Best Asian Development Bank Podcasts (2025)

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E264: Rethinking Electricity Like the Internet 55:22

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16h ago55:22

55:22

In this episode, our guest is Bruce Nordman, a long-time researcher from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Bruce brings four decades of experience in energy efficiency and introduces his revolutionary vision for transforming how buildings use electricity, drawing strong parallels with the evolution of internet technology. We explore the concep…

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E263: How This Startup is Fixing Online Content Noise 40:06

5d ago40:06

40:06

In this episode, our guest is Cheree Bonnici, a startup founder based in South Australia, and the driving force behind Topicks, a global content platform focused on community, education, and sustainability. Cheree shares the story behind creating a curated digital space where users choose what they learn—free from algorithms and noise. From solving…

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E262: AI in Practice—Tools, Workflows, and What’s Next 41:48

8d ago41:48

41:48

In this episode, our guest is Amie Vuyong. She works on AI-powered identity verification, AML, and fraud prevention, areas she frames as “compliance AI agents.” She also shares how she used modern AI coding companions to turn a manual spreadsheet into a sleek personal finance web app, with expense tracking, budgets, and net‑worth views, built throu…

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E261: Solar to VPP: Powering the Future 38:43

12d ago38:43

38:43

In this episode, our guest is Clinton O’Neil, a distributed energy veteran whose journey began in Hawaii’s rooftop solar boom and evolved into driving innovation in grid modernisation and virtual power plants (VPPs). Clinton shares deep insights into the transition from net metering to non-export solar, the pivotal role of energy storage, and how D…

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E260: Electrifying Everything: The Role of EV Charging and Home Batteries 35:35

15d ago35:35

35:35

In this episode, our guest is Ned Funnell, a test engineer at Lincoln Electric and long-time electric vehicle (EV) enthusiast. Ned shares a decade of personal and professional insights from the EV world—discussing high-power chargers, grid resiliency, home batteries, and the evolving role of electrification in achieving net-zero goals. From transit…

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E259: Australia’s Homegrown EV Journey 36:58

18d ago36:58

36:58

In this episode, our guest is Gregory McGarvie, founder of Ace Electric Vehicles—Australia’s pioneering homegrown EV startup. Gregory shares his eight-year journey building locally assembled EVs, from trolley collectors for Woolworths to advanced, grid-integrated vans. We explore the challenges of local manufacturing, the innovation behind Ace’s en…

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E258: Batteries in a Box: From Off-Grid to Global Energy Solutions 57:32

22d ago57:32

57:32

In this episode, our guest is Marc Sheldon, CEO of Red Earth Energy Storage. Marc shares his journey from solar thermal to leading innovations in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery systems. He explains how Red Earth’s Australian-made, plug-and-play solutions are transforming energy access — from rural off-grid sheds to large-scale commercial inst…

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E257: Charting the Future of Offshore Wind in the Philippines 47:27

26d ago47:27

47:27

In this episode, our guest is Alma Roxas-Aguila, a seasoned renewable energy expert with over two decades of experience in the Philippine wind sector. Alma shares her journey from early project development at Alternergy, including involvement in Southeast Asia's first onshore wind farm, to her current focus on scaling up offshore wind. She provides…

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E256: Energy Abundance, AI, and Human Potential 56:39

28d ago56:39

56:39

In this episode, our guest is Cameron Quin, a serial energy entrepreneur who reconnects with Sohail after years of impactful work across the Pacific Islands and Southeast Asia. Cameron shares his journey from launching off-grid solar ventures to exploring the deeper aspects of human energy and spiritual well-being. He offers unique insights into th…

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Quality Investing with Valuation Discipline in Europe: A Conversation with Dirk Enderlein of Wellington Management 1:00:28

1M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

In this episode of CIO Perspectives, Sid Ahl, Co-CIO for Private Clients, Endowments and Foundations at Brown Advisory, and his Co-CIO Erika Pagel, interview Dirk Enderlein, senior managing director and portfolio manager at Wellington Management in London. They discuss Dirk's investment philosophy, his experience building European equity strategies…

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E255: Responsible AI and the Future of Inclusion 50:04

1M ago50:04

50:04

In this episode, our guest is Xiaochen Zhang, a global innovation leader and the driving force behind AI 2030 and FinTech for Good. Xiaochen shares his journey from the World Bank to founding organisations that champion responsible technology. He dives into the six-pillar framework of responsible AI—transparency, accountability, fairness, safety, s…

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E254: Hydropower’s Storage Role in a Solar Future 52:53

1M ago52:53

52:53

In this episode, our guest is Mike Westerman, who leads the hydropower team at GHD, a global consultancy with deep expertise in water, dams, and geotech. Mike shares fascinating insights on the evolution of hydropower—from its origins at Niagara Falls to today’s high-efficiency, computer-modeled turbines. He explains why pumped hydro remains the do…

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Authentic Communication: Live from Stanford Seed Summit in South Africa 31:27

1M ago31:27

31:27

We're excited to bring you a special cross-over episode from our friends at the 'Think Fast, Talk Smart' podcast. Host Matt Abrahams joined us and recorded this live session at the Stanford Seed Transformation Network Summit in Cape Town, exploring the authentic communication strategies that every entrepreneur needs to master. Real connection means…

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E253: Orchestrating Australia's Home Battery Revolution 46:52

1M ago46:52

46:52

In this episode, our guest is part of a dynamic roundtable exploring the global trends, economic drivers, and regulatory challenges shaping the future of home battery storage. Building on Part 1, this continuation dives deep into the falling costs of battery production, market implications of subsidies, and the technical and policy complexities of …

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E252: Beyond Backup: How Batteries Are Reshaping Australia’s Energy Future 1:05:26

1M ago1:05:26

1:05:26

In this episode, our guest is a diverse panel of Australia’s energy experts unpacking the rapid rise of home battery adoption. From manufacturing and policy to regulation and consumer behavior, they explore what’s driving the boom, including generous government subsidies, rising energy independence, and grid trading opportunities. The discussion di…

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E251: The Virtual Energy Network: Solar Without the Storage 44:21

1M ago44:21

44:21

In this episode, our guest is Andrea La Nauze, an energy and environmental economist at Deakin University. Andrea discusses her research on Australia’s Virtual Energy Network, which allows households to trade excess rooftop solar energy. She explains how pricing can shift energy use patterns and reduce reliance on batteries, and explores the role o…

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E250: From 3-Wheelers to Tesla Model Y: Equity and Energy Security 48:34

2M ago48:34

48:34

In this episode, Sohail Hasnie shares a personal monologue, offering an on-the-road reflection from behind the wheel of his Tesla in Metro Manila. He unpacks how electric vehicles—whether high-end Teslas or modest electric tricycles—can drive profound social, economic, and environmental change. From reducing fuel poverty in Bangladesh to transformi…

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Why regional integration in Asia matters now more than ever 14:58

2M ago14:58

14:58

With global fragmentation on the rise, ADBI Dean Bambang Brodjonegoro and ADB Vice-President for East and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, Scott Morris explore how Asia and the Pacific can boost resilience and forge a bright future through cross-border integration. Read the transcript: https://adbi.me/3GN3zIh…

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E249: Electrifying Mobility with Purpose 54:41

2M ago54:41

54:41

In this episode, our guest is Diana E. Páez, Senior Director of Energy and Mobility, William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan. Diana dives into the dynamic role that electric vehicles can play in decarbonizing transportation across emerging markets. She discusses how EVs—when supported by the right policies, financing tools, and loc…

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E248: Bridging the Global Energy Talent Gap 48:24

2M ago48:24

48:24

In this episode, our guest is Jim Salter-Duke, founder of Spark Horizon, a talent solutions company working between Australia and the Philippines. Jim shares how the global clean energy transition is being hindered not by technology but by a chronic shortage of skilled labour. With 100,000 engineering graduates a year, the Philippines is a rich but…

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E247: Private Banking in China’s EV Surge 29:00

2M ago29:00

29:00

In this episode, our guest is Sonya Song, a seasoned private banking professional with 17 years of experience spanning Zurich, Beijing, and Singapore. Sonya shares unique insights into China's booming electric vehicle (EV) market, highlighting her views on leading players like BYD and Tesla. She discusses how private banks support ultra-high-net-wo…

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AI Acceleration, Tariff Turnaround and the End of American Exceptionalism? 42:00

2M ago42:00

42:00

In this CIO Perspectives discussion, Sid Ahl, Erika Pagel and Sargent McGowan (CIO of Endowments & Foundations) analyze recent market resilience amidst significant uncertainty, including trade policy shifts, US deficits, and geopolitical tensions. Despite these challenges, equity markets have rallied, with notable sector rotation and international …

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E246: Powering the Future: Rooftops to Electro States 54:38

2M ago54:38

54:38

In this episode, our guest is Grant McDowell, a visionary entrepreneur and advocate for democratizing access to clean energy. Grant shares his 18-year journey—from dreaming of remote solar matching in Marrickville to launching “Adopt a Panel” in Italy, enabling urban households to access cheaper renewable energy. He discusses the technical and regu…

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E245: Beyond Green Labels: Rethinking Agriculture from Soil to Shelf 47:07

2M ago47:07

47:07

In this episode, our guests are Sahil Nair and Pauline Smout, both sustainability consultants based in the Netherlands. They delve into the complexities of sustainable agriculture, highlighting how responsible sourcing, water use, and land conversion are critical to long-term ecological health. Pauline discusses her work bringing together banks, su…

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The costs of financial crime prevention in Asia and the Pacific 13:50

2M ago13:50

13:50

As scams and cybercrime soar in the digital age, financial crime has become a moving target. Shawn Hunter, research fellow at Griffith Asia Institute, and Louis de Koker, a professor of law at La Trobe University, explain how new technologies, outdated frameworks, and regulatory gaps affect everything from financial inclusion to cross-border cooper…

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E244: Is Australia Ready to Export Power from EVs to the Grid? 1:10:03

2M ago1:10:03

1:10:03

In this episode, our guest panel explores the opportunities and barriers to Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology in Australia. We dive into policy frameworks, utility business models, customer behavior, and the technical potential of V2G to help stabilize the grid, lower energy costs, and accelerate EV adoption. The discussion brings together experts f…

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E243: Plug-and-Play Hydro: A New Era of Clean Power 48:37

2M ago48:37

48:37

In this episode, our guest is Emily Morris, Founder and CEO of Emrgy, a company pioneering modular hydropower systems that bring clean, continuous electricity to remote and underserved communities. Emily explains how her technology integrates water stewardship, floating solar, and energy storage to build decentralized microgrids that don't require …

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E242: What to Expect from Solar and Storage by 2030 46:56

3M ago46:56

46:56

In this episode, our guest is Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council. Sonia shares an energising update on the rapid rise of solar PV and battery storage, outlining how the world is racing toward 700 GW of annual solar installations and aiming for 8 TW by 2030. She highlights rooftop solar as a game changer for resilience, the role of micro-…

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E241: Cracking the Code of V2G in Australia 52:10

3M ago52:10

52:10

In this episode, our guest is Riccardo Pagliarrella, a dynamic force in the world of electric mobility and distributed energy. With a background in motorsports and nearly two decades of experience in vehicle electrification, Riccardo offers deep insights into the future of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology. He discusses Australia's unique position a…

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E240: Scaling Solar Recycling: From Melbourne to the World 48:09

3M ago48:09

48:09

In this episode, Anthony Vippond shares his journey from installing off-grid solar systems in the early '90s to pioneering large-scale solar panel recycling. Seeing a major gap in the industry, his company developed an advanced process to recover 98% of materials from discarded panels. He discusses the global need for sustainable recycling, governm…

