In this powerful episode of The Lease Road Commute, hosts Rick Bergman and Ray Belcher sit down with Jared Blong — founder of Octane Energy, entrepreneur, husband to the mayor of Midland, and a man deeply committed to servant leadership.Jared shares his incredible journey from El Paso to Midland, from industrial plumbing to high-tech drilling, and from burnt-out to purpose-driven. With wisdom forged from both success and hardship, he breaks down why leaders need to “smell like their sheep,” the importance of stewarding people well, and how faith shapes every part of his life—from marriage to business to civic service.This one is packed with value for anyone working in oil & gas, raising a family, or trying to lead with integrity in a fast-paced world.Chapters00:00 – Smell Like Your Sheep00:59 – Meet Jared Blong01:27 – Married to the Mayor of Midland03:42 – The Heart for Midland & the Permian04:50 – Daughter at the Naval Academy07:37 – Jared’s Path to Oil & Gas13:23 – Building Octane Energy18:07 – Leadership in the Oilfield22:45 – Key Lessons for Future Leaders24:11 – Book Recs: Wisdom of the Bullfrog, Proverbs, Philippians26:29 – The Wildcatter Spirit in Midland28:59 – What to Do During a Layoff30:36 – Leading at Home & in the Field34:34 – Striving vs. Surrender43:07 – Final Thoughts on Leadership & Service51:15 – Outro & SubscribeSubscribe to catch more impactful conversations like this one.Available on all major podcast platforms.