POPULARITY
Categories
This week, Jason is joined by Executive Vice President and General Manager at Intuit's Consumer Group, Mark Notarainni! Mark leads customer success and expert platforms for products like Credit Karma and TurboTax. Mark's story is a powerful example of long-term career growth and leadership evolution from his early days managing teams and customer experience to now overseeing global strategy at one of the world's leading financial technology companies. His career is built on a people-first leadership, what it takes to thrive inside a major organization, and the lessons he's learned about mentorship, career resilience, and defining success. Mark opens up about his very first job at Baskin Robbins in high school and how those early lessons stuck with him throughout his career. He reflects on the pivotal decision that reshaped his professional path, the power of intellectual curiosity, and how he learned to stop being intimidated by others—remembering that everyone is “just people.” Mark walks through what a typical day looks like for him at Intuit, why staying close to the technology is essential, and how generative AI is transforming the way Intuit's Consumer Platform serves customers with speed, personalization, and scale. He touches on what causes him anxiety, the strict prioritization system he uses to manage his time, and why taxes represent the largest paycheck moment for many Americans. Mark also breaks down how Intuit's suite of companies helps consumers make smarter decisions around debt, tax returns, and the blend of human expertise and AI. He shares how customer-centricity guides every product improvement, where he recommends people begin their financial journey, and wraps with rapid-fire personal finance questions. Mark reveals all this and so much more in another episode you can't afford to miss! Host: Jason Tartick Co-Host: David Arduin Audio: John Gurney Guest: Mark Notarainni + https://www.intuit.com/ - includingCreditKarma.com and TurboTax.com, both of which are ready to help you make smart money moves ahead of tax season. Stay connected with the Trading Secrets Podcast! Instagram: @tradingsecretspodcast Youtube: Trading Secrets Facebook: Join the Group All Access: Free 30-Day Trial Trading Secrets Steals & Deals!
Core banking is no longer a back-office topic.Cloud, payments, AI and digital assets are forcing banks to rethink the foundations of how money moves.In this episode, Arjun sits down with Vishal Dalal, Global CEO of Pismo, to unpack the evolution of modern core banking, the rise of cloud-native architectures, and why migration, resilience and payments complexity are the real bottlenecks shaping the future.From a startup getting thrown out of buildings in Brazil to powering global banks across 70 plus countries, Vishal breaks down the hard truths of building critical infrastructure in a world that expects zero downtime, instant scalability and absolute safety.In this episode:• How Pismo went from a 5,000-card pilot to powering tens of millions of accounts• Why resilience, recovery and disaster readiness are now core banking table stakes• The real challenges of migrating 200 million accounts from legacy systems• Why every country building its own payment rails increases global complexity• How stablecoins, tokenized deposits and CBDCs force a rethink of the entire backend• Why digital assets and real-time settlement are pulling core banking into a new era• How AI is reshaping migrations, operations, debugging and developer speed• Why being cloud-only opens some markets and immediately disqualifies others• How leaders should balance velocity with safety in a geopolitical environment full of risk
A discussion of Africa's energy transition as both an economic strategy and a question of agency, featuring insights from Professor Carlos Lopes and investment leader Jasandra Nyker. They argue that while the world often views Africa through the narrow lens of risk, fragility, or aid dependency, the continent increasingly sees itself as a driver of innovation, industrialisation, and clean energy leadership. 00:38 – 04:09 Rethinking Africa's Energy Future 04:09 – 10:45 From Dependency to Agency 10:45 – 24:24 Mobilising Capital & Redefining Risk 24:24 – 46:49 Leadership for a Just and Ambitious Transition Investec Focus Radio SA
Historic investments in manufacturing and AI data centers are creating a new wave of opportunities in skilled trades. But that opportunity isn't always accessible, especially for workers facing barriers like childcare, housing, transportation, or financial pressures. In this episode, David Etzwiler speaks with Rachel Korberg, Executive Director of the Families & Workers Fund, a coalition dedicated to expanding economic mobility and helping people enter high-quality, family-sustaining careers. Rachel shares how the Fund is supporting more than 1.3 million workers and learners, why wraparound services can be game-changing, and how cross-sector partnerships are reshaping workforce systems across the country. She also discusses the Fund's collaboration with the Siemens Foundation to expand pathways into electrical jobs — a sector poised for massive long-term growth. Show notes Press Release: Siemens to Train 200,000 U.S. Electricians & Manufacturers More about the Families & Workers Fund: https://familiesandworkers.org/
Weather is more than just forecasting; it affects everyday life from your mood to the market. Listen in as Rohit Agarwal, CEO of The Weather Company, explores how AI, decision forecasting and weather intelligence are used to empower decisions across industries.
What did Zero100 get right about 2025 — and what's coming in 2026? Chief Content Officer Matt Davis sits down with VP, Research Advisory Services Lauren Acoba and Principal Research Caroline Chumakov to grade last year's boldest predictions before mapping the forces that will reshape supply chains over the next 12 months. From AI agents moving into planning and sourcing, to clean energy as competitive advantage, to India's manufacturing rise and humanoid robots entering the workforce— this is your annual roadmap of trends worth watching and moves to make now.Grading 2025: How Zero100's predictions held up (01:43)Can AI move faster without cleaner data? Spoiler: probably not (05:25)Nuclear's next mission: Powering the data center boom (06:29)How AI agents are reshaping planning, sourcing, and orchestration roles (10:31) Could India be manufacturing's next superstar? (16:34) Humanoids find their footing in real-life operations (18:36)
A special episode in association with Hitachi Energy, recorded at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels. Andrew Mueller discusses the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition with a panel of experts from Hitachi Energy, GE Vernova and Aurora.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Front Porch Chats, host Natalie Bradley is joined by a few Flint Energies' leaders, Jeremy Nelms (President/CEO), Marian McLemore (VP of Cooperative Communications), Rogie Roberson (VP of Member Solutions), and Blair Brown (Youth & Education Specialist). They discuss what makes electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) truly unique, focusing on the seven cooperative principles. Titled “The Cooperative Difference: Powering Community First,” this conversation goes beyond electricity—it's about people, purpose, and partnerships.Listeners will learn how co-ops like Flint Energies are member-owned, not-for-profit utilities that prioritize people over profits. From capital credit refunds to investments in infrastructure—like Flint's new service center paid for without raising member bills—Flint's commitment to affordability and reliability is evident.The conversation also highlights Flint's impact in the community: youth leadership programs, scholarships and teacher grants, education programs in local schools, economic development through rural murals and grants, and mutual aid during storms. The team shares powerful stories—like how employee-funded initiatives such as Linemen for Little Ones bring joy to families in need, and how former student participants in programs like the Washington Youth Tour credit the experience for changing their life path.This episode is a must-listen for Flint members (and future members!) who want to better understand how co-ops are built to serve—and how you can get involved.You're not just a customer—you're a member, an owner, and a part of a community-first mission. That's the cooperative difference.Important Links Referenced in this Episode:Learn more about our Rural Murals, Scholarships, Operation Round Up®, and Bright Ideas Teacher Grant. Scholarship applications and educational grants. Sign up to participate in Operation Round Up®Apply for a Rural Murals Grant.Flint career opportunities and Follow Flint Energies on Facebook, Follow Flint on Instagram, Follow Flint on LinkedIn. Credits: Intro and outro song "Runnin' On Sunshine" Performed by: ReveilleWritten by: Brendan St. Gelais (BMI 100%)Published by: Boss Soundstripe Productions (BMI 100%)#flintenergies #emc #georgiaemc #georgiacooperative
As mobile marketers head into another year of rising costs, shrinking signal, and fiercer competition across search and social, one performance channel keeps gaining momentum where few expected it: connected TV. What used to be dismissed as “just a brand play” is now becoming a measurable, high-intent driver of installs and in-app actions — especially when powered by OEM data. In this App Talk special of the Business of Apps Podcast, David Murphy sits down with Kaitlin Stebbins, Mobile Growth & Performance Media Lead at Samsung Ads, to unpack what CTV can really do for app growth. Kaitlin breaks down how Samsung's unique data layer, measurement integrations, and precision targeting are helping mobile marketers reach new audiences, hit their KPIs, and diversify beyond the crowded Meta-Google-TikTok triangle. You'll hear why CTV is no longer an upper-funnel luxury, how Samsung connects exposure to mobile conversions, and why even allocating 5–10% of spend can unlock incremental users that traditional channels miss. If you're rethinking your performance mix for 2026 — this conversation is your roadmap. Today's topics include: Why CTV is no longer just brand awareness and how it now drives installs and in-app actions. How Samsung Ads leverages OEM data to deliver precise, performance-focused targeting. Why mobile marketers should diversify beyond search and social to reach higher-value audiences. How CTV measurement works, including IP-based attribution through mobile measurement partners. What success on CTV looks like, from KPI alignment to full-funnel performance across TV, mobile, and web. Links and Resources: Kaitlin Stebbins on LinkedIn Samsung Ads website Business Of Apps - connecting the app industry Quotes from Kaitlin Stebbins “The idea that CTV can't drive performance is a big misnomer — we've been working with direct-response advertisers for years, and it absolutely drives action.” “CTV reaches a completely different audience than social — older, higher-income, and far more likely to take meaningful action after seeing an ad.” “Lean heavily into CTV in 2026. Your big, beautiful creative deserves to be seen on the largest screen in the home — served to the right person at the right time.” Host Business Of Apps - connecting the app industry since 2012
12-01-2025 Rich Balot Learn more about the interview and get additional links here: https://usabusinessradio.com/powering-modern-communication-in-todays-connected-economy/ Subscribe to the best of our content here: https://priceofbusiness.substack.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCywgbHv7dpiBG2Qswr_ceEQ
In this episode of What's Next, we speak with Nick Yarham, Head of Operations at TP-Link South Africa, following the company's remarkable achievement of winning the MyBroadband Award for Best Networking Brand for the second year in a row. Nick shares what this recognition means for the team, why South Africans continue to trust TP-Link, and how the brand focuses on solving real-world connectivity challenges—from eliminating dead zones to delivering reliable, secure, and easy-to-use networking solutions for homes and businesses. Nick also discusses how TP-Link is navigating South Africa's tough economic climate through strong partnerships, fair pricing, and a commitment to supporting local businesses and consumers. He explores the rapid rise of smart homes, TP-Link's expanding ecosystem of connected devices, and the company's vision for innovation, including advancements in Wi-Fi technology and integrated B2B solutions. He ends with a message of gratitude and optimism, spotlighting TP-Link's investment in South Africa's future and its growing opportunities for local talent.
In this episode of Trusted Connections, we are joined by Juan Salazar, CEO of MDC Data Centers, for an in-depth look at the fast-changing landscape of cross-border connectivity. The conversation explores the skyrocketing demand for high-capacity fiber, the influence of AI on network strategy, and why key border markets like McAllen, El Paso, and San Diego are becoming essential hubs for international data movement. Juan shares insights into MDC's expansion into Mexico, the rise of hyperscale deployments, and the critical role of trusted partnerships in navigating the complexities of U.S.–Mexico interconnection. It's a forward-looking discussion about opportunity, innovation, and the future of data in motion.
In this Market Mondays clip, Rashad Bilal, Ian Dunlap, and Troy Millings break down the strategic moves and under-the-radar companies driving the explosive AI sector. Troy Millings takes viewers behind the scenes of EY University, sharing insights on how the AI revolution is being monetized—not just through household names like Nvidia, Broadcom, and AMD, but also through key players that keep the tech ecosystem running smoothly.Dive into the analogy of the AI ecosystem modeled after the human body: Nvidia stands as the heart, Broadcom as the veins, and Fabrinet emerges as a crucial valve accelerating connectivity. Troy highlights how diligent research led to the identification of Fabrinet and then pivots to discuss the soaring memory sector, featuring Micron and Western Digital.A major spotlight is placed on SanDisk, Western Digital's flash storage spin-off, which recently went public and saw an impressive performance spike. Learn why immediate demand for memory and flash storage, underscored by Samsung's inability to fulfill all orders, has made SanDisk a leader in SSD and flash—and why its addition to the S&P 500 could mean major index fund investments are about to flow in.Ian Dunlap offers trading tactics for both beginners and advanced traders, explaining the importance of targeting trades differently on Mondays and Fridays versus the rest of the week to maximize gains and protect capital.This clip is jam-packed with actionable game for investors and traders seeking to decode the tech boom—spotlighting not just the well-known names, but also the hidden gems set to benefit most from ongoing AI development.If you're ready to learn, execute, and take advantage of momentous opportunities in the evolving tech landscape, this is the clip you can't afford to miss.*Hashtags:* #MarketMondays #AIStocks #TechInvesting #SanDisk #Nvidia #Broadcom #Fabrinet #SSD #FlashMemory #StockMarket #SP500 #TradingTips #WealthBuilding #FinancialEducation #EYUniversityOur Sponsors:* Check out Square: https://square.com/go/eylSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/marketmondays/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Artificial intelligence is completely changing how data centers are built and operated. What used to be relatively stable IT environments are now turning into massive power ecosystems. The main reason is simple — AI workloads need far more computing power, and that means far more energy. We're already seeing a sharp rise in total power consumption across the industry, but what's even more striking is how much power is packed into each rack. Not long ago, most racks were designed for 5 to 15 kilowatts. Today, AI-heavy setups are hitting 50 to 70 kW, and the next generation could reach up to 1 megawatt per rack. That's a huge jump — and it's forcing everyone in the industry to rethink power delivery, cooling, and overall site design. At those levels, traditional AC power distribution starts to reach its limits. That's why many experts are already discussing a move toward high-voltage DC systems, possibly around 800 volts. DC systems can reduce conversion losses and handle higher densities more efficiently, which makes them a serious option for the future. But with all this growth comes a big question: how do we stay responsible? Data centers are quickly becoming some of the largest power users on the planet. Society is starting to pay attention, and communities near these sites are asking fair questions — where will all this power come from, and how will it affect the grid or the environment? Building ever-bigger data centers isn't enough; we need to make sure they're sustainable and accepted by the public. The next challenge is feasibility. Supplying hundreds of megawatts to a single facility is no small task. In many regions, grid capacity is already stretched, and new connections take years to approve. Add the unpredictable nature of AI power spikes, and you've got a real engineering and planning problem on your hands. The only realistic path forward is to make data centers more flexible — to let them pull energy from different sources, balance loads dynamically, and even generate some of their own power on-site. That's where ComAp's systems come in. We help data center operators manage this complexity by making it simple to connect and control multiple energy sources — from renewables like solar or wind, to backup generators, to grid-scale connections. Our control systems allow operators to build hybrid setups that can adapt in real time, reduce emissions, and still keep reliability at 100%. Just as importantly, ComAp helps with the grid integration side. When a single data center can draw as much power as a small city, it's no longer just a “consumer” — it becomes part of the grid ecosystem. Our technology helps make that relationship smoother, allowing these large sites to interact intelligently with utilities and maintain overall grid stability. And while today's discussion is mostly around AC power, ComAp is already ready for the DC future. The same principles and reliability that have powered AC systems for decades will carry over to DC-based data centers. We've built our solutions to be flexible enough for that transition — so operators don't have to wait for the technology to catch up. In short, AI is driving a complete rethink of how data centers are powered. The demand and density will keep rising, and the pressure to stay responsible and sustainable will only grow stronger. The operators who succeed will be those who find smart ways to integrate different energy sources, keep efficiency high, and plan for the next generation of infrastructure. That's the space where ComAp is making a real difference.
It's difficult to argue that AI isn't one of the most impressive technological innovations in recent years, but one factor has continued to hinder its progress: energy. Energy Secretary Chris Wright joins Bret to go over President Trump's recent effort to accelerate American AI innovation, explaining how the current administration plans to do so without driving up electricity costs for the average American, and why he believes it is necessary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Josh Daitch, CIO – investor solutions and investments at ESR, says the Asia Pacific region is emerging as the epicenter of strategic growth, and he offers three initial steps real estate investors can pursue to get started in the region. (11/2025)
In this episode, Mark Kahn speaks with Professor Carlos Lopes and investment executive Jasandra Nyker about Africa's energy transition. Our guests reframe Africa's narrative from risk to opportunity, showing the continent to be a dynamic platform for innovation and reinvention, with green energy at its core as a driver of industrial transformation, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. The views in this podcast are those of the contributors, and don't necessarily represent those of CISL, the University of Cambridge, or Investec, and should not be taken as advice or a recommendation. Investec
Luis Derechin is the CEO or NirYu and is the first Mexican citizen to get US venture capital for his startup and was actually successful selling it, a serial founder now leading Nir-Yu a nearshoring business based in Mexico and focused on staffing services from teams across Latin America but Not Just Staffing—A New Way to Build Remote Teams and Save 70%, - Learn what the acronym: REMOTE stands for? - How to Prevent the 73% Offshoring Failure Rate- Catch the highlights from Luis'#1 Amazon bestseller "The Offshore Team Deathtrap"Building a high-performing team doesn't require Bay Area budgets anymore. In this episode, Keith sat down with Luis, the founder behind the Remote Intelligence Framework, NIR-Yu to explore how top companies are scaling faster and smarter by tapping into world-class LATAM talent.They dive into:- Why offshore hiring often fails — and how to avoid the “offshore trap”- Cultural alignment and time-zone proximity as competitive advantages- Why execution beats ideas every single time- Lessons from raising capital while everyone said it was “impossible”- The mindset founders need to go from survival to scaleWhether you're a startup founder, team leader, or investor — this episode unlocks a smarter, more resilient way to build global teams that win.
Today, Janice is joined by Stephanie Ferris, CEO and President of Fidelity National Information Services (FIS), a Fortune 500 company whose technology enables financial institutions and businesses to move money seamlessly around the world. An accomplished global executive, Stephanie has deep experience leading payments and technology platforms, driving digital transformation, elevating customer engagement, and championing inclusive growth. She shares the inspirations that shaped her early life, her journey to executive leadership, and how she navigates the immense scale and responsibility of leading FIS's global market presence.Tags: leadership, janice, ellig, stephanie, ferris, ceo, president, fidelity, fis, technology, finance, money, growth, responsibility
Glam & Grow - Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle Brand Interviews
SoulCycle has long been more than a workout—it's a cultural force built on rhythm, resilience, and the magnetic pull of community. Its in-studio experience remains singular, merging athletic intensity with emotional release in a way that keeps riders returning for the transformation as much as the training. Under CEO Evelyn Webster, SoulCycle has expanded both its digital and in-person touchpoints, making its signature energy accessible beyond the studio walls. Since 2020, she's honed the brand's mission to empower people to move through life with more purpose, clarity, and connection. Today, SoulCycle continues evolving while staying rooted in what made it iconic: a room, a bike, a beat, and an undeniable sense of belonging.In this episode, Evelyn also discusses:What truly makes SoulCycle “more than a workout”The unique emotional release riders feel and why it keeps them coming backHow apparel boosts fitness & authenticityUsing AI to power smarter, more personalized rider experiencesWhy culture is never static and how SoulCycle keeps evolving with intentionWe hope you enjoy this episode and gain valuable insights into Evenlyn's journey and the growth of SoulCycle. Don't forget to subscribe to the Glam & Grow podcast for more in-depth conversations with the most incredible brands, founders, and more.Be sure to check out SoulCycle at www.soul-cycle.com and on Instagram at @soulcycleRated #1 Best Beauty Business Podcast on FeedPostThis episode is brought to you by WavebreakLeading direct-to-consumer brands hire Wavebreak to turn email marketing into a top revenue driver.Most eCommerce brands don't email right... and it costs them. At Wavebreak, our eCommerce email marketing agency helps qualified brands recapture 7+ figures of lost revenue each year.From abandoned cart emails to Black Friday campaigns, our best-in-class team manage the entire process: strategy, design, copywriting, coding, and testing. All aimed at driving growth, profit, brand recognition, and most importantly, ROI.Curious if Wavebreak is right for you? Reach out at Wavebreak.co
In Episode 43 of Chain Reactions, we sit down with Michelle So (aka Miso), CMO at Provenance, to talk about the future of real world assets (RWAs), the evolution of tokenized finance, and how Provenance is one of the most under-the-radar giants in the space.We dig into how Miso made the leap from Activision, Sony, Meta, and TikTok to crypto, and what she's learned bringing institutional-grade infrastructure into a world driven by memes, volatility, and community. We also talk through the relationship between Provenance and Figure, the recent IPO, and why the team believes not ALL assets should be tokenized.If you care about the future of stablecoins, onchain capital markets, or building Web3 brands with intention, this one's for you.
On this episode of Flippin' the Switch, we highlight how United Way of Onslow County shows what happens when generosity works like infrastructure—steady, practical, and built to last. Raquel Painter joins us to share how small, consistent acts can have a real impact: students are fed through the CHEW program, families gain access to fresh produce, and neighbors move from crisis to stable housing with wraparound support.Raquel walks us through their model—funding vetted nonprofits, coordinating a volunteer network that runs smoothly, and expanding food access through a community garden that's now growing into plans for a 28-acre farm. That future farm will supply disaster relief hubs and help the community learn where to turn long before an emergency hits.We also dive into their transitional housing project: 111 units designed with on-site services for therapy, substance-use support, documentation, banking, and job pathways that help people rebuild long-term. United Way's reentry efforts show what's possible when barriers come down.And in a rapid-fire segment, Joe—our lineman preparing to join NRECA International in Guatemala—reminds us how technical skills can become life-changing service. Bringing electricity to a village opens doors in education, health, and opportunity.Want to help? Volunteer through Volunteer Onslow, donate at uwonslow.org, or share this episode with someone who believes local action creates lasting change.
In this episode, we dive "Inside the Deal" with Bruce Nsereko-Lule, General Partner at Seedstars Africa Ventures, and Andrew Milne, Group Co-CEO of Kuunda, to unpack one of Africa's most compelling fintech success stories.
The Illinois Corn Marketing Board utilizes corn checkoff funding to support some of the policy research conducted by the University of Illinois' FarmDoc team. In this Managing for Profit, Rodney Weinzerl, executive director of Illinois Corn, explains how that research impacts Illinois corn farmers' profitability. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Lithium is an essential ingredient of most modern electronics. It helps to power our phones, our laptops, and increasingly EVs and other key parts of the green transition. As Thea Riofrancos, a political scientist, environmentalist, and author of the new book “Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism,” explains to Mark on this episode, the story of lithium — how it's mined, how it's refined, and how it makes its way around the world — isn't just a business story. It's a story of geopolitics and power.On this episode, Mark and Thea discuss the surprising story of lithium extraction, how the race to electrify our energy supply is reshaping the global economy, and what it all means for the future of our planet. Learn more about and purchase Extraction: The Frontiers of Green CapitalismWatch Mark and Thea's discussion at the Watson SchoolTranscript coming soon to our website
Katy Mimari is the founder and CEO of Caden Lane, a 9-figure baby gifts and apparel brand. Learn more and shop for yourself at www.cadenlane.com.MOVE SUPPLY CHAINPay less for COGS, get shorter lead times, and improve payment terms in your supply chain with help from Move Supply Chain at https://movesupplychain.com.RICHPANELCut your support costs by 30% and reduce tickets by 30%—guaranteed—with Richpanel's AI-first Customer Service Platform that will reduce costs, improve agent productivity & delight customers at http://www.richpanel.com/partners/ajf?utm_source=spotify.FOLLOW UP WITH ANDREW X: https://x.com/andrewjfaris Email: podcast@ajfgrowth.comWork with Andrew: https://ajfgrowth.com
Waves, river currents, and tidal turbines could help power Canada's clean energy future. Trevor speaks with Elisa Obermann, Executive Director at Marine Renewables Canada, about the promise of marine energy and how countries like Canada are pursuing its potential. They explore how emerging 'blue energy' technologies complement solar and wind, support coastal and Indigenous communities, and move us toward a more sustainable, diverse net-zero grid. Related links Marine Renewables Canada: https://marinerenewables.ca/ Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE): https://fundyforce.ca/ canmetENERGY: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-data/science-research/research-centres/canmetenergy Yuquot Wave Energy Project: https://barkley.ca/project/yuquot-wave-energy-project/ Blind Channel Tidal Energy Demonstration Centre: https://onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca/primed/blind-channel/ European Marine Energy Center (EMEC): https://www.emec.org.uk/ Canadian Hydrokinetic Turbine Test Centre: (CHTTC): http://www.chttc.ca/ Elisa Obermann on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisa-obermann-07469245/ Trevor Freeman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-freeman-p-eng-8b612114 Hydro Ottawa: https://hydroottawa.com/en To subscribe using Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinkenergy/id1465129405 To subscribe using Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7wFz7rdR8Gq3f2WOafjxpl To subscribe on Libsyn: http://thinkenergy.libsyn.com/ --- Subscribe so you don't miss a video: https://www.youtube.com/user/hydroottawalimited Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hydroottawa Stay in the know on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HydroOttawa Keep up with the posts on X: https://twitter.com/thinkenergypod --- Transcript: Trevor Freeman 00:00 Welcome to thinkenergy, a podcast that dives into the fast, changing world of energy through conversations with industry leaders, innovators and people on the front lines of the energy transition. Join me, Trevor Freeman, as I explore the traditional, unconventional and up and coming facets of the energy industry. If you have any thoughts, feedback or ideas for topics we should cover, please reach out to us at think energy at hydro ottawa.com, hi everyone, and welcome back. I have a really great conversation for you today, but before I get to that, I think it's worth a minute or two of time to revisit some first principles people approach the energy conversation from all different backgrounds and angles, and I think it's good to make sure that we're all on the same page when it comes to some foundational knowledge before we dive into our topic today, the thing that I want to quickly review is electricity generation. Now don't worry, we're not going to get into an advanced physics level of knowledge on this, but I just want to quickly refresh everyone on the basics. And by the same token, to all of you advanced physics folks out there that are listening, please forgive me if I'm slightly off on a detail or two, as long as I don't mess up the core foundational information. So for the most part, the electricity that we use is primarily generated by spinning a coil of wire around a magnet, or inversely, spinning a magnet inside a coil of wire that causes electrons to move, and that flow of electrons is electricity. For the most part, that combination of coiled wire and magnets and a spinning motion is what makes most of our electricity. There is one major exception to this, which is solar power that doesn't involve spinning anything. But other than that, our major electricity sources utilize that spinning motion, and I'm not including hydrogen fuel cells here as a major source of electricity. So let's keep going with this spinning idea. Then the next question is, how do we make things spin? One very common method is heat. Let's say you burn something, coal or natural gas, for example, which creates heat. You then use that heat to boil water, which makes steam, which you can push at high pressure against turbine blades to make them spin. It's as simple as that. The problem is, burning things creates harmful emissions, which are causing climate change. You can also generate heat with non emitting sources, and a major one, especially here in Ontario, is nuclear power, splitting atoms in a controlled environment, a nuclear reaction generates heat and then the process is the same as previously described. So as complex as a nuclear reactor is its main purpose when it comes to electricity generation, is simply making heat so we can boil water and create steam, et cetera, other than heat. The other way to make things spin is to utilize naturally occurring kinetic energy. So that means something that's already happening out there that carries a lot of force that can push a turbine blade. This would include wind energy, so using the force of the wind to turn large wind turbines and hydro electricity, which uses water being pulled downhill by gravity, so a flowing river or a large dam to turn that turbine the same end results that spinning motion, but no need to create heat to get there. We're almost done with the science lesson, so just bear with me for another few seconds as we think about reducing our carbon emissions, finding ways to generate electricity that don't require burning fossil fuels is really important. Solar definitely has a role to play, but we also need more emissions free ways to spin things. I mentioned some of the more traditional ones, like solar and wind energy, but today's conversation is about some lesser known, emerging methods, which are covered by the term marine renewable energy generation. Phew, it was a long walk to get there, but we finally got here. All of that is to tee up my conversation today with Elisa Obermann, the Executive Director of Marine Renewables Canada. Marine Renewables Canada is the National Association for tidal wave and river current energy in addition to offshore wind. But it's those first three generation strategies that I am particularly interested in as non mainstream ways to spin things. These technologies are known as blue energy, but are often overshadowed by the more common renewable energies that we talked about, solar and wind generation. So I'm really excited to chat with Elisa to shed some light on them. Today. Elisa has served as the executive director of marine renewables Canada since 2015 she's a founding member of both the Electricity Alliance Canada and the Canadian Council on Renewable Electricity. She has also worked for several other organizations that focus on clean technology, tidal energy and the broader renewable energy sector, including Sustainable Development Technology Canada, the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy. Which you'll hear us talk about today as force and Nova scotia's Department of Energy. Elisa Obermann, welcome to the show. Elisa Obermann 05:07 Hi. Thank you very much for having me. Trevor Freeman 05:09 So, let's start off kind of with the basics. Elisa, why don't you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got into this pretty unique space in the energy sector that we're going to dive into a little bit more. Elisa Obermann 05:22 Sure. So I decided after doing my undergrad, so I'm going kind of way back here, all the way back. Yeah, exactly. I did a degree, a bachelor's degree in English, but I really wanted to get involved in something that would help me do more for the environment, play a role in the future. So I decided to go back to school to do a public policy degree. And the first internship I had was with Nova Scotia Department of Energy, and it was actually on the oil and gas side of things, but my thinking was, well, this will get me eventually to where I want to go and working more in renewables. And that's essentially exactly what happened. And so I started working more and more there on renewable energy. Then started working on the province's marine renewable energy strategy. So it really kind of got me into this kind of path of, you know, working on climate change and renewable energy. And the other thing I will also say is that I grew up in Maine and really close to the ocean, and so after university, I moved to Toronto for a while, and I thought to myself, like, I really just want to do something that takes me back to the ocean. So this really combines both kind of goals I had for myself, in terms of working to protect and help the environment, and then also staying close to the ocean. Trevor Freeman 06:35 Yeah. I mean, that makes a ton of sense. It's interesting. I talked to a lot of people, obviously, and often the question of career path comes up, and it's funny to see the things that we're passionate about in those early days, no one could guess how that comes to fruition later on in our careers. And you know, I've got some similar stories of wanting to save the world when I was in university and having no idea how the different paths that that would take me on. So great to hear your story. Thanks for sharing that. Tell us now a little bit about your organization, marine renewable Canada, and you know, kind of its vision for how marine renewables will fit into the energy sector. Elisa Obermann 07:10 Yeah. So marine renewables Canada is a National Association. We're headquartered in Halifax, but we do work across the country, and actually, our beginnings were in British Columbia, really starting around like wave energy, small scale projects. One of our founding members at the time was BC Hydro. We now have over 200 members, and that's really grown just in the past couple years, because our focus is on wave, tidal, river current energy, but also offshore wind. And so there's been a lot of excitement, especially on the East Coast, around offshore wind, but today I'll probably focus mostly on kind of those water resources and how we're working to advance those. Our mandate is really to champion the sector, help with advocacy, engagement, education, and also expand market opportunities. So obviously we do a lot of work around enabling policies that help open up that market, both here, but also globally. But ultimately, what we'd like to see is that marine renewables is playing a role in getting Canada to net zero and right now. I mean, it's a more emerging technology, if you look at wave, tidal and river, but there's a lot of potential for it to play a big role. Trevor Freeman 08:20 Yeah, so great. And that's a great segue into kind of the next thing I want to talk about on this show. We often talk about, let's call them the more traditional or conventional or well known energy sources, so our kind of traditional fossil fuel combustion, our other renewable sources, solar and wind, and even offshore wind, I think people have a sense of what that is. I mean, wind energy is the same on land as off land. It's just in a different location. But tell us about the types of marine energy that you're talking about. You just referenced some of them here, you know, take us back to basics. What are we talking about when we talk about marine energy? Elisa Obermann 08:56 Yeah, absolutely. So I would categorize it as four main kinds, but I also will mention that there are some that our association doesn't cover. And I will touch on those, sure, primarily. So we focus on tidal energy. And when I say tidal I don't mean barrages or dams, which were kind of a more prevalent technology, you know, decades ago. What I'm talking about is what we call tidal stream and so essentially, if you think of, you know, what wind turbines look like, it's essentially a wind turbine, but in the water, so it can be developed or deployed incrementally, which is a lot different than what you think of when you think of a dam that has, you know, very long lasting effects. The idea behind title is that you can install it incrementally if there's concerns and with any kind of impacts to the environment, or concerns with, you know, the technology failing, or anything like that, you are able to remove it, or, you know, have maintenance on it fairly quickly. Wave Energy is another one that we focus on. It's the technology is not as far along as tidal in terms of, you know, getting to a commercial state. And there are many different. Different types of concepts, still for Wave technologies, but essentially, they can be placed near shore or further offshore. One of the things that's been, I think, kind of cool to think about is there's discussions around and some prototype type projects around using wave energy to power, for example, oil and gas platforms and doing that kind of, you know, pairing to help decarbonize that sector's energy use, river current. So I will say a lot of people think marine like that doesn't, you know, make sense rivers, you know, not by the ocean. And the reason we look at it and categorize it as a Marine renewable energy is that the technology is very similar to title, and so it's essentially the same technology that's used, except that it is unidirectional. So when you think of the flow of river, it's going one way, whereas tides, the technology would be used as a bi directional because the tides are going in and out. So but otherwise very, very similar. And then we actually also cover offshore wind, which is, of all of those, you know, a more mature marine renewable technology. And as I said, I think probably today I'll talk mostly about some of the earlier stage technologies. Our association doesn't cover a few others, and I just feel like they're worth mentioning, just because they're kind of cool. Also, floating solar is one that is gaining, you know, I think some more popularity, and also people are looking more what you know, how much of an impact it could have, ocean current technology, which would be kind of further offshore, and ocean thermal. And you can imagine, Ocean Thermal hasn't really been talked about a lot in Canada, because you have colder waters. Like, the technology just isn't right, the right fit. Trevor Freeman 11:35 Got you okay? So I want to, I've got a whole whack of questions I want to understand, make sure I'm understanding the technology correctly. So let's start with Tidal. For Tidal, obviously, just a quick refresher back to, let's say grade 10 science for our listeners. Tides kind of come in and come out. The water moves up and moves down. You're utilizing that flow of water, that movement of water, which happens twice a day. Is that, right? Twice a day, every 12 hours? Elisa Obermann 12:02 Yep, Trevor Freeman 12:02 Good, yeah, just making sure I remember my grades and science most part. And you're using that movement of water to turn turbines that are underwater. Describe those for us. Is that, like you kind of related it to wind energy? Is it like a big wind turbine underwater? Does it look the same? Is it similar to that? Elisa Obermann 12:20 Yeah, I mean, there's still a few different concepts, but essentially, yeah, that's how you could picture in your mind. I will say some are bottom mounted. So as an example, like it might have a gravity base and be anchored to the well, not even anchored. It could just be the weight of it is holding it to the sea floor. Some of the newer tidal technologies are floating. They're kind of like, on a pontoon type device, and they will have kind of the, you know, the turbines connected to that. But essentially, they're, you know, either way, whether it's floating or seabed mounted, it would be capturing the kinetic energy of the tides Trevor Freeman 12:54 Gotcha, okay. And then for the run of river ones, it's, it's kind of the same thing. Water is flowing. Typically, rivers are flowing downhill, so that water is always moving, and you've got a turbine in there taking advantage of the fact that that water is moving in a situation where there isn't a dam that's using sort of gravity flow. It's, but it's the same idea. It's, it's flowing water that's turning a turbine. Yes, exactly. So then the one that I'm, I'm sort of not entirely clear on, is waves, like, what is the mechanism there? Is it just the same thing? You're just putting it in a location where there's prevailing waves generated by wind or current or whatever. Elisa Obermann 13:28 Yeah, that one, I will say, is harder to describe, because I've mentioned there's many different concepts for it, but essentially, if you think of waves like so one concept, maybe this will be easy to visualize, would be more of like a buoy type device, and so it's capturing the height of the wave, like that energy coming through. There's some also called like an oyster. So it opens, like the device opens and closes to capture kinetic energy from waves as well. There's a number of different devices when it comes to to wave energy. And I will also say, depending on where, whether it's closer to shore or further offshore, that the strength of the energy from waves is also can be different too. . Trevor Freeman 14:08 Yeah. So that's actually what, exactly what my next question was is, how far offshore are we placing these things? Are they like, right at the shore's edge? Are they visible? Are they kind of, you know, whatever, 100 metre out? 500 metres out? Elisa Obermann 14:22 Yeah, in terms of for TIDAL, I mean, it would be closer to shore, but not necessary. I mean, still quite far out. It's not like you're looking at it and you're, you know, few 100 feet away, further. As an example, like in Nova Scotia, the Bay of Fundy has had several tidal deployments, and it depends on where you are. So there was one that was in a area called southwest Nova Scotia, where, if you were in the harbor, there in Briar Island, is where it was. You could see it right there, like it was very, very close, whereas those being deployed further out. So it really just depends on the location, but also potential impacts to other users. You know. Fisheries, all those kinds of things are considered when they're they're just determining location. Trevor Freeman 15:04 Got you. And one last question, I apologize, I'm totally going off script here, but you've got me all excited about this, and lots of questions. How is this connected back to land? So you must be running cables, you're generating electricity, you're bringing that back to land, and there's some sort of transformation or storage. It's connected to the provincial grid. Like, what's the connection back to the grid look like? Elisa Obermann 15:28 Exactly, yeah. So you're exactly right. There will be subsea cables that these devices will be connected to. They'll run to shore. Typically, they'll be connected to a substation, which then would be, you know, transmitting that energy electricity, I should say, to a distribution system or the transmission system. So as an example, force has pretty impressive subsea cables that have already been laid about 64 megawatts capacity with those and they built a substation at that site that then connects to the transmission system. Trevor Freeman 15:59 Cool, very cool, awesome. Thank you for that. Thanks for entertaining my sort of nerdy curiosity there. So tell us about the benefits. Why is this something that the energy sector should be looking at? What are the benefits of this type of generation? Elisa Obermann 16:14 Good question, and we get asked a lot. I will say, you know, why are we looking at Marine Renewables when we have solar and onshore wind and hydro that are proven and come at a lower cost, but we know we're going to need more electricity, and so the way we look at we can't put all of our eggs in one basket. We need energy diversity. But also marine renewables, such as Tidal and waves, they have some attributes that other renewables don't, so they can be very complementary to other renewable energy, and actually help to bring on other sources of renewables because of that, you know the synergies that they have. So as an example, and you mentioned it at the beginning, tidal is predictable, so we know when the tides are going to come in and out. We can schedule that. I mean, for energy system planning, we would know even 100 years from now, when exactly is that tide coming out? When is it going to be at peak? And so that's one that is very helpful in terms of reliability, predictability, all those things with waves also, I will say, I mean, they're very similar in some ways, because they are created by wind. So it's kind of the same concept, if you think of bringing it onto the grid, but there is an ability to forecast them further out. And one of the interesting things with wave energy, British Columbia had done some work, and I will say, I think it was the University of Victoria A while ago, just looking at the timing of them and when they're the most strong and powerful and consistent. And they found that they were strongest during peak times, like when BC would really need more power, so in the winter, during stormier times, that kind of thing. So those resources can be a very good match with other resources that maybe, you know, sometimes they they're not generating as much power at a given time. Trevor Freeman 17:56 Yeah, yeah. I mean, that kind of gets into to where I wanted to go next is, how does this work alongside wind and solar and sort of traditional hydro? You kind of answered that a little bit. We know that we need to grow our greater our energy demand is going to grow. You know, here in Ontario, we're looking at a 75% increase. Across Canada, we're looking at sort of two to three times the growth, and especially clean energy. What sort of percentage or how much of a foothold Do you think marine renewable energy has the capability of meeting of that? Elisa Obermann 18:30 Yeah, that's a great question. So I will tell you now, I don't have the numbers for that, but I will this January, February. We're actually working on a sector vision, looking exactly at that, like the capacity scenarios, what could be feasible, but really trying to take realistic view of you know, this is how much electricity wave, tidal and river and offshore wind could contribute. But what I will say is that when it comes to Tidal, for example, there has been some resource assessments done in the past. Canada has 40,000 megawatts of potential tidal energy, and that's looking at, you know, the best locations. So it's technical potential, but it's, it's also looking at just feasibility in terms of locations, and what might be, you know, close to grids, that kind of thing. Wave energy is between, I think, 10,000 to 16,000 megawatts, looking at both Pacific and Atlantic coasts and with river current still in early phases of doing some of this work. But Natural Resources Canada can met energy, and also the National Research Council did a pretty extensive resource assessment, and it was around 340 gigawatts of river current, I will say, I mean, that's a lot, right? So there's some factors there that are still, you know, they're working on, trying to understand, so ice, for example, because where rivers, you know, some of the strongest river resources are in areas that are in northern Canada, maybe not feasible. So there's still some more work there to determine what's actually feasible for these technologies. Trevor Freeman 19:59 Are there this kind of just jogged a question for me. Are there other parts of the world where this technology is, let's say, more mature and greater use, or is Canada kind of leading the fray here, like, where are we compared to other parts of the world? Elisa Obermann 20:15 So I would say Canada has been pretty well known as a global leader in marine renewable energy, and we started this in kind of the early 2000s starting to look at the resources and the technologies and how we could lead. But this was alongside some other countries that have been also doing that work. So the United Kingdom, Scotland, in particular, France and a number of other European countries. The United States has also put quite a bit of investment in R and D technologies, but the UK probably is the furthest along. And one of the reasons for that, and this is different than what we've done in Canada, is they have targeted funding and programs to really support the sector where I find in Canada, there's been, you know, a lot of great supports by both provincial and federal governments, but most of the time we're competing like, there's not a, you know, a specific program for just marine renewable technology. So I think that's had a bit of an impact even on interacting investment here. Trevor Freeman 21:13 Gotcha, yeah. So you're trying to fit your projects into a bigger project funding envelope that could cover a bunch of different sort of energy related projects, and you're having to say, Yeah, look, ours fits in here too. Is that fair to say? Elisa Obermann 21:24 Yeah, exactly, exactly. . Trevor Freeman 21:27 Cool. Okay, I want to shift a little bit here. We often talk on the show about the sort of relationship between energy and society and communities. So what are some community benefits from marine renewable projects. Is this something that sort of has community ownership over it? Does the community get involved in these projects? Tell us a little bit about how that impacts kind of that local level? Elisa Obermann 21:52 Yeah, I would say, from what we've seen so far, and this is just with, you know, very early demonstration projects, is that the local supply chain has benefited a lot. So there's been some studies showing that for both tidal and wave projects, you would be using probably about 60% local supply chain to build the project. And that's also just because the technology is massive, like you're not going to be shipping this. It's more cost effective to have most of the work done close to the site. And so as an example, again, Bay of Fundy projects that force to date, and the, you know, the research that force has been doing, and some of the R and D, I believe they've, they've used up to 500 local suppliers, or Canadian suppliers, so that's one of the biggest ones. But also just with local communities, there's been a number of things that we've also seen where they've been very engaged in some of these projects. I mean, obviously local businesses have but there are opportunities for local ownership. I think that the challenge right now is that there's still a lot of risk because the technologies aren't as mature as some others, and so some communities are more hesitant to buy into the projects. That said, there is a project in British Columbia, the Yuquot Wave Energy Project, where the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation there is partnering very closely with a wave energy developer to move ahead with a wave technology that can help power their community. So there's all those kinds of things that I think make it attractive to communities, allows them to have some self sufficiency. And in the case of some of these northern, remote and coastal and indigenous communities, there's also that whole, you know, it's potentially displacing diesel in their community. So that's one of the drivers for them, marine renewables. There's been some, you know, studies around this as well showing that it would actually be lower cost than the diesel fuel that they're using in those communities. So there's that benefit as well. Trevor Freeman 23:42 Gotcha. Yeah, actually, I've got a question here that I wanted to ask you, and so I'll skip to that one about the impact on especially remote indigenous communities that are not connected to the grid. I've had, actually, a few conversations on this show about how, how we go about helping remote and indigenous communities decarbonize getting off of local diesel generation. Are there other projects you mentioned one? Are there other examples of collaboration here? Do you see this as being sort of a relevant tool for that challenge? Elisa Obermann 24:12 Yeah. So there's another one that I would also mention that I think is a great example again, University of Victoria in British Columbia had been spearheading what they called, it's the blind channel demonstration center. So Initially it started as working to help a, you know, it was like a remote eco kind of lodge become, you know, fully environmentally friendly, using marine renewables for electricity rather than diesel. But since then, they've actually evolved into more of an initiative to test and demonstrate title technologies there, given that it's a remote location, but working very closely with indigenous partners. And so what I think is cool about that is that it's helping indigenous communities to get involved, but not really requiring them to take on. And know, the risk of financing a project, maintaining a project, but it's giving them the opportunity to get the skills and expertise they would need to eventually, you know, bring Tidal or wave energy into their communities at a, you know, at a later date, when they feel more comfortable with the technology and also learn about how that technology impacts the environment and vice versa. Because I have found with communities like that's one of the things that they're most concerned about, is how, you know, how is this technology going to interact with fish or other marine life or the habitat? And so those kinds of smaller demonstrations really help, especially when they're, you know, hands on, and allow community members to be part of the demonstration. Trevor Freeman 25:40 Yeah, yeah. I mean, you're doing my job for me here, Elisa, you're setting up all my questions perfectly. How does it impact, sort of local marine wildlife? What's the what ecological impact of these we're talking about, fairly complex machinery located in a marine environment. Is there an impact? Has that been studied? Is it comparable it's a sort of a traditional hydro electric dam. What is, what is the impact there? Elisa Obermann 26:05 So there's been a lot of work in this area, and depending on the location of the project, and that's kind of the caveat I give with us, it can be easier to understand what the impact is. So as an example, in Scotland, I mentioned there's, they've done a lot of work with marine renewables. There's a test center there called the European Marine Energy Center, EMAC, and they have very high flow tidal sites, similar to what we have in Canada. And they're able to use cameras and other equipment to really see exactly what's happening at the site. And so a number of researchers, you know, over the last couple of decades, have been doing environmental monitoring, collecting data, and what we've seen to date is, for the most part, fish and marine life avoid these devices. There's also been research done on electromagnetic fields sound, but I think the biggest concern that people still have is collision with the devices, and what could happen there. Now, coming to Canada, we're in a bit of a different situation. So at the forest site in the Bay of Fundy, you know, there has been quite a bit of environmental monitoring and research done, but the water is very different than what you'd see in Scotland. At this site EMAC, where in the Bay of Fundy, there's a lot of sediment. It's very it's a higher flow site even. So there's, you know, a lot of turbulence, and the environmental monitoring equipment there that you know that exists, it just can't gather all of that information at the site like you can't use a camera and see exactly where fish may be going. So we can't say 100% no, there has been no, you know, fish collisions. What has been happening is that force and government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia, and I think also indigenous partners and some of the local researchers in Nova Scotia. So Acadia University, for example, have been partnering, and just recently announced a project to be able to develop those environmental monitoring systems that can work in the Bay of Fundy. And so those will be something, you know, once that's solved, that knowledge and those systems and that technology can be used anywhere in the world to give us a better idea of exactly what are those environmental interactions. But I will say to date, the body of research does show that there hasn't been any significant interactions at this point, but I'm always hesitant to say there hasn't been any, because we can't say that yet. Trevor Freeman 28:21 Yeah, sure, fair enough. It kind of raises another question in my mind about even just servicing the equipment, or the longevity of the equipment. I mean, in a in a solar field, if you've got a bad panel, you go and you change a panel. A wind turbine, at the very least, is above ground. Not that it's easy to change a blade on a turbine. But what is it like servicing and maintaining the equipment when it's out in a marine environment and underwater? How easy is it? Or is that a challenge? Elisa Obermann 28:51 Yeah, it's a very good point. It's definitely more challenging than onshore technologies, because you also have, you know, weather windows. So with Tidal, for example, even though you know what stage of the tide is in, plays a huge role in when they can go out and maintain or and service the equipment. And so that's one of the reasons these technologies bring in higher cost for the project overall. Obviously. The other thing I would also mention is just that with both tidal and wave like just depending on what if it's a floating technology versus seabed mounted also makes a difference. So what we've seen is some of these technologies are now evolving to be floating, and again, one of the reasons for that is this whole operations and maintenance piece, because it's obviously a lot easier to bring a vessel out there, get onto the pontoon and be able to service it, versus a whole diving operation, or ROV to go underwater to service it. Trevor Freeman 29:48 Gotcha, yeah, tow it back to the dock and work on it at the dock. Elisa Obermann 29:51 Yeah, awesome, exactly. Trevor Freeman 29:52 Okay, let's switch gears a little bit here and talk about the policy, and let's say regulatory. Worry landscape around this. I've got a question here on funding coming up too, but as our listeners will know, and as you certainly know, energy is a very regulated sector, lots of policy around it. What are some of the policy challenges? Or are there policy challenges when it comes to deploying marine renewables? Elisa Obermann 30:20 Yeah, I would say, because they're emerging technology, that's actually been one of the biggest challenges. So when we look at legislation in Canada, I mean, it never a lot of it's very old, right? So it never envisioned that there'd be these clean technologies coming up in the market that would they would need to govern and regulate. We have had a lot of challenges with the Fisheries Act, again, just because of that, it never envisioned that it would be regulating an emerging technology. And so, I mean, luckily with that, we did a lot of work with federal and provincial governments, and we have found a path forward that had been an issue in terms of, like the regulatory barriers being created by the legislation. The other one, I would say, is just these projects are small at the moment, right? So we're talking kilowatts, maybe a couple megawatts. And what we found is the, you know, just the regulatory efficiency is not necessarily there. So applying regulation will look at it just as the same scale as any type of project, you know, could be a very large project. So I think what you know, we would ask is that regulators consider the scale of the project and the regulatory processes and requirements should balance that scale of the project, you know, with what the requirements are. Trevor Freeman 31:34 Yeah. Do you see a world where I'm gonna assume the answer is yes to this, but I'm gonna ask anyway, do you see a world where this is just another option that utilities and energy policy makers have in their toolbox as a way to procure clean energy, that this just becomes one of an item on the menu with solar and wind, et cetera? Are we gonna get to that point? Do you see that happening in the sort of near, medium term future. Elisa Obermann 32:01 I think we can get to that point. But what it's going to require is that there are more deployments, more demonstrations, and regulators will really need to look at those early projects of exactly that demonstrations, and not treat them as commercial projects. And the reason I say this is because to get costs down so that they can be looked at in comparison to onshore and solar, we need to see a lot more deployment like when you think of a cost curve for any technology, you have to get to that scale and volume before the costs start coming down. It's some time before we get to that point, but it's absolutely possible. It just requires the right supports. Trevor Freeman 32:38 Got you. On the funding side. We talked about this a little bit earlier, about how you're kind of using existing funding programs. There aren't necessarily dedicated programs for this kind of technology or these projects. Are there other funding sources, like, are you attracting investors into this? Is there, you know, more public money going into this? What's the funding structure around some of these projects? Elisa Obermann 33:02 Yeah, so, I think to date, a lot of developers have and when I say developers, I mean the technology and project developers. But with marine renewables, sometimes it ends up being one in the same, because technology developers end up being the ones developing their projects. I think a lot of them are looking for two things at this time, so something to cover capital costs. So grants, whatever it might be, and there has, there have been a number of funding programs that the federal government has applied that have been quite useful for that, and then they usually look for something on the back end of the project once it's built. So what I mean by that is feed in tariff, something to help with their return on investment. And that seems to be kind of the right recipe for investment certainty at the moment, the other thing that I think Canada's recently done that's very helpful for this sector are the investment tax credits. And so our hope is actually that those get extended, because right now, where the sector is, and this also comes into play for offshore wind, is that they end, you know, in that 2033 timeline, 2034 I can't remember, whereas a lot of these projects wouldn't be online at that point. And so we're looking for a bit of a longer runway there. And I think tax credits are a very good tool that can help, you know, with attracting investment for these projects. Trevor Freeman 34:16 So looking ahead, I mean, you've kind of touched on this in a few different spots, but to sum it up, what's next on the horizon for this technology and these projects? Are we expecting kind of innovation on the technological side, or is the focus still on the sort of funding and regulatory side right now? What can we expect for those of us who are going to maybe keep an eye on this moving forward? Elisa Obermann 34:40 Yeah, it's a bit of both, I will say. So I mentioned that the tidal sector was having some challenges with the Fisheries Act a number of years ago, and that really kind of created a lull in development, but also in investment attraction. As a result of that, federal and provincial governments established a Tidal Task Force to. Look at the exact issues around you know, where the barriers are with the Fisheries Act, and then the outcome of that has been a new path under the Fisheries Act to support projects. And so there are developers that will be going through that new or revised, staged approach, is what they've been calling it. Time will tell, obviously, if that process works, but from what we've heard from developers, it does give them more certainty, because it essentially covers the entire project, rather than going through a device by device by device approach. And so that's on the regulatory side. I think if that goes well, it will give a lot of confidence to private sector and developers that this can move ahead, but it will also ensure that regulators know that they have an approach that is working, but still having those safeguards to ensure that you know they're protecting the environment and safety of communities and others on the technology side. So it's kind of like they go together hand in hand. So I mean, once we get through that process, I think there'll be more deployments, and we'll see the ability to test more technologies improve them. But to date, and where we are with especially with tidal energy, think the technologies are in, you know, they're in further generation. So we're not first generation technology anymore, and they've come a long way, and some of that's been through deployments and demonstration in other countries, Scotland, for example. So what I would envision happening is seeing some of those technologies tested in Canada, and then being able to, you know, deploy more than one and then, you know, multi device development. Trevor Freeman 36:31 Great. One fine, maybe final question, although I keep thinking of things as we talk here, but you know, obviously this is very focused on coastal regions. You've mentioned, BC and sort of Nova Scotia where you're based. Do you envision, especially on the river side of things? Do you envision this as a technology that can be deployed kind of even in the interior provinces? Like, are we going to see river marine renewables in Saskatchewan, for example, or Ontario, where I'm based? Like, are you having those conversations? Or are we like, we're not quite ready for that yet, because we're still working on the technology piece. Elisa Obermann 37:03 Yeah, I'm so glad that you asked that, because that's part I actually have missed in some of this. So there have been river current technologies deployed in Manitoba already. So the University of Manitoba has the Canadian hydro kinetic turbine Test Center. I know it's a bit of a mouthful, but they have been working with a number of river current developers. They've had several successful demonstrations. And there are also some companies that are that have been members of ours, that have deployed in other areas of Canada as well. In the past, even in Quebec, there's been some deployments. And so I think when it comes to river, you know, one of the challenges is there's, well, it's not a challenge. There's a huge opportunity there. It's just not very well known. And there are things like the ice, I think people are concerned about it being potentially closer to shore, just like the navigational issues, things like that, fish passage is different than what you'd see in tidal so there hasn't been as much of a focus on that. So it's earlier stage in terms of kind of that some of those environmental and social questions, but the technology is, you know, very close to where you'd see title at this point. Trevor Freeman 38:12 Got you very cool we have so as our listeners know, I work for Hydro Ottawa, and Hydro Ottawa, parent company, owns the run-of-the-river generation dam here, right in the center of Ottawa, Chaudière Falls, and it's really fascinating. Now, it's not the same technology, of course. It's a it's a run of the river gravity fed dam, but the complexity around so the North American eel is an endangered species that's particularly impacted by dams and the technologies that we've had to put in place for that. It's really fascinating. Just kind of, I'm rambling a bit here, but all the different pieces that come together to make what should be a fairly straightforward thing, like use water to spin turbine, it's so much more complex than that. So I can appreciate that as you branch out into new areas, new technologies or new deployments of that, all those new complexities have to be figured out and worked on. But glad to hear that that's in the future, that that's on the horizon, because I think this is great, and it'd be cool to see more of this. Elisa Obermann 39:08 Yeah, agreed. We're hoping we're getting there. It's taken time. I think things haven't gone as quickly as we had hoped. But you know, there's been a lot of learnings, lessons learned that have fed into where we are now, and I think just with what we're seeing, you know, with with government support, but also communities getting more excited about it, we'll see some real progress in the coming years. Trevor Freeman 39:30 Okay, Elisa, we always wrap up our interviews with a series of questions to our guests. Some people love them, some people feel like they're on the hot seat, but I'm going to dive in anyway and fire these at you. So what is a book that you've read recently that you think everyone should read? Elisa Obermann 39:45 Haven't read this one recently, but it kind of changed my thinking on everything. And I loved it, "Sapiens", I thought was great just with kind of the, you know, the history of humankind, and just made me rethink a lot of the things that. In terms of how society is structured and why we do the things that we do. Thought it was great, and if people haven't read it, I would highly recommend, Trevor Freeman 40:06 Yes, very cool. That's a great book, and you're not the first one to mention that on the show. That's awesome. So same question. But for a movie or a show. Elisa Obermann 40:14 There's probably a few that I would recommend, but really, I think the one that struck me the most recently, and I haven't watched a lot of movies recently, so I'll also say that, but just in the past couple years, was "Barbie". I loved it. It actually surprised me that, like, I had this totally different impression of what it was going to be, and just the kind of, you know, the key messages and things that it brought out, I thought were great. Like it was, it was very well done. Trevor Freeman 40:38 Yeah, absolutely. It was one of those kind of cultural things that which seemed like it was going to be just another movie, and then there was some buzz behind it. And it got to the point where we, like, we did a family outing to go and, like, watch that movie with our kids, who were kind of at about the age where they can start thinking about some of these things. So it was pretty fun. Elisa Obermann 40:56 Yeah, we did the same. We all wore pink. We really got on the bandwagon. I but it's great because as adults, you know, there were some really important things in it, but then also kids could relate, like it was a fun movie for them. So, yeah, it was good. Trevor Freeman 41:09 Yeah, absolutely. My kids spent a long time, and still it'll come up singing the I'm Just Ken song that happens around our house often that song comes up, which, you know, wears on you after a while. Okay, so it sounds like you travel a little bit. So if someone offers you a free round trip flight anywhere in the world, where would you go? Elisa Obermann 41:28 There's lots of places I would like to go, but I think probably Greece is where I would choose to go. I mean, I've been to Europe quite a bit for work and just also, you know, for fun. But my daughter has been saying for a really long time that she wants to go to Greece. She's only 10, so I've also kind of wondered where she got this idea, but I've also always wanted to go. So I think that would be my, my first choice. Trevor Freeman 41:51 Very cool. I my wife and I honeymooned in Greece. It's a long time ago, but we had had a great time. It's gorgeous. Elisa Obermann 41:56 Oh, amazing. Trevor Freeman 41:58 Who is someone that you admire? Elisa Obermann 41:59 That would probably be one of the tougher ones of these questions. Well, I'll say so generally, when I think about this kind of question, it's like, what are the kind of characteristics or qualities of someone that I would admire? And so I often look at how other women are, you know, conducting themselves, working in business world or in politics or whatnot. And I think what I admire most in some of those women is just the fact that they lift other women up. They're not afraid to be who they are and take a stand on things they really believe in. I think something I also really admire are women that are willing to take risks to build their business, and also in times of you know, where there's challenges or conflicts taking the high road. And so with all that said, you know, when I think about this, and I don't know if this sounds too cliche, but I think Michelle Obama's great, like when she said, 'When they go low, you go high', I just thought that was such an important message. And I actually share that with my daughter all the time when she's having trouble in school. I'm like, think of it this way. So she is a woman that I really admire. I think she's just done some wonderful things for women and just for people in general. Trevor Freeman 43:08 Yeah, absolutely. And again, you're not the first one to mention that on the show, and I don't think that's because it's cliche. I think it's because you're right, absolutely fascinating person and leader, and just the strength of character is very evident, for sure. So, yeah, great answer. So final question, what's something about the energy sector that you're particularly excited about? Elisa Obermann 43:29 Well, I would say, I mean, things are moving quite quickly, but also not never quick enough, yeah, and, but I think we have a lot to be excited about. So when I think about when I started my career in the energy sector, we were literally just starting to talk about renewable energy like it was a new thing, and things have evolved quite a bit since then, obviously, but in Atlantic Canada, where I'm based, so I'm in Nova Scotia, one of the things we've seen just in the past number of years has been An incredible evolution to a lot of projects being indigenous owned, indigenous LED. And I just think that's amazing so, you know, and I think that's going to continue. And it just shows, you know, that these communities are taking a lead. They're interested in ensuring that we're using clean energy, and it's also empowering them to, you know, have that ownership be able to provide investment to these projects, but it's been a big change. And so what I'm looking forward to, I guess, is what I'm saying here is that that continues, and we see more indigenous led projects, more indigenous participation in those projects, whether it be ownership, but also we've been actually working with a lot of indigenous businesses and suppliers that can get involved. And I think that will really change the energy sector. Actually, it's a lot different model from what we thought about, you know, few decades ago. Trevor Freeman 44:49 Yeah, absolutely, I think. And again, it comes up so often on the show, the idea that there's the technological side of energy, but the societal side, and that interaction with the actual. Well stakeholders in local communities and indigenous communities. And you know, the people who are most impacted by this from a usage of energy perspective, but also a production and generation perspective. And of course, the in between, which is the transmission and distribution side of things, that's where the really interesting stories happen, and the opportunities for better collaboration and improving how we do things certainly happen. So I'm totally on the same page as you. Elisa Obermann 45:25 Yeah, I think at the end, I always think of this like everything in the end is about people so and there's that factor that we we sometimes lose in all of this, but in the end, it comes down to the people who are involved or impacted. Trevor Freeman 45:38 Absolutely. Elisa, thanks so much for your time. I really appreciate it. It's been great to learn more about this sector, which doesn't have enough attention on it. So happy to kind of have you explain to us and talk us through some of the exciting things that are happening. Really appreciate it. Elisa Obermann 45:52 Yeah, no. Thank you so much for the opportunity and the time. And like you said, a lot of people don't know about the sector, so I really appreciate the you know, the time spent with you to chat a little more about it. Thank you Trevor Freeman 46:02 For sure. We'll check back in, maybe in a year or two, and see kind of how, how far things have come. Elisa Obermann 46:07 Yeah, that'd be great. I'd appreciate that. Trevor Freeman 46:09 Awesome. Thanks. Elisa, take care. Elisa Obermann 46:11 Thank you. Trevor Freeman 46:13 Thanks for tuning in to another episode of the thinkenergy podcast. Don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and it would be great if you could leave us a review, it really helps to spread the word. As always, we would love to hear from you, whether it's feedback comments or an idea for a show or a guest. You can always reach us at thinkenergy@hydroottawa.com.
Resilience in global trade has moved beyond a defensive strategy. In an era defined by tariffs, technological developments, and shifting patterns of economic growth, it is now integral to sustainable expansion and long-term competitiveness across global supply chains. In the debut episode of Trade Finance Global's (TFG) new five-part podcast series, Future of Trade with Standard Chartered, TFG's Mark Abrams sat down with Sofia Hammoucha, Global Head of Trade and Working Capital at Standard Chartered.
In this episode of The Core Report Weekend Edition, Financial Journalist Govindraj Ethiraj in conversation with Sajjid Chinoy, Chief India Economist & Head of Asia Economics, JPMorgan, unpacks the quiet but powerful shift inside India's economy that is surprising global investors and reshaping the country's growth path. India's hidden services boom is expanding even as the world slows and this conversation reveals why it is becoming one of the strongest drivers of India's next growth wave.The discussion dives into the rise of high value service exports, the global trade reset, the China export surge, the risks building into 2026, and the pressures created by a slower world economy. The insights are grounded in data and offer a clear view of how India's services engine is cushioning the economy at a time when manufacturing and global demand face new challenges.This episode goes deeper into how technology, AI and global capability workstreams are changing the quality of Indian jobs and raising productivity across sectors. It explains the link between wages, education, digital skills and the emerging opportunities that will shape India's economic future. The conversation also addresses the big question of whether AI becomes a threat to India's workforce or a multiplier for growth.If you follow India's business trends, financial markets, technological shifts or manufacturing opportunities, this discussion offers clarity and a richer understanding of where India's economy is heading. It is designed for anyone seeking sharp insight, real data and a deeper view of the forces driving India's next decade.Hit like, share this with someone who tracks the India stock market, and subscribe to The Core Report podcast for more deep conversations on markets, business, technology and the Indian economy.The Core & The Core Report is ad supported & FREE for all readers & listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships & brand studio requirements.For more of our coverage check out thecore.in (https://www.thecore.in/)Support the Core Report (https://tinyurl.com/Support-the-Core-Report)Join & Interact anonymously on our WhatsApp channel (https://tinyurl.com/The-Core-WhatsApp-Channel) Subscribe to our Newsletter (https://www.thecore.in/newsletters/thecorenewsletter)
During the pandemic, will.i.am noticed how broken creative collaboration was. Tools like email, Zoom, and Dropbox made it hard for creators to stay organized and integrated. Determined to find a better way, he built FYI.AI, a generative AI platform that helps creators collaborate, share data securely, and manage their projects all in one place. In this episode, will.i.am shares how artificial intelligence is powering a new era where creativity, inclusion, and technology redefine entrepreneurship and artistic expression. In this episode, Hala and will.i.am will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (01:04) His Early Life and Creative Roots (08:13) The Power of a Growth Mindset in Success (11:19) What Being a Futurist Means to Him (17:08) How AI Is Shaping the Future of Innovation (23:39) Building FYI.ai: AI-Powered Creative Collaboration (37:18) Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Creativity in Music (42:52) Why He's Optimistic About AI in Action (46:06) Advocating Diversity and Inclusion in AI will.i.am is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur. He is a seven-time Grammy award-winning founding member of the musical group the Black Eyed Peas. Beyond music, he is a dedicated futurist and technologist, who has invested in and advised several major technology companies. Most recently, he founded FYI.ai, an AI-powered platform designed to optimize collaboration and digital ownership for the creator economy. Sponsored By: Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting. Quo - Get 20% off your first 6 months at Quo.com/PROFITING Revolve - Head to REVOLVE.com/PROFITING and take 15% off your first order with code PROFITING Merit Beauty - Go to meritbeauty.com to get your free signature makeup bag with your first order. DeleteMe - Remove your personal data online. Get 20% off DeleteMe consumer plans at to joindeleteme.com/profiting Spectrum Business - Visit Spectrum.com/FreeForLife to learn how you can get Business Internet Free Forever. Airbnb - Find yourself a cohost at airbnb.com/host Resources Mentioned: will.i.am's App: FYI.AI will.i.am's foundation: Im Angel Foundation: i.am.angel foundation.org YAP E241 with Mo Gawdat: youngandprofiting.co/DangersAI Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap YouTube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting Newsletter - youngandprofiting.co/newsletter LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, ChatGPT, AI Marketing, Prompt, AI in Business, AI for Entrepreneurs, Future of Work, AI Podcast
A.M. Edition for Nov. 20. Nvidia's highly-anticipated earnings report did not disappoint with soaring profits soothing investor jitters over the AI boom. Seema Shah from Principal Asset Management explores what this all means for markets going forward. Plus, the White House drafts a peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine, featuring major concessions from Kyiv. And with bids for Warner Bros. Discovery due today, WSJ entertainment reporter Joe Flint looks at the potential buyers and who's the likely frontrunner. Caitlin McCabe hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of The Entrepreneur Experiment, Gary sits down with Mark Breen, co-founder of Safe Events Global, the Irish team behind some of the world's most ambitious events - from Dublin Zoo's Wild Lights to Formula 1 in Qatar and mega-city festival sites across the Middle East. Mark shares the real, behind-the-scenes story of how a student “helping people up at a Frames gig” turned into running safety for shows with half a million attendees, expanding internationally, and building a 25-person specialist team that's redefining how event safety is done. He reveals why the best events feel effortless, how the industry changed post-Covid, why “no lazy no's” is the company philosophy, and how one email from Saudi Arabia transformed their entire trajectory. If you're an entrepreneur who loves hearing how niche expertise becomes a global business — and how culture, clarity, and instinct can build a category-leading company — this episode is for you. Show Notes In this episode, we cover:
In this episode of the Look Forward Podcast, host Molly Mintz reconnects with the audience as she dives deep into the critical role of data centers in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. Joined by experts Kelly Morgan and Brian Partridge from S&P Global's 451 Research, the discussion explores the unprecedented demand for data center capacity fueled by generative AI and its implications for the U.S. economy. As data centers become the backbone of the digital economy, we examine the challenges they face, including energy consumption, sustainability goals, and the pressure on the power grid. Our experts share insights on the investment boom in digital infrastructure, the potential risks associated with capital intensity, and the innovative solutions being explored to meet the growing energy demands." Additionally, we look beyond U.S. borders to understand how regions like the Middle East are positioning themselves as emerging data center hubs. Tune in for a forward-looking conversation that highlights the transformative impact of data centers on global markets and the future of technology.
Massachusetts General Hospital Utility Multi-Programming System or MUMPS is a pioneering language and database. Originally designed for one of America's most prominent hospitals, MUMPS has since spread far outside the ward. In this video, we talk MUMPS. Is it a programming language? A database? It's both. And it still powers much of America's healthcare facilities.
Electric companies are working to meet the highest level of electricity demand growth since the post-World War II era, spurred in part by AI and data centers. On this episode, Ed Baine, executive vice president of Utility Operations and president of Dominion Energy Virginia, and Martin Hermann, CEO of BrightNight, discuss how electric companies and technology providers are meeting the increased demand for electricity, and lessons learned from Northern Virginia—also known as Data Center Alley—that can guide other regions as they prepare for a future shaped by AI and data centers.
Massachusetts General Hospital Utility Multi-Programming System or MUMPS is a pioneering language and database. Originally designed for one of America's most prominent hospitals, MUMPS has since spread far outside the ward. In this video, we talk MUMPS. Is it a programming language? A database? It's both. And it still powers much of America's healthcare facilities.
In today's episode, we welcome Bill Krutke, Solutions Architect at Step CG, to The Signal to talk about how Wi-Fi 7 is transforming industries — particularly healthcare and IoT. Bill tells us about his experience leading enterprise Wi-Fi design in hospitals, clinics, and senior living facilities, and explains how features like Multi-link Operation (MLO), Restricted Target Wake Time (R-TWT), and enhanced OFDMA enable real-time performance in dense environments. We also explore how Wi-Fi 7 and 5G work together to deliver seamless connectivity, and how XR technologies are reshaping training and safety practices in healthcare and manufacturing. Tune in to learn how Wi-Fi is driving the future of reliable, high-performance wireless connectivity.For Wi-Fi AllianceFor Membership InfoGeneral Contact
The Power Hour is a weekly podcast that discusses the day's most interesting energy and environmental policy issues with top national experts. Most of us agree that nuclear energy is safe, reliable, and clean. But one question that remains in the United States is what to do with the waste. One country that is well […]
Dr. Linda Chu sits down with Dr. Anjum Ahmed, Chief Medical Officer at AGFA HealthCare, to explore how enterprise imaging is shaping the future of radiology through AI-driven workflows, human-centered design, and personalized patient care. Together, they discuss what "Imaging the Individual" means for radiologists today and what radiology might look like in 2030 and beyond. Sponsored by AGFA HealthCare.
The Power Hour is a weekly podcast that discusses the day's most interesting energy and environmental policy issues with top national experts. Most of us agree that nuclear energy is safe, reliable, and clean. But one question that remains in the United States is what to do with the waste. One country that is well on its way to solving that problem is France and part of their solution is recycling it and the company that provides that service is Orano. Orano doesn't just do work in France but are an important part of America's commercial nuclear industry that is why Jack is excited to welcome Orano-USA CEO Jean-Luc Palayer to the Power Hour. Join Jack and Jean-Luc for a full ranging discussion on fueling American's reactors, the potential for recycling the spent fuel to help manage nuclear waste in the United States, and much more. As always, you can join the conversation at thepowerhour@heritage.org! Check out Jack's book, Nuclear Revolution, and our nuclear energy documentary, Powering America, where you can see footage from France's recycling facility . Thank you for listening and please don't forget to subscribe and help us to spread the word.
If you purchasd or rode an e-bike in the last 10 years, there’s a good chance it was a Rad Power Bike. The company, based in Seattle, was one of the first to popularize e-bikes with the general public, and grew to be the largest electric bike company in North America. But now, the company is on the brink of collapse. A spokesperson told Geekwire last week that Rad faces potential closure as early as January due to “significant financial challenges.” After virtually building the e-bike industry, and seeing demand quadruple during the pandemic, what went wrong for Rad Power Bikes? And can they recover? GUEST: Geekwire editor Taylor Soper RELATED LINKS: The rise and fall of Rad Power Bikes: From breakout success to the brink of shutdown - Geekwire Rad Power Bikes faces possible shutdown as it tries to survive ‘significant financial challenges’ - Geekwire Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Movie night, morning workout, weekend drive — screens are now part of every moment. OLED technology continues to enhance how we experience them all. This episode explores how new uses for OLED and intelligent operating systems are transforming entertainment, fitness, gaming and even in-car experiences into something more immersive, personal and artful. New integrations, partnerships and design innovation are shaping the vision for the next era of connected living — where screens don't just show the world, they enhance it.
Across Nunavut's Kivalliq region, communities and mine sites still rely on imported diesel for electricity and satellite links for basic connectivity. It's expensive, carbon-intensive, and leaves a strategically vital part of Canada dependent on infrastructure we don't fully control.In this episode of Disruptors: The Canada Project with John Stackhouse, we travel to Nunavut to explore the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link (KHFL) — a 1,200-kilometre, Inuit-led project that would connect Manitoba's renewable grid and Canada-based broadband backbone to five Kivalliq communities and future mining projects. Led by Nukik Corporation under 100% Inuit ownership, KHFL is designed to deliver clean power, high-speed terrestrial connectivity, and Nunavut's first physical infrastructure link to southern Canada.Joining us are Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin, who unpack how this corridor could cut diesel use, reduce dependence on satellite networks, strengthen Arctic sovereignty, and create a new model for community-driven infrastructure in the North. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
“The world's now flipped to inference — and it's limited by power. With the same energy, we can deliver four times the output of a Blackwell,” says SambaNova CEO Rodrigo Liang. Liang joins Bloomberg Intelligence's Kunjan Sobhani in this episode of the Tech Disruptors podcast to explain how SambaNova's air-cooled, 10-kilowatt racks and “data-center-in-90-days” model are helping enterprises and governments scale up AI faster — and greener. The discussion covers the rise of sovereign-AI deployments in the UK, Europe and Australia, the economics of hybrid data centers and why energy efficiency — not just compute power — might define the next phase of AI infrastructure.
In this special In Vivo podcast episode, executive editor Lucie Ellis-Taitt is joined by an expert panel of Citeline journalists – Ashley Yeo, David Wild, Jessica Merrill and data journalist Edwin Elmhirst – to explore the trends set to reshape the biopharma and medtech sectors as we head into 2026.
Send Bidemi a Text Message!In this episode, host Bidemi Ologunde investigates how ordinary people around the world are unknowingly footing the electricity bill for Big Tech's booming AI data centers. From hidden charges in your utility bill to billion-dollar subsidies for companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Amazon, this critical episode uncovers the financial and ethical costs of AI's explosive energy appetite—and why you're the one paying for it.Support the show
Right About Now with Ryan Alford Join media personality and marketing expert Ryan Alford as he dives into dynamic conversations with top entrepreneurs, marketers, and influencers. "Right About Now" brings you actionable insights on business, marketing, and personal branding, helping you stay ahead in today's fast-paced digital world. Whether it's exploring how character and charisma can make millions or unveiling the strategies behind viral success, Ryan delivers a fresh perspective with every episode. Perfect for anyone looking to elevate their business game and unlock their full potential. Resources: Right About Now Newsletter | Free Podcast Monetization Course | Join The Network |Follow Us On Instagram | Subscribe To Our Youtube Channel | Vibe Science Media SUMMARY In this episode of "Right About Now," host Ryan Alford interviews Nick Gernert, CEO of WordPress VIP. They discuss WordPress’s evolution from a blogging tool to a leading enterprise CMS, emphasizing the importance of simplicity, openness, and empowering people over complex tech stacks. The conversation explores the integration of AI to enhance content creation and SEO, while stressing the value of owning digital channels rather than relying on external platforms. Nick shares insights on adapting WordPress for large organizations and the future of digital experiences in an AI-driven landscape. TAKEAWAYS Evolution of WordPress from a blogging platform to a leading content management system (CMS). Challenges and strategies for transitioning WordPress into the enterprise space. Importance of simplicity in technology solutions for digital transformation. Role of artificial intelligence (AI) in content creation and SEO. Impact of AI on enhancing human creativity and productivity in content management. WordPress's open-source nature and its ecosystem of plugins and integrations. SEO best practices integrated into WordPress since its inception. Importance of building a strong owned digital presence versus relying on external platforms. Insights on the relationship between AI-generated content and website referral traffic. The significance of empowering organizations to own their content, data, and audience relationships.
You know what's passé? Chemical rockets. Powering a space ship by harnessing the expanding gasses of a controlled explosion and shooting off to parts unknown guided only by fire, math, and spite for the force of gravity? Yawn. What if instead you got like, 40 cyclists with thighs as big as tree trunks that just won't quit, stuck them on some stationary bikes, and used them to power your spaceship like it was a sci-fi trireme from the year 30,000? WOULD THAT SOLVE ANYTHING??? Trace is going to find out.Meanwhile Julian is very concerned with the structural integrity of some fairy-tale pig houses, because they aren't up to code and there's a storm a-comin'. And that storm's name is Wolf. Big Wolf. Big Bad Wolf.QUESTIONS THIS WEEKJulian: "How much wind and energy was the big bad wolf able to generate in the three little pigs?" from AdamTrace: "What's the most efficient way to extract energy from a human?" from LudvigDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION
Blair Williams is the CEO of MemberPress, a powerful WordPress plugin company that empowers creators and businesses to launch and manage membership sites and online courses. He founded MemberPress after years of custom-building membership systems and recognized a gap in the market for a flexible, developer-friendly WordPress solution. Blair is also the Owner of Caseproof, the company behind industry-leading WordPress plugins like MemberPress, PrettyLinks, Easy Affiliate, Wishlist Member, MemberMouse, AccessAlly, ThirstyAffiliates, and Buy Now Plus. In this episode… Building a thriving membership business requires more than great content — it takes strategy, the right tools, and a deep understanding of your audience. From simplifying user experiences to streamlining revenue models, entrepreneurs must balance creativity with technical precision to keep members engaged. So how do you create a membership site that actually scales and sustains long-term success? A seasoned innovator in software and membership platforms, Blair Williams believes simplicity and customer focus are the keys to success. He highlights that many creators overcomplicate their offerings before launching, when the real key is just getting started and refining through feedback. Blair emphasizes the power of accessibility — tools like WordPress and AI have made building profitable membership sites easier than ever. He also points out that success stems from aligning features with audience needs, whether through strong onboarding, smart pricing models, or seamless integrations that enable entrepreneurs to monetize their expertise efficiently. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Blair Williams, CEO of MemberPress, to discuss the tools and tactics that power successful membership businesses. They discuss common mistakes creators make when launching sites, how to simplify offers for growth, and what makes MemberPress stand out in the WordPress ecosystem. Blair also shares lessons from building and acquiring top plugins across the web.
In this episode of American Potential, host David From sits down with Congressman Troy Downing of Montana's vast First District to talk about unleashing America's energy potential and keeping the nation secure—both economically and militarily. Downing discusses how affordable, reliable energy is the backbone of prosperity for families, small businesses, and industry, and why under President Trump's leadership, the country is once again embracing an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy. From tapping Montana's coal reserves in the Powder River Basin to supporting oil, gas, renewables, and next-generation transmission, Downing explains how responsible energy production can fuel America's competitiveness in the AI and data-driven economy. He also reflects on his service as a U.S. veteran, sharing why he believes America is worth fighting for and why energy independence and national defense are inseparable. It's a powerful look at leadership, patriotism, and how Montana's energy innovation is helping power the American dream.