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

Dell Computers is one of the Fortune 500 leaders in integrating sustainability across the company. How? Why did the company go private (rather than stay a publicly-traded company)? How do you change behavior to achieve their ambitious goals? Listen to GCR host Joan Michelson’s short conversation with Dell’s Chief Responsibility Officer, Trisa Thompson, to find out. This segment is also available on video on www.greenconnectionsradio.com. It was recorded when Joan anchored the livestream of the Greenbiz Verge San Francisco conference, called “Sidebar,” with Mo Al-Shawaf of Sustainability (an organization in Washington, DC). Thanks for subscribing to Green Connections on iTunes and for leaving us a review.      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to this fascinating discussion with one of the world’s foremost business leaders and innovators, Dr. Sophie Vandebroek, Chief Technology Officer of Xerox. You’ll hear about: “The democratization of energy” and how will it give us - consumers and business leaders - control over what type of energy we use for which purpose and when! Breakthrough battery technologies that are about to transform our roads, bridges and overall infrastructure, and give you more options. How to “do” innovation in a large organization, including leveraging diversity. Career advice for innovators, STEM specialists and women Thank you for subscribing to Green Connections on iTunes, and reviewing and rating us as well. Please send us your questions and comments at @joanmichelson or on our Facebook page.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that the U.S. Dept. of Defense is the largest energy consumer on the planet and the Army is the largest one in the federal government? The Army’s Net Zero Initiative’s goal is to reduce its total energy and water use to “net zero,” and to reduce waste in landfills to net zero too. So how do this-- and how well is it working? Listen to this fascinating and engaging discussion with the person in charge of it: The Honorable Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary for Energy, Installations and Environment. What can we learn? Which strategy has already reduced water usage by 23%? What about DOD budget cuts? How does it affect national security and performance? Opportunities for the private sector? To put this in perspective, think about this: The U.S. Army spent $4.8 billion on energy total in 2012, and runs the equivalent of 152 small cities. This episode is also available in video on GreenConnectionsRadio.com and on YouTube. Thank you for subscribing to Green Connections on iTunes, and reviewing an

Debbie Levin personally converted Hollywood’s television and movie productions into a greener way of doing business – and awards them when they do, as founder of the Environmental Media Awards. Awardees include Gwyneth Paltrow, 21st Century Fox, “Steve Jobs” the movie, and even “Star Wars.” In this brief interview at an Environmental Media Association gala, Levin tells Green Connections host Joan Michelson about what it takes to get the studios on the environmental bandwagon, and which are still lagging. You can factor that into your next movie ticket choice.  Thanks for subscribing to Green Connections Radio on iTunes and for leaving us a rating and review. Send us YOUR questions on our Facebook page and on Twitter @joanmichelson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you met Leilani Munter you would never guess she was one of the highest-performing race car drivers on the planet. This dynamic woman is transforming the race car industry – one race, one tree-planting, one solar-powered race car pit at a time. Literally. Listen to this biologist-turned racing phenom Leilani tell Green Connections host Joan Michelson how crossing driving a race car off her bucket list led to using her voice and platform to transform the industry. She's disrupting this male- and petroleum-dominated industry, and showing there's eco-friendly way to do it.  Your kids will thank you for sharing it with them too. Thanks for subscribing to Green Connections Radio on iTunes and for leaving us a rating and review. Send us YOUR questions on our Facebook page and on Twitter @joanmichelson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“It’s easier to change the world if you have money.” Julie Lenzer Kirk, award-winning serial entrepreneur and head of the Economic Development Administration Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) at the U.S. Commerce Department.  As a mentor to entrepreneurs and an author, Kirk shares juicy insider tips for fulfilling the entrepreneur’s ‘hierarchy of needs” based on her own successes (and failures).  Grab something to write with…. Listen to this engaging and informative discussion with Green Connections host Joan Michelson as Kirk encourages entrepreneurs to think big, define your niche and where to go to get the money, services and support you need because “you being starving does not help anyone.” You’ll want to take notes! Thanks for subscribing to Green Connections on iTunes and for leaving us a review.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By innovatively solving a technical exhaust problem, this creative team from NG1 Techflo Exhaust won the Clean Tech Open – and all the funding and contacts that come with it.  What can you learn from their experience – and do you want this on your truck? “One class 8 truck can save 40,000 lbs of carbon /year” with the NG1 system, and potentially $5,000-$10,000 in related costs, according to the NG1 website. That’s huge! Listen to NG1 TECHflo and Co-Founders Cynthia O’Donnell and Dustin Nord tell Green Connections host Joan Michelson about how it dramatically improves fuel efficiency while decreasing emissions and reducing sound. Live from the Cleantech Open... (Note: We didn’t know they had won when we did this interview.) It seems like if the NG1 Exhaust system was on every diesel truck in the transportation, hauling, construction, agriculture, mining, marine, locomotive, and military industries we’d reduce CO2 pollution considerably. Thanks for subscribing to Green Connections on iTunes and for leaving us

Remarkable clean energy innovations, the challenges of a carbon tax, jobs, and investing in clean energy - told with great stories. All from a man who carries the legacy of one of the most renowned (and provocative) United States Presidents. Listen to this engaging and enlightening interview with an activist scion of one of the most famous families in U.S. history. Ted Roosevelt IV tells Green Connections host Joan Michelson why he supports a carbon tax – how it works and who pays – and the impact on jobs of the clean energy economy and trade.  He also talks about bridging the ideological divide in an age of extremes. All sprinkled with great stories. Thanks for subscribing to Green Connections Radio on iTunes and for leaving us a rating and review. Send us YOUR questions on our Facebook page (INSERT LINK??) and on Twitter @joanmichelson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your brain and heart are 73% water, your lungs are ~83% water, your skin is 64% water, and your muscles and kidneys are 79% water.  Even your bones are 31% water. Yet 1.2 billion people live under water stress on the planet – and have you noticed that you’re paying more for produce? It’s the economic impact of the severe drought threatening our food supply. We’ve all seen the images from California’s drought and other parched farmlands; the rise in price of your fruit and veggies is the result. Dow Water is one of the biggest players working aggressively to solve these water challenges - as quickly and efficiently as possible. Listen to Dow’s Global head of Water and Power, Snehal Desai explain the innovative technologies that are bringing water to keeping us alive and fed to Green Connections host Joan Michelson in this fascinating discussion. These insights apply to any kind of innovation too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tired of buying the same types of gifts? Listen to Jules Pieri, Founder & CEO of the creative gift site The Grommet on unique gifts “made by real people with stories and values worth sharing.”  Listen to Jules share some of her favorite picks from their catalog and the cool stories of the makers behind them.  For Dad, the grad, Mom, birthdays, anniversaries or holidays, The Grommet Holiday Catalog has a full range for buffs of all kinds and everyone on your list – something for the cook, the kids, the host/hostess, the wall, the wine- lover and more.  Share your favorite gifts on our Facebook page or tweet them to @joanmichelson. Thanks for subscribing to Green Connections on iTunes and for leaving us a review.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Homes and buildings use an astonishing 40 percent of energy in the US – but author Sheri Koones shows us another way. Her book series of “Prefabulous” homes – from economy to luxury – give you a tour of the homes and how they were built so you can learn how to do it too. If you think “prefab” means mobile home, think again and listen in to this engaging interview with Green Connections host Joan Michelson. Considering the massive waste that home-building generates, prefab makes a lot of sense and seems so obvious. These homes also giving you a very cool, incredibly energy-efficient, place to rest your weary head in the style of your choice. Oh and find out how she got Robert Redford to write the forwards to her books! They take a tour of the luxury homes all over the world featured in Koones’ latest book, “Prefabulous World” and explore the techniques European builders are using that are not in the U.S. (gorgeous photos with lots of detail, really a how-to book).Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho

Remember the last time you lost power…Did you lose documents on your computer? Was your home suddenly dark, leaving you fumbling around for a flashlight? Was it a bad storm?  Our power-dependent lives are brought to a screeching halt when we lose electricity – and it’s scary, even life-threatening too. What if it doesn’t have to be that way? Microgrids are one of the new technologies turning the utility sector on its head and offering us our very own real back-up systems. One of the amazing entrepreneurs taking this on is Lisa Laughner, Founder and CEO of Go Electric Inc, a microgrid innovator that landed contracts with New York state and others in the aftermath of SuperStorm Sandy in an effort to fend off another power crisis like the one that storm caused.  The utilities are even paying customers a monthly retainer to keep their microgrids, and asking businesses and homeowners to use them sometimes to reduce the strain on the utilities. Sounds like a sweet deal to me. In this engaging interview of Lisa by G

Based on her experience working with Fortune 500 companies like Boeing, Nathalie Udo shares her practical insights into taking a large company from awareness that they need to be more eco-friendly to action steps on how to do it. These include insights she wrote about in her book “Organizational Survival” co-authored with  Gregory Balestrero. You’ll want to take notes on this one! Although 80% of companies today are aware of the need for sustainability, only 15% are taking action.  Find out which industries are taking action, who lags far behind and what you can do in your workplace – no matter what level you’re at – to nudge your employer or business in that direction.  Thanks for subscribing to Green Connections on iTunes and for leaving us a review.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you want to invest with principle but are concerned about making the most financial return too? The long time CEO of Calvert Investments (now retired), Barbara Krumsiek frankly discusses the pros and cons of socially responsible investing (SRI) in this engaging conversation with Green Connections host Joan Michelson. What is it exactly, what are the do’s and don’ts of successful socially responsible investing? They directly address these – and the criticisms of SRI’s financial performance. SRI is now mainstream, thanks in part to Calvert and Krumsiek who pioneered its profitable place in financial portfolio management long ago and proved it to be financially viable. So, listen to this award-winning master in investing-with-a-conscience to help you decide where to put your money. Thanks for subscribing to Green Connections on iTunes and for leaving us a review.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Wind and solar are crushing fossil fuels,” according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance on April 6, 2016. How is this happening? Transformative innovation. One of the transformational leaders is Jennifer Baird, CEO of Accio Energy who Green Connections host Joan Michelson spoke with in this fascinating interview from the ARPA-E Innovation Summit.  Their innovative, blade-free wind technology was awarded $4.5 million by ARPA-E in November 2015. And, it’s less expensive. Listen and be inspired to think differently as Joan talks with Baird about it – and about leading transformation. Thanks for subscribing to Green Connections on iTunes and for leaving us a review.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Americans love their SUV’s and the number of electric vehicles on the road is still only a small percentage of all vehicles. Transportation is one of the top energy users on the planet and car manufacturers respond to what we buy – not what we say. Anna Schneider, Vice President of Industry-Government Relations at Volkswagen of America shares with Green Connections host Joan Michelson the auto industry’s challenges and what VW is doing to reduce its footprint - and ours. For example, they have the only Platinum LEED-certified manufacturing plant - anywhere, in any industry. How have regulations affected the growth of the electric car market? What is the impact of low gas prices on car buying? Manufacturers? Listen to this intriguing interview with an expert who has spent her entire career in the auto industry. (Note: This interview was recorded just before the story broke about the EPA tests of their clean diesel vehicles, so it is not addressed.)      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch

Many folks joining the clean, green economy are coming from another industry or at least changing jobs as the industry evolves. So, how can we successfully navigate career transitions? In this straight-talking, engaging interview with Green Connections host Joan Michelson, renowned leadership coach Dani Ticktin Koplik of dtkResources shares the top three things to know going in that will lead you to excel in your new job. Dani’s unique take that combines sports psychology with brain science, with marketing and business acumen. She developed it working with Fortune 500 companies for many years. And, she’ll clue you in on the “Girl Traps” and the three most fundamental skills to hone. These are invaluable insight for anyone who has a new gig, or is looking to change industries.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is no tradeoff between luxury and sustainability, says Cindy Ortega, SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer of MGM Resorts, who ensures their 23 luxury resorts worldwide use the most viable sustainable options - with surprises. Part change agent, part CFO, and part sustainability evangelist, Cindy shares practical tips for selling sustainability (or any change) internally, motivating employees – and for advancing your career (especially for women). Innovation lessons abound, You'll want to take notes!  Thanks for subscribing to Green Connections on iTunes and for leaving us a review.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The #1 cause of many business failures is: Being blind to threats and opportunities. So what are we missing – and how do we stop the blindness?   Find out how our blind spots keep us stuck -- and how to see new, contrary ideas -- in this engaging interview, Green Connections host Joan Michelson talks with TED Talk phenom Margaret Heffernan, author of "Willful Blindness: Why we ignore the obvious at our peril," serial tech entrepreneur, former BBC journalist and consultant to top CEOs worldwide. Find out here how we get in our own way and what we can do to keep our eyes open to threats and opportunities. The book was a finalist for the prestigious Financial Times/Goldman Sachs Best Business Book award.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reducing energy and water use in big businesses is a "big pivot" that requires and/or affects all their stakeholders -- and requires innovative solutions. It can even change their business model. Listen here to the Global Head of GE Ecomagination Deb Frodl tell Green Connections host Joan Michelson about how they chose eight huge multinationals to collaborate with to find innovative solutions and how they work. It may give you ideas for your own needs.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices