The S2G Podcast

What if the biggest risk right now isn’t getting the answers wrong, but asking the wrong questions? In our Season 3 kickoff, all three S2G Managing Partners come together to unpack a moment defined by volatility, AI acceleration, geopolitics, and a rising cost of capital. They explore why constraints are no longer a weakness but a competitive advantage, and how affordability, resilience, and execution matter more than hype. From private markets and global debt to AI, demographics, and the “Age of Adaptation,” Sanjeev Krishnan, Chuck Templeton, and Aaron Rudberg help frame the macro and micro playbook for what it will take to build businesses in 2026. It’s a sharp, honest look at where to find the opportunity when the rules keep changing.

Key Takeaways:

1. Constraints create winners. The MPs discuss how tighter capital, higher rates, and geopolitical friction favor disciplined builders and sober investors.
2. AI is shifting from experiment to ROI. The conversation reveals how 2026 is about using AI to drive real productivity, margin improvement, and “cheaper, faster, better” outcomes.
3. A human edge still matters. While AI is powerful, Chuck argues it’s human judgment, experience, and the ability to guide it that ultimately turn technology into a real advantage.
4. Resilience beats efficiency in a volatile world. According to the MPs, the future belongs to companies with durable moats, flexible supply chains, and business models built to survive uncertainty.
5. The right questions matter more than ever. According to Sanjeev, old assumptions about capital, risk, and growth no longer hold. Success now starts with rethinking first principles.
   
   

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change.

For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

We're back! Season 3 kicks off January 15th. 

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change.

For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

In this special episode-share, we team up with Everybody in the Pool to spotlight the urgent and fast-growing challenge of microplastic pollution and the breakthrough filtration technology designed to tackle it at scale. Longtime tech and business journalist Molly Wood speaks with Adam Root, Matter’s founder and CEO, about how microfibers from everyday laundry to industrial textile production have become one of the largest sources of ocean microplastics, and why the textile industry is facing mounting pressure from regulators, retailers, and consumers to address the issue. Matter’s regenerative filtration system offers a practical, modular solution that can be deployed across home appliances and industrial facilities, delivering both measurable environmental benefits and meaningful cost savings. It’s a forward-looking conversation about how infrastructure-level innovation can reshape a legacy industry and build cleaner, more resilient water systems worldwide.

Links:

Matter Industries Website: https://matter.industries/ 

Adam Root LinkedIn

All episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/ 

Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/ 

Become a member and get an ad-free version of the podcast: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ 

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change.

For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

Food prices keep climbing. Farmers are facing shrinking profit margins. Can AI really fix both, or is it just another Silicon Valley hype cycle? With all the talk about an “AI bubble,” we bring you a conversation about how AI is already shaping farm viability today and what it could mean for your grocery bill tomorrow.

In this episode of the S2G Podcast, Chuck Templeton sits down with Shail Khiyara, CEO of decision-intelligence company SWARM, and Adam Greenberg, CEO of greenhouse OS provider IUNU, to unpack how AI is being used today across fields, greenhouses, and supply chains. They dig into how digital twins, sensors, and machine vision can turn volatility into an advantage, cut waste, and boost margins for growers while helping keep food more affordable for consumers.

They discuss what it really takes to drive AI adoption in a sector built on thin margins and healthy skepticism, and how partnerships and long-term purchase agreements could reshape the economics of fresh, local food. Whether you’re an AI superfan or a skeptic, an ag insider, or just someone worried about your grocery bill, this conversation offers a grounded look at what a smarter, continuously learning food system might actually look like in practice.

Chapters: 

03:55 SWARM and IUNU’s AI Solutions

08:59 Challenges and Mindset Shifts in AI Adoption

11:50 AI's Impact on Decision Making in Agriculture

14:10 Accelerating AI Adoption in Agriculture

25:29 The Cognitive Grid: AI's Future in Agriculture

27:31 Economic Impacts of AI on Farmers

32:08 Successful Partnerships and Future Outlook

36:38 Advice for Farmers on AI Adoption

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change.

For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

The Farm Bill, our country’s cornerstone for farm and nutrition policy, has long been a rare beacon of bipartisan success. But the recent deal to reopen the government quietly tacked on yet another extension of the 2018 Farm Bill that has had a series of extensions since 2023. So the question is: are we watching the end of big bipartisan legislation? Or is it time to rethink the playbook entirely, bringing in new stakeholders and connecting more of the issues that shape the system to build a broader coalition?

Consider the landscape we’re navigating. This year, USDA projects an agricultural trade deficit approaching $50 billion. Meanwhile, defense, Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, and interest on the debt account for roughly 70% of federal spending. At the same time, 70% of Americans are overweight or obese, and the One Big Beautiful Bill proposes cutting $186 billion from SNAP over the next decade. These are enormous, interconnected challenges, and maybe the only way forward is to bring them to the same negotiating table and design solutions big enough to match the moment.

In this episode, Sanjeev Krishnan sits down with Randy Russell, President of The Russell Group, a bipartisan government relations firm focused exclusively on food and agriculture public policy, and Grant Leslie, S2G’s new Operating Partner for Government and Policy. Together, they break down how linking agriculture, nutrition, healthcare, and fiscal realities could unlock better outcomes for American producers, communities, and national security. But doing that requires a systems mindset. It means widening the tent. It means seeing farm policy as far bigger than agriculture alone.

And ultimately, the people who will succeed here will be the ones bold enough to think differently.

Chapters:

04:59 Randy Russell's Career Journey

06:43 The Rural-Urban Divide in Politics

09:52 State of American Agriculture

13:46 Challenges in U.S. Agricultural Policy

16:28 The Future of the Farm Bill

19:55 New Stakeholders in Food and Agriculture

22:55 Linking Agriculture, Healthcare, and National Security

31:49 The Role of Technology and Innovation

41:41 Food Security as National Security

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change.

For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

When voters went to the polls last week, one issue rose above the rest: the cost of keeping the lights on. Candidates promising lower energy bills swept key races, signaling that affordability has become a defining political and economic concern. But throughout his career spanning entrepreneurship, policy, and finance, Jigar Shah has consistently argued that affordability and efficiency must be at the heart of the energy transition. While challenges remain, we live in extraordinary times when proven, scalable solutions like solar, batteries, heat pumps, and home weatherization can dramatically improve efficiency and lower costs. In this episode, Jigar and Sanjeev discuss the discipline and creativity required to build fit-for-purpose capital markets and business models that can unlock these technologies, making clean energy more affordable and accessible for all.

Chapters: 

03:26 Jigar Shah's Career Journey

04:55 Jigar's Approach to Problem-Solving

06:51 The Role of Communication in Energy Investing 

12:38 Jigar's Current Endeavors and Multiplier

15:15 Challenges and Opportunities in Energy Affordability

19:58 The Cost-Benefit Paradox in Energy Efficiency

22:48 Reshaping the Grid Incentive Structure

29:58 Fit for Purpose Capital Markets

34:04 Disciplined Business Models

37:55 The Future of Energy Efficiency

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change.

For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

What if the future of water efficiency depended on something you can’t even see? In this “The Pitch” style episode, Chuck Templeton sits down with Nick Dyner, CEO of Moleaer, to unpack how nanobubbles, gas particles a thousand times smaller than a human hair, are quietly changing the way industries use and think about water. From fish farms to greenhouses and even chemical-free spas, Moleaer’s technology is improving water efficiency, reducing inputs, saving costs, and cutting emissions across sectors. Nick shares how Moleaer built a company around a technology that had no clear market map, the importance of focus amid abundant potential, and the lessons learned turning a scientific breakthrough into a scalable business. The conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into how disciplined innovation can unlock both profit and planetary benefits, one tiny bubble at a time.

Key takeaways:

1. Let the Market Lead: Nick explains that rather than predicting where to play, Moleaer followed customer pull, identifying where nanobubbles solved urgent, scalable problems.
2. The Importance of Focus: Moleaer succeeded by resisting the temptation to chase every possible application, instead focusing on four key markets: wastewater, irrigation, aquaculture, and surface water.
3. The Power of Partnership: Nick shares that strategic collaborations with global brands like Jacuzzi have allowed Moleaer to extend its reach without diluting focus, showing how partnership can accelerate adoption more efficiently than expansion.
4. Adaptive Business Models: According to Nick, Moleaer tailors its go-to-market approach to each sector, which allows the company to meet customers where they are, align incentives around measurable outcomes, and scale efficiently across very different industries.
5. Multi-layered Value Creation: Moleaer’s technology delivers a value proposition that resonates across stakeholders, helping customers cut costs and improve performance while simultaneously reducing energy use and CO₂ emissions, which strengthens customer loyalty and attracts mission-driven talent.

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change.

For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

In this episode, we sit down with our Managing Partner, Aaron Rudberg, to dig into his journey and the lessons that have shaped S2G’s growth. Aaron walks us through his path from venture associate to entrepreneur to limited partner to managing partner, and how those experiences influence the way he leads, builds culture, and approaches investing today. He discusses how purpose-driven investing has evolved over the last decade, what “at-the-seams” investing really looks like, and uses recent investments to illustrate how they align with S2G’s thesis. Aaron also shares what he’s hearing from investors around the globe and why he believes now is the time to scale proven solutions that deliver returns alongside environmental impact. Grounded and pragmatic, this conversation offers valuable insights into what it takes to build lasting organizations and invest with purpose.

