The Capitalist Hippie

How do we build solutions for a better planet? We educate new young leaders who can create those solutions.

Climate change is undeniably one of the most pressing issues facing humanity today, and the urgency to address it has never been greater. With the launch of Pearson College's Climate Action Leadership Diploma Program, a new wave of young leaders is emerging, ready to tackle this global challenge head-on.

In this episode, we dive deep into the innovative CALD Program with our guests Valentina Constancio, Alicia Yang, and Emily Coolidge from Pearson College. We explore how this program is shaping the next generation of climate leaders.

The program's curriculum empowers students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to make a meaningful impact in the fight against climate change while offering students academic credits and real-world insights into climate leadership.

Through direct place-based experiences, guest lectures, and project-based work, students develop essential leadership skills while connecting with Indigenous values and communities. Additionally, the CALD Program offers micro-credentials in facilitation, conflict transformation, climate modeling, and more. These certifications enhance students' abilities to drive meaningful change in the world.

We uncover the inspiration behind the CALD Program, its curriculum highlights, and the transformative experiences of students and educators alike. Get ready to be inspired by the passion and dedication of those leading the charge for climate action!

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An enlightening conversation with Britt Wray, Author and Director of CIRCLE at Stanford Psychiatry, where we delve into her groundbreaking research and advocacy in the intersection of climate leadership, emotional well-being, and community resilience.

Using her expertise in science communication, Britt Wray ignites meaningful action in a world grappling with climate change. From acclaimed books like Generation Dread to her podcast Gen Dread, she empowers individuals to confront climate grief and cultivate courage.

Drawing from her multidisciplinary background, including a PhD in Science Communication, Britt illuminates innovative strategies to address the psychological toll of environmental degradation, such as the creation of CIRCLE at Stanford Psychiatry. As a distinguished speaker at TED and the World Economic Forum, she amplifies the urgency of climate action and advocates for inclusive, community-driven approaches.

Britt Wray inspires a new generation of climate changemakers, envisioning a world where emotional well-being and environmental sustainability align seamlessly. Get inspired by Britt Wray's passion and commitment to make positive change.

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Every day, millions of people worldwide lack access to reliable electricity, forcing them to rely on dangerous and expensive alternatives. However, one entrepreneur, Sam Goldman, is on a mission to change that narrative. With degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies, an MBA, and a passion for social transformation, Sam has dedicated his career to making clean energy accessible and affordable to all.

As a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin, Africa, he was inspired to find safer and more sustainable ways to power homes and businesses in underserved regions. His passion for social impact and innovation laid the foundation for d. Light's transformative work. Under his leadership, d.light has positively impacted over 170 million lives in 70 countries, saving customers $5 billion in energy expenses. Unsurprisingly, Forbes recognized him as one of the world's top 30 social entrepreneurs, and he was named Social Entrepreneur of the Year by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.

Today, Sam leads a project within Innovative Breakthrough Energy Technologies (IBET), where he continues to drive impactful change by addressing lightning-induced forest fires, a significant contributor to global carbon emissions.

Join us as Sam shares the inspiring story behind d.light's inception, from its humble beginnings to its ambitious vision of reaching 1 billion people by 2030. Discover how Samuel's dedication to social impact, resilience, and innovation is lighting the way to a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

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Sustainable building solutions are critical in a world where construction consumes over 50% of all resources extracted globally annually, and less than 10% of plastic waste is recycled. That's where Dustin Bowers comes in. Founder and CEO/CTO at PLAEX Building Systems, he has a diverse background in carpentry, fine arts, and environmental passion, which led him to create innovative solutions for sustainable construction.

PLAEX is committed to manufacturing environmentally responsible building materials from recycled waste streams, focusing on durability and sustainability. As this week's guest on Someone Like You, Dustin explores the unique challenges of the construction industry and how the company's Lego-style modular construction blocks are revolutionizing building practices. He also discusses the quantitative impacts expected from PLAEX's technology and their vision for a circular economy in construction, reducing carbon footprints while saving energy costs. To wrap up, he reflects on PLAEX's mission to raise the quality standards of buildings globally, emphasizing simplicity, innovation, and sustainability in every structure. You certainly don't want to miss this inspiring conversation!

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One garbage truck full of plastic enters the ocean every minute. Even though the material can seem like a facilitator and even an improvement in our daily lives, it is convenient to throw it away without a second thought – and the environment is suffering because of it. Estimations say that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean.

Today, we have an inspiring conversation with David Katz, a compassionate entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of Plastic Bank. Recognized globally for his humanitarian work, David has pioneered Social Recycling, turning plastic waste into a currency that transcends poverty and safeguards the planet.

Plastic Bank is a social enterprise that empowers a global network of over 500 collection communities, exchanging plastic waste as currency for income and life-improving benefits. Its proprietary blockchain-secured platform ensures traceable collection, secured income, and verified reporting, creating a remarkable structure that is changing the lives of hundreds of families worldwide.

David tells us the amazing origin story of the company, how its unique exchange system works, and the pivotal role of blockchain technology in its mission. He also shares his knowledge on the innovative Social Plastic® feedstock, which transforms collected material into reusable products and packaging for the community. Get ready to be inspired!

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Did you know that chemicals and fuel spills from traditional boats can harm our waters? Lack of maintenance, fuel type, and leaks can increase the pollution and the number of harmful bacteria in the marinas, affecting water health. Electrifying cars has provided a fossil free future on our roads, but what about our waterways?

This week, join us as Marco Pimentel, our host, sits down with Mitch Lee, a mechanical engineering graduate turned CEO of Arc. Mitch began his career as a Stress Analyst on the AH-64 Apache, transitioned into software development, and eventually co-founded Arc, a company at the forefront of revolutionizing watercraft with high-performance electric boats.

Discover how Arc is leading the charge in designing, manufacturing, and distributing the next generation of watercraft and their innovative approach to integrating electric powertrains, starting with freshwater sport boats that redefine the possibilities for wakeboarding and waterskiing.

Mitch explores the journey of choosing an electric system for boats, the challenges the company faced during the prototype development, and the unique approach of doing most of the work, including in-house software development.

With Arc's mission to electrify all watercraft and reduce the environmental impact of traditional boats, Mitch shares insights into their dedication to sustainability and creating a new era for boating enthusiasts. Tune in to this electrifying conversation, where innovation meets the waves.

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Globally, a new era of business strategy is emerging — one that is bold, proactive, and regenerative. Did you know that instead of holding steady, regenerative companies make courageous moves to reconnect with the social and environmental systems they're a part of? This week, we delve into the heart of regenerative business practices with Jill Doucette, the visionary behind Synergy Enterprises, who founded the company in 2008 with a mission to impact the planet positively. As a leader in sustainable business practices, BCorp Certification, and carbon accounting, Jill has cultivated an incredible team and inspired clients around the globe. On its own, Synergy Enterprises stands as a global leader in regenerative business. Rooted in the belief that businesses can contribute to restoring natural ecosystems and social equality, Synergy's environmental business experts provide tools and resources to achieve these goals sustainably. As a certified B Corp and the Best for Workers 2021 Honoree, Synergy collaborates with companies across sectors, helping them become award-winning businesses for environmental excellence and innovation. Jill shares the journey of founding Synergy and its evolution into a leading force in regenerative business practices and the company's mission to accelerate action towards a regenerative future, envisioning an economy that restores natural ecosystems and promotes social equality while minimizing environmental impact. Follow us on Instagram: @someonelikeyoupodcast.

Conventional fuel solutions, particularly the widely used "natural gas," conceal a myriad of environmental hazards. Methane, the primary component in this mix, is a potent greenhouse gas — 25 times more impactful per gram than carbon dioxide — accompanied by a cocktail of toxic air pollutants, including benzene, a known carcinogen.

And in home climate control, a silent but critical battle wages against traditional fuel-based systems. In Canada, 51% of homes are heated during winter with forced air furnaces, mainly fuelled by natural gas. The quest for more efficient, sustainable solutions led Paul Lambert, former Director of Area 120 at Google, to envision a Silicon Valley-powered endeavour in the fight against climate change.

Paul, now Founder and CEO of Quilt, a pioneering force in crafting the world's most advanced home heating and cooling system, speaks about changing how we keep our homes' temperature comfortable. His career narrative weaves through technology, product development, and sustainability, drawing mainly from his experience in Google's well-known product development sector.

Quilt embodies the mission to revolutionize home climate control by constructing an intelligent, ductless heat pump system — a fusion of sleek design and AI-driven efficiency that bids farewell to fossil fuels.

Tune in as we delve into Quilt's audacious journey, poised at the precipice of redefining home climate systems, and explore how Paul and his team aim to usher humanity into a future free from the combustion habit, making an impact, as the company says, at a species level.

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Agriculture stands as one of the most pollutant practices known to man. In Canada alone, 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from crop and livestock production, excluding emissions from fossil fuels or fertilizer production. Not only that, but considering how we handle manure, transportation, chemical pesticides, and fertilizers, we are looking at a giant impact on the environment worldwide. At the other side of that scale, we have Robby Sansom, Co-Founder & CEO of Force of Nature, a regeneratively sourced meat company in Austin, TX. Robby's journey intertwines deeply with the natural food community, having previously delved into similar practices during his tenure as CFO/COO at EPIC. His commitment to regenerative practices birthed Force of Nature, aiming to accelerate the creation of a global regenerative supply network. Force of Nature operates on the principles of regenerative agriculture, facing head-on a market that, for decades, has been advertised as a great business opportunity without any regard for its environmental impact. Considering the poisoning of soils and water streams by chemical agents so commonly used in agriculture and livestock production, alongside the needs and implications of each location and its natural species, Force of Nature looks to redefine its market while bringing nutrient-rich meats to consumers' tables. In this week's episode, we'll explore Robby's and Force of Nature's story and question if producing more meat can be considered a solution in a century-old practice that's been slowly changing our planet. Follow us on Instagram: @someonelikeyoupodcast.

Believe it or not, steam is still a big deal in industries. It stands for 8% of the global primary energy use, generating over 2 gigatonnes of greenhouse emissions per year. Facing that scenario, innovators like Addison Stark see this as an opportunity and need for change and emerge as sustainability champions. Addison's journey fuels his passion for the decarbonizing industry, from spearheading energy innovation at the Bipartisan Policy Center to pioneering technology development at ARPA-E. In this episode, He unveils the transformative power of Boiler 2.0 — a pioneering steam generation tool harnessing air heat, boasting unmatched efficiency and zero carbon emissions. He also speaks about founding his company, AtmosZero, aiming to redefine the traditional boiler room for a decarbonized future, and how the electrified Boiler 2.0, with its versatile applicability across industries and built environments, stands as a beacon of sustainable innovation in the steam-centric world. Addison uncovers the mechanics behind the technology, from extracting heat from the air to converting it into heating energy, and how it presents a cost-effective, scalable solution, delivering consistent carbon-neutral steam at temperatures surpassing 200°C. AtmosZero's Boiler 2.0 integrates seamlessly, accommodating variable, intermittent, or constant streams, enhancing plant efficiency and paving the way toward a sustainable, zero-carbon industry landscape. Follow us on Instagram: @someonelikeyoupodcast.