This podcast delves into Eric Letvin's role at FEMA, discussing pre and post-disaster mitigation strategies. They explore FEMA's evolution, emphasizing mitigation vs. resilience outcomes. The episode also covers flood and wildfire mitigation efforts, FEMA's operational structure, and the importance of funding for disaster relief and mitigation.

Dr. Britt Wray discusses navigating climate emotions, including anxiety, grief, and outrage. She emphasizes the importance of understanding these emotions to drive action in combating climate change. The podcast explores the impact of social connections in facing climate challenges and the transformative role of community involvement in climate activism.

Exploring material science startups with SOSV, the podcast delves into evaluating challenges, early-stage deep tech investments, sustainable sourcing, and the role of synthetic biology. Susan and Po share insights on scaling challenges, business economics, and performance in material science startups.

Dan Yates, CEO of Dandelion Energy, discusses the benefits and features of residential geothermal energy and its connection to HVAC heat pump adoption. They cover Dandelion Energy's technologies, operations, business model, and recent tax incentives. They also explore factors influencing decision-making and the deployment of residential geothermal in the US Northeast. Additionally, they discuss the feasibility of geothermal energy in different areas of the US, project costs and benefits, and job opportunities in the geothermal energy industry.

Dr. Melissa Burt and Dr. Emily Fischer, members of the Science Moms, discuss concerns parents have when talking to kids about climate change. They provide tips on engaging kids of different ages and feeling confident discussing climate change without being an expert. They also address the political implications of discussing climate change and debunk various myths and facts about it. Resources and recommendations for climate conversations with kids are also shared.

Prakash Govindan, COO and Co-founder at Gradiant, discusses his experiences with water scarcity in India and how Gradiant develops technology for industrial wastewater treatment. They work with Fortune 500 clients across industries, helping them reuse water. Topics include the challenges in industrial wastewater treatment, Gradiant's bespoke solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, and their involvement in direct lithium extraction.

The podcast discusses the founding story of Nexus PMG, their transition to a low-carbon focus, and observations on declining investment returns in wind and solar projects. They also cover challenges in sustainable materials, turnaround of a distressed biomass plant, team dynamics in project success, trend forecasting in sustainable projects, and the potential of government subsidies in renewable energy.

Roy Mittleider, Director of training for CalCERTS, discusses the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) in California. Topics include compliance rating, career paths, energy specifications, and technology in home energy efficiency auditing. They also explore the history and purpose of the HERS industry, certification process, and the potential benefits of technology in improving efficiency for HERS Raiders.

Dr. Denise Baden, founder of Green Stories, discusses the power of storytelling and positive climate narratives. They explore the impact of positive vs. negative storytelling, the concept of Thrutopias, and their #ClimateCharacters collaboration with BAFTAs. They also discuss how fictional narratives shape values, concerns about dystopian themes, and the role of culture in climate action.

In this episode, Sarah Lamaison, CEO and Co-founder of Dioxycle, discusses their technology to produce sustainable ethylene from recycled carbon emissions. They explore the challenges of decarbonizing ethylene production, the role of ethylene in everyday products, and Dioxycle's goal of cost-competitive production below fossil prices. They also highlight the need for renewable power sources and their vision as a trusted tech provider for chemical manufacturers.