Key takeaways:

1. Culture is a growth driver: Aaron shares how S2G’s expansion was built on cultural pillars of ambition combined with humility and collaboration.
2. Purpose-driven investing has matured: According to Aaron, what was once niche is now mainstream, with investors demanding both impact and returns.
3. The value of an “at-the-seams” approach: Through examples in regenerative agriculture and packaging solutions, Aaron illustrates how innovation and opportunity can emerge where sectors and asset classes intersect.
4. Global investors are resilient but expect returns: From meetings across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the U.S., Aaron has seen a consistent appetite for purpose-driven investing, but he notes that investors want proof of competitive returns.
5. Now is the time to scale proven solutions: Despite market turbulence, Aaron sees an immense opportunity to scale proven technologies that already deliver economic, social, and environmental value. He emphasizes that the best returns are often generated in challenging markets, when discipline and capital efficiency matter most.

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change.

For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

In this episode, Dimitris Valatsas, Founding Partner at Aurora Macro Strategies, makes the case that you shouldn’t be sleeping on macroeconomics. In the Age of Adaptation, macroeconomics is a powerful force shaping business and investment outcomes, driving the cost of capital, the flow of money, and how sectors respond to shocks. Sanjeev Krishnan sits down with Dimitris to unpack three key macro topics: the price of money, the price of machine intelligence, and the price of entropy. They discuss why household savings rates can dictate growth, how inflation-indexed contracts can protect long-term infrastructure projects, why the U.S. still enjoys dollar dominance despite rising fragmentation, and how AI’s deep capital demands could redefine productivity and competitiveness. For investors and operators alike, the conversation offers both a crash course in macro thinking and actionable insights for building resilience and seizing opportunity.

Key takeaways:

1. Macro isn’t optional: Dimitris emphasizes that in the Age of Adaptation, macroeconomic conditions drive multiples and exit outcomes as much as company execution. 
2. Hidden indicators matter: Dimitris explains why household savings rates are one of the clearest signals of future growth and consumption trends.
3. Dollar dominance persists but with nuance: While reserve diversification and de-dollarization trends are underway, the U.S. still holds the privileged position as the world’s primary safe-asset supplier. Dimitris insists that while de-dollarization is a tail-risk, it is not the base case.
4. AI is rewriting capital intensity: Sanjeev and Dimitris highlight how, unlike past tech waves, artificial intelligence requires enormous upfront investment in power and hardware, creating new dynamics for productivity.
5. The price of entropy is rising: Markets are not efficient at pricing climate and geopolitical shocks. According to Dimitris, policy consistency and better externality pricing are essential to building resilience.

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change.

For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.

From crop yields to power grids to shipping routes, weather is no longer background noise. It’s reshaping how companies manage risk, plan operations, and capture opportunity. In this episode, Sanjeev Krishnan talks with Cristina Rohr, Bala Nagarajan, and Kate Danaher about how shifting weather patterns are impacting food supply, energy markets, and global trade and how we’re moving from a reactive damage control model to proactive resilience with better sensors, more comprehensive data, and AI-powered forecasting. The discussion makes clear that bringing together insights from agriculture, energy, and oceans can help us build smarter, more integrated weather solutions that strengthen resilience and improve our ability to adapt to a more volatile future.  

Key takeaways:

1. Weather is now a business variable: The panelists stressed that extreme events and shifting patterns are directly shaping earnings, asset values, and supply chains. Weather has become a factor that business leaders must actively monitor and plan for. 
2. Oceans are the planet’s climate regulator and a growing source of risk: Kate highlighted that oceans absorb 90% of excess atmospheric heat and 30% of CO2, buffering the planet’s climate. But as the ocean warms and its chemistry shifts, the impacts cascade through ecosystems, weather systems, and industries.
3. Agriculture, energy, and oceans are highly exposed to weather volatility: Cristina noted how droughts, floods, and heat waves disrupt yields and drive commodity prices higher. Bala explained how both energy demand and supply are weather-dependent. And Kate underscored how shifting weather alters global shipping patterns. 
4. Smarter data and cross-sector innovation build resilience: From AI-driven forecasting to hyperlocal sensors and parametric insurance, the panelists highlighted how innovation is helping businesses move from reactive damage control to proactive adaptation. 
5. Better forecasting presents a major opportunity: The conversation highlighted that current models are still limited, particularly when it comes to seasonal or long-term predictions. Advances in AI, data collection, and private-sector innovation could transform forecasting into a powerful tool for business planning, allowing companies not just to brace for disruption but to successfully weather the storm. 

This content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G. Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Specific companies mentioned in this podcast are for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any kind. S2G holds positions in the companies referenced, but this podcast is for information purposes only and is not intended to promote any such company. All views of the guests on this podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of S2G. Any past performance discussed is not indicative of future results. The views expressed herein are opinions based on certain assumptions and subject to change.

For more important information, please see s2ginvestments.com/disclosures.