Loading...

PODCAST

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast

Lisa Ann Pinkerton

The Earthlings Podcast takes a look at the big issues facing humanity in the early 21st century and our relationship to our environment, technology, and each other. Each episode, award-winning journalist, and former NPR reporter Lisa Ann Pinkerton hosts experts, scientists, and leaders working to solve the world’s biggest challenges. Together, they cover wide-ranging topics including environmental solutions, emerging technologies, what the future might look like, and more. Support us on Patreon and

science earth sciences

All Episodes

33:17

#121: Personal Autonomous Shuttle Transport with SNAAP

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/08/06

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Christen Courville, President and COO of SNAAP Transportation about the future of autonomous, sustainable urban transit. Christen breaks down why SNAAP prioritizes personal over public, how its modular track doubles as energy infrastructure, and why a franchise model may be key to localized transportation solutions. We also tackle skepticism around self-driving tech, the socioeconomic barriers traditional systems overlook, and what it

en

52:38

#120: Innovative Solutions for Global Water...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/07/29

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we’re joined by Brian Richter, president of Sustainable Waters and author of Chasing Water, for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about global water scarcity, climate-driven drought, and the politics of sharing a resource none of us can live without. From Cape Town’s infamous Day Zero to water truck deliveries in Arizona suburbs, Brian explains how water shortages evolve, why they’re getting worse, and what we can do to prepare for a more

en

29:58

#119: How Utilities Can Unlock Capacity Without...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/07/23

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Charlie Murray, CEO and co-founder of Switched Source about a deceptively simple idea with massive implications for the future of electricity: unlocking hidden capacity on our existing power grid without building new wires or generation plants. Switched Source’s power flow technology helps utilities dynamically balance electricity across their distribution circuits — almost like unblocking a three-lane highway at rush hour. Charlie

en

01:10:47

#118: The Modern Age of Misinformation and Journalism...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/07/17

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we chat with Neil Brown, president of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolution of journalism and the growing challenge of misinformation. Neil explores how the 24/7 news cycle and the rise of social media have accelerated the spread of false information, and why the role of investigative journalism remains essential in a democratic society. From the history and eventual decline of the Fairness

en

26:46

#117: Eliminating The ‘Middle Mile’ In Food...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/07/08

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we connect with Wayne McIntyre, CEO of Relocalize, about how autonomous microfactories placed at distribution centers could revolutionize food production by eliminating transport emissions and reducing costs. They explore why packaged ice was the ideal starting point for helping this idea become reality, how robotics and AI streamline operations to make decentralized food production and distribution possible, and why reimagining the entire supply

en

54:21

#116: How Robotics and AI Are Making Recycling...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/07/01

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we chat with Joe Castagneri, Director of Software at AMP, about why so much recyclable material still ends up in landfills, and how the economics of waste sorting are at the heart of the problem. Joe explains why recycling in rural areas often doesn’t pencil out, how the legacy systems incentivize hauling and burying waste, and how AMP’s computer vision and robotics are helping build a new model for diversion facilities that could finally scale

en

34:23

#115: Fusion’s Magnetic Mirror Magic for a Low-Carbon...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/06/24

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we chat with Kieran Furlong, CEO and co-founder of Realta Fusion, about the promise and progress of nuclear fusion as a sustainable energy solution. The discussion touches on the mounting pressure of rising global energy demand and why nuclear, specifically fusion, could be a game-changing response. Kieran explains the fundamental differences between nuclear fission and fusion, the risks and legacy of fission reactors, and the promise of fusion

en

49:50

#114: The New Reality of Extreme Weather with Victor...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/06/17

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Victor Gensini, professor of meteorology at Northern Illinois University, who explains how climate change is altering the frequency, intensity, and geographic reach of extreme weather events like hailstorms and tornadoes. He explains how the changing statistical distributions of climate make it harder to rely on historical models, and discusses his fieldwork through the ICECHIP hail research campaign. Gensini highlights the power of

en

47:21

#113: Concentrated Solar that’s Full of Hot Air with...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/06/10

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Bruce Anderson, CEO of 247Solar, about the next generation of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and how it’s being reimagined to overcome the challenges that have long held the technology back. Anderson explains why traditional CSP struggled with complexity, high costs, and molten salt storage, and how 247Solar’s modular, air-based systems are addressing those issues head-on. From a commercial demonstration plant in India to localized

en

44:36

#112: Part 2: The Unsupervised Rise of a New Digital...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/06/03

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we continue our conversation with technologist and author Daniel Doll-Steinberg, Co-Founder of EdenBase. This is part two of a two-part series exploring the societal transformations driven by six foundational technologies: AI, quantum computing, smart data (blockchain), always-on communications, immersive tech, and self-replicating systems. While part one focused on the technologies themselves, this episode zooms out to examine their global ripple

en

01:05:48

#111: Part 1: The Unsupervised Rise of a New Digital...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/05/28

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we sit down with technologist Daniel Doll-Steinberg who is also Co-Founder of the active innovation and ecosystem fund, EdenBase. This special episode is part one of a two-part series on six foundational technologies shaping a new digital civilization: AI, quantum computing, smart data (blockchain), always-on communications, immersive tech, and self-replicating systems. Daniel argues we are witnessing the end of the Industrial Age, marked by

en

25:46

#110: The Social Equity Revolution in Solar with...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/05/20

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Dana Clare Redden, founder of Solar Stewards, about the intersection of clean energy, equity, and community empowerment. Drawing from her Appalachian roots and years of experience in solar development, Dana shares how Solar Stewards is transforming the traditional solar model by ensuring frontline communities are not just included—but are leading and benefiting from the clean energy transition.Key Points:Centering Communities in

en

41:46

#109 - Inside Schneider Electric’s Ambitious...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/05/16

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Vanessa Miler-Fels, VP of Climate and Environment at Schneider Electric, about the complexities of decarbonizing global supply chains. Drawing on her extensive expertise in climate strategy, Vanessa discusses how Schneider Electric is helping its top one thousand suppliers work towards net zero. The conversation covers everything from tracking various levels of Scope emissions when pledging corporate sustainability goals, to the importance of supplier

en

34:41

#108: Autonomous Robots Driving Down Costs for...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/05/06

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Tom Yeshurun, CEO and Founder of Civ Robotics, about how his company is transforming the construction industry with autonomous layout robots. From military service to construction tech, Tom shares his journey with building the company, how their robotic solution, the CivDot rover, replaces months of manual layout work with precise robotic automation, and why he believes building reliable, “boring” infrastructure tech can have the

en

43:24

#107 - The Lawsuits Demanding Accountability on...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/04/30

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, Nikki Reisch, Director of the Climate & Energy Program at CIEL, joins us to unpack the global rise of climate litigation. From landmark cases in the Global South to parallels with Big Tobacco, she explores how legal strategies are holding fossil fuel companies accountable, defending human rights, and driving systemic change. As political action stalls, the courtroom is emerging as a powerful arena for climate justice.Key Points:Litigation as a Tool for Climate

en

31:38

#106: Rethinking Fish Farms for Regenerative...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/04/23

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we explore how Pine Island Redfish is flipping the script on aquaculture. Megan Sorby, CEO of Pine Island Redfish, shares how they're raising redfish in a land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) while restoring mangrove ecosystems—nature’s original coastal defense. It’s a model they believe could be replicated to help tackle seafood supply issues, enhance climate resilience, and build community engagement. Megan talks about navigating

en

01:10:37

#105 - Unlocking the Magic of Weird Thinking with the...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/04/16

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of nonlinear thinking with Perry Knoppert, founder of The Octopus Movement. This global community connects nonlinear thinkers to address complex challenges and spark meaningful change. In the discussion, Perry shares how embracing chaos and breaking free from rigid, linear structures can unlock creativity, innovation, and new ideas. We explore the vital balance between linear and nonlinear thinking, the role of neurodiversity, and

en

30:03

#104: The Role of Rocks in Carbon Sequestration with...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/04/08

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we sit down with Anastasia Pavlovic Hans, CEO of Eion, to explore enhanced rock weathering (ERW) — an innovative carbon removal technology that leverages minerals to pull CO2 from the atmosphere. Anastasia discusses how ERW integrates seamlessly into agriculture, its long-term effectiveness, and the financial incentives driving farmer adoption. She also shares her journey into climate tech and why collaboration between farmers and technology

en

56:34

#103: Navigating the Polycrisis with the Post Carbon...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/04/03

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we chat with Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow at the Post Carbon Institute, about the polycrisis—the convergence of environmental, social, and technological challenges shaping our world today. Richard explains how climate change, economic instability, inequality, and artificial intelligence are interconnected, making this moment in history uniquely complex. He discusses why technology alone cannot solve these crises and emphasizes the need for

en

27:03

#102: Optimizing the EV Ramp-Up at the Grid’s Edge...

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast ·

2025/03/26

In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we chat with Ken Munson, CEO and Founder of Rhythmos.io, about how the rapid electrification of vehicles and buildings is reshaping the electric grid. Ken shares insights into the challenges utilities face, including major infrastructure investments, and how innovative tools—like managed charging and advanced data analytics platforms such as Rhythmos.io’s Cadency EdgeAI℠—can optimize grid performance and reduce energy costs. We also dive into

en

181 results

Similar Podcasts

The Deep Dive Lab: Unraveling Materials Science

Son Hoang

New Books in Political Science

New Books Network

Station 151

Pale Matter | Realm

Beyond the Divide

Koala Moon

StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson