Ice: The Rise and Fall of a Hot Commodity with Amy Brady A hundred years ago, ice was the one of the important commodities and most powerful industries in the world. A history filled with merchant kings, monopolies, traders and short squeezes. And cocktails. And then it all melted away – another rapid transition. In this episode, author and historian Amy Brady joins us to discuss the surprising history of ice. How the industry was created and importance to life, the economy and culture in American history. And its rapid decline in the wake of technology and development. Amy’s most recent book is Ice: From Mixed Drinks to Skating Rinks--a Cool History of a Hot Commodity published by Random House, June 2023  

Whale Oil: The Original Energy Transition with Eric Jay Dolin In 1859, illumination throughout the major metropolises of the West was powered by whale oil. Whale oil was at the center of international trade (and trade disputes). Prices were at an all time high and great fortunes had been made. Yet, in that same year, Edwin Drake started the oil rush in Titusville, Pennsylvania…and every thing changed. Quickly. What lessons are there in this first energy transition in the modern era? In this episode we dig into the history of whaling and whale oil. Our guest is historian Eric Jay Dolan, author of Leviathan: A history of whaling in America. Eric takes us through the history of whale oil. A history of the first commodity cartels (they failed too), extraordinary entrepreneurs, boom and bust, environmental exploitation and Benjamin Franklin’s taste for Spermaceti Candles. 

Walls, Bridges & Dilemmas in the Energy Transition with Eirik Waerness Eirik Waerness, Chief Economist of Equinor, the global energy major, joins us to discuss their Energy Perspectives 2023-  an independent scenario analysis describing the development paths up to 2050 for the world economy, energy markets and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. What are the blockages, accelerators and dilemmas the world faces in trying to hit 2050 goals? Have we already blown past 1.5c?  A clear-eyed, sobering look at the challenges the world faces in reducing greenhouse emissions and the solutions needed 

Changing Battery Chemistries & Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) with John Passalacqua and Isobel SheldonThe Lithium-Ion battery is the fulcrum on which the energy transition hinges. However, its chemistry continues to evolve. The Nickel-Cobalt variant has led the charge in EVS, primarily due to the singular focus on range. However, cost, raw materials, safety and utility has led many manufacturers towards Lithium Iron-Phosphate (LFP) batteries to meet the mass adoption needed to reach decarbonization goals. In this episode, we do a deep dive on battery attributes, chemistries and markets. And if LFPs will dominate, what does that mean for the battery supply chain and the mineral producers its needs. Our guests are Isobel Sheldon OBE, a leading authority in batteries & EVs and John Passalacqua, CEO of First Phospate Corp (PHOS:CN). First Phosphate Corp is positioned to be a leading supplier of the Phosphate needed in this evolution within the revolution.Visit HC Group hereFirst Phostphate Corp here 

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Back to Ag Futures with Scott IrwinIn this episode, we are joined by a global leader in the field of agricultural economics.  His research on commodity markets is widely cited by other academic researchers and is in high demand among farmers, market analysts, traders, and policymakers. We are discussing the future and history of agricultural futures and his book, “Back to the Futures: Crashing Dirt Bikes, Chasing Cows, and Unraveling the Mystery of Commodity Futures Markets “.  We cover Scott’s work and life in agri futures. How ag futures work, how they have developed and what might their future hold.

Volatility with Stephen RosemeThe commodity markets have had a period of unprecedented volatility. Furthermore, the energy transition is likely drive volatility over the long-term as infrastructure, funding and markets all degrade across hydrocarbons. However, volatility also drives opportunities of the trade floors who can manage it. What is volatility? What are its sources? How is it changing? And how are the tools and technologies changing that are needed to manage it? What does it mean for traders and their skillsets? Stephen Roseme, CEO and founder of the The Bridgeton Group returns to discuss.

A lot has changed in the last three years when it comes to investing in the energy transition. Inflation and rising rates have altered economics, the tools and the returns expected. ESG is no longer the all-conquering paradigm sweeping all theses before it. The complexity of delivering the transition (and the trade offs) are better understood. Western governments are far more focused on securing the critical raw material supply chains that will be required. War & deglobalization have sharpened competition and increased volatility. To talk about all this and how and why he is investing in the energy transition is John Dowd, former Fidelity Portfolio Manager over natural resources, and now, CEO of GoGreen Investments, a SPAC focused on the energy transition. 

 The EU has set ambitious goals to decarbonize, especially in transportation, accelerated by the geopolitical necessity to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons. However, the minerals and even technological know-how for the electron economy especially, sits largely outside the region. The also face stiff competition for both, especially from the US - supercharged by the IRA. How is Europe planning to compete? What are its proposed policies and goals? What is the Critical Raw Materials Act? What is the role of the commodity traders - all largely domiciled in the region. Our guest is JuliaPoliscanova, Director at the Transport & Environment think tank in Brussels and atransport, batteryand policy expert.    

Food inflation is persistent globally, even after the underlying commodity prices have dropped. What is going on? Will food prices normalize and if so when? Has something structural happened? And what is the outlook for the softs and grains markets in a turbulent world both in trade and weather. Is China demand growing and what does El Niño mean for crops? What does high food prices mean for global economic health and stability? Our guest is Kona Haque, Head of Research for ED&F Man, the world's biggest softs trader.