Best Pollution Abatement Podcasts (2025)

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Amanda Begley -- Watershed Health 30:25

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34m ago30:25

30:25

Amanda Begley is the Associate Director for Watershed Health at TreePeople, one of LA's largest and most influential non-profits. TreePeople is now 52 years old, originally founded by Andy Lipkis to plant trees to absorb pollution and clean the air. Amanda explains that her nature-based work with watershed health is a reflection of Andy's message o…

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Kari Hammerschlag - Healthy Food for the People 32:32

8d ago32:32

32:32

Kari Hammerschlag has spent the past 30 years promoting healthy food. She's been advocating for healthy farming practices and working with schools and institutions to serve healthy food. As the Deputy Director for Food and Agricultural Policy at Friends of the Earth (FOE), she is passionate and clear: For years, our federal government has bowed to …

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Jigar Shah - Supporting Clean Energy Entrepreneurs 32:12

7h ago32:12

32:12

Jigar Shah is the first person to be on Flanigan's Eco-Logic three times. Ted digs right into his current work at Multiplier, his new firm focused on advising clean energy startups to navigate financing and operational challenges. Jigar talks about "exits" and helping entrepreneurs determine the best time and way to sell their companies so that the…

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Ralph Bianculli - Emerald Ecovations 30:54

22d ago30:54

30:54

Ralph Bianculli explains that it all began in the late 1990s. He was a paper and plastics industry executive and wanted to change the trajectory of wastes. He recounts about that era... marked by incessant foam coffee cups and all manner of single-use disposables. Now he manufacturers and sells 370+ products... all of which are made from natural, o…

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Jon Creyts - The Global Energy Transformation 29:55

1M ago29:55

29:55

Dr. Jon Creyts is the CEO of Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and joins Ted from RMI's Innovation Center in Basalt, Colorado... high in the Rocky Mountains. The Center "sails on the sun" Jon explains, a net positive building that produces more energy than it consumes... demonstrating off-the-shelf, cost-effective technologies. He calls is an emblem o…

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Tom Szaky - Recycling the "Un-Recylable" 1:03:15

1M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Tom Szaky's journey is fascinating, one of extreme innovation. His firm, TerraCycle, recycles ~400 different products and materials. Ted asks right off the bat, "Do you really recycle soiled diapers, cigarette butts, shoes, juice pouches, and chewing gum?" Tom quickly makes clear that everything can be recycled... at a cost. He has clearly used his…

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Dr. Evan Mills - Controlled Environment Agriculture 34:04

1M ago34:04

34:04

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) produces less than 1% of all food in America, and consumes more energy than all open-field agriculture in the country. According to Ted's guest Dr. Evan Mills, CEA could increase and consume some 7% of national energy use... more than data centers, all enclosed malls, air travel, cement making, or chemical p…

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Chance Claxton - Pancake Motors and Entrepreneurialism 32:22

2M ago32:22

32:22

Chance Claxton is a serial entrepreneur, a brand builder. Her most recent works involves axial flux motors, known as pancake motors. They are lighter weight, lower cost, and highly efficient electric motors. Her company, Orbis Elecric, has been working with the VW Group and other automotive OEMs to put these motors inside wheels. They can be positi…

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Robert Fortunato -- Green Owner's Rep and Educator 32:41

2M ago32:41

32:41

Having completed "The Impossible House" project, Robert Fortunato changed his career and switched from the corporate world of mergers and acquisitions to helping others tap into the green movement. He is now a green building advocate, an experienced practitioner, consultant, and educator. This episode is a follow-on interview. Episode #230 document…

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Georges Dyer -- Socially Responsible Endowments 31:13

2M ago31:13

31:13

Georges Dyer is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Intentional Endowments Network (IEN), a non-profit, peer-learning network that helps endowed institutions make their endowments socially responsible. Of the 3,500 - 4,000 colleges and universities in America, some 2,000 have endowments that are valued at ~$900 billion in aggregate. These …

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Dr. Jason Huang on Advanced Power Transmission Conductors 34:42

2M ago34:42

34:42

Dr. Jason Huang is the co-founder and CEO of TS Conductors, a firm that manufacturers advanced conductors for electric utilities. The TS conductors, or transmission lines, carry up to three times as much power as conventional transmission lines (wires). They also cut power line losses by up to one half, often at a negative marginal cost... meaning …

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Joyce Coffee - Climate Resilience Consulting 33:37

3M ago33:37

33:37

Joyce Coffee heads up Climate Resilience Consulting, advising cities and states and others on resilience to climate change. She explains to Ted that she learned early on in Chicago, that the impacts of climate change can be unpredictable and fierce. After 750 souls there lost their lives there in a heat wave, mostly black and brown citizens, she kn…

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Henk van Alphen - Grubstaking and Lithium Mining 35:41

3M ago35:41

35:41

Henk van Alphen was born and raised in Holland. After serving in the army, he sought adventure and travelled to Canada where he and his girlfriend took a float plane into the wilderness, built a cabin, hunted and fished, and lived off the land for a year. It took them seven days to walk back into civilization. Henk then went to college in Canada an…

1
Gene Rodrigues - Strategically Aligning Energy Efficiency 33:32

3M ago33:32

33:32

Ted Flanigan first met Gene Rodrigues in 1998. Ted was Director of Efficiency Solutions at LADWP; Gene the Director of Energy Efficiency at Southern California Edison. For years, Gene was the voice and the face of energy efficiency, his sincere and happy demeanor on local television in the evenings. Ted and Gene begin with a reflection that Ted rec…

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Rebecca Tickell - Films and Regenerative Agriculture 33:25

3M ago33:25

33:25

Rebecca Tickell is an actor, singer, writer, producer, and environmental activist. Born in Ohio in a farming community, her roots are deep in agriculture. After moving to Vermont with her mother, at nine years old she became a movie star, playing a leading role in the Christmas-classic Prancer. She was instantly famous, appearing on the Today show…

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Ted Bardacke - Clean Power Alliance Update 35:08

4M ago35:08

35:08

Clean Power Alliance is in its eighth year serving cities and unincorporated areas in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, providing power to over one million electric meters in 35 cities and county areas with a generating capacity of 3,400 MW. This episode of Flanigan's Eco-Logic features Ted Bardacke who has been its CEO throughout this tenure... cr…

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Rinaldo Brutoco on Business Leading in Clean Energy 30:03

4M ago30:03

30:03

Rinaldo Brutoco has been at the helm of the World Business Academy for over 38 years. He founded it to focus on the role that businesses should play in solving humanity's greatest challenges. The Academy promotes the responsibility of business in relation to the moral, environmental, and social concerns of the day. To spur change, and where markets…

1
Robert Fortunato - The Impossible House 32:59

4M ago32:59

32:59

Robert Fortunato and his wife needed to expand their home in Hermosa Beach, California to welcome a child and incorporate two home offices, and they wanted it to be healthy and sustainable. After traveling the world, Robert wanted to incorporate best practices.. like the clever and complete use of materials in island countries demonstrated with coc…

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Bob Freling on the Solar Electric Light Fund 31:49

4M ago31:49

31:49

Bob Freling has been the Executive Director of the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) since 1997. Its mission is to design, fund, and implement solar energy solutions to benefit those in poor communities without access to the electricity grid, helping others to overcome energy poverty. SELF provides energy access in the developing world and has an im…

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Geoff Stapleton on Australian and Pacific Island Solar 38:21

4M ago38:21

38:21

Geoff Stapleton is considered "a force" in the solar industry, particularly in Australia and the Pacific Islands. So far, he has worked in 39 countries supporting solar... introducing standards and training to validate and shore up the solar industry. His work has been widely recognized, culminating recently in his recognition and award of the "Ord…

1
Julia Kintsch on Developing Wildlife Crossings 32:23

5M ago32:23

32:23

In this episode of Flanigan's Eco-Logic, Ted interviews Julia Kintsch, the Principal and Senior Ecologist at Eco-Resolutions. Julia grew up in Boulder, Colorado where she was ingrained with a deep love of nature. She went to University of Colorado at Boulder and earned a degree in Environmental Conservation. Then, after serving in the Peace Corps i…

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John Belizaire on Renewably Powered Artificial Intelligence 36:24

5M ago36:24

36:24

John Belizaire heads up a company called Soluna. It's business model is to tap curtailed renewable capacity -- wind and solar -- and to use this previously wasted energy to power data centers. John explains that 30 - 40% of all wind and solar farms is curtailed... essentially "stranded " capacity. By utilizing this renewable energy is it monetized.…

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Crash Course on Combusting Green Hydrogen Hosted by Sierra Flanigan 31:23

5M ago31:23

31:23

In this Crash Course, hosted by Sierra Flanigan, she and her father, Ted Flanigan, dig into the key issue related to the combustion of green hydrogen in peaker power plants. Ted learned of the adverse impact of burning hydrgoen last year from his friend and colleague, Jonathan Parfrey, Executive Director of Climate Resolve. Together they wrote a wh…

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Cecily DeAngelo on Wildlife Crossings and Civic Duty 31:55

5M ago31:55

31:55

Cecily DeAngelo read an article in the New York Times about wildlife crossings, and ever since, she has been laser-focused on developing wildlife crossings in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. She grew up there and has witnessed first hand the carnage along Pitkin County's roadways... dead bears, deer, elk, rabbits, and more and more moose. Thes…

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Catherine Sands on Food Policy and Justice 33:40

6M ago33:40

33:40

In this episode of Flanigan's Eco-Logic, Ted welcomes Catherine Sands, Director of Fertile Ground, to the podcast. After years of working in development and promoting special fund-raising concerts for Natural Resources Defense Council, Catherine moved north from New York City to the Berkshires of Massachusetts to raise a family and live closer to t…

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Grant Gunnison on Zero Homes' Model for Decarbonizing Homes 31:04

6M ago31:04

31:04

Grant Gunnison is the founder and CEO of Zero Homes, a Denver-based firm that specializes in electrification of homes in Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, and California. Grant gave up his post-MIT work at NASA and returned to Colorado to run his family's construction business, shifting its focus to tackle climate change. He recognized the need to de…

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Susan Gladwin on Clean Energy Capital and Creativity 32:16

6M ago32:16

32:16

In this episode of Flanigan's Eco-Logic, Ted interviews Susan Gladwin. She's just finished a 2.5 year role in the U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO). The office, under the leadership of Jigar Shah, had an amplified mandate to foster innovative companies launching energy innovations. The Inflation Reduction Act boosted the LPO's…

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Stephan Crawford - ClimateMusic 5-23-25 33:09

6M ago33:09

33:09

In this episode of Flanigan's Eco-Logic, Ted interviews Stephan Crawford, the founder and executive producer of ClimateMusic. Stephan is a San Francisco-based fine artist who in 2014 developed ClimateMusic. Frustrated by the lack of action to combat the very real threat of the climate emergency, Stephan brought together musicians with science expe…

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Harvey Michaels on Grid Optimization for Societal Benefit 35:34

7M ago35:34

35:34

Harvey Michaels is a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan Business School lecturer. He teaches a popular course on Energy Management and Artificial Intelligence. He is also the Director of MIT's Clean Heat Transition Project. In this episode of Flanigan's Eco-Logic Ted and Harvey reflect on his career in energy management, for years at the f…

1
Bernadette Del Chiaro on the Benefits of Distributed Solar 35:16

7M ago35:16

35:16

Bernadette Del Chiaro has a new job. She has left her longstanding and most effective role as the Executive Director of the California Solar and Storage Association, and joined the Environmental Working Group (EWG) as a senior vice president. She makes clear that she is not leaving the fight for distributed solar and storage. The attack on net ene…

1
Joel Cesare Decarbonizing Building Portfolios with AI 32:47

7M ago32:47

32:47

In this episode, Ted interviews Joel Cesare, a longstanding friend,colleague, and sustainability champion, who has just begun a new job at Cambio, a firm that has an AI platform designed for portfolios of real estate. Joel explains how Cambio's platform supports all manner of data-intensive property management functions, including building decarbon…

1
Steve Lewis on Rebuilding Community after the Eaton Fire 35:00

7M ago35:00

35:00

Flanigan's Eco-Logic features Steve Lewis for the third time... this time delving into his own deeply disturbing experience, as his neighborhood was ravaged by the Eaton Fire in early January. It wiped out much of his home town of Alta Dena, California... killing 17 people and destroying some 9,000 homes and business properties. There were heavy wi…

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Paul Mann on Becoming Water Champions 33:51

8M ago33:51

33:51

Paul Mann is the founder of Water Champions, an engineering and design firm specializing in the efficient and smart use of water. He joins Ted Flanigan to discuss how this came about, and what each of us can do to be water smart. During Covid, Paul and his wife experienced California drought and fires, and began to realize the enormous importance o…

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Josh Dorfman on Sustainable Building Materials 31:47

8M ago31:47

31:47

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Josh Dorfman, CEO at Supercool, a media company covering climate solutions that raise profits and quality of life. Josh is also the host of the Supercool Podcast, and co-founder of Plantd, a company that manufactures carbon-negative building materials. He is best known as creator and host of Th…

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Drew Slater on Delaware's Sustainable Energy Utility 33:43

8M ago33:43

33:43

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Drew Slater, Executive Director Energize Delaware. The Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility is a non-profit that gives energy-efficiency grants and low-interest loans to qualified borrowers, helping them install solar energy systems or make energy efficiency upgrades. Energize Delaware programs …

1
Jim Gromer on Thermal Energy Storage Solutions 30:37

8M ago30:37

30:37

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Jim Gromer, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Thermal Banc/TESS Energy Solutions, a collaborative effort of companies building thermal energy storage solutions - turning waste heat into clean energy. Thermal Banc makes up the sales wing, TESS Energy Solutions the engineering wing, Smart Phases t…

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Yin Chen on Green Landscaping Equipment 33:39

9M ago33:39

33:39

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Yin Chen, CEO and Chairman at Greenworks, a supplier of battery-powered outdoor power equipment (OPE) since 2003. With over 20 years at the forefront of home, yard, and do-it-yourself electric tools, Greenworks is redefining durability and eco-friendliness in the face of climate challenges, del…

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Mark Swanson on Rooftop Wind Energy Systems 30:35

9M ago30:35

30:35

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Mark Swanson, newly appointed as the CEO of Aeromine Technologies, the innovative rooftop wind energy system that converts a building’s wind flow into renewable energy. Swanson brings 30 years of leadership experience to Aeromine. For the last 12 years, he has held leadership positions in the r…

1
Martin Mayorga on Sustainable Coffee 30:35

9M ago30:35

30:35

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Martin Mayorga, Founder and CEO of Mayorga Organics, a coffee company with the purpose of leading a revolutionary organic food movement that empowers farmers and consumers, protects the environment, and celebrates Latin American heritage. Martin's journey has been fueled by a passion for social…

1
Kate Reimann on Combating Plastic Pollution 29:22

9M ago29:22

29:22

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Kate Reimann, Founder and CEO of Rogue Wave Toys and Rogue Wave Materials. Rogue Wave Toys are made of compostable plastic based on biopolymers and plant based materials. She is making waves as an entrepreneur and sustainability champion, bringing eight years of industry experience, and a lifet…

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Joel Peterson on Higher Education Leadership 33:41

10M ago33:41

33:41

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Dr. Joel Peterson, Vice Chancellor and Executive Operations Officer for the San Diego Community College District, overseeing one of California's largest community college systems. Prior to his career in higher education, he served in various roles in the private sector with major corporations w…

1
Jennifer Bousselot on Rooftop Agrovoltaics 31:25

10M ago31:25

31:25

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Dr. Jennifer Bousselot, Assistant Professor at Colorado State University (CSU) in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture. Jennifer is exploring new and innovative ways to improve the productivity and aesthetics of modern urban spaces by harnessing the twin powers of the sun a…

1
Michael Ware on Utility Rate Checks 34:21

10M ago34:21

34:21

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Michael Ware, Senior Solar Specialist at EcoMotion Inc. Michael provides expertise in solar system site inspection. He is adept at measuring roof potential and modeling the cost-effectiveness of solar investments. His financial analyses include particular attention to electricity load profiles …

1
Ted and Sierra Flanigan's Clean Energy Crash Course: Energy Resilience 31:55

10M ago31:55

31:55

In this episode of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, father-daughter duo, Ted and Sierra Flanigan host the clean energy crash course focusing on energy resilience, specifically on electricity, highlighting the importance of durability and reliability in the face of changing climate conditions and extreme weather events. Resilience is simply keeping the lights …

1
Bill Wyatt on Biochar 35:20

11M ago35:20

35:20

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Bill Wyatt, CEO and Founder of Red Mountain Biochar, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the use of sustainable materials in the concrete, steel, and agricultural industries. Bill Wyatt is a third-generation lumberman turned eco-entrepreneur with a deep commitment to environmental stewardshi…

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Dr. Missy Stults on Sustainable Energy Utilities 30:22

11M ago30:22

30:22

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Dr. Missy Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Director at City of Ann Arbor, working with all city operations, residents, businesses, the University of Michigan, nonprofits, and others to make Ann Arbor one of the most sustainable and equitable cities in America. Dr. Stults has dedicated 20 …

1
Janet Irizarry on the Mindful Consumption of Food 31:09

11M ago31:09

31:09

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Janet Irizarry, Founder of My Mindful Kitchen, an innovative course designed to reduce food waste, connect families, and foster sustainability. As a mindful foodie, a seasoned restaurateur and entrepreneur, and influencer, Janet combines all of her passions: food, education and course design, r…

1
A Reader Salute 29:15

12M ago29:15

29:15

In EcoNet News, Volume 26, Issue #12, Ted wraps and reminisces on the past 40 years of publishing his monthly newsletter in this final issue. In his farewell Net Positive, he shares and encourages his optimism in regards to the future, and his clear perspective on society – as a collective intelligence and vision – having all the solutions needed t…

1
Matthew Halteman on Ethical Food Choices 32:27

12M ago32:27

32:27

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Matthew Halteman, Professor of Philosophy at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and fellow in the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, UK. He is the author of the just-released Hungry Beautiful Animals: The Joyful Case for Going Vegan, as well as Compassionate Eating as Care of Creation, …

1
Charles Hua on Modernizing the Electric Utility Regulatory System 31:07

12M ago31:07

31:07

In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Charles Hua, Founder and Executive Director of PowerLines, a new nonprofit organization aiming to modernize utility regulation to accelerate affordable, reliable, and clean energy for American consumers. He is also an energy analyst who has worked at Rewiring America, DOE's Loan Programs Office…