Episodes

  • Time To Toast & Celebrate World Shale Energy Day

    Time To Toast & Celebrate World Shale Energy Day
    Mar 11 2026
    Jason Spiess sat down with Joe Sinnott, former oil & gas engineering leader, current executive coach at Witting Partners, and host of the Energy Detox podcast. The discussion, recorded shortly before March 17, 2026, centered on World Shale Energy Day — an annual grassroots celebration held every March 17 to recognize the benefits of shale energy development and the people who make it possible. World Shale Energy Day commemorates the date of the first two commercial hydraulic fracturing (”fracking”) treatments performed by Halliburton on March 17, 1949 — one in Oklahoma and one in Texas. The initiative, organized through worldshaleenergyday.org and led by figures like Jim Scherrer, promotes education, awareness, and positive messaging about shale’s role in energy abundance, economic growth, cleaner air (via natural gas displacing coal), and modern life — all through a decentralized, volunteer-driven effort rather than a single large conference. Joe Sinnott helping energy professionals think and act more consciously. Sinnott moved from offshore work in the Gulf of Mexico (with Schlumberger in southern Louisiana) to the Appalachian Basin in 2008, just as the Marcellus Shale boom was beginning. He spent 11 years at EQT, witnessing the region’s transformation into one of the world’s most prolific natural gas producers. He emphasized the Appalachian Basin’s scale: if independent, it would rank among the top global natural gas producers, with vast reserves lying beneath areas like Pittsburgh — a unique situation for a major U.S. city. Both Sinnott and Spiess reflected on shale’s transformative effects. Spiess shared his experiences embedded in North Dakota’s Bakken during its boom, highlighting how fossil fuels support essential services, agriculture, and daily life — even in extreme cold. Sinnott pointed to Pennsylvania’s shift from coal to natural gas for electricity generation (now ~60% gas-fired), resulting in cleaner air and lower emissions. He noted that public favorability for fracking in Pennsylvania has trended net positive, especially when people see direct benefits in jobs, lower energy bills, and environmental improvements. The conversation touched on several challenges within the industry revolving around communication and industry headwinds: pipeline constraints limiting Appalachian growth, political polarization, and historical negative portrayals in media and entertainment. Social Media images like this can be found at World Shale Energy Day’s website. Spiess described how terms like “energy” replaced “oil and gas” amid rising criticism, only for some companies to later pivot to “carbon management.” Sinnott advocated for authentic, non-defensive communication: acknowledge trade-offs upfront, avoid scripted talking points, and use humility and humor to engage skeptics — especially in casual settings like St. Patrick’s Day gatherings. He stressed that acknowledging elephants in the room builds credibility and opens real dialogue. Both praised the TV series Landman (starring Billy Bob Thornton) for sparking mainstream conversations about the industry. Spiess argued it has done more for public awareness than many corporate PR efforts, even if imperfect. Sinnott agreed it’s a net positive: the show prompts questions, and honest answers can reveal facts about responsible operations and safety. Sinnott has promoted the day for years through his podcast (including past giveaways blending St. Patrick’s and shale themes) and encouraged simple actions: one social media post, a toast, or sharing facts. Spiess urged supply-chain businesses — even cafes serving oilfield workers — to participate with a single acknowledgment. The day offers a cohesive, nonpartisan opportunity to highlight shale’s role in energy security, prosperity, and environmental gains (e.g., natural gas enabling lower emissions). Spiess shared how his work in oil and gas reinforced personal ethics and authenticity, refusing to “hide” support for the industry even when it carried social costs. Sinnott reinforced conscious leadership: be aware, intentional, and willing to challenge unconscious “rules” that limit honest engagement. He closed by tying green (St. Patrick’s color) to shale’s environmental benefits — cleaner air and reduced coal reliance — making March 17 a natural dual celebration. The interview blended personal stories, industry history, and practical advice for advocacy. With World Shale Energy Day approaching, March 17, 2026, Spiess and Sinnott encouraged straightforward actions: post online, share facts, raise a glass, and educate one conversation at a time. Resources are available at worldshaleenergyday.org, including books, logos, and event ideas. A grassroots reminder amid a noisy world: sometimes one day — and one honest conversation — can highlight the energy that powers everything else. For more information on World ...
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Celebrating Women In Energy: Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick

    Celebrating Women In Energy: Texas Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick
    Mar 10 2026
    Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry. The Crude Life believes woman are vital in energy. Today more than ever. From a female’s point of view to intuition to specific skill sets, woman are vital in energy. Today’s women in industry are not only modern-day leaders, but truly are defining history as well. Everyone at The Crude Life is grateful for all your contributions to industry, to your communities and to our planet. Commissioner Christi Craddick is one of three commissioners at the Texas Railroad Commission, and she is also the longest serving of the three to this elected position. We were lucky enough to get some time with Commissioner Craddick to recap the last year and catch a glimpse of what she anticipates to come. –We begin with Chairman Craddick breaking down a little bit of history and information about the Texas Railroad Commission. They are the oldest oil and gas regulators in the world, and they’re based in Texas. They focus on pipelines and pipeline safety, and there are roughly 470,000 miles of interstate and intrastate lines in Texas and roughly another 500,000 miles of gas utilities lines in Texas to maintain. They also do coal, coal mines, lignite mines, and uranium mines; so, needless to say, it’s a big job to maintain safety. They also regulate carbon capturing in Texas oil fields. Production wise, about a 3rd of the country’s oil and a 4th of the country’s gas is coming out of Texas. “I think we’ve got one of the best agencies in the entire state, and frankly probably [one of] the best agencies is the entire country when you talk about oil and gas regulations.” – Commissioner Christi Craddick – To prevent waste and to protect the environment are the top two priorities of the agency. Commissioner Craddick talks about the idea that having rules and regulations is one of the best ways to make sure that the practices in the field maintain the safety practices. There are about 150 inspectors for the oil and gas division, approximately 30 people inspecting the coal and coal mines, and around 70 inspectors in the pipeline division and they’re out in the field everyday to help make sure everyone is in compliance with the rules and regulations. The idea isn’t to over-regulate, though; once something is found not in compliance, there is an opportunity to fix the issue before fines and penalties are given. There’s also a great many resources found on the website so that everyone has an opportunity to be in compliance. Everyone does get opportunities to operate within the rules and regulations; but if there’s a refusal to play by the rules, the Texas Railroad Commission will shut the operation down. – Next we discuss the impacts of climate activism on the Texas oil and gas industry and how it has put a spotlight on flaring in Texas. This has been an on-going challenge that will hopefully continue to see progression. A goal is to build the infrastructure so that flaring won’t be necessary.There is also a desire to update the systems and upgrade the data that is gathered in the field. “There is no magic answer” as Commissioner Craddick says, but the industry is changing and progressing and there will most likely continue to be an on-going conversation on how to work with companies to implement the best practices. “Flaring is a priority to find out how we do it better and how we do a lot less of it in this state. We’ve talked about it a lot in the last 18 months in Texas.” – Commissioner Craddick – After going from all-time highs in 2019, then there was the trade dispute in the Middle East and Covid. So, mid-March 2020, there was talk about the possibility of prorationing for the first time since the 1970s. What this would do is nix the free market and make it mandatory for businesses to only produce what was “rationed” to them by the Commission. But the demand had dropped by nearly 100 million barrels per day on top of the closures due to Covid. The conversation went on for roughly two months, and there was an 11 hour hearing last April while people around the world waited to find out what the decision was. Ultimately, the decision was not to proration and to trust in the free market to even itself out. “We are glad we’re past that conversation today and instead have tried to use other rules and waivers that we’ve been allowed to look at as an agency to try to keep this industry alive during this short period…” – Commission Craddick – Although we most likely will not see the conversation about prorationing come back, there are other obstacles Commissioner Craddick is looking at having to overcome in the next few months. The Paris Climate Accord, the possibility of shutting ...
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    33 mins
  • Celebrating Women In Energy: Alma Cook, Cook Compliance Solutions

    Celebrating Women In Energy: Alma Cook, Cook Compliance Solutions
    Mar 7 2026
    Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry. The Crude Life believes woman are vital in energy. Today more than ever. From a female’s point of view to intuition to specific skill sets, woman are vital in energy.Today’s women in industry are not only modern-day leaders, but truly are defining history as well.Everyone at The Crude Life is grateful for all your contributions to industry, to your communities and to our planet.Here is a fantastic interview with Alma Cook, Cook Compliance Solutions In the interview, she dives into the interview right away about how the industry still has silos and what they look like from an outside perspective. The Play Hard Work Hard Morning Show also talks about how Alma, a female environmentally minded professional gravitated to industry. She explains how her brother in Thailand was the catalyst for her journey in oil and gas. Midland Mayor Patrick Payton’s work on the industry’s image is discussed in detail. Alma, who is also a member of the Permian Basin Pipeliners Association, shares some stories about her interaction with the Mayor and work in the Permian. Ashley Smith from Trucker’s Against Trafficking is also mentioned for her work with the creating awareness in regards to Sex Trafficking. Alma Cook is an entrepreneur, singer-songwriter and compliance officer in the oil and gas industry. Alma also opines about how the industry needs to do more than sponsor events. They need to engage with people outside the industry. Climate Tax, oil’s image, ESG, safety and compliance are also topics discussed in the interview. Alma Lynn Cook is an American singer-songwriter and spoken word artist professionally known as Alma Cook. Her debut album Pass It On was released in 2012, and her single “For a Poet” and full-length project Tactics followed in 2014. Cook grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and attended Columbia College in Chicago. After college, she began playing at various clubs and festivals across the United States, opening for acts including contemporary gospel musician Jonathan McReynolds and Christian rapper George Moss. Cook released an EP titled Pass It On in September 2012, followed by the single “For a Poet,” which charted at No. 2 on Rádio Nova Portugal in December 2014. She later released the full-length album Tactics, produced by bassist Chris Thigpen, whose father Cornell Thigpen (Mary J. Blige, Chaka Kahn, Stevie Nicks, and Patti LaBelle) played organ on the song “Hotshot.” An album review by The Phantom Tollbooth magazine said of Cook’s performance on Tactics, “Alma has the vocal innocence of Amber Rubarth combined with vocal qualities rivaling Denise Donatelli.” As of 2021, Cook was a podcast host and co-director of cultural engagement for Braver Angels, an American nonprofit focused on political depolarization. She was noted by Forbes as a conservative. In addition to her work as a musician, Cook owns an oil and gas compliance company, Cook Compliance Solutions, based in Williston, North Dakota with a satellite office in Houston, TX. The business works with oilfield service providers looking to obtain the right safety certifications, insurance and other measures needed to contract under larger oil companies. If anyone would like to schedule an interview, meeting or news tip email studio@thecrudelife.com Industrial Integrity and Energy Ethics are the new entry level expectations in oil and gas, and The Crude Life continues to create original Local, Boots-On-The-Ground Journalism while showcasing other environmentally conscious companies. Communication is vital in today’s energy extraction and empowerment. About The Crude Life The Crude Life produces original content that focuses on industry, the people, energy innovations, community building and it’s proactive culture. Our custom content is non-polarizing, trusted and often news making. The Crude Life promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability. Part of our mission is to enable people, companies and communities to affect change, demonstrate their transformative actions and drive energy awareness through storytelling and access to resources. Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States. Click here for the website Weekly Sponsor: KBL Complete Services...
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  • Celebrating Women In Energy: BP’s Marlette Dumas Energizing Energy

    Celebrating Women In Energy: BP’s Marlette Dumas Energizing Energy
    Mar 6 2026
    Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry. The Crude Life believes women are vital in energy. Today more than ever. From a female’s point of view to intuition to specific skill sets, women are vital in energy.Today’s women in industry are not only modern-day leaders, but truly are defining history as well.Everyone at The Crude Life is grateful for all your contributions to industry, to your communities and to our planet. Here is a fantastic interview with Marlette Dumas, PMP, Sr. Project Risk Management Engineer, BP Marlette Dumas is a beautiful mind within the oil and gas industry and we had the opportunity to have a great conversation about how she got started, the journey, and her views on the direction for the industry among many other things. We began at the beginning, where every good story begins and Marlette talked about how she was positively pushed toward math and science learning from a very young age. She continued in her desire to learn more in the STEM fields into college and passed when Marlette may possibly have been ahead of her time. She initially had wanted to venture into renewable energy, but that wasn’t a popular idea then. Plus, when Marlette was starting out, there were even less females in the industry than there are now. Even so, Marlette pushed forward and eventually began her career as a Facilities Engineer BP in Houston, TX. “And I thought that renewables was the way to go at the time, but that was like 25-30 years ago and it hadn’t quite caught on yet. So I thought, I still wanna be in energy’ and that’s when I began to meet companies like BP and Shell and I just naturally graviated toward mechanical engineering on the projects side.” – Marlette Dumas After finding a home working for BP, Marlette still had some struggles as a female in such a male dominated world. There were naturally some bumps along the way, but throughout the journey Marlette was able to grow her network and gain positive traction by working hard and doing her best. She did however talk a little about bringing a more “male” energy in the way she chose to dress and present herself in order to allow her voice to be heard – even though Marlette is a highly education woman in the field of Mechanical engineering. “So I really had to just bring a mentality that ‘hey, just be present’ and try to put my ideas forward and put myself forward even though it was not in the environment that was welcome at the time. It was not very welcome but you still have to figure out how to dig deep and do it anyway.” – Marlette Dumas It has gotten easier since the beginning of the journey and now Marlette is able to focus on what she likes best about her work within the oil and gas industry. Claiming the best part of what she’s learned so far has been leadership and critical thinking/problem solving abilities, Marlette also loves to analyze all the different facets of a project using the gathered information to solve the problems and create positive change. Lucky for us, Marlette gives us a look into her process and how she goes through gathering and processing the data. Next we took a look at the industry as it sits right now and Marlette mentioned that it’s all going through a change right. More and more companies are looking to expand toward other forms of energy aside from oil and gas. As more technology becomes available and the conversation about renewable energy becomes more popular, we may see many more changes coming. “People think that maybe oil and gas is not as attractive as it has been in the past, so we’re looking at other things now like renewables and things like that. So that’s coming on board, even though it may seem slow right now I think that it’ gonna be very, very important as we move forward.” – Marlette Dumas In moving forward, there are many who may be worried that there may be a push to phase oil and gas out of our energy grid. Marlette, however, believes that we will be looking at more of a balance moving forward as companies make technological advances and other changes. Not just because the social trend is pushing in that direction, either; but also because it possibly may help heal the climate issues. However, because of social trends, there’s nearly demands a better balance. On another topic, Marlette shared a little bit about a couple of organizations she is involved with. One of them, The Society of Petroleum Engineers, is a non-profit organization that stands as a wonderful resource for the Energy Industry. But all of the organizations that Marlette is involved in focus on helping others to learn skills, build connection, and become educated within the oil and gas industry. So, for any ladies who ...
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Celebrating Women In Energy: The Voice of West Texas Leads a Discussion on Women in the Oilfield

    Celebrating Women In Energy: The Voice of West Texas Leads a Discussion on Women in the Oilfield
    Mar 5 2026
    Every March since 1987, Congress and U.S. Presidents have designated March as Women’s History Month. This year, The Crude Life celebrates and honors their accomplishments and contributions in history with interviews and stories that center around women’s experiences in industry. The Crude Life believes women are vital in energy. Today more than ever. From a female’s point of view to intuition to specific skill sets, women are vital in energy. Today’s women in industry are not only modern-day leaders, but truly are defining history as well. Everyone at The Crude Life is grateful for all your contributions to industry, to your communities and to our planet. The Voice of West Texas Kris Moore leads a discussion about what it is like for women working in the Permian Basin.In this exclusive interview with The Real Oilfield Women of the South, three oilfield women talk about how they are treated within a male dominated industry.After a quick congratulations and an overview of Thomas’ services, the three dive right into a real lifestyle issue in the oil patch.Franki starts off the round table discussion on how to balance the work involved in the oilfield and family life. Franki, a single mother of three, talks about her support system for her three children and how the industry has become a surrogate family. Tiffany grabs that baton and balances the single mother living in multiple cities. She talks about having several places to call home is the right fit for her work home balance. Heather continues the work home balance conversation and brings it back to the two other girls involved the interview how they are her family too. They joke about picking up each other’s kids and taking them to dinner while the other is wrapping up at work. After the three describe what life is like for a woman working in the oil patch, they give a quick boots on the ground update from the Haynesville DUG Conference. About The Crude Life Award winning interviewer and broadcast journalist Jason Spiess and Content Correspondents engage with the industry’s best thinkers, writers, politicians, business leaders, scientists, entertainers, community leaders, cafe owners and other newsmakers in one-on-one interviews and round table discussions. The Crude Life has been broadcasting on radio stations since 2012 and posts all updates and interviews on The Crude Life Social Media Network. Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to? #thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability. MORE FROM THE CRUDE LIFE Please click that ♡ button, share, and subscribe.Please share the links on social media.Thank you thank you thank you for your engagement and support. f you have a news tip, press release, guest suggestion or other content concepts, please email thecontentcreationstudios(AT)gmail(DOT)com This post was brought to you in part by one of The Crude Life’s fantastic sponsors, please consider supporting their services or learning more about their organization by clicking on the banner below. Subscribe to OILWOMAN – the leading oil and gas magazine professionals trust for the latest information on industry trends, innovation, technology, software, interviews and insights into the daily business shaping the O&G upstream, midstream and downstream market.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Trades Powered By Her Helping Women in Oil and Gas

    Trades Powered By Her Helping Women in Oil and Gas
    Mar 2 2026
    Trades Powered By Her is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Watford City, North Dakota, with a mission to empower and support women in trades. Founded by Kara Glenn, this organization aims to break barriers and open opportunities for women to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields such as construction, welding, electrical work, and more. Kara Glenn is a creative professional and educator, known for her work in welding and helping women understand trades, specifically oil and gas. She has applied her background and leadership skills to this initiative, striving to provide women with the necessary tools, training, and resources to thrive in the skilled trades industry. Through workshops, mentorship programs, and community outreach, Trades Powered By Her promotes gender equity in the workforce by enabling women to gain technical skills, confidence, and job placements in the industry. In addition to educational support, the organization fosters a sense of community among women in trades, offering networking events and collaborative projects. This helps create strong bonds, ensuring that participants not only succeed individually but also lift each other up within their professional journeys. By empowering women through education and advocacy, Trades Powered By Her plays a crucial role in advancing gender inclusivity in the trades sector across North Dakota and Texas. Women have been entering trades like welding, construction, plumbing, and electrical work for decades, yet their numbers remain relatively low compared to men. These fields have long been perceived as male-dominated, partly due to historical exclusion, societal norms, and workplace cultures that have often been unwelcoming to women. However, women in these trades have made remarkable strides, breaking barriers and reshaping the industries they work in. A Historical Look at Women in the Trades Women’s participation in trades can be traced back to the early 20th century, especially during times of war. During World War II, women famously took on industrial jobs to replace men who were off fighting, a movement symbolized by “Rosie the Riveter.” Welding, in particular, became a prominent trade for women during this time as they contributed to shipbuilding and munitions production. Over six million women joined the workforce in roles previously reserved for men, leaving a lasting impact on gender roles in labor. Yet, after the war, women were largely pushed out of these jobs as men returned, and it would take decades for women to re-enter trades in significant numbers. During the 1970s and 1980s, as women’s rights movements grew, trades like welding and construction became more accessible to women, albeit slowly and with persistent cultural resistance. Women Welders and Trades Today Despite increased opportunities, women still make up only a small percentage of workers in industrial trades. For instance, as of 2020, women comprised only about 5% of welders in the United States. Similarly, women represent 9.1% of the construction workforce and hold less than 10% of roles in many other trades, like plumbing and electrical work. These numbers illustrate the challenges women still face when entering these professions, even as the need for skilled labor continues to grow. Cultural and Workplace Challenges The underrepresentation of women in trades stems from a variety of cultural and systemic issues. Below are key challenges they face: Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Women in male-dominated industries often report harassment, ranging from sexist comments to more severe forms of discrimination. A 2019 study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research found that women in these industries experience harassment at higher rates than women in other fields. This hostile environment can deter women from entering or staying in trades, where they may feel isolated or unwelcome.Bias and Stereotypes Trades like welding and construction are physically demanding, and women are often stereotyped as being less capable of handling such work. Many women welders face the assumption that they cannot perform the job as well as men, despite evidence to the contrary. Women who thrive in these roles often have to constantly prove their competence, a burden that their male counterparts do not face.Lack of Female Role Models and Mentors With so few women in trades, finding mentors and role models can be difficult. Having visible, successful women in leadership positions can make a significant difference in how younger women view their potential careers. Organizations like the Women in Welding Mentorship Program and NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) have been crucial in creating support networks for women, but the lack of representation remains a challenge.Gender Pay Gap The gender pay gap persists even in trade industries where pay is often determined by skill level rather than tenure. On average, ...
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  • Schaffer Previews Bakken Human Trafficking Event, Shares Red Flag Signs

    Schaffer Previews Bakken Human Trafficking Event, Shares Red Flag Signs
    Mar 1 2026
    Human trafficking, a modern form of slavery, devastates countless lives worldwide, including in rural areas like North Dakota. The 31:8 Project is at the forefront of combating this issue by raising awareness, educating communities, and supporting survivors. Founded by Stacy Schaffer, the 31:8 Project aims to illuminate the realities of human trafficking through education and advocacy. The name derives from Proverbs 31:8, which calls for speaking out for those who cannot. Schaffer’s passion for the cause began during her studies at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, and evolved into a robust initiative that has reached thousands across the state and beyond. Community Education: The 31:8 Project organizes workshops and seminars to educate communities about the signs and risks of human trafficking. This is crucial in rural areas where awareness is limited.Support for Survivors: Beyond awareness, the organization provides resources and support to trafficking survivors, helping them rebuild their lives.Collaborations: The project works with law enforcement, schools, and healthcare professionals to identify victims and prevent trafficking. Such partnerships ensure a united front against this crime.Public Campaigns: By sharing stories and statistics, the project sheds light on the prevalence of trafficking in North Dakota, where 760 victims have been reported since 2016. The 31:8 Project has profoundly influenced public understanding of human trafficking, equipping communities with tools to recognize and combat this crime. As awareness grows, so does the collective ability to protect vulnerable populations and support survivors. By fostering awareness and mobilizing action, the 31:8 Project stands as a vital force in the fight against human trafficking. Their dedication reminds us that awareness is the first step toward change—and that every voice matters in this fight for freedom. The 5th Annual Bakken Human Trafficking Summit will focus on a variety of topics related to sex and labor trafficking, sexual exploitation, and more. This event, organized by North Dakota-based nonprofit 31:8 Project, features several keynotes, breakout sessions, and panel discussions to better inform the community about sex and labor trafficking in Western North Dakota. Our event speakers will include: law enforcement, healthcare professionals, human service representatives, and survivors of human trafficking. The event takes place on May 20-21 in Bismarck, ND with the location TBD. Breakfast and snacks will be provided. Attendees will have a mid-day break for lunch. Continuing Education credit and hours available for professionals attending the Bakken Human Trafficking Summit. This event is open to the public. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic, discretion is advised. Scholarships are available. E-mail programs@318project.org to learn more about scholarship ticket availability. Medical professionals, faith groups, law enforcement, human service providers, hospitality workers, business owners, parents/guardians, educators, service clubs, government officials, and other community groups are invited to attend as we work together to learn about the issues facing the region and the action steps we can take moving forward. ​Attending the Bakken Human Trafficking Conference offers significant benefits for enhancing the communities of North Dakota by equipping participants with critical knowledge and actionable strategies to combat this pervasive issue. Such a conference provides a platform for community leaders, policymakers, law enforcement, educators, and concerned citizens to learn about the latest trends, prevention measures, and survivor support systems. “By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, attendees can build stronger networks and develop community-specific solutions,” Schaffer said. “This enhances public safety, raises awareness, and strengthens resilience against exploitation, ultimately leading to healthier, more informed, and united communities throughout North Dakota.” About Stacy: She is the Founder and Executive Director of 31:8 Project. She has based her work in advocacy on the ideal that no one person can do everything, but everyone can do something. Stacy is the coordinator for the Demand Reduction Program and an adjunct professor at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. She currently serves as a board member of the North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations, committee member of the North Dakota Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Task Force and member of the Farwest Rotary Club. With a passion towards serving others, Stacy has dedicated much of her time advocating for human rights. This pursuit has influenced her education, career, and community work. Stacy graduated with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. Prior, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Behavioral Sciences...
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    34 mins
  • Ausubel Explains “Peak Human” And “Peak Humans”

    Ausubel Explains “Peak Human” And “Peak Humans”
    Feb 4 2026
    Jesse H. Ausubel joins Jason Spiess to discuss “Peak Human” and “Peak Humans” and how it will impact our future. Ausubel, who is given credit for coining the term “decarbonization”, explains why new research is showing how humans’ mind and body have reached their limits and we are starting the downward curve. “For 200-250 years humanity has had an incredible run,” Ausubel said. “When you think of you great grandparents, grandparents, parents and you, generally speaking you are going to be better in these four dimensions than they were.” Those four dimensions are: the physical (how far and fast can we go?), lifetime (how long can we live and how well?), cognitive (measures of intelligence and learning), and immunity (is our resistance to disease waning?). Ausubel also uses the Olympics as an example to explain Peak Humans. “If you think of the Olympics, every four years the Olympics have happened since about 1900, lots of records were broken each time,” Ausubel said. “Maybe because the pool of people grew each time or they had better training or maybe they were taking drugs or even that maybe they had a better pole vaulting pole.” He continued using golf and other sports as a way to explain how humans have physically evolved due to better tools, training and education, however it seems to have now peaked. “We sort of had this big run up of improvements, let’s say from 1750 to 1800 into the 2000’s, and we found the same with lifetime performance, like longevity,” Ausubel said. “How long they lived, how tall were they, we looked at soldier’s uniforms from the time of Napoleon and the civil war. Those uniforms were small and the shoes were small. People were smaller.” Ausubel explained how after so long of evolving with an upward trend, diabetes, declining academics, unhealthy body mass indexes and diminishing human intelligence is now showing a plateau with perhaps even a slight downward trend for humans. “In the big picture we think it’s plausible that we are pretty near peak human,” Ausubel said. Jesse H. Ausubel is Director of the Program for the Human Environment and Senior Research Associate at The Rockefeller University in New York City. The program aims to elaborate the vision of a large, prosperous society that emits little or nothing harmful and spares large amounts of land and sea for nature. The work spans forests and farms, marine life, human population, energy and materials, and climate as well as life, earth, and engineering sciences. Underlying the work are studies of the mathematics of growth and diffusion. From 1977-1988 Mr. Ausubel worked for the National Academies complex in Washington DC as a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, staff officer of the National Research Council Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, and from 1983-1988 Director of Programs for the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Mr. Ausubel was a main organizer of the first UN World Climate Conference (Geneva, 1979), which substantially elevated the global warming issue on scientific and political agendas. During 1979-1981 he led the Climate Task of the Resources and Environment Program of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, near Vienna, Austria, an East-West think-tank created by the U.S. and Soviet academies of sciences. Mr. Ausubel helped formulate the US and world climate research programs. During 1989-1993 Mr. Ausubel served both at The Rockefeller and as Director of Studies for the Carnegie Commission on Science, Technology, and Government. The Commission, sponsored by Carnegie Corporation of New York, sought ways for the US government at all levels, as well as international organizations, to make better use of scientific and technical expertise. Mr. Ausubel has authored and edited over 160 articles, reports, and books. He co-authored the 1989 paper “Dematerialization” that opened the study of this subject and in 1991 published the first paper explicitly on the “decarbonization” of the energy system. Mr. Ausubel was guest editor and lead author of the 1996 issue of Daedalus, “The Liberation of the Environment.” Reports for which he was main author include Changing Climate (National Academy, 1983), the first comprehensive review of the greenhouse effect, and Toward an International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP), the 1983 Research Council report originating the Global Change Program. For the NAE, he developed and oversaw studies on the performance of technology-intensive sectors of U.S. industry and on the diffusion and globalization of technology and helped conceive the field of field of industrial ecology. Between 1994-2019 Mr. Ausubel served concurrently as a program manager and advisor for the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Under Sloan auspices, Mr. Ausubel helped create and complete the decade-long Census of Marine Life, an international program to assess and explain the diversity, distribution, and ...
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    35 mins