ONE Energy

Listen in as Eric Meyer and I discuss the future of Nuclear Power from an advocacy and political point of view. As we move forward in a world that is demanding more and more decarbonization, nuclear power is becoming more of an appealing energy alternative to meet electricity and district heat demands around the world. Eric Meyer is the founder and Executive Director of Generation Atomic which is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving today’s nuclear reactors and laying the groundwork for deploying the reactors of tomorrow (https://www.generationatomic.org/).

On their website it outlines that Generation Atomic has “worked to cultivate relationships with business leaders, pro-nuclear donors, and grassroots advocates. By engaging stakeholders at all levels, Gen A is working together with many partners to create a loud, effective, and sustainable pro-nuclear constituency.”

Do not miss this episode as Eric and I discuss some important issues facing the future of nuclear power and what you as an individual can do to help support advanced nuclear reactors being built today.

Listen in as Jemi Van Dijk and I discuss major ideas that people don’t consider when they think about making the energy they use cleaner and greener. Jemi is originally from Saint Martin in the Caribbean, but now currently lives in France where he studied Physics and Water Engineering, and is now currently a High School and University Professor. He has traveled the world witnessing how people use and create energy, and as a result, has become very passionate about doing his part to make the energy he uses cleaner and greener. He is one of the most interesting guys I have met. He uses a flip phone, he knows 7 languages, and has some of the most profound ideas about how we can make the energy and products we use cleaner and greener.

Often when people look at energy they don’t consider the whole life cycle of energy. Where are the materials sourced from that are used for energy production? Are the materials ethically sourced? Are they created and manufactured in a sustainable and responsible way? Also, people don’t consider the back end of energy, also known as the waste it produces. Yes, even solar panels produce waste. The question is what energy sources produce the most waste? Where does the waste go? Which waste is the most dangerous? Is the waste handled responsibly and ethically? Other blind spots that people don’t consider when it comes to energy is the “trade-offs” for each energy source. In other words, every energy source has it’s pros, but is also has its cons. Each energy source has its benefits but it comes with its associated trade-offs, or negatives.

Listen in as Jemi and I dive into some complicated issues and try our best to make sense of them. To keep you on the edge of your seat, Jemi is anti-nuclear and I am pro-nuclear. Listen in to find out what happens!

Listen in as I interview the CEO and Founder of CrossFit Dioxide about how entrepreneurs are going to play a major role in helping solve some of the biggest challenges that the world faces. Justin was a fitness coach at various gyms across Southern Ontario when he came to a realization that he had more to give and wanted to give people a more immersive exercise experience. Justin then started CrossFit Dioxide in Whitby, Ontario and just recently opened another location in Newcastle, Ontario.

Justin breaks down for me what the mindset of an entrepreneur is and how that mindset is vital to be successful in solving some of the biggest problems the world faces such as climate change. One of my favorite things that he pointed out to me is that the biggest thing that people can do when starting a business is just take that first step and get into action. He told me, “it doesn’t matter how much you plan or analyze there is going to be a mistake,” so you mine as well get it over with as soon as possible.

Listen to the very end as we break down how embodying the mindset of an entrepreneur will play a major role in solving the worlds energy crisis.

Listen in as I discuss with Melodie Reynolds, founder and CEO of Elate Cosmetics, about how she is making a huge impact in the cosmetic industry by using sustainable, ethical, and eco-friendly ingredients, as well as packaging, in order to reduce the waste and consumption of cosmetics on the environment. Melodie has spent twenty years in the beauty business and started Elate cosmetics after watching big cosmetic companies not only negatively affect the environment, but also test on animals and take advantage of people’s insecurities. It was at this point that Elate Cosmetics was born in 2014 when she came up with the mandate for her own company which was: beauty products that don’t compromise the health of any person, animal or the planet. Ever since Melodie has been in the business of creating sustainable products that encourage self-love and empower people to make healthy choices when it comes to their beauty rituals.

Elate Cosmetics is an absolutely brilliant company that is doing its best to reduce their impact on the environment. Melodie has passionately focused on becoming a waste-free cosmetics company, and that means minimal packaging that’s recyclable, reusable or plantable. Every ingredient is fair trade, organic, and non-GMO whenever possible. In addition, Elate is a vegan and cruelty-free product.

Melodie is an extraordinary woman who taught me so much during our conversation and I cannot wait for you to listen in and learn from her as well. One of my favorite things that she shared with me was that we need to change our perception of self worth. She said, “our level of consumption is directly tied to our perception of who we are and our self confidence.” What a profound yet simple idea, that we can have a huge impact on reducing our impact on the environment by simply increase our level of self confidence. When we are more confident in who we are we buy less things to try and justify or prove to ourselves that we are someone of value.

