Greetings, Earthlings! Welcome to a very special episode of Earthlings 2.0. Today marks our 100th episode, a milestone in our journey exploring the biggest challenges and opportunities facing humanity in the 21st century. Typically, we cover topics like climate change, robotics, agriculture, and the energy transition—but today, we’re turning the spotlight inward. This episode is all about our guest of honor, host and founder of the podcast, Lisa Ann Pinkerton. Beyond the show, Lisa Ann is also t...
Mar 11, 2025•35 min•Ep 100•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Jon Norman, President of Hydrostor, about the critical role of energy storage in supporting a cleaner grid. Jon discusses Hydrostor’s Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) technology, which leverages air, water, and rock to store and release energy efficiently. The conversation covers how this scalable solution addresses renewable energy intermittency, the potential to replace fossil-fuel-driven peaker plants, and the increasing policy s...
Mar 04, 2025•29 min•Ep 99•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we chat with Dr. Allen Williams, Founding Partner of Understanding Ag, about the core principles and practices of regenerative agriculture, as well as its economic advantages. Allen highlights how regenerative agriculture plays a vital role in restoring soil health, boosting crop yields, and fostering sustainable farming systems. He distinguishes regenerative farming from organic practices and shares real-world examples that showcase how regenerative methods ca...
Feb 25, 2025•59 min•Ep 98•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Joanna Buttler, Head of the Global Autonomous Technology Group for Daimler Truck North America, about the future of autonomous trucking and the steps Daimler is taking to bring this technology to market. Joanna discusses the company’s testing strategies, the challenges of regulatory frameworks, and the potential impact of autonomous trucks on the logistics and transportation industries. Key Points: Revolutionizing the Trucking Industry: Daim...
Feb 19, 2025•29 min•Ep 97•Transcript available on Metacast Greetings Earthlings! In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with David Alspaugh, CTO and co-founder of Inductive Robotics, about the challenges and solutions surrounding electric vehicle (EV) charging. David discusses the growing need for EV charging infrastructure, the challenges parking lot operators face, and the cutting-edge autonomous charging solutions emerging to meet these demands. The conversation covers the technology behind autonomous charging, advancements in battery chemistry,...
Feb 11, 2025•27 min•Ep 96•Transcript available on Metacast Greetings, Earthlings! In today's episode of Earthlings 2.0, we delve into the powerful world of venture capital and its significant role in shaping industries by empowering women as leaders and investors. Our guest, Dr. Sara Brand, founding general partner at True Wealth Ventures, shares her insights on investing in women-led companies and how this not only promotes greater equity but also drives superior financial performance. Restoring Our Faith in Humanity this week is Everlyne Siololo–a tra...
Feb 04, 2025•45 min•Ep 95•Transcript available on Metacast Greetings Earthlings! In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Anurag Kamal, CEO and co-founder of ElectricFish, about their innovative approach to ultra-fast EV charging. ElectricFish’s solution is designed not only to speed up EV charging but also to enhance grid stability and provide backup power during outages. Anurag shares the inspiration behind the company's name, their technology’s unique advantages, and the future of bidirectional EV charging. Key Points: Grid-Friendly EV Chargi...
Jan 28, 2025•27 min•Ep 94•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we are joined by Richard Youngman, CEO of the Cleantech Group, a pioneer in championing clean technologies since 2002. Richard provides a masterclass on the importance of perseverance and strategic funding in fostering sustainable technologies and driving innovation. Discover how the Cleantech Group, through initiatives like the Cleantech 100 list, keeps a pulse on emerging companies shaping our sustainable future. Through Lisa Ann and Richard’s conversa...
Jan 23, 2025•48 min•Ep 93•Transcript available on Metacast Greetings Earthlings! In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Steven and Zora Chung, co-founders of ReJoule and CEO and CFO respectively. ReJoule is a company transforming battery diagnostics and repurposing used batteries for second-life applications. This innovation not only extends battery life but also reduces waste, helping pave the way for a sustainable energy transition. As we navigate the challenges of a more electrified world, from electric vehicles to grid-scale energy storage...
Jan 14, 2025•28 min•Ep 92•Transcript available on Metacast Greetings Earthlings! In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we explore the transformative potential of home electrification with Arch Rao, founder and CEO of Span.IO. Arch shares his journey from Tesla to revolutionizing the electrical panel industry to facilitate the transition to all-electric homes. We discuss the technological innovations that make electrification more accessible and economically feasible, and why this shift is essential for decarbonization. Restoring Our Faith in Humanity...
Jan 08, 2025•40 min•Ep 91•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we explore the innovative role of solar energy in solving South Africa's power crisis. We’re joined by Sabatha Mthwecu, Founder of Solar Rais to discuss how solar systems are helping combat blackouts and offer solutions to the country’s ongoing energy challenges. Sabatha sheds light on the growing use of solar energy to support the grid, reduce electricity costs, and drive energy independence for homeowners and businesses. We also dive into the future of...
Dec 31, 2024•27 min•Ep 90•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we explore a fascinating intersection of technology and sustainability: the innovative application of robotics, artificial intelligence, and solar energy in agriculture. Our conversation centers on Aigen, a trailblazing startup developing autonomous, solar-powered robots that manage weeds without chemicals. By reducing agriculture's carbon footprint and helping regenerate soil—a vital natural carbon sink—this technology offers a path to healthier food sy...
Dec 24, 2024•24 min•Ep 89•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we explore the accessible and innovative world of Community Solar. This model allows individuals and businesses to subscribe to solar energy without installing panels. We’re joined by Vihann Kong, Senior Executive Director of Enterprise Acquisition at Ampion, to discuss how community solar projects democratize solar energy, making it feasible and financially beneficial for participants. Vihann sheds light on the rapid expansion and significant impact of ...
Dec 17, 2024•34 min•Ep 88•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In today's episode of Earthlings 2.0, we explore the cutting-edge realm of upcycled aluminum with our guest, Eric Donsky, CEO and Chairman of Atomic13. Atomic13 is making waves by transforming scrap aluminum into durable, low-carbon aluminum extrusions, reducing embodied carbon by an incredible 95%. We delve into the science behind this innovative process and discuss its potential to revolutionize sustainable manufacturing practices globally. Key Points: Innovative Upcycling of...
Dec 10, 2024•35 min•Ep 87•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! This week on Earthlings 2.0, we dive deep into the ground beneath our feet with Yard Stick, a company harnessing the transformative potential of soil carbon measurement in sustainable agriculture. As the backbone of food production and a vital carbon sink, soil health is critical—but it’s often overlooked in broader climate conversations. Yard Stick is tackling this challenge with cutting-edge spectroscopy technology to make soil analysis cost-effective and accessible for farme...
Dec 03, 2024•34 min•Ep 86•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! This week on Earthlings 2.0, we connect with Camus Energy, a company providing a cutting-edge grid orchestration platform designed to help utilities operate and build a reliable, affordable, and zero-carbon grid. Their technology platform enables utilities to navigate the transition to a two-way grid—one that integrates local renewable generation and customer flexibility to achieve decarbonization and affordability goals. In this episode, Astrid Atkinson, CEO and co-founder of ...
Nov 26, 2024•27 min•Ep 85•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! This week on Earthlings 2.0, we explore an exciting breakthrough in recycling with Emmanuel Ladent, CEO of Carbios, a French biotech company that’s revolutionizing how we handle plastic waste. As the world grapples with plastic pollution, Carbios has developed a game-changing enzymatic process that breaks down PET plastics and textiles to their base components, allowing for high-quality recycling without losing material integrity. Emmanuel explains how this biological solution ...
Nov 19, 2024•25 min•Ep 84•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! Today, we're diving into a pioneering approach to carbon capture with direct air capture (DAC), a technology that pulls CO₂ directly from the atmosphere. While DAC alone can’t reverse climate change, it could be instrumental in maintaining critical temperature limits if it scales up efficiently. Host Lisa Ann Pinkerton interviews Anca Timofte, CEO and co-founder of Holocene, whose innovative, low-energy DAC method has secured a $10 million contract with Google. Anca explains ho...
Nov 12, 2024•33 min•Ep 83•Transcript available on Metacast Greetings Earthlings! This week on Earthlings 2.0, we explore the world of battery safety and renewable energy with Dr. Kai-Philipp Kairies, CEO and Co-founder of ACCURE Battery Intelligence GmbH, a leader in battery monitoring and safety. As the world moves toward cleaner energy and electric mobility, batteries play a central role, but with them come risks that need careful management. KP shares insights into why traditional battery management systems (BMS) are limited and how ACCURE’s advanced...
Nov 05, 2024•26 min•Ep 82•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! 🌊 This week on Earthlings 2.0, we dive into the deep blue with Professor Matthew England, an expert in ocean and climate dynamics. Our warming oceans are doing a lot of heavy lifting for us, absorbing over 90% of trapped heat from greenhouse gasses. But there’s a cost, and we're already seeing a 30% slowdown in the critical Atlantic overturning circulation—a shift climate scientists once thought would take another 100 years! Together, we explore how this slowdown affects every...
Oct 30, 2024•37 min•Ep 81•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! This week, we're exploring the critical role of soil carbon measurement in combating climate change with Tom Sadan, Senior Business Development Consultant at Agricarbon, a company pioneering the field of soil carbon measurement and restoration. By utilizing advanced robotics, Agricarbon conducts large-scale soil carbon audits that support regenerative farming and carbon sequestration efforts. Soil, often called a "hidden hero" in the fight against climate change, is a massive c...
Oct 22, 2024•34 min•Ep 80•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! This week, we journey into the world of clean energy advocacy and climate policy with Julia Pyper, co-host of the Political Climate podcast and Vice President of Public Affairs at Grid Leap. Together with host Lisa Ann Pinkerton, they delve into the growing bipartisan support for clean energy and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Julia shares how framing climate issues as local concerns, like job creation and economic benefits, is shifting voter perspectives acro...
Oct 15, 2024•47 min•Ep 79•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! For this week’s episode, we take a deeper look into a fascinating new realm of Earth observation, not from outer space but from the "low sky." We are joined by Keith Miao, the CEO of Birdstop, a company pioneering the use of autonomous drones to monitor critical infrastructure. These drones operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) at low altitudes, providing high-detail monitoring at scale. This technology has immense potential to enhance how we monitor power grids, telecom ...
Oct 08, 2024•24 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! For this week’s episode, we dive deep into the evolving world of agriculture and agritech with Venky Ramachandran, the visionary behind Agribusiness Matters . Joining us from Hyderabad, India, Venky shares insights on the transformative technologies shaping food production systems amidst climate change and market volatility. His firm and popular newsletter provide a global snapshot of agritech’s digital transformation and its impact on farmers worldwide. We explore key topics, ...
Oct 01, 2024•38 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we explore the future of renewable energy with Trenton Cladouhos, Vice President of Geothermal Resource Development at Quaise Energy. He shares how Quaise’s gyrotron-powered drilling technology is breaking new ground by vaporizing rock to reach extreme depths, making geothermal energy viable in areas where it was previously impossible. This innovation could provide a limitless source of clean, baseload energy, transforming how we power the wor...
Sep 24, 2024•28 min•Ep 76•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this episode of the Earthlings 2.0 podcast, we tackle the multifaceted issue of pronatalism and its global impact. Rachel M. Cohen, a policy correspondent for Vox, joins us to explore why declining birth rates, once seen as a challenge for other regions, are now affecting the U.S. and many countries with traditionally higher birth rates. We discuss the economic and social ramifications, including potential strain on welfare systems, increased unemployment, and intergeneratio...
Sep 17, 2024•49 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this episode of the Earthlings 2.0 podcast, we shine our tech spotlight on Blip Energy, a pioneering startup making smart home batteries available to millions of homes, particularly those often excluded from energy innovation. Host Lisa Ann chats with Sophia Wennstedt, CEO and co-founder of Blip Energy, about how her company is creating affordable, renter-friendly energy storage solutions. Sophia shares her personal journey that led to the creation of Blip Energy, inspired b...
Sep 10, 2024•16 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! For this week’s episode, we talk with Patrick Macdonald-King, CEO of Greenlane, who sheds light on the transformative potential of electrifying freight routes. With strategic partnerships from industry giants like Daimler, NextEra, and BlackRock, Greenlane is leading the charge in revolutionizing the trucking industry by developing EV infrastructure across key freight corridors. Join us as we explore how Greenlane is leveraging Daimler’s 43% market share in medium and heavy-dut...
Sep 03, 2024•44 min•Ep 73•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! In this week’s Tech Spotlight, we feature BrainBox AI, a company at the forefront of using artificial intelligence to revolutionize energy efficiency in commercial real estate, starting with the most energy-intensive systems—HVAC. Our host Lisa Ann is joined by Sam Ramadori, CEO of BrainBox AI, a pioneer in leveraging AI to create intelligent, self-adapting building systems. Sam shares how BrainBox AI's technology can reduce energy consumption in commercial buildings by 28%, ma...
Aug 27, 2024•24 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast Hello Earthlings! Welcome aboard our proverbial spaceship to another Earthlings 2.0 rerun! This August, in the last month of summer, we have experienced Earth Overshoot Day – a time that marks when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year surpasses what Earth can regenerate in that same time frame. To address the need for humanity to re-evaluate our actions towards climate change, today’s rerun features Dr. Aaron Thierry , who discusses the benefits and challenges ...
Aug 20, 2024•37 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast 
