Welcome back to Before The Tipping Point: AI & Sustainability Meet Climate Leadership. In this episode, we dive deep into the vast potential of our oceans with a true expert, Josien Hendricksen. A Marine & Aquaculture Researcher in Wageningen, Netherlands, and an associate of the groundbreaking AlgaeProBanos project, Josien brings a unique perspective, combining her scientific rigor with a profound passion for the sea—a passion that has led her to sail across the Atlantic twice and work on critical projects involving seaweed, seagrass, and mangroves. She also volunteers with The Ocean Movement, combining sailing, science, and education to drive impact.

Our conversation focuses on the burgeoning European algae sector. Josien shares her key observations on current developments and the ambitious goals of AlgaeProBANOS to accelerate the commercial use of algae across the Baltic and North Sea regions. We explore the critical question of how to transform promising algae-based concepts into viable business cases, discussing both the biggest opportunities and the most significant barriers facing this 'blue economy' revolution.

Crucially, we examine how AlgaeProBANOS ensures that its solutions are not just profitable but also deliver meaningful environmental and socio-economic benefits, such as reducing nutrient pollution and creating local green jobs. Tune in to discover the secrets and potential of our oceans, and learn how you can get involved in the movement to make a lasting impact on ocean sustainability.

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Carbon credits are everywhere—but how do you separate real climate impact from glossy sustainability slogans?

In this episode of Before The Tipping Point: Where AI & Sustainability Meet Climate Leadership, we’re joined by Kriti Gupta, the founder of Carbon Floor, a strategy and finance firm operating at the heart of the climate economy.

Carbon Floor helps organizations transform sustainability goals into funded, executable outcomes—without sacrificing financial returns. With deep expertise across corporate finance, ESG, and carbon markets, Kriti and her team work where capital, compliance, and climate action collide. Their philosophy is simple and refreshingly rare: bring numbers to the table, not mantras.

Together, we unpack:

• How rigorous financial analysis can fundamentally change the trajectory of carbon credit portfolios and climate ventures
• How organizations can stay compliant, credible, and resilient amid tightening ESG regulations and rising greenwashing scrutiny
• The biggest bottleneck between sustainability ambition and real-world execution—and the frameworks that actually move the needle

From carbon finance and impact valuation to decarbonization planning and capital stack optimization, this conversation is for leaders who want sustainability strategies that hold up in the boardroom, the balance sheet, and the real world.

Less talk. More traction. 

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This special episode of The Business of Aquaculture is released in honor of David Fincham, who has recently passed away.

David was the Director of tilapiafarming.co.za, where he worked to support and help build tilapia farms across Africa. His contributions to the aquaculture industry were rooted in practical experience, mentorship, and a commitment to strengthening aquaculture businesses.

In this episode, David shares how he entered the aquaculture industry, one key insight that can make a meaningful difference for business aquaculturists, and his most important lesson from his years in the field.

This conversation is shared as a tribute to David’s work, his knowledge, and the legacy he leaves within the aquaculture community.

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In Season 14 of Before the Tipping Point, we dive beneath the surface—literally and strategically—into one of the most underestimated climate solutions of our time: seaweed.

This season explores how seaweed networks, AI-enabled systems, and regenerative aquaculture are reshaping food systems, carbon strategies, and climate leadership. At the center of these conversations are ecopreneurs, scientists, and operators who aren’t waiting for permission to act—they’re redesigning industries from the inside out.

Our opening episode features Majid Hajibeigy, ecopreneur and CEO of Canadian Pacifico Seaweeds in British Columbia. With a background from the University of British Columbia and hands-on experience in sustainable food production, Majid brings a systems-level perspective to one urgent question:
How do we turn agriculture—from a major source of emissions—into a driver of climate positivity?

Throughout the season, we explore:

• How seaweed networks can address global climate and food challenges
• The role of AI in scaling sustainable aquaculture responsibly
• What measurable climate impact actually looks like (beyond buzzwords)
• How purpose-driven companies balance innovation, growth, and environmental stewardship
• What it takes to build businesses that work with nature, not against it

This season is for climate leaders, sustainability professionals, investors, policymakers, and innovators who understand that sustainability isn’t a side project—it’s the operating system for the future.

🌱 Because before the tipping point… there’s still time to build what comes next.

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This special Christmas episode of The Business of Aquaculture Podcast is all about reflection, meaning, and building authority that actually lasts.

As the year winds down, many leaders are asking the same question: How do we turn sustainability from a talking point into real trust, real traction, and real revenue?

To explore that, I’m joined by Joshua B. Lee, one of the Top 3 AI-ranked LinkedIn experts (as cited in his professional profile). Joshua began his career in the wild-west era of the internet with early clients like MySpace, later scaling campaigns across Google and Yahoo, managing nearly $1B in ad spend and 35 trillion impressions. By age 28, he had achieved three exits—only to discover how quickly success can disappear. That reset taught him a powerful lesson: the real game isn’t metrics, it’s meaning.

In this Christmas conversation, we unpack:

• The fastest path from ESG talking points to measurable pipeline on LinkedIn
• What a 90-day personal brand shift toward sustainability leadership actually looks like—content cadence, formats, and CTAs
• How to audit a sustainability narrative to remove greenwashing without losing momentum
• Why “youmanizing” online connections is the key to becoming the trusted answer buyers see first

This episode is an invitation to close the year with clarity—and step into the next one as a stand-out, trusted sustainability authority.

Consider it a Christmas gift for founders, executives, and sustainability leaders who want their impact to be real, human, and measurable 🎄

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For our Season 13 finale of The Business of Aquaculture, we’re diving into one of the ocean’s most promising allies in the sustainability movement: seaweed—and more importantly, the ecosystem services that make it a powerhouse for regenerative aquaculture.

In this episode, we sit down with Sophie Koch, a scientific researcher at Sjokovin, whose work spans international research consortia and the cutting edge of seaweed cultivation. Sophie specializes in quantifying and valuing ecosystem services, conducting interdisciplinary carrying capacity assessments, and gathering both ecological and socio-economic data. From systematic literature reviews and proposal writing to peer-reviewed publications, she brings a rigorously scientific lens to the conversation—grounded in real-world aquaculture challenges.

Together, we explore:

• How ecosystem services translate into tangible operational and environmental benefits for seaweed aquaculture businesses
• Whether there are downsides or trade-offs operators should be aware of
• What it actually takes to measure these ecosystem services—and the complexities Sophie has faced in the field
• How seaweed practitioners can adapt to shifting environmental and regulatory conditions
• And the key mindset shift needed to build resilient, future-proof aquaculture models

Seaweed isn’t just a crop—it’s a climate solution, a coastal ally, and a blueprint for regenerative blue economies. Join us for a finale that’s equal parts science, strategy, and seaweed-powered optimism.

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In this episode of The Business of Aquaculture, we dive deep into the environmental and socio-economic dimensions of seaweed farming with Dr. Sander van den Burg, Senior Researcher at Wageningen Economic Research (Wageningen University) in the Netherlands.

Sander specializes in assessing the environmental impact of global seaweed value chains, leading studies on life cycle assessments (LCAs) and ecosystem service valorisation in the SeaMark project.

We explore questions shaping the future of blue carbon and ocean-based climate solutions:

• What should people really understand about carbon sequestration in seaweed farming beyond the buzzwords?
• How might Sander’s findings influence the integration of seaweed farms into carbon credit markets and climate policies?
• Is carbon sequestration the main driver for seaweed investment—or just an added benefit?

Tune in for a grounded, science-backed look at how seaweed cultivation can truly contribute to a more sustainable blue economy.

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In this episode of The Business of Aquaculture podcast, we welcome back agrifood and agritech expert Rob Arthurs—exactly three years after his first appearance in Season 4, Episode 16. This time, we dive deep into the future of spirulina and purpose-driven impact.

Rob shares insights on how spirulina brands can craft consumer messaging that resonates with today’s health-conscious audience while staying compliant with regulations. We explore the audience segments most receptive to spirulina—like athletes, wellness influencers, and biohackers—and discuss how storytelling rooted in professionalism, transparency, and sustainability builds lasting trust.

Discover how your spirulina brand can align with a bigger mission: protecting people from toxins and microplastics naturally, supporting detox and wellness, and leading the charge toward a cleaner, healthier planet.

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In this special informational episode, we feature insights from a recent Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) webinar led by Dr. Rozita Dara of the University of Guelph and AI4Food. This session unpacks how artificial intelligence is transforming the food and farming landscape — from decision support systems and digital twins to early disease detection, misinformation monitoring, and AI governance.

The episode explores how algorithms are reshaping public trust in food systems, balancing innovation with ethics, and redefining what it means to produce food responsibly in the age of automation.

CCFI webinars are hosted monthly and provide attendees with information on key food system issues. These sessions share best practices, tools, and cutting-edge research that members can use when connecting with Canadians. All webinars are free of charge for CCFI members.

Tune in to discover how AI and data-driven innovation are building a more transparent, sustainable, and trustworthy future for the global food system.

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Meet the not-your-average suit who’s practically grown gills. Nik Sachlikidis—CEO of The Oyster Restoration Company and Managing Director (Aquaculture) at Cadman Capital—builds ventures that regenerate oceans, feed the future, and create real-world value by turning breakthrough science into scalable action. In this kickoff conversation, we chart Nik’s journey into oyster restoration, unpack TORC’s mission-driven playbook, and explore how bivalves are quietly powering big environmental wins.

You’ll hear:

• What sparked Nik’s passion for restoration—and how it’s evolved over 20 years in aquaculture and fisheries
• TORC’s core mission and how it guides daily decisions (from seabed to spreadsheet)
• The toughest challenge so far—and the strategy that turned it around
• How oyster reefs deliver outsized climate and community benefits
• The innovative techniques and tech TORC uses to scale restoration
• Long-term goals for the movement—and what success looks like at ecosystem level
• A success story with measurable impact on a local coast
• How TORC engages communities, policymakers, and partners to accelerate change

Whether Nik’s casting lines on the weekend or casting vision for the industry, this episode is a masterclass in ocean-positive leadership—with practical insights you can apply on Monday. Dive in.

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