Hi, Energy!

By SoCalREN

Reducing energy use today is key to a safer, more affordable, and sustainable tomorrow.

Introducing Hi, Energy!, where we bring you front-row access to the innovators and leaders across Southern Calif... more

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FAQs about Hi, Energy!:

How many episodes does Hi, Energy! have?

The podcast currently has 32 episodes available.

Hi, Energy! episodes:

November 10, 2025Achieving Environmental Goals Through Community Engagement
In this episode of Hi, Energy! We learn about the connections between community engagement and environmental policy. Ken Chawkins, a professor at UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs, joins the show to share wisdom from nearly 30 years in public affairs, serving business, labor, government, and nonprofits.
Ken and Esteban discuss coalition building towards climate solutions, how to get involved locally and politically to support the environment, climate policy from a working class perspective, and so much more.
Additional References from the podcast:
Books
Who Is Government by Michael Lewis

Articles
California makes major changes to the state's landmark environmental law to build more housing

Environmental impact of Al Gore

Making change in the "diesel death zone" | LA Public Press

People/organizations mentioned
East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice

Cynthia Kennedy of Pasadena 100

Other
“Who are the stakeholders and what stakes are they holding?” Ken’s UCLA Syllabus
New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.
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32min
October 31, 2025Climate in the News
In this episode of Hi, Energy! We learn about how climate news is made. Sammy Roth, a former climate columnist for the LA Times and the host of the podcast and newsletter Boiling Point, has been writing about Southern California’s climate issues for over a decade. He now writes an independent newsletter, Climate-Colored Goggles, about climate & culture. In this episode, he comes to spill the tea on climate news.

Sammy and Esteban discuss how California is a hub for many of the most important climate issues facing the entire United States, how to become a clued-in reader of climate news, how to read lots of climate news without feeling down, and so much more.
Additional References from the podcast:
Books
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

Articles
Sammy’s weekly Boiling Point newsletter

E&E News by Politico

Canary Media

Inside Climate News

Volts by David Roberts

Everybody needs a Climate Thing | David Roberts for Grist

Podcasts
Sammy’s Boiling Point Podcast

Esteban’s appearance on Sammy’s podcast

People/organizations mentioned
Jim Lawson

John Lewis

Bill McKibben

United Farm Workers

New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.
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42min
September 29, 2025Driving Blueprint for Mobility and Civic Strategy
In this episode of Hi, Energy! We learn about all of the options we have to move around LA. Eli Lipmen, Executive Director of Move LA, shares that the future of clean transit is a future with many options.

Eli and Esteban discuss the 2028 Olympics from a transit perspective, some of Move LA’s biggest policy wins, why a public transit advocate like Eli still sees value in owning his car, and so much more.

Additional References from the podcast:
Books
Nobody Walks in LA by John Bwarie

Articles
LA Metro’s 2024 Ridership Soars to More Than 311 Million

Measure M - LA Metro

L.A. Metro Releases Measure M Five-Year Comprehensive Assessment, Equity Report

People/organizations mentioned
Metro Micro

LADOT LANow

DASH Overview

Commuter Express

GO Pass

Festival Trail
New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.
...more
35min
August 25, 2025Putting Local Communities at the Forefront of the Climate Conversation
In this episode of Hi, Energy! We learn about local organizations keeping the residents in the communities they serve at the forefront of the climate conversation. Esteban is joined by Nicole Landers, Director of Communications & Partnerships @ GreenWealth Energy. Nicole is a longtime climate consultant and one of the founders of a community garden that helped nourish and support her local Venice community.
Nicole and Esteban discuss community-focused efforts to make electrical vehicle charging more accessible, how a few friends can make a real impact on the climate and on their community, how building sustainable communities is an investment in groups of people historically left out of the conversation, and so much more.
Additional References from the podcast:
Books
Michael Pollan | Bookshop

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things

Articles
Mandatory Commercial and Multifamily Organics Recycling (recycLA) | SB 1383

GFO-22-614 - Reliable, Equitable, and Accessible Charging for Multi-family Housing 2.0 (REACH 2.0)

My California Dream| Ben Stapleton

Sierra Club Insider

Charge4All — Southern California EVen Access

Videos
Healing our community, one garden box at a time. | Nicole Landers | TEDxVeniceBeach

Who Killed the Electric Car? - Wikipedia

Common Ground Film and Kiss the Ground Film

Podcasts
Travel With Meaning

People mentioned
Los Angeles Clean Tech Incubator

US Green Building Council of California

The Carbonauts

New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.
...more
41min
July 28, 2025Understanding Climate Policy Decision Making
In this episode of Hi, Energy! We learn about local clean energy projects and how they support a larger and greener statewide vision for California. He is joined by Heather Repenning, Vice President, Account Manager and Resilience Lead at Jacobs, and the former Executive Officer for Sustainability at LA Metro where she led efforts to support clean transportation and reduce emissions within LA Metro’s capital expansion program.

Heather and Esteban talk about the way design choices made by local governments impact the choices we make as we travel through southern California. They also discuss the opportunities for sustainable development leading up to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games, and some of Heather’s favorite LA and climate books.
Additional References from the podcast:
Books
The Day of the Locust by Nathanael West

The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-Eun

Ecology of Fear: Los Angeles and the Imagination of Disaster by Mike Davis

City of Quartz: Excavating the Future in Los Angeles by Mike Davis

Articles
Here is the syllabus to the climate policy course Heather teaches at USC

Podcasts

People mentioned
Walter Moseley

James Elroy

Cyclavia LA 2025

LA Compost
New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.
Follow us at:
https://socalren.org/
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
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34min
July 21, 2025 Hi, Energy! is Back!
Hi, Energy! is back! This season, we’re diving deeper into real-world stories, smart energy solutions, and local community voices driving change right here in our neighborhoods.

Hear from Southern California’s best and brightest leaders rolling up their sleeves to make clean and sustainable energy work for everyone.And insights from experts who work with government officials to turn big climate goals into real climate action.

New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.
...more
2min
February 25, 2025 Environmental Justice: A Call For Equality
In this episode of Hi, Energy! Esteban Gast dives into the vital topic of environmental justice with Veronica Padilla-Campos, Executive Director of Pacoima Beautiful. Together, they explore what environmental justice means, the systemic issues behind environmental racism, and how climate change disproportionately impacts low-income and marginalized communities. Veronica shares inspiring stories of advocacy, the real-world consequences of environmental inequities, and actionable steps to drive change.
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30min
January 27, 2025 Boosting Efficiency: SOCalREN's Impact on Cities & Schools
In this episode of Hi, Energy! Esteban Gast sits down with Rachel Pennington, Assistant Director of Energy Services at The Energy Coalition, to explore how SoCalREN’s Public Agency Program is helping cities, school districts, and government agencies save money and energy through impactful projects. Rachel shares success stories, breaks down how public agencies can implement energy-efficient improvements, and highlights the long-term benefits of sustainability. They also answer listener questions about overcoming budget constraints and supporting smaller agencies.
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27min
December 30, 2024 Breaking Into the Green Economy
Esteban Gast dives into the exciting world of green career pathways with Ben Stapleton, Executive Director of the US Green Building Council – California. As industries shift toward sustainability, Ben breaks down the growing opportunities in fields like green building, energy efficiency, and clean technology. They also explore how these careers are evolving, the importance of equity in the green economy, and how to get started, even if you're transitioning from a non-environmental background. Tune in for expert insights, practical advice, and a roadmap to making a real impact through your work!
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35min
November 25, 2024 The Urban Heat Island Effect: Why It Matters and How We Can Fix It
In this episode of Hi, Energy!, Esteban Gast dives into the rising challenge of urban heat islands, especially here in Southern California where summer heat is only intensifying. But it’s not just about the problem—it’s about finding solutions! Esteban is joined by Amanda Begley, Senior Program Manager at TreePeople, who shares her expertise on how green spaces, reflective materials, and community action can help cool our cities. They discuss public health impacts, successful green projects, and ways listeners can get involved. Tune in for actionable tips to beat the heat!
...more
29min

FAQs about Hi, Energy!:

How many episodes does Hi, Energy! have?

The podcast currently has 32 episodes available.