On The Rise w/ Marcius Extavour

Dr. Klaus Lackner joins Marcius for part 2 of their conversation on carbon management. This week, Marcius and Klaus zoom out a bit to discuss the non-engineering aspects of carbon removal like insurance policies, market forces, and legal traditions. Klaus is well known for being a creative and disruptive thinker and he expands more on how he approaches complex problems and how you can learn to do the same! 

As a bonus, Klaus and Marcius had a fascinating discussion over email, expanding on a few topics in this episode. If you're interested in reading about their discussion, please subscribe to our Substack! We'll be posting about their discussion there shortly and its also just a great place to hear more from us and our guests. 

https://substack.com/@ontherisepodcast

Let us know what you think at [email protected]

Chapters:
00:00 Oil-price shifts and signs of changing dependence
06:14 Who should get limited clean electricity?
09:41 Treating CO2 like sewage and municipal waste
13:20 What permanence means for carbon storage
18:17 Can law and insurance handle millennial guarantees?
23:06 Nuclear waste, missed chances, and rising CO2
28:05 Why carbon removal needs policy-created demand
32:16 Oil dependence, energy security, and electric cars
35:10 International science and academic turf
39:12 Unorthodox ideas, peer review, and open debate
42:04 How to enter a new field and learn its language
45:01 Impact, learning rates, and scaling technology
50:42 Do larger wind turbines deliver better economics?


Show credits:
Vishrudh Sriramprasad, Producer
Kheya Patel, Art | https://kheyapatel.com/ 
Claire Davis, Theme Music (Long Gone, Get It Right) |  @clairedavismusic  

Keywords:
carbon management, carbon removal, direct air capture, carbon storage, clean energy, scientific peer review, learning rates



On the Rise is a production of Extempo Media, copyright 2026.

Show Credits:
Vishrudh Sriramprasad, Producer
Claire Davis, Theme Music (Long Gone, Get It Right) | @clairedavismusic

Kheya Patel, Art | https://kheyapatel.com/

Contact: [email protected]

On the Rise is a production of Extempo Media, copyright 2026.

This week Marcius Extavour interviews particle physicist turned energy expert Klaus Lackner, a pioneer in the field of carbon management. Klaus shares stories from his days working on energy and how that led into carbon management, why carbon dioxide should be treated as a waste-management problem, and how it might work at scale. The conversation ranges from energy abundance and persistent resource use, to mineral storage, modular automation and self-replicating machines, estimating costs based on energy and mass, and passive carbon capture. What would you do with 40 billion tons of garbage?

Let us know what you think at [email protected]

Chapters:
01:52 The Transition from the Stone Age to Modern Energy
04:08 Understanding Carbon Dioxide Emissions
04:32 Carbon Management: Avoid, Reduce, and Remove
07:15 Introducing Professor Klaus Lackner
08:56 First Principles Thinking in Climate Solutions
13:26 Exaplain Hubbard's Peak
24:03 Direct Air Capture 101
24:33 The Four Steps of CO2 Removal
26:17 Saving Energy: Passive vs Active DAC
32:50 Understanding Mineralization and CO2
37:24 Explain Mineralization
44:10 Explain Energy Pricing/ Kilowatts, etc...
45:32 Understanding Cost Metrics in Energy and Manufacturing
46:50 The Concept of Irreducible Cost
54:16 Explain How DAC Works
01:04:51 Exploring First Principles Thinking
01:05:15 The Role of Carbon Removal in Future Solutions

Keywords: direct air capture, carbon dioxide removal, carbon management, carbon capture, mineralization, passive direct air capture, carbon storage, energy systems, automation, climate technology, peak oil, Hubbert, Stone Age, irreducible cost, Sherwood’s law.

Show Credits:
Vishrudh Sriramprasad, Producer
Claire Davis, Theme Music (Long Gone, Get It Right) | @clairedavismusic

Kheya Patel, Art | https://kheyapatel.com/

Contact: [email protected]

On the Rise is a production of Extempo Media, copyright 2026.

In this special Friday BONUS episode of the show, Bayeté, Marcius and Vish tacking some of the thorniest issues facing the nation today, including: why don't we launch garbage into space, how many chickens live on earth and who cares, and what's up with those free buses?