One concern I have always had about my ability to reduce the effects of climate change is the question, “I am only one person, am I really making things better?” Melodie discusses with me the idea that it is better for a million people to make one choice everyday then for a handful of people to live completely zero waste. A profound statement she shared with me was, “individual responsibility is what creates global impact.” Purpose driven companies are the norm now and we need to take the time to find those companies that are involved in protecting the environment and support them versus companies that sell the same products but don’t have sustainable or eco-friendly practices.

The decision to make the world we live in better, now and in the future, simply starts with one better choice today to use products or practices that are more eco-friendly. Don’t miss out on this conversation as it is bound to leave you with a completely new perspective on how we can make the energy and products we use cleaner and greener.

Listen in as I talk with Dan Bikman about the direct connection between who we are being as individuals and the impact we are having on the environment. Dan has been a full time Seminary and Institute teacher for 15 years for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He is also a decorated coach where he has helped lead the Raymond Comet Girls Rugby team to 10 of the last 11 tier 1 provincial championships. His career has been dedicated to working with youth and young adults and he shares with me on the show what he has learned from working with youth and how we can apply some of these lesson in order to help change the world.

We dive into a lot of the principles shared by Jordan Peterson, and break down some of the ideas that he shares in his book, “12 Rules For Life.” Dan explains in such a simple and beautiful manner some of the mechanics of how we can really make a lasting impact on the world such as how we can find meaning in our work and consciously choosing to do hard things. Some of major points I took away from our conversation was, first, Dan said if there was one major trait that we could focus on becoming in this life, to really make an impact, it would be honesty. People that are honest step up to the plate in an authentic and genuine manner and don’t shy away from things that are hard. Second, he shared this idea that when there is security there is apathy. Dan shares from his observations that youth progress at such a rapid rate because they are constantly involved in new and unknown things, resulting in them continuously adapting to their surroundings. As we get older we get into a routine, and this rapid growth and progress begins to slow down. Dan talks about what we need to do to continually better ourselves and place ourselves into situations that inspire growth and change on a continuous basis.

I believe that there is a direct connection to our level of responsibility of how we treat the planet, to who we are and who we are choosing to become. If we are truly going to make the energy and products we use cleaner and greener we need to become our best selves.

Listen in as Eric Crowell, the CEO of Awesome Journey Inc., and I discuss CEO’s, leadership, and ontology, and how they affect making the products and energy we use cleaner and greener. Eric is one of the top executive leadership coaches in the country and is deeply passionate about “awakening people to being and acting as powerful leaders who build high performance teams and organizations (Eric Crowell Profile).” For over 20 years he has helped develop over 2,500 C-Suite executives, organizational leaders, and high-performance teams through transformational methodologies. He started Awesome Journey in 2002 and has worked with some of the most powerful and influential men and women across the globe who have been featured in Profit Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential Women in Canada, Forbes Canada’s Best Employers, Entrepreneur of the Year, Avenue Magazines Top 40 under 40, Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, Alberta Venture’s Top 25 Innovative Companies, Canada’s Best Managed Companies, and the Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies in Canada.

Eric and I discuss how the ontology of leaders around the world, especially that of CEO’s, is directly correlated to our impact on the environment. You might be wondering, what is ontology? Ontology can get quite complicated rather quickly, but in a simple definition, it is the study of the nature of being, becoming, existence, and/or reality. Eric dives into detail about how one of the biggest impacts a leader can have in completely shifting their companies culture and success is by transforming who they are BEING. There were several major take things I took away but two that really stood out to me were, first, real power is the ability to manifest or create your reality with velocity. When we focus on really applying this mentality of manifesting and creating our reality with velocity we begin to see the massive impact we are having on reducing the effects of climate change. Second, many people think that the path to success is based on HAVE-DO-BE. Meaning, when I HAVE enough time, I will DO what needs to get done, and then I will BE happy or successful. Rather, Eric explains that the real path to success is based on BE-DO-HAVE. Meaning, when we focus on changing our ontology or who we are BEING, we will then DO what needs to get done, and then we will HAVE success and happiness. In a nut shell, Eric and I discuss who it is in the best interest of businesses to institute practices within their companies that support the environment and making our energy and products cleaner and greener.

This is not a podcast you want to miss or skip over. Eric breaks down some of the biggest social issues facing climate change and I promise you that there will be something that you take away from our conversation that will allow you to help contribute to the clean energy movement.

Listen in as Elaine Hartrick and I discuss how chasing big and audacious goals, as well as embracing a mindset shift, could help unblock the road to a world with cleaner and greener energy and products. She is a part of a small group of women, called the 7 Continents Club, who have run a half or full marathon on every continent of the world. YES, that even means Antarctica! After coming out of an abusive relationship she sold everything she owned and ventured into the world to chase this dream of hers of running a half marathon on every continent. Elaine is one of the most inspiring women I know and has made a career out of working one-on-one with people to achieve their goals in life and business.

Elaine is now a dynamic and sought after speaker, life and business coach, mentor, and author where she shares what she learned from her experience of grabbing life by the horns and doing what you want and love. She has helped some of the most successful C-Suite executives navigate their life and work through her inspiring and compelling lectures on achieving your “End Game Goals.” She is a Vigor Award Winner, which is given to people for their “selfless efforts to enhance the lives of people around them, through their unrewarded volunteering or humanitarian work, or by their acts of valor in extraordinary circumstances.” She has also been featured on various news outlets and magazines such as Global News and Women’s Running Magazine.

Elaine’s next adventure involves her taking her skills down to St. George, Utah where she is the new General Manager for one of the top fitness resorts in North America, called Movara. One of my favorite parts of our conversation was when Elaine described to me that there is a direction correlation between people who are chasing their dreams and their level of love and appreciation that they have for the environment. Those who are deeply passionate about making a difference in the world are more often then not also very conscious of their environmental impact. As we all strive to make a genuine impact on the world, we will inevitably make the world cleaner and greener.

In this episode of ONE Energy, I interview Peter Tertzakian who discusses with me the unique relationship that finances play in clean energy investments as well as the incredibly important concept of reducing our energy consumption. Peter brings a unique flavor and perspective to the show as he has spent over 30 years in the business of energy ranging from oil and gas to renewables. He does macroeconomic research and investment analysis for ARC Financial Corporation and provides direction as to where to deploy capital on certain investments and how to manage a given portfolio. Peter is not only an expert in investments that relate to the energy industry, but is also deeply passionate about writing, speaking, and discussing issues that are imperative to the future of energy and how they affect our planet.

This is a must listen podcast as Peter breaks down the barriers that are holding us back from really putting a dent in solving the energy crisis that we are in. Not only does Peter discuss with me the financial implications of reducing green house gas (GHG) emissions, but also the issue of how for every joule of energy we produce with renewables we are demanding another joule of energy from fossil fuels or more. Peter explains how just because our energy is becoming cleaner and greener, that does not give us the right to consume more. The root of the problem is not the technology, the technology is ahead of the acceptance, rather the real issue is over consumption. Peter describes that investments in renewables are on a “gentle decline” and in order for us to really move the needle in reducing the effects of climate change we need to start developing a culture that is collaborating on how we can reduce our energy consumption.

I would highly recommend reading his two best selling books, The End of Energy Obesity, and A Thousand Barrels A Second, as they dive deeper into his ideas of how we can really save the planet from climate change and solutions we can implement to make the energy and products we use cleaner and greener. Something else that really stood out to me in our discussion is that in order for us as humans to move forward together, and make a difference in the energy industry, we need to dial down the polarization between those who produce the oil and those who consume the oil. If we are constantly pointing fingers rather then being open to collaboration we will never change anything. I look forward to hearing your feedback and sharing your thoughts on what Peter Tertzakian has to share.

If you haven’t listened to any of ONE Energy’s podcasts yet, this is the one to listen to! On the show, Robert Mereau and I discuss how data analytics and machine learning are going to play a major role in helping energy to become cleaner and greener. Robert is one of the co-creators of White Whale Analytics and is now currently the head of Machine Intelligence at White Whale Analytics. What they do is help companies sift through copious amounts of data using machine intelligence to help them see patterns that they might not have seen on their own. With the help of machine intelligence pointing out these patterns, businesses can then make insightful, data driven decisions to be more efficient, reduce waste, and increase profits.

There are so many things that stood out to me from our conversation, such as, machine learning is about codifying the way the logical side of our brain works. We essentially super impose our logical reasoning into a computer to help us make and work through problems that might normally take large amounts of time. This then results in the ability for humans to spend more time focused on higher level thinking activities, rather then having the task of making sense of large quantities of data. A similar event occurred when the wheel and tools were invented. With these simple pieces of technology it allowed humans to focus on other things besides manual labor, which helped to move humankind forward at an exponential rate. Robert said, “technology allows us to scale our imaginations!”

We desperately need machine learning if we are going to make the best decisions moving forward when it comes to clean energy. We need the certainty and efficiency that machine intelligence offers in order to help us make smart decisions. There are a lot of variables involved when it comes to climate change and clean energy. As a result, we need machine intelligence to help us see correlations and patterns we would have never seen on our own in order to make the energy we use cleaner and greener.

You will not be disappointed by Robert’s thoughts and advice as to how we can move the world forward and be better care takers of the earth we live on.

When it comes to clean energy our minds typically revert to thinking about, “how we can produce energy in a cleaner way?” Such as using solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, nuclear power, etc. The problem with renewable energy, such as solar and wind, is that when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing...