Consensus in Conversation

2024 brought us 38 new guests, 2,091 minutes of conversation, and an immeasurable wealth of new ideas and narratives about how to use business to make the world a better place. The challenges we face are great, but with every challenge comes opportunity, and it’s never been more important for impact businesses to tell a compelling, mission-centric story. Join Conor Gaughan as he revisits the best storytelling advice from this year’s expert guests, sharing key insights, analysis, and takeaways. Whether it's harnessing your inner Luke Skywalker to wow investors and attract customers with analogies that will resonate, or learning the secret to explaining your incredible new technology in lay terms, this episode will definitely offer new angles and perspectives on crafting your business story. Featured guests in order of appearance:00:00 Conor introduces the CiC 2024 Year End Wrap Up04:24 Keith Norman: Chief Sustainability Officer, Lyten06:00 Jasmine Crowe-Houston: Founder & CEO, Goodr08:09 Jay Kapoor: Co-Founder & General Partner, VSC Ventures14:58 Nicolas Pinkowski: Co-Founder & CEO, Nitricity17:17 Shivam Mallick Shah: Co-Founder & CEO, 1953 Tequila and Lindsey Davis Stover: Co-Founder & President, 1953 Tequila20:27 Ben Christensen: Co-Founder & CEO, Cambium 24:34 Grant Quasha: Chairman & CEO, Eco Material Technologies26:48 Peter Godart: Co-Founder & CEO, Found Energy29:11 Zal Bilimoria: Co-Founder & Solo Capitalist, Refactor Capital31:59 Pavle Jeremic: Founder & CEO, Aether Biomachines35:39 Jay Kapoor: Co-Founder & General Partner, VSC Ventures39:31 Karthik Balakrishnan: Co-Founder & President, ACTUAL43:02 Lauren Dunford: Co-Founder & CEO, Guidewheel46:52 Dr. Vince Romanin: Founder & CEO, Gradient49:50 Conor Gaughan on the power of storytellingA big thank you to all of our guests this year!Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

Rinaldo Brutoco has dedicated his life to harnessing the awesome potential of business to create positive change in the world. As a pioneer in impact entrepreneurship, Rinaldo has spent more than thirty years building successful businesses ahead of the curve, and today, his eyes are on the green hydrogen space as a potential game-changer for the future of clean energy.In this second part of our two-part conversation with Rinaldo – the founding president of nonprofit think (and do!) tank the World Business Academy (WBA) and founder and CEO of green hydrogen transportation firm H2 Clipper (H2C) – we dive into the creation of the WBA, Rinaldo’s business case for the inevitability of a clean energy future, and how his H2 Clipper is reimagining a very old technology in a very new way to accelerate the green hydrogen revolution. Listen to Rinaldo’s first episode if you haven’t already: Rinaldo Brutoco of World Business Academy on Consumer Law, Merchant Banks, and the Impact of Pay TVEpisode Highlights:00:00 Rinaldo Brutoco on why hydrogen is here to stay 00:44 Conor Gaughan introduces Rinaldo, World Business Academy, and H2 Clipper04:35 Incubating the WBA, building a governing body, creating true impact 10:29 Business as a steward, shifting the consciousness, combatting climate change20:04 Launching H2 Clipper, green hydrogen, industries buying-in32:28 Economic impact, tech innovation, regulating renewables40:09 Finding motivation, the Optimist Daily, where to learn more46:50 Leaving a legacy and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Zach Jones of C-Zero on Hydrogen 3.0, Decarbonizing Natural Gas, and The Innovation EconomyMore on Rinaldo Brutoco, World Business Academy, and H2 Clipper:linkedin.com/company/world-business-academy linkedin.com/company/h2clipper linkedin.com/in/rinaldo-brutoco-b052a2 optimistdaily.com Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