Let us know what you think at [email protected]

Chapters:
00:05 Introduction to Bayate Ross Smith
00:39 Interlude: Recycling, Space Junk, Rocket Launches
02:34 Climate Change Lives on top of Other Issues ("End topic"P)
02:45 Who's Animal Rights?
06:02 Arturo Schomburg, Owning Your Own Story
08:12 Mandani, Busses, Climate Messaging, Elected Leaders
11:27 What People Talk About In Politics and Why
13:17 Surveillance, Trust In Government, Role of Gov in Private Matters
15:32 Giving Credit to the USA
16:45 The Misconception of Carbon Footprint
22:41 The Role of Artists in Environmental Awareness
26:31 Justice and Retribution in Society

Key topics: climate change, environmental responsibility, industry regulation, justice, societal values, public policy, activism, sustainability, space debris, animal rights

Show Credits:
Vishrudh Sriramprasad, Producer
Claire Davis, Theme Music (Long Gone, Get It Right) | @clairedavismusic

Kheya Patel, Art | https://kheyapatel.com/

Contact: [email protected]

On the Rise is a production of Extempo Media, copyright 2026.

Bayeté Ross Smith returns to the show for part two. He and Marcius weigh exponential growth against exploitative extraction in the context of AI, clean energy, and computing technology. Will we learn the lessons from the dark side of the transatlantic Slave trade, and resource exploitation? Marcius and Bayete discuss the connection between Hip Hop  and other American music, why copper lithium and critical minerals may be the new cotton, sugarcane, and tobacco, and how to distinguish between cultural remixing and cultural appropriation.

Let us know what you think at [email protected]

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the themes of resource extraction and culture
02:15 The demand for metals and resource extraction in the modern era
04:07 Upsides and downsides of resource extraction and mining
05:19 Culture and music as resistance to extractive economics
07:01 The Boom Box project and its cultural significance
10:15 Why cotton, sugarcane, and tobacco are central to colonial history
12:17 Music genres as tools of resistance and their global impact
17:24 Bayeté Ross Smith’s public art projects around the world
23:27 Parallels between historical commodities and modern critical minerals
27:15 Recycling, circularity, and the sustainability of natural resources
36:23 Cultural participation, remixing, and intellectual property
45:56 AI as a tool for culture and its ethical considerations
51:39 The potential for AI to generate independent cultural works
56:36 Climate change, social justice, and historical inequities
58:35 Western progress, colonialism, and global inequities

Resources:
https://www.bayeterosssmith.com/

Keywords: resource extraction, culture, art, colonialism, music, AI, sustainability, cultural appropriation, climate change, technology

Show Credits:
Vishrudh Sriramprasad, Producer
Claire Davis, Theme Music (Long Gone, Get It Right) | @clairedavismusic

Kheya Patel, Art | https://kheyapatel.com/

Contact: [email protected]

On the Rise is a production of Extempo Media, copyright 2026.

Our guest this week is Bayeté Ross Smith, a sculptor, photojournalist, and professor at NYU. Marcius and Bayeté explore how identity influences our social interactions, the impact of technology-- specifically AI-- on perception, and the future of imagination. They explore questions like "Who gets identified as an expert?" and "Who gets to imagine the future?" while grounding them in the real issues such as race, AI, and of course-- climate change. We hope you'll love this deep dive into who we are and how we are seen!

Let us know what you think at [email protected]

Chapters:
00:00 Why Can't You Just Be Yourself?
00:44 What is Identity Politics?
07:00 Bayate's Work in Appearance, Identity, & Perception
09:16 What is DuBois' Double Consciousness?
15:25 What Does a Physicist Look Like?
16:32 Who Get's to Be An Expert?
20:35 How AI's and Machine's Perceive Humans
24:24 What Images Should We Use to Talk About Climate?
26:22 How Identity Shifts Across Asia, Africa, and Europe
30:37 Who Gets to Imagine the Future?
37:27 Knowing What You Don't Know
39:39 Outro and the Music of Claire Davis

Resources:
•Bayate's website: https://www.bayeterosssmith.com/ 

Keywords: identity, perception, expertise, code switching, AI bias, future imagination, social identity, art and society, climate imagery, cultural perception.

Show Credits:
Vishrudh Sriramprasad, Producer
Claire Davis, Theme Music (Long Gone, Get It Right) | @clairedavismusic

Kheya Patel, Art | https://kheyapatel.com/

Contact: [email protected]

On the Rise is a production of Extempo Media, copyright 2026.

This week we’re back navigating hard things with Laura Devlin, registered clinical psychologist and co-founder of Beaches Therapy. Marcius opens by sharing a difficult childhood memory - against his better judgement -  before he and Laura talk about kids and youth and the pressures they face in modern life, and the value of long-term thinking. They get into the psychological barriers to action, the impact of social media, and ways to foster collectivism and support future generations as antidotes to loneliness and anxiety. This episode features an honest, human, and cautiously optimistic take about the future.

