Podcast
Electric Ladies Podcast
Hosted by Joan Michelson · AA
Engaging and enlightening interviews with women leaders on energy, climate, sustainability and corporate responsibility -- ESG, environment,social and governance issues. Business, policy and technology, money, the arts and careers. Topics include driving innovation, leadership, communications and career advice. Inspiration, trends and insights. Hosted and produced by Joan Michelson, acclaimed journalist, business leader, coach and speaker, based in Washington, DC.
44episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
"Healthcare Without Harm" to People & Planet – Dr. Katherine Gergen-Barnett & Dr. Anna Goldman, Boston Medical Center
Mar 1701:14:04Tap to summarize"Healthcare Without Harm is more of an advocacy organization that works with clinicians and other healthcare workers to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare and pollution as well as climate impacts. And then Practice Greenhealth advises hospitals on how to get there and they do this awards process…(which is) about having people aware of all these different metrics that impact your operational sustainability…(and) raise awareness among the people who are running the hospital and leadership about how they're using water, food waste, where they're buying their food from, their waste hauling costs and the type of waste they're throwing away, their…carbon emissions…and guides." Dr. Anna Goldman on Electric Ladies Podcast "The climate crisis poses a critical threat to health systems and populations globally with projections of 14.5 million preventable deaths and 1.1 trillion in healthcare costs by 2050," the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine said. How can hospitals care for patients and staff 24/7 every day while also reducing its own carbon footprint and stay safe in extreme weather events? Listen to Dr. Katherine Gergen-Barnett and Dr. Anna Goldman of Boston Medical Center in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. You'll hear about: ● Their creative initiatives and systems to reduce food waste, feed patients and staff better, and reduce energy and water consumption, CO2 emissions, and waste. ● How state policies directly affect hospitals and communities and can support systems change, even regardless of federal policies. ● What Practice Greenhealth is and how it's helping BMC and other medical centers manage their unique challenges and reduce their environmental impact and costs. ● Plus, career advice, such as: "You can do it all, but you don't have to do it all at once.…Enjoy each chapter. There are parts where I've absolutely receded based on what matters most. Recently when my father was ill and dying, I needed to step away from some of my career pulls to say, this is what matters to me….Try as best as you can not to be fear-driven. I think we are so driven by fear that we're never going to be enough, that we aren't going to contribute enough….(Y)ou actually are enough just as you are, right? Take this day, do what you can. Impact the people around you.…Become partners in your career with unlikely people, people who don't think like you, people who aren't doing the same career as you. You'll get a lot more joy out of, I think, your career because of the cross-pollination." Dr. Katherine Gergen-Barnett on Electric Ladies Podcast Subscribe to Joan's Electric Ladies Podcast newsletter here to receive podcasts, career advice, events and articles in your inbox weekly. Read Joan's Forbes articles here. You'll also like: · How Hospitals Can Juggle 24/7 Care & Climate Impacts - with Carol Gomes, CEO/COO of Stony Brook University Hospital · Using Software & AI to Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – with Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems · Leveraging AI for Sustainability – with Mandi McReynolds, VP of External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Office at Workiva · Music, Public Health & Climate Action – with Emma O'Brien, Ph.D., Global Scrub Choir · Connecting With Curiosity – with Jennifer Hough, Author, TEDx Speaker, Advisor to Leaders · Artificial Intelligence and the Climate: Stephanie Hare, Ph.D, author of "Technology is Not Neutral" and BBC Broadcaster · Why Our Lives Depend on Women on Boards – with Corinne Post, Ph.D., Lee High University (now at Villanova) Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson
Transcribe →
New Nuclear Energy Is Growing Fast – Maria Korsnick, President and CEO, Nuclear Energy Institute
Mar 1000:51:46Tap to summarize"I've been in this industry for 40 years and we have never been at a moment like we are today. …About 10 years ago, a little bit more than that, the narrative at that time was we were closing down plants…. Now the narrative today is, Hey, you know what? Some of those plants you shut down, we've changed our mind. How hard would it be to restart that?... All of these hyperscalers (Google, Amazon, e.g.) are figuring out partnerships and marriages, if you will, with nuclear and trying to help nuclear be brought to the marketplace….I mean, the demand is off the charts, and that's really the biggest game changer." Maria Korsnick on Electric Ladies Podcast We need massive amounts of clean energy to power our electricity-hungry economy while also reducing global warming to keep the ravages of climate events at bay. Solar and wind are great but intermittent. Between new innovations and super-high energy demands, nuclear power is back in vogue. But what are the dangers? Listen to Maria Korsnick, President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute and a 40-year veteran of the industry in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies host Joan Michelson. She even operated nuclear reactors. They also share insightful career advice. You'll hear about: How nuclear plants actually work, and why she calls them "essentially a power plant." Why she says nuclear plants are so much safer today than ever before. Why nuclear power is having a renaissance, with demand "off the charts" and 40-60-year lifecycles. Plus, insightful career advice, such as… "Honestly, I would say get into nuclear power. Nuclear power is …at a threshold for incredible growth. And the value of that is it really doesn't matter what your background is. You could be an accountant, you could be an HR person, you could be an engineer, you could be a chemist. We need people with four year degrees, no degrees… We're not just building that here, we're building it around the world. Some people might want to do some more travel as part of their job. There's going to be room for that…. There's all kinds of opportunities. You've got startup companies and you have established companies that have been in business for 50 years." Maria Korsnick on Electric Ladies Podcast Read Joan's Forbes articles here. You'll also like: An Industrial Revolution Unlike Any Other – with Gwenaelle Avice-Huet, EVP and head of Automation at Schneider Electric, from their U.S. Innovation Summit 2025 Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), on the politics of energy and infrastructure Doreen Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA, on how New York is leading the way to the clean energy future. Jana Gerber, President, Microgrids, Schneider Electric Paula Glover, from the Alliance To Save Energy Autum Huskins, Hitachi Zosen Inova, turning waste into energy (and wine) Marit Brommer, Ph.D., International Geothermal Association, how geothermal is a dependable energy source Claire Seaborn, former Chief of Staff to Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on what the U.S. can learn from Canada's energy policies Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers.. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson
Transcribe →How To Pressure Electeds For Climate, Clean Air – Dominique Browning, Mom's Clean Air Force
Mar 300:48:25Tap to summarize"We, the people we can definitely keep the pressure on, not only on our lawmakers, our governors, our mayors, our senators, our Congress people. We have to keep reminding them that we care about these issues…There's a real key also to the future reimagining, asking companies to reimagine themselves as energy companies, not oil companies or gas companies, but energy companies. So all of these pressure points are incredibly important. We all have favorite stores, favorite brands that we shop on. If you love Walmart writing to the customer services and to the president of Walmart saying, 'Hey, get those solar panels on all of our Walmart stores. We want to do our part. They care. They care about consumer response. It's important to say that you care. You want them to care." Dominique Browning on Electric Ladies Podcast This Women's History Month 2026, it's critical that all our elected officials at all levels know that we care about climate change, clean air, clean water and protecting the environment. That pressure is what makes them pass legislation that addresses these issues. How? Listen to Dominique Browning, Founder and head of Mom's Clean Air Force, who is also a Vice President at the Environmental Defense Fund, in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. You'll hear about: ● How to pressure your Mayor, Senators, Congresspeople, state legislators, governors, the head of the EPA, the president, and even your School Board members to pass legislation to address the climate crisis and protect our clean air, clean water and environment. ● How states and cities are leveraging Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure Act funding and incentives, still, for a range of clean energy and climate solutions, such as electric school buses and solar panels. ● How important it is to show gratitude when elected officials do the right thing. ● Plus, career advice, such as: "Just say yes, say yes to everybody who wanted you to do a project or consult on something or talk about something, meet, brainstorm, et cetera. And slowly but surely, I started building up a network of people who were interested in the same things I was interested in…Another piece of advice I got …(was) 'you got to go with the love.'…Over time, I began to see that what she was talking about was think about what you love, what you're passionate about, and what you can do… And that's very motivating, especially when things are difficult." Dominique Browning on Electric Ladies Podcast Subscribe to Joan's weekly newsletter here to stay abreast of episodes, trends, career advice, and events where Joan is speaking. You'll also like: · How to Talk About Climate In A Polarized Culture -- with Katharine Hayhoe, Ph.D., Climate Scientist, Chief Science Officer at The Nature Conservancy & Professor, Texas Tech University · The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus · How to Rebuild Cities After Disaster – with Majora Carter, Urban Development Expert · How Design & Technology Are Redesigning Cities – Nikki Greenberg, Real Estate of the Future, live at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 · Unique Practical Climate Solutions For Cities – Joan's panel at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blogs, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson
Transcribe →How Hospitals Can Juggle 24/7 Care & Climate Impacts – Carol Gomes, CEO & COO of Stony Brook University Hospital
Feb 2400:47:13Tap to summarize"I believe in the power of people wishing to volunteer for initiatives rather than assignment of duties and responsibilities and having people feel as though it's a chore… (They) serve as champions in their areas to educate their fellow peers on what it means to be sustainable, what they can do that's in their power to contribute to the outcomes….And then as we started to become more mature…we formed structured committees, we leveraged those champions on the units to participate. We made it enjoyable in terms of participating. We actually have contests… (I)t just breeds excitement about sustainability and I think it just allows for a culture where people become engaged and part of the process." Carol Gomes on Electric Ladies Podcast Healthcare is a huge 18% of the economy and uniquely has to be caring well for patients and staff 24/7 every day while also vulnerable to extreme weather events itself. How do they do that, how do they cover those costs, and what can we all learn from them? Listen to Carol Gomes (pronounced like "homes"), CEO and COO of Stony Brook University Hospital in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. You'll hear about: ● Their initiatives and systems to reduce energy and water consumption, CO2 emissions, waste and manage the significant hazardous waste a hospital generates. How "quality" is a mantra. ● How they have engaged their people, building a unique culture, to embrace sustainability. ● What Practice Green Health is and what other industries can learn from their data, analyses and sharing of best practices. ● Plus, career advice, such as: "I would say use your voice sooner than later. And if you see something, say something. If you wish to express yourself and you have an opinion and you're sitting at a table, express it and don't be shy… I think also leveraging networking opportunities is really important and volunteering for a committee or stretching yourself a little more than you normally would, and exploring areas where you may feel you're not as strong and don't be fearful of that… building relationships is not text messaging. It's not leaving voice messages. It's talking face-to-face, getting to know people, what's important to them." Carol Gomes on Electric Ladies Podcast Read Joan's Forbes articles here. You'll also like: · Using Software & AI to Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – with Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems · Leveraging AI for Sustainability – with Mandi McReynolds, VP of External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Office at Workiva · Music, Public Health & Climate Action – with Emma O'Brien, Ph.D., Global Scrub Choir · Connecting With Curiosity – with Jennifer Hough, Author, TEDx Speaker, Advisor to Leaders · Artificial Intelligence and the Climate: Stephanie Hare, Ph.D, author of "Technology is Not Neutral" and BBC Broadcaster · Why Our Lives Depend on Women on Boards – with Corinne Post, Ph.D., Lee High University (now at Villanova) Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson
Transcribe →How Utilities Are Evolving While Keeping The Lights On – Nicole Pearson & Brad Johnson of Bentley Systems
Feb 1700:38:43Tap to summarizeHow Utilities Are Changing While Keeping The Lights On – Nicole Pearson & Brad Johnson of Bentley Systems "The really great thing about electric utilities is that they maintain a singular focus almost regardless of what's going on around them. It's safety, reliability, resilience. So they'll adapt and flex…They're not going to take a risk that sacrifices safety, that sacrifices your light coming on….The difference now that I've noticed is their willingness to move forward with technology and change decades, long processes and workflows and legacy built systems……. because they see how they can still maintain and maintain more efficiently, safety, reliability, resiliency." Nicole Pearson on Electric Ladies Podcast Utilities are being transformed even as they keep the lights on. They have to become more resilient to the effects of climate changes and be responsive to new energy sources and technologies and even invent new business models while also regulated – all without dropping a moment of power. How? Listen to Nicole Pearson, Director of Marketing for Energy and Brad Johnson, Industry head of Energy Systems at Bentley Systems in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. It was recorded live at the Bentley Systems "Year in Infrastructure" 2025 conference. You'll hear about: ● How utilities have evolved and are evolving without risking service, safety, reliability and under the regulatory microscope. ● How Bentley Systems' software is reducing risk and increasing resilience of utilities. ● How utilities are leveraging A.I. while monitoring for cyberattacks and hallucinations to keep systems, workers and consumers safe. ● Utilities have to plan decades ahead, even 30+ years ahead, yet technologies evolve so fast. How can they plan that far ahead? ● Plus, career advice, such as: "The first one is own it. Own it. What is it? Your career. And when I say own it, I'm constantly, even today having meetings with people that I don't know, requesting mentorship, reaching out through LinkedIn, going to events. I try to stay very connected and not just people in my close industry or even work type …Every single person you meet is a connection and could have an impact on your life and vice versa….When you meet somebody, keep the conversation going. …So one day if they need something or you need something, you have a connection….My second piece of advice is… you should always have a list of things that you want to accomplish, that you want to put on your résumé. And regardless of what's going on around you in your job, focus on those things." Nicole Pearson on Electric Ladies Podcast Read Joan's Forbes article on whether A.I. makes our infrastructure safer or not here, and her Joan's other Forbes articles here. You'll also like: · Using Software & AI to Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems · Leveraging AI for Sustainability – Mandi McReynolds, VP of External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Office at Workiva · Artificial Intelligence and the Climate: Stephanie Hare, Ph.D, author of "Technology is Not Neutral" and BBC Broadcaster · How Design & Technology Are Redesigning Cities: Nikki Greenberg, Real Estate of the Future, live at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 · 88% of Companies Say Sustainability Increases Long-Term Value: Maura Hodge, Chief Sustainability Officer, KPMG · The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson
Transcribe →Using Software, AI To Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems
Feb 1000:46:02Tap to summarizeUsing Software, AI To Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems "For example, if we have a concrete pile, we can change the parameters and use AI to suggest actually a more optimal design with regards to how much concrete is going to be used. So we quite often, as engineers, we are risk averse. So sometimes you can over design to make sure consequences in construction and infrastructure are real. We do need to be precise, but we can use AI to ensure that we have a reduced amount of carbon and concrete in that pile, but still meeting the outcomes that we set out to achieve." Lydia Walpole on Electric Ladies Podcast Infrastructure like roads and bridges, as well as buildings today need to be built with strong climate resilience, as well as reduced carbon footprint. Innovative software systems are leveraging AI to increase performance. How? Listen to Lydia Walpole, Senior Director of Global Performance and Chris Bradshaw, Chief Sustainability Officer both of Bentley Systems in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. It was recorded live at the Bentley Systems "Year in Infrastructure" 2025 conference. You'll hear about: ● How Bentley Systems' digital twin technology is reducing risk, waste and CO2 and improving performance. ● How sustainability and climate resilience shift the approach to infrastructure builds from "reactive to predictive," as Chris said, as extreme weather increases. ● How their technologies are transforming infrastructure builds across the globe. ● Plus, career advice, such as: "I often hear about imposter syndrome, and I know it's easy to say, but I've worked in a male dominated environment my whole career, and I've never felt like I shouldn't be here. And it is easy to say, don't feel that, but you deserve to be where you are. You've worked hard and recognize that. …Secondly, be curious and remain curious, and make sure you are continuing to learn and educate yourself every day….Keep abreast of new technologies." Lydia Walpole on Electric Ladies Podcast And Chris Bradshaw added: "My biggest piece of advice would be to be bold. Don't be shy. Diverse groups make better decisions, always…. You are bringing a different point of view." Read Joan's Forbes article on whether A.I. makes our infrastructure safer or not here, and her Joan's other Forbes articles here. You'll also like: · Leveraging AI for Sustainability – Mandi McReynolds, VP of External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Office at Workiva · Artificial Intelligence and the Climate: Stephanie Hare, Ph.D, author of "Technology is Not Neutral" and BBC Broadcaster · How Design & Technology Are Redesigning Cities: Nikki Greenberg, Real Estate of the Future, live at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 · 88% of Companies Say Sustainability Increases Long-Term Value: Maura Hodge, Chief Sustainability Officer, KPMG · The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson
Transcribe →88% of Companies Say Sustainability Creates Long-Term Value – Maura Hodge, KPMG Chief Sustainability Officer
Feb 300:52:00Tap to summarize"There is value in being able to articulate the qualitative value of sustainability…And yes, obviously revenues can be attached to that, but obviously just the opportunity to open up new markets more broadly and innovate…There's the risk and compliance component, which tend to be more easy to actually quantify. And then there's the brand reputation…So you can make the case qualitatively in any of those three areas…There's this movement from morality to materiality now that CFOs are involved…We actually take that all the way to the financial statements, to the balance sheet, to the profit and loss statement, and identify those specific line items where there could be savings or synergies or increases." Maura Hodge on Electric Ladies Podcast Companies have to focus on long-term value and returns, and a recent report by KPMG found that 88% of them say sustainability creates both. They also see it as a competitive advantage. Why? Listen to Maura Hodge, Chief Sustainability Officer of global management consulting and accounting firm KPMG in this enlightening conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. You'll hear about: ● How companies see sustainability as a competitive advantage. ● How sustainability and ESG initiatives drive return on investment and long-term value. ● Why CFO's are on board with ESG, as both a risk mitigation and revenue driver. ● What companies can do to make progress themselves. ● Plus, career advice, such as: "My experience has been looking for those opportunities of new area growth, innovation. Of course, there's risk. There's going to be risk when you move into those areas…I actually pivoted and started working with venture capital backed life sciences companies…then I got to come back to sustainability after that. …I think keeping your eyes open, keeping your ears open, developing your network, and being willing to make those changes and taking those pivots in your career will pay off….(And) the way that you get ahead is actually sometimes by taking two steps back. And so, it's more of a step up, plateau, then maybe take a step down and then start moving up again. And that's how you kind of break into the next level." Maura Hodge on Electric Ladies Podcast Read Joan's Forbes article on Maura's panel at the Workiva conference here, and her Joan's other Forbes articles here. You'll also like: · Business Leaders Bridging the Climate Gap – Joan's panel at The Earth Day Women's Summit 2025 with four top business leaders. · Sustainable Business Is Good Business – Tensie Whelan, Founding Director, NYU Stern School of Sustainable Business. · Leveraging AI for Sustainability – Mandi McReynolds, VP of External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Office at Workiva · The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus · 6 Ways Sustainability Can Help Businesses Navigate Tough Times and Drive Growth – From Workiva, KPMG and NYU Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson
Transcribe →Microgrids Keep The Lights On, For Less – Jana Gerber, President of Microgrids, Schneider Electric
Jan 2800:33:09Tap to summarize"What is a microgrid?...There's a lot of challenges that folks are dealing with around the grid infrastructure, with weather related challenges and load growth and other elements. And so what a microgrid does is help those customers become not only consumers of energy, but also producers of energy. So we like to call that a prosumer….So a microgrid helps to create that bridge between the building and the big grid…So if the grid's no longer there (e.g., an outage), they can act independently of the grid. It also helps with deploying more renewables on their sites, as well as really energy costs." Jana Gerber on Electric Ladies Podcast Our hearts go out to the many people who are out of power in the current massive winter storm. We wish they had access to a microgrid to give them power when the grid is down, like during this ferocious storm. How does a microgrid work? Can you get one for your home? Listen to Jana Gerber, President of Microgrids at Schneider Electric in this helpful and engaging conversation with Electric Ladies host Joan Michelson, live at the Schneider Electric U.S. Innovation Summit a couple of months ago. They also share insightful career advice. You'll hear about: What a microgrid is, how it works and how to use it. How microgrids can serve communities in disaster situations – and are doing so in real time. How facilities as different as military bases to airports to EV charging are using microgrids to keep the power on. How microgrids are powered by renewables and batteries…and so much more Plus, insightful career advice, such as… "I think having purpose in what we do really drives that passion. And so continue to find what your North star is and where your passion aligns with that and keep going at it. So I think that's the important thing….I've had multiple different roles across different elements of the (SE) business and really getting to understand the perspectives and everybody wants to provide value and what they're doing. And so helping to find ways that you can pull folks in to help them bring their value to your customers or through other means is really critical." Jana Gerber on Electric Ladies Podcast Read Joan's Forbes articles here. You'll also like: An Industrial Revolution Unlike Any Other – with Gwenaelle Avice-Huet, EVP and head of Automation at Schneider Electric, from their U.S. Innovation Summit 2025 Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), on the politics of energy and infrastructure Doreen Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA, on how New York is leading the way to the clean energy future. Paula Glover, from the Alliance To Save Energy Autum Huskins, Hitachi Zosen Inova, turning waste into energy (and wine) Marit Brommer, Ph.D., International Geothermal Association, how geothermal is a dependable energy source Claire Seaborn, former Chief of Staff to Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on what the U.S. can learn from Canada's energy policies Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers.. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson
Transcribe →How To Talk About Climate In A Polarized Culture – Katharine Hayhoe, Climate Scientist, Professor at Texas Tech University & Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy
Jan 2001:00:35Tap to summarize"We have to begin our conversations with what really matters to the person or people we're speaking with. And if we don't know what that is, we have to get to know them and build a relationship and then start the conversation where they're at…The second common misconception I see is that we have to load up our wheelbarrow with the biggest load of scary facts we can possibly find and just dump it on people because not enough people are worried about this.…But if we haven't connected the head to the heart, my life, the places I love, the people I love, the things I love my home, the price of my groceries, the price of my insurance, the quality of the air I'm breathing, or my child's breathing, if we haven't made the head to heart connection, people still see this issue as being distant and remote from them." Katharine Hayhoe on Electric Ladies Podcast Signs of climate change are all around us, from ferocious and more frequent hurricanes, and in unexpected places, to massive wildfires and floods, as well as cracking roads and bridges. But many still don't believe it or don't want to take steps to avoid it or become more resilient. So, how can we reach them, especially in the very polarized culture we have today? Listen to Katharine Hayhoe, Ph.D. acclaimed climate scientist, Professor at Texas Tech University and Chief Scientist of The Nature Conservancy in this enlightening conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. Katharine is also the author of several books, including "Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World." You'll hear about: ● How to talk about climate issues even without even talking about climate. ● What we can learn from the faith-based community about talking about the climate crisis. ● What is happening to the vitally important climate science data that was defunded and taken offline by the Trump administration…and so much more ● Plus, career advice, such as: "(W)hat am I uniquely good at? So there's certain things that I'm a lot better at than other people. So that's the filter that we should apply. But then my favorite's the last filter, which is what genuinely gives me joy, what charges my battery rather than depleting it. Now, of course, don't get me wrong, we all have to do things that deplete our battery every day. But if our work does not give us joy or if it gave us joy at some time in the past but is no longer doing so now, that's a sign to us to think differently about what we're doing….(And invest) in making our own lives sustainable is so important. It's something I feel like we often neglect and it falls by the wayside in our focus on everything else that needs to be sustainable. But really I think it starts with US." Katharine Hayhoe on Electric Ladies Podcast Read Joan's Forbes articles here. You'll also like: · Unique Urban Climate Actions – Joan's panel at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona with three top urban leaders from around the world. · How Climate Modelling Affects Everything – Maria Caffrey, Ph.D., Principal Scientist, UK's National Physical Laboratory · Critical Minerals 101 – with Abby Wulf, Former Head of Critical Minerals at the Dept. Of Energy, & Center for Critical Minerals Strategy · The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus · Climate Is A Security Emergency – Svitlana Krakovska, top Climate Scientist from Ukraine and Mirian Villela, head of Earth Charter International and the Center for Sustainable Development with Joan Michelson at The Earth Day Women's Summit 2025. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson
Transcribe →Critical Minerals 101 – Abby Wulf, Critical Minerals Expert, Former Head of Critical Minerals at the Dept. Of Energy, & Center for Critical Minerals Strategy
Jan 1301:00:20Tap to summarize"Critical minerals and materials…are essential for key economic and national security technologies that help to fuel great sectors in the United States and around the world…We're at a very interesting point in the United States for critical minerals and materials because the US Geological Survey… just released their draft version of their newly updated critical minerals list…(But) they're very difficult to come by. And for a lot of these materials, they are mined as byproducts and co-products. They're used in incredibly low volumes, and so it's very difficult for companies to sort of make money on producing them, which in the United States, of course, to get anybody to do anything they need to be able to make a profit…China has been able to dominate this space and establish a stranglehold over many of these types of supply chains for these different commodities." Abby Wulf on Electric Ladies Podcast Critical minerals are foundational to all our technologies, from computers to automobiles, weaponry and national security, among others, but they are also scarce and difficult to procure, especially in the volumes needed. So, what are they and what can we do? Listen to Abby Wulf, a top critical minerals expert who recently left the Department of Energy as head of Critical Minerals in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. Abby previously served as the founding Executive Director of the Center for Critical Minerals at the nonprofit SAFE. You'll hear about: ● What critical minerals are, what makes them "critical," and where they come from. ● How critical mineral supplies, and therefore the technologies that we rely on every day, are procured and affected by geopolitical dynamics, including Ukraine and China. ● U.S. sources of these minerals and the financial incentives that were in the Inflation Reduction Act & Infrastructure Act that helped grow the sector….and so much more. ● Plus, career advice, such as: "I think that there doesn't necessarily have to be a trade-off between making money and making a difference….I've just been trying to say yes, to every opportunity that has come my way. …There are going to be different fits and starts and seasons to your career. But the one thing that's sort of driven me more than salary even I would say, are really just experiences… There are so many different things to learn…so I've let my curiosity sort of drive where my next career move has gone…. There's no comfort in the growth zone and no growth in the comfort zone." Abby Wulf on Electric Ladies Podcast Read Joan's Forbes articles here. You'll also like: · What We Can Learn From Canada's Energy Policies – with Claire Seaborn, energy attorney and former Chief of Staff to the Canadian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources · Reducing The IT Sector's Carbon Footprint – with Monica Batchelder, Chief Sustainability Officer of HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprises) · Making Computers Sustainably – with Page Motes, Chief Sustainability Officer at Dell Technologies · The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus · How GM Is Going All Electric – with Chief Sustainability Officer, Kristen Siemen Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson
Transcribe →