Consensus in Conversation

Two founders of 1953 Tequila, Lindsey Davis Stover and Shivam Mallick Shah, join Conor for a special in-person conversation to share how their ultra-premium, additive-free tequila is prioritizing sustainability, elevating women in the spirits industry, and also offering an awesome drinking experience.Lindsey, Shivam, and the rest of the 1953 founding team met through Congressional campaigns for Virginia’s 10th district, and the idea for a women-led, luxury tequila company followed soon after. True to their mission, the founders secured a deal to source from an agave farmer who was passing his farm on to his daughters. Named after the year women in Mexico gained the right to vote, 1953 Tequila has shaken up the male-dominated spirits industry from day one, and it was recently named the Best Additive-Free Tequila by Men’s Journal.As you’ll hear, Shivam Mallick Shah and Lindsey Davis Stover have big dreams for tequila and beyond.Episode Highlights:00:00 Lindsey on pitching her crazy idea for a tequila company00:48 Conor Gaughan introduces Lindsey, Shivam, and 1953 Tequila 02:00 Bureaucratic backgrounds and running for Congress13:00 The idea to launch, women in spirits, and meeting agave farmers20:32 Branding, the origin of the name, and making it additive free28:10 Building in a new industry, getting to market, and finding distribution33:09 Challenges as a women-led brand in a male-dominated industry 36:37 Social impact opportunity, sustainability, and doing good 41:35 Building for the future, remaining optimistic, and sources of inspiration48:28 Where to learn more… or find a bottle! 50:00 Outro and end creditsThe book Lindsey mentioned: What Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi YamadaShivam meant to mention she is reading: Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens by her husband, Rajiv Shah.If you liked this episode, listen next to John Little of Smooth Ambler Spirits Co. on Craft Distilling, Sustainable Growth, and Disrupting the Bourbon IndustryMore on 1953 Tequila, Lindsey, and Shivam:1953tequila.com and instagram.com/1953tequilalinkedin.com/in/lindsey-davis-stover-1b65707linkedin.com/in/shivam-mallick-shah-54a953135Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comAs Conor mentioned in the show, we're taking a break for his birthday and we'll be back the first week of May with more great conversations!If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manik Suri is implementing smart technology into cooling, ushering in the era of Cold Chain 2.0. Before founding GlacierGrid in 2020, Manik finished top of his class at Harvard, went to Cambridge for a masters in international relations, returned to Harvard for a law degree, co-founded the Governance Lab, with stops at storied institutions like DE Shaw and the White House Economic Council along the way. Cooling technology has lagged behind other industries in the clean energy transition, but GlacierGrid’s all-in-one management platform is using smart technology to bridge that gap and build a more sustainable, advanced, and efficient cold chain.Hear Manik share how he’s pursuing dual passions for entrepreneurship and positive impact, why cooling technology is vital for the modern world, and how smart technology can decarbonize an entire industry. Episode Highlights:00:00 Manik Suri on the planet’s cooling crisis00:57 Conor Gaughan introduces Manik and GlacierGrid07:00 Academic upbringing, Harvard, and international internships16:03 Law school, The White House, and path to entrepreneurship23:25 GlacierGrid’s rebrand, the hidden economy, and the cold chain33:34 Pitching investors, aligning profits with impact, and future scale 40:09 Exciting innovations, long-term thinking, and staying positive48:07 Where to learn more 49:03 Conclusion and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Nick Whitman of Divert on Food Waste, Renewable Energy, and Impact TechnologyMore on GlacierGrid and Manik Suri:glaciergrid.com linkedin.com/company/glaciergridlinkedin.com/in/maniksuriConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stanford rocket scientist and fintech entrepreneur Karthik Balakrishnan is integrating high-tech infrastructure modeling with video game interface design to create a software platform that allows businesses to virtually test their plans for maximum sustainability and bottom-line impact. In 2018, Karthik co-founded software startup ACTUAL based on a unique premise: what if you could plug your business idea into a science-backed simulation that operates like a computer game? The software platform allows users to choose a sustainability strategy, map out its various permutations, and compare those simulation results, enabling businesses to explore the full range of possibilities for their capital and implement the most impactful without real-world risks.Hear ACTUAL president and co-founder Karthik Balakrishnan talk about how SimCity influenced their approach, combining user interface with data visualization, and why gamifying decision making is so important for the future. Episode Highlights:00:00 Karthik Balakrishnan on making specialist knowledge more accessible00:53 Conor Gaughan introduces Karthik and ACTUAL05:45 Growing up on the coasts and aerospace engineering at Stanford 10:45 Rocket science, entrepreneurial spirit, and the generalist mindset17:43 Fintech, founding Coin, and risk-taking versus reliability 27:24 Angel investing, the Pioneer Fund, and an impact-based framework 32:55 The origin of ACTUAL, the elevator pitch, and de-risking innovation 42:49 Real world variables and misconceptions about sustainable software  49:15 Exciting innovations, defeating defeatism, and staying positive53:40 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Peter Godart of Found Energy on Aluminum Fuel, NASA, and Engineering Impact at ScaleMore on ACTUAL and Karthik Balakrishnan:actualhq.comlinkedin.com/company/actualhqlinkedin.com/in/kbalakriConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re proud to share a special episode of the CLIMB by VSC podcast with Jay Kapoor, featuring his interview with Sunil Nagaraj. CLIMB is a weekly podcast where Jay and VSC Ventures co-founder Vijay Chattha speak with leading investors, founders, and industry experts about lessons and perspectives on company-building in the world of climate tech and climate adaptation. From CLIMB by VSC:We're honored to host Sunil Nagaraj, a visionary investor in the intersection of deep tech and climate innovation, and founding partner of Ubiquity Ventures. Nagaraj's unique perspective on "software beyond the screen" and his commitment to supporting early-stage, tech-driven startups are at the forefront of our discussion. We dive into the essence of nurturing technologies with disciplined financing and the strategic scaling of startups to mitigate climate change.Our conversation spans a variety of topics, from the complexities of venture capital in the climate tech space to the pivotal role of startups in driving substantial change. Sunil shares insights on the importance of focusing on high-impact areas and the potential pitfalls in the startup ecosystem, particularly emphasizing the significance of avoiding the "moonshot culture" that often hinders the progress of deep tech ventures.About VSC Ventures:VSC Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund led by Jay Kapoor and Vijay Chattha where we invest in early-stage startups and support our founders with hands-on PR, storytelling, and go-to-market work with help from our award-winning PR agency VSC.Links discussed in this episode:Moonshot Culture is Strangling Deeptech article: https://www.ubqt.vc/p/moonshot-culture-is-strangling-deeptech Ubiquity University: https://university.ubiquity.vc/Episode Highlights00:00 Conor Gaughan introduces CLIMB by VSC02:42 Trailer 03:17 Introduction04:01 What defines a startup as truly 'Nerdy and Early'?"07:11 What’s the first question investors make?11:30 How do investors navigate unfamiliar markets?16:17 The pros and cons of a singular investment strategy21:49 How do 'crazy' ideas become genius investments26:45 The 'Don't Repeat Yourself' mantra in Venture Capital29:35 The cost of keeping secrets in Venture Capital31:57 How trust accelerates organizational velocity39:30 Should investors be more involved in early stage startups?42:47 How can startups become better companies47:19 The dangers of Moonshot Culture in Deep Tech52:39 What's the one thing your startup should focus on?55:07 Can technology truly turn the tide against climate change?We’ll be back next week with a brand new episode of Consensus in Conversation. In the meantime, make sure to follow the CLIMB by VSC podcast for more great perspectives on company-building. Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comConsensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Frank Heidinger believes that lots of small improvements over time can create a huge impact, and he’s using that concept to electrify the recreational boating industry, responsible for 1% of global carbon emissions. Frank is the founder and CEO of HALEVAI, a cutting-edge company making high-performance, fully electric recreational boats that will reduce the industry’s environmental footprint, shorten supply chains, and bring more manufacturing jobs to the U.S. A hospitality industry veteran and lifelong ocean advocate, Frank shares how  prioritizing customer experience, committing to incremental improvement, and embracing a “We Will” vision of the future can truly make all the difference. Hear Frank talk about the idea that led him to launch HALEVAI, combining materials sciences, design, and engineering to build boats, and the exciting future for (water-based) electric vehicles. Episode Highlights00:00 Frank Heidinger on energy, hospitality, and the natural environment00:39 Conor Gaughan introduces Frank and HALEVAI04:10 Brooklyn beginnings, creating experiences, and sustainable hospitality in the Maldives13:58 The idea for electric boats, initial obstacles, and developing a design20:30 The recreational boating market and marginal improvements29:10 Pitching to investors, the spirit of innovation, and creating impact36:30 Sustainability in luxury, open sourcing, and prioritizing customers41:22 Frank’s vision for a sustainable future and where to learn more45:43 Wrap up and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Ben Bressler of Natural Habitat Adventures on Nature, Travel, and Pursuing Your Passion More on HALEVAI and Frank Heidinger:halevai.cominstagram.com/halevaipower/ linkedin.com/company/halevai linkedin.com/in/frank-heidinger-halevai Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Kapoor believes there is massive opportunity in climate automation and that identifying hidden economies is key to building a more sustainable future. Jay is co-founder and general partner at VSC Ventures, a storytelling-focused VC firm investing in early stage climate tech and automation startups. In part two of our conversation with Jay, we dive into the nitty gritty: Jay shares how hidden economies inform his investing thesis, why automation is key to our climate tech transition, how early startups are already tapping into this opportunity, and what a sustainable future could really look like. If you missed last week’s episode, listen first to Jay Kapoor of VSC Ventures on Finding Purpose, Startup Storytelling, and the Founder with 1000 Faces. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Jay Kapoor on investing in climate automation00:58 Conor Gaughan introduces Jay Kapoor and VSC Ventures02:57 Looking for hidden economies as an investor10:22 Using analogies to boost storytelling 15:03 The huge potential in climate automation31:34 Exciting innovations in the tech industry 37:47 VSC’s portfolio companies46:51 Envisioning a sustainable future with nuclear energy 50:04 Where to learn more51:35 Conclusion and end credits More on VSC Ventures and Jay Kapoor:vscventures.com/portfolio linkedin.com/company/vsc-ventures linkedin.com/in/jaykapoor/twitter.com/JayKapoorNYCJay’s podcast: CLIMB by VSCConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Kapoor is combining venture capital and storytelling to help visionary founders achieve maximum impact. Jay noticed that while it was easier than ever to start a business, that made it harder than ever for individual companies to get noticed. How could founders get the world to see their unique vision for a better future? The answer was simple, but not easy – tell a compelling story. So, he and co-founder Vijay Chattha created VSC Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage climate tech and automation startups, using the power of storytelling to help them stand out. Hear Jay talk about the importance of curiosity and empathy, what the NFL’s international games can teach us about growing a brand, and why every good business starts with a really good story. As you’ll hear, we had so much fun talking with Jay, we convinced him to do a second episode, so stick around for part two next week. Episode Highlights:00:00 Jay Kapoor on the importance of asking “Why now?” in storytelling 00:52 Conor Gaughan introduces Jay Kapoor and VSC Ventures06:37 Multicultural background and perspective on sustainability23:23 Finance, NFL Europe, and marketing funnels31:31 The idea for VSC Ventures and crafting a good pitch44:53 Optimism, return on investment, and defining impact54:03 What’s next – part two of our conversation 56:38 End credits More on VSC Ventures and Jay Kapoor:vscventures.com/portfolio linkedin.com/company/vsc-ventures/ linkedin.com/in/jaykapoor/ OR twitter.com/JayKapoorNYC Jay’s podcast: CLIMB by VSCConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgone Here’s the link to Joseph Campbell’s book, which both Conor and Jay mention: The Hero With A Thousand Faces.If you liked this episode, listen next to Matt Rogers of Mill Industries on Food Waste, Impactful Product Design, and InnovationAlso check out these episodes featuring folks Jay and Conor mentioned in their conversation:Rick Fox of Partanna on Sustainable Construction and Creating Winning TeamsRoger McClendon of Green Sports Alliance on Green Sports Day and Sustainability In SportsHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The data gap in women’s healthcare is a big problem. Four out of every five women in America with female-specific medical conditions will go undiagnosed and 70% of medical residency training programs exclude fertility from their core curriculums.  Tech wizard and veteran entrepreneur Juan Carlos (JC) Riveiro, and business and marketing expert Liya Sharif co-founded Cercle in 2021 to address this very gap. The tech startup uses AI machine learning to generate smarter, more equitable women’s health data, giving doctors the information they need to make decisions specific to each of their patients. Hear how CEO JC, and board member Liya are using their technological and entrepreneurial expertise to give doctors direct access to better data, improve fertility outcomes with individualized treatment plans, and revolutionize the future of healthcare for all.  Episode Highlights:00:00 Liya on the exclusion of women in medical studies00:42 Conor Gaughan introduces Liya Sharif and JC Riveiro of Cercle04:30 Backgrounds, college degrees, and careers leading to Cercle16:12 JC and Liya's idea for Cercle27:12 Medicine 3.0, systemic inequity in healthcare, and women's health32:49 Finding investors, caring for customers, and the future of health40:06 Where to learn more41:42 End creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Allison Wolff of Vibrant Planet on Beneficial Fire, Sustainable Software, and Nature-Based Climate SolutionsMore on Cercle, Liya Sharif, and JC Riveiro:cercle.ailinkedin.com/company/cercleailinkedin.com/in/lshariflinkedin.com/in/jriveiroHere’s the link to the McKinsey study on the women’s medical data gap referenced by both Conor and Liya during the episode: “Closing the data gaps in women’s health.”Here’s the link to Hannah Ritchie’s book, which Conor mentions in his intro: Not the End of the World. Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caron Proschan, founder and CEO of Simply, believes that simple ideas can change the world, and she’s out to prove it with… chewing gum.One fateful day Caron reached for a piece of gum and realized it was made of plastic. When she looked for natural options, there were none. So she took her Harvard Business degree and launched Simply, a food startup focused on healthy natural gum and snacks. From cooking up gum in her kitchen and selling it to her local Whole Foods, to challenging billion-dollar brands, Caron is a small business - big industry success story.   Hear Caron share Simply’s unusual beginnings, the secret power of tree sap, and why simple doesn’t mean easy, on this episode of Consensus in Conversation.Episode Highlights00:00 Caron realizes there is plastic in traditional chewing gum00:44 Conor Gaughan introduces Caron Proschan of Simply03:52 Background, Harvard Business School, and early entrepreneurship08:14 Simply’s start, bootstrapping a brand, and finding a market18:52 Scaling up, raising capital slowly, and sustainability in natural food27:10 Building trust, social impact, and pursuing your passion34:38 What’s next and where to learn more 36:57 End creditsHear the episode Conor mentioned, Andrew Gibbs-Dabney of LIVSN on Recovery, Sustainable Design, and Intentional OuterwearWatch the Made In America episode Conor references in the introduction, Can Regenerative Farming Revive the Earth and Feed the World on YouTube.com/consensusdigitalmediaMore on Simply Gum and Caron Proschan:simplygum.comlinkedin.com/company/simplygumlinkedin.com/in/caronproschanConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

50% of the global food supply relies on nitrogen fertilizer, which emits tons of greenhouse gasses. But startup Nitricity is making electrified climate-smart fertilizer by literally capturing lightning in reactors. Co-founder and CEO Nicolas Pinkowski joins the podcast to share the startup’s remarkable origin story from a make-shift lab in a Stanford backyard, to a full-fledged company revolutionizing agriculture and the future of our food supply.Hear how Nico went from engineer to entrepreneur, testing ideas on lemon trees and destroying a few toasters in the process, on Consensus in Conversation streaming now wherever you listen to podcasts. Episode Highlights00:00 Nicolas Pinkowski destroys a toaster in the name of science00:51 Conor Gaughan introduces Nico Pinkowski and Nitricity 03:49 Growing up, Stanford engineering, and Silicon Valley13:00 Nitricity’s origin, capturing lightning to decarbonize fertilizer26:26 Pitching and scaling decarbonized nitrogen fertilizer35:03 Working with farmers, potential impact, and future growth 44:06 What’s next and where to learn more45:33 End creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Matt Rogers of Mill Industries on Food Waste, Impactful Product Design, and InnovationMore on Nitricity and Nicolas Pinkowski:nitricity.colinkedin.com/company/nitricity linkedin.com/in/nicolaspinkowski https://ifdc.org/ (the International Fertilizer Development Center) Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Allison Wolff co-founded Vibrant Planet with one goal in mind: to positively disrupt land management. An ESG trailblazer, Allison has decades of experience crafting positive impact strategies for huge disruptors like eBay, Google, and Facebook. Now, as CEO of Vibrant Planet, she’s combining that expertise with the power of machine learning to revolutionize land stewardship. Hear how Allison and her team at Vibrant Planet are restoring ecosystems with a balance of beneficial fire, sustainable software, and indigenous wisdom too. Episode Highlights00:00 - 00:50 Allison Wollf on land stewardship with beneficial fire00:51 - 03:49 Conor Caughan introduces Allison Wolff and Vibrant Planet03:50 - 11:26 Background, business and sociology degrees, work at Netflix11:27 - 24:59 Impact-based global platforms at eBay, Google, and Facebook25:00 - 36:54 Vibrant Planet’s origin, beneficial fire, and nature-based climate solutions 36:55 - 42:55 Using data to scale impact, sustainable policy, and Public Benefit Corporations42:56 - 52:40 Staying optimistic, women-led leadership, and combining ancient techniques with AI52:41 - 54:45 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Tim Sheehy of Bridger Aerospace on Aerial Firefighting, the Military Mindset, and EntrepreneurshipMore on Allison Wolff and Vibrant Planet:linkedin.com/in/allisonclairwolff/ linkedin.com/company/vibrant-planet/ vibrantplanet.net/ Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed the show, please leave a review – your feedback makes a difference. Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lyten first created 3D Graphene by accident in 2015, but, thanks to its world-changing potential, it now has them poised to revolutionize the material science industry.Keith Norman, Lyten’s Chief Sustainability Officer, joins the podcast to share his journey across both sides of the energy industry and explain why graphene’s properties are so groundbreaking for EVs, battery technology, and even high-grade sensors. Episode Highlights00:00 - 00:57 Keith Norman on solving clean energy challenges in the real world  00:58 - 03:11 Conor Gaughan introduces Keith Norman and Lyten Inc. 03:12 - 07:17 Background, early influences, and college engineering07:18 - 17:05 ExxonMobil, working in Africa, and pivoting to a new career17:06 - 24:18 Amazon Web Services, supply vs demand, and clean tech24:19 - 33:37 Airbnb encounter leads to Lyten, the elevator pitch, and graphene33:38 - 38:29 Why 3D Graphene is revolutionary for battery and EV tech38:30 - 47:20 Building for the long-term, sustainability, and ESG 2.0 47:21 - 49:49 Leaving a legacy and where to learn more49:50 - 52:04 Conclusion and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Forrest North and Jason Marks of TELO Trucks on EVs, Mini Pickups, and Autonomous Tech. More on Keith Norman and Lyten Inc:linkedin.com/in/keith-norman-8611b5132linkedin.com/company/lyten-inc/ lyten.com Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgone Have questions, feedback, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed the show, please leave a review – it really helps us out! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artificial intelligence is booming, and Max Evans is ready for it. “Discovering machine learning was my very first moment of witnessing magic.” That discovery led him to co-found ClimateAi straight out of his dorm room at Stanford with his roommate, Himanshu Gupta, in 2017.Today, the startup operates in 50 countries, using AI-enhanced forecasting to climate-proof global supply chains. Listen as Max shares his path from student to startup founder, unleashing the powerful potential of AI-based climate solutions. Episode timestamps:00:00 - 01:10 Max Evans on learning about artificial intelligence at Stanford University.01:11 - 03:44 Conor Gaughan introduces Max Evans of ClimateAi. 03:45 - 06:49 Growing up, early influences, and school at Harvard. 06:50 - 11:43 Machine learning, the family business, and launching a few startups. 11:44 - 14:51 MBA at Stanford, environmental engineering, and artificial intelligence.14:52 - 20:27 The genesis of ClimateAi and its initial projects.  20:28 - 24:35 The elevator pitch, climate intelligence, and how ClimateAi actually works 24:36 - 33:02 AI’s potential, the reality around climate change, and being a voice in the industry. 33:03 - 39:54 Aligning purpose and profits, ClimateAi projects, and innovations to keep an eye on. 39:55 - 41:59 Motivation, finding solutions together, and staying optimistic. 