Podcasts
Insightful and engaging conversation on leadership, innovation, and careers, focused on energy, the green economy and social impact.
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Warning Lights Flashing – Michele Wucker, “The Gray Rhino” Author
Why do we miss potentially dangerous trends, “a series of warnings and visible evidence”? It might be climate change, water scarcity, an infrastructure that is falling apart beneath our feet, terrorist threats, or an approaching business competitor or trend we had ignored, for example. How do we train ourselves to seepotential dangers we’re missing early enough to address them? Listen to author and global business strategy leader Michele Wucker with Green Connections Radio.
Jeans from Wood? – Tricia Carey, Lenzing Fibers
"It's about how the customer will feel." Tricia Carey About 85% of our clothing ends up in a landfill. Ugh! How do we reduce this environmental hazard -- and still wear great clothes? Listen to this fascinating conversation with Tricia Carey of Lenzing Fabrics about...
Clean Energy Policy Today – Lisa Jacobson, Business Council for Sustainable Energy
Conventional thinking in the face of the proposed Trump administration's cuts and regulatory rollbacks is that clean energy support in Washington is on life support. Not so fast.... Listen to Lisa Jacobson, President of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy...
Preparing Cities – Katharine Burgess, Director of Urban Resilience, Urban Land Institute
The recent string of disasters is a stark reminder to include resilience in our budgets, from cities to companies and organizations. Our homes, businesses, schools and local economies cannot afford to be ill-prepared, as we saw in Puerto Rico for example with Hurricane Maria’s devastation. How to do it? Listen to Katharine Burgess, Director of Urban Resilience at the Urban Land Institute, for best practices in this critical conversation with Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson. You may want to forward this podcast to your mayor, Congressperson or City Manager – and take notes!
Hydrogen Energy Storage – Dr. Kathy Ayers, Proton OnSite
The big issue with renewable energy is that it’s not always available. What if it could be? What if you had an intermediate source that could store the solar power, for example, indefinitely, so that you can convert it back into electrons to power the grid or your business? Enter hydrogen generators. Listen to Dr. Kathy Ayers, V.P. of Research & Development at Proton OnSite explain how these cool generators work to create clean, reliable fuel.
Eco-Bedding? – Eileen Mockus, Coyuchi
Are you shopping for new bedding for your college kids or yourself? Before you do, listen to my interview with Coyuchi CEO Eileen Mockus about eco-bedding -- and you might never shop for bedding the same way again! Coyuchi has been manufacturing organic cotton...
Eco-Battery Technologies – Shirley Meng, U.C. San Diego, Sustainable Power & Energy Center
Imagine if a substance so common and inexpensive that it’s in your kitchen cabinet could hold the secret to the next revolution in battery technologies! That’s the truly ground-breaking work that Dr. Shirley Meng is leading at the Laboratory for Energy Storage and Conversion at U.C. San Diego and as the Founding Director of its Sustainable Power and Energy Center.This brilliant woman is innovating batteries for the 21st century – and they aren’t all lithium ion – for the grid, electric vehicles and those small alkaline batteries in your flashlight or portable emergency radio. These breakthroughs expand renewable energy. Listen to GCR Host Joan Michelson’s fascinating conversation with Shirley.
Power Standards – Karen Bartleson, IEEE
We tend to take standards for granted, and want "our" technology to be special and proprietary, but standards are critical so systems can work together. Listen to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson's intriguing conversation with Karen Bartleson, President of...
Inventing New Batteries – Esther Takeuchi, Inventors Hall of Fame & Stony Brook
Anyone you know of who has a pacemaker, literally owes their life to Dr. Esther Takeuchi of Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Lab. She invented the pacemaker battery and is in the Inventors’ Hall of Fame as a result. This remarkable woman is now innovating batteries for the 21st century – for everything from cars to the electric grid — to enable greater expansion of renewable energies by addressing the storage-intermittency issues. Listen to GCR Host Joan Michelson’s fascinating conversation with Esther new battery technologies.
Best Big Data – Allison Sagraves, Big Data Guru, TED Talk
“We need to question the assumptions in our methodology…and figure out how we’re going to use all this data to solve problems.” Allison Sagraves on Green Connections Radio The 21st century economy is based on Big Data, especially when it comes to the new energy-sustainability paradigm. As Green Connections Radio Joan Michelson wrote in Investis recently, all data is not created equal and we can easily get garbage. One of the experts in that piece, Allison Sagraves emphasized to consider what you’re not asking, “The value is going to come from the things we never knew were possible.” Listen to Joan’s fascinating conversation with Allison about big data transforming our world, including in energy.
Solar Jobs Help Homeowners – Nicole Steele, Grid Alternatives
Everybody talks about jobs, and the clean energy economy is growing jobs at a faster pace than virtually any other industry. So, where do you go to get trained? A national non-profit is training the solar workforce of the future while also giving solar power to...
Sustainable Fashion? – Annie Gullingsrud, Cradle to Cradle Innovation Institute
"85% of disposable apparel ends up in a landfill," Annie Gullingsrud, Cradle to Cradle Innovation Institute Think of all the stuff the people in areas devastated by hurricanes and fires have to replace.... What if they replaced even 10 percent of it with sustainable...
Energy Storage – Kate McGinnis, AES Energy Storage
Without the ability to store clean energy, it will only go so far. AES Energy Storage is on the cutting edge of reinventing energy storage, especially with their new joint venture with Siemens, called Fluence. Listen to AES's Kate McGinnis tell Green Connections Radio...
Enviro-Social Investing – Christopher Cordaro, RegentAtlantic
“Change occurs when we vote with our wallets…We are in a revolution right now when we can use our portfolios to express our values and actually impact the policies that corporations are making.”
Christopher Cordaro on Green Connections Radio. One of the sure-bet investments over time has been energy stocks, mostly oil and gas, with companies like Exxon Mobil soaring. Yet, Hurricane Harvey and the reality of climate change have upset that long-held belief too. The hurricane brought Houston’s oil and gas hub to a halt for days or weeks. So, today we’re looking anew at how we can match our investment dollars with our values. Grab an iPad or pen and paper, because you’ll want to take notes on this one. Listen to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson’s tips-packed conversation with investing master, Christopher Cordaro, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of RegentAtlantic about how to do it.
Eco-Friendly Clothing – Christopher Chappell, Ramblers Way
We feel for the people of Houston, Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands who had their lives devastated by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.....they have to replace everything. So, what if....what if they replaced their clothing with sustainably-produced clothing? Imagine the...
Congress & Clean Energy – Lynn Abramson, Clean Energy Business Network
Due to COVID-19's economic crisis, the energy sector has experienced the worst downturn since WWII, according to the head of the International Energy Agency. And, we need to mitigate the impact of climate change. Yet, at a time when our lives literally depend upon...
Climate Journalism – Hannah Fairfield, NY Times Climate Editor
Why do news organizations choose certain climate stories? Are they promoting a position? What strategies do they use to make sure the facts are accurate? To combat bias? This episode will answer these questions and more, with a behind the scenes look at where those stories come from and how they come to be with a master: Listen to this fascinating, insightful conversation between Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson and Hannah Fairfield, the Climate Editor of the venerable New York Times. This is the story behind the stories.
New Portable Energy – Rita Hansen, OnBoard Dynamics
What if we had a way to get power to devastated areas quickly in an emergency, such as a natural disaster like a hurricane?
Listen to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson’s fascinating conversation with Rita Hansen, CEO of OnBoard Dynamics about their new mobile natural gas-powered energy source that could provide that much-needed power at these critical moments.
Water Science Lessons? Rita Colwell, Gulf Water Expert, fmr NSF Administrator
Stories abound about the potential contaminants in the water flooding Houston and its environs from Hurricane Harvey. But what might we learn from all that water? Perhaps we can learn something about it from the team that studied the Gulf of Mexico after the...
Teaching Kids Climate – Lynne Cherry, Children’s Book Author on the Environment
“Kids have power.. and once kids know how much power they have to make change, they start acting.”Lynne Cherry on Green Connections Radio Kids are experiencing the impact of the climate firsthand through extreme weather events and probably don’t understand exactly what’s happening. Listen to Lynne Cherry, author of over thirty children’s books pertaining to climate change tell Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson.
Earth Science & Climate – Katharine Hayhoe, Climate Scientist, Univ. of Texas
One or the most prominent voices on climate change is one of our amazing scientist guests, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, who was chosen as one of Time magazine’s “Top 100 Pioneers” and is great fun too. Dr. Hayhoe is an Atmospheric Scientist and the Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University – and teaches in the Political Science Department. An interesting combination…Listen to her easy way of helping us understand the science..
Eclipse Physics Meets Climate Change – Lawrence Krauss, Renowned Physicist, Best-selling Author
Total eclipse reminds us of how cool physics is, so we thought it was a good time to hear from renowned physicist and best-selling author Dr. Lawrence Krauss on how exactly the climate changes and why again. Listen to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson’s...
Summer Heat & Water – Dow Water’s Snehal Desai
As you head for the beach or lake for your summer vacation, soothed by nature, remember that there are 1.2 billion people who live in water scarcity – and that drought truly threatens our food supply. Our very survival depends upon sufficient water. After all, our...
Entrepreneur Tips & Funding – Julie Lenzer Kirk, Serial Entrepreneur & Former Head, Economic Development, Commerce Dept.
Julie Lenzer Kirk is an award-winning serial entrepreneur and former head of the Economic Development Administration’s Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) at the U.S. Commerce Department. She has built and sold multiple businesses and mentored hundreds of entrepreneurs (mostly women) and helped them bridge the gaps to succeed – change the world.
Socially Responsible Investing – Barbara Krumsiek, Calvert Investments
Do you want to invest with principle — and earn great financial returns too?
As the stock market hits all-time highs, and the Trump administration reduces regulations on financial institutions, automakers, water polluters and fossil fuel companies, among a long list, we have to take a more active role in managing our portfolios if we want them to reflect our environmental and clean energy values AND make a great return.
So, what to do?
Listen to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson’s previous interview with a leader in socially-responsible investing, Barbara Krumsiek who was the CEO of Calvert Investments for a long time (and is now retired). Barbara candidly discusses the pros and cons of socially-responsible investing (SRI), which is now mainstream, thanks in part to Calvert and Krumsiek. But what if you’re new to it like most of us are?
Tackling CO2 with ARPA-E – Laura Nereng of 3M
When you hear “3M” you think of Post-it notes, right? Not so fast. 3M is innovating in cleantech and breaking new ground, especially in reducing carbon emissions. With the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Projects Research Agency-Energy - aka ARPA-E - on the...
Marketing Nat’l Lab Inventions – Dr. Karina Edmonds, Tech Transfer, Dept of Energy
The National Laboratories invented most of the stuff we take for granted. The technology that “put the jolt in the Chevy Volt,” for example, removed lead from use in anything soldered, improved our roofs and, yes, started the technology that became the Internet. .Listen to Dr. Karina Edmonds, Technology Transfer Coordinator for the Department of Energy — now at Google — speak about innovations from the National Laboratories that are solving our energy challenges.
Gov’t Does Climate – Rebecca Rubin, Marstel Day
Guess who’s taking serious steps to reduce their carbon footprint and partner with the local community? As the new administration seeks to cut all climate and clean energy, we thought it was a good time to re-air our interview with Rebecca R. Rubin, Founder/CEO of...
State Energy Trend? – Betsy McCorkle, North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association
With new legislation being voted on that could be a sign of what’s to come in state energy policy – aside from the mayors who are joining the climate agreement – we thought it was a good time to re-air our interview with Betsy McCorkle, head of governmental affairs at...
Gov’t Energy Innovations – Dr. Ellen Williams, ARPA-E, Dept of Energy
With government funding for energy innovations under threat, we thought it was a good idea to re-air this fascinating interview Dr. Ellen Williams, then-head of the Advanced Energy Research Agency, aka, ARPA-E, of the Department of Energy. ARPA-E is one of the...
Summer Eco-Travel – Geoff Bolan, Sustainable Travel Inc.
Before you set off on your next summer vacation, you'll want to hear Geodd Bolan's tips for reducing the environmental impact of your journey. So, listen to this enlightening conversation between Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson and Geoff Bolan, CEO of...
Speaking 4 Your Career – Bobbie Carlton, Innovation Women Public Speakers
Does your event have an equal number of female and male speakers? When was the last time you spoke at an event, as either a panelist, host, moderator or keynote speaker? Gave a presentation?
Public speaking is a very powerful tool to advance your career, as you’ll hear in this inspiring interview of Bobbie Carlton, Founder/CEO of Innovation Women and Carlton PR & Marketing by Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson.
Local Resilience – Nicole Ferrini, Chief Resilience Officer, El Paso, Texas
“Listen for the unexpected,” Nicole Ferrini, El Paso, Texas As the new administration seeks to cut climate change budgets nationwide, Mother Nature doesn’t wait, so local communities are left having to take action regardless of what the federal government does. So,...
Whole Foods Energy Use – Kathy Loftus, Global Head of Energy Efficiency, Whole Foods Market
With the recent acquisition of Whole Foods Market by Amazon, it’s a good time to listen to Green Connections Radio host’s fascinating conversation with Whole Foods Markets’ Global Head of Sustainable Facilities, Kathy Loftus. Kathy initiated some innovative strategies...
States Innovating Energy – Catherine Williams, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center
With the Trump administration cutting energy innovation and climate change initiatives, and saying that the states can pick up the slack, it’s a good time to re-air our enlightening episode with a woman on the front lines of a state leading the way: Catherine Williams...
Funding Eco-Start-ups – April Richards, EPA SBIR Program
With Congress poised to review President Trump's proposal to cut the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by 31%, it's important to look at what the EPA does. One of the coolest EPA programs is the Small Business Innovation Grant (SBIR) program that...
Nature Walks 4 Kids – Alisha Camacho, Anacostia Unplugged
We all seek to venture out to nature But, imagine all you’ve know is streets. Imagine that as a result, you’re afraid of nature….as an unknown. Imagine a mentor takes you to the river for the first time, and hikes along the river, and your eyes open…. That’s what Alisha Camacho is doing with her students in Anacostia and she’s producing a documentary about it, called “Anacostia Unplugged,” in this great interview from our archives.
Paris Climate Accord Front Lines – with Rachel Kyte, CEO of the U.N’s Sustainable Energy for All Programme
With the Trump administration having pulled out of the historic Paris Climate Accord, we thought it a good time to re-air our fascinating episode with the woman on the front lines of implementing that accord: Rachel Kyte, CEO of the United Nation’s Sustainable Energy for All Programme.
Kyte articulates the impetus for the Paris Climate Accord in the first place – and how it can be implemented. It’s a fine dance of diplomacy, technology, science, negotiation, creative business and financial modeling, and entrenched positions – with human survival in the balance.
Resilient Communities – Katharine Burgess, Director of Urban Resilience, Urban Land Institute
With our communities on the front lines of climate change risk – homes, businesses, schools and local economies – we are relieved that there are courageous, innovative leaders who are taking action and creating added value (with low budgets). They are using natural solutions and conservation methods that we can all learn. Meet Katharine Burgess, Director of Urban Resilience at the Urban Land Institute, as she shares her insights from working with communities on Green Connections Radio in this conversation with host Joan Michelson. You may want to forward this podcast to your mayor, Congressperson or City Manager – and take notes for your own community!
Abu Dhabi Renewable Energy – Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, Director, Masdar Sustainability
The oil-rich Middle East is transitioning to clean energy, slowly, under both economic and geopolitical pressure to combat climate change and wean the world of fossil fuels. At the heart of these efforts is a remarkable woman playing a leading role in the clean energy revolution in the heart of oil country. Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany is Director of Sustainability at Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company and Director of the prestigious Zayed Future Energy Prize while also teaching as an adjunct professor at Masdar’s Institute of Science and Technology. Listen to her in this candid interview Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson did at the Climate Leadership Gala.
– David, CEO EdgeStudio.com
About Joan Bryna Michelson
Joan Bryna Michelson, MBA is an award-winning business and communications leader, public speaker and host of the acclaimed podcast series, Green Connections Radio™... Read More