Green Connections Radio - Women Who Innovate With Purpose, & Career Issues, Including In Energy, Sustainability, Responsibil

“These women have had networks and support structures and other kinds of community support that helped them get there in spite of an uphill battle….For men, the narrative is that they made it on their own. We downplay the role that mentorship played in (men's) making their way into a leadership role.” Heather Metcalf on Green Connections Radio   “Research has repeatedly demonstrated that diverse teams, especially in leadership, outperform homogenous teams in innovation, research quality, decision-making, and complex thinking and bolster their organization’s financial success,” according to the new research from the Association of Women in Science (AWIS). Yet, the statistics on women in leadership are pathetic, especially in STEM (e.g., only 6.6% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women). Listen to Heather Metcalf, Chief Research officer of AWIS on their new research on practical tips for organizations to have more women in STEM leadership in this engaging conversation with Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson   

“You have to take a long-term view, which means you may need to invest more up front in order to give people the flexibility or better benefits, and the returns we know we get with a more diverse workforce are greater innovation, we get an improved bottom line.”Kristin Haffert on Green Connections Radio One of the ways that many employee survey tools fall short, is that they don’t measure how your workforce feels about specific aspects of their workplace, and even specific policies.  Enter Kristin Haffert and her company Mine the Gap’s new survey, conducted with FTI Consulting.Listen to this episode Kristin explain to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson what the “enthusiasm gap” is between men and women in the workplace according to their new research, and if you listen closely, you’ll hear what you can do about it.   If you care about these issues in your workplace, you’ll want to take notes….You’ll hear:·       What the “enthusiasm gap” is and why it matters.&

“Comedy loosens the brain. It generates creativity. There’s something physiologically that happens in our brains. We stop thinking linearly and start thinking non-linearly when we hear jokes, when we try to tell jokes.”Courtney Bickert on Green Connections Radio And now for something different….To solve today’s most intractable problems – from climate change to inequality to combating terrorism and corruption – as well as business challenges, we need  the most creative ideas we can find, figure out how to do them, and then find ways to implement them.  So, when I met my guest today, I knew I needed to introduce you to her.  Listen to my interview with Courtney Bickert, social innovator and comedienne, with her thoroughly different take on social innovationYou’ll hear:·       How you can use comedy to drive social innovation in a large organization.·       The connection between the Innovators’ DNA and comedy.·       Your brain on

"Plant-based diets are better for the planet....but meat is not necessarily to blame for climate change." Robin Currey on Green Connections RadioAs we face climate week at the U.N. this week, one of the more delicate issues is the threat that climate change poses to our food supply and in turn, the way our current food systems exacerbate climate change.So, we thought  it's a great time to hear from a food systems expert and get the facts.. Listen to Robin Currey, Faculty Director of Sustainable Food Systems at Prescott College address these issues with Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson in this in-depth interview.You'll  learn about: ·       How the current way we get our food - our food systems - can make climate change worse.·       How climate change is endangering our food supply·       The facts about "organic" foods and how they can help the rest of the food supply·       3 tips for eating to aid mitigatio

“I think it’s always about meeting people where they are. I think sometimes…people can go over the edge of just making the business case, where…I think people do want to do the right thing.” Suzanne Fallender, on Green Connections Radio What if corporations took their responsibility to reduce their carbon footprint and as corporate citizens seriously and integrated it into their corporate strategies? That's exactly what Suzanne Fallender, Director of Sustainability at Intel told Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson they are doing. From reducing energy and water use, eliminating the use of conflict minerals, to finding ways to recycle or reuse almost every by-product or waste material, she said Intel is leading industry. You'll hear:·       How to balance between the business case and doing the right thing.·       How seeking more environmental solutions also improves the product more broadly.·       How important environmental and sustainabil

"There's endless innovation in this area (of sustainable products) because it's where people are focused essentially. When you think of values or voting with your dollars, this is one of the very first things people would think of...These products are not a compromise but an improvement in functionality." Jules Pieri on Green Connections Radio  Jules Pieri and her company The Grommet have learned so much from launching their own business and over 30,000 products on their e-commerce site that sells hand-picked products made by small "makers," that she decided to write a book about it. In her extensive interview with Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson, about her book, “How We Make Stuff Now,” Pieri explains key lessons learned.  You'll hear:·       How they hand-pick and test each item on The Grommet - and why·       Why you may not want to sell, or buy, on Amazon·       The nuts and bolts of how to build and grow a product-base

“It’s going to happen, It’s not so much a matter of ‘if’ it’s going to happen, but ‘when.’ But we need a strategic roadmap and a policy framework….EVs are one of the most complex systems, just because it cuts across multiple stakeholders.” Bonnie Datta on Green Connections Radio There's a lot of buzz around electric vehicles (EVs), but adoption is still slow. Why? Bonnie Datta, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs and Market Development for the Americas and Southeast Asia at Siemens, told Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson that much of the blame lies in the lap of regulators and utilities.  Listen to this fascinating interview for why and how your vote and voice matter.  You'll  hear:Why Minnesota is the model for EVs, surprisingly.Why regulators are the obstacle and how they can be more innovative.How automakers can transform how they market EVs.How everyone in the EV ecosystem has a role to play, including us drivers.And….great career tips from how she turned upheaval into succ

If you're planning your Labor Day or holiday travel plans, listen to this interview of Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson with Costa Christos of National Geographic Travel with important tips.  You'll  hear:The difference between “eco-tourism” and “sustainable travel.”What to look for in places you want to stay.How to travel cheaper. What’s included?Sustainable systems at top-of-the-line destinations.And hear about the cool National Geographic’s eco “Unique Lodges”! You’ll want to take notes! You’ll also want to listen to:Geoff Bolan CEO of Sustainable Travel International.Cindy Ortega, SVP, CSO of MGM Resorts International on how luxury and sustainability are compatible.Flo Stone, Founder of the DC Environmental Film Festival.Jennifer Regan, Director of Sustainability, AEG Worldwide entertainment venues. Thank you for subscribing to Green Connections on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review!Also, join our Private Facebook Group and share your insights!Join o

Buying Clothing With an Eco-Consciousness"85% of disposable apparel ends up in a landfill," Annie Gullingsrud, Cradle to Cradle Innovation InstituteThink of all the stuff that you're buying for back-to-school this time of year...or new fashions for the fall season...What if you bought even 10 percent of it with sustainable clothing? Is it even possible? How?Listen to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson's intriguing interview with the Director of Textiles and Apparel at the Cradle to Cradle Innovation Institute, Annie Gullingsrud, to find out how. This aired originally just after the hurricane in Houston, so you'll hear them mention that.You'll hear:·       What the circular economy is.·       What to look for when buying clothes.·       What certifications mean.·       How communities can get more clean drinking water from a clothing manufacturing plant. And more….You’ll want to take notes to help you decide what to b

With a new Secretary of Defense coming in, and an Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, it's important to remember the national security implications of climate change. Listen to Joan Michelson's fascinating (and a bit frightening) interview with former Deputy Secretary of Defense, and former Senior Vice President and General Counsel and Military Advisor at CNA, a top national security think tank, Sherri Goodman on how climate relates to national security.  She personally shifted the DoD's mindset on these issues when she was in the Pentagon as the first Deputy Secretary of Environment. Listen to Sherri Goodman explain:How climate change is a national security issue.How wars start over water, food, natural resources.Why your area might not get what it needs in a disaster because of it.What we can do about it – and tell our Members of Congress and Mayors to do.And more!This interview was conducted while she was at CNA, which she has since left,  It aired originally on this podcast about 2

With 6 extreme weather events costing over $1 billion each in 2019 already (as of early July), we know we need to adapt to this new normal caused by climate change.  But how? A new The Resilience Center is embracing this challenge, with a goal of reaching one billion people with resilience solutions by 2030.. So, where do we start? Listen to this Kathy Baughman McLeod, the inaugural director of this new center, the Adrienne Arscht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center, explain how communities are doing so, in this enlightening conversation with Green Connections Radio podcast host Joan Michelson. You'll hear:Why climate "adaptation" is different than "mitigation."How they are prioritizing initiatives they take on.Why they are looking at financial tools, technology and culture, as well as policy and infrastructureHow they are choosing projects to take on. Why the role of women in the climate change challenge is so vital.And, great career advice, including from her previous experience as a C-level execu

“Big companies need people to stay inside and change the culture from the inside, because that’s where a lot of the market power sits,” Rasha Hasaneen on Green Connections Radio As record heats spread across the U.S. (and the globe), air conditioning systems and the power systems they depend upon are getting a workout.  These HVAC systems – heating, cooling and ventilation – “account for approximately 50 percent of energy consumption in the average home" and about 39% of energy use in commercial buildings in the U.S., and they last for 10-15 years,  By the time you read this, there's another new technology, and there's a pressing demand for more eco-conscious systems. So, how do you juggle these competing demands and keep your talented team engaged?  Listen to master juggler and innovator Rasha Hasaneen, VP of Product Management Excellence and Innovation at Ingersoll Rand, who does this every day. You'll hear:·       How to anticipate needs customers will have in 3-5

“Decades and generations of fighting for equality and against discrimination can be almost erased by one line of code.” Miriam Vogel on Green Connections RadioListen closely the next time you get directions on your smartphone or order Alexa to do something. Did you notice that the voices of personal digital assistants like GPS systems, Siri and Alexa are female? Why is that? Especially when the sophisticated problem-solving technologies like IBM Watson and Microsoft's Einstein are named after men. That's what a recent UN study found. But does that mean AI is biased against women?  Joan sat down with Miriam Vogel, the inaugural Executive Director of the new nonprofit Equal-AI to find out why they think it is and what they plan to do about it.  Listen to this at times frustrating discussion to learn:·       Why this issue is vital to our economy.·       Why AI systems tend to be biased in favor of white males.·       What companies

We did it!In case you missed it, the event Joan Michelson and Green Connections Media produced and moderated last week at the Newseum celebrating 100 years of women voting – the centennial of the 19th Amendment – was a big hit!Thank you to the Newseum for being fabulous hosts and to Politico’s Women Rule initiative for supporting us! Thanks to the fascinating and engaging panelists, Anna Palmer of Politico, Shawna Thomas of Vice News and Lori Harrison-Kahan, author of “The Superwoman and Other Writings by Miriam Michelson” about the suffrage journalist who helped bring the 19th Amendment over the finish line (and Joan’s great-great aunt).We had a terrific discussion about women journalists who played a critical role in the success of the 19th Amendment (including my great-great aunt, Miriam Michelson), about being a woman journalist today, and about the potential impact of women voters on the upcoming 2020 election. (Watch the replay here.watch for the podcast on Green Connections Radio)  Our full house

“To me, creativity is the ability to connect, in often unexpected ways, observations or experiences or skills from completely different realms,” Ingrid Daubechies on Green Connections RadioThe next time you send a photo to someone from your smartphone, and it asks you for which size to send, you'll think about that decision differently after listening to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson's truly fascinating and inspiring conversation with Dr. Ingrid Daubechies of Duke University.  Why? Because she's the person who developed the theory that explains the difference between those sizes - wavelet theory - and has won numerous awards for doing so, including the renowned MacArthur "genius" award. You'll hear: .  Tips for coming up with fresh ideas. .  How to collaborate and build trust among a diverse group of people. .  How wavelet theory works and explains what happens when files are reduced (or "compressed"). .  How she excelled despite being the rare women at the top of her

AAs we commemorate the centennial of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, here is a glimpse into an untold part of the story: a woman journalist who supported the cause by using her work to keep the movement in the headlines: Miriam Michelson, She also happens to be my great-great aunt.  Listen to professor Lori Harrison-Kahan share stories about how Miriam used her platforms and broke the rules as a woman in this then-non-traditional field.  These are stories from her brand new book about Miriam Michelson, "The Superwoman and Other Writings of Miriam Michelson, (Wayne State Univ. Press, I wrote the foreword to it).  You'll hear: ·       How women journalists in the 1890s-1900's addressed the #MeToo movement of their day.·       How Miriam used her platform for social causes she cared about, including women's rights.·       Lessons for women today breaking into non-traditional careers. (You can read ab

“Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of some natural disasters….. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strongly recommends that pre-­incident planning be documented,” says a brand new report from the EPA.In other words: prepare for the imminent consequences of climate change-related natural disasters and extreme weather events.  But how? And, how can your community improve its infrastructure at the same time?Listen to Rawlings Miller, a climate scientist and principal in the WSP advisory firm in this information-packed interview with Joan Michelson on Green Connections Radio podcast. Rawlings tells us:·       How to assess the potential economic impact of a natural disaster in your area, or for your business, from solid data that’s publicly available.·       The steps in a climate resilience plan, and figuring out your “lifelines.”·       How making your community more resilient can improve you

“(T)here’s an enormous opportunity to talk about sustainability and environmentalism in a way that captures the imagination of an everyday consumer or an everyday fashion lover and find a way to make it exciting and interesting and accessible.“ Laura Jones on Green Connections RadioCelebrity stylist Laura Jones found herself overwhelmed when she realized the field she had dedicated her career to was damaging the environment big time: fashion.  Then, she resolved to do something about it.Listen to Laura describe her journey from celebrity stylist to sustainability advocate in this heartfelt interview with Joan Michelson on Green Connections Radio podcast.   Laura talks about:·       How she got from stylist to sustainability advocate·       What the biggest issues are in addressing sustainability in fashion.·       How to “dress your values” and why it’s easier than you think.·       Why retailers and designers

You'll never look at your friends' photos of riding an elephant the same way again after watching Ashley Bell’s documentary, "Love and Bananas."It’s the story of rescuing Asian elephants from the cruelty they endure to be housed in zoos and “entertainment” in circuses, as well as rides. Ashley calls the film “an action adventure story,” yet it’s so much more.  It’s also a love story between the elephants being rescued and Lek Chaillert, the renowned conservationist/rescuer who was Bell’s guide on the adventure..Listen to Ashley tell the story of how she came to this powerful story in this fascinating interview with Joan Michelson on the Green Connections Radio podcast.  Ashley also talks about how it transformed her into an activist for this cause and shares insightful career advice. Read my Forbes blogs about her documentary and what you can do, and on her career advice here too.. “Trust your gut. Tell your story. And you will get everyone in the world saying ‘no’ to you, and all those people will

“We recognize that women add fundamentally different and unique and a very powerful contribution to creating new ideas, new products, new services.”   Alfia Ilicheva on Green Connections RadioIf you think only the “ah-ha” ideas become successful businesses (or nonprofits), then Alfia Ilicheva and Maria Potoroczyn want to talk to you.  They believe it’s a deliberative process that anyone, especially women, can do.    Listen to Alfia and Maria, Cofounders of Women in Innovation, a nascent educational nonprofit based in New York City, talk about how they are leveraging their years in innovation consulting with large firms – and their contacts – to help women learn and succeed with the processes they have found successful. You'll hear:·       Why innovation is not “magic” – but a set of choices and processes that lead to specific goals and ROI (returns on investment – whatever ROI is to you). ·       Specific tips and strategies for making innovatio