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This episode is part eight in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism. In this episode, we will talk about how the price we are willing to pay for an item is directly related to branding:Why "perceived value" is almost more important than mathing the math,How brands manipulate the perceived value via small changes to products, Why even the graphic design of a brand's website will change your expectations around pricing,How you often guess the prices in a store just by looking at the merchandising and fixtures,And why we have to stop expecting small business prices to align with fast fashion/fast everything pricing.Add your address to get a postcard.Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 11 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it's a typed out message or an audio recording: amanda@clotheshorse.worldDid you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at www.slowfashion.academy.Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at decodenim.com to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using only reclaimed, vintage or thrifted materials: from tea towels, linens, blankets and quilts. Sustainably crafted in Los Angeles, each piece is designed to last in one's closet for generations to come. Maximum Style; Minimal Carbon Footprint.Republica Unicornia Yarns: Hand-Dyed Yarn and notions for the color-obsessed. Made with love and some swearing in fabulous Atlanta, Georgia by Head Yarn Wench Kathleen. Get ready for rainbows with a side of Giving A Damn! Republica Unicornia is all about making your own magic using small-batch, responsibly sourced, hand-dyed yarns and thoughtfully made notions. Slow fashion all the way down and discover the joy of creating your very own beautiful hand knit, crocheted, or woven pieces. Find us on Instagram @republica_unicornia_yarns and at www.republicaunicornia.com.Cute Little Ruin is an online shop dedicated to providing quality vintage and secondhand clothing, vinyl, and home items in a wide range of styles and price points. If it's ethical and legal, we try to find a new home for it! Vintage style with progressive values. Find us on Instagram at @CuteLittleRuin.
In this episode, Stephen Merz, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Sheppard Pratt Solutions, shares how partnering with health systems to integrate behavioral and physical care, improve access, and strengthen financial sustainability can help communities expand much needed mental health services nationwide.
I have a confession to make. I'm exhausted. In the best possible way after a week in Orlando, Florida for the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. I have so much to share with you today! My journey started on the Monday before the show began for a travel day, sound check and confirming the final details form the show. In addition to hosting the KBIS Podcast Studio again this year, moderating a panel on the NEXT Stage and recording conversations for the show, I wanted to help you prepare for the show next February in Las Vegas. But Josh, next February is like 11 months away. That's true, but here's a secret. Come a little closer, it's just us. KBIS is the essential American kitchen and bath show, full stop. It's about learning, seeing, connecting and putting all of the pieces together to understand how the American market is setting up for the next year and the trending ideas that have staying power for the next 5-10 years. Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep You can listen to Convo By Design for the conversations with industry insiders. If I were a designer, I would. I believe that this show tells the stories that you should really know to get a feel for directionality of the industry. Specifiers are the plus of the industry and the ideas emanating from the show this year covered the technology revolution taking place from an AI perspective, but there's more. The kitchen is in the midst of a wholesale change. And it's exciting to see it happen in real time. Learning was a key theme this year. If you were not at the show this year, you are behind the curve. I don't say this to scare you, I tell you this so you make the time to get to the show next year. All three days and plan to see as much as you can. But, I wanted to share some of the key ideas from the show this year. For additional details, check the show notes. Luxury is the measurable outcome of thoughtful design—where performance, longevity, and relevance align to support the way people actually live. Luxury is the removal of friction from daily life. Luxury is durability aligned with intent. Luxury is design that continues to perform long after the purchase is forgotten. Luxury is confidence—in function, longevity, and fit. Luxury is not what you spend. It's what you never have to rethink. The Kitchen as the Primary Investment The kitchen remains the #1 homeowner investment nationwide. Homeowners are willing to exceed budget in the kitchen more than any other space. The kitchen is the most public and social room in the home. It represents identity: “I'm a cook,” “I entertain,” “I host.” Food equals memory; appliances enable those memories. The Expanding Kitchen Ecosystem Kitchens are no longer singular spaces—they expand throughout the home. Secondary kitchens (sculleries, prep kitchens, butler's pantries) are rising. Beverage centers, bars, and wine storage are increasingly common. Coffee stations and en-suite kitchenettes are viewed as lifestyle enhancements. Outdoor kitchens are now expected in many markets. Refrigeration appears in bathrooms (skincare), offices, and guest suites. Multigenerational living drives multi-kitchen design. Post-COVID entertaining shifted bar culture into the home. Value Has Replaced Price as the Primary Decision Driver Consumers rarely regret investing more in appliances. Longevity, performance, and service support define value. Sustainability increasingly aligns with durability. Human-Centric Design Is the New Standard Appliances must be intuitive without relying on manuals. UX consistency across appliances improves adoption. Technology must solve real problems—not create new friction. Appliances Are Expanding Beyond the Kitchen Refrigeration, coffee systems, and specialty appliances now appear throughout the home. Multi-kitchen and multi-generational design is driving specification complexity. Flexibility and modular integration are essential. Practical Innovation vs Feature Saturation Most consumers use only a small percentage of available features. Simplification improves usability, adoption, and satisfaction. Innovation must solve real problems—not marketing problems. Appliances as Infrastructure for Daily Life Refrigerators open dozens of times daily, making ergonomic design critical. Dishwashers, washers, and refrigeration now integrate into behavioral routines. Appliances increasingly support lifestyle efficiency, not just task completion. Quiet Luxury: The New Definition of Premium Quiet luxury shifts focus from visual dominance to experiential excellence. Appliances integrate seamlessly into architecture. Minimal visual disruption supports design continuity. Performance becomes more important than appearance. Identity & Evolution in Design Designers must periodically redefine themselves and their work to remain relevant. Personal growth and evolving priorities shape professional identity and approach. Burnout vs Ambition Burnout is not a badge of honor; it results from overextension and emotional labor. Ambition aligns energy with superpowers and opportunities, creating sustainable growth. Setting boundaries is essential to differentiate productive ambition from harmful overwork. Emotional Labor & Client Management Design work involves managing client emotions, expectations, and second-guessing. Designers act as liaisons between clients, contractors, and teams, absorbing invisible pressures. Managing scope creep and change orders is a practical strategy to protect both energy and profitability. Social Media & Comparison Culture Social media can amplify unrealistic expectations and unhealthy competition. Designers often feel compelled to accommodate clients' desires, sometimes overextending themselves to maintain a positive perception. These core themes coming out of the show this year tell a story that cannot be ignored. The thought process is changing. More human-centric at a time when technology seems to be taking over. Interesting times. Shifting away from that, I want to share two conversations from the show. Brandon Kirschner | Azzuro Living – Control the Process, Control the Outcome: Inside Azzurro Living's Design Advantage Brandon Kirshner of Azzurro Living explains how factory ownership, material innovation, and hands-on experimentation are redefining luxury outdoor furniture—and why relationships and resilience matter more than ever. Recorded live at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Orlando, this conversation with Brandon Kirshner, Partner and VP of Design at Azzurro Living, explores what it means to design, manufacture, and deliver luxury outdoor furniture with complete control over the process. Kirshner shares how owning and operating their own production facility provides a rare advantage in a crowded marketplace. This vertical integration allows Azzurro Living to oversee every step—from raw material sourcing to fabrication—ensuring performance, durability, and design integrity in extreme climates. The conversation also explores the realities of modern product manufacturing: navigating global instability, breaking through to specifiers in an oversaturated marketplace, and the renewed importance of in-person relationships. At its core, this is a story about design leadership, material obsession, and maintaining optimism in a rapidly shifting industry. Vertical Integration Changes Everything Full ownership of production facility ensures quality control Ability to experiment directly with materials and fabrication Eliminates reliance on third-party manufacturing limitations Material Innovation Drives Luxury Performance Products engineered for extreme heat and harsh winters Hands-on experimentation with rope, wicker, and aluminum Performance and longevity are core to brand value Design as the Core Differentiator Industrial design roots shape product philosophy Focus on original forms rather than “me-too” furniture Design enhances lifestyle, not just aesthetics Relationships Still Drive Specification Trade shows like High Point Market remain essential Face-to-face interaction builds trust and long-term partnerships Education through sales teams and specifier outreach is critical Resilience and Optimism in a Volatile Industry Navigating tariffs, supply chains, and global uncertainty Maintaining a solution-oriented mindset Viewing disruption as part of long-term growth In luxury outdoor furniture, control isn't just an operational advantage—it's a creative one. For Brandon Kirshner, Partner and VP of Design at Azzurro Living, ownership of the manufacturing process is the foundation of everything the company does. Unlike many competitors who rely on outsourced production, Azzurro Living operates its own factory, giving Kirshner and his team direct oversight of every detail, from raw materials to finished form. This control allows for something rare in today's manufacturing environment: true experimentation. Working directly with fabricators, Kirshner explores new weaving techniques, tests material durability, and refines structural details. The result is furniture engineered not just to look refined, but to perform in punishing environments—from desert heat exceeding 115 degrees to unpredictable seasonal extremes. Kirshner's path into furniture design began with industrial design studies, where exposure to iconic modernist designers revealed furniture as both functional object and artistic expression. That perspective continues to shape his work today, where innovation isn't driven by trend cycles, but by material curiosity and structural integrity. Launching Azzurro Living in 2020 presented immediate challenges, from supply chain disruption to economic uncertainty. Yet Kirshner views volatility as inevitable rather than exceptional. Experience has taught him that adaptability—not stability—is the constant in product manufacturing. Equally important is maintaining strong relationships within the design community. Trade shows, in-person meetings, and direct engagement remain essential tools for connecting with specifiers and building trust. In an increasingly crowded marketplace, Azzurro Living's approach is clear: control the process, push material boundaries, and let design lead. The result is furniture that reflects not just luxury, but intention. “Owning our factory gives us complete control—from raw material to finished product—and that changes everything.” “Design is the reason people invest in luxury furniture. Performance just makes it last.” “You can't innovate from a distance. Being hands-on with materials is where real progress happens.” “Trade shows and face-to-face interaction still matter because this industry runs on relationships.” “No matter what challenges come—tariffs, supply chain, geopolitics—we'll figure it out. That mindset is essential.” This is Cathy Purple Cherry – Founding Principal | Purple Cherry, freshly installed in the Convo By Design Icon Registry, we caught up at KBIS for a fresh take. Human-Centered Architecture, Resilience, and the Responsibility of Design Cathy Purple Cherry reflects on architecture as a lifelong act of care—supporting people through turbulence, embracing multigenerational living, rejecting trend culture, and using design as a tool for healing, connection, and growth. Recorded live at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, this conversation with Cathy Purple Cherry of Purple Cherry Architects explores architecture not as a moment of visual impact, but as a lifelong framework for human support. Purple Cherry shares her philosophy that architecture must evolve alongside the people it serves, especially during times of societal turbulence and personal change. Her work is grounded in human-centered thinking, emotional durability, and the belief that design can create stability amid chaos. The discussion moves beyond aesthetics into deeper territory—resilience shaped by hardship, the responsibility of creatives to provide clarity and options, and the importance of giving back. Purple Cherry also addresses the rise of multigenerational living, generational shifts in work culture, and the dangers of trend-driven design thinking. At its core, this conversation reveals architecture as both a professional discipline and a personal calling—one rooted in empathy, long-term thinking, and service. Architecture as Long-Term Support, Not Momentary Expression Design must serve people across decades, not just visual moments Architecture provides emotional stability during uncertain times Human-centered design is becoming essential, not optional Growth Through Challenge and Adversity Personal and professional hardship builds resilience Lessons learned shape better architects and stronger leaders Teaching and mentoring are essential responsibilities Multigenerational Living as a Cultural Shift Economic and social changes are reshaping American housing Families are staying connected longer Architecture must adapt to evolving family dynamics The Responsibility of Creatives in Times of Tension Architects provide clarity and solutions amid chaos Design can serve as a “relief valve” for societal stress Creatives help people reimagine how they live Rejecting Trend Culture in Favor of Lasting Design Trend cycles are often superficial and misleading True architecture transcends short-term aesthetic movements Enduring design comes from purpose, not prediction Giving Back as a Core Professional and Personal Value Sharing knowledge strengthens the profession Service to others creates deeper meaning in creative work Design is both a gift and a responsibility For Cathy Purple Cherry, architecture has never been about creating a moment. It's about supporting a lifetime. As founder of Purple Cherry Architects, with offices in Annapolis, Charlottesville, and New York City, Purple Cherry has built a practice grounded in the belief that design must evolve alongside the people it serves. Architecture, she explains, is not about solving for a single moment, but about creating environments that support human life over time. That perspective feels especially relevant today. As social, economic, and cultural turbulence reshapes how people live and work, architecture has taken on a new role—not just as shelter, but as emotional infrastructure. Spaces must provide calm, clarity, and flexibility, particularly as multigenerational living becomes more common and families remain connected longer under one roof. Purple Cherry rejects the idea that architecture should chase trends. While the industry often focuses on forecasting aesthetic movements, she believes true design transcends these cycles. Lasting architecture emerges from purpose, empathy, and a deep understanding of human behavior. Her perspective is shaped not only by decades of professional experience, but by personal adversity. Hardship, she explains, builds resilience and strengthens one's ability to serve others. That philosophy extends into her commitment to mentorship, service, and giving back—values she sees as inseparable from meaningful creative work. For Purple Cherry, architecture is both discipline and calling. It is a lifelong process of learning, teaching, and refining. And in a world defined by rapid change, her message is clear: the most important role of design is not to impress, but to support the people who live within it. “Architecture isn't about solving for a moment. It's about supporting people over time.” “Through suffering, we become stronger—and that's what allows us to better serve others.” “Anything in the built environment that can calm us and organize our lives becomes essential.” “Design should never be driven by trends. It should be driven by purpose and people.” “The meaning of life is discovering your gifts. The purpose of life is sharing them.”