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E239: Longevity, Labs, and the Mind-Body Link 56:14

3M ago56:14

56:14

In this episode, our guest is Dr. Taher Saif, Professor at the University of Illinois and a pioneering researcher whose unconventional path took him from civil engineering to biomedical breakthroughs. Dr. Saif shares a fascinating journey through academia and research—from nanotech in electrical engineering to fertility diagnostics, and ultimately …

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Asia’s Learning Crisis: How Teachers and Technology Are Changing the Game 13:35

3M ago13:35

13:35

In this episode of Asia’s Developing Future, Daniel Suryadarma and Takiko Igarashi from ADB Institute explore how Asia can tackle its growing education crisis where 70% of 10-year-olds in developing countries struggle with basic reading.Script: https://adbi.me/3STBD7YBy Asian Development Bank Institute

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E238: Australia’s EV Shift: Policy, Power, and Opportunity 42:54

3M ago42:54

42:54

In this episode, our guest is Ross De Rango, former Head of Energy and Infrastructure at the Electric Vehicle Council and a leading voice in Australia’s EV transition. Ross breaks down the policies driving EV adoption, the pivotal role of home charging, and the emerging power of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration. He shares sharp insights on the cha…

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E237: A Couple’s EV Shift in the Philippines 50:54

3M ago50:54

50:54

In this episode, our guest is Jonalyn and John Ang, a dynamic couple leading the charge for electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the Philippines. Jonalyn, a seasoned accountant and COO of Dynamic Minds Business Solutions, and John, a cybersecurity expert and CEO of Graybox Security, share how their transition to EVs has not only slashed fuel and maint…

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E236: Nuts and Bolts of EV Charging 47:15

4M ago47:15

47:15

In this episode, our guest is Casper Rasmussen, CEO of Monta, a software platform revolutionising electric vehicle (EV) charging. Casper shares his journey from electrical engineer to tech entrepreneur and dives deep into the real-world challenges of EV infrastructure—from battery preconditioning and user experience issues to the complexity of dyna…

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E235: Reimagining Battery Futures for EVs 34:46

4M ago34:46

34:46

In this episode, our guest is Dr. Yanxi Yu, a PhD graduate from University of Sydney, whose pioneering research focuses on green lithium extraction from seawater and brine using electrochemical methods. With a background in environmental and chemical engineering, Yanxi explains the environmental benefits and technical challenges of sustainable lith…

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E234: Busting EV Myths in the Philippines 56:41

4M ago56:41

56:41

In this episode, our guest is Luis Buenaventura, a FinTech executive and devoted EV enthusiast based in the Philippines. Luis shares his firsthand journey into electric vehicles, offering practical insights on everything from vehicle comparisons to charging infrastructure, and debunks major EV myths around range anxiety, fire risk, and flood safety…

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E233: Investing for Impact to Fast-Tracking Australia's Clean Energy Future 58:03

4M ago58:03

58:03

In this episode, our guest is Blair Palese, a long-standing climate advocate, ethical investment strategist and Director of Philanthropy at Ethinvest. Blair shares her journey from leading fossil fuel divestment campaigns to founding the Climate Capital Forum, where she now works to unlock climate finance and accelerate clean tech solutions in Aust…

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E232: Impact Ventures in Solar and E-Mobility 49:22

4M ago49:22

49:22

In this episode, our guest is Shazia Khan, a seasoned energy entrepreneur, advisor, and investor. Shazia shares her journey from founding Pakistan’s first pay-as-you-go solar company to becoming a strategic force in energy access across Africa and Latin America. She discusses her ventures in peer-to-peer energy sharing, her board roles in e-mobilit…

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E231: Inside Bitcoin Mining: Energy, Economics, and the Future 49:09

4M ago49:09

49:09

In this episode, our guest is Syed Saqib Alam, a seasoned Bitcoin mining expert who shares his journey from hobbyist miner to industry leader. He explains the fundamentals of Bitcoin mining, the vital role miners play in maintaining the blockchain, and the critical importance of energy efficiency in mining operations. Saqib offers a deep dive into …

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Cementing sustainability in the construction industry 12:17

4M ago12:17

12:17

Governments are some of the biggest buyers of construction services, putting them in a powerful position to shape a more sustainable future. In this episode, Andrew Minson, Concrete and Sustainable Construction Director at the Global Cement and Concrete Association, and Jenny Yan Yee Chu, Procurement Specialist at the Asian Development Bank explore…

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E230: A Vision for the Future Of Energy 1:03:21

4M ago1:03:21

1:03:21

In this episode, our guest is Michael Barnard, a climate futurist, systems thinker, and clean tech strategist. Michael dives deep into the myths and realities around hydrogen, offering compelling arguments backed by decades of technical analysis and scenario modelling. He explains why hydrogen's role in the future energy mix is likely overstated an…

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Stanford Professors Reflect on Fostering Grit & Nurturing Growth 26:37

5M ago26:37

26:37

Welcome to Grit & Growth’s final episode. After five years and 90 episodes, we’ve asked four Stanford GSB professors who teach in the Seed Transformation Program to tell us what they’ve learned — about the grit of intrepid entrepreneurs working in emerging economies and the growth they’ve experienced in their own teaching. Jesper Sorensen, Baba Shi…

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E229: Authentic Connections: LinkedIn as a Catalyst for Change 47:51

5M ago47:51

47:51

In this episode, our guest is Lynnaire Johnston, a New Zealand-based LinkedIn strategist, author, and founder of LinkAbility. Lynnaire shares practical and powerful insights on how professionals—especially in the sustainability and clean energy sectors—can elevate their personal and company brands using LinkedIn. She emphasizes the platform's evolu…

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Leadership, Relationships, and Finding Your True Calling: A Conversation with Sophie Hudson 45:43

5M ago45:43

45:43

Sit down with Sophie Hudson for an extraordinary exploration of leadership, personal growth, and the power of human connection. Sophie is a "pure delight" - which sets the stage for an inspiring dialogue about leadership, relationships, and finding one's true potential. Sophie Hudson is an author, podcast host, and former educator, and she shares p…

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E228: Australia's Leap into Electrifying Trucks 56:05

5M ago56:05

56:05

In this episode, our guest is Grant Mitchell, an entrepreneur and electric vehicle expert with deep roots in the transport and logistics sector. Grant shares decades of experience and offers a rich perspective on the evolution of electric trucks—from early forklift applications to cutting-edge battery-swapping technology and autonomous freight solu…

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E227: Empowering Island Women 57:53

5M ago57:53

57:53

In this episode, our guest is Cherrie Atilano, the dynamic founder and CEO of AGREA Agricultural Systems and the AGREA Foundation. Cherrie shares her powerful journey of building sustainable agricultural models in the Philippines, particularly by empowering women in rural and island communities. From transforming typhoon-hit buildings into solar-po…

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E226: Innovations for Universal Energy Access 37:40

5M ago37:40

37:40

In this episode, our guest is Woochong Um, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). With a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years in international development, Woochong shares his journey from senior leadership at the Asian Development Bank to now spearheading one of the world’s most ambitious e…

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E225: How Anyone Can Learn or Teach Anything 46:39

5M ago46:39

46:39

In this episode, our guest is Janine Teo, CEO of Solve Education! She shares her inspiring journey from a computer engineer in Singapore to a global changemaker leading scalable education programs for marginalized communities. With over 30 million lessons delivered, Janine breaks down how her organisation uses the “GAIN” framework—Gamification, AI …

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The Madness of March: Leadership in the College Sports 20:21

5M ago20:21

20:21

In this inspiring episode of the New Generation Leader podcast, we explore powerful leadership insights through the lens of March sports championships. Key takeaways include: 🏀 Leadership Lessons from Unexpected Moments: How the George Washington Women's Basketball team demonstrated resilience after a sudden coaching change The importance of team u…