Digging Deep: An OKIE811 Podcast

Digging Deep: An OKIE811 Podcast

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The OKIE811 Podcast is an educational podcast that covers a wide range of topics from why you should call 811 before you dig to best practices for safe digging in the state of Oklahoma.

OKIE811


    • Jun 4, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 48 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Digging Deep: An OKIE811 Podcast

    Learning the Dirt with Luis ep 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025 42:26


    Join host MG Govia and new bilingual co-host Luis Renon as they reflect on Luis's first ever safety presentation, live lessons from Safety Days, what it means to present in a second language, and the importance of real-life examples in excavation safety. They cover everything from white lining basics to trenching dangers, emergency response tips, and how even a Thunder game delay can turn into a teachable moment. Whether you're an excavator, emergency responder, or utility pro, this episode is packed with practical takeaways—and some fun behind-the-scenes moments too.

    Learning the Dirt with Luis ep 1

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 43:23


    Digging Deep ep 32: Louis Panzer with NC811

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 35:35


    I had a great conversation with Louis Panzer, Executive Director of North Carolina 811, on the latest episode of Digging Deep! We dove into the topic of Imposter Syndrome—how it shows up in the Damage Prevention industry and leadership roles, and why acknowledging it can make us stronger leaders and teammates. Excited to share this important and often overlooked discussion. Give it a listen and let us know your thoughts!

    Safety Scoops #3: Soil Mechanics in Excavation Work

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 9:01


    In this episode of "Safety Scoops," we explore the critical role of soil mechanics in excavation safety. We delve into the importance of understanding soil properties and classification systems, such as the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) classification. The episode covers essential soil properties—cohesion, internal friction angle, and moisture content—and their impact on excavation stability. We discuss various soil testing methods, from visual inspections to sophisticated laboratory tests, and highlight effective soil stabilization techniques like reinforcement, compaction, and chemical stabilization. Real-world case studies emphasize the consequences of neglecting proper soil analysis and the benefits of thorough soil mechanics knowledge in preventing excavation accidents. Tune in to ensure your excavation projects are safe and successful!

    Digging Deep ep 31: Kelly Cahill with CGA

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 52:33


    Join us as M.G. and Kelly, the Communications Director for the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), delve into the world of damage prevention and safety in the excavation industry. In this episode, we explore the evolution of the 811 system, the history and growth of CGA, and the critical role of technology and data in improving excavation practices. Discover the innovative strategies CGA is employing to spread their message, the challenges faced in promoting consistent safety behaviors, and the exciting new initiatives on the horizon, including an online excavator education curriculum and a series of video interviews with industry leaders. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, this podcast offers valuable insights into the importance of collaboration, education, and technological advancements in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our underground infrastructure.

    Safety Scoops #2: Site Assessment and Preparation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 7:07


    Excavation work is really important for many construction projects, like building foundations and putting in utility lines. However, there are many hidden dangers underground that could threaten the safety of workers and the project if they are not properly identified and addressed. This is why it is crucial to thoroughly assess the site before starting any excavation work.

    Safety Scoops #1 Trench Collapse

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 10:29


    In the debut episode of "Safety Scoops," delve into the crucial topic of trench collapses. Learn about the inherent risks, safety measures, and real-life case studies that underscore the importance of prioritizing safety in excavation projects. Join us as we dig deep into the essential knowledge needed to ensure every excavation is a safe one.

    Digging Deep ep 30: Damage Prevention Partnership Opportunities

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 22:39


    Join us for a conversation with the OKIE811 Education and Outreach Department. Become a partner with OKIE811 in damage prevention events! Learn how to stay connected with the latest damage prevention news and happenings

    Digging Deep ep 29: Imposter Syndrome

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 46:36


    For this episode, we take a look at imposter syndrome, how it can affect our work, and ways to overcome it to support safety when on the job

    Digging Deep ep 28: OKIE811 Leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2023 42:49


    In this episode of Digging Deep, we sit down with the leadership team of OKIE811 and talk about some of the accomplishments of the last year and some exciting new projects we have coming up. You won't want to miss out!

    Digging Deep ep 27: Jordan Partlow with Blood Hound

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2023 23:33


    We all know the importance of 811 to have facility operators locate and mark underground assets that are near excavation. Often times, there are also private lines at the worksite that also needs protected like sprinklers, propane and additional service runs of water, electricity, gas. Jordan Partlow, with Blood Hound, shares why it is important to make a second call after 811 for private line locating services.

    Digging Deep ep 26: Chris Stovall with Texas811 and Line-Scape

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2023 24:14


    Chris Stovall is President & CEO of Texas811, as well as Co-founder & CEO of Line-Scape. Chris shares his thoughts on the damage prevention industry and highlights some exciting technology for the future of damage prevention. Check out this episode to learn about how this new technology could impact your next project. You can reach Chris at Chrisstovall@line-scape.com

    Digging Deep ep 25: ReMark vs Extend Tickets

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2023 24:32


    In this special episode of Digging Deep, we take a look at one of our recent webinars that covers the importance of the difference between Remark vs Extend Update tickets.

    Digging Deep ep 24: Mental Health Awareness Month

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2023 30:36


    May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In this podcast, M.G. and Jamie Jones, LPC discuss the importance of mental health awareness and safety in the workplace. They highlight the impact of work-related stress on employees' mental and physical health and suggest strategies that companies can use to address mental health in their workplace. The experts emphasize the importance of creating a culture where employees feel supported and valued and where they know they can speak up if they are experiencing mental health issues.

    Digging Deep ep 23: EXPO Promo with Energy WorldNet

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 7:14


    Digging Deep ep 22: OKIE811 Education Events

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2023 15:19


    In this episode of Digging Deep we sit down with OKIE811 Education & Outreach Coordinator Stephen Shenold to discuss the various upcoming education opportunities and how you can be involved. You won't want to miss this so I hope you will join us.

    Digging Deep ep 21: Mike Sullivan & Utility Safety Partners

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2022 38:43


    Mike Sullivan joins us to discuss the history of Utility Safety Partners. They are the communication service between the digging community and the owners of infrastructure in Alberta, Canada. Over 90% of all locate requests made through USP are done online. Mike shares the reasoning of online tickets and how they are safer and more efficient for the damage prevention process.

    Digging Deep ep 20: Kimbel Mechanical Systems

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2022 25:35


    This month's guest is Allissa Sims with Kimbel Mechanical Systems. Alissa sheds some light on what excavators can do to ensure safety and damage prevention during their jobs. Our discussion covers the importance of communication on jobsites with other stakeholders and what to do if damages do occur. It was a great discussion and we are thankful of Kimbel knowing the importance of 811.

    digging deep kimbel mechanical systems
    Digging Deep ep 19: Tracey Bryant

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2022 43:09


    CGA Hall of Famer, Tracey Bryant of CenterPoint Energy joins us to talk about the evolution of damage prevention and the role of 811 centers.

    Digging Deep ep 18: NuStar

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2022 23:37


    NuStar Energy's Keely Hosmann joins us to talk about our partnership in damage prevention. Keely is the One Call Coordinator for NuStar. We discuss the importance of 811 and how facility operators work with OKIE811 to promote safe digging and damage prevention.

    Digging Deep ep 17: Cross Timbers

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2022 15:23


    We had a great discussion with the guys of Cross Timbers Brewing Co. They are the brewers behind OKIE811's beer this year! In this episode we talk about our partnership, and how using beer to market 811 to the general public works.

    Digging Deep ep 16: Texas811

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2022 21:00


    Texas 811 and OKIE811 discuss damage prevention efforts in our states and how we work together to keep excavators safe.

    Digging Deep ep 15: OKIE811 Culture & Opportunities

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2022 42:36


    In this episode, we are joined by Tyler Dunlap and Renelle Freeman as we discuss the culture and benefits of working for OKIE811 as well as highlight some current opportunities

    Digging Deep ep 14: National Safe Digging Month with USIC

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2022 20:03


    April is National Safe Digging Month. Shane Palmer with USIC talks about the importance of 811 and how the locating industry works.

    Digging Deep Special Episode: Oklahoma Excavation Safety EXPO

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2022 10:56


    We had a great time during the 2022 Oklahoma Excavation Safety Expo. Don't take just our word for it, we asked attendees, exhibitors, and trainers what it was like to be a part of the EXPO. Listen to what they had to say, and plan on being part of next year's largest conference in Oklahoma dedicated to excavation safety and damage prevention.

    Digging Deep ep 13: Jason Crowe & Tim Teel

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2022 38:56


    On Digging Deep this month, we discuss the importance of a shared vision from different stakeholders in the Damage Prevention Industry. Listen in as Jason Crowe of Green Equipment Company and Tim Teel with Summit Utilities share their perspectives in collaborating to keep excavators safe and utilities protected from damage.

    Special Podcast with OGA: Susan Bohl on New Law Changes

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2021 52:33


    There have been a few updates to the Oklahoma Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act that went into effect on November 1, 2021. In this special episode, OKIE811's Executive Director, Susan Bohl joined Jeff Kaufmann of the Oklahoma Gas Association to discuss these changes and how it affects the one-call process.

    August Series #3 - Jerrell Welch

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2021 39:29


    We wrap up the OKIE811 series with a conversation with Jerrell Welch, Director of Operations. We discuss the technology used to process locate requests from mapping to phone systems. The future of damage prevention with advancements in technology are improving the safety of workers around underground facilities. Check out this podcast for some serious Damage Prevention Geek talk.

    August Special Series #2 - Angie Niemeyer

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2021 31:41


    The OKIE811 Series continues with this week's guest, Angie Niemeyer. Angie is the Director of Business and Education Services. We discuss the evolution of OKIE811's Education and Outreach efforts over the last 15 years and look to the future with new ideas. Listen in as M.G. talks with his boss about all things OKIE811.

    August Special Series #1 - Susan Bohl

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2021 27:01


    This month we are going to celebrate 811 Day (August 11th) by providing a series of podcasts about OKIE811. In our first episode, we sit down with our Executive Director, Susan Bohl, to discuss the changes in OKIE811 since the establishment of the organization and through her leadership.

    Digging Deep ep 12: John Graham & EMSA

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2021 23:15


    Working safely in Oklahoma is about preparedness. Not only do you need to contact OKIE811 prior to your excavation projects, you need to be prepared to work in Oklahoma extreme temperatures as well. John Graham with EMSA Oklahoma shares with us how to be prepared and stay safe when working in the heat of summer, and the cold of winter.

    Digging Deep ep 11: Cecilia Steward & Enable

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2021 31:23


    Cecilia Stewart of Enable Midstream joins us this week to discuss their efforts in public awareness and communication with excavators. We share stories of how to go beyond what the locate request says in order to be more proactive for future projects. Enable Midstream and OKIE811 collaborated in providing 811 information to mandarin speaking workers in Oklahoma, check out how that came about in this podcast.

    Digging Deep ep 10: Tim Teel & Centerpoint

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2021 31:08


    Tim Teel, Damage Prevention Coordinator of CenterPoint Energy shares with us the importance of 811. Being a local distribution company, CernterPoint Energy promotes safe digging not only to professional excavators but also the general public and homeowners. We discuss getting the message to anyone who may use a shovel.

    Digging Deep: Special National Safe Digging Month with Plains All American Pipeline

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2021 36:23


    Tux Jackson of Plains All American joins us to discuss the importance of 811 and damage prevention. We explain the responsibilities of underground facility operators in the one-call process. The discussion breaks down the operator's role in public awareness before the call and damage prevention after the locate request has been made.

    Digging Deep: Special National Safe Digging Month with Oklahoma Natural Gas

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2021 19:00


    In this special episode of Digging Deep we sit down with Cherokee Ballard from Oklahoma Natural Gas to discuss the significance of National Safe Digging Month and the importance of contacting OKIE811 before you dig.

    Digging Deep ep 9: Jason Crowe & Green Equipment Company

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2021 34:11


    Jason Crowe, Green Equipment Company, joins us to discuss damage prevention culture. All stakeholders of underground facilities have a role in protecting workers, promoting safety, and prevention of damage. By utilizing partnerships within the industry our efforts can be more successful and rewarding.

    The OKIE811 Podcast ep 8: Interview with Oklahoma Safety Council

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2021 23:35


    During our talk with Betsey Kulakowski with Oklahoma Safety Council, we discuss our partnership, upcoming events, and training that OSC provides. Be sure to listen about OSHA changes because of the pandemic and the new presidency.

    Top 10 Reasons You Should Attend the 2021 Oklahoma Excavation Safety EXPO Virtual Sessions

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2021 6:23


    Special Episode: Coffee with Jim & James

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 23:06


    We sat down with Jim and James for an episode of their podcast "Coffee with Jim & James" from Energy Worldnet.   Coffee with Jim & James Podcast Channel: https://open.spotify.com/show/061lVDa6FLXBw9skqDpiiW?si=cOK3ZKgUT1yQydOhGkbnpA

    OKIE811 Podcast ep 7: Interview with Becco Contractors

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2021 41:36


    Carl Carlson, Safety Director and Risk Manager of Becco Contractors talks with us regarding the importance of using 811. We discuss best practices, lessons learned, and how to properly utilize 811's services.

    OKIE811 Podcast Ep 6: Interview with Tristate Safety Services

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2020 45:01


    Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that about 25 workers are killed each year in trench-related mishaps. Trenching Safety is an important topic and in today's podcast, Ben Montoya of Tri-State Safety Services discusses the best practices regarding trenching. 

    OKIE811 Podcast Ep 5: Interview with Oklahoma Safety Council

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2020 16:20


    In this episode of The OKIE811 Podcast, OSC's Executive Director, Betsey Kulakowski, and M.G. discuss National Safety Month, our upcoming conferences, and how or organizations provide safety training.

    OKIE811 Podcast Ep 4: Interview with Green Equipment Company

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2020 28:27


    Locating technology is a major factor in damage prevention. Jason Crowe and I discuss the importance of understanding underground utility locating to have a safe excavation project.

    green equipment jason crowe
    OKIE811 Podcast Special: Business for Breakfast Interview with Executive Director Susan Bohl

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2020 61:10


     In this special episode we take a look at how OKIE811 has adjusted and navigated in response to the outbreak of COVID-19.

    OKIE811 Podcast Ep 3: Best Practices for Safe Excavation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2020 17:17


    Join us in this episode as we give a brief overview of some of the best practices for safe excavation in the state of Oklahoma.

    OKIE811 Podcast Ep 2: Get OKIE811 Certified for FREE online!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2020 9:46


    The OKIE811 Online Certification Course covers all you need to know about best practices and safe digging in the state of Oklahoma. This course is online and completed anywhere and on your own time. This course is also 100% FREE to you. To learn more go to OKIE811.training

    OKIE811 Podcast Special: Interview with Oklahoma Natural Gas

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2020 18:04


    Join us as we talk with Cherokee Ballard with Oklahoma Natural Gas on the importance of safe digging and always contacting OKIE811 before you dig.

    OKIE811 Podcast Ep 1: Why Do I Have to Contact OKIE811

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2020 12:35


    When you call 811, the federally designated call-before-you-dig number, you protect yourself and others from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines. There are millions of miles of buried utilities beneath the surface of the earth that are vital to everyday living like water, telecommunications, electricity and natural gas. In this podcast we discuss the importance of always contacting 811 before you dig.

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