Wacomet and Polpis Founder and CEO Aaron Mandell discusses his journey as a founder of multiple companies focused on geothermal energy and desalination. He shares insights on the potential of geothermal energy in the U.S., the challenges of scaling it, and the importance of desalination as a critical resource for water management. Mandell advocates for a national water strategy to address the growing water crisis and emphasizes the need for innovative financing solutions to support desalination projects. He reflects on the lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey and the importance of believing in the potential for technological advancements to transform industries.

Chapters

00:00 - The Journey of a Repeat Founder

03:02 - Innovations in Geothermal Energy

06:05 - Scaling Geothermal: Opportunities and Challenges

09:06 - Site Selection for Geothermal Resources

12:12 - Desalination: A Critical Resource

14:55 - Advocating for a National Water Strategy

20:07 - The Future of Water Management

25:07 - Financing Desalination Projects

27:49 - Lessons from the Founder Journey

30:57 - Looking Ahead: Breakthroughs in Energy and Water

33:01 - Inspiration and Recommendations

Books mentioned:

• Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner
• Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by JD Vance
• Tryptamine Palace: 5-MeO-DMT and the Sonoran Desert Toad by James Oroc