Clear Haze Exchange

In this episode of Clear Haze Exchange, Marcus Hazelwood sits down with Greg Kwak, Vice President of Business & Product Development at Diversified Biotech, a Massachusetts-based company leading the charge toward sustainable lab consumables.

Greg shares how PlanetSafe, their plant-based alternative to traditional lab plastics, is reshaping research and healthcare through science-driven sustainability. The two discuss how innovation, transparency, and equity all play a role in making labs more sustainable — without sacrificing performance.

What you’ll learn:

• How Diversified Biotech turned sugarcane into a plant-based replacement for single-use plastics
• Why “scope 3 emissions” matter for research and healthcare facilities
• How sustainable manufacturing reduces carbon impact by up to 90 percent
• Why true sustainability also means equity for the people producing the materials
• What circularity and “sustainably scalable” design mean for the future of science

This episode of Clear Haze Exchange is extra special—Marcus sits down with his sister Janelle Ball, founder and CEO of BC Educators and host of That’s Derm Good Podcast.

Janelle helps dermatology practices across the country get patients the right treatments faster. She shares how she built her company, how patient access works behind the scenes, and why education and empathy drive real impact.

The two talk about:

• Growing up in a family of nine and what it taught them about leadership
• How energy efficiency and patient access share common ground
• The importance of education and advocacy in both industries
• Building a business, balancing family, and keeping passion alive

In this episode of Clear Haze Exchange, host Marcus Hazelwood sits down with Dr. Eric Woodroof, founder of Profitable Green Solutions and creator of multiple industry certifications, including programs under the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE).

Dr. Woodroof has trained thousands of Certified Energy Managers (CEMs) around the world—including Marcus himself—and shares decades of insights on how to make energy efficiency both financially rewarding and environmentally impactful.

From personal solar investments delivering 15% returns to how cities can unlock capital through performance contracting, this conversation breaks down what makes sustainability work in practice. The two explore topics like:

• Why “following the money” can accelerate decarbonization
• Common misconceptions about energy performance contracts
• How language, AI, and simplicity drive better communication in energy projects
• Lessons learned from training professionals across six continents
• Leadership, policy, and leading by example in the global race toward carbon neutrality

More Information: Profitable Green Solutions | Energy Efficiency Training

Key Quote:

Labs use 3–10× more energy than offices. Marcus talks with Alison Farmer, Labs2Zero Program Director at I2SL, about the Lab Benchmarking Tool (energy & emissions scores) and the AIM Report—an automated scoping audit to prioritize projects. How labs can cut carbon now, why community matters, and what’s next with analytics and commissioning. 

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:29 Who is Alison & I2SL
01:54 Why labs are uniquely complex
10:08 What is Labs2Zero
14:14 Benchmarking: energy & emissions scores
21:52 AIM Report: automated scoping audit
32:55 Benefits for facility teams
35:55 Portfolio planning & climate goals
37:14 The I2SL community
39:45 First steps for labs
40:37 The future: analytics & commissioning

Resources
• I2SL – Labs2Zero & Lab Benchmarking Tool (LBT)
• AIM Report (via LBT)
• I2SL Conference (Dallas, Oct 20–22)

On this episode of Clear Haze Exchange, Marcus Hazelwood sits down with architect, author, and environmental advocate Kalpana Sutaria to explore the intersection of design, policy, and climate action. Drawing on her upbringing in India, decades of work in Austin, and her book Cooling Our Environment, Kalpana shares how passive design strategies, community engagement, and thoughtful policy can cool buildings, lower emissions, and create healthier cities. From lessons learned on public projects to her volunteer work with Citizens Climate Lobby, Kalpana makes a compelling case for action—and for telling stories that reach both the heart and the mind.

Find Kalpanas' book "Cooling Our Environment" at her website here: K. Sutaria
Link to her book on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/6NFAjGt

In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking initiative of turning waste into educational opportunities. Discover how discarded materials are being transformed into sustainable school buildings, providing hope and education to underserved communities. Join us as we delve into the stories of those making a difference and the students whose lives are being changed.

- Intro clip courtesy of Mite Organization

In this episode, Marcus Hazelwood sits down with Anastasia Mylona, Technical Director at CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers), to explore how building services engineering is shaping a sustainable future.

Anastasia shares her insights on developing UK’s Part O regulations to address overheating in new dwellings, the growing importance of embodied carbon and circular economy principles, and how AI is transforming design, analysis, and building performance. She also dives into challenges around refrigerants, sustainable cooling, and why collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers is key to reaching net zero targets.

Whether you’re an architect, engineer, or sustainability advocate, this conversation highlights the urgent priorities, technical innovations, and communication strategies needed to make buildings climate-resilient while inspiring the next generation of engineers.

Chapter References

1. Introduction & Anastasia’s Role at CIBSE
2. Part O Regulations: Tackling Overheating in Buildings
3. Embodied Carbon & Circular Economy in Building Services
4. Multidisciplinary Insights from Architecture to Engineering
5. AI and Data-Driven Innovation in Building Design
6. Sustainable Cooling & Existing Building Challenges
7. Professional Development and CIBSE Membership Value
8. Net Zero Standards & Certification Schemes
9. Embodied Carbon Methodology & Global Impact
10. Weather Files, Climate Data & Uncertainty in Design
11. Looking Ahead: Critical Priorities for the Next Decade
12. Closing Thoughts & Reflections

In this inspiring episode of Clear Haze Exchange, architectural designer and influencer Michael De Luca joins us to share his creative journey into the world of architecture. From his early passion for design to his commitment to sustainability and community impact, Michael offers a thoughtful look into the evolving role of environmental design in shaping urban development.

We dive into the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, the importance of communication in architectural projects, and how social media can be a tool for public education and advocacy. Michael also reflects on the challenges of balancing creativity with practical constraints, the value of real-world experience, and his vision for empathetic design in public spaces.

Whether you're an aspiring architect, a design enthusiast, or someone curious about the intersection of creativity and sustainability, this episode offers rich insights into the future of architecture.

Chapters Include:

• Introduction to Architecture and Design Passion
• Environmental Design and Sustainability
• Career Inspiration and Community Impact
• Becoming an Architectural Influencer
• Building Performance and R-Values
• Creativity vs. Constraints
• Social Media in Architecture
• Entrepreneurship and Urban Development
• Empathy and Purpose in Design

Episode 9 of Clear Haze Exchange, host Marcus Hazelwood reflects on the insightful conversations held in Season One. 

Starting with Mohamed “Mo” El-Sayed, he and Marcus discuss the importance of effective communication in the field of energy engineering. Mo explains why clear communication is as vital as technical expertise.

Another standout guest, Mahesh Ramanujam, current CEO of the Global Network for Zero, shared his vision for leveraging technology as a tool to achieve net-zero goals. He emphasized the importance of intentional, inclusive, and accessible technology in the climate space. 

Marcus Hazelwood also spoke with Chad Edwards, an architect, who shared how architecture can shape behavior and community. He emphasizes that buildings should not only be aesthetically pleasing but also meaningful.

Marcus also recorded with his wife, Stephanie Hazelwood, and their time studying and working at Harvard, as well as curating sustainable lifestyles in Massachusetts.

Alan Scott's insights on regenerative design challenged listeners to think beyond merely reducing harm to creating positive impacts. By articulating a compelling vision for sustainability, stakeholders can align their efforts and work collaboratively toward common goals.

Yolanda Owens shared insights on food waste and sustainability, illustrating how her upbringing on a family farm shaped her understanding of food production. 

Creativity and sustainability are discussed when Marcus spoke with Bertie Stephens, CEO of Clean Planet Group, and author of Ellie Ment and the Material Matter, a young adult book that celebrates the magic of science.

As an energy engineer, Marcus uses tools like IES's energy modeling software across all phases: from initial design and construction to ongoing operations. When he spoke with Matthew Duffy, VP of IESVE Sales, they discussed how energy modeling is one of the most significant advantages of energy modeling.

If you have additional guests or topics you would like to discuss, send your ideas to [email protected]. This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.

Energy modeling is a crucial tool for decarbonizing the built environment, from analyzing energy consumption to informing design decisions. In Episode 8 of Clear Haze Exchange, Matthew Hazelwood welcomes Matthew Duffy, Vice President of IESVE Sales North America East at IES Ltd., to the podcast.

With over 15 years of experience in sustainability and energy efficiency consulting, Marcus emphasizes the importance of utilizing tools like IES's energy modeling software, from design conception through to construction and operations. Matthew shares how understanding these three elements enables energy modeling to predict a building's energy consumption and inform design decisions that minimize its carbon footprint.

This includes analyzing various factors such as:

• Building Geometry: The layout and dimensions of the building, including walls, windows, and spaces.
• Materials: The types of materials used in construction, which affect insulation and energy efficiency.
• Occupant Behavior: The thermal energy generated by people and equipment within the building.

One of the most significant advantages of energy modeling is its capacity to inform design decisions early in the project lifecycle. Matthew pointed out that, by incorporating energy modeling and using tools like IESVE, designers can conduct parametric analyses to evaluate different design scenarios, such as various HVAC systems or facade options, to determine which configurations minimize energy consumption and carbon footprint. 

In summary, energy modeling is an indispensable tool for decarbonizing the built environment. As the industry continues to evolve, the importance of energy modeling will only grow, making it essential for architects, engineers, and sustainability professionals to embrace this powerful tool.

This episode is produced by Skip The Boring Stuff, a podcast strategy company for business owners and creatives.