42:00 - 43:54 How to learn more and closing credits.If you liked this episode, listen next to Ron Hovsepian of Indigo Ag on Farming, Sustainability, and Technology.More on Max Evans and ClimateAi:climate.ai/ linkedin.com/in/maximilian-evans-1b653770 linkedin.com/company/climateaiAnd be sure to check out Max’s new venture at okus.aiConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgone Have questions, feedback, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed the show, please leave a review – it really helps us out! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grant Quasha is betting big on green cement. "People don't realize how big the cement and concrete businesses are. [...] It's the number one commodity in the world other than water."  The chairman and CEO of Eco Material Technologies views the $350+ billion cement industry as a giant potential market for sustainable construction. After years of investment banking in commodities and materials, Grant moved from investing in other businesses to building his own, with major impact. Listen as Grant Quasha shares loads of insight from selling sustainability plans to envisioning the massive role the materials sector could play in building a decarbonized future.Episode timestamps:00:00 - 00:56 Grant Quasha on the twofold potential of sustainable concrete. 00:57 - 02:39 Conor Gaughan introduces Grant Quasha of Eco Material Technologies.02:40 - 06:18 Early career, materials and commodities, and the learning curve. 06:19 - 13:30 Business school, international shipping, and building businesses. 13:31 - 19:14 Green cement in Texas and concrete vs cement. 19:15 - 26:16 How Eco Material Technologies creates impact. 26:17 - 33:14 Capturing lightning in a bottle, potential growth, and pitching investors. 33:15 - 39:33 Capital markets and aligning doing good with doing well. 39:34 - 44:46 Public policy, climate legislation, and institutional support. 44:47 - 49:10 Upcoming innovations, leaving a legacy, and setting priorities.49:11 - 50:57 How to learn more and closing credits. If you liked this episode, listen next to Chris Anderson of Vantem Global on Building Sustainable, Affordable Energy Efficient Homes At Scale. More on Grant Quasha and Eco Material Technologies:ecomaterial.com linkedin.com/in/gquasha linkedin.com/company/eco-material-technologies Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgone Have questions, feedback, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed the show, please leave a review – it really helps us out! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Peter Godart could have been a jazz musician, but instead pursued his other passion: engineering. After garnering a few degrees at MIT and working on space tech at NASA, Peter set his sights on yet another passion: saving the climate. In 2022, he launched Found Energy, a startup decarbonizing transport with aluminum. As Peter says, “When you work for NASA and one of your daily tasks is, you know, let's figure out how to catch a one meter sphere orbiting Mars at Mach 2… These problems that we have on Earth feel not that difficult by comparison… We could totally do this.”Join us to hear how Peter brought space-sized innovation back down to Earth.Episode timestamps:00:00 - 00:52 Peter Godart on solving problems for NASA in space and on the Earth.  00:53 - 03:02 Conor Gaughan introduces Peter Godart of Found Energy.03:03 - 06:41 Growing up, interest in music, and engineering at MIT.06:42 - 15:10 Robotics, internships, NASA, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.15:11 - 22:20 The origin of Found Energy and using aluminum for energy storage.22:21 - 25:26 Use cases, decarbonizing difficult industries, and hydrogen hubs.25:27 - 31:30 Balancing roles, how engineering influences management, and lessons learned.31:31 - 37:42 Sustainability, what’s at stake, the clean energy transition, and policy.37:43 - 43:21 Humanitarian programs, motivations, and exciting new innovations.43:22 - 45:40 How to learn more about Found Energy.45:41 - 46:23 Closing credits.If you liked this episode, listen to Seonghoon Woo of Amogy on Materials Science, Decarbonized Transport, and Alternative Fuels and Jay Bellows of KORE Power on Renewable Energy, Storage, and Basketball Wisdom.More on Peter Godart and Found Energy:FoundEnergy.comlinkedin.com/company/found-energy linkedin.com/in/petergodartAs mentioned in the podcast, Peter wrote a freely accessible book on climate change and thermodynamics. To read it, visit https://ocw.mit.edu/, type “Peter Godart” in the search bar, hit search, and click the first link titled “Thermodynamics and Climate Change.”Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and instagram.com/ckgone Have questions, feedback, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed the show, please leave a review – it really helps us out! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2023 has brought us 35 new guests and more than 2,000 minutes of conversations– join Conor Gaughan as he shares his insights, takeaways, and analysis on a few of our favorite moments from the year.Whether it’s breaking down sustainable business blueprints, finding motivation during difficult times, or imagining an entirely new industry, this episode has you covered! Featuring01:20 - 04:10 Catherine Roggero-Lovisi: CEO, Modern Meadow04:11 - 07:30 Rick Fox: Co-founder and CEO, Partanna07:31 - 11:24 Roger McClendon: Executive Director, Green Sports Alliance11:25 - 13:20 Tim Sheehy: Founder and CEO, Bridger Aerospace13:21 - 15:50 Greg Putnam: Co-founder and President, Little Belt Cattle Co.15:51 - 20:12 Andrew Gibbs-Dabney: Founder and CEO, LIVSN20:13 - 24:59 Ben Bressler: Founder and President, Natural Habitat25:00 - 27:48 Jenny Du: Co-founder and SVP, Operations, Apeel Sciences27:49 - 30:17 Joey Zwillinger: Co-founder and CEO, Allbirds30:18 - 33:43 Matt Rogers: Co-founder and CEO, Mill Industries33:44 - 36:46 Chris Wood: President and CEO, Trout Unlimited36:47 - 42:54 Tina May: VP, Rural Services and Chief of Staff to the CEO, Land O’Lakes42:55 - 45:52 Michael Chanin: CEO, Cherry Street Energy45:53 - 47:54 Paul Snyder: Executive Vice President, Stewardship, Tillamook County Creamery AssociationA big thank you to all of our guests this year, including Erik Oberholtzer, Nick Whitman, Ron Hovsepian, Seonghoon Woo, D’Wayne Edwards, Rick Fox, Matt Rogers, Ben Bressler, Jeff Siewicki, Michael Chanin, Jamila Norman, Forrest North and Jason Marks, Jay Bellows, Damon Barron, Catherine Roggero-Lovisi, Alfred Johnson, Chris Clark, Jenny Du, Chris Wood, Paul Snyder, Margo Walsh, Joey Zwillinger, Mark Danzenbaker and Peter Corsell, Jeff Simmons, Jean-Louis Warnholz, Cisco DeVries, Andrew Gibbs-Dabney, Chris Anderson, Jill Brosig, Greg Putnam, John Little, Tina May, Roger McClendon, Tim Sheehy, and Steve McHugh.Have questions, feedback, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review – it really helps further our reach!Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is long-time chef Erik Oberholtzer, co-founder of Tender Greens, a revolutionary “fast casual” food brand. Now, as managing partner at Cohere, he helps other founders scale food brands making a positive impact.  But before finding success as a chef, entrepreneur, and author, Erik was at Temple University working towards an undergrad psychology degree. In need of money, he took a concierge job at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia. The position required someone well-informed on the city’s culinary scene – the best restaurants, bars, cocktail lounges – so Erik immersed himself in that world.The experience ignited a newfound passion for food, and soon Erik was off to culinary school and much, much more. Join us to hear how Erik found himself on a mission to democratize food. Episode Highlights 00:00 Erik on the early days of starting a business.  00:53 Introducing Erik Obertholtzer and Tender Greens 02:58 Growing up, developing a passion for food, and culinary school 08:40 Early culinary career, the food scene, and entering the restaurant industry 16:47 Career leading up to founding Tender Greens and the origin story25:25 Fun startup stories, hardships, and scaling the business29:57 Leaving Tender Greens, consulting, and Erik’s work at Cohere37:55 Aligning purpose with profits and the democratization of food42:50 Conclusion and end credits To learn more about Cohere, visit https://www.coherestudio.co/Follow Erik Oberholtzer on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-oberholtzer-930a934/Have a great idea or a guest in mind for a future conversation? Connect with Conor Gaughan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckgone/If you liked the show, please give us a follow and leave a review, it makes a big difference. Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is Nick Whitman, co-founder and COO of Divert Inc. In 2007, Nick and co-founder Ryan Begin launched Divert with a simple, bold mission in mind: eliminate food waste. Since then, the firm has processed over 2.3 billion pounds of food waste, donated more than 10 million meals to the food insecure, and continues to develop new, innovative technologies. Nick has spent 16 years successfully scaling Divert to new heights, creating a first-of-its-kind food waste converter, designing and building a processing facility for Kroger, and revolutionizing food waste logistics.As you’ll hear, Nick is a treasure trove of business knowledge for aspiring founders, and just an all around fun guy to talk with –  listen in on your favorite podcast platform.  Episode Highlights (0:00) Nick Whitman on recycling (1:00) Conor introduces Nick and Divert (3:15) Growing up, business school, and energy (8:16) Origin story of Divert (13:42) Food waste and anaerobic digestion (15:49) Logistics and early growth (19:29) Divert’s technology (22:21) Stakeholders and policy (24:09) Getting the first yes and building momentum (26:49) Aligning profit with purpose (31:28) Sustainability and natural gas (34:54) Advice for future founders and growth mindset (38:06) Finding optimism (41:12) Conclusion and end credits For more on Nick Whitman and Divert, visit divertinc.com Connect with Conor Gaughan on LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the episode. You can follow, rate and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube, or wherever you listen.Consensus in Conversation is a weekly podcast from Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is Ron Hovsepian, president, CEO, and board member of Indigo Ag. Founded in 2013, the company uses nature-based and digital technology to optimize agricultural supply chains, increase farmer profits, and reduce environmental emissions. Ron spent his first 16 years after college at IBM, where he worked his way up the corporate ladder. He later served as president and CEO of Novell Inc. and Intralinks Inc. He also joined the Board of Directors for ANSYS in 2012, which he still serves on today.After serving on its board for a year, Ron began his current role at Indigo Ag in 2020. Since then, he’s used his valuable leadership and technology experience to develop new ways to help farmers and the natural environment they rely on. Ron brings an expert knowledge of leadership and technology to the conversation, and you won’t want to miss his insights on the future of agriculture, technology, and sustainability. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!More:Visit https://www.indigoag.com/ to learn more about Indigo Ag. Connect with host Conor Gaughan on LinkedIn to stay up to date on all things CiC.Time Stamps:(0:00) Ron Hovsepian on carbon removal(0:51) Conor Gaughan introduces Ron and Indigo Ag (3:02) Growing up in Boston, school, and career overview(7:28) Staying ahead of the curve and pattern recognition(11:41) Origin story of Indigo Ag and what they do (19:04) Technology, agriculture, and farmers(28:16) Water, waste, and soil (30:51) Carbon capture and merging profit with purpose(35:22) Building agricultural resilience(37:21) Growth and the future of Indigo Ag(39:26) Community, policymakers, and partnerships (43:19) Wisdom, tractors, and what’s next (49:42) Finding motivation and optimism(53:08) Conclusion and end creditsExtra Resources:Company Website → https://www.indigoag.com/ Company Social → https://www.linkedin.com/company/indigoag/ Guest Social → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronhovsepian/ Conor Social → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckgone/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest is Dr. Seonghoon Woo, the chairman, co-founder, and CEO of Amogy, a tech startup using ammonia as a clean energy fuel source.Woo, an MIT doctoral graduate with an expertise in materials science, worked as a staff researcher at the Korean Institute of Science and Technology and at IBM, but he was always an entrepreneur at heart. During his studies, he witnessed the promising potential of ammonia as an energy source, and in 2020 , he launched Amogy Inc. with three MIT peers.To date, the startup has raised hundreds of millions in seed funding with Dr. Woo at the forefront, leading Amogy’s mission to decarbonize (and revolutionize) the transportation industry. If you’re a fan of science that seems like fiction (but actually isn’t!); if you love entrepreneurship, taking risks, or a classic startup success story, listen now on your favorite podcast platform. More:Check out https://amogy.co/ to learn about Amogy and their latest innovations. Connect with host Conor Gaughan on LinkedIn to stay up to date on all things CiC. Episode Highlights(0:00) - Seonghoon Woo on entrepreneurship(1:01) - Conor Gaughan introduces Dr. Woo and Amogy Inc. (2:26) - Growing up, military service, science education(6:14) - IBM, semiconductors, and energy(8:07) - Amogy, ammonia, and the current landscape(13:12) - Average customers and early investors(15:08) - Balancing science, technology, and business(16:51) - Business lessons from the early days (19:56) - Current growth, common misconceptions, and educating consumers(23:20) - Sustainability at Amogy and the wider energy sector (30:05) - Milestones, programs, and technological innovations(32:52) - Optimism and different perspectives on sustainability (37:26) - Conclusion(38:17) - End creditsExtra Resources:Company Website → https://amogy.co/ Company Social → https://www.linkedin.com/company/amogy/ Guest Social → https://www.linkedin.com/in/seonghoon-woo/ Conor Social → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckgone/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.