Episode Description
What happens when a pandemic coffee chat accidentally becomes one of the most respected podcasts in the energy industry?
Mike Sullivan sits down with James Cross, co-creator of Coffee with Jim and James, to unpack the origin story behind the show that connected an entire industry during COVID.
James shares how a simple Zoom conversation evolved into a powerful platform for collaboration, storytelling, and safety advocacy across the natural gas and damage prevention world.
From his roots in West Texas and a passion for public speaking to taking the podcast live on the road and into the field, James reflects on the lessons learned from hundreds of conversations with frontline workers, industry leaders, and safety professionals. The discussion dives deep into safety culture, near miss reporting, industry collaboration, and whether podcasts truly make a difference.
Emotional, funny, and deeply human, this episode is both a celebration of community and a reminder that the most impactful conversations often start with a cup of coffee.
Listen for:
:40 How Did A Pandemic Coffee Chat Turn Into A Hit Industry Podcast?
7:53 Why Was Convincing The First Podcast Guest So Difficult?
13:39 What Happened When Coffee With Jim And James Went Live At A Conference?
26:40 Are Safety Metrics Measuring The Right Things In The Industry?
47:07 What Dangerous Situation Did PG&E Workers Face In The Field?
Connect with Guests:James Cross, Chief Experience Officer | EWN
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