Everybody in the Pool

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! To support the show and get an ad-free listening experience, please jump in and become a member of Everybody in the Pool! https://plus.acast.com/s/everybody-in-the-pool. 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/ To support the show and get an ad-free listening experience, please jump in and become a member of Everybody in the Pool! https://plus.acast.com/s/everybody-in-the-pool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Rogers, co-founder and CEO of Mill and co-founder of Nest, joins the conversation. He shares insights on tackling food waste, a surprising major contributor to climate change. They discuss Mill's innovative kitchen appliance that transforms food scraps into odorless grounds for upcycling into chicken feed. The chat highlights consumer behavior’s role in adopting sustainable technologies and how appealing gadgets can drive meaningful environmental changes. Matt emphasizes the urgent need for practical solutions in the fight against food waste.

Kathleen Alexander, Co-founder and CEO of Savor, is revolutionizing how we think about fats and oils in food. She shares her journey into creating a butter that meets the high standards of Michelin-star restaurants while addressing environmental concerns. The discussion dives into her innovative process, culinary partnerships, and the development of vegan chocolates, blending taste and sustainability. Kathleen also highlights the importance of consumer perception in food marketing and the need for accessible gourmet dining.

Sanchali Pal, the founder of Commons, is a data-driven advocate for sustainable shopping. In this conversation, she shares how her app helps consumers discover eco-friendly alternatives, particularly in clothing. The discussion highlights the growing influence of individual purchasing decisions on corporate sustainability and the critical role consumers play in demanding transparency and quality from brands. Sanchali emphasizes that even small changes in consumer behavior can lead to significant shifts in industry practices, empowering everyone to contribute to a greener future.

In this engaging conversation, Selina Tobaccowala, CEO of Home Boost and founder of Evite, shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur. She introduces Home Boost, a game-changing tool to assess home energy efficiency. The discussion delves into actionable strategies for homeowners to cut energy costs and improve comfort. Selina emphasizes the importance of incentivizing energy efficiency and navigating rebates for upgrades. Listeners will gain insights on connecting personal financial savings with impactful climate action.

This week on Everybody in the Pool, we’re kicking off Earth Month with a month of action! Our choices matter, and one of the choices I’ve been avoiding is how to replace coffee — which contributes to deforestation, is energy intensive to produce, and isn’t good news for the coffee farmers, either. This week, we’re talking with Andy Kleitsch, founder of Atomo Coffee, about their sustainable coffee blends, the road to adoption and the compromises it sometimes entails, and some surprising trivia related to camels and date pits.Atomo CoffeeAll 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://plus.acast.com/s/everybody-in-the-poolPlease subscribe and tell your friends about Everybody in the Pool! Send feedback or become a sponsor at in@everybodyinthepool.com! To support the show and get an ad-free listening experience, please jump in and become a member of Everybody in the Pool! https://plus.acast.com/s/everybody-in-the-pool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, Paul Moinester, founder of Topo Finance, reveals the shocking climate impact of traditional banking, where a mere $10,000 can emit as much CO2 as driving 10,000 miles. He emphasizes how corporations' banking emissions can dwarf their operational ones and advocates for switching to climate-friendly banks. Moinester introduces innovative solutions that combine profitability with sustainability, encouraging listeners to consider their financial choices as a form of climate action. Tune in for actionable insights!

This week on Everybody in the Pool, Molly Wood talks with Brad Hartwig, co-founder and CEO of Arbor Energy. Brad shares his remarkable journey from SpaceX rocket engineer to climate tech entrepreneur, developing technology that transforms waste biomass into carbon-negative energy using rocket propulsion principles. Yep, you read that right. A guy who used to want to be an astronaut woke up one day and realized this planet was the place to put his energy. Find out how Arbor’s tech could replace fossil fuel plants while simultaneously removing carbon from the atmosphere.Show HighlightsBrad's transition from aerospace engineering at SpaceX to climate tech after witnessing California wildfires firsthandHow Arbor Energy's technology uses "oxy combustion" (inspired by rocket engines) to generate clean electricity while capturing carbonThe system produces no emissions - only pure CO2 (for sequestration) and clean waterPotential to replace up to 60 gigawatts of coal and natural gas plants in the US with carbon-negative powerUses only waste biomass from agriculture, forestry, and potentially municipal wasteEconomic benefits for wildfire prevention through monetizing brush clearingFirst commercial deployment targeted for 2027ResourcesArbor EnergyBrad HartwigMinistry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson - Climate fiction book mentioned by BradAll 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://plus.acast.com/s/everybody-in-the-poolPlease subscribe and tell your friends about Everybody in the Pool! Send feedback or become a sponsor at in@everybodyinthepool.com! To support the show and get an ad-free listening experience, please jump in and become a member of Everybody in the Pool! https://plus.acast.com/s/everybody-in-the-pool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.