Ted Hesser Podcast

I sat down with Nedjip Tozun, co-founder and CEO of D.light Design, the world's most impactful solar company. They have powered over 170 million people, at the base of the world's economic pyramid, with solar electricity and lighting products. Nedjip and I discuss the trials and tribulations of D.light, we talk about his fascinating views on religion, which underpin the story of d.light, and we talk about the future of sustainable energy / geoengineering. 

00:00 Intro

04:26 The Miracle Shipment Story

06:26 Navigating Financial Crises

13:45 Mission-Driven Business Decisions

22:05 Capitalism and Social Impact

28:38 Personal Religious Journey

36:08 Rational Arguments for Faith

39:55 Starting D.Light

52:48 Science and Faith Compatibility

58:51 The Fine-Tuning of the Universe

01:03:44 The Possibility of Extraterrestrial Life

01:06:53 Formation of the Moon and Its Impact on Life

01:09:45 The Rarity and Value of Human Life

01:10:43 Exploring Life Beyond Earth

01:11:34 Climate Change and the Future of Energy

01:12:57 The Promise and Challenges of Fusion Energy

01:24:24 Geoengineering and Carbon Capture Innovations

01:33:14 Reflections on Leadership and Future Prospects

This episode was a real treat. Ben Lamm is the founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, the world's first de-extinction company. They are legitimately en route to bringing back extinct species, like the wooly mammoth, the thylacine and the dodo. We talk about all of that on this episode, along with broader observations of what these new age synthetic biology tools mean for the future of conservation, and, for the future of human health. 

Cory Richards, a renowned National Geographic adventure photographer, has lived a life full of highs and lows. He reached the pinnacle of the outdoor industry only to step back after a series of mental health challenges.

I consider Cory to be a friend, a mentor, and a guide to healing from trauma in the modern world. This episode aims to share Cory's incredible story, detailed in his new memoir 'The Color of Everything'.

Peter Dering, founder and CEO of Peak Design, discusses his views on conscious capitalism. For the environment, for employees, and for customers. This is a case study in ethics, and successful brand building, in business. 

Chris Burkard is a close friend, a mentor, and a legendary adventure photographer. He is also a devout latter-day saint. This episode is an exercise in podcast portraiture, a deep and insightful look into Chris's inner life. 

In this episode, I sit down with renowned science writer David Quammen. We discuss the age of synthetic biology, tempered by ethical and practical considerations, and what it may mean for viruses, cancer & species conservation.

David’s insightful, measured outlook is grounded in five decades of science writing, across dozens of books and hundreds of feature magazine stories. 

Show Notes:

00:18 Introduction.

02:00 Contagious Cancer and Evolution

02:32 Virus Hunters & Zoonotic Spillover.

08:05 Bats: The Reservoir Hosts

12:30 Ethics & Engineering Viruses.

19:54 Viruses as Evolutionary Feature, not Bug.

25:29 Engineering Immunology

36:53 COVID-19 Origins and Vaccine Development

46:46 Individual Liberty vs Public Health

54:20 EV batteries & Congo Mining

57:12 Elephants Don’t Get Cancer

59:24 De-Extinction and Genetic Preservation

01:01:19 Conservation and Genetic Engineering

01:19:44 David’s Career

This episode delves into the complex interplay of skepticism and conviction in modern science, a theme vividly illustrated by Jacobson's career. Check out the podcast as we explore the dynamic and often contentious world of climate policy through the lens of Mark Jacobson's remarkable life.

Mark Jacobson is a towering figure in the realm of climate policy. Jacobson's early work led to California's unique exemption from the EPA, allowing the state to set its own stringent CO2 standards for vehicles, which led to the progressive ratcheting up of standards across the US and the world.

His groundbreaking research on Black Carbon, identifying it as the second most significant contributor to climate change, has shaped environmental strategies worldwide. Jacobson is also the intellectual force behind the Solutions Project, a popular initiative that united a diverse group of scientists, filmmakers, and actors to advocate for a future powered entirely by renewable energy.

However, Jacobson's path has not been without its challenges. His approach, blending public education with science, has sparked debate within the scientific community. This tension climaxed when his work faced critical scrutiny from other academics in the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, leading to a controversial defamation lawsuit against the Academy.

Ted Hesser sits down with Wade Davis, a luminary in the world of ethnobotany, exploration, and cultural preservation. Wade shares his captivating journey from his early days at Harvard amidst the giants of botanical and psychedelic discovery to his deep dives into the Amazon and the mysteries of ancient plants. They discuss the profound impact of psychedelics, the importance of preserving vanishing cultures, and the serendipitous moments that have shaped Wade's life and career. From the tales of magic mushrooms to the intricacies of human-plant interactions, this conversation offers a deep reflection on the interconnectedness of humanity, nature, and the stories that bind us.