Everybody in the Pool

This week on Everybody in the Pool, we’re continuing Storyteller Summer with a stand-up comic who proves you can turn any job into a climate job — even one that usually involves jokes about socks.Our guest is Stuart Goldsmith, a veteran stand-up comedian and host of The Comedian’s Comedian podcast, who now focuses almost entirely on the climate crisis. But instead of lectures or charts, Stuart brings humor, humility, and a healthy dose of self-deprecation to a topic that’s often overwhelming.We talk about:The long, strange road from Covent Garden street performer to climate comedy evangelistWhy “the problems are the material” — especially when it comes to eco-anxietyThe art of bombing (a lot) while trying to make ocean acidification funnyMaking your own hypocrisy the butt of the jokeWhy climate storytelling needs more action and less guiltAlso: sticky jokes, snow leopards, tariff metaphors, LinkedIn mic drops, and the surprisingly dark comedy of unaffordable insurance premiums.This is climate storytelling at its smartest and most disarming. (And if you’re hiring a climate comic, please drop this man a line — his American clients have all fled!)LINKS:Website: https://www.stuartgoldsmith.comInstagram: @stuartgoldsmithcomedyLinkedIn: Stuart Goldsmith (but only if you’re a decision-maker!)All episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member and get an ad-free version of the podcast: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/Please subscribe and tell your friends about Everybody in the Pool! Send feedback or become a sponsor! in@everybodyinthepool.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Everybody in the Pool, we’re diving into the power of convening — and what happens when global climate leaders, local food producers, indigenous communities, philanthropists, and data nerds get in the same room... and then go mountain biking together.Our guest is Aimée Christensen, a longtime climate champion and founder of Christensen Global, the Sun Valley Forum, and the Sun Valley Institute for Resilience. From negotiating clean energy deals at the Department of Energy to putting Google on the path to carbon neutrality, Aimée has worked at the highest levels of policy, law, business, and philanthropy.She’s now focused on making an impact both globally and in her hometown of Sun Valley, Idaho — where she’s built a powerful hub for innovation and resilience. We talk about:Her remarkable journey from the Earth Summit in Rio to Google.org and beyondThe origins and goals of the Sun Valley ForumWhy gathering people is a critical tool in solving the climate crisisThe incredible ripple effects of partnerships and solutions born at the ForumBuilding resilient communities through food, energy, and investmentDon’t miss the short clip from this year’s Forum to see how nature quite literally stole the show.LINKS:Website: https://www.christensenglobal.comLinkedIn: Aimée ChristensenAll episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member and get an ad-free version of the podcast: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/Please subscribe and tell your friends about Everybody in the Pool! Send feedback or become a sponsor! in@everybodyinthepool.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Everybody in the Pool, we explore the pioneering world of rare earth metal recycling with Ahmad Ghahreman, CEO and co-founder of Cyclic Materials. This is a a technology with big environmental implications, and a whole lot of geopolitical ones also. Rare earth metals are used to make magnets that are part of electric motors and wind turbines, on the clean tech side, but also kind of everything else electronic, including things like laser guidance systems, missiles, and jet engines. And China controls pretty much the entire market — and, since April, has stopped almost all shipments of metals and magnets!Discover how Cyclic Materials addresses the critical challenge of recycling rare earth metals—essential for a sustainable, electrified future. Ahmad shares his journey from hydrometallurgy to developing innovative processes that extract high-value metals from discarded goods. As electrification accelerates demand, understand why recycling these metals is both an environmental imperative and an economic necessity.Key PointsRecycling Importance: Emphasizing the need to recycle rare earth elements like neodymium and dysprosium, critical for manufacturing electric motor magnets.Technical Challenges: Unpacking the complexities of extracting these metals and how Cyclic Materials develops solutions to overcome these hurdles.Geopolitical and Supply Chain Insights: Ahmad’s perspective on the implications of locally producing these critical metals in North America and Europe, enhancing supply chain resilience.Resources & LinksVisit Cyclic MaterialsConnect with Ahmad Ghahreman on LinkedInListen to all episodes: Everybody in the PoolSubscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletterGet an ad-free experience: Become a MemberHelp us spread the word about sustainable solutions!Please subscribe and share Everybody in the Pool with your friends!We value your feedback and inquiries: Contact usExplore how innovative recycling solutions are vital for a cleaner, sustainable future. Tune in for valuable insights and engaging conversations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Everybody in the Pool, we’re sticking with the theme of climate storytelling and climate communication with a well-known activist and advocate for justice, climate action, equity, and getting out the vote. Rev Yearwood is the president of the nonprofit Hip Hop Caucus, which works to engage young people around voting and community service, and he also advises the Bloomberg Foundation on climate storytelling projects. He and Molly talk about putting the climate crisis in a language everyone can understand, why there aren’t any hip hop songs about climate change (yet?), and how Earth is like a spouse we need to stop taking for granted.LINKS:Hip Hop CaucusAll episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member and get an ad-free version of the podcast: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/Please subscribe and tell your friends about Everybody in the Pool! Send feedback or become a sponsor at in@everybodyinthepool.com! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Naomi Oreskes, a Harvard professor and climate change activist, dives into the intersection of climate fiction and science. She discusses how storytelling can inspire hope and engagement in the face of a worsening climate crisis. Oreskes critiques societal reactions to climate science, emphasizing the influence of capitalism on our understanding and action. She explores how dystopian narratives can illustrate potential futures, and how fiction sometimes conveys complex truths more effectively than traditional science can.

This week on "Everybody in the Pool," Molly Wood chats with Josh Dorfman, the dynamic co-founder and CEO of Supercool, a media company dedicated to highlighting climate solutions that cut carbon, boost business, and enhance modern life. In this episode, Josh shares insights from his journey in sustainability, from developing carbon-negative building materials to launching Supercool to spotlight scalable climate solutions.Explore how Josh envisions a future where climate initiatives are not just about avoiding disaster but are pathways to a more exciting and innovative world. Discover the critical role of storytelling in transforming climate tech adoption and the surprising innovation layers driving real change.Join us as we dive into the stories of people who are working smartly and tirelessly towards a sustainable future. Whether you're a climate tech enthusiast or a green lifestyle advocate, this episode sheds light on the collective effort needed to drive progress.Listen now and get inspired by the brilliant minds propelling us towards a better, greener future.LINKS:SupercoolLinkedin - supercoolJosh DorfmanAll episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member and get an ad-free version of the podcast: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/Please subscribe and tell your friends about Everybody in the Pool! Send feedback or become a sponsor at in@everybodyinthepool.com! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Everybody in the Pool, we're taking a deep dive into the unsung hero of climate solutions: federal data. This crucial data helps predict extreme weather, guide public health responses, and by the way, underpins a whole lot of existing and future climate tech startups. But the US government is pulling the plug on long-standing climate infrastructure, and all kinds of groups are scrambling to protect it. Molly talks with Jonathan Gilmour, a data scientist from Harvard, who’s on a mission to protect this precious resource. He's part of a team working tirelessly to keep these datasets safe and accessible for all the researchers, startups, and policymakers who need them. If you're curious about how federal data impacts everything from insurance rates to groundbreaking tech innovations, this episode is a must-listen. Discover why protecting this data is not just important—it's essential for our future.LINKS:Jonathan Gilmour - WebsiteJonathan Gilmour - LinkedInAll episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member and get an ad-free version of the podcast: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/Please subscribe and tell your friends about Everybody in the Pool! Send feedback or become a sponsor at in@everybodyinthepool.com! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Everybody in the Pool, it’s the final installation in our Kickstarter Successes miniseries. Molly talks to Jonathan Cedar, founder and CEO of BioLite. You’ll hear how BioLite uses their innovative "parallel innovation" model to deliver clean energy solutions to over 15 million people. The company started with a mission to tackle off-grid energy poverty in developing countries, which led to a range of products for the US market as well, from camping stoves to solar lights to lanterns to a forthcoming line of backup power solutions. Hear how BioLite manages both commercial and mission-driven product lines, and how it used Kickstarter to “hack” the startup funding model.LINKS:BioLiteJonathan CedarAll episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member and get an ad-free version of the podcast: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/Please subscribe and tell your friends about Everybody in the Pool! Send feedback or become a sponsor at in@everybodyinthepool.com! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cameron Jones, co-founder and COO of Flash Forest, is revolutionizing reforestation with drone technology. Inspired by the devastating wildfires he witnessed in Canada, Cameron shares how they automatize tree planting using harmless seed projectiles. He discusses the hurdles of launching a Kickstarter-funded venture and the importance of machine learning in improving tree survival rates. The mission? To plant one billion trees by 2028, showcasing the power of collaboration and innovation in tackling climate change.

This week on Everybody in the Pool, we’re looking at some innovative ways to get money to the climate startups that need it — specifically, crowdfunding climate solutions on Kickstarter. Molly chats with Nathan Nalevanko from Kickstarter's design and technology team, uncovering how alternative funding can drive sustainability projects and how Kickstarter has been recruiting companies in this category, and helping them with promotion and even marketing. In the coming weeks, we’ll feature Kickstarter success stories Flash Forest and BioLite.KickstarterNathan NalevankoAll episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member and get an ad-free version of the podcast: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.