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In this week's episode of Business Lunch, Roland Frasier and Ryan Deiss continue breaking down the “Bottlenecks” framework—the 11 proven playbooks that billionaires use to grow, protect, and multiply wealth.From AI-driven acquisitions to tax-optimized exits, this conversation dives into the strategies that separate ordinary entrepreneurs from long-term empire builders. You'll hear how the world's wealthiest think about capital allocation, scaling “boring” businesses, and structuring companies for massive, tax-efficient exits.Whether you're scaling your first venture or managing a growing portfolio, this episode is a tactical deep dive into how to think—and act—like a billionaire.Key Takeaways • Tech Is Not a Moat: With AI making innovation easy to copy, your real advantage is distribution and users. • The QSBS Advantage: How the Qualified Small Business Stock exemption can eliminate up to $10M (or more) in capital gains per shareholder. • DAFs & Charitable Strategy: Donor Advised Funds can combine tax savings with long-term impact—if structured correctly. • Boring Businesses, Billionaire Results: Logistics, energy, and real estate can quietly create generational wealth when value is added and scaled. • Capital Cycling: Why the world's best investors (like Blackstone and Berkshire) act like banks—recycling capital and compounding returns.Episode Highlights [00:02:00] – Why tech is easy to copy—and why users, not code, create real enterprise value. [00:10:00] – The billionaire tax play: how QSBS and DAFs legally minimize or eliminate capital gains. [00:18:00] – When to start thinking about tax strategy (hint: usually not before $10M net worth). [00:25:00] – Logistics, land, and “boring” businesses that create quiet fortunes. [00:33:00] – The ESG arbitrage: adding sustainability to raise valuations. [00:40:00] – Network effects and marketplace rollups: creating compounding flywheels. [00:55:00] – The rise of “edge retail”: micro-brands, coffee chains, and inversion models that scale fast. [01:05:00] – Capital cycling and other people's money (OPM): how billionaires play the funding game.Memorable Quotes“If all you are is a feature that someone else could build, you don't have a business—you have a countdown clock.”“Boring businesses aren't boring when they compound quietly into billions.”“It's not what you make—it's what you keep.”“Billionaires don't think like operators; they think like capital allocators.”Mentioned in This EpisodeQualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) – U.S. tax exemption strategyDonor Advised Funds (DAFs) – Philanthropic and tax planning vehiclesRoss Perot Jr. – Logistics real estateDutch Bros – Scalable retail model exampleBlackstone & Berkshire Hathaway – Capital cycling and compounding modelsListen If You'reA founder or investor learning to structure smarter deals.A CEO or operator ready to scale beyond execution into capital allocation.A strategic thinker who wants to play the long game in business and wealth creation.ConnectHosts: Roland Frasier & Ryan DeissPodcast: Business Lunch with Roland FrasierMore at: businesslunchpodcast.comMentioned in this episode:Join Roland & Ryan at Get Scalable LiveIf you're a founder, CEO, or operator running a 7- or 8-figure business, Get Scalable Live was built for you. This is not your typical business event. It's 3 days of hands-on strategy, real-world frameworks, and next-level networking with the smartest operators in the game.
In this episode, host Heather Horn sat down with Mardi McBrien, Senior Director at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), during New York Climate Week to discuss the evolving world of sustainability reporting. The conversation covers how companies are navigating fragmented frameworks, the growing importance of transition plans, and the movement toward greater simplification and integration of reporting. In this episode, we discuss:1:15 – The role of the WBCSD and the focus on corporate performance7:24 – Challenges companies face in a compliance-driven reporting environment12:28 – Breaking down silos across functions and topics and integrating sustainability into strategy24:15 – Transition plans and the credibility of business strategies29:00 – Global baseline progress and alignment across reporting frameworks41:22 – Key themes from the New York Climate WeekAs mentioned in today's podcast, check out When less equals more: rethinking sustainability reporting for insights from the roundtable discussion on the sustainability reporting landscape hosted by the WBCSD, London Stock Exchange Group, and Principles for Responsible Investment.Looking for the latest developments in sustainability reporting? Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast app and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay in the loop for the latest thought leadership on sustainability standards.About our guestMardi McBrien is Senior Director, Enhancing Transparency, Corporate Performance & Accountability (CP&A) at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Mardi leads the Enhancing Transparency Track, a key initiative that supports members in navigating complex regulatory developments, delivering transparent and decision-useful reporting, and fostering long-term value creation. Mardi brings a wealth of expertise with over 15 years of leadership in sustainability disclosure and reporting. Most recently, she served as the Chief of Strategic Affairs and Capacity Building at the IFRS Foundation.About our hostHeather Horn is the PwC National Office Sustainability and Thought Leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting, financial reporting, and sustainability matters. In addition, she is part of PwC's global sustainability leadership team, developing interpretive guidance and consulting with companies as they transition from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting. She is also the engaging host of PwC's accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.comDid you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.
From the League of Nations to the U.N., Kevin Freeman and Alex Newman trace the architecture of global governance and its collision with American sovereignty. They unpack the red-green-blue axis — communism, radical Islamism, and unchecked globalism — linking it to climate policy, mass migration, ESG finance, and cultural capture. Learn how media complicity, corporate power, and transnational institutions model a centralized system inspired by the CCP. Action steps focus on local engagement, education, family protection, and faith-driven resilience.
Charting the Future of AI Storage Infrastructure In this episode, Solidigm Director of Strategic Planning Brian Jacobosky guides listeners through a tech-forward conversation on how storage infrastructure is helping redefine the AI-era data center. The discussion frames storage as more than just a cost factor; it's also a strategic building block for performance, efficiency, and savings. Storage Moves to the Center of AI Data Infrastructure Jacobosky explains how, in the AI-driven era, storage is being elevated from a forgotten metric like “dollars per gigabyte” to a core priority: maximizing GPU utilization, managing soaring power draw, and unlocking space savings. He illustrates how every watt and every square inch counts. As GPU compute scales dramatically, storage efficiency is being engineered to enable maximum density and throughput. High-Capacity SSDs as a Game-Changer Jacobosky spotlights Solidigm D5-P5336 122TB SSDs as emblematic of the shift. Rather than a simple technical refresh, these drives represent a tectonic realignment in how data centers are being designed for huge capacity and optimized performance. With all-flash deployments offering up to nine times the space savings compared to hybrid architectures, Jacobosky underscores how SSD density can enable more GPU scale within fixed power and space budgets. This could even unlock achieving a 1‑petabyte SSD by the end of the decade. Embedded Efficiency The episode brings environmental considerations to the forefront. Jacobosky shares how an “all‑SSD” strategy can dramatically slash physical footprints as well as energy consumption. From data center buildout through end of lifecycle drive retirement, efficiency is driving both operational cost savings and ESG benefits — helping reduce concrete and steel usage, power draw, and e‑waste. Pioneering Storage Architectures and Cooling Innovation Listeners learn how AI-first innovators like Neo Cloud-style providers and sovereign AI operators lead the charge in deploying next-generation storage. Jacobosky also previews the Solidigm PS-1010 E1.S form factor, an NVIDIA fanless server solution that enables direct‑to‑chip Cold-Plate-Cooled SSDs integrated into GPU servers. He predicts that this systems-level integration will become a standard for high-density AI infrastructure. Storage as a Strategic Investment Solidigm challenges the notion that high-capacity storage is cost prohibitive. Within the framework of the AI token economy, Jacobosky explains that the true measure becomes minimizing cost per token and time to first token and, when storage is optimized for performance, capacity, and efficiency, the total cost of ownership (TCO) will often prove favorable after the first evaluation. Looking Ahead: Memory Wall, Inference Workloads, Liquid Cooling Jacobosky ends with a look ahead to where storage innovation will lead in the next five years. As AI models grow in size and complexity, he argues, storage is increasingly acting as an extension of memory, breaking through the “memory wall” for large inference workloads. Companies will design infrastructure from the ground up with liquid-cooling, future-scalable storage, and storage that supports massive model deployments without compromising latency. This episode is essential listening for data center architects, AI infrastructure strategists, and sustainability leaders looking to understand how storage is fast-becoming a defining factor in AI-ready data centers of the future.
Today, we're joined by Camila Vieira, a Partner at QED Investors focused on Latin America. Camila brings a wealth of experience to our conversation, having established herself as one of the region's most influential fintech investors. Camila joined QED in 2022 as the company's first employee based in São Paulo, Brazil, where she focuses on early stage investments. As an investor and operator with experience working across different regions, she brings a well-rounded perspective to the table, connecting founders and startups to valuable resources while leveraging QED's deep fintech expertise. Prior to joining QED, Camila built her career at the intersection of technology and financial services. She started at Moody's, a credit rating agency, before joining Goldman Sachs to focus on corporate credit and economic risk. Later, as part of Goldman's investment banking division, she helped fintech, software, and e-commerce companies raise capital and navigate the transition from private to public markets. She went on to join the global strategy and corporate development teams at Ceridian, a global software company servicing more than 160 countries. More recently, Camila spent time at Hotmart, a Brazilian tech unicorn whose platform facilitates sales of digital products, enabling creators to build, monetize, manage, and grow globally. There, she led strategy and operations, ESG, and investor relations. Today, we'll explore the dynamic Brazilian fintech ecosystem, discuss cross-border investment opportunities, and uncover lessons that US investors and financial professionals can apply when looking to diversify their portfolios into these high-growth regions. Before we jump in, I just want to tell you about a new initiative we're running at Tearsheet. 4dFI is an exclusive group of out-of-the-box builders and investors knitting together a community to invest in the next wave of fintech startups. We're bringing together current and former banking executives interested in investing in and learning about emerging market fintech startups. 4dFI's network will be able to both help new companies reach maturity faster, while startups can provide new ways of thinking to our community members. At 4dFI Capital Partners, I'm joined by Russell Weiss, experienced product and startup builder and Josh Liggett, who has led fintech and blockchain diligence, investments, and strategic partnerships at OurCrowd. If you are interested in learning how emerging market fintechs are changing the financial services landscape around the globe and would like to play a part in crafting this new future, signup on https://tearsheet.co/4dFI.
Hui Wen Chan, Senior Director of Sustainability at Crusoe, describes how the rapid rise of AI is reshaping energy demand and Crusoe's efforts to design more sustainable data centers. She explains how Crusoe leverages stranded energy sources, repurposed electric vehicle batteries, on-site renewables, and innovative energy-efficient cooling technologies to design and build gigawatt-scale AI data center infrastructure that reduces water and carbon footprints. She also shares why Crusoe emphasizes modularity and location-based energy sourcing, and how its customers—ranging from AI startups to tech hyper-scalers—are integrating climate into their computing strategy. Hui reflects on her path from microfinance and Citi's ESG team to climate tech and offers practical advice for others pursuing careers at the intersection of AI and sustainability. This episode is a part of our HBS alumni series, which also features Eric Adamson who works on agricultural robotics at Oishii, and Danielle Colson who works at Mantel, a carbon capture technology start-up. Visit our website (climaterising.org) to explore the entire series!
Candice Richards is Founder and CEO of Moxie Platforms. Moxie builds custom women's platforms, initiatives and events for firms in the financial services industry. She previously worked as Managing Director, Head of ESG and Compliance Officer at MidOcean Partners.We hear about Candice's upbringing and a certain “moxie” that led her to reach out, make contacts, and network assiduously from an early age. She doesn't pretend that this was easy, but she does discuss, candidly, how it got easier with time. This is essential advice for young professionals today, and it is heartwarming to hear it laid out in such a clear way.We move then to her early career, the professionals that mentored her and the experiences that led her to found Moxie and the problem that she perceived in the industry that she wished to solve. We speak about the response to the movement she has built and why she is excited about the future.Finally in the reflections section we talk about her mother – herself no stranger to moxie – who gave Candice the immortal advice to “buy her own baubles”. She has been committed to fending for herself ever since. With thanks to Baillie Gifford for sponsoring Series 4 of 2025. Baillie Gifford is a long-term investment manager, dedicated to discovering the innovations and changemakers that deliver exceptional growth opportunities for its clients.
LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured Crooks, liars, and con artists—this time the trail leads straight from Wall Street to Washington. The bankrupt Tricolor auto lender is the latest “community development” disaster, propped up by big banks and government programs that forced reckless lending to unqualified buyers. From bogus credit scores and missing car titles to BlackRock's ESG spin and Pimco's bad bets, this is another case study in how political virtue-signaling and financial greed collide—leaving taxpayers and low-income buyers holding the bag.
In this episode, Heidi Friedman, a partner in our Environmental and Product Liability Litigation groups and co-chair of our Corporate Sustainability practice, hosts a one-on-one conversation with Kim Yapchai, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Teichert, Inc. With nearly 30 years of legal and business experience, Kim is a seasoned C-suite leader known for navigating complex legal challenges for multinational corporations. This discussion originally took place as part of our Power Huddle: Inside the Minds of ESG Gurus series. These conversations examine how company executives from various industries are actively paving the way as ESG trendsetters and championing pragmatic ESG strategies to align with business values while building a sustainability framework to advance their company's ESG goals and practices.
Behind every egg and chicken product is a supply chain shaped by environmental demands, social responsibility, and evolving consumer expectations.In this episode, host Erika Schiller speaks with Ryan Bennett, Executive Director of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs (US-RSPE) and the International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA), about advancing sustainability in animal agriculture. They break down the sector's biggest ESG impacts from feed-related emissions to workforce wellbeing and animal welfare.Ryan explains how the industry's new reporting framework tracks performance across people, planet, and poultry. The conversation covers key innovations like circularity, outcomes-based welfare metrics, and stakeholder alignment across the supply chain.Erika and Ryan emphasize the importance of transparency, continuous improvement, and collaboration to elevate sustainability in this vital and complex food sector. Don't miss an episode—subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social for the latest updates!Episode Resources: U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs (US-RSPE): https://www.uspoultryandegg.org/ Sustainability Reporting Framework – US-RSPE: https://www.uspoultryandegg.org/framework International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA): https://poultrywelfare.org/Field to Market: https://fieldtomarket.org/ American Feed Industry Association (AFIA): https://www.afia.org/ -About ESG Decoded ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. Join Emma Cox, Erika Schiller, and Anna Stablum for thoughtful, nuanced conversations with industry leaders and subject matter experts that explore the complexities about the risks and opportunities connected to (E)nvironmental, (S)ocial and (G)overnance. We like to say that “ESG is everything that's not on your balance sheet.” This leaves room for misunderstanding and oversimplification – two things that we'll bust on this podcast.ESG Decoded | Resource Links Site: https://www.climeco.com/podcast-series/Apple Podcasts: https://go.climeco.com/ApplePodcastsSpotify: https://go.climeco.com/SpotifyYouTube Music: https://go.climeco.com/YouTube-MusicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/esg-decoded/IG: https://www.instagram.com/esgdecoded/*This episode was produced by Singing Land Studio About ClimeCoClimeCo is an award-winning leader in decarbonization, empowering global organizations with customized sustainability pathways. Our respected scientists and industry experts collaborate with companies, governments, and capital markets to develop tailored ESG and decarbonization solutions. Recognized for creating high-quality, impactful projects, ClimeCo is committed to helping clients achieve their goals, maximize environmental assets, and enhance their brand.ClimeCo | Resource LinksSite: https://climeco.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/climeco/IG: https://www.instagram.com/climeco/
Dr. Slava Libman, co-founder and CEO of FTD Solutions, joins host Sean Grady on the Environmental Transformation Podcast to discuss how digital twin technology is transforming industrial water and energy use. Libman shares FTD's origin story, explains how digital twins help facilities optimize performance and reduce costs, and explores their impact on sustainability and ESG goals. He also covers real-world applications in semiconductor manufacturing, collaboration through SEMI and IRDS, and how AI and data analytics are shaping the future of industrial efficiency.Thanks to our sponsors: Cascade Environmental, E-Tank, and WASTELINQ
Tackling superpollutants, carbon insetting, digital carbon, and ESG strategy consulting before climate tech was cool.
(0:00) Intro(1:24) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel(2:11) Start of interview. *Reference to E91 (April 2023) for Steven's personal/professional background. (2:34) The current era of corporate law.(3:39) Transition to Substack Publishing(6:40) The DExit Phenomenon Explained(11:35) Understanding Delaware's SB21 and Its Implications. His article, Course Correction for Controller Shareholder Transactions.(19:53) The impact of SB21 on shareholder inspection rights (Section 220 litigation)(23:20) Texas and Nevada: business-friendly but different environments(25:55) The Future of Startups and Incorporation Choices *reference to a16z's Delaware exit (July 2025)(29:56) The Cycle of IPOs and Market Trends (stay private vs go public debate). Reference to The Eclipse of the Public Corporation (1989)(36:47) The Rise of U.S. Government Intervention in corporate affairs (industrial policy).(38:28) The concept of a "golden share" (in reference to US Steel situation)(42:04) The fluctuation of politics in corporate governance and industrial policy.(45:44) Analyzing Public Benefit Corporations in AI industry ("is it driven by economics or PR?")(53:07) Rethinking the ESG phenomenon (political polarization)Stephen Bainbridge is the William D. Warren Distinguished Professor of Law at UCLA School of Law You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License
Welcome back to the EUCVC Summit Talks, where we bring you the voices shaping Europe's venture and corporate collaboration landscape.In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm speaks with Tanja Lind Melskens, Head of Corporate Strategy and M&A at Terma, Denmark's tier-one defense technology group. As Europe re-arms and defense spending surges, Tanja shares how startups, corporates, and investors must rethink dual-use technology, navigate inflated wartime valuations, and prepare for the post-conflict market.From frontline innovation in Ukraine to the challenges of ESG in defense tech, this conversation sheds light on one of the most important—and controversial—frontiers for venture collaboration.00:00 Europe's re-armament: rising budgets, real opportunities—and inflated valuations.01:30 Ukraine as the “Silicon Valley of defense tech”: 4 million drones a year and frontline R&D.03:00 Why startups must prepare for the post-conflict market, not just donation-driven sales.04:30 Terma's Kyiv subsidiary and partnerships with Ukrainian startups.06:00 Drone wars and critical infrastructure: protecting energy, transport, and hospitals.07:00 ESG in defense: compliance vs. survival in frontline innovation.08:00 Risks no VC faces: working with founders whose survival is uncertain.
Global elites are still pushing forward with their Great Reset agenda to enslave the world and create a post-human future despite President Trump's crushing of ESG and DEI, researcher and author Whitney Webb tells Glenn. In her long-awaited return to "The Glenn Beck Podcast," Whitney explores the intricate web of global elites, including the World Economic Forum's downfall under Klaus Schwab and current state under Larry Fink as well as the rise of digital IDs and AI-driven governance like Albania's “digital minister.” Whitney also discusses the tools she believes the Great Reset elites are building to control us, including the Biden-era ARPA-H program and possible surveillance tech tied to Palantir and the CIA. Further, Whitney ties the globalists' agenda to the chaos happening in cities like Chicago and Portland and what Trump must be wary of when deploying the National Guard. Plus, as a leading expert in the financial crimes and corrupt connections of Jeffrey Epstein, Whitney weighs in on the debate over the “black book” and why the government still hasn't released all the Epstein documents. You can read Whitney Webb's latest reporting on the Epstein case HERE: https://unlimitedhangout.com/author/whitney-webb/ Sponsors: American Financing's salary-based mortgage consultants are saving their customers an average of $800 a month! Call American Financing at 800-906-2440 or go to https://AmericanFinancing.net. If you're living with aches and pains, see how Relief Factor, a daily drug-free supplement, could help you feel better and live better. Try the 3-week QuickStart for just $19.95 by visiting https://ReliefFactor.com. Right now, to celebrate 25 years in business, Moxie Pest Control is offering your first pest control service for just $25. Visit https://MoxieServices.com/BECK and use promo code “BECK.” The Atom X hearing aid from Audien is a beautifully designed, ready-to-go device made by audiologists who actually listened to what people want — less clutter, less confusion, less fiddling around. Visit https://AudienHearing.com and take control of your hearing today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Story of the Week (DR):CEO Succession:Disney CEO to Step Down, Replacement Race Narrows Between Two Major ContendersJosh D'Amaro, Chairman of Disney ExperiencesDana Walden, Co-Chair of Disney EntertainmentJimmy Kimmel Endorses Dana Walden as Next Disney CEO: “She's Done a Great Job”Tim Cook may step down as Apple CEO, John Ternus likely to be his successorVerizon Names Lead Director Daniel Schulman as Chief ExecutiveForget “DEI”—Bari Weiss Is Proof That Merit Doesn't Matter MMIs Paramount's Bari Weiss deal a Trump deal? We can't tell. And that's the problem.Cracker Barrel's logo controversy was driven by bots: What operators should learn from thisResearch from PeakMetrics found that 44.5% of X posts about the Cracker Barrel rebranding controversy were posted by botsAI “Friend” Startup Overwhelmed With HatredCocky AI CEO Does Photoshoot in Front of His Subway Ads That Got Relentlessly VandalizedCEO Who Plastered AI Ads All Over Subway System Afraid to Talk to Real New Yorkers Face-to-FaceLast month, AI startup Friend launched an eyebrow-raising advertising campaign in the New York City subway, which drew a striking amount of hatred.“Befriend something alive,” one pen-wielding tagger wrote.“AI wouldn't care if you lived or died,” another vandal raged.“AI will promote suicide when prompted, it is NOT YOUR ‘FRIEND.'”The company recently launched its controversial AI gadget, which is designed to constantly listen to you via a microphone and send snarky AI texts to your smartphone.Now, Friend's 22-year-old CEO Avi Schiffmann isn't just doing a photoshoot in front of the defaced ads for photos featured in The Atlantic — he's relishing the attention his company has been getting as of late. Schiffmann told the magazine that the backlash was part of Friend's plan. The ads were allegedly meant to provoke a conversation.Avi Schiffmann, a Harvard University dropoutShareholder Proposal No-Action Requests in the 2025 Proxy SeasonFor the 2025 proxy season, companies submitted approximately 35% more no-action requests than in the year before, and, excluding withdrawals, almost 70% of requests were granted — about the same rate as in 2024.The most common bases on which proposals were successfully excluded were:procedural and eligibility defects, orthat the proposal related to the company's ordinary business or would micromanage the companyImportantly, companies also had greater success than in recent years excluding proposals on the basis of:substantial implementation,economic relevance orbeing false and misleading.Goodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: Cuomo warns dem socialist rival's tax plan would trigger mass exodus of NYC's wealthyDR: Buildings are turning to ‘ice batteries' for sustainable air conditioning DR MMPepsiCo's Plan to Boost Lay's Sales: ‘Real Potatoes'DR: WestJet now charges passengers to recline seats on new Boeing 737 flightsMM: Shareholders?Shareholder group calls on UnitedHealth to decouple CEO from board chairBattle over Elon Musk's trillionaire pay package builds as pension funds face off against TeslaESG Investment Practices See Backlash, But No Abandonment In Sight: SurveyBloodthirsty activist investors are set to take down a record number of CEOs this year, Barclays says. The record is only a year oldWells Fargo Faces Activist Call for Independent Board ChairAssholiest of the Week (MM):Self Inflicted Wounds DRTrumps wind energy assault stings red statesAs Trump champions fossil fuels, the world is betting on renewable energyThe climate economy is delivering': CEO climate leaders publish open letter ahead of COP30Mark carneys shift from climate change warrior to fossil fuel cheerleaderTrump Labor Department Says His Immigration Raids Are Causing a Food CrisisAmerica's Soybean Farmers Are Panicking Over the Loss of Chinese BuyersJudge restricts ESG use in American Airlines 401(k) planThe judge has also ruled that employers should be allowed to discriminate on the basis of gender, gays shouldn't marry, blocked COVID vaccine mandates, and is Elon Musk's judge of choice (he judge shopped for a judge not in his district that owned Tesla stock)Now employers can't use as much data! You win!Idiot RobotsCracker Barrel's logo controversy was driven by bots: What operators should learn from thisMIT researchers studied 16 million election-related AI responses. They found chatbots are ‘sensitive to steering,' raising questions about LLMs' neutralityJapanese Farmers Send Out Automated Laser Drones to Defend ChickensTesla investigated over self-driving cars driving on wrong side of roadTesla faces U.S. auto safety probe after reports FSD ran red lights, caused collisionsEx-Google CEO Eric Schmidt warns AI models can be hacked: 'They learn how to kill someone'Investors don't even voteExecutives: 93% of executives say at least one director should be replaced, 78% say 2 or moreDirectors: 55% think AT LEAST ONE should be replaced, and 7% of directors - nearly 1 in 10 - think MORE THAN TWO directorsInvestors: 35% said they voted - IN EITHER DIRECTION - at allTo put that in perspective, investor voter turnout is roughly equivalent to voter turnout in Syria (37%)Headliniest of the WeekDR: Elon Musk's Wealth Now Dwarfs The GDP Of 83% Of CountriesDR: Markets look unstoppable, but JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon sees a 30% chance of a correction: ‘I'm far more worried than others'MM: Outer Space edition:Astronomer Estimates 30-40 Percent Chance Mysterious Interstellar Object Is Alien Craft Disguised as a CometElon Musk's Satellites Now Constantly Falling Out of the SkyWho Won the Week?DR: non-AI AI-hating sharpies: Sharpie Found a Way to Make Pens More Cheaply—By Manufacturing Them in the U.S.MM: Patagonia CEO who said of climate crisis denialists: ‘If you step out of a window from the third floor talking about how gravity doesn't exist, you're still going to hit the ground'PredictionsDR: Dana Walden, despite her experience, will immediately be called a DEI hire.MM: THIS IS THE YEAR SHAREHOLDERS VOTE OUT DIRECTORS!
Arun Mathur, FCPA, FCA, is the owner and lead instructor at UltimQuest Knowledge. He has over 40 years' experience as a professional accountant, trainer, board member and community leader. He has presented to thousands of accounting and business professionals around the world on business ethics, improving governance, ESG and related topics. Tune in as he reveals, The Best Kept Secret To Boost Your Return on Investment!
Eddie Ghabour, chief executive officer at Key Advisors Wealth Management, says "the worst is behind us from the economic slowdown," and he expects growth to accelerate at the end of the year and into the first quarter. Combined with rate cuts, it will add fuel to a market that he says is clearly inflating a bubble, with that performance boosted as well by the longer a government shutdown rolls. He says investors should not fear the bubble, because the market will telegraph the bursting. "You can make the most money in bubbles," he says. "The key to bubbles is riding it up but making sure you are not all in when that bubble pops." Ghabour is not the only one talking about the market being in a bubble, as David Lundgren, chief market strategist and portfolio manager at Little Harbor Advisors, says the technicals show a market clearly in bubble territory, but in the long upward phase of that cycle. That's why he is fully invested, for now, despite expecting an ugly downturn that he thinks could begin next year. Drake Hicks, head of impact investing at Variant Investments, discusses the unusual intersection of closed-end funds with impact investing, which goes beyond ESG (environmental, social and government principles) to invest in projects which have a purpose beyond just a profit margin. The firm runs the Variant Impact Fund, a high-yield closed-end interval fund whose assets are aligned with the United Nations' sustainable development goals, and Hicks talks about how shareholders benefit from the interval structure.
This week on the podcast, we unpack what to watch during the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Washington, D.C. — from shifting global growth forecasts to reforms across multilateral development banks. As the fall meetings kick off, leaders in development finance are looking closely at how the World Bank is reshaping itself to mobilize more private capital and move faster on project approvals. Amid ongoing reforms, attention is turning to how new tools such as securitizations and guarantee instruments can attract institutional investors while balancing the needs of borrowing countries. The conversation also explores the ways investors are seeking to value ecosystems alongside traditional climate assets, and how differences between U.S. and European markets are shaping approaches to ESG, or environmental, social, and governance, and climate investment. To discuss these developments, Senior Reporter Adva Saldinger sits down with Elissa Miolene and J.P. Morgan's Faheen Allibhoy for the latest episode of This Week in Global Development. Sign up to the Devex Newswire and our other newsletters: https://www.devex.com/account/newsletters
It's World Space Week and in this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we're looking at sustainability on the final frontier in an interview with Spire Global CEO Theresa Condor. Spire Global uses satellites the size of wine bottles to collect data in space that helps solve problems on Earth, ranging from climate to weather forecasting to global security. Theresa says use cases for the company's technology are expanding rapidly as satellite technology advances “at an exponential pace.” "We're seeing something like 10x improvements in technology every five years,” she says. This rapid growth means the need for good governance and sustainability strategies is rising. Spire Global is a member of the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) and Theresa explains how the group is focused on sustainability in space through its Astra Carta initiative, which aims to shape a future of responsible and sustainable space exploration, development and cooperation. “People are trying to figure out what is the right level of regulation that continues to protect the space environment,” she says, while also allowing innovation to flourish. This episode is the latest in our Terra Carta Series of the All Things Sustainable podcast in collaboration with the SMI. The SMI is a network of over 250 global CEOs across finance and industry, including S&P Global. SMI facilitates private sector diplomacy with the ambition of making sustainability the driving force of global markets and value creation. Throughout 2025, we're interviewing SMI member CEOs from around the world and across industries about how they're approaching sustainability challenges and opportunities. Listen to all the episodes in the Terra Carta Series of the All Things Sustainable podcast: Terra Carta Series | S&P Global This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1 and not by S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global. Copyright ©2025 by S&P Global DISCLAIMER By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. Any unauthorized use, facilitation or encouragement of a third party's unauthorized use (including without limitation copy, distribution, transmission or modification, use as part of generative artificial intelligence or for training any artificial intelligence models) of this Podcast or any related information is not permitted without S&P Global's prior consent subject to appropriate licensing and shall be deemed an infringement, violation, breach or contravention of the rights of S&P Global or any applicable third-party (including any copyright, trademark, patent, rights of privacy or publicity or any other proprietary rights). This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.
Will COP30 be the COP of ‘implementation'? And what would that actually mean? Beyond the famous negotiating halls, climate action is already happening. Businesses, investors and cities are driving real change, and the new green economy is rising in tandem with diplomacy.So can Belém mark the moment when implementation promises turn into reality? This week, Paul Dickinson and Fiona McRaith explore the COP ‘Action Agenda' - the broad range of voluntary climate action that mobilises the private sector, regional governments and civil society. Plus, they consider the extraordinary transformation already reshaping global energy systems and the flow of capital worldwide.Paul and Fiona hear from leading voices who explore how the real economy is accelerating climate action - from boardrooms and bond markets to start-ups across Latin America. Contributing are Marina Grossi, COP30 Special Envoy for the Private Sector; Aniket Shah, Global Head of ESG and Sustainable Finance at Jefferies; Sue Reid, Senior Advisor at Global Optimism; and Daniel Gajardo, Chilean entrepreneur and co-founder of Reciprocal. Together, they outline what to look for this November in Brazil, and ask how we can tell when implementation is truly happening - not just promised.Learn more:
Episode Summary: In this episode, Benoy Thanjan sits down with Sandhya Murali, Co-Founder & CEO of Solstice, and Sam Cote, Account Executive, to discuss the launch of Solstice's groundbreaking Community Solar Benefit REC program. It is an innovative structure that channels corporate sustainability investments directly into underserved communities. The program debuted in 2024 with Microsoft as one of the first pilot customers, marking a new chapter where renewable-energy credits fund measurable social and economic impact. Sandhya and Sam share how this approach lets corporations, developers, and municipalities align ESG goals with local benefits, promote equitable clean-energy access, and strengthen the connection between clean power and social outcomes. Biographies Benoy Thanjan Benoy Thanjan is the Founder and CEO of Reneu Energy, solar developer and consulting firm, and a strategic advisor to multiple cleantech startups. Over his career, Benoy has developed over 100 MWs of solar projects across the U.S., helped launch the first residential solar tax equity funds at Tesla, and brokered $45 million in Renewable Energy Credits (“REC”) transactions. Prior to founding Reneu Energy, Benoy was the Environmental Commodities Trader in Tesla's Project Finance Group, where he managed one of the largest environmental commodities portfolios. He originated REC trades and co-developed a monetization and hedging strategy with senior leadership to enter the East Coast market. As Vice President at Vanguard Energy Partners, Benoy crafted project finance solutions for commercial-scale solar portfolios. His role at Ridgewood Renewable Power, a private equity fund with 125 MWs of U.S. renewable assets, involved evaluating investment opportunities and maximizing returns. He also played a key role in the sale of the firm's renewable portfolio. Earlier in his career, Benoy worked in Energy Structured Finance at Deloitte & Touche and Financial Advisory Services at Ernst & Young, following an internship on the trading floor at D.E. Shaw & Co., a multi billion dollar hedge fund. Benoy holds an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University and a BS in Finance and Economics from NYU Stern, where he was an Alumni Scholar. Sandhya Murali Co-Founder & CEO Responsible for finances, product development, solar developer relationships, and financial inclusion. Sandhya began her career in Barclays' investment banking division in New York and London, advising on and executing public equity transactions for Technology, Media and Telecom companies, and was also deeply involved in Barclays Philanthropy. Her volunteer work included Endeavor, Women's World Banking, and Barclays' Social Innovation Fund. During graduate school, Sandhya worked at Buen Power Peru, a for-profit social enterprise that distributes solar lamps and water heaters to off-grid communities in Peru. She holds a BBA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, where she received the Sustainability Certificate. Sam Cote Enterprise Account Executive Sam Cote is an Account Executive at Solstice, connecting the benefits of renewable energy to underserved communities through community solar and clean energy procurement. A former journalist who pivoted her career to focus on social and environmental impact, she is a talented project manager and communicator who drives strategic projects for community benefit. In her startup career, she's supported revenue diversification through business plan development and implementation and subsequent new product sales, she's previously been responsible for fundraising, managing acquisition and post-merger integration processes, contracting, grant-writing, and full-cycle recruiting – among other demands of supporting a hybrid social enterprise. Sam is proudly from the great state of Maine and a graduate of Boston University with a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism. Stay Connected: Benoy Thanjan Email: info@reneuenergy.com LinkedIn: Benoy Thanjan Website: https://www.reneuenergy.com Sandhya Murali Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandhyamurali/ Website: https://solstice.us/ Sam Cote Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samcotesolar/ Website: https://solstice.us/ Previous episodes of the Solar Maverick Podcast with Solstice https://solarmaverick.podbean.com/e/smp-158-how-solstice-differiates-from-other-customer-acquisiton-and-management-company/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/solar-maverick-podcast/id1441876259?i=1000516940347
In this episode, Gerard Reid, Laurent Segalen and Michael Barnard dug into the technologies and narratives that keep surfacing in discussions about the energy transition, but which continue to underdeliver when you scrutinize the economics and engineering realities.Carbon capture and direct air capture remain heavily subsidy-driven, often costing more to operate than the value of the CO₂ they sequester. The dilution of carbon in the atmosphere makes the whole proposition profoundly inefficient, and while there are niche opportunities where high-purity CO₂ streams are adjacent to storage infrastructure, those remain exceptions. Enhanced oil recovery is the only space where the numbers truly add up, which means the public ends up footing the bill for most other applications. Even regulatory pushes, such as Germany's, can't overcome the fundamental cost and scalability barriers. Hydrogen suffers from a parallel set of problems. The sector's viability as a broad energy carrier depends on hitting a production cost of around $1 per kilogram, but real-world projects are stuck closer to $8 per kilogram. That gap has led to a string of cancellations from heavy hitters like BP, Exxon, and Air Products. Despite the hype around green hydrogen, the underlying assumptions never matched the physics or the economics. Battery electrification has emerged as the far more effective pathway for most transport, leaving hydrogen to fight for narrow industrial niches while its infrastructure and fuel cell supply chains lag behind.Nuclear energy is facing its own reckoning. The pivot toward small modular reactors was meant to revive the industry with faster, cheaper, more scalable deployment, but the reality looks different. Project sizes have crept upward, wiping out the “modular” advantage, and costs are trending well above $200 per megawatt-hour—hardly competitive. Ontario's flagship SMR project is already slipping years past its promised delivery, and there's little to suggest Wright's Law cost declines will appear in a sector defined by bespoke builds and long lead times. Investors may find opportunities in the extended development cycles, but the contribution to near-term decarbonization remains negligible.Fusion is another seductive technology that continues to consume enormous sums of capital without altering the climate trajectory. ITER alone is 30 years behind schedule and twenty times over budget, aiming only for a five-minute sustained reaction by 2040—without generating electricity. Private startups are raising capital but remain decades away from surmounting fundamental engineering barriers. I've said before that fusion may eventually matter for space exploration, but it's irrelevant for terrestrial energy in this century. Still, as a scientific project, it's worth continuing—but policymakers must not confuse it with a climate solution.Biofuels offer a more mixed picture. First-generation projects like corn ethanol were both environmentally and economically flawed, but second- and third-generation fuels derived from waste streams are showing promise. These have a real role to play in hard-to-electrify domains like aviation and maritime shipping. However, they're not a replacement for direct electrification on the ground. European policy still reflects caution due to food-versus-fuel concerns, but as technologies improve, biofuels can carve out a targeted and pragmatic role.We also touched on the politics and market dynamics of offshore wind and ESG. Offshore wind in the U.S. continues to face transmission bottlenecks, fragmented policy, and outright political hostility, leading to cancelled and delayed projects. Meanwhile, Europe's integrated approach in the North Sea demonstrates what's possible with coordinated policy. On ESG, we acknowledged the criticisms around greenwashing and governance metrics that often make little sense. Yet, even through the noise, investment flows tell a real story: fossil fuel funding is down 25%, and corporate decarbonization continues, even if much of it is “green hushed.” Governance frameworks are evolving, with multi-stakeholder models like B Corps pointing toward a fundamental redefinition of fiduciary responsibility.Taken together, these discussions reinforce a central theme: the energy transition isn't about wishful thinking or fashionable narratives. It's about hard economics, engineering constraints, and political realities. Technologies like carbon capture, hydrogen, SMRs, and fusion may attract attention and capital, but their roles are narrow at best and distractions at worst. The real work is in scaling what actually delivers—electrification, renewables, smarter grids, and targeted complementary solutions like advanced biofuels.
About W. David Prescott and Michael Ashley:W. David Prescott is a veteran geologist and environmental consultant with over 30 years of experience in groundwater protection, remediation, and regulatory compliance. Licensed in Texas and Wyoming, he holds advanced degrees in Environmental Science and Business and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Agricultural Science. A champion of market-driven sustainability, he serves on community and state boards shaping policies that balance environmental health with economic growth.Michael Ashley is a former Disney story consultant, Chapman University screenwriting professor, and author of 20+ books, including four bestsellers. He coauthored Own the A.I. Revolution, which was launched at the UN's AI for Good Summit and recognized as a top business book of 2019. A columnist for Forbes and Entrepreneur, his work has been widely featured, and he is a sought-after keynote speaker on AI, storytelling, and innovation. In this episode, Dean, W. David, and Michael discuss:The evolution of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) from shareholder to stakeholder capitalismPenalties and financial consequences for companies not meeting ESG standardsGlobal competition in energy and AI between the U.S., China, and IndiaRisks of programmable money and digital currencies on personal and business freedomThe framing of today's global tensions as a “spiritual war” between control and freedom Key Takeaways:ESG shifted from a voluntary “carrot” to a mandatory “stick,” with companies losing access to capital or suffering stock devaluation if they fail to comply.U.S. energy companies saw Wall Street investment in energy drop from 16–18% to just 3% by 2000 due to ESG pressures, while China and India rapidly expanded hydrocarbon and nuclear production.The U.S. is falling behind in AI and energy infrastructure, as China currently has 28 nuclear plants under construction while the U.S. has none.Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) could one day enforce ESG compliance by shutting off funds for companies or individuals exceeding government-imposed environmental thresholds. "Imagine us playing chess against China, and China having an IQ of 10,000 while we're sitting there with an IQ of 100.” — W. David Prescott "America is not an evil country. In fact, America is the best country the world has ever seen, and we want to export these ideas of freedom that are different from China.” — Michael Ashley Connect with W. David and Michael: Website: https://creativedestruction.gr-site.com/Book: Creative Destruction: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Destruction-Mandates-Destroying-Capitalism/dp/B0D64WSNP9W. David's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/w-david-prescott-p-g-b1600714/Michael's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelashleywriter/ See Dean's TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I Connect with Dean:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkwWebsite: https://www.mfileadership.com/The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlundFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.comPhone: 1-800-926-7370 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
Is the transition to a sustainable economy happening to us or because of us? Associate Professor Ioannis Ioannou (London Business School) joins host Kate Webber to unpack the recent ESG backlash and why today's “disorderly transition” must become an orderly one. We explore how investors can push markets toward aligned capitalism - a system that lives within planetary and social boundaries - while unlocking “trapped competencies” and long-term value.Overview Ioannou argues we don't choose whether to transition—the system is already shifting amid climate change, biodiversity loss, and widening social inequalities. The real choice is whether that transition is orderly (policy-led, long-term, and integrated) or disorderly (reactive, crisis-driven). He outlines how investors can re-center long-termism, integrate sustainability into core strategy (not a side product), and restore the original purpose of capital markets: scaling real-economy solutions.Detailed coverageOrderly vs. disorderly transition: Planetary boundaries are breached; social stress is rising. An orderly path minimises harm and plans within ecological and social limits.Aligned capitalism: Capitalism is a human-made system that can be re-ruled to fit reality. Policy, incentives, and investment practices should align with science and society.From stranded assets to “trapped competencies”: Future-fit capabilities (circularity, regeneration, inclusion) remain undervalued until the system aligns—creating alpha for first movers.Investor playbook: Reframe metrics beyond short-term profits; deploy patient capital toward companies building system-shifting capabilities; advocate for rules that unlock these competencies.Integration, not silos: Sustainability must hold authority inside firms; RI can't be a niche fund while the rest ignores impacts.Capital markets' role: Finance the next industrial transformation (energy, transport, food). Prioritise scaling real solutions over purely financial engineering.Beyond shareholder primacy: Re-balance to a “team production” model that values natural and human capital alongside financial capital.Long-termism & multilateralism: Global problems need global collaboration; regionalism can't substitute. Impacts are already “now,” not just long term.Why the ESG backlash can help: It forces clearer, evidence-based narrative infrastructure (not just technical standards) that connects with citizens and beneficiaries.Agency & communication: Engage end-investors better (including with AI-enabled tools); reflect their values in products; compound positive choices over time.Responsibility redefined: Don't just align—restore and regenerate ecological and social capital.Chapters00:01 – Welcome & series context00:52 – Guest intro and PRI's Investment Case database02:11 – Orderly vs. disorderly transition05:38 – Defining “aligned capitalism”07:37 – Future-fit capabilities & trapped competencies10:51 – Investor incentives for alpha & impact14:12 – Making RI core (authority, integration, structure)18:17 – Capital markets' original purpose21:08 – Shareholder primacy & governance rethink25:30 – Long-termism, regionalism, and global coordination29:02 – Why the ESG backlash might be good31:18 – From technical to narrative infrastructure36:53 –...
This episode explores:Donato's view on the core of what drives supply chain's business value. (1:05)How Essity's capabilities deliver on its business performance goals. (4:28)Supply chain talent's role at Essity, and the value they deliver. (8:08)Essity's support for employee health and well-being. (13:48)Practical advice for CSCOs driving impact in their own organizations. (20:05)Host Thomas O'Connor and guest Donato Giorgio (president of global supply chain at Essity) discuss the fundamental elements of Essity's definition of supply chain success. They explore Essity's people-focused, safety-oriented approach to the organization's manufacturing processes and environments, including how prioritizing safety feeds into the organization's business goals. Thomas and Donato close the show with advice for CSCOs taking similar actions in their own organizations.About the GuestDonato Giorgio is an inspirational executive leader with over 25 years of experience in delivering global transformation and superior results across various supply chain ecosystems within FMCG and B2B sectors, including tissue, personal care, and beauty care. Throughout his career in Essity, and previously in Procter & Gamble, Donato has driven growth, productivity, efficiencies and cultural changes through strategic mindset, financial acumen, operational excellence and strong executional focus.A recognized leader in diverse cultures, Donato is a passionate advocate for breakthrough innovations in sustainability, ESG, and circular economy projects. He has been the driving force behind disruptive innovations making the tissue industry more affordable for both people and the planet. Among his notable achievements, state-of-the-art transformations in health and safety performance stand out as a testament to his impactful contributions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Sustainability business: In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin talks with Lee Stewart about how businesses can make sustainability a practical, measurable part of their operations. They explore how carbon tracking, waste reduction, packaging design, and supply chain improvements can build resilience while cutting costs. Ocean literacy: Lee shares experiences from Australia, Tonga, and New Zealand that show how business practices directly connect to the ocean's health. They also discuss the lessons learned from an international shipping case study in Malaysia that reveals how logistics and sustainability intersect. ESG reporting: The conversation focuses on keeping sustainability simple—using dashboards, certifications, and team culture to drive consistent progress. Whether you're leading a company or just beginning your sustainability journey, this episode offers the clarity and motivation to start today. Join the Undertow: https://www.speakupforblue.com/jointheundertow Connect with Speak Up For Blue Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube
In this episode, we talk to Jim Massey. He is the best-selling author of Trust in Action and the soon-to-be-released Risk in Action. He's also the founder of Eastward, a company rethinking how organizations see and act on risk. A former Chief Sustainability Officer at AstraZeneca and Zai Lab, Jim has spent his career helping leaders turn trust, ethics, and innovation into impact.During this episode Jim shares how he's advised boards, led bold ESG agendas, and built simple models that cut through the noise so leaders can act. Outside of work, he's a traveller, a dad, and co-author of the Amazon #1 bestseller GeoKids. Jim's all about turning big talk into bold action.Timestamps to relevant points within the episode, use this format:[00:00]- Introduction to Sustainability and Business Ethics[03:05]- The Journey into Sustainability[06:11]- Trust and Human Behavior in ESG[09:14]- Navigating Certifications and Transparency[12:07]- Focusing on Sustainable Development Goals[17:57]- Innovation as a Catalyst for Change[24:43]- Navigating the Land of Next: AI and Innovation[31:43]- The Path to Net Zero: Understanding Emissions[36:10]- Transformational Leadership: Bridging the Gap[41:09]- Risk, Trust, and Fear: A New Framework for ActionWhere can people find our guest?LinkedInWebsiteBookKey Takeaways:Businesses must move beyond box ticking to create real impact.Trust and ethics are essential for sustainable business practices.Transparency is more valuable than certifications in building trust.Focusing on specific Sustainable Development Goals can drive meaningful change.Innovation should be viewed as a catalyst for sustainable practices.Human behavior plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of ESG initiatives.Risk should be seen as an opportunity for growth and change.Companies need to address core issues rather than just the fringe parts.The journey to sustainability often requires a shift in mindset.Building trust involves doing what you say you will do. AI is advancing faster than regulations can keep up.Participation in AI contributes to its advancement.Risk should be seen as an invitation to innovate.Companies often have outdated policies on AI.The fear of job loss due to AI is prevalent.Transformational leadership is essential for change.Focus on scope one and two emissions for net zero.Transparency in corporate goals is crucial.Action is necessary to address climate change.Understanding and addressing fear can lead to progress.
Wie schon auf ihren ersten beiden Alben verneigt sich das New Yorker Trio (oder Septett) auch auf ihrem dritten Album wieder vor den Disco- und Dance-Punk-Pionier:innen der 70er- und 80er-Jahre (Stichtworte: Chic, ESG). Ist das das beste Album aller Zeiten? Nein! Aber es macht verdammt viel Spass. «Cut & Rewind» ist das neuste Sounds! Album der Woche. Du willst die CD? Dann melde dich zum richtigen Zeitpunkt in der Sendung – jeden Abend bis und mit Freitag gibt's ein Exemplar zu gewinnen.
In May 2025, we successfully completed the acquisition of Infinity Aviation, the sole fixed-base operator (FBO) of a portfolio of on-airport general aviation hangars in the United States. This marks our first investment in the North American aviation sector. In this NEWSFLASH episode of Keeping it Real Assets, Julie Furber shares insights into Infinity Aviation's business model, the exciting growth potential of Tier 2 and Tier 3 airports, and how we plan to create value with this platform opportunity. ********************** Important informationThis material is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute investment or financial advice and does not take into account any specific investment objectives, financial situation or needs. This is not an offer to provide asset management services, is not a recommendation or an offer or solicitation to buy, hold or sell any security or to execute any agreement for portfolio management or investment advisory services and this material has not been prepared in connection with any such offer. Before making any investment decision you should consider, with the assistance of a financial advisor, your individual investment needs, objectives and financial situation. We have taken reasonable care to ensure that this material is accurate, current, and complete and fit for its intended purpose and audience as at the date of publication. No assurance is given or liability accepted regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of this material and we do not undertake to update it in future if circumstances change. To the extent this material contains any expression of opinion or forward looking statements, such opinions and statements are based on assumptions, matters and sources believed to be true and reliable at the time of publication only. This material reflects the views of the individual writers only. Those views may change, may not prove to be valid and may not reflect the views of everyone at Igneo Infrastructure Partners or First Sentier Group. About First Sentier Group References to 'we', 'us' or 'our' are references to Igneo Infrastructure Partners or First Sentier Group (as applicable). First Sentier Group is a global asset management business which is ultimately owned by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. Igneo Infrastructure Partners is an unlisted infrastructure asset management business and is part of the First Sentier Group. We communicate and conduct business through different legal entities in different locations. This material is communicated in: Australia and New Zealand by First Sentier Investors (Australia) RE Ltd, authorised and regulated in Australia by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (AFSL 240550; ABN 13 006 464 428) European Economic Area by First Sentier Investors (Ireland) Limited, authorised and regulated in Ireland by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI reg no. C182306; reg office 70 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland; reg company no. 629188) Hong Kong by First Sentier Investors (Hong Kong) Limited and has not been reviewed by the Securities & Futures Commission in Hong Kong. First Sentier Investors and Igneo Infrastructure Partners are business names of First Sentier Investors (Hong Kong) Limited. Singapore by First Sentier Investors (Singapore) (reg company no. 196900420D) and this advertisement or material has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. First Sentier Investors (registration number 53236800B) and Igneo Infrastructure Partners (registration number 53447928J) are business divisions of First Sentier Investors (Singapore). United Kingdom by First Sentier Investors International IM Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (reg. no. SC079063, reg office 23 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH2 1BB) United States by First Sentier Investors (US) LLC, registered with the Securities Exchange Commission (RIA 801#93167) Other jurisdictions, where this document may lawfully be issued, by First Sentier Investors International IM Limited, authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ref no. 122512; Registered office: 23 St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH2 1BB; Company no. SC079063). To the extent permitted by law, MUFG and its subsidiaries are not liable for any loss or damage as a result of reliance on any statement or information contained in this document. Neither MUFG nor any of its subsidiaries guarantee the performance of any investment products referred to in this document or the repayment of capital. Any investments referred to are not deposits or other liabilities of MUFG or its subsidiaries, and are subject to investment risk, including loss of income and capital invested. © Igneo Infrastructure Partners
Carlos Camps, director de Innovación de AzValor, visita Tu Dinero Nunca Duerme para comentar las novedades del sector. En la última década, el sector de los fondos de inversión ha experimentado una transformación sin precedentes, impulsada principalmente por la innovación tecnológica y los cambios en las preferencias de los inversores. La digitalización, la automatización y el uso de big data se han consolidado como elementos clave para la evolución de productos y servicios financieros, permitiendo una mayor personalización y eficiencia en la gestión de carteras. A su vez, la aparición de nuevas plataformas y herramientas digitales ha facilitado el acceso a los fondos, democratizando la inversión y atrayendo a un público más amplio y diverso. Paralelamente, la creciente preocupación por la sostenibilidad y los criterios ESG (ambientales, sociales y de gobernanza) ha impulsado el desarrollo de productos innovadores que responden a la demanda de inversiones responsables. Esta tendencia no solo responde a una exigencia social, sino que también representa una oportunidad estratégica para las gestoras de fondos, que buscan diferenciarse en un mercado cada vez más competitivo. Así, la innovación se ha convertido en el verdadero motor de cambio en el sector, redefiniendo las reglas del juego y abriendo nuevas oportunidades tanto para inversores como para gestores. Para hablar de todos estos temas, en Tu Dinero Nunca Duerme nos acompaña esta semana Carlos Camps, director de Innovación de AzValor. En su gestora están apostando por muchas de estas innovaciones: "Trabajamos tres ejes. El primero es todo lo relativo a las personas: formación, contratación, remuneración… Lo que queremos es hacer este circuito objetivo, para que cada persona tenga métricas claras a las que agarrarse y que esté alineado con las necesidades de los copartícipes. Además, queremos que tengan incentivos para sentirse motivados. El segundo eje tiene que ver con los procesos. El crecimiento exponencial de la gestora (comenzamos con 1.000 operaciones al mes y ahora tenemos 3.000; algunas operaciones están creciendo al 40%). Queremos un nivel de cumplimiento regulatorio de matrícula de honor, no admitimos el sobresaliente en este punto. El tercer punto es hacer independiente el proceso de gestión de las personas que lo ejecutan: queremos que se vea que nadie es imprescindible en la compañía". Camps es consciente de que la etiqueta de innovación es muy genérica y lo explica con algunos ejemplos: "El oro del siglo XXI son los datos. Una gestora es muy intensiva en generar información transaccional: es mucha, pero dispersa. Queremos crear una cultura del dato, amontonarlo y agruparlo para poder trabajar con ello". ¿Y la IA? Porque todo el mundo habla de inteligencia artificial y de mejorar los procesos con estas nuevas herramientas. En AzValor también están intentando que les ayude en su tarea: "Queríamos sentar las bases de cómo se iba a usar la IA en AzValor. Y de lo que no iba a hacer. Por ejemplo, hay una serie de tareas de poco valor en las que te puede ayudar. Se comporta como un becario recién llegado que te puede ayudar pero al que tienes que controlar. ¿Qué hace una gestora? Primero, analizar compañías; luego tomar decisiones sobre si una empresa debe entrar en un fondo; por último, está el trading. Pues, por ejemplo, en nuestra casa hay una parte de datos que están ahí; y en esa parte la IA sirve. Es un primer análisis. ¿Qué es lo que no hacemos? El volcado de esos datos al modelo, porque eso es muy importante. Pero te pueden hacer unos resúmenes muy buenos. Lo mismo en las reuniones: te puede hacer un resumen de la reunión y no tienes que tener a alguien apuntando. Hay muchas piezas para las que la IA es una aportación muy real".
Welcome back to the EUCVC Summit Talks, where we bring you candid conversations with Europe's leading founders, corporate leaders, and investors shaping the future of venture collaboration.In this episode, Andreas Munk Holm sits down with Simon Boas Hoffmeyer, Global Head of Sustainability & ESG at Carlsberg, and Kasper Hulthin, serial entrepreneur and investor at Future Five (co-founder of Peakon, Podio, and more).With ESG facing political backlash, accusations of greenwashing, and shifting investor sentiment, the question looms: is ESG still a lever for real change—or does it need a reset? Simon and Kasper explore what's broken, what still works, and how corporates and startups can embed sustainability into real business value.
In this special HerMoney Mailbag episode, Jean Chatzky is joined by Yahoo Finance senior columnist and author Kerry Hannon — and she's tackling your most pressing retirement questions. In this episode, Jean and Kerry dive into: Whether to cash out a paid-up life insurance policy How to invest in ESG funds without overpaying on fees What to look for in a financial advisor before you retire How to know if and when you're truly ready to stop working And Kerry's favorite tip from her new book Retirement Bites: how to design an ideal week in retirement
Story of the Week (DR):War against women continues: Uber Not Responsible for Sex Assault, Jury Finds, as More Cases FollowEthan P. Schulman, the judge presiding over the California state court cases, told jurors that Uber would be responsible for the woman's harm if the company was negligent in using adequate safety measures and the negligence was a “substantial factor” in causing the harm.In its decision, the jury unanimously agreed that Uber had been negligent in its general safety practices when the incident occurred in 2016 — but that the negligence was not a substantial factor in causing the attack. The jury's foreman: “We felt that they could have done more back in the early days of Uber, rather than just focusing on growth,”Meet Lisa Monaco, the 57-year-old Microsoft executive Trump wants fired“Corrupt and Totally Trump Deranged Lisa Monaco (A purported pawn of Legal Lightweight Andrew Weissmann), was a senior National Security aide under Barack Hussein Obama. Monaco has been shockingly hired as the President of Global Affairs for Microsoft, in a very senior role with access to Highly Sensitive Information. Monaco's having that kind of access is unacceptable, and cannot be allowed to stand.”Monaco helped coordinate the Justice Department's response to the Jan. 6th attacks on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters in 2021. In January 2022, Monaco publicly announced that the Justice Department was investigating the Trump fake electors plotMilitary women fear losing 'every bit of ground' as Hegseth looks backward to the 1990sDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that he wants to review Defense Department standards that have changed since the 1990s, a time when military women saw far less support for their service and met drastically lower physical standards than today: "The 1990s test is simple. What were the military standards in 1990? And if they have changed, tell me why. Was it necessary change based on the evolving landscape of combat? Or was the change due to a softening, weakening, or gender-based pursuit of other priorities? 1990s seems to be as good a place to start as any."PGA of America CEO apologizes for Ryder Cup missteps, but group's president denies problemThe Misogynistic Abuse Towards Rory McIlroy's Wife at the Ryder Cup Is Deeper Than Golf. It shows a cultural shift, one in which men feel emboldened to attack women in public without shame or consequence. The abuse and taunts were so unrelenting that Stoll was spotted with “tears streaming down her face”PGA of America President Don Rea took a different approach on Sunday in a BBC interview where he downplayed the severity of the crowd's behavior: “Well, you have 50,000 people there that are really excited, and heck, you can go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things,” Rea said. When asked about the abuse directed at McIlroy, he responded, “I haven't heard some of that. I'm sure it's happened … Rory understands things like that are going to happen.”Fake billionaire manbaby “retirements” continue DRSpotify CEO Daniel Ek to Step Down. The Stock Is Falling.Spotify founder steps down amid controversy over defence linksIt comes after Mr Ek has faced fierce scrutiny for investing around €700m (£612m) in defence company Helsing through his venture capital fund. Munich-based Helsing sells AI software for military use and has expanded into weapons manufacturing following an investment by the founder of Spotify.Spotify has said that it is “totally separate” from HelsingSpotify founder Ek Daniel to step down as CEO; says: I will be more involved than a typical US chairmanGustav Söderström and Alex Norström under founder/former CEO/Executive Chair Daniel Ek (43%) (Ted Sarandos on this board)Spotify founder Daniel Ek once said he was the ‘least powerful person' at the company. Here's how he built it into a $145 billion music empireThe rise of the bro co-CEO: Lila MacLellanCEOs and Trump love affair continuesTrump, Pfizer agree to lower U.S. drug prices, exempt company from pharma tariffsTrump announces 'TrumpRx' drug-buying website alongside Pfizer CEOPartnering with Pfizer, beginning in 2026 the federal government will have a website, TrumpRx.gov, through which Pfizer's prescription drugs can be sold directly to consumers at discounts, without the intermediaries of pharmacy benefit managers such as CVS Health's Caremark and UnitedHealthcare-owned OptumRx46% against Say on Pay in 2025Proxy adviser ISS recommended against the compensation proposalCEO/Chair Albert BourlaOther board members include: former Vanguard CEO/Chair Mortimer J. Buckley, OpenAI (2024-) board member and former Meta (2013-2019) board member Susan Desmond-Hellmann; former Deloitte CEO Joseph J. Echevarria; Adobe CEO/Chair Shantanu Narayen; former Goldman Sachs Vice Chair Suzanne Nora Johnson; Coca-Cola CEO/Chair James Quincey; former State Street Global Advisor CEO Cyrus Taraporevala; Compensation Committee chair (James Smith, former Thomson Reuters CEO) received 93% supportOnly 23% women; 5 top NEOs all menTrump Adviser Admits Larry Ellison Is “Shadow President of the United States” Larry Ellison once predicted ‘citizens will be on their best behavior' amid constant recording. Now his company will pay a key role in social mediaElon Musk fighting for attention:Elon Musk speaks out on controversial $1 trillion Tesla pay package: 'It's not about compensation'"It's not about 'compensation,' but about me having enough influence over Tesla to ensure safety if we build millions of robots.”Elon Musk makes history as first person ever to hit $500B net worth milestoneNew Evidence Links Elon Musk to Epstein's IslandElon Musk Calls Wikipedia “Too Woke,” Announces His Own GrokipediaElon Musk implores people "Cancel Netflix" over a canceled TV show because of wokeMore Dummies from DealBook:Talking A.I. With CEO William Stone of SS&C, a major investment fund administrator and transfer agency, acquired the automation software company Blue Prism for around $1.6 billion in 2022:How do you personally use A.I.? “I'm interested in horse racing, and I own horses. I use A.I. to track how they're doing. There are all kinds of statistics, like how far can they travel before their performance starts to deteriorate: If they're in Kentucky, can they go to California? Can they go to New York?”Goodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: Gavin Newson [sic] Signs Law Cracking Down on AI IndustryCalifornia governor Gavin Newsom signed what proponents say is the first AI safety and transparency law in the US. The Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act, also known as SB 53, requires AI companies with over $500 million in revenue to publicly disclose their safety and security protocols in fairly granular detailMM: F.D.A. Approves a New Generic Abortion Pill DR MMMM: Activist Investor Wants Target's Brian Cornell Completely OutMM: One line from this story about Tesla's advising sleepy drivers to stay away by enabling Full Self Driving: Tesla's cars can't actually drive themselves without close human supervision. Nonetheless, the automaker labels its most advanced driving mode “Full Self-Driving” (FSD), while its CEO and chief overpromiser Elon Musk explicitly says that they do, in fact, “drive themselves” seemingly every other week.Assholiest of the Week Biggest Loser (MM):US WomenThe rise of the bro-co-CEOMilitary women fear losing 'every bit of ground' as Hegseth looks backward to the 1990sUber Not Responsible for Sex Assault, Jury Finds, as More Cases FollowKKR Appoints Former Eaton CEO Craig Arnold to Board of Directors, Increasing Independent Seats to ElevenContinues a trend - from 29% to 26% female by adding another dude through board expansionMeanwhile…Share of female execs at major Japan firms rises to 18.4%Spineless companiesDisney's image tanks among Republicans, Democrats after Jimmy Kimmel controversyCracker Barrel Drops Firm Behind Ill-Fated Logo ChangeInvestorsU.S. States are shedding shareholder protections. That's an advantage for CanadaPreparing the board for 2026: More than half of directors want a peer replaced, survey findsFedEx shareholders elect Richard Smith, son of founder Fred Smith, to board of directorsEveryone elseGodfather of AI Says We're Barreling Straight Toward Human ExtinctionOpenAI says it's worried about ‘doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and … sloptimized feeds' as it rolls out Sora social media appMeta won't allow users to opt out of targeted ads based on AI chatsElon Musk Calls Wikipedia “Too Woke,” Announces His Own GrokipediaLarry Ellison once predicted ‘citizens will be on their best behavior' amid constant recording. Now his company will pay a key role in social mediaThe wealth of the top 1% reaches a record $52 trillionThe climateNew BP Chair Urges Faster Pivot to Oil and GasDuke Energy backs off renewables after North Carolina cuts climate goalTrump administration cancels nearly $8 billion in climate funding to blue states: VoughtMAGA comes for the ‘woke pope' after pontiff blesses block of ice in climate change gestureOpenAI's New Data Centers Will Draw More Power Than the Entirety of New York City, Sam Altman SaysHeadliniest of the WeekDR: New Poll: 94% of Gen Z Youth Report Experiencing Regular Mental Health ChallengesMM: Police Pull Over Waymo to Check for Drunk DrivingWho Won the Week?DR: Daniel Ek: the dude who got rich by devaluing artists, then used his billionaire ego to create a vanity money-spending company with the pretentious name Prima Materia (“formless primeval substance regarded as the original material of the universe”).Prima Materia says it wants to “partner with exceptional people to build companies that leverage technology to help solve meaningful problems for society.”He set it up with Shakil Khan — a fellow Spotify investor and close personal friend with a criminal past, who was accused of hiding his real role at Spotify during its IPO.Khan doesn't appear in any of Spotify's filing documents, even though he's been publicly described as: 1) “head of special projects,” 2) “advisor to Daniel Ek,” 3) “personal advisor to the Spotify CEO,” 4) “investor in Spotify,” 5) “founder,” 6) “consigliere,” 7) “second-in-command,” and 8) “prominent public role” — apparently to avoid scaring investors.Khan cites Mark Zuckerberg as the American leader he admires most.Now their company invests (and Ek chairs) in literal weapon building (Helsing/military strike drones, etc.) and nonsense like Neko Health, the so-called “Apple of healthcare” that charges £300 for preventative screenings like mole checks — giving Daniel Ek more time to feel super important and potentially destroy the world while getting richer?MM: Ron Sugar, who TWICE has had his age limit restriction waived on the Apple board, will turn out a-okay: Dr. Ronald Sugar and Gilman Louie join Ursa Major's Board of DirectorsPredictionsDR: Daniel Ek's Prima Materia leads €600 million Series D strategic financing round for Moodify, an AI-supported app that will “end depression” by pushing algorithmically-optimized dopamine ads 24/7, think TikTok for sadnessMM: LAY UP: After reading this - Apollo Global Management director Pauline Richards resigns from board - the board is now 4 women and 10 men (Marc Rowan owns 63% of board influence, so no one really matters). I predict Pauline Richards will be replaced by a male director, going from 33% female to 27% female in one fell swoop. Side note: Apollo's fun joke was to have a “sustainability committee” on the board they take so seriously, it's the committee with 3 women and and anti-woke anti-ESG ex-Senator Patrick Toomey
Last week the All Things Sustainable podcast was on the ground in New York City bringing you daily episodes from Climate Week NYC. The week included more than 1,000 events and convened an estimated 100,000 attendees from the private sector, governments, nonprofits and the broader climate community. To understand how financial institutions are showing up in these climate conversations, we sat down with Heather Zichal. Heather is Global Head of Sustainability at the largest bank in the US, JPMorganChase, and she shares her Climate Week key takeaways. She explains why adaptation and resilience are a growing area of focus, and how this is impacting conversations around insurance. She talks about the rising role of AI in climate and energy transition discussions. And she tells us how the landscape for climate and sustainability is shifting heading into 2026. “There's a very healthy dose of pragmatism that has been layered into the conversations,” Heather tells us. This conversation took place at The Nest Climate Campus, where the All Things Sustainable podcast was an official media partner during Climate Week NYC. Listen to all our coverage here: All Things Sustainable | S&P Global Subscribe to The Sustainability Weekly newsletter from S&P Global. Listen to our interview with Dr. Sarah Kapnick here: How NOAA is working to turn climate science into action | S&P Global This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1 and not by S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global. Copyright ©2025 by S&P Global DISCLAIMER By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. Any unauthorized use, facilitation or encouragement of a third party's unauthorized use (including without limitation copy, distribution, transmission or modification, use as part of generative artificial intelligence or for training any artificial intelligence models) of this Podcast or any related information is not permitted without S&P Global's prior consent subject to appropriate licensing and shall be deemed an infringement, violation, breach or contravention of the rights of S&P Global or any applicable third-party (including any copyright, trademark, patent, rights of privacy or publicity or any other proprietary rights). This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.
Richard Morrison and John Mozena on ESG and the potential to roll back corporate welfare
Josh Young, Portfolio Manager at Bison Interests, stops by the Energy News Beat and Energy Impacts Podcasts with Stu Turley and David Blackmon for an in-depth look at the global oil and gas financial markets. In this powerful discussion, the trio dives into the latest developments shaping the energy landscape, from OPEC+ production strategies and Russia's role in global supply, to California's refinery challenges and the growing demand for natural gas driven by AI and data centers.Josh also shares valuable insights from his work at Bison Interests and Bison Insights Substack, exploring investment trends, ESG's real impact on the energy sector, and what the future could hold for oil and gas prices. Whether you're an investor, energy professional, or just someone wanting to understand the forces behind the markets, this episode offers a sharp, candid look at what's next for the global energy economy.Highlights of the Podcast00:00 – Opening & Introductions04:08 – Bison Interests & Building Bison Insights08:04 – Global Oil Markets & Russia's Influence13:14 – OPEC+ Spare Capacity Debate20:49 – California Energy Policy & Refinery Fires33:08 – ESG, Corporate Governance & Oil Majors41:35 – Layoffs at Imperial Oil & Corporate Culture44:57 – U.S. Industry Leadership & Historical Parallels47:17 – Methane Leakage, NGOs & Policy Critique55:01 – AI, Data Centers & Natural Gas Demand01:02:47 – Power Generation & Gas Turbine Shortages01:05:26 – Government Shutdown Impacts01:10:52 – Nuclear Energy Stocks & Market Bubble01:15:34 – Market Rally & Economic Insights
By Adam Turteltaub With ever more attention paid to the role of boards in overseeing compliance, the question naturally comes up: Do boards even understand what makes for an effective compliance program? To help answer that question we spoke with Vera Cherepanova (LinkedIn), Executive Director of the non-profit Boards of the Future. She shares the unfortunate news that many boards are not where they should be. They are not fully seeing culture as a risk factor and driver of misconduct. Nor do many understand their own duty to manage it. That's dangerous in these times, especially now that governments are paying closer attention to culture. Forces, though, are starting to change the equation and force boards to understand the role they and compliance play together in ensuring both integrity within the company and business success. Supply chain issues and ESG, for example, have brough compliance in closer contact with the governing authority. So, too, is regionalization. As countries take divergent paths into more and more issues, the compliance team will be essential in helping the board understand the risks that they face. More, though, will need to be done. Boards need to start addressing issues such as values conflicts like they do other risks. And, more people with compliance experience should be added to boards. Listen in to learn more about what boards are and are not doing.
This webinar explores key developments in environmental regulatory compliance requirements affecting businesses operating across international jurisdictions, with a focus on how evolving rules are reshaping sustainability and ESG obligations for businesses.
Does this sound familiar? You've been told that “just learning every new AI tool” is the secret to staying relevant and leading your team into the future. But after hours tinkering with the latest apps and features, you're still feeling overwhelmed and wondering if you're actually making any real progress—or just adding more noise to your workflow. If you're tired of chasing shiny objects and still feeling uncertain about how to lead responsibly with AI, you're not alone. Let's talk about what actually works for ethical, human-centered leadership in this AI-driven world. In this episode, you will be able to: Explore how navigating AI and ethical considerations can build trust and long-term success in your business or industry. Discover AI tools that can boost your productivity and sharpen your leadership skills in today's fast-paced world. Embrace human-centered leadership with AI to create more meaningful connections and drive better team results. Understand AI's reshaping of the future of work and position yourself ahead of the curve. Leverage AI's role in ESG and sustainability to lead your organization toward a greener, more responsible future. The key moments in this episode are:00:01:00 - Navigating AI's Role in Leadership and the Future of Work 00:03:25 - How MBA Graduates Can Amplify Their Value with AI 00:07:54 - Future-Proofing Mid-Career Leadership in an AI-Driven World 00:10:06 - Practical AI Tools and Human-Centered Leadership for Enhanced Productivity 00:13:37 - Embracing Human-Centered Leadership in the AI Revolution 00:14:12 - Integrating ESG Perspectives with AI Innovation 00:16:32 - Scaling Global Knowledge with AI and Ensuring Equitable Access 00:18:05 - Leading Ethically in a Future of Human-AI Collaboration 00:20:23 - The Responsibility of Leadership in AI's Impact and Future Share this episode with an MBA student, someone in their mid-career, or someone considering what to study in college. Give a five-star rating and write a review for the podcast to help increase its reach. Sign up for BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month at www.betterhelp.com/difference. Check out Stanford HAI (Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence) on LinkedIn to learn more about their work. Visit Botipedia to explore its multilingual knowledge and education resources. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Vice President of Engineering James Musson reveals how Lucanet integrated multiple acquired solutions into a unified platform, achieving 3-month integration timelines while serving 6,000+ customers.Topics Include:Lucanet evolved from financial consolidation tool to comprehensive CFO solution platformPlatform covers consolidation, planning, ESG reporting, tax compliance, and cash managementThree key differentiators: easy to use, fast time-to-value, innovative AI featuresAI-powered XBRL tagging reduces days of manual work to minutes with 90% accuracyComplex challenge: integrating multiple acquired tech stacks with cloud-native platform developmentBuilt micro front-end architecture and platform services for seamless user experienceCustom control plane automates customer onboarding and manages rolling upgrades safelyLatest acquisition integrated into platform within three months, unprecedented speedStrong company culture focuses on innovation, hackathons, and continuous learningAI bootcamps and tech lunch sessions keep 6,000+ customer engineering teams engagedBalances AI innovation with regulatory compliance using deterministic core processesHeavy AWS adoption with serverless technologies handles peaky financial reporting workloadsParticipants:James Musson – Vice President, Engineering, LucanetFurther Links:Lucanet: Website – LinkedInSee how Amazon Web Services gives you the freedom to migrate, innovate, and scale your software company at https://aws.amazon.com/isv/
Smart building technology is no longer a futuristic concept—it's a present-day necessity. As operational demands intensify and resident expectations evolve, multifamily operators must embrace intelligent infrastructure to stay competitive. Join us for a powerful conversation with Dennis Kyle, SVP & GM of Smart Building at RealPage, as we explore how smart tech is reshaping the multifamily landscape. From keyless access and energy optimization to data-driven decision-making and ESG alignment, this session will unpack the real-world impact of smart buildings on both operators and residents. Whether you're an owner, property manager, developer, tech innovator, or investor, this is your chance to hear from one of the industry's leading voices on: Operational efficiency through automation and artificial intelligence Leveraging data for smarter decisions Resident experience in a tech-first world Security and access control innovations Sustainability and smart energy management Let’s talk about what it really means to build smarter. Connect with Dennis and Krista on LinkedIn for more expert insights!
Smart building technology is no longer a futuristic concept—it's a present-day necessity. As operational demands intensify and resident expectations evolve, multifamily operators must embrace intelligent infrastructure to stay competitive. Join us for a powerful conversation with Dennis Kyle, SVP & GM of Smart Building at RealPage, as we explore how smart tech is reshaping the multifamily landscape. From keyless access and energy optimization to data-driven decision-making and ESG alignment, this session will unpack the real-world impact of smart buildings on both operators and residents. Whether you're an owner, property manager, developer, tech innovator, or investor, this is your chance to hear from one of the industry's leading voices on: Operational efficiency through automation and artificial intelligence Leveraging data for smarter decisions Resident experience in a tech-first world Security and access control innovations Sustainability and smart energy management Let’s talk about what it really means to build smarter.
TECH STUFFCalifornia's Gavin Newsom Signs Major AI Safety LawThe Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act, or S.B. 53, requires the most advanced A.I. companies to report safety protocols used in building their technologies and forces the companies to report the greatest risks posed by their technologies.The bill also strengthens whistle-blower protections for employees who warn the public about potential dangers the technology poses.Could a chatbot replace your best friend at work?According to a new study from KPMG that surveyed more than 1,000 professionals, almost all (99%) would be open to the idea of an AI chatbot assuming the role of close friend or trusted companion at work.That same study teases out a separate, also compelling thread: 45% of workers reported feelings of loneliness at work.Elon Musk hit by exodus of senior staff over burnout and politicsKey members of Tesla's US sales team, battery and power-train operations, public affairs arm, and its chief information officer have all recently departed, as well as core members of the Optimus robot and AI teams on which Musk has bet the future of the company.CLIMATE STUFFEU Reduces GHG Emissions 37%The EU adopted a Climate Law in 2021, setting into legislation a goal to reach climate neutrality by 2050. In addition to the 2050 goal, the law also set a binding EU climate goal to reduce net GHG by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990.More recently, the EU has committed to set a new 2035 GHG emissions reduction goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 66.25% to 72.5%, and the European Commission has proposed a new target, currently being debated by lawmakers, to reduce emissions by 90% by 2040.The new report indicated strong progress towards the EU's interim climate goal, with GHG emissions falling by 37% since 1990, despite 60% GDP growth over the same period, and with the pace of annual emissions reductions in the EU doubling since 2005.The report cites significant shifts in the energy mix in Europe as a key source of the EU's emission reduction progress, with the share of renewable energy sources doubling since 2005, and almost a quarter of final energy use in 2023 coming from renewable sources, 45% of all electricity used in the EU now generated by renewables, while fossil fuel use, and coal in particular, has declined.Maine wins early victory in climate lawsuit against oil companiesA federal judge has sided with the state of Maine in its effort to force oil and gas companies to pay for the costs of dealing with climate change.Judge Nancy Torresen of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine on Monday granted the state's motion to transfer its case against 14 fossil fuel companies out of federal court and back to the state court where it was originally filed.She also granted Maine's request to recover costs and fees.Trump's hostile attitude is making investors more favourable to ESGInstead of seeing a continued decline in sentiment towards ESG, there were more favourable signals this year, especially from younger investors and parents. In fact, some said President Donald Trump‘s hostile attitude to ESG has actually made 20% of private investors more positive about funds. Only 8% of investors said they were now less favourable to ESG as a result of Trump's approach.Overall, 53% of respondents said they now take ESG factors into account when investing, up from 48% last year. STAKEHOLDER STUFFStarbucks is offering up to 26 weeks of severance for store managers at closing cafésAccording to the document titled "Severance Summary," shift managers are eligible to receive 120 hours of their hourly pay.Assistant store managers will get "240 hours + 40 hours for each year of completed service (up to combined total weeks of 1,040 hours)," the document states.Coffeehouse leaders will receive at least six weeks of pay, plus additional amounts based on job level and years working for the company. For example, overtime exempt coffeehouse leaders will get eight weeks' base severance, plus one week for every completed year of service, up to a maximum of 26 weeks.GOVERNANCE STUFFHow good is this at telling the CEO Pay story? Ranked: The Hourly Wage of Retail CEOsStarbucks Brian Niccol $95,801,676|$46,058; Walmart Doug McMillon $27,408,854|$13,177; Gap Richard Dickson $9,340; Chipotle Mexican Grill Scott Boatwright $9,201; McDonald's Christopher Kempczinski $8,748How good was Business Pants at predicting this? White Men Make a Comeback in America's BoardroomsSome 55% of the more than 440 new directors appointed to S&P 500 boards through Sept. 24 of this year were White men, ISS-Corporate found.Women won about a third of board seats, down from a peak of 44% of new seats in 2022.Non-White directors made up 20% of board hires, down from 44% in 2021.Emphasis on appointing CEOs.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined new rules for the “highest male standard” for fitness in combat roles: “If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it.”Qantas cutting CEO pay signals new era of cyber accountabilityIn early September, the board of Australia-based Qantas Airways voted to penalize CEO Vanessa Hudson and other top executives for a June 30 cyber incident that exposed the personally identifiable information of nearly 6 million passengers, deducting A$800,000 (US$522,000) from their bonuses.The last time it became publicly known that a board withheld compensation from a CEO for a cybersecurity breach was in 2017, when Yahoo's board denied CEO Marissa Mayer her $2 million bonus over the mishandling of multiple breaches that exposed the personal information of more than 1 billion users.Qantas tightens reputation metrics after increasing CEO salaryAbout 20 per cent of Hudson's long-term bonus between 2026 and 2028 will be based on Qantas' reputation, which is measured externally by market research firm The RepTrak Company on a scale between 0 and 100.SPEED ROUND STUFFGold miner Newmont names Natascha Viljoen its first female CEO Why Lyft CEO David Risher still drives customers once a monthCostco CFO promises the hot dog and drink combo will never cost more than $1.50How good is the headline?: 58 million pounds of corn dogs and sausages may contain something you really don't want to eatA United flight from Paris to DC had to U-turn to avoid flying across the Atlantic without enough working bathrooms
A video of this podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, or PwC's website at viewpoint.pwc.comIn this episode, we continue our series on the European Commission's Omnibus package with a September update that focuses on the proposed amendments to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). We explore how the changes aim to simplify reporting, reduce disclosure burdens, and enhance interoperability, and we highlight key implications for companies preparing sustainability statements.In this episode, we discuss:1:22 – The European Commission's Omnibus package and mandate for ESRS changes5:50 – Overview of changes made to the ESRS9:10 – Updates to ESRS 1 and 2: reducing duplication, increasing flexibility20:10 – Clarifying reporting boundaries, including leases and GHG emissions34:40 – Interoperability with ISSB standards and where ESRS diverge37:42 – Next steps in the amendment process and what companies should do nowGet caught up on the EU Omnibus package:A deep dive into draft Amended ESRSSustainability now: EU Omnibus in motion – August 2025 updateNew reliefs for ESRS ‘wave 1' reportersEFRAG's next step toward revised ESRSEuropean Commission adopts a recommendation on the VSME standardEuropean Commission adopts revisions related to Taxonomy Regulation Looking for more on sustainability reporting?Read PwC's Sustainability reporting guideCheck out other episodes in our sustainability reporting podcast seriesAbout our guestDiana Stoltzfus is a partner in the National Office who helps to shape PwC's perspectives on regulatory matters, responses to rulemakings and policy development, and implementation related to significant new rules and regulations. Prior to rejoining PwC, Diana was the Deputy Chief Accountant in the Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) at the SEC where she led the activities of the OCA's Professional Practices Group.About our hostHeather Horn is the PwC National Office Sustainability and Thought Leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting, financial reporting, and sustainability matters. In addition, she is part of PwC's global sustainability leadership team, developing interpretive guidance and consulting with companies as they transition from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.comDid you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.
What does it take to embed sustainability into a global snack company, without losing sight of taste, scale, or impact?This week on ESG Decoded, host Emma Cox is joined by Susanne Mathis-Alig, Vice President of ESG Reporting and Head of Impact Investing at Mondelēz International, the global company behind household brands like Oreo, Cadbury, and Ritz. Susanne shares how the company is advancing sustainability through its “Snacking Made Right” strategy, which focuses on sustainable sourcing, packaging, and climate goals. She also discusses the challenges of ESG reporting, balancing regulation with impact, and how consumer behavior drives meaningful progress.During this episode, you will learn:What “Snacking Made Right” means in practice at MondelēzHow the company is addressing circularity and packaging wasteWhat it takes to meet ESG reporting demands across global marketsHow consumer expectations are shaping sustainability strategiesDon't miss an episode—subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social for the latest updates!Episode Resources: Mondelēz International – Snacking Made Right Sustainability Strategy: https://www.mondelezinternational.com/Snacking-Made-Right Cocoa Life Program – Mondelēz's Sustainable Cocoa Sourcing Initiative: https://www.cocoalife.org 2024 ESG Report – Mondelēz International: https://www.mondelezinternational.com/snacking-made-right/reporting-and-disclosure/ -About ESG Decoded ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. Join Emma Cox, Erika Schiller, and Anna Stablum for thoughtful, nuanced conversations with industry leaders and subject matter experts that explore the complexities about the risks and opportunities connected to (E)nvironmental, (S)ocial and (G)overnance. We like to say that “ESG is everything that's not on your balance sheet.” This leaves room for misunderstanding and oversimplification – two things that we'll bust on this podcast.ESG Decoded | Resource Links Site: https://www.climeco.com/podcast-series/Apple Podcasts: https://go.climeco.com/ApplePodcastsSpotify: https://go.climeco.com/SpotifyYouTube Music: https://go.climeco.com/YouTube-MusicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/esg-decoded/IG: https://www.instagram.com/esgdecoded/*This episode was produced by Singing Land Studio About ClimeCoClimeCo is an award-winning leader in decarbonization, empowering global organizations with customized sustainability pathways. Our respected scientists and industry experts collaborate with companies, governments, and capital markets to develop tailored ESG and decarbonization solutions. Recognized for creating high-quality, impactful projects, ClimeCo is committed to helping clients achieve their goals, maximize environmental assets, and enhance their brand.ClimeCo | Resource LinksSite: https://climeco.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/climeco/IG: https://www.instagram.com/climeco/
My interview with Sunny Lu, Co-Founder and CEO of VeChain, on enterprise blockchain, sustainability, and why adoption is accelerating. - VeChain has focused on enterprise blockchain since 2015, with use cases from anti-counterfeiting to sustainability - Regulation and better infrastructure are lowering barriers for corporate adoption of blockchain - Blockchain is not just about productivity but about relationships between enterprises and individuals - Enterprises are moving beyond track-and-trace to user engagement and shared sustainability missions - More than 90% of enterprise blockchain conversations now focus on public chains rather than private ones - ESG remains a key driver, with VeChain working on carbon credits, food safety, and sustainability management - Despite China's cautious stance on crypto, blockchain development remains strong, with Hong Kong acting as a testing ground Powered by Phoenix Group The full interview is also available on my YouTube channel: YouTube: http://bit.ly/46RaXwk
We're unveiling ESGPS, Veerless's new investor-ready sustainability reporting research. ESGPS combines years of research, qualitative interviews with investors, and analysis of thousands of existing reports to build more usable, narrative-driven disclosures that meet stakeholder expectations. In our conversation, we unpack what makes ESGPS different — from the Compass and Anchor frameworks to the “6 Dimensions of Stakeholder Intelligence” — and share actionable insights on how companies can adopt the new standard to elevate the clarity, trustworthiness, and impact of their ESG reporting.
This Monday on What the Truck?!?, we're joined by Curtis Spencer, CEO of Bloodhound Tracking Device, a leading innovator in real-time asset tracking solutions for global supply chains. With over four decades of experience in logistics, ports, and intermodal shipping, Curtis shares his journey to launching a tech startup and the lessons he's learned along the way. We'll also cover the latest headlines in the freight world: SCOTUS takes up broker liability as new cases arise that could reshape risk for 3PLs. Cargo theft surges in Q3 along the U.S.-Mexico border as criminals adopt new tactics. A proposed 25% tariff on imported trucks by Trump could raise supply chain stakes. Truck drivers are demanding more money, not more hours. Flexport unveils a tech-driven duty drawback strategy for bigger refunds. Plus, Curtis Spencer discusses the intersection of industrial real estate and supply chain tech, what makes Bloodhound's device and platform different, and the future of tracking with AI, ESG reporting, and blockchain. And as a special What the Truck?!? tradition, we ask Curtis the wildest supply chain disaster story he's seen in his career and how today's tech could have saved it. Watch on YouTube Visit our sponsor Subscribe to the WTT newsletter Apple Podcasts Spotify More FreightWaves Podcasts #WHATTHETRUCK #FreightNews #supplychain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices