Overview:

In The Driller Newscast #149, Brock Yordy dives into the vital topics of employee engagement and job site safety—two pillars of a productive and thriving workforce. He discusses how building a culture of communication and accountability can drive performance and reduce risks in the field. The featured interview spotlights Paul Frith, the OGA Board Convention Chair, who shares insights on the evolving geothermal landscape in Canada. Their conversation explores the environmental and economic benefits of geothermal energy, with a focus on embodied carbon and the importance of cross-industry collaboration. As the episode wraps, Brock offers a heartfelt toast to all the hardworking dads out there in celebration of Father’s Day. Watch the video above, or listen to the podcast below.

Read on for a more detailed breakdown of the topics we discuss this week.

Welcome to episode 149 of The Driller Newscast, where Brock Yordy brings us another compelling conversation from the world of drilling, geothermal, water, and construction. 

This week’s episode is part reality check, part celebration, and part heartfelt reflection—just the way we like it.

Safety First—But Make It Meaningful

It’s June, which means it’s National Safety Month, and Yordy doesn’t mince words. He’s urging industry veterans and employers to think beyond the basics—beyond new-hire orientations and PPE checklists—and engage in something deeper: real safety culture.

“We’re not operating safely,” Yordy warns, pointing to social media snapshots of high-profile projects with zero visible safety gear. “That hard hat? It’s not a suggestion. It’s a lifeline.” With veteran workers carrying the industry forward, Yordy presses us to rethink how we communicate safety—not just as a requirement but as a value system.

From the Drill Rig to the Podcast Mic: Enter Paul Frith

This week’s featured guest is Paul Frith, the current board chair of the Ontario Geothermal Association (OGA) and a strong voice in cross-border collaboration. The man behind the biggest OGA conference to date, Frith shares how he’s shaking up the scene by bringing in developers, municipalities, and new faces—people who traditionally haven’t been part of the geothermal conversation.

And the results? Over 500 attendees, massive engagement, and a flurry of follow-ups from stakeholders wanting to fund and further geothermal development. “It’s not about just preaching to the choir,” Frith says. “It’s about expanding the choir.”

A core theme throughout the episode is unity—whether that’s safety engagement across generations or geothermal innovation across borders. Frith says it best: “I don’t give a shit about borders. We should be working together.”

From U.S. to Canada to Mexico, he envisions North America not as fragmented energy markets, but as a collaborative force in building a climate-resilient future.

You can listen to or watch this part at 4:32 above.

The Big Word: Embodied Carbon

Yordy and Frith don’t shy away from the hard stuff. The conversation dives into “embodied carbon”—the emissions tied to creating materials and buildings. It’s not just about operational emissions anymore; the entire lifecycle matters. Frith highlights how cities like Toronto and states like California are already baking this into building codes.

“You can’t build a 20-story tower and call it carbon neutral if you don’t count the materials that made it,” Frith notes. And with cement still one of the globe’s top CO₂ emitters, there’s urgency to rethink how and what we build—with geothermal energy playing a starring role in reducing that footprint. Frith’s to-do list is long: expanding OGA’s membership, strengthening policy advocacy, and maybe chairing next year’s conference—again. He’s also laser-focused on encouraging younger professionals to join the movement.

Meanwhile, adoption of geothermal in Canada is picking up—particularly in multi-residential construction, where nearly 50% of developers are now considering it. But there’s still work to do in the single-family housing market, especially where natural gas remains king.

A Tribute to Fathers—and the Future

In a touching moment, Yordy closes the show with a Father’s Day dedication, donning his “Rad Dad” shirt and reflecting on his late father, a proud water well driller. “Heroes don’t live forever,” he says, “but they leave lessons that do.”

He also delivers a sober reminder about climate impacts already affecting our lives—from reduced snowpack in the Colorado River Basin to erratic jet streams disrupting seasons on both sides of the border. “We’re drillers,” he reminds us. “We work with Mother Nature… and we have a responsibility to protect groundwater, because that is life.”

Episode 149 in a Nutshell?

It’s about more than just tools and technology. It’s about people, purpose, and the planet. Whether you’re a driller, developer, policymaker, or just someone who wants a better future for their kids, this episode reminds us: the work is hard, but the mission is clear.

And if you’re still wondering what to get a dad who loves drilling? Maybe start with a safer jobsite, a cleaner energy policy, or a solid geothermal install.

Thanks for joining us. Tune in each Monday morning for the latest video or podcast. Whether you’re at your desk or on the way to the jobsite listening in the truck, start your week with us. You can also find our show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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Brock Yordy, Global Drilling SME, Anchor, and lead content creator at TheDriller.com, wants you to contribute to TheDriller.com. Send news, tips and interview suggestions to questions@askbrock.com.