How can business solve humanity’s most significant challenges? Why is business the best vehicle to solve them?  For the last 35 years, Rinaldo Brutoco has devoted himself to asking – and answering – these crucial questions. The founding president of nonprofit think (and do!) tank the World Business Academy (WBA) and founder and CEO of green hydrogen transportation firm H2 Clipper (H2C), Rinaldo is a trailblazer in both the theory and practice of sustainable business solutions. Rinaldo graduated from Santa Clara University with degrees in economics and philosophy and later received a J.D. from UCLA School of Law in 1971. His career has had many remarkable turns – pioneer in consumer law, Inc. 500 CEO, author, lecturer, and co-founder of the world’s first paid cable TV company. Behind all these turns was an unshakeable conviction that business could – must – be a force for good, driving Rinaldo to found the WBA in 1987 to explore the role of business in addressing serious moral, environmental, and social issues around the world. The think tank has since been responsible for initiatives like the Optimist Daily newsletter, Safe Energy Project, Global Citizen’s Club, and the New Business Paradigms podcast. As of 2011, Rinaldo has been practicing what he has preached with the launch of H2C, a firm pioneering a low cost, effective, end-to-end transport and distribution system for green hydrogen. Its revolutionary approach  tackles the biggest obstacle to the widespread adoption of hydrogen while also producing a scalable, carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels that’s powered by Rinaldo’s patented generative AI manufacturing technology. Hear Rinaldo talk about his unique path to clean energy visionary, the importance of teaching entrepreneurship as a noble profession, and why paid cable was a source of good for the world. Episode Highlights:00:00 Rinaldo Brutoco on the rise of pay TV00:49 Conor Gaughan introduces Rinaldo, WBA, and H2 Clipper04:38 Entrepreneurial interests, UCLA law, Nader's Raiders17:09 Businesses for good, meditation, third party perspectives 25:16 Launching paid cable, having a vision, pitching investors34:55 Modern entertainment, generative A.I, merchant banking46:53 Creating impact, shareholder motivation, finding inspiration51:50 Where to learn more and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Ben Bressler of Natural Habitat Adventures on Nature, Travel, and Pursuing Your PassionMore on Rinaldo Brutoco, World Business Academy, and H2 Clipper:linkedin.com/company/world-business-academy linkedin.com/company/h2clipper linkedin.com/in/rinaldo-brutoco-b052a2 optimistdaily.com Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

Agrovision, a global leader in superfruits, is on a mission to make the healthiest snacks the most enjoyable, by utilizing a cutting edge blend of genetic research, freshness technology, and – most importantly – perfectly-suited agricultural locations to supply more consistent, nutritious, and incredible tasting berries year-round through their Fruitist label. That “vision,” in Agrovision, comes in part from co-founder and executive chairman Steve Magami, who grew up in a health-conscious family surrounded by California’s citrus orchards. Steve graduated the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in biology and worked as a private equity investor at Lovell Minnick Partners, where a plan for a potential biofuel business took him on a trip to Peru that would change his trajectory forever. The biofuel didn’t end up panning out, but Steve saw firsthand how advantageous Peru’s climate and infrastructure development plans were for agriculture, and co-founded Agrovision in 2012 as a vertically integrated produce operation to seize this unique opportunity. Agrovision, now one of Peru’s top exporters, employs over 15,000 field workers in Peru alone, more than half of whom are women, and has supported local communities with meaningful investments in education, transportation and healthcare infrastructure. Since its first commercial harvest in 2015, the firm has added thousands of acres of farmland in 8 countries around the globe, and now sells its high-quality berries to consumer markets across North America, Europe, and Asia. Today, Agrovision is one of America’s fastest growing companies, officially achieving a “Unicorn” valuation earlier this year – no small feat for an ag tech company! Hear Steve talk about recognizing “perfect storms” of opportunity like the one he found in Peru, how businesses can be responsible partners in developing economies, and why redefining healthy snacking could impact the world for the better. Episode Highlights:00:00 Steve Magami on his first aha moment 00:53 Conor Gaughan introduces Steve and Agrovision05:08 California upbringing, venture capital, and clean tech12:51 Peru, myth vs reality, and the origin of Agrovision 18:10 The business model, risk management, and microclimates22:50 An outsider mentality, building trust, and transformative irrigation 28:37 Agrovision today, the superfruit industry, and raising capital38:08 Sustainability, community programs, and finding optimism 44:41 Where to learn more and find Fruitist products near you45:50 Conclusion and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Matt Ryan of Soli Organic on Indoor Organics, Carbon-free Fertilizer, and the Ag Tech RevolutionMore on Steve Magami and Agrovision:agrovisioncorp.com linkedin.com/company/agrovisioncorp linkedin.com/in/stevemagami Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

Agriculture is poised for a regenerative revolution, and Mad Capital wants to finance it. Led by co-founder and CEO Brandon Welch, the firm provides customized, long-term financing for farmers transitioning to regenerative practices, bridging a gap that traditional banks have been hesitant to meet and accelerating the next generation of land stewardship and ecological restoration. Prior to Mad Capital, Brandon studied Environmental Science at the University of Vermont. An avid outdoorsman, cyclist, and backcountry hiker, Brandon’s adventures, including a coast-to-coast bike ride from Massachusetts to Oregon, have taken him all over the country and instilled a deep appreciation for Americans’ connection to their land. After landing in Colorado in 2017, Brandon helped launch Mad Agriculture to provide resources and support for farmers interested in transitioning to regenerative agriculture, and later joined the organization as Director of Capital. Brandon and Mad Executive Director Philip Taylor consistently heard regenerative farmers talk about how difficult it was to secure loans from traditional agricultural lenders, so the two co-founded Mad Capital to solve that problem. Since taking over as CEO of Mad Capital in 2022, Brandon has overseen the launch of the Perennial Fund II and is focused on making long-term impact at scale, deploying over $25 million to farmers on over 79,000 acres of land across 15 states. Hear Brandon talk about developing a passion for outdoor adventures, his mission to create a regenerative revolution in agriculture, and why Mad Capital’s radical approach to financing is so impactful for farmers, the environment, and our future. Episode Highlights:00:00 Brandon Welch on the benefits of regenerative agriculture00:53 Conor Gaughan introduces Brandon and Mad Capital05:18 Gateway to the outdoors, environmental studies, and economics11:12 An impact-driven career, biking America, and traveling the country23:03 Founding Mad Capital, carbon sequestration, and financing farmers28:39 The regenerative revolution, the average process, and scaling strategically35:45 Mad’s approach as a lender, raising capital, and structural innovation 45:01 Transforming food systems, benefiting the environment, and finding optimism 52:02 Where to learn more about Mad Capital and connect with Brandon52:54 Conclusion and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Ron Hovsepian of Indigo Ag on Farming, Sustainability, and TechnologyMore on Brandon Welch and Mad Capital:madcapital.com linkedin.com/company/mad-capital-pbc linkedin.com/in/brandonwelchmad Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

Dr. Bryan Staley, President and CEO of the Environmental Research and Education Foundation, is a leading voice in sustainable waste management. He discusses the urgent link between waste and climate change, revealing innovative solutions for tackling landfill emissions. The conversation dives into effective recycling practices and the role of AI in waste management. Staley also reflects on his rural upbringing and how those values shaped his environmental leadership. Practical steps for individuals and organizations to enhance sustainability are emphasized throughout.

Data is one of the most critical, and underused, tools for combating climate change – the more information we have about our impact, the better decisions we can make towards managing it. Lauren Dunford, co-founder of revolutionary startup Guidewheel, is on a mission to place that tool in the hands of manufacturers, offering a unique, data-driven system for monitoring factory operations, reducing energy costs, and improving efficiency.CEO Lauren launched the startup in 2018 with co-founder and current CTO Weston McBride, leading Guidewheel’s development of its core product, the FactoryOps platform, a system they describe as “Fitbit for Factories.” With funding from major ESG players like Breakthrough Energy Ventures and the Decarbonization Partners fund, and brand name customers like Coca-Cola FEMSA and Igloo, Guidewheel’s cutting-edge approach to sustainable manufacturing operations is turning heads across the industry. Lauren received a degree in Sustainability in Global Environment and Health at Stanford, where she also co-founded the Stanford Green Fund and ran the Students for a Sustainable Stanford program. After completing a Fulbright scholarship studying supply chain in India, Lauren worked her way up to chief of staff at the B-Corp Revolution Foods, where she saw firsthand just how impactful data could be for operational efficiency and sustainability, developing the idea for what would soon become Guidewheel.Hear Lauren discuss her passion for studying environmental impact, why better data can help industries cut costs and bolster sustainability, and how the practical approach of picking low-hanging fruit could make a significant impact in the long run. Episode Highlights:00:00 Lauren Dunford on adding sustainability into existing workflows00:52 Conor Gaughan introduces Lauren and Guidewheel04:28 Bay Area background, impact driven entrepreneurship, and Stanford 13:12 Fulbright Scholarship, Revolution Foods, and supply chain logistics 18:06 The lightbulb moment, business school, and launching Guidewheel26:00 The potential market, manufacturing inefficiencies, and hidden economies34:46 Adoption from big brands, pitching to investors, and implementing AI44:27 Aligning profit and purpose, the future of data, and defeating defeatism50:49 Exciting climate innovations and leaving a legacy53:30 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Anne Coghlan of Scope3 on the Philosophy of Math, Decarbonized Media, and the Future of Digital AdsMore on Lauren Dunford and Guidewheel:guidewheel.com linkedin.com/in/lauren-dunford-6887ab7 linkedin.com/company/guidewheel Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

In the more than a century since humans first took to the skies with powered flight, still only about 20% of the world’s population has actually flown on an airplane. But that demand is on the rise, and air travel’s CO2 emissions are set to triple by 2050. So Benjamin Stabler and Heart Aerospace have a groundbreaking solution: decarbonize and democratize flight for all. Ben, who joined Heart as CTO earlier this year, has been leading technical work on the ES-30, an innovative, battery-electric hybrid regional aircraft. Heart Aerospace is building a system of decarbonized, short-haul aircrafts that are cheaper to operate and more energy-efficient than traditional air travel. Founded in 2019, the startup has raised over $140 million to date developing and scaling its revolutionary technology, which is not only more sustainable, but, given its significant reduction in direct operating costs per trip, potentially more profitable too, allowing for the development and revitalization of regional air travel networks that help create a more connected world. Prior to leading technical development for Heart’s newly established North American operations, Ben received an M.S. in electrical engineering from Stanford University, led software and hardware teams for the SpaceX Crew Dragon program, and co-founded Parallel Systems, an automated, battery-electric freight rail vehicle startup. Hear Ben talk about his lifelong love for aviation, how the ES-30 actually works, and why electrified, short-distance flights could change the future of aviation as we know it. Episode Highlights:00:00 Benjamin Stabler on decarbonizing short distance flights 00:49 Conor Gaughan introduces Ben and Heart Aerospace05:28 Passion for airplanes, Stanford engineering, and SpaceX16:07 Origin of Heart Aerospace, joining as CTO, and electric aviation26:39 Hybrid electric regional aircraft, efficiency, and the U.S. markets30:17 Decarbonizing flight and democratizing air travel38:11 Rising aviation demand, the long-term horizon, and exciting climate tech45:43 Remaining optimistic and where to learn more49:48 End credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Forrest North and Jason Marks of TELO Trucks on EVs, Mini Pickups, and Autonomous TechMore on Ben Stabler and Heart Aerospace:linkedin.com/in/ben-stabler linkedin.com/company/heart-aerospace heartaerospace.com Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist and climate policy expert, shares her passion for ocean conservation and innovative climate solutions. She discusses her journey in marine biology and highlights a sustainable fishing trap design that benefits both ecosystems and local economies. Ayana delves into the economic vulnerabilities of tourism-dependent Caribbean regions affected by climate change. She emphasizes the need for businesses to adopt a regenerative mindset and inspires listeners to transition from passive hope to proactive engagement in environmental challenges.

Knowing whether or not to invest in a startup isn’t easy – it’s a skill that makes VCs like Zal Bilimoria extremely valuable. And Zal, the co-founder and solo GP of seed-stage VC firm Refactor Capital, is leveraging his knowledge to build a portfolio of human and planetary health-focused startups merging profits, sustainability, and technology. Zal honed his skills and eye for the market working for tech industry giants like Microsoft and Google through pivotal moments in their history, and even created a new role for himself at Netflix, pioneering their dedicated mobile platform, before turning his hand to investing at a16z. It was there that he recognized his passion for health, biotech, and other impact-oriented industries, and in 2016, Zal struck out on his own to launch Refactor Capital. The firm has since invested in over 100 companies – four of which have gone on to reach unicorn status – and recently finished raising its fourth $50M fund.Hear Zal share key insights from his time at tech and VC behemoths, the importance of believing in founders over ideas, and which startups and technologies could literally change the world for the better. Episode Highlights:00:00 Zal Bilimoria on super responsiveness00:44 Conor Gaughan introduces Zal and Refactor Capital07:03 Early passion for computers, UPenn, and Microsoft 11:36 Google, head of mobile at Netflix, and product management18:05 Biotech and health, angel investing, and shifting investment strategy21:49 Launching Refactor Capital, being a solo GP, and hard tech 28:47 Getting deals done, communication, and managing portfolios 36:20 Aligning profit and impact, exciting tech, and sci-fi vs science reality 42:53 Climate tech and human health, urgency, and Checkerspot 47:42 Aether Biomachines, founder dinners, and entrepreneurship52:15 Leaving a legacy and defeating defeatism 56:01 Conclusion and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Pavle Jeremic of Aether Biomachines on Rearranging Atoms, Scaling Deep Tech, and Defeating Scarcity More on Refactor Capital and Zal Bilimoria:refactor.com linkedin.com/company/refactor-capital linkedin.com/in/zalzally Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.