Posted on July 30, 2026 John Fernando shares his remarkable journey from homelessness and addiction to building a successful mineral and land business, emphasizing integrity, innovation, and strategic…
Careers in Oil and Gas
What does a career in oil and gas actually look like, day to day and decade to decade? These fifteen episodes answer that from every angle. John Fernando went from homelessness and addiction to running a mineral and land business, and talks about the discipline that carried him there. Aidan Larrabee is still a senior petroleum engineering student at Texas A&M, describing the misconceptions he hears most before he has even started his first field job. Nick Rose left the Army as a staff sergeant making $52,000 a year, took a roustabout job at the same pay, and later helped build real-time subsea monitoring systems offshore. Erica Honeycut talks about moving from entry-level land work into leading software solutions, and the discipline behind keeping title data clean. Dan Higgs started as an oil field helper in Alaska and now mentors the next generation the way he was mentored. Cameron Bayne walks through an actual day running a California production engineer's workover, acid jobs and permits included. Michael Waid describes trading a blue-collar South Texas upbringing for a stake in an energy and farmers-market business. Together they cover entry points, setbacks, and the unglamorous work that rarely makes the highlight reel.
15 episodes on careers in oil and gas
Challenging the Myths of the Oil and Gas Industry
Posted on January 22, 2026 In this episode of Compressor Talk, David Abshire interviews Aidan Larrabee, a senior petroleum engineering student at Texas A&M. Aidan shares his journey from Maine to Texas, d…
The Power of Persistence in Career Growth
Posted on August 13, 2026 In this episode, Tony Otsk shares her unconventional career journey from fitness and art to leadership in the energy sector. She discusses transferable skills, the importance of…
From Entry-Level to Industry Leader: Erica Honeycut's Journey
Posted on July 2, 2026 In this episode, Erica Honeycut shares her inspiring journey from entry-level roles to leading land and software solutions in the oil and gas industry. She discusses the importa…
Navigating Life's Transitions: From Military to Offshore Drilling
Posted on September 10, 2026 In this episode, Nick Rose shares his journey from army infantry to offshore drilling, emphasizing the importance of persistence, mentorship, and discipline. He discusses techno…
From Alaska to Industry Leader: Dan Higgs' Journey
Posted on June 3, 2026 In this episode, Dan Higgs shares his journey from Alaska oil field helper to industry leader, discussing safety evolution, industry misconceptions, and the importance of mentor…
From Oil Fields to Farmers Markets: Michael Waid's Journey
Posted on January 29, 2026 In this episode, David Abshire interviews Michael Waid, who shares his journey from a blue-collar upbringing in South Texas to becoming a key player in the oil and gas industry.…
A Day in the Life of a Production Engineer
Posted on January 23, 2026 Summary In this episode of the Under Pressure Podcast, host David Abshire speaks with Cameron Bayne, a production engineer in California's oil industry. Cameron shares his journ…
Pioneering the Barnett Shell: A Legacy of Innovation
Posted on February 12, 2026 In this episode of the Under Pressure podcast, Clay O'Neil shares his extensive journey in the oil and gas industry, detailing his transition from a ranch manager's son to a pio…
Journey Into The Oil And Gas Industry
Posted on February 5, 2026 In this episode of the Under Pressure Podcast, David Abshire interviews Jeff Wells, a reservoir engineer with a background in petroleum engineering from Texas A&M. Jeff shares h…
From Heat Exchangers to Military Vehicles: Heinrich Bartels' Engineering Journey
Posted on June 10, 2026 In this interview, Heinrich Bartels shares his diverse engineering career, insights on cost reduction, and the importance of collaboration across teams. Discover how his experie…
Navigating Leadership in Oil and Gas
Posted on November 18, 2025 In this conversation, David Abshire interviews COO Erin Palacio of Midwest Compressor, discussing her transition from healthcare and government to the oil and gas industry. They…
The Future of Energy: Insights from a 45-Year Industry Veteran
Posted on August 6, 2026 In this episode, Doug Sandridge shares insights from his 45+ years in the energy industry, covering oil, gas, and nuclear energy, and discusses the importance of education, regu…
Navigating Energy Challenges: Insights from Rick Westerdale
Posted on September 3, 2026 Exploring the intersections of industry, government, and geopolitics. Rick Westerdale has had a multifaceted career that spans the corporate world, government service, and entre…
Exploring the Business of Energy with Brian Horn
Posted on September 24, 2026 In this episode, Brian Horn shares insights from his diverse career in the energy industry, emphasizing the importance of relationships, portfolio exploration, and the energy ec…