Let us know what you think at [email protected]

Chapters:
00:00 Symptoms of PTSD
00:58 Introduction to the Conversation
02:02 Exploring Existential Dread
02:16 Understanding Youth Pressures
02:43 Exploring Common Themes in Mental Health
04:13 The Pressure on Youth Today
09:45 Navigating Social Media and Beauty Standards
12:19 The Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health
16:23 Long-Term Perspectives in a Fast-Paced World
20:11 Barriers to Action in the Face of Existential Dread
25:14 The Role of Villains in Climate Action
29:38 Finding Common Ground for Change
34:28 Challenges in Accessing Therapy
37:11 The Fear of Change and Its Implications
41:47 Introduction and Community Dynamics
41:47 A Night at the Hollywood Bowl
45:54 Reflections on Community and Connection

Resources:
 
•Laura's website: beachestherapy.ca

- Charity: pennyspromise.ca

- Laura's Instagram: @pennyspromisefund

- Beaches Therapy: @beachestherapygroup

- Laura's podcast: The Plot Twist Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0crHcr1Lf07pNOrtC25IdE?si=4c7bee2a0d5349af

Keywords: mental health, community, generativity, trauma, climate anxiety, therapy, collective action, existential dread, social media, hope, children

Show Credits:
Vishrudh Sriramprasad, Producer
Claire Davis, Theme Music (Long Gone, Get It Right) | @clairedavismusic

Kheya Patel, Art | https://kheyapatel.com/

Contact: [email protected]

On the Rise is a production of Extempo Media, copyright 2026.

In this episode, registered psychotherapist and co-founder of Beaches Therapy Laura Devlin joins the show. She and Marcius explore how working on oneself can parallel tackling large societal issues like AI fears, war, politics, climate change, family strife, and the role of therapy, community, and emotional regulation in creating lasting change. Laura shares her journey from counselor to entrepreneur, what she misses about seeing clients day-to-day. Next they get into why working on oneself is so hard, but possibly a necessary step in tackling big hard scary problems.

Let us know what you think at [email protected]

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to addressing hard problems through psychology
02:10 Marcius's background in tackling complex issues
03:08 The value of emotional and community tools in problem-solving
05:16 The impact of burnout and interdisciplinary approaches
06:31 Introducing Laura Devlin and her work in therapy
08:23 Transition from one-on-one therapy to community and self-work
10:18 The therapeutic process and understanding therapy modalities
13:41 Therapy 101: How therapy works and what to expect
18:32 The therapy roadmap and active ingredients in therapy
21:24 Common misconceptions about therapy and emotional work
23:20 The importance of feelings, processing, and self-awareness
26:24 The role of trauma and the limbic system in healing
27:12 Time and patience in emotional healing
30:34 Themes in community mental health and current struggles
32:25 The impact of global crises on mental health
34:43 Climate anxiety and collective emotional responses
36:45 Different fears related to climate change and environmental loss
41:25 Existential dread and feelings of helplessness
43:41 The human need for connection and attachment
44:53 Loneliness, social connection, and modern life
54:24 Challenges of collective action and community organization
55:56 Hope for community-driven solutions and social change
56:56 Reflections on the conversation and personal reactions

Resources:
* Website: beachestherapy.ca
* Instagram: @beachestherapygroup
* Laura's podcast: The Plot Twist Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0crHcr1Lf07pNOrtC25IdE?si=4c7bee2a0d5349af
* Charity: pennyspromise.ca

Keywords: psychology, therapy, emotional health, climate change, community, hard problems, mental health, healing, therapy roadmap

Show Credits:
Vishrudh Sriramprasad, Producer
Claire Davis, Theme Music (Long Gone, Get It Right) | @clairedavismusic

Kheya Patel, Art | https://kheyapatel.com/

Contact: [email protected]

On the Rise is a production of Extempo Media, copyright 2026.

Marcius and producer Vish are live from New York City, Climate Week 2026. Thousands of people from around the world have descended on the city that never sleeps to talk environmental justice, energy, finance, politics, technology, activism, and AI's role in climate solutions. Marcius and Vish meet up in a hotel lobby late on a Monday night to share insights from the day's events, and the key themes and vibes on the ground so far.

Let us know what you think at [email protected]

Chapters:
00:21 Introduction to New York Climate Week
00:43 What Is New York Climate Week and Who Cares?
02:28 Navigating the Chaos of Climate Week
05:36 Highlights of New York Climate Week Day 1
05:45 Highlights and Insights from Events
09:12 Understanding Environmental Justice
10:53 The Legacy of Environmental Justice
13:08 Connecting Public Health and Environmental Issues
16:29 Public Health Is Part of the Climate Conversation
19:44 Networking and Policy Discussions at Dinner
21:08 Insights from Legislators on Climate Policy
23:34 Planning for the Future of Climate Policy
25:24 Connecting Climate Solutions to Immediate Needs
26:45 The Intersection of AI and Climate Policy
31:15 Urgency in Addressing AI vs. Climate Change
34:50 Why Act on AI but Not on Climate?
35:16 The Role of National Security in Climate Action
41:07 The Future of Climate Action Amidst Immediate Crises

Keywords: Climate Week, environmental justice, AI and climate, policy planning, climate solutions, New York, climate justice, data centers, public health, climate policy

Show Credits:
Vishrudh Sriramprasad, Producer
Claire Davis, Theme Music (Long Gone, Get It Right) | @clairedavismusic

Kheya Patel, Art | https://kheyapatel.com/

Contact: [email protected]

On the Rise is a production of Extempo Media, copyright 2026.

We're on the streets of Jackson Heights, Queens in New York this week! Marcius and Vish talk to artists, organizers, and participants at Make Justice Normal's Streetworks Festival about how they connect art and justice with climate change. If you want to learn more about how you can actually help with climate change then this episode will provide you with plenty of inspiration. There's an infinite number of ways to participate in this movement and we we're so lucky to chat with just a few of the many people who are showing what's possible!

Let us know what you think at [email protected]

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
03:02 How are Art & Justice Connected to Climate?
07:34 Art as a Medium for Climate Action
09:21 Flood Sensors and Local Climate Adaptation
11:52 The Role of Mushrooms and Indigenous Knowledge
14:10 Participatory Art as a Climate Engagement Tool
15:46 It Takes a Village
17:53 Why Does Climate Feel So Abstract?
19:00 Why Is Climate So White?
30:58 Climate Comms: Do We Need to Try Something Different?
43:50 Bridging Art & Climate Justice

Episode credits:
Stefano Dozza, videography & editing | https://www.fourthact.xyz/

Keywords: climate justice, art, community engagement, environmental activism, cultural diversity, climate solutions, storytelling, intersectionality, climate equity, grassroots activism

On The Rise w/ Marcius Extavour is a production of Extempo Media, copyright 2026.

Show Credits:
Vishrudh Sriramprasad, Producer
Claire Davis, Theme Music (Long Gone, Get It Right) | @clairedavismusic

Kheya Patel, Art | https://kheyapatel.com/

Contact: [email protected]

On the Rise is a production of Extempo Media, copyright 2026.

In Part 3 of this Fusion mini-series, Dr. Annie Kritcher and Marcius explore the future of fusion energy, its potential impact on society, safety concerns, and the importance of public engagement. Annie shares her insights how responsible innovation plays a key role in scientific breakthroughs. 

Let us know what you think at [email protected]

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Fusion and Public Perception
01:06 Fusion's Transition from Science to Society
02:24 Fusion and the Future Energy Landscape
03:12 Balancing Innovation with Risks
05:02 Meet Annie Kritcher: Scientist and Innovator
06:05 Why We Care About Fusion Energy
07:15 Advantages of Fusion Over Other Energy Sources
08:53 Fusion Fuel and Environmental Impact
10:02 Fusion in the Context of Global Energy Mix
12:16 Could Fusion Become the Dominant Power Source?
13:37 Challenges and Risks in Fusion Development
15:49 Managing Dual-Use Technologies and Risks
20:10 Regulatory and Safety Frameworks for Fusion
22:37 Public Fears and Misconceptions about Fusion
24:26 Public Interest and Engagement Strategies
27:39 Fusion's Role in Climate Change Mitigation
37:40 The Future of Fusion and Inertia's Role
38:35 Long-Term Vision for Fusion Energy

 Keywords: fusion energy, nuclear science, energy transition, public safety, scientific breakthroughs, climate change, energy technology, fusion power, science communication, innovation

Show Credits:
Vishrudh Sriramprasad, Producer
Claire Davis, Theme Music (Long Gone, Get It Right) | @clairedavismusic

Kheya Patel, Art | https://kheyapatel.com/

Contact: [email protected]

On the Rise is a production of Extempo Media, copyright 2026.