Inevitable

Our guests today are, Diego Saez-Gil of Pachama and Sam Gill of Sylvera, and we're talking about forestry carbon offsets.Forestry carbon offsets were designed as a financial tool to provide an economic incentive for landowners to make alternative decisions, to pay landowners to keep their forests intact in the case of deforestation avoidance credits or to reforest previously damaged land in the case of reforestation credits. The money for this economic incentive comes from large actors who can then take "credit" for their action and apply it against the carbon footprint of their own organization. This is a carbon offset. In the simplest terms, if part of a company cannot decarbonize quickly, but still aims to achieve net-zero emissions, they can pay a forest landowner to preserve their forest and take an agreed upon amount of carbon off their balance sheet accordingly. And it’s a relatively new thing. Forestry carbon offsets have become a popular product over the last decade, and like any maturing industry, it has challenges.Diego and Sam are here to walk us through why forests matter, the history of offsets and how they work, some of the challenges highlighted recently, and what they think the path forward looks like. Regardless of what you think of carbon offsets, this is a crucial problem to solve. Without an economic incentive to maintain and regrow the world's forests, any thought of avoiding the worst effects of climate change is out the window. In this episode, we cover: Diego's background and intro to PachamaSam's experience and an overview of SylveraForests in the world today and why they matter for climateRisk of deforestation and the Amazon becoming a self-reinforcing negative feedback loopHow the story of biodiversity has changed from a forestry perspectiveEconomic levers at play with regard to forests, including reforestation and afforestationThe link between forest credits, offsets, and carbon marketsProblems associated with deforestation credits and managing illegal activityThe voluntary market for deforestation credits, who's buying and whyHow deforestation credits are measured now and historicallyMeasuring reforestation and afforestation projectsDiego and Sam's thoughts on a recent article in The Guardian claiming that most forest carbon offsets are worthlessHow Sylvera assesses forest projects and its reaction to The Guardian articlePachama's approach to creating synthetic baselines and validating the uncertainty of predictionsOvercoming challenges through collaborationPredictions for the future of forest carbon marketsGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInDiego Twitter / LinkedInSam Twitter / LinkedIn MCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 31, 2023 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Oliver Gunasekara, co-founder and CEO at Impossible Metals. If we're to electrify everything, we need an order of magnitude more batteries and wiring. All of this requires metals including nickel, cobalt, lithium, manganese, and copper. More metals mean… you guessed it, more mining. Today's land-based mining practices are fraught with externalities that vary by material, but often include deforestation and land degradation, incredible amounts of water use, pollution via mine tailings, giant diesel trucks, and in some cases even child labor. And what's more, the supply chains for many of these resources often flow to China, which has made massive investments in securing access for China-based battery companies. And yet, in certain expanses of our deep ocean, there are seabeds full of golf ball-sized nodules of metal like nickel and cobalt that have naturally formed over millennia. Impossible Metals is helping us realize an electrified future by developing underwater autonomous robots that mine metals for EV batteries in the deep sea. The company is developing an audacious moonshot-like technology to sustainably harvest trillions of dollars of undersea metals and disrupt the EV battery supply chain in the process. Buckle up, this discussion is rich and complex. In this episode, we cover:The state of mining todayAn overview of key battery metals, including nickel cobalt manganese (NCM), cobalt, manganese, and lithiumShortfalls in fulfilling the supply chainOliver's journey in startups and how he transitioned to climate techAn overview of deep sea minerals and their significanceThe process for mining materials including regulationsWhere we are today in terms of commercial mining of deep-sea mineralsScientific exploration required to do the workA description of Impossible Metals' autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)How robotics help the AUV search for metals while minimizing the impact on sea lifeWhere the company is today and its goals for reducing the need for new minesCosts associated with Impossible Metals' solution compared to dredging and new minesImpacts on the supply chain for batteriesRole of the Inflation Reduction Act in funding manufacturing and productionFinal steps for refining and manufacturing materials into batteriesHow Oliver approaches company formulation with the mission of doing goodWhere the company is today and why the work is importantGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInOliver Gunasekara / LinkedInImpossible Metals / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 10, 2023. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Alex Blumberg, who is most recently the co-host of the climate change-focused podcast, How to Save a Planet. Alex was co-founder and CEO of Gimlet Media, which was acquired by Spotify in 2019. Alex has a history of unpacking incredibly complex systemic issues and making them digestible for mass audiences. Prior to Gimlet, he was co-host of the podcast Planet Money, which had its origins in unpacking the intricacies of the financial crisis of 2008 and the role of the housing market, therein.Planet Money went on to do investigative work on a myriad of economic and financial stories. And then Gimlet Media emerged with a similar focus on broader cultural topics. On this pod, we've talked to a few different entrepreneurs who've tackled the challenging problem of climate communications, from Climate Town's comedy, to Pique Action’s positivity, to The Cool Down’s attempts to hook new audiences into caring about climate via individual choices. How to Save a Planet, focused on helping people find their personal agency on the Venn diagram of the intersection of "What brings you joy, what you are good at, and what work needs doing."Alex and Cody have a conversation about how his own Venn diagram has changed as his skills have shifted from being good at podcasting to being experienced a company building. And they talk about how the broader narrative on climate change has changed over the last few years and why. They also cover the intersection of money and climate and the role of policy and politics therein. This discussion has great takeaways for those who are thinking about plugging themselves into climate-related efforts while leveraging their own skill, and for those working on communicating complex climate issues.In this episode, we cover: [3:11] Overarching thoughts about the housing crisis and the climate crisis[8:41] Public opinion and general awareness of climate change and the issues[13:10] The action side of climate communications and how Alex approached it on How to Save a Planet[17:10] Listener stories inspired by the podcast[19:00] Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson's Climate Action Venn Diagram [22:39] How Alex used his skills in podcasting to drive climate action[24:57] His background in radio and narrative storytelling[32:44] How Gimlet Media came to be and an overview of Startup Podcast[38:28] Learnings from Alex's journey starting Gimlet through its acquisition by Spotify in 2019[43:45] How to harness personal agency while building a company[47:11] Situations where using climate change or climate benefits actually hurts business[51:39] Alex's thoughts on ESG and corporate action[57:26] What's next for AlexGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInAlex Blumberg TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on December 13, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Peter Reinhardt, co-founder and CEO of Charm Industrial. This conversation was recorded as a live session during Climate Career Week, a series of talks, local meetups, and office hours designed to help people make the transition into climate-oriented work. Climate Career Week was organized by Climate Draft, Terra.do, Work on Climate, and MCJ Collective. Given the nature of the audience, today's conversation focuses heavily on Peter's own journey into founding one of the most prominent companies in the climate tech space today. Peter also offers his thoughts on how certain key job functions may slightly differ in a climate tech company as opposed to a software tech company. And he would know. As Peter was working on Charm Industrial he was also the active co-founder and CEO of Segment, a software business in customer data management, which he eventually sold to Twilio in 2020 for $3.2 billion. In fact, Charm Industrial operated for multiple years while Peter was running Segment as his primary full-time role.In addition to the career path discussions, we cover what Charm Industrial is and does and why it matters. We also talk about how he imagines the business expanding in the coming years to take on adjacent problems in the emission space. And lastly, we at MCJ Collective are proud to be multiple-time investors in Charm Industrial via our venture capital funds. With that, we hope you enjoyed this conversation.In this episode, we cover: [2:12] Peter's background and path into tech[3:53] His motivations for dropping out of MIT and starting a software company [6:11] How Peter discovered the problem for Segment's software solution[7:35] Learnings from becoming a CEO [9:55] Peter's motivations for working on the climate problem and how Charm Industrial came to be[18:01] An overview of Charm Industrial[22:01] An overview of pyrolysis and Charm's process [25:07] How Peter views the company's core innovation [28:58] Biggest risks and challenges with putting bio-oil underground [31:14] Customer side of carbon sequestration[34:24] How Peter sees Charm evolving [40:21] Key job function differences between a climate tech company vs a software tech company [45:10] Biggest lessons learned in transitioning from leading a software company to a carbon removal company [46:16] How Peter approaches permitting including exploring jurisdictions and finding consultants [47:31] Biggest choking point today and where MRV fits inGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInPeter Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 27, 2023. Watch the video here. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Simon Moores, CEO of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, the world’s leading Price Reporting Agency (PRA) for the lithium-ion battery to the electric vehicle supply chain and a data and intelligence provider for the space.Simon and Cody have a great conversation about the state of the EV battery supply chain and lithium in particular – where it comes from, how it's processed, what drives its price, the geopolitical considerations of its mining and production, and what to expect in the coming years and decades. In this episode, we cover: [1:50] Simon's background in batteries, mining, and journey to starting Benchmark Mineral Intelligence[3:30] The role of EV batteries in driving the lithium market[6:45] Primary method of lithium mining today and challenges for scaling long term[12:44] Driving forces behind energy storage volumes today[13:37] Supply chain for lithium today and current challenges[19:36] Production of lithium in China[22:10] Environmental impact of processing metals into chemicals for batteries[25:25] The US plan for domestic lithium-ion battery processing and impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act[30:00] Joint ventures and other key players building gigafactories[33:24] Status of EV consumer market in China[36:30] An overview of Benchmark Minerals[41:11] Simon's short and long-term market outlook for lithiumGet connected: Cody SimmsSimon Moores / Benchmark Mineral IntelligenceMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 17, 2023. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Dr. Evan Thomas, CEO and Founder of Virridy, and Director of the Mortensen Center in Global Engineering & Resilience and the Climate Innovation Collaboratory at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Evan is also a tenured Associate Professor in the CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department. So, he’s a busy guy. Virridy’ s water sensors monitor and measure groundwater pumping for more than 4 million people in the East African countries of Kenya and Ethiopia and the American West. The company’s partners include the National Science Foundation (NSF), USAID, The World Bank, NASA, the Millennium Water Alliance, Swarm Technologies, The Freshwater Trust, Wexus Technologies and the Kenyan government.We’ve had a few conversations on the pod recently at the intersection of water and climate change. Jason spoke with Felicia Marcus of Stanford’s Water in the West program, and Cody talked to David Wallace of CODA Farm Tech. It’s worth noting some of the key learnings up to this point. For starters, conversations about water are nuanced. Droughts, floods, sea level rise, irrigation, stormwater systems, clean drinking water, etc… all have water as a common thread, but are each enormously separate topics on their own. And while most of the problems and challenges with water existed before climate change, they have accelerated faster than anyone anticipated. Evan is pursuing two different business models in East Africa and the U.S., albeit with the same tech stack. In the former, he primarily seeks to earn avoided emissions carbon credits by monitoring the activity of groundwater pumps and the cleanliness of the water they produce, and ensuring access to clean drinking water without the need to burn fuels to heat and purify it. In the American West, he is participating in the demand response economy, helping water utilities shut down their groundwater pumps and conserve electricity during times of peak grid demand.Evan and Cody have a fantastically nuanced conversation, tackling subjects as diverse as the outcomes of COP27 as it relates to climate justice, his background at NASA and how it informed his approach to earth science, how he runs a company while also being a university professor, how carbon credit financing works, and of course the differences in how climate change is accelerating droughts in East Africa and the American West, and what that means for the water systems in each geography. Get ready to dive in a learn a ton! In this episode, we cover: [4:12] Evan's background in water systems in space and rural communities[8:28] Applying carbon credits to clean drinking water[10:50] Evan's partnership with Life Straw and academic and entrepreneurial experience[12:20] Similarities and differences between the American West and East Africa in terms of climate change and water[18:36] Groundwater in East Africa vs. California and purification requirements[24:10] Virridy's solution and technology[26:22] The company's carbon credit methodologies in Africa[28:31] Financial incentives and carbon offset endorsements from COP27 in Egypt[32:11] Virridy's different business model in the U.S.[37:48] How Evan manages Virridy's different markets[42:59] Applying Virridy's tech to soil carbon[46:23] The company's funding to date and an overview of pre-selling carbon creditsGet connected: Cody's TwitterDr. Evan Thomas / VirridyMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on November 28, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This episode is part of our new Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Our next guest is Tonya Hicks, President and CEO of Power Solutions and Managing Principle of Women Do Everything, LLC. Tonya is a serial entrepreneur, a single mom of two boys, and a wireman electrician in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). She became the first woman to attain the status of inside journeyman wireman in the IBEW Local 917 in her hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, and the first African American woman to become an IBEW journeyman electrician in the State of Mississippi.Tonya’s primary electrician job started in industrial environments, working in paper mills, steel mills, and car plants. She then specialized in robotics and high-voltage equipment installation and repair. In 2000 at age 28, Tonya founded Power Solutions, Inc. an electrical contracting company. Tonya is also the founder of Women Do Everything, which supports women in blue-collar, male-dominated industries to help them grow, connect, and thrive.In this episode, Tonya shares her background in mathematics and switch to electrical work. We also learn how she started her company, its international footprint, and her challenges as a black woman in a male-dominated industry. Yin and Tonya cover different types of electricians plus the union vs. non-union experience for people interested in the space. Finally, they talk about the electrician shortage, the impacts of the IRA on electrical work, and Tonya’s other inspiring endeavors. In this episode, we cover: [2:18] Tonya's background in electrical work[6:35] The education path to becoming an electrician[8:46] Gender and racial disparities in the trades and electrical work specifically[12:37] How Tonya started her own company called Power Solutions and grew her business[21:44] Power Solutions' footprint in Georgia and internationally[23:41] Different types of electricians and the union vs. non-union experience[27:07] The electrician shortage[27:54] An overview of Tonya's Women Do Everything organization[31:32] The first Women's Summit and Career Expo on March 28-29 in Atlanta, Georgia[35:45] Impacts of the IRA on electrical work[38:28] Tonya's SHE EV companyGet connected:Yin Twitter / LinkedInTonya Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on December 5, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Sam D'Amico, Founder and CEO at Impulse. Impulse is helping to electrify homes with sleek-looking all-electric appliances, starting with an induction cooktop.Regardless of whether or not you pay close attention to the climate space, you've probably seen some commentary in the last few weeks about gas stoves. The gas stovetop has become one of the latest culture war topics in American political discourse. Recent remarks from an official with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission about health risks associated with gas stoves in the home have prompted a wave of conservative voices to speak out in support of gas stoves, with one prominent House Republican tweeting a picture of a lit gas stovetop and the caption QUOTE "you'll have to pry it from my COLD DEAD HANDS!"Sam and Cody have a great conversation about the news from the last few weeks, the emissions profile of gas stoves, recent data on health risks associated with gas stoves in the home, the history of how gas stoves came into homes in the first place, some of the city and state level regulation that has recently been enacted around gas hookups in new construction, and then all about induction stoves and what Impulse is building. Since this topic is likely to cross over and come up in conversation with folks you might not expect, we hope you find it informative and helpful. In this episode, we cover: [3:38] The culture war around gas stoves [5:25] Growth of gas usage in homes [9:57] Emissions and human health concerns of using gas stoves[17:57] Regulations around gas hookups[22:27] Utility incentives and influencer campaigns for gas appliances [27:11] Legacy electric stove tops [31:14] An overview of induction stoves [5:45] Installation process for induction stoves [40:04] Impulse's suite of appliances[45:30] Sam's background and how he transitioned to working on appliances[47:55] Future plans for Impulse [50:49] Challenges and changes needed to help people understand induction stoves Get connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInSam D’Amico / ImpulseMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 19, 2023 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today, we have two guests, Peter Minor, Director of Science and Innovation at Carbon180; and Jack Andreasen, Policy Manager for Carbon Management at Breakthrough Energy. Peter and Jack are two of the world’s foremost experts in the world on carbon dioxide removal, or CDR as it's called in climate circles. They and their respective organizations influence public policy, support critical technology research and development, and offer various other forms of support for the burgeoning field of CDR.In this conversation, we're focused almost exclusively on ambient carbon dioxide removal and not on point source carbon capture, which is a separate but related technology focused on directly capturing emissions from hard-to-abate industrial applications like concrete, steel, and fossil fuel extraction. Ambient carbon dioxide removal (CDR) instead seeks to remove diffuse CO2 from the atmosphere directly via multiple methodologies, of which the most widely pictured method is direct air capture, or DAC, which looks like oversized fans that extract CO2 from the air. In addition, we also touch on a few biology-related CDR technologies like biochar that seek to lock biologically produced carbon up before it can become atmospheric.There's so much to unpack in this one. Cody, Peter and Jack talk about policy tailwinds for CDR, the categories and methodologies, commercial adoption progress and challenges, how and why buyers approach the space today, and some of the speed bumps CDR will undoubtedly encounter as it scales, including but not limited to fraud and false claims. Challenges aside, it's an exciting time in this space. CDR is still very nascent and very wide open, but it also feels light years further along than just a few years ago. In this episode, we cover: [3:08] An overview of Carbon180 and Peter's work[5:07] Breakthrough Energy and Jack's background [7:48] Policy tailwinds of the IRA[12:59] Why DAC became a policy winner and other investments in the IRA [14:36] Hybrid approaches to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere [18:30] An overview of direct air capture (DAC) and mineralization [25:03] Enhanced rock weathering [27:46] Measuring CDR and uncertainty with open and closed systems [32:54] Variety of ocean methods compared to terrestrial [35:11] Biochar as a scaled solution, why it's a less prominent method, and Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) [40:53] Analysis for selecting and purchasing CDR credits [43:00] The role of consulting firms for companies purchasing CDR credits [52:13] Reasons why companies are buying CDR [55:17] Biggest risks of fraud and different levels [1:03:03] Guardrails for preventing fraud and the role of government [1:06:25] Innovation needs for CDRResources mentioned in this episode: Buying Carbon Removal, Explained by ShopifyCarbon180 ResourcesCDR.fyi 2022 Year in ReviewGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on January 4, 2023 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Allison Dring, CEO and co-founder of Made of Air, which makes carbon-negative materials using biochar for the built environment and consumer goods.Biochar is a carbon-rich material from burning biomass such as wood or crop residue. We’ve loosely covered this topic with startups like Climate Robotics, but Made of Air is taking a different approach. The company uses biochar powder mixed with bioplastics to create a moldable, functional material embedded with captured carbon. Made of Air is helping to drive the net-zero economy by using its material in various products, including fashion accessories, brand facades, and building materials. The way we approach seemingly routine aspects of building design, such as accent textures on walls, is shifting as we become more aware of the environmental impact of embodied carbon. Allison and Made of Air are leading examples of this transformation in the industry.In this episode, Allison and Cody have an interesting conversation about current building materials and how the built environment is thinking about decarbonization. They also discuss how carbon-negative materials can complement other emissions reduction practices in buildings. Finally, they delve into the end-of-life process for these buildings and what materials would need to look like to ensure that carbon stays sequestered.In this episode, we cover:[2:11] Systemic failures in the built environment[4:31] Why we should be paying attention to embodied carbon right now[6:22] New regulations in Europe for building emissions[8:45] Allison's background as a trained architect and how she met her co-founder[14:10] Allison's approach from a climate perspective with carbon capture at the forefront[18:10] An overview of Made of Air's process[21:27] Use cases for Made of Air's material, including fashion and the built environment[25:17] The company's role in customers' manufacturing process and impact on Scope 3 Emissions[29:19] The green premium question[32:40] Made of Air's production footprint and plans to scale[36:00] Biochar's end-of-life and permanent sequestration[39:15] The financial side of the business[42:10] Who Allison wants to hear from and how to work with Made of AirGet connected: Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInAllison Dring / Made of AirMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on November 7, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Dr. David Kirtley, Founder and CEO at Helion, which is building the world's first fusion generator and enabling a future of unlimited clean electricity. Nuclear fusion has the potential to revolutionize the way we produce energy. As the driving force behind every star in our galaxy, fusion has long been hailed as the "holy grail" of clean energy, offering a limitless and fossil-free source of power. But the idea of harnessing fusion on Earth has seemed like a dream that’s perpetually 30 years away. However, with a recent influx of venture capital and the emergence of fusion startups, unlimited clean energy may finally be within reach. This episode was initially recorded as a fireside chat at the SOSV Climate Tech Summit on October 25-26, 2022 (video here). Jason and David talk about Helion, the company’s origin story, approach, and progress. They also cover some of the barriers holding them back, and what it will take to get to true commercial adoption. The discussion also touches on fusion in general, why the joke has been that fusion is 30 years away and always will be, and how close we are to the exciting promise of fusion technology.In this episode, we cover: [2:20] An overview of Helion [2:50] How David came to work on fusion and its possibilities [5:04] Status of nuclear fusion[7:25] David's thoughts on the fusion landscape, including different players and types [10:23] Company origin story [12:26] How Helion pieced together their solution set [14:20] Funding milestones to date [15:17] Early stages and current risks [17:54] Helion's plans for commercialization and the company's business model [18:53] The pitch for initial customers [20:18] Supply chain concerns [21:04] Who David wants to hear from and open positions at HelionGet connected: Jason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedIn\David Kirtley / HelionMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 25, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Manik Suri, CEO and Founder of Therma. The cold chain is a massive part of modern society that doesn't get much attention. It stores a huge amount of goods, allowing us to keep food fresh, medicines effective, and current internet infrastructure. Yes, even data centers are part of the cold chain.Therma is turning commercial and industrial refrigeration systems into virtual power plants and helping to reduce emissions across three vectors: food waste, energy, and refrigerant gases. Manik took a lean startup approach to Therma with a thesis that he could monitor refrigeration to help companies avoid spoilage. That idea led him to uncover related customer problems such as controlling temperature, optimizing power consumption, and detecting potential equipment failures that could lead to leaks. Collectively these problems add up to nearly 10% of global emissions. As refrigeration and cooling spread across a warming world, this footprint is expected to grow. The story of unchecked cooling is one of the self-reinforcing negative feedback loops where warmer weather requires more cooling, which uses more power and leaks more refrigerant, causing warmer weather… on repeat.In this episode, Cody Simms chatted with Manik to hear the details of our collective refrigeration and cold chain problem, how his solution at Therma came to be, and what's next for this side of the cooling world. In this episode, we cover: [2:19] An overview of the cold chain[5:10] Regulations and rules from a temperature management standpoint[8:09] Major sources of waste and inefficiency in the cooling sector and cold chain[10:02] Role of refrigerant leaks during a machine's lifespan and end-of-life[14:49] An overview of the cold chain emissions footprint[18:07] Origins of Therma and the company's solution[23:12] Manik's journey and how he landed in refrigeration[27:36] Therma's hardware, software, and analytical platform[31:00] The company's subscription model and how it came to be during the pandemic[33:16] How Therma predicts manufacturing timeframes and balances risk[35:06] The company's early adopters at a national level and plans to scale[38:13] Job opportunitiesGet connected:Cody Simms Twitter / LinkedInManik Suri Twitter / LinkedInTherma Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on November 21, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today's guest is Brittany Heller, Director of Program Management at HeatSpring. Last year, we kicked off this series by hearing from a field technician working on the installation side of the solar industry. And while there are many facets to the PV space, we couldn’t just end there. Today’s guest is a fascinating follow-up from that initial episode because Brittany’s background and experience as a female in a male-dominated field highlight a different side of the spectrum. From doing door-to-door to back office sales, solar construction, and most recently workforce development and democratizing training access to get more people working in the solar industry, she has a wealth of knowledge for women who are looking to make the switch and are not sure where to start. We met Brit through the Greenwork platform, and naturally invited our friend Sam Steyer to co-host the conversation. We find out how Brit felt a calling to work on something more meaningful in life and applied for a solar job on a whim, how solar policy shifts uprooted her and her now husband from Louisiana to Colorado, what it's like to transition from doing sales to doing solar construction projects, and the empathy she's built seeing both sides of the house, and ways to create a more inclusive future workforce in the skills trade arena. Enjoy! In this episode, we cover: [3:12] Britt's background and how she found her way into the solar industry[6:47] Her experience with door-to-door sales [8:06] Differences between outside vs inside sales [10:23] The role of policy in Britt's career at Grid Alternatives [14:24] Her experience working in construction [17:00] An overview of Grid Alternatives and the org's revenue model [20:02] Construction skills Britt gained that changed her life [22:00] Learnings from working in both the sales and construction sides [25:48] Inspiring stories from Britt's workforce development chapter at Grid[29:01] Tips for deciding on where people can focus in the skills trade side of climate [30:37] The role of gender and diversity representation in the trades [36:40] How Britt sees her career evolving in the futureGet connected:Yin Twitter / LinkedInBrittany / HeatspringMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 5, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Dr. Leah Ellis, CEO and co-founder of Sublime Systems, which is using electrochemistry to make cement and in doing so claims to have a pathway to reduce the emissions footprint of cement production by 60-90%.Cement is the most abundant man-made material on earth, with billions of tons produced yearly. So far the primary pathway to reducing its emissions footprint is via point source carbon capture otherwise defined as collecting the greenhouse gasses that are emitted as part of the process of breaking down limestone to make cement. But those gasses are diffuse and mixed in with a bunch of other stuff which makes capturing pure greenhouse gas streams hard and expensive. C mmMJ Heating the limestone up to the point of it breaking down requires extremely high temperatures and coal. Dr. Ellis and Sublime took a totally different approach to the problem. Instead of heating up the limestone, the company figured out ways to use chemistry to break it down, even if that requires a lot of electricity. Leah and her co-founder used their backgrounds in EV battery chemistry and have invented a method that essentially turns a cement plant into an electric-distributed energy resource.This conversation with Cody and Leah is an eye-opener as they spent a bunch of time digging into how climate solutions can be tackled by outsiders who apply cross-functional learnings to big problems. Leah is incredibly knowledgeable and her unique experience in the "electrify everything" movement highlights what that might mean at an industrial scale. Enjoy!In this episode, we cover: [3:14] An overview of cement and associated GHG emissions [9:52] The role of coal in making cement [11:44] Relevant terminology [14:22] Different types of cement [16:12] Leah's background in EV batteries and electrochemistry [18:52] Her co-founder Yet-Ming Chiang [22:36] How the idea of electrochemical cement came together[27:01] An overview of Sublime Systems [30:41] The company's inputs and outputs [33:18] Legacy cement manufacturers and their path to net zero commitments [38:12] Alternative feedstocks to limestone [40:41] The big catalyst for Sublime Systems [44:23] How Leah is talking to legacy cement companies and Sublime's potential business models[47:31] How companies can pay for green premiums [49:15] Need for external measurements for carbon reduction and LCAs[51:43] Sublime's production today, their future roadmap, and open positionsGet connected: Cody Simms LinkedIn / TwitterLeah Ellis / Sublime SystemsMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 21, 2022 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Jonathan Strauss, co-founder and CEO of Climate Draft, whose mission is to expose more people to the inspiring, impactful, and lucrative opportunities at venture-backed startups focused on decarbonizing the global economy.Talent movement into climate tech is critical, especially talent that has learned to scale businesses and technologies fast. In many cases, the skillsets that these folks possess are so ingrained that they don't even recognize them as skills. Innate familiarity with things like how to build a hiring pipeline, how to properly incentivize a sales team, do performance reviews, how to establish a culture, bring in and integrate senior executives as it scales, and how to manage key accounts. These are all day-to-day activities that people in big tech companies take for granted but in many cases are altogether new skills for climate companies founded by folks with skills in synthetic biology, mechanical engineering, or other areas. And getting many of these key climate technologies to a scale fast is what needs to happen given the timeframes we are working with from a global carbon budget.Climate Draft is an organic effort, born out of the climate tech community and focused on increasing the awareness of climate in other corners of tech and industries beyond, particularly into talent pools with individuals who have deep experience scaling businesses and who may be concerned about climate change but haven't yet explored working in climate as a career path.Jonathan and Cody have known each other for over 15 years, and have a great conversation about his journey from mainstream tech into progressive political work and then into climate, the community-based origins of Climate Draft, and what he's learned as he's helped thousands of people take their first step into exploring climate-related work. Great inspiration for anybody looking to figure out how to apply their skills most effectively in climate work.In this episode, we cover: 3:21] Jonathan's background and climate journey[14:55] The initial idea for Climate Draft[21:29] Need for talent and company-building experience in the climate space[26:18] First version of the "sports draft" model and learnings [32:06] Pros and cons of working with an all-volunteer team [36:38] An overview of Climate Draft today [41:35] Use case for people using Climate Draft as an entry point[44:24] Some of the takeaways from talent looking to transition to climate [46:06] Misconceptions about compensation in climate careers[47:08] Applicable skills [48:40] Learnings from climate companies trying to recruit talent [51:01] Range of geographies, skill sets, and industries that involve climate [53:26] Revenue-based financing that worked for Climate Draft [59:03] Learnings from foundersGet connected: Cody SimmsClimate Draft Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on December 1, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Sarah Richardson, CEO and co-founder of MicroByre, which is domesticating novel bacteria and using biology to produce chemicals that can supplant petrochemical production methods.Only a small portion of a barrel of oil is responsible for its petrochemical outputs. Most of a barrel is what you'd expect: fuel that's converted to gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, etc. But that small portion of petrochemical feedstocks is really valuable; by some estimates, it makes up to a quarter or more of the value of a barrel of oil. If we want to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels to slow down climate change, one of the ways to do that is to lessen the value of a barrel of oil.MicroByre does this by looking to the natural world. There are microbes and bacteria all around us, eating things, producing things, and living in all sorts of environments, from the highest mountains to the deepest sea vents. There may be a trillion or more bacterial species out there, with 99.99% of them undiscovered by humans. And yet when it comes to domesticating microbes, the technology world has turned almost exclusively to yeast and E. coli.We typically think of microbes as something to which you feed sugar and it outputs alcohol. That's fermentation and it's how we make sourdough bread, beer, kombucha, kimchee, etc. But on this show, we've covered other input/output combinations such as Zero Acre Farms which uses bacteria to produce cooking oils. So what combinations of bacteria, feed, and environment can produce valuable chemicals? And can these bacteria be genetically modified to do this even more efficiently?These are the things that MicroByre is focused on. When we first started asking people about Sarah, more than one person told us that she was among the most intelligent people they'd ever met. Someone even said that they thought she'd win a Nobel Prize someday. After listening to her climate journey with bacteria, you’ll quickly realize why she’s highly regarded. We're thrilled to be investors in MicroByre at MCJ and hope you enjoy this conversation. In this episode, we cover: [3:10] Sarah's background and early lab experience [7:15] Her cross-disciplinary work at Johns Hopkins and the Department of Energy [16:55] Differences between biology and chemistry in trying to manipulate and grow organisms[21:33] An overview of biotechnology vs. industrial biotechnology [22:37] Petroleum's role in chemical production [24:40] Sarah's motivation for working on climate [27:40] An overview of MicroByre [31:49] The role of genetic modification in MicroByre's solution [37:12] MicroByre's commercial business model [40:07] The company's flexible approach to working with clients and managing uncertainty [43:56] Some of the chemical compounds MicroByre is solving for[47:22] The company's four client categories [55:22] The types of talent working at MicroByre [1:00:05] Funding to date and plans moving forwardGet connected: Cody SimmsSarah Richardson / MicroByreMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on November 4, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This episode is part of our new Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today, we are talking trucks with Larry Coons. Transportation accounted for the largest portion of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, with 26% of those emissions coming from medium and heavy-duty trucks alone. Regulations on freight transportation are bound to have an impact, as the industry grapples with an aging workforce. But to understand exactly what it’s like to haul cargo on the road for 11 hours a day, or to adequately address concerns among truckers as new technology develops, you have to put yourself in the driver’s seat. Luckily, Larry has 10 years of experience on the road and also spent time as an automation truck tester with Uber Freight and Ike.In this chat, Yin and Larry talk about how he got into trucking, the role the climate change narrative has on decision-making, and what it’s like to be a long-haul driver. Larry also sheds light on the aging workforce and the need for younger drivers who are more likely to adopt new technologies. They also cover some general frustrations and stressors of the job, Larry’s views on electric trucks, and his experience working on some self-driving programs. In this episode, we cover:[1:56] How Larry got interested in trucking at a young age [5:52] The education, training, and certification process to becoming a truck driver [11:31] The trucker shortage and its impacts [13:37] Issues with driver payments [17:03] Deciding between the owner-operate route or working for a freight company [19:46] Things we can do to inspire a younger and more diverse trucking fleet [22:02] Role of technology [25:09] Larry's thoughts and concerns on electric trucks [28:09] A day in the life of a truck driver [31:31] Larry's work with Uber Freight [42:16] His future plans Get connected:Yin Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 3, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Jason Prapas, CEO and Founder of FYTO, which is a technology company that is unlocking the potential of nutrient-rich aquatic plants to reduce the emissions and water footprint of food production, starting with cattle cultivation.Raising livestock, particularly cattle, is known for its incredibly high emissions footprint. And while we can make responsible diet choices individually, relying on society to change as a whole is challenging in a world that’s increasingly adopting meat-oriented food products. If opting for plant-based alternatives requires consumer choice and sacrifice, what are the systems-level approaches we can take to solve cattle’s carbon footprint?Each of humanity's major cultivated crops is a platform of sorts. Wheat, corn, soybeans, rice, etc. all have micro-economies surrounding them, including specific tools and machinery, input requirements, supply chains, markets, and geographies. FYTO is creating an entirely new agricultural crop platform that uses automation and sensor technology to achieve protein-rich aquatic plant mass at scale. It's a huge bet, with a huge reward for the planet if it pays off.Cody and Jason have a great conversation about the negative feedback loops built into the emissions and water impact of cattle production today, plus what it will take to grow a closed-loop system that can halt and reverse these externalities. In this episode, we cover:[4:12] Problems with food and water security coupled with rapid carbon reductions [6:04] Expected growth of food production and the climate impact [8:15] The role of animal agriculture [11:06] How climate justice fits in[12:59] Downstream impacts of a cow's diet, including emissions and deforestation[20:47] Groundwater pollution from animal food production [25:21] Methane emissions from cattle and different approaches aimed at reducing them [30:04] FYTO's farm solution [34:31] Role of technology development in farming better crops at scale [36:01] The FYTO farm setup [39:39] Protein comparisons between FYTO's plants and other types of cattle feed [40:39] Role of recycled animal waste as fertilizer [41:27] FYTO's current trials for measuring methane impact [42:51] The company's business model [48:07] Understanding impacts on scope three emissions [50:01] FYTO's shelf-life and storage [53:59] The company's funding to date and plans for growthGet connected: Cody SimmsMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 5, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, best-selling author, strategist, teacher, and one of 15 “women who will save the world,” according to Time magazine.Dr. Wilkinson leads the All We Can Save Project, which she co-founded with Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. As an emergent nonprofit, the project's mission is to nurture the leaderful climate community we need for a life-giving future using the tools of narrative change, community building, deep learning, and tending the emotional and spiritual route from which climate leadership grows. She is the creator of All We Can Save Circles, a unique model for deep dialogue about the climate crisis and building community around solutions, and Climate Wayfinding, a program that supports people in finding or deepening their place in climate work. Last but certainly not least, Dr. Wilkinson co-hosts the podcast A Matter of Degrees with Dr. Leah Stokes, which tells stories for the climate curious. Dr. Stokes recently had an insightful conversation with Jason (listen here), but Katharine brings a unique perspective and experience to the climate discussion, given her different background. In this episode, we dive into Dr. Wilkinson's journey to working on climate, her theory of change, and how it’s evolved. We also cover the role of activism, the arts, education, and a bunch of things that aren't typically associated with climate discussions, especially in Silicon Valley technology and innovation circles. In this episode, we cover: [4:00] Dr. Wilkinson's portfolio of projects [8:11] Her thoughts on the nature of the climate problem and how they've evolved [11:31] The myth of separation and the interconnected web of life [15:17] The urgency of creating more just solutions in partnership with communities [21:37] Humans are more hardwired for cooperation than competition [22:53] Dr. Wilkinson's theory of change for cultivating a different kind of leadership across sectors[24:38] Need for deep learning [28:01] Climate Wayfinding course with Terra.do [33:34] Her thoughts on the narrative of abundance vs. sacrifice [35:50] Some tensions in the Inflation Reduction Act and ways of overcoming them [38:45] Direct activism tactics [40:52] Dr. Wilkinson's thoughts on the good vs. evil narrative in climateGet connected: Jason JacobsDr. WilkinsonAll We Can SaveA Matter of DegreesMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on November 4, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Adam Wright, CEO and co-founder of Vespene Energy, which uses landfill methane to fuel Bitcoin mining.At MCJ we’ve spent some time at the intersection of Bitcoin as an incentive mechanism for halting methane emissions with Crusoe Energy and their work with flared waste gas at oil wells. But understanding the actual scale of the landfill emissions problem and how the status quo doesn't provide an economic incentive for improvements is pretty mind-blowing. Perhaps a carbon tax could pass some day or fines for landfill owners could aim to remedy the issue, but we need landfills and collaborative solutions for all the waste we produce. Vespene's answer is to provide a carrot rather than a stick. The company offers operators the financial upside of the biogas that their sites produce in exchange for Vespene being able to use it. Adam describes Bitcoin mining not as the end-all-be-all for Vespene, but instead as an immediate economic consumer for biogas that doesn't require facilitating a buyer or hooking up a ton of expensive infrastructure. It essentially bootstraps an energy business with a third-party, logistics-free, economic model attached. And it's a model that can unlock totally different use cases once it's in place, including EV charging and more. Vespene is on the early side of building out its business, and they'll no doubt learn a lot about the real-world atoms at play as they move forward. But if they can incentivize the halt of the 15% or more of the US's methane footprint that comes from landfills, they can make a real difference on the climate front. In this episode, we cover: [3:25] Adam's journey transitioning from submarines and ocean conservation to landfill-based climate problems and Bitcoin[5:25] The problem of methane in landfills today compared to other sources[7:30] Landfill projects, EPA regulations, and issues with underreporting[12:50] Vespene's solution[15:18] An overview of biogas[12:34] U.S. landfill ownership and community beneficiaries[20:34] An overview of Bitcoin and its implications from a climate perspective[22:41] Demand side of Vespene's solution and uses for Bitcoin data processing[25:55] How Vespene uses Bitcoin as a tool[35:18] Bitcoin mining as a low margin but scalable business[37:09] Profitability from a Bitcoin mining perspective[39:25] Vespene's progress to date[43:02] Geographic nature of landfills and benefits for Vespene's business[45:07] White House Office of Science and Technology Policy report[47:10] Vespene's funding from the crypto and climate worldsGet connected: Cody's TwitterVespene Twitter / Adam’s TwitterMCJ Podcast*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 17, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Ira Pearl, Vice President of Environmental Sustainability at Cox Enterprises. Ira is also the leader of Cox Conserves. In his role, Ira leads Cox's efforts to tackle sustainability challenges while driving its goals to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2024 and become water and carbon neutral by 2034. Cox Enterprises is interesting because they are a privately held global conglomerate headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with approximately 55,000 employees and $21 billion in total revenue. Its major operating subsidiaries are Cox Communications and Cox Automotive. Not only is the scale of Cox Enterprises pretty shocking, but the proactive role they've taken in trying to do the right thing with climate change and the clean energy transition is also noteworthy. Jason and Ira unpack a lot in this episode, including Ira's career and what led him to Cox in the first place. They talk about Cox's approach to sustainability, some of the progress the company has made in reaching net zero goals, as well as some of the barriers that they've come across along the way. They also cover where Cox is going in the future and have a great discussion about some of the things Ira thinks will help everybody move faster and what gets him most excited about the future and the clean energy transition overall. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [3:20] An overview of Cox Enterprises, including Cox Communication, Cox Automotive, and their clean tech division [5:37] Ira's personal climate journey [10:39] How Cox approaches organizational change at the functional level [15:01] The reason behind Cox’s pursuit of climate-related and philanthropic projects [18:09] How public companies can focus on the longtime horizons of the collective good [21:15] Ira’s views on solutions that need improvements [25:40] An overview of Cox Enterprises' clean tech division [27:45] How Ira's sustainability department collaborates with their clean tech group [29:00] The importance of data tracking in reducing emissions and how Cox evolved from energy conservation to energy production[34:14] Balancing the tension between barriers to accelerated adoption and issues associated with changing too quickly [37:36] Ira's thoughts on the Inflation Reduction Act [41:39] Some of Cox's partnerships and community work in disadvantaged areas [45:09] How the company inspires employee action for climate-related activities [49:36] Ira's thoughts on offsetsGet connected: Jason's TwitterIra’s LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on November 3, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Matt LeDucq, CEO and co-founder of Forum Mobility, which is working on the problem of heavy-duty trucking electrification, starting in California with the drayage sector.There are essentially two types of trucking. The first is long-haul or "over the road" which transports goods over long distances. If you've ever done a cross-country road-trip, the semi trucks on the interstates you see are long-haul trucks. And then there are drayage trucks. These trucks take large cargo containers from sea ports to distribution centers (and back and forth). Their typically short distances and repeatable patterns make them especially good candidates for electrification. Drayage trucks are relatively densely clustered and predictable, which helps when it comes to planning the EV charging infrastructure that can provide the amount of power these trucks command. It also turns out that California has some aggressive emissions reduction regulations coming online that will dramatically escalate the transition of drayage trucks from diesel to electric.Matt and Cody have a great conversation about the pending California regulations at play, as well as the history of clean air regulation around trucking. They also talk about the air quality issues surrounding most ports and the environmental justice issues that these regulations are aiming to address. They cover how the vast majority of drayage truck owners are independent operators and the financial burden that these regulations place on them. And, of course, they talk about Forum Mobility's product offering and company history, in addition to Matt's deep background in renewable energy. There are loads to learn about electrifying the trucking industry in this episode. Enjoy! In this episode, we cover: [3:19] The current regulatory world of decarbonizing the trucking industry in California[6:59] The role of environmental justice and dangerous emissions around ports[10:17] Challenges for independent truck owners and small businesses in meeting new regulations[14:32] Geographic differences in the drayage model[16:28] Incentive programs that help bridge the financing gap[18:19] Forum Mobility's solution[27:21] The company's business model[30:17] An overview of the charging infrastructure needed for drayage trucks[33:11] Matt's background in solar, construction, and electrification[36:41] Where he sees the company growing[38:18] How policy tailwinds can expand Forum's future business[42:13] Funding to date and how Matt sees funding moving forwardGet connected: Cody's TwitterMatt’s LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 18, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today's guest is Alejandro Carrillo, a rancher who lives in El Paso, Texas and stewards his family's ranch in Mexico's Chihuahuan Desert. Maintaining grasslands is important for preserving biodiversity, ensuring clean rivers, and storing carbon. In fact, since grasslands store carbon underground in their roots and soil, some would argue that they are better carbon sinks than forests. As stewards of these habitats, ranchers like Alejandro who focus on regenerative practices play an important role raising livestock and maintaining carbon sinks. After a successful career as an IT consultant, Alejandra joined his family ranch in 2004. Tired of the constant drought and suffering that came with traditional ranching in a desert climate, he'd been searching for ways to adapt and rehabilitate his family's land. Since 2006, Alejandro has adapted the principles of holistic grazing or regenerative ranching as we'll learn about in this episode. He’s also the president of Pare Del, a nonprofit organization that provides ongoing education for cattle ranchers as well as promotes holistic plant grazing across the world's deserts. In this fascinating and meandering conversation, Yin and Alejandro discuss regenerative ranching, why dung beetles are so important, the epigenetics of cows, the differences between Mexican and American agriculture policies, their effects on ranching and a whole lot more. Enjoy! In this episode, we cover: [2:23] Alejandro's background and ranching experience [5:47] An overview of his family's ranch in Chihuahua, Mexico[8:24] Differences between farming and ranching[16:28] Symbiotic relationship between grasslands and cattle grazing [19:47] An overview of the water cycle, issues with management today and impacts on soil[25:45] Regenerative ranching principles [32:24] How ranchers make a living[39:45] Policy differences for ranching between the U.S. and Mexico [43:18] What keeps Alejandro optimistic about the future of ranching practicesGet connected: Yin’s Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 1, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Taj Eldridge. He calls himself the DJ Khaled of climate and you’ll know why when you hear him speak. Taj’s professional portfolio spans a variety of roles that live at the intersection of diversity, inclusivity, and climate. He’s currently involved in three exciting pursuits. As general partner at Include Ventures, Taj works with a team of experts to build a large and dynamic platform of women and historically underrepresented fund managers and founders, with the goal of opening new market opportunities for investors and driving alpha, environmental, and social governance. Taj is also leading CREST or the Climate Resilient Employees for a Sustainable Tomorrow out of JFF Labs, which is a program that prepares people for climate resilient jobs in the United States and India. Lastly, Taj supports Klean Energy Kulture, an organization on a mission to transition black communities to clean energy by kicking off a series of experiences that tour historically black institutions and leverage music, gaming and sustainable fashion to promote sustainability and opportunities as a way of life. These topics are each so important and they're also undeniably interrelated. In this conversation, Taj walks us through ways to think about diversity and inclusion, how they go together, and what types of initiatives can be most important to bring about the progress that we all desire. Jason and Taj have a great discussion about his personal journey, what motivates him, and how his theory of change has evolved from when he started doing this work many years ago to today. Then we talk about each of the initiatives he's currently involved with and also his framework for thinking about how to allocate his portfolio of time. This is a really exciting and insightful discussion. Enjoy!In this episode, we cover: [4:31] Taj's portfolio of climate projects [7:25] His journey at the intersection of inclusion and climate [13:50] Inclusivity and how Taj's thoughts toward it have evolved over time [17:32] His views on the state of the climate emergency[21:07] How we can collectively balance the transition with education [25:13] The role of pop culture and media influencing consumer decisions[27:48] Taj's decision making process for projects he focuses on[31:46] The exciting youth climate movement [33:43] Frustrations around privileged climate conversations and the need for more inclusivity[36:05] Blind spots in building a more diverse climate community [42:23] The opportunity to create measurement tools for climate investing[44:26] Innovating climate solutions outside of Silicon Valley Get connected: Jason's TwitterTaj’s TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 12, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Eric Reinhardt, CEO and co-founder of Helio, which makes it simple for customers to transition off fossil fuels and fully electrify their homes. The home electrification process in most of the U.S. is not a seamless experience. Homeowners approach electrification with different needs. Some have to upgrade broken equipment, whereas others opt for a total rehab. But having to piece together a variety of seemingly related projects requires working with multiple contractors, contracts, and challenges that could limit widespread adoption. Helio is making a bet that there is a growing segment of homeowners who are motivated to electrify the whole stack of their homes, from rooftop solar and HVAC to water heaters, EV chargers, and more. The company aims to provide customers with a roadmap for achieving that while also doing the actual installation work. Given all of the tax credits and rebates coming online for home electrification as part of the Inflation Reduction Act and other local programs, more homeowners will likely be looking at this problem. And with a third of emissions coming from residential buildings, Helio’s solution could make a significant dent in their goal of electrifying millions of homes. Their roadmap solution educates homeowners and helps them plan for the amount of power they’ll need as they pursue home improvement projects. In this episode, Eric and Cody have a great chat about his background as well as his co-founders, what he's learned from customer interest thus far, how they can provide home estimates at scale, and how he sees Helio growing in the future. We're honored that our venture fund at MCJ Collective is an investor in Helio, and I hope you enjoy the conversation.In this episode, we cover: [3:39] Eric's background at Sunrun and personal electrification journey [7:08] How he met Helio's co-founders and started the company [9:56] The home electrification process today and Helio's net zero roadmap solution [13:56] Need for customer education [16:41] The risk for contractors to take on new technology like heat pumps [19:41] Helio's estimating process and accurate design[23:22] An overview of ducted vs ductless or mini split systems [28:21] Helio's customer experience and how they manage handoffs with contractors [31:57] Financing projects and Helio's vision of moving to a subscription model [35:02] Role of insulation and sealing [40:54] Job opportunities at Helio and how to applyGet connected: Cody's TwitterHelio TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 7, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Jill Tauber, Vice President of Litigation for Climate and Energy at Earthjustice. Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit public interest environmental law organization. They wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people's health, preserve magnificent places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. The work they do is not only extremely important, but also in the thick of relevant topics we’re seeing at the moment. One that comes to mind is permitting. We need to move quickly on building clean infrastructure, but at the same time we need to be mindful of communities where this infrastructure is being built. Community members should have a voice in these projects and we have to build them in a way that’s not harmful to people living around them. This is just one example. In this episode, we cover Jill's journey to doing the work that she does, and we also dig into Earthjustice and their criteria for projects they take on. We cover Jill's views on the role of fossil fuels in the clean energy transition, and of course the Inflation Reduction Act bill permitting, barriers holding us back, changes that could unlock faster progress, and where Earthjustice fits into all of this now and in the future. The earth certainly needs a good lawyer and we’re stoked to have Jill share her journey with us. In this episode, we cover: [3:14] An overview of Earthjustice[4:18] Jill's background and climate journey[7:43] How Earthjustice determines which projects to take on[9:34] Jill’s thoughts on the role of fossil fuels[12:48] Balancing energy stability and reliability as we usher in the clean transition[20:01] Unintended consequences of regulation[25:10] Need for better government and developer planning[30:26] How Earthjustice works with experts to evaluate various projects[34:23] Example case on a new gas plant in Indiana[38:39] Jill's thoughts on the IRA[43:03] Systems level changes that would be impactful to Earthjustice's work[47:03] The role of innovation and technology that will help clean energy win[49:32] Jill's thoughts on activismGet connected: Jason's TwitterJill’s TwitterEarthjustice Twitter / TikTokMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 27, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Emily McAteer, co-founder and CEO of Odyssey Energy Solutions, helping emerging market project developers to finance, build and operate distributed renewable energy at scale. How the Global South modernizes is the original climate justice debate that has been a key topic of global policy discussions for decades, going back to the Kyoto Protocol of the 1990s and even earlier. The crux of the conversation is that climate change has primarily been caused by the 20th century economic development of the United States, Western Europe, Japan, et cetera. And if the rest of the world were to follow the same fossil fuel enabled development path, we'd rapidly blow past emissions targets and into the worst possible climate change outcomes. So what's the rest of the world to do?The answer seems to be to leapfrog, to modernize via a network of distributed renewable energy technology as opposed to a monolithic fossil fuel-powered grid. And yet that also introduces a whole new host of questions. Emily's been working at the nexus of climate and emerging markets for just about her whole career and brings a wealth of experience into Odyssey while working on answering these questions. In this episode, Cody and Emily have a great conversation about energy access in emerging markets today, what new distributed grids will look like, how development finance institutions (DFIs) work and the role of nation states in securing financing for energy projects. We also cover how Odyssey is bringing financing, procurement, and operational solutions to market to solve the local problems inherent in this space. Emily and Odyssey just announced a seed round led by Equal Ventures that we at MCJ Collective were honored to participate in. So we’re welcoming Emily today as an MCJ Collective portfolio CEO, as well as an MCJ podcast guest. Enjoy the show! In this episode, we cover: [3:16] Emily's dedicated career in climate [10:18] Grid challenges in emerging markets [14:51] Financing gaps for small projects [17:33] The Nigeria Electrification Project case study [21:38] Profile of project developers in emerging markets [23:56] An overview of Odyssey's solution [28:38] The company's FERN platform [31:44] How Odyssey is scaling and handling projects in multiple countries [35:09] The capital they've raised thus far and what they're using it forGet connected: Cody's TwitterOdyssey TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 21, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Felicia Marcus, the Williams C. Landreth visiting fellow at Stanford University's Water in the West program. Felicia is also an attorney, consultant, and member of the Water Policy Group. She most recently served as Chair of the California State Water Resources Control Board, where she implemented laws regarding drinking water, water quality and state's water rights, as well as heard regional board water quality appeals, settled disputes, and provided financial assistance to communities to upgrade water infrastructure. Before her appointment to the Water Board, she also served in positions in government, the non-profit and private sector. In government, Felicia served as the regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Pacific Southwest region during the Clinton Administration, where she was known for her work in bringing unlikely allies together for environmental progress and for making the agency more responsive to the communities it serves, particularly Indian Tribes, communities of color, local government and agricultural and business interests. Water is often considered an untold climate story. From water scarcity and drought, to extreme flooding and rising sea level, the impacts of our changing climate on this critical resource demand our attention. In this episode, Jason and Felicia dig deep into her background and have a great discussion about the intersection of water and climate. what the biggest risks are, how much those risks are factored in today, what some of the barriers are to properly factor in those risks, and from a solution standpoint, what we can do about it. In this episode, we cover: [2:55] Felicia's background [6:26] Why water matters generally and in the context of climate change [15:44] The human right to water movement [21:41] How the playbook for managing water needs to change in response to the changing climate [29:05] The business case for improving and increasing water recycling[36:57] The role of conservation and efficiency in urban landscapes [40:55] How location may impact the approach to water management [44:58] Water and corporate risks[50:41] The regulatory environment for water [59:19] The need for a mindset change to accelerate our progress around waterGet connected: Jason's TwitterFelicia’s TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on October 3, 2022 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Lauren Salz, co-founder and CEO of Sealed, which modernizes houses with the latest HVAC, weatherproofing and smart home technology, while covering the upfront cost to homeowners.Home efficiency and electrification is a critical front for combating climate change. Incentives for residential heat pump installation are one of the big winners of the Inflation Reduction Act.The often overlooked but critical steps of weatherizing homes via better insulation and sealing is also key to reducing energy consumption. Sealed has been understanding consumer motivations for home efficiency upgrades for nearly a decade. They've learned what consumers care about, what they are concerned about, and what triggers them to invest significant capital into updating their home's heating and cooling infrastructure. And no surprise, climate change and emissions reduction still does not rate as a top motivator. So what does? And are we at the point where these lower emission technologies are just generally better for home heating and cooling? Spoiler alert: the answer is yes. Cody and Lauren have a great chat about how she came to work on the problem of home efficiency updates, how they assess a home's needs at Sealed and how this compares to the normal way of doing things. We also talk about the innovative model Sealed is using to help consumers finance projects via energy cost savings, how they work with contractors, and how the IRA promises to accelerate this space even more. And most importantly, we hear from Lauren on how to reach consumers and what their motivations are.In this episode, we cover: [3:24] Lauren's journey[6:05] Her early days of figuring out home energy efficiency and her company’s origin story[11:57] An overview of Sealed[19:12] Value propositions that are most popular for consumers[21:33] Process for how Sealed designs custom solutions for each home[25:54] The company’s performance-based financing model [31:16] How customers and contractors learn about Sealed's solution [35:46] The company's role in assessing contractor work [37:50] Benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act [45:41] Common changes people need to make with insulationGet connected: Cody's TwitterLauren’s Twitter / Sealed TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 14, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guests are Geert van de Wouw and Vikas Gupta from Shell Ventures. Shell Ventures was established in 1996 as one of the first corporate venture funds in the oil and gas industry. Although we’ve published over 300 episodes to date, Geert and Vikas are actually the first guests we’ve had from the oil majors come on the show. Although tons of anger has been directed at the oil and gas industry, we also acknowledge that they are critical to the clean energy transition. Collaboration is ultimately key to unlocking our future potential. In this discussion, we check Geert and Vikas’ Shell business cards aside and talk about their personal views on climate. We also discuss how they think about negative sentiments towards oil majors, as well as their role in the future. Then we cover Shell as a company, what percentage of its energy portfolio comes from fossil fuels versus renewables and other clean energy, and how those percentages will shift over time. Finally, we talk about Shell Ventures, how they invest, and how those investments fit into the bigger picture of what the company's trying to do. This conversation only scratches the surface of the role oil and gas will play in the clean energy transition, but it also begins building necessary bridges between the traditional climate world and our realistic future. We know climate touches every facet of our lives and appreciate Geert and Vikas’ time in helping to tease out the nuances of this complex crisis we’re facing.In this episode, we cover: [4:11] An overview of Shell Ventures[5:58] How Geert found his way into Shell and his motivations[8:20] Vikas' background and climate journey[10:11] Geert and Vikas' level of concern regarding climate change[13:18] Anger geared towards big oil and realistic expectations for the energy transition[16:11] Shell's net zero commitments and investments on clean technologies[18:43] Strategic priorities for Shell vs. Shell Ventures[23:16] How Shell Ventures thinks about general impact, strategic value, and financial returns[26:45] Shell's level of collaboration with entrepreneurs and founders[29:01] The role of behavior change and consumer mentality to the transition[32:44] Thoughts on if we've reached a tipping point and how they see the transition playing out[35:17] Carbon removal and capture as one solution in the mix[38:49] The role of policy in Shell's investments[40:26] Reskilling oil and gas workers for the clean energy transition[43:47] How collaboration with oil and gas can accelerate the transitionGet connected: Jason's TwitterGeert van de Wouw LinkedInVikas Gupta LinkedInShell LinkedIn / TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 27, 2022 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Tom Green, CEO and Co-founder of Vesta.The ocean is one of nature's largest carbon sinks, as it absorbs upwards of 30% of cumulative human emissions. Vesta is tackling the dual problem of shoreline erosion due to sea level rise and carbon emissions reduction with olivine sand that speeds up the ocean's natural carbon cycle. They call it coastal carbon capture, and it's one form of the broader category of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solutions known as enhanced rock weathering. The olivine sand that Vesta deploys into the ocean accelerates the natural carbon cycle dramatically, creating a form of permanent and durable carbon sequestration.Vesta also has a very unique corporate setup. They started their journey as a non-profit research group that has continued on as a 501(c)(3) called Coastal Carbon Capture Impact Fund. Vesta – the for-profit public benefit corporation that Tom is CEO of – emerged later as a way to pursue scaled commercial projects leveraging the non-profit research. And the two orgs continue to work together, though they have separate governance structures and economics.Tom and Cody have a great chat about the many stakeholders at play in the projects they consider, from local communities and scientists to the impact on various types of sea life itself, and the ecotoxicology studies that Vesta produces. They also talk about the nature of olivine and how Vesta sources it, plus how the company determines what shorelines are a good target for coastal carbon capture. If you’re interested in carbon removal generally or nature-based solutions, this one's for you. In this episode, we cover: [3:22] Tom's background and how Vesta has evolved[6:36] The ocean's role as a carbon sink[11:26] Distinction between geoengineering and nature-based carbon dioxide removal[13:08] Vesta's origins[15:54] An overview of olivine and it's role in Vesta's CDR approach[25:10] How Vesta partners with the dredging industry to work more efficiently[29:41] Coastal engineering and optimizing for carbon removal[32:43] Vesta's history as a non-profit and transition to a public benefit corporation (PBC)[36:00] Philanthropy and project finance[44:26] Engaging various stakeholders throughout Vesta's research and solution, including local communities[49:20] How Tom decided on coastal carbon removal[53:41] Pricing on Vesta's carbon credits and how they plan to decrease with scale[55:02] Vesta's seed financing and future plans for building their businessGet connected: Cody's TwitterVesta TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 27, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Dr. Leah Stokes, a renowned climate and energy policy expert, strategist and researcher, helping leaders build clean energy practices into their long-term plans to secure our future. But her resume doesn’t end there. Leah is an award-winning author of Short Circuiting Policy, an associate professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara and co-host of a top climate podcast called A Matter of Degrees, where she and Dr. Katharine Wilkinson tell stories about the powerful forces behind climate change and the tools we have to fix it. Leah is also senior policy advisor at Rewiring America and Evergreen Action, plus she was named a Grist 50 Fixer in 2020. While she has a pretty impressive bio, Leah is also a unique combination of pragmatic, progressive, commercial-minded, activism-minded, academic-minded, and scientific-minded, all blended into one powerhouse of a woman.In this episode, Jason and Leah have a great discussion about her journey, theory of change, and how it's evolved from when she first started doing this work to today. We also cover some of the barriers holding back the transition and the most impactful levers to facilitate it. Finally, we put controversial topics that people squabble over all the time, front and center, and talk through them pragmatically and respectfully with the nuance that they deserve. This is an insightful conversation you don’t want to miss. *Leah will be participating in an MCJ Ask-Me-Anything event on Wednesday 11/02 in our Slack community. Get your burning climate questions ready. RSVP here.In this episode, we cover: [3:12] An overview of Leah's work[5:56] Her motivations and how she started working in climate[9:40] How her theory of change has evolved[11:27] Importance of structural change[15:27] Tensions between conservation, decarbonization and environmental justice[21:46] Leah's feelings toward fossil fuel company executives and the impacts of their denial campaign[28:47] The role of fossil fuel companies moving forward in the clean energy transition[32:31] The political polarization of climate change[35:48] A future of abundance with clean energy[38:23] Leah's views on the state of the climate emergency[41:55] The role of the West vs. the rest of the world[46:19] GDP growth and falling emissions[49:46] Speed round including nuclear, offsets, carbon pricing, and moreResources mentioned in this episode: The Dirty Truth About Electric UtilitiesThe Faraway Nearby by Rebecca SolnitFollow the Leader by Gabe LenzHow Solar Energy Became Cheap: A Model for Low-Carbon Innovation by Greg NemetGet connected: Jason's TwitterLeah’s Website / TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 22, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is David Wallace, co-founder and CEO of CODA Farm Technologies, which provides remote monitoring and control for agricultural irrigation pumps and irrigation reels. The looming water crisis is often described as one of the major symptoms of climate change. You hear about it in the news, coupled with drought-stricken images of dried up riverbeds and diminishing reservoirs. The Western U.S. is currently facing the largest mega drought in a millennium. The Colorado River, which provides water to approximately 40 million Americans, plus much of the irrigation for some of the most productive agricultural land in the U.S., is in an existential crisis. Lake Mead is at 25% capacity and groundwater across the West is being depleted rapidly. So what’s to be done to ensure the future of our water supply and food systems? To understand how farmers across the country are thinking about all of this, CODA Farm Technologies is on the forefront of selling irrigation efficiency tech to farmers. You’ll be surprised to hear that cost savings due to water efficiency isn't even a key selling point for David’s company, and that's because of how agricultural water is (or is not) priced in much of the U.S. today. Cody and David have a really interesting conversation about the state of agricultural irrigation and how he’s helping farmers with time savings and automation that are ultimately driving CODA Farm’s current sales.In this episode, we cover: [3:13] David's background and the origin of CODA Farm Technologies[9:28] An overview of farm irrigation [13:21] What's top of mind for farmers today around the U.S. [26:16] Value propositions for different farmers[27:11] Economics of water usage and impacts on a farmer’s bottom line[29:18] CODA Farm's technology and pricing[31:27] CODA Farm's go-to-market consumers [34:44] Generational changes on farms and a look at the modern farmer[36:44] How David made the decision to go the venture route for scale and the company's seed round with Lowercarbon[37:32] Data on water savings [40:28] An overview of the irrigation control industry Get connected:Cody's TwitterCODA Farm LinkedIn / TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 12, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Scott Arnold, a HVAC technician and small business owner based out of New York. With heating and cooling accounting for nearly 50% of energy costs, upgrading outdated appliances can not only save homeowners money but also provide a cleaner environment to live in and a healthier planet overall. Scott’s company is working to help customers purchase and install heat pumps as an alternative to gas furnaces. In his 22+ years of experience working in the space, Scott has built a business facilitating the transition not only with his customers, but also through his employee training and apprenticeship programs. In this episode, Scott and Yin talk about the history of heating, what it takes to make his business run, the importance of getting more young people working in the trades, and how in his vocabulary the word cold doesn't exist. You'll have to keep listening to find out why.In this episode, we cover: [2:30] Scott's background and HVAC expertise[5:47] Path to becoming a HVAC technician [9:54] Economic mobility working in the trades[12:40] History of HVAC space and key milestones that have changed the trajectory [19:30] An overview of heat pumps[20:36] Technology innovations in the past 20 years [23:27] An overview of Scott's company, Rycor [27:33] Scott's vision for expanding [31:36] Mitsubishi's heat pump product [35:23] The customer's mentality and where climate change fits in [37:37] Different refrigerants and how they're managed[39:41] What keeps Scott optimistic Get connected:Yin’s Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 15, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today's guest is Sue Brown, Executive Group Director of Sustainability at Worley. As a leading global provider of professional project and asset services in the energy, chemicals and resources sectors, Worley is on the frontlines of doing the actual work to engineer and build everything we’re going to need for the clean energy transition, and they’re doing so across industries and the globe. Worley covers a full project lifecycle from guiding their customers with pioneering projects to finding innovative ways of sustaining and enhancing their existing assets. The company employs over 52,000 people, operates on all continents and is administered by its head office in North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.Sue has been with the company for quite a while and she runs a sustainability team, so we dug in on her journey and experience working at Worley. We also talk about the mix of project work coming from traditional industries versus cleaner sources, how that mix is shifting over time, what barriers are holding back the transition and what we can do to unlock faster progress.In this episode, we cover: [4:47] An overview of Worley [5:51] Sue's climate journey and how she started working in sustainability [8:43] Role of an EPC like Worley [13:42] How big oil and gas companies are transitioning into global integrated energy companies[18:40] Breakdown of Worley's traditional customers vs new customers from emerging industries [20:17] Worley's aggressive sustainability revenue targets [25:33] Five key shifts service providers need to take for the delivery of projects [28:15] Biggest barriers to the transition [33:14] Balancing the tension between energy security and the energy transition [35:40] Environmental justice reforms needed and how those might come about [42:02] Talent bottleneck and ways to address them [43:19] Sue's sustainability team and its charter Get connected: Jason's TwitterMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 14, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guests are Dave Finocchio and Anna Robertson, co-founders of The Cool Down.Since the beginning, media businesses have been in the game of building audience segments and mobilizing those audiences to do something. Most American media has learned how to mobilize audiences on various platforms to click or view ads. To buy stuff. But in the wake of the climate crisis, there are certainly better uses of our time online and purchasing power. As you’ll see in this episode, some media companies are trying to get people to become local leaders in their communities or make climate conscious purchases. The Cool Down aims to do this and become America's mainstream climate brand. Dave and Anna have extensive digital media credentials that are as strong as they come, and (bonus!) they met via the MCJ member community. In this conversation, Cody learns more about Dave and Anna’s backgrounds as media leaders, how and why they decided to apply their skills to climate, the gaps in climate communication today, what audiences they are targeting, and how they plan to build a business or otherwise monetize The Cool Down. Since launching earlier this year, Anna and Dave are just at the beginning of figuring out who these climate-motivated audiences are and how they can be mobilized, but they made one thing abundantly clear: their goal is to reach mainstream audiences to have an even bigger impact in the climate fight.In this episode, we cover: [3:03] Anna's background at ABC News and Yahoo [6:26] Dave's media experience and transition to climate [12:19] Gap in media and climate communications [16:15] The Cool Down's storytelling strategy [19:18] Popular climate topics they’re experimenting with[22:15] Value-based actions that are good for people and the planet [29:45] Packaging tech innovation into engaging, digestible content [35:19] Taking local actions that benefit communities [38:27] Anna and Dave's business model and how they're starting to test it [48:16] What's next for The Cool Down Get connected: Cody's TwitterThe Cool Down TikTok / Instagram / WebsiteMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 7, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This episode is part of our new Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.Today’s guest is Josh Svaty, a farm owner and operator who also happens to be the former secretary of agriculture of the state of Kansas, among other hats he's worn. Farming practices have dramatically shaped human development and the structure of our society. We may not see the every day implications, but farming will continue to impact land management and food systems around the world. Since climate change has altered the predictability of crops, innovative solutions addressing agriculture’s biggest issues are cause for optimism. Josh provides a lot of insight in this topic as he oversees a diversified crop and livestock operation at Free State Farms. In this conversation, we learn about the evolution of farming, the role climate change has played in the day to day operations of Josh’s farm, his views on regenerative agriculture and promising trends in agricultural innovations. This episode is great for anybody interested in the food, agriculture and land use areas of the climate fight.In this episode, we cover: [1:46] Josh's upbringing and extensive background[5:26] The role agriculture has played in human development[7:24] Large-scale monoculture practices and Josh's feelings about them[10:24] Climate change impacts felt on Free State Farms[15:11] Solutions addressing the growing lack of predictability for farmers, including increasing crop diversity and livestock[19:06] An overview of regenerative agriculture[25:03] Role of water in farming operations[27:11] Local and global trends as the result of drought[29:00] What happens when we run out of water[32:45] What keeps Josh optimistic about the future of agriculture[35:50] Nitricity's unique solution to addressing the GHG impact of fertilizerGet connected: Yin’s Twitter / LinkedInMCJ Podcast / Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 31, 2022 Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Rachel Delacour, co-founder and CEO of Sweep. Carbon accounting helps organizations measure their emissions so they can understand their overall footprint, share findings, and plan future reductions. Sweep’s business intelligence tools specialize in using data to map a company’s carbon emissions and helping them realize feasible goals while managing future growth. In doing so, Sweep is shifting the way companies view carbon from a limitation to a creative force for innovation.Rachel has a background in business intelligence, having sold her previous startup to Zendesk. She felt that she could best contribute to the climate problem by leveraging the skills and expertise she and her team already had around data management, modeling, and forecasting. Sweep recently announced a sizable Series B in funding led by Coatue, and they've raised over a hundred million dollars in aggregate in a little less than two years. In this conversation, Cody and Rachel discuss her journey, how Sweep views the market need, how companies source scope 3 emissions data, the potential role of regulation and carbon reporting, and whether or not recommending offsets or contributions creates any incentives. Rachel’s story is great for people looking to make the transition, but not quite sure where to start. In this episode, we cover: [2:27] Rachel's financial background and climate journey[8:51] How she took existing skills and applied them to carbon[18:14] Sweep's approach to building a diverse team of experts from the carbon, tech, and political backgrounds[24:19] Rachel's views of carbon accounting vs. carbon management[29:15] An overview of scope 3 emissions[33:09] How companies are accessing accurate emissions data[38:32] The role of carbon management platforms in accelerating regulations[41:17] Sweep's success with companies so far[44:27] Future targets vs short-term reality in emissions reductions[48:59] Rachel's interactions with sustainability teams and financial directors[56:29] Where global climate justice fits into Sweep's solution[1:01:19] How Sweep balances customer reductions and credits[1:05:02] What's next for Rachel and SweepGet connected: Cody's TwitterRachel’s TwitterSweepMCJ PodcastMCJ Collective*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 7, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is David Roberts, aka Dr. Volts, who runs the Volts newsletter and podcast.David has been reporting on and explaining clean energy topics for almost 20 years. He talks to politicians, analysts, innovators, activists, and more about the latest progress in the world's most important fight. David’s work is deeply researched and an invaluable resource for people who want a better understanding of what a clean energy transition and viable future could look like. And he isn’t afraid to share his strongly held opinions. In this conversation, Jason learns more about David’s background, his views on the issue and how they’ve evolved throughout his career. They discuss some of the fundamental politics ingrained in climate, and some of the solutions that are accelerating our transition away from fossil fuels. There’s a lot of insight packed into this episode and we hope you enjoy it.In this episode, we cover: [4:49] How David got involved in journalism and climate [9:10] His thoughts on the climate issue early in his career and how they've evolved [13:54] How concerned he thinks people should be [23:32] Approaching solutions to climate that also solve other issues [27:25] Importance of celebrating small victories to motivate future progress [34:37] David's optimism for a clean energy future[44:16] The human need to feel some sense of control and how that impacts their views on climate [54:07] U.S. journalism today [57:54] Intersection between environmentalism and climate [1:01:03] David's thoughts on tech and how it’s approaching clean energy [1:05:02] Speed round including solar geoengineering, nuclear, carbon capture, offsets, and moreGet connected: Jason's TwitterDr. Volts TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 23, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Insiya Jafferjee, CEO ad Co-Founder of Shellworks. When we talk about excellence in packaging today, we typically think of companies who create an elegant and exciting unboxing experience. Think Apple. But as sustainability continues to gain awareness in the popular conscience, how far away are we from celebrating companies who create small footprints from their packaging? How do you celebrate something if the goal is for it not to be noticeable in the first place? Shellworks is developing sustainable packaging alternatives to plastic that don't compromise on performance or aesthetic. Based in the UK, the company recently raised a seed round of funding to help them scale their micro based mono-material packaging via cosmetics companies that are looking for natural packaging alternatives. Insiya brings a no-compromises spirit to what she's doing at Shellworks. She believes her company can develop packaging that has minimal footprint and is stunning and brand-forward. In this conversation, Cody and Insiya cover her background, the state of plastic packaging today, how Shellworks came to be, their initial approach to product development, current product lines and traction, and how their non-compromising culture turns internal innovations into a robust product pipeline.In today’s episode, we cover: [2:38] Insiya's background and climate journey [8:15] The world of packaging and different types of plastics involved[14:04] Industrial shift away from plastic packaging [18:03] Challenges to addressing packaging in cosmetics [19:46] Shellworks' go-to-market strategy [24:33] An overview of Shellworks and their focus on mono-material products [27:27] The company's commercial traction [29:47] Use cases that aren't a good fit for Shellworks' offerings [36:53] The company's core value ads[41:44] What's next for Shellworks [45:20] Funding to date, early challenges and how Insiya overcame them Get connected: Cody's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 31, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

*This episode is part of our new Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.To kick off our new Skilled Labor Series, this episode is co-hosted by Yin Lu and Sam Steyer, CEO and Co-Founder of Greenwork, with guest Andy Martinez, PV Field Performance Technician at Sunrun. The solar market represents approximately 5% of the current U.S. energy mix. While this may seem insignificant, the industry is expected to grow at a record pace in coming years, especially following the Inflation Reduction Act. But to reach the clean electricity goals set by President Biden, employment in solar-related positions will need to exceed 900,000 workers by 2035. Greenwork is facilitating this transition by helping climate tech companies build their construction teams, both by adding new employees and by partnering with local specialty contractors like Andy. After attending electrical trade school, Andy landed a job with Sunrun as has been with the company for 4 years. In this conversation, Yin and Sam learn about Andy’s background and how he started working with Sunrun. We learn about his day-to-day experience as a field performance technician and where Andy sees his career progressing in the space. Like any job, we also hear about some of the challenges Andy faces and how he continues to overcome them while maintaining a positive and optimistic outlook. We cannot create a clean energy future without people like Andy, and are extremely grateful for him sharing his story and inspiring others. In today’s episode, we cover: [1:49] Intro to Sam and Greenwork [3:30] Andy's background and experience as a field technician at Sunrun [5:09] Andy's educational journey toward becoming a solar installer [6:05] The Sunrun interview process and employee training [7:56] A typical day for Andy as a solar installer [9:32] Some day-to-say frustrations, including disconnections between sales and field work[11:59] How Andy views the environmental factor of his work[12:57] Where climate change fits in when communicating customers [15:36] The evolution in solar technology [20:04] What's working in terms of companies building construction and installation teams [23:42] Importance of treating contractors like a second customer [24:52] What Andy wishes more people knew about solar installation work [28:16] Andy's future career path [29:32] Jobs needed to meet electrification demands in the US [30:43] How to get more people into trade schools [32:57] Initial challenges of the job and how to overcome them[36:27] The little things that keep Andy optimistic and happy at work Get connected: Yin’s TwitterYin’s LinkedInMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 7, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Michele Demers, Founder and CEO at Boundless Impact Research & Analytics. As companies pursue sustainability targets, having an accurate measure of their carbon footprint provides transparency, accountability, and benchmarks to reach and improve on. Boundless is an industry research and impact analytics platform that provides quantitative and evidence-based research and data for investors, companies, and funds. They offer Scope 1, 2, and 3 climate data, analysis and market intelligence across a growing number of emerging sectors that address significant environmental challenges. In this episode, Jason and Michele dig deeper on this important area to better understand what the landscape is, how well adopted these frameworks are, how much standardization there is out there, what types of incentives exist, which ones are helpful, and which ones cause friction. They also cover the types of companies that are taking advantage of this work, how consistent it is across sectors, and of course, what we can change to help get to where we need to be.In today’s episode, we cover: [3:19] An overview of Boundless Impact Research and Analytics [4:54] The company's origin story[9:35] How companies understand their true carbon footprints [14:32] Tooling available to understand risk and environmental impact[21:25] Boundless' balance of software vs services [24:31] Which industries the company is focused on and why [29:12] How the annual assessment process changes across industries [31:24] The role of life cycle assessment as the standard [33:09] The process for companies working with Boundless [37:22] The future of a real-time dashboard for emissions [39:02] What happens when reports are not favorable[42:10] How Boundless works with companies on improvements based on first analysisGet connected: Jason's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on September 8, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Khaled Hassounah, CEO and Co-Founder of Ample. When entirely new platforms emerge, the initial product attempts on those platforms often look like what we already know, and they typically don't take full advantage of inherent differences from the historical way of doing things. For example, when the internet first emerged, media resembled digital newspapers. When mobile first emerged, apps looked like small versions of websites. With EVs, the way they are sold and powered mirrors how internal combustion vehicles are sold. After all, you wouldn't buy a gas-powered car without a gas tank!But Ample is rethinking all of that. The company’s mission is to accelerate the transition to electric mobility by offering an energy delivery system that is as fast, as convenient, and as cheap as gas, while being powered by 100% renewable energy. They do this by deploying robotic pods that enable modular battery swapping for EVs. Ample's take on all this is to rethink how energy is delivered to EVs and to reconsider the unit economics around powering your car. This episode will inspire you to think of all the possibilities of what things can look like when you reconsider them from first principles. In today’s episode, we cover:[2:57] Khaled's background and transition to climate[5:11] State of EVs today[8:38] Nuances around EV charging networks and associated challenges[13:15] Outlier geographies that have done well with EV charging networks[17:20] Battery swapping and leasing alternatives[22:10] An overview of Ample and its battery swapping solution[32:54] How Ample's solution scales while reducing the amount of batteries across their system[37:06] Different use cases for Ample's different batteries[40:23] Details of Ample's charging pods[43:41] The company's go-to-market[47:21] Ample's pod setup and servicing[54:11] How Ample is sharing profits with OEMs, landowners, and municipalities[59:16] How Khaled is building the business from a venture capital and debt financing perspectiveGet connected: Cody's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 25, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Genevieve Guenther, author, activist, and Founding Director of End Climate Silence. Dr. Genevieve Guenther is a Renaissance scholar and literary critic who turned to climate activism after having a child and becoming increasingly alarmed about the world she might leave to her son. Using her training in rhetoric and cultural politics, she works to revamp the ways that we think and talk about the climate crisis. She is guided by the conviction that our language for the crisis is largely inaccurate and misleading, and that fixing this problem requires us not just to reframe talking points, but to recognize how our speech itself—what we say and what we don’t say about climate change—reproduces fossil-fuel ideologies. Mobilizing through digital and direct action, Dr. Guenther founded End Climate Silence, a volunteer organization that pushes the news media to start talking about the climate crisis with the urgency it deserves. Dr. Guenther also advises activist groups, corporations, and policymakers, and she serves as an Expert Reviewer for the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Her next book, The Language of Climate Politics, is forthcoming from Oxford University Press. Jason and Genevieve have a great discussion in this episode about many of the topics we typically cover on the My Climate Journey podcast, but Dr. Guenther offers a unique perspective given her background. They also dig into some areas of disagreement and find that once again people who are dedicated to working on solving the crisis agree on a lot more than the polarized environment of Twitter may have them believe.In today’s episode, we cover: [3:39] Genevieve's background and her work in climate[10:04] Use of the word "uncertainty" among scientists and in climate communications[13:35] An overview of End Climate Silence[16:06] How Genevieve's views about the nature of the problem have evolved[24:40] Her views on the gravity of the problem, and challenges of modeling human behavior and warming[35:46] Energy poverty and justifying fossil fuel production[39:30] How Genevieve would transition to clean energy if she was in charge[44:31] Her thoughts on carbon removal[49:44] Challenges with direct air capture as a solution[57:03] Issues with entrepreneurs overpromising carbon removalGenevieve's book recommendations: Donella Meadows, Thinking in SystemsAmitav Gosh, The Nutmeg's Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis Jason Moore, Capitalism in the Web of Life: Ecology and the Accumulation of CapitalGet connected: Jason's TwitterGenevieve's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 11, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Gagan Dhillon, CEO & Co-Founder of Synop. In many climate conversations about mobility, solutions inevitably turn into conversations about fleets. But understanding what fleets are, how they manage access to fuel, and how all of this will change as fleets adopt EVs are critical to clean transportation at large. Synop automates EV operations by helping businesses handle tracking, billing, reporting, and cost management under one unified, data-centric platform. Compatible with all EV types and charging stations, their AI-powered platform is designed specifically for commercial fleets and OEMs to modernize performance and meet sustainability commitments.Prior to co-founding Synop, Gagan witnessed first-hand the challenges of businesses transitioning to commercial electric vehicles. Previously at REIN, an insurtech startup, he worked with major commercial OEMs and global insurance carriers on solutions for the commercial auto space. During that time, he got a first-hand look at the challenges of the commercial EV space and was inspired to develop the software needed to support the industry’s transition to using electric-powered commercial vehicles. In today’s episode, we cover: [2:06] Gagan and his co-founder's background[5:34] An overview of fleets in the transportation sector today[10:15] How ICE fleets are managed and fueled [12:03] Challenges of electrifying fleets [14:33] Use cases for different types of EV charging[17:48] An overview of Synop[21:15] Status of electric semi-trucks in U.S. [24:42] Synop's customers today and who they plan to serve in the future [27:25] The company's energy management service [31:03] Synop's solution to charge management for fleet operators [34:38] Potential cost savings [39:40] What Gagan has learned along his climate journey [46:21] Synop's funding and how they plan to capitalize the business going forward [48:36] How Gagan sees the space evolving over the next 5 yearsGet connected: Cody's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 22, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Camila Thorndike. Most recently, Camila managed Senator Bernie Sanders' portfolio on climate, energy, environment, territories, and tribes. The focus of her tenure was the Build Back Better Act passed in 2021 out of the Senate budget committee and House of Representatives. The majority of the bill's climate policies were retained in the subsequent Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed by the Senate in 2022. Camila is also co-founder of Our Climate, a youth advocacy nonprofit. Camila and Jason cover the IRA, what she’s celebrating, where it missed the mark, and where we should go from here. They also talk about climate justice, energy poverty, the policy and regulatory landscape, and tons more. The conversation is a great follow-up to a previous episode with Benji Backer, who is very active in the conservative climate circle. Camila will be participating in an AMA in the MCJ Slack community and answering questions asynchronously for 24 hours starting Wednesday 21st September 21 at 8am PST / 11am EST / 4pm BST. Set your reminders, and get your questions ready!In today’s episode, we cover: [8:18] Camila's background and how she got started in climate activism and policy[11:23] Her work with Senator Bernie Sanders [16:04] How Camila thinks about the problem of climate change and how it's evolved over time[22:17] Her views on the urgency of the problem [28:19] Greed and the fossil fuel industry [39:47] Financing access to clean energy and energy efficiency in developing countries [41:46] Ensuring a just transition away from fossil fuels[47:10] Potential phases of a rapid transition [49:58] Camila's thoughts on the Inflation Reduction Act[53:45] The lack of Republican support and level of polarization today [56:37] Her views on the two-party system [1:00:06] The role of individuals and actions we can take [1:04:27] Speed round including nuclear energy, billionaires, carbon offsets, carbon removal, and moreCorrection: Original green new deal plan was $16 trillion, not $10 trillion.Get connected: Cody's TwitterCamila’s TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 15, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Jason Aramburu, CEO and co-founder of Climate Robotics. Earth’s soils contain 14 times more carbon dioxide than the atmosphere. To harness this natural resource, Climate Robotics is using existing technologies and converting crop residue into biochar before sequestering it deep in the ground for thousands of years. The company uses advanced robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate and automate this process. The end result allows farmers to turn waste on their fields into carbon sinks while improving the health of their soils. Jason has an extensive career focused in leveraging technology for improving agricultural productivity. His background spans from smart irrigation and soil sensoring to agricultural technology and robotics. Cody and Jason have a great discussion about Jason’s background, biochar's origins as an indigenous practice dating back millennia, the chemistry of biochar, the Climate Robotics solution and his company's business model. As one of the most peer-reviewed CDR technologies, biochar is poised to make a substantial impact in carbon sequestration. In today’s episode, we cover: [2:11] Jason's background and how he got involved in carbon sequestration [3:15] History of biochar as an indigenous practice [7:55] Origins of Climate Robotics [11:55] An overview of biochar [20:52] Biochar and enhanced rock weathering [24:02] History of biochar in the U.S, how it's being used today and challenges [28:36] What Climate Robotics is building [32:25] How automation fits into the company's technology [36:15] The company's business model [43:45] Carbon credits and cost relative to other sequestration methods [48:10] Funding to date and future plans [50:04] Patents and how Jason protect's the company's technology [53:06] Biochar's permanence and scalabilityGet connected: Cody's TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 12, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Matthias Schmelzer, an economic historian, networker and climate activist. This episode is complementary to a previous podcast with Timothée Parrique, who covered the topic of degrowth. Matthias’ main interests include the political economy of capitalism, social and environmental history, climate catastrophe, aviation, and alternative economics. He is author of the award-winning The Hegemony of Growth and co-author of The Future Is Degrowth: A Guide to a World beyond Capitalism.To further the conversation about degrowth, Jason and Matthias discuss the overall concept and build bridges to not only increase understanding, but also help us come together to address the problem that we all share.*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 9, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Rollie Williams, host and creator of Climate Town. The topic of climate change can be dark upon initial exploration. While some find inspiration in innovation and action, many folks struggle to get beyond the pervasive desperation and doomerism that dominate the conversation. Climate Town takes a totally different approach and uses humor to unpack complex climate topics while offering suggestions for how audiences can take meaningful action. In the past two years, the Climate Town YouTube channel has amassed 393,000 subscribers, several millions views, a handful of awards, and has spawned an engaged Discord community of climate-focused-yet-delightfully-regular people.Rollie is a Brooklyn-based comedian and video editor, and he holds a graduate degree in Climate Science and Policy from Columbia University. He’s also the former creator and host of the monthly comedy show 'An Inconvenient Talk Show' doing sketches and comedic deep dives by pairing comedians (SNL, The Daily Show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, etc) together with climate scientists (NASA, MIT, Harvard). In today’s episode, we cover: [5:41] And overview of Climate Town and how it came to be [13:32] How climate is being communicated today, its complications and direct opposition[18:18] Rollie's goal of making comedy videos while sharing facts and CTAs[22:25] Importance of taking action on the local level and where to start[28:20] Rollie's comedic influences [35:56] The future of the Climate Town community [46:41] Why context and learning helps keep people groundedGet connected: Cody's TwitterClimate Town TikTokClimate Town YouTubeMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 10, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Today’s guest is Alex Trembath, Deputy Director at the Breakthrough Institute. The Breakthrough Institute is a global research center that identifies and promotes technological solutions to environmental and human development challenges. Their vision is of a world that is good for both people and nature, and they believe that human prosperity and an ecologically vibrant planet are possible at the same time. They have an eco-modernist perspective and embrace technological innovation without sacrifice. In this episode, Jason and Alex discuss eco-modernism, the work at the Breakthrough Institute, Alex's views on the nature of the climate problem and what some environmentalists get wrong in his opinion. They also talk about potential solutions, the role of innovation, the role of policy, how urgent this challenge is and some of the best ways to address it. Starting on Wednesday 7th September at 9am PST / 12pm EST / 5pm BST Alex will be joining the MCJ community in our AMA channel, answering questions asynchronously for 24 hours. Set your reminders, and get your questions ready!In today’s episode, we cover: [5:38] An overview of Breakthrough Institute and their focus on technological solutions to environmental problems [7:18] Alex's climate journey and early ideological frictions with Breakthrough [9:22] Origins of Breakthrough [12:48] Alex's views on the right vs wrong way to think about the problem of climate change [17:44] Dealing with climate anxiety [25:26] Why different groups of people can look at the same data and have drastically different conclusions about the level of urgency required to address climate change [28:02] GDP as a measure of human well-being [31:01] Ways of decoupling emissions from economic growth [33:49] Capitalism, colonialism, and mixed economies around the world [39:00] Policy tools Breakthrough pursues to accelerate decarbonization [43:42] Problems with net-zero pledges and voluntary offsets from big companies [45:54] The role of individual behaviors and eco-modernist virtue signaling [48:15] The role of government [54:00] What drives Alex in his work Get connected: Jason's TwitterAlex’s TwitterMCJ Podcast TwitterMCJ Collective Twitter*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.Episode recorded on August 8, 2022. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected] with MCJ:Cody Simms on LinkedInVisit mcj.vcSubscribe to the MCJ Newsletter*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant