Inevitable

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. 

David Helgason is a partner at Transition. Transition is a venture firm that partners with Seed and Series A founders to accelerate the climate transition. They've come together as founders, investors, operators, engineers, and scientists from across the world with a single mission: building an abundant and resilient society that can thrive within our finite planet.

Prior to starting Transition, David was Co-founder of Unity Technologies, and served as the CEO until 2014. He's still on their board of directors. With his background in the gaming industry, David took interest in green gaming, before stretching that interest into mitigating and adapting to climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy. We have a great discussion in this episode about David's journey, the work that he's doing at Transition, how he got started in climate, what types of companies and projects are most interesting to him and his team, and how he sees transition evolving and playing out for all of us.

In this episode, we cover: 

• [02:43]: Introduction to Transition
• [05:07]: David's background in the video game industry
• [07:01]: His journey into climate tech investments, starting with angel investments
• [10:47]: His decision to focus on climate, and the choice of venture for climate impact
• [14:07]: Challenges faced by generalist venture firms when investing in climate tech
• [17:03]: Transition's approach to impact measurement using the Planetary Boundaries framework
• [19:08]: Risk assessment and capital intensity in Transition's investment process
• [23:10]: Exploration of the future of climate tech and the potential for every company to be a climate company
• [26:54]: The role of incumbents and collaboration in the energy transition
• [28:50]: The challenges and opportunities of working with oil majors
• [31:59]: The role of individuals in the transition
• [33:15]: Advice for those interested in working on climate tech problems.
• Resource Mentioned: Planetary boundaries - Stockholm Resilience Centre

Get connected: 

• David Helgason LinkedIn
• Jason Jacobs X / LinkedIn
• MCJ Podcast / Collective

*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded on Sep 28, 2023 (aired on Oct 11, 2023) 

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
• Visit mcj.vc
• Subscribe to the MCJ Newsletter

*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Ari Matusiak is the founder and CEO of Rewiring America. 

Rewiring America is a driving force in the movement to electrify everything. As our homes transition to using heat pumps for heating and cooling, induction stoves for cooking and electric vehicles for transportation, Rewiring America has established itself as the go-to expert resource to help us navigate this transition.

Ari boasts an impressive background that informs his leadership of the organization. He has experience in affordable housing, philanthropy, and the Obama White House, where he served as a special assistant to the president and director of private sector engagement. In this role, he managed the administration's relationships with Fortune 500 CEOs, Wall Street firms, and other business leaders. He then held the position of Chief Strategy Officer at Renovate America, the largest residential energy efficiency and renewable energy financing platform at the time. He was also a co-founder and chairman of Young Invincibles, a national nonprofit focused on creating economic opportunities for young adults.

In addition to leading Rewiring America, Ari is the managing partner at Purpose Venture Group, an advisory firm and incubator focused on launching community-centered ventures to tackle climate change and economic inequality.

In this conversation, Ari discusses Rewiring America's origin story, core work, and the home electrification measures in the Inflation Reduction Act. He provides perspective on the current status of US electrification progress and how each of us can contribute to advancing Rewiring America's mission.

In this episode, we cover: 

• [03:03]: The founding story of Rewiring America
• [11:51]: Hurdles of electrifying homes
• [15:58]: Tax credits available to homeowners through the IRA
• [20:27]: Stackable rebates and tax credits through federal, state and local programs
• [22:00]: Using Rewiring America's IRA Calculator to estimate benefits
• [26:40]: Empowering people to electrify their homes and become active community guides
• [30:50]: Countering the fossil fuel lobby with local storytellers and validators
• [33:49]: Insights from Rewiring America's Pace of Progress Report on electric product adoption
• [40:31]: Challenges and solutions to boost EV adoption
• [43:04]: State of rooftop solar in the Pace of Progress report
• [44:05]: Why rooftop solar remains essential 
• [46:28]: Electrification options for renters and apartment incentives 
• [50:16]: Ari’s outlook on electrification progress over the next decade

Get connected: 

• Ari Matusiak LinkedIn
• Cody Simms X / LinkedIn
• MCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram

*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded on Aug 24, 2023 (Published on Oct 9, 2023)

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
• Visit mcj.vc
• Subscribe to the MCJ Newsletter

*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Andy Moon is CEO and co-founder of Reunion, and in this episode, we're diving into clean energy tax credits. Tax credits may not be the most exciting topic, but they play a crucial role in financing clean energy projects. The Inflation Reduction Act has given a significant boost to tax credits in two key ways.

First, it has expanded tax credits to cover various project types, including solar, wind, battery storage, biogas, hydrogen, and carbon sequestration, among others. This broadening of eligibility creates more opportunities for tax credits. Second, it has made tax credits transferable, which means they can change hands. This change is expected to bring more capital into play, making it easier to finance these projects. Andy and Reunion estimate that the pool of clean energy tax credits in the U.S. currently stands at around $20 billion per year and could grow to $75-80 billion per year in the next five years.

Reunion serves as a marketplace for clean energy tax credits. They connect buyers and sellers, making it easier to purchase and sell transferable tax credits to support various clean energy projects, such as solar, wind, battery, biogas, and more. During our conversation, Andy discusses his extensive background in clean energy, starting with his work at SunEdison in 2009 and founding SunFarmer in 2014. Most importantly, we explore how tax credits function and how transferability can boost the clean energy financing market.

In this episode, we cover: 

• [02:48]: Andy's background in renewable energy finance
• [06:28]: Overview of investment tax credits (ITCs)
• [11:52]: Overview of production tax credits (PTCs)
• [13:07]: Other types of tax credits opened up by the IRA
• [14:19]: What tax credit transferability means
• [16:21]: Diverse group of potential buyers interested in tax credits
• [17:49]: Example of a $100M solar project with $50M in ITCs
• [21:29]: Market size and growth projections for tax credits, new buyer profiles
• [23:36]: Using tax credit savings to fund corporate sustainability initiatives
• [29:24]: Reunion's role connecting buyers and sellers, streamlining diligence process
• [32:25]: Reunion's growth and the volume of credits on the platform
• [35:49]: The role of tax credits in corporate finance and potential buyers
• [38:02]: Expansion into different clean energy technologies
• [39:17]: Reunion's financing and future business model
• [40:46]: Who Andy wants to hear from

Get connected: 

• Andy Moon X / LinkedIn
• Cody Simms X / LinkedIn
• MCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram

*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded on Sep 15, 2023 (Published on Oct 5, 2023)

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
• Visit mcj.vc
• Subscribe to the MCJ Newsletter

*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. 

Christian Hernandez is a partner and Co-founder at 2150. 2150 is a venture capital firm focused on the built environment. They're building businesses that are changing how our cities are designed, constructed and powered for good. They hunt for “gigacorns,” which they define as the technology champions of the coming decades with the potential to benefit billions of people, create billions in commercial value, and lower gigatons of emissions. 

Jason and Christian have a great discussion in this episode about Christian's journey from being a technology operator to a generalist technology VC, and then his awakening about the magnitude of the climate crisis and his path to building 2150, from meeting his co-founders to the initial thesis to their approach to the different twists and turns on the way to getting that first fund raised, and of course where they're heading in the future. Enjoy the show! 

In this episode, we cover: 

• [2:16] An overview of 2150 and Christian's background 
• [8:51] Early days of starting the firm and its focus on the built environment 
• [16:22] Christian's views on structure, stage, et.c plus how they evolved at final close 
• [20:34] His thoughts on portfolio construction generally 
• [23:39] 2150's reserves and follow on 
• [26:57] Christian's thoughts on extensions, down rounds, and pay to play 
• [30:22] How he measures impact and the balance between hardware and software 
• [33:49] Advantages of being Article 9 Fund 
• [35:08] Christian's early LP targets and how they played out
• [37:47] Risks and what 2150 is comfortable with 
• [42:22] The firm's impact framework 
• [44:31] The role of brand building and how Christian thinks about deal flow 
• [46:26] The launch of Urban Partners
• [52:37] An overview of "gigacorns"

Get connected: 

• Christian Hernandez X / LinkedIn
• Jason Jacobs X / LinkedIn
• MCJ Podcast / Collective

*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded on Sept 26, 2023 (aired on Oct 4, 2023) 

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
• Visit mcj.vc
• Subscribe to the MCJ Newsletter

*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

Julia Souder is the CEO of the LDES Council. "But what's LDES," you might be wondering? LDES stands for Long Duration Energy Storage, encompassing technologies capable of storing significant energy from 10 hours to weeks. The LDES Council, a global nonprofit membership organization, is dedicated to propelling the decarbonization of the energy system with a focus on affordability. They drive innovation, commercialization, and the implementation of long duration energy storage technologies, uniting technology and equipment providers, renewable energy firms, utilities, grid operators, investors, and end consumers. Julia's career is rooted in the crossroads of renewable energy and energy resilience. Her experience includes roles such as Director of Intergovernmental relations at NERC, the North American Energy Reliability Corporation, director of Western Renewable Grid planning at NRDC, and most recently, executive director of the Long Duration Energy Storage Association of California.

We've previously explored various long duration energy storage solutions on the show, making this conversation with Julia even more intriguing. Often we hear the phrase, "The sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow," in the context of renewables, leading to economic fluctuations and service intermittency. This is a challenge that LDES aims to confront directly. Although many long duration energy storage solutions are currently trailing renewable energy technologies in development and deployment, Julia explains that this is expected to change significantly in the coming years. 

In this episode, we cover: 

• [02:51]: Julia's journey in renewable energy
• [04:19]: The 2003 Blackout Investigation
• [05:35]: The North American Electric Liability Corporation (NERC) 
• [09:38]: The emerging need for energy storage
• [11:10]: Overview of the Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) Council and their goals
• [13:43]: Long duration energy storage vs. short duration energy storage
• [15:51]: Overview of historical and new categories of LDES solutions 
• [18:23]: Deep dive into thermal solutions
• [24:59]: Types of electrochemical batteries for LDES
• [27:44]: Chemical solutions
• [29:59]: Buyers and use cases of LDES solutions
• [35:27]: How LDES projects are sold and deployed globally
• [40:29]: Areas Julia is optimistic about, what needs attention, and evolution of capital for LDES
• [44:18]: Julia's parting words on the importance of LDES

Resources Mentioned:

• Net-zero heat, LDES Council
• 24/7 Clean Power Purchase Agreements, LDES Council

Get connected: 

• Julia Souder X / LinkedIn
• Cody Simms X / LinkedIn
• MCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram

*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded on Aug 23, 2023 (Published on Oct 2, 2023)

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
• Visit mcj.vc
• Subscribe to the MCJ Newsletter

*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

In this episode, Sandeep Nijhawan and Quoc Pham, founders of the startup Electra, talk to Cody about tackling the complex issue of steel decarbonization. Steel production is a formidable contributor to global emissions, accounting for nearly four gigatons annually, equivalent to approximately 8-10% of total global emissions. To put it in perspective, if steel were its own country, its annual emissions would rank third globally, following only China and the USA.

The conversation dives into the intricacies of current steel production, shedding light on how the US approach differs from much of the world. The US has a head start on the path toward steel decarbonization, featuring fewer coal-based blast furnaces and substantial installed electric arc furnace capacity. The episode also explores various pathways for steel decarbonization, including point-source carbon capture and hydrogen utilization, and introduces Electra's pioneering electrochemistry method. 

Electra announced an $85 million funding round in Q4 2022, with participation from renowned climate tech investors and industry leaders, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Amazon, and many more. Sandeep and Quoc are tackling one of the hardest problems in climate change head on. Time will tell if it works, but they certainly aren't shying away from the challenge.

In this episode, we cover: 

• [03:44]: Sandeep's background
• [08:01]: Quoc's background
• [15:38]: Overview of steel production and emissions
• [22:20]: Overview of supply chain and integrated steelworks concept
• [25:09]: Why the US is a leader in low carbon intensity steelmaking
• [30:50]: Contrasting McKinsey's roadmap with Electra's approach  
• [34:22]: Environmental and safety risks of traditional iron tailings
• [37:10]: Electra's unique approach to the steel decarbonization problem
• [44:24]: How low-cost renewable electricity is crucial for Electra's solution 
• [46:26]: Challenges in electrifying ironmaking vs. copper and zinc
• [48:39]: Hydrometallurgy for iron ore dissolution to minimize waste and extract value
• [49:05]: Core principles: decarbonization, sustainability, and circularity
• [55:59]: Electra's go-to-market strategy and commercial vision
• [58:42]: The company’s capital stack evolution and local project financing
• [01:02:51]: The importance of collaboration in this space
• [01:04:41]: Invitation for listeners to join Electra's team

Get connected: 

• Sandeep Nijhawan  LinkedIn
• Quoc Pham LinkedIn
• Cody Simms X / LinkedIn
• MCJ Podcast / Collective

*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded on Sep 12, 2023 (Published on Sep 28, 2023)

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
• Visit mcj.vc
• Subscribe to the MCJ Newsletter

*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

We kicked off New York Climate Week with a live podcast recording with Kim Zou and Sophie Purdom, co-founders of CTVC. CTVC’s data-driven insights have been featured in channels including NYTimes, Bloomberg, Reuters, Financial Times, and TechCrunch.

Kim serves as the CEO of CTVC. She was previously a climate tech investor at Energy Impact Partners. Prior to joining EIP, Kim was part of JPMorgan's Tech M&A investment banking team and graduated from Johns Hopkins University.

In addition to her work with CTVC, Sophie Purdom invests in and supports early-stage climate tech founders and their companies via her venture capital fund Planeteer Capital. Prior, Sophie launched an ESG fund at a major endowment, learned to make pretty slides at Bain & Co., published a book on sustainable investing, and helped found an agricultural technology company that makes carbon-negative ammonia fertilizer.

Special shout-out to everyone who came out to the live recording, and to our hosts at P&T Knitwear for lending their beautiful space in the Lower East Side. Enjoy the show! 

In this episode, we cover: 

• [2:33] How Kim and Sophie met and the early days of CTVC
• [6:37] Kim's background 
• [10:14] The pair's early venture experience
• [13:22] Sophie's background
• [17:05] The origins of Planeteer Capital 
• [20:18] CTVC's evolution into a market intelligence company 
• [25:42] CTVC's Climate Tech Capital Stack: https://www.ctvc.co/the-sophisticating-climate-capital-stack/
• [28:51] Early stage dry powder
• [31:36] Project finance and infrastructure financing 
• [36:56] Public funding and philanthropy 
• [40:06] Trends in philanthropic catalytic capital 
• [43:45] Corporate strategics
• [46:34] The role of banks
• [50:08] Insurance 
• [51:18] Sophie and Kim's predictions for the market in the near term

Get connected: 

• Kim Zou X / LinkedIn 
• Sophie Purdom X / LinkedIn
• Cody Simms X / LinkedIn
• MCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram

*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded on September 18, 2023 (Published on September 25, 2023)

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
• Visit mcj.vc
• Subscribe to the MCJ Newsletter

*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This episode is part of our Skilled Labor Series hosted by MCJ partner, Yin Lu. This series is focused on amplifying the voices of folks from the skilled labor workforce, including electricians, farmers, ranchers, HVAC installers, and others who are on the front lines of rewiring our infrastructure.

Mary MacPherson, a program manager in the Office of State and Community Energy Programs at the DOE, oversees energy efficiency and electrification workforce development programs funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the IRA.

In this episode, Mary and Yin discuss residential energy efficiency training programs, addressing crucial challenges in the skilled labor workforce. They explore the underlying reasons for the workforce gap, from an aging labor force to accessibility barriers in education and certification processes.

Funding is a significant lever to address these bottlenecks. In mid-July of 2023, the US Department of Energy announced that states and territories could apply for a pool of $150 million to train the next generation of residential efficiency and electrification contractors. These include electricians, energy auditors, HVAC contractors, plumbers, and more. The ultimate goals include lowering training costs, enhancing certification support, fostering diversity in the energy efficiency workforce, and providing economic mobility opportunities while promoting high-quality contracting in the residential sector.

In this episode, we cover: 

• [02:46]: Contractor Training Grants in the IRA
• [04:23]: Mary's clean energy background
• [07:08]: Overview of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
• [09:39]: The role of State Energy Offices 
• [13:00]: Skill and accessibility gaps in the energy efficiency trades
• [15:27]: Challenges in the residential heat pump workforce
• [18:11]: Reducing barriers to entry
• [20:10]: The significance of certification and testing
• [22:56]: State examples: Maine and Illinois
• [25:24]: How DOE allocates funds to states
• [28:34]: How to help funds flow to your state
• [30:52]: Community benefits and advancing Justice40 goals
• [33:55]: Mary's vision for success in 2030

Get connected: 

• Mary MacPherson X / LinkedIn
• Yin X / LinkedIn
• MCJ Podcast / Collective / Instagram

*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded on Aug 11, 2023 (Published on Sep 22, 2023)

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
• Visit mcj.vc
• Subscribe to the MCJ Newsletter

*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This episode is part of our Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a diverse range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. 

Fabian Heilemann is the founder and CEO of AENU. Fabian is a long-time entrepreneur, and after several successful exits, he became very concerned about climate. He started with his personal carbon footprint and then evolved to looking at what he could do internally when he was a traditional, financially-oriented venture capitalist. He looked at the footprints of the portfolio companies of that firm and then ultimately came to realize that he wanted to build a new kind of investment firm that puts impact front and center without being concessionary in any way from a return standpoint.

Jason and Fabian have a great discussion about his journey to starting AENU, some of the core principles the firm stands for and how they go about it, where they are on that journey, how they got going, and where Fabian sees AENU going in the future. And of course how that fits into his thoughts on the broader transition and what we can do collectively to accelerate progress. 

In this episode, we cover: 

• [4:21] An overview of AENU 
• [5:59] Fabian's decision to work on climate 
• [12:58] His firm's early structure and evolution 
• [19:26] AENU's initial vision and its current strategy 
• [28:50] The relationship between new technologies, sustainability, and their impact on established industries, corporations, and policymakers
• [39:10] Fabian's experience trying to start a climate sleeve in traditional VC 
• [50:07] AENU's check size, portfolio construction, and the firm's scope 
• [54:23] Fabian's thoughts on the need for collaboration

Get connected: 

• Fabian Heilemann X / LinkedIn 
• Jason Jacobs X / LinkedIn
• MCJ Podcast / Collective

*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded on Sept 6, 2023 (Published on Sept 20, 2023)

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
• Visit mcj.vc
• Subscribe to the MCJ Newsletter

*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant

This episode of My Climate Journey features three guests: Lissie Garvin, Ayakha Melithafa, and Dysmus Kisilu, and we are diving into youth empowerment around climate.

The IPCCs AR6 synthesis report from earlier this year includes a heartbreaking graphic that shows the extent to which current and future generations will experience a hotter and different world. It should come as no surprise that younger generations today will face a world that changes more dramatically than any generation has previously experienced. And yet, according to Lissie, less than 1% of all money going into climate change is going to youth movements.

Lissie Garvin serves as the Foundation and Fellowship Program Director at 776, an organization founded by Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder and former CEO of Reddit. The overarching mission of the 776 Foundation is to fight inequity worldwide starting with a youth climate fellowship program, which recognizes and supports outstanding individuals under the age of 23 who are actively engaged in pioneering solutions to address climate change. Recipients of this program receive $100,000 grants to further their innovative efforts in tackling climate-related challenges. 

Ayakha Melithafa, a 21-year-old Pan-African climate justice activist, has represented youth voices from the Global South on prominent global platforms, including the World Economic Forum and COP26. She holds the distinction of being the youngest commissioner on the South African Presidential Climate Commission.

Dysmus Kisilu, 24, is the founder of Solar Freeze, a company specializing in solar-powered cold storage units for smallholder farmers in Kenya, significantly boosting agricultural productivity. He also founded "Each One, Teach One," an initiative within Solar Freeze that mentors young agricultural leaders in Africa in renewable energy solutions, benefiting over 100 young people.

Ayakha and Dysmus are among the first 20 recipients of 776 Fellowships. Together with Lissie, we explore the program's purpose, operations, and its impact. We also hear from Ayakha and Dysmus about their stories and the work they're doing to affect change.

In this episode, we cover: 

• [08:36]: Overview of the 776 Fellowship
• [10:42]: Youth activism's big impact
• [15:00]: How 776 funding allowed Ayakha to maintain her authentic voice
• [17:52]: How speaking up led Ayakha to the South African Presidential Climate Commission
• [22:10]: Ayakha's personal experiences during the "Day Zero" water crisis in 2017 that ignited her climate activism
• [29:07]: Her reflections on becoming an activist
• [33:38]: Her vision for South Africa to be a global leader in the energy transition
• [37:33]: Dysmus' experience with Ag Tech at UC Davis and origins of Solar Freeze
• [40:01]: Recent historic drought in Kenya
• [41:18]: Overview of Solar Freeze's solution and services
• [45:09]: The company's rapid growth and work with Kenyan farmers
• [47:35]: Dysmus' Each One, Teach One program
• [50:21]: How Dysmus and Ayakha learned about the 776 Fellowship
• [52:01]: Lissie's reflections on selecting the first 776 cohort
• [54:18]: Ayakha's experiences in the program and highlights from other 776 fellows
• [59:50]: Ayakha's advice for other young people in the climate space
• [01:03:06]: How people in the Global North can support youth in Africa working at the forefront of the climate crisis

Get connected: 

• Ayakha Melithafa X
• Dysmus Kisilu X / LinkedIn
• Lissie Garvin X / LinkedIn
• Cody Simms X / LinkedIn
• MCJ Podcast / Collective

*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded on Aug 7, 2023 (Published on Sep 18, 2023)

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review! Share feedback or suggest future topics and guests at [email protected].

Connect with MCJ:

• Cody Simms on LinkedIn
• Visit mcj.vc
• Subscribe to the MCJ Newsletter

*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant