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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

Esteban chats with energy engineer Evan Davis, who’s on a mission to bring heat pumps to homes across SoCal. They may not sound glamorous, but these versatile gadgets are game-changers for home heating and cooling, especially here in sunny Southern California. They’ll break down how heat pumps work, why they’re a win for both your wallet and the environment, and what you need to know if you’re thinking about making the switch. Plus, they’ll answer listener questions about installation costs, energy savings, and whether heat pumps can handle extreme weather.

Tune in to find out why heat pumps might just be your new best friend—and how they’re helping keep California green.

In the season premiere of Hi, Energy! Esteban Gast tackles a big one—decarbonization. But don’t worry, this isn’t a science class! Esteban keeps it fun and breaks it down so you can casually drop "decarbonization" into conversation like a pro. Joining him is Jakub Zielkiewicz, the Director of Climate Planning at ICF, to help us get what decarbonization really means for LA and how we can all pitch in to hit those big emission-cutting goals. From cool tech solutions to simple everyday actions, Jakub’s got practical tips for how we can all do our part to make Southern California cleaner and greener.

Reducing energy use today is key to a safer, more affordable, and sustainable tomorrow. In this season of Hi, Energy!, we bring you front-row access to the innovators and leaders across Southern California who are making a real difference. From demystifying the benefits of heat pumps to guiding you through actionable steps toward decarbonization, we’re here to help you navigate the path to a cleaner, greener future. We’ll also uncover career opportunities in the booming green economy and tackle the urgent challenges of urban heat islands. Whether you’re looking to make smarter energy choices at home, work, or in your community, this podcast connects you to the conversations that can inspire change. Join us as we light the way to a brighter, more sustainable future.