Best Upstream Solutions Podcasts (2025)

1
Reuse in Food Codes 54:24

1d ago54:24

54:24

A perennial hot topic in the world of reuse advocacy is reuse and refill in food codes. At a recent meeting of the Reuse Solutions Network (RSN), we tapped some folks with direct experience in the field to share insights about key updates to the federal food code, plus strategies to both update your own state's code—including collaboration, coaliti…

1
Pricing power: Developing a roadmap for carbon differentiated markets (Ep. 198) 33:01

1d ago33:01

33:01

Carbon differentiation allows market participants to assign value to the role of greenhouse gas emissions associated with an economy’s goods and services. Carbon markets experts Kevin Birn and Jonty Rushforth join EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the evolution of differentiated carbon markets and how consistency in mea…

1
Comeback kid: Rising gas prices expand near-term use of coal in U.S. power markets (Ep 197) 25:16

8d ago25:16

25:16

Annual coal use in U.S. power generation has declined since the early 2000s as plants retire and renewables and natural gas win market share. However, 2025 may pause or slow the trend, if only temporarily. Coal-markets expert Wendy Schallom joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss how two years of stockpile build and hig…

1
Catalyzing school reuse with dishwashing grants 37:06

15d ago37:06

37:06

Switching schools to reusable foodware reduces waste and helps teach the next generation that there’s a better way than throw-away — but our team’s research shows dishwasher funding as the #1 one hurdle to transitioning schools. In this episode, we learn how it can be done, with parents, principals, key partners, and in this case, a little policy-m…

1
Tech stack: Upstream sector looks to artificial intelligence in next leg of innovation (Ep 196) 31:44

15d ago31:44

31:44

The data-hungry upstream sector has been working with artificial intelligence for more than 40 years to, among other things, mitigate subsurface risks and predict production. Upstream expert Rachael Moreland joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the oil and gas industry’s history with AI adoption and where in the upst…

1
Gasoline Dreams: Peak demand encroaches on oil markets (Ep. 195) 33:00

26d ago33:00

33:00

Global crude demand begins to peak in 2027 despite longer-term growth trajectories for both jet fuel and naphtha, according to the most recent update of S&P Global Commodity Insights’ Annual Strategic Workbook covering oil markets. Oil and refined products experts Matt Andre and Shiva Gupta join EnergyCents hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to dis…

1
Normalizing Reuse With Behavior Change Science 56:14

29d ago56:14

56:14

We have the information we need to make positive change—including implementing reuse systems. So how do we get people to act? Host Brooking Gatewood takes a deep dive into the psychology of normalizing reuse and influencing behavior change with experts Jennifer Carrigan and Katie Patrick. From emphasizing the importance of making reuse the default …

1
Inside Ohio’s Game Plan for Workforce-Ready Graduates 38:38

29d ago38:38

38:38

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna welcomes Stephen D. Dackin, Director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, for a conversation that dives deep into the evolving role of education in preparing students for life beyond high school. With over four decades in public education—as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and …

1
Change Makers: Spiro Youakim, Lazard Managing Director (Ep. 194) 25:45

30d ago25:45

25:45

Lazard Inc. is one of the world's leading financial advisory and asset management firms. The company’s Financial Advisory practice supports its clients on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, debt and capital structure and capital raising. Its Asset Management segment provides a range investment solutions to institutions, corporations, governm…

1
A Grand Reuse Project 42:15

1M ago42:15

42:15

Last Fall, Upstream kicked off one of the most exciting reuse projects in the country right now, transforming concessions in the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to create the largest reuse system in the US and the first at a national park. Tune in to learn more from Upstream’s Jennifer Carrigan and Madhavi Trikha about this in-process model for open-…

1
Rule follower: Biofuels navigates evolutions in trade, renewable energy policies (Ep 193) 31:23

1M ago31:23

31:23

The US biofuels industry begins 2025 facing significant policy uncertainty, despite having produced record volumes of ethanol, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel in 2024. Biofuels expert Corey Lavinsky joins EnergyCents hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the current state of US biofuels and the implications of evolving feder…

1
High expectations: North America gas prepares for calls to grow (Ep 192) 29:27

1M ago29:27

29:27

The role of North American gas is set to expand as LNG exports and domestic power demands increase the call on the domestic supply. However, there remains uncertainty in both the timing and levels of expected demand growth. North America gas expert Sara Hakim joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the current state of …

1
Educational Revolution: Mackenzie Price on Two-Hour Learning 29:46

2M ago29:46

29:46

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with MacKenzie Price, an innovative educator and co-founder of 2hr Learning and Alpha School, who is redefining how we approach K-12 education. MacKenzie shares her journey, from growing up in a small-town school to attending Stanford and ultimately pioneering a model that challenges the…

1
Bits and Bytes: Responding to Datacentre demand growth (Ep 191) 38:38

2M ago38:38

38:38

As adoption of AI expands across the globe, through LLMs, Cloud services, inferencing, and network hubs, more power-hungry data centers are needed to meet this demand. With this expansion of technology, regions are taking different approaches on how to build out this infrastructure, with plans for new hubs being announced regularly. AI and Datacent…

1
The Quest for a Universal Reuse Symbol 31:10

2M ago31:10

31:10

2025 will go down in history as the year the universal Reuse symbol was born. PR3’s Amy Larkin and design expert Cybelle Jones talk about the power of symbols and the current design initiative calling on creatives to develop a symbol that will help catalyze a cultural shift and normalize reuse around the world. Applications are due May 31 for this …

1
Change Makers: Gary Agnew, Ideon Technologies CEO (Ep 190) 32:14

2M ago32:14

32:14

Canadian-based Ideon Technologies is revolutionizing the exploration of subsurface resources through its use of cutting edge, cosmic-ray muon tomography. The company provides customers innovative solutions for sustainable and efficient resource discovery, making signiificant strides in reducing environmental impact whilst enhancing operational effi…

1
Power Play: Europe reckons with higher electricity prices as demand growth returns (Ep 189) 31:09

2M ago31:09

31:09

Europe is making progress against its net-zero ambitions and is generating about 70% of its electricity from carbon-free sources, including nuclear. However, wholesale prices remain high following the 2022 energy crisis, and demand has yet to return to pre-Covid levels. European power market experts Sylvain Cognet-Dauphin and Coralie Laurencin join…

1
The Reuse Job Market 43:29

2M ago43:29

43:29

In this conversation, we dig into how reuse contributes to workforce development and economic opportunity - now and for future generations. Host Brooking Gatewood sits down with Matthew Luisier of r.World, a fast-growing reuse service provider, and Natasha Wayne with Reaching All Minds Academy, a charter school that has taken on the challenge of sw…

1
Change Makers: Arvin Vohra, Redaptive CEO (Ep 188) 32:19

2M ago32:19

32:19

Denver-based Redaptive is an energy-as-a-service company that works with commercial and industrial customers to fund and install energy-cost saving equipment. The self-described ‘one stop shop’ was founded in 2015 and provides its customers access to three core services: capital for energy-cost saving equipment installations, a data platform measur…

1
Carissa Miller on State Education Chiefs and Innovative Teaching Solutions at Excel in Ed 20:28

3M ago20:28

20:28

In Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with Dr. Carissa Moffat Miller, CEO of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), to discuss the evolving landscape of education policy, leadership, and innovation. With decades of experience shaping state and national education initiatives, Dr. Miller shares insights into the challenges and op…

1
Consolidation: Upstream operators leverage M&A in bid for scale (Ep 187) 28:54

3M ago28:54

28:54

Led by corporate mergers, nearly $160 billion in merger-and-acquisition activity took place within the global upstream sector in 2024. Producers will continue to use acquisitions to grow their portfolios going forward as they bid for scale in a dynamic, and fragmenting, energy landscape. Upstream expert Chris Sheehan joins EnergyCents with hosts Hi…

1
Reuse Goalposts for Stadiums & Arenas 45:14

3M ago45:14

45:14

In the last few years, we’ve seen a big step-up from sports & entertainment venue leaders around the US to build reuse programs for arena and stadium concessions. Christy Briggs, Sustainability Manager for Lumen Field & the Seattle Seahawks and Mary McCarthy, VP of Sustainability for Levy Restaurants – hospitality provider to 350+ major venues – di…

1
CERAWeek 2025: In the rooms where it happened (Ep 186) 27:31

3M ago27:31

27:31

About 10,000 people attended S&P Global’s annual CERAWeek conference in Houston last week to participate in dialogue around the event’s organizing principle, “Moving Ahead: Energy strategies for a complex world.” Sam Humphreys hosts this week’s episode alone as Hill Vaden joins Naki Mendoza CERAWeek Programs Director to discuss their experiences an…

1
Arctic to the market: Alaskan oil and gas landscape (Ep 185) 25:05

3M ago25:05

25:05

A Day One executive order from Donald Trump's new administration aims to utilize Alaska's abundant natural resources, including oil and gas. This includes prioritizing the development and export of LNG to domestic and international parties. S&P Global upstream expert Cody Schulte joins host Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to explore the role Alaska cu…

1
Reuse beyond policy: impactful community projects 41:24

3M ago41:24

41:24

Host Brooking Gatewood sits down with Isabel Mack, creator of Party Kit Network, and Toni Mason with Bull City Boomerang Bags to talk about the power of community-focused, non-policy reuse initiatives. Especially for those living in areas where it is difficult to enact policy, there’s still plenty you can do to engage in local change-making. Listen…

1
Change Makers: Katrin Puetz, (B)energy Founder and Managing Director (Ep 184) 32:23

3M ago32:23

32:23

(B)energy is a German company that has developed backpacks to store and transport biogas that can be used to displace firewood and coal in cooking. The company is an affiliate of BiogasUnite, a digital platform that bridges gaps in the installation, maintenance, and repair of biogas systems. Katrin Puetz, founder and managing director of (B)energy …

1
The Vision & Playbook for Reuse in EPR 56:52

4M ago56:52

56:52

As packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) gets off the ground across the US, the time is right to shine a spotlight on reuse. Upstream’s newest position paper breaks down exactly what to expect of a best-in-class producer responsibility organization (PRO) when it comes to supporting and planning for a transition to reusable packaging syst…

1
Charting Education's Future: Accountability and Choice with Bill Hansen 16:36

4M ago16:36

16:36

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with Bill Hansen, President & CEO of Building Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting charter school facilities, financing, and services. Hansen, a veteran leader in education policy and philanthropy, shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities in expanding school choice, d…

1
Critical: Metals and minerals in a green tech future (Ep. 183) 29:07

4M ago29:07

29:07

Global metal markets are facing massive opportunities and challenges as the world transitions to green technology. Recent and ongoing changes in the US administration have wide-ranging implications for metal markets, the economy, and the future of sustainable energy solutions. S&P Global expert Nick Trickett joins EnergyCents hosts Sam Humphreys an…

1
Top trends to watch in 2025: Power Markets (Ep 182) 35:04

4M ago35:04

35:04

The global electricity landscape is undergoing a period of profound change as conventional resources compete with renewable supply to meet expectations of broad demand growth. S&P Global experts Etienne Gabel and Doug Giuffre join EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the top trends that will define global power markets in …

1
Indiana's Education Transformation: Katie Jenner on Teacher Shortages and Student Graduation Reforms 28:01

4M ago28:01

28:01

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host and former Idaho State Superintendent Tom Luna sits down with Katie Jenner, Indiana’s Secretary of Education, to discuss the state’s bold initiatives to enhance education outcomes. Now in her fifth year leading the Indiana Department of Education, Katie shares insights into the state’s innovative policies …

1
Top Trends to watch in 2025: Oil Markets (Ep 181) 31:12

4M ago31:12

31:12

Oil markets begin the year with OPEC+ sitting on more than 5.5 million barrels per day of spare capacity and the incoming Trump Administration wants to see US producers ‘drill, baby, drill.’ S&P Global expert Jim Burkhard joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss these, and other, top trends that will define global oil ma…

1
Balancing act: Germany wrestles with decarbonizing, manufacturing ambitions (Ep 180) 33:59

4M ago33:59

33:59

Germany grew to become Europe’s largest economy on the back of an export-led manufacturing sector. The energy-hungry economy is now trying to maintain its competitiveness after losing access to Russian gas pipeline imports in 2022, phasing out its nuclear capacity in 2023, and retiring its coal-fired power fleet by 2038. S&P Global expert Daniel Mu…

1
Reading, Writing, 'Rithmatic, Reuse 1:01:48

5M ago1:01:48

1:01:48

Switching K-12 schools to reusables in their cafeterias is a focus for many in the reuse movement: it’s a win-win-win for improving children’s health, educating and empowering the community around sustainability issues, and providing an impressive ROI for school administrators. That said, no change is easy, and barriers such as up-front funding, di…

1
Top Trends to watch in 2025: Energy Capital (Ep 179) 31:33

5M ago31:33

31:33

Trade wars, US policy upheavals, China’s clean energy blitz, a crude market under pressure and the convergence of AI and the energy sector will define 2025 for energy investors. S&P Global experts Justin Jacobs joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the top trends that will influence energy investors in 2025. Learn mor…

1
Top Trends to watch in 2025: Natural gas (Ep 178) 32:10

5M ago32:10

32:10

As Donald Trump returns to office the landscape of natural gas in the US, and LNG in particular, is expected to shift both domestically and globally. S&P Global gas market experts Laurent Ruseckas and Matthew Palmer join EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the top trends that will shape global gas markets in 2025. Learn m…

1
Change Makers: Carter Li, SWTCH founder and CEO (Ep 177) 34:15

5M ago34:15

34:15

Toronto-based SWTCH has focused on developing electric-vehicle charging solutions for multi-tenant properties in North America since its 2016 founding. The company now manages more than 17,000 charging ports across its network. Carter Li, SWTCH founder and CEO, joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the SWTCH business …

1
EnergyCents- Top Trends to Watch in 2025: Clean Energy Technology (Ep. 176) 43:11

5M ago43:11

43:11

Led by investment in solar capacity, global spending on clean-energy technologies will exceed investment in upstream oil and gas for the first time in 2025. S&P Global cleantech experts Edurne Zoco and Sam Wilkinson join EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss the top 10 trends that will shape clean energy technology supply c…

1
EnergyCents- Defying Gravity: Energy soars in 2024 and will be Popular in 2025 (Ep. 175) 37:18

6M ago37:18

37:18

We welcome back S&P Global Commodity Insights energy experts Reed Olmstead and David Vaucher for our 6th annual year-in-review and resolutions episode. Hosts Sam Humphreys and Hill Vaden check in to see how well we performed against 2024 energy expectations, consider some of the year’s biggest trends, and share market predictions and personal resol…

1
Overcoming Challenges in Education with James Lane on Swimming Upstream 26:59

6M ago26:59

26:59

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with James Lane, former Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction and a key leader in U.S. education. With a career spanning classroom teaching, district leadership, and senior roles in both state and federal education departments, Lane brings a wealth of experience and insight to th…

1
EnergyCents- Up and Atom: Nuclear wins renewed attention as low-carbon power play (Ep. 174) 30:54

6M ago30:54

30:54

A desire for lower-carbon, reliable electricity is reviving interest in nuclear power generation. S&P Global energy market experts Yulia Ivanovskaya and Conway Irwin join EnergyCents hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss how demand from datacenters is contributing to a revival of interest in nuclear power and to consider what challenges mus…

1
EnergyCents- Change Makers: Kul Karcz, NewMed Energy VP of Exploration and ESG Manager (Ep 173) 24:47

6M ago24:47

24:47

NewMed Energy is focused on exploring for and bringing to market natural gas discoveries from the Eastern Mediterranean. The Israel-based firm is partnered with Chevron on its Leviathan Project and has additional interests in earlier-stage projects in waters off Cyprus and Morocco. Kul Karcz, NewMed Energy VP of Exploration and ESG Manager, joins E…

1
EnergyCents- Calm: Oil markets adjust to a new normal as risk premium ebbs (Ep 172) 36:42

7M ago36:42

36:42

Oil markets have responded with complacency to sanctions on major producers, rerouting of tankers, and military unrest in the major supply areas. S&P Global oil markets expert Karim Fawaz joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss why this complacency may represent a new normal as spare capacity within OPEC+ and supply gro…

1
The Conscious Cafeteria Project 47:22

7M ago47:22

47:22

As Dr. Manasa Mantravadi, pediatrician and founder of the reusable foodware company Ahimsa®, points out—schools need data to make decisions. The Conscious Cafeteria Report, produced by Upstream and Ahimsa, is the latest evidence-based study projecting the environmental and financial impact of switching to reuse in K-12 schools, while robustly makin…

1
EnergyCents- Change Makers: Hooman Shahidi, EVPassport CEO and co-founder (Ep. 171) 31:01

7M ago31:01

31:01

EVPassport is working to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles by improving the user experience when charging through its focus on reliability and ease of adoption. The California-based EV-charging platform received a $200 mm investment from Northleaf Capital Partners in 2023 and today operates more than 5,000 chargers in 35 states through p…

1
EnergyCents- The silent partner: Graphite and the energy transition (Ep. 170) 30:01

7M ago30:01

30:01

Despite being a key component in lithium-ion battery manufacturing for electric vehicles, Graphite has so far escaped the media attention that its comparable metals, lithium, cobalt and nickel has had. But with the roll out of EV’s and energy storage, graphite demand is expected to grow by around 20% by the end of the decade. S&P Global metals expe…

1
The Plastic Free Pharmacy 49:18

7M ago49:18

49:18

Innovation in healthcare is no easy feat, as we learn in this conversation with Russell Gong, Co-founder and President of Cabinet Health. The fast-growing B-Corp on a mission to eliminate single-use plastic in medicine is starting by confronting the challenge of billions of disposable plastic pill bottles used annually in this country, with first-i…

1
EnergyCents- Change Makers: Tabitha Stine, Nucor GM of Energy Solutions Services (Ep 169) 32:20

7M ago32:20

32:20

The steel industry accounts for almost 10% of the world’s final energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. Nucor (NYSE: NUE), North America’s largest steel producer and recycler, pioneered lower-emission electric arc furnace steelmaking more than 50 years ago and continues to prioritize innovation in sustainable steel as it works toward a 2050 net…

1
Gordon Jones on Overcoming Educational Challenges in Idaho 23:58

7M ago23:58

23:58

In this episode Swimming Upstream, I'm your host,Tom Luna Tom Luna engages in an enlightening conversation with Gordon Jones, President of the College of Western Idaho (CWI), live from the ASU GSV Conference in San Diego. With a rich educational background spanning K-12 teaching to leadership roles at Ivy League institutions, Gordon shares his comp…

1
EnergyCents- Refining kit: India plans for downstream infrastructure investment (Ep 168) 31:23

8M ago31:23

31:23

India plans to grow its refining capacity by about 60% to 8 mmbd over the next 10 years to meet both domestic demand and spur refined-product exports. S&P Global Refining Expert Pulkit Agarwal joins EnergyCents with hosts Hill Vaden and Sam Humphreys to discuss India’s ambition to expand its largely state-owned refining capacity and how planners ex…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Upstream Solutions Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen