Digging Deep: An OKIE811 Podcast

Digging Deep ep 34: Special Episode in Spanish

As Hispanic Heritage Month wraps up, we’re proud to highlight the impact of the Hispanic community and our ongoing efforts to promote safe digging. Listen to our latest Digging Deep episode — presented entirely in Spanish with our friends from NM811! 

 

Ya cerca de concluir el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, nos enorgullece destacar el impacto de la comunidad hispana y nuestros esfuerzos continuos por promover la excavación segura. Escucha nuestro nuevo episodio de Digging Deep — ¡presentado completamente en español junto a nuestros amigos de NM811!

Digging Deep ep 33: Through the Eyes of an Agent with Lisa Parenica

Ever wondered what it’s really like behind the scenes at OKIE811? In this episode of Digging Deep, host Luis Rendon sits down with Lisa Parenica, one of our experienced contact center agents, to uncover what it takes to keep Oklahoma digging safely. Lisa shares what a day in the life of an OKIE811 agent looks like — from managing locate requests to navigating tricky maps, ensuring accurate ticket details, and handling unexpected safety concerns. Whether you’re an excavator, contractor, utility pro, or just curious about what happens after you call 811, this episode is packed with tips, insights, and “knowledge nuggets” you won’t want to miss!

 

🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- How OKIE811 agents manage locate requests and ensure accuracy

- Why providing complete and correct ticket information matters

- How agents handle safety concerns and tricky access issues

- Tips for smooth communication between excavators, locators, and OKIE811

 

📌 Resources Mentioned:

✔ Learn more about safe digging and OKIE811 training: https://www.okie811.org/training

Learning the Dirt with Luis ep 7

In this episode of Digging Deep by OKIE811, hosts M.G. Govia and Luis Rendon catch up on the last 90 days, big outreach wins, and what’s ahead for the rest of the year. From the success of July’s Hispanic Chamber job fair to building momentum for the upcoming Spanish Safety Day in October, they share how OKIE811 is connecting with communities across Oklahoma—both in English and Spanish.

 

Luis talks about his ride-along with USIC, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the locator’s role, challenges in the field, and the importance of clear communication between contractors and locators. M.G. and Luis also discuss the ongoing development of OKIE811’s new Learning Management System, training opportunities, and recent event highlights, including Virtual Safety Day and the ORWA Expo.

 

Whether you’re an excavator, contractor, or safety professional, this episode is packed with updates, event announcements, and insight into how OKIE811 works to keep Oklahoma safe.

 

📅 Highlights include:

Recap of recent community outreach events

Upcoming Spanish Safety Day details

Locator ride-along insights

Virtual Safety Day results

LMS updates and training opportunities

🔗 Resources & Links:

Training & Certification: https://okie811.org/training

Safety Day Info: https://okexcavationsafety.com

Learning the Dirt with Luis ep 6

In this episode of Digging Deep, MG and Luis welcome Haley Manning—OKIE811’s Education Outreach Manager. With over 20 years at OKIE811, Haley brings valuable insight into the organization’s mission and the impact of educational outreach. Together, they reflect on a recent milestone Spanish-language training event that brought in over 300 attendees, showcasing the growing need and enthusiasm for bilingual safety education. The conversation also highlights preparations for major upcoming events like Virtual Safety Day and the Tulsa Safety Day, both key moments in the organization’s yearly calendar. On top of that, they explore new efforts in community engagement through job fairs, partnerships with Hispanic media, and grassroots outreach. Along the way, you’ll hear fun personal stories—like MG’s first movie memory and the promise of OU football games—as the hosts share their passion for connecting safety with real people and communities.

Learning the Dirt with Luis ep 5

Luis hits his 90-day milestone, and in this episode of Learning the Dirt with Luis, he and MG reflect on how far he’s come—from learning the ropes to becoming a confident ambassador for safe digging. They recap their visit to the Oklahoma Rural Water Association Expo, talk about the Thunder’s championship parade, and even share a story about a possible appearance in an ESPN documentary. Plus, MG walks Luis through how to properly submit a locate request (even for something as simple as planting a tree), and they look ahead to Virtual Safety Day on July 16. It’s a fun, informative episode full of laughs, learning, and some big things to come.

Learning the Dirt with Luis ep 4

In this episode of Digging Deep, MG and Luis celebrate hitting episode four and reflect on Luis’ journey through his first 68 days at OKIE811. From mastering presentations in a second language to learning the nuances of excavation terminology, Luis shares how practice and mentorship have helped him grow. The duo also recaps a busy week, including MG’s appearance on the news, a successful golf tournament with industry partners, and preparations for upcoming presentations and events like the Ada Safety Day and Virtual Safety Day.

They dive into key safety topics such as private lines, update tickets, and emergency locate requests—all while keeping things fun with sports talk and some friendly Thunder banter. This episode offers a great mix of education, encouragement, and laughs as Luis continues his path toward becoming a certified 811 pro.

Learning the Dirt with Luis ep 3

This week Senior Education & Outreach Liaison M.G. Govia sits down with our newest teammate, Luis Rendón, to cover: Luis’s first 75 days & his debut 811 webinar (in English and Spanish) A practical walk-through of the 5 Steps to Safe Digging Behind-the-scenes prep for upcoming Safety Days in Altus and beyond Thunder playoff buzz, OU softball magic, and why Oklahoma sports are thriving The latest “Learning with Luis” 90-day quiz challenge Whether you’re an excavator, contractor, or utility pro, you’ll leave with real-world tips to keep crews safe and projects on time.

Learning the Dirt with Luis ep 2

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

Digging Deep ep 32: Louis Panzer with NC811

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!