be staring right at me if I’d just remember to glance at my mirrors once in a while?

4) Am I ignoring lights and alarms telling me when I need to check my pressure while I unwittingly drive along with a slow leak?

5) While my company (and the energy industry as a whole) drive ahead at 100MPH, do I at least remember to slow down BEFORE heading into a turn so that I don't lose control?

While the universally condemned events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 were inexcusable, indefensible, and counter-productive, it remains important for you as a leader to ask whether you might be settling for “peaceful” transitions in your own life when what you and your stakeholders actually need is a little bit of (lawful and non-violent) disruption.


And in this Season 1 finale of The Energy Detox (recorded November 2020), you’ll be encouraged to ask:


"In what ways am I unwittingly sabotaging my chances of long-term success because of short-term (and misguided) pressure from my stakeholders?"


And, to help you answer that question, today’s episode of The Energy Detox podcast will encourage you to do 2 things:

1) Determine how your existing “transition team” might be setting you up for failure; and

2) Develop a leadership mindset that generates an INCREASE in power during all types of transitions…even those that might seem like a one-sided concession of power to another party.


And along the way, we’ll drill into examples from the presidential transition, the global "energy transition," and the career transitions that many oil & gas professionals have faced throughout 2020.

Looking for the CliffsNotes version of “How to Successfully Lead a Sustainable Oil & Gas Career?”

Well, you’re not going to discover it in this 12,000 word episode of The Energy Detox podcast.

You will, however, hear Gyrodata’s Stephen Forrester outline the competitive advantage that (good) writing plays for the smattering of individuals and organizations who will manage to thrive in the face of today’s challenging energy landscape.

Stephen also shares his first-hand experience navigating this industry as an English major, while providing an impassioned plea to re-introduce the good old-fashioned paragraph as a way of countering the onslaught of superficial writing bombarding our eyes each day. 

Connect with Stephen:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slforrester/

E-mail: stephen.forrester@gyrodata.com

Stephen's Book Recommendations:

The Red and the Black by Stendhal

Kokoro by Natsume Sōseki

Kazuo Ishiguro

Haruki Murakami

Which Oklahoma City team is more deserving of a White House invite:

🏀 The Thunder for winning the NBA Championship; or

🔥 Expand Energy for drilling a record-setting Marcellus well?

As you ponder that, check out this episode of The Energy Detox for some unconventional recognition tools to help you lead more effectively.

The writer H.L. Mencken once said, “For every complex problem, there is an answer that is clear, simple…and wrong.”

And with this idea in mind, one could argue that the KISS principle—which commands us to “keep it simple, stupid”—may not be enough to provide truly sustainable solutions to the many complex problems facing our planet and its nearly 8 billion inhabitants.

And when it comes to leading teams, families, and businesses, it’s unlikely that merely embracing simplicity is going to yield the sustainable success that you and your stakeholders desire.

So, in this episode of The Energy Detox, we propose a slight tweak to the KISS principle that encourages leaders to “keep it sustainable, stupid.”

On the heels of last episode’s “Trillion Dollar Coach” discussion, we now turn to the wisdom of another “coach” who unwittingly put his life in jeopardy in order to help someone else follow a dream.

And building on this coach’s assertion that “everyone has a big ‘but’,” we’ll explore the impacts that little “buts” can have on success and leave you with 3 things to keep in mind as you lead your team, your family, and yourself toward a more sustainable future:

1) You can openly acknowledge and embrace your "buts" without allowing them to drain your energy and slow you down;

2) You can help your stakeholders understand how to use their “buts” as an opportunity to grow; and

3) That while using blunt or negative words like "but" and “however” and “no” can have unintended consequences, artificially avoiding words that occasionally need to be said to others—and to yourself—can sometimes cause even greater damage.

ADDITIONAL “BUT” AVOIDANCE RESOURCES:

From Fast Company: “The One Word That’s Undermining Everything Else You Say”

From Marshall Goldsmith: “Do you begin Every Sentence with No, But or However?”

From Success Magazine: “5 Things Successful Leaders Don’t Say”

By many measures, the energy industry is losing.  It’s losing momentum, relevance, and plenty of money.

And more importantly, it’s losing the current and future talent necessary to generate any meaningful and sustainable recovery.

So the question for current energy leaders today isn’t merely how best to streamline operations, clean up the balance sheet, and ride things out until market conditions improve.  It’s how to ensure that the people executing on whatever strategy is set forth remain engaged, confident, and proud of an industry that has contributed so much to the health and well-being of the planet, regardless of increasing attempts to “cancel” fossil fuels.

So, in today’s episode of The Energy Detox, you’ll jump into the shoes of a football coach whose team is losing by two touchdowns at half-time.  And you’ll ask yourself whether you’re currently doing things that are helping your team recover from this deficit and emerge victorious…or whether you’re doing things that are more likely to have your star players checked out and thinking about the next game, the next season, or perhaps an entirely different sport.

Do you ever feel like your time and energy are escaping over a bridge to nowhere?

Have you ever considered yourself as CEO…of yourself?

And do you ever desire to proactively set off a few targeted charges to avoid an uncontrolled explosion later on?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions…or if you just want to understand the benefits of having a team meeting where you’ll address each different version of yourself, then we invite you to enjoy this episode of The Energy Detox podcast.

In this episode of The Energy Detox podcast, we reveal a different type of PPE that will protect your prior successes without becoming a barrier to continued progress.

And we’ll also demonstrate the universal value of a “safety mindset” that can be gained by asking three simple questions:

1) What is actually worth protecting?

2) Am I falling victim to a false sense of security?

3) What hazards can I influence…and which ones are outside of my control?

And, finally, if you're unwittingly investing too much time trying to predict and prevent the hazards that will limit your success instead of spending time improving your ability to respond when things inevitably don't go as planned, we’ll also help you strengthen your adaptability in the face of challenges so that you can take the decisive action expected of great leaders. 

At this point in your life, you are well aware that failures and mistakes are necessary building blocks for long-term success.  You have countless experiences to prove that the “best laid plans…often go awry.”  And you know that seemingly straightforward data can often be misleading and shouldn’t always be taken at face value.

So why do you instinctively assume that bad results mean that the decision that led to those results was also bad?  Why does your embrace of “extreme ownership” and your “no excuses” attitude prevent you from acknowledging the fact that sound decisions sometimes lead to poor results?

In this episode of The Energy Detox, we encourage you to generate more confidence in your leadership and in the decision-making abilities of you and your stakeholders by keeping one question front and center: “Do the results speak for themselves?”

In this second part of our "authentically fraudulent" conversation, host Joe Sinnott encourages you to move beyond the typical "personal brand building" exercises that we're all encouraged to do and instead spend time crafting an autobiography of sorts...even if you're the only one who will ever read it.


Because as polished as your social media presence and content might be, and as impressive as your resume and LinkedIn profile are, nothing is going to drive you forward more effectively and confidently than carrying with you a deep understanding of the authentic experiences from your own life that set you apart from others.

There’s one F-word that makes people shudder in corporate America, and it’s not the same one your grandmother might shake her finger at.  The word is “fraud,” and embracing it now doesn’t mean you’re headed to jail.  In fact, it could mean you’re headed to a much more satisfying and sustainable life.

Using a personal story of self-discovery, host Joe Sinnott explores how some layoff-induced (or quarantine-induced) reflection can determine whether you’ve been living a “fraudulent” existence, while asking challenging questions to make sure the labels you’re giving yourself or others don’t limit opportunities for future success.

Even though the Law of Capture allows you to drain your neighbor’s oil reservoir, at current prices you’d probably be interested in stealing something much more valuable.

And given the stress and pressure than many people are under today, one would argue that few things are more valuable and precious than our figurative energy, which can quickly be drained by others if we’re not careful.

As leaders, it’s critical not only to be on guard against your own energy being depleted, but to carry a heightened awareness of how you might be impacting others…especially those whose limited energy might already trend negative.

In this episode, we use the Law of Capture to help boost your “energy awareness,” to increase the ways you can help yourself and others regain energy, and to turn negative energy into something productive and beneficial.

Do you feel pressure to eliminate every ounce of "non-productive time" from your life?

Do you feel guilty for not making this quarantine "the most productive period ever?"

Do you feel forced to start sacrificing existing things on your schedule to fulfill someone else's agenda?

If any of those are true, we encourage you to embrace the non-productive time in your life, to get rid of the notion that this period of isolation is some kind of "use it or lose it" opportunity you're missing out on, and to make believe someone is giving you an extra hour each day to be used however you wish.

And in this episode, we discuss how a simple exercise can ensure that you stay firmly in control of the decisions you make about your time without unwittingly following the impractical advice and suggestions and examples that the rest of the world might be tossing in your direction during these already stressful times.

I am NOT…

My team is NOT…

My company is NOT…

My industry is NOT…

Clearly defining who you ARE requires defining who you are NOT.

In this post-conclave episode of The Energy Detox, you'll learn how a theological concept called via negativa can help you sharpen your message, protect your credibility, and shut down false narratives.

#ConsciousLeadership #PositiveEnergy #PopeLeoXIV

Are you unwittingly locking yourself, your teams, or your families into agreements that severely limit your ability to survive…let alone thrive?

In today’s episode of The Energy Detox, we challenge you to uncover all the ways that you and those around you may be operating under outdated contracts that—like firm transportation agreements—may no longer work for all parties, that may severely curtail the chances of producing sustainable success, that can increase the odds of figurative bankruptcy, and that will cause you to stand there asking, “Did I really sign up for all of this?”

Are you unwittingly missing opportunities to build stronger and more meaningful connections with others, especially right now when your professional relationships are as important as ever?

In today’s episode of The Energy Detox, we address the single most important LinkedIn tip to consider when requesting a new connection, and we use that piece of advice to drive a deeper discussion on the importance of continued personal engagement by leaders, both in good times and in bad.

And with apologies to the American Petroleum Institute, we also introduce a different kind of “API Standard” and encourage you to regularly make A Personal Invitation—A.P.I.—to connect not only to people you don’t know on LinkedIn (or on eHarmony), but also to those with whom you already have a professional relationship.

Resources:


LinkedIn Tip: Always make use of the 300 characters LinkedIn gives you to personalize your connection request.  If you’re looking for some inspiration, you can find many examples and free templates online, including from this website.

LinkedIn Instructions: Click here for official instructions on how to include your pickup line/personal invitation.

LinkedIn Warnings: If you are using a computer to access LinkedIn, the only way to add a personalized note with your connection is by choosing Connect from the person’s profile page.  If you click “Connect” from anywhere else (including when LinkedIn offers suggested connections), you will not have a chance to add a note.

If you are using the LinkedIn App, you must navigate to the “Personalize Invite” option from the person’s profile page and should not simply click “Connect.”

API Casing Connections:  Click here for some technical details about API connections for casing.


API Gravity Information: Click here to learn more about how all barrels of oil—just like all professional connections—are not created equal.

As a leader, are you fully conscious of how impactful your words and actions can be on those who are closest to you, be they personal or professional connections?

Just as the impacts of interference between neighboring wells has taught those in the oil and gas industry to be aware of the operational impacts of spacing wells too close together, the coronavirus has clearly shown us how easy it is to unwittingly spread harm to those around us, directly and indirectly leading to societal health, safety, and economic disruptions.

Through these two very real and relevant scenarios, this podcast challenges you to increase your understanding and awareness of how your approach as a leader can have drastic impacts—both positive and negative—on stakeholders and how asking some simple questions of yourself can be the difference between sustained success and getting knocked offline.

How do you maintain engagement, sustain momentum, and avoid unwittingly adding to the fear, stress, and confusion of your personal and professional stakeholders during times like this?

The answers to this question are rarely found on an outdated roadmap, in the advice of expensive consultants, or that same “gut feeling” that has steered you through past challenges, but through a practical and simple “Leadership GPS” approach that helps you (G)row, (P)rotect, and (S)ustain success for you, your organization, and your family in good times and in bad.

It’s not high-tech, it doesn’t rely on satellites, and it’s not going to help you find the nearest store with a supply of toilet paper, but this podcast episode will challenge you to ask yourself relevant long-term questions as you navigate today’s unrelenting challenges.

Despite what the name might imply, The Energy Detox doesn’t help you cleanse your body after St. Patrick's Day celebrations or help you go green and reduce your reliance on petroleum-based energy.

It does, however, blend oilfield themes and current events into relatable discussions to help you lead your way through the intense and sometimes toxic challenges of today's oil & gas industry.

The Energy Detox provides you with practical and realistic tools to identify and avoid barriers that can quickly and easily rob you of energy, of optimism, and of confidence in your ability to achieve long-term sustainable success for you, your team, and your family.

In this episode, host Joe Sinnott discusses how we serve the men and women of the oilfield, what you can expect from future episodes, and why our unique approach challenges you to lead more confidently, effectively, and consistently regardless of the mounting threats inside and outside of our industry.

Inspired by Energy Transfer’s recent “That’s Gas!” commercial—where a narrator pops up in everyday situations to inform unsuspecting folks that the products they’re using are made with natural gas—Episode 112 of The Energy Detox challenges you to spot everyday examples of leadership and say (to yourself or others), “That’s leadership!”

To see the Energy Transfer video, visit: https://energytransferfacts.com/blog/energy-transfers-new-ad-is-a-lighthearted-look-at-natural-gas-in-everyday-life/

#ConsciousLeadership

Most meetings? Unremarkable.

Most resumes? Forgettable.

Most leaders? Replaceable.

Most LinkedIn posts? Unbearable.

Agree?

Then check out this Arbor Day episode of The Energy Detox that challenges you to follow the path of differentiated energy leaders who stand out in a forest of mediocre managers by continually asking:

"How can we make this the best ____________ ever?"

Energy is at the core of developed societies.

Feedback is at the core of developed leaders.

Those two core truths converge on Route 50 in Avella, PA, site of Episode 110 of The Energy Detox podcast, which draws on:

1) The 50-50-50 Energy Corps vision announced by EQT’s Toby Rice and Dr. Scott Tinker last month at CERAWeek—50 MWh and $50K GDP per capita within 50 years to lift people out of energy poverty and help them thrive.

2 - The Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village—a reminder of how people in North America lived, but didn’t necessarily thrive, for most of the last 19,000 years without modern energy.

The result is a 50-50-50 feedback challenge that pushes you—and other energy leaders—to consciously give and request 1 piece of feedback each day for the next 50 days—so that you and your stakeholders don't just survive...but thrive.

For more information (and to download a simple feedback challenge tracking sheet), visit: https://Feedback50.com

What Wild Things Can You Do to Build a Dominant Energy Team?

Find out in Episode 109 of The Energy Detox, which uses local, statewide, national, and global headlines connected to Washington County's #NaturalGas industry to help you answer the following questions:

1 - How can you use the recent renaming of Wild Things Park to EQT Park as an excuse to consider what you want people to think of when they see or hear YOUR name?

2 - On the heels of last year's Cecil Township setback ordinance (and de facto ban on future natural gas development) and tomorrow's presentation of a statewide setback rule (frac ban) to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) in Harrisburg, what better time than now to ask how often you're unwittingly fueling harmful ideas that might SEEM benign at the surface?

3 - How does last week's visit to Washington County by Doug Burgum, Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council, and the comments he shared alongside leaders of Range Resources, EQT Corporation, Halliburton, and AXPC inspire you to not merely strive to lead a "winning" team, but instead to set your targets on a far more inspiring goal of achieving world-renowned, best-in-class, DOMINANT results?

4 - And speaking of results, how does last month's announced formation of the Energy Corps by Scott Tinker and Toby Rice—who reminded attendees during Sec. Burgum's visit that the development of the world-renowned Marcellus Shale began in Washington County 20 years ago—challenge you to focus on metrics that actually matter ((like lifting every human in the world up to 50 MWh and $50,000 per year in 50 years) and that can lead to some truly wild things (like eradicating energy poverty and saving the lives of 3+ million people who die each year from indoor air pollution) instead of wasting time, #energy, and money chasing fluffy, intangible metrics with minimal impact on your stakeholders?

For more info about the above news items, and for more ways to watch and listen to this episode of 'The Energy Detox' podcast:  https://www.wittingpartners.com/the-energy-detox/energy-leadership-dominance

If you are a PA resident, use this link TODAY to make your voice known on proposed setback rules:  https://marcelluscoalition.org/united-shale-advocates/take-action/natural-gas-setbacks-campaign/

To learn about the countless ways Washington County is leveraging its natural resources, check out the @WashCo Chamber website:  https://www.washcochamber.com/

And for details about differentiated, Marcellus-based, energy-focused #leadership coaching, visit oilandgascoaching.com

In what ways are you or your team unwittingly polishing a cannonball?

To help you answer that question, check out Episode 108 of The Energy Detox, recorded outside Pittsburgh's PNC park, home of the Polish Cannonball (a new food item introduced for the 2025 season) and home to a 14-foot bronze statue of Bill Mazeroski, the Polish-American Pirate who launched a cannonball that won the 1960 World Series.

GPS technology relies on Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) to provide accurate, real-time guidance. Effective networking also depends on PNT principles to steer yourself in the right direction.

That being said, Episode 107 of The Energy Detox podcast will help you answer the following PNT questions:

📍Positioning: How can you boost your visibility—and your awareness—to make sure you’re not missing potential connections right in front of you?

🧭 Navigation: What tools, cues, and excuses can you use to confidently and authentically weave your way through conversations?

⏱️ Timing: What can you do before, during, and after a conversation to ensure steady, efficient flow—without causing bottlenecks or corrosion?

Are you as predictable as a bagpiper who everyone knows is likely to play one of only 2 or 3 songs?

As you ponder that question, check out this episode of The Energy Detox which will challenge you to expand your “leadership playlist” and look for opportunities to be a differentiated—and, in turn, a more effective—leader.

Note: the first part of this episode includes the live drawing of the 2025 World Shale Energy Day sweepstakes winner.

Learn more about the sweepstakes and World Shale Energy Day at ShaleShamrock.com

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’s Expand Energy was born on this day — October 1st — one year ago?

Do you know how to expand your reach within your organization and, in turn, drain the workplace swamp of misalignment and toxicity?

Do you know that all of these questions are explored in Episode 123 of The Energy Detox?

"Strive for mediocrity" probably isn't the advice you want your company's mentors giving to new hires.

But without a proper understanding of mentorship, your mentors may—wittingly or unwittingly—be setting future talent up for years of apathy and mediocrity.

So, take a moment during the final few days of National Mentoring Month to check out this mentor-inspired episode of The Energy Detox, which covers:

1 - The key distinctions between mentoring, advising, and coaching;

2 - Why consciously choosing to wear your mentor, advisor, or coach hat matters; and

3 - How quantifying the value of "squishy" things like mentorship and in-person work can create measurable advantages for you and your organization.

Notre Dame hasn’t beaten Ohio State since 1936!

But ND did score a big victory over OSU in a 1960s recruiting battle that not only brought All-American receiver Thom Gatewood to South Bend, but also turned Thom into an enthusiastic Notre Dame advocate that helped attract future talent to the university.

That being said, Gatewood's story isn't just a nice footnote in the lead-up to Monday's national championship game—it's a game plan for a differentiated, 3-step approach that you can use to more effectively attract and retain talent:

1 - Quit trying to keep up with the Joneses.

ND's coach, Ara Parseghian, won over Gatewood with an understated, guarantee-free pitch emphasizing hard work and grit—a very different pitch compared to what other coaches were telling Thom (and a VERY VERY different pitch compared to today's recruiting environment).

2 - Build genuine connections between top talent and senior leadership.

After arriving on campus, Gatewood developed a relationship with ND’s president, Fr. Ted Hesburgh, dispelling any notion that Thom was merely a cog at some large institution. In fact, Thom learned first-hand that he was an integral part of the unique mission and vision that Father Ted had for Notre Dame; and that bond inspired Thom to become a lifelong, enthusiastic promoter of ND.

3 - Showcase a merit-based approach to accolades and opportunities.

Thom Gatewood wasn't appointed as Notre Dame's first Black football captain; he was voted in by his teammates, based on his effort, leadership, and trustworthiness. Compare that to organizations where promotions are perceived (rightly or wrongly) as driven by politics, favoritism, or some short-sighted guarantee that a leader feels forced to abide by.

The second Friday of each new year is Quitters Day.

And there is no better way to mark the occasion than by consciously quitting (qWitting) poor leadership habits that are holding you and your team back from long-term success.

Look up, step out from your echo chamber, challenge your assumptions, don't limit your giving to the holiday (and mandatory performance appraisal) season, and tune in to episode 102 of The Energy Detox podcast.

Are people REALLY altering their Thanksgiving plans due to politics?

Regardless of the answer, Episode 101 of The Energy Detox translates lessons from the 2024 election into 9 apolitical questions you can use to avoid the "peaceful silence" that may be damaging your reputation, your team, and your organization.

Celebrate Election Detoxification Day with Episode 100 of The Energy Detox podcast, which lays out two tools that can help you better manage the toxicity faced by oil & gas leaders (...or pretty much anyone subjected to the last several months of election-related toxicity).

#ConsciousLeadership

Are oil & gas workers "fearless" or simply desensitized by constant employer & industry surprises?

Are fear-focused campaign ads (and fear-focused management styles) a sign of desperation?

Are Marcellus-based external affairs teams the ideal model of how industry leaders can address fears and division among their internal stakeholders?

To answer these questions, check out this #Halloween episode of The Energy Detox.

#ConsciousLeadership

Range Resources and Weird Al Yankovic have at least two things in common:

💡 On October 23, 2024, Range Resources celebrates the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking Marcellus frac, and the world celebrates the 65th birthday of Weird Al Yankovic.

💡 Both Range and Weird Al are undoubtedly pioneers—although some might question those claims. [See "Range Resources Responds To Magnum Hunter’s Marcellus Claim" from Hart Energy: https://www.hartenergy.com/opinions/range-resources-responds-magnum-hunters-marcellus-claim-119623]

That being said, Episode 98 of The Energy Detox will reinforce a leadership lesson you're almost certainly aware of...but may not be fully implementing: the specific words you use can—and will—shape your credibility, impact, and legacy.

For more on this topic, give a listen to Weird Al's "Word Crimes," which was released on July 15, 2014, a few days before Range Resources responded to the Marcellus "word crimes" that were uttered on stage during Hart Energy's 2014 DUG East Conference:

https://youtu.be/8Gv0H-vPoDc?si=Y5JNXDokx0nUblAY

This company pioneered the Marcellus with its frac of the Renz #1 well in October 2004.

What is Range Resources?

To honor 20 years of shale development that helped save Western PA from economic jeopardy, this Jeopardy!-inspired episode of The Energy Detox asks 20 questions that 1) highlight the story of the first Marcellus frac, and 2) provide practical ways to unleash the full potential of your stakeholders.

Just because you work in a roller-coaster-esque industry doesn’t mean your leadership style needs to be filled with twists and turns and surprises.

So, take a few minutes to be inspired by the odd sight of a Ferris wheel in the middle of a bridge and ask yourself these three questions:

💡 Do you lead others with the consistency, reliability, and predictability of a Ferris wheel or the dramatic, uncertain, and potentially nausea-inducing nature of a roller coaster?

💡 What are all the ways you can help others take greater advantage of the opportunities associated with their current level on the corporate Ferris wheel and, in turn, avoid wasting all your energy on what might be a short-sighted focus on getting to the top?

💡 Why does your company continue to invest in short-term "thrills" to boost morale and engagement instead of long-lasting leadership development resources that generate sustained impact...like the sustained impact that George Ferris' wheel has had for the past 130 years or the sustained impact that Range Resources first Marcellus frac has had for the past 20 years?

#ConsciousLeadership

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 transitions — check out Episode 122 of The Energy Detox.

Then check out the information below supporting the Corn Dog Equivalent (CDE) savings enjoyed by Pennsylvanians thanks to natural gas development in the Commonwealth:

“PA Gas Brings Savings to Consumers” (Marcellus Shale Coalition Blog)

When you hear the name Expand Energy, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

A) "If you're talking about the company HQ'd in OKC, then I'll always call them Chesapeake."
B) "They're the largest natural gas producer."
C) "That's Aubrey McClendon's company."
D) "Didn't they rise from massive debt and bankruptcy to dominance like some kinda phoenix?"
E) "They are expanding critical energy to markets in need, addressing one of the greatest threats to human prosperity."

Regardless of your answer, the real question to ask yourself today is:

"When people hear MY name, what's the first thing I want them to think?

And once you've answered that, ask yourself:

"What am I doing to make sure people actually DO think what I want them to when they hear my name—or the name of my team, department, or company?"

To help you answer those questions, Episode 95 of 'The Energy Detox' weaves together a few Pittsburgh-related headlines:

💡 Today's CHK/SWN consummation, which just made Pittsburgh-based EQT the "former largest natural gas producer in the U.S."
💡 Yesterday's death of Pete Rose, who earned the first of his 4,256 hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1963
💡 Today's announced $16 Billion deal between ADNOC and Covestro, which has its North American HQ in the Pittsburgh region.