In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode, Mining Minds sits down with the unforgettable Patti Haye — mother, grandmother, storyteller, and true pioneer of family life. At 87 years young, Patti takes us on a powerful journey through her life growing up post World War II, navigating early motherhood, and supporting a family through decades of cross-country moves, strikes, and the Alaskan wilderness.

With stories that span barefoot days in the Yakima Valley to raising children in harsh winters and small mining towns, Patti reminds us of what resilience looks like. She talks about building homes from scratch (literally and metaphorically), the challenges of living frugally, and the joys of doing it all with love.

From all of us at Mining Minds — Happy Mother’s Day!

To the women holding it down in work boots, office chairs, at home, or in the classrooms — this episode is for you. Thank you for the strength, love, and lessons you pass on every day.

Pour a cup of coffee (or scotch) and tune in for one of our most touching conversations yet.

Sponsors:

Heavy Metal Equipment & Rentals

GBC-NORCAT

Liebherr Mining

Chapters:

12:10 Young Love

21:29 Courtship, wedding bells, and a $5 dress

34:33 Haul Trucks and Maintaining

48:32 North to Alaska

1:05:32 Earthquakes and Endurance

1:17:11 Lower 48

1:26:39 Metaphysics

1:34:21 Early Childhood Development

1:39:11 Telling stories in the middle of it