What The Funk?

Turning a sketch on a napkin into a $20 million energy tech company? That’s exactly what happened and the story’s wild. From navigating the chaos of startup life to hitting pause after a major health scare, this convo pulls back the curtain on the real grit behind building Westgen Technologies. We’re talking leadership lessons, coaching that actually worked, and a whole lot of figuring things out the hard way. Oh, and if you’re into solving big problems like powering up remote wellsites without trashing the planet, you’ll want to hear how Ben’s doing just that.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro00:39 - Who is Ben Klepacki10:36 - Balancing Different Personality Types12:43 - Importance of Executive Coaching18:23 - The Westgen Technologies Story24:35 - Early Entrepreneurial Journey27:25 - Motivations Behind Starting a Company31:30 - Fundraising Challenges and Stress35:30 - Relocating to Houston40:45 - The Reality of 90-Hour Work Weeks46:00 - Mental Health Struggles in Business47:52 - Managing a Company During Personal Crisis50:17 - Future Vision: Life in 3-5 Years51:30 - Future Vision: Westgen in 3-5 Years54:10 - Wrapping Up the Discussion56:15 - Connecting with Ben & Westgenhttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters

Alzheimer’s is tough, but this episode is all about the people fighting back in the most unexpected ways, like hopping on a bike and riding for something bigger. We sat down with Brian from the Alzheimer’s Association and Steve, a cyclist whose mom’s diagnosis lit a fire in him to make a difference. From emotional stories to groundbreaking updates (think blood tests and FDA-approved meds), we cover the science, the personal, and the power of pedaling with purpose. Whether you're in it for the community, the cause, or the ride itself, this one’s got heart, hope, and a whole lot of impact.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro01:22 - Who are Steve Mullen and Brian Tatum05:32 - Brian Tatum's Involvement with Alzheimer's Association07:54 - Alzheimer's Research and Funding Updates11:04 - Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease12:38 - Steve's Passion for Alzheimer's Advocacy15:55 - End ALZ Ride Overview20:09 - Experience of Riding in the End ALZ Ride26:06 - Competing for Donation Dollars in Alzheimer's Research29:25 - Progress with FDA Approved Alzheimer's Drugs29:55 - How to Donate to Alzheimer's Causes33:07 - End ALZ Ride Details: Date and Location35:08 - Future of Alzheimer's Research in 10 Years38:14 - Ride Distances in the End ALZ Event39:24 - How to Get Involved in Alzheimer's Advocacy39:50 - Closing Thoughts on Alzheimer's Awarenesshttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters

Vendor management in oil and gas is usually a mess of outdated systems and constant compliance headaches, but VenLink is flipping the script. We’re talking boots-on-the-ground experience turned into a sleek platform that’s using automation and AI to cut out the inefficiencies, slash risk, and give operators real-time visibility into their vendors. Joshua Owens, who’s been in the trenches with companies like Oxy and Parsley, built VenLink after years of watching vendor oversight go sideways. From rising insurance costs to stalled operations, he’s seen the ripple effects—and built a smarter way to manage it all. This one’s for anyone who’s tired of juggling spreadsheets and wants to see how tech can actually simplify things in the field.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. https://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters

What do you get when a lifelong pilot and a fashion industry pro team up? Skycam Aviation, that’s what, an aerial imaging company that’s flipping the script on how we track methane leaks and monitor the world from above. They’re strapping HD video systems onto planes, zipping through the skies at 15,000 feet, and collecting jaw-dropping footage packed with data that actually matters. From detecting methane in oil fields to keeping tabs on agriculture and infrastructure, their gear isn’t just smart, it’s downright cinematic. Plus, their story is wild: think private jets, high fashion, and high-tech all mashed into one seriously cool origin story.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro00:53 - Meet Sam and Christine03:14 - Sam’s Flying Experience06:19 - Christine’s Flying Experience14:15 - [Duplicate Chapter Removed]14:28 - Christine Corcos’s Fashion Background19:55 - The Slippery Slope of Fashion23:04 - Skycam Aviation Overview29:05 - Methane Detection Technology31:58 - The Fashion Show Story32:05 - Wrapping Up the Discussion35:44 - Advice to Your Younger Self40:40 - Sam’s Fashion Journey41:54 - How to Find Skycam42:54 - Final Thoughts and Wordshttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters

From radio rigs in Army tents to running IT for a major oil and gas consulting firm, Curtis has had one hell of a ride, and he’s got the stories to prove it. He talks about swapping camo for keyboards, how military comms set the stage for his tech leadership style, and why he’s not sold on jumping on every shiny new AI trend. It’s a refreshingly no-BS look at what it really takes to lead tech teams in high-stakes environments, the power of practical problem-solving, and how staying grounded is just as important as staying cutting-edge.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro01:49 - Who is Curtis Forsythe02:59 - Curtis' Upbringing and Military Experience07:54 - Transitioning to IT Consulting10:37 - Early Career Days in IT12:47 - Transitioning to Oil and Gas Industry18:54 - Joining EAG: The Journey23:00 - Role of a VP of IT26:00 - Tech Tinkering in IT Management28:50 - Future of Oil and Gas Technology34:20 - Discussion on ChatGPT40:30 - Thoughts on Tesla Innovations46:46 - Favorite Book Recommendations49:20 - Connecting with Curtis Forsythe50:20 - Why Choose E&A for Businesshttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters

From growing up in Oklahoma with two teachers for parents to making waves in the oil and gas world, Drew Hopkins has built a career on reputation, relationships, and a whole lot of hustle. He went from Chesapeake Energy to co-founding LIS and now leading business development at Novus, and along the way, he’s picked up some hard-earned wisdom about building a winning culture, driving responsible growth, and keeping your values in check while chasing big goals. This one’s packed with stories, lessons, and a few laughs as Drew shares what it really takes to make an impact in the energy industry.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro03:00 - Who is Drew Hopkins07:58 - Impact of Teacher Parents11:47 - Lessons from Teaching Background18:01 - Transitioning to Novus18:50 - Land Information System (LIS)20:50 - Origin of What the Frac Podcast23:50 - Importance of Consistency27:55 - What the Frac Booth at NAPE31:36 - Overview of LandVantage36:34 - LIS and Sales Experience38:11 - Novus Consulting Insights45:09 - Responsible Growth Strategies51:35 - Favorite Restaurants in OKC52:58 - Jake's Schedule Update54:28 - True Vacations vs. Trips57:25 - Drew Hopkins in the Doghouse1:02:03 - Connect with Drew Hopkins Online1:04:10 - Outrohttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters

From climbing the ranks at BP to betting on himself with Adaptive Edge, Danny Falligant has one hell of a story. He walked away from a cushy oil and gas career to shake things up in digital transformation, and now he’s redefining how land departments handle AI, document management, and data. Jeremy gets into the why and how of Danny’s big leap, the real challenges of running a tech startup while juggling family and travel, and why land groups deserve way more credit in the energy world. Plus, a look at where Adaptive Edge is headed, maybe even beyond oil and gas.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Danny Falligant01:22 - Who is Danny Falligant06:38 - Evolution of Lease Analyst Role09:29 - Moving to Denver for BPX10:52 - Relocating to Colorado12:52 - Settling into Colorado13:56 - Departure from BPX17:40 - Founding Adaptive Edge19:36 - Growth of Adaptive Edge22:05 - Innovating Land Group Strategies26:36 - Adaptive Edge Engagement Process30:17 - Exploring the Scanning Space35:45 - Returning to Big Companies?42:30 - Advice for Young Professionals45:16 - Building Confidence46:40 - Future Vision for Adaptive Edge51:08 - Ryan's Hobbies Outside Work52:57 - Ryan's Favorite Restaurants54:31 - Connecting with Danny55:33 - Outrohttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters

Sales engineering isn’t just about numbers and tech, it’s about people, problem-solving, and, surprisingly, a little bit of soul. This episode of *What the Funk?* brings in Darnell Franco from Detechtion Technologies, a guy who knows his way around compressor fleets *and* the complexities of being human. From breaking down digital twins and edge computing in oil and gas to sharing why mental health and "soul compensation" matter just as much as a paycheck, Darnell keeps it real. If you've ever wondered how to juggle the technical grind with personal growth (without burning out), this one’s for you.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro01:40 - Who is Darnell Franco07:00 - Balancing Team Dynamics13:16 - Addressing Burnout15:28 - Advice for Your Younger Self20:07 - Overview of Detechtion Technologies23:14 - Understanding Detection Solutions26:38 - Exploring the Edge Technology28:25 - Detection's Approach to AI30:30 - Digital Twin and Dashboard Insights34:31 - Impact of Detection on Oil and Gas38:30 - Choosing the Right Compressor Size48:03 - Qualities of a Great Sales Engineer52:47 - Simplifying Complex Topics54:54 - Connecting with Darnell Franco56:59 - Podcast Wrap-Uphttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters

From cutting Halo montages to crafting high-impact content for the energy and tech world, Jacob Stiller’s story is one of passion, hustle, and a whole lot of creative grit. What started as DIY GoPro edits turned into a career that’s taken him around the world, co-founding Creator House Media and shaping Digital Wildcatters’ signature style. He opens up about the wild ride—from freelancing through the pandemic to turning storytelling into a powerful tool for industry innovation. Whether it's navigating the highs and lows of content creation or finding new ways to engage an audience, Jacob proves that a mix of adaptability, curiosity, and a camera can take you pretty much anywhere.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro00:40 - Jacob Stiller01:30 - Who is Jacob Stiller02:40 - Early Passion for Art04:10 - Early Passion for Video Editing09:15 - Hurricane Katrina13:12 - Your Family14:07 - Parents' Jobs After Katrina19:50 - Katrina Impact20:42 - What's Next25:48 - Working at TGI Fridays27:10 - Importance of College Education29:50 - Jacob's Journey to Digital Wildcatters33:40 - Timeshare Theory Explained36:36 - Traveling with Mac38:55 - First Trip to Denver42:53 - Origin of Yes Theory46:00 - Gary Vaynerchuk and Hustle Culture49:10 - Filming Gary Vaynerchuk Experience52:13 - Meeting Collin and Digital Wildcatters56:57 - COVID-19 Impact on Content Creation58:14 - Jacob's Role in Digital Wildcatters59:58 - Future of Digital Wildcatters Contenthttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters

Real-time data is changing the game in oil and gas, and SigmaStream is leading the charge. Jeremy and Hari Koduru talk about how their high-frequency data tech is shaking up drilling operations, making things faster, smarter, and way more efficient. Hari shares his journey from India to engineering to founding SigmaStream, breaking down the wild ride of building a company that thrives on precision data. We get into why split-second analytics matter, how better data leads to better decisions, and where all of this is headed—including some surprising moves into geothermal. If you’re into the mix of tech, problem-solving, and energy, this one’s for you.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro01:23 - Who is Hari Koduru06:34 - Growing Up in India07:35 - Moving to the US10:18 - Career at Esri13:27 - AAA Experience17:08 - Starting Your Own Company19:54 - Understanding Southern Hospitality22:08 - Waste Management Project Timeline22:59 - First Job in Oil and Gas24:30 - Importance of Maps in Industry26:13 - Career Start at Neighbors Drilling30:10 - WITSML Technology36:10 - Overview of SigmaStream40:13 - SigmaStream Clientele43:18 - Applicability to Geothermal Drilling45:16 - Hobbies Outside of Work47:00 - Advice for Younger Self51:10 - Branding Insights52:05 - Favorite Restaurants in Houston54:24 - Connecting with Hari55:05 - Wrapping Uphttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters