The Discovery Files
Podcast Description
What really makes a discovery?This isn’t another podcast about the next big deposit or the person who “called it.” This is a journey into the human side of discovery—the stories behind the core sheds, drill pads, and field maps. We talk to the people who make exploration work: core loggers, drillers, project geologists, senior geos, and everyone in between.Through honest, unfiltered conversations, we explore the emotions, lessons, failures, team dynamics, and quiet wins that rarely make it into the headlines. We ask: what does a truly successful exploration team look like? How much of discovery is science, and how much is intuition, collaboration, or even chaos?If you’ve ever wondered whether our industry really understands what drives discovery—or if we’re missing the bigger picture—this podcast is for you.Real people. Real stories. Real discovery.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Explores themes of teamwork, the nuances of geological exploration, and the unpredictable nature of discovery, with episodes featuring discussions on the human aspects behind exploration challenges, learning from failures, and the balance between luck and skill, such as Ayesha Ahmed's experiences in the St. Ives Gold Camp and the examination of team dynamics.
What really makes a discovery?
This isn’t another podcast about the next big deposit or the person who “called it.” This is a journey into the human side of discovery—the stories behind the core sheds, drill pads, and field maps. We talk to the people who make exploration work: core loggers, drillers, project geologists, senior geos, and everyone in between.
Through honest, unfiltered conversations, we explore the emotions, lessons, failures, team dynamics, and quiet wins that rarely make it into the headlines. We ask: what does a truly successful exploration team look like? How much of discovery is science, and how much is intuition, collaboration, or even chaos?
If you’ve ever wondered whether our industry really understands what drives discovery—or if we’re missing the bigger picture—this podcast is for you.
Real people. Real stories. Real discovery.
In this episode, Eleanore Dowling shares her journey in geology, from her early experiences in data entry to her current role in lithium exploration with the Andover discovery. She emphasizes the importance of networking, the challenges of transitioning from academic knowledge to fieldwork, and the excitement of discovering new geological systems. Eleanore discusses the significance of teamwork, the impact of diverse backgrounds on exploration, and the lessons learned throughout her career. She concludes with advice for new geologists, encouraging them to seek knowledge and expand their horizons.
The video interview is available at https://youtu.be/jCOsN0P0RJo
00:00Introduction to Eleanor Dowling and Her Journey
05:09Transitioning from Data Entry to Field Work
10:41Discovering Lithium: The Andover Project
16:07The Challenges of Atypical Geological Systems
23:03The Business Side of Exploration: Risks and Rewards
25:13Navigating Challenges in Geology
27:31The Excitement of Discovery
30:52Adapting to New Environments
33:01Integrating Knowledge Across Disciplines
35:52The Learning Curve in Geology
38:33Reflections on Early Career Experiences
41:06The Importance of Team Dynamics
43:47Lessons from Exploration Geology
46:27The Joy of Fieldwork and Discovery
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