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 stewardship. His work spans continents and industries, making him a pioneer in the regenerative business movement. Bill shares his journey from the lumber indus...
Jan 21, 2025•35 min•Ep. 203
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 years of focus and national level expertise on urban resilience and climate change in an array of roles, prior to joining the City. She has worked on ...
Jan 14, 2025•30 min•Ep. 201
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, raising children, and protecting the environment, to teach children valuable lessons about mindfulness, sustainability, and community, while also stren...
Jan 06, 2025•31 min•Ep. 200
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 to address current environmental issues. He thanks all of the EcoNet readers for their support through the years. He goes on to highlight zinc-ion batt...
Dec 20, 2024•29 min•Ep. 202
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 , and the co-editor of Philosophy Comes to Dinner: Arguments About the Ethics of Eating . Matt has focused his career on ethical food choices, and how...
Dec 16, 2024•32 min•Ep. 199
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, and now at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as a research affiliate. Charles wants people to pay attention to the enormous influence that ...
Dec 09, 2024•31 min•Ep. 198
In EcoNet News, Volume 26, Issue #11, Ted highlights his birthday trip to Vegas to see the Eagles play at the Sphere and shares his EV road tripping travelogue, hitting Zion National Park, Bryce, and Death Valley on his longest battery electric trip yet. He also highlights Ann Arbor, Michigan creating a Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU), Swiss roadways, railroads, and rooftop solar, BYD topping Tesla in EV sales, squatting for bus fares in Romania, vehicle-to-home virtual power plants, and second...
Nov 28, 2024•29 min•Ep. 197
In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Kameale Terry, co-founder and CEO of ChargerHelp!, a cutting-edge tech company launched in 2020 that tackles the issue of inoperable electric vehicle charging stations. Under her leadership, ChargerHelp! has raised over $21 million, amassed the nation’s largest dataset of EV service work orders, and services stations across 17 states. Ted and Kameale discuss her background, and early influences that drove her passion for data, technology, an...
Nov 25, 2024•30 min•Ep. 196
In Part 3 of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic - Climate Resolve Series, Ted speaks with Jonathan Parfrey, Founder and Executive Director at Climate Resolve, LA's leading climate advocacy organization, committed to local climate solutions to reduce greenhouse gases and improve the lives of Angelenos. Just back from New York Climate Week, he jumps right into his highlights from all the events, sharing that it was great to see a large California contingent there. Climate Resolve hosted an event that demonstrat...
Nov 18, 2024•33 min•Ep. 194
In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Curt Johansen, a pioneer in conservation communities. He is the Development Director for Triad Communities, President of Council of Infill Builders, and has dedicated years to blending economic growth with environmental preservation. In his own words, he is advancing the art of finding balance between environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic prosperity. Curt and Ted dive right into his work building out Lagoon Valley, th...
Nov 11, 2024•31 min•Ep. 193
In EcoNet News, Volume 26, Issue #10, Ted highlights EcoMotion's solar work onsite in the Central Valley conducting an inspection at a massive utility-scale installation. He compares the really large with the really small, marveling at the simplicity of balcony solar in Germany. He also highlights Australian rooftop solar providing 50% of demand on the country’s main grid, Scandinavian heat pumps at scale, solar-based solar power, bi-directional EV charging, Home Depot purging plastics, and U.C....
Nov 06, 2024•20 min•Ep. 195
In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Cinnamon Energy Systems, a leading residential and commercial contractor providing solar, storage, heat pumps, and electrification services, and host of the Energy Show Podcast. He is a long-time advocate of renewable energy and is widely recognized as a solar power and battery system industry leader. His Podcast, The Energy Show, delves into a wide range of energy-related subjects. These topics encompass the evolving ...
Oct 28, 2024•31 min•Ep. 191
In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Richard Hansen, Senior Consultant and President of both Soluz, Inc & Soluz Honduras. Richard founded Soluz Inc., a Massachusetts corporation in 1993, and then established Soluz in Honduras in 1994 to commercialize solar for rural electrification. He is a pioneer in the application of solar technology combined with micro-finance to increase energy access in rural areas of Honduras, having introduced solar technology in the country startin...
Oct 21, 2024•38 min•Ep. 190
In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Dr. Robert Kay, Founder of 319Climate, a boutique consulting and innovation firm dedicated to accelerating the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and equitable future. Robert is an international climate expert with a mission to spearhead initiatives that foster a climate resilient, low-carbon future. He offers 33 years of experience in climate change, sustainability, and resilience planning. Robert has worked in a variety of roles...
Oct 14, 2024•32 min•Ep. 189
In Part 2 of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic - Climate Resolve Series, Ted speaks with Enrique Huerta, Legislative Director at Climate Resolve. Enrique brings strong skills in policy analysis and collaboration-building to the organization, focusing on climate change, adaptation, and resilience to champion equitable climate solutions. He has an undergraduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning and an advanced degree in Regenerative Studies from Cal Poly Pomona. Prior to joining Climate Resolve, Enrique he...
Oct 07, 2024•33 min•Ep. 188
In EcoNet News, Volume 26, Issue #9, Ted highlights his perspective on the nuclear shotgun wedding, sharing that AI is using so much data and energy that its purveyors – like Microsoft and Oracle – are seeking nuclear power solutions for their data centers, and questions whether this path is the best way to power AI. He also shares his travelog of his second round of sailing the Maine Coast, massive solar projects at JFK and Six Flags in Los Angeles, MagLev automobiles, the restoration of the th...
Oct 01, 2024•29 min•Ep. 192
In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Maria Cho, CEO of Triplebar, a biotech firm using advanced technology to tackle the urgent issues of food and drug supply. She leads a team in a mission to heal and sustain people and the planet by removing a key bottleneck in the bioeconomy. This is being achieved with a proprietary screening platform to accelerate and innovate food and pharma product discovery. Based in East Bay, San Francisco, she shares with Ted that growing up, she was ...
Sep 23, 2024•31 min•Ep. 187
In this follow up Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Tucker Perkins, President and CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council. He is an energy expert with four decades of experience in the liquid and renewable fuels industry. He is a frequent keynote speaker to national and international audiences on energy topics and a commentator for major media outlets such as the Schwab Network. His "wide path" perspective embraces an array of pragmatic solutions for reducing greenhouse ...
Sep 16, 2024•32 min•Ep. 186
In EcoNet News, Volume 26, Issue #8, Ted highlights the Open Streets movement, with a goal to transform streets into public spaces open to all to allow for a range of activities: promoting economic development, supporting schools, facilitating pedestrian and bike mobility, and providing new ways to “enjoy cultural programming” and build community. He also highlights a plan to build the world’s biggest battery in the State of Maine, Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam's capability to run a soccer mat...
Aug 30, 2024•24 min•Ep. 185
In Part 1 of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic - Climate Resolve Series, Ted speaks with Catherine Baltazar, a Policy Analyst and Organizer, and Lia Cohen, a Coordinator for Climate Planning and Resilience, focusing on their work at Climate Resolve, a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, building collaborations to champion equitable climate solutions. Catherine was born and raised in LA, and has focused her work around the conditions of the community she grew up in, with limited access to green space...
Aug 19, 2024•32 min•Ep. 184
In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Brian Thurston, an environmental entrepreneur, currently serving as a Sustainability Solutions Sales Director at APTIM, an environmental solutions firm. He's also worked as a Senior Advisor for multiple companies and nonprofits in the environmental sector, focusing on business development and strategic partnerships. His background is in business development and consulting – utilizing innovation and technology to build multi-disciplinary netw...
Aug 13, 2024•32 min•Ep. 183
In EcoNet News, Volume 26, Issue #7, Ted highlights two high-speed rail projects coming to Southern California: the California High-Speed Rail, linking Los Angeles and San Francisco, and the Brightline West, linking Los Angeles to Las Vegas. He also highlights ZIPs (zero-emission vehicle implementation plans) and ZEVs (zero-emission vehicles), the climate-protection superstar hemp, South Australia nearing 100% net wind and solar, linear generators, San Francisco's hydrogen fueled ferry, Corryong...
Jul 30, 2024•28 min•Ep. 182
In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Andy Lipkis, Founder of TreePeople, who served as President for five decades. He is currently a Project Executive at Accelerate Resilience LA (ARLA). Andy is a pioneer of urban and community forestry, urban watershed management, and urban climate resilience, dedicating his life to healing the environment while improving the lives of individuals and communities. Andy grew up in southwest LA and began planting trees to rehabilitate smog and fi...
Jul 29, 2024•35 min•Ep. 181
In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Professor Michael Gerrard from Columbia University. He is the founder and faculty director of the groundbreaking Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, and one of the foremost environmental lawyers in the nation. Michael is an advocate, litigator, teacher, and scholar who has pioneered cutting-edge legal tools and strategies for addressing climate change. He writes and teaches courses on environmental law, climate change law, and energy regula...
Jul 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 180
In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Mary Nichols, who served as the chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for a total of 18 years. She has served on the Board under Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. (1975–82 and 2010–18), Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (2007–2010) and Governor Gavin Newsom (2019–2020). She also served as California’s Secretary for Natural Resources (1999–2003), appointed by Gov. Gray Davis. Mary is widely recognized for a career as one of the world’s ...
Jul 15, 2024•32 min•Ep. 179
In this follow up Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Steve Lewis, Urban Design Principal with the Portland-based firm, ZGF Architects. Steve was also a candidate for the 2026 President at the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He is a facilitator of partnerships and alliances between groups and individuals who seek to use architecture and design to effect positive change to our world. Steve brings to ZGF a wealth of experience across urban planning and design, most notably holdi...
Jul 08, 2024•40 min•Ep. 178
In EcoNet News, Volume 26, Issue #6, Ted shares his highlights from his trip to San Francisco to cheer on Matlock, daughter Kristin’s boyfriend who was competing in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. He also highlights that renewables provided more than 30% of all U.S. electrical generation in the month of April, a German research team testing new module concepts, integrating solar into sound walls along busy highways and railways, integrating Energy Vault's gravity energy storage (GES) into sk...
Jun 29, 2024•32 min•Ep. 177
In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Sean Neman, Founder and CEO of Cal Solar Inc. Cal Solar Inc. proudly delivers reliable, full service renewable energy solutions for new construction, existing buildings, and retrofit projects throughout California. Their experienced in-house team of designers, engineers, and installers is equipped to deliver renewable energy solutions for multifamily, commercial/industrial, and public works projects of any size. To date, they have successful...
Jun 10, 2024•36 min•Ep. 176
In EcoNet News, Volume 26, Issue #5, Ted shares his highlights from his trip to the land of enchantment, Sante Fe, New Mexico, to visit his daughter Sierra who is living there. He also highlights the global clothing glut, seaweed clothing, South Korea's solar bike path, streetlight-mounted EV chargers, the first school district in the country in Oakland, CA to have an all-electric school bus fleet, Shenzhen's EV charging network surpassing gas stations, and batteries becoming the largest form of...
Jun 03, 2024•26 min•Ep. 175
In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Beth Pratt, the Regional Executive Director of the California Regional Center of the National Wildlife Federation. She is a lifelong advocate for wildlife, and has worked in environmental leadership roles for over twenty-five years. She has also spearheaded the #SaveLACougars campaign to collaborate, fund, and build the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, the largest crossing in North America—and potentially the world—to help save a populati...
May 29, 2024•32 min•Ep. 174