You and I both know that beer has a lot of nutritional value, but are we prepared to speak intelligently about that? How do we get consumers to look past beer's stereotypes and click-bait headlines?Special Guest: Glen Fox.
In this episode, I shares the real story behind building a sustainable hard-goods brand in the pet industry, unpacking the engineering, manufacturing, certification, and financial trade-offs that most people never see. From design constraints and material decisions to B Corp, 1% for the Planet, and sustainability reporting, this is an honest founder-level look at what it actually takes to balance environmental ambition with business reality, and why sustainability is a discipline, not a label.Timestamps to relevant points within the episode, use this format:[00:00] The Question Most Consumers Never Ask[02:10] From Sustainability Advisor to Bootstrapped Founder[04:45] Progress vs Perfection in Sustainable Business[07:30] The 4-Pillar Sustainability Framework (Environment, People, Economy, Culture)[10:15] Why Sustainability Lives in Engineering Constraints[12:00] Designing for Longevity (And the Business Model Tension)[14:20] Care-Centered Design & Piper's Physiotherapy Moment[16:30] Material Trade-Offs: Why Bamboo Wasn't the Right Choice[19:00] Certifications Explained: What Actually Matters[21:30] 1% for the Planet & Financial Accountability[23:10] FSC Packaging, REACH & Compliance[24:45] B Corp: Why It's Not a Day One Certification[26:30] Sustainability Reporting & Measurement[27:40] Why Profit Is Oxygen in Sustainable Business[29:00] Celebrating Brands That Are Doing the Work[30:00] Final Thoughts & Community InvitationLinks from the episodes:1% for the PlanetPrevious Mama Earth Talk Episode with the CEO of 1% for the Planet, Kate WilliamsPet Sustainability CoalitionB Corp CertificationForest Stewardship Council (FSC) ISO 14001 Environmental Management SystemsCradle to Cradle CertificationMama Earth Talk Online CourseKey Takeaways:• Sustainable product development is not theoretical, it's constrained by tooling costs, manufacturing realities, minimum order quantities, and cash flow.• A structured sustainability framework (Environment, People, Economy, Culture) is your decision-making filter when trade-offs get hard.• Perfection can become paralysis, progress with sequencing is often more impactful than waiting for “100% sustainable.”• Sustainability in hard goods lives in engineering decisions, not marketing language.• Designing for longevity reduces waste, but can reduce repeat purchases. That's a business model tension founders must face.• The “most sustainable-looking” material isn't always the most appropriate one. Context matters.• Certifications are validation layers, not starting point, they should align with operational readiness and financial stability.• Material compliance (FDA, REACH, BPA-free) is foundational and often more important than flashy badges.• Sustainability reporting turns intention into measurement, and measurement drives accountability.• Profit isn't the enemy of sustainability, it's oxygen. Without financial viability, environmental ambition can collapses.• Transparency builds trust when it shows process, not perfection.• Celebrating brands that are doing the structural work shifts incentives across the industry.• Sustainability isn't a label, it's an ongoing discipline.
The New Appliance Ecosystem: Translating Value, Technology, and Human-Centric Design The modern appliance conversation has shifted beyond features and price into something far more consequential: value, usability, and human-centered design. Designers, manufacturers, showrooms, and independent testing labs now operate as an interconnected ecosystem guiding consumers through increasingly complex decisions. The future of appliance specification belongs to those who can translate technology into meaningful, intuitive, lifestyle-driven solutions. Featuring insights from Nicole Papantoniou of the Good Housekeeping Institute, Jeff Sweet of Sub-Zero Group Inc., and Christa Mallinger of AJ Madison, this conversation explores how appliances have evolved from commodities into lifestyle infrastructure—and why education, not persuasion, defines the next era. KBIS Podcast Studio Resources: KBIS AJ Madison NKBA LUXE Interiors + Design SubZero, Wolf & Cove SKS | Signature Kitchen Suite Hearth & Home Technologies Kitchen365 Green Forrest Cabinetry Midea The appliance industry has entered a human-centric phase, where performance, intuitive use, and real lifestyle benefit outweigh raw features or price alone. Designers act as translators of lifestyle, manufacturers as problem-solvers, and showrooms as educators—collectively helping consumers navigate increasingly sophisticated choices. Panelists discussed the shift from feature-driven sales toward performance-driven value, emphasizing longevity, ease of use, and frictionless integration into daily life. They also explored the growing role of education, testing standards, showroom partnerships, and post-installation support in helping consumers fully realize the value of their investment. Technology remains central, but its success depends entirely on reducing friction—not adding novelty. The conversation revealed that the future of appliances lies not in more technology, but in better technology—technology that disappears into the experience. The Appliance Ecosystem Is Interdependent Designers interpret lifestyle and aesthetic needs. Manufacturers engineer performance-driven solutions. Showrooms educate and guide decision-making. Independent testing organizations validate performance and usability. Value Has Replaced Price as the Primary Decision Driver Consumers rarely regret investing more in appliances. Longevity, performance, and service support define value. Sustainability increasingly aligns with durability. Human-Centric Design Is the New Standard Appliances must be intuitive without relying on manuals. UX consistency across appliances improves adoption. Technology must solve real problems—not create new friction. Education Is More Important Than Selling Many consumers buy appliances only once every 10–15 years. Showrooms and testing labs bridge the knowledge gap. Post-installation education helps unlock full product potential. Appliances Are Expanding Beyond the Kitchen Refrigeration, coffee systems, and specialty appliances now appear throughout the home. Multi-kitchen and multi-generational design is driving specification complexity. Flexibility and modular integration are essential. Technology Adoption Depends on Familiarity and Trust Induction adoption accelerates when paired with familiar controls. Consumers embrace technology that feels intuitive and beneficial. Novelty alone does not guarantee long-term value. The modern appliance is no longer just a tool. It's infrastructure. At KBIS, where the industry gathers annually to define its future, a clear shift has emerged. Appliances are no longer judged solely by features or price, but by how effectively they integrate into human behavior. The question is no longer, “What does it do?” but rather, “What does it enable?” This shift has elevated the importance of collaboration across the appliance ecosystem. Designers serve as translators, interpreting the client's lifestyle into functional requirements. Manufacturers act as problem-solvers, engineering solutions grounded in real user needs. Showrooms and retailers bridge the gap between technology and understanding, while independent testing organizations validate claims and ensure products deliver on their promises. This ecosystem exists because appliance decisions have become more consequential—and more complex. Unlike consumer electronics, appliances are purchased infrequently. A homeowner may go fifteen years between purchases. During that time, the category evolves dramatically. Induction replaces gas. Steam ovens expand culinary capability. Refrigeration becomes modular, flexible, and architectural. Appliances no longer exist solely in kitchens, but in offices, bedrooms, outdoor spaces, and wellness areas. With that expansion comes responsibility. Technology must reduce friction, not create it. Christa, Nicole and Jeff all emphasized that human-centric design now drives product development. Appliances must be intuitive enough to operate without instruction, consistent enough to feel familiar, and purposeful enough to justify their presence. Technology for its own sake has limited value. Technology that removes mental load, improves performance, or enhances daily living defines the future. This is where education becomes critical. Showrooms no longer simply display products; they contextualize them. Independent testing organizations evaluate not only performance, but usability, cleanability, and intuitive function. Manufacturers increasingly provide post-installation support, recognizing that the real product experience begins after installation, not at purchase. Value, therefore, is no longer measured in features alone. It is measured in longevity. In reliability. In the confidence that a product will perform consistently over time. In the reduction of friction between intention and outcome. Perhaps most importantly, appliances have become emotional infrastructure. They support gathering, creativity, ritual, and identity. They enable the modern kitchen to function not just as a place of preparation, but as a center of living. The future of appliances will not be defined by how advanced they are. It will be defined by how invisible they become—seamlessly enabling life without demanding attention. And those who understand that distinction—designers, manufacturers, and educators alike—will define the next generation of the built environment.
For decades, media leaders have debated whether journalism can sustain itself as a standalone business. But in a rapidly evolving landscape, Hearst is offering a different perspective — one outlined in its latest annual letter from CEO Steven Swartz, which makes clear the company's center of gravity has shifted far beyond traditional media. In a recent conversation on E&P Reports, David Carey, senior vice president of public affairs and communications at Hearst, expanded on that strategy, explaining how the company's transformation wasn't reactive, but decades in the making. His insights reveal a model that doesn't abandon journalism, but strengthens it through broader business innovation. Access more at this episode's landing page, at: https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/a-blueprint-beyond-media-how-hearst-is-redefining-sustainability,260420
New analysis from Wood Mackenzie shows that 220 gigawatts of additional power demand from data centers is in the pipeline in the US, and 183 GW of that is already backed by firm commercial commitments. That is a huge amount to add in just a few years: it's equal to about 22% of US peak demand in 2025. The big question is whether the US electricity industry going to be able to meet that additional demand. And if so, how?On the second day of ACORE's 2026 Policy Forum in Washington, host Ed Crooks talks to industry leaders and experts about the answers to those questions. First he talks to Wood Mackenzie's Anna Shpitsberg, who is global head of power and renewables research. She breaks down the numbers on electricity demand from new data centers, and discusses some of the implications for the industry.Next up is someone whose role is right at the heart of the data center boom. Arthur Haubenstock is senior counsel at Equinix, which is one of the world's largest developers, owners and operators. He talks about what data centers actually need in terms of electricity supply, and gives his perspective on some of the controversies currently raging around the industry.A key issue for him is how data center developers can benefit local communities by cutting their electricity bills and strengthening the stability of the grid. He talks about the reality behind popular ideas such as BYOP (bring your own power) and BYONCE (bring your own new clean energy). And he explains why data centers often cannot be flexible loads on the grid, the constraints on backup generation, and why power grids matter.Ray Long, President and CEO of ACORE, then joins the show to talk about his key takeaways from the event. He says the AI-driven data center boom is creating great opportunities for all kinds of energy, including renewables and other low-carbon technologies. But progress is being slowed by three critical challenges: permitting delays, trade policy uncertainty, and regulatory bottlenecks.With electricity demand surging, he says, tackling those policy barriers is essential. Governments and the power industry need to find ways to stop electricity bills soaring and the grid becoming unstable, while enabling the infrastructure buildout required for AI. Finally, Ed talks to three entrepreneurs who are leading startup companies that aim to build the energy industry of the future. Kimberly Johnston of NextGen Energy, Saxon Metzger of Polaris Ecosystems, and Ebony Seymour of Ellement Group, explain the problems in energy that they are taking on, and talk about what they need to accelerate their growth.This episode is brought to you by ACORE, the nonpartisan nonprofit organization uniquely operating at the intersection of energy affordability, reliability, and clean energy deployment. ACORE is focused on strengthening the electric grid and driving clean energy investment that delivers for the American people. ACORE's membership includes industry leaders across the clean energy economy. Nearly 80% of the booming utility-scale domestic clean energy growth was financed, developed, owned, equipped, or contracted by ACORE members. Visit www.acore.org to learn more about ACORE's work and upcoming events, like the ACORE Finance Forum on May 12-13 in New York City. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Joining me once again is Stephanie Seneff PhD, here today to discuss Donald Trump's recent Executive Order regarding glyphosate. Stephanie is an expert on the topic of glyphosate and has been on the cutting edge of its research for well over a decade. Today we discuss the many and varied dangers that this chemical poses, the illusion of higher crop yields pushed by the industry, and the synergistic way in which glyphosate works to destroy our health. !function(r,u,m,b,l,e){r._Rumble=b,r[b]||(r[b]=function(){(r[b]._=r[b]._||[]).push(arguments);if(r[b]._.length==1){l=u.createElement(m),e=u.getElementsByTagName(m)[0],l.async=1,l.src="https://rumble.com/embedJS/u2q643"+(arguments[1].video?'.'+arguments[1].video:'')+"/?url="+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+"&args="+encodeURIComponent(JSON.stringify([].slice.apply(arguments))),e.parentNode.insertBefore(l,e)}})}(window, document, "script", "Rumble"); Rumble("play", {"video":"v746q8e","div":"rumble_v746q8e"}); Source Links: Home - Stephanie Seneff(15) Stephanie Seneff (@stephanieseneff) / X (21) Farm Action on X: "Trump 2024: “We're going to get toxic chemicals out of our food supply” Trump 2026: “Glyphosate is critical to national security” A new Executive Order doubles down on the same system that bankrupted farmers, monopolized the food supply under the control of a few multinational https://t.co/q5WBKpqOeE" / X Promoting the National Defense by Ensuring an Adequate Supply of Elemental Phosphorus and Glyphosate-Based Herbicides – The White House (21) Stephanie Seneff on X: "The Bayer lobbying empire. "Taken together, these relationships describe a network of aligned actors positioned across the American institutions that write the rules for pesticides, enforce those rules, and defend them in court." https://t.co/1dymzM59Ki" / X Tracing Bayer's ties to power in Trump's Washington New Tab (21) healthbot on X: "RFK Jr. talks about why gluten allergies have skyrocketed since 2006: "We discovered that Roundup was a desiccant. And what that means, if you spray it on a crop, it will actually dry out the crop. And one of the big enemies of the farmer is that if there's rain around the time https://t.co/tb9YTSgVmO" / X New Tab Stephanie Seneff/Denis Rancourt Roundtable - Glyphosate, mRNA & Spike Proteins Destroying Your Body Glyphosate's Onslaught on Akkermansia - The GUT CLUB Screen Shot 2026-02-27 at 11.25.19 AM.png (1872×944) (21) Grok / X New Tab Glyphosate Use in Crop Systems: Risks to Health and Sustainable Alternatives - PMC failure-to-yield.pdf Full article: Sustainability and innovation in staple crop production in the US Midwest Glyphosate-Resistant Soybean Cultivar Yields Compared with Sister Lines New Tab (21) MAHA Action on X: "“This is why I was put on this earth.” Surgeon General nominee Casey Means says she will focus on preventive care and real food to improve Americans' health. “My vision for Surgeon General and for the future of America is to get more healthy whole food on Americans' plates.” https://t.co/3YDDFg4cGZ" / X (21) The Last American Vagabond on X: "Yet here she is gaslighting us into thinking that Trump's EO leaning into glyphosate use and production is actually a planned roll back: https://t.co/5yxZSkbVeg" / X (21) Rob Schneider
Adam Cowie-Haskell is a Senior Policy Analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), where he focuses on electricity markets within BPC's Energy Program. His energy interest is in improving regulation, enhancing efficiency and lower costs in wholesale electricity markets throughout the United States. In 2025, he co-authored a report for the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability calling for greater load flexibility as a solution to accommodate large load growth. The report has been cited in multiple Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state proceedings. Adam tells us about the critical role that policy plays in the proper functioning of electricity markets. He walks the audience through the history of wholesale market restructuring and the new challenges that the electric power systems in an era of rising load growth. Adam provides an overview of current policy proposals designed to lower the cost of electricity for residential customers and discusses what reforms are needed to catalyze lasting change. Adam also shares his advice to students looking to break into electric power markets and improve their quantitative skills. And follow us on: Newsletter: https://www.energy-terminal.com/newsletter-signup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/energy-terminal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/energyterminal/
Pokemon Day 2026 is here! Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pokemon with the Krewe by reliving the 25th anniversary of Pokemon! lol Digging deep in the vault to pull out a special Pokemon Day throwback to Season 1, Episode 3 of the podcast... where we have the WHOLE OG Krewe freshly hatched out of our podcast Pokemon egg! ++++++ In this episode, the Krewe gathers to discuss the iconic Japanese media franchise, Pokémon! Celebrating its 25th anniversary this February, Pokémon is the highest grossing media franchise in the world! From its anime and games, to trading cards and mobile apps, Pokémon truly unites people from across the world. Tune in to this episode to hear the krewe discuss the history, major moments, and each krewe member's favorite Pokémon! ------ About the Krewe ------ The Krewe of Japan Podcast is a weekly episodic podcast sponsored by the Japan Society of New Orleans. Check them out every Friday afternoon around noon CST on Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Want to share your experiences with the Krewe? Or perhaps you have ideas for episodes, feedback, comments, or questions? Let the Krewe know by e-mail at kreweofjapanpodcast@gmail.com or on social media (Twitter: @kreweofjapan, Instagram: @kreweofjapanpodcast, Facebook: Krewe of Japan Podcast Page, TikTok: @kreweofjapanpodcast, LinkedIn: Krewe of Japan LinkedIn Page, Blue Sky Social: @kreweofjapan.bsky.social, & the Krewe of Japan Youtube Channel). Until next time, enjoy! ------ Support the Krewe! Offer Links for Affiliates ------ Use the referral links below & our promo code from the episode! Support your favorite NFL Team AND podcast! Shop NFLShop to gear up for football season! Zencastr Offer Link - Use my special link to save 30% off your 1st month of any Zencastr paid plan! ------ Past KOJ Pokemon/Nintendo Episodes ------ The History of Nintendo ft. Matt Alt (S4E18) The Evolution of PokéMania ft Daniel Dockery [Part 2] (S4E3) The Evolution of PokéMania ft Daniel Dockery [Part 1] (S4E2) We Love Pokemon: Celebrating 25 Years (S1E3) Why Japan? ft. Matt Alt (S1E1) ------ JSNO Upcoming Events ------ JSNO Event Calendar Join JSNO Today!
In this episode of the Trend Talk podcast, a companion series for the 2026 Trend Report for Planners, Joe DeAngelis, research manager at the American Planning Association, chats with climate urbanist and researcher, Helen Santiago-Fink. Helen shares insights drawn from her extensive experience working with international organizations and city governments as the two discuss the convergence of the circular economy, climate action, and technological innovation, highlighting how cities can harness AI and digital marketing approaches to promote sustainability. Planners and city leaders will find inspiration and practical insights for integrating circularity at the local level, as well as an exploration of how community engagement and forward-thinking strategies can pave the way for a more sustainable future. The 2026 Trend Report for Planners is created by APA in partnership with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. Episode URL: https://www.planning.org/podcast/the-circular-economy-climate-action-and-urban-sustainability-with-helen-santiago-fink/
How do you balance near-term energy priorities with the long-term reality of climate change and nature loss? That's the big sustainability question we're asking in 2026, and in today's episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we sit down with Daniel Yergin to explore the answer. Daniel is a Pulitzer Prize winner, S&P Global Vice Chairman, and Chair of CERAWeek, the annual S&P Global conference that has been described as "the Davos of energy." Daniel tells us what to expect when leaders from the public and private sectors convene in Houston, Texas March 23-27 for CERAWeek 2026. This year's theme is Convergence and Competition: Energy, Technology and Geopolitics, and the conference will focus on many of the key issues we're watching through a sustainability lens this year, including AI, electrification, climate and critical minerals. Daniel explains how geopolitical fracture and economic competition are reshaping the landscape for all these topics. "What we're seeing is the fragmentation, the end of the kind of globalization that we've known for the last three and a half decades," Daniel says. "How are people arranging their priorities when the agenda is more complex?" Read S&P Global's Top 10 Sustainability Trends to Watch in 2026 | S&P Global Read CERAWeek 2025 Key Takeaways for Sustainability Professionals Read Copper in the Age of AI: Challenges of Electrification | S&P Global Learn more about CERAWeek by S&P Global | The World's Premier Energy Conference | CERAWeek Copyright ©2026 by S&P Global DISCLAIMER By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. Any unauthorized use, facilitation or encouragement of a third party's unauthorized use (including without limitation copy, distribution, transmission or modification, use as part of generative artificial intelligence or for training any artificial intelligence models) of this Podcast or any related information is not permitted without S&P Global's prior consent subject to appropriate licensing and shall be deemed an infringement, violation, breach or contravention of the rights of S&P Global or any applicable third-party (including any copyright, trademark, patent, rights of privacy or publicity or any other proprietary rights). This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.
As destinations worldwide grapple with the political complexity and accelerating demands of sustainable tourism, few cities offer clearer roadmaps than Helsinki and Göteborg —two Nordic leaders whose long-term commitment to environmental, social, and economic stewardship has reshaped what meaningful progress looks like. On this episode of the Future of Tourism podcast, we're joined by two global tourism leaders representing the top two destinations in the GDS-Index. Jukka Punamäki, senior advisor at Helsinki Tourism & Destination Management, and Katarina Thorstensson, stability strategy and destination development at Göteborg & Co., explore their sustainability journeys, how indexes helped measure success, and what impact sustainability has had on their destinations.
Guiding Question:How might schools empower students by giving them more agency in their learning and evolving curricula to better reflect their needs and interests? Key Takeaways:Strengthening collaboration through building more effective teams The future of education is not one size fits allLeaning in to AI - AI is a good collaborator, but is not a good leader. And it's not cheating.If you have enjoyed this podcast please take a moment to subscribe, and also we'd appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. The way the algorithm works, this helps our podcast reach more listeners. Thanks from IC for your support. Learn more about how Inspire Citizens co-designs customized student leadership and changemakers programsJoin the community at What School Could BeCheck out Role Color FinderConnect with more stories from the Inspire Citizens network in our vignettesMeasuring the IMPACT of Service Learning projects and initiatives Access free resources for global citizenship educationShare on social media using #EmpathytoImpactEpisode Summary On this episode, I talk to Sanjay, a high school freshman and CEO of Role Color Finder. Join us as we as we discuss how this tool can help us to learn about our strengths as leaders and build stronger collaborations within our teams. Sanjay also shares his thoughts on the future of education and how AI might support schools to move away from a one size fits all approach to a more personalized model of learning that will lead to greater student agency and engagement in schools. If you are thinking about identifying strengths, AI's role in education, student engagement and wellbeing and managing unsustainable workloads for students and educators, or maybe something out-of-the-box like having angel investors to support young, aspiring entrepreneurs in schools, this podcast for you.Discover a transformative podcast on education and learning from a student perspective and student voice, exploring media, media literacy, and media production to inspire citizens in schools through a media lab focused on 21st-century learning, empathy to impact, Global citizenship, collaboration, systems thinking, service learning, PBL, CAS, MYP, PYP, DP, Service as Action, futures thinking, project-based learning, sustainability, well-being, harmony with nature, community engagement, experiential learning, and the role of teachers and teaching in fostering well-being and a better future.
ACORE, the power and renewables industry group, is this week hosting its annual Policy Forum in Washinton DC. It's an event where industry leaders and experts discuss how the changing landscape of US energy policy is shaping infrastructure investment, the growth of electricity supply, and the affordability of power. Host Ed Crooks is recording two special episodes from the forum. This first show is focused on the US government's attempts to build up a domestic supply chain for renewables and other energy equipment. Ed speaks with Dr Sarah Kapnick, who is the global head of Climate Advisory at JP Morgan, and Peter Toomey, the Chief Development Officer at Cypress Creek Renewables, which is one of the country's leading energy developers. They discuss how supply chains and infrastructure for renewable energy are evolving. Demand for electricity is booming, but supply chains are under pressure. Volatile government support creates uncertainty for developers and suppliers. The “one big beautiful bill” (OB3) last year, which scrapped tax credits for wind and solar power, created “cliffs” in support for projects as the deadlines for eligibility are passed. That creates challenges for equipment manufacturers thinking about investing in new production capacity in the US. The Trump administration, like the Biden administration before it, faces a tension between its objectives of building up US manufacturing, accelerating US electricity supply growth, and making consumers' power bills more affordable. The ultimate question is whether the US can build resilient, competitive, domestic energy supply chains while balancing affordability, energy security, and surging demand from AI. Plus, Ed talks to Alice Lin, a senior tax advisor at the Natural Resource Defense council who worked on the Biden administration's move to increase tax credits for low-carbon energy with the Inflation Reduction Act. They debate the realities of clean energy tax incentives, and in particular the latest changes to the FEOC (Foreign Entities of Concern) rules. The aim is to stop companies from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran from benefiting from US tax credits. But even though the US Treasury recently published guidance on how it will apply the rules from the legislation last year, it is still not entirely clear what effect they will have. Developers, manufacturers and investors are still cautiously feeling their way. Follow the show wherever you're listening to it so you don't miss an episode: there's more from the Policy Forum coming tomorrowSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What happens when you put yourself in a room full of creatives and actually commit to building something? In this episode of Better Call Daddy, I'm joined by Priscilla Mensah and my dad, Wayne Friedman, to talk about what we learned from our Creative Entrepreneurship Bootcamp at Houston Community College. We didn't just talk about ideas — we talked about execution. Sales. Contracts. Insurance. Separating personal and business finances. Sustainability. Mindset. The stuff people don't always glamorize. Priscilla Mensah and I share what it feels like to test your ideas in real time — and why showing up (even when you're unsure) is what really moves the needle. We talk about: • Why creativity without sales doesn't scale • The power of being in community with other builders • Learning from setbacks instead of hiding from them • Why every entrepreneur has to get comfortable with vulnerability And of course, Dad weighs in with wisdom about surrounding yourself with creative people who push you forward. If you've been sitting on an idea… this one's for you. Because you don't need to be famous to be powerful. You need to show up.
Send a textAs an environmental economist, Elizabeth Schuster helps conservation organizations solve complex challenges at the intersection of nature and communities. In this episode, Elizabeth describes how her firm, Sustainable Economies, applies systems-level thinking to messy, long-horizon environmental problems to turn them into clear, shared action. Her clients include watershed districts, non-profits, park districts, and various local and national environmental organizations. Hear how her strategies apply to any organization seeking to incorporate a sustainability and a community mindset into their work with examples from projects with The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and Summit County Metroparks. Elizabeth's advice? Set a clear North Star, listen across sectors, code what you hear, and write goals in language anyone can repeat. This process, which starts with stakeholder engagement, helps align conservation goals with community needs, often with surprising results. Clarity of purpose and effective internal and external communication are at the heart of any successful organization and are vitally important for organizations with social and environmental missions. Whatever your purpose, this episode provides tips on how to surface blind spots early and how to align staff so everyone rows in the same direction.Learn More:Elizabeth Schuster, Partner and Environmental Economist, Sustainable EconomiesProjects and ClientsSupport the showBecome a Subscriber Follow Eco Speaks CLE on LinkedIn, Facebook, and InstagramContact Diane and Greg - hello@ecospeakscle.com
Jared shares how he's leading regenerative change on his multi-generation farm by earning buy-in from family and a 40-person team through coaching, small trials, and measurable results rather than mandates. He highlights successes with diverse cover crops, lessons from composting paper biosolids to fix nitrogen tie-up, and the challenges of financing and scaling his egg operation without quota on the balance sheet. Managing multiple enterprises, he relies on systems, KPIs, SOPs, internal training videos, and automation to keep the business running efficiently. He also discusses hiring through a four-step coaching method, building confidence despite criticism, learning through books and podcasts, and integrating his teenagers into farm life while prioritizing presence and stewardship.We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at barnyardlanguage@gmail.com.
Realities Remixed, formerly know as Cloud Realities, launches a new season exploring the intersection of people, culture, industry, and tech. Energy transportation is a deeply local business, safely delivering gas and electricity, more and more from renewable sources, directly to the communities it serves. Technology and AI help make that possible by strengthening safety, bringing companies closer to customers, and enabling teams to build the future together. This week, Dave, Esmee, and Rob are joined by John Koerwer, CIO of UGI Corporation, to explore explore why “the business” and tech still struggle to speak the same language, nd what helps close the gap.TLDR00:35 – Introduction01:17 – Hang out: new toys and coffee07:55 – Dig in: the business - tech divide21:07 – Conversation with John Koerwer59:40 – The amazing AI technology in The Sphere's version of The Wizard of OzGuestJohn Koerwer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-koerwer-46102127/HostsDave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/Esmee van de Giessen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmeevandegiessen/Rob Kernahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kernahan/ProductionMarcel van der Burg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-vd-burg/Dave Chapman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chapmandr/ SoundBen Corbett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-corbett-3b6a11135/Louis Corbett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-corbett-087250264/ 'Realities Remixed' is an original podcast from Capgemini
In this episode of the Uncommon Podcast, Beaver and Gabrielle Fleming share their experiences as a couple navigating the challenges of family life, professional careers in skateboarding and sustainability, and their faith journey. They discuss the importance of community, the joy of parenting, and the need for intentionality in their spiritual practices. The conversation highlights the balance between work and family, the significance of prayer, and the call to be a light in their respective industries. They also touch on the importance of sustainability and honoring God's creation while maintaining a focus on the Creator.Learn more about Uncommon Sports Group or connect with our community. Shop authentic, team-issued apparel on lockeroomdirect.com.
Returns are no longer just a headache, they're a strategic opportunity. As the circular economy gains momentum, reverse logistics is quickly becoming one of the most important levers in modern supply chains.In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott W. Luton and Deborah Dull are joined by Scot Case, Vice President of Sustainability at the National Retail Federation (NRF), and Tony Sciarrotta, Senior Director of Reverse Logistics and Circularity at NRF, to share key insights from the NRF Rev event and discuss why reverse logistics deserves a seat at the strategy table.The conversation explores how resale, repair, and recycling are moving into the mainstream, and why returns should no longer be treated as a cost center. From the surge in e-commerce returns to increasing legislative pressure through extended producer responsibility, the group breaks down how these forces are changing retail and supply chain operations.Deborah adds perspective on how technology improves visibility and accountability across the returns process. Together, the guests outline practical ways companies can turn reverse logistics into a competitive advantage while improving customer experience and advancing sustainability goals.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(02:31) Meet the guests: Scot Case and Tony Sciarrotta(06:31) NRF's sustainability mission: Business value meets reverse logistics(10:46) RLA + NRF: Bringing returns out of the “dark side”(15:22) Macro trends shaping reverse logistics: Reuse, resale, repair & more(20:40) Tariffs, EPR laws & the circular economy's next push(24:52) Inside NRF Rev: The reverse logistics & revenue “revolution” event(26:05) NRF Rev: Bringing reverse logistics into the spotlight(27:32) Why retailers are the center of the returns universe(28:18) Refurbished products mindset shift: The ‘restaurant fork' story(29:24) Deborah's practitioner lens: Why this conference matters(31:00) Key takeaways: Collaboration, EPR, and no single silver bullet(34:04) Urban mining & the resale economy (and why brands must engage)(36:32) What's next: NRF working groups, global scale, and policy influence(40:16) Remade in America: A story-driven podcast on ‘where returns go'Additional Links & Resources:Connect with Scot Case: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotcase/Connect with Tony Sciarrotta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-sciarrotta-235570/Connect with Deborah Dull: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahdull/Learn more about the National Retail Federation (NRF): https://nrf.comLearn more about NRF Rev:
In this episode, Nathan Wrigley speaks with Jonathan Desrosiers about tying WordPress releases to flagship community events like WordCamps. They discuss the logistical challenges, especially around scheduling, international holidays, and global contributor coverage. The conversation explores the evolving WordPress community, impacts of COVID, renewed excitement for building, and initiatives to involve younger contributors. They touch on the role of AI, resurgence in open web tools, and ensuring WordPress remains relevant and exciting for future generations.
Bodybuilding taught me discipline, structure, and resilience. But it also taught me why many people view the sport as extreme, obsessive, or unsustainable.In this episode, I'm breaking down the biggest lessons I've learned from competing, coaching athletes, and living inside the bodybuilding world for years. This is an honest conversation about the tradeoffs of prep, stage conditioning, identity, and what actually translates to real life long-term health and fitness.If you've ever wondered whether bodybuilding is healthy, sustainable, or worth it — this episode answers that honestly.What we cover:00:00 Why I understand the criticism of bodybuilding now03:10 When discipline turns into rigidity08:30 Being lean vs being healthy (not the same thing)14:45 The tradeoffs people don't see behind the photos19:50 When your identity gets tied to your body24:40 Why the stage isn't the finish line29:30 Sustainability vs perfection in fitness33:45 The biggest gift bodybuilding gave me37:40 How to apply bodybuilding lessons to real lifeBodybuilding isn't the villain. Extremes without context are. The real goal is learning how to take discipline and structure and apply them in a way that supports your health, relationships, and real life.if you're trying to build structure and discipline without falling into extremes, there's a free coaching application in the description. Fill it out and we can see if working together would be a good fit.Apply for coaching: https://form.typeform.com/to/chqUDr9g Book a FREE consult call with me: https://calendly.com/elenoa-mccabe/30minBEcoming Relentless IG: @becomingrelentless_Elenoa McCabe IG: @noamccabe_ifbbproBEcoming Relentless — new episodes weekly. #becomingrelentlessAffiliates: Ryze HRT + Bloodwork "NOA"Purefactor Formulations "NOA10"Free Spirit Outlet "NOA"The Shoe Fairy "ELENOA"More from me: patreon.com/Elenoa
Create Without Consequence with The PhroneticThe Phronetic is a Colombian-born, Brooklyn-raised producer, composer, and creative director who emerged from the live beat-making scene around 2017. Since then he's built a career spanning music, videography, and branded content — and in 2023 launched a creative agency merging both.In this episode we get into making music that invites rather than overwhelms, developing taste through repetition, the real cost of grind culture, and what success actually looks like when you stop measuring it by numbers.Three things to take away: Invitation beats force. Taste is built through doing. Sustainability is the long game.If this resonated, the ProducerHead Substack goes deeper — essays, loops, and resources for producers who want to create with more clarity and less noise. Free to subscribe, and there's more waiting for you when you do.[Subscribe at producerhead.substack.com]Chapters:00:00 – The Instrumental Dilemma00:26 – Welcome from Mexico City01:34 – Music as Invitation, Not Force02:55 – The Remix Turning Point04:33 – Why Lyrics Connect Faster06:41 – The Connecticut Breakthrough Moment08:23 – Can Taste Be Taught?09:44 – Learning Tools vs. Having Vision10:28 – Teaching Production Like Language12:11 – Perfectionism and Sound Selection13:47 – Creation vs. Organization Sessions15:53 – Limiting Tools to Build Identity16:39 – Excuses, Blocks, and Self-Doubt17:21 – Working Alone vs. Collaboration19:52 – 10 Years In: Rethinking the Grind21:05 – Early Instagram and Finger Drumming23:48 – Burnout, Health, and the Cost of Overwork25:10 – Pressure and Public Deadlines26:39 – Where Pressure Really Comes From26:46 – Is Success in Your Control?28:15 – How Success Evolves Over Time30:58 – From Beats to Video Editing33:06 – High-Level Video Advice34:52 – Visual Identity and Differentiation37:05 – Do You Even Need to Make Content?38:33 – The Five Minute Rule and Inertia40:22 – Aesthetic Shifts in the Beat Community43:04 – Building a Visual Identity from Color46:07 – YouTube University and Self-Education48:04 – Be Careful What You Consume49:10 – Advice to Younger Self50:33 – Quick Hits53:51 – Upcoming Projects and Where to Follow55:12 – The Creative Act and Final Thoughts56:17 – Closing Reflections and OutroConnect with The Phronetic: YouTube, Instagram, Spotify — @thephroneticConnect with Toru: @torubeat Get full access to ProducerHead at producerhead.substack.com/subscribe
The Accidental Empire: Marmol Radziner on Preservation, Prefab, and Fighting the Tyranny of the Nimby. Leo Marmol and Ron Radziner discuss the 36-year evolution of their design-build firm, tracing its roots in a student co-op to becoming a leader in modern residential architecture, restoration, and the urgent need for sustainable urban density in Los Angeles. The conversation features Leo Marmol and Ron Radziner, co-founders of Marmol Radziner, detailing the firm’s history, their design philosophy, and their views on the current state of preservation and sustainability in LA. Origin Story and The Return to Modernism: The co-founders met as students at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, living in “The Ark,” a condemned co-op. This environment of free rein to alter the building foreshadowed their later design-build approach. They founded their firm in 1989 during the “dying days of postmodernism,” quickly committing to the modernist ideal of clarity, reduction, and the connection between design and craft (Bauhaus). They attribute the firm’s early success to aligning with the eventual return to California modernism, driven by its rich history in the region. Milestone Projects and Preservation: The first major flag-planting project was the Gutentag Studio (a small, pure concrete block and cedar studio), followed by the new Ward Residence. Their watershed moment in preservation was the Kaufmann House restoration (1993) in Palm Springs. At the time, there was virtually no industry for modern restoration, forcing the firm to develop the roadmap for approaching these aging buildings. They view restorations as “classrooms” that inform their new work, maintaining a healthy split of one-third restoration and two-thirds new construction. Preservation Today: The Fetish vs. Functionality: Marmol and Radziner argue they are often at odds with the preservation community because they believe historic properties must evolve to remain functional and relevant, cautioning against a “fetish” that prevents necessary change. They criticize the current situation where every modern building is deemed “sacred,” citing the contentious, successful fight to demolish the Barry Building on San Vicente as an example of overreach where the building’s significance did not rise to the level requiring preservation. The Problem of Scale (“McModerns”) and Efficiency: They express concern over the proliferation of “McModerns” and elephantine houses, driven by high property values and the pressure to “max out the buildable area” on a site. They emphasize that their modern perspective is less about style and more about the fundamental importance of connection—internal open plans and connecting the home to the landscape and exterior rhythm of nature (a concept that is lost when properties are overbuilt). Sustainability and the Nimby Problem: While California leads the country in robust, fire-resilient, and energy-efficient building codes (which have been a success), they gave the state’s housing policy an “F.” Leo Marmol asserted that the greenest thing the city can do is densify and allow more housing in the urban core, calling out the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) mentality as the primary political failure that forces sprawl and long commutes. The Return to Prefabrication (Prefab 2.0): Marmol Radziner initially experimented with prefab from 2004–2012 but stopped after the 2008 crash. They are now returning to prefabrication—Prefab 2.0—as a response to the current “crisis of construction costs” and the need for quick, affordable, and sustainable housing solutions, particularly for fire rebuilds in Altadena and the Palisades. Design-Build Practice Scale: The firm combines Architecture, Construction Services (design-build), Landscape Architecture, and Interior Design under one roof. They support their construction services with their own dedicated cabinet shop and metal shop in El Segundo, allowing for control over craft and execution. Fire Resilience and Landscape: The fires are affecting landscape rules, particularly regarding Zone Zero (the 0–5 feet immediately surrounding the building). They argue against the extreme position of “no planting” in Zone Zero, believing the right, well-irrigated planting can help against embers, which they identify as the biggest culprit in mass fires, more so than direct flame. Home hardening (sealing every vulnerability) is considered the single most important factor, with modern energy codes being an accidental but highly effective form of fire hardening.
In this episode, Lauren sits down with Lulu's Chief Technology Officer Christoph Kepper! Christoph shares his insights into what makes Lulu a publishing technology powerhouse, and his vision of an accessible, sustainable future for publishing.Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper
Our host Audrey is joined by Jodi Smits Anderson. Jodi is a subject matter guide (SMG) and collaborative leader with deep experience in embodied carbon, energy codes, the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, and identifying the synergies between the false silos we have created in her industry. She is the Founder and CCDD of 2bGreener, LLC, consulting on and offering education, integration of sustainability into business practices, and inspiration through connective and engaging presentations. Sustainability, resilience, health, equity, joy, education, justice and Nature are all linked, and recognizing this and thinking in this way changes everything for the better. Jodi is a Fellow of the AIA, has spoken nationally at Living Futures, USGBC's Greenbuild, NACUBO, DesignWell, and NESEA conferences. She also has a blog-site, and has been a co-host of @DiscoverSustainability on YouTube offering 70 inspiring interview sessions. Jodi is a co-founder of the Albany Riverfront Collaborative seeking to heal the infrastructure and community damages of the past in Albany, NY, and has taught Systems Thinking and Professional Practice at SUNY ESF and RPI respectively. Jodi's passion for this work is, frankly, that it is more fun to work with great people and more joyful to learn and evolve that work over time. And we have so very much work to do!Previous Climate Check Episode on Local Law 972bgreener WebsiteUrban Green Council & Local Law 97Northeast Sustainable Energy Association WebsiteOld Blood and Strong Language Blog Post
How do we generate the energy we need to meet the demands of consumption for the future? Any plans to meet future climate challenges and technological advancement will require not only sustainable sources of energy, but must also include the grid: our national transmission system that delivers energy to homes, businesses, data centers, and manufacturing. This week we're discussing the energy transmission network in the USA, including policy decisions, environmental impacts, land ownership, mineral demand, and the realities of an already overwhelmed grid. About World Ocean Radio World Ocean Radio is a weekly series of five-minute audio essays available for syndicated use at no cost by college and community radio stations worldwide. Celebrating 16 years in 2026, providing coverage of a broad spectrum of ocean issues from science and education to advocacy and exemplary projects. Episodes of World Ocean Radio offer perspectives on global ocean issues and viable solutions, and celebrate exemplary projects.World Ocean Radio: 5-minute weekly insights in ocean science, advocacy, education, global ocean issues, marine science, policy, challenges, and solutions. Hosted by Peter Neill, Founder of W2O. Learn more at worldoceanobservatory.org
This week on Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Dr. Helia Taheri, Research and Insights Lead at Arcadis, for an inspiring deep dive into human-centric design, evidence-based practice, and the future of our cities. Born and raised in Iran and now working in the U.S., Helia shares how her artistic upbringing, architectural training, and PhD research shaped her mission to bridge design and behavioral science.From retail prototypes to global workplace research, she explores how culture, climate, and community shape the way we experience buildings. The conversation also tackles post-occupancy evaluation, data gaps in architecture, and her passion for creating walkable, connected cities. This episode is a powerful call to measure our impact, design with intention, and build flexible spaces that truly serve human needs.More About Dr. Helia TaheriDr. Helia Taheri is an award-winning mixed-methods researcher with 8+ years of experience in strategizing and conducting human-centric research in multidisciplinary teams to have a positive impact on people, the planet, and business. She considers herself a pollinator between different fields of architecture, human behavior, and sustainability and commits to bridging the gap between industry and academia. Helia has a passion for learning and distributing knowledge and is actively engaged in presenting at conferences and publishing articles that connect the latest research with practice. She is a guest lecturer at universities such as Carnegie Mellon, USC, and Portland State University and a mentor to increase awareness among younger researchers about their important role in achieving data-driven design in architecture. Helia has a Ph.D. in human-centric research from North Carolina State University, an M.S. in Sustainability, and a B.Arch. in Architectural Engineering from the University of Tehran, Iran.CONTACT:https://www.arcadis.com/en-us/insights/blog/united-states/helia-taheri/2024/arcadiss-approach-to-post-occupancy-evaluationhttps://www.arcadis.com/en-us/insights/blog/united-states/helia-taheri/2024/how-can-data-driven-strategies-support-the-evolution-of-Workplace-design https://www.linkedin.com/in/heliataheri/ Where To Find Us:https://bbfhpod.advancedglazings.com/www.advancedglazings.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/better-buildings-for-humans-podcastwww.linkedin.com/in/advanced-glazings-ltd-848b4625https://twitter.com/bbfhpodhttps://twitter.com/Solera_Daylighthttps://www.instagram.com/bbfhpod/https://www.instagram.com/advancedglazingsltdhttps://www.facebook.com/AdvancedGlazingsltd
On Episode 621 of Impact Boom, Debra Cerasa of Amplify Alliance Australia discusses why the not-for-profit, social enterprise, and business for good sector deserves recognition for its crucial role in Australian society, and the importance of business acumen and financial sustainability in enabling purpose-driven organisations to change lives. If you are a changemaker wanting to learn actionable steps to grow your organisations or level up your impact, don't miss out on this episode! If you enjoyed this episode, then check out Episode 143 with Jennifer Bishop on how corporates, NGOs & social enterprises are working together to create positive change -> https://bit.ly/4b8sB0N The team who made this episode happen were: Host: Tom Allen Guest(s): Debra Cerasa Producer: Indio Myles We invite you to join our community on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram to stay up to date on the latest social innovation news and resources to help you turn ideas into impact. You'll also find us on all the major podcast streaming platforms, where you can also leave a review and provide feedback.
Voices is a new mini-series from Humanitarian AI Today. In short daily flashpods, we pass the mic to guests to tell us about new projects, events and advances in artificial intelligence and to discuss topics that are important to the humanitarian community. In this flashpod, Golestan (Sally) Radwan, Chief Digital Officer with the United Nations Environment Program and a Board Member of the Allen Turing Institute speaks with Panagiotis Moutis, Assistant Professor at the City College of New York and a member of the Climate Change AI initiative about AI's environmental “sustainability paradox” with Humanitarian AI Today Producer, Brent Phillips. Balancing technology's potential to solve complex environmental problems against AI's ecological costs, high energy consumption, water usage and e-waste, Sally and Panos emphasize that AI is not a magic solution but a complex equation where the new tools that we'll use to save the environment are themselves taxing its resources, and suggest that AI's value must be weighed against costs and resources that the technology draws away from other humanitarian and environmental needs. The participants explore the potential of on-device machine learning to reduce the environmental footprint of AI by shifting workloads from data centers to local hardware and discuss the critical role of data infrastructure and global cooperation in addressing climate change. Sally touches on the challenges of data interoperability, noting that too many different standards exist for environmental data, which complicates the "multivariable analysis" needed for accurate climate forecasting. Panos offers a somber closing perspective, likening the struggle against climate change to a war where key battles may already be lost. He argues that AI's greatest potential might lie in creating clear, uncurated narratives to help the public and politicians grasp the existential urgency of the crisis. To help address this need for reliable information, Sally highlights the launch of EnvironmentGPT, a new tool designed to make environmental science easier to access and understand. Humanitarian AI Today is a community-led initiative advised and co-produced by collaborating organizations and technology companies. Amidst a fragmented landscape, the podcast serves as a recognizable channel for organizations, donors, and innovators to collectively use to report AI projects, events and advances, turning raw insight into collective intelligence.
In this episode of Essential Ingredients, Justine Reichman speaks with Ralph Bianculli, the founder and CEO of Emerald EcoVations, about the importance of sustainability in the supply chain and the innovative solutions his company provides. Ralph shares his personal journey that led him to create a tree-free, compostable product line, driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the environment and health. The conversation explores the future of sustainable materials, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of education in driving change. Takeaways Emerald EcoVations focuses on sustainable packaging solutions. Ralph's inspiration came from personal experiences with his son. The company has developed a portfolio of 370 eco-friendly products. Education is key to changing consumer habits and industry standards. Sustainability is linked to health and wellness. The future of packaging is moving towards compostable materials. Ralph emphasizes the importance of persistence and consistency in business. Surrounding oneself with knowledgeable people is crucial for success. The company controls its own supply chain and formulations. Composting is a viable solution to waste management issues. sound bites "We eliminated cutting trees down." "Education is crucial for new ideas." "One decision can change everything." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sustainability and Innovation 04:04 The Personal Journey Behind Emerald EcoVations 12:09 The Future of Sustainable Packaging 18:39 The Importance of Composting and Waste Management 24:07 Balancing Passion and Work in Entrepreneurship 33:31 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
In this episode, Caleb sits down with Nick Bartolo, founder of Essential Partners, to discuss what business owners need to consider when thinking about selling their company. Nick breaks down: The decision to sell and conducting a "possible path analysis" — evaluating revenue, EBITDA, and overall business valuation. Thinking beyond the sale price — retirement planning, ensuring your investments can support your lifestyle, and avoiding poor tax advice. He also covers: Optimizing growth, margins, and return on capital Building a business that is sustainable and not dependent on the owner Understanding the broader industry landscape The importance of strong books, clean financial records, and a reliable CPA Strategic tax planning, including starting a Roth IRA This episode is packed with practical insights for any contractor or entrepreneur planning long-term growth, exit strategy, and financial freedom. Nick Bartolo- INFO@essentialp.com https://www.instagram.com/nickbartolo_ep/?hl=en https://www.elitenetworks.us Auman Landscape on YouTube Primed For Growth www.companycam/kcpodcast Company Cam- 50% for 2 months! Linktree/AumanLandscape @aumanlandscapellc www.CycleCPA.com Use code: Auman and save $200 when signing up. LMN Software Save on onboarding! Code: AUMAN
On February 24, the Council of the European Union officially adopted the ‘Omnibus' directive. Key aspects of the ‘Omnibus' directive include changes to the scope of entities subject to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) as well as guidance on simplified European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), sector guidance, assurance standards, and value chain reporting. This approval and other recent milestones in the EU legislative process and standard setting efforts are shaping the next phase of sustainability reporting. In this episode, we provide an update on the Omnibus package and discuss the latest developments in the proposed revisions to the ESRS. We explore what is expected to be finalized soon, where there is still opportunity for change, and the key implications for companies preparing for upcoming reporting requirements. In this episode, we discuss:2:48 – Updated scope and timing requirements for EU and non-EU entities11:14 – Streamlined general disclosure requirements and cross-cutting changes14:31 – Changes to double materiality and flexibility in the assessment process17:34 – Clarifications on mitigation, remediation, and assessing impacts22:54 – Reporting boundary updates, including the impact of leased assets and GHG emissions27:51 – New reliefs: reasonable and supportable information, acquisitions and disposals, and metric flexibility36:07 – What's next in the European Commission process and how companies can prepare nowLooking for more on sustainability reporting?Read PwC's Sustainability reporting guideCheck out other episodes in our sustainability reporting podcast seriesAbout our guestDiana Stoltzfus is a sustainability partner in the Professional Practice Group within the National Office. Diana helps to shape our firm's perspective on regulatory matters, responses to rulemakings, and policy development and implementation related to significant new rules and regulations. Diana was previously the Deputy Chief Accountant in the Office of the Chief Accountant (OCA) of the Professional Practice Group in the OCA at the SEC. She focused on providing guidance related to auditing, independence, and internal controls.About our hostHeather Horn is the PwC National Office Sustainability and Thought Leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting, financial reporting, and sustainability matters. In addition, she is part of PwC's global sustainability leadership team, developing interpretive guidance and consulting with companies as they transition from voluntary to mandatory sustainability reporting. She is also the engaging host of PwC's accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series.Transcripts available upon request for individuals who may need a disability-related accommodation. Please send requests to us_podcast@pwc.com. Did you enjoy this episode? Text us your thoughts and be sure to include the episode name.
"I believe in the power of people wishing to volunteer for initiatives rather than assignment of duties and responsibilities and having people feel as though it's a chore… (They) serve as champions in their areas to educate their fellow peers on what it means to be sustainable, what they can do that's in their power to contribute to the outcomes….And then as we started to become more mature…we formed structured committees, we leveraged those champions on the units to participate. We made it enjoyable in terms of participating. We actually have contests… (I)t just breeds excitement about sustainability and I think it just allows for a culture where people become engaged and part of the process." Carol Gomes on Electric Ladies Podcast Healthcare is a huge 18% of the economy and uniquely has to be caring well for patients and staff 24/7 every day while also vulnerable to extreme weather events itself. How do they do that, how do they cover those costs, and what can we all learn from them? Listen to Carol Gomes (pronounced like "homes"), CEO and COO of Stony Brook University Hospital in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. You'll hear about: ● Their initiatives and systems to reduce energy and water consumption, CO2 emissions, waste and manage the significant hazardous waste a hospital generates. How "quality" is a mantra. ● How they have engaged their people, building a unique culture, to embrace sustainability. ● What Practice Green Health is and what other industries can learn from their data, analyses and sharing of best practices. ● Plus, career advice, such as: "I would say use your voice sooner than later. And if you see something, say something. If you wish to express yourself and you have an opinion and you're sitting at a table, express it and don't be shy… I think also leveraging networking opportunities is really important and volunteering for a committee or stretching yourself a little more than you normally would, and exploring areas where you may feel you're not as strong and don't be fearful of that… building relationships is not text messaging. It's not leaving voice messages. It's talking face-to-face, getting to know people, what's important to them." Carol Gomes on Electric Ladies Podcast Read Joan's Forbes articles here. You'll also like: · Using Software & AI to Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – with Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems · Leveraging AI for Sustainability – with Mandi McReynolds, VP of External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Office at Workiva · Music, Public Health & Climate Action – with Emma O'Brien, Ph.D., Global Scrub Choir · Connecting With Curiosity – with Jennifer Hough, Author, TEDx Speaker, Advisor to Leaders · Artificial Intelligence and the Climate: Stephanie Hare, Ph.D, author of "Technology is Not Neutral" and BBC Broadcaster · Why Our Lives Depend on Women on Boards – with Corinne Post, Ph.D., Lee High University (now at Villanova) Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson
Climate resilience is no longer a distant or abstract concern for businesses. From rising heat and water stress to supply chain disruption and higher operating costs, quieter climate impacts are already shaping how companies plan, invest, and compete. In this episode of The Optimistic Outlook, Erika Gupta, Global Head of Sustainability at Siemens Financial Services, is joined by Harry Morrison, Partner at Bain & Company, to explore what resilience really means for business today. Together, they discuss how severe weather dynamics show up in day-to-day operations, why action often lags even when risks are well understood, and how better data, analytics, and AI are helping leaders see and respond to risk more clearly. The conversation looks beyond risk avoidance to examine how resilience can strengthen performance, support long-term growth, and help organizations make better decisions. Show notes: Transcript: https://assets.ctfassets.net/17si5cpawjzf/7oJC8z0fb4YhwgrsW8J3qS/26d5cd98a0e31eed2aa98fe01efdc021/022426-gupta-morrison-optimistic-outlook-transcript.pdf The CEO Playbook for Climate Resilience: https://www.bain.com/insights/the-ceo-playbook-for-climate-resilience-ceo-sustainability-guide-2025/ Infrastructure Transition Monitor: https://www.siemens.com/en-us/company/sustainability/infrastructure-transition-monitor-report/?acz=1&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23448235816&gbraid=0AAAAADEuPPM0SpA6QyiRjstvf154OVNCH&gclid=CjwKCAiAs4HMBhBJEiwACrfNZZfbMu0Y94Sr06CXOu6gggqnHIgCTHIGpLEg3pq4lkJc9YT5YM_DOBoCfGgQAvD_BwE Digital Business Optimizer: https://www.dbo.siemens.com/?utm_source=optimistic_outlook_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=optimistic_outlook_podcast_with_bain_on_resilience&utm_id=E-qftC
In this episode from BMO's Metal Matters podcast, BMO Commodities Analyst Helen Amos is joined by Ro Dhawan, President and CEO of the ICMM to discuss how the role of sustainable mining is shifting in a world where mining and critical minerals has been thrust into the foreground of global geopolitics. They discuss the new Consolidated Mining Standard which marks a major turning point in harmonizing standards across the industry, as well as progress made in tailings management, gender-based violence, and the urgency around improving safety performance. Ro suggests that the increase in government participation and M&A in mining could bring opportunities for sustainability too.
Show SummaryOn this episode, we have a conversation Today we're having a conversation Mark Solomon, co-founder of the Veterans Community Project. We talk about their innovative approach to ending veteran homelessness through tiny home communities, wraparound support, and a mission to ensure every veteran has both housing and connection.Provide FeedbackAs a dedicated member of the audience, we would like to hear from you. If you PsychArmor has helped you learn, grow, and support those who've served and those who care for them, we would appreciate hearing your story. Please follow this link to share how PsychArmor has helped you in your service journey Share PsychArmor StoriesAbout Today's GuestMark Solomon is a Naval Reserve Officer and co-founder of the Veterans Community Project, an organization dedicated to ending veteran homelessness through innovative housing and supportive services. Drawing on his own military experience and the challenges veterans face transitioning to civilian life, he helped launch the project in 2014, leading efforts to create a tiny-home village and comprehensive outreach center in Kansas City that connects veterans with resources such as health care referrals, employment assistance, and counseling.Links Mentioned During the EpisodeVeterans Community Project Website PsychArmor Resource of the WeekThis week's PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Finding Veteran Support Programs. No matter what issue you're facing, you can use the power of the internet to reach out and get the help you deserve. You can find the resource here: https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/Finding-Veteran-Support-Programs Episode Partner: Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities Contact Us and Join Us on Social Media Email PsychArmorPsychArmor on XPsychArmor on FacebookPsychArmor on YouTubePsychArmor on LinkedInPsychArmor on InstagramTheme MusicOur theme music Don't Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families. You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com
This is the Steaz comeback story! Hear how the brand founders were brought back into the company to help renew the purpose and passion of the brand, which led to a collaboration with Wild Orchard to launch the first line of Regenerative Organic Certified ® canned teas! We speak with Eric Schnell of Beyond Brands, who was one of the original founders of Steaz, to learn more about the history of Steaz and his vision for the reboot. Then Mike Fransz, Director of Marketing for Nova Naturals, the company that owns and manages the Steaz brand now, shares why they brought the founders back and how it's recharged the whole team and brand. Michael Ham, co-founder of Wild Orchard, then shared the story of the world's first Regenerative Organic Certified ® tea farm and the role they play in this collaboration. We discuss the new product line, the challenges of this innovative and collaborative process, and what's bringing each guest hope for the future of our food system. Enjoy!Takeaways:Steaz was the first certified organic soft drink brand in America.Steaz was also the very first fair trade certified tea.The journey of Steaz began with a passion for tea and health.Reviving Steaz involved bringing back the founders to guide its new direction.The collaboration with Wild Orchard got them access to the world's only Regenerative Organic Certified ® green tea.Wild Orchard was the first USDA organic certified farm in Korea.Regenerative Organic agriculture enhances soil health and product quality.The younger generation is increasingly conscious of health, environment, and where their food comes from.Challenges in R&D delayed the launch of new products.Transparency in the supply chain builds consumer trust.Steaz's 1% for the Planet commitment reflects their dedication to sustainability and regenerative agriculture.Sound bites:“Our five P's, which is what we call the Quintuple Bottom Line Business Value System is rooted in Passion, Purpose, People, Planet, and Prosperity.”“We helped get the first fair trade certified tea estate in Sri Lanka up and running.”“We're evangelists for this regenerative organic certification process, not because it's just the cool next thing, but because it creates really meaningful impact across so many different places around the globe.”“The farm that was regenerative organic had the bees and the birds and the deer running through. It seemed to just attract an ecosystem, like Gaia.”“When we consume foods grown in healthy soil, it's actually syncing everything with our gut microbiome and it improves our overall health.”“At Steaz we call it doing good by brewing good.”"You are what you eat. If the soil is healthy, the plant's going to be healthy and tastier, and then when we eat it, it's going to be better in our body too!”“Everybody loves a comeback story. And this is a great one. One of the best I've seen.”Links:Steaz - https://drinksteaz.com/Steaz on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/steaz---the-healthy-beverage-company/Steaz on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/officialsteazSteaz on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/steaz/Steaz on X - https://www.facebook.com/officialsteaz…Eric Schnell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-schnell-b133a425/Beyond Brands - https://beyondbrands.org/Beyond Brands on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyondbrands/…Mike Fransz on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikefransz/Nova Naturals - https://nova-natural.com/Nova Naturals on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nova-natural/…Michael Ham on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-d-ham/Wild Orchard - https://www.wildorchard.com/Wild Orchard on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wildorchardteas/Wild Orchard on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wildorchardteas/#Wild Orchard on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wildorchardteasWild Orchard on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ21UewP8Yx6ZMlzh8NKe0wWild Orchard on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@wildorchardtea…Natural Products Expo West: https://www.expowest.com/en/home.html…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioChapters:03:00 The Origins of Steaz: A Journey Through Tea09:16 Reviving a Legacy: The Return of Founders18:13 Collaboration for Change: Steaz and Wild Orchard23:48 Understanding Regenerative Organic: A New Standard28:03 The Impact of Healthy Soil on Health and Taste35:00 The Rise of Regenerative Organic Certification37:55 Community and Education in Regenerative Practices41:03 Commitment to the Planet: 1% for the Planet43:00 Challenges in Collaboration and Supply Chain53:55 Hope for the Future of Food SystemsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Send a textDee Ann Turner - Founder/CEO Dee Ann Turner & Associates and 33-year veteran of Chick-fil-A and the company's first female officer, serving as Vice President of Talent and later Sustainability - shares her faith and her impactful work including accepting Christ as her Savior at age six: the immense impact of Miss Joanie Grimm; rededication at 15; her dream to be a writer; going into journalism in college; marrying a preacher and her newfound role in the church; moving into a role in advertising but being unhappy; how a woman's flat tire outside of a church changed the trajectory of Dee Ann's career and life; interviewing for an advertising job at Chick-Fil-A and ending up in Human Resources; the importance of good communication skills; putting the dream of writing a book aside for 30 years; the most important decisions leaders make are people decisions; discovering her calling of helping other people find their path; values that come out of action first; the secret to Chick-Fil-A's success (spoiler: who you give the keys to); the sustainability and community initiatives of franchisees; how a fear of mission work turned into a love; incorporating prayer in people decisions; a transition into leading in Sustainability; her biggest leap of faith when she left Chick-Fil-A; her love letter to Chick-Fil-A; how to Crush Your Career, and so much more! https://www.deeannturner.com/Support the show
In this episode of IFRS Talks, we cover the latest ISSB developments, including the targeted amendments to IFRS S2 and progress on the biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services (BEES) standard‑setting project. Topics covered also include brief updates on the GHG Protocol and the revised European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Find out more at PwC's IFRS Talks homepage
This is our first episode recorded live in Sweden, here at Fotografiska Stockholm. And I couldn't imagine a better guest to open this chapter.In this episode, I get to interview the brilliant Keika Lee, Director of Global Public Affairs at IKEA.Keika grew up in Sweden with Korean heritage, in a family where discipline and hard work were part of everyday life. She was on her way to becoming a classical pianist, with auditions at Juilliard and the Conservatoire in Paris, and then she made a decision that surprised many: she walked away.What followed wasn't a straight career path, but years of trial and error. Keika tried many different roles: from bartending and working airport security to studying political science, building a fashion brand with her sister and working in consultancy. From the outside, It might look scattered, but it became one of her biggest strengths: learning how people behave and how to read the room.This episode might make you pause and ask yourself whether what you're building is actually aligned with who you are, and remind you that nothing you try is ever wasted.Read more about the Women Authors of Achievement (WAA) Podcast via waa.berlin/aboutFollow us on Instagram & find us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletter via waa.berlin/newsletter ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
This week, a behind-the-scenes look at how great Sonoma wine actually gets made. Katie Madigan of St. Francis Winery shares how she went from chemistry student to winemaker, why sustainability is more than farming, and how to keep soul and quality in wines priced around $15–$18.Katie breaks down St. Francis Winery's approach to balance, aromatics, and vintage expression, plus what it takes to produce accessible wines at scale without losing identity.We taste and discuss:• 2023 Sonoma County Chardonnay – St. Francis Winery – Sonoma County – $15–$18 – 14% ABV• 2023 Old Vine Zinfandel – St. Francis Winery – Sonoma County – $15–$18If you care about sustainability, value-driven California wine, or how winemakers think during harvest, this one's for you.Subscribe for weekly wine conversations.Support the show and help keep the wine flowing!Buy us a glass!https://buymeacoffee.com/cheers3Connect with the show. We would love to hear from you!Stop Wasting Your Wine on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/stopwastingyourwine/Stop Wasting Your Wine on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@StopWastingYourWineThe Stop Wasting Your Wine Websitehttps://stopwastingyourwine.com/Chapters00:00 – Welcome and Introducing Katie Madigan02:02 – From Chemistry to Winemaking03:14 – UC Davis Enology Program04:34 – Early Days at St. Francis08:28 – Sustainability at St. Francis Winery12:19 – How Katie Knows a Wine Is Ready14:16 – Aromatics, Texture, and Wine Accessibility18:32 – Making Quality Wine at Scale20:11 – Todays Wine20:13 – 2023 Sonoma County Chardonnay26:52 –2023 Old Vine Zinfandel36:01 – Review and Final Thoughts
What do some of the more surprising stories of scale teach us about implementing the circular economy? In this episode of the Circular Economy Show, Fin is joined by Rachel O'Reilly, Global Human Sustainability Design Director at Accenture, to discuss their upcoming report. The report, titled ‘Circularity is Working' provides direction on how to improve the consumer adoption of circularity. From musicians in Liverpool reinvesting savings from second-hand instruments, to informal sharing systems in Hamburg, the conversation explores businesses and communities where circularity is succeeding. Rachel shares insights into the hidden drivers of circularity and explains why they could be the secret to normalising, embedding, and scaling circularity. If you enjoyed this episode, then please share with your colleagues, or leave us a review or comment on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. The report will be attached in the show notes upon its release in Spring 2026.
Behind the scenes at hop selection with insights from Russian River, Breakside, Ghost Town, Haas, and Yakima Chief Hops.Special Guests: Ben Edmunds, Bridget Gates, Jeff Dailey, Justin Burdt, and Vinnie Cilurzo.
Anya Cheng, Founder and CEO of Taelor, is making personal styling accessible to everyday professionals with an AI-powered clothing-on-demand service built for busy men and influencers. After 15 years leading product teams at companies like Meta, eBay, McDonald's, and Target, Anya turned her own frustration with shopping and laundry into a mission-driven business that helps people look great, feel confident, and save time—while also supporting sustainability by keeping more clothing out of landfills. We explore Anya's Product Management Framework, the structured approach she uses to build and scale products. Instead of starting with technology, she begins by Identifying the Right Problem, then Looking at the Persona, Validating the Buying Journey, and Identifying Pain Points. From there, she Selects Decision Criteria to prioritize what matters most, Brainstorms Solutions, and finally Identifies the Right Solution based on impact, feasibility, and business value. She explains how this framework guides everything from launching Taelor to deciding which AI features to build next. — 7-Steps to Winning Products with Anya Cheng Good day, dear listeners. Steve Preda here, Founder of the Summit OS Group. And my guest today is Anya Cheng, the Founder and CEO of Taelor, an AI-powered clothing on-demand service for men and social media influencers. Anya, welcome to the show. Hello, this is Anya from San Francisco. I’m the founder of Taelor. We use AI to pick clothes for busy men. In the old days, only celebrities had their own human stylists. Now everyone can have their own AI stylist, and we send people real clothes to rent. Before starting the company, I spent 15 years in big tech companies. Most recently at Meta, where I helped build Facebook and Instagram Shopping. I was Head of Product at eBay and helped them launch new businesses in the US, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. I was also a Senior Director at McDonald’s, where I helped build their food delivery business globally when Uber Eats just started, and I helped Target build a tech office here in Silicon Valley. I’m excited to share more. Okay, well we already got a lot out of you, so thank you for giving this quick bio. What I’m very interested in is what drives you. So you worked for Target. I think you worked for Amazon, at least with Amazon. You worked for other big tech. EBay, McDonald’s, and Facebook. Yes, so big tech companies like Meta. What makes someone who is a successful leader in big tech break out start as an entrepreneur? What is your personal “Why” that drives you and that you want to manifest in your business? Yeah, it actually start with my personal problems that I had. When I was working for Meta, I was a few female leaders there leading large technology team. So I felt a little bit of imposter syndrome. I wanted to look great, but I don’t want people to find out that I’m freaking out every day. So I tried some subscription boxes like Stitch Fix, which is similar to the old Trunk Club. It's good that someone styles you. But once you receive those boxes, you have to decide right away: how many times am I going to wear these clothes? And you have to buy before you can wear them. So can I find something even cheaper somewhere else? How do I pair these items? And once I buy them, I have to do laundry, ironing, and folding. It's just a lot of work. So I started using rental companies. I rented from companies like Nuuly, which is a $500 million revenue company, or companies like Rent the Runway, which is a public company. They are all great—you can rent, you don’t have to buy. But they require people to pick from hundreds of thousands of garments. You spend two hours picking, picking, picking, browsing, browsing, browsing. And I’m not into fashion. I don’t like fashion. I don’t have time to do shopping. I'm not fashion-forward, so I don't even know how to pick. That was the “aha” moment for me— I realized most fashion companies are designed for people who are into fashion, not for people like me who just want to get ready for the day and be successful.Share on X So I started doing research. Are there other people like me—who hate shopping and laundry but need to look good, be socially active, go to meetings, close deals, get jobs? It turns out there are a lot of people like me: busy men, single guys, salespeople, consultants, pastors, recruiters, professors. There are 15 million single men, 14 million sales professionals in the U.S., and it turns out we started Taelor to help people like me look great without having to think about fashion. Well, I don't know—if you look at my shirt, I probably could also use some Taelor treatment, an AI telling me how to dress better. So what drives you? I understand this is a great idea and definitely necessary, but what makes you excited about it? I think I've personally always been passionate about helping people achieve their goals. I started as a blue-collar kid—my mom is a housewife, my dad is a factory worker, originally from Taiwan, and they've been in the U.S. for 20 years. As an immigrant, I came to the U.S. and was very lucky to have a lot of people help me. I got a student long ago, went to Northwestern University, got my MBA from the University of Chicago. I came to the U.S. without knowing anyone here, but many people helped me achieve the American dream. So it has always been in my heart to help more people achieve their dreams. What I realized was that dressing well really helped me—almost like a student who buys a textbook and feels ready for the exam even though they haven't read it yet.Share on X People using amazing software or tools will buy books or start learning and already feel smarter than before. It's really a peace of mind that helped me. So I've always been passionate about how I can help more people achieve their goals, their dreams, and their full potential. I realized this business helps me do that. I've tried to do that in other ways before: I've published books, created online courses, and taught at Northwestern University. But this business is an additional way to help people achieve their goals. At the same time, my co-founder, Phoebe, who is originally from Malaysia, she has been in the U.S. for 20 years. Growing up, she wanted to be a fashion designer, but in an Asian family, she became an accountant and finance professional, eventually a CFO. She always had a little spark in her heart to do something related to fashion, and she is very passionate about sustainability. She constantly talks about how today, 30% of clothes go directly from factories to landfills, generating 10% of carbon emissions and polluting 20% of the world's water. Sustainability is really close to her heart. By the time she had worked for 15 years, she felt ready for a change, and we both shared the same vision. That's how we started the business together. Love it. It's really a mission-driven company. I didn't realize this when we first talked, but a lot of people are held back by not being well-dressed. Again, I don’t want to be the example here. I also like the idea because my daughter talks a lot about throwing away clothes and how much damage it does to the environment. I really like that you help people wear and buy only the clothes they actually need and send back the ones they don't. This is awesome. So let's switch gears here. I'm really curious about how you develop your products because this is a very creative business. You have to develop a new, revolutionary concept and product. Do you have a framework for developing these products? Yeah, absolutely. We always start with the problem we are solving. I teach product management at Northwestern University, and most people, when they think about building a product, their first thought is, “Hey, what product am I building? How do I build it? What technology should I use?” We use AI to build this—we build AI agents—but in fact, you should take a step back. There are two equally important questions you need to ask: what problem should I solve, and what solution should I pick? Most people spend 95% of their time thinking about what solution to pick. But first, you need to figure out what problem you should solve. The problem you solve is actually the most important thing, because if you're solving the wrong problem—one that people don't care about, or one that won't help your business, or one that you can't actually solve—then no matter how great your solution is, it's going to be a waste of time. For example, what we found is that we are totally different from women's rental companies. The problem we are solving is for guys who are busy but socially active. They have dreams. As a realtor, I want to sell one more house. As a small business owner, I want to grow my business to open a second restaurant. So they have a dream. Dressing well and looking good is something that helps increase their chances of success—getting a job, closing a deal, showing up confidently.Share on X What we are really selling is a concierge service, an executive assistant, a fairy godmother, a gadget guy behind the superhero—it's peace of mind. If you look at women's counterparts, like Nuuly or Rent the Runway, they have hundreds of millions in revenue each, but they are solving a problem for women like me. So we want to look great every single day and want to wear different things. So wearing different thing versus, I don’t want to think about it, is actually totally different problem. So if you think of our business model financially is different. For example, in women's rental businesses, margins are very low because people rent clothes and don't buy. On top of typical e-commerce costs like shipping, there are additional costs like laundry, so margins remain low. But in our business, customers use the service as “try before you buy.”. They want to save time and save space. So a lot of our revenue actually also come from people actually buying the secondhand clothes. And those people are people who would never buy secondhand before because they don’t have time. So those are white-collar, busy men renting clothes and also buying them. In addition, they ask me where to buy shoes or accessories, Valentine's Day gifts, where to get haircuts, even where to go on vacation. They treat us more like an executive assistant service. They give us lots of feedback, and we monetize that feedback back to fashion brands to help them predict what's going to sell. Okay. That’s fascinating. So it's a two-way business because you are also selling the data that you’re collecting from people. Customer feedback, like “the sleeve is too long,” “the fabric is too tight,” “this isn't flexible,” and also insights like, “This is an amazing brand, but it's too expensive compared to 90% of our other brands on the platform, so you should lower your price.” We give that feedback to brands so they can improve. Yeah, which is basically data they don't have—and it's very valuable. That’s fascinating. So, going back to the framework—because we're a podcast about frameworks—I want to make sure we have a clear framework. You identify the right problem first, and then you reverse-engineer from there. What are the steps to get from the right problem to the right solution? Yeah, so going from the right problem to the right solution—that's step number one. To solve the right problem, you first need to understand your personas. For example, a simple persona for us is a busy man who isn't into fashion, such as a single guy, a busy dad, a sales professional, a consultant, or a pastor. Then you map out their journey. For example, they might need to go on a business trip, attend a meeting, go to a birthday party, or go on playdates with their kids. Along that journey, they realize their clothes are old or out of style, and they need different outfits. But when they look at what they have from last year, the clothes are already too small or too big. So you identify the journey. So for example, they realize they need new clothes, and there’s a moment they say, “Okay, I can either buy exactly the same thing as last year, or… hey, I heard people are actually renting through women’s counterpart—maybe there's something like that for me.” It's like when you're bored and deciding whether to stick with Comcast or try Hulu, Disney+, or Netflix. So identify the journey. After mapping the journey, the third step is identifying the pain points. A simple feature, for example—Facebook. We all use Facebook, and one feature is the birthday feature. The personas are people who have a birthday and people who want to wish their friends a happy birthday. The pain point for the birthday person is: “I'm not sure if I should tell people, but I also don't want everyone to forget my birthday.” For friends who are close to the birthday person, their pain point is: “I forgot my friend's birthday.” So you have a lot of different pain points. Once you have your persona, their journey, and their pain points, the fourth step is to define your selection criteria. For example, you want to pick the biggest problem to solve. What should your selection criteria be? How many people are impacted, how painful it is for those people, and how likely you are to be able to solve the problem effectively. Then you choose one pain point to focus on. For example, for Taelor, we pick that we want to help busy men who are not into fashion to dress well. The pain point we addressed is helping them save time and look great.Share on X We didn't try to solve other problems. For example, a luxury menswear company might offer Louis Vuitton or Burberry for rent. The pain point they address is helping people who want luxury clothes but can't afford them, which is very different from our focus. The key is to use your selection criteria to pick the right pain point to solve first. Now you have the pain point. For example, for me, it is helping people have peace of mind and achieve their goals. Now you start using exactly the same framework for your solution. You pick your selection criteria and identify different solutions. Take Facebook birthday as an example. Oh, the problem I want to solve is that for people who are birthday boys or girl’s friend, they want to host a party. Now you can come out with plenty of solution. For example, the solution one could be AI generating party locations. The solution two is AI generate invitations. The third could be AI suggesting a party game or activity. Then you do the same thing—you identify your criteria. There are so many solutions, so what’s my criteria? The criteria are: which solution solves the pain point better? Which one requires fewer engineering hours? Which one can drive more engagement, traffic, or revenue for the company? Then you use the framework to pick the solution. Yeah. Love it. Okay. That’s fascinating. So you find the right problem. Then you look at the persona that has that problem. Then you identify the pain points that really bother these people. You find those persona and journey. That’s how you find a problem. The journey as well. So the persona. Okay. And these are busy men, so you map their journeys. They need to go to church, they need to go to meetings. Then you use your criteria to select the solution. That’s right. And then you basically stress test. Is this the right solution? Does it fit the criteria? Does it handle the pain points? Fascinating. Yeah. So you’re selecting criteria for your problem. And after you pick the problem, you have the same different selecting criteria to pick your solutions. Yeah. Got it. So how do you decide what features to develop? You have your product—you've got the clothes. People can order them, try them out, and send them back. You take care of the laundry. They don't have to worry. AI gives advice. How do you know what features to develop to define your product further? Yeah. So the features to develop use the same framework. We start with the problem. Then we ask, what feature—or solution—solves that problem? For example, our customers say, “I hate shopping.” The solution is our AI shops for them. But they also say, I have a little bit points of views. So then we offer them a chance, they have a style quiz. They can upload a picture, say “I don't wear pink, blue, or green,” And they can say, “I never wear turtlenecks.” And then they show a few pictures of the style that they like, if they have any, or we show them pictures to like or dislike. This way, we understand their preferences and pain points. And then when they decide a feature, we're thinking about the solutions to address their pain points.Share on X So for this example, and in terms of getting into the Product Management framework: If you are really going into product management, how do you find out the solution using quant and qual? For example, you interview your customers, run focus groups, check Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Shopify data, QuickBooks—your data points. Then you have qualitative and quantitative numbers. From there, you see the opportunity for a feature. You might identify a pain point: everyone comes to our homepage, but they drop off on the second page. Why? The homepage isn't very clear. There's no clear call-to-action button; the button was hidden. It was below the fold. Users have to scroll three times before they see the button. So, okay, I have a hypothesis. The hypothesis is that people drop off because they don't see the call-to-action button. So I'm going to come up with a solution. Solution one: move the button to the top. Solution two: have a floating button that is always visible. Solution three: show a pop-out button. And then using the same framework, like, okay, these are three great solutions. Which one take less engineering hours? Which one will potentially solve the problem better? Which one do we think will be more effective or generate more revenue? And then you decide. That's how we decide on the features. Yeah, that’s great. Then the AI keeps learning your criteria, keeps refining, and keeps suggesting better and better-fitting clothes. It gets faster from there, I presume. Yeah, because the customer provides feedback. Your Netflix shows—when you start, you might watch all the true crime. But after a few weeks, you start watching other things, like romcoms or Korean dramas. They see what you watch, and you start seeing those suggestions too. At the same time, what's different at Taelor is that we know the problem we're solving: helping people try something a little out of their comfort zone, because that's why they want a stylist.Share on X So we also tend to recommend something new. We work with over a hundred different brands, so we might suggest something they haven't tried before. “Oh, you've never tried purple? Why not try these light purple shirts? They look really good, similar to blue.” “Oh, you've never tried pink? How about this spring pink t-shirt? It's really nice.” It's a rental, so they don't have to commit, and they're willing to try something new—just like with Netflix. “I'm not sure if I'll like the show… watch five minutes, we'll see.” And then, is this a global business, Taelor, or is it focused on the U.S.? It's focused on the U.S. We serve nationwide—anywhere the post office can reach. After people sign up, shipping takes one to three days. They wear the clothes for a couple of weeks. After that, they return the clothes in a prepaid envelope. They can go to the post office, or use a post office app with one click to schedule a free pickup. You can also drop it in blue collection boxes on the street. If you're traveling—say, to New York for business—you can just return it at the hotel lobby. It's prepaid, just like any package. You ask, “Can I mail it back?” It’s prepaid. They always say yes, and then you go home, and new clothes has arrived. You don't have to do any laundry when you get home. And you don’t have to check in your luggage. Exactly. You don’t have to. And to get on and off the plane quickly. I love it. That’s great. So if people would like to learn more, or they’d like to check this service out, or want to connect with you personally, where should they go? Where can they find you? Yeah, go on https://taelor.style. Use the code PODCAST25 to get 25% off your first month or use the code PODCASTGIFT to buy a gift card with 10% off. And if you are great suppliers or business owners, you also want to tap on and work with your product, perfect for man who are busy. We love to partner with you. We work with dating sites, fitness centers, career coaches, and executive coaching companies. We also do holiday gifting, employee gifting, and new hire gifting to help your employees look great and save time. For investors, we are now backed by some of the largest consumer investors in the U.S., such as Goodwater Capital, the investors behind Lyft and Socar, Facebook, Twitter, and Spotify. Reach out to me at anya@taelor.ai. That’s perfect. So, just so we don't forget, you're an AI-driven company. That's amazing. So, if those of you listening to this enjoyed this conversation and learned something, you learned how to build a product: starting from identifying the right problem, looking at the personas, determining the persona, the journey, the pain points, selecting the criteria, and then picking the right solution. So, if you want to learn more about that and similar frameworks that accelerate your business, make sure you stay tuned, because every week I bring an exciting entrepreneur or thought leader who's going to help you fast-track your business. Anya, thank you for coming, and thank you for listening. Important Links: Anya's LinkedIn: Anya's website: Anya's email: anya@taelor.ai
Consumers want transparency and sustainability—and they reward it with loyalty and sales. This episode breaks down four key ways to communicate sustainability, from tasting rooms to sales channels, showing how clear, credible messaging builds trust and drives purchasing decisions. Resources: *** Tell Your Sustainable Story Online Course *** Apply for SIP Certified Wine Marketing Tips eNewsletter Sustainable Stories Sustainable Story Worksheet Support the Podcast: Make a Donation Vineyard Team Programs: Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship - Help students from vineyard families pursue higher education Online Courses - Earn DPR and CCA hours with expert-led sustainability trainings SIP Certified - A trusted third-party certification proving your sustainable practices with science-backed standards Sustainable Ag Expo - Join top experts at the premier winegrowing event of the year Vineyard Team Membership - Connect with a community advancing sustainable winegrowing
The Founderz Lounge Episode #75 with Nikki Boxler.In this episode, Don Varady and Steve Bon sit down with Nikki Boxler, founder of The Maple Farmer, to talk about the truth behind maple syrup, farm entrepreneurship, and what most people don't realize about how real maple products are made.Nikki shares her journey growing up on a dairy and maple farm in Western New York, leaving for corporate work, and eventually returning home to build her own maple syrup business. The conversation dives into how the maple industry actually works, why most “maple syrup” on store shelves isn't what people think, and what it takes to turn an agricultural passion into a real business.Along the way, they discuss farming life, branding local products, and the realities of producing something natural in a world driven by mass production.Timestamps:[00:00] Trailer[00:58] Nikki Boxler's Origin Story[04:19] Why Launch a Maple Spin-Off Brand[06:11] How Maple Tapping Actually Works[12:57] Growth Plans for The Maple Farmer[17:45] How Nikki Sets Pricing[20:08] Saying No to Growth Opportunities[26:15] Getting Into the Outdoors[31:29] Plans for Agritourism[34:16] Managing Tree Health and Sustainability[39:01] Where to Find NikkiKey Takeaways: • “Most of what's labeled maple syrup in stores isn't actually maple syrup.” ~Nikki Boxler• Standardizing your product and process early can make shipping, packaging, and scaling far simpler. ~Nikki Boxler• “It means more to me to keep it this size than to grow it just to make money off of it.” ~Nikki Boxler• Selling direct to consumers allows a level of connection and trust that disappears when you hand distribution to someone else. ~Nikki Boxler• “I literally am every single touch point… from tapping the tree to packaging.” ~Nikki Boxler• Nature, craftsmanship, and story are what make small brands memorable in a world of mass-produced products. ~Don Varady• People connect more deeply with products when they know who made them and where they came from. ~Steve BonConnect with Nikki Boxler:Website: https://themaplefarmer.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themaplefarmer/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@maplefarmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-boxler/ Connect with Don and Steve…Don Varady:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/don.varady/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donvarady/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-varady-450896145 Steve Bon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbon Instagram: https://instagram.com/stevebon8 Tune in to every episode on your favorite platform: Website: https://www.thefounderzlounge.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFounderzLounge Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Nurr4XjBE747qJ9Zjth0G Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-founderz-lounge/id1461825349 The Founderz Lounge is Powered By:Clean Eatz:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleanEatzLife/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleaneatzlife/ Website: https://cleaneatz.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRGrE-Xv4IMW_DbxSOTGGA Bon's Eye Marketing:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonseyemarketing Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bon's-eye-marketing/ Website: https://bonseyeonline.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonseyemarketing9477
This week on Sustainability Now!, your host, Justin Mog, mounts up for a rolling conversation with Taylor Nichols & Nick Richert, co-hosts of the national program on the Pacifica Network, Bike Talk, now airing on Forward Radio on Thursdays at 12am (premiered 1/29/26). https://biketalk.org/ Nick Richert founded Bike Talk in 2008 on Killradio.org to amplify the growing bike movement in Los Angeles. The show moved to KPFK and has expanded along with the movement. Taylor Nichols became a bicycle advocate when his two daughters started to roam the neighborhood on two wheels. He was appointed to the West Hollywood Bicycle Task Force in 2011. Since then he has worked as the co-chair of the Mid City West Neighborhood council's Transportation committee where he has been responsible for promoting safe streets in and around West Hollywood. Currently he serves as the CD-5 Representative to the Los Angeles Bicycle Advisory Committee. He has a Bachelors degree from the University of Michigan and a degree in Journalism from the UCLA specializing in Broadcast Journalism. In Taylor's real life he is an actor, having recently starred in the Emmy nominated Pen 15 and Perry Mason for HBO as well as many other films and tv shows. Taylor's whole family is from Louisville. https://www.instagram.com/taylor.nichols7/ As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW! Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at https://forwardradio.org The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at https://appalatin.com