The Landcast

Ep 13 | The Future of the Landman Profession w/ AAPL President Julie Woodard & Le’Ann Callihan

Chasteen Land — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Landcast, the gang sits down with Julie Woodard, President of the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL), and Le’Ann Callihan, Executive Vice President and COO of AAPL and NAPE, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of the land profession.

Julie and Le’Ann discuss the challenge of attracting and training the next generation of land professionals, the growing opportunities for landmen across oil and gas, renewables, right-of-way, data centers, and other energy projects, and why strong relationships and a broad skill set still matter in an increasingly technological industry.

They also pull back the curtain on AAPL’s work in advocacy, education, professional certification, disaster relief, NAPE, industry partnerships, and protecting the landman’s right to work.

Ep 12 | AI, GIS & the Future of the Land Industry w/ Kyle Walker

Chasteen Land — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 03:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Landcast, the gang is joined by Kyle Walker, founder of Clearfork Intelligence and professor of geography at TCU, for a fascinating conversation about artificial intelligence, GIS, and the future of the land and energy industries.

Kyle shares how his background in spatial data science led him into oil and gas, mineral data, mapping, and AI; and how ClearFork Intelligence is using those tools to solve real-world problems like automated run sheets, deed and legal description analysis, well data visualization, transmission line routing, and land intelligence.

Kyle also gives his thoughts on the big question: what should AI actually be doing? He explains why AI isn’t always the right tool for the job, why traditional code and automation still matter, and why human review becomes even more important as AI gets better. The group discusses AI hallucinations, and the danger of getting a technically correct answer that is still the wrong answer.

They also explore what all of this means for the next generation of landmen, GIS professionals, developers, and analysts, and why communication, judgment, industry knowledge, and human relationships may become more valuable rather than less valuable in an AI-driven world.

Check out Kyle here:
ClearFork Intelligence
Kyle Walker on X / Twitter
Kyle Walker on LinkedIn

Ep 11 | Landowner Negotiations, Project Management & the Canadian Land Industry w/ Mark McKee

Chasteen Land — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0000

What separates a successful land project from one that becomes delayed, expensive or contentious?

In this episode of The Landcast, Brandon Chasteen and Nathan Alberson sit down with Mark McKee, General Manager with Vertex to discuss the human side of land acquisition, right-of-way work and project management.

Mark shares lessons from more than 25 years in the land industry, beginning with his unconventional journey from a Saskatchewan farm to wannabe umpire, appraisal work, land negotiations and executive leadership.

They talk about why land professionals need to be involved early in a project, how companies can avoid costly conflicts with landowners, and why eminent domain or expropriation can sometimes signal that a project team failed to communicate effectively.

Ep 10 | 50 Years in Appraisal w/ Donald Martin

Chasteen Land — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Don Martin, Chief of the Appraisal Unit for the Illinois Department of Transportation, joins Brandon Chasteen and Nathan Alberson to share lessons from a lifetime in the appraisal profession. A fourth-generation appraiser, Don discusses his unexpected entry into the industry, memorable property inspections, historic Frank Lloyd Wright homes, and the human side of determining fair market value.

The conversation explores eminent domain, fair and just compensation, property-owner concerns, public trust, and why listening may be the most important skill an appraiser, landman, or right-of-way professional can develop.

Don also explains why land professionals should learn from surveyors, title researchers, inspectors, negotiators, and others throughout the acquisition process...and why there is never truly “nothing to do” when there is more to learn.

Ep 9 | Building a Land Company That Lasts (w/ Taylor Doyle)

Chasteen Land — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Brandon and Jeremy sit down with Taylor Doyle, Senior Vice President of Doyle Land Services. Taylor shares his journey from title work and land acquisition to law school and executive leadership, while offering practical insights into recruiting, company culture, AI, renewable energy, and the evolving role of land professionals.

They discuss:

How Taylor accidentally found a career in land services
Growing a multi-generational family business
Why relationships will always matter, even in the age of AI
How artificial intelligence will change title research and land acquisition
Recruiting and training the next generation of land professionals
The future of renewable energy, pipelines, and electric transmission projects
Why mentorship is critical in the land industry
Building company culture that people want to be part of

Connect with Doyle Land Services here!

Ep 8 | What does a landman actually do?

Chasteen Land — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 01:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Brandon and Jeremy pull back the curtain on the land services industry, from oil and gas leasing to title research, courthouse records, and the surprising stories hidden in America’s property records. They discuss how Chasteen Land & Title evolved from a traditional land company into a full-service land firm, share memorable experiences from courthouses across the Midwest, and explain why every tract of land tells its own story.

Ep 7 | Remote Landman Life with Justin Hargadine

Chasteen Land — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Justin Hargadine joins The Landcast to talk about 17 years in the land business, from the early Barnett Shale days in Fort Worth to Permian Basin title, courthouse work, remote project management, and life on the road in a restored 1989 Airstream.

Jeremy catches up with Justin on how the industry has changed, what it was like mailing physical abstract binders to clients, why every new landman should spend time in a courthouse, and how technology has reshaped timelines, expectations, and remote work.

They also get into Justin’s time in real estate during COVID, wild project stories from Oklahoma, the difference between being an employee and an independent contractor, and his advice for young landmen entering the industry today: ask questions, do the work, and don’t bring an attitude you haven’t earned.

Ep 6 | 47 Years in the Land Business: Nick Welch’s Journey Through Oil, Gas, Coal & Right-of-Way (Part 2)

Chasteen Land — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Nick Welch returns for Part 2 with more stories from nearly five decades in the land business, from sulfur well water in rural Tennessee to missing deeds in New Mexico shoeboxes. Along the way, he talks acquisitions, title work, land grants, stacked land contracts, courthouse wisdom, and the humility it takes to keep learning after 47 years in the field.

This episode is full of the kind of stories only a career landman can tell, along with the lessons behind them: respect the landowner, listen before you assume, and never underestimate the little old lady at the courthouse.

Ep 5 | 47 Years in the Land Business: Nick Welch’s Journey Through Oil, Gas, Coal & Right-of-Way (Part 1)

Chasteen Land — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 01:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The Landcast, Brandon and Jeremy sit down with Nick Welch, owner of Welch Abstract & Title, to explore an incredible 47-year career spanning oil and gas, coal, commercial title, telecom infrastructure, right-of-way acquisition, and land management. Nick shares how he got his start as a 19-year-old landman, the mentors who shaped his career, and the industry crashes that forced him to adapt and reinvent himself time and time again. Along the way, he worked across the country on everything from mineral title and coal mining projects to fiber optic networks and major commercial developments. The conversation includes:

How Nick got started in the land business
Lessons learned from nearly five decades in the industry
The 1986 oil crash and its impact on land professionals
Running title in oil and gas, coal, and BLM lands
The transition from landman to business owner
Why history and detective work are essential skills for title professionals
Memorable courthouse discoveries and land stories
The evolution of right-of-way and acquisition work
What makes a great landman today

Plus, Nick shares fascinating stories involving abandoned coal mines, early oil booms, commercial title projects, and even an unexpected connection to Elvis Presley.

Ep 4 | Inside the Illinois Basin: The 110-Year-Old Oil Well Still Producing Today (w/ Neil McCrary)

Chasteen Land — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 01:00:00 +0000

In this episode of The LandCast, Brandon and Jeremy sit down with Neil McCrary, owner of Scout Check Report, one of the Illinois Basin’s longest-running oil and gas publications.

Neil shares his unique journey from horse racing at Churchill Downs to managing oil production operations and ultimately purchasing Scout Check in 2024. The conversation explores the rich history of oil production in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky, including the story of a 110-year-old Indiana oil well that is still producing today.

They discuss how Scout Check tracks drilling activity across the Illinois Basin, the evolution of oil scouting from binoculars and courthouse records to modern technology, and the challenges of reporting accurate industry information in a rapidly changing energy landscape.

Neil also offers his perspective on the current state of the Illinois Basin, industry consolidation, oil prices, and why he remains optimistic about the region’s future.

Ep 3 | From Investment Banking to Oil & Gas CEO (w/ Bert Ferrara)

Chasteen Land — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 01:00:00 +0000

What does it take to build an oil and gas company from the ground up?

In this episode of the LandCast, Brandon and Jeremy Chasteen sit down with Bert Ferrara, President and CEO of Revitalize Resources, to discuss his remarkable journey from Yale football player to investment banker, attorney, and ultimately oil and gas entrepreneur. Bert shares how he launched Revitalize Resources in the Illinois Basin, the lessons he learned through industry downturns, and why adaptability, strong teams, and financial discipline are critical to long-term success.

The conversation covers entrepreneurship, oil and gas operations, leadership, technology, the future of the Illinois Basin, and practical advice for young professionals looking to build a career or business of their own. Bert also discusses how Revitalize Resources has grown through strategic acquisitions, operational excellence, and a commitment to creating value for investors and communities alike.

Ep 2 | Why Oil Isn't Dead Yet (w/ Seth Whitehead)

Chasteen Land — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 06:20:00 +0000

Brandon and Jeremy sit down with Seth Whitehead, Executive Director of the Illinois Petroleum Resources Board, to talk about the history, future, and public perception of oil and gas in Illinois. Seth shares how IPRB educates students, supports environmental restoration, and helps tell the story of an industry made up largely of local, family-run producers. They also discuss fracking misconceptions, the impact of shows like Landman, abandoned tank battery cleanup, workforce development, and why energy demand means oil and gas will remain essential for years to come.

Check out the Illinois Petroleum Resources Board here and at their YouTube channel! Or on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X.

Ep 1 | What Makes a Great Landman

Chasteen Land — Sun, 10 May 2026 23:38:00 +0000

In the very first episode of The Landcast, Brandon and Jeremy dive into the realities of becoming landmen and what it actually takes to succeed in the industry.

Jeremy shares stories from his early days working title in the Barnett Shale and isolated West Texas courthouses during the Eagle Ford boom, where complex mineral ownership, sandstorms, and century-old records became his training ground.

Along the way, they explore the difference between surface and mineral title, why courthouse research is more art than science, the importance of asking questions, and why some highly academic personalities struggle in the industry. Brandon and Jeremy also discuss the evolution of modern land work, the relationship between landmen, title companies, surveyors, and attorneys, and why adaptability matters more than perfection (which also matters